The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Six interceptors introduced to check traffic violations in J&K Vehicles are equipped with speed guns, breath analysers and surveillance cameras Sumit Hakhoo Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 With an aim to putting brakes on recklessly speeding and drunken driving on roads, the traffic police has introduced six special interceptor vehicles, equipped with surveillance camera, speed guns and breath analysers, in Jammu and Kashmir. While one each has been positioned in capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, two vehicles will patrol the national highway. The other two have been dispatched to the rural wing to maintain discipline among the drivers. Brought at the cost of more than Rs 1 crore, these vehicles were a long-pending demand of the Police Department. Speed laser guns are equipped with cameras that work both in day and night. The all-weather surveillance cameras, with 450X zoom lenses, can capture the number plate of a speeding vehicle from a distance of 250 metres during daytime and at least 120 metres at night. "The vehicle has given us advantage to deal with the traffic violators. Speed guns will help the police in taking action against over-speeding and breath analysers will be useful in drunken-driving cases - a major reason for rising accident cases in the urban areas of the state,” said SSP, Traffic, Pawan Parihar. On an average, the traffic police has challaned 31,000 vehicles per month in J&K for violation of traffic rules, mainly related to overloading, over-speeding, rash driving, driving two-wheelers without wearing crash helmet, overcharging by auto-rickshaws, jumping of red lights and wrong parking. Over-speeding by minibus drivers, which has already claimed several lives, is another problem. The drivers compete with one another for passengers and pose a threat to their lives as well as pedestrians. However, traffic police personnel turn a blind eye to the violations. “At times the traffic police have failed to punish the erring drivers, who seem to break rules with impunity. There is total chaos in the city as far as traffic is concerned. Hope things improve now,” said Suresh Gupta, a local resident. Every year lakhs of new vehicles gets added to the road and there is no effective management plan to streamline their movement. Added to this is the wrong parking of cars and two-wheelers on the sides of roads by people, creating unpleasant situation at times, particularly during the peak hours.
	ETT institutes’ body criticises school board norms Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 The Jammu Private Schools and Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) Institutes Association (Progressive) has criticised the recently issued notification for fresh norms regarding grant of affiliation to institutions and appointment of qualified faculty members by the J&K Board of School Education (JKBOSE). The association alleged that the owners of these institutes had already raised huge infrastructures by getting heavy loans from banks. "Lots of ETT promoters after raising huge infrastructures by taking heavy bank loans are now facing hue and cry due to intentional curbing tactics of the state coalition government in the name of so-called streamlining in the priority sector of education," the association said in a statement. "The new parameters drawn by the authorities concerned for affiliation of ETT institutes and appointment of qualified faculty will not serve any purpose now because there is already a steep decline in the enrolment of aspirants for the course," the association claimed. The body claimed that it had voiced its concern before the higher authorities in New Delhi, but in vain. "We went from pillar to post to apprise the authorities about the hardships being faced by us, but nobody seems to be keen to listen to our grievances," one of the office-bearers of the association claimed. "During a meeting of the body, we have unanimously decided to vote against the present coalition government in the upcoming elections because it has failed on all fronts in uplifting the standard of the priority sector of education," Deep Singh, president of the Jammu Private Schools and ETT Institutes Association (Progressive) said. "The only prestigious institution of the state dealing with more than 10 lakh school-going children -JKBOSE - is facing the worst time due to the intentional delay of the state coalition government in appointing new chairman and secretary of a search committee despite constituting it eight months ago," the association maintained. "It is the state coalition government which is directly responsible for the confusing beginning of promotion of the ETT course though the school education board in the state by one minister and the cruel curbing of the same in the name of streamlining by the present one," the association alleged.
	Ban on ‘gutka’ goes up in smoke Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 The ban on sale of "gutka" goes up in smoke in the city with shopkeepers selling it after displaying the packets in front of their shops and the authorities remaining a mute spectator. Even after the ban, the shopkeepers are seen selling "gutka" in the city, but at higher prices as the its demand among the people is rising and the shopkeepers are forced to sell it at higher rates. Rajesh Gupta, a "gutka" consumer, said, “The different brands of gutka are being sold on a very high price. A Rs-2 pouch of gutka is being sold at Rs 5 and that having the MRP of Rs 10 at Rs 20 to 25, but those addicted to it are buying it as I am.” After the ban, the shopkeepers had stopped the display of sachets of "gutka" outside their shops and were selling it quietly on the black market, but now due to no check by the authorities they have started displaying it. When asked about the sale of "gutka", a shopkeeper on the condition of anonymity said, “Even as the gutka has been banned, there is still a huge demand for it. People are ready to pay even higher prices for it. We know about the ban, but we are selling it to earn money.” The ban on the sale of tobacco products in J&K came into force on March 6, 2013, immediately after the government announced in the Assembly during the Budget session that the Finance Department had agreed to impose the ban on such products in the interest of residents of the J&K state. But the authorities concerned have not taken effective steps to look after the illegal trade of sale of "gutka" in the city after the ban. An official of the Drug Controller Drugs and Control Organisation said, “We are going to the markets to keep a regular check on the illegal trade of tobacco. But the ban is on the tobacco with nicotine not on the tobacco without nicotine, so according to me at most places the ban has been implemented, but where not we will take effective measures for it.” Last year the Municipal Corporation (JMC) had started a drive against the sale of tobacco products, but for the last few months the authorities seems to be neglecting the ban and shopkeepers selling them without fear.
	Kishtwar riot victims demand ‘strictest’ action against guilty Hail Supreme Court order on ensuring fair probe Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 A day after the Supreme Court directed the Jammu and Kashmir Government to ensure proper investigation into all cases relating to the communal clashes in Kishtwar last year, victims have demanded ‘strictest’ possible action against the guilty and ‘enhanced’ compensation for them. They lashed out at the state government for adopting a ‘biased and dilly-dallying tactics’ in releasing the compensation after they lost their means of livelihood in the riots that broke out after the Eid prayers in Kishtwar on August 9 last year. “We welcome the direction of the Supreme Court of ensuring proper investigation into all cases relating to the communal clashes. The state government should shun its biased approach and expedite the investigation process to bring all accused to justice,” said Surinder Gupta whose shops were looted during the riots. Gupta regretted that the government had paid paltry compensation to the victims in around 40 cases. “Some shopkeepers in the town were paid a paltry amount ranging between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000. The government virtually buried such hapless people alive. In other cases, some businessmen were given a compensation ranging between Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh which was also insignificant as they had suffered losses above Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh,” he said. He said the state government should enhance the compensation so that the faith of the affected people was restored in the system. A Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice P Sathasivam yesterday told the state government to ensure proper investigation into all criminal cases relating to the communal clashes in Kishtwar last year. It also told the Commission of Inquiry, set up by the state, to submit its report within three months. The panel, headed by Justice RC Gandhi, a retired judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, has submitted its interim report. Another victim, who requested not to be named, questioned different yardsticks adopted by the Central and the state governments in paying compensation to the riots victims. “The Muzaffarnagar riot-affected families were given a compensation of Rs 15 lakh but we were ignored vis-à-vis payment of suitable cash relief on communal lines. The administration has played a cruel joke on us in the name of compensation. The state government should seriously look into the demand for enhanced cash relief to the affected people of Kishtwar violence,” the victim said. Property worth millions, including around 100 shops, seven hotels and 35 vehicles, were damaged by rioters. Three people were killed in the clashes on August 9 last year.
	Jesus Motivated Group holds drawing contest Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 The Jesus Motivated Group, a group of Christian families for education and growth, conducted a drawing competition at St Peters Catholic Church, Prem Nagar, here. Fr Saijju, in charge priest of the Catholic Church, Prem Nagar, was the chief guest. Rajesh Gill, president of the Jesus Motivated Group, was also present. A total of 85 members of different churches of Jammu participated in the competition. In the infant category, Marryson of St Peters Catholic Church bagged the first prize, whereas Marita Mattoo bagged the second spot and Melvin Khokher claimed the third position. In the junior category, Pearl of Pentecostal Mission clinched the first prize, Royse was declared second and Ayub Shafiq Khokher bagged the third spot. In the senior category, Rozer Paul Mattoo of St Peters Catholic Church bagged the first prize, Sujatta Mattoo got the second spot and John Paul was adjudged third. The consolation prizes were bagged by Sahil Khokher, Francis, Sameer Kandayara, Brettlee, Gourav and Chetna. Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Gill said the basic objective of the Jesus Motivated Group was to help the youth of the community to choose the right path of life and also to channelise their energy in a right direction. Fr Saijju lauded the efforts of the Jesus Motivated Group in organising the drawing competition for young boys and girls of all churches. Raj Kumar Verma, Principal, DPS, Katra, Bavita, Principal St Peters School, Prem Nagar, Jammu, and Victor Sotra, vice-president, Christian Sports Organisation, J&K, were the adjudicators of the competition.
	‘Vishal Bhagwati Jagran’ held Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 The Baba Buta Young Blood Association organised the second "Vishal Bhagwati Jagran" at Butta Nagar last night. Artistes from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Mumbai participated in the night-long jagran and mesmerised the audience with variety of devotional songs. Prominent singers like Surinder Manhas, Diljit Singh, Sunny Jogi, Lucky Sagotra and Heema Dalotra with the support of the Ridhi-Sidhi musical group mesmerised the devotees with their magnificent voice. The stage, "Maa ka Bhawan", was decorated with flowers and colourful lights. Besides, arrangements of lighting, water supply and security were also made for the smooth conduct of the event. A large number of people, including residents of Roop Nagar, Durga Nagar, Patoli and its adjoining areas, participated in the jagran and took the blessings of Goddess Bhagwati. Members of the organising committee thanked the devotees for making the jagran a success and assured that the events of this sort would be held in future as well.
	Documentary on Nangali Sahib Jammu, April 8 The TRB Group has released its first film, entitled “Sriomani Dera Shri Santpura Nangali Sahib, Poonch, - a journey of tranquillity, radiance and divine bliss" under The Divine Destination Series of the Jammu and Kashmir state. The DVD-launch programme was held at Gurdwara Sant Mela Singh Dastkari Ashram, Digiana, today. Ritu Bhatia, Managing Director (MD), TRB Group, said their focus was on making video documentaries of religious and pilgrimage sites, eco-tourism, heritage monuments and structures, hill stations, sports, adventure tourism, etc. — TNS
	Ram Navami celebrated with ‘kanya pujan’, immersion of ‘khetri’ Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 Ram Navami was celebrated with religious fervour in the city today with "kanya pujan" and immersion of "khetri" into the Tawi. The festival of Navratras culminated today on Ram Navami, or the ninth day of Navratras, with "kanya pujan" and immersion of "khetri" seedlings (looking like long grass) into the Tawi. The city of temples had been celebrating Navratras with religious fervour, fasting for all nine days and worshipping Goddess Durga in her nine forms. All the temples in the city were beautifully decorated and illuminated with colourful lights. The famous Bawe Wala Mandir at the Bahu Fort, Mahamaya Mata Mandir, Shree Ranvireshwar Mandir, Shree Raghunath Mandir and others, including the Chichi Mata Mandir at Samba, etc. were decorated beautifully with flowers and witnessed heavy rush throughout the nine holy days of Navratras. Hundreds of vehicles were stuck in a traffic jam for hours on the Tawi bridge this morning as people gathered there to immerse "khetri" into the river. Security was given preference along with other arrangements. Metal detectors and CCTV cameras were installed at all the major religious places in the city. The police also beefed up security in the city, especially at busy markets. A large number of religious programmes were also organised on the mohalla level in the city, which added a little more colour to the festival. "Jagrans" in different localities of the city were the centre of attraction for people during the nine days of Navratras. Free langars (community kitchens) were also organised by different NGOs and religious groups at different localities of the city.
	Campaigning for first phase of polls in J&K ends Soz confident of Cong retaining Jammu; BJP goes all out to oust Cong from Akhnoor Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Marh/Akhnoor, April 8 On the last day of the campaigning for the first phase of polling in the state on Tuesday, the Congress exuded confidence about comfortably retaining both Lok Sabha segments in the Jammu region while the BJP tried to shake the Congress citadel in Akhnoor by organising an impressive roadshow. “There is no (Narendra) Modi wave in the Jammu region. We are seeking a mandate on the basis of our performance,” said Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz. The senior Congress leader told The Tribune that his party would comfortably retain the Jammu-Poonch and the Udhampur-Doda parliamentary seats. The victory margin, however, on the Udhampur-Doda seat would be higher as compared to the Jammu-Poonch segment, he added. Soz, who has been aggressively campaigning for party’s candidate for Jammu-Poonch constituency Madan Lal Sharma, claimed that the Congress was strong on the ground. “During the campaign, I realised that the masses were aware of the revolutionary steps being taken by the Congress for the betterment of weaker sections,” he said. Soz, who addressed a public meeting at Marh to mark the conclusion of the first phase of campaigning, seized the opportunity to rake up the issue of Article 370. He said the manifesto issued by the BJP was “nothing short of spreading falsehood”. Soz emphasised that the building of Ram Temple, abrogation of Article 370 and Common Civil Code had been mentioned in all election manifestos of the party over the last 20 years. "But the BJP has failed to take any action on its manifestos," he added. Besides other senior Congress leaders, newly appointed AICC general secretary and in charge of the J&K Congress Rajni Patil was present at the public meeting. The BJP, on the other hand, deliberately choose Akhnoor town to wind up its election campaign. The town is the native place of Madan Lal Sharma and is considered to be a Congress bastion. The BJP held a roadshow in the town with party workers, a majority of them representatives of the party’s youth wing. As soon as the BJP candidate for the Jammu-Poonch seat Jugal Kishore Sharma stepped into the town, party workers raised slogans in favour of its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. The number of BJP supporters swelled as Jugal moved to the main bazaar. Some overenthusiastic workers lifted the party candidate on their shoulders. The overwhelming response to the BJP candidate in this town has raised eyebrows. In the past two Lok Sabha elections, the Akhnoor Assembly segment has played a decisive role in Congress’ victory. In the 2009 Lok Sabba elections, Madan Lal Sharma had bagged 35,228 votes while BJP contestant Leela Karan Sharma managed 9,838 votes from the Akhnoor segment.
	Farooq ages 10 yrs in 5 yrs! Mentions his age 67 in 2009 affidavit, and 77 in 2014 Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 Farooq Abdullah, who filed his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha election, has grown by 10 years in a five-year period between 2009 and 2014, showing inaccuracy in the details furnished by him, according to the documents submitted to the Election Commission. Farooq had mentioned his age in the 2009 affidavit filed with his nomination papers as 67 years. Five years later, he mentioned his current age as 77 in the affidavit filed along with his nomination papers yesterday. According to the official Lok Sabha website, Farooq was born in October 1937 which makes him 76 years old, as of date. The president of the ruling National Conference, Farooq, has been a two-time Lok Sabha member, two-time Rajya Sabha member and elected five times to the Legislative Assembly. His total assets, according to the papers he filed yesterday for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, are valued at Rs 13.10 crore which include Rs 11.60 immovable assets and Rs 1.50 crore movable assets. Farooq, however, makes no mention of the assets owned by his wife, Mollie, a Briton, to whom he is married since 1968. He has mentioned “not applicable”in the column seeking details of his spouse’s assets. In the 2009 nomination papers, the Cabinet minister had listed Rs 50,000 cash as the assets of his spouse and had said he had “no information” about the jewellery owned by her since “the family is away in London since April 1990”.
	BJP operates from separatist hub in Valley Party’s office is in posh Srinagar locality; neighbours include Hurriyat factions Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 The posh Rajbagh locality in Srinagar, which has been the epicentre of separatist politics since the eruption of militancy in the Valley, is also the address of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Housed in a two-storey building, the BJP headquarters is located opposite the office of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. At the Rajbagh headquarters, BJP men are busy planning the poll campaign for the three Valley seats. Incidentally, across the road the separatist group in the moderate Hurriyat office is discussing the poll boycott campaign. Rajbagh also houses offices of nearly 12 separatist groups, including the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, which is about 100 metres from the BJP office. The BJP, which is committed to abrogating Article 370 which gives a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, is the first mainstream political party in the Valley which operates from the separatists den. All other mainstream regional parties have their offices in highly secured localities of Srinagar. “The office in the separatist den at Rajbagh is aimed at carrying out a message that the BJP is serious and is here to stay,” said Altaf Thakur, BJP Kashmir spokesman. “People from various parts of Kashmir come here everyday and discuss the party’s programme and the election campaign,” he said. The rooms inside the office are adorned with posters of party prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Bundles of Urdu posters lie at the party office, to be used for the poll campaign. Though the separatist offices don’t have security cover, the BJP office is guarded by four policemen round the clock. “We don’t have any fear but the policemen are there since we opened our office,” said another BJP leader, Mehraj-u-Din (27). The BJP has fielded three candidates --- Mushtaq Ahmad Malik from the Anantnag constituency, Ghulam Mohammad Mir, a former bureaucrat, from Baramulla and Arif Majeed Pampory from Srinagar. Though the BJP does not have any pockets of mass support in the Valley, it hopes that it will do better in the elections.
	Army, CRPF gear up for polling day Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 With just one day left for the battle of ballot to begin in the state, the road opening parties of the CRPF and the Army have become more watchful and alert, especially on the highways, as a majority of polling staff and material will be ferried via roads to their polling stations. Terrorists during peak militancy had used timers and remote controlled and pressure-operated IEDs to target convoys, especially of security forces on the highways. The Lok Sabha elections are beginning with the Jammu-Poonch parliamentary constituency going to the polls on April 10. “For polling stations in Jammu and Samba districts, polling staff and material will be sent on April 9, but Poonch district being a mountainous and remote area, the staff and material will be sent two days before the polls,” deputy chief electoral officer RK Sangral told The Tribune. He said a majority of the staff and material would be ferried via roads, but choppers would be deployed in snow-bound areas to drop the staff and material at their booths. A top officer of the CRPF said, “We have been performing road-opening duties on the Kashmir highway up to Ramban from Jammu and as far as the Jammu-Poonch parliamentary seat is concerned, we will be providing security in tandem with the state police on the highways to the polling staff and at the booths”. It would be an integrated effort, he added. Similarly, the BSF that guards the 198-km-long international border has been maintaining a high alert on border roads that lead to the Jammu-Pathankot highway. Samba Deputy Commissioner RK Verma said, “At least nine polling stations in Samba district out of the total 246 polling stations fall within 1-km distance from the border and in case of firing from the other side (Pakistan), the administration has made makeshift arrangements 2 to 3 km away from the border to ensure hassle-free polling on April 10”. “Though the road opening duty is a routine for us on the Rajouri-Poonch highway for the simple reason that this highway replenishes our requirements at the Line of Control, but in the backdrop of April 10 polling and prior to it, we are leaving nothing to chance,” said an Army source. DIG, Rajouri-Poonch Range, AK Atri said, “Besides the Army, the road opening duties will be performed by the state police, CRPF, BSF and the SSB on the Rajouri-Poonch highway.” The DIG said three polling stations in twin border districts-Seri and Makri in Rajouri and Malti in Poonch district-- were located between the border fence and the Zero Line. “In case of firing from across the border, security forces have been briefed to evacuate villagers and at the same time alternate arrangements for voting have been made,” said the DIG. The Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat with 17 lakh voters comprises Samba, Vijaypur, Bishnah, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu east, Jammu west, R S Pura, Suchetgarh, Nagrota, Marh, Raipur Domana, Akhnoor, Chamb, Nowshera, Kalakote, Rajouri, Darhal, Surankote, Mendhar and Poonch-Haveli Assembly segments. Highest number of 2,271 polling stations has been set up for the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat this time. While Jammu district alone accounted for 1,153 polling stations, Rajouri has 499, Poonch 373 and Samba 246 stations. Out of total 19 candidates in fray, 12 are residents of Jammu district alone and four belong to Poonch district.
	Sikh bodies to support PDP Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 Alleging that the National Conference, Congress and BJP have adopted discriminatory attitude towards the Sikhs, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and some other organisations have decided to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the parliamentary elections. Addressing a press conference, SAD senior vice-president Jaspal Singh Mangal alleged that the state government should reveal the mystery behind the killing of 18 innocent Sikhs in 1984 at Reasi, riots of 1989 in Jammu and killing of 36 community members in Chittisingpura in the Kashmir valley in 2000. The SAD hoped that the PDP would solve the burning issues confronting the minority community in the state, who were facing neglect in employment and other schemes.
	Union Minister Azad cautions people against ‘divisive forces’ Our Correspondent Doda, April 8 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad today cautioned the people against divisive forces, bent on creating chaos and confusion. Azad described erstwhile Doda district as a miniature of secular India. He said: “Only those nations prosper where secularism exists.” The Union Health Minister said the people belonging to different faiths in Jammu and Kashmir were living in harmony for ages, but unfortunately, some people were seeking votes by disturbing harmony. He said the misinformation campaign started by the BJP, particularly against the Congress, much before the announcement of the elections, was dying down as it had no existence on the ground. Azad is is contesting from the Doda-Udhampur parliamentary constituency. He addressed public meetings in the upper reaches of Doda and Kishtwar districts, including Thathri, Bhella, Shiva, Kilhotran, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah and Malothi. Lambasting the BJP for its lust for power by hoodwinking innocent people of the country, Azad said, “The people of erstwhile Doda that comprises Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Banihal is a symbol of secularism. People have strengthened secularism in this belt which has helped in initiating development works here. Only secularism can ensure development.” He called upon the people to counter the divisive moves of some political parties which he said were least bothered about addressing the problems of the people and instead had a hidden agenda of befooling the people in the name of religion and caste and exploit their vote. He appealed to the people to cast their vote to strengthen the secular forces. “Many hydroelectric power projects worth thousands of crores have been made functional while some shall be made functional in the near future. Numerous road projects are underway,” he said. “The Congress has never befooled the people. It’s presence was always at the grass-roots level and will remain in the future as well, with its commitment and dedication towards the welfare of the people,” said Azad. He said the Congress was seeking votes on the basis of development to make the nation prosperous, rather than disintegrating the people on the basis of caste, creed and colour. Azad said the Congress-National Conference coalition led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, with the backing of the UPA, had brought a revolution in various sectors, including health, education, farming, road connectivity and industry.
	Student body disrupts roadshow Doda, April 8 Activists of the All Indian Students Federation (AISF) today disrupted Ghulam Nabi Azad’s roadshow in Doda and demanded early beginning of classes at the campus of the University of Jammu at Doda. Led by AISF president Mukesh Parihar, students disrupted the roadshow led by Azad for a few minutes and demanded classes for postgraduate students. “No serious action has taken by the Jammu and Kashmir Government and today we were forced to disrupt this road show,” he said. — OC
	NC not to allow abrogation of Article 370, says Beg Farooz Ahmad Bhat Pulwama, April 8 National Conference candidate for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat and sitting MP Mehboob Beg today said the party would not allow the “abrogation of Article 370”. Referring to the BJP manifesto, Beg said: “Those who talk about abrogation of the Article 370 should know that autonomy and accession with the Union of India were interlinked and any dilution or work towards abrogation can challenge the accession.” The National Conference leader added that any support to BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi would be a “political sin”. “How can one forget the terror that he unleashed on the Muslims in Gujarat in 2002?” he asked. “We cannot forget his derogatory comparison of killing a Muslim to a puppy during an interview with a premiere news channel last year,” Beg told reporters on the sidelines of a road show in Tral Assembly segment of Pulwama. He also ridiculed Modi for his lack of knowledge about history and said: “Narendra Modi can be a good orator, but he is very weak in history.” The Bharatiya Janata Party in its manifesto yesterday said: “The BJP reiterates its stand on the constitutional provision and will discuss this with all stake holders and remain committed to the abrogation of this article.” Beg said being a joint candidate of the National Conference and the Congress, he would back Rahul Gandhi for the country’s top post. “He supports secularism and wants India to remain united,” Beg said about Rahul. He also asked the Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and her party to come clear about whom would they support if they win any parliamentary seat in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Meanwhile, addressing an election rally in Shopian, National Conference leader and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Ali Mohammad Sagar said Kashmir was a sensitive issue and should be dealt with “full senses”. “If anybody dared to dilute the Article 370, he would be playing with the emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and it can have serious repercussions for the integrity of India,” the Panchayati Raj Minister warned. Both, Sagar and Beg, endorsed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s view that abrogation of Article 370 can question the accession of state with the Union of India.
	PDP’s candidate for Srinagar seat Karra to file papers today Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 The electoral battle for the Srinagar parliamentary constituency is all set to hot up in the coming days as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Tariq Hamid Karra is going to file his nomination papers in Srinagar tomorrow. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah filed his nomination papers yesterday. Farooq is camping in Srinagar for the past few weeks and has been addressing party workers, cautioning them about the “BJP-PDP bonhomie.” Given the tone of his recent speeches, the NC patron is likely to give thrust on emotional issues such as autonomy and “connections between the PDP and the BJP.” When PDP nominee for Srinagar Tariq Hamid Karra files his nomination papers tomorrow, he will be accompanied by PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, senior party leader Iftikhar Hussain Ansari and district presidents of Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal, comprising the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency. “After filing the nomination papers, I will offer prayers at the Hazratbal shrine,” Karra said. His opponent and the NC candidate, Farooq Abdullah, also offered prayers at the Hazratbal shrine soon after filing his nomination papers in Srinagar yesterday. Karra launched his election campaign from the shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani at Chrar-e-Sharief in Budgam district a few months ago. While Karra has been holding indoor workers’ meetings over the last few months, his party (PDP) is yet to hold any major public rally inSrinagar. The Srinagar constituency is going to the polls on April 30.
	Omar, Farooq hold rally in Srinagar, vow to protect Article 370 Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the working president of the National Conference, and party president Farooq Abdullah today addressed a rally in the city. They also campaigned to protect Article 370. “You have to choose your Member of Parliament and through him you have to choose the country’s Prime Minister,” Omar said. Omar along with senior party leaders addressed a rally at Qamarwari a day after the party president filed nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections. “One candidate is young, honest, a sympathiser of this state, the person who never talked about abrogating Article 370, who never talked on Hindu-Muslim lines,” Omar said in reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. However, he lashed out at Modi saying “the stains of blood” were on him. Omar claimed that voting for the National Conference would mean “honour, security, protection of Article 370, development and prosperity” of the state. National Conference leadership has reacted angrily to the BJP’s election manifesto, which remained committed to revocation of Article 370 even as it mentioned debating the issue. Article 370 is a temporary provision in the Constitution which limits the powers of Parliament to make laws for Jammu and Kashmir. “If the vote is cast for any other symbol, it will be a direct vote for Narendra Modi,” Omar said. “Modi has neither apologised, nor even sighed, at the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002,” the Chief Minister said, lashing out at the PDP for warming up to the BJP. Farooq, who filed his nomination from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, while addressing the rally said “the accession (with India) is based on the Article 370” and it would be protected. “They have decided to abrogate Article 370. So we have to be strong, so that we can confront them,” he said.rooq said, “We will be the first to be ready to go to the gallows if the BJP comes to power and tampers with the Article 370”.
	Polls going to be Cong’s Waterloo, says Mufti Jammu, April 8 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the ongoing elections would prove to be a “Waterloo for the Congress and National Conference” in the state . “The overwhelming response to the PDP is a clear indication that the party is going to make history in the parliamentary elections,” Mufti said while addressing public rallies at Surankote and Poonch. Seeking a decisive mandate for the party, Mufti said the ruling NC-Congress dispensation has proved as “non performing liability” on the people of J&K. “It is high time to intensify the campaign for change in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mufti said while seeking mandate for party’s Jammu-Poonch seat Yash Pal Sharma. Mufti said the PDP was contesting the elections with a “visionary agenda” to change the destiny of the people of the state. “We have fielded trusted and genuine candidates for the parliamentary seats so that issues related to the people of Jammu and Kashmir could be effectively and vociferously taken up in Parliament,” he said. The Jammu-Poonch constituency is scheduled to go to polls on April 10. — TNS
	Cong doesn’t even deserve to sit in the Opposition: Vinod Khanna Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 Actor-turned politician and BJP Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur Vinod Khanna today launched a scathing attack on the Congress party saying it doesn’t even deserve to sit in the Opposition. “The Congress deserves to be wiped out totally. It has no right to even sit in the Opposition for the clear reason that the people were fed up with its acts of omission and commission,” Khanna said while addressing a public rally at the Bhagat Singh Park in Kathua. The actor-turned politician was accompanied by BJP’s J&K affairs in charge Avinash Rai Khanna and party candidate for the Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat Jitendra Singh. Vinod Khanna also accused the Congress leaders of being “arrogant” and having little respect for the democratic values. “The nation has suffered a lot and the time has come when the Congress should be shown the door. For this, people should get united to defeat it in the Lok Sabha elections,” he said. Khanna made a strong appeal to the electorate to vote for BJP candidate Jitendra Singh and said he had come to campaign for this seat because it was very important for the party. “J&K is the crown of India and therefore a strong message against the corruption, misgovernance and terrorism should go from here,” he said. Avinash Rai Khanna, meanwhile, said there was a wave in favour of the BJP and its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, which indicated that people want change. “The significant aspect is that Modi is committed to take forward the legacy of Atal Behari Vajpayee and its impact is also seen among the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” he said. Jitendra Singh, meanwhile, appealed to the people of Kathua to come out in large numbers to vote so that Udhampur-Doda can contribute to the “mission 272+”.
	Ahead of elections, Mirwaiz writes open letter to people Invokes their collective wellbeing in conflict resolution Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 Chairman of the moderate faction of the HurriyatConference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who back home has issued an election boycott call, has written an open letter addressed to the people of India, urging them to exhort their representative during thje elections for resolving the vexed Kashmir issue. Invoking collective wellbeing of South Asia in conflict resolution and advocating an intensive and time-bound engagement over the Kashmir issue, Mirwaiz has also indicated his group’s willingness and positive contribution for achieving a solution to the Kashmir issue. “An open letter to the people of India. Along with your votes, give your elected leadership the task of resolving the Kashmir issue once and for all,” the Hurriyat leader wrote in the heading of his letter released to the media here. “India’s elections have begun and you are exercising your votes to choose your new political representatives. Whoever you end up electing will be momentously placed to exercise real leadership and take the difficult decisions that are needed to shape a better course for the future of India and for peace in south Asia,” the moderate separatist leader wrote. “There lay only ‘two clear paths ahead, each with very different’ outcomes,” he added. “One is breaking from the past and pursuing a serious political and diplomatic engagement over Kashmir and another is relinquishing collective leadership responsibilities and choosing the same old default policy over Kashmir,” the Hurriyat chairman said. “Ultimately, the direction that the next elected leadership of India will take vis-à-vis the Kashmir issue largely depends on all of you, i.e. the people of India,” Mirwaiz said while adding that the Kashmir issue continued to “destroy life and obliterate the rights and aspirations” of Kashmir people. He said the “tragic” Kashmir conflict was also a direct threat to the interests and wellbeing of the people of India. “A peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue will unleash immense prosperity and economic benefits for India and for the entire south Asia region,” he said while expressing Hurriyat’s readiness and willing to contribute positively and constructively towards this achievement. “Let this process start sooner rather than later. Over an intensive period of one year, let all of the parties engage actively with each other,” Mirwaiz said. “The previous visions and attempts by Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh could not materialise and did not sustain,” he added.
	All nomination papers get accepted for Anantnag seat Suhail A Shah Anantnag, April 8 The scrutiny of nomination papers for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat concluded on Monday with all 14 sets of papers, belonging to 13 candidates in the fray, getting accepted. These included two sets of papers of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti. "We have accepted all 14 sets of nomination papers," said Swagat Biswas, District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, and the Returning Officer for the seat. He said the papers were found to be well-documented according to the guidelines set by the Election Commission. Mehbooba had filed two sets of papers amid an outcry of foul play from her opponent and National Conference-Congress candidate, Mehboob Beg. Beg had accused her of cheating after she managed to get an account opened on a national bank holiday. Mehbooba, however, while filing the second set of papers, said she didn't want to take any chance of her papers getting rejected. The Lok Sabha constituency is going to the polls on April 24 and April 9 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations. Analysts are predicting a close contest between Mehbooba and Beg. The Aam Aadmi Party, the Awami Ittehad Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party have also fielded their candidates. While AAP's candidate Dr Tanveer Dar has managed to pull some crowd to his rallies, other candidates have remained almost unheard of.
	Surveillance stepped up in Srinagar constituency Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 Surveillance has been stepped up by the authorities in the Srinagar constituency where over 90 per cent of polling stations are hypersensitive as per the District Election Office (DEO), Srinagar. The constituency comprising 15 Assembly segments and 1,546 polling stations will go to the polls on April 30. The Tribune accessed DEO official report, which said five surveillance teams and three flying squads had been constituted for each Assembly segment of the Srinagar constituency. The authorities recently said of the 1,546 polling stations, 1,021 were hypersensitive, 470 were sensitive and 55 were normal polling stations. The five surveillance teams include one video surveillance team, one video viewing team and three statistic surveillance team, one for each Assembly segment. Besides, there will be an accounting team and three flying squads for each Assembly constituency in Srinagar. “One magistrate has been appointed for heading the flying squad,” the report said. It added that 22 zonal officials and 87 sector officials had been pressed into service to maintain law and order situation as well as ensure strict adherence to the model code of conduct. There are assistant expenditure observers for monitoring election expenditure for all polling booths, which will be headed by nodal officer for expenditure monitoring in each district of the constituency. The phase-wise training of government employees as poll personnel is already over. “The training happened in three phases and in each phase, nearly 1,700 employees were trained,” an official of the DEO, Srinagar, said. Special arrangements have been made for the transportation and movement of poll personnel on the election day keeping in view the sensitive nature of the constituency. “The plan for the movement of personnel and election material is already in place and so is the security and communication plan,” the report added.
	CM to address roadshows at Udhampur Udhampur, April 8 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will address roadshows at Udhampur tomorrow. Sources said Omar would attend roadshows in Tikri, Mand, Garhi, Rehamble, Udhampur and Chenani and campaign in favour of his alliance partner, Congress. Thereafter, he would accompany Union Health Minister and Udhampur-Doda Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and address a rally at Batote. — OC
	Guv inspects development works at Vaishno Devi shrine Tribune News Service Jammu, April 8 Governor NN Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, offered prayers at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Ramanavami today. The Governor inspected the track, toilets and other facilities from Sanjichhat to Bhawan. He was accompanied by HL Maini, member and technical Consultant of the Shrine Board, Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shrine Board, B Mohandass, Deputy CEO, SC Gupta, Superintending Engineer and other officials of the Board and the district administration. The Governor issued instructions for speeding up the retiling work and widening the track for making the movement of the pilgrims more comfortable. He also directed the officer in charge of the forestry wing to plant more flowering shrubs and creepers to improve ambience along the yatra route and plant more species which had high soil-binding properties. The CEO said about 7 lakh plants had been planted in the Shrine Board area in the past 4 years. At the sanctum sanctorum, the Governor prayed for peace, harmony, progress and prosperity in the state. The Governor told the CEO to take measures for remodelling the entire drainage system. He also directed for time-bound action to make available lockers and relocate them in order to avoid congestion in the shrine area. The Governor told the CEO to draw up a 15 to 20-year perspective plan for meeting the emerging requirements of the pilgrims and expand, upgrade and modernise existing facilities. The Governor also reviewed the work on the elevator which will connect the track with Shridhar Bhawan and told the CEO to ensure the project wasn’t delayed. During inspection of the Rs 3.80-crore underconstruction pony stand, the Governor said it should be completed by year-end. He emphasised speedy completion of work on a helipad near the Panchhi view point. During the inspection of the new track from Adhkuwari to Katra, the Governor told the CEO to ensure that all required wayside facilities such as eating and drinking water points, toilet blocks and view points were completed within time. He instructed the engineering wing to speed up work on the retaining and breast walls and laying of tiles.
	13 years on, Rohama health centre yet to be shifted Baramulla, April 8 The Primary Health Centre, Rohama, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district is functioning from a dilapidated structure from the past 13 years as the set-up is yet to be shifted to a new complex. The hospital is operating from a four-room rest house and due to lack of space the medical staff often faces to problems to cater to the huge rush of patients. Though the new structure is almost complete the authorities are still to take possession as the owner was yet to avail compensation in lieu of the land provided for the construction of the building. Sources said the government had released Rs 50 lakh to the Health Department, but the money was not disbursed so far. Lack of infrastructure has hit the patient care as there are no causality and immunisation rooms. “Not only patients, but the staff too is facing inconvenience…we are helpless. It is up to the higher authorities to settle the issue,” said Block Medical Officer, Rohama, Khursheed Ahmad. — OC
	Beggar menace on the rise in Srinagar Our Correspondent Srinagar, April 8 The increasing population of beggars in the city has been irking the residents, who want the authorities to act fast and take some steps to rehabilitate the beggars. They are mostly seen around tourist hub of Dalgate and Lal Chowk, where there is a huge rush of tourists, who easily fall prey to them. The beggary trend is increasing in the Valley and a number of professional beggars can be seen at different traffic signals, markets and mosques. Some female beggars are also seen holding children in their arms. The beggars target the tourists and beg in front of them. As soon as tourists get out of the vehicle, the beggars start pleading and use various tactics. Many a time they even demand money. Tourists who come from outside the state normally give money without opposing them. "Beggars have spoiled the image of Kashmir among tourists. They have become a nuisance for pedestrians as well as motorists. The government should do something to control it, otherwise it will project a wrong image of Kashmiris in the rest of the country," said Anees Nabi an educationist. Some beggars have learned a few English words such as "I am very poor, no food, give money" to grab money from foreign tourists. These non-locals have descended on the Valley, particularly in the city, along with their women folk and children. They follow people everywhere - streets, footpaths, footbridge, park, bus stand and even outside ATMs. Many of them have been started door-to-door begging in the city. Though there is a law in the state to check the menace of begging, the nuisance has flourished across Jammu and Kashmir, locals said. "The presence of these beggars on city streets not only shows callousness on part of law enforcement agencies, but also considerably creates nuisance. The authorities should put a blanket ban on beggars. We find beggars everywhere. They irritate while travelling. They are also responsible for traffic jams as they stop the vehicles and ask for money," said Mudasir Ahmad, a businessman, who deals with travel in Kashmir. In Srinagar's Residency Road, the menace has grown out of control. Beggars are seen cursing people and showing them medical certificates of their handicapped children, forcing people to give them money. The beggars also stop shoppers for money. "It has become a profession. Many of them involve their whole family into begging," said another resident of Srinagar. The officials concerned were not available for comment.
	Waterlogged roads hit business activities Our Correspondent Srinagar, April 8 Business and commerce in the Valley has been affected due to incessant rain and bad weather conditions. Flooded roads due to continuous rainfall have caused a huge loss to shopkeepers in the city. Worst hit are business owners at Magarmal Bagh, Sarai Bala, Jahangir Chowk and Maharaja Bazar. They said the problems continued throughout winter, but the government authorities failed to provide any sort of help to them. In the business hub, many shopkeepers have come to their own rescue by putting iron stairs in front of their shops for the convenience of customers. “The government officials know all our problems, but they seem to have turned a blind eye towards it. They come and promise us the best help, but till now nobody actually helped us on ground,” said Ahmad, a local shopkeeper at Harris Singh High Street. With the onset of tourist season in Srinagar, the shopkeepers are disappointed as roads and paths are filled with rainwater. “This is the most important season for us. Our sale remains high in this season, but due to waterlogging and pits on roads that lead to our shops customers do not visit us. Our business has suffered a huge loss and this gives a bad impression to tourists,” said Mohammad Ashraf, another shopkeeper at Lal Chowk. Though the government some years ago came up with the plan of beautifying Lal Chowk, the plan has fallen flat due to drainage failure. People allege that the government should concentrate on improving the basic infrastructure rather than cosmetic treatment.’ “With just two days of rain, the city is choked. The government must focus on improving drains and basic amenities for the convenience of people,” said Waseem Ahmad, a student at University of Kashmir. Traders in some parts had to keep their shops shut as there was no way for them to open. They said water had entered the shops as well, thus causing immense losses. Even though the rains stopped today, there is no respite from waterlogging. Fresh spell of rain has also raised the water level in water bodies across, including Jhelum and Sandran rivers and various nullahs, including Lidder and Vaishaw. A senior official of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said he had conducted a field inspection of many areas in the city, where the situation in comparatively better than before. He said, “Big drainage projects are on cards to improve the infrastructure so that residents don’t face these problems again.”
	Sher-e-Kashmir hospital grapples with fund crunch Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 Internationally acclaimed doctors, who are flown from various countries to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, for various conferences, live workshops and surgeries, have to spend money out of their own pocket for the travel expenses due to paucity of funds. Director, SKIMS, Soura, Dr Showkat Zargar said, “We have been able to conduct 10 international-level workshops in the past one year. However, inadequate funds are always a problem, particularly travel expenditure of these doctors. Although we manage the accommodation facilities of these specialists, they usually spend their own money on travel,” Dr Zargar said. He added, “International workshops and live surgeries provide exposure to native doctors to sophisticated procedure and techniques adopted by the international faculty as well as opens up the opportunities of coordination with reputed institutions.” “We hope that our medical college students get fellowships in other institutions which will throw open doors of development in the health sector of the state,” Dr Zargar said. The Director, SKIMS, said in the recent international laparoscopy workshop, 46 live surgeries were conducted free of cost by famous doctors.
	Biz community to mobilise public opinion Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 Alleging discrimination with Kashmir region, the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an amalgam of various traders’ and hoteliers’ bodies, today said it would mobilise public opinion to seek justice. “The KEA affirms its stand to struggle and strive for the interests of Kashmir and its people and will not tolerate any discrimination. For achieving justice, the KEA will mobilise public opinion,” KEA chief spokesman Siraj Ahmad said in a statement. He said this in reference to media reports citing “arbitrary diversion of funds to Jammu at the cost of Kashmir”. It was recently made public that the state government had allocated Jammu a disproportionate share of funds under the Central Roads Funds Programme to the tune of Rs 94 crore out of Rs 109 crore leaving Kashmir with only Rs 15 crore. “The KEA believes that this is a sheer discrimination towards the Kashmir valley on account of allocation of funds. Kashmir deserves more consideration both from the state and the central governments,” Siraj said. The KEA had earlier objected to singling out of Valley-based hotels that were closed due to lack of sewage treatment plants. Alleging indifferent treatment, the KEA said it would not hesitate to blame the Congress partner of the coalition government for playing a role to favour the Jammu region only to secure their vote bank and making hollow claims for the development of Kashmir. “We believe that time has come for both the NC and the PDP to think of Kashmir and its people. Both the PDP and the NC should now stand for Kashmir and its rights,” the KEA added.
	On Ram Navami, city Pandits predict prosperous year ahead M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, April 8 As Ram Navami was celebrated with fervour here today, Pandits predicted a prosperous year ahead. Traditionally, they grow barley when “Navreh” (Navratras) starts that is watered with milk for nine days at their households. They believe that a “good plant” grown after nine days signifies a good year ahead and a “bad plant” is not a good omen. “This time, the plant was good and the coming year would be good and prosperous. We also prayed for peace and happiness in Kashmir,” said Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir (HWSK) spokesman Chunni Lal during Ram Navami celebrations at the Ram temple in Barbar Shah area of the city today. He said “Visarjan” of barley plants was done at nearby rivers, usually Jhelum. Even as a lot of hustle and bustle used to be witnessed at the Ram temple on Ram Navami before the migration of Pandits from the Valley, Lal said they held a nightlong “havan” that ended today afternoon. He said around 450 devotees thronged the temple throughout the day. Besides holding puja, many Pandits also fast for nine days during Navreh and do not eat non-vegetarian food. While main Ram Navami celebrations among the Kashmiri Pandits of the city were held at the Barbar Shah temple, puja was held at other religious places as well.
	Pulwama man’s body recovered from Valley Srinagar, April 8 The police today said it recovered the body of a resident of Pulwama from a canal here. He was missing for the past two months. The body was recovered from Sonar Kol canal near Zaldagar in the old city here yesterday, a police spokesman said. The deceased has been identified as Khurseed Ahmad Mir, a resident of Goongu village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the police said. Mir was a driver by profession. — TNS
	Woman, daughter die in house collapse Our Correspondent Doda, April 8 A woman and her four-year-old daughter were killed and two others injured when their house collapsed due to incessant rainfall in Doda district today. Sushma Devi, wife of Mahinder Singh and her daughter died on the spot, while her husband and another daughter were injured critically, who were later shifted to local primary health centre.