The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

AAP draws chaos on first day of membership drive
Youth enrolled online try to hijack function; no ‘known’ names join party
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16
The first official meeting of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) evoked a lacklustre response in Jammu as the party failed to enrol any “known” names in its membership campaign which formally began in the winter capital of the state today.

The first meeting also witnessed chaos as two groups desperately tried to host Professor Ajeet Jha, who was deputed by the central leadership of AAP to launch the membership drive in the City of Temples.

Sources said it was due to the controversial statements of AAP leader Prashant Bhushan on Kashmir that social activists as well as well-known citizens of the Jammu region avoided the new party. “The AAP stand on the vexed Kashmir problem is very ambiguous. Statements repeatedly given by its party leader is a clear indication that AAP is propagating the agenda of separatists. So, we cannot afford to be part of this party,” said a social activist, who was called for Wednesday’s meeting. He admitted that just a couple of weeks ago, there was enthusiasm among people towards AAP but now the civil society of the city seemed disenchanted with it.

Although there were six to eight prominent persons of Jammu, including some eminent lawyers, who had been keen on joining AAP yet none of them turned up for today’s meeting. Only leaders and social activists with Left leanings met with Jha and discussed the prevailing political situation in the state.

One of the founder members of AAP Deep Singh, who had invited Jha for the introductory meeting at Jammu, was sidelined by overenthusiastic groups of youth, who tried to hijack the show. It became difficult for Deep to control the chaos and bring some semblance of decorum to the meeting.

These youth had enrolled themselves as members of the party through an online membership drive. Wearing AAP caps, they tried to give the impression that they were the real members of the party and virtually snubbed the members who have been in the party for more than one year.

Deep Singh told The Tribune that Wednesday’s meeting was earlier planned as an indoor event but some overenthusiastic youth made it a public event. “Let the AAP central leadership decide the future course of action to expand the party in J&K,” he said while admitting that those aspiring to become MLAs and MPs were coming in large numbers to join the party.

Dileep Singh elected JUTA chief
Varinder Kundal is general secretary, Vivek Sharma joint secretary
Tribune News Service

New office-bearers of the Jammu University Teachers Association pose for a photograph after their victory in the election in Jammu on Thursday. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

Jammu, January 16
Prof Dileep Singh Jamwal from the Department of Mathematics was elected president of the Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) here today.

The annual elections of the association were held at Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium here.

Jamwal defeated rival Prof Dhian Singh Bhau from the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports with a margin of 21 votes. Out of the total 264 voters, 244 JUTA members turned up for voting. Dilip Singh polled 130 votes, while his rival managed 109 votes.

This is for the fourth times that Dilip Singh has been elected president of JUTA.

The polling that started at around 10 am and lasted till 3 pm remained a lackluster affair in the morning but later picked up pace after teaching fraternity enthusiastically participated in the voting process. A large number of professors were seen flocking the polling centre.

In a triangular contest for the post of general secretary, Prof Varinder Kundal of the Economics Department emerged as a winner by clinching 95 votes. His opponents, Vijay Sehgal and Daud Iqbal Baba, got 89 and 59 votes, respectively.

For the post of joint secretary, there was a straight contest between Dr Vivek Sharma from the Department of Lifelong Learning and Madhulika Bhagat from the School of Biotechnology. Dr Sharma registered a thumping victory in the election by polling 154 votes, while his rival got a meagre of 89 votes. Last year, Dr Sharma was elected JUTA treasurer.

Vishav Raksha and Sandeep Arya had already been elected unopposed vice-president and treasure, respectively.

Security stepped up in Valley ahead of R-Day
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 16
Security forces carried out surprise search operation in many parts of the Kashmir valley today.

Meanwhile, the combing operation in a forest area near Sopore town of north Kashmir has been going on for the past one week.

Police officers said cordon and search operations were also carried out in various areas of Srinagar.

“There are no specific (Intelligence) inputs, we have stepped up security ahead of Republic Day in Srinagar,” said a security forces officer.

Security forces personnel also searched vehicles in Srinagar today. The police have also placed nakas on various roads in Srinagar.

Sources said searches were also conducted by the Army and the police in various parts of Kulgam, Kupwara and Baramulla districts.

Security checks are increased usually before the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations every year to thwart any designs of militants to create trouble.

The ongoing security and search operations are part of the sanitisation process ahead of Republic Day.

Though the main Republic Day function is held in Jammu, several ministers attend functions on the day at various district headquarters in the Valley.

The main R-Day function in the Valley is held at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar.

Class XII results: Girls outshine boys again
Maintain supremacy by securing top slots in merit list; boys outdo girls in science stream
Our Correspondent

Srinagar, January 16
Girls maintained their supremacy in the Class-12 board results of all streams, barring science. The results were declared by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) here today.

Faizan Mushtaq, a student of Welkin Higher Secondary School, Sopore, and Junaid-ul-Islam of Government Higher Secondary School, Handwara, secured 491 out of 500 marks (98.2%) and stood first in the science stream of Class-12 examinations held last year.

In arts, Iram Sheikh of Government Higher Secondary School, Baramulla, secured 485 marks. Among 13 students, 10 girls and three boys secured first 10 positions in the arts stream.

A total of 51,391 candidates had appeared in the examinations out of which 26,763 candidates passed. The overall pass percentage stood at 52 per cent.

According to figures provided by the Board of School Education, among 88 students, 63 girls and 35 boys have secured first 10 positions. In commerce stream, Dhan Kumari of Government Higher Secondary School, Amira Kadal secured 489 marks. Among 17 students, 13 girls and four boys in commerce stream have secured first 10 positions.

In home science, Bintul Islam of Jamiat-ul-Banat has secured 474 marks. All first 10 positions in this stream have been secured by the girls.

With humanities, you can go a long way: topper

For Iram Sheikh, 18, who has secured first position in the arts stream by securing 97 per cent marks - the inspiration has been her parents who have always supported her for the decisions she took. “I thank my parents for they have always supported me. And also it would not have been possible without the hard work that I did throughout the year,” says Iram from north Kashmir’s Baramulla. Iram, who aspires to qualify Indian Administrative Services, said she never took stress during exams as she would stay prepared for them beforehand. “I expected good results though a first position is much more than that,” she says. He says most of the people look down on arts stream and they mostly prefer science. “But, I am very proud being an arts student. We can do wonders in this subject also and go a long way. If you are determined and hardworking, we can do well in any subject be it arts or science,” she said.

State topper wants to excel in mathematical sciences research
Our Correspondent

Handwara, January 16
He doesn’t look back, when he sets a task. He firmly believes in studying with concentration and commitment. Such dedication led Class-12 student Faizan Mushtaq Sofi from Handwara town of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district top Class 12 results in the state.

Student of Shah Rasool Memorial Welkin Educational Trust, Sopore, Faizan wants to excel in research in mathematical sciences.

“I was hopeful of figuring between first and fourth rank. Thank God, I made it to the top position,” Fazian, a resident of Sofi Mohalla, Handwara, told The Tribune.

“Even six hours of study, but with full concentration, during a day is sufficient to score good marks. One should not be a bookworm to top such exams,” he added.

The topper says without support of parents and teachers, it would not have been possible to achieve such a feat. “My parents and teachers encouraged me in my endeavour and I want to thank them for their support which proved so crucial in my success. Mathematics is my favourite subject,” he said.

“I am keen to do research in mathematical sciences and make a mark. It is not a rare feat to top state-level examinations like Class 12, but make a mark at national and international level in research work of a subject,” he said.

Faizan’s father Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi is a professor in botany at Degree College, Handwara, and his mother is a housewife. He is the eldest son of his father and his younger brother is a Class-10 student.

6 protesters injured in lathicharge
Youth crushed to death by engine on rail track; angry residents block road traffic
Our Correspondent

Udhampur, January 16
As residents jammed Dhar road near Udhampur protesting against the death of a local youth, who was crushed by an engine on a nearby railway track, situation turned ugly after protesters threw stones on the police here today.

The police lathicharged the protesters injuring six of them.

A local youth, Sohan Lal (17), was crushed by the railway engine last night as he was crossing the railway track while going towards his home.

Residents staged a protest on the Dhar road and jammed traffic for more than five hours. They alleged that the youth died due to the careless attitude of the railway authorities, who did not fulfil their commitment of constructing a foot overbridge on the railway track at Sattani village as a result of which thousands of residents had to take the risk of crossing the railway track daily by walking over it.

Hundreds of women today staged a protest and forced senior officials of the district administration to reach the site. "As we tried to pacify the protesters by assuring them that the issue has been taken up with the railway authorities and the foot overbridge will be constructed soon, they started throwing stone and we had no other option but to restore to a mild cane charge," said Senior Superintendent of Police, Udhampur, Suleman Choudhary.

Six women were reported to have received minor injuries, whereas two policemen were injured.

“Recently Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozepur division, Naresh Chander Goel along with other officials had personally visited the site and assured the construction of a foot overbridge there. This youth was moving on the track using headphones and could not even listen to the horn blown by the engine driver and was unfortunately crushed to death,” said a senior railway official.

Hunger strike by Littar residents enters day two
Our Correspondent

Pulwama, January 16
The hunger strike by the residents of Litter in Pulwama district for grant of tehsil status to the area entered into the second day today, even as the authorities urged them to call off the agitation.

The protesters under the banner of the Shahoora Civil Society, Littar, threatened to intensify their agitation and said they would hold demonstrations in front of the legislative complex in support of their demand. “We are going to organise a protest demonstration in front of the legislative complex,” Saleem Malik, a social activist from Pulwama, said.

Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Pulwama, Shah Faesal requested the residents to call off the strike. “The Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) constituted to get the feedback from the people on the creation of new administrative units has not given its decision as yet. Therefore, you need not to panic,” Faesal told the protesters and added that the district administration was anticipating a positive result.

Meanwhile, Umar Jan, a Congress worker alleged that Littar was being deprived of tehsil status because of some political leaders who do not want to lose their vote bank.

BJYM protest against Health Minister over ‘corruption’
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16
Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), youth wing of the BJP, today organised a protest against Health and Technical Minister Taj Mohiuddin over alleged “irregularities” and “rampant corruption” in Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital and its associate hospitals in Jammu.

A large number of activists of the BJYM, led by its state president Ravinder Raina, along with Yudhvir Sethi and Ajay Vaid, protested against Taj Mohiuddin and burnt an effigy of the minister in front of Super Speciality Hospital, Resham Ghar, Jammu. The activists raised anti-Congress and anti-minister slogans and demanded an inquiry into the GMC Hospital scam through a sitting Judge of the Supreme Court and immediate dismissal of Health and the Technical Education Minister from the Cabinet.

Addressing the protesters, Raina said during the period of the NDA government, the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had sanctioned an hospital, having six departments, namely cardiology, neurology, neuro-surgery, cardiovascular thoracic surgery (CVTS), nephrology and urology, on the patterns of AIIMS in Jammu to provide advanced medical facilities to the patients of the state so that the poor and the sufferers in the state could get better treatment in the state, but the hospital was degraded to super speciality and further the style of functioning of the minister had destroyed the aims and objectives of the hospital.

He said the minister was trying to privatise the hospital under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode and accused that this was being done for his personal benefits. He said the biggest institute of Jammu region had become only a reference centre as no specialised doctors were engaged in the super speciality hospital. He also raised a question over the lapse of Rs 12 crore granted for the hospital during the last financial year and allotments made on just receiving a single tender.

Yudhvir Sethi demanded a through probe into the purchases in the GMC and other hospitals during the tenure of Taj Mohiuddin and his predecessor RS Chib. Sethi also demanded a probe into recruitment during the last one year in GMC and associated hospitals and alleged that there was a total mess in GMC and associated hospitals.

20 KVS teachers, other staff members get regional incentive awards
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) organised the KVS Regional Incentive Awards Ceremony-2013 in the auditorium of Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1, Gandhi Nagar, here.

Avinash Dikshit from KVS, New Delhi, was the chief guest. Twenty teachers and miscellaneous staff were honoured with KVS Regional Incentive Awards, while nine other teachers, who had received National, KVS National, KVS National Innovation and Experimentation awards, were also felicitated.

The staff members who were presented KVS Regional Incentive Award included Dr R Prasad, Principal, KV No 1, Udhampur, Sushma Jain, Vice-Principal, KV, Sunjuwan, Asha Pathania, PGT (biology), Ram Pal Singh Rajput, PGT (English), KV No 1, Pathankot, Sukhwinder Bali, TGT (SST), KV No 1, Udhampur, Arminder Kaur, TGT (SST), KV No 1, Amritsar, Shyamla Khajuria, TGT (science), KV, Nagrota, Manohar Lal, HM, KV No 3, Pathankot, Sudha Verma, PRT, KV, Dalhousie, Sarita Gupta, PRT, KV, Nagrota, Shashi Prabha, PRT, KV No 1, Jammu, Minakshi Sharma, PRT, KV No 1, Udhampur, Surinder Kumar, PRT (music), KV, Nangalbhur, Sukhwinder Singh, TGT (PHE), KV No 1, Amritsar, Suneel Kumar, TGT (PHE), KV No 1, Jammu, Babu Ram, LDC, KVS(RO), Jammu, Piray Lal Tickoo, sub staff, KV, Bantalab, Tarsem Singh, TGT (English), KV No 1, Amritsar, Inder Paul, PRT (music), KV, Kathua, and Daljit Singh, sub staff, KV No 3, Amritsar.

Earlier, the programme commenced with lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guest. Students recited Sanskrit shalokas and presented a cultural programme to mark the occasion. Deputy Commissioner, KVS, Jammu Region, AVLJ Rao apprised the gathering of the contribution and achievements of the KVS, Jammu region, in the development of education.

Dense fog disrupts rail, air traffic in city

Dense fog at the Jammu Tawi railway station. A Tribune photograph

Jammu, January 16
Dense fog disrupted rail and air traffic in the winter capital of the state on Thursday.

Trains were running late by one to 10 hours at the Jammu Tawi railway station, whereas five flights were cancelled at the Jammu airport due to poor visibility.

Train number 12331 Himgiri Express, whose arrival time at the Jammu Tawi railway station is 12.25 pm, was running late by more than nine hours and expected to reach Jammu after 9.30 pm, while almost all the trains were running late by one to 10 hours.

The Jammu Tawi railway station has a daily traffic of 27-28 trains (to and fro). Pilgrims and security personals were worst affected by the disrupted rail traffic .

Divisional Traffic Manager RN Meena said, "Trains are coming late due to dense fog en route, but we are trying our best to depart the train on its schedule time from the Jammu Tawi railway station."

"Only one train is late by nine hour, so it will go late from here, otherwise all trains are going on time, but coming late by a few hours due to poor visibility," he said.

Meanwhile, five flights - three of Indigo, one each of JetLite and Indian Airlines - were cancelled at the Jammu airport due to poor visibility.

Superintendent of Police (SP), Airport, said, "The visibility had been very poor at the airport since morning, so all flights were delayed and five flights were cancelled." The flights of JetLite and Indian Airlines didn't land in Jammu due to poor visibility. However, the flights of Indigo were cancelled due to dense fog. About 15 flights take of from the Jammu Airport daily. — TNS

Saif Ali Khan shoots for ‘Phantom’ in Kashmir

Srinagar, January 16
The snow-bound ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir was agog with activity today as Sajid Nadiadwala's upcoming action-thriller "Phantom", starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif, commenced shooting near the resort.

Saif joined the crew and the shooting is underway at Kangdoori in the periphery of the resort, officials said.

The film will be shot in the Valley for five days, but it was not clear whether Katrina is joining the shoot.

While rest of the crew led by director of the movie Kabir Khan arrived in the Valley last week, Saif joined them in Gulmarg today, the officials said. — PTI

Respite from cold as mercury rises in city
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 16
The minimum temperature in Kashmir region’s main city continued to remain on the positive side of the zero-degree mark as the mercury here has remained above the freezing point for the past nearly 72 hours.

The minimum temperature in Srinagar city fell to a low of 1 degree Celsius overnight, an official of the state Meteorological Department said, which was three degrees above the normal and marked another warmer night in the area.

Srinagar city, where mercury had earlier slipped three to four degrees below the zero-degree mark, had recorded a low of 1.5 degrees Celsius on previous night.

A forecast bulletin of the department said the temperature in the city was likely to remain above the freezing point for another night and might drop to around 2 degrees Celsius tonight.

Kashmir is having a brush with extremely cold climatic conditions as the region is going through Chillai Kalaan, the harshest phase of winter, which lasts for 40 days and will end later this month.

Qazigund town, located on the southern tip of the Valley, also recorded a comparatively warmer night as the minimum temperature there was recorded at minus 0.1 degrees Celsius which was almost similar to previous night’s low of zero degrees Celsius, the official said.

In north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara town, the mercury overnight dropped to a low of minus 1 degree Celsius.

Gulmarg resort, which turns into a skiing destination during winter months, the minimum temperature overnight was recorded at minus 7.8 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam resort settled at a freezing low of minus 10.4 degrees Celsius, the official said.

Labourer falls to death

Srinagar, January 16
A labourer died after falling from the sixth floor of a shopping mall in the city on Wednesday evening.

The incident took place when Bilal Ahmad Mir, 28, from Nishat was fixing air-conditioners on the sixth floor of MS Shopping Mall at Residency Road. He was later taken to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Eyewitnesses and family members of the deceased have alleged that lack of safety measures in the mall led to Mir’s death.

“Nobody provided a vehicle to take Mir to a hospital. I took him in an auto-rickshaw, but he died on the way to the hospital,” said a shopkeeper in the mall.

The police have registered a case in this regard. — OC

Separatists, intellectuals have failed Kashmiris, say doctors’ association

Srinagar, January 16
Criticising separatists and intellectuals, the Doctors’ Association Kashmir (DAK) has said these people have let down people and have confined themselves to criticism and seminars only.

In a statement issued here, the doctors’ body said, “It is painful that the separatists and intellectuals of the Valley have let down people of Kashmir by shying away from their responsibilities.”

“The representatives of the Kashmir freedom struggle have failed politically and diplomatically. They have failed in institutionalising the freedom struggle and creating economic independence,” DAK president Dr Nissar-ul-Hassan said in a statement here.

Adding that the intellectuals have also failed people, Nissar said, “They (intellectuals) are overly concerned with status and stomach for which they sell their souls and people’s patrimony.”

He also accused the Kashmiri intellectuals of being “silent spectators” rather than “active agents of change”. “Our intellectuals are confined to criticism, seminars and photo sessions,” he said.

The DAK has, however, not sighted specific examples where the separatists or the intellectuals of Kashmir have failed in delivering. — TNS

Over 10 lakh winged guests arrive in Kashmir wetlands
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 16
With favourable temperature and environmental conditions prevailing, over 10 lakh migratory birds, including rare species, have arrived from different parts of the world at the wetlands of the Kashmir valley for their seasonal stay.

During their routine annual sojourn to the wetlands of Kashmir, the winged guests fly thousands of kilometres from regions like Siberia, China, Central Asia, western Europe and Japan.

“Over 10 lakh migratory birds are presently settled in nine wetlands in different parts of the Kashmir valley,” said wildlife warden, wetlands (Kashmir), Mohammad Maqbool Baba.

He said the largest number of these birds is at Shalbugh (Ganderbal) and Hygam (Baramulla) wetlands. The other wetlands in the Valley are the Wular lake in Baramulla, Hokersar near Srinagar and in Pulwama district.

With water levels increasing in the wetlands due to recent snowfall, coupled with low temperature conditions and availability of food, the number of migratory birds in the Valley wetlands this season has been more than satisfactory as compared to last year, Baba added.

The commonly sighted migratory birds include grey leg geese, Brahminy duck, pintails, common teal, tufted duck, garganey, mallard, common merganser, northern pintail, common pochard, red-crested pochard and Eurasian wigeon.

SPO held for molesting Australian woman
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16
The police have arrested a Special Police Officer (SPO) for allegedly outraging the modesty of an Australian national at the Jammu railway station yesterday.

According to police sources, the SPO, identified as Jeet Lal, allegedly used abusive language and outraged the modesty of the Australian national, who had come to the town for a religious tour.

“After visiting several religious shrines in Jammu city, the Australian woman reached the Jammu railway station to go to Golden Temple in Amritsar. The incident took place when she came across the SPO on the railway station and enquired something from him. The SPO got friendly with her and passed a vulgar comment, to which the woman objected,”€ the police sources said.

Later, the SPO outraged her modesty by holding her by the neck, sources said, adding that the woman raised and alarm and was rescued by people on the railway station.

The SPO was handed over to the police by the people and a case under Sections 294 and 354 of the RPC was registered against him. The department has recommended his suspension forthwith.

Shift in strategy of militants major concern: DGP
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16
Director General of Police (DGP), Jammu and Kashmir, Ashok Prasad today described 2013 as “the year of lowest violence since the inception of militancy” in the state. He said the major concern for them was the shift in the strategy of militants who had started targeting the security forces.

“Consistently, violence has been coming down over the past three or four years. Last year, it was the lowest level of violence since the inception of militancy, as around 130 militant-related incidents were reported which was a pretty low level. The major concern is that militants, as a part of their strategy, have started attacking security forces,” the DGP said.

The police chief, who was replying to questions by mediapersons after flagging off a motorcycle rally in Jammu, said: “Our effectiveness on the border had been categorically revealed by the statistics of the last year. (In 2013) We have had engagements on borders much more than the last year (2012). The number of attempts (by militants in 2013) to enter our territory and the number of people killed on the border was much large than the last year (2012).” To a question over the frequent encounters between militants and security forces in the Valley, the DGP said these (militant) groups were moving around and they had got their plans to step up violence and attacks on the security forces.

“Most of the people (militants) who attacked the security forces have been identified. The police have been able to work out a majority of the attack cases. We are going after them with the intention to bring them to justice,” the DGP said.

Prasad said the militant groups were “coming within their net as they were progressively developing better intelligence input”.

“We are not going back and doing random kind of operations. Such operations have been minimised so that collateral damage is reduced. We are trying to ensure that everything is pre-decided and pre-targeted when we go for intelligence-based operations,” the police chief said.

Kendriya Vidyalayas to go for sanitation programme
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Jammu region, has asked all state KVs to promote hygiene and sanitation by launching the National School Sanitation Initiative Programme.

The move came after the Union Human Resource Development Ministry (MHRD) directed the KVS to impress upon all educational institutions to focus on practical aspects of effective sanitation and hygiene to inculcate good sanitation habits among children. The ministry in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) had launched ‘Waves of Change', an ambitious programme whose aim was to educate beyond books.

KVS Regional Officer, however, was not available for comments, but an official confirmed the development.

“Yes, we have received the instructions from the ministry to launch this programme. We have informed all principals of KVs for strict compliance. There are 38 KVs in the state who will launch it,” a KVS official said.

Sources said as per the online national school sanitation ratings launched by former HRD Minister, Kapil Sibal, all schools including KVs and CBSE are supposed to log on to www.schoolsanitation.com and obtain their online ratings to assess their sanitation status.

They added that the initiative was taken by the authorities after few schools went online for sanitation ratings.

A statement from the HRD Ministry said: “This is quite disheartening from the organisation like KVS. Also, it has been observed that a good number of schools do not meet standards of sanitation and provision of clean and safe drinking water for students.”

Sources further claimed that principals of all KVs have not only been instructed to go online for sanitation ratings and register for ‘Waves of Change Programme’, but have also been directed to compile a report of sanitation facility, safe drinking water and online ratings done by them.

KVS regional office in Jammu, established in 1984 is one out of the 25 regional offices under the KVS having administrative control over 53 KVs spread in different states of J&K, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

PDP criticises NC’s ‘anti-people’ policies
To hold protest in Rajouri on Saturday
Our Correspondent

Rajouri, January 16
The Rajouri district unit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while assailing the anti-people policies of the Omar Abdullah-led coalition government, has decided to organise a protest at the district headquarters in Rajouri on Saturday.

In this connection, a meeting of PDP activists was held at the party office here today under the presidentship of Qayoom Dar, district president.

At the meeting, it was unanimously resolved by the rank and file of the party to make the protest a success.

“All office-bearers, prominent leaders and activists from the district shall meet people and tell them to be a part of the protest,” said Dar.

He also appealed to the grass-roots level activist of the PDP to mobilise the people and ensure their maximum participation so as to expose the nefarious and anti-people designs of the coalition government headed by the National Conference.

The PDP district president welcomed some activists from various political parties into the party. Those who joined the PDP today included Dev Raj Sharma, Kuldeep Raj, Hajji Razaq, Bodh Raj, Sanjay Kumar, Sahil Sharma, Koushal Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Balwant Raj.

PDP leaders who were present at the meet included advocate Choudhary Qamar Hussain, Haider Ali Aatish, Zubair Shah, Master Prem Sharma, Assad Bari Shah, Nazar Mohammad Mir, Tahir Lone, Haji Jamsheed, Saleem Khan, Master Iqbal Shah, Tazim Dar, Anjum Mirza, Ayoub Wani, Rashid Khan and Prithvi Raj Gupta.

Guv briefed on arrangements for Indian Science Congress
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16
President of the Indian Science Congress, Professor RC Sobti, and Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Professor MPS Isher, today called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here and briefed him on the arrangements being made to host the 101st Science Congress in the varsity campus from February 3 to February 7.

Principal Secretary, Finance and Information, BB Vyas, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu, and Principal Secretary to Governor Navin K Choudhary also participated in the meeting.

Professor Sobti informed the Governor that approximately 7,000 delegates from various parts of the country and abroad are likely to participate in the five-day Science Congress, which includes Nobel laureates and several other renowned researchers from the scientific field.

He also apprised Vohra of different theme based sessions and key speakers, who would be participating in the event.

The Governor, meanwhile, urged the Vice Chancellor to undertake a daily review of all arrangements to ensure that every participant carries back happy memories.

BB Vyas, on the occasion, briefed the Governor on various arrangements being made for the accommodation, transportation and security of the dignitaries and eminent scientists attending the Science Congress.

The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, informed Vohra about the power, drinking water, sanitation, traffic and other arrangements being made for the event.

The Governor suggested to the Vice Chancellor to identify and suitably orient teachers and functionaries of the varsity, who would be carrying out various tasks.

He asked Professor Isher to review various arrangements, including the functioning of the control room.

Bleoria, Ganai panel reports communally motivated: BJP
Says genuine demands of people of Jammu province ignored
Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 16
The BJP today dismissed the SS Bleoria and the Ganai Committee reports as “irrational and communally motivated” and asked the National Conference led coalition government to disclose the criteria set for the two panels by it in suggesting the creation of new administrative units in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pointing out the “selective” leak of reports since the past few days, BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma said the urgency shown by the government to implement these recommendations made by the two panels suggest that the “intentions of the ruling coalition are not novel”.

“These recommendations are yet another attempt on the part of biased authorities to further ignore the genuine demands of the suffering people of the Jammu province,” Jugal added.

The BJP leader said five new districts, besides new teshils, sub-divisions, niyabats and blocks be created in the Jammu province to bring the administration on the doorsteps of the people.

The ruling elite in the state has failed to do justice to the people of the Jammu province by not creating districts of Billawar, RS Pura, Akhnoor, Jammu Rural and Nowshera, Jugal said.

He also lashed out at the Congress and alleged that it was party to the biased attitude of the government towards Jammu people.

“It is a matter of deep regret that it is not only the NC that has always accorded a step-motherly treatment to Jammu province, but it is basically the Congress party that has been giving unflinching support to the ruling elite in Kashmir to perpetrate injustice after injustice on the people of Jammu province.”

Leopards attack boy in Bhaderwah

Doda, January 16
A boy was today attacked by two leopards in Dandi village of the hilly Bhaderwah area of Doda district today.

Mohammed Salam Mir, 10, a resident of Dandi village in Bhaderwah town, was on his way to a market when he was attacked by the leopards.

The boy raised an alarm after which villagers rushed to the spot and rescued him from the clutches of the wild animals. The injured boy was rushed to a hospital, sources said. Villagers alleged that the wildlife department was doing nothing for their safety and they were living in fear.

District Forest Officer Abijeet Joshi said, “Yes, the incident has happened. I have also confirmed from wildlife officials.” “The boy is out of danger and has been discharged from the hospital,” he said. — OC

Gagren killings
CRPF to submit counter report by tomorrow
Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, January 16
The probe panel headed by justice Kaul to probe into the Gagren Killings has asked the CRPF counsel to submit its report by January 18.

The counsel for Union of India, on behalf of the CRPF, had earlier sought time from Justice Kaul for production of the counter report in last year’s September 7 and 11 killings in Gagren area of Shopian by the CRPF.

The probe panel was constituted by the Minister for Law Saifullah Mir on October 4, following the protests in the aftermath of the killings.

Four people were killed allegedly by the CRPF personnel of the 14th Battalion at Gagren area of Shopian on September 7. While three of the deceased were identified as civilians, police had claimed the fourth unidentified victim as a Lashkar operative from Pakistan.

Another civilian was allegedly shot dead by the CRPF personnel of the Gagren camp in neighbouring Meemandar village on September 11.

A strict curfew was imposed in Shopian and its peripheries following the killings on September 7 and restrictions were lifted on September 21.

However, following the curfew people observed a complete shutdown for over a week demanding the removal of the CRPF camp at Gagren.

The camp was finally relocated to the District Police Lines in Shopian on the October 10.

7 hurt in Doda road accident

Doda, January 16
Seven passengers were injured in a road accident in the Assar area of Doda district today.

A Tata Mobile which was on its way to Assar from Gurmal overturned after the driver lost control over it, sources said.

Local residents and the police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to Primary Health Centre, Assar.

The driver of the vehicle managed to escape from the incident site.

The injured have been identified as Mohammed Sadiq, Jamal Din, Bashir Ahmed, Mukhtiar Ahmed, Nissar Ahmed and Shafi. The identity of one of the passengers could not be ascertained.

Block Medical Officer, Assar, said three of the seven passengers who were critically injured were referred to Government Medical College in Jammu. An FIR has been registered. — OC

Ladakh youth to play Indo-Sri Lankan cricket series
Yangchan Dolma

Leh, January 16
Dorje Gyalston (24) from Nurla village of Leh in the Ladakh region has been selected for the forthcoming Indo-Sri Lankan 15-15 cricket series to be held from February 6 to 10 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The 15-15 cricket series is a new format. During the series, three matches will be played between the two countries.

Gyalston has made history by being the first cricketer from the region to represent the country at the international level.

Gyalston said, “The selection (of players) for the Indo-Sri Lankan series is based on the performance of the players in the last Indo-Nepal series held in Pokhara, Nepal, from September 25 to 30 last year. India had won the series by 2-1.”

He said he had also represented the state in the 4th Senior Cricket National Championship held in Agra from October 19 to 24 last year.