The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	City hit by protests Gaddi, Sippi tribes protest enters fourth day; PoK refugees take out rally Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 Various organisations today staged protest demonstrations in support of their demands at various venues. The protest by Gaddi and Sippi communities under the banner of the All-J&K Gaddi Sippi Tribes Welfare Association (GSTWA) entered the fourth day today. A large number of community members assembled outside the Press Club and raised slogans in support of their demands. Parveen Jaryal, state organising secretary of the association, urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene in the matter and devise an affective strategy for mitigating the woes and sufferings of these tribes. He also urged all MLAs and MLCs to raise the issues of Gaddi and Sippi tribes on the floor of the State Legislature. Jaryal demanded establishment of an advisory board for the development of these tribes. He also demanded establishment of three Gaddi and Sippi hostels, one each at Ramban, Bhadarwah and Bani, besides restarting of the ST pre-matric scholarship in favour of students of the Gaddi and Sippi tribes. Meanwhile, the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Refugee Front - 1947, 1965, 1971 - executive committee led by Rachhpal Singh Chib held a protest rally against the state government. The front alleged that the government did not bother to act on the advice of the departmental related Parliamentary Standing Committee constituted to implement the Prime Minister’s Package for all Displaced Persons of Jammu and Kashmir. “The UPA Government at Delhi is maintaining silence and watching the crime being committed by the NC-Congress alliance on the hapless refugees of J&K. The families uprooted from Pakistan occupied areas of Jammu and Kashmir due to Indo-Pak wars of 1947, 1965 and 1971 have been deprived of their rights of final settlement - financial, social, educational, employment and political,” a release from the front said. The front urged the state government to fulfil its demands. These included financial package of Rs 25 lakh, compensation against moveable and immovable property left behind at their previous places of living, providing financial relief of Rs 25,000 per family with interest of 13 years according to the financial package sanctioned by the Government of India. Besides, the ongoing protest of shortlisted candidates for the posts of jail warden, currently sitting on hunger strike, continued today. They said they would not end their struggle until their demands were fulfilled by the authorities. Reiterating their resolve to continue with their agitation, they warned the government not to test their patience and release the final selection list, failing which the protesters would further intensify their ongoing agitation. The selected candidates urged the chief minister to personally look into the matter for getting the selection list released.
	Ladakh council told to use grants before 2015 Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 The first instalment of grants-in-aid released to the Ladakh Autonmous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, for the construction of the multi-purpose indoor hall has to be utilised before March 31, 2015. These directions were issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) while releasing the financial grants under Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS). The ministry has asked the authorities to submit a statement of expenditure incurred on various components in construction of the sports infrastructure project along with completion report to the Department of Sports, MYAS. Sources said the ministry had asked the LAHDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to ensure that the multi-purpose indoor hall is constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) or the state PWD or state public sector undertaking (PSU). The sports project is to be constructed in accordance with specifications given in the scheme of the assistance for the creation of the urban sports infrastructure. The sources added that the grantee should also certify that it had not obtained or applied for the grant for the same purpose of activity from any other ministry or department of the Government of India or any other non-governmental organisation (NGO) or voluntary organisation. The grantee is also required to submit photographs of construction of multi-purpose indoor hall along with the utilisation certificate (UC). “The grantee shall not divert the grants entrusted for the execution of the scheme or work concerned to other institutions or organisation. If the grantee fails to utilise the grant for the purpose for which the same has been sanctioned, the grantee will be required to refund the amount thereon at the rate of 10 per cent per annum,” a MYAS statement said. Further, the grantee should ensure that the interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are protected, not only at the time of execution of sports infrastructure project of the multi-purpose indoor hall at Leh, but also at the time of utilisation of sports facility, created out of the grant released by the Department of Sports. The sources claimed that LAHDC had been asked to prepare a progress report of the construction of multi-purpose indoor hall for which grant had been released. The report should be forwarded to the Department of Sports, MYAS, every six months from the start of the work, said the sources.
	Awareness drive for voters held at Akhnoor college Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 With an aim to generate awareness among the youth about the electoral system and to encourage eligible voters for polling under Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Akhnoor, Girish Dayalan today launched a campaign and the Youth Unite for Voter Awareness (YUVA) show at Government Degree College, Akhnoor. The SDM said, “Elections are the base of democracy and a voter has the ultimate power to shape the destiny of the country by electing representative of their own choice.” He asked the youth to exercise their franchise for strengthening the democracy. He added that the facilities such as online registration and khidmat centres, besides registration camps were being organised in Jammu district at different places particularly in educational institutions so that eligible voters could register themselves in electoral rolls. The SDM urged the students to ensure their maximum participation in elections by casting their vote irrespective of caste, colour and creed to bring greater transparency and accountability in the democratic setup. The campaign was launched in Jammu district by Jammu District Election Officer and Jammu Deputy Commissioner Ajeet Kumar Sahu under the overall supervision of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Umang Narula and under the guidance of the Election Commission of India. Skit depicting value of voting rights was also presented by artistes of the Natrang Theatre Group.
	Mirwaiz met former RAW head, admits moderate Hurriyat Denies regular talks with Union Government over Kashmir issue Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 20 The moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has denied that it was in regular talks with the Central Government. The faction has, however, admitted that its leaders, including Mirwaiz, met former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief AS Dulat in New Delhi in November, 2013. While responding to a question of an MP, GN Ratanpuri, Minister of State for Home Affairs RPN Singh had on Wednesday informed the Parliament that the Union Government was holding regular talks with Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat Conference in Jammu and Kashmir. RPN Singh had also said Mirwaiz held meeting with former intelligence officials in November, 2013. "The minister's statement was misleading and made with a malicious intention to malign the image of the Hurriyat leadership as well as to hoodwink the public opinion here and abroad," a Hurriyat spokesman said in a state here while reacting sharply to the statement by RPN Singh in Parliament on February 19. Terming RPN Singh's statement in Parliament as "far from truth", the spokesman said at present no dialogue was going on between the Hurriyat and New Delhi, while adding that the faction believed in "transparency" in engagements over Kashmir. Acknowledging the Hurriyat leadership's meeting with former intelligence officials, including former RAW head AS Dulat, in November last year, he, however, termed the meet "unofficial". "Meeting prominent people, intellectuals, journalists and diplomats was part of the Hurriyat agenda to make efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute and in pursuance to this policy, Hurriyat leaders met AS Dulat in New Delhi in November, 2013," the spokesman said. "By saying that the government was not aware of the deliberations of the meeting, it has been admitted by the minister (RPN Singh ) that the officer was not meeting the Hurriyat on behalf of the government," the spokesman said, while trying to convey that the meeting between Dulat and Mirwaiz was "unofficial".
	Cong trying to retain power by supporting AAP, says Lekhi Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 Alleging unholy nexus between the Aam Adami Party (AAP) and Congress, national spokesperson for the BJP Meenakshi Lekhi said today that the electorate had totally rejected the latter in the elections, but yet tried to retain the levers of power vicariously by supporting the AAP. Addressing a function organised by the Intellectual Wing of the BJP here today, Lekhi said it was only for power that the Congress had supported the AAP in Delhi, which had relegated it to an insignificant number of eight seats in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha. “The overweening thirst of power of the Congress is unlimited and not tempered with realism and self-appraisal,” she said. Lekhi alleged that mismanagement and misdirection prevailed in the Indian economy during the past 10 years of the Congress-led UPA government’s rule at the Centre. Ridiculing the UPA government for embracing foreign investment and harming local entrepreneurs, she said foreign investment had never exceeded 6 per cent of the total investment. Jugal Kishore Sharma, Dr Jitendra Singh, Sat Sharma, Sanjay Kapoor and Deepak Kapahi also spoke on the occasion.
	Over 2.75 lakh cases pending in J&K courts Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 Law Minister Mir Saifullah today said in the Legislative Assembly that more than 62,000 cases were solved through lok adalats in the current financial year from March 2013 to March 2014. As many as 2,76,458 cases are pending in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and subordinate courts of the state. The number is increasing with each passing year. Official data said the number of pending cases in different courts in 2008-09 was 2,27,609 and in 2013-14, the number rose to 2,76,458. Currently, 87,794 civil cases and 5,244 criminal cases are pending in the High Court while 76,680 civil cases and 1,06,740 criminal cases are pending in the subordinate courts in the state. The minister, while replying to the cut motions of members in the Assembly, today said the pendency was a national phenomenon. “Efforts are on to combat this menace,” he said, adding, “No doubt, a good number of cases are pending before various courts in the state but initiatives are being taken to minimise the pendency.” The minister said, “Judicial infrastructure is being constantly and regularly upgraded in the state. Computerisation of courts is also a step in this direction. The High Court has issued instructions for speedy disposal of cases.” The government has engaged nearly 900 standing councils to represent various government departments and public sector undertakings in the subordinate courts. The government claimed that the creation of courts at different levels and holding of lok adalats was a step towards minimising the pendency. “A special court of the level of the Principal District and Sessions Judge for exclusive trial of cases, investigated by the CBI, Jammu, has been created. It will reduce workload on anti-corruption courts in the state and lead to speedy disposal of cases,” Mir said. The state government is emphasising on holding more lok adalats to ensure speedy disposal of cases so as to lower pendency. The lok adalats are being regularly held to settle disputes through mediation and reconciliation. According to official data, 485 Lok Adalats were organised in 2013-14, in which 62,808 cases were settled. A compensation of Rs 30.34 crore has been disbursed among victims or their survivors. Justice awaited * The number of pending cases in different courts in the state in 2008-09 was 2,27,609 and in 2013-14, the number rose to 2,76,458. * 87,794 civil cases and 5,244 criminal cases are pending in the High Court while 76,680 civil cases and 1,06,740 criminal cases are pending in the subordinate courts in the state. * 485 lok adalats were organised in 2013-14, in which 62,808 cases were settled. A compensation of ~30.34 crore was disbursed among victims or their survivors.
	Clashes in Pulwama over Hizbul militant’s killing Majid Jahangir & Farooz Ahmad Bhat Tribune News Service Srinagar/Pulwama, Feb 20 Clashes broke out in various parts of the south Kashmir’s Pulwama district over the killing of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant. Tauseef Ahmed Dar was killed in a gunfight in central Kashmir’s Budgam district yesterday. The police said 25-year-old Tauseef, a resident of Pulwama, was a category ‘A’ militant and was involved in various violent incidents, including the killing of an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) last year in Pulwama. The local authorities had imposed strict restriction in Pulwama since the wee hours today to thwart any protests in the wake of the killing of Tauseef, who was buried last night at his native town. However, protests were reported from various parts of Pulwama town. The police fired tear smoke shells to quell the mob that were trying to march towards the house of the slain militant. The police also reportedly resorted to aerial firing at some places. During the clashes one person, identified as Maysar Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Prichoo, was injured. There were also reports of protests from Dalipora and Chatapora villages, where people clashed with the police. The locals alleged that the body of the slain militant was mutilated after the encounter. A police spokesperson in Srinagar said the situation in Pulwama “remained normal”. The spokesperson, however, admitted that stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from few places. “A notorious stone pelter, Maysar Ahmad Bhat of Prichoo, Pulwama, was injured while attempting to throw back a tear smoke shell lobbed by the police at Prichoo. The shell exploded in his hand causing injuries to his fingers. He was shifted to Bone and Joints Hospital, Srinagar, for treatment,” the spokesperson said. A senior police officer, meanwhile, said: “Touseef had joined Jaish-e-Mohammad in April 2013. But after the killing of top JeM commander Altaf Baba in south Kashmir last year, he (Touseef) joined Hizbul Mujahideen.” “Touseef was involved in the killing of ASI Farooq Ahmed in Pulwama on May 11, 2013. He was also involved in a grenade attack on the police party opposite district hospital Pulwama on September 7, 2013, in which 12 police personnel got injured,” he added.
	Govt, judiciary on collision course over illegal constructions Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 20 The controversial draft Bill, which puts a moratorium of one year on sealing and demolition of unauthorised structures and constructions in capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu, besides Katra, has set the state government on collision course with the judiciary. The contentious Civic Laws (Special Provisions) Bill-2014 not only suspends all the notices issued by the local authorities against violators in Srinagar, Jammu and Katra, but also overrules and prevents any penalty, sealing or demolition of illegal structures in these areas till March 31, 2015 despite court or tribunal directives. The draft of the Bill, which was accessed by The Tribune, was cleared by the state Cabinet on February 16. The draft Bill is being pushed by the Omar Abdullah-led coalition government for passage in the ongoing Assembly session. The exercise is being viewed as an election-year sop, meant to benefit the owners of thousands of illegal structures that have come up at Srinagar, Jammu and Katra. “By bringing this controversial Bill, the government aims to protect and shield influential people in Srinagar and Jammu, most of whom own hotels, shopping malls and automobile showrooms in areas that have come up in violation of the master plan,” said counsel Firdous A Parray. Parray is representing Mujeeb Andrabi, who had earlier filed public interest litigation (PIL) seeking demolition of illegal structures in Srinagar city and an end to master plan violations. Though the High Court had asked the state to come out with a policy decision with regard to over 3,000 master plan violations noted in Srinagar alone, the government chose to bypass directions by approving the contentious Bill. The draft Bill intends to suspend all the notices issued by the local authorities for initiating action against the violators in Srinagar, Jammu and Katra regions until March 31, 2015, or until a policy is formulated by the government, whichever is earlier. Worst, any local authority intending to take action against structures raised in contravention of the rules will have to seek prior sanction from the administrative secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department or an officer authorised by him on his behalf. “Though the government has the power to bring the Bill, the intentions behind the Bill move are dishonest and ad-hoc in nature. Either the government should have brought a comprehensive policy or waited for the final outcome of the PIL before the High Court,” Parray said. “Such kind of policies has turned Srinagar and Jammu into urban jungles and slums,” he added. The acts of the Bill would, however, not apply in cases where the structures have been constructed or erected on public land, public road or any other public utility or where the structures are not conforming to the safety norms set by the government. What the Bill says... * Section 4 of the draft ‘Civic Laws (Special Provisions) Bill-2014’ states that no action can be taken against violators, pending formulation of the policy by the government till March 31, 2015. * The sub-section 1 of section 4 states, that “notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary in any law, rule, regulation… judgment, decree or order of any court or tribunal, no building or structure shall be demolished or sealed, and no penalty shall be imposed in respect of such building or structure, on the ground of such building or structure having been constructed or erected in violation of the master plan, pending finalisation of the policy under section 3. * The sub-section 2 of the controversial Bill says that “all notices issued by any local authority for initiating action against unauthorised constructions or master plan violation in respect of areas to which the Act applies shall be deemed to have been suspended until March 31, 2015, or until a policy is formulated by the government, whichever is earlier.”
	State told to examine minority status demand of Kashmiri Pandits New Delhi, February 20 A parliamentary committee has told the Jammu and Kashmir Government to examine the demand for granting minority status to the Kashmiri Pandits, in view of their “pitiable condition” after they were forced to leave the Valley in 1990s. A similar view was also expressed by Chairman of National Commission for Minorities Wajahat Habibullah, who said the state government had been advised to declare Pandits as minorities. As per official data, as many as 59,442 Kashmiri Pandit families have been registered as migrants, with 38,119 registered in Jammu, 19,338 in Delhi and 1,985 in the rest of the country. Tabling an Action Taken Report on ‘Rehabilitation of Jammu and Kashmir Migrants’ in the Rajya Sabha, the 31-member committee comprising 10 MPs from the Rajya Sabha and 21 from the Lok Sabha has been critical of the Ministry of Home Affairs on various issues, including providing relief, employment, housing and health care facilities. The panel had formed a 14-member sub-committee which went into the action taken by the Home Ministry to its recommendations made in the 137th report. The committee said several representations were made by various migrant organisations, saying the Kashmiri Pandits be declared as minorities. The panel said it was informed by the Union Home Ministry that the state government’s stand was that the migrants belong to the Hindu religion and as such do not qualify for minority status. However, the state government feels that the issue of granting minority status to the Kashmiri Pandit community needs to be examined “from all angles”. “The committee feels that the state government has a special status in the Indian Constitution. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir should look into the demand of the Kashmiri Pandits for conferring on them the minority status, keeping in mind their pitiable condition,” the report said. — PTI
	Rally of ex-servicemen organised at Udhampur Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 A rally to alleviate the problems of ex-servicemen and Veer Naris was conducted under the aegis of the Northern Command headquarters at the Udhampur Military Station today. Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, GOC-in-C, Northern Command, was the chief guest on the occasion. Maj Gen AP Rai, GOC, 71 Sub Area, welcomed the veterans and Veer Naris to the rally and hoped that they would benefit from the facilities provided at the rally site. Brig (Retd) RS Langeh, Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, J&K, thanked Lt General Chachra for organising the event and highlighted various schemes for ex-servicemen and Veer Naris initiated by the Central Government and the Government of J&K. He also highlighted the contribution of the soldiers from the state in defending the territorial integrity of the country. Lt General Chachra in his address welcomed the veterans and Veer Naris to the event and thanked them for attending the rally in large numbers. He conveyed the gratitude of the nation and the armed forces to the ex-servicemen and Veer Naris for their bravery and sacrifices. The officer reiterated the Army’s commitment of providing all possible assistance to the ex-servicemen and Veer Naris and timely redressal of their grievances. He applauded their contribution in the service of the nation and said a number of measures have been initiated for their post-retirement rehabilitation and comfort. Lt General Chachra also appraised the gathering of the Civil Military Liaison Conference held in November last year, where Chief Minister Omar had sanctioned a financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month to the World War-II veterans and their widows. He said the Chief Minister had also graciously agreed to extend the ex-gratia relief to soldiers, who lay down their lives in the service of the nation in counter terrorist operations in the state, to those martyred on the Line of Control. Lt General Chachra also said the Chief Minister had also agreed to remove the distinction in ex-gratia amount for soldiers belonging to J&K and those belonging to other states. The General added that the Army was always concerned about the ex-servicemen and Veer Naris and asked them to approach the nearest Army post in case of any difficulty. Lt General Chachra’s wife and Regional President, Family Welfare Organisation, Northern Command, Anshul Chachra, on the occasion, presented Rs 1 lakh cheque each to 15 Veer Naris for starting self employment projects.
	Guv stresses on hygiene around langars during Amarnath yatra Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 A 27-member delegation of the Shri Amarnathji Barfani Langars’ Organisation (SABLO) called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today. The deputation, led by Vijay Thakur, president, and Rajan Gupta, general secretary of SABLO, submitted a memorandum on issues relating to the yatra management. The Governor gave the deputation a patient hearing and asked the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) to early examine their suggestions. Emphasising the need to protect the environment in the yatra area, the Governor reiterated that the langar organisations should take all required steps to maintain hygienic conditions in and around their premises during the Amarnath yatra. Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the SASB, Preet Pal Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Board, and Rajneesh Kumar, Deputy CEO, attended the meeting. The yatra is scheduled to begin from June 28.
	Cross-LoC trade sorted out with Pakistan: Kichloo Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 The state government has said the cross-LoC trade-related issues with Pakistan have been resolved and the trade will resume shortly. Replying to a question raised by National Conference (NC) member Devender Singh Rana in the Legislative Council today, the Minister of State (MoS) independent charge, industries and commerce, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, said in the backdrop of seizure of narcotics at Salamabad in the Uri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district, the cross-LoC trade was suspended, but now everything had been sorted out and trade would resume shortly. "On January 17, 2014, 114 packets of a contraband substance were found hidden in almond bags loaded in a truck, No RIS-2137, coming from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) side. "The matter was immediately brought to the notice of sub-district police officer, Uri, who in turn informed the Superintendent of Police, Baramulla. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) tested the material and it was found to be a narcotic," Kichloo said. He informed that the driver of the truck, Muhammad Shafi Awan, son of Abdul Aziz, of Sarar, Muzaffarabad, was detained for further investigation. "After that the Pakistani side demanded the release of the driver and truck and also refused to accept their trucks, going back from Salamabad. They also didn't allow 27 trucks to return to the Indian side that had crossed to the PoK," the minister said. He said after the Director, Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, and Deputy Commissioner held many rounds of meetings with the officials on the other side of the LoC to resolve the deadlock, the PoK authorities agreed to accept their remaining trucks along with drivers. The drivers of the Indian side were also allowed to cross with their trucks. He also mentioned the number of steps taken by the government to streamline the cross-LoC trade like providing facilities like modern cargo sheds, macdamisation of Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) yard, weight bridge, separate hall for drivers of PoK trucks and new office-cum-residential complex at the TFC in Salamabad.
	PDP MLA apologises for slapping marshal in Assembly Jammu, February 20 A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislator, who slapped a marshal in the Assembly yesterday, apologised in the House here today. As the House assembled for the day’s proceedings, Bashir who represents the Rajpura Assembly segment of south Kashmir, stood up from his seat and said: “What happened was totally unintended. If somebody’s sentiments have been hurt by my action or if the dignity of the august House was undermined by my unintentional action, I tender my apology,” the PDP MLA said. Bashir slapped a marshal thrice after Speaker Mubarak Gul ordered the marshals to evict him from the House for creating a ruckus. — TNS
	Cong politicking over Afzal issue, says NC Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 The ruling National Conference (NC) today reacted to the statement of Congress leader Salman Soz, who demanded the mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. “(The) Congress is indulging in dirty politics on the Afzal Guru issue,” said NC additional general secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal. “Where were the Congress leaders when Afzal Guru’s family was fighting his case in the court of law,” he said, adding, “Congress leaders have not uttered a single word of sympathy for the family of Afzal Guru.” “This is dirty politics,” Kamal said while reacting to the demand of the Congress leader, adding, “It was the Congress government at the Centre which hanged Afzal Guru.” Salman, Congress spokesman and son of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz, yesterday expressed his anger over the way the Supreme Court and the Union Government dealt with the Parliament attack convict. “The commutation of the death sentence of the convicted killers of Rajiv Gandhi (to life imprisonment) has left me conflicted. On the one hand, I am opposed to the death penalty and have been throughout my life, but on the other hand, this verdict appears to be in sharp contrast to the Afzal Guru verdict. I am not sure how this contrast can be explained. I am sure there is a lot of resentment about this in Kashmir. “That is not to say Kashmiris would necessarily want these men to be executed but there must be a feeling, genuinely that there should be equal treatment under the law,” Salman posted on social networking site Facebook yesterday. Demanding Guru’s mortal remains be returned to his family, Soz said: “I believe if killers of Rajiv Gandhiji and other innocents can be released from prison, Afzal Guru’s remains can be returned to his family.” PDP slams Congress, BJP The opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday flayed the Congress over the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and alleged that the party “acted in a hurry to score over the BJP”. “It was the Congress party which was at the helm of affairs when Afzal Guru was hanged. It acted in hurry to hang Afzal Guru to score over the BJP,” PDP president Mehbooba Mufti told reporters outside the Legislative Assembly here.“Both the parties (Congress and BJP) ganged together to hang him. I want to know from the Congress leadership as to why a person who figured at serial number 28 in the list of convicts was selectively picked up and hanged secretly,” Mehbooba said. She added that the Congress was trying to rub salt on the wounds of Kashmiri people by demanding the body of Afzal Guru. “The Congress and the BJP are enacting a drama to score over each other and J&K is being made a scapegoat in this,” Mehbooba said.
	Workshop on data analysis begins at KU Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 20 A two-day workshop on importance of applying statistical software package for better data analysis and decision-making began at Kashmir University here today. The workshop is aimed at sensitising the researchers and faculty members about the importance of applying statistical software package for better data analysis and decision-making, a statement released by the university said. The workshop is being organised by the university’s Post-Graduate Department of Computer Sciences and around 100 participants, including research scholars and faculty members, are taking part in the two-day workshop. “The workshop will help them make better analysis of their findings and then summarise them in not only numerical form but graphically also,” the statement said. Vice Chancellor Talat Ahmad addressed the workshop’s inaugural session. “If you want to have proper research utility then the importance of organising such workshops on data analysis using SPSS is paramount,” he said.
	Hike in auto fare adds to commuters’ woes Our Correspondent Srinagar, February 20 Increase in the fares of autorickshaws, which were implemented in the Valley recently, has added to the woes of commuters. The commuters were already a troubled lot as there is no proper meter facility or specific rate list available for autorickshaw drivers. Locals rue that the autorickshaw drivers fluctuate the rates and there is no one to keep a check on it. “Sometimes I get late and prefer to take an autorickshaw, but when they see that a passenger is helpless and has no other alternative, they ask for higher rates,” said Shazia Sofi, a student. A school teacher from Srinagar added, “All autorickshaw drivers charge different rates according to their whims and fancies as there is no rate list or proper meter facility available.” “The authorities concerned should take action against such exploiters. I mostly travel in autorickshaws and always pay different rates unlike other states,” said Madeena Ganai, a local. The Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Kashmir, however, assured that if people complain to them and note down the vehicle numbers they will definitely take action against the erring auto drivers. “I welcome people to call on my office number 0194-2486924. Just note the vehicle number and inform us, we will surely take action,” said RTO Muhammad Anees. The government has also issued a detailed notification specifying the revised route-wise fare on all routes. According to the government notification, fares for local buses has been hiked by 14 per cent, mini-buses (stage carriage) 14 per cent, taxis and maxi cabs (contract carriers) by 12 per cent and for petrol-run autorickshaws (contract carriage) by 9 per cent. As per the revised fare, a commuter has to pay Rs 6 up to 3 km and Rs 10 up to 5 km.
	Cold wave continues in Valley Srinagar, February 20 Cold conditions continued in Kashmir valley and Ladakh region as the minimum temperature in most places fell further owing to dry conditions and clear sky. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 1.1 degrees Celsius, as against the previous night’s 1.5 degrees Celsius, an official of the Met Department here said. Mercury in Qazigund - the gateway town to Kashmir valley - increased by two degrees to settle at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night’s minus 3.2 degrees Celsius. The mercury in Pahalgam resort registered a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius as against minus 2.8 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said. The night temperature in Gulmarg went down by over two degrees to record a low of minus 6.6 degrees Celsius as against the previous night’s minus 4.4 degrees Celsius. The mercury in Kokernag, in south Kashmir, also dipped by over two degrees to settle at a low of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius last night as compared to minus 0.3 degrees Celsius the previous night. — PTI
	Srinagar MC destroys adulterated milk Our Correspondent Srinagar, February 20 Continuing its drive against unhygienic food in the city, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) today destroyed 500 litres of adulterated milk taken from different shops in Pantha Chowk area of Srinagar. Health officer of the SMC Dr Shafqat Khan said the drive would continue against people selling adulterated and unhygienic food items. “We destroyed 500 litres of milk today, which after testing was found unhygienic and adulterated. We will continue this drive,” he said. The official said they had been getting a lot of complaints from people of various areas about adulterated milk. They also took samples of packed milk from various shops. “We have taken samples of packed milk from many places for testing and the reports will come soon, as we received complaints from people that there is some powder mixed with it,” the official added. In the old city of Srinagar, many non-locals selling bakery and sweets have also been fined for selling unhygienic products, the official added.
	Students’ day celebrated Jammu, February 20 Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), Jammu centre, celebrated students’ day at Government Polytechnic for Women today. The theme of the day was “Empowering women through science and technology – a case study in J&K state”. The function was followed by a workshop on embedded technologies. Joy Ganjoo, chairman, IETE, Jammu Centre, delivered the keynote address. He said technology was taking off in India and changing lives in urban as well as rural areas. Er Neetu Maini, Principal, Government Polytechnic for Women, Jammu, was the chief guest, who in her address emphasised that the theme of Students’ Day was in line with the need of the hour. — TNS
	Govt must grant Rs 3 lakh to suicide victim’s family: Rights body Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 20 The J&K State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has recommended a grant of Rs 3 lakh to the family of a college girl, who committed suicide following alleged police harassment in Doda district in 2011. The Division Bench comprising Rafiq Fida, the acting chairman of the Commission, and S Amalok Singh observed that the conduct of the then in charge police post Pul-Doda, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Mohammad Mumtaz as “gross negligent, careless and insensitive”. “From all the material available on file, it is established beyond doubt that in charge police post Pul-Doda Mumtaz has miserably failed to handle the situation in proper, wise and prudent way, and his insensitive, careless and negligent conduct forced the girl to take such an extreme step to end her life by jumping in the river Chenab,” the judgement stated. “The Commission is of the firm belief that loss of precious human life can never be compensated, but a monitory relief will surely mitigate the sufferings of the destitute family to a great extent. Therefore, the Commission deems it proper to recommend that the government must grant compensation to the tune of Rs 3 lakh to the destitute family for the loss of life of the deceased due to the mishandling and insensitive/negligent act of in charge police post,” it added. The incident which sparked protests in the area happened on May 29, 2011, when Rahida Banoo, a BEd student, was allegedly harassed by the police after it found her sitting with a male classmate at a roadside tea stall. The two were taken to a nearby police post where ASI Mumtaz allegedly threatened the girl that he would inform her father about the incident. Rahida ran out of the police post and jumped into the Chenab river in full public view. The Division Bench, meanwhile, recommended that the amount be recovered from the salary or other service benefits of the erring official so that it will serve as a lesson for other government officers to remain extra vigilant and sensible while dealing with such kind of incidents. Earlier, the police had ordered suspension of Mumtaz and initiated an inquiry into the entire incident. The case On May 29, 2011, Rahida Banoo, a BEd student, was allegedly harassed by the police after it found her sitting with a male classmate at a roadside tea stall. The two were taken to a nearby police post where ASI Mumtaz allegedly threatened the girl that he would inform her father about the incident. Rahida ran out of the police post and jumped into the Chenab river in full public view.
	Panel demands transfer of school teacher Srinagar, February 20 The Village Education Committee of Badigam is up in arms against a local Rehbar-e-Taleem teacher, allegedly involved in bungling of funds meant for the mid-day meal scheme at Government Middle School, Badigam. Villagers have made several representations to the district authorities for removing Javid Ahmad Bhat from the post of teacher or transfer him. — TNS
	Workshop on agri-business organised Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 20 The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) yesterday organised a workshop on “Agri Clinics and Agri Business Centres- ACABCs” at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Sopore. The workshop was held for Baramulla and Kupwara districts. It was aimed at sensitising agriculture and horticulture graduates from the two districts on establishing agri-clinics and agri-business centres. District Manager of NABARD Rouf Zargar said the purpose of the ACABCs was to support agriculture development, besides creating gainful employment for agriculture graduates and extending extension services to the farmers. Rouf said loans from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 100 lakh could be sanctioned for setting up units under the central ACABC scheme. The loans comprise a back-ended subsidy component of 44 per cent for J&K and northeastern states while it is 36 per cent for other states. Deputy District Manager, NABARD, DS Khanagwal said the bank had set up funds for various activities under farming such as farmer technology fund, farmer innovation technology fund for various modern farming techniques and crop practices. He also gave information about various government schemes being implemented by NABARD. Scientists and subject experts from SKUAST gave powerpoint presentations on ACABC. The workshop was attended by a large number of agriculture graduates and progressive farmers from Kupwara and Baramulla. All district officers from the agriculture, horticulture sericulture and information departments were present. The workshop was held in coordination with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Wadoora. Programme coordinator, KVK, Tariq Shah said the kendra had a long association with NABARD towards the uplift of agriculture and related activities. He said KVK, Kupwara, had started mobilising farmers towards formation of farmers' clubs under the NABARD scheme and would be made operational once approved.
	University of Kashmir begins filling vacant posts Appoints Bashir Ahmad Nehvi Director, south campus, KU Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 20 A day after The Tribune carried a report on senior administrative posts lying vacant at Kashmir University, including those of Directors of north, south and main campuses, Joint Registrars for three campuses, Director, Convocation Complex, and Deputy Director, Directorate of Internal Quality and Assurance (DIQA), the university today appointed Dean, Faculty of Arts, Bashir Ahmad Nehvi as Director, south campus, Anantnag. Nehvi has been given the additional charge of in charge, Director, south campus. Author of several books, especially on Iqbal studies, Nehvi has earlier served as Director of Iqbal Institute of Culture and Philosophy and was also a member of various high-level committees of University of Kashmir. Nehvi has published hundreds of research papers in leading journals and has remained associated with broadcast and print media of the state of J&K as well. “An able administrator and academician, Nehvi expressed happiness over the appointment and said he will try his best to come to the expectations of the Vice Chancellor of University of Kashmir, Talat Ahmad, and work hard to help further tread the campus on the path of excellence,” an official handout by KU read.
	Two Kashmir girls shine in innovation competition Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 20 Two girl students - Mahirah Akhter and Morifat Wani - of Maryam Memorial Educational Institute, Kupwara, in north Kashmir, have bagged the IGNITE-13 Award. The girls, who received training from GIAN Cell, JK, University of Kashmir, are among the 44 winners. The award ceremony was organised by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Union Department of Science and Technology (DST), at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, yesterday. The awards were given with an aim to bring out the creativity among students and encourage them to innovate scientific and technological solutions to the social problems. They were awarded for innovating “Printing ink for keeping students fresh while reading”. Former President of India and Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, conferred the awards on the 44 winners. Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Talat Ahmad congratulated the innovators for winning the IGNITE Award. He assured full support from University of Kashmir to scout, spawn and incubate the innovative technological talent in the Kashmiri youth. Mohiuddin Bhat, Chairman, GIAN Cell, University of Kashmir, who was present at the award function, said the Kashmiri youth had a great potential for developing innovative and indigenous technologies. He advised the innovators to come forward with their innovative ideas which would be taken further for prototyping and patenting. As many as 20,836 innovations of students from 301 districts of 33 states and union territories of the country were received for the competition. Out of the total of 20,836 innovations received, 26 meritorious innovations from 44 innovators were shortlisted for IGNITE-13 Award. IGNITE-13 award The girls bagged IGNITE-13 award for innovating a printing ink for keeping students fresh while reading
	Rape case accused held after 10 days Our Correspondent Udhampur, February 20 The two accused wanted in the Panchari rape case were arrested today and later produced before the Magistrate for remand. Reports said the accused were involved in a gang-rape of two sisters 10 days ago in Dandota village of Panchari tehsil in Udhampur. The police had launched a manhunt to nab them. Sources said the accused were identified as Ravi kumar and Kuldeep Kumar. The local police were under pressure as the accused were absconding for 10 days. The matter was also raised in the Legislative Assembly by a local MLA a day ago. Both victims have alleged that they were gang-raped on February 9 night when they had gone to purchase some stuff from the shop run by the accused. They said the accused had forcibly locked them up in the godown, threatened them with a sharp-edged weapon and repeatedly raped them.
	Sports week concludes at Navyug school Jammu, February 20 The sports week of Navyug Higher Secondary School concluded here today. School managing director Hardev Singh Jamwal, teachers and parents were present at the events conducted on the last day. School principal Chander Kanta in her speech urged students to always participate in sport competitions. — TNS
	State judo squad leaves for nationals Jammu, February 20 A 24-member state squad today left for Dehradun to participate in the three-day Youth and Junior National (boys and girls) Judo Championship beginning tomorrow. Earlier, the selected probables underwent a 15-day coaching camp, followed by the screening conducted by the J&K State Sports Council at the Indoor Sports Complex, MA Stadium. The squad is being accompanied by coaches — Suraj Bhan, Ritika Slathia and Rameshwar Singh Jamwal. Abdul Hamid Khan is the manager of the team. The boys’ team comprised Anmol Abrol, Naveed Manzoor, Jai Karan Singh, Farhat Gulzar, Idress Saleem, Dheeraj Kumar, Sahil Dogra, Ashutosh Khajuria, Pushap Thakur, Subash Singh, Amir Farooq, Anirudh Sharma, Ashubhankar Baru, Arunesh Sarin and Akshay Choudhary. The girls’ team included Shikha Bhau, Suhasi Khan, Ahana Hamid, Shivali Manhas, Himanshu Kira, Sabiya Shafeeq, Poonam Sharma, Kabra Altaf and Aliza Fayaz. — TNS
	JU student bags silver in judo contest Tribune News Service Jammu, February 20 Sheran Mirz, a student of University of Jammu (JU), bagged the silver medal in the All-India Inter-University Judo (Men and Women) Championship, 2013-14, held at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar. Sheran participated in under 90 kg category and was declared second in the championship. Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice Chancellor, JU, complimented Sheran Mirza in the presence of Prof Dhian S Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education. Jai Kumar, Special Secretary to Vice Chancellor, and Sunil Sahi, President of Jammu University Non Teaching Employees Association (JUNTEU), Vikas Dogra, coach, and Akhilesh Sharma, liaison officer, were also present on the occasion.
	Cross-LoC trade resumes in Jammu, freeze on in Kashmir Tribune News Service Srinagar/Poonch, February 20 The cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade, which was suspended on January 17 after the recovery of brown sugar worth Rs 114 crore from a truck coming from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), resumed partially today. While trucks crossed over from both sides between Poonch and Rawlakote in the Jammu region, no goods vehicles arrived from PoK at Kaman Post in Uri sector for the crossover. A decision to resume cross-LoC trade was taken by Indian and Pakistani officials earlier this week. “We had cleared three trucks at the Trade Facilitation Centre, Salamabad (Uri), for the crossover at Kaman Post after security and customs check-up. Yesterday evening, I got a call from PoK officials saying the traders and truckers from their side were not ready to resume trade,” said Showkat Ahmad Rather, custodian of cross-LoC trade at Salamabad. “PoK officials sought a meeting of traders from both sides at zero point on February 24 before resuming the trade. We were still hopeful that the trade would resume today, but no truck from their side reached Kaman Post for the crossover,” he added. Sources said traders and truckers from PoK had refused to resume the cross-LoC trade unless the arrested driver, Mohammad Shafiq Awan, was released. “Traders and truckers from PoK have informed their local authorities that they will not allow the trade between the two sides to resume unless the detained driver is released,” sources in the J&K Government said. After the standoff began on January 17, Pakistani officials had been insisting on the release of the arrested driver. Later, they agreed not to press for his release to end the standoff. However, trade activity resumed between Poonch and Rawlakote today. “Nine vehicles carrying goods worth Rs 25 lakh went to PoK, while nine vehicles carrying fruits reached Chakan da Bagh from PoK,” said ParamJeet Singh, Trade Felicitation Officer, Poonch. Trade resumption, though partial, has been welcomed by traders on the Indian side. Rajeev Tandon, a trader, said, “We welcome the resumption of trade and hope it will not be suspended again in future as traders suffer a loss of crores due to such incidents.” “We request both countries to take all necessary steps to ensure continuity of the trade. Monthly meetings among traders from both sides and installation of truck scanners at the LoC can be of help,” he said. Partial resumption * Nine trucks each from India and Pakistan crossed between Poonch and Rawlakote in the Jammu region in accordance with a decision by officials from both sides to resume cross-LoC trade from Thursday * However, no goods vehicles arrived from PoK at Kaman Post in Uri sector as traders and truckers from the Pakistan side said they were not ready to resume trade unless the driver arrested for drug smuggling was released.