The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Rift in open over 73rd Amendment Congress accuses ally of creating confusion over empowering panchayats Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, October 12 Infuriated over the statement of Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar, the Congress today charged the National Conference (NC), its coalition partner, with creating confusion on the issue of empowering panchayats. The Congress asserted that the coalition government was committed to incorporating relevant provisions of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Raj Act. Addressing a function at Poonch two days back, Sagar ruled out extending the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir. “Sagar’s statement amounts to violation of the commitment repeatedly made by the NC leadership, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to incorporate relevant provisions of the 73rd Amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Raj Act,” Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) spokesman Ravinder Sharma said. He said both coalition partners had agreed to extend relevant provisions of the 73rd Amendment to Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen panchayati raj Institutions in the state. He argued that extension of some provisions were a must to empower panchayats in the real sense. “The statement of the Panchayati Raj Minister creates confusion in the minds of the people, especially among elected representatives of panchayats,” Sharma said. He asserted that the Congress would not compromise on this issue. Interestingly, the Congress leadership was hoping that its coalition partner would bring in a Bill in the just-concluded session of the Assembly to incorporate relevant provisions of the 73rd Amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, but no step had been taken in this regard. The 73rd Amendment had become a prestige issue for the Congress leadership as the party had repeatedly mentioned that strengthening panchayats was a dream of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and it was not possible to fulfil that dream without incorporating relevant clauses of the 73rd Amendment in the Act. JKPCC chief Saifuddin Soz had constituted two committees to identify relevant provisions of the 73rd Amendments which would be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir to empower panchayats. These committees had submitted their reports 10 months back, but no action had been taken so far. Recommendations of these committees were placed before the Coalition Coordination Committee on January 14, but the government did not take any action in this regard. “What to talk of extending the whole of the 73rd Amendment to Jammu and Kashmir, the NC leadership is not ready to even incorporate relevant clauses,” a senior Congress leader said on the condition of anonymity. He predicted that the conflict between two coalition partners on the issue of the 73rd Amendment seemed imminent.
	BJP threatens statewide agitation on Rajouri issue Tribune News Service Jammu, October 12 Expressing serious concern over the developments in Rajouri town, state BJP president Jugal Kishore Sharma today blamed the administration for the stalemate over the issue. Addressing a press conference, Sharma warned that the party would resort to a more aggressive and statewide agitation from Monday if the administration did not take appropriate action. He was flanked at the press conference by chief spokesperson Jitendra Singh and general secretary Rajiv Jasrotia. Giving details and objectives of the “Rajouri chalo” protest yesterday, Sharma said it was meant to express the party’s solidarity with the minority community in Rajouri and pressurise the government to give full protection to the minorities without discrimination. He said several senior leaders of the party were detained during the protest yesterday and illegally prevented from proceeding to meet party workers in Rajouri. He said MLAs were not allowed to go and meet the people in violation of their democratic right. Sharma said the administration could have take action on the FIR lodged by members of the minority community if it was impartial and serious about resolving the issue.
	UK advisory a dampener on government plans Advises British tourists against travelling to Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, October 12 The United Kingdom’s fresh advisory to its citizens against travelling to Jammu and Kashmir, barring Srinagar and Jammu by air, the Kashmir highway and the Ladakh region, has delivered a setback to the state government’s plans of wooing foreign tourists. The state government, for the last over a year, had been trying hard to convince the UK Government to lift travel restrictions, allowing its citizens to travel to Jammu and Kashmir. Tourism is one of the mainstays of J&K’s economy. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has, on its website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india, advised British nationals against all travel in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, other than Wagah. Besides advising against all travel to Manipur and all but essential travel to Imphal, the state capital of Manipur, the FCO also advised against travelling to Jammu and Kashmir with the exception of travel by air to the cities of Jammu and Srinagar, travel between these two cities on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and travel within the region of Ladakh. The tourist destinations of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg fall within the areas of Kashmir. The FCO has advised UK citizens against travelling to these areas. The website also read, “There is a high threat from terrorism throughout India. Recent attacks have targeted public places, including those visited by foreigners.” Over 8,00,000 British nationals visit India every year. The fresh advisory has been apparently issued following spurt in terrorism in the state this year. “Last year, the British Embassy had sent several teams to Kashmir to review the situation and the UK Government had given positive feelers to our requests to lift travel restrictions for its citizens, but spurt in terror-related incidents this year must have been the reason for the UK Government to issue this fresh advisory,” said a senior tourism official. It may be recalled that the state had witnessed spurt in terror activities this year like the brutal killing of two soldiers in Balnoi area of Poonch on January 8 by Pakistani troops, the Bemina terror attack on the outskirts of Srinagar on June 24 that claimed lives of eight troopers in Kashmir, twin militant strikes in Jammu on September 26 that left 10 persons dead, killing of five soldiers in Chakan-da-Bagh area along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch on August 5 and 6 and the Keran operation along the LoC in Kashmir where the Army claimed to have killed eight terrorists. Since August 8, Pakistani troops had been opening heavy fire on Indian forward posts and villages along the LoC, especially in the Poonch sector.
	Vohra for well-equipped off-site varsity campuses Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 12 Governor NN Vohra has urged Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of universities in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that each off-site campus is equipped with sound faculty, adequate infrastructure and other required facilities for being able to impart quality education oriented in accordance with existing and emerging job markets. The Governor, who is the Chancellor of Jammu University, said this while chairing the 75th meeting of the Jammu University Council held at Raj Bhawan here last evening. Vohra stressed the need to ensure that all ongoing works were completed within the stipulated timeline. He said alongside other critical infrastructure, hostels for boys and girls must be completed on a priority basis. Taking stock of the status of his earlier directions that the main and off-site campuses of universities should be connected through video-conferencing and other technological linkages, the Governor impressed upon VCs to urgently explore this possibility as it would facilitate quality teaching and research. Those attending the meeting were informed that the Bhadarwah campus of Jammu University had been linked through video-conferencing while the Kathua campus would have this facility by the end of this year. Stressing the importance of ensuring timely declaration of results of various examinations keeping in view the career of students, the Governor directed that in normal course results should be declared within 60 days of the end of the examination and in no case later than 75 days. The progress on introducing the NCC as an add-on course at the undergraduate level was reviewed. The Governor urged both VCs to ensure the adoption of NCC training in the maximum number of colleges. He said this training inculcated discipline, strengthened the bond of brotherhood and camaraderie and enabled cadets to seek officer-level careers in the Defence services. Earlier, MPS Ishar, VC of Jammu University, in his PowerPoint presentation, gave details of the academic and extra-curricular achievements of the university since the last meeting of the council. The action taken on decisions of the earlier meeting of the University Council was reviewed. The meeting was attended by Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone and University of Kashmir Vice-Chancellor Talat Ahmad, among others.
	Riot-hit town pledges peace this festive season Dinesh Manhotra&Amir Karim Tantray/TNS Jammu, October 12 Residents of the riot-hit Kishtwar town are looking forward to the coming festivals Dasehra and Eid-ul-Zuha to strengthen communal harmony. The residents are optimistic about utilising the festivals to spread peace and brotherhood. Dasehra will be celebrated on October 13 followed by Eid on October 16. The Imam of Jamia Masjid, Kishtwar, Farooq Ahmad Kichloo, has initiated efforts to reach out to people with the message of peace so that Eid is celebrated with religious fervour and in a peaceful atmosphere. In this regard, he has held consultations with people from both communities and everybody has promised cooperation. Kichloo was named head by the Muslim community of a committee set up to hold talks with the Hindu community as well as the administration on various issues. Convener of the Sanatan Dharam Sabha Hans Raj, echoing the views of Kichloo, exuded confidence that people would jointly celebrate both festivals to strengthen their relations. “We have to live together, so there is a need to strengthen communal harmony and brotherhood,” he told The Tribune over phone. He said the coming festivals would be utilised to revive the centuries-old tradition of brotherhood in Kishtwar. “We held a series of meetings with our Hindu brethren and everybody is of the view that whatever happened was unfortunate and this is the time to move ahead and maintain communal harmony,” Kichloo told The Tribune over phone from Kishtwar. On August 9, Kishtwar town witnessed communal clashes when the Muslim community was in Chowgan ground to offer Eid prayers. The minor scuffle between people from both communities turned violent and led to widespread damage. Now, two months later when Muslims will be celebrating Eid-ul-Zuha, people hope that everything will be peaceful. “Eid is coming with the message of peace and I hope everything will be peaceful. Before Eid, the Hindu community will be celebrating Dasehra and we have offered full cooperation,” the Imam said. Festive cheer Residents of Kishtwar plan to utilise the coming festivals Dasehra and Eid-ul-Zuha to revive the centuries-old tradition of brotherhood in the town The Imam of Jamia Masjid, Kishtwar, Farooq Ahmad Kichloo, has initiated efforts to reach out to people with the message of peace so that Eid is celebrated with religious fervour and in a peaceful atmosphere Convener of the Sanatan Dharam Sabha Hans Raj, echoing the views of Kichloo, exuded confidence that people would jointly celebrate both festivals to strengthen their relations
	Ahead of festivals, admn gears up to ensure peace in Kishtwar Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service Jammu, October 12 The administration and the police in Kishtwar district is gearing up to ensure peace around Dashera and Eid-ul-Zuha, to be celebrated on October 12 and 16, respectively. They have been holding consultations with people from a cross section of society, besides increasing the deployment of security forces in the district. Security forces are being briefed at regular intervals to maintain vigil during the festive season in the town which witnessed violence on Eid-ul-Fitr on August 9. “We have held a series of meetings with people of both communities, including Imams, Sanatan Dharma Sabha members, traders, students and politicians. Every one has assured us full cooperation and we are hopeful of a peaceful atmosphere during the festivals,” said Baseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Kishtwar. The DC said they were keeping an eye on miscreants and many had been arrested after the riots in the town. “We have put miscreants behind bars and in the future, if anybody tries to flare-up communal tension, strong action will be taken against them,” the official said. On August 9, the Kishtwar town witnessed communal tension after a minor scuffle between two groups. There was a huge loss to property and three persons were killed in the clashes. As two major festivals are around the corner, extra force has been deployed. “The Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal have been deployed and elaborate security arrangements made to maintain a peaceful atmosphere,” said Sanjay Kotwal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kishtwar. The SSP said security had also been beefed up in the Padder area of the district where one person was killed on August 10, Marwah Dachan and other adjoining areas of Kishtwar town. “Police stations have been asked to remain vigilant so that the festivals remain peaceful,” the SSP said.
	Area on outskirts of Srinagar searched after gunshots Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 12 The search operation which was launched yesterday evening on the outskirts of Srinagar in the Ahmed Nagar locality continued till today afternoon. The search by the Special Operations Group of the J&K Police was launched after information about the presence of a foreign militant in the area. Police sources said some gunshots were heard in the Ahmed Nagar locality yesterday evening immediately after which a search operation was launched by the police. The sources said they got a tip off about the presence of a Pakistani militant in the area who had given a slip to the police in the same area last week. “After receiving the information, the police laid an ambush in the area and the hiding militant opened fire and fled from the area. The police later carried out searches in the area, but could not trace the militant. The police maintained a cordon in the area till Saturday afternoon,” a source said. The police, however, said the locals pounced on the Pakistani militant last evening, when he was roaming in the area. “The militant fired in the air after which we reached the spot and cordoned off the area,” a police officer said. The officer said he was the same militant who had escaped the police cordon last week in Ahmed Nagar. On October 2 evening, the militant managed to escape an overnight encounter on the outskirts of Srinagar, in which five policemen, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector, were injured.
	Govt working out one-time settlement for PoK refugees Tribune News Service Srinagar, October 12 Stating that it is working out a one-time settlement package for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) refugees, the J&K Government has said 10 lakh kanals has been allotted and Rs 30.84 crore paid to these families as compensation so far. Once the package is finalised after consultation with these refugees, it will be submitted to the Centre for it approval and funding, the government has said. This was stated by the government during the just concluded Legislative Council session on October 10. The government's response came in reply to a question by MLC Jehangir Hussain Mir, who wanted to know the steps being taken for the settlement of these refugees. Jehangir wanted to know if the authorities were contemplating conferring proprietary rights to these refugees over the land allotted to them.
	Heavy rush at Vaishno Devi Devinder Thakur Katra, October 12 A heavy rush of pilgrims was witnessed at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine nestled in the Trikuta Hills of Reasi as Navratras entered its eighth day today. “Over 80,000 pilgrims have visited the shrine in the last two days while a large number of pilgrims are arriving at the base camp of Katra,” an official of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said. A heavy rush of pilgrims has been witnessed at Katra, officials said. Yesterday, over 45,000 pilgrims from various parts of the country visited the shrine. The Shrine Board, while taking measures to accommodate the pilgrims, has made special arrangements to perform “havan” and “puja” at the Bhawan during the festival.