The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

101st Indian Science Congress
Scientific innovation should reach grassroots level: Guv
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra today called for sustained efforts to allow scientific innovation reach the grassroots level, thereby helping various sections of society address their daily problems.

“Innovations are the foremost objectives of scientific experiments and unless they are able to solve the problems faced by different segments of society, it has no meaning,” the Governor said while addressing the valedictory function of the five-day 101st Indian Science Congress at Jammu University here.

“The 101st session of the Indian Science Congress has rightly chosen the theme of ‘Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development.’ I hope that the seminars, lectures and deliberations held during the Congress further strengthen the momentum of the scientific innovations, which will go a long way in contributing to the socio-economic development of the country,” said Vohra.

Referring to the scientific exhibitions held during the Congress, the Governor, said, “I hope this motivates thousands of students to embrace scientific learning and its profitable use in future.”

Vohra lauded general president of the Indian Science Congress, Prof RC Sobti, Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University Prof MPS Ishar and his colleagues for successfully hosting the 101st Indian Science Congress on Jammu University campus.

He also lauded Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the entire administration for extending their support to the event.

Guv, CM call on Ansari, discuss development

Jammu: Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to called on Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari here on Friday and briefed him about the existing security situation and the development works being carried out in the state. Besides apprising the Vice-President of the internal and external security situation in the state, the Governor also briefed him about the issues relating to the higher education and the functioning of universities in the state. He also apprised Ansari on various other important matters pertaining to the socioeconomic development of the state. Omar briefed the Vice-President about the development scenario in the state and highlighted the initiatives taken by the coalition government to empower people. He also apprised the Vice-President on the measures taken by the government to bring transparency in the functioning of administration and strengthening of institution to check corruption and malpractices, and ensure time bound delivery of public services. Omar further gave an account of the schemes initiated by the government for uplifting the weaker sections. Ansari, prayed for peace and development of the state. — TNS

Technology should benefit common man, says Omar
Tribune News Service

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addresses the valedictory function of the 101st Indian Science Congress at University of Jammu on Friday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Jammu, February 7
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today laid stress on the need to utilise science, technology and innovations for the benefit of “Aam aadami” (common man).

He identified agriculture, horticulture and biomass energy generation as the areas in Jammu and Kashmir that required intervention of science for “inclusive and comprehensive” growth.

“About 70 per cent population is rural in J&K and agriculture is their mainstay. Horticulture and related activities are also of pivotal importance in the state’s economy,” Omar said while addressing the valedictory function of the 101st Indian Science Congress at University of Jammu here today.

The Chief Minister said the intervention of scientific innovations and technological advancement in these fields was imperative for overall development and growth of the state. “I would like that the researches in the labs should smoothly transfer to the people and scientific innovations are utilised for the amelioration of the common people,” he said.

The function was chaired by Vice-President M Hamid Ansari and attended by J&K Governor NN Vohra, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah and other dignitaries.

Omar said, “J&K has greater scope of generating energy from abundantly available biomass in the shape of weeds in Dal and other lakes.”

Omar said the health sector was yet another area that required scientific support for its inclusive growth and added that research and its outcome would give a push to the universalisation of modern health initiatives in the state.

INDIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS
Ansari exhorts scientists to work for public good
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari today said scientists should distinguish between “socially beneficial and socially harmful” applications of their research and innovation and urged them to use their knowledge and skills for greater public good, while remaining rooted to the social and moral imperatives of society.

Describing science and technology “indispensable” for addressing major contemporary challenges of economic growth and social transformation of societies, Ansari said: “The health of a nation depends on, inter alia, the health of the state of its science and technology.”

“Scientists have an onerous responsibility towards society and their fellow beings. They must distinguish between socially beneficial and socially harmful applications of their research and innovation,” the Vice-President said in his valedictory address at the 101st Session of the Indian Science Congress at the University of Jammu here.

“Such introspection, by the scientists themselves, would be essential in order to undertake an objective cost-benefit analysis of their scientific output so that the outcome of their work is a balanced, sustainable and a win-win proposition for the society,” he said.

Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Ansari said scientists also have to guard against the phenomenon of rampant “commercialisation” that has “afflicted society in epidemic proportions”.

“The assumption that gaining of scientific knowledge must lead automatically to commercial exploitation of that knowledge for profit is morally dubious. Larger public good must prevail over individual and purely commercial interests, especially in areas such as health care, food, energy, water and other basic human needs,” he said.

“Excessive commercialisation also runs a serious risk that the benefits of scientific research and technological innovation would be exploited in an unequal manner,” the Vice-President added.

He, however, pointed out that scientists in their daily work were, sometimes, isolated from the mainstream society, making it difficult for them to be clearly aware of public needs.

“The public is also unaware of the valuable services rendered by the scientific community towards their wellbeing,” Ansari said, adding that scientists could perhaps increase communication and get more involved with the public, civil society and the policy-makers to find and implement solutions to issues of public need and interest.

The Vice-President said while recent benefits to humanity from science, technology and innovation were unparallelled in the history of the human species, there were instances where the impact had been harmful or the long-term effects give cause for serious concerns.

Expressing concern over economical growth at the cost of environment degradation, Ansari said: “The current pattern of consumption of natural resources and increasing stresses on environment cannot continue indefinitely without breakdown of the natural system that make human existence possible.”

He said scientists, who created sophisticated weapons of mass destruction, have a responsibility as citizens to help societies make a changeover from an obsession with economic growth at any cost to achievement of a sustainable environment and an ever growing economic system.

“They also have a responsibility to mitigate, if not eliminate, the threats posed by excessive weaponisation of our planet,” he said.

Setback to Congress ahead of Lok Sabha elections
After Shabir Khan’s exit, members run for Cabinet berth
Dinesh Manhotra
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
After the “disgraceful” exit of Shabir Ahmed Khan from the council of ministers, a group of Congress legislators is trying to influence the party leaders to get a place in the state Cabinet.

Khan, a Congress representative from Rajouri and Minister of State for Health, stepped down from his post following the allegations of sexual assault.

Keeping in view the emerging crisis in the aftermath of the incident, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz will reach Jammu on Saturday to discuss the prevailing situation with the party leaders.

Sources said a group of Congress legislators, who could not get the ministerial berth during the five year tenure of the coalition, are lobbying hard to get a place in the Omar Abdullah-led council of Ministers.

Interestingly, Shabir Ahmed Khan is the only minister in the council from the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Besides, the party has just got two legislators from the belt.

“At the fag end of the present coalition, Congress leaders are averse to the idea of letting the important portfolio slip into the hands of coalition partner National Conference,” a source said, adding that the party was “seriously” thinking to induct a new minister from its quota to maintain its grip over the Health Department.

“Congress leaders are very much aware that after GM Saroori’s resignation in the 2010, the NC had kept the important portfolio of Roads and Buildings (R&B) for three years, due to which it had to suffer a lot. The Congress does not want to repeat the same mistake this time,” the source said.

Instead of tackling the situation, the Congress leaders seem to be more concerned about finding a suitable replacement for Shabir Ahmed Khan.

Meanwhile, the opposition BJP has intensified its campaign to corner the Congress on the issue.

The party activists carried pictures of some Congress leaders from across the country that faced similar charges and held a demonstration against Khan.

The party also and demanded for his arrest.

National highway closed after fresh snowfall

A woman is out for daily chores in the Valley on Friday. Tribune photos: Amin War

Srinagar, February 7
The Srinagar-Jammu national highway, connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, was closed for traffic today following fresh heavy snowfall at many places along the route.

"The Srinagar-Jammu highway is closed for traffic due to heavy snowfall near Jawahar Tunnel and many other places along the route," a spokesman of the Traffic Department said.

Landslides occurred at a few places along the 294-km arterial highway, forcing the authorities to stop the traffic which was scheduled to ply from Srinagar to Jammu.

The highway was closed on February 5 also due to fresh snowfall and rains.

Meanwhile, the plains of the Valley, including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, received moderate snowfall overnight, while heavy snowfall was recorded in the higher reaches.

Srinagar received 7 cm of snow and the mercury settled at a low of 0.2 degrees Celsius last night as compared to 0.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, a MeT Department official here said.

Mercury in Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir Valley - settled at zero degrees Celsius as against 0.2 degrees Celsius the previous night and the town received 5 cm of snow.

The tourist resort of Pahalgam, in south Kashmir, recorded a snowfall of 3 cm and the mercury there appreciated by over 1 degree to settle at minus 5.2 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 6.7 degrees Celsius previous night.

The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius as against the previous nights minus 8.0 degrees Celsius.

The resort recorded 5 feet of snow, the official said.

The mercury in Kokernag, in south Kashmir, settled at a low of minus 1.3 degrees Celsius last night, an increase of two degrees from the previous night’s minimum of minus 3.3 degrees Celsius.

The town received 13 cm of snow, the official said.

The mercury in Kupwara, which recorded a low of zero degree Celsius the previous night, settled at 0.2 degrees Celsius last night and recorded 25 cm of snowfall.

The mercury in Leh, in Ladakh region, increased by over 7 degrees to settle at a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius as against minus 12.4 degrees Celsius.

Kargil was the coldest place in the state as the mercury settled at a low of minus 15.0 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous nights 16.4 degrees Celsius.

The MeT Department has said there would be a decrease in precipitation from tomorrow. — PTI

Weather to improve from today
Tribune News Service

The sun sets behind a row of trees following several days of intermittent rain and cloudy weather on Friday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Jammu, February 7
After four days of rain and chill, weather is likely to improve in Jammu from Saturday.

Since February 3, the winter capital was in the grip of a cold wave which has affected the normal life. Weatherman has predicted that from Saturday weather conditions will improve.

Meanwhile, the city received fresh rainfall on Friday forcing temperature to dip further. The maximum was registered at 14 degree Celsius.

Passengers rue poor seating arrangements in mini-buses
Our Correspondent

Srinagar, February 7
Despite directions from the senior authorities to provide comfortable transport system for passengers travelling in local buses, mini-bus passengers continue to suffer due to uncomfortable vehicles plying on the major roads of the city.

Last month, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday directed officials to provide comfortable transport facilities to passengers after a survey revealed that 75 per cent people in Kashmir travelled by local buses. However, the direction seems to have least impact on officials of the department concerned.

It is too difficult to travel in mini-buses as there is no proper seating arrangement. Drivers of these vehicles accommodate more people than the actual capacity, said Bilquees, a resident of Khanyar.

Two passengers have to share an oddly arranged and sized seat. Mostly women have to face problem, as some of them claimed that at times it leads to harassment. ?

“It is mostly difficult for us as we can’t even take up the issue with drivers as they argue in return. This is a serious problem we have been facing. The government needs to improve the transport system,” said Rubeena Bhatt, a college student.

Some passengers even complained that they had developed back problems due to travelling in mini-buses with uncomfortable seats. ?

“I have literally developed back pain due to travelling in buses with small seats and that too uncomfortable,” said a student.

Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Muhammad Anees said the Valley would get rid of these vehicles next year.

“These buses got clearance some years ago. We are slowly getting rid of these vehicles. Our board of inspection team has imposed fine on many of these mini-buses,” he said

“These drivers get the seats adjusted according to their own interest, but we are taking action against them.

The normal capacity of these buses is 16 and whenever we get complains that they are accommodating more people, we do act,” the RTO added.

Screening of movie on JKLF founder cancelled
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 7
Local film maker’s body ‘Footsteps’ has cancelled the screening of ‘Maqbool’, a documentary film made on the life of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, who was hanged on February 11, 1984, in Tihar Jail.

The Footsteps films in its handout said following objections made by the state authorities, the screening of the film, which was scheduled for February 8, had been cancelled.

“It is regrettably informed that the special screening of the film, ‘Maqbool’, which was scheduled to be screened on February 8 at Hotel Lala Rukh, Lal Chowk, has been cancelled due to objections by the state authorities,” the statement read.

“We were informed on Friday morning by the Lal Rukh Hotel management that they have been informed by the police to cancel the booking of the film screening,” it added.

Maqbool, is a documentary film based on the life of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front founder Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, produced by Footsteps films, which is a group of young film-makers. The city has already been put on high security alert in the wake of the forthcoming death anniversaries of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat.

JMC ‘delays’ drain repair; commuters at receiving end
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
Even as two months have passed, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has failed to complete the repair work of a drain at Gandhi Nagar. This has compounded the woes of commuters as traffic snarls have become the order of the day.

The Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED), Jammu, had undertaken the repair work of a drain at the Last Morh Gandhi Nagar about two months ago. This covers nearly half portion of one of the busiest roads in the locality.

However, due to the delay in the completion of work, area residents and shopkeepers of the locality are at the receiving end.

“The work commenced nearly two months ago. But not even half of it has been completed. Passing through the road is an arduous task. I pass through it while going to work and get stuck in jams daily,” said Sushil Raina, a commuter.

Stating that the drain emitted unbearable stench, Tarun Gupta, a locality resident, added, “The drain emits foul smell. The executing agency is least bothered to address the issue.”?

“The agency concerned should be held accountable for delaying the work. Two months have passed but nothing has been done,” he added.

Meanwhile, UEED executive engineer Rajinder Sharma refused to comment on the issue.

Submit 7th Pay Commission report by year-end: NMC
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
President of the National Mazdoor Conference (NMC), Subash Shastri, today urged upon the newly appointed chairman of the 7th Pay Commission to submit the report to the Central government by the end of this year.

In a memorandum sent to commission chairman Justice (retd) Ashok Mathur, Shastri urged him to start negotiations with the representatives of associations, unions and
federations of Central government employees and pensioners so that the report could be submitted within the stipulated period.

Pleading the cause of both Central and state government employees and pensioners, Shastri also appealed to the commission to suggest for early merger of 50 per cent of the current DA being paid to employees and pensioners, with the basic pay as recommended by the earlier Pay Commission.

He said the delay in merger of DA would create financial problems for the salaried class.

“The commission members should visit all states of the country to gather opinions of state government employees and pensioner organisations,” he added.

Security tightened for Ansari’s visit to Katra
Our correspondent

Katra, February 7
Unprecedented security arrangements have been put in place in Katra, the base camp of Vaishno Devi shrine, in view of the two-day visit of Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari.

The Vice-President, who is scheduled to attend the convocation at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University here tomorrow, will fly from Jammu to the varsity campus.

The security personnel have also intensified the patrolling operation and additional troops of the police and paramilitary forces have especially been deployed along the 13-km-long yatra track to the cave shrine, police said.

Besides, checking has been intensified at the hotels and lodges in the town, it added. Hoteliers have been asked to stay alert and keep a vigil on visitors.

Vice-President awards young scientists
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
Vice-President M. Hamid Ansari presented the Young Scientists Awards, five Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) awards and honoured five office-bearers of ISCA during the valedictory function of the 101st Indian Science Congress at Jammu University here today.

The young scientists who were awarded included Kutubuddin Ali Molla from agriculture and forestry sciences, Prerna Bhasin from anthropological and behavioural sciences, Rimjhim Bhatnagar Singh from earth system sciences, Divya Pandey from environmental sciences, Malay Bhattacharya from information and communication science & technology, Rohit R Shahi from materials science, R Vishnu Vardhan from Mathematical sciences, Binapani Mahaling from medical sciences, Vishal Acharya from new biology and Mohit Kumar Sharma from physical sciences.

The Best Poster Awards were presented to Rajendra Lakpale from agriculture and forestry sciences, Vijeta Choudhary and Gaurav K Rai from anthropological and behavioural sciences, including archaeology and psychology & educational sciences and military sciences, Dibakar Chandra Deka and Shah Raj Ali from chemical sciences, Boopathy D from information and communication science & technology, Rakesh K Tripathi and Reena Kumari from mathematical sciences, Susmita Sil from medical sciences, Anand Kumar Srivastava from physical sciences, Geeta Sharma and Anuja Koul from plant sciences.

Cops to file interim chargesheet in drug haul case
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 7
The J&K Police is all set to file an interim chargesheet in the cross-LoC drug haul recovery in the next few days.

Sources said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the J&K Police probing the multi-crore drug haul had almost completed its investigation in the case and identified at least two smugglers from Punjab, who were part of the international racket.

While the main accused from Amritsar is absconding, the other co-accused in the case is lodged in a sub-jail in Punjab and is facing trial in a different drug racket case. The J&K Police would seek his remand for custodial interrogation. The consignment of brown sugar, which was recovered from a truck coming from Pakistan through the cross-LoC trade on January 17, was to be unloaded in Amritsar, Punjab.

“The main accused from Punjab is absconding. The SIT team carried various raids across Punjab, but has not been able to arrest him so far,” said a police officer.

“The three other accused, including truck driver Mohammad Shafiq Awan of Muzaffarabad and two Kashmiri traders Tariq Ahmed Sheikh from Baramulla and Showkat Habib from Bandipore, are already in judicial custody,” he added.

Police said they had also identified the trader from across the border, who had dispatched the consignment and he would be also named in the chargesheet.

The police investigators are now contemplating to file an interim chargesheet in the next three to four days.

“While Pakistan continues to remain adamant on the release of trucker Awan, the filing of the interim chargesheet would pave the way for seeking his bail. However, the final call in this regard will be taken by the court,” said a senior civil official.

After the recovery of 114 packets of brown sugar on January 17, the cross-LoC trade has hit a standoff and 48 drivers from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are held at Salamabad in Uri and 27 from Kashmir are in PoK.

Insurance for service providers
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has finalised arrangements to procure accidental insurance cover for various categories of service providers for the forthcoming pilgrimage scheduled to begin June 28.

Following the decision taken in the review meeting chaired by Governor NN Vohra, who is the SASB chairman, CEO of the board Navin K. Choudhary has finalised arrangements to procure accidental insurance cover for the various categories of service providers, including dandiwallas, pithoos and ponywallas and their ponies for the 2014 yatra.

The CEO has concluded this task in collaboration with the state government’s Animal Husbandry and Labour Departments.

The CEO said all service providers who were registered with the Labour Department prior to the commencement of the yatra would be provided accidental insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh each. “The cover will be applicable for the entire yatra duration,” he said.

Likewise, the ponies which are registered with the State Animal Husbandry Department prior to the commencement of the yatra would be covered with an insurance of Rs 30,000.

minister booked for ‘molestation’
‘Khan made proactive advances and tried to molest me’
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 7
The Jammu and Kashmir police today informed the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar, that an FIR had been registered against Health Minister Shabbir Khan based on a complaint received from the woman doctor.

The police forwarded a copy of the FIR registered into the incident. The police stated that they received the information about the incident yesterday.

The FIR against Shabbir Khan, a copy of which has been accessed by The Tribune, has been registered under Sections 354 and 509 of the Ranbir Penal Code.

Excerpts from the FIR: On January 27, the complainant received a phone call on her mobile…. The caller identified himself as Muzaffar Khan, currently working as special assistant to the minister of state for health. The caller directed the complainant to attend the winter secretariat, Srinagar, along with the report.

The complainant, not required as per the office held by her to keep the record, requested the caller to confirm the same from the director, health services, Kashmir, being the competent authority. Despite the request made, the special assistant insisted upon the complainant to go to the winter secretariat personally and convey the same to the health minister.

The complainant was informed to report to the winter secretariat on January 28 after 2pm along with whatever minimum information available. The complainant reached the winter secretariat at 4.15pm. The minister was sitting in his office room number 106.

The minister told the complainant to go and sit inside the cabin, which the complainant refused.

The minister then politely told her not to worry and go and sit inside the cabin…. The complainant then went and to her surprise found it very small….As the cabin was small, the complainant tried to move out of the cabin, but at the same time, the minister entered the room…the door of the cabin was shut and on this account, the complainant got panicked….the minister then sat on the sofa and thereafter started asking questions.

‘Ask for Rs 10-20 crore from me’

The minister asked the victim, “Ok madam, tell me how is your area (of duty) doing? Ok tell me what announcements Azad Sahib made during his visit to the community health centre?”

On being showed the requisition letter about the medical requirements, the minister said, “Madam why are you asking for such a minimal amount of Rs 10 to Rs 20 lakh. Ask for things worth Rs 10 to Rs 20 crore. I will provide you. The things you have asked will be provided by the Director, Health (Kashmir), ask something big from me.”

The complainant got disturbed and after saying “Ok sir” tried to get up and leave, but the minister then asked another question.

Khan asked for kava

The minister then started asking her personal questions. He then told her that kava she made (at her work place) was very delicious. “I want to have it again. When and where, because I cannot come to your house,” the minister said. The complainant replied that she would offer him kava, wherever he would visit the CHC. The minister then said he wanted to have the drink at a guest house.

The complainant got up and opened the door, following which the minister made provocative advances and tried to molest the complainant. However, she managed to come out of the room.

“The minister acted like a sexual predator. The incident has affected my soul. The favours (by the minister) were made with an intention to receive sexual favours from the complainant,” the doctor wrote in her complaint.

Women’s Commission wants state to apply SC ruling
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 7
The State Women’s Commission has urged the J&K Government to implement the Supreme Court ruling in the case of an alleged sexual assault on a lady doctor by Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan.

SWC chairperson Shameema Firdous said since the state had not yet implemented the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and Rules, 2013, the state government should implement the Supreme Court ruling dated August 13, 1997, in the case of Vishaka and others versus the State of Rajasthan and others.

“The SC ruling clearly states the punitive action for the person who has sexually harassed a woman at the workplace. Unfortunately, various public departments are yet to evolve and adopt their policies here as directed by the Supreme Court to combat sexual harassment,” said Shameema.

“In case the allegations against the accused minister are proven, the state government should subject him to the highest level of punishment so that an example is set preventing more such acts,” she said.

The Central government had enacted the Act on December 9, 2013, in the wake of the unrest following the Delhi gangrape on December 16, 2012. However, many provisions under this Act are yet to be followed in spirit in the state.

The minister has been booked under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force on a woman with the intention of outraging her modesty) and 509 (act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Ranbir Penal Code.

BJP workers burn Shabir Khan’s effigy

Srinagar, February 7
The Kashmir unit of the BJP today staged a protest demanding strict punishment to Shabir Khan, who resigned as the Minister of State, Health.

The BJP leaders and workers gathered at the Press Enclave area near the City Centre at Lal Chowk here demanding Khan’s arrest.

Later, the protesters burnt Khan’s effigy. A BJP leader said the party would stage more protests in case strict action was not taken against Khan. — TNS

Mehbooba lashes out at govt, demands Omar’s resignation
Tribune News Service

Jammu/Srinagar, February 7
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today lashed out at the government for not arresting Minister of State (MoS) for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan for the alleged sexual assault on a lady doctor.

Party president Mehbooba Mufti said the police hadn’t acted as per the Supreme Court guidelines and did not register an FIR when the doctor approached them. “We must salute the lady who, despite facing unfavourable conditions, got the FIR registered after the court’s intervention,” she said.

“We were expecting that by the evening the minister would have been sacked and arrested but so far nothing has been done,” Mehbooba said, questioning Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s silence on the incident.

Mehbooba claimed that Khan had been denied bail in Jammu and that was why the government was going in for delaying tactics till the minister could get bail.

The government must answer that why the police didn’t register an FIR for more than seven days, Mehbooba said.

The police registered a case against Khan yesterday after the doctor alleged that the minister had called her to his office in Srinagar on January 28 and attempted to molest her.

Mehbooba, referring to the Tarun Tejpal’s case in which the police took strong action, said here the J&K Police was not taking any action against the minister. “First they didn’t register an FIR and now they are not making any arrest. Will the Chief Minister take responsibility for not registering the FIR as he is heading the Home Department?” Mehbooba asked.

The PDP President attacked a Congress leader for revealing the identity of the victim and using foul language against the doctor. “We hope the government will come clean on the issue and take action against the Congress leader,” she added.

Earlier in the day, Mehbooba sought the resignation of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on moral grounds after the J&K Police delayed registering a complaint of molestation against the minister.

“While the Minister has to resign anyway, the Chief Minister should resign on moral grounds,” she added.

She said incidents like this showed that women were not safe in the state. The PDP president also lashed out at the Omar government for failing to act against criminal and corrupt people.

Guru penned letters extending support to man accused of killing Muslim cleric
Azhar Qadri
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 7
Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru wrote a series of letters to a former Kashmiri militant, who is accused of killing a Muslim cleric, calling him a “brother” and admonishing separatists for targeting him.

The seven letters, written by Guru over a period of three years, have been exclusively accessed by The Tribune and they provide a rare insight into Kashmir’s underground militancy.

Guru was hanged last year on February 9 and separatists, many of whom have been criticised by Afzal in his letters, have called for a shutdown in the region on his first death anniversary.

The letters were hand-delivered to Javed Ahmad Munshi --- who has been charged with the killing of Showkat Ahmad Shah (cleric) --- by an undertrial and convicted militants who were transferred from the Tihar Jail where Guru was lodged, says a former inmate of the Srinagar Central Jail who spent a long time in incarceration with Munshi.

The former inmate, who authenticated the letters, said Guru was “very close” to Munshi and had developed a rapport with him during their imprisonment in Tihar Jail a decade ago.

Guru’s letters shed no light on Shah’s killing. In one of the letters, he has even referred to the cleric only as “deceased”, however, the Parliament attack convict admonished separatist leaders and groups saying their approach in the aftermath of the killing had “troubled and surprised” him. Separatists and religious groups had formed an investigative committee which had claimed Munshi was Shah’s killer.

Shah, who headed the Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees, was killed in April 2011 when a bicycle bomb exploded outside a mosque in the city’s Maisuma neighbourhood. A police investigation found Munshi, a former militant, as the key conspirator.

In a letter, dated December 22, 2011, Guru extended his support to Munshi, who was then facing a harsh public trial by separatists and was being shunned by militant groups. The letters throw open a Pandora’s box for separatists who have hailed Guru as a “martyr” and rejected Munshi as a villain.

Protest over ‘discrimination’ in creating admn units
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 7
Protests continued in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district over “discrimination” in creation of new administrative units in the state.

On Friday, hundreds of Ratnipora villagers in Pulwama district took out a protest march against the government for not granting Comprehensive Development (CD) Block status to their village.

The protesters said, “The village holds the centrality in the area and deserves a block status.”

“Dozens of villages, including Pahoo, Dougam and many others, fall in the vicinity of the village. Therefore, it deserves to be a block. However, despite qualifying the recommendations of the Mushtaq Ganai Committee and the Cabinet-Sub Committee (CSC), our village has been neglected,” said Abdul Qayoom Mir, who is the General Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Forum and led the protest.

The villagers also carried black flags to register their protest.

Shutdown in Pulwama
Suhail A Shah

Pulwama, February 7
A complete shutdown was observed in the town today to protest against the detention of local youths.

Incidents of stone throwing were also reported from different parts of the town. However, there were no reports of injuries to anybody. Traffic remained off roads, while the police were deployed across the town.

The police arrested six youths on the charge of stone throwing during a recent encounter between the government forces and the militants in Kangan.

“Two of them were arrested on Thursday, while the rest of them were detained today,” a police source said.

He said the arrests were made as part of the law and order exercise, keeping in view the shutdown calls given by the separatist groups.

Convocation at Katra varsity today

Jammu, February 7
The fourth convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, will be held at “Matrika” auditorium of the university tomorrow.

Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will deliver the convocation address, while Governor NN Vohra, also the Chancellor of the university, will preside over the convocation. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be the guest of honour. According to university sources, around 750 degrees will be awarded to the students.

“The total number of number of medals being awarded is 17, including Chancellor’s Gold Medal, Vice-Chancellor’s Gold Medal, University Silver Medal and SMVD Shrine Board Medal for excellence,” sources said. —TNS

Nowshera Day celebrated
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
Nowshera Day, which marks the defence of Nowshera in the 1947-48 war with Pakistan and the martyrdom of Naik Jadu Nath Singh and others, was celebrated today to remember the gallant heroes of the Army.

A wreath-laying ceremony was organised by the Ace of Spades Division at the Jadunath War Memorial at Nowshera where wreaths were laid by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, General Officer Commanding, 16 Corps, Lt Gen DS Hooda, GOC, 25 Infantry Division, Commander, 80 Infantry Brigade and relatives of Naik Jadu Nath Singh.

A felicitation ceremony for Veer Naris, veterans and disabled soldiers was also conducted on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Hooda recalled the saga of the soldiers and said their heroic deeds had been the guiding beacon for the Army for generations and continued to inspire even today.

The function was attended by senior Army and civil administration officials, representatives of police forces and the local dignitaries of Nowshera.

Cabinet panel proposal on admn units ‘discriminatory’
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
The recommendations made by the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) for the creation of administrative units, which were approved by the state Cabinet recently, are “discriminatory”.

The Congress ministers have mostly taken care of their vote bank, while creating the sub-divisions and tehsils, apart from the units recommended by the Mushtaq Ganai committee.

One such example is that of Jandrah in Jammu district where niabat exists for the past 37 years.

People in Jandrah have been demanding tehsil status for the area, but the CSC ignored their demand and instead accorded tehsil status to Nagrota and Dansal.

Following the report, people of Jandrah organised a protest and blocked the Kishenpur-Domail highway for hours together.

“We will not move back. The government has discriminated with us,” said Jandrah sarpanch Anil Sharma.

“The protests will not die down until we get our due share,” he said.

Jandrah falls under the Nagrota Assembly constituency of Jammu district and is being represented by the BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma.

Another example is of Doda district where Bharat-Bagla and Phigsoo have been given the tehsil status. Both areas are the Congress strongholds.

Bharat-Bagla is the native village of Minister for Roads and Building Abdul Majeed Wani.

“The tehsil status could have been given to some other place in the area which could be easily accessible. Bharat being the last village of Doda district on the northern side will not be of much benefit to the people,” said a National Conference leader from Doda on the condition of anonymity.

“A few years back, a higher secondary school was established by the government in Bharat, but it failed to deliver and at present not more than 100 to 120 students are enrolled in the school. The Tehsil status may also not deliver the goods and may also meet the same fate as the higher secondary school,” he added.

Phigsoo, which is just 10 km from Thatri in Doda district, has also been accorded the tehsil status. The place falls under the Inderwal constituency area which is being represented by Congress MLA Ghulam Muhammad Saroori.

In Jammu, people of Bishnah were demanding sub-division for the area, but the CSC turned down this demand.

“The demand for sub-division was not granted to Bishnah. It was a long-pending demand of the people here, but the CSC did not consider it. At the same time, the demand for tehsil status to Arnia was taken care of,” said Ashwani Sharma, an Independent MLA from Bishnah.

BJP gears up for Budget session
Khajuria elected legislature party leader
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 7
The state unit of the BJP today unanimously appointed Ashok Khajuria as the leader of the legislature party for the upcoming Budget session.

All the nine BJP legislators, including the five MLAs whose suspension had been revoked by the party high command recently, were present in the meeting.

The party also devised the strategy for the upcoming session of the Assembly and laid emphasis on the “bias” towards the Jammu and the government apathy faced by the region on the development front.

“The BJP’s resolutions in the legislative house concerning the people’s welfare and for Jammu’s development have been deliberately disallowed. It reveals the bias and anti-Jammu, anti-people mindset of the coalition government,” Khajuria said.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma said the party would vociferously take up peoples’ issues during the Budget session.

“The party will not remain silent on the non-admittance of resolutions which have vital public bearing,” Jugal said, adding that the organisation will also raise the issue of Kishtwar riots during the upcoming session.

The members also discussed the issues regarding farmers, refugees, youth, price rise, corruption, plight of the border people and the Kashmir Temples and Shrines Management Bill.

The MLAs indicated that these issues will be raised by the party during the upcoming session.

Cop held for thrashing minor in Doda
Our Correspondent

Doda, February 7
A police personnel and three civilians were arrested for allegedly thrashing a minor boy accused of stealing some items from a shop in Majmi area of Doda district.

Doda Superintendent of Police Mohammed Sharif Chouhan today ordered the cop’s arrest.

The victim, Muzammil Hussain (13), a resident of Majmi (Dessa) of Doda district, was allegedly picked up on February 4 along with two other local minor youths - Rashid Ahmed and Barkat Ali - following a complaint filed by a shopkeeper, who accused them of theft in his shop.

A Class VIII student, Hussain said, “I was brought to the police post along with two other youths and we were repeatedly slapped and thrashed by police post in charge Ishtyaq Ahmed.”

The family alleged that the cop picked up Hussain, stripped of his clothes, forced him to lie down on snow for over two hours and asked him to dance on snow. They made his video clips and forced him to drink liquor mixed with red chilli powder, following which the boy lost his consciousness, the family alleged.

Meanwhile, the victim’s family approached the Doda Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), following which the court ordered the Doda Additional Superintendent of Police to file his report within seven days.

Chouhan said, “I have ordered the police officer concerned to arrest the accused cop and others involved in the incident.”

“We cannot accept such kind of policing in our district and whosoever is found taking law in their hands cannot be spared,” he added.

Protest over sealing of ‘illegal’ structures
Our Correspondent

Katra February 7
People took to streets and protested the district administration’s move to seal illegal structures in the town for the second day today.

People assembled at the the main bazar here and raised slogans against the administration. They alleged that the sealing of these structures would render hundreds of youth in Katra unemployed.

The move follows the December 31 High Court directive, asking the district administration to seal as many as 68 illegal structures within the holy town that have come up, over the years, in violation of the Katra Master Plan.

However, the protesters alleged that some of the government buildings were also being constructed on illegal land.

“After the order of J&K High Court, we filed a PIL in the Supreme Court. We obtained a stay order and decision is still pending,” a protester said.

Meanwhile, no structurewas sealed today. Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said the drive was put on hold ahead of Vice-President’s visit to Katra.

Students get tips on road safety
Our correspondent

Reasi, February 7
The Motor Vehicles Department in association with the District Information Centre, Reasi, organised an awareness programme on road safety at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya here today.

Students, on the occasion, were also shown a short film on road safety.

Emphasis was particularly laid on how to board and de-board from the school bus. Students were also made aware about traffic rules and precautions required to be followed while using the roads.

Booklets on road safety and learner’s license forms for children over 16 years were also distributed among the students.

Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Reasi, Rajesh Gupta, principal Navodaya Vidyalaya, Reasi, officials from the Information Department, besides the teaching staff of the school was also present on the occasion. Gupta advised students to strictly follow the road safety norms and told them to be cautious while using the roads.

He also urged children to pass on the message of road safety to their peer group and also to the elders.

The principal of the school thanked the Information Department and the RTO for providing valuable inputs on road safety to the children. He emphasised periodical lessons must be carried out on road safety and pledged that the school will strive to bring about increased awareness among the children regarding road safety norms.

A cultural programme was also held on the occasion.

Body recovered from Dal Lake
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 7
The police said today that it had recovered the body of a man from Dal Lake in the city here.

A police spokesman said some locals informed the police regarding the body in the lake, which was fished out near Kral Sangri. “The body was later identified as Mohammad Sheikh, a resident of Largam Tral,” the spokesman said.

The police had initiated an inquest proceeding under Section 174 of the CrPC to ascertain the cause of the death, the spokesman said.

Taekwondo championship

Jammu, February 7
The Third Open State Taekwondo Championship-2014 was organised by the Jammu & Kashmir Taekwondo Association at Brahmin Sabha today. The students of Rich Harvest School, Bari Brahmana, took part under the guidance of Ruchi Charak.

The players who emerged victorious gave a tough fight to their opponents, including Himani Gupta (Cl-4th), Komal Sharma (Cl-4th) and Rahil Dogra (Cl-1st). — TNS

GCW girls shine

Jammu, February 7
Four NCC cadets of Government College for Women (GCW) — who took part in the parade and attended the Republic Day Camp (RDC)-2014 at New Delhi — have brought laurels to the college.

Tsering Angmo was declared the best Guard Commander of the Guard of Honour and got a trophy at the national level. She was also declared the best cadet from the J&K Directorate. Karishma Sharma and Neha Malhotra were selected for the PM’s rally and SGT Sonam Verma was selected for Rajpath. — TNS