The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Power cuts return to haunt residents Hema Handoo Tribune News Service Jammu, May 6 Though for the last 48 hours the city has been experiencing little pleasant weather due to rains, which lashed the region two days back, but unscheduled power cuts have begun to haunt the residents. Showers led to a pleasant drop in mercury today and provided some respite to residents from hot and humid weather, but it is only temporary as the temperature is expected to rise in the coming days, which will make it difficult to live without regular electricity. For the last three weeks the temperature had been hovering between 38°C and 42°C, which had forced the residents to avoid moving out from their homes to save themselves from the scorching heat. "It becomes very difficult to do household chores in the absence of electricity. We have been having regular cuts now for the last two weeks and the Power Development Department (PDD) has the same old excuse that the power infrastructure is under pressure," said Suman Gupta, resident of Subash Nagar. The situation in the University of Jammu is also not pleasant. Ankit Gupta, law student, said, "Due to these long power cuts in summer it becomes very difficult to concentrate on studies, which is also affecting our routine." "It was surprisingly cool the whole day today. Hope such conditions prevail for more days as heat makes it difficult to do any kind of work," said Meenu Sangral, a university student.
	Workshop on scholarship scheme held Tribune News Service Jammu, May 6 An awareness workshop on the Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme for J&K was held at Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, here. The workshop was divided into two sessions. Prof SS Mantha, chairman, All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and Prof AS Pant, vice-chairman, AICTE, made a power-point presentation to point out the mission, vision, objective, eligibility, reservation, distribution, scope, selection procedure, duration and renewal of the scholarship. The first session was attended by the chairman, AICTE, vice-chairman, AICTE, Dr Rathore, Deputy Director, AICTE, Director, Colleges, Prof TA Kawoos, Anil Salgotra, Deputy Secretary, Higher Education Department, Prof Nutan Resutra, Nodal Principal, GGM Science College, Dr Kiran Bakshi, Principal, GCW, Gandhi Nagar, and all the principals of various degree colleges of the Jammu province along with a member of faculty/assistant from each college. Various modalities of the scheme were discussed and stakeholders also interacted and clarified their doubts. Students were made aware of the Prime Minister's Special Scholarship Scheme regarding engineering, medical education and general education.
	Law enforcement agencies fail to check child labour Tribune News Service Jammu, May 6 Despite several laws to curb child labour, it continues in the city as law enforcement agencies and civic authorities, which include the Labour Department, has failed to act against the menace. It has led to exploitation of the poor children by traders and owners of hundreds of eateries in the city. Lack of coordination between political executives, academics and bureaucrats has derailed the welfare schemes for the child workers in J&K with hundreds of them daily working in hostile conditions. Though law bans child labour, but it is going on right under the nose of the administration and NGOs, while campaign for its eradication has remained limited to advertisement boards. “Most of the children are either school dropouts, forced to supplement the income of their poor families or street children, who travel from states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and are pushed into rag-picking,” said Bushan Parimoo, who runs an NGO. Due to poverty, parents send their young children to work in shops and eateries to supplement their income and they are exploited to the hilt and at times paid a partly sum for working 16 hours at stretch. Children below 14 years of age are prohibited legally by the Union Government to work, but this law is not being applicable in the city as many children who are below this age are seen working at tea stalls, cigarette shops, opting for begging and more. In many homes they are working as servants also.
	Army Welfare Education Society’s Raising Day celebrated Tribune News Service Jammu, May 6 Army Public School (APS), Damana, celebrated the Raising Day of the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES). A special assembly was organised which commenced with the school prayer and followed by AWES song. Students from the junior wing enthralled the audience with patriotic poems. A special talk was delivered by Ekta, PGT (English), highlighting the significance of the day. She threw light on the foundation of the AWES, instructions and salient features of Army Public Schools. The students were also told about the professional colleges which have been set up under the aegis of the Army Welfare Education Society. A series of activities and competitions were also held in various categories on the school premises. Dr Renu Gupta, Principal, Army Public School, Damana, applauded the children for their commendable efforts. The programme concluded with the national anthem.
	Court issues fresh summons to SHO Legal Correspondent Jammu, May 6 Special Mobile Magistrate (Railway), Jammu, Sandeep Gandotra issued fresh summons to Arun Jamwal, SHO, Gandhi Nagar police station, his PSO V Chowdhary and ASI PC Saini. He directed the SSP, Jammu, to execute the summons and fixed May 19, 2014, as the next date for their appearance in the court This was done when the Magistrate observed that the earlier summons were not executed A complaint was filed by advocate Harshvardhan Gupta against the three and a case was registered against them under Sections 323, 504, 506, 406, 409, 382 and 342 of the RPC.
	SBI introduces cash deposit machine Jammu, May 6 The State Bank of India (SBI) introduced a 24X7 cash deposit machine at its Bari Brahmana branch, headed by Rajiv Mengi, Branch Manager. The machine was inaugurated by SK Kapoor, Regional Head, SBI, who in his address elaborated on the working of the cash deposit machine as well as the other services provided by the bank. "It is amazing to see the advancement in technology. There was a time when customers were forced to wait for hours together in long queues to have normal banking. It is a great pleasure to have such initiatives for public at large and businessman in particular," SK Kapoor said. — TNS
	Tight security in place for Baramulla constituency M Aamir Khan Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 The parliamentary elections in J&K will conclude tomorrow as the strategic Baramulla constituency close to the Line of Control will go to the polls amid tight security arrangements besides boycott and shutdown call of the separatists. An electorate of 11,89,120 (6,22,632 male and 5,66,460 female) spread over Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipore districts of north Kashmir will decide the fate of 15 candidates in the fray even as the main battlelines are drawn between National Conference’s (NC) sitting MP Sharifuddin Shariq and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Muzaffar Beigh. While other candidates would be posing no major challenge to Shariq and Beigh, Handwara MLA Engineer Rasheed’s Awami Ittehad Party and Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference are expected to eat into their vote share. Just like the previous two rounds of elections in Anantnag and Srinagar constituencies, brisk polling is expected in rural areas of north Kashmir while low turnout is likely in urban areas of Pattan and Sopore. Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s village, Seer Jagir, falls close to Sopore town and near boycott is likely in the vicinity. As the first two rounds of polls in the Valley saw the killing of a poll official in a militant attack in south Kashmir’s Shopian district and the killing of a youth during protests in downtown Srinagar, ensuring smooth elections in Baramulla will be the top priority of the government. Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Farooq Ahmad Lone, who is also the Returning Officer for the constituency, said elaborate security arrangements had been put in place. He said the district administration was working in coordination with the security forces, deployed in large numbers, to ensure smooth conduct of polls. Lone said only 70 of the 1,616 polling stations of the constituency had been declared normal while 1,091 were hypersensitive. An official said over 60,000 security personnel had been deployed to ensure peaceful polling in the constituency. As posters calling for boycott had also surfaced in some parts, around 200 youth were taken into preventive custody. As many as 61 polling stations too have been relocated from volatile areas of the constituency. Ensuring polling in far-flung areas of the constituency will also be challenging for the administration. In some areas such as Gurez, which are still cut off due to snow, polling material and staff had to be airlifted. In 2009, 41.84 per cent turnout was recorded in Baramulla while NC has been emerging victorious in the constituency consecutively since 1999. Even as the NC is confident of yet another victory in its stronghold, the PDP too is confident of upsetting the ruling party. It has fielded Beigh, who was the deputy chief minister in 2007-08 and is also a popular leader in north Kashmir. 3 CRPF men injured in militant attack Srinagar: In a late night strike ahead of polls, three CRPF men got injured in a militant attack at Sopore in Baramulla district on Tuesday. CRPF spokesman Kishore Prasad said militants fired at a bunker close to the State Bank of India in Sopore town, injuring three jawans of the 179th Battalion. The injured jawans were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. While the unidentified militants managed to escape taking the advantage of darkness, the security forces cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to nab the ultras.— TNS
	Amid logistical challenges, largest LS seat Ladakh goes to polls today 1.6 lakh voters, spread over 1.73 lakh sq km, to decide fate of 4 candidates Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Leh, May 6 It is turning out to be an uphill task for the Election Commission to conduct elections in the country’s largest parliamentary constituency, Ladakh, due to its tough terrain and closure of all roads connecting it with the rest of the country. The seat, having an area of 1.73 lakh sq km and 1.6 lakh electorate, will go to the polls tomorrow. The four candidates in the fray are Tsering Samphel of the Congress, Thupstan Chhewang of the BJP and two Independent candidates Aga Syed Kazim Sabri and Ghulam Raza. The Election Commission has been dealing with many logistical challenges. The region has been facing shortage of essential commodities and food items due to the closure of both surface links — Srinagar-Leh and Leh-Manali highways — for the past six months. The stock of essential commodities, stored almost seven months back, is almost exhausted, forcing the election authorities to airlift packaged food for poll personnel who have been dispatched to the snow-bound and inaccessible areas of the segment. The well-being of the polling staff and security personnel, who have trekked long distances in snowbound areas to reach polling stations in Kargil and Leh districts, is also a matter of concern for the Election Commission. A total of 531 polling stations, including 274 in Leh and 257 in Kargil, have been set up in Ladakh. The long distance between polling stations is also posing a problem to the Commission. The smallest number of voters in a polling station is 12, while the average voter count per polling station in Ladakh is 400. The polling station with the highest altitude is Anlay Phu at 15,000 feet height in Leh district. At some places, polling parties have travelled 200 km to 250 km from Leh town to reach the polling booths. At least 16 polling stations are located close to the border with China. Seven polling stations - Chumur, Demchok, Mann, Merak, Khaktad, Korjok and Chusul — are “very very close” to the Line of Actual Control. At least nine polling stations have been set up close to the border with Pakistan. There have been apprehensions that the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) deployed along the LAC could make attempts to disrupt the election process in the polling stations close to the China border. The Returning Officer of the constituency, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of Leh, Simrandeep Singh, said: “Given the tough geographical terrain, we are worried about the health of the election staff in the segment. If the weather remains fair, we are hopeful of the polling being conducted smoothly.” He said the entire polling staff and security personnel along with stationery items and EVMs were airlifted to Leh from Srinagar. On April 28, nine days before polling, the poll staff and security personnel were taken in Air Force’s MI-17 plane from Leh to the snow-bound Zanskar Assembly segment in Kargil district which has 80 polling stations. “From Zanskar, the polling staff and security personnel were airlifted to inaccessible parts of the Assembly segment in Cheetah helicopters, and from there they had to trek for nearly four to five hours to reach their polling stations,” he said. Candidates in fray Tsering Samphel of the Congress, Thupstan Chhewang of the BJP and two Independent candidates Aga Syed Kazim Sabri and Ghulam Raza. Voting percentage 2009 71.86% 2004 73.52% 1999 81.88% Pakoras for voters at model booths A day before the elections, the civil administration on Tuesday airlifted fresh stocks of cauliflower and onion from Chandigarh. The authorities want to serve hot 'pakoras' and tea to the voters at six model polling stations on Wednesday. Polling booths * 531 polling stations, including 274 in Leh and 257 in Kargil, have been set up in Ladakh. * The smallest number of voters in a polling station is 12, while the average voter count per polling station in Ladakh is 400 * The polling station with the highest altitude is Anlay Phu at 15,000 feet height in Leh district. * At some places, polling parties have travelled 200 km to 250 km from Leh town to reach the polling booths. * At least 16 polling stations are located close to the border with China.
	Flash flood victims in Ladakh cold to election fever Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Choglamsar (Leh), May 6 A day before polling in Ladakh, the country’s largest (area-wise) parliamentary segment, an eerie calm prevailed today in Solar Relief Colony, Choglamsar, inhabited by victims of the flash floods of 2010. Inhabitants of the colony did not seem enthusiastic about the elections --- courtesy official indifference and nonchalant approach of the authorities in mitigating their sufferings following the calamity. Their grudge against the political class is that they were rendered helpless and overlooked by the ruling and Opposition parties at the time of the crisis. “Politicians are now frequently visiting the colony to seek votes but never bothered to reach us when we were facing the toughest time of our lives. Though the Centre and the state governments and NGOs provided relief to the victims soon after the flash floods, nothing was done to rebuild our shattered hopes and damaged houses,” said Tsatan Phugshuk, a member of the local committee of Solar Relief Colony. At that time, prefabricated structures and small plots were allotted to the homeless in Solar Colony, he said. “Victims were given a cash relief of Rs 1 or Rs 2 lakh but basic amenities such as schools, toilets, health care facility and religious places have not been developed. Where were these politicians during the past four years when we were forced to live in a single prefabricated structure amid bone-chilling conditions?” Phugshuk asked. He said they were being charged at the hospital, constructed from the relief money for them. The Solar Relief Colony comprises 148 quarters (prefabricated structures) and is 7 km from Leh town. Each quarter houses three or four families. The flash floods were triggered by a massive cloudburst in Leh on August 5, 2010. Around 200 people were killed and hundreds rendered homeless. On August 16, 2010, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Leh and assured the people that houses would be constructed for them within two months. Chuzin Angmo, a housewife who lives in Solar Relief Colony, said, “Over the past four years we have never seen any politician visiting our colony to enquire about the well-being of our children. We lost everything in the flash floods and got little help from the government. People are rebuilding their houses from their hard-earned money and I don’t know how many years it will take them to restart normal life.” She said the victims would participate in the election process as it was their democratic right despite having little hopes from their political representatives. P Namgyal, a local youth, said, “We lost an eight-room house and all belongings in the flash floods. Since then, we have been dumped here. We are rebuilding houses on our own as we got meagre help from the administration.”
	Petrol bomb blast near poll booth Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, an explosion inside a school building adjoining a polling station rocked Baramulla. Amid threats by militants and the boycott call by the separatists, the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat is scheduled to go to the polls on Wednesday. The blast took place around 7.30 am at Government Girls High School, Watergam. "No one was hurt in the blast and there was a minor damage to the school building," a source said. Immediately after the blast, police and the Army personnel rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area. They also searched the classrooms. Later, the police said that it was a petrol bomb hurled by some unknown persons to instil fear among the locals. "A petrol bomb was hurled at the Watergam school, which resulted in some damage to the windowpanes of the school. There is no designated polling booth at the school," a police spokesman said in Srinagar. The security personnel in Baramulla, Bandipore and Kupwara districts have been put on alert to ensure peaceful polling on Wednesday. On Monday, the Army had recovered seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a village near the Line of Control in Kupwara district The IEDs were hidden in a hollow tree trunk near Gabra village in Tangdhar. Though there was no major poll-related violence in north Kashmir last week, an unknown militant had opened fire on the Baramulla-Srinagar National Highway near Sangrama, which had left four persons, including former chief spokesman of Hizbul Mujahideen Abdul Khaliq Dar, alias Junaid-ul-Islam, injured.
	Over 60,000 security men to keep an eye on Baramulla Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 The north Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency is all set to go to the polls tomorrow amidst tight security. Over 60,000 security men, including the J&K Police and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF), are keeping an eye on the situation to ensure peaceful polls in the constituency. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has deployed over 250 additional companies for poll duty for the last phase of the polls in the Valley. “All arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of polls,” Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Farooq Ahmad Lone, who is also the returning officer for the constituency, told The Tribune. The main contest in the constituency is between former Deputy Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party candidate (PDP) Muzzaffar Baig and sitting MP and National Conference leader Sharifuddin Shariq. People's Conference candidate Salam Bajad and Independent MLA Engineer Rashid are the other major contenders. The Line of Control (LoC) passes through all the three districts going to the polls on May 7 and it makes the constituency more sensitive as there are always apprehensions that militants may try to disrupt the polls. Amid these apprehensions, the Election Commission has already declared nearly 95 per cent of polling booth either as hypersensitive or sensitive. “Apart from the additional companies of the CRPF, there are six battalions of the CRPF stationed in north Kashmir, which is on a poll job. Besides, 15 armed police and India Reserve Police (IRP) battalions have been mobilised for the smooth conduct of the polls,” said a senior official. “The additional deployment is apart from the police strength stationed in each district,” he added. To ensure peaceful polls, the Army’s counter-insurgency units of the Rastriya Rifles stationed in north Kashmir have also intensified patrolling since the last one week, especially during nights in sensitive areas of north Kashmir. The Army and security men in neighbouring districts have been asked to be on an alert. There were recent inputs that Lashkar-e-Toiba’s most wanted militant in Kashmir, Abu Qasim, was trying to sneak into north Kashmir to carry out attacks. In the wake of these inputs, security men have been told to be on a high alert. While there is a militant threat that always looms large, there are apprehensions of law and order problem in various volatile towns of north Kashmir. Security men have been deployed in strength in Baramulla, Sopore, Palhalan, Bandipore and Hajin towns to ensure there is no law and order problem. The J&K Police have already detained over 200 youth under preventive custody to ensure peaceful polls. The government has already relocated 61 polling stations from volatile areas of north Kashmir.
	Over 18,000 migrant Pandits part of Baramulla electorate our correspondent Kupwara, May 6 As many as 18, 257 migrant Kashmiri Pandits are expected to exercise their franchise in the Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, which is going to the polls tomorrow. The migrant Pandit voters include 8,468 from Kupwara district, 8,307 from Baramulla and 1,482 from Bandipora district. Itrat Hussian Rafique, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, said 160 migrant Pandits, who were serving in different government departments in Kupwara district and were presently in the district, had two options to cast their vote. “Migrant employees who may have submitted M-Form in this office can exercise their franchise at any polling booth in Kupwara. Others who may not have submitted such form can cast their votes in the office of the Migrant Relief Commissioner, Jammu,” he said. According to the ECI, all migrant voters, other than those who have opted to vote in person, have the option to vote through postal ballot papers.
	Pakistan army back to old tactics on LoC Violates ceasefire 5 times from April 25 to May 5 Ravi Krishnan Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, May 6 Summer is here again and so is the Pakistan army back to its old tactics along the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Refusing to learn lessons from last year’s flare up on the border, the Pakistan army from April 25 to May 5 violated the mutually brokered truce deal four times in the twin border districts to push in militants. The repeated and unwarranted acts of the Pakistan army, when they used small arms and automatics weapons and fired 82mm mortars, has again put the ceasefire agreement into jeopardy, said an Army source. Amid Lok Sabha elections, the spurt in ceasefire violations and intrusion bids in the Poonch and Rajouri sectors were apparently an attempt in desperation to push militants into Jammu and Kashmir to flare up insurgency, he said. After the parliamentary elections, the 44-day Amarnath yatra will begin on June 28. Later, the state is going to the Assembly polls in October-November. “We are more than watchful on the LoC and anticipate a hot summer vis-à-vis intrusion bids this year,” said the source. On April 25, the Pakistan army had opened heavy fire on four Indian posts and fired 82mm mortars after the Indian Army foiled an intrusion bid by a group of militants in the Shahpur area under the Doda Battalion in Poonch district. “It was the first serious violation of ceasefire in 2014 in the Poonch sector. We knew about it as we had been tipped off by our intelligence network about intrusion bids from the Sawjian and Doda Battalion areas,” he said. On April 28, there was another violation in the BG sector in Rajouri district followed by intrusion bids in the Sawjian area on May 2 in Poonch district and on the intervening night of May 3 and 4 in Dera Dibsi in the Mendhar sector of Poonch. “All four violations, which initially were failed intrusion bids, and intelligence inputs indicate a hot summer ahead for the Army on the LoC,” said the source. “Infiltration attempts are definitely going to increase but we are alert to the situation and have made some tactical manoeuvres as well,” he said.
	Malik withdraws from Baramulla constituency, joins PDP Srinagar, May 6 Abdul Hamid Malik, who was contesting as an Independent candidate from the Baramullah Lok Sabha seat, today withdrew from the elections and joined the PDP. Impressed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s vision and agenda, Malik today withdrew from the elections to the Baramulla constituency in favour of PDP candidate Muzzafar Hussain Beigh, a PDP spokesman said. “Malik, a political activist from Handwara, had filed his nomination as an Independent candidate. He later joined the PDP in presence of party’s senior leader Mohammad Ashraf Mir in Handwara,” the spokesman said. “It was the need of the hour to work under the leadership of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to create a conducive atmosphere on the ground,” Malik said. — TNS
	Internet services remain affected for Day 2 in Ladakh Damage of optical fibre at 3 places; live casting of voting process cancelled Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Leh, May 6 Internet services remained completely snapped for the second consecutive day today in the entire Ladakh region following damage of optical fibres at three places from Kashmir valley to Leh town. The Internet services are unlikely to be restored in the next 48 hours. The breakdown of Internet services has forced the election authorities to cancel web-casting (live coverage of voting process) on all the 23 polling stations in Leh town. The polling for the Ladakh Lok Sabha seat will be held at 531 polling stations tomorrow. Official sources told The Tribune that the optical fibre, which was laid between Kashmir and Leh town, got damaged following ‘mischief’ by some unidentified persons near the Kangan area of the Valley and a massive avalanche near Drass. “The optical fibre has badly been damaged near Kangan and it appears to be a mischief as there is no development work taking place in the area. A team of engineers has been rushed to the place for repair of optical fibre, which is likely to be rectified till this evening,” the sources said. They said a major length of optical fibre was also damaged badly due to an avalanche near Drass and it was unlikely to be repaired in the next 48 hours. “Apart from this, the optical fibre has also suffered damage near Fatulatop, on highway between Leh and Kargil, due to civil works started by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which is responsible for repair and maintenance of 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh highway,” the sources said. Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Simrandeep Singh, who is also the returning officer of the Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency, confirmed they had cancelled the live web casting of 23 polling stations due to breakdown of Internet services. “The engineers concerned are on the job and we are hopeful of an early restoration of the internet services in entire Ladakh,” he said.
	Beacon Chief Engineer calls on Governor Srinagar, May 6 Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, Brigadier RK Sharma called on Governor NN Vohra here today. The Governor was briefed about the to-date position with regard to the Z-Morh and the Zojila tunnel projects and about clearances which are awaited. He urged Brigadier Sharma to deploy more men for urgent repair of all major roads, particularly those which will be under intensive use during the Amarnath yatra. — TNS
	Helpline for JK students Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 The ruling National Conference (NC) has said a helpline has been established for Jammu and Kashmir students, who are studying in institutions outside the state, following incidents of harassment against them. NC spokesman Junaid Mattu said today that the helpline had been established at the Resident Commissioner's Office in New Delhi "so that students could immediately reach out to the state administration in case of any trouble". The helpline, established a day after Kashmiri students were harassed and forced to shout anti-Pakistan slogans in Noida, was created on the directions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mattu said. "We are strengthening our reaction mechanisms and outreach programmes to ensure that students studying outside have access to a more sound grievance redress and SOS mechanism and significant steps have been taken to achieve this goal,” the NC spokesman said.
	Congress for SC intervention to check poll code violation Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) today regretted that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had "failed" to check election code violations. "It is unfortunate that the ECI, despite introducing several electoral reforms, has failed to check election code violations by Narendra Modi and his cohorts in different parts of India, especially in Uttar Pradesh," JKPCC president Saifuddin Soz said today. "It was wrong to allow Amit Shah to resume campaigning in Uttar Pradesh following his hate speech against the Muslims in Uttar Pradesh Allowing him to carry out his nefarious plans on the basis of an affidavit submitted by him was absolutely wrong," he added. Soz said the Supreme Court should intervene to stop model code violations. "Perhaps, the time has come to introduce a provision in the Peoples Representation Act that allows the intervention of the Supreme Court when the ECI goes wrong." he said. Yesterday, during a press conference, the BJP had accused the Election Commission of adopting a discriminatory attitude towards the party while ignoring the poll code violations committed by the National Conference.
	SHRC takes note of woman’s death on Jehangir flyover Issues notices to Srinagar MC Commissioner, police, construction firm Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has issued a notice to the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Srinagar, SP, Traffic, Kashmir, and the project manager of a private company constructing the Jehangir Chowk flyover for alleged negligence, which resulted in the death of a woman in a road accident last month. The SHRC took notice after it received two complaints against the construction company. One complaint was received inviting attention of the SHRC towards an accident which took place at Solina on April 28. The complainant has alleged negligence and mismanagement at the hands of the traffic police and Simplex Infrastructures Private Limited, Srinagar, who have been given the project to construct the flyover. A woman died in the accident. Another complaint was received against the management of Simplex Infrastructures Pvt Ltd alleging that the company had employed minor boys as labourers and the living condition of the workforce of the company was pathetic. It was alleged that the labourers were forced to sleep under tin sheds without providing basic facilities, which amounts to violation of the child rights and human rights of their workforce. "The contents of all these complainants and representation make out a case of human rights violations at the hands of the Traffic Department and Simplex Infrastructures Pvt Ltd, Srinagar. The two complaints were admitted and registered," an order issued by the SHRC said. Acting Chairman, SHRC, Rafiq Fida also issued notice to the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, SP, Traffic, Kashmir, and the project manager of Simplex Infrastructures. "The officials have been supplied a copy of both the complaints and directed to submit their respective reports in the matter," the SHRC direction said. Panel received two complaints * The SHRC took notice after it received two complaints against Simplex Infrastructures Pvt Ltd, the firm constructing the Jehangir Chowk flyover * One complaint invited attention of the SHRC towards an accident in which a woman died at Solina on April 28. The complainant has alleged negligence and mismanagement at the hands of the traffic police, construction firm * Another complaint was received against the management of Simplex Infrastructures Pvt Ltd alleging that the company had employed minor boys as labourers and the living condition of the workforce of the company was pathetic.
	Leopard spotted near Dal Lake Bismah Malik Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 A leopard was spotted near Dal Lake, Srinagar's tourist hub and also one of the densely populated areas of the city, yesterday. According to the Regional Wildlife Warden, Srinagar, Shuja Haider, the number of leopards has increased in the Valley, which can be gauged by their presence in human habitations. "Recently, a leopard was spotted on the Boulevard road near Mughal Gardens. These places do not have high tourism value, but are spiritually significant. The areas are surrounded by forests, where the intrusion of wild animals is likely to happen," Shuja said. He added that the appearance of wild animals in Srinagar should not surprise people as it is a tell-tale sign of how humans have encroached upon wildlife areas, gradually forcing them out of their habitats. "The areas around Dal Lake are dotted with centuries-old Shankracharya Temple and Sufi shrine Syed Meerakshah Shrine. Our history bears testimony to the fact that these areas which resonated with Azan (the call to prayer) and the ringing of bells in temples attracted wild animals," the regional wildlife warden said.
	Smart bins tackle dog menace at airport Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 The problem of dogs and birds at the Srinagar airport, which had become a cause of concern for the authorities, has been solved by the installation of ‘smart bins’ that prevent the supply of easy food for the canines forcing them to migrate from the area. Five smart bins have been installed on the premises of the civilian airport and traditional dumping spots have been shunned as part of a “firm plan” to curtail the movement of canines inside the airport. The plan to prevent canines from moving around inside the airport premises was formulated by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) following a high-level meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar earlier this year, which had been called to discuss the issues concerning Air Force Station, Srinagar, a part of which houses the civilian airport. According to the minutes of the meeting, the garbage disposal contract was finalised with the SMC and the civic body was assigned to formulate a “firm plan” to check the bird menace and movement of dogs inside the airport. The SMC came up with an instant solution of replacing open bins, which provided a large amount of food to the canines, with smart bins. “We have installed five smart bins and a vehicle goes on alternative days to clear the bins,” SMC Chief Sanitary Officer Manzoor Ahmad said. The official said smart bins, which were closed containers and prevent easy access of food to canines, have already shown results as dogs have started to move away to other places. The installed smart bins are manufactured locally by the SMC at its workshops and have earlier been installed in several areas of the city, where also they had shown significant result. A senior official at the airport said, “The dog menace has been contained after the new plan was put into effect. We have given the contract to the SMC and they are now managing the garbage. They also send their dog catching squad to the airport. The system is working fine now.” Kashmir region has been struggling with the increasing number of dogs in recent years, following which the SMC took several measures, including sterilisation of the canines and hiring a “pied-piper”, but was dumped for charging exorbitant rate. The exact number of dogs in the region is not known. However, some estimates have put the population as high as 10 lakh.
	AICTE chief holds workshop on PM’s Scholarship Scheme Our Correspondent Srinagar, May 6 After the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) landed into a controversy in the Valley last year due to confusion among students, who were misled by some mediators, Chairman of the All-Indian Council of Technical Education (AICTE) held a sensitisation workshop on Prime Minister’s special scholarship scheme for J&K in Government College for Women, MA Road, Srinagar, to raise awareness among colleges about the scheme. The workshop was divided into two sessions. In these sessions, Prof SS Mantha, chairman, AICTE, made a Power-Point presentation to point out the mission, vision, objective, eligibility, reservation, distribution of scholarship, scope, selection procedure, duration of scholarship and renewal, implementation and monitoring of the scholarship. On the occasion, all government degree college principals from different districts of the Valley raised many questions regarding the implementation of scholarship schemes. Some even asked the AICTE Chairman to implement such schemes for top technical colleges such as IIT, IIM and medical colleges in India, so that students from the Valley gain maximum benefit from the scheme. The AICTE chairman laid stress on all college principals to keep one facilitation centre for proper guidance of students regarding the procedures of the scholarship. “In facilitation centres, the college authorities will guide the students for uploading the information on the websites. After fulfilling the forms, the documents will be re-checked by the authorities at the facilitation centre. It will make easy for the students and they can do it properly,” said Prof SS Mantha while answering the queries of college principals. In the second half, an interactive session was held with different students and teachers in which the chief guest responded to the questions and queries of students. Students were made aware of the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme regarding engineering, medical education and general courses. The scheme was launched in 2010 on the recommendations of an expert group. It aimed at encouraging Kashmiri students from families with income below Rs 4.5 lakh per annum to study in colleges outside the state on scholarships which will cover most of the studying expenses. The first batch of 450 students was sent from Government Women’s College, MA Road, in August 2012. However, the issue got media attention after its poor implementation as most of the students were denied the scholarship after getting admissions in outside colleges. The college maintained there were some hiccups in bringing transparency in execution of the scheme, but later the AICTE solved the matter after it decided to cover all students, who had got admission under the scholarship.
	KU VC calls on Governor Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir Talat Ahmad called on the Governor NN Vohra, Chancellor of the University, at Raj Bhawan here today. The Governor discussed important issues related to the functioning of the university and its Leh, Kargil and Baramulla off-site campuses and certain concerns about maintenance of academic discipline. Talat apprised the Governor about the status of the university after the conclusion of the recent admissions.
	61 polling stations relocated in Baramulla LS segment Javid A Malla Baramulla, May 6 Amid security concerns, the Election Commission of India on Monday permitted the Returning Officer for the Baramulla parliamentary constituency to relocate 61 polling stations from volatile areas to other places in Baramulla, Sopore and Pattan assembly segments. As many as 61 polling stations have been relocated and clubbed together for the smooth conduct of the elections in the volatile areas of the constituency. Among the 61 relocated booths, 37 are in Sopore, 18 in Baramulla and six are in Pattan. Polling stations in old town Baramulla have been shifted to Stadium Colony and the old hospital building in the Civil Lines area. Six polling stations in Pattan have been shifted to Government Higher Secondary School. In Sopore, polling stations in the downtown have been shifted to Dak Bunglow and other government buildings. According to sources, the move to shift the polling stations from the volatile areas was aimed at ensuring free and fair elections. “Stone throwers are a major concern for the security forces and the relocation of polling station would ensure the safety of the voters living in the volatile areas," the sources said. The authorities had submitted a proposal to the ECI after seeking opinion from the intelligence and security agencies about the possibility of disruption on polling day in some areas of the constituency. According to sources, the intelligence agencies had earlier suggested to remove the polling stations from some parts of old town Baramulla, Sopore main town and Palhallan to avoid any kind of disruption. Notably, Palhallan, downtown Sopore and old town Baramulla are considered as the most restive places in north Kashmir. Pro-separatist sentiments are running high among the youth in these area. Meanwhile, the police have arrested Hurriyat and JKLF activists in Baramulla and Bandipora districts of north Kashmir for spreading the message of poll boycott. A police official said he had arrested three JKLF workers in Pattan for pasting the posters favouring the boycott of the poll in different parts of north Kashmir. He said a case had been registered against them. The accused have been identified as Siraj-u-Din Mir, Muhammad Jamal Dar, both residents of Karhama Kunzar, and Abdul Rehman Gojri, resident of Hardaboura Tangmarag. Security issues Polling stations in old town Baramulla have been shifted to Stadium Colony and the old hospital building in the Civil Lines area. Six polling stations in Pattan have been shifted to Government Higher Secondary School. In Sopore, polling stations in the downtown have been shifted to Dak Bunglow and other government buildings.
	Sardar Patel varsity VC calls on Governor Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 ML Kumawat, Vice Chancellor, Sardar Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur, called on Governor NN Vohra here today and briefed him about the teaching and research being done at the university. Emphasising the importance, which needs to be given to secure the maintenance of internal security, the Governor urged the Vice Chancellor for high priority being devoted to identified training and orientation courses being run for in-service officers of the police and judicial services.
	Rajouri residents facing shortage of potable water Shyam Sood Rajouri, May 6 People in rural areas of Rajouri district have been facing acute shortage of drinking water. The areas which are facing water scarcity are Gharisyan, Dhindian, Dhanore, Chowdhrynar, Darhal, Saj, Bathooni, Kotranka, Muradpur, Manjakot and Ghambir Mughlan. The people of these area are now using water from natural sources such as rivulets. They say there is threat of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea as the water is contaminated. Many diarrhea cases report at local hospitals daily. Balbir Sharma and Babu Ram Sharma sarpanches of Bathooni and Muradpur, respectively, and Farooq Inqalabi, a social activist from Kotranka, said even after the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department laid water supply pipes in these areas, supply was erretic and people, especially women and children, have to fetch water from natural sources after covering a longer distances. “Water pipes installed under a scheme about six years ago are defunct,” said a resident of Muradpur village who was part of a protest which had blocked the Jammu-Poonch highway few days ago over water shortage. Mohammad Akram, a resident of Darhal, said: “It is getting hotter with each passing day. There is no water supply in Darhal town and its adjoining areas for the last more than six months. We need water the most now but officials of the PHE Department are not bothered.” They warned they would hold a protest near the office of the Executive Engineer at Rajouri, if water supply was not restored soon. Mohammad Anwar, assistant executive engineer of the Darhal area, and Mohammad Akram, assistant executive engineer of the Bathooni areas, said proposals for new water supply schemes had been sent to higher authorities for their approval. “Many water supply pipes have been damaged during road widening or due to landslides. The repair work is in progress and the supply will be restored soon. In some areas, where there is acute water scarcity, water tankers have been pressed into service to supply water to the people,” said Mohammad Anwar, assistant executive engineer of the Darhal area. Soaring mercury and non-availability of safe drinking water at schools forces students to drink from hand pumps or natural sources after covering long distances in many areas of the district.
	Administration initiates steps to attract tourists to Patnitop Our Correspondent Patnitop, May 6 To attract tourists, a two-hour cultural programme will be held from Saturday evening at Patnitop. An eight-hole golf course will be constructed and Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) will be roped in for the infrastructural development. This was stated by Sojanya Sharma, Director (Tourism), Jammu, at a meeting with the departments concerned, IL&FS and all stake holders at Patnitop on Monday evening. The meeting was held to seek suggestions for the promotion of tourism and improve infrastructure at Patnitop. He said the cultural programme will be organised from 6 pm to 8 pm on every Saturday and from 11 am to 1 pm on every Sunday to entertain the tourists at Patnitop. He said an eight hole mini golf course would also be constructed at Patnitop and a proposal to develop a tourist-pilgrim circuit with a cost of Rs 50 crore had been sent to the Union Government for approval. Meanwhile IL&FS, engaged in the construction of the 9.25 km Chenani-Nashri road tunnel, has offered to develop a parking place and a children park besides providing solar lights. The firm will also carry out a cleanliness drive and update the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) website. Meanwhile, village sarpanches demanded that the PDA should be lenient towards the construction of houses by villagers and nomads should not be allowed to stay in tents and their cattle should not be allowed graze near the main Patntiop resort to preserve its ecology and environment. It was decided that ponny and vendor licences will be given to the local and seasonal nomads in the 80:20 ratio.
	Power cuts force residents to take to roads in Samba Our Correspondent Samba, May 6 Residents of Rakh Amb Tali village in Samba held a protest against the Power Development Department (PDD) last night for not providing regular power supply and blocked the Jammu-Pathankot national highway. As the highway remained blocked for around an hour, hundreds of vehicles got stuck, resulting in traffic snarls. Protesters alleged that politicians and bureaucrats were living a comfortable life while the people of the area had been reeling under darkness. “The PDD staff discriminates against some areas and imposes unnecessary long cuts. During the hot summer days, long and unscheduled power curtailment has made our lives miserable,” said Rahul Kumar, a local. “We have been without power for more than a week and the authorities are acting as mute spectators,” said Mamta Devi, another local. “We had informed the authorities concerned a week ago about the crisis but nothing has been done in this regard,” said Krishan Chand, local sarpanch. “The PDD has forced us to come on the roads and hold protest,” the sarpanch said. The protesters were pacified after senior police officers reached the spot and assured them of immediate action in this regard.
	Security on alert as April witnesses more casualties Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 In April, the first summer month after Kashmir’s lengthy winter began in October last year, the number of deaths on all sides, security forces, militants and civilians, has recorded a significant increase, also impacting the election season in the region. The shootings, attacks and encounters continued intermittently throughout the month and intensified in the last fortnight, when Kashmir’s two of the three constituencies voted, sending security forces into a heightened alert. Militant mainly targeted mainstream political leaders and workers in south Kashmir and Srinagar, where two explosions hit the rally sites of Union Minister Farooq Abdullah. In one such attack on a mid-April Sunday afternoon, a young leader of ruling National Conference (NC) was busy overseeing preparations for a rally in his native Khrew village of south Kashmir next day. Shootings and attacks started on April 13 afternoon that continued intermittently with deadly results through the last fortnight, when the Anantnag and Srinagar parliamentary constituencies went to the polls, making it the first major bloody month of the year. Two foreign militants barged into the house of NC’s youth wing leader Yawar Masoodi at Khrew, shooting dead two policemen with automatic assault rifles and escaping through fields where they were intercepted by security personnel and killed after a brief gunfight. The two militants, sources said, were part of the Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT) and operating under Qasim, one of the most-wanted field commanders of the outfit in the region. On the same evening, another gunfight erupted in the state’s summer capital which ended the next day with the killing of two more foreign militants. Within two days, two policemen and four LeT militants were killed and the number of deaths in the region was about record, a sudden uptick which influenced the voter turnout and triggered a widespread crackdown. Sources in the police and the Army confirmed that security forces had come under “intense pressure” after a spate of attacks in south Kashmir, following which searches and area domination operations were intensified in the entire region. Since October last year, when a harsh winter began to envelope the region and restricted the movement of militants to their hideouts, the graph of violence had dropped to a near single-digit casualties per month, most of whom were militants. The security forces, preparing for a possibility of increased violence in the region following major geopolitical shifts in neighbouring countries, which they suspect will have a spillover effect into Kashmir, however, opted for a hot pursuit of militants. The first counter-insurgency operations of the year, the Army sources said, began in January instead of a routine wait for April and May, when the snow starts melting on the mountains. Senior officials involved in the counter-insurgency grid, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the militants involved in the killing of three mainstream political workers in south Kashmir were affiliated with the Hizbul Mujahideen. “The militants were under pressure from their commander to do something ahead of the elections in south Kashmir,” the official said. The commander, the officials said, is Hizbul Mujahideen’s chief of operations Ghulam Nabi Khan, alias Amir Khan, who is based in Pakistan. The killing of a polling official during an ambush on a security forces vehicle accompanying the polling staff in Shopian district is being suspected to have been carried out by a local unit of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, active in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the officials said. The last major gun battle of the month took place on April 25 afternoon when security forces cordoned a house at a village in Shopian district. Three local Hizb militants, a Major and a soldier were killed in the firefight which ended the next morning. Sources said the security forces have now shifted their focus to north Kashmir, going to the polls on May 7. They said regular searches and area domination operations, based on speculative analysis and specific intelligence inputs about the movement of militants, were being carried out on almost daily basis. Terror trail * April 7: Army Junior Commissioned Officer, two policemen, two militants killed in Kupwara district * April 13: Two militants, two policemen killed in south Kashmir’s Khrew village. Another gunfight breaks out in Srinagar’s Ahmad Nagar where two militants were killed next day. * April 17: PDP sarpanch killed by militants in Pulwama * April 21: Three, including Congress sarpanch and nambardar, shot dead by militants in Pulwama district * April 24: Polling officer killed in militant ambush in Shopian * April 26: Major, soldier and three militants killed during a gun battle in Shopian district * April 30: Youth killed when security forces fire on a demonstration in Srinagar
	Anti-personnel mine recovered Samba, May 6 The BSF yesterday recovered an anti-personnel mine from a field at Regal village near the international border in Samba district. The mine was discovered by Raj Singh, a farmer, while grazing his cattle in the field. Raj Singh informed the 9 Battalion of the BSF, which took the mine in its possession. "A farmer working in the field close to the international border noticed a mine and reported the matter to the nearby BSF post. Securitymen rushed to the area and took the mine into their possession," a BSF official said, adding that the mine will be defused by experts. — OC
	KU to organise workshop on Himalayan biodiversity Srinagar, May 6 The Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, will be organising a workshop on “Himalayan Biodiversity and Bio-resources: Mapping, Utilisation and Conservation” from Thursday. The workshop is being jointly sponsored by all three national science academies, including Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, and National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. According to the organisers of the workshop, the main aim of the workshop is to present a stocktaking of the Himalayan biodiversity and highlight various knowledge gaps and the ways and means to bridge these gaps. “Deliberations would be made on harnessing bio-resource potential of biodiversity and possible convergence of emerging technologies for their best possible use in the Himalayan biodiversity conservation and management,” said Manzoor A Shah, coordinator of the workshop. He said a number of experts, including fellows of the National Academy of Sciences , would deliver lectures and provide hands-on training to students, researchers and young faculty members from various institutions of higher education on various topical issues related to the theme of the workshop. — TNS
	Govt staff to resume stir after May 18 Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), an amalgam of various government employees’ bodies, has decided to resume its protest programmes after May 18. JCC leader Farooq Trali said the detail of protest programmes would be issued after consultations with all employees’ unions. While talks between the government and the JCC had ended in a deadlock in August last year, the employees had been staging frequent protests and strikes for over two years now. After a series of protests and strikes by the employees in 2012, the government had reached an agreement with the JCC wherein the employees were assured that a decision on their demands would be announced by September 30, 2012. However, the JCC then resumed protests, saying the government had failed to fulfil the promises made to them. The employees’ demands include release of arrears recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission, enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years, removal of pay anomalies and regularisation of daily wagers and casual workers working in various government departments. The other JCC demands are inclusion of five years of contractual service of Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers in the service book and regularisation of education volunteers after seven years of service. Employees’ demands * Release of arrears recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission * Enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60 years * Removal of pay anomalies and regularisation of daily wagers and casual workers working in various government departments * Inclusion of five years of contractual service of Rehbar-e-Taleem teachers in the service book and regularisation of education volunteers after seven years of service.
	Footballers told to pay registration fee Tribune News Service Jammu, May 6 The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has instructed the J&K Football Association (JKFA) that Rs 100 be charged from each player as an annual registration fee. As per the handout issued by the JKFA, out of Rs 100, Rs 50 will be remitted to the AIFF and the remaining Rs 50 will be retained by the respective district association. Further, AIFF will issue an identity card in favour of all such registered football players. Players has also to deposit two copies of his latest colour photographs and date of birth certificates issued by the municipal corporation/committee or matriculation or school leaving certificate. Only registered players would be eligible to take part in all AIFF north zone or national football championships. The association has directed the players to deposit their fee only with their respective District Football Associations (DFAs) immediately and documents for its onward submission to the AIFF through JKFA, Meanwhile, the association has decided not to charge its share of Rs 50 per head from all players. Last date for depositing of fee is May 25.
	Stone-thrower booked under PSA Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 6 The police today said a “notorious stone-thrower” had been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) by the administration of Shopian district. Zubair Turray, a resident of Shopian district, was booked under the PSA for his involvement in “more than a dozen cases of stone-throwing”. “He was also involved in making announcements in mosques for instigating people to indulge in stone-throwing and other violence,” a police spokesman said. In a separate case, the police said they had detained a Facebook user who was administrating pages on the social networking site. The police said they had lodged a case against the administrators of some Facebook pages for “spreading rumours to vitiate law and order situation” and constituted a special team at the cyber cell to identify them. “One of the kingpins running seven pages has been tracked down and detained for further questioning,” the spokesman said. The detainee is a resident of Srinagar city.
	Two killed in road mishap Our Correspondent Udhampur, May 6 Two persons were killed while two others injured in a road accident on the Dhar road in Udhampur today. According to reports, an Army vehicle hit four pedestrians killing two of them on the spot and critically injuring two others on the Dhar road. The reports added that the Army vehicle also hit four other vehicles near the Goverdhan Palace. Those killed in the accident have been identified as Manoj Kumar and Yuraj Kumar Singh, both residents of Bihar. The injured were admitted to the district hospital, Udhampur. Meanwhile, the police have arrested the driver of the vehicle and registered a case against him.
	Jawan shoots himself to death Srinagar, May 6 An Army jawan today committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle at Pantha Chowk in the city, the police said. Naik Sujeet Kumar shot himself with his service rifle inside an Army camp at Pandrehthen near Pantha Chowk, they said. Kumar died on the spot, the police said, adding that the reason for the jawan taking such an extreme step was not immediately known. — PTI