|
|
|
|
|
Kishtwar violence
Curfew, clashes cripple Shopian
NC stakes claim to Kargil Council with 16 members
|
|
|
Need to speed up efforts to explore overseas job market: Omar
Differently abled take out rally to protest Jammu rape
Baghliar-II commissioning likely by Aug 2015
Dialogue meaningless till Pak controls terrorists: Farooq
Traders to resume trans-LoC trade today
J&K dependent on imports to meet food requirement
Register case against Kitchloo for Kishtwar riots, demands BSP
Hurriyat moves rights panel against CRPF
Top Lashkar militant arrested in Baramulla
|
|
Kishtwar violence
New Delhi, September 9 “We don’t know why they are asking for a further time of two weeks” to respond to the August 23 Supreme Court order on the issue, a Bench comprising Chief Justice P Sathasivam and Justice Ranjana Desai remarked while hearing a PIL on the recent violence in Kishtwar. In the order, the Bench had directed the state government to justify within two weeks its July 10, 1990, compensation policy meant for CRPF and BSF personnel and those from other paramilitary forces in the event of their becoming victims of militancy or riots. Under the policy, the next of kin of personnel categorised as “state subjects” would get Rs 5 lakh in case of death, while the kin of non-state personnel would be paid only Rs 2 lakh. Similarly, the compensation for each of the injured personnel for the two categories would be Rs 75,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively. Granting two more weeks, the Bench asked senior additional advocate general Gaurav Pachnanda as to why the state had framed a discriminatory policy when it was part of the country. At the last hearing, the Supreme Court had made it clear that the fact that no one had challenged the policy so far did not mean it was justified. Senior counsel Bhim Singh, appearing for petitioner Sudesh Dogra, expressed the fear that the state might manipulate the issue. Allaying the apprehension, the Bench said: “The Chief Secretary’s affidavit (on the policy) is before us. If there is any incorrect statement, do you think we will spare that person?” The PIL petitioner has sought a series of relief measures for the victims of violence at Kishtwar on the occasion of Eid on August 9, while the state government has maintained that it has already done all that was required. State gets 2 more weeks z Granting two more weeks to J&K to file a reply, the Bench asked senior additional advocate general Gaurav Pachnanda as to why the state had framed a discriminatory policy when it was part of the country. At the last hearing, the SC had made it clear that the fact that no one had challenged the policy so far did not mean it was justified z Under the state’s compensation policy, the next of kin of personnel categorised as “state subjects” gets Rs 5 lakh in case of death, while the kin of non-state personnel is paid only Rs 2 lakh. Similarly, the compensation for each of the injured personnel for the two categories is Rs 75,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively |
|
|
Curfew, clashes cripple Shopian
Shopian, September 9 Strict curfew remained imposed in Shopian and its peripheries, with sporadic clashes breaking out in different parts of the town. The locals were, however, able to defy the curfew in the evening as fresh clashes broke out. The adjoining Kulgam and Pulwama districts also observed a complete shutdown in protest against the killings. Four people were killed while another one was injured in the alleged CRPF firing in Gagren village of Shopian on Saturday. Sources said police handed over the body to the residents of Digam village on Sunday evening, who buried him after a proper funeral. While the police in a statement admitted that three of the people killed were civilians, it said the evidence collected from the spot suggested that the fourth one was an LeT operative. “The evidence collected from the spot and the subsequent verification suggest that he is Abdullah Haroon of LeT,” the statement said. “A pistol, two grenades and a diary were recovered from the spot. We also found a mobile phone with dialer/SKIPE software, which is available with the LeT commanders.” The statement, however, did not mention about the burial of the slain “operative”. Neither did it mention about the postmortem of the deceased to ascertain his identity. The CRPF spokesperson had earlier claimed that the slain youth were militants, who attacked their camp and were killed in retaliatory fire. “I was riding a bike along with my friend Tawseef Ahmad Bhat. He was supposed to drop me at the Government Degree College near the CRPF camp,” said Adil Rehman, who was injured in the incident. “The CRPF personnel fired at us without any provocation. Tawseef was killed, but I survived,” Rehman, who is being treated at a Srinagar hospital told reporters. The other two people killed in firing, have been identified as Tariq Ahmad Mir, a walnut trader from Kulgam, and Muhammad Yousuf, a commission agent from Shopian. The district administration, meanwhile, said that no inquiry has been ordered into the incident as of now. |
|
|
NC stakes claim to Kargil Council with 16 members
Srinagar, September 9 The development took place a day after NC president Farooq Abdullah said his party had conceded defeat in LAHDC-K elections and the Congress could go ahead to form the council. The Congress had been demanding the revocation of the nomination of four members as it had been done at a crucial stage to stake claim to form the new council. Breaking its silence, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee today regretted that the NC had chosen to play foul by making nominations to the LAHDC-K before the oath-taking ceremony. In a joint statement, Members of Legislative Council Mohd Muzaffar Parray, Gulam Nabi Monga and Bashir Ahmad Magrey of the Congress said the NC did everything in the name of the state government, in which the Congress was an equal partner. “It shows that the NC is bent on playing foul with the Congress. The only viable solution is that the NC-Congress coordination committee should meet to work out an amicable settlement, provided the NC agrees to withdraw the four nominations it has made in violation of rules,” they said. The NC and its allies today submitted a list of 16 councillors to form the new LAHDC-K under the chairmanship of Kacho Ahmad Ali, a report from Kargil said. Eight councillors are of the the NC and three of its coalition partner Islamia School Kargil, with four nominated councillors and one Independent. There was no official word from Kargil. The Deputy Commissioner and the LAHDC-K election authority had fixed September 7 as the date for the oath-taking ceremony of elected members, followed by the extension of the formal invitation for staking a claim to form the council. None of the two coalition partners, the Congress and the NC, had secured a clear majority in the elections which were held on August 22. The Congress was the single largest party with 10 of the 26 elected members. The state government nominated four members with voting powers to the council on September 4, tilting the balance in its favour. The four members are former executive councillor LAHDC-K Punchok Tashi, Miskeen Tsering, Razia Banoo and Fatima
Banoo. |
|
|
Need to speed up efforts to explore overseas job market: Omar
Srinagar, September 9 Omar asked for the creation of a database of human resource heads that are responsible for recruiting manpower for various international companies. The Chief Minister also asked for the identification of two industrial training institutes (ITIs) where skill upgradation programmes will be launched in consultation with Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) to enhance the employability of youth. Omar, who is the chairman of JKSOECL, was heading the third meeting of the board of directors of the corporation. The two ITIs will be identified in Srinagar and Jammu, the capital cities of the state. “You should also tie up with other reputed training institutions in this regard, so that they can provide certificates to the trained youth to help them get absorbed in the foreign job market,” Omar told the officials of the JKSOECL. The Chief Minister asked the corporation to focus on placement of skilled human resource available in the state in the outside market. He also underlined the need for making youth aware of skills in demand in the international market. The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Sadhotra, Principal Secretary Planning and Development B R Sharma, Managing Director JKSOECL Abdul Rashid and other senior officers. Rashid said 2,229 candidates have registered themselves with the corporation, which included 1,932 engineers, 28 doctors and 269 unskilled persons. He said more than 100 overseas employers have been contacted by the corporation for recruitment of manpower from the state. He said a delegation from the Ministry of Health from Saudi Arabia visited Srinagar four times during the last two years for recruitment of doctors. The official said that the Saudi Health Employment Attaché in India has been approached to be empanelled to the JKSOECL as authorised recruitment agent for the state. He said the necessary documents in this regard have been completed and the Ministry of Health from Saudi Arabia is soon expected to visit the corporation. The JKSOECL is keeping close liaison with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Indian Centre for Migration, International Organisation for Migration and other overseas employment corporations to help explore international job market for the state’s youth, the official said. |
|
|
Differently abled take out rally to protest Jammu rape
Jammu, September 9 “Why is the government silent when mentally challenged children are being raped? Give the right to live to special children in the state,” the placards read. The protesters demanded justice for the victims. Under the banner of the Association of Parents of Deaf and Dumb Children and the National Federation for Blind, the persons, including students, passed through various streets of Jammu. They ended the rally at the Press Club. These protesters had the apprehension that the administration might be forced to hush up the case as a few high-ups might be involved. “There are chances that a few people will try to hush up the issue. The government must take strong action and the culprits should be hanged,” said Sanjay Gupta, president of the Jammu and Kashmir chapter of the National Federation for Blind. He said this gruesome act with the victims was inhuman. “If the culprits are not punished, we will take to the streets and hold a strong protest demonstration,” he added. Some political parties and non-government organisations had issued press notes to condemn the exploitation of five mentally challenged minors, but no one had taken to the streets in protest. Leaders of the National Conference and the Congress had not even issued a press note to condemn the incident. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had been silent on the issue and had not uttered a word. There were apprehensions that the issue might be hushed up as the home for special children was associated with the Rotary International and a few high-class persons were associated with it. The victims were from poor families and people were not getting associated with the plight of these victims. They had been abandoned by their families due to economic reasons and did not have political or social backing. Jammu had erupted in street protests after the rape and murder of Damini in December 2012. |
|
|
Baghliar-II commissioning likely by Aug 2015
Jammu, September 9 This project has been conceived on the Chenab as a run-of-river scheme with a generation capacity of 900 MW, to be developed in two stages of 450 MW each, with a common dam near Ramban. The hallmark of the project is that it has negligible resettlement and rehabilitation issues as the main dam stand has already been constructed, along with filling of reservoir and other pre-construction work under stage I. On Sunday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah laid the foundation of the project, which would cost Rs 3,113.19 crore. Stage I had already been completed at a cost of Rs 5827 core and was commissioned in 2008-09 with a capacity of generating 2,536 million units of energy annually. The project, having three units with an installed capacity of 150 MW each, would generate 1,302 million units of clean and green power and earn an annual revenue of about Rs 500 crore. |
|
|
Dialogue meaningless till Pak controls terrorists: Farooq
Jammu, September 9 Speaking on the sidelines of a function at Jammu University, the National Conference (NC) president said, “Dialogue with Pakistan has no meaning as long as tragedies are caused to India because that creates misunderstanding.” Talking to mediapersons on the issue of ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the Line of Control, he said, “No problem between India and Pakistan can be solved without dialogue, which is essential. Pakistan must try and see that violations do not take place and the territory it holds is not used by terrorists to cause tragedies to India.” The NC president said, “What Pakistan must do is try and control jihadi forces that are working there. Moving forward is very difficult unless that is done.” The stand of the NC in Jammu and Kashmir had always been positive for a dialogue between India and Pakistan. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had every now and then urged both countries to resolve issues through dialogue. Farooq Abdullah thanked Zubin Mehta and the German Ambassador for the concert in Srinagar. “It was a great opportunity for all of us to show the world what Kashmir is like and how Kashmiris enjoy great music. I feel sad for those who opposed the concert.” Replying to questions regarding communal clashes in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, the Union minister said, “All of us should be careful because elections are nearing. Some parties will try to create communal trouble. We should fight such parties strongly because India is a diverse country and diversity must be protected. I appeal to everyone to maintain communal harmony at all costs so that India can move forward.” Commenting on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement about Rahul Gandhi, Farooq Abdullah said, “It is commendable for the Prime Minister to say he will work under Rahul Gandhi. I hope that Rahul Gandhi takes over responsibility
as quickly as possible and guide the country forward.” Maintaining that India’s stand on Syria was right, the Union minister said, “We do not want conflict and war because we feel that war will affect not only Syria, but all of us.” |
|
|
Traders to resume trans-LoC trade today
Srinagar, September 9 The decision to resume the trade from Tuesday was taken by the Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Union during a meeting today after it was “promised by the authorities that its demands would be looked into”. The cross-LoC trade on the Salamabad-Chakoti axis is conducted four days a week from Tuesday
to Friday. “Today we had a meeting, in which it was decided that the trade would be resumed from September 10,” said president of the Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Union Tariq Khan. On August 31, traders had threatened to suspend the trans-LoC trade for an indefinite period. Subsequently, business was suspended by them on September 3 over the Customs Department order banning the import and export of a few items, including mangoes and dates, from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Khan said the decision to resume trade was taken following assurances from the authorities. “They assured us that our demands about rescinding the controversial Customs order would be looked into,” he said, adding that they had also taken up the issue regarding the verification of traders with the state government. He said many traders had already dispatched goods in trucks to the Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre at Uri, and the trucks would probably cross over to the other side on Tuesday. Resenting the Customs orders, traders have been arguing that “hurdles” were being created in the smooth run of the trade by the authorities. The latest Customs order banned the export and import of mangoes and dates via Kaman Post (Uri) in Kashmir and Chakan da Bagh (Poonch) in Jammu, the two crossing points along the LoC in Trade talk *
The cross-LoC trade between the two countries began on the Salamabad-Chakoti axis on October 21, 2008, and the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus services was launched on April 7, 2005. Both initiatives are considered both by New Delhi and Islamabad as major confidence-building measures between the two countries over Kashmir since the Partition *
On August 31, 2013, traders announced that that they had suspended the cross-LoC business through Salamabad-Chakoti axis for an indefinite period *
Demanding revocation of the Customs Department order, traders alleged that hurdles were being created by the authorities, which had damaged the trade |
|
|
J&K dependent on imports to meet food requirement
Jammu, September 9 This has been revealed in the Agriculture Policy of the state. It also mentioned that the state has to import 20 per cent of its vegetables. However, the policy stated that in Jammu region, cultivation of hybrid, exotic and indigenous kinds of vegetables in different agro-climatic zones round the year and large scale use of protected cultivation techniques has augmented the vegetable supplies. It, meanwhile, claimed that in the year 1953-54, area under the fruit cultivation was just 12.4 thousand hectares with a production of about 16,000 metric tones. “At present, an area of 3.25 lakh hectares is under the fruit cultivation and the production has touched an all time high of 22 lakh MTs,” it said. Pertinently, the state has 60 per cent share in the production of apples in the country. The policy suggested that protected agriculture in the hilly areas of the state will be given priority using low cost poly-house technologies, particularly, for growing vegetables, commercial floriculture, cash crops, nursery raising, quality planting materials, etc… It further added that hybrid seeds developed by the universities, as well as, other public/private seed agencies will be adopted after proper testing. “Cold storage facilities will be strengthened and development of cold chains for marketing vegetable surpluses will be given due attention,” the policy stated. “Establishment of seed banks will be promoted to meet contingent requirements of seed in the wake of natural calamities,” it added. The policy also mentioned that attention will be given to create community fodder banks in Ladakh to overcome “endemic shortage” of fodder in the region. Grading and standardisation of agricultural products will be promoted for promotion of exports, the policy stated. The policy also stressed the need for formation of farmers’ producers’ organisations to facilitate end-to-end linkages for marketing, post harvest management and remunerative returns to farmers. Sources said the policy also mooted a proposal to promote application of science and technology in agriculture through a regular system of interface between various institutions and users/potential users to make the sector globally competitive.
|
|
|
Register case against Kitchloo for Kishtwar riots, demands BSP
Jammu, September 9 The party alleged that Kitchloo was “responsible” for the communal violence, which took place in Kishtwar on August 9. “Exactly one month has passed, but no action has been taken against those responsible for rioting, arson and looting,” BSP national general secretary Narinder Kashyap told reporters here today. He said BSP chief Mayawati took up the Kishtwar issue vociferously in Rajya Sabha and added that the party was aware of the entire episode. Kictchloo, who is also an elected representative from Kishtwar, was camping in the area when the riots took place. “An FIR should be registered against Kitchloo,” Kashyap reiterated. He said the party would take up the issue before the masses to “expose” Omar Abdullah government. The BSP leader, meanwhile, said the party would mobilise the public opinion in support of its demand of “trifurcation” of Jammu and Kashmir. “Very soon the party would launch a movement on this issue,” he said, adding that the party has decided to take up all the issues related to J&K in both the houses of the parliament. “BSP has already started a campaign to grant reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) of the state as per the recommendations of the Mandal Commission report,” Kashyap said. Kashyap also expressed concern over the communal violence in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh and demanded dismissal of Akhilesh Yadav-led government. “Samajwadi Party government headed by Akhilesh Yadav should be dismissed for its failure to control the violence,” he said. Earlier, the BSP leader announced Dharam Pal Balotra as the party candidate for the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat. He also announced that Sanjay Langeh will contest for Ramban assembly segment, while Sukhmay Chand will be the party’s candidate for the Ramnagar assembly segment. Sanjay Bhagat and Ali Mohammad Sohail will fight from Bhaderwah and Banihal assembly segments respectively, he said. |
|
|
Hurriyat moves rights panel against CRPF
Srinagar, September 9 In its plea, the Hurriyat has demanded registration of a murder case against the CRPF personnel involved in the firing and have also sought a judicial probe into the incident. On Saturday, when the whole Valley witnessed unprecedented security measures for Zubin Mehta’s concert, four persons were killed in the alleged CRPF firing at Gagran village in Shopian district. Terming the Shopian incident as “unprovoked”, Hurriyat in its petition alleged, “In the garb of frisking, the personnel from the 14th Battalion of CRPF, stopped the deceased youth and started indiscriminate firing upon them.” “Unfortunately, the deceased youth were later on labelled as fidayeen, which is a baseless and frivolous allegation,” Hurriyat legal cell head Mannan Bukhari submitted in the petition. The police in its statement had termed the two unidentified slain youth as “anti-national elements”, while as it had recognised the other two persons killed in the incident as civilians. Another person, who was injured in the firing, was also identified as a civilian. Locals, however, claimed that all the slain persons were civilians. “On the eve of Zubin Mehta’s musical concert, Ehsas-e-Kashmir, at the Shalimar Garden, the law enforcing agencies at the instance of the administration had cordoned off the whole Kashmir valley. Resultantly, the civil rights and liberties of the people had been curtailed and in the garb of frisking, the people were being harassed and arrested,” the petition added. The party further said, “Killing of the said innocent civilians has caused great annoyance and resentment among the public.” “These killings are sheer violation of the human rights,” the petition added.
|
|
|
Top Lashkar militant arrested in Baramulla
Srinagar, September 9 The defence spokesman said the LeT commander, who is a resident of Kupwara, was arrested from the Pattan area in a joint operation by the police and 29 Rashtriya Rifles following specific inputs. “LeT commander Manzoor Ahmad, alias Shamas Bhai, was arrested in the Pattan area. Shamas was instrumental in managing the finances of the Lashkar and had even threatened panches and sarpanches,” said Naresh Vij, spokesman of Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps. A pistol and four mobile phones were recovered from him, Vij added. Sources said some posters of the LeT were also recovered from his possession. Shamas is the second militant commander who has been detained in the last four days. On September 5, the longest surviving militant of Kashmir, Talib Hussain Lali, 36, was arrested in north Kashmir’s Bandipore distrcit. Lali was associated with the Hizbul Mujaideen and was also wanted by the National Investigation Agency.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
The fourth victim of the Shopian firing incident, claimed to be a Lashkar operative by the police, was buried at Digam village amid sporadic clashes and curfew.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday asked the Jammu and Kashmir State Overseas Employment Corporation Limited (JKSOECL) to speed up efforts in exploring the overseas job market for the youth.
Differently abled persons took out a rally today to protest against the exploitation of five mentally challenged minors at the Rotary Innerwheel Home for Mentally Retarded Children. Holding posters and placards in their hands, persons with speech, hearing and vision impairment asked why the government was mum on the issue.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has given the go-ahead to stage II of the Baghliar hydroelectricity project, which is expected to be commissioned by August 2015.
After “assurances” from the authorities, traders have decided to resume
the cross-LoC trade activity from tomorrow. The trade was suspended since September 3.
Alleging that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was trying to shield the culprits of Kishtwar riots, the Bahujan Samaj Party
(BSP) today demanded that a case be registered against the former Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmed
Kitchloo.
