The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Village sanitation panels tasked with saving ponds Sumit Hakhoo Tribune News Service Jammu, February 14 The newly constituted Village Sanitation Committees (VSCs) have been tasked with reviving traditional ponds and water bodies to restore groundwater level in Jammu and its surrounding villages. Till a few decades ago, there were ponds and ditches all over the city constituting an important water buffer, particularly during the summer months, but now people seldom use them due to their bad condition. Officials said while the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department had started a statewide campaign to protect the water bodies from destruction, mainly from urbanisation and land mafia, and special focus was being given on the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. The officials said though residents had almost given up using ponds for drinking and other purposes due to spread of modern piped water supply, but in recent years the water table in the city had fallen at an alarming rate. Experts said ponds and ditches could play an important role in recharging the groundwater. “Expanding human settlements have almost destroyed these water bodies, which play an important role in maintaining eco-balance, particularly in the Kandi belt which starts from Akhnoor covering Raipur, Gharota, Nardani, Bantalab, Roop Nagar near city and areas falling in lower Shivalik range in Bhatindi, Kathua and Samba,” said Bushan Parimoo, an environmentalist, who also runs an NGO. Minister for PHE and Irrigation Sham Lal Sharma said, “The conservation and restoration of traditional water sources would ease pressure on the tap water supply system and help us end the water woes in rural areas. We had already done the preliminary mapping.” Nearly 87.4 per cent households are covered by house connections in the city. 56 per cent households get water supply for less than an hour per day. 96 per cent households spend extra money, besides paying water tariff, on purchasing water, pumping, electricity consumption and on treatment methods. Recharging groundwater, the traditional way * Till a few decades ago, there were ponds and ditches all over the city constituting an important water buffer, particularly during the summer months, but now people seldom use them due to their bad condition. * The Public Health Engineering Department has started a statewide campaign to protect the water bodies from destruction, mainly from urbanisation and land mafia, and special focus is being given on the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. * Though residents have almost given up using ponds for drinking and other purposes due to spread of modern piped water supply, but in recent years the water table in the city has fallen at an alarming rate. * Experts say ponds and ditches can play an important role in recharging the groundwater.
	Players urge govt to accept Sports Policy draft recommendation Support bringing corporations, boards under Sports Council’s umbrella Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, February 14 Concerned over the limited employment avenues, sportspersons have appealed to the government to give its nod to bringing corporations, boards and apex institutions under the umbrella of the autonomous sports body as recommended by the proposed Sports Policy draft. The sportspersons have strongly supported the recommendation in the proposed Sports Policy draft to bring revolutionary changes in the present grim sports scenario. "The proposed draft has laid stress on the public-private partnership (PPP), which I think is the most significant criteria for a continued growth rate of sports activities in the state. We have to go from pillar to post to find a sponsor to bear expenses for attending a coaching camp or participation in international championship," a sportspersons said. "Though associations are hosting national championships, but the standard is not of that level, simply because they are scared of spending lavishly claiming that the same amount will not be reimbursed by the Sports Council. That is why we are way behind in hosting a national event efficiently due to financial constraints," he claimed. "There are a lot of promising youth having a potential to prove their worth, but due to lack of sponsors they have not been able to exhibit their prowess. This Sports Policy draft has raised a ray of hope for sportspersons that if implemented, the players will no longer have to depend on one department only to get sponsorship for attending a coaching camp or participate in a national championship," another player maintained. The Sports Policy draft claimed, "Firstly, the recommendation will promote sports culture in the units, which would have the effect of improving overall discipline, increasing productivity and bringing about close identification and a feeling of pride among the employees in these organisations." "Secondly, it would give a tremendous boost to the promotion of sports by opening up facilities for training of budding sportsmen generating competition among them due to suitable incentives," the Sports Policy draft claimed. "Thirdly, it will prevent the drain of sportsmen and women from the state because the scheme would open up more avenues of employment within the home state. Lastly, these corporations and boards will compliment government effort by contributing in money and resources to augment sporting facilities in the state," the draft added.
	High Court orders reopening of Tufail Mattoo killing case Directs Director General of Police to hand over the case to state crime branch Tribune news Service Srinagar, February 14 The High Court ordered reopening of the Tufail Mattoo killing case, directing the Director General of Police (DGP) to hand over the investigation into the case to the crime branch. The Single Bench of Justice Verinder Singh, in its judgment today, further directed the crime branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police to complete the probe within eight weeks. “(The) Director General of Police, J&K, is directed to handover the present case to the state crime branch, with a further direction that an officer of the rank of the Superintendent of Police only shall conduct the investigation into the case and submit the status report within eight weeks,” the High Court said in its judgment today. In June 11, 2010, Tufail Mattoo, a teenager, was returning home from tuition when the police allegedly fired a teargas shell near Gani Memorial College in the old city which hit him, killing him instantly. Mattoo’s death triggered a cycle of violence in the Valley. More than 120 youths were killed in subsequent incidents of firing by the police and security forces. The High Court had reserved its judgment in the case on July 8, 2013, following a petition by the relatives of the slain teenager, where they had challenged the trial court order, which had accepted the final report of the police in the case and closed the case as untraced. “The court will be reluctant in extending the time, except on bona fide grounds, as the incident relates to June 2010,” the HC observed in its orders today. “The state crime branch will also be at liberty to move a formal application before the Special Mobile magistrate (PT&E), Srinagar, for taking into possession the entire record of the investigation submitted before it by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), resulting in the closure of the case, as it may facilitate the crime branch to proceed with the investigation afresh,” the High Court said. The SIT, in its final report, which was later accepted by the Special Mobile magistrate (PT&E), Srinagar, had submitted that “all possibilities of collecting evidence in this case were explored to reach some conclusion”, adding that it (SIT) “was not able to find any conclusive evidence”. Case file * In June 2010, Tufail Mattoo was returning home from tuition when the police fired a teargas shell near Gani Memorial College which allegedly hit him, killing him instantly * Tufail’s death triggered violence leading to unrest across the Valley * His family approached the J&K High Court, petitioning it to appoint a SIT to probe the case * The SIT, in its final report to the HC in December last year, said the case was closed and the culprits remained “untraced”
	Khan gets permission to attend Assembly Majid Jahangir/ Ishfaq Tantary Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 The J&K Police have permitted former health minister Shabir Khan, accused of molesting a doctor, to attend the ongoing Assembly session in Jammu. Khan, who presented himself before the Investigating Officer (IO) at Shaheed Gunj police station in Srinagar on Thursday, had moved an application before the police, seeking to attend the ongoing Assembly session. “After he had presented himself for questioning at the police station, Khan also moved an application for permission to leave Srinagar to attend the Assembly proceedings at Jammu. He was granted permission to leave for Jammu by the police today,” said a top police source. Khan had been evading arrest since an FIR was registered against him.
	Tea stalls in Jammu offer NaMo flavour Tribune News Service Jammu, February 14 Scores of tea shops around the city have been transformed into ‘NaMo tea stalls’ to attract electorate, following the BJP's ‘chai pe charcha’ campaign. About 150 tea stalls across Jammu have put up big hoardings exhibiting pictures of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, local leader and the tea stall owner. The hoarding reads: “Chai bechte hain desh nahi”. “Modi is the best administrator and we all see him as one of our own. He was also a tea vendor like us. It makes us really feel proud. We have decided to make him our Prime Minister,” said Sunil Sharma who owns a tea stall in the Rehari area of the city. “Some political parties have insulted him with the tea vendor jibe. We want to tell them all that what we sell is tea, not the country (chai bechte hain, desh nahi),” Sharma added.
	Sonia approves jumbo169-member J&K Congress committee Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 14 Congress president Sonia Gandhi today approved a jumbo 169-member Jammu and Kashmir Congress Committee comprising 12 vice-presidents, 25 general secretaries, 52 executive committee members, 27 organising secretaries and 24 secretaries. Attempting to strike a balance among all factions of the state Congress, including those led by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and state Congress president Saifuddin Soz, the high command gave a place to almost everyone and clarified that organising secretaries would hold positions senior to secretaries. Among vice-presidents are senior leaders Muzaffar Parray, Thakur Hari Singh, Mula Ram, Bashir Ahmad, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Janak Raj Gupta, Haider Sheikh, Prem Sagar Aziz, Mohd Anwar Bhatt, Abdul Gani Vakil, Suman Bhagat and Thakur Puran Singh. The position of general secretaries has gone to RS Chib, Vinod Sharma, Andullah Nadaf, Amin Bhat (former J&K Youth Congress chief), Hans Raj Bhagat, Arvinder Micky, Maheshwar Manhas, Haki Nisar Ali, Puran Singh, Shah Mohd Choudhary, Vinod Mishra, Chuni Lal Bhat, Kanta Androta, GN Mir, Shameema Raina, Farooq Andrabi, Thakur Balwan Singh, Shoaib Nabi Lone, Vikram Malhotra, Darshan Raina, Abdul Rashid, Mahboob Ilahi, Choudhary Zafarullah, Abdul Rashid and Thakur Manmohan Singh. Among the 27 organising secretaries will be Lalita Sharma, Anil Chopra, Rajinder Singh, Vinod Mahajan, DS Langeh, Sultan Mandoo, Majid Khan, SS Cheni, GM Wahi, Usman Majid, Hari Singh Chib, Sonam Mangyal, KL Gupta, Anuradha Androta, Abbas Abiddin, Ali Mohd Sofi, Mehraj Zargar, SHS Mehta, Santosh Majotra, Pankaj Dogra, Hilal Shah, Jagdish Dogra, Iqbal Malik, SS Singari, Yogesh Verma and Iqbal Jan. Secretaries include Mukhoo Kumar, Sardar Gurdev Singh, Ravinder Kotwal, Farooq Mir, Narinder Sharma, Rajeev Saraf, Kamal Singh, Ashok Bakshi, Narinder Gupta, Jyoti Vaid, Thomas Khokhar, Vinod Khajuria, Shabnam Shafiq, Karnail Singh, Qazi Mohd Sheikah, Choudhary Masood, Lovely Gupta, Naresh Sharma, Bashir Shah, Hoshiyar Singh, Ashwani Puri, Neeraj Gupta, Karan Bhagat and Jagdish Jotwal. The Congress president clarified that all state ministers, Members of Legislative Council, party vice-presidents, general secretaries, district presidents, organising secretaries and secretaries, joint secretaries and heads of state frontal organisations (Mahila Congress, Sewa Dal, Youth Congress and NSUI) will be ex-officio members of the executive committee of 52 members. Former presidents of the state unit Ghulam Rasool Kar, Mohd Shafi Qureishi, Peerzada Mohd Sayeed and Mohd Aslam will be permanent invitees to the J&K Congress Committee. Three vice-chairpersons of Gujjar and Bakerwal Board, Scheduled Castes Board and Backward Classes Board - Bashir Naaz, Swaran Lala and Kuldip Raj Verma, respectively, have been named as special secretaries. Balancing act Attempting to strike a balance among all factions of the state Congress, including those led by Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and state Congress president Saifuddin Soz, the Congress president gave a place to almost everyone on the panel
	2 slain militants behind attacks on security forces, says police Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 The police today said the two local militants killed in Shopian district yesterday were involved in various attacks on security forces and panchayat members in south Kashmir. They said the district commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Arshid Ahmad Sheikh, alias Ash, a resident of Haripora-Zanipora, and his associate Abid Ahmad Rather of Vehil in Shopian were killed in a gunfight at Gagloora in Shopian district, 53 km from Srinagar yesterday. The operation was carried out by the police, Army and the CRPF after specific information. “The two militants were associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen. They were previously associated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) but after the killing of a top JeM commander, Altaf Baba, in south Kashmir last year, they joined the Hizb,” said Deputy Inspector General (DIG), south Kashmir, Vijay Kumar. The DIG said Arshid was active from the last two years and was an ‘A’ category militant. A police spokesman in Srinagar said the militant commander was involved in many violent activities in Shopian. “Arshid was involved in a number of militant activities, including an attack on police guards at Purgochi on May 4, 2012, and had snatched weapons from them. He had carried an attack on the brother of the Phalpora sarpanch on July 28, 2012, and also attacked guards at the Pinjora shrine on September 2012. He was also involved in a number of firing incidents on the police in Zanipora, Imam Sahib and Meldora last year. Both slain militants had threatened sarpanches and panches in Shopian,” a policespokesman said. The spokesman said the weapons snatched from the police guards at Purgochi were seized from the encounter site yesterday. An SLR, three SLR magazines, 80 SLR rounds, one INSAS, an INSAS magazine and a hand grenade were seized from the encounter site. Meanwhile, a shutdown was observed in Shopian to mourn the killing of the militants. The situation remained tense in the native villages of the militants.
	Over 140 Doda youth crossed over to PoK since 1990 Our Correspondent Doda, February 14 Over 140 youth from Doda district crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for arms training since the onset of militancy in the state, the police said here today. “As many as 142 youth from Doda district mentioned in the missing list of the police crossed over to Pakistan or PoK for arms training since 1990,” Superintendent of Police (SP), Doda, Mohammad Sharif Chouhan told reporters here today. He added that so far the police have received 19 applications from the district for the return of youth from across the fence under the state’s rehabilitation policy. “We have received 19 applications from Doda district under the Jammu and Kashmir Government’s rehabilitation policy. Applications have been moved by the relatives and family members on behalf of the youth who are willing to return to the mainstream,” Chouhan said. The officer, meanwhile, said only three militants from Doda have surrendered under the policy since its inception in 2010. “Since the rehabilitation policy for militants was framed by the government in 2010, only three militants from Doda have came to surrender and that too using illegal route via Nepal,” he said. On February 11, Doda resident and Hizbul Mujahideen militant Arshad Hussain Rangrez returned from PoK after spending 24 years there. Arshad returned along with his Pakistani wife Sumaira (36), daughters Mehrookh (10) and Adeeba (6) and a four-year-old son Mohammed Ahmed. During interrogation Arshad revealed that he had crossed over to PoK for arms training in early 1990’s. “I undertook a week-long training at the Jala camp before escaping from there. I then started living with my uncle Prof Abdul Razak in the PoK and used to work there as a shopkeeper,” Arshad reportedly told his interrogators. Similarly, Mohammad Iqbal Shinali along with PoK-based wife and three children had illegally crossed over to India via Nepal and surrendered before the Doda police in 2011. Majid Nai also returned using the same route last year, the reports said. Under the state’s rehabilitation policy only those youth who return to the country via prescribed routes of the Poonch-Rawalakote, the Uri-Muzaffarabad, Wagah in Punjab and the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi are entitled to cash benefits and other welfare schemes.
	Cong women launch campaign to educate electorate Tribune News Service Jammu, February 14 A week after the Congress launched its election campaign from Akhnoor Assembly segment the women wing of the party today started a drive to educate the electorate about the steps taken by the UPA Government for uplifting the weaker sections of the society. Member of Legislative Assembly and Pradesh Mahila Congress president Indu Pawar while addressing the people of Marh Assembly segment briefed them about various schemes launched by the Congress-led UPA Government in the last ten years. Pawar especially mentioned the decision of the state government to extend the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution to J&K and said it was one of the biggest achievements of the Congress party. “The Congress is the only party which has a vision to solve problems of the all regions and sub-regions of the state,” she said. Pawar also said it was because of initiative of the party leaders that revolutionary steps like the Right to Food and Right to Education were implemented. “Earlier people talked about development but people now talk about rights,” Pawar said.
	Snowfall adds zing to Valentine’s Day in Patnitop Udhampur, February 14 Fresh snowfall at Patnitop today made Valentine’s Day memorable for couples who had arrived here last evening. The snowfall started in the wee hours today and continued throughout the day. Hundred of couples were granted their wish of seeing a snowfall. “We had never seen a snowfall and it was a dream that came true today. We are enjoying the snowfall. It has become a memorable day for us,” said Nisha Gupta, a resident of Chandigarh. — OC
	AWWA head visits Army school at Rajouri Our correspondent Rajouri, February 14 The Northern Command president of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) and wife of Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, Anshul Chachra visited Army Goodwill Public School here today. The president was received by principal Kamal Zamani along with other senior Army officers. On the occasion, the school hosted a cultural programme, including a dance drama on the stigma attached to a girl child in the Indian society. Chachra appreciated the functioning of the school and exhorted students to work hard to become good citizens.
	Medical students’ strike against MCI enters Day 3 Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 Students’ protests continued for the third consecutive day today at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, against the proposed MBBS tenure extension by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Although the proposal by the MCI is still under consideration by the Union ministry concerned, students have demanded that a permanent solution should be arrived at. “A fresh directive has been received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare indicating that a final nod from the ministry in the proposed extension and inclusion of rural postings is yet awaited. But we don’t want our careers to hang in balance. There should be no temporary notifications issued, but a permanent order by the ministry that does not extend MBBS tenure and makes the rural postings in primary health centres a voluntary exercise,” Muzaffar Chowdary, president, Cultural and Academics Students Union, Government Medical College, Srinagar, said. The students from SKIMS, Medical College, Srinagar, have also joined the protests and called for an opposition to any such move of the state government which lengthened the MBBS tenure. Students across all medical colleges of the country have been protesting against the MCI’s proposal put forward before the health ministry.
	Devotees throng Dastgeer Sahib shrines Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 Friday following Urs Dastgeer Sahib was observed with traditional fervour today. Devotees were seen thronging the Khanyar and Sarai Bala shrines dedicated to the 11th century Sufi saint Shaikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani, known as Ghaus-ul-Azam and Dastgeer Sahib by the devotees. Even though Dastgeer Sahib’s actual shrine is located at Baghdad in Iraq and he never visited the Valley in person, he is highly revered by the locals. While devotees observed his Urs with fervour, they also paid obeisance at the shrine on Friday following the main Urs function. Dastgeer Sahib’s Urs was observed on Wednesday last while devotees traditionally throng the shrine for 11 consecutive days till the main Urs day. People praying with tears in their eyes were witnessed when the holy relics of Dastgeer Sahib were displayed. Areas around the shrine wore a festive look as several stalls had been set up. Besides the shrines, nearby marketplaces at Sarai Bala and Khanyar too were covered with colourful lights. A renovated shrine was thrown open at Khanyar ahead of the Urs recently after it had been destroyed in a fire incident in June 2012.
	Coaching centres threaten protest Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 The Coaching Centres Association (CCA) has termed the recent statement of the state government in the state Legislative Assembly of registering two coaching centres as a dubious one. The CCA threatened to go on Valley-wide strike against the Education Department for creating a “false impression” in the public of running coaching centres registration campaign and not even registering a single coaching centre till date. “We had put forward the proposal of registering 140 coaching centres which has been downplayed by the authorities so far,” GN Var, chairman, CCA, said. Of the 150 coaching centres operating in Srinagar city, 140 have submitted their files for seeking registration from the Director, Education. ? “Our centres have invested heavily to fulfil the criteria set by the government, but our registration is still being blocked,” said Var. The association threatened to launch a massive agitation against the Education Department. “We will go on a day-long strike in case the Education Department doesn’t come out clean on the issue,” said Var. ”We will shut down the entire 550 coaching centres where more than 50,000 students are studying,” Var added.
	22 Kashmiri girls on national study tour Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 Inspector General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Pradeep Kumar Singh on Friday flagged off a group 22 Kashmiri girls for a study tour to various parts of the country. A CRPF spokesman in Srinagar said the girls of Rahat Ghar, a rehabilitation centre for widows and orphans, would also get an opportunity to interact with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi during the tour. On the flagging off ceremony, the IG explained that the CRPF, which was called as the peace keeper of the nation, was now also trying to become messengers of peace. “I am confident that these children will feel happy to see the mainland although it is not so beautiful as the paradise on earth itself. Still the world famous Taj Mahal, Red Fort, India Gate and Delhi Metro will definitely mesmerise them,” Singh said. The Commandant, 82 Battalion, CRPF, GD Pandharinath during his welcome speech said these children would be visiting various places in Delhi, Agra, Mathura and Jammu. Jaya Iyar, in charge of Rahat Ghar, also spoke during the function.
	Mirwaiz flays Shabir’s release, calls for independent probe Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 Condemning the release of ex-minister Shabir Khan, who is accused of molesting a woman doctor, senior separatist leader and chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for an independent probe into the incident and the sex scandal which rocked the state in 2006. Mirwaiz made these comments while addressing a gathering during Friday prayers at the Jama Mosque here today. Mirwaiz also passed a resolution in which the judiciary had been urged to take suo motu cognisance of such incidents, like the molestation of the women doctor by Khan and other incidents involving sexual assaults against kashmiri women, a statement from the Hurriyat spokesman said. Mirwaiz said the current breed of rules in J&K had broken all records of corruption and immorality. He said those who should have been behinds bars and before courts for their misdeeds were in fact sitting in the state Assembly and were busy in playing the politics of divide and rule.
	SP College invites applications for admission to BSc Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 Sri Pratap College, Srinagar, has started inviting applications for BSc-I, 2014-15 batch. The college administration has said in its notification issued recently that students falling within the catchment area of the college could get the prospectus from the college against a cash payment of Rs 60. “Students will be admitted to BSc (with biotechnology as one subject) on the basis of merit secured by the applicants in higher secondary, Part-II examinations,” the official handout of the college read.
	Plea for Kashmiri Women’s Day Srinagar, February 14 Srinagar-based human rights group J&K Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) has decided to observe February 23 as Kashmiri Women’s Resistance Day. “On the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the ‘mass’ rape and torture at Kunan Poshpora, and recognising the resilience and courage of all women in the state against violence, we urge all sections of Kashmiri society to commemorate February 23 as Kashmiri Women’s Resistance Day,” the JKCCS said here today. — TNS
	Tea stalls in Jammu offer NaMo flavour Amit Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, February 14 Scores of tea shops around the city have been transformed into ‘NaMo tea stalls’ to attract electorate, following the BJP's ‘chai pe charcha’ campaign. About 150 tea stalls across Jammu have put up big hoardings exhibiting pictures of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, local leader and the tea stall owner. The hoarding reads: “Chai bechte hain desh nahi”. “Modi is the best administrator and we all see him as one of our own. He was also a tea vendor like us. It makes us really feel proud. We have decided to make him our Prime Minister,” said Sunil Sharma who owns a tea stall in the Rehari area of the city. “Some political parties have insulted him with the tea vendor jibe. We want to tell them all that what we sell is tea, not the country (chai bechte hain, desh nahi),” Sharma added. He added that the hoarding was attracting a lot of attention and people visit his tea stall and discuss about Modi. Sharma said it has also helped him generate more revenue. “The people who visit my shop discuss Modi and his vision. It has also helped my business as people get attracted by the hoarding and generally spend time at my shop discussing the future of the country and Modi’s leadership,” the tea stall owner said “In a way we all have become a part of Narendra Modi's ‘chai pe charcha’ campaign,” he added. BJP state cell in charge Sat Sharma, meanwhile, said the idea was not propagated by the party and the tea stall owners themselves had started the campaign. “The idea has been propagated by the followers of Narendra Modi themselves. After they came to know that Modi, like them, used to sell tea when he was young, the tea stall owners started feeling proud of their profession,” the BJP leader said. “They want Modi’s poster with their own picture…Even the slogan, ‘chai bechte hain desh nahi’ was also created by tea vendors of Jammu,” he added. “The comments made by some of the Congress leaders against Modi have hurt the tea vendors and now they have decided to start a campaign for Modi,” Sat Sharma said, adding that people who had never associated with the BJP in the past were also campaigning for Modi.
	Asiya Andrabi detained for anti-Valentine’s Day drive Srinagar, February 14 Asiya Andrabi, the leader of an all-women separatist outfit, Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), and her three associates were detained by the police while conducting a drive against Valentine’s Day in Srinagar. Andrabi and her aide were taken into preventive custody near Regal Chowk in the city when they were heading towards some restaurants to “counsel” couples against celebrating the day, eyewitnesses said. Police sources said the separatist leader and her associates were taken to women's police station at Ram Bagh. Earlier, Andrabi told mediapersons that Islam prohibited mixing of “unmarried boys and girls” and termed the Valentine’s Day celebrations as “un-Islamic”. — TNS
	Guru Ravidass Jayanti celebrated Tribune News Service Jammu, February 14 Guru Ravidass Jayanti was celebrated across Jammu today. Several programmes were organised to mark the day. The main function was organised at Chak-Avtara, Bishnah, in which thousands of devotees from different parts of the state took part. The devotees, especially from district Reasi, Kathua and Udhampur, came in shape of processions. On the occasion, Baba Bhagwan Dass (Udhas Marg, RS Pura) laid the foundation stone of a grand building. A spiritual discourse was delivered by Dina Nath, a disciple of Mahatma Shri Chandi Ram, from Punjab, on the "Bani" of saints with special reference to Guru Ravidass. He said the guru was a living spirit of God and preached the inner richness of human values and his main thrust was on humanity by spreading the message of love, peace and tranquillity.
	‘Duggar Chetna Rally’ on Feb 19 Jammu, February 14 The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF) will organise a “Duggar Chetna Rally” to mark the foundation day of the party at Parade Ground on February 19. Manish Khajuria, state president of the Youth Wing of the front, along with Gulshan Rattan, Anuksh Sharma, Varinder Jamwal and Dushant Kumar informed the media that the rally would be organised to salute the sacrifices of Duggar heroes. They said the rally would start from Gandhi Nagar. — TNS
	Omar applauds J&K Olympian Srinagar, February 14 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today expressed happiness as an athlete from the state participated in Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. “Just saw Nadeem Iqbal cross the finishing line of the 15-kilometre cross-country event. Great to see the Olympic spirit alive and strong,” Omar wrote on Twitter. Iqbal, 30, a Army man from Rajouri district, is the first athlete from the state to have qualified for this year’s Winter Olympics. “It’s been great to see… a fellow Kashmiri on the cross-country skis. Well done guys, great job,” Omar wrote. Meanwhile, Nadeem finished 85th in the men’s 15-km classic run event today. He clocked 55 minute 12.5 seconds to cover the 15-km distance and secured a lowly 85th position out of 87 athletes who finished the race at the Laura Cross-country Ski and Biathlon Centre. — OC (With inputs from PTI)
	Govt urged to accept Sports Policy draft recommendation Players support bringing corporations, boards under Sports Council’s umbrella Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, February 14 Concerned over the limited employment avenues, sportspersons have appealed to the government to give its nod to bringing corporations, boards and apex institutions under the umbrella of the autonomous sports body as recommended by the proposed Sports Policy draft. The sportspersons have strongly supported the recommendation in the proposed Sports Policy draft to bring revolutionary changes in the present grim sports scenario. "The proposed draft has laid stress on the public-private partnership (PPP), which I think is the most significant criteria for a continued growth rate of sports activities in the state. We have to go from pillar to post to find a sponsor to bear expenses for attending a coaching camp or participation in international championship," a sportspersons said. "Though associations are hosting national championships, but the standard is not of that level, simply because they are scared of spending lavishly claiming that the same amount will not be reimbursed by the Sports Council. That is why we are way behind in hosting a national event efficiently due to financial constraints," he claimed. "There are a lot of promising youth having a potential to prove their worth, but due to lack of sponsors they have not been able to exhibit their prowess. This Sports Policy draft has raised a ray of hope for sportspersons that if implemented, the players will no longer have to depend on one department only to get sponsorship for attending a coaching camp or participate in a national championship," another player maintained. The Sports Policy draft claimed, "Firstly, the recommendation will promote sports culture in the units, which would have the effect of improving overall discipline, increasing productivity and bringing about close identification and a feeling of pride among the employees in these organisations." "Secondly, it would give a tremendous boost to the promotion of sports by opening up facilities for training of budding sportsmen generating competition among them due to suitable incentives," the Sports Policy draft claimed. "Thirdly, it will prevent the drain of sportsmen and women from the state because the scheme would open up more avenues of employment within the home state. Lastly, these corporations and boards will compliment government effort by contributing in money and resources to augment sporting facilities in the state," the draft added.

	Acid attack convict gets 10-yr jail Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 14 A day after convicting Riyaz Ahmad Nath for attempt to murder, a local court here today sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. Nath had carried out an acid attack on a 30-year-old school teacher in the Baghat Barzulla area of Srinagar on January 3, 2013. “In view of the age and literacy of the convict, court awards 10 years imprisonment to Riyaz Ahmad Nath and a fine of Rs 10,000. If the fine is not paid, three months of imprisonment will be added further,” the court of Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Mohammad Shafi Khan said while announcing the punishment. The incident had sparked anger across the Valley and a case was registered in police station Sadder against Nath under sections 307, 325, 341 and 354.
	One killed, 17 hurt as bus overturns at Nagrota Tribune News Service Jammu, February 14 A passenger was killed and 17 others, including four women, sustained injuries, when a Matador (mini bus) in which they were travelling overturned near Shibba Nagrota, under the jurisdiction of the Nagrota police station, this morning. Some of the injured are in a critical condition and admitted to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. The driver of the ill-fated Matador, bearing registration number JK02BD-6902 and carrying passengers from Nagrota to Jammu, when reached near Shibba Nagrota at about 9.45 this morning, lost his control over the vehicle, due to which the Matador overturned on the road resulting in injuries to 18 passengers. Out of the injured, one person, Gulam Hassan, 60, resident of Anantnag, succumbed to his injuries at Government Medical College (GMC,) Jammu. After receiving information about the accident, the police rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. The injured were rushed to GMC Jammu.