The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Jammu varsity students protest hostel fee hike Lock main gates for two hours; demand rollback of notification Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 Students and scholars of the University of Jammu (JU), supported by activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), today locked the main gates of the campus opposing the decision of the varsity to hike hostel fees. The protesters raised slogans against the university authorities and demanded immediate rollback of the notification. Vehicular movement on the campus was disrupted for almost two hours. Addressing the students and scholars, Ashwani Sharma, president ABVP Jammu University unit, termed the decision “totally illogical” and “unnecessary burden” on the student community. “The university has decided to increase hostel fee by 80 per cent. It is an absurd decision and will put a burden on students particularly those who belongs to economically weaker sections,” he said. He said the university was earlier charging Rs 2,200 as annual hostel fee from the students. “The revised annual hostel fee is Rs 3,480. The room rent has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 600 while electricity charges have been increased up to Rs 720 from Rs 240,” Sharma said. “Those students who have paid their fee in advance will now draw an undue benefit while others will be charged as per the revised fee structure. We will not tolerate it and the Vice Chancellor must look into the matter,” he said. The protesters urged the Vice Chancellor Mohan Paul Singh Ishar to immediately withdraw the notification to provide some sort of succour to the economically weaker students. Meanwhile, visitors had a harrowing time following the closure of the main gates of the campus.
	Azad files nomination papers, confident of UPA’s return Sitting Congress MP of Doda constituency skips Health Minister’s rally Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service Kathua, March 25 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Congress candidate for Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha constituency Ghulam Nabi Azad today filed his nomination papers here. He led a procession attended by hundreds of people before submitting his papers. The election for this segment will be held on April 17. Addressing his supporters outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office after filing the nomination papers, Azad termed the Modi wave as fake and said that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) would form the government again at the Centre. “For the past six months, people of the country are only listening to one man and one party but after elections were announced, other parties have jumped into the fray and only those people and parties will stand who are connected with people on the ground,” Azad said. Accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Saifuddin Soz, Congress and National Conference leaders, Azad began his road show from the main chowk here. During the 45-minute road show, which ended at the DC’s office, people raised slogans in favour of Azad and other coalition candidates. Interestingly, during the road show, Azad was offered a saffron-coloured turban. After moving a few metres, however, he replaced the saffron turban (that goes with the BJP party) with a red one. Omar wore a pink turban and Soz a black cap. The road show got delayed as initially there was a thin presence of people for the rally. It was after hectic efforts by Congress leaders that people started to pour in. Within half an hour, hundreds of people had gathered in Kathua town to show their support to Azad. Most of the people came from outside Kathua town; few locals participated in the rally, which kick-started the campaign for the Udhampur-Doda seat. The sitting Congress MP Lal Singh for this segment was conspicuous by his absence at the rally. All other Congress leaders, however, were present to project a united face. Addressing the rally, Azad confidently declared that the UPA government would be back at the Centre. “People must believe in the leadership of the Congress as only those leaders will stay who are connected with the grass-roots. The Congress is the oldest party of India and the National Conference is the oldest party of the state, and people are connected with both the parties,” Azad said. The Congress candidate said his party was like an ocean, which had faced several storms. “Even big ships which have collided with the Congress have sunk and are no more. Whosoever collides with us in the future will meet the same fate,” Azad said. The former J&K Chief Minister reminded people of various developmental works done during the past 10 years. “The decision of constituting new administrative units and giving five medical colleges and several cancer institutes are historical steps taken by the government,” Azad said.
	Omar offers to campaign for Azad Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service Kathua, March 25 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today offered to campaign for Congress candidate Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Udhampur-Doda segment during the Lok Sabha elections. “I will campaign for Azad sahib and he could do his work outside J&K to make sure the United Progressive Alliance wins the maximum number of seats,” Omar said while addressing people outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Kathua after Union Health Minister Azad filed his nomination papers. The Chief Minister said they were waiting for the Congress decision to field its candidate for the Udhampur-Doda seat. “The Congress has fielded the best candidate for this seat. Now, we will move to other places and campaign for Azad sahib,” said Omar, who is also the National Conference (NC) working president. The NC and the Congress are fighting the elections on a pre-poll alliance, with three seats each. Omar has shown interest and enthusiasm in the campaigning process and is staying in the Jammu region to campaign for Congress candidates. He has told the people to make sure Azad wins. “We have to make sure Azad wins with a record margin,” Omar said, adding they were hopeful to win all six seats in the state. The Chief Minister attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for showing disrespect to party seniors. “Earlier, LK Advani was not given the seat which he wanted and now another senior leader, Jaswant Singh, has been shown the door. When the BJP can’t respect its elder leaders, what respect will it show to the elders of the country,” Omar said.
	Modi to visit Vaishno Devi shrine today Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will formally launch his election campaign from Hiranagar in Kathua district tomorrow for the 2014 general elections after paying obeisance at the Vaishno Devi cave shrine in Katra. Beginning from Hiranagar, Modi is scheduled to address 185 election rallies covering 295 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country to get that magical 272 plus mark. The BSF, the J&K Police, village defence committees (VDCs) and the Gujarat Police have sanitised the entire area, including the International Border. “We have initiated sufficient measures and reinforced our deployment. The BSF has also coordinated with various security agencies. An enhanced supervision and surveillance is being maintained 24x7,” said NS Jamwal, DIG, BSF, Jammu Frontier and Principal Staff Officer to the IG, Jammu Frontier. “In view of the LS polls, we are already on an alert,” he added. “The entire security grid has been strengthened and no gaps have been left so as to ensure zero infiltration from across the border,” said Jamwal. Rajesh Kumar, IGP, Jammu zone, said adequate measures had been initiated to ensure a peaceful rally tomorrow. Special police teams from Gujarat, including commandos, had already reached the venue, while VDCs and the border police had also been alerted, said a senior police officer. “The entire highway, which is close to the border, has also been sensitised while the police in civvies have also been deployed in strength,” he added.
	Soldier injured in mine explosion Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 A soldier today sustained minor injuries in a landmine explosion in the Krishna Ghati (KG) sector along the Line of Control in Poonch district. A soldier of the KG Brigade sustained minor injury in his right foot when a mine exploded while he was maintaining the perimeter fence, said Jammu-based Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta. He said the injured soldier was being treated at the Military Hospital, Satwari, here. The soldier has been identified as Dhani Ram of the 3 Grenadiers.
	Rift in refugees as one faction supports BJP Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 Differences have cropped up among refugees over fielding of candidate on the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat. A faction of the refugees under the banner Refugees United Front (RUF) has fielded Laba Ram Gandhi on the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat but today another faction came out openly in support of the BJP. In the Jammu region, there are four types of refugees: West Pakistani refugees, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir refugees, displaced persons from Chamb in 1965 and displaced persons from Chamb in 1971. The West Pakistani refugees have the right to cast vote only in the Lok Sabha elections. They are unable to vote in the Assembly elections as they do not possess Permanent Resident Certificates. There is no official data about the number of refugee voters, but according to rough estimates there are over 8 lakh refugee voters in both Lok Sabha segments of the Jammu province. There are approximately 6.30 lakh refugee voters in Jammu-Poonch constituency and 2.30 lakh in Udhampur-Doda segment. The number of voters in both these segments is more than 31 lakh. The RUF decision to field Laba Ram Gandhi on the Jammu-Poonch seat on March 20 was a setback for the BJP as the party had been banking on the refugee vote bank. The BJP, however, today heaved a sigh of relief as a faction of the refugees came out openly in support of the party. “We will not allow refugees to play into the hands of the Congress and the National Conference,” said Rashpal Singh Chib, president of the Jammu and Kashmir PoK Refugees Front. “There is no reason to oppose the BJP,” Chib told The Tribune while asserting that they would launch a door-to-door poll campaign for refugees. Chib along with his supporters today held a demonstration in the city against those refugee leaders who had announced that they would fight elections against the BJP. “Article 370 is the root cause of all problems so there is a need to support the BJP,” he said. Recalling the December 1, 2013, rally of BJP prime ministerial candidate at Jammu, Chib said that Narendra Modi was aware of refugees’ problems and had promised to solve their problems on priority. Meanwhile, RUF leader Rajiv Chuni has dubbed Chib as a BJP man. “He is a known BJP man so I am not surprised over his remarks,” he said, adding that “we are not claiming support of all refugees.”
	NC: Mufti responsible for bloodshed in Kashmir Farooz Ahamd Bhat Pulwama, March 25 Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar today alleged that bloodshed witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir was due to the wrong policies and treacherous thoughts of then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Sagar was addressing a workers’ meeting at the party headquarters in Pulwama. The National Conference leader said the the Gow Kadal incident happened when Mufti was the Union Home Minister. He said Mufti had given consent to recall Jagmohan as the Governor of the state who then ordered indiscriminate firing on peaceful protesters in Gow Kadal. Sagar alleged that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was the main perpetrator in the killing of Molvi Farooq. “He (Mufti) not only killed Molvi Farooq but was also responsible for firing on his funeral,” said Sagar. While terming the slogan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “goli se nahi boli se maslae Kashmir ka hal hoga” (Kashmir issue cannot be solved by bullets but by a dialogue) an eyewash, Sagar said the PDP was power thirsty. “He (Mufti) was responsible for killing top militant commanders who had observed unilateral ceasefire. He detracted the peace process started by Dr Farooq Abdullah,” said the Rural Development Minister. He appreciated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and said he was leading a development and peace mission with a vision. He said during the visit of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to inaugurate the Banihal-Qazigund rail link, Omar had reiterated that money and development was not the solution but Kashmir problem needed to be addressed by holding talks with Kashmiris, Pakistan and India. Sagar said individual statements and occasional brawls, particularly the one which took place in Poonch, would not affect the National Conference-Congress pre-poll alliance. “The pre-poll alliance between the NC and the Congress won in 2009 and this time it will not give away a single seat in the state,” he said. The minister admitted that the party base had weakened due to some wrong decisions. While talking to mediapersons, he said the party would focus and address the grievances of the people of the district in this election and hereafter.
	Overloading in minibuses rampant Our Correspondent Kupwara, March 25 Commuters travelling on the Kupwara-Villgam route complained of overloading in minibuses. “Overcrowding is a major problem. During peak hours, minibuses are not only packed to capacity but also passengers sit on the rooftop, which is extremely dangerous,” said Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, a resident of Villgam. Girls studying in Higher Secondary School, Sulkoote, near Kupwara, said standing in minibuses often invited harassment by miscreants. “We have no other option but to travel by buses as Sumo charges more fare and we have to travel almost every day,” said a student. “Bus drivers often keep on waiting for passengers and stop at short distances to overload passengers,” said Riyaz Ahmad, an employee of a cooperative bank. Commuters said although they raised voice against overloading in buses, drivers do not pay any heed. “We have never seen traffic police taking action against these erring drivers. The police should take a note of this menace as drivers have taken passengers for granted,” said Altaf Ahmad from Pazipora. Despite repeated attempts, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, Kupwara, Jamsheed Chowdary could not be contacted.
	Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway blocked by landslide Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 25 A massive landslide today blocked the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway near the frontier Uri town in north Kashmir. The landslide buried the road at Laghama village, close to Uri town, and blocked it for traffic. A police official stationed at Uri town said the landslide was triggered on early morning today following a heavy rainfall in the area, which continued intermittently in the region since yesterday. The official said the road, which was buried under mud and massive boulders, likley to be cleared as the clearance operation conducted by personnel of the state police and Beacon went throughout the day. The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway was reopened after nearly six decades in 2005, when the Indian and the Pakistani governments agreed to start a cross-LoC bus service — Karavan-e-Aman, or Caravan of Peace. The cross-LoC trade service, which has a bartering centre at Salamabad near Uri town, is also routed through this highway. A police spokesman said the department deployed its personnel to clear the blocked road. “Police personnel were deployed to clear the Uri-Baramulla road after the massive landslide hit the road near Laghama. They tried to make the way for light motor vehicles till Beacon authorities joined them for further clearance,” the spokesman said.
	Youth killed, 11 injured in two road accidents in Rajouri Shyam Sood Rajouri, March 25 A youth riding a motorcycle was killed yesterday evening and the pillion was critically injured when a BSF vehicle coming from the opposite side hit them in Bathooni village on the Jammu-Poonch highway. The pillion rider was referred to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Jammu. Police sources said both riders were on their way home in the Pouni area of Reasi district. The deceased has been identified as Rinku Sharma, 19, and the injured youth has been identified as Sonu Sharma, 17. After the accident, the driver along with the vehicle fled the spot. The police sources said both youths were working at a brick kiln in Rajouri. The police have booked the driver under Sections 279/337/304 A of the RPC and a team has been sent to trace the driver who reportedly abandoned the vehicle a little distance from the accident site. The police have seized the BSF vehicle. In another incident, 10 civilians were injured when a head on collision took place between an Army vehicle and a matador in Nowshera tehsil. The police registered a case of negligent driving against the Army driver under Sections 279 of the RPC. Police sources said the matador was on its way to Nowshera town from Qila Darhal. They said the Army vehicle of 15 Assam unit coming from the opposite side hit the matador at a sharp curve near Kanara village, resulting in injuries to 10 passengers travelling in the matador. People from nearby houses rushed to the accident site and rescued the injured with the help of Army personnel and the police which also reached the spot. All injured were shifted to Sub-District Hospital, Nowshera. One of the injured, Ghulam Hussain, a resident of Kampala village, was shifted to the GMCH.
	High Court restrains Home Department from taking over jail official’s quarters DS Chauhan Jammu, March 25 The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today restrained the state Home Department from taking over the jail quarters from suspended Superintendent of Central Jail at Kot Bhalwal on the outskirts of Jammu. Justice Tashi Rabstan, while issuing notices to the Principal Secretary, Home Department, Suresh Kumar, Director General of Prisons PL Gupta and in charge Superintendent, Central Jail, Kot Bhalwal, Dinesh Sharma ordered that the impugned order of taking over the possession of the jail quarters of suspended Superintendent Rajni Sehgal shall stay till the disposal of the petition. Petitioner Rajni Sehgal today approached the court via her counsel. On May 3 last year, Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sanaullah Ranjay, a Pakistan resident, was attacked in the jail by a court-martialled soldier Vinod Kumar after being provoked by the former. Sanaullah died on May 9. The petitioner who was the in charge (Superintendent) of the jail when Sanaullah was attacked was placed under suspension on May 3 along with five other officials. She was served a questionnaire to explain her position vis-à-vis the incident, to which she replied on June 26, 2013. After two inquiries, the government on March 18, 2014, marked a third probe, designating Additional Director General, Home Guards, DR Dolley Burman as the Investigating Officer. The present in charge Superintendent of the jail was asked to take possession of the jail quarters of the suspended Superintendent.
	J-K first state to declare polling booths ‘no-smoking zones’ Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 25 All elections booths have been declared “no-smoking zones” in J&K, where voting for phase-wise parliamentary elections is scheduled to start from April 10. It will now be mandatory to display “no-smoking” signs in polling booths. Section-4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, prohibits smoking in public places. The instructions in this regard have been issued by Chief Electoral Officer of J&K Umang Narula to all Returning Officers and District Election Officers across the state. The officers have been asked to take action for making the election booths no-smoking zones. The 16th Lok Sabha elections will be held in six parliamentary constituencies of J&K in five phases from April 10 to May 17. The polling will be held at 9,633 polling stations spread across the state. The directions by the Chief Electoral Officer have come in the wake of a representation early this month by the J&K Voluntary Health Organisation, an NGO.
	25 new flower varieties to woo tourists at Tulip Garden M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 25 Inclement weather conditions may have delayed its reopening, but Asia’s largest Tulip Garden located in the foothills of the Zabarwan range here is all set to open soon. This season, visitors can expect to be greeted by 25 new varieties of tulips imported from Holland that will bloom among over 6.5 lakh bulbs at the garden. “This time there will be 108 varieties on display out of which 25 are new that have been imported from Holland. These new varieties have been successfully grown. In total, the garden will have over 6.72 lakh flowers this year,” Nazir Ahmad Reshi, in charge, Tulip Garden, told The Tribune. Even as the Tulip Garden had reopened on March 27 last year, inclement weather conditions, including prolonged wet spells and comparatively lower temperatures, have delayed its opening this year. Reshi said the final decision to decide the reopening of the garden would be taken on March 28. The Tulip Garden, largest of its kind in Asia, formerly known as Siraj Bagh, was first opened for the public in 2008 and is credited with having extended the tourist season in the Valley. The garden is spread over 35 hectares. Though the garden remains open for around a month only, last year more than 1.60 lakh people visited the spot. Besides tourists and locals, the garden has become a favourite spot for shooting crews looking for 'Silsila scenery’. The garden offers a similar background of tulips as seen in the famous old Bollywood song — ‘Dekha ek Khwab’ of Amitabh Bachan-Rekha starrer 'Silsila' fame. 108 kinds of tulips * This time there will be 108 varieties on display. Out of them, 25 are new and have been imported from Holland. These new varieties have been successfully grown. In total, the garden will have over 6.72 lakh flowers this year * The Tulip Garden, largest of its kind in Asia, formerly known as Siraj Bagh, was first opened for the public in 2008. The garden is spread over 35 hectares.
	14th Pathribal anniversary Will keep fighting for justice, say victims’ families Suhail A Shah Anantnag, March 25 The families of Pathribal fake encounter victims have said they will keep fighting for justice, no matter what. On the 14th anniversary of the staged encounter, the families maintained that the Army's closure of the case was on expected lines. However, they said they would urge international humanitarian organisations to take their quest for justice to a logical end. The Army had on January 23 this year announced closure of the Pathribal case and given a clean chit to five of its officials accused of killing an equal number of civilians during a staged encounter in south Kashmir on March 25, 2000. It had cited lack of evidence for closing the court martial proceedings in the case. The case had been lingering on ever since before an Army court ordered its closure in January this year. The case was handed over by the Supreme Court to the Army court in January 2013 after a CBI enquiry termed the encounter as 'cold blooded' murder. The families today assembled at the graveyard in Brari Aangan, where a prayer meet was held by them. This was followed by a peaceful sit-in protest, during which protesters wore black head bands to commemorate the killings. "We have gone through a lot. Giving up now is certainly not an option," said Rashid Khan, son of Jumma Khan, the eldest victim of the fake encounter. ‘There could be no justice in cases like this’ Kashmir-based human rights group JKCCS said the fate of the Pathribal case was a clear message to the people, including family members and victims of human rights violations, that there could be “no justice in cases like this”. In a statement issued here today to mark the anniversary of the staged encounter, the group said the Pathribal matter was back with the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Srinagar. The Army is seeking the closure of the case. “The CJM, Srinagar, before whom the case is listed, needs to be persuaded to hold that in the case, there have been no effectual proceedings as claimed by the Army in their reply filed on March 13, 2014,” the group said.
	PDP’s Udhampur-Doda candidate files papers Tribune News Service Kathua, March 25 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat Arshad Malik today filed his nomination papers in the presence of a large number of supporters and party workers. Senior leaders Hussain Ali Waffa, Mehboob Iqbal, Kirti Verma, Pritam Kotwal and Maj Gen (retd) RS Jamwal were present. Addressing supporters and party workers, Arshad Malik said the PDP was contesting the parliamentary elections to change the destiny of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Lok Sabha elections were an opportunity before the people to take a step forward towards movement of change. He said the PDP had carved out a path of development and peace in the state so it was the need of the hour to strengthen the party for establishing lasting peace and accelerating development activities in the state. Malik said overwhelming support to the party was a clear indication that there was a realisation among the people that only the PDP had the agenda to address their wishes and aspirations.
	State fails to prepare detailed reports of sanctioned projects Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 The state has failed to prepare the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of all 84 projects sanctioned by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development, in 2011-12 and 2012-13 under the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP). This was informed by the State-Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) to the steering committee for IWMP, DoLR. It added that out of the planned 247 Entry Point Activities (EPA) of the projects sanctioned during 2011-12, only 24 have been completed and 155 are under completion. Sources said regarding furnishing requisite documents with respect to completed and forecasted pre-lWMP such as Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP) and Rural Water Development Project (RWDP), the Secretary, DoLR, directed the state to furnish all pending documents without any further delay. Regarding the institutional arrangement, the SLNA authorities informed the committee that the recruitment and placement of experts and staff has been undertaken at the Watershed Cell-cum-Data Centre (WCDC) and the Watershed Development Team (WDT). They added that at the SLNA level, seven experts and staff were engaged against the target of 11, whereas at WCDC level, only 40 experts and staff were engaged against the target of 60. At the WDT level, 82 experts and staff were engaged against the target of 252. Sources claimed that the state proposed to take up 49 new projects covering a total area of 1.79 lakh hectares (ha) under IWMP against the minimum tentative target of 1.63 lakh ha allocated for 2013-14. Sources added that after detailed deliberations, the committee cleared 46 projects covering an area of 1.67 lakh ha in 21 districts of the state for 2013-14 against the state proposal of 49 projects. Regarding slow pace of lWMP implementation in the state, the committee suggested that there was a need to expedite completion of preparatory phase activities such as institution and capacity building, entry point activities and DPR preparation in respect of 2011-12 and 2012-13 sanctioned projects.
	Officials told to file report on PILs a week before hearing Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Sringar, March 25 The state government has taken note of the delay by the authorities in filing reports on Public Interest Litigations. It has directed the officials to ensure that all reports were filed in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court at least one week before the date of hearing. The directions were issued by the Secretary, General Administration Department (GAD), MA Bukhari, after the High Court pulled the state government for slackness in compliance of its directions on PILs. “It has been reported by the Advocate General that the Deputy Commissioners and other functionaries of the government are filing compliance reports in various Public Interest Litigation matters on the date of hearing which has been taken exception to by the Hon'ble High Court at Srinagar,” reads an order issued by the GAD on March 20. “Having regard to the track record of all Deputy Commissioners in delaying compliance, we would be constrained to direct their personal appearance in the event compliance report is not filed within the given time frame,” the High Court order observed. After the HC observations, the government has told its officials to file reports on time. “It is, accordingly, impressed upon all concerned to adhere to the instructions and ensure that the compliance reports are filed before the Hon'ble High Court at least one week before the date of hearing,” the order said. On Friday, the High Court, while hearing a PIL on safeguarding eco-sensitive areas of tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Tangmarg, had come down heavily upon the authorities for their slackness on implementing various court directions.
	Ex-IGP Farooq Khan to join BJP today Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 Retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) Farooq Khan will join the BJP tomorrow in the presence of party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at Hiranagar in Kathua district where he is addressing a rally. Sources in the BJP said Farooq Khan, founder of the Special Task Force (counter-insurgency arm) of the state police, had expressed his desire to join the party. “Earlier, Farooq Khan had decided to join the BJP on December 1, 2013, when Narendra Modi had visited Jammu to address Lalkaar rally but things did not materialise,” a source said, adding, “As Narendra Modi is visiting Hiranagar, the party has decided to avail of this opportunity for the high-profile joining.” Khan, who belongs to Jammu, has close links with national BJP leaders. His grandfather Colonel (retd) Peer Mohammad was the first state president of the Jammu and Kashmir Jan Sangh. Sources said a journalist from the Valley, working with an international news agency, would also join the BJP in Modi's presence.
	Army comes to accident victim's aid Jammu, March 25 After a Sumo coming from Batote to Doda fell into the Khellani nullah on Sunday, soldiers of the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, Doda, immediately reached the accident spot and launched a rescue operation. Their efforts in coordination with the police resulted in taking out two bodies stuck under the vehicle. Due to their swift action, a critically injured person was evacuated and shifted to the government hospital. — TNS
	Kashmir Tibbia College puts career of 40 students at stake Admission of 2011 batch cancelled as college fails to fulfil formalities Rifat Mohidin Srinagar, March 25 Kashmir Tibbia College in north Kashmir has put the career of 40 students at stake by giving them admissions three years ago that was cancelled by statutory body Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM). The students allege that the college didn’t inform them about the cancellation of admissions. It has been 15 days that the students who are doing Bachelors in Unani Medicine and Sciences (BUMS), 2011 batch, have locked the premises of the college in north Kashmir’s Shilwat. The students alleged that the college authorities did not inform them in 2011 that their admission has been cancelled by the CCIM. “We got admission in the college through the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE). However, in the same year they had got a letter from CCIM that this batch is cancelled as the college had not fulfilled all formalities of admission, but they did not tell us,” said one of the students, Rouf Ahmad. The students even appeared in their first exams in 2013, the results of which are yet to be declared. After the delay in results, the students approached the college as well as Kashmir University, where they were informed that they do not exist in the university records as their admission has been cancelled. “It has been 18 months since we appeared in our first-year exams, but the results have not been declared. When we approached the university, they said our admission has been cancelled. Since then we are on strike. The college authorities are still washing hands from the issue. We are in a dilemma,” said another student. Around 40 students were admitted in the college, 30 under general category and 10 under management quota. The students alleged that the college authorities duped them because they had made a lot of money from students under the management quota. “The college duped us just because they had taken around 1.33 lakh from each student under the management quota,” a student said. The Dean of Kashmir Tibbia College, Shilwat, while admitting that they had received a letter from the statutory bodies that they fulfil minimum admission formalities, he added that they approached them and were hopeful that they would sort out the entire problem. “We went to the authorities in Delhi, but they didn’t say anything as they too were communicated by the CCIM that this batch fills minimum admission formalities. We are hopeful that it will be sorted out as we have already approached the High Court. The case is going on and the court will decide,” said Dean of the college Dr Iqbal. The dean added that though Kashmir University conducted the exams of the students, but it was on provisional basis due to the court case. They have also appealed to the university authorities for declaring the results, but they said that they could not. Kashmir University Registrar Dr Zafar Reshi, however, blamed the college authorities for failing to fulfil all formalities of admission. “We conducted the exam after taking an undertaking from them. We even gave them time to fulfil the formalities, but they failed to do so. We can’t do anything. We will be happy to declare results if they complete the formalities,” the Registrar added.
	Fire damages shopping complex, three houses Srinagar, March 25 A shopping complex and three residential houses were today damaged in a major blaze in Bandipora district of north Kashmir. The fire broke out in the Khadi Market Complex in Bandipora town, 55 km from here, in the wee hours resulting in damage to the complex and three nearby residential houses, a police spokesman said. An official of the fire and emergency services said 17 shops and several rooms used for residential purposes within the U-shaped complex were damaged by the fire, which was apparently caused by short-circuit. The fire spread to an adjacent building housing six shops each on ground and first floors and some residential houses, he said. The official said the blaze was controlled after several hours of intense fire-fighting operation. Five readymade garment shops and three residential houses were completely damaged, while the rest were partially affected, he said. — PTI
	road widening projects AAP supports displaced shopkeepers, land owners Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 25 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has extended support to the displaced shopkeepers and other land owners who have lost the possession of their land due to various road widening projects undertaken by the state government in the city. In a statement issued here, AAP leader and Lok Sabha candidate for Srinagar parliamentary seat Raja Muzaffar Bhat said, “The present government has miserably failed to provide due compensation to the affected people as new Land Acquisition Act hasn’t been enacted by the state legislature till date.” “Under the new Land Acquisition Act, which was enforced in rest of India from January 1, 2014, all affected families will get double rate of their acquired land and property plus rehabilitation in the shape of jobs. However, due to weak leadership and lack of political will, the J&K Government failed to enact a similar law in the state and the direct sufferers are the people of Srinagar and other districts as well,” said Bhat. “We appeal to the people of Srinagar to put a pressure on the government and stand up for their genuine rights. If people in Delhi, Chandigarh or Amritsar are being paid double the amount of the exact market value of land and property (shops, houses etc) which was acquired by the government or demolished during road widening processes, why not we have the same policy here in J&K? Why not people living in Srinagar be provided the same rate?” Bhat asked. He said the AAP would launch a campaign to create awareness on this injustice among people of the state and if no concrete steps were taken, AAP volunteers would come out on roads along with the residents.
	Wani chairs workers’ meet, urges them to ensure victory in polls Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 25 National Conference president for Kashmir region Nasir Aslam Wani today presided over a meeting of party workers from the city’s Sonawar Assembly constituency and asked them to ensure victory of the party candidate for the Srinagar parliamentary seat. Wani lauded the leadership and performance of party president Farooq Abdullah, who is the party’s nomination from Srinagar parliamentary constituency for the upcoming elections. He said, “People of Srinagar are represented by a strong and towering leader who has always represented the interests of his constituents unconditionally and unapologetically.” Wani said the previous five years of “transparent and pro-people governance” in the state have provided ample proof about the “commendable work done in these years in the sectors of power generation, tourism, roads, health and education”. “In spite of the agitations that Kashmir faced in three subsequent years, development works were carried on unabated and with an unprecedented pace,” Wani said. Wani said the creation of new administrative units had been a “historic structural reform aimed at decentralisation of power”. Meanwhile, NC leader and state Cabinet minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, who was speaking at an event at the party headquarters here, said the PDP’s “sinister designs to destabilise and harm Srinagar will be defeated”.
	US experts, police personnel discuss criminal justice system Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 25 Two US-based experts held an interactive session with senior police officers to discuss the criminal justice system at the zonal police headquarters here today. The interaction was organised by the zonal police headquarters, Kashmir, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Public Administration, J&K regional branch, and Central University of Kashmir. Robert Hanser, a senior professor in the criminal justice system and coordinator of the criminal justice programme at University of Louisiana, USA, and Diana Bruns, a senior faculty member and research expert working in the University of Missouri, USA, spoke at the event. Hanser, whose presentation focused on civil and vicarious liability of police personnel, gave a detailed description of his research in civil liabilities in the criminal justice system in different parts of the world. He interacted with the participants on different aspects of improving the system that suit the requirements in diverse cultures and ethnicities. Bruns, who spoke on educational qualities and police performance, besides domestic violence against women, shed light on crime against women and impact of college education on police performance. Vice Chancellor of Central University of Kashmir Mehraj-u-Din was the chief guest and Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Mohammad Shafi Khan presided over the function, a police spokesman said. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir zone, AG Mir said, “Countries have come closer to one another in today’s world and the happenings in one part of the world have direct impact on another part of the world. Likewise, the criminal justice system of one place is impacting the criminal justice system of another place.” The participants at the interactive session included Deputy Inspector General for central Kashmir SA Mujtaba, Srinagar SSP Amit Kumar, Joint Director Prosecution Mohammad Ashraf, Secretary IIPA, Kashmir, GM Andrabi, Chief Prosecuting Officers, Zonal SPs, SDPOs and Prosecuting Officers. Mujtaba, while referring to the civil liabilities, said the structure of the police organisation had gone under a huge change in two decades and they had to adopt an approach of force multiplier.
	Srinagar residents will never forgive PDP: NC Tribune News Service Srinagar, March 25 National Conference spokesman Junaid Mattu has lashed out at Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti for misleading the people of Srinagar by issuing baseless and rhetorical statements that contradict PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s track record of repression and massacres in Srinagar. “It was the PDP government which through a depraved intrigue tried to rob Srinagar of its political and administrative centrality by trying to shift the state capital from our historic city,” Mattu said. Mattu said the PDP government had chosen to offer nothing beyond nauseating lip-service to the artisans of Shahar-e-Khaas or old Srinagar. “It was the NC-Congress coalition government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that floated numerous schemes and initiatives to boost the handicrafts industry in the state and ensured micro-finance and credit availability to thousands of skilled artisans and workers,” he added. He also criticised Mehbooba for masquerading as champion of women rights when her father Mufti Sayeed allegedly did nothing to help Kunan-Poshpora mass rape victims. Terming Mehbooba’s statements regarding the Modi-led NDA as indicators of her party’s progressive infatuation with the RSS-mentored right wing, Mattu said the PDP’s biggest contribution to the people of Srinagar had been the Gaw Kadal “Massacre”. Mattu said, “The PDP has conceded defeat even before the parliamentary elections for the Srinagar seat by fielding a weak candidate who is virtually unknown at the grassroots level.” “This is the same candidate who won a byelection by a slim margin and was defeated from the same constituency in 2008 despite having been the former Finance Minister of the state. Tariq Karra’s indirect role has been repeatedly mentioned in the Kundal Committee Report,” he added.
	13 lakh saplings to be planted in Valley Srinagar, March 25 As the plantation season has arrived, the Forest Department plans to plant 13 lakh saplings across the Valley this spring. This was stated by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Abhay Kumar after inaugurating a camp for the sale of conifer saplings at the PC depot in Qamarwari area of the city yesterday. He said the plantation drive had been started in the city for making it green and clean. Kumar said 40,000 conifer saplings would be planted in various parts of the city. He said these saplings would also be up for sale and the rate had been fixed at Rs 13.5 per sapling. He said a total of about 55 lakh deodar and conifer plants would be kept available for sale at various nurseries of the department. Kumar said the sale of conifer sapling would be held till March 31 at the sale depots of the forest division across the Valley. — TNS
	Rs 40,140 fine collected for COTPA violations Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 The police have collected Rs 40,140 as penalty from those who have violated provisions of the tabacco Act in 10 districts of the Jammu region in the last six months. The government had asked the police to incorporate the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce Production, Supply and Distribution) Act (COTPA) violations in the monthly crime review for strengthening the public health measure at the district and sub-district level. The COTPA was enacted in 2003 mainly to discourage the consumption of cigarettes and other tobacco products by imposing progressive restrictions and protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke. “It is good that the police have been supporting the enforcement of COTPA in districts of the Jammu region. Though the enforcement is in place in10 districts, only four cities — Rajouri, Reasi, Udampur and Jammu — are reporting on the compliance of COTPA in the monthly crime report,” said Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, executive director, Voluntary Health Association of India.
	Post office opened at Jagti Township Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 Chief Postmaster General (PMG), Jammu and Kashmir, Chandra Prakash today inaugurated a post office at Jagti Township. Besides conventional mailing and postal services, the office will provide savings account, insurance and money remittance services. Speaking on the occasion, Prakash said the post office would save the time of Jagti residents who otherwise used to visit Nagrota to avail services. He said post offices would soon be opened at Nagrota Gujroo (Billawar), DC office (Reasi), Wagoora (Baramulla) and Kunnzar (Srinagar). Camp commandant Rajinder Kilam, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices, Jammu, RL Bharadwaj, Rattan Lal Raina and Ravinder were also present at the inauguration.
	MV school organises graduation ceremony Jammu, March 25 MV International School today organised the graduation ceremony for the tiny tots of Upper Kindergarten (UKG) on its premises. The chief guest, Kiran Wattal, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, and institution chairman Hira Lal Abrol awarded degrees to the students. Kiran Wattal in his speech appreciated the school for providing quality education to deprived students. He also inaugurated a children’s amusement park where an outdoor playstation, and a Micky Mouse bouncer were installed for the recreation of the students. The annual school magazine, “Patrika” was also released on the occasion. — TNS
	Paramedics demand probe into ‘poor’ annual results Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 Hundreds of para-medical students today protested outside Government Medical College (GMC) and demanded inquiry into the “poor” annual results. They claimed that 80 per cent of the students had been declared failed in the annual result of the para-medical course. Under the banner of the J&K Para-Medical Association, protesters alleged that most of the students want to re-evaluate their answersheets. “They want to know why the majority of them pursuing the course from various colleges in the state have failed to pass the exams,” they said. “It’s quite surprising even the merit holders have been declared failed. It is unjustified that the authorities concerned have turned down our plea to allow us to see our copies,” said Sanjay Sharma, association president. There are 66 government and private para-medical institutes in the state with the student intake of 13,646. These institutes provide bulk of the trained manpower to run the health sector in the state. The association will launch a state-wide agitation if their demands are not met which include inquiry against the authorities who declared the majority of the students fail. “We have decided to meet Minister for Health Taj-Mohi-Ud-Din and seek his help to provide us justice,” Sharma said.
	Urdu conference Six research papers presented on concluding day Jammu, March 25 Six research papers were presented on the concluding day of the Urdu conference organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (JKAACL) here today. In the first session, the first paper was presented by Dr Ayaz Rasool Nazki on Urdu poets of Kashmir, the second by Prof Asadullal Wani on Urdu poets of Jammu and the third by Dr Nazir Azad on the challenges confronting Urdu ghazal in the state. In the post-lunch session, Dr Premi Romani and Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Wani presented papers on Urdu nazm (poem) in J&K and post-1947 Urdu poetry in J&K, respectively. The first session was presided over by Prof Rattan Lal Shant and Prof BN Trisal while Ghulam Nabi Khayal and Dr Jiteinder Udhampuri presided over the second session. The audience, present in large numbers, took keen interest in the proceedings of the conference and asked questions and gave observations on the papers. — TNS
	Seminar sheds light on women equality Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 The Women World Awakening Organisation (WWAO) organised a seminar on “Equality for women, means progress for all”. The seminar aimed at making the people aware about social issues. Former principal of GGM Science College and president of the WWAO, Jammu, Prof Sarla Kohli delivered the welcome address. Anjali Sharma, Station Director, Doordarshan, Jammu, was the chief guest while The Inner Cell Forum chairperson Roma Wani was the guest of honour. Many collage lecturers spoke on the occasion and presented power point presentations on the issue. They included Sapandeep Kour and Pankaj Jasrotia from Handa College of Education and Pooja Pandita and Shweta Dhar from Sai Shyam College. Various educationists presented their views on women empowerment and gave suggestions to ameliorate the standard of women in society. Veena Handa, national adviser and president external affairs WWAO, presented a memento to the chief guest. Others who attended the seminar included Hafiza Muzaffar, State Mission Director, National Mission for Empowerment of Women, J&K, Prof Rita Jitendra, WWAO national general secretary Sneh Bali, DySP Shashi Thakur, Prof Nancy Handoo from NIT and Nirmal Kamal, Prof (Retd) Department of Economics.
	Prashant bags gold medal in state boxing c’ship Tribune News Service Jammu, March 25 Prashant Sharma clinched the gold medal in the upper weight group of the sub-junior category in the State Boxing Championship at MA Stadium here today. In the 72-79 kilogramme group, Prashant defeated Sahil Sharma 3-0 while Vishal beat Tarun Gorkha to win the gold medal in the 64-67 kilogramme category. Saksham Bhatia emerged winner in the 41-45 kilogramme category after he defeated Vivek in the final. In the 36-38 kilogramme group, Bhargav beat Raghav to bag the gold medal. Wahid Latif of Srinagar defeated Varinder Partap in the 38-42 kilogramme category in the sub-junior group of the tournament Meanwhile, in the sub-junior girls’ category of the championship, Rupakshi won the gold medal in the 31 kilogramme category beating Meenakshi while Dafiya Rashid outplayed Arishma Nisar in the 39-42 kilogramme group. Over 70 pugilists of the state are participating in the championship organised by the J&K Amateur Boxing Association. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Olympic Association general secretary Ashutosh Sharmadeclared the competition open.