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Refugees may field candidate from Jammu-Poonch LS seat
Azad, Soz to kickstart poll campaign for Poonch-Rajouri LS seat on March 13
Geelani’s health improving
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PAG appreciates state govt for tax collection
Contractors warn of hunger strike over delay in payments
Strict action to be taken against stone throwers, says IGP
Girls encouraged to consider career in IT
Police hands over stolen items to owners in Srinagar
Minor booked for sodomy
Woman suffocates to death
Army holds veterinary camp at Bhaderwah
Cong leader’s death condoled
Prof Mohini Kaul joins National Conference
Choudhary Shafiq quits NC, joins PDP
BJP starts poll campaign in Valley
Raj Bhawan organises musical event
Militants attack Army patrol in Baramulla
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Refugees may field candidate from Jammu-Poonch LS seat
Jammu, March 8 In the Jammu province there are four types of refugees, namely displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) of 1947, displaced persons from Chamb of 1965, displaced persons from Chamb of 1971 and refugees from West Pakistan. Refugees from West Pakistan have right to cast vote in only the Lok Sabha elections, while the other three categories of refugees have citizenship of J&K and they have the right to vote in the Assembly, local self government and Lok Sabha elections. Sources said in today’s meeting refugee leaders opined that instead of depending on political parties like the Congress and BJP to solve their problems, it was better to field own candidate so that the voice of displaced persons be vociferously raised in the Lok Sabha. As per rough estimates, the total strengthen of these four types of refugees is more than six lakh in the two Lok Sabha segments of the Jammu province. While displaced persons from Chamb and West Pakistan refugees live all along the International Border (IB), refugees from PoK are scattered in the entire Jammu region from Poonch to Kathua. These refugees hold the key to both the Lok Sabha seats. Sources said in today’s meeting refugee leaders expressed their strong reservation over attitude of the state government in solving their problems. “An official announcement of fielding own candidates would be made by refugee leaders on Monday,” the sources said, adding that these organisations were likely to field a candidate from the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat. The Congress and BJP leaderships have reasons to be worried because both the parties are eyeing these refugees for victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Realising importance of these refugees, the PDP has already fielded Yash Pal Sharma, a veteran refugee leader from PoK as party candidate from the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat. The sources said the state government had prepared a plan for the “one-time settlement” of the problems of refugees from PoK and Chamb, but the plan was not approved. This decision of the state government had infuriated refugees. Announcement tomorrow
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Azad, Soz to kickstart poll campaign for Poonch-Rajouri LS seat on March 13
Jammu, March 8 To present a united face to counter the "Modi wave" in this region, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz have decided to jointly conduct extensive tour of the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Sources in the Congress said Azad and Soz would jointly tour Poonch and Rajouri from March 13 to March 15 and both the leaders would cover all the seven Assembly segments of these two districts to retrieve party's lost ground in this belt. As the PDP has fielded veteran leader Yash Pal Sharma, who is native of Poonch district, as the candidate for the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat, the Congress has decided to utilise all its resources in Poonch and Rajouri districts so as to counter influence of Sharma. "Decision of both Azad and Soz to jointly tour Poonch and Rajouri districts is aimed at giving message of unity to the workers at the grass-roots level to ensure victory of party candidates," sources said. The sources said a meeting of all district presidents of the Jammu province would be held at Jammu on March 11 wherein duties would be assigned to party leaders for election campaign. Meanwhile, highly placed sources in the Congress said the party had decided to repeat sitting Lok Sabha member Madan Lal Sharma from the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat. "A group within the party is exerting pressure on the high command to field heavyweight like Ghulam Nabi Azad or veteran leader Dr Karan Singh from the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat to ensure victory of the party in this segment," the sources said, adding that the decision in this regard would be taken within a couple of days. Presently Choudhary Lal Singh is Congress MP from the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat. In the two successive Parliamentary elections of 2004 and 2009, Choudhary Lal Singh defeated BJP stalwarts from this segment. The sources said for the Ladakh seat, the Congress leadership was deliberating on the names of two party stalwarts - P Namgyal and Rigzin Spalbar. P Namgyal was a veteran leader of the party, while Rigzin Spalbar was Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh. |
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Geelani’s health improving
Srinagar, March 8 An 86-year-old Kashmiri separatist leader, Geelani, who heads the hardline faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has not been keeping well. His condition had deteriorated in the last over three days after he complained of chest pain. Though he was examined by two teams of doctors at his Hyderpora residence yesterday, but Geelani had refused to be hospitalised. However, his spokesman Ayaz Akbar told The Tribune that Geelani had recovered a little and feeling better as compared to Friday. "His condition has improved since yesterday and today he felt a little better," Geelani's spokesman Ayaz Akbar said, adding that he was also examined by a senior doctor from the Chest Diseases Hospital, Srinagar, today. "Dr Naved Nazir Shah, who examined him today, said Geelani's chest infection is reducing gradually and has been advised to continue taking antibiotics prescribed earlier," the spokesman added. Apart from Malik and Shah, the other separatist leaders who visited Geelani at his residence this morning included National Front leader Nayeem Khan, Moulana Mohammad Abdullah Tari of the DFP and Mushtaq-ul-Islam of the Muslim League. "All these separatist leaders spent some time with Geelani and enquired about his health. Besides, people from different walks of life also dropped in and wished the leader speedy recovery," family sources said. Meanwhile, moderate Hurriyat faction, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, whose leaders met for a meeting in connection with the 22nd foundation day of the APHC today, prayed for the speedy recovery of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a Hurriyat spokesman said in a press note here. Elsewhere, people held special payers for the fast recovery of ailing Geelani and at many places in city people reportedly sacrificed goats for the recovery of the octogenarian separatist leader. |
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DIG reviews arrangements, ensures fool-proof security for polls
Rajouri, March 8 Atri, who took over as the DIG, Rajouri-Poonch, recently, earlier held interactions with all the senior police officers, including Station House Officers, to review the security situation in the region. He exhorted all the senior officers to maintain good public relations and also discussed the election preparedness. The Election Commission of India had earlier directed all the District Magistrates and the police authorities to take preventive measures well in advance to maintain law and order situation and ensure conducive atmosphere for the coming General Election. “Rajouri district constitutes of four Assembly segments and out of the 499 polling booths, 49 are hyper sensitive while 131 fall in the sensitive category. For these we require 37 companies of the Central Para Military Forces and 24 companies of the state police, including Indian Reserve Police,” the DIG said. As far as Poonch district was concerned, the officer said: “For three Assembly segments of the district, we have demanded 24 companies of the Central Paramilitary Forces and 933 personnel from the state police.” He added that in Poonch district out of 373 polling booths, 23 are hyper sensitive while 144 are sensitive. On the threat from militant groups to the elections, the DIG said: “The threat from the ISI and militant groups cannot be ruled out.” “We have well coordinated relation with the Army and it has been ensured that no infiltration attempt will be allowed from across the Line of Control. If any successful attempt is made, personnel of Special Operation Group of the police will look after them,” he said. Atri added that surveillance is being kept in both the districts on the activities of anti-national elements and surrender militants and no body would be allowed to disturb the election process. |
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Militant camps in PoK intact: BSF IG
Srinagar, March 8 “There would be efforts to infiltrate but we are ready to crush them (militants),” the BSF IG said. Sandhu said security agencies were gearing for the elections and the BSF was waiting for instructions for poll deployment. “Whatever direction comes from the Government of India and our force headquarters, we are ready for any challenge. We have been told to get our troops ready for deployment,” IG Sandhu said. The IG said there was possibility of more infiltration as the elections were around the corner. “We will make more efforts this year to crush infiltration. We will ensure that free, fair and peaceful elections are held,” he said. Earlier, 256 fresh recruits from the state were inducted into the Army’s Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment at a colourful passing-out parade which was reviewed by Sandhu. A Defence spokesman said the recruits were inducted after 49 weeks of training. “Their passing-out parade was attended by over 2,000 parents and relatives of the soldiers along with a number of civil and military dignitaries,” the spokesman said. In the investiture ceremony, recruit Azim Malik of Udhampur was awarded the Sher-e-Kashmir Sword of Honour and the Triveni Singh Medal for being adjudged the overall best recruit. He was also conferred upon the Maqbool Sherwani Medal for being the best recruit in physical training. |
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PAG appreciates state govt for tax collection
Jammu, March 8 The PAG said the state’s own tax revenues had shown a steady increase, particularly the commercial taxes. Pandey said owing to the increase in tourism and other economic activities and improving tax compliance, there had been satisfactory growth in revenues from the state’s own taxes, which were at a level of 7.7 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Project in 2012-13. He said there had been record mobilisation of stamp duties. The PAG said the state had financed 26.3 per cent of its total expenditure in 2012-13 from its own resources, up from 23.6 per cent in 2011-12. Pandey suggested greater thrust on areas such as tourism, agriculture and industries. He also suggested creating an industry-friendly environment in the state. He suggested power sector reforms, adding these should continue to be a priority for the government. He presented the highlights of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India for 2012-13 for the state government. He said the mandate of the CAG was not merely fault-finding but to draw the attention of the government towards areas of concern and suggest remedial measures to improve functioning and accountability. He suggested adherence to the Financial Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act by the state. He said 80 per cent of the state’s expenditure went into paying salaries, pensions, interests and power. He expressed concern that the state’s own deficit was on an increase and the revenue deficit had not been brought down as required by the FRBM Act. Pandey expressed dismay over the diversion of plan grants for non-plan purposes. |
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Contractors warn of hunger strike over delay in payments
Rajouri, March 8 “We have decided to go on a hunger strike from March 11 if our long-pending payments were not released by the department,” president of the contractors’ body Ishfaq Ahmed Mirza said here. He alleged that contractors had executed works to the tune of over Rs 3.5 crore in 2011 under various Centre-sponsored schemes, but the department had not released the payments till date. “In 2011 the Centre had sanctioned Rs 15 crore to execute works under the Irrigation and Flood Control in Thanamandi, Darhal, Noushera, Chingus and other areas along Sukhto and Agli Tawi rivulets,” Mirza said. “Contractors associated with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department executed works worth Rs 3.5 crore in some of these areas and after the completion of works in June 2011, the respective sites were handed over to the then Executive Engineer,” he added. Mirza said the Executive Engineer forwarded the completion reports to the Union Government, following which payments were released by the Centre in 2012. “The Irrigation and Flood Control Department, however, did not release our dues and we are still fighting for our payment,” he said. Executive Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Naveen Sharma, however, said the contractors had a dispute with the department over the rates for the carriage of material following which the payments could not be made. “During their (contractors) discussion with the officials in October last year they got agitated and left the office along with the official documents,” Sharma said. “A First Information Report was lodged by the department against some of the contractors. It is not feasible to release the payments in the absence of the documents,” he added. Mirza, meanwhile, said contractors held several meetings with the Executive Engineer and also met Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma but nothing was done so far. “We have to make payments to shopkeepers from whom we had borrowed the material for the execution of the works. Had our dues been paid in time we would not have to face humiliation at the hands of these shopkeepers,” Mirza said. |
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Strict action to be taken against stone throwers, says IGP
Pulwama, March 8 “From the last one year we have been trying to maintain normal routine life in the Valley and if anyone is found creating obstruction he would be dealt stringently,” the IGP said while addressing a police public meet here. The officer said disruption in normalcy would not be tolerated at any cost and added that he won’t hesitate to send minor offenders to the juvenile homes. “One of our generations in 1990s was lost to militancy and now I do not want this generation being booked for disturbing law and order,” he said. Meanwhile, representatives from Pulwama raised various issues regarding the gap between the police and the public. While replying to a question on security in the district during the coming Lok Sabha elections, Mir said the police was well equipped to deal with any situation. |
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IAF carries out two rescue ops in Ladakh
New Delhi, March 8 The Siachen Pioneers helicopter unit based at Leh was yesterday tasked to evacuate some of the critical villagers from Char, which is situated at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet. Flying Cheetah helicopters, four IAF pilots --- Wing Commander BS Sehrawat, Squadron Leader KS Negi, Squadron Leader Pradeep and Flight Lieutenant CS Shekhawat --- picked up the villagers and landed them at Leh. On March 4, the Siachen Pioneers was called in to evacuate 26 villagers from the remote village of Lingshet, at an elevation of 13000 feet. The evacuated villagers included elderly women, children and sick people. The village was isolated from habitat for many days as the only available path to the village got disrupted due to heavy snow fall in the region. A total of seven helicopters were pressed into service and villagers were supplied with essential medical supplies, ration and drinking water. Likewise, on January 31, a critically ill and pregnant woman was evacuated from Niraq in the wee hours. Similar missions were launched to Padam, Tangze, Nirag and Dibling in the Zanskar area to evacuate people. The IAF also supplied more than 1,000 kg of life sustaining material, to these villages. |
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Girls encouraged to consider career in IT
Srinagar, March 8 “It was the first day of the one-week-long women’s day that Aptech is celebrating. We will conduct similar events in major higher secondary schools of Srinagar,” an official of the company said. The event was aimed at encouraging girl students to explore career opportunities in the IT industry. “Girls have largely kept away from the IT field in Kashmir. However, in a rapidly globalising world, whose backbone is information technology, it becomes important for students to acquire necessary skills to compete,” the Aptech official said. The official said it was their endeavour to acquaint Kashmiri women with IT so that they could make a career in it. Girls registered with Aptech received a discount card which they would use to get special benefits. “Also, a workshop on the emerging IT field and technologies will be conducted for the registered girls at Aptech’s regional centre at Parraypora in Baghat,” the official said. Meanwhile, a number of events were held in various parts of Kashmir to celebrate womanhood. In another event in Srinagar, part of the One Billion Rising, currently going on in 207 countries, discussion and skits were held on gender discrimination in Kashmir. A number of students and professionals attended the event and pledged to take the global event forward. “Violence Against Women”, a compilation of real life stories of Kashmiri women was also released. “We mostly shy away from these (violence against women) things. Associate shame and stigma to such issues and mostly treat them as routine. Women need to speak up for themselves. This event gave a voice to women. They wrote their stories, some made sketches and others wrote verses,” said one of the organisers of the event, Mantasha Rashid. |
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Jammu celebrates International Women’s Day
Jammu, March 8 The programme began with a rally which started from Kala Gate, Bari Brahmana. More than 1,000 women participated in it. It was followed by a cultural function. Rehana Batul, Additional Commissioner, Jammu, and Ankur Mahajan, Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department, were the guests of honour. Director, CSSS, Father Justin welcomed all participants. The Rotary Club, Jammu Tawi, also celebrated the day and honoured three women from different fields. MLA Chaman Lal Gupta was the chief guest on the occasion while Prof IA Hamal, Vice Chancellor, Baba Ghulam Badshah University, Rajouri, was the guest of honour. Sunil Jain, president of club, honoured Dr Bella Mahajan, Pooja Malhotra and Anita Sharma. An awareness programme was organised by Shiv Kumar Sharma, Superintendent of Police, Railways, at Government Railway Police (GRP) Lines. PK Mengi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, GRP Lines, Chanderjeet Singh, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Railways, BK Dutta, Deputy Commandant, BSF, Inspector Surinder Paul Sharma, Station House Officer, Police Station GRP, and Inspector Anita Chopra were present. |
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Police hands over stolen items to owners in Srinagar
Srinagar, March 8 Superintendent of Police (SP), Hazratbal, Rayees Bhat said the police had solved 15 theft cases in Srinagar district by arresting three burglars. “I appreciate the members of the Special Investigation Team, especially Assistant Sub-Inspector Abdul Majid, for doing a commendable job,” the Hazratbal SP said. The SP said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the Sub-divisional Police Officer, Hazratbal, was constituted by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Srinagar, after thefts were reported from the Hazratbal area. |
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Minor booked for sodomy
Rajouri, March 8 Following the complaint by the father of the victim, the police have registered a case and launched a manhunt to nab the accused. The accused is said to be 17 or 18-years-old, the police said. The victim told the police that he was being assaulted by the accused for the past 5 or 6 days. However, on Friday he managed to escape from the clutches of the accused and narrated the incident to his mother. The boy has been admitted to District Hospital, the police said. “The matter has been brought to the notice of senior police officers and the accused will soon be arrested,” a police officer said. |
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Woman suffocates to death
Srinagar, March 8 “They were shifted to District Hospital, Handwara, where doctors declared Shameema brought dead. Lone was shifted to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in
Srinagar,” a police spokesman said. After completing all medico-legal formalities, the body was handed over to her relatives, the police said. |
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Army holds veterinary camp at Bhaderwah
Doda, March 8 A large number of people from Chinta, Dugga, Naska, Channi, Jalga, and Trabbi villages turned up for the free of cost check-up of their animals. The camp was organised to provide assistance which included medicines, equipment and other facilities for animals. A total of 749 animals were treated, the Army said. |
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Cong leader’s death condoled
Jammu, March 8 Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief Saifuddin Soz has also condoled Bhandari’s death and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family. He prayed for peace to the departed soul. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad also condoled the Congress leader’s death and conveyed his condolences to his family. He recalled his services to the party and people and prayed for peace to the departed soul. Minister for Roads and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani and Minister of State for Industries, Commerce and Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo have also condoled his death.
— TNS |
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Prof Mohini Kaul joins National Conference
Jammu, March 8 “The National Conference is a movement which has withstood the test of times and strengthened the bonds of amity,” Farooq said. He exhorted the new entrants to play their useful role in carrying forward the policies of the party to the people. |
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Choudhary Shafiq quits NC, joins PDP
Jammu, March 8 “I had joined the National Conference with a hope that new leadership of the party might have learnt from its previous mistakes, but I was shocked to know that there is no change in the policies of the National Conference,” Shafiq Ahmed, who retired as the Deputy Registrar Cooperatives in December last year, said. |
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BJP starts poll campaign in Valley
Anantnag, March 8 The party candidate for Anantnag, Mushtaq Ahmad Malik, was also facilitated on the occasion. “I believe everybody among us should keep in mind the 272 plus seats mission that the party high command has set for the elections,” BJP state vice president and in charge Kashmir Affairs Ramesh Arora told the workers.
— OC |
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Raj Bhawan organises musical event
Jammu, March 8 Singers from various parts of the country took part in the event. The event ended with a cultural programme directed by Natrang director Balwant Thakur comprising dance forms from different parts of the state.
— TNS |
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Militants attack Army patrol in Baramulla Srinagar, March 8 "The fire was immediately retaliated and there were no injuries. The area has been cordoned off and an operation is in progress," a Defence source said. The sources said the militants also hurled a grenade at the Army patrol. Meanwhile, a police spokesman said Ghulam Mohammed Dar of Dogripora in Awantipora was shot dead by unknown militants around 9.30 pm today. Sources said Dar was fired upon in Dogripora, some 39 km from here, when he was coming out of a mosque after offering prayers. He died instantly. Dar's son Mohammad Shaban Dar is the sarpanch of the area and is affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party. This is the first civilian killing after the dates for the Lok Sabha elections were announced.
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