Srinagar/Anantnag, July 19
A 14-year-old boy was killed, while two others were injured when security forces fired on protesters, who had gathered to show solidarity with the Palestinians, in the Qaimoh area of Kulgam in south Kashmir.

The protesters were also demonstrating against the firing on Friday by the security forces, in which a youth was injured. The Friday protest in the area was also in support of the people of Gaza and against Israeli action in the area.

This is the first civilian casualty in the anti-Israel and pro-Palestine protests, which have rocked Kashmir during the past over a week.

While terming the killing of the boy as “unfortunate”, the J&K Police in a statement said here that an FIR had been registered and the circumstances leading to the firing incident and the subsequent killing of the boy were being probed.

The CRPF, which was deployed in the area, also denied its involvement into the killing of the boy. “Though our men were deployed in the area, but they did not open fire,” said CRPF spokesman Kishore Prasad.

Meanwhile, a group of students today tried to protest in Srinagar city, but were prevented by the police from marching ahead. Besides, the separatist Jamaat-e-Islami, J&K, also tried to submit a memorandum to the UNMOGIP office in Srinagar demanding UN intervention to halt the Israeli action.

Violent protests had been going on in the Qaimoh area since morning today against the Israeli firing and ground invasion in Gaza and 
the CRPF firing on anti-Israel protesters in the area on Friday, which left one youth with bullet injuries.

As per the eyewitnesses’ account, a protest was going on near the Higher Secondary School in the Qaimoh area when a contingent of police and the CRPF, which were deployed in the area, opened fire.

“Three people were injured in the firing and rushed to a hospital,” said the eyewitnesses.

One of the injured, Suhail Ahmad Lone, a class VIII student hailing from Hawoora Mishpora village of the Khudweni area, was taken to the District Hospital in Anantnag, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Doctors at the hospital maintained that Lone had a bullet injury in his chest and there was little that could have been done to save his life.

The parents and the eyewitnesses maintain that Suhail was not part of the protest in the area, but a bystander, who was watching the clash between the protesters and the security forces. The other injured people were also referred to a local hospital.

As the news about the killing of Suhail spread, thousands of people hit the streets in Qaimoh, Khodweni and the adjoining villages and marched towards the slain youth’s house when the reports from the area last came in.

A senior police official from the area said the situation remained very critical and the prime concern was to maintain law and order.

Jammu, July 19
One day strike call given by various organisations in Jammu against Friday’s clash between two groups at Baltal, the base camp for the Amarnath yatra, evoked little response in the winter capital here and other districts of the region.

Markets remained open while private and public transport plied normally on the roads. Educational institutions, banks and government offices also functioned normally.

The shutdown call was given by the Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and other social organisations in protest against the clash at Baltal. At some places, activists of some of the organisations held protest in the morning, but later dispersed peacefully.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Rajesh Kumar said the situation remained peaceful in entire Jammu. “No untoward incident was reported in the region and there was complete normalcy,” said the IGP.

Meanwhile, the Jammu Tourism Action Committee has expressed concern over the group clash at Baltal. The committee has said the administration failed to prevent the situation from going out of control.

Samba: Reports from the district said activists from various local organisations and people held protests against the government and marched towards the national highway but later dispersed peacefully.

Kathua: In Kathua town, shops remained closed in the morning while activists of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal held protest against the Baltal incident. They tried to march towards the national highway but dispersed peacefully following the arrival of police and paramilitary personnel.

Udhampur: Though markets remained open, activists of various Hindu organisations held a protest, asking the government to investigate the incident. The situation remained peaceful in border town of Rajouri, Poonch and Kishtwar. 

Srinagar, July 19
A day after clashes at Baltal, a batch of nearly 1,400 pilgrims began the the 14 km-long trek to the cave shrine of Amarnath from the base camp this morning.

The fresh batch of 1,400 pilgrims, including 500 stranded yatris, was allowed to proceed towards the holy cave shrine from the Baltal base camp this morning, the police said.

“The yatra is going on and the situation is well under control,” said AG Mir, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range.

He said there had been a minor squabble between two persons, which led to the trouble leading to fire in a tent that spread to other tents. A case was registered and further investigations into the cause of the trouble were going on.

Some civilians and policemen were injured in the incident. They were discharged after first aid from the hospital.

In view of Friday’s trouble, the convoys of yatris heading to Baltal from Jammu were halted at different locations en route yesterday. They were allowed to move ahead from Manigam, near Ganderbal district headquarters, this morning. At least 3,500 pilgrims reached the Baltal base camp this morning.

A senior CRPF officer said some convoys were stopped and over 8,000 yatris sent back to the Manigam base camp.

Meanwhile, Lt Gen Subrata Saha, GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, visited Baltal, Domel and Pahalgam today to review the security situation. He was informed that the stranded yatris were moved to Army camps in Domel and Sonmarg, where 1,500 and 250 yatris were accommodated, respectively.

“The Army is committed to provide environmental security to people and yatris,” the Defence spokesman said.

He added that the GOC expressed confidence in the security arrangements and hoped that such an incident would not repeat.

Udhampur, July 19
A high-level team constituted by the Railway Ministry today conducted the inspection of the Udhampur-Katra rail track from Katra towards Udhampur to find out the snag due to which the engine of the Shree Shakti Express had failed in tunnel No.27 on Wednesday.

The team was led by the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Ferozpur division, NC Goel.

Within 48 hours of its formal start, the Shree Shakti Express had got stuck in tunnel No.27 for two hours on Wednesday morning.

The Railway Ministry had constituted a high-level inspection team to submit a detailed report on what led to the failure of the engine in the tunnel.

“The team today conducted a detailed survey and will submit its report to the Chairman, Railway Board, within the shortest possible time. It will be ensured that no stone is left unturned with regard to the safety and security of the passengers travelling in various trains on this route,” said Neeraj Sharma, Public Relations Officer, Northern Railway.

“As per instructions from the higher authorities, I along with senior officials from Ferozpur today conducted a detailed motor-trolley inspection of the track but I cannot share the details of the findings. To ensure that the engine failure problem does not reoccur, two engines have been joined to both ends of the train,” RN Meena, Divisional Traffic Manager, Railways, Jammu.

“With regard to further extension of trains on the Udhampur-Katra route, we do not have any official confirmation from the higher authorities but trains are likely to be extended after August 15,” he added. 

Jammu, July 19
Congress ministers today face the ire of grassroots level workers for the alleged corruption in the administration and their failure to implement party’s agenda in the government.

The party workers also expressed their anger over the style of functioning of some party ministers who, according to them, were brazenly indulging into corrupt practices and ignoring the wishes and aspirations of common masses.

The day-long convention to get feedback from the cadres to take a decision on the pre-poll alliance with the National Conference turned into a platform to “expose” party ministers as workers minced no words in attacking them in presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Ambika Soni, former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Saifuddin Soz.

Although today’s convention was officially organised for the workers of Jammu district, including urban and rural units, but activists from other parts of the Jammu region also attended the function to express their anger.

Youth Congress leader Manjit Singh Jatt, while launching a direct attack on party ministers for indulging into corrupt practices, said the alienation among youth has been increasing due to the prevailing mess in the government.

Creating embarrassment for the party, Jatt alleged rates for transfers have been fixed and party ministers did not give importance to the workers.

Pawan Raina, while listing reasons for defeat of the party in the recent Lok Sabha elections, regretted that importance was given to turn-coats while as genuine workers were ignored.

He cautioned the high command against giving tickets to those who were infamous for shifting loyalties.

Vice president of the Pradesh Youth Congress (PYC), Pranab Shagotra lamented that party ministers have lost connect with the workers.

He openly mentioned that except two ministers all other Congress representatives in the council of ministers usually ignored party workers.

Shagotra also registered his protest against the government’s decision to enhance the retirement age from 58 to 60 years.

More than 30 leaders spoke during the convention and majority of them expressed concern over the corruption in the administration. These leaders also, in one voice, opposed the pre-poll alliance with the National Conference.

When Maheshwar Singh, a senior party leader, demanded that Ghulam Nabi Azad should be declared as party’s Chief Ministerial candidate he was interrupted by Ambika Soni.

Azad also took mike from Maheshwar Singh and mentioned that the convention was not to highlight any individual, but to discuss reasons for defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

Azad, however, could not control his anger over the worst ever defeat of the party in the parliamentary elections. Without naming any leader, he said: “For the last six years some people, from top to bottom, have disintegrated the Congress in J&K. It is high time for us to save the Congress.”

Save Congress (Quote)

For the last six years some people, from top to bottom, have disintegrated the Congress in J&K. It is high time for us to save the Congress — Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader

Srinagar, July 19
To check profiteering by shopkeepers and to keep food prices under control, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation to identify 20 places in Srinagar city for erecting hoardings to display prices of essentials fixed by the government.

The court has also said the fair price list of essentials be highlighted and displayed on television and announced on radio across the state.

The directions were issued by a Division Bench of the court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Hasnain Masoodi in a public interest litigation on the high prices of essentials.

“We direct the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to identify 20 places in consolation with the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department so that hoardings in Srinagar city can be erected to display prices of essential commodities as fixed by the (government) committee,” the court said in its orders.

The SMC counsel submitted that the Corporation won’t charge for displaying such hoardings as part of its social obligations.

The court also agreed with the suggestion of the Advocate General that the hoardings should be erected near grand mosques, shrines and several other places, adding that a communication has also been sent to the Railways for displaying the price list at railway stations and in trains in the state.

The court said the price lists had to be displayed not only in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar but also in all other district and tehsil headquarters across the state.

Jammu, July 19
The Army is preparing extensively to honour the martyrs of the 1999 Kargil war in a series of solemn ceremonies this year.

The primary event, which shall mark the 15th anniversary of the victory, is scheduled to be held at the War Memorial Drass from July 25 to 26.

The event will be attended by a large number of dignitaries of the Army and the civil administration as well as the gallantry award winners of the conflict and families of many martyrs, said Northern Command Defence spokesperson Colonel SD Goswami.

The battle was fought in the summer of 1999 to evict Pakistani regular forces, who had intruded and occupied winter vacated posts on the Indian side of the Line of Control, violating an unwritten agreement.

The operation cost the Indian Army hundreds of young lives, in whose memory the commemorative function is held every year.

On July 25, the Army bands will present a breathtaking display, followed by a solemn memorial service, the spokesperson said.

Colonel Goswami further said, on July 26, top officers of the Army, martyrs’ families, war heroes, political representatives and the civil administration shall participate in the commemorative wreath laying ceremony at the Kargil War Memorial located at the base of the Tololing feature, the scene of one of the fiercest battles of the operation.

The event is a purposeful attempt by the Army every year to remember its martyrs and solemnly honour their memories and to remind the nation of the constant sacrifices the men and women in uniform make for the citizens of India, he said.

Srinagar, July 19
BJP national general secretary and Rajya Sabha member JP Nadda today said Narendra Modi would fulfill former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s “dream” of finding an amicable solution to the Kashmir issue.

The former Prime Minister had once said it was his “dream and wish to resolve the Kashmir issue”. He had proposed to hold talks to find solution to the issue “within the ambit of humanity”.

“The BJP is emerging as a vibrant force and I must tell you that Modiji’s government will fulfil the mission of Vajpayeeji,” Nadda said during a party workshop in Srinagar where over a dozen people from the Valley joined the BJP.

After winning three parliamentary seats in Jammu and Kashmir recently, the BJP is making efforts to achieve its target of “mission 44 plus”.

Nadda said the party would focus on development in J&K during its campaign for the Assembly elections. The workshop for the party workers was held to prepare them for the Assembly polls.

Earlier, nearly a dozen people from Kashmir joined the BJP, including former lawmaker Mohammad Shafi Bhat’s daughter Dr Hina Bhat. 

Jammu, July 19
Former Union Minister and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad today expressed concern over regular breach of ceasefire along the international border and the Line of Control. He said, “Truce violation has crossed all limits after the formation of the BJP-led government at the Centre.”

“While campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised that after the formation of the BJP government there would be no ceasefire violation on the borders, but the situation is worsening with every passing day,” Azad told reporters on the sidelines of day-long Congress convention here.

Azad said when similar ceasefire violations took place during the UPA regime, the BJP minced no words in dubbing the previous government as helpless and weak.

He, however, said the Congress was in favour of cordial relations with neighbouring countries.

Replying to another question, Azad said the Congress was not against Ved Parkash Vaidik as an individual, but they were opposing his meeting Hafiz Sayeed.

Azad pointed out that Vaidik had gone to Pakistan as part of delegation to participate in a conference. “All participants returned after the conference, but Vaidik stayed there for a couple of weeks and met a number of people, including Sayeed,” he said.