The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Workers’ rallies mark May Day Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 Minister for Labour, Planning and Development Ajay Kumar Sadhotra said today that several steps were underway for effective implementation of labour laws for the overall welfare of the skilled and unskilled workers of the state. The minister was speaking during a function organised on May Day at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan today. He added that enhancement in the provident fund interest would go a long way in further improving the economic conditions of workers. The Labour Minister dwelt on the Employees Compensation Act, Payment of Wages Act and Payment of Gratuity Act. He said these path-breaking laws were key to mitigating the sufferings of skilled and unskilled workforce and to enhance their quality of life. Speaking on the occasion, state vice-president of the National Conference Rattan Lal Gupta, MLA Kalakote, Rachpal Singh, and provincial secretary of the party Sheikh Bashir Ahmed lauded the contribution of workforce in the overall development and socio-economic transformation of the state. Several trade union leaders also spoke on the occasion. Meanwhile, a massive rally under the banner of the J&K State Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) was organised here to celebrate May Day today. Workers of various organisations, holding red flags, banners and placards, came in large number for the rally, which passed through busy markets of the city -D ogra Chowk, Bhagat Singh Chowk, City Chowk, Raghunath Bazar and finally culminated at Indira Chowk. While addressing the rally, Om Parkash, general secretary, J&K State CITU, said the working class over the world would not forget the revolutionary sacrifices and achievements of the heroic struggle of 1886 in Chicago. Sham Prasad Kesar, regional secretary of CPI (M), said the celebration of May Day should not become a customary function, only but it should result in uniting the entire labour class across the globe to liberate themselves from the clutches of exploitation at the hands of capitalists and corporate houses. “The formation of alternative economic policies in place of existing neo-liberal policies are the only viable solution to put an end to the miseries of the poor, downtrodden and working class people across the globe,” he added. Pawan Gupta and Ramesh Chand, senior leaders of the North Zone Insurance Employees Association, Jagdish Sharma, secretary, J&K State CITU, Sunita Bhagat, Nazafar Wani, Latif, HD Bhoumick, Bawa Ram and Kailash Chander also spoke on the occasion. Meanwhile, an impressive May Day rally was organised by activists/members of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Trade Union (JKPDTU) under the leadership of its state president Suresh Sharma. Government employees and staff of PSUs, autonomous bodies and private companies participated in the rally and highlighted burning demands of the working class, including pensioners, of the state. They criticised the coalition government for maintaining "criminal" silence over the pending demands of the employees, which include regularisation of daily wagers, consolidate workers, contractual and ad hoc workers, removal of pay anomalies of all cadres, including clerical staff, revisiting of sick PSUs and extending budgetary support and timely salary to them, increase in medical allowance, etc.
	Workshop on children safety organised Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 Mother’s Pride & Joy Pre School along with Yamaha Motors India conducted a workshop on "Children safety". The workshop was organised to spread awareness among students and parents about the rules and regulations to be followed while driving, crossing and walking on the road. The workshop began with a warm welcome to the mascot Zippee along with the Yamaha team from Pune. Students along with parents were explained various safety rules which they need to follow on the road. A video film and power-point presentation were shown to students teaching them the importance of wearing a helmet while driving. The show concluded with all the students receiving Yamaha badges, stickers and a gift packs. The director and principal of the school, Mona Khurana, was present.
	Security beefed up in Jammu after blasts in Chennai Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 After twin blasts in a train at the Chennai Central railway station this morning, security has been beefed up at the railway station, bus stand and airport in the city. All the security agencies in the city have been alerted after the twin blasts at the Chennai Central railway station this morning, in which a woman was killed and 14 others were injured. All railway stations, bus stands and airport are under surveillance. Shiv Kumar, Superintendent of Police (SP), Railways, said, “After the news of blasts in a train at Chennai, we alerted the troops. We also got directions from our seniors to beef up the security.” “Members of our special teams are patrolling in civil uniforms. CCTV cameras are working and checking on all entry and exit points and the markets around the railway station is being done,” he added. The General Railway Police (GRP) are also appealing to the general public to stay alert and inform the police if something suspicious is found. Meanwhile, security agencies are keeping an eye on any suspicious activity in other sensitive parts of the city, like bus stands, airport, markets and famous temples.
	CM urged to regularise services of casual labourers Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 President of the National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) Subash Shastri today appealed to the Chief Minister to bring required amendments to SRO 64. He also appealed to the Chief Minister to take decision to pave way for regularisation of all casual and seasonal labourers who have been engaged in various departments of the state government after March, 1994. Addressing a May Day rally at Rani Park, Shastri said these daily rated workers were facing serious financial hardships due to inflation as their services had not been regularised for the last 15 to 20 years. Moreover, they are not getting their salaries in time. Shastri emphasised on the need for early creation of separate heads in all departments and separate budgetary allocations for departments. He stressed for immediate payment of 10 per cent DA due from January last and fourth instalment of the Sixth Pay Commission arrears to employees of the state government and pensioners to provide financial relief to the salaried class. Others demands highlighted in the rally included the release of all pending dues of causal and seasonal labourers working in the PWD, Irrigation Department and PDD, declaring May Day as a national holiday, enhancing medical allowance, etc. Among others who spoke on the occasion included Rajan Babu Khajuria, Sunil Kochhar, Bhupinder Singh, Barkat Ram Surrinder Kumar, Sudesh Kumar, Parmjit and Sukhdev Singh
	Stage set for final NC-PDP duel Last round of campaigning to pick up today in Baramulla constituency M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 The stage is set for another showdown between J&K’s two main parties, National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the electoral battle shifts to the Baramulla parliamentary constituency. Though campaigning for the constituency was supposed to pick up steam from today, the overall situation following the killing of a youth during anti-poll protests in the old city yesterday forced the postponement of many rallies. However, the campaigning ahead of elections on May 7 is all set to heat up from tomorrow in the strategic constituency comprising three districts — Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore — that touch the Line of Control (LoC). While the killing of a poll official in a militant attack on April 24 when the Anantnag constituency voted and yesterday’s killing marred the first two rounds in the Valley, the smooth conduct of elections in Baramulla will be the top priority of the government. Four persons had got injured in a militant attack on April 29 on the national highway near Sangrama in Baramulla district. The constituency also remains in news because of militancy-related incidents such as infiltration bids and encounters. Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Farooq Ahmad Lone said all arrangements had been put in place. Out of 1,612 polling stations in the constituency, 1,018 have been declared hypersensitive and 498 sensitive. Besides security arrangements, Lone said the polling staff too was being provided training to ensure smooth polling. The main battle in Baramulla is between the NC’s sitting MP Sharifuddin Shariq and PDP’s Muzaffar Beigh, who has also remained the deputy chief minister of the state in 2007-08. Both candidates, during recent campaigns, have already been claiming victory besides launching scathing attacks on each other. Senior leaders of both parties will be throwing their weight behind their candidates during the last round of campaign. While PDP patron and former CM Mufti Mohammad Sayeed will be campaigning at Handwara and Tangmarg tomorrow, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to campaign in parts of Kupwara district on May 4 and 5. While Baramulla had recorded 41.84 per cent turnout in 2009, low turnout in Anantnag (28%) and Srinagar (26%) this time amid the killing of a poll official and a youth is bound to have a bearing on the turnout, especially in the urban areas of Baramulla and Sopore towns. However, brisk polling is expected in rural areas, especially those in Kupwara district. Polling percentage 41.84% in 2009 In the fray 15 candidates are in the fray for the Baramulla seat. The main battle in Baramulla is between the NC’s sitting MP Sharifuddin Shariq and PDP’s Muzaffar Beigh, who has also remained the deputy chief minister of the state in 2007-08. Polling booths Out of 1,612 polling stations in the constituency, 1,018 have been declared hypersensitive and 498 sensitive. Baramulla profile : Total voters: 11,51,725 Male voters: 6,06,506 Female voters: 5,45,219.
	Their polling booth was 20 km away Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 Around 727 residents of Alamdar Colony in Chadoora town on the outskirts of Srinagar alleged that the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had engineered election boycott so that voters did not vote against them. They said the nearest polling booth was 20 km away at the water supply scheme office in Zaloosa and it had been deliberately made inconvenient for them to cast their vote. "They just made sure that our votes go waste. When we live here, why was the polling booth kept so far?" asked Tariq Ahmad Baba, member of the delegation of voters protesting outside Alamdar Colony, phase 2 polling booth. Tariq said the election boycott was being orchestrated by the major political parties to make sure that the votes which go to Independent candidates were not used. "Independent candidate Agha Mohsin gets most of the votes here. Both PDP and NC are unhappy with it. Hence, this is a move aimed at turning voters away from booths," said Ishfaq Ahmad, another protesting voter.
	Cong Leh unit to contest election ‘independently’ Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 The state unit of the Congress is facing an embarrassing situation as the Leh unit of the party has not shown any interest in inviting state or Central leaders for campaigning in the mountainous region. The Leh unit has apparently decided to contest elections independently as there is a feeling among local leaders that campaign by outsiders will sabotage the party’s prospects in the region. Sources said the state unit of the party had repeatedly asked the Leh unit to sent lists of their star campaigners for campaigning in Ladakh but there was no response from the local unit. “As polling for the Ladakh seat will be held in the last phase, most of the state leaders have shown their willingness to campaign for the party in the cold desert but response of the local leadership in Leh is not so enthusiastic,” said a senior Congress leader. A source said, “The Leh unit of the Congress is contesting the elections on the plank of the Union Territory (UT) status for Ladakh but the state unit of the Congress has not cleared its stand on this demand, so the Leh unit has decided to fight the elections independently. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz, on April 17, had opposed the demand for the UT status.” The Leh unit of the Congress is confident of repeating the 2010 experience when the party without taking any help from the state and Central leaders had convincingly won elections to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh. The Leh unit had independently contested the LAHDC elections, which were held in October 2010 and won 21 of the 26 seats. The BJP had suffered a severe setback as it won only four seats. While trying to downplay the stand taken by the Leh unit, JPKPCC spokesperson Ravinder Sharma told The Tribune that the local unit had been comfortably manning elections affairs so that there was no need to send any leader from outside. “If required, leaders will be deputed from outside to monitor the elections,” he said, adding that the high command had already deputed an observer for Ladakh. Sharma, however, regretted that the BJP was trying to communalise the situation in the sensitive border region.
	7 key segments to determine victory Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 Seven out of 15 Assembly segments of Srinagar constituency, which went to the polls yesterday, will hold the key in determining the victory of any one of the 14 candidates, including Union Minister Farooq Abdullah. None of these seven deciding segments, which contributed nearly 75 per cent of the approximately 3.1 lakh votes cast yesterday, is located in Srinagar district, where the total turnout ended up on a dismal 11.46 per cent of the 6,12,138 electors. In the eight assembly segments of the Srinagar district, a tentative 70,000 votes were cast. The most determining Assembly segment in the constituency remains Chrar-e-Sharif, where 65 per cent or nearly 50,000 votes were cast. In the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Chrar-e-Sharif had overwhelmingly voted for the National Conference (NC) candidate, who received 26,536 votes out of the total 39,454 ballots cast. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) remained a distant second with 10,539 votes. The NC led by 15,997 votes in Chrar-e-Sharif in the last elections, which was the biggest margin in the entire Srinagar constituency. The Kangan Assembly segment in central Kashmir remained on number two position yesterday recording 65.5 per cent turnout, which translates into a tentative figure of 42,000 votes. In 2009, Kangan had also voted overwhelmingly for the NC candidate, who had received 16,386 out of the total 25,447 votes and secured a lead of 10,082 votes against the closest rival PDP. Nearly, 25,000 people, who did not vote in 2009, but cast their ballot yesterday in these two key segments, may alter the final landscape in favour of any of the two main contenders, including Abdullah. The Beerwah segment of Budgam district, where around 30,000 votes were cast, which was 3,000 down from the last parliamentary elections, had a close contest in 2009 when 16,867 votes were cast for the PDP, which was a lead of nearly 2,000 ballots over the NC. In the Chadoora segment, where the turnout increased by nearly 3,000 votes from the last parliamentary elections, around 29,000 votes were polled. The segment had polled 14,139 votes in favour of the PDP in 2009, which was a lead of around 2,500 votes over the NC. The Budgam Assembly segment, where 31,490 votes were cast in 2009, the tentative turnout yesterday marked an increase of nearly 7,000 votes from the previous elections. In 2009, the two main parties – NC and PDP – had a close fight with the PDP taking a lead of 1,532 votes. Khan Sahib and Ganderbal segments recorded an aggregate of a tentative 50,000 votes yesterday which was a decrease of around 5,000 votes from the last election. The Khan Sahib segment of Budgam district had a close contest in the 2009 elections between the NC and the PDP, where the former had taken a lead of close to 1,400 votes. The Ganderbal segment, which is Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s own Assembly constituency, had voted in favour of the NC, which had received 14,925 votes and marked a lead of nearly 6,000 votes over PDP in the last parliamentary elections. Deciding factor * None of these seven deciding segments, which contributed nearly 75% of 3.1 lakh votes cast yesterday, is located in Srinagar district, where the total turnout ended up on a dismal 11.46 per cent * The most determining Assembly segment in the constituency is Chrar-e-Sharif, where 65 per cent votes were cast * The Kangan Assembly segment in central Kashmir remained at second position on Thursday recording 65.5 per cent turnout.
	Soz blames CRPF for Nawa Kadal youth’s death Ishfaq Tantry Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 Terming the killing of a youth in the Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar by the security forces as “unprovoked”, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president Saif-ud-Din Soz has squarely blamed the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for the death. Soz’s comments are in sharp contrast to the version of the J&K Police, which said Bashir Ahmad Bhat was killed in the ensuing scuffle after miscreants tried to snatch the weapons of the security forces in the area. Incidentally, Soz’s party Congress is in collation with the Omar Abdullah-led government in J&K, where the polling for Srinagar parliamentary constituency ended on a bloody note yesterday. Soz even went a step further asking the Director General of Police to seek an explanation from the CRPF for not adhering to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the situations like Nawa Kadal. Bashir Ahmad was killed by the security forces in downtown Srinagar yesterday evening as the polling ended in the city. “I strongly condemn the killing of the young boy who was killed in the firing by the CRPF at Nawa Kadal (Srinagar) last evening after the polls were over,” Soz said in a statement here while terming the firing as “unprovoked”. “While I welcome the judicial inquiry ordered by the state government, I would like the police administration of the state to take up the matter straight with the CRPF top brass as to why the CRPF personnel did not use teargas shell instead of straight firing on the youth,” Soz said. “As it is a matter of investigation and the police has already issued a statement in this regard, we will wait for the outcome of the inquiry,” CRPF spokesman Kishore Prasad said. Neither denying the involvement of the CRPF nor accepting it, Kishore, however, added that the police would be in a better position to explain the events which led to the killing of the boy in the area. Soon after incident, the J&K Police in its statement on Wednesday evening had sated that the youth was killed “after a party of the security forces came under severe attack by some miscreants” in the Nawa Kadal area falling under the Safakadal police station in the old city. The police had claimed that Bashir was killed during the scuffle when some miscreants snatched the weapon of a security force personnel. The J&K Police, however, had not stated whether the security force personnel whose weapon was snatched was from the J&K Police or the CRPF. Condemnations pour in n Deploring and condemning the killing of Bashir Ahmad, government-appointed Grand Mufti (chief cleric) of Srinagar Mufti Bashir-ud-Din in his statement on Thursday demanded setting up of a judicial commission to probe the incident Rejecting the government’s announcement of probe into the incident as eyewash, the Kashmir High Court Bar Association in its statement pointed out that in the past, two dozens of magisterial inquiry have been ordered, but with no result. It sought to link the ‘unprovoked’ killing with the ‘boycott’ of polls by the people in the area * Employees Joint Action Committee President Qayoom Wani, while condemning the incident, has sought an open court inquiry. He added that the employees would not remain silent on the innocent killings * The Doctor’s Association Kashmir sought to label the killing as ‘vendetta against the poll boycott’ by the people in Srinagar * Aam Aadmi Pary candidate from Srinagar Muzaffar Bhat, while expressing sympathies with the family of the slain youth, blamed the NC for his death.
	CITU rues ‘violations’ of labour laws Srinagar, May 1 On Labour Day, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) today flayed the government for non-implementation of Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service Act in the state. In a statement issued her today, CITU state President Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami alleged that the woes of labourers were on an upsurge and the labour laws across the state of were being brazenly flouted. “The Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service Act, 1996, was introduced to protect the right of labourers working in construction jobs - which the state adopted in 2006. However, the implementation of the Act on the ground remains non functional as the labourers are denied their benefits,” he added. Stating that the “dismal” pay scale offered little for families dependent on the workers for their survival, Tarigami said: “ASHA and Anganwadi workers, daily-rated, casual, need based and contractual labourers - all fall in the same unfortunate category.” — TNS
	We spent 36 hours in fear: Poll officials Rifat Mohidin Srinagar, May 1 After the death of a polling officer in south Kashmir last week, the staffers who were on duty in Srinagar constituency yesterday shared the fear they witnessed for 36 hours on duty. There was distress on their faces and fear in their hearts while sitting in polling booths throughout central Kashmir yesterday for they feared more militant attacks. The said it was a forced job they had to do by risking their lives, but their families were relieved for they all reached home safe. "We were not willing to do this duty, but we had no option," says 34-year-old Sameer (name changed), who was on duty in the sensitive parts of old city Srinagar where clashes erupted in the later part of the day. "The security cover around us was also horrible. It took us two hours to cover a distance of 2 km. It was a horrible experience. We were just waiting for the day to end," said a poll official. At many booths in Eidgah, Rajouri Kadal, Bohri Kadal and Saraf Kadal areas, the officials were on its toes by the occasional hurling of stones from the youth. Nearly, 9,000 government officials were given training that had to attend the polling duties in three constituencies. Two parts of the region are already over. The elections in the northern constituency will end on May 7. Four employees were posted in every polling booth with one residing officer - two polling officer and one orderly. On duty for three days, the employees are also given money. A presiding officer gets Rs 450 for one day, while polling officers get Rs 250 and an orderly gets Rs 250. They get Rs 150 per day for refreshments. Spike in violence on April 24 when the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency went to the polls and a polling officer was killed and seven others injured in a suspected militant attack had raised fear among government employees who were on duty in 1,500 polling stations across Budgam, Ganderbal and Srinagar. "We couldn't sleep the whole night. Our families too were worried for our security, but thank God that we are safe," said another employee who was on duty in central Kashmir. "I saw fear on everyone's face. Only five people voted in my booth out of 556 as they too were scared. They requested us not to use ink on their fingers but we couldn't avoid that," he said. With polling over here, the employees expressed their disappointment over the communication gap between senior officials and them and poor facilities provided. "Communication lacked as were told to wait for unnecessary things. The facilities provided too were poor," said an employee on the condition of anonymity. The family members of the employees too had to spend the restless time. "When I heard of stone-throwing incidents taking place, I called my husband to know of his welfare. I didn't want him to go on duty after a poll official was killed last week," says Nighat, wife of one of the government employees. Guarded by a large number of police and paramilitary forces, 1,546 polling staff departed from the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir's Tengpora office in Srinagar on Tuesday afternoon carrying with them the voting machines, list of prospective voters and other polling paraphernalia. The employees had to spend the night around the polling stations. However, the day ended peacefully for them and they all reached home safe. Some employees who had been for the election duty several times said fear had always remained in Kashmir. At the three polling stations located inside Islamia College for Science and Commerce in the volatile old city, where a few had turned out to vote, one poll official said it was for the third time he was selected for election duty. "I have seen nothing changed during these three elections. Fear has remained the same all these years," he said.
	KU VC appointed Jamia Millia VC Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 Barely three months after the extension of his tenure as Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, for a three-year term, Talat Ahmad has been appointed VC of Jamia Millia Islamia. Ahmad was granted extension on February 22. Talat, who is currently in Uttarakhand for a research survey on natural disasters, will take a final call on whether to continue as KU VC or move to Delhi as JMI VC. Registrar, Kashmir University, Zaffer Reshi told The Tribune that the announcement of Talat Ahmad as Jamia VC was a surprise for the KU management too. "It is inevitably Prof Talat who will have to take the call," Reshi said. He added that after Talat Ahmad's decision was made clear, a search panel would be constituted headed by KU Chancellor and Governor NN Vohra, which would screen the eligible candidates for the coveted post of the KU VC. Talat Ahmad has been lately missing from the scene and remained out of the town most of the time. His decision is keenly awaited at KU. Former Head of the Mathematics Department MA Sofi, who is also the senior-most faculty member at KU, is the acting Vice Chancellor. He also figures in the probable list of favourites tipped to be the next VC along with current Dean, Academics, AM Shah and Registrar Zaffer Reshi.
	Curfew restrictions to continue in Valley Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 The curfew-like restrictions in Old City are likely to continue for the second day on Friday. The curfew was imposed today morning as the authorities feared that there would be violent clashes in the area after the killing of a youth in Nawa Kadal area on Wednesday that sparked fresh wave of anger across the Valley. “The curfew restrictions will continue on Friday,” said a police official. “We are keeping an eye on the situation and the restrictions would be lifted on Saturday after assessing the situation. The curfew restrictions were imposed today as there were apprehensions of violent clashes,” he added.
	Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sports meet: 38 awarded Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Dr Mandeep K Bhandari gave away prizes to the winners and runners-up of the shrine board annual staff sports meet at a function held at Katra today. As many as 90 officials of the shrine board had participated in the sports meet which was organised by the sports wing of the board during March. The CEO said, "The staff sports meet is part of the annual calendar of sports activities of the shrine board." Referring to the staff participation in these activities, he said there was a lot of potential available, which if properly channelised, could bring laurels to the organisation. He directed the sports wing to include more sports in its itinerary, particularly the ones which were popular in the rural and far-flung areas. The CEO observed that participation in sports helped in keeping mind and body agile and also led to superior performance at work. He added that taking part in sports activities helped in enhancing the capacity and performance levels of an individual. He emphasised upon the functionaries of the board to perform their duties towards facilitating the yatra with greater zeal and dedication, along with participating in sports and games. Ashok Kumar, Director, Sports, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, in his welcome address, dwelt upon the sports activities organised by the board in the past months and the future plan of action. The awardees included Amit Sharma for winning the inter-zonal table tennis singles category and Dinesh Nanda for being the runner-up. In doubles category in this event, Amit Sharma and Munish Prashar were given prizes for winning the game. Abhishek Sharma and Vivek Dubey were the runners-up. In the inter-zonal badminton event singles category, Vipen Sharma bagged the first position and Sunit Sharma was the runner-up. Vipen Sharma and Joginder Singh bagged the first position in the doubles category and Abhishek Sharma and Sumit Gandotra were declared runners-up. The winners and runners-up of the zonal-level tournaments in both the games were felicitated on the occasion. In all, 38 participants were given the prizes, while the remaining participants were given participation certificates. Among those present on the occasion were Chief Accounts Officer Neeraj Gupta, Deputy Chief Executive Officers Pankaj Sharma and Pankaj Gupta, Superintending Engineer SC Gupta and other officers and officials of the board.
	84 students participate in trekking expedition Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, flagged off the annual trekking event-2014 organised by the Shrine Board as part of its social responsibility programme at Katra yesterday. As many as 84 students, drawn from various government as well as private educational institutions of Reasi, Katra and the surrounding areas, participated in this 16 km-long trekking event. The students were accompanied by volunteers of Scouts and Guides and teachers from participating schools, sports, forest, medical and security wings of the Shrine Board. The trekking route included Serwar, Bhutan, Kanjali and Deva Mai Temple. During the trek, the students were also educated about the flora and fauna of the area. Flagging off the trekking expedition, Dr Bhandari gave details of the initiatives taken by the Shrine Board for the promotion of sports activities for the benefit of youth, particularly of rural and remote areas. He said trekking was part of the annual calendar of sports activities organised by the Shrine Board with a view to ensuring participation of the youth of Katra and surrounding rural areas. He observed that sports, particularly participation in such events as joint treks, promote the spirit of camaraderie, companionship and coordination. It also helps in surmounting the challenges with courage and prepares the youth for contributing towards development of the society, state and the country. Interacting with the participants of the trekking expedition, the Chief Executive Officer advised them to make a diary of their experiences of the expedition. He wished them successful trekking expedition and bright future ahead. Earlier, the students participating in the trekking expedition were introduced to senior officials of the Shrine Board and were given caps and rucksacks by the Shrine Board. Ashok Kumar, Director, Sports, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, in his welcome address, dwelt on the calendar of sports activities of the Shrine Board and the sports events planned for the coming months. He said the main focus would be on identifying the sports talent from rural areas and in grooming them to become promising sportspersons. Among those present on the occasion were Neeraj Gupta, chief accounts officer of the Shrine Board, Pankaj Sharma and Pankaj Gupta, deputy chief executive officers, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, SC Gupta, superintending engineer, and other officials and employees of the Shrine Board.
	Orientation programme of Kashmir Super-30 held Srinagar, May 1 The Army in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district organised an orientation programme of Kashmir Super-30 for economically backward students of the district at Government Degree College, Kupwara. The programme was held in an attempt to facilitate children from remote areas of Kupwara district to get getting admission to professional course. Approximately 350 students from the local areas participated in the event and 56 students got their name registered for the competition. A defence official said this was a concept in which underprivileged bright students have a chance to get coaching for engineering examination with boarding and lodging along with academic teaching for 10 months under one roof and prepare these selected 30 students to appear in the forthcoming IIT/JEE examinations. — TNS
	Doda Joint Civil Society observes black day Our Correspondent Doda, May 1 The Joint Civil Society, Doda, today observed “black day” and staged a massive protest against the administration and the state government for "delay tactics" in establishing a full-fledged disaster management system in the erstwhile district of Doda to tackle natural calamities like earthquake. Ishtiaq Ahmed Dev, a civil society member, said a year had passed, but the government had not taken any steps to tackle any such natural calamity in districts like Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar, where an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude had hit last year. He said all hopes for a Central package to the victims of the last year's earthquake were dashed to the ground in the erstwhile district. They have only received relief under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). Under the SDRF, the state government provided Rs 6,300 to those whose houses got completely damaged, Rs 3,200 for severely damaged houses and Rs 1,800 for partially damaged houses. Shab-ul-Haq, another civil society member, alleged that the compensation was not distributed properly, as those people who had lost houses partially got more relief then those whose houses were damaged completely.
	When Budgam was in festive mood, uneasy calm prevailed in Srinagar Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 As the polls in the Srinagar constituency are over, a sharp contrast was visible across 1,546 polling booths in the constituency. While some voters dressed up for the occasion, at other places in the constituency (especially urban areas), people spent the day as any other holiday. The same was evident from the extreme voter turnouts gathered from Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts of the Srinagar constituency. The voter turnout in Srinagar district was 11.46 per cent while the voter turnouts in Ganderbal and Budgam districts were 45.61 per cent and 39.5 per cent, respectively. While Budgam district wore a festive look, around 20 km away in Srinagar, the streets were deserted and an uneasy calm prevailed. Srinagar residents said they had little interest in the elections and considered it just any other holiday. They said staying away from polls was their way of showing resentment and anger towards the Indian government. Except for Sonwar and Hazratbal, where the Abdullahs enjoy good support, the other six Assembly segments witnessed poor voter turnout. “Participation in the elections is not required to express ourselves. The youth need to educate themselves and stand up for themselves to get their voices heard,” said Umar Sharief, an engineer from the Hyderpora area of Srinagar. In the Chawuna polling station of Budgam, 90 per cent votes were cast till 4 pm. In Ompora, Karipora, Ichigam, Charar-e-Sharief, Main Chowk, Budgam, and Charapora polling stations of Budgam district, people wore new clothes for the polling day. There were long queues outside polling booths. The Kangan Assembly segment of the Ganderbal witnessed 65.8 per cent turnout. An elderly person from Ichigam, Ghulam Mohuddin, said, “Election is the time when the people need to stand up for their leaders.” Fatima (85), who had travelled 2 km on foot from Toon Mohalla to cast her vote at a polling booth in Ichigam, said, “I have been voting for the last 30 years. I know many of our demands have not been met, but that does not stop me from voting.”
	Insanitary conditions prevail in Poonch town Darshan Bharti Poonch, May 1 Poonch residents have accused the Poonch Municipal Council of turning a blind eye towards the prevailing insanitary conditions in the city’s most crowded and important places. Street vendors and shopkeepers alleged that the town, due to the non-seriousness of the authorities, had turned into a virtual garbage dump. They alleged that the Poonch Municipal Council had failed to make Poonch a garbage-free town despite having huge funds. “We have been facing a lot of problems as heaps of garbage are scattered around District Hospital, Poonch, and foul smell emanates from them,” said Ajay Maini who lives near to the hospital. “We had approached the authorities on many occasions but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” Ajay said. The shopkeepers alleged that the bad smell emanating from the garbage was not only irritating commuters and shoppers but also patients and their attendants at the hospital. “We have repeatedly asked the Poonch Municipal Council to install a garbage drum and lift the collected garbage daily but it has failed to do so,” said another Poonch resident. Garbage can also be seen strewn at Nakhan Wali road, outside Shamshaan Ghat, Veterinary Hospital, Dak Bungalow, near Purani Poonch and Radio Colony. Executive Officer, Poonch Municipality, Irshad Hussain said: “The municipality does not have sufficient sweepers to cover the entire Poonch town. Only 25% of the total staff takes care of the town sanitation.” “Since the population has increased manifold in the town, the posts of sweeper have not been increased since decades. So, there is a need to employee more sweepers in the town,” he said.
	Army holds medical camp at Leh Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 The Trishul Division of Fire and Fury Corps organised medical, dental and veterinary camp at Hemis village, near Karu, in Leh district yesterday. The camp was organised free of cost in an effort by the Army to reach out to the sick and needy people of the hilly terrain, said a Defence spokesperson here today. A total of 45 persons were treated for dental illness and as many as 72 persons were examined and treated. The dental treatment included medical procedures like restoration in filing of cavities, tooth extraction, scaling and oral hygiene advice to patients. A total of 94 livestock of the villagers were also examined and treated. The locals appreciated the initiative taken by the Army to improve their problems.
	BSF DG reviews security scenario along border Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 Director General (DG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) Devendra Kumar Pathak arrived here today on a three-day visit of the state. The recently appointed BSF DG received a detailed feedback from his sector commanders about the preparedness of the BSF vis-à-vis prevailing security scenario all along the 198-km-long international border and some stretches of the 224.5-km-long Line of Control (LoC), south of the Pir Panjal range, where the force has its presence. It was Pathak’s first visit after he took over as the BSF DG on April 8. “The DG arrived around 1 pm at the Technical Airport where he was received by the Jammu Frontier IG (Inspector General) SS Tomar and other senior officers. From the airport, he headed to the Jammu Frontier headquarters where he was briefed about the preparedness of the BSF along the international border and the LoC,” said a source privy to the meeting. The meeting was attended by BSF Jammu Frontier IG SS Tomar, Principal Staff Officer to the IG DIG (Deputy Inspector General) NS Jamwal, DIG Dharmender Pareekh, Samba Sector (Indreshwar Nagar), DIG Varinder Singh, Jammu Sector, DIG JC Singla, Rajouri Sector, DIG Raj Singh Kataria, Sunderbani Sector, DIG Surjeet Singh, DIG, Operations, VK Chand, DIG, Communications, Daniel Adhikari and DIG, Provisioning, BS Patiyal. The DG later addressed a sainik sammelan on the premises of the Jammu Frontier headquarters and lauded the BSF personnel for their dedication to duty under hostile working conditions. Late this evening, the DG would have an informal interaction with senior BSF and police officers at a dinner being hosted at the Jammu Frontier headquarters. The source said the DG would tomorrow visit the Paharpur and Bobbiyan forward areas and Tarnah Nullah and Chhap Nullah in Kathua district, which fall under the BSF’s Samba Sector, for an on-the-spot assessment of the prevailing security scenario vis-à-vis preparedness of the BSF. Tarnah Nullah had been in the news in September last year when three militants carried out twin terror attacks in Hiranagar and Samba, killing ten persons, including Lt Col Bikramjeet Singh. Two attacks took place on March 28 this year in Kathua district which left two civilians and a soldier dead. Post the Kathua attacks, the General Officer Commanding of the Pathankot-based 29 Infantry Division Maj Gen Balbir Singh along with top Army officers had visited Tarnah Nullah, Banyari and Manihari forward areas on April 22. On April 23, Inspector General of BSF SK Mishra had visited Jammu.
	PDP cancels rallies following youth’s killing in Srinagar Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cancelled its poll meeting today in north Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency in the wake of a youth’s killing in Srinagar’s old city that triggered a fresh wave of anger across the Valley. The Baramulla parliamentary constituency is going to the polls on May 7. After the Anantnag and Srinagar constituencies, the focus has now shifted to the Baramulla constituency comprising Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts. PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, party president Mehbooba Mufti and party candidate for Baramulla Muzaffar Hussain Beigh were scheduled to attend roadshows and address rallies today in the three districts of the Baramulla constituency. “All programmes of PDP leaders were postponed due to the prevailing situation, arisen due to the unfortunate killing of a youth in Srinagar,” a PDP spokesman said. The PDP will, however, go ahead with its scheduled programme on Friday. Mufti and Beigh are scheduled to address rallies in Tangmarg and border town of Uri in Baramulla district. Meanwhile, sources said district officials in Baramulla had cancelled all permissions for poll rallies for today, which were issued by the police, due to fear of law and order problem. The ruling National Conference (NC), however, went ahead with its poll rallies in Gurez (Bandipora) and Tangdhar (Kupwara), both close to the Line of Control. The sources said the two rallies of the Chief Minister were allowed by the respective district authorities as both rally venues have remained peaceful since the eruption of militancy. NC spokesman Junaid Mattu said, “Both rallies were held as per programme.”
	Omar has to emerge out of political cobweb spun by him Arun Joshi Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 How much has really changed? The initial reaction to the two Lok Sabha elections held after 2009, when Omar Abdullah took over as chief minister, is not much. That may be the answer of many people across Jammu and Kashmir, where hopes had soared sky high when the young Omar became the poster boy for the bright future of this Himalayan state five years ago, and now he is not in a mood to admit that these elections would be a reflection on his government’s performance. To avoid any reference to his more than five-year-old rule, Omar says: “It is not going to be a single-slogan election.” This is what he had told The Tribune when elections got underway. The election campaign that he has done so far in five of the six constituencies — he is yet to reach out to Ladakhis — shows that Omar has many issues in hand. He has to rebuff criticism of the Opposition and justify the alliance with the Congress, despite knowing the fact that the commitment to the joint fight is proving to be counterproductive. For this election, there should have been a generational shift, but that was not to be. It was the same old style of functioning. Omar was happy to be a chief minister, undertaking foreign tours even at the cost of his duties. Though he justified his absence and foreign tour while the legislature was in session, saying that “I had finished my work (in the legislature)”, the explanation sounded little convincing to the people. He pointed a finger at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not attending the legislature, but that does not absolve him of his responsibility as the chief minister. That is why he finds himself in the crosshairs of Kashmir politics. There are the same old familiar faces which remind the people of the unkept promises by the MPs and also the state government. His problem lies in the fact that he could not say no to the veterans and so the young generation stands frustrated. The fight between the old guard and the new generation is visible in his campaign style, which is focused on Modi-bashing and “vote for PDP is vote for Modi” slogan. That helps him conveniently avoid issues weighing on the minds of people —unemployment, water, power and connectivity. Unemployment tops them all. Of course, there is the Kashmir issue that Omar likes to talk about. He also latches on to the BJP’s manifesto that promises abrogation of Article 370 (which grants special status to the state) and there is his angry reaction and declaration that he would go to “Pakistan” rather than put an end to Modi-bashing. When it comes to his stakes, these are the same as that of his friends in the Congress, and political enemies in the PDP. He wants to see himself continuing in the chair of chief minister. He has already made it clear: “The joint NC-Congress fight in the Lok Sabha polls is not a guarantee that we will have the same arrangement in the Assembly elections.” It was a clear indication that he would not like to go with the Congress in the Assembly elections. He also wants the NC tally to go beyond 28 — the number of seats the party won in 2002 and 2008 Assembly elections. First, he was happy with the chief ministership for six years, and now his appetite for the position has increased. Now, he wants to be in the saddle for the next six years also. He wants to deliver what he had promised in 2008. But the interruptions of the parliamentary polls in 2009, flip-flop on the alleged rape and murder of two women in Shopian and the 2010 unrest in Kashmir came in his way. There was also the running debate on whether Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and on the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). This consumed so much time that people forgot about the most successful panchayat elections (with 80 per cent polling) and about two million tourist footfalls in 2012. Now, Omar stands almost where he was in 2009. His diversion from the issues of “sadak, bijli, pani” to the resolution of the Kashmir issue is his strategy to connect with the people in the Valley. This strategy may gain him some votes, but his rivals, particularly the PDP, too are competing on similar issues without having the baggage of the government’s liabilities of the past six years. Omar has to emerge out of this cobweb.
	House panel recommends citizenship rights to West Pakistan refugees Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has recommended citizenship rights to the West Pakistan refugees, who have been struggling since 1947 to get basic their fundamental rights. Highly placed sources said the panel headed by BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu had prepared two action-taken reports, in which various recommendations had been made to solve the problems of the displaced people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The panel submitted its first report on February 17 this year on the conditions of the displaced Kashmiri Hindus of the Kashmir valley while a supplementary report on the problems of refugees of West Pakistan and displaced persons of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) would be submitted after the completion of the Lok Sabha elections,” a source said and added that panel had recommended citizenship rights to West Pakistani refugees and one-time settlement of the problems of the displaced persons from PoK. “Due to the announcement of the schedule of the Lok Sabha elections, the supplementary report could not be submitted,” the source said and added it would be made public soon. The refugees from West Pakistan, majority of whom are Dalits, have been struggling to get their citizenship rights since 1947. During the Partition, a large number of families from West Pakistan had migrated to Jammu. More than 66 years have passed, but the refugees are still treated as “Pakistani guests” and denied all constitutional rights. The refugees cannot vote in the Legislative Assembly elections, have no citizenship right, no ration card, no permanent resident certificate. They cannot apply for government jobs or purchase land in Jammu and Kashmir. On November 6, the Parliament panel, comprising members of various political parties, had arrived in Jammu and interacted with refugees, including those from West Pakistan. The first-time issues of the refugees were heard by the panel members. MPs of some political parties were unaware that the families displaced due to the Partition were yet to get their basic fundamental rights such as citizenship.
	Boycott politics in the state delivers minority mandate Arun Joshi Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 The risk-averse voters in Srinagar on Wednesday did what their counterparts did in the Anantnag parliamentary constituency almost a week ago, on April 24 -- they did not line up before the polling booths. Barring a few political pockets of mainstream parties — National Conference, Congress and Peoples Democratic Party — there were hardly any queues seen at any of the polling booths in rest of the segments. Flowers have bloomed as usual in the spring season in Kashmir and tourists have started arriving in a large number, but as far as the polls are concerned, it is an autumn inching close to the winter. Voters have learnt the art of keeping their aspirations and preferences in check. Nothing is more important than life to them and that’s what they had been doing since 1989. The scene has changed a lot, but not enough where voters could think and believe that they are safe before and after the polling. In 1989, militants used to put a TV set in the heart of the city as a reward for those who would dare to vote. Now, there are no such rewards, but the mercury of fear has not come down to the extent where they could walk to the polling booths in hordes and cast their votes. A frequently asked question is why the voters are scared and reluctant? The instant answer comes from two incidents, when a poll official was killed at Shopian in a militant ambush on April 24 and the killing of a youth in downtown Srinagar during a demonstration fired upon by security forces on April 30, and the regular recovery of arms and ammunition and posters that appeared at several places warning people against voting in the elections. Kashmiri youth, who have phenomenal aspirations and study hard for that, despite having anger against the way the state is being governed or misgoverned, believe that a vote means voting for India, thus pushing aside the Kashmir issue. “We don’t want to become part of such a vote,” young voices say in chorus when they are asked why they didn’t vote. This generation, which searches its future outside the Valley, European and American institutions, is also contributing to the “no vote” campaign on social networking sites. The boycott politics, first considered to be the main agenda of separatists, is now also suspected to be the handiwork of mainstream parties; at least that is what can be made out by the mutual abuse on the subject by the two so-called mainstream parties - the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party. Both accused each other of creating a situation where the boycott benefits the other. The Kashmir election has been shadowed by phrases “area domination” and “adequate security arrangements” made by the Army and paramilitary forces have sometimes proven counter-productive. The men in uniform after every few yards and parade of armoured carriers give an impression of a war zone to the commoners. The effect multiplier is the shutdown called by the separatists. Streets are deserted where even an empty can of a coke when kicked breaks the eerie silence. People think that there is something definitely wrong. They keep peeping from their windows, looking who from their neighbourhood is walking toward the polling booth. In rural areas, it is a wait till mid-morning or noon, when people start lining up for votes, the word travels that such and such village of a particular party is voting, the voters of the other parties, too, converge before the polling booths. Much before the elections started, an atmosphere was sought to be built by the militants, killing people who matter in rural areas like sarpanches and village heads, and there were whispers of boycott in the air. The traditional response of the government that more men in uniform would be deployed to ensure safety of voters contributed to the ugly scenes that were created before and during the polling. Only 28 per cent polling in Anantnag and 26 per cent in Srinagar, which meant that 72 per cent and 74 per cent voters did not exercise their right to vote in these seven out of 10 districts of the Valley, the other three scheduled to vote on May 7. This time, like in previous such elections, a minority voted and the winners would be chosen by the minority of voters posing a question: Do these representatives represent the majority?
	Day after polling, Kashmir shuts down over boy’s death Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 1 Curfew remained in force in Srinagar as the Kashmir region observed a shutdown for the second consecutive day today, this time to protest the killing of a youth during a demonstration in old Srinagar city yesterday evening. The shutdown crippled the public transport system and led to the closure of markets, businesses, universities and schools across the region. The state police, accompanied by a large number of paramilitary personnel, sealed all roads leading to neighbourhoods in the old city and placed rolls of concertina wires to block civilian movement in and out of the tense downtown area. In Srinagar district, where most parts of the old city under the jurisdiction of five police stations were placed under curfew and other areas close to exteriors of the old city were put under restrictions, roads were deserted throughout the day. Some low-intensity protests took place in several parts of the region, including Srinagar city. Bashir Ahmad Bhat of the old city’s Nawa Kadal locality was allegedly shot and another youth injured by security forces personnel in the area during a demonstration yesterday. The police said security personnel came under “severe attack by some miscreants”. They also snatched a weapon and Bhat got injured in the “ensuing scuffle” and later succumbed to his injuries. A resident of the old city said paramilitary personnel also fired tear smoke canisters at Bhat’s funeral procession, who was buried late last night at the martyrs’ graveyard at Eidgah in the city. The shutdown was called by separatist groups to protest Bhat’s death, which was also condemned by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Confernce president and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah. On Wednesday, the Kashmir region observed the week’s first shutdown that was called by separatists to protest against elections in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency and as a “remembrance” for the three militants killed in a gunbattle in south Kashmir’s Shopian district last week.
	Youth should do physical exercise to be mentally fit: IGP Our Correspondent Samba, May 1 Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, Rajesh Kumar inaugurated a health club at Kehli Mandi in Samba today. Speaking on the occasion, the IGP said the police had provided equipment to the health club under its civic action programme in order to channelise the energy of the youth in the right direction. He said the youth should do physical exercise at health clubs and take up sports activities. The Jammu IGP said the young generation needed to be motivated to do physical exercise at the health club in order to keep themselves mentally and physically fit and away from drug addiction and other social evils. Local youth and senior citizens demanded action against drug peddlers and bovine smugglers. They were assured that matter would be taken up with the local police.
	Dancers keep audience spellbound during ‘Rhythmic moves in spring’ Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs, under its Horizon Series presented outstanding contemporary dance show “Rhythmic moves in spring” at IIIM Auditorium here. Shantmanu, Divisional Commissioner, was the chief guest. During the event, young dancers of Trance Dance Academy kept the audience spellbound with their innovative dances choreographed by talented Amit Dubey. With 16 dancers on stage, Amit Dubey’s "Rhythmic moves in Spring" featured three segments of performances, which included one Indian and two in Western styles. In the first act, "Freedom from the dark", the dancers attempted to explore some of the human emotions through tight practiced but free spirited dance expressions. The programme concluded with an Indian contemporary dance. In this attempt, they highlighted yet another narrative gravitating towards themes of human emotions of hope, loneliness, love and joy. It was a mixture of Indian as well as contemporary body vocabulary. The dancers who performed on stage included Amit Dubey, Hemant Gurung, Gagan Manhas, Varun Sharma, Prince Sharma, Daksha Gupta, Kartik Jalotra, Manya Mahajan, Samarth Mahajan, Parth Mehra, Padma Yangchan, Tanvi Raina, Sunny Gurung, Nishtha Mahajan, Justin Khatra and Sidarth Bhathia. Earlier, Regional Director of ICCR, Jammu, Balwant Thakur presented the welcome address. The programme was anchored and conducted by Sanah Mengi, whereas light and sound were looked after by Mohammad Yaseen and Ankush Lakhnotra. Among other dignitaries present were RC Puri, secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Jammu, Dr Surjeet Singh and Bodh Raj.
	Mushaira held for students Tribune News Service Jammu, May 1 The State Institute of Education (SIE), Jammu, organised a day-long "Mehfil-e-Mushaira" in Urdu here. In all, 12 students from the various districts of the Jammu division participated in the event. Tushar Kanti Sharma, Director, School Education (DSE), Jammu, was the chief guest. He stressed upon the faculty of the SIE to hold such programmes for bringing out the hidden talent among the young students. HR Parkhroo, Joint Director/Principal, SIE, Jammu, exhorted students to express their thoughts at such forums. Shadi Lal Tengloo presented the welcome address, while Dr Rabia Naseem and Tahira Parveen, Research Officer, SIE, Jammu, conducted the proceedings of the programme. Hitakshi Sharma, student of Class XI of Government Higher Secondary School, Samba, bagged the first prize, while Nadim Iqbal Katoch of Higher Secondary School, Ramban, and Sohila Banoo of GHSS (Girls), Mubarak Mandi, Jammu, got the second and third prizes, respectively. The other participants were awarded consolation prizes and certificates of participation. SK Raina, SL Tengloo and Sarita Anand, field advisers of the SIE, Jammu, were the judges in the programme.
	3 killed, seven injured in road mishap Udhampur, May 1 Three persons were killed and seven others injured when a vehicle in which they were travelling rolled down a gorge in the Ghordi block of Udhampur district today. The police said a Tata Sumo was on its way from Ghordi towards Chowki and on reaching near the Ghoura nullah, the driver lost control over the vehicle. Subsequently, it rolled down into a 200-foot gorge resulting into the death of three persons. The locals along with the police evacuated all the injured and shifted them to the Primary Health Centre, Ghordi. Later, all the injured were shifted to District Hospital, Udhampur. The deceased have been identified as Sunita Devi, her Arjun (2), and Bholi Devi, all residents of Barmeen. — OC