The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Two held with fake currency
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 13
The state police has arrested two persons with fake currency with a face value of Rs 7 lakh in Jammu on Sunday. The Special operations Group (SOG), Jammu, and the Trikuta Nagar police station had received information that two persons Rouf Ahmed Lachoo of Sher Pura Bala, Anantang, and Tanveer Ahmed Ganie of Durgond, Anantanag, had been indulging in the trade of fake currency. They were informed that the accused were bringing a consignment of fake currency in the state.

On the basis of this information, a case was registered and a naka was put up on all the exit points of the railway station under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (South) Rajeshwar Singh.

During checking, the police noticed a person with a bag coming out from the station, who became nervous and tried to change his direction but was stopped. A large number of fake 1,000-Rupee and 500-Rupee notes were recovered from his possession. The accused, Rouf Ahmed, gave details of his associate Tanveer Ahmed. He said Tanveer had got down from the the train at Jalander Cantt to get a medical check-up at Amritsar. Rouf said Tanveer was supposed to join him later at Jammu.

The police tracked the movement of Tanveer from Amritsar and finally nabbed him from Narwal, Jammu, today.

Police yet to conduct search at Asaram’s ashram
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 13
The police is yet to act on the directions of the Jammu and Kashmir High court to conduct a search at self-styled godman Bapu Asaram’s ashram here. The police is searching for Bhola Nand, who had alleged that three bodies of children had been buried at the ashram.

Atul Goel, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu, said, “We are trying to figure out who Bhola Nand is. We will call him here to identify the spot where he had alleged that the bodies had been buried,” he said.

The Sub Judge, Special Mobile Magistrate, Electricity, Jammu, on Friday had directed the Nowabad Police to conduct a search in the ashram. The directions were made in cognisance of a petition filed by Raj Singh Choudhary, a social worker and the state president of the All India Kissan Sewa Sangh. The petitioner had sought a probe into the statement made by Acharya Bhola Nand, an aide of Asaram, on a news channel in this regard.

His plea was that Acharya Bhola Nand had worked as the in charge of the Jammu-based ashram of Asaram for six years and had made such a serious allegation on a television channel. However, the state police is still trying to track Bhola Nand.

Meanwhile, no security arrangements have been made at the Jammu ashram.

The SSP said the ashram was under their surveillance and no special security arrangements were required at the ashram.

Dip in temperature to check spread of dengue: Health officials
Sumit Hakhoo
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 13
The administration has heaved a sigh of relief with the dip in temperature due to rainfall during the past two days. Health officials said the dip in temperature would control the dengue epidemic in Jammu, Samba and Kathua as mosquitoes do not breed in cold weather.

During the past fortnight, the Health Department was alarmed over the fact that humid conditions had engulfed the region despite the receding monsoon, giving a perfect environment for breeding of mosquitoes. However, rains since Friday brought down the temperature by about five degrees.

Three dengue patients have so far lost their lives this season. About 400 persons are down with dengue in the three southern districts of the state.

“Rains have come to the rescue of civic agencies. Otherwise, the fever would have affected hundreds more. The civic bodies and the health department had not made early preparations to deal with it,” said a senior government official on the condition of anonymity.

Though the health department has established eight sample collection centres at Samba district, which is the worst affected by the disease, and all the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) and Block Medical Officers (BMOs) have been directed to keep a check in their respective areas, the fall in temperature has made the officials happy.

“Weather conditions during the past one month played an important role in the spread of fever. Despite our efforts, the spread of area under its impact was very large, so we faced some problems. However, now things will get better cool weather conditions will check breeding of mosquitoes,” said Director, Health, Dr GS Pathania.

The first case of dengue was reported in August after which the disease became out of control.

Though the government had claimed that adequate measures had been taken to control the epidemic, people, particularly of Samba district, allege that the administration had failed to take any initiative in this regard.

The disease is spread by aedes aegypti, also known as the yellow-fever mosquito. In case of late medical help, the disease develops into the life-threatening hemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, wherein the patient suffers from dangerously low blood pressure.

Doda residents await proper radio service
RK Kichlu

Batote, October 13
Residents of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts have resented the in-accessibility to Dogri programmes, especially the Dogri news, through the locally installed Doordarshan transmission towers and the Radio Kashmir Jammu (RKJ) station. Despite their resolve, the issue couldn’t be raised in the recently concluded Legislative Council by local MLCs NK Gupta and SL Bhagat because of paucity of time.

The feeble radio waves from the 300KW RKJ transmitter, the oldest in J&K, have also become inaccessible to them, especially with the mushrooming of mobile towers, dish antennas, cable TV wire network and the electricity wires.

However, the programmes from Radio Kashmir Srinagar (RKS) and the Pakistan Radio have a better reach in the region.

Locals blamed the callous attitude of the state government which laid a nationwide network of hundreds of unmanned and solar powered very low power transmitters (VLPTs) and low power transmitters (LPTs), besides a few high power transmitters (HPTs) having the transmission power strength of between 10 and 100W, above 100 W and above one kW from 1994 to 1997 each at a cost of more than Rs 1 crore. Most of them have been lying defunct for about a decade now.

“This has badly affected the awareness of the welfare government schemes, especially the national flagship programmes among the people here,” Gupta said.

“With the installation of a HPT on the Patnitop-Nathatop road, the problem would be resolved and these VLPTs or LPTs would be removed. The land has been acquired and the tender shall be out shortly,” said Ravi Kumar, station engineer.

According to the station engineer, the HPTs in Rajouri (Nowshera), Bhimber Gali in Poonch, Samba, Kathua and Reasi have already started countering the Pakistan’s anti-India propaganda, besides transmitting national and regional programmes.

“My activities in the constituency have gone un-noticed by the public and senior Congress leaders,” rued Ashok Kumar, MLA, Ramban.

According to the sources, after the completion of an ongoing digital radio modulator (DRM) project on the RKJ premises, the problem of the weak signals would be over.

The communication Gap

The feeble radio waves from the 300KW Radio Kasmir Jammu transmitter, the oldest in J&K, have also become inaccessible to them, especially with the mushrooming of mobile towers, dish antennas, cable TV wire network and the electricity wires

Ramnavmi, Dasehra celebrated with fervour
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 13
Ram Navami and Dasehra were celebrated with fervour in Jammu today. The culmination of Navratras was marked by "Kanya Pujan" and pouring of "Khetri", seedlings (which look like grass) at the Tawi river. Effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnath were burnt to ashes as part of Dasehra.

The city of temples celebrated the nine nights with religious fervour, with many devotees fasting for all the nine days and worshipping Goddess Durga in her nine forms.

All the temples were decorated and illuminated with colourful lights.

The famous Bawe Wala Mandir, Mahamaya Mandir, Shree Ranvireshwar Mandir, Shree Raghunath Mandir and the Chichi Mata Mandir etc witnessed heavy rush throughout the Navratras.

An emphasis had been laid on making security arrangements. All the major religious places in the city had metal detectors and CCTV cameras. The police had beefed up security in the city, especially in the busy markets.

A large number of religious programmes were witnessed at the "mohalla" level, which added more colour to the festivities.

Meanwhile, thousands of people witnessed the burning of effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarna and Meghnath to mark the triumph of good over evil here today at Mini Stadium Parade Ground and Dasehra Ground in Gandhi Nagar.

Earlier, devotees performed Rath Pooja, symbolising the return of Lord Rama after defeating the demon king Ravana.

Ex-DGP for action against separatists, terror sympathisers

Jammu, October 13
Demanding strong steps against separatist elements and terrorist supporters in Jammu and Kashmir, prominent speakers during a seminar said Jammu region was on radar of terrorists as it had always fought against them. A seminar “Jammu on terrorist Radar” was organised by the Panun Kashmir (PK).

Speaking on the occasion, former Director General of Police (DGP) MM Khajuria, said it was indeed tragic that even after six-and-a-half decades of conflict with Pakistan, the successive governments in New Delhi had failed to correctly assess and accurately delineate that Pakistan’s designs on the territories comprised of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, “The mighty Chenab together with the Ravi, constituted, what founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah described as the Jugular vein of Pakistan. These rivers fed its canal system that irrigated the Punjab, its food basket, industrial hub and the mainstay of its military prowess and economy,” he said.

Retired Prof of History, University of Jammu, Dr Hari Om said the terrorist assault on Jammu started after Pakistan failed to get adequate international support to get endorsement of its anti-India resolution in UNHRC, Geneva, in 1994.

“People of Jammu have a crucial task to defeat subversive machinations and frustrate the terrorist game plan as the Government of India in recent times has encouraged the communal elements in Rajouri, Poonch and Doda who have sympathy for the separatist cause,” he said.

Dr Ajay Chrungoo, chairman, Panun Kashmir, said, “The government positions and the constitutional and legislative platforms have described the state as a dispute and a colony of India. There is a surprise appearance in the security establishment of the state and it seems that the most efficient organs of security are showing signs of inefficiency. — TNS

Road connectivity imperative for tourism development: Minister
Tribune News Service

Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir addresses mediapersons in Kishtwar on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Jammu, October 13
Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Minister for Public Works Department Abdul Majeed Wani are on an extensive tour to Doda and Kishtwar districts. The ministers, accompanied by the Member of Legislative Assembly from Inderwal, Ghulam Muhammad Saroori, visited the upcoming tourist places at Behota, Lal Draman and Bimal Nag in the twin districts and took stock of the situation there.

Saroori briefed the ministers of the local problems and aspirations. He said the development of tourist-related infrastructure at these tourist spots would definitely help in improving the socio-economic status of the people living in the areas.

Speaking at Behota, Lal Draman and Bimal Nag, Wani said the road connectivity was imperative for the development of all other sectors, including tourism sector, and the state government was committed to provide road connectivity to the rural, far-flung and other unconnected areas of the state.

He said the erstwhile Doda district was endowed with pristine natural beauty which could only be explored by providing road connectivity.

He said the development of tourist-related infrastructure at these tourist spots would definitely help in improving the socio-economic status of the people living in these areas.

Wani lauded the role of Saroor area in maintaining peace and brotherhood of the area. He announced that huts would be constructed by the R&B Department for the benefit of pilgrims and tourists. He assured of immediate completion of all ongoing road projects.

Minister for Tourism and Culture GA Mir reiterated the commitment of the state government for developing tourism in the rural and far-flung areas of the state. He said the development of tourism sector in these areas was a top priority of the present coalition government.

Mir called upon the people to promote local tourism and work hard to revive local craft as it would boost the economic condition of the local population. He said peace was imperative for tourism growth and people should maintain brotherhood.

Later, the ministers along with MLA Inderwal inspected the tourist amenities at Bimalnag at a cost of Rs 55.25 lakh that had been completed recently. Senior and other officers of the Kishtwar district administration, sarpanches, panches, and locals were present on the occasion.

Nikhil Majotra wins devotional song contest
Our Correspondent

Katra, October 13
Nikhil Majotra of Jammu bagged the first prize in the final event of the All India Devotional Song Competition in Katra yesterday. The contest was organised by the Department of Tourism and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra, with the support of Civil Defence, District Administration and the Katra Municipality.

Chaman Lehri of Reasi and Yasir Hussain of Jammu bagged the second and third prizes, respectively.

State Tourism Minister GA Mir was the chief guest on the occasion. Additional Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Reasi Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Director Tourism Soujanya Sharma, Katra Additional Superintendent of Police Pawan Parihar and members of the Navratra Festival celebration committee Shiv Kumar Sharma, Sham Lal Kesar, Sardari Lal Dubey and RS Manhas were among those present on the occasion.

The function concluded amid chanting of bhajans, beating of drums, bursting of crackers at Yog Ashram complex.

Bollywood personalities such as actor Aftab Shivdasani, managing director of Venus Records & Tapes Ltd Ganesh Jain, trade analyst and producer Vikas Mohan, managing director of Tips Industries Ramesh Turani and Chief Executive Officer, Zee Jagran, Barkha Arora were the judges of the final round.

Special guests and winners of previous contests Mool Raj, Sanjeet Kumar, Sonali Dogra and Ravi Kumar participated in the final event.

Rakesh Wazir, chairman, All India Devotional Song Competition, conducted the proceedings of the programme as well.

Mir said the annual festival was gaining prominence at the national and international levels besides providing a platform to budding singers. As a result, many such singers, especially the winners of previous All India Devotional Song Contests were proving their worth in the film industry, he said.

The chairman of the All India Devotional Song Competition requested Mir to increase the prize money for the winner of the competition, which was fixed at Rs 1 lakh from about 15 years. Aftab expressed concern that out of 14 participants who reached in the final round, there was only one girl and said there should be more participation of women in the contest. Responding to this, the Tourism Minister announced that from next year, the prize money for the winner would be Rs 2 lakh and if the winner is a women, then the prize money would be Rs 3 lakh.

Earlier, the Tourism Minister flagged a procession with "jhankis" which depicted the heritage of the state. The procession passed through various bazaars of the holy town and finally reached the venue of the competition.

The chief guest gave away gold worth Rs 1 lakh to the winner and cheques amounting to Rs 25,000 and Rs 15,000 to the second and third winners of the competition. The winner of the competition also bagged a recording contract with Venus Records & Tapes Ltd.

Gujjars for national movement to include Gojri in Constitution
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 13
The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today made an appeal to the community residing in other states of India for a joint struggle to press the Union Government to expedite the process for inclusion of Gojri language in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Giving details, Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF) secretary Javaid Rahi said, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, RPN Singh, had admitted that the case regarding the inclusion of Gojri in the Constitution of India was pending with the Union Government.

“Singh admitted that a committee was constituted in 2003 to evolve criteria with reference to the inclusion of different languages, including Gojri, in the eighth schedule. As per the communication, the committee gave its report in 2004 and a decision in this regard was yet to be taken,” Rahi said.

Rahi added that they were in touch with different Gujjar organisations working in different states of India and they were going to constitute a team of community dignitaries of 12 states which would visit Delhi shortly to press upon the Union Government to speed up the matter regarding the inclusion of Gojri language.

He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also recommended to include Gojri language into the eighth schedule and prior to this, the Governors had been recommending the cases to the Union Government.