Jammu, May 8
Moderate to heavy turnout in the five-phased Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir has exposed the “representative character” of separatist leaders as barring few areas of the Valley, people of the state outrightly rejected their poll boycott call.

The polling percentage in the ongoing parliamentary elections has established that except inhabitants of Srinagar, Pulwama and Sopore there are no takers for the separatist ideology.

Before the start of the Lok Sabha elections, separatist leaders were claiming that on their call people of Jammu and Kashmir would boycott the elections, but their claims were exposed after the completion of the voting in the state yesterday.

In the last phase of the elections, which were held for the two Lok Sabha segments of Baramulla and Ladakh, the turnout was historic in the Muslim-dominated areas such as Kargil and Kupwara.

Kargil registered 65.8 per cent voting, while Kupwara recorded unprecedented 63.19 per cent voter turnout.

People's enthusiasm in the democratic process can be gauged from the fact that the Muslim-dominated Assembly segments of Gulabgarh and Gool-Arnas in Jammu province registered the highest ever voting —81.17 per cent and 84.14 per cent, respectively.

Braving terror threats and warning of separatist leaders, people of Kashmir Valley also came out in large numbers to exercise their right to franchise. Ten districts of the Valley registered moderate to heavy turnout.

Pulwama and Srinagar districts, which registered 6.30 per cent and 11.46 per cent voting respectively, were the exceptions. Another isolated case of poll boycott is the Sopore Assembly segment which witnessed only 1.08 per cent polling.

Shabnam Lone, daughter of moderate separatist leader Abdul Gani Lone who was gunned down by terrorists on May 21, 2002, observed that the turnout in the Lok Sabha elections was encouraging, especially in north Kashmir.

As per official record, Ganderbal district registered 46.72 per cent polling, Budgam 41.09 per cent, Bandipura 36.48 per cent, Baramulla 28.04 per cent, Shopian 20.43 per cent, Kulgam 36.68 per cent and Anantnag 37.76 per cent.

The turnout in the Muslim-majority areas of the Jammu region was an eye-opener for separatist leaders as these areas registered record voting. Reasi district registered 82.52 per cent polling, while Doda district and Kishtwar district recorded 70.08 per cent and 65.35 per cent turnout respectively.

Poonch registered 65.77 per cent voting, Ramban district 64.52 per cent and Rajouri district recorded 68.09 per cent polling.

Srinagar, May 8
The rumour about separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s death in mid-March had sparked a wave of anxiety in the Valley. Everyone wanted to know who will step into the shoes of the hardline Hurriyat Conference chief.

However, Geelani was evacuated to New Delhi for treatment and returned a month later as his health condition stabilised.

Geelani, who leads an amalgam of the region’s hardliners for the last decade since the separatist camp suffered a split, has not chosen his successor and has left the decision to the top council, which manages the affairs of the organisation.

Sources in the separatist camp said the Jamaat-e-Islami, though not a constituent of the hardline separatist amalgam would play a key role in deciding on the Geelani’s successor.

Geelani and Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin have their roots in Jamaat-e-Islami which acted as the ladder for their rise to power and influence.

Few potential contenders who can fill Geelani’s shoes include lesser-known politicians and former militants.

Mohammad Ashraf Khan, alias Sehrai, who is in mid-seventies, remains a key contender to succeed Geelani.

The former political bureau chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Sehrai shares a trusted bond with Geelani and has been his close aide for the past five decades.

Geelani has always overshadowed everyone else on the stage, and thus Sehrai has remained a little known figure outside the separatist circles.

Sehrai’s long affiliation with the separatist struggle strengthens his position for the top slot. He has also got the backing of Hizbul Mujahideen’s chief.

Salahuddin, on several occasions, has named Sehrai as Geelani’s successor.

The next-in-line is Geelani’s son Naeem Zafar.

Zafar, a doctor, stayed in Pakistan for 12 years and returned home soon after the 2010 summer unrest ended. His return triggered the speculation that he was in line for the Hurriyat top post.

The Hurriyat, however, rubbished the reports that Zafar has been nominated as Geelani’s successor.

The separatist group maintained that only members of the Hurriyat Conference were eligible to lead the amalgam, which deleted any possibility of Zafar taking over the reigns of the separatist outfit.

Zafar was not a member of any of the constituent group of the amalgam till he was made a member of the controversial Milli Trust earlier this year. Zafar’s lack of political experience, however, remains an impediment in his succession to the top post.

Apart from the septuagenarian and the doctor son, two former militants, Mohammad Qasim Faktoo and his deputy Masarat Alam Bhat, are also strong but unlikely contenders to take over Geelani.

Faktoo, a former militant commander and now the chief of the Muslim League, has spent 22 years in prison and is sentenced to serve the rest of his life in jail.

Bhat is in preventive detention since 2010.

Faktoo and Bhat, however, may not get enough support from other separatist constituents.

The surprise contender, whose name is doing the rounds in the separatist circles, is Syed Salahuddin.

Samba, May 8
Relatives of a missing 12-year-old boy and locals of the Vijaypur area in Samba district today held a protest against the police for not tracing him and blocked the national highway.

They raised slogans against the police and demanded justice for Vishal Sharma, who went missing near his home at Sabzi Mandi in Vijaypur on May 5. They demanded Vishal’s recovery.

Protesters disrupted the movement of traffic on the national highway.

The protest was led by Rajesh Padgotra, J&K National Panthers Party leader. He said: “Vishal, 12, is missing since May 5. His family and locals have met the police and other officials many a times, but the police have failed to trace him.”

He said a human trafficking gang was active in the town and the police had failed to trace the members of the gang.

Padgotra said this was not the first case of abduction and added that many other children had gone missing.

Vishal’s father Rajesh said his son had gone missing near his home at Sabzi Mandi in Vijaypur. He said they had searched for him everywhere and lodged a complaint with the police, but there was no clue about his whereabouts.

The protesters called off the protest after assurance by senior police officers that Vishal would be found.

“We are investigating the incident on four different lines and hope for some lead in the case,” said a police officer.

Anantnag, May 8
A 73-year-old National Conference (NC) panchayat member was shot dead by burqa-clad gunmen at his shop in the Wanpoh area of Anantnag district around 6.30 pm today.

The slain panch has been identified as Gul Muhammad Bhat.

Police reports said two veiled men approached the sanitaryware shop of the slain panchayat member and fired at him.

“The assailants shot at him twice in the chest,” said a police officer in the area, adding that he was immediately rushed to District Hospital, Anantnag.

He said doctors at Anantnag hospital referred Bhat to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar but he succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital.

The gunmen, however, managed to flee. Following the incident, the area was cordoned off by the police and the CRPF.

“A manhunt has been launched to nab the assailants. Hopefully, they will be nabbed soon,” said the police officer.

There have been many attacks on panchayat members in south Kashmir. However, the frequency of the attacks has increased in the last few months.

On April 18, a village headman of the Peoples Democratic Party was shot dead by gunmen outside his house in the Awantipora area of Pulwama district. Following the killing, a sarpanch, his son and a namberdar were killed by militants in Tral town of Pulwama district.

Srinagar, May 8
A high-level meeting was held at Raj Bhawan here today under the chairmanship of Governor NN Vohra, also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), to review all security-related arrangements for the pilgrimage.

The yatra is scheduled to commence on June 28 and will begin simultaneously from the Baltal and Chandanwari routes.

“The discussions involved senior officers of the civil administration, police, Central armed forces, military and Intelligence organisations,” a statement issued from the Governor’s office said.

Discussions were held on issues such as the general security environment in the state, preparedness for meeting any unforeseen situation arising in the yatra area, functioning of the joint control rooms at every yatra camp, linking up joint control rooms with the Meteorological Department and the district disaster management units.

Deployment of mountain rescue teams of the police at identified locations on both yatra routes, deployment of well-equipped fire-fighting teams at predetermined points, installation of X-ray baggage scanning units at appropriate locations on both routes and access control arrangements at the Neelgrat, Panjtarni and Pahalgam helipads was also discussed, the statement said.

The meeting also discussed enforcing an effective access control system at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps and at the Domel and Chandanwari access control gates, effective traffic regulation from Lakhanpur checkpost onwards, air traffic control arrangements for the heli-services from Pahalgam and Baltal to Panjtarni.

The Governor directed the director general of police and the divisional administration to enforce regulatory mechanisms and ensure that only those yatris who had valid permits were allowed to undertake the yatra on the date and route for which they had procured prior registration.

The meeting also discussed specific measures to be enforced for rapid and unhindered movement of the registered pilgrims from the point of their entry into the state to the holy cave.

The Governor emphasised on close coordination among agencies and departments involved to ensure an incident-free yatra.

He told the divisional commissioner, Kashmir, to regularly review arrangements for the yatra.

Maj Gen ST Upasani, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Victor Force, made a detailed presentation on the present status of snow at the yatra camps and along both yatra routes, measures being taken for disaster preparedness and action plan to secure the entire yatra area.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary MI Khanday, Director General of Police, J&K, Ashok Prasad, GOC, 15 Corps, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, Special Director General of Police K Rajendra, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the SASB, Rakesh K Gupta, GOC of the Victor Force Maj Gen ST Upasani, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar, Inspector General (IG), CRPF, J&K, KS Bhandari, IG, BSF, Kashmir, PS Sandhu, Station Commander, Air Force Station, Srinagar, Group Captian JS Mann, Inspector General of Police, CID, J&K, B Srinivas, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, AG Mir, officers representing Central Intelligence agencies and Additional Chief Executive Officer of the SASB Preet Pal Singh.

Preparations for June 28 The yatra is scheduled to commence on June 28 and will begin simultaneously from the Baltal and Chandanwari routes. A high-level meeting on Thursday discussed issues such as the general security environment in the state and preparedness to meet any unforeseen situation in the yatra area.

Anantnag, May 8
A woman tourist from Gujarat died and three of her family members were injured while they were rafting in Pahalgam here. The mishap took place after the boat in which they were rafting capsized near the power sub-station in Pahalgam.

A senior police officer from the area said the police have evacuated the injured and rushed them to a hospital. He said the injured were stated to be out of danger.

“We have started investigating the case and an FIR number 23-2014 has been lodged in this regard,” said the officer.

The victim has been identified as Harsha Shah, 56, wife of Mohinder, a resident of the Bhawani Nagar area in Gujarat.

Official sources, meanwhile, said the director, Tourism, had issued an order on February 28, 2014, to halt the adventure sport in Pahalgam as the guidelines were not being adhered to.

The order number Rec/ 50-F/DTK/6119 cancelled permissions of some rafting companies operating in Pahalgam main town and in Yanner on the outskirts of Pahalgam.

Chief Executive Officer of the Pahalgam Development Authority Reyaz Ahmad passed the buck on to the director, Tourism.

Director, Tourism, Talat Ahmad was not available for comment.

Srinagar, May 8
There has been a gradual increase in the turnout of voters during the past four parliamentary elections in the militancy-hit state.

The poll percentage maintained an upward trend despite violence in some areas during the parliamentary elections that concluded yesterday.

The deterring factors are many, including militant violence. The killing of three persons by militants prior to the polls in south Kashmir created panic. The incident in the Tral area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir led to a steep decline in the poll percentage in Pulwama and its adjacent Shopian district.

The other two districts of Anantnag and Kulgam of the Anantnag constituency registered over 37 per cent voter turnout.

Maintaining the trend of more participation in rural areas than urban centres, Srinagar registered about 12 per cent polling which was much lower than rural areas. Over 40 per cent polling was witnessed in Budgam district and over 45 per cent in Ganderbal district.

Similarly, in the urban areas of the Baramulla constituency of north Kashmir, which went to the polls yesterday, the voter turnout was low as compared to the rural areas, with some exceptions.

The poll percentage ranged between 65 and 72 per cent in far-off areas such as Uri, Handwara, Kupwara and Karnah. The lowest turnout of 1.02 per cent was registered in Sopore, a stronghold of the separatists. The low polling was attributed to the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who belonged to Doabgah village near Sopore.

“Elections are not about those who stayed away from polling, but about those who came out to vote,” said a commentator and added that those who had come out had exercised their franchise for their day-to-day issues and development.

“This (polling) has nothing to do with the resolution of the Kashmir issue, which remains an issue behind any election in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Srinagar, May 8
The voter turnout in the Valley’s rural areas has traditionally remained much higher than the urban centres, but the gap between the polling percentages in the two segments has further widened this time around in the north Kashmir’s Baramulla constituency that went to the polls yesterday.

The far-flung area of Karnah in Kupwara district recorded the highest voter turnout of 71.57 per cent this time, the segment had seen only 59 per cent turnout in 2009. In other rural areas, where lot of enthusiasm was seen among voters, the polling percentage too witnessed an increase.

The polling percentage in Handwara raised from 67 per cent in 2009 to 69.92 per cent yesterday.

The turnout in Lolab registered a jump of over seven per cent to 57.37, while poll percentage in Uri witnessed a leap of over 28 per cent from 37 percent to 65.42 per cent.

In contrast, major towns of the constituency recorded a decrease in voter turnout as compared to 2009.

Pattan had recorded 29 per cent turnout in 2009, but it fell to 23.65 per cent this time around.

The poll percentage in the Bandipora segment also registered a dip of over 11 per cent from 32 per cent in 2009 to 20.52 in the ongoing parliamentary polls.

A sharp decline in voting was registered in the bastion of hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Sopore, where only 1.02 per cent votes were cast.

In 2009, Sopore had witnessed 12 per cent polling.

Pertinently, Sopore falls close to Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s Doabgah village and areas in the vicinity mostly stayed away from the polls amid sporadic clashes between the protesters and security forces.

Overall, voting in the Baramulla constituency took a slight dip from 41.84 per cent in 2009 to 39.6 per cent this time around.

Srinagar, May 8
The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has reprimanded the Jammu and Kashmir Police for flouting the standard operating procedure (SOP) during crowd control.

Observing that the procedure regulating the use of force is outlined in the Police Manual in detail and must be followed in letter and spirit, the rights commission has said that under law, only an executive magistrate or an officer in charge of a police station can order the use of force.

These observations were made by a Single Bench of the commission today while passing orders in a case dating back to July 24, 2012, wherein a J&K policeman had allegedly enraged the modesty of a woman while handling a street protest in the Srinagar city.

The police was also accused of using disproportionate force against an agitating mob in the Batamaloo area of Srinagar which was demanding restoration of basic amenities like drinking water and electricity during the month of Ramadan.

“The way our policemen deal with the crowd, more particularly with woman protesters, speaks volumes about how the police is flouting the SOP for crowd control,” the SHRC acting chairman observed in his orders passed today.

The commission observed that in 2011, the Home Ministry had constituted a committee of senior bureaucrats and police officers to identify non-lethal measures for dealing with the large assemblies of people that could pose a threat to law and order.

“The committee submitted its report recommending specific measures. This report was circulated in all police departments in the state in the form of the SOP. The SOP emphasises the use of non-lethal means to disperse assemblies of people rather than the use of lethal means in the first instance,” the commission observed in its orders while referring to the recommendation made by the committee for crowd control in J&K, which saw huge and unprecedented street protests in 2008 and 2010.

The commission stated that Article 19 (1) (b) provided right to peaceful assembly and with certain reasonable restrictions in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of the country and public order.

However, there is always the possibility that a public rally may become unruly and the district administration and the police are permitted to disperse the crowd to prevent such damage.

In those situations, the SHRC said, the use of force must be in a controlled and specified manner as explained in the law and police procedures. Force should only be used when it is “absolutely” necessary, the commission said.

“Under law, only an executive magistrate or an officer in charge of a police station can order the use of force,” the commission said, adding that even then every officer must use little force and cannot cause more harm than is necessary for defense.

“The main object of use of such force is to disperse the assembly and no punitive or repressive considerations should be operative while such force is being used,” the commission emphasised in its orders while directing the JK Police to follow the procedure regulating the use of force as outlined in the police manual.

Jammu, May 8
Project Sampark celebrated 54th Raising Day of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at Kaluchak near here yesterday. The BRO was raised on May 7, 1960.

The celebrations commenced with a General Reserve Engineer Force sammelan, in which the chief engineer, Project Sampark, addressed all ranks.

He conveyed wishes and compliments on behalf of Lt Gen AT Parnaik, Director General of the BRO, and read out his message to the troops.

The chief engineer spoke about the contribution of Project Sampark to road development in remote and difficult border areas of the state.

Project Sampark looks after the construction, improvement and maintenance of nearly 3,000 km of roads in border districts of Jammu, Kathua, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri, Reasi and Poonch.

The celebrations concluded with an evening of musical and cultural programmes by the All India Radio, Kashmir and Jammu, followed by a “barakhana” with all troops and families. — TNS

Anantnag, May 8
Disappointed as no official turned up at their seminar on the eve of World Red Cross Day today, the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association (JKHA) later held a protest march from the Dak Bungalow to the deputy commissioner’s office in Anantnag.

However, the protesters were dispersed by the police after reaching the deputy commissioner’s office.

The JKHA had organised a seminar at the Dak Bungalow to highlight the plight of the physically challenged in Kashmir today.

Invitations were sent to officials of the Social Welfare Department, district administration and the Police Department.

“This shows the government’s attitude towards the well-being of the physically challenged people,” said Javed Ahmad Tak, a JKHA member.

Members felt that probably the officials had stayed away from the seminar as there was no wazwan.

Anantnag Deputy Commisioner Swagat Biswas said the association had taken out a protest to highlight ‘other’ problems.

“We did our bit by organising a camp at the Dak Bungalow where free of cost medicines were given,” Biswas said. “I don’t understand what more were we expected to do,” he said. — OC

Poonch, May 8
In an effort to streamline traffic in Poonch district, the Assistant Regional Transport Officer here has launched a special drive to curb rash driving and other traffic violations.

The drive was launched after the recent bus accident in the Krishna Ghati area of the district in which 33 people were injured. There were complaints that the accident happened due to rash and negligent riving.

“In addition to routine check posts we have decided to lay additional nakas at various places in the district to check overloading and rash driving,” Manyal said, adding that the Traffic Department would not tolerate any indiscipline on roads.

The official, however, urged people to help |the department in its endeavour.

“People should also cooperate with the department in its drive and report any violation of traffic rules. If they are overcharged on any route they should brought it into the notice of the authorities for timely action against the transporter,” the official said.

“Parents should also educate their wards to avoid rash driving and cooperate with the police and the Transport Department for hassle-free drive,” he said.

Meanwhile, cracking down on the violators, the Transport Officer seized 20 motorcycles and recovered Rs 35,000 as fine from offenders indulging in over speeding, rash driving and other traffic violations.

Jammu, May 8
The state Government has decided to initiate an inquiry into the allegations of police misbehaving with a lawyer in Jammu, which led to protest by the Bar Association of Jammu (BAJ).

The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu, will conduct the inquiry and the Station House Officer (SHO), Gandhi Nagar police station, Inspector Arun Jamwal, will remain suspended till pending inquiry.

The government representatives - Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, BR Sharma, Principal Secretary, Home, Suresh Kumar and Law Secretary Muhammad Ashraf Mir - held a meeting with the BAJ today and decided to initiate an inquiry into the allegations of manhandling of a lawyer by the police.

“Yes, we held a meeting with the government representatives today in a cordial atmosphere. Whatever the government representatives told us, it will be discussed in the general body meeting of the BAJ on Friday morning. After that future course of action will be decided,” MK Bhardwaj, BAJ president said.

Sources said the BAJ was demanding a judicial inquiry into the matter, but the government representatives didn’t agree to that. “It was decided to initiate an inquiry, which will be conducted by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, and till the pending inquiry, the SHO will remain suspended,” the sources said.

A few days back, a lawyer, riding his Scooty, was stopped by the police for violating traffic rules. The police say the lawyer was neither wearing helmet, nor carrying any vehicle documents with him and when the police asked him to produce the documents he started arguing with them. The police are of the opinion that the SHO was doing his duty, but the lawyer started misbehaving.

The BAJ, on the other hand, said the lawyer, residing nearby, had gone for buying some vegetables and first a sub-inspector misbehaved with him and then the SHO whisked him away to the police station. The BAJ alleged that the lawyer was beaten by the SHO. In this regard, the BAJ observed a Jammu bandh on Monday and the protest demonstration still continues.

Now, the conflict between lawyers and the police has become a prestige issue for both the parties. The state government succumbed to the pressure and decided to initiate an inquiry.

Jammu, May 8
Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) No 1, Gandhi Nagar, celebrated its annual day at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu (JU), today. Shantmanu, Divisional Commissioner, was the chief guest, while AVLJ Rao, Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), Jammu region, was the guest of honour.

The programme commenced with the lighting of lamp by the chief guest. The students recited Sanskrit shalokas during the ceremony.

TR Choudhary, principal of the school, read out the annual report highlighting the achievements in the field of academic and co-curricular activities at various levels. A colourful cultural programme, comprising patriotic song, folk dance, western dance, etc, was presented by students of the school.

Students excelling in different fields of activities and those passing CBSE exams with Grade A and teachers showing excellent performance were honoured.

AVLJ Rao in his address appreciated the efforts made by the students to put up an impressive cultural show. He added that the KVS had policies and schemes to boost the concept of all-round development of a child.

Teachers of the vidyalaya who were honoured included Sandesh Bhat, Ranji Baliya, Shashi Prabha and Sunil Kumar.

Jammu, May 8
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is agitating against the alleged 85 per cent hostel fee hike by the University of Jammu (JU), today termed the constitution of the Recommendation Committee by the Vice Chancellor an eyewash and having no practical existence.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhavishya Sudan, vice-president of the ABVP, said, "We totally condemn the statement given by the JU authorities that we have raised the issue after a gap of one year. But the fact of the matter is that the Vice Chancellor had enhanced the hostel fee in violation of JU statutes."

"The JU authorities are misleading the media and general public by giving false information. This shows their ignorance and irresponsible attitude. We also condemn the Vice Chancellor statement ordering the constitution of the Recommendation Committee, because earlier the same committee was constituted but it was just to play with the sentiments of the students," the ABVP added.

The JU Vice Chancellor constituted the committee to look into the demands of the students who have been protesting regarding the hike in the hostel fee. The committee would submit its recommendations within two weeks.

"A section of students who have raised this issue again after a gap of more than one year of the issue of notification of hike in fee are now protesting for a rollback of the hostel fee. The university took a lenient view and constituted a committee to look into the matter. The committee in its report recommended to reduce the refundable security from Rs 2,000 to Rs 800. The protesting students did not agree to the recommendation of this committee and hence a new committee is constituted to look into the matter again," a JU statement claimed.

Meanwhile, ABVP activists continued their fast unto death against the hostel fee hike on the second day today.

Jammu, May 8
The investiture ceremony of GD Goenka Public School, governed by the Om Prakash Bansal Charitable Trust, was held on the school campus here. The function was attended by the staff and students from class III to XII.

Shubham Jain and Saubhagya Charak were elected Head Boy and Head Girl, respectively of the school. The elected Prefect Body for the academic year 2014-15 included Mrigank Baranwal - Deputy Head Boy; Anmol Rathore - Deputy Head Girl; Raunak Singh Bali - Sports Prefect; Simran Bhat and Shivam - Activity Prefects; Dipanshu and Yosuf - Teressa House Prefects; Agraney and Sahreen - Tagore House Prefects; Sushrat and Sakshi - Radhakrishnan House Prefects; and Ruchika and Aqib - Vivekananda House Prefects.

Earlier, the ceremony commenced with the lightning of the traditional lamp by principal Dr RP Singh, vice-principal Dr Subrata Kundu and all the coordinators. — TNS

Jammu, May 8
Students of Humanity Public School, Bassi Kalan (Bari Brahmana), brought laurels to the school by winning the recently concluded U-14 kho-kho inter-school tournament of the Purmandal zone. Humanity Public School defeated St Mary Convent School, Smailpur, by 12 points in the final match.

The tournament was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS). The victorious school team comprised Yasmeen, Neha, Rumani, Deepshikha, Sangeeta, Shivani Manhas, Shreya, Priya, Itika, Babita, Preeti and Shivani Bhagat.

The students of the school who participated in the tournament were received on the school premises by Gaurav Charak, principal, Akashdeep Raina, in charge, Ajay Sharma, physical instructor, and Nitin Jamwal, office assistant. — TNS

Srinagar, May 8
Two US diplomats today called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Tanvir Sadiq at his residence here and discussed the socio-economic and political developments in the state.

The US diplomats, including First Secretary Political Chad A Thornberry and Political Advisor to US Embassy Dinesh Dubey, held an hour-long discussion with Sadiq, a statement issued by the ruling party said.

Sadiq informed the diplomats about the efforts being undertaken by the present government to bring “peace and normalcy” to the region.

He also emphasised on the need to take the “peace process” further by addressing political issues of the state.

“Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has always been a votary of cordial Indo-Pak relations and referred to the crucial need of engaging Pakistan in productive dialogue,” Sadiq told the visiting delegation.

He said the party had been advocating strengthening of trade across the Line of Control (LoC) and replacing barter trade with the financial transaction to make it more transparent and healthier. He also advocated for a “less cumbersome” process to facilitate the movement of the people across the LoC.

Sadiq also advocated for the relaxation of travel advisory for the state. “They (diplomats) assured that all the issues raised with regard to the travel advisory will be looked into positively,” the statement said.

Srinagar, May 8
Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Talat Ahmad today said he was keen to see a mapping programme in J&K on the lines of MANU (mapping your neighbourhood in Uttarakhand) which would provide an opportunity to the experts and scientists to have a rich data on biodiversity and topography of various ecologically fragile areas of the state.

Talat was speaking during the inaugural session of a three-day science academics lecture workshop on “Himalayan Biodiversity and Bio-Resources: Mapping, Utilisation and Conservation” organised by the department of botany, KU.

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 The National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad.

“J&K is rich in bio-diversity and mapping the surroundings is very important. We should have a student’s mapping programme on the lines of MANU, currently going on in Uttarakhand under which students from various colleges and universities itself would be trained to map various areas, including their neighbourhood, so that we may be able to collect data on ecologically fragile zones,” said Talat.

He said the three-day workshop would be beneficial for the students.

Srinagar, May 8
Moderate Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today visited the bereaved parents of a youth, who was killed by the government forces in Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar on April 30.

The Hurriyat chairman, who was under house arrest since April 30, soon after his release today visited the home of slain Bashir Ahmad Bhat at Gratabal in Nawa Kadal area. He was killed by the government forces, a Hurriyat spokesman said in a statement.

Expressing solidarity with the youth’s parents, Mirwaiz also addressed a gathering in Nawa Kadal, the statement said.

“In the garb of conducting the elections, the way J&K has been turned into a police station, coupled with the arrest of hundreds of youth and Hurriyat activists, it depicts the anti-people attitude of the rulers,” the spokesman quoted Mirwaiz. Later, the separatist leader also visited SHMS Hospital to enquire about the health of Moomin Bilal and Suhail Bashir, who were injured in the Nawa Kadal firing, the statement said. — TNS