Srinagar, August 29
Speaker of the state Legislative Assembly Mubarak Gul on Friday directed the crime branch of the police to conduct a time-bound investigation into the allegations of land grabbing and encroachment levelled against Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni and some opposition members of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Gul ordered the investigation after Madni himself raised the issue in the Assembly today as the session began, offering to quit politics and face punishment if found guilty.

At this point the House witnessed pandemonium and chaos, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 10 minutes amid allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling National Conference and the PDP over the land scam involving thousands of kanals of agriculture land.

The allegations against Madni were first raised in the Legislative Council on Thursday by NC legislator Bashir Ahmad Veeri.

Veeri had claimed that senior PDP leader Madni was party to the deal involving illegal conversion of nearly 4,000 kanals of agricultural land worth crores for non-agricultural purposes at Marhama Sangam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Veeri said the government had provided only 72 kanals that had to be improved for agricultural purposes in the area, but the PDP leaders had encroached on thousands of kanals and carried out the earth filling too. The land papers had signatures of the Deputy Speaker, Veeri alleged.

This allegation had prompted Council Chairman Amrit Malhotra on Thursday to direct the Chief Secretary to file a report on the accusations levelled by the legislator against the Deputy Speaker on the illegal land conversion and encroachment.

As the Assembly reconvened after adjournment today, the Speaker announced that he had directed the crime branch to conduct an inquiry and submit a report to him within 15 days. He also directed all concerned to submit the related documents with him before the question hour starts on Saturday.

Earlier, ruling party members M Akbar Lone, Nasir Aslam Wani and Ali Mohammad Sagar alleged and termed the PDP as “a party of land grabbers”. Following this, the BJP members also rose from their positions and raised slogans against corruption.

Srinagar, August 29
The state government today said a proposal for constructing over 15,000 community-type bunkers in border villages had been submitted to the Centre for approval.

While informing the Assembly, the government said the bunkers would be constructed in over 457 identified border villages in the Jammu region, worst hit by the recent ceasefire violations along the international border and the Line of Control.

On August 26, Minister of State for Home Sajjad Kichloo told the Assembly that 5,000 families had been displaced and over 20,000 others affected by the ongoing ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the Jammu region.

The minister had said instructions had been given to the local administration to construct at least one bunker in each village affected by Pakistan shelling.

“Pursuant to the announcement made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his (recent) visit to the Suchetgarh constituency and on the basis of the proposal submitted by the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, a proposal for construction of 15,062 community-type bunkers in 475 identified border villages for safety and security of these villagers has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Home affairs for approval,” Kichloo today told the Assembly in a written reply to the queries by two Jammu-based MLAs.

Jammu, August 29
While beggars and vendors have encroached upon bus stop sheds in Jammu, passengers, especially college students, have to wait on the road for buses. Most of the bus stop sheds continue to remain unused, despite major repair carried out by the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and other civic agencies.

At Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar and MAM College, despite repeated demands, the Municipal Corporation has not established any bus stop shed, which creates problems for students, who have to wait on the road facing sweltering heat and rains.

“These bus stop sheds were constructed to serve the people using public transport in the city, but vendors and beggars have encroached upon most of them. Its failure on the part of the authorities who are spending lakhs of rupees for their renovation, but these sheds have no use for the public,” said Romi Gupta, a college student.

The passenger sheds at Jewel Chowk, Amphalla, Women College, Gandhi Nagar, main stop and Parade have been taken over by beggars, mostly from outside the state, who have made them their resting places.

Many passengers alleged that the passenger sheds in the city have been mostly constructed at the places where people don’t wait for vehicles.

“The traffic police should take action against minibus operators, who break the rules and ensure them to stop their vehicles at these stops. The authorities need to create awareness about them,” said Namrita, a law student.

Jammu, August 29
Minister for Housing and Horticulture Raman Bhalla today inaugurated 10-day Ganesh Mahotsava at Parade Ground here this evening.

Thousands of devotees of Lord Ganesha were present on the occasion.

Ganesh Mahotsava has been organised by the Bhartiya Vedic Sansthan, under the management of Acharaya Sanjay Shastri, chairman, Board of Trustees, Bhartiya Vedic Sansthan, at Parade Ground.

Interacting with the devotees, Bhalla greeted the people of the state on Ganesh Chaturthi, which marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. He said celebration of such festivals bring people together and cement the bonds of brotherhood and communal harmony. He said the celebration of the festival was encouraged by great freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak to galvanise support for India's independence movement.

The minister appealed to the people of the state to resolve to renew the spirit and vision of great leader Tilak and rededicate themselves to country's development and progress.

Bhalla said Ganesh Chaturthi starts with the installation of Ganesha’s idols in colorfully decorated homes and specially erected temporary structures “mandapas or pandals”. The pandals are decorated specially for the festival with flower garlands and lights.

Jammu, August 29
A minor clash between local residents and Kashmiri migrants at the Aadhar card centre in Muthi led to the closer of the centre. One person was reportedly injured in the clash.

The clash started with an argument between some migrants and local residents of Muthi over the enrolment of Aadhar card, which later turned violent. However, the police reached the spot on time and handled the situation well.

According to the eyewitnesses, there was a heavy rush at the Aadhar card centre and people alleged that the staff was doing favouritism in enrolling people, which led to the clash at the centre.

An unidentified youth was reportedly injured with the broken glass of a window during the clash, but the police do not have any record of the injured.

The centre had been operating in the camp for the last four-five days and about 500-700 people were visiting the centre daily, but the local police was not informed about the centre. The registration of Aadhar card was being done without any police protection.

Hilal Azhar, Station House Officer (SHO), Janipur police station, said, “It was a minor clash, which started due to an argument among people. No case has been registered and no one was injured in the clash.”

“We didn’t get any written complaint against anyone about the incident. Everything is under control. We were not even informed about this centre, else we would have provided security at the centre,” he added.

Jammu, August 29
The multi-storey parking at the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) building (Town Hall) is still a distant dream for the residents of the city as JMC has been unable to finalise the proposal for the last two years.

To give relief to the public from the problem of less parking space and traffic chaos, the JMC had sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore in August 2012 with a provision of increasing the amount up to Rs 4 crore for the multi-storey parking project. But it has already been delayed by two years.

The city of temples, which has been facing the problem of lesser parking space for a long time, has to wait more for the parking space as the JMC is re-planning about the project.

In 2012, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand had given permission to make the multi-storey parking at Town Hall and sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the project, but tenders were not invited.

Kapil Sharma, Joint Commissioner, JMC, said, “The JMC is re-planning the project to make it the first-ever automatic parking lot of the state. Ee are in the processes of finalising the project.”

“We have the budget of Rs 3-4 crore for it and once the plan is finalised, the tenders will be invited,” he added.

According to the Joint Commissioner, the JMC will follow the technology used at automatic multi-storey parking at Connaught Place, New Delhi. The technology is called stack parking. The system functions like a Rubik's Cube. The pallets move forward, backward, left and right to allow cars to be moved towards the lifts for retrieval.

The technology may help Jammu residents to get rid of the parking space crunch in the city, if the JMC executes the project unlike multi-storey parking project of 2012.

More than 300 vehicles enter Town Hall daily and the situation in the existing parking place is becoming worse day by day.

The visitors to Town Hall and staff of the Municipal Corporation are eagerly waiting for the day when the multi-storey parking will be completed on the premises of the Jammu Municipal Corporation.

Jammu, August 29
The Jammu State Morcha (JSM) and Panun Kashmir (PK) have criticised the resolution adopted by the Legislative Council (LC) of Jammu and Kashmir urging the Union Government to resume process of Indo-Pak talks.

In a statement, Prof Virender Kumar, president of the JSM, strongly criticised the resolution and alleged that council has crossed its jurisdiction. “The external affairs, defence (defence of the borders) are the subjects which can only be discussed in the Parliament. The state government has no authority to dictate the Union Government on these matters,” Prof Gupta said.

He expressed surprise on the stand taken by the Congress Legislature Party, which was contradictory to the statement of former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is of the opinion that peace talks with Pakistan are not possible.

Meanwhile, Panun Kashmir (PK), a representative organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, said the National Conference (NC) government’s eagerness to push a resolution in the state Assembly advocating Indo-Pak talks in the face of cross-border shelling from Pakistan is unjustifiable. — TNS

Jammu, August 29
Like other parts of the country, 10-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi festival started in J&K. The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, who symbolises wisdom and prosperity, and is one of the biggest festival in Maharashtra.

Special “pandals” have been erected to offer prayers during the festival and people are purchasing idols of the lord, which will be immersed in rivers and streams after the conclusion of religious ceremonies.

The 10-day-long festival will be observed across the state with temples specially decorated for the purpose. On the concluding day of the festival, idols of Lord Ganesha would be immersed in the Tawi and Chenab.

Prayers are offered to the Ganesha idols and sweets are distributed among devotees during the festival.

Zero Line ( RS Pura), August 29
The BSF today said it would wait and watch how the situation unfolded following the sector commander-level India-Pakistan flag meeting here.

“We have to see how they (Pakistan Rangers) behave post sector commander-level flag meet. We told them that we will never open first fire and will firmly stand by our word but if they fired at us, we will retaliate strongly,” said BSF Jammu Frontier, IG, RK Sharma.

The flag meeting was held from 4.30 pm till 8.30 pm.

Since July 16 when BSF constable Sanjay Dhar was killed in a sniper fire by the Rangers in the Arnia area, there had been a flare-up on the international border, especially in Arnia and the RS Pura sub-sector.

“The talks were held in a congenial atmosphere and both countries put forth their views. We told them that if they don’t fire at us, we will not retaliate and it would be good for the border populace on either side,” said the IG.

However, Pakistan again remained in a denial mode, he added.

“We told them that we have sufficient proof of their unprovoked firing and we have come here for peace on their request, said the IG. The BSF was led by Jammu sector commander, DIG BS Kasana and Pakistan Rangers were led by Sialkot sector commander Brigadier Mateen.

A source said the Rangers refused to accept the sweets which the BSF had taken for them.

“Every single case with pictorial evidences was taken up by the BSF and we lodged a strong protest. We told them that BSF never initiates the first fire and if they fired at us, they would get a strong retaliation,” he added.

DIG Kasana, who led the Indian side, said that meeting was held in a congenial atmosphere and it was amicable. “We took up ceasefire violations by them in recent times,” he added.

Srinagar, August 29
The state government today admitted in the Legislative Council that 128 kanals or 128.54 hectares of J&K property outside the state are under illegal occupation.

Of this land, the state government said 96 kanals or 96.4 hectares have been under the illegal occupation of the Directorate of Estates, Government of India, since 1951.

The state government has asked the Union Ministry of Defence to pay the market rent of the occupied land from the date of its occupation till it is handed over to the J&K Government.

32 kanals of the J&K land in Amritsar, Punjab, as per the Hospitality and Protocol Department of the state government, have been illegally occupied by three family members — Raminder Singh, Balbir Sharma and Kuldip Singh — of Amritsar.

This was mentioned in the written reply by the state government today in response to a question posed by MLC Naresh Kumar Gupta.

The official reply stated that the state government has a total of 114 kanals of land at Kashmir House, Rajaji Marg, New Delhi, out of which only 11 kanals of land are in possession of the state government. The remaining 96 kanals of land has been on lease with the Directorate of Estates, Government of India, since 1946 at an annual rent of Rs 97, 942.

“It was initially leased out to them for five years, which expired in 1951. The matter has been taken up with the Union Ministry of Defence, which had conveyed in 2008 that the Directorate of Estates has an acute shortage of accommodation of 3 lakh sq ft. The Defence Ministry handed over 18 staff quarters on the premises of Kashmir House on February 6, 2008. The state Chief Secretary has also written demi-official letters to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Urban Development, and Secretary, Union Ministry of Defence, to update the current status. An official reply is awaited from the Union Government,” the state government’s reply today read.

In the case of illegal occupation of J&K property by three family members in Amritsar, Punjab, at least 32 kanals of land have now been declared disputed and the matter is sub judice.

Srinagar, August 29
Over 5 lakh families are without ration cards in the state and there is no provision to provide ration to these households. However, the government on Wednesday promised that newly printed ration cards will be distributed among consumers within the next 45 days.

This was stated by the government on Wednesday in the state Assembly in a written reply during the question hour to a query by PDP MLA Perzada Mansoor Hussain, who had sought district-wise details of families and households without ration card in the state. While giving details, the government said as per the 2011 Census, 5,07,276 families in the state were currently without ration cards.

The highest number of such families is in the Kashmir division, where 3,01,507 families are without ration card, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Minister Choudhary Ramzan said while providing figures in the Assembly on Wednesday.

As per the figures, the number of such families in the Jammu region is 2,05,769. The highest number of families without ration card is in Anantnag district, which has 62,196 families, which is followed by Jammu district where the number of such families is 49,860. The district with the lowest number of families without ration cards is Kathua, where the figure is 2,713.

While replying to the concerns of various MLAs in this regard, the CAPD Minister said the government had already earmarked Rs 4.10 crore for printing fresh ration cards. “I promise that within the next 45 days, fresh and newly printed ration cards will be distributed in the entire state which shall have a five-year duration. Currently, these are being printed in Jammu and Srinagar as well,” Ramzan said.

The minister also revealed that after the 2011 Census, 26 lakh people had been added to the state’s population, for which the government was not getting any subsidised ration from the Centre.

The minister said state was getting ration quota as per the 2002 Census and was pursuing to get ration from the Centre as per the 2011 Census, adding that the government was contemplating to establish 7,697 government-controlled sale depots in the state.

Srinagar, August 29
Member of Legislative Assembly from Kulgam MY Tarigami called on Governor NN Vohra here today.

Besides having an extensive discussion with the Governor on governance, corruption and delay in implementation of socio-economic development programmes, Tarigami also voiced concern about the forthcoming political process in the state. 

Srinagar, August 29
After the 2010 unrest in the Valley, the number of youth recruited in the police department from Srinagar district was the highest in the state, the government revealed this in the state Assembly today.

Nearly 3,000 youth, almost half of them hailing from different areas of Srinagar, were inducted in the police as SPOs (special police officers) during 16 special recruitment rallies held since 2010, the House was informed by Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Minister of State for Home.

The information was provided in reply to a question by a member of the Assembly seeking data on police recruitment rallies.

The documents revealed that during special drives carried out by the police in the Valley, 2,916 candidates were selected as constables.

The minister said such recruitment drives would continue in Srinagar.

The drives were specially started after the 2010 unrest in which more than 100 youth were killed in Kashmir and most of the youth across Kashmir participated in stone pelting and holding protest demonstrations, which resulted in clamping of curfew for more than two months.

In a multi-pronged approach, the state government launched an on-the-spot recruitment drive in 2011 in various parts of Srinagar city and the worst-affected district of the Valley due to stone-pelting.

Then, the officials had said the main aim of the recruitment drive was to increase the representation of the youth hailing from Srinagar city in the constabulary.

“As many as 2,916 youth were recruited as constables during the recruitment drives conducted in the police department since 2010,” the officials had said.

As per the information, the highest number of 1,378 youth was recruited in seven recruitment rallies conducted between January 12, 2011, and May 6, 2012, in different constituencies of Srinagar.

In the most sensitive areas of Srinagar, such as Khanyar, Zadibal, Haba Kadal, Idgah and Batamloo, which have witnessed intense protests, around 1,216 youth were recruited in the police department with the highest number (342) in Zadibal.

Many among those recruited were involved in the incidents of stone pelting during 2010. 

Srinagar, August 29
The state Assembly today discussed the sale and supply of spurious and substandard insecticides and fungicides in the Valley.

All members, who took part in the discussion, wanted a thorough probe into what they called the “spurious insecticide/fungicide scam” and wanted Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir to speak on the issue.

Mir is expected to reply to the motion tomorrow.

The motion to discuss the damage to the apple crop in Kashmir by increase of scab and compensation to the apple growers after damages suffered by recent hailstorms was brought in by National Conference (NC) leader Javed Ahmad Dar.

Dar hails from north Kashmir where apple orchards have been severely affected by scab and recent hailstorms.

The NC leader said the horticulture industry was the backbone of the state’s economy and cushioned it in most uncertain times when all other sectors had gone defunct when militancy started in the region.

Dar said uncontrolled availability of spurious insecticides had put a question mark on the agriculture and horticulture authorities of the state.

In his demand for a thorough probe into the scam, Dar was seconded by MLAs AR Veeri, Hakim Yasin and Mohammad Ashraf, who wanted action against the officials or persons involved in the sale and supply of spurious and fake insecticides.

As other members also wanted to take part in the discussion and raise their concerns over the sale of spurious insecticides, Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul told them they would be given an opportunity to speak on Saturday.

Gul said the Agriculture Minister, who was present through the session today, would reply all concerns raised on Saturday. 

Srinagar, August 29
Mir Behri residents here today rued the government apathy and demanded completion of all the unfinished projects in the area.

“Despite living in the heart of Srinagar city, around 40,000 people have been deprived of basic facilities like roads, water, electricity, healthcare, education and sanitation,” said the president of the Mir Behri Welfare Society (MBWS) Ghulam Hassan Kanu.

Kanu alleged that the macadamization work on the main road, which started last year after decades of persuasion and struggle, has been left incomplete.

“The road from Aabi Gurpura to Kani Kachi has been completed but the remaining part from Kani Kachi to Moti Mohalla has been left untouched,” Kanu alleged.

Nasir Hussain, a local, said the work had not been undertaken despite the Roads and Buildings Department calling for tenders for macdamization of the road and repair of bridges and a no objection certificate from the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority.

“Dilapidated roads and bridges add to the misery of people. Everyday life has become a nightmare, especially in rains and during emergency in the absence of proper roads,” Hussain said.

The society also claimed that they were facing shortage of water and electricity and urged the authorities to address their concerns failing which they would forced to take to the streets.

Srinagar, August 29
Arrangements for the 25th Police Public Mela have been finalised at a high-level meeting held at the State Police Headquarters here today. The mela will be organised in the city on September 7.

The meeting was chaired by SPVaid, Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP), Headquarters. It was attended by senior police officers, including members of the arrangement committees.

The event will be inaugurated at the Bakshi Stadium in the city at 10 am on September 7. Raffle draw will be held at 4 pm.

The meeting was attended by ADGPs VK Singh, SM Sahai and Dilbag Singh, IGPs B Srinivas, AK Choudhary, Deepak Kumar, HK Lohia, AG Mir, SJM Gillani, MS Salaria, MA Khan, Sunil Kumar Sharma, T Punchok, Sunil Kumar, SL Sharma and MA Ganai, DIG MM Sadiq, AIGPs AA Kakroo, Tahir Sajad and Rajeshwear Singh.

Vaid sought reports from different committees constituted for making the arrangements.

"It was informed that the required arrangements have been put in for the day-long mela. Sale of raffle draw tickets is in progress at various places across the state. People are showing a keen interest in getting tickets," an official spokesperson said.

Stallholders from various police establishment centres will reach here three days before the event and establish their stalls at the identified space, the meeting was informed.

SP Vaid, while addressing the meeting, said: "The Police Public Mela has gained faith and fame on a large scale as the event provides an opportunity to the police and the public to assemble together and interact".

"The Additional Director-General of Police disclosed that this time 1,211 fabulous prizes, including a bumper prize costing more than Rs 6 lakh, have been included in the raffle draw," the spokesperson said.

Srinagar, August 29
Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir today informed the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly that Rehbar-i-Zirat (ReZs) from the Kashmir division were regularised on the directions of the Srinagar wing of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, where the case of incumbents was pending.

As regard to the regularisation of ReZs from the Jammu division, the Minister said a case was pending disposal in the Jammu wing of the High Court and the government would implement the directions as and when passed.

He, however, ruled out intentional delay of regularisation of the Jammu-based ReZs and said the case in the Jammu wing was being vigorously pursued and likely to be decided soon.

The statement came following allegations of regional bias by the BJP members with respect to the regularisation of ReZs from the Jammu division.

BJP legislators alleged that the government had started the regularisation process for the Kashmir-based ReZs, while the ReZs from Jammu were being discriminated upon.

The minister, however, maintained that the effect to all the appointments would be given simultaneously from April 1, 2014, and there would not be any discrimination with any incumbent.

Mir said the Jammu-based ReZs, who were protesting for regularisation, should keep cool and they would get justice soon.

Srinagar, August 29
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today moved a privilege motion against the Power Minister in the Legislative Council for “misleading the House” over an inquiry into the alleged bungling in the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Power Project in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.

The motion was moved by PDP legislator Naeem Akhtar. “I had sought a reply from the Minister in charge Power on the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Power Project and the minister provided completely false and misleading written answer to my question,” Akhtar told The Tribune. “I have moved a privilege motion against the Power Minister and the concerned administrative secretary,” he said.

The Power Department is being headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while Viqar Rasool is the Minister of State for Power.

Yesterday, Akthar had sought information on the relief and rehabilitation of villages affected by the project in Bandipora district.

The Minister in charge Power in his reply in the House said the relief and rehabilitation plan for the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Power Project was under examination of the government. “However, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation has released Rs 64.91 crore to the Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora,” the reply stated.

The PDP legislator had also asked whether there was report of bungling, misconduct, corruption and poor progress in the project to which the government agreed.

“A preliminary enquiry has been registered by the CBI on May 8, 2013, and no comments had been received from the CBI regarding the outcome of the preliminary inquiry by the Power Development Department,” the minister in charge stated.

Akhtar, however, alleged that the reply was totally false as the state government had held a formal enquiry and had submitted its report on June 13.

The PDP legislator gave a copy of the government report to Council Chairman Amrit Malhotra before moving the privilege motion against the minister concerned. 

Srinagar, August 29
Governor NN Vohra inaugurated the 6th Annual Conference of the Contact and Occupational Dermatoses Forum of India (CODFI) at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre here today.

The conference was organised by the Department of Dermatology, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Leprosy, Government Medical College, Srinagar.

The Governor highlighted varied issues which need to be addressed to strengthen and enlarge the health care system adequately to meet the needs and demands of a billion and a quarter people.

He said in our large and populous country we have still a long way to go to secure access to affordable medical care and medicines, particularly for the significant percentage of the population which exists below the poverty line.

The Governor stressed the need to remedy the unflinching tendency for the people in need of medical advice to jump the referral system and go straight to tertiary care hospitals. Therefore, he said, we need to deal with the problems generated by the existing healthcare arrangements.

He observed that in a state like Jammu and Kashmir, which has a vast and difficult geographical area, high attention is required to be devoted to enable the medical services to improve healthcare system.

Vohra urged the formulation and application of practical policies to encourage, enable and implement medical services which are based on sound professional ethics.

The Governor complimented Dr Iffat Hassan of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences for organising the conference and hoped that there would be meaningful exchanges of ideas and experiences to evolve broad based approaches for making dermatology related diseases more practical and cost effective.

Jammu, August 29
A team of the crime branch, Jammu, today sealed the office of a finance company in Rajouri town for allegedly misappropriating the deposited amount and duping the depositors of their hard-earned money through criminal conspiracy.

A team of the crime branch headed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammad Ibrahim, the investigating officer of the case, under the supervision of SSP, crime branch, Jammu, sealed the office of the Vikrant Finance Company at the main market of Rajouri town.

On August 22, the crime branch had booked the finance company and its officials for duping the depositors of their hard-earned money.

The accused were identified as Kewal Koul, Rakesh Kumar, Ashwani Kumar and Kamal Kumar Gupta, all the residents of Rajouri town.

“The records pertaining to the case have been seized from the office. The accused had been evading their arrest. Efforts have been made to trace out all records pertaining to the case as well as their shops or immovable properties situated at the Rajouri bus stand and other places,” an official spokesperson said. 

Jammu, August 29
The University of Jammu, the country’s first ISO-certified institute of postgraduate studies and higher learning, is fully geared to hold its 14th convocation to be addressed by President Pranab Mukherjee at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium here on September 1.

The convocation is being held on the campus after a gap of seven years.

“It is a proud moment for us that the President has given his consent to be the chief guest at the 14th convocation of the university to be held on September 1. Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the university, would preside over the event while Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the university, will be the guest of honour,” said Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice Chancellor of the varsity.

Ishar 67 candidates who had completed their doctorate degree in 2013 in seven faculties would be awarded Ph.D degrees while 68 candidates would be awarded with the University Gold Medal, cash rewards and medals.

“The university is organising a special convocation on September 16 in which Ph.D degrees and Gold Medals would be awarded to candidates for the academic sessions from 2006 to 2012,” he said. The Vice Chancellor said he was not aware of the reasons for not holding the convocation for so long.

“We were planning to hold the convocation in March this year but it was delayed because of the parliamentary elections. After holding the special convocation to clear the backlog on September 16, we will make the event a regular feature in the university.”

Srinagar, August 29
The BJP today accused the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of sidelining the core issues during the Assembly session.

Asserting that the session was meant for resolving the issues faced by common man, the BJP said the NC and the PDP had turned the House into a battleground to settle personal scores.

“We regret the way the Assembly session went by…it was for resolving the issues of the people, but it seems that the House is for the Muftis and Abdullahs and their infighting,” BJP legislator Ashok Khajuria told reporters.

He also accused the Congress of shifting loyalties and said the party was a “threat” to the country.

Talking on the forthcoming Assembly elections, Khajuria said the BJP would take along all the three regions of the state and there would be no discrimination on basis of region.

“As part of our ‘Mission 44 plus’, we will take along people, who are connected to the ground, and there will be no division on the basis of region. During elections, we will take along people from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and do justice to all,” he said.

Khajuria, meanwhile, avoided a direct answer on the resolution by the Legislative Council urging New Delhi to talk with Pakistan.

The senior BJP representative though said Pakistan was a “terrorist state” and there was no need to talk to them.

He also hit out at the Valley-based parties for offering condolences to slain militants and feeling happy about the death of security personnel.

On BJP national general secretary JP Nadda’s recent meeting with the Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone, Khajuria said the BJP was open to anybody that believed in party’s “framework”.

He said the BJP did not consider anybody untouchable and that good people would soon be joining the party

Srinagar, August 29
Deputy Director General of Doordarshan Rafeeq Masoodi called on Governor NN Vohra here today.

Masoodi presented to the Governor a copy of the ‘Barff Par Bane Padhchin’ (Footprints in the Snow).

The book, the latest Hindi translation of the Akademi award-winning Kashmiri book ‘Sheen Te Votpd’, encompasses the life and times of the Gujjars.

It takes a special look at their lives, from the food they eat to the traditions which define and influence their culture.

The community has found a harmonious balance between the past and the present, which makes it an inherent part of the Kashmir cultural scenario.

Blending the original book with modern sensibility, Masoodi has succeeded in giving a contemporary flavour to his work.

The Governor complimented Masoodi for his literary contributions and wished him continuing success in all his future endeavours.

Anantnag, August 29
A constable was today shot at and critically injured by militants outside the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office in Anantnag town of south Kashmir, some 50 km from Srinagar.

The constable has been identified as Fayaz Ahmad, a resident of Kulgam district. He is the personal security guard of Anantnag Deputy Commissioner Bashir Ahmad Khan.

Khan was inside his office when the security guard was attacked. Police reports said Fayaz had stepped outside the DC office in the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag when pistol-borne militants fired at him from a close range.

“He was shot in the head,” said a senior police officer from the area. “He was immediately rushed to the nearby District Hospital, Anantnag,” the police officer said.

Doctors at the hospital described Fayaz’s condition as critical and said they had referred him to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar, keeping in view the nature of his injuries. Soon after the attack, police and CRPF personnel cordoned off the area. Till the reports last came in, searches were being carried out in the area to nab the militants.

Sources said the militants had decamped with the service rifle of the policeman. Police officers, however, said they are ascertaining the facts.

Srinagar, August 29
Governor NN Vohra, who is also the Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, has expressed grief over the death of Ashraf Ali Bhat, a senior student of the Arabic Department of the institute.

In a letter to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, the Governor, NN Vohra, conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.

Kulgam, August 29
Clashes erupted in Kulgam town of south Kashmir and a shutdown was observed after the police detained separatist leader and president of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Shabir Shah.

Shah was detained after he tried to lead a protest march towards the main market of the town after addressing the Friday congregational prayers.

A group of youth accompanying Shah tried to resist his detention. This led to pitched battles between the youth and the police.

“The police used tear smoke shelling and baton charge to disperse the protesters who resorted to stone-throwing,” a source said. 

Anantnag, August 29
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader from Kulgam was today arrested by the Anantnag police after a woman accused him of trying to molest her and demanding sexual favours for his higher-ups in the party.

The accused, Gulzar Ahmad Dar, of Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district, was arrested following the allegations by the woman.

A police officer from Anantnag confirmed the arrest.

The victim, while talking to media in Anantnag, alleged Dar of taking a bribe of over Rs 1.5 lakh from her for a job.

She said the accused had called her today to his house at Khanabal in Anantang.

“We are investigating the case thoroughly,” the police officer said. — OC