Srinagar, July 12
On his farewell visit, Army Chief General Bikram Singh today told soldiers to ensure that all the anti-militancy operations were conducted in a way that would win the hearts of people in the state.

Interacting with around 1,000 soldiers, drawn from various formations across the Valley, General Bikram Singh said operations against militants should be people-friendly.

“Ensure that there is no collateral damage during such operations. You should always uphold the law of the land and respect human rights during any operation,” he told the troops, while complimenting them for ensuring a secure environment in the state.

He highlighted several initiatives being taken for capability augmentation of the armed forces and for their welfare.

The Army Chief, who will retire on July 31, earlier met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here and discussed the prevailing security situation in the state.

“The Chief of the Indian Army, General Bikram Singh, along with General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen DS Hooda and General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps, Lt Gen Subrata Saha Saturday morning called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and discussed with him matters relating to the prevailing security situation in the state,” an official spokesman said.

The Army officers briefed the Chief Minister about the functioning of the security grid, besides issues related to it.

General Bikram Singh arrived in Srinagar today for a farewell visit to the strategically important Chinar Corps.

“For the Army Chief this is like “homecoming to the Valley” as he has commanded the Chinar Corps from November 25, 2008, to November 30, 2009,” a defence spokesman said.

The Chief of Army Staff was received by Lt General Hooda and Lt General Saha. The Army Chief commenced his visit by paying homage to the martyrs at the Chinar War Memorial.

Srinagar, July 12
Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh along with Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda and General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha met Governor NN Vohra here today.

The Governor and the Army Chief discussed various important matters relating to the role being played by the Northern Command in safeguarding the territorial integrity and internal security of the three regions of the state.

The Governor, who has known the Army Chief since the time the latter served as the GOC of the 15 Corps, complimented General Bikram Singh and all officers and men of the Northern Command for their exemplary devotion to enforcing a close and constant vigil along the two militarised frontiers of J&K, one of which is being perpetually transgressed.

The Army Chief is on his farewell visit to the Northern Command.

The Governor wished General Bikram Singh and his wife good health and happiness in the coming times.

Srinagar, July 12
The rituals related to the Amarnath yatra began with “bhoomi pujan” at Pahalgam today after the holy mace of Lord Shiva, led by Mahant Deependra Giri, was taken out from its abode at Dashnami Akhara here.

‘Bhoomi pujan’, ‘navgrah pujan’, ‘chhari pujan’ and ‘dhawajarohan’ ceremonies were performed while chanting Vedic hymns at Pahalgam on the occasion of ‘Vyas Purnima’ that marks the commencement of the annual pilgrimage.

The rituals, done prior to the main course of the pilgrimage, traditionally mark the beginning of the yatra.

Prayers were also offered at the historic Martand Temple at Mattan in Anantnag.

Srinagar, July 12
The state government has decided to impose curfew in old Srinagar city to avoid law and order problem and prevent separatists from paying tributes to the 1931 martyrs here tomorrow.

While the separatists have called for a shutdown tomorrow, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and other mainstream leaders will pay floral tributes at the Naqshband Sahib graveyard in the old city on the Martyrs’ Day.

On this day in 1931, 22 men were shot dead by soldiers of the Kashmir’s Dogra ruler outside Central Jail in Srinagar. The protesters had assembled outside Central Jail to witness the trial of Abdul Qadeer — who was put on trial for his role in the Kashmir uprising against the autocratic rule of Mahraja Hari Singh. They were later buried at the Naqshband Sahib graveyard. The day is being observed as a public holiday in the strife- torn state.

The separatists claim that the “mission” of those killed in 1931 is still unfulfilled.

Official sources said curfew would be imposed on the area of at least five police stations of the old city — Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safa Kadal.

“The curfew will be imposed on certain areas to maintain law and order,” said an official.

Srinagar: A meeting of senior officers of the police, civil administration and other security agencies was held at the Police Control Room here on Friday to discuss arrangements for the Martyrs Day functions to be held in the Valley on Sunday. The meeting was chaired by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) (Headquarters) SP Vaid. “At the meeting, threadbare discussions were held with regard to observance of Martyrs Day at the Mazar-e-Shuda, Naqashband Sahib (R.A), and other places in the Valley. — TNS

Srinagar, July 12
Anti-Israel demonstrations continued for the second consecutive day in various parts of the Valley today. Students in south Kashmir’s Pulwama area today protested the continuing Israeli air strikes on Gaza, in which over 100 people, including women and children, have been killed.

Meanwhile, moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq lashed out at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) for their “silence” on Israeli air strikes on civilians in Gaza.

“The UN and the OIC should wake up from their slumber. These organisations should wake up to the situation in Gaza, where Israel is demonstrating its aggression against the hapless and innocent civilians,” Mirwaiz said, adding that the shutdown called on Sunday to remember the martyrs of 1931 would also be a protest demonstration against the “Israeli action and aggression” in Gaza.

On the other hand, students of Government Degree College, Shopian, took out a protest demonstration against the Israeli attacks on civilians in Gaza.

Raising anti-Israeli slogans, the rally started from the college and ended peacefully at the bus stand.

Srinagar, July 12
To promote dialogue and understating between different regions, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) will be organising an intra-regional conference.

At a seminar on 1931 martyrs, Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said attempts were being made to put people of different regions in J&K against each other. The intra-regional dialogue was aimed to defeat those designs and conspiracies.

The seminar, which was presided over by Mirwaiz and attended by several other Hurriyat leaders, was organised to remember and pay homage to the martyrs of 1931, who were killed in firing by soldiers of Maharaja Hari Singh on July 13, 1931, outside Central Jail, Srinagar.

“Indian wants to de-internationalise the Kashmir issue and the move to close the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) office in New Deli is aimed at that. However, let us remind New Delhi that there are UN resolutions pending over Kashmir which cannot be unilaterally set aside,” Mirwaiz said.

He said time had come that people of Kashmir take lead in resolving the Kashmir issue.

“As a step towards this, the APHC is soon going to organise an intra-regional dialogue process, wherein people from different regions of the erstwhile J&K state will be invited to air and share there views on the resolution of Kashmir dispute,” Mirwaiz said.

“We have invited people from Ladakh, Jammu and other northern areas in this intra-regional dialogue as there are attempts to pit people of these regions against each other and against the Kashmiris,” he added.

Referring to the recent budget allocations by the Union Government, wherein an IIT was sanctioned for Jammu, Mirwaiz cautioned against ignoring the political dimension of Kashmir issue.

“Economic matters are ok, but unless there isn’t any movement forward on the political dimension of Kashmir dispute, the things won’t move forward,” said Mirwaiz.

Earlier, the APHC also passed a resolution calling for demilitarisation, release of all political prisoners and end to human rights violations, besides calling for free movement of people across the Line of Control to promote intra-state and intra-regional dialogue.

Pulwama, July 12
Kashmiri Pandits at Migrant Colony Hal in Pulwama district organised a “havan puja” on the birthday of Goddess Bheeda Bhagwati today and prayed for the welfare of the community.

Pandit families living in India and abroad had arrived to participate in the havan.

“It is the day we meet the members of the community who left during the years of turmoil in Kashmir and the Muslim brethren who eagerly wait for our arrival,” said Sheela Devi, who had come from Delhi to take part in the havan.

While appreciating the efforts of the Muslim community, Sandeep Butt, a junior engineer in Roads and Buildings Department in Pulwama, said the Muslim brethren always supported and helped us in times of need.

The Muslim community members, on the occasion, said they did not want the presence of the Pandits in the Valley on a mere occasion but wanted them permanently settled at their respective places.

Jammu, July 12
A 70-year-old resident of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), who had come to this side of Kashmir to meet his brother, died of heart attack at a hospital here last night.

Shukar Din, a resident of New Kashmir Colony in Kotli district, PoJK, fell ill at his brother Akbar Din’s house in Mendhar belt of Poonch district, officials said.

He was admitted to a hospital where he breathed his last.

His body was handed over to the PoJK authorities this evening at the Chakan da Bagh crossing point for last rites.

Custodian of the Chakan da Bagh trade centre Mohammed Bashir Lone said, “Shukar Din had come via the peace bus on June 2 to meet his brother at Keri Gultha village in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district.”

He was scheduled to return to his home on July 14, but he suffered a heart attack and died last night, Lone added.

Srinagar, July 12
The government today ordered transfers and postings of seven officers in the Telecommunication Wing of the Police Department.

Naseer Ahmad, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Telecom, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as the Staff Officer (SO) to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Technical Services.

Manzoor Ahmad Shoori, SO to the IGP, Technical Services, Police Headquarters, has been transferred and posted as the SSP, Telecom, Kashmir.

Rafi Ahmad Mir, SO to the Director, Police, Telecommunication, J&K, has been transferred and posted as the Superintendent of Police (SP), Telecom, ACS, Kashmir.

Rakesh Kumar Dhar, Vice-Principal, Police Training School, Kathua, has been transferred and posted as the SP, Telecom, ACS, Jammu.

Davinder Paul Singh, SP, Telecom, ACS, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as the SP, Telecom, Jammu.

Mohammad Shafi, awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as the SP, Headquarters, Telecom, Kashmir.

Mushtaq Ahmad Ganaie has been posted as the Staff Officer to the Director, Police, Telecom.