New Delhi, November 7
While Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lead from the front in the Mission 44 in Jammu and Kashmir, the second line of defence will be handled by BJP-RSS strongmen with substantial hold over issues and the region.

They include Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who has served as the election in charge in the state, Sangh leader Indresh Kumar -margdarshak of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (a Muslim organisation in India affiliated to the RSS) - and Jitendra Singh, a senior leader from the region whose first comment after taking over as the Minister of state in the PMO on Article 370 sparked off a controversy.

The upcoming elections in the Muslim-dominated state will test party president Amit Shah’s organisational skills to the limits. Sources said he was counting on experience of the BJP-RSS leaders active in the region which the saffron party and the Sangh had been carefully tending.

Apparently, the strategy includes maximising gains in Jammu and Ladakh and making inroads in the Valley to ensure that the BJP emerges as an important player - at least the kingmaker - in these elections.

Riding on Modi euphoria, the BJP bagged three out of six seats (Jammu, Udhampur and Leh) in the Lok Sabha.

In the state elections, the party it banking on its “development pitch and healing touch” along with Hindu votes and strong “anti-incumbency” against the Omar Abdullah government.

Senior leaders like Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh are expected to add on to Modi’s message of “development-oriented, corruption-free government with a healing touch” in the strife-torn state.

Former Sangh pracharak Khattar is well conversant with the region, local issues and cadres engaged there. During his tenure as the Regional Sangathan Mahamantri, the saffron party had made substantial gains for the first time in the Jammu region.

Indersh Kumar is the founder of the MRM, an RSS organisation aiming to provide a platform to Muslim voices. Sources said he had worked with the minority community in the Jammu region.

Senior leader Avinash Rai Khanna, currently in charge of the party, has been a leading voice in Parliament on issues related to the state such as rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and refugees’ rights.

A senior party leader claimed that a sizable number of Muslim youth might opt for the BJP as more than Article 370 they were concerned about jobs and issues related to their community. “Here is where Modi’s regular visits, healing touch and pro-development image are expected to help,” he said.

The BJP, which has no base in the Valley, is said to be tapping smaller political outfits that over the years have been relegated to sidelines by parties like the PDP and the NC. Amid speculations of a post-poll understanding with the PDP, the sources said Modi and Shah were also in contact with leaders of the Bakarwal and Gujjar communities.

Star campaigners Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar: He has served as the election in charge in the state MP Jitendra Singh: Senior leader from the region whose first comment after taking over as the Minister of State in the PMO on Article 370 sparked off a controversy Sangh leader Indresh Kumar: Margdarshak of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (a Muslim organisation in India affiliated to the RSS)

Jammu, November 7
Former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) educator and BJP leader Kabla Singh, alias Krishan Dev Singh, Friday joined the Peoples Democratic Party in the presence of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

Former Jammu Mayor and Ghulam Nabi Azad loyalist Manmohan Choudhary made his entry into the saffron party in the presence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.

Kabla Singh had unsuccessfully contested two Assembly elections from the Gool-Arnas segment in Reasi district.

He had been a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh campaigner for nearly six-and-a-half years.

He staked his claim to the Gool-Arnas segment, but the party had chosen Kuldeep Dubey, a turncoat from the National Conference who joined the BJP two days before the party released its list of candidates.

Defending his decision, Kabla Singh alleged that the BJP had betrayed him and kept him in the dark for many days as well.

“I was a committed and dedicated worker of the party. I am not financially resourceful like Dubey, whom the party has given the ticket,” he said.

A buoyed Mufti said, “It is a good beginning of bringing people of all religions and sects on a single platform to launch a struggle for basic amenities and reply to those who are bent on pursuing a divisive agenda.”

He promised that members of all communities would be empowered equally if the Peoples Democratic Party was voted to power.

“During our tenure from 2002 to 2005, we proved how to treat all people equally,” he said.

In the other function, Manmohan Choudhary joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

He is known for his proximity to Azad. Choudhary said he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party due to the honest approach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

President of the Jaat Sabha, Choudhary had worked in favour of Azad in Jaat-dominated areas in the General Election. Bharatiya Janata Party sources said Choudhary was eying the ticket from the Gandhi Nagar segment.

Jammu, November 7
As campaigning for the first phase of the Assembly elections has started, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is focusing on the Chenab valley belt, which is the stronghold of Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has herself taken the task to reach out to the people and seek decisive mandate from her party so that should be able to form a strong government.

Since November 3, Mehbooba is touring various areas of the Chenab valley to campaign in favour of PDP candidates in all six Assembly seats of the region, which is going to the polls on November 25.

Her one-point programme during the visit is to apprise people that the PDP is all set to form the next government and it is up to people to strengthen the hand of the party by giving more votes.

Addressing a rally in the Inderwal Assembly Segment today, Mehbooba said, “The Chenab Valley is looking enthusiastic about joining the winds of change blowing across the state. Wherever I went during the current tour of the region, I could clearly see an unprecedented expression of energy for changing the present rotten system in the state amid the belief of the people that the PDP is the only option available to them, after the collapse of the Congress and the National Conference.” Mehbooba claimed that all sections of society in the Chenab region had joined hands to bring a change in the government and the political system like the people in the Kashmir valley.

“I am glad to see people rising above caste and religion lines to close their ranks behind the PDP in the hope of brining in a government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and reviving the process of reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation in the state,” she said.

She is well aware of the fact that Azad enjoys strong support of the people in this region and sneaking into his zone is not an easy step. “The Congress as a major partner in the outgoing government has no achievement to show to those people who had voted for it last time in the hope of accelerated development. The party has presented same faces who have exploited the people for the last over a decade and among them even ministers have been given mandates who were either dismissed from the government on corruption charges or their portfolios were snatched,” she said.

Mehboobaspeak The Chenab Valley is looking enthusiastic about joining the winds of change blowing across the state Wherever I went during the current tour of the region, I could clearly see an unprecedented expression of energy for changing the present rotten system in the state amid the belief of the people that the PDP is the only option available to them.

Srinagar, November 7
The Election Commission Friday issued the notification for the second phase of elections. Eighteen constituencies will go to the polls on December 2.

The districts going to the polls in the second phase are Kupwara and Kulgam in Kashmir and Reasi, Udhampur and Poonch in Jammu.

Gulabgarh, Reasi, Gool-Arnas, Udhampur, Chenani (SC), Ramnagar, Surankote, Mendhar, Poonch-Haveli, Karnah, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, Langate, Noorabad, Kulgam, Home-Shalibugh and Devsar will vote from 8 am to 4 pm on December 2. The last date for filing nominations is November 14. Papers will be scrutinised on November 15. Candidates can withdraw their nominations up to November 17. The process for the second phase will be completed on December 29.

Today the BJP is ready to even truck with those who have always questioned the Indian Constitution and propagated separatism. The fact that they are doing it purely for electoral purpose ahead of Jammu and Kashmir elections makes the matter worse Salman Khurshid, former external affairs minister

New Delhi, November 7
The Congress today questioned the BJP's intentions behind wooing the separatists ahead of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and said the saffron party was practicing opportunistic politics and was deserting the people by wooing the pro-freedom groups in the Valley.

Speaking to reporters today, former external affairs minister Salman Khurshid said, “Today the BJP is ready to even truck with those who have always questioned the Indian Constitution and propagated separatism. The fact that they are doing it purely for electoral purposed ahead of Jammu and Kashmir elections makes the matter worse. We accuse the BJP of deserting the people of this country."

Khurshid was making his statement in reference with MoS Home Kiran Rijiju's comment that the BJP was in touch with separatist groups for election alliance purposes.

"The BJP is ready to ally with the people who have always attempted to bring resolutions to assert their stand of independence from India. For election victory, the BJP is ready to sup with even the devil," said Khurshid.

Batote, November 7
Calling for electing honest and upright leaders, former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad exhorted voters of the Ramban constituency to vote for Ramban MLA Ashok Kumar.

While addressing a gathering at Batote yesterday, he said the scope and challenges of development in hilly rural areas were immense. Reminding people of the country’s age-old communal harmony, co-existence and brotherhood, he greeted them on Parkash Utsav.

After welcoming some local workers of the BJP and the PDP into the party fold, he also visited the house of INC district women president Narinder Kour to condole her father’s demise, who was the Batote block president of the party for more than four decades.

He was accompanied by INC district president Arun Singh Raju, district youth president Rashid Malik, Batote block president CL Goswami and senior leaders Janak Singh, Pritam Singh, Farooq Choudhary, Tariq Salim, Arif Salaria and Shahrukh Bhatti.

Srinagar, November 7
With just days left for the Assembly polls, the Kashmir unit of the BJP today formed its campaign committee.

During a party meeting headed by BJP state general secretary Ashok Koul here, three local leaders - GM Mir, Ali Mohammad Mir and Duraksha Indrabi - were named as members of the campaign committee. Other leaders and party workers too have been assigned specific tasks, the party said in a statement here.

It said the party manifesto would also be released soon. Even as the BJP has so far failed to open its account in the Valley, several top party leaders have been paying regular visits to Kashmir to strengthen the party base. Besides holding public functions, the leaders have also been meeting heads of smaller local parties to discuss the post-poll alliance. — TNS

Srinagar, November 7
In its 75th year of existence, the National Conference is preparing for its hardest battle. The oldest surviving party of Kashmir politics is increasingly missing the charisma of its founding leader Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and its glory, which is fast withering away.

The NC has always revolved around the Abdullahs, who are its final decision-makers. This election, the party’s baton will be solely in the hands of Omar Abdullah as his father and party’s patriach, Farooq Abdullah, is undergoing treatment in London. This has left the National Conference without its most powerful anchor.

The party had to do a lot of arithmetic after its stunning rout in the parliamentary election earlier this year when it lost the mandate from all three parliamentary constituencies of the Kashmir region. The party is doing all available math – adding and subtracting possibilities – to undo the May’s defeat and ensure a victory in December.

It is a hard challenge for the National Conference to stop the blitz of opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which had won 41 of the 46 Assembly segments of the Kashmir region in the parliamentary elections and handed over the National Conference its worst ever result.

The National Conference has an impressive range of leaders and a loyal cadre but its tenure in the coalition government of past six years was paralysed by policy failure at multiple levels. This undid the impressiveness of its leaders and angered its loyal cadres. The party attempted to undo its failures after facing a rout in the Lok Sabha elections by making quick changes which it had resisted during its five-and-a-half-year rule. It increased the retirement age of employees and rolled back a notorious employment policy.

The NC is now at a critical point in history, when it faces the danger of being written off from the political landscape of the region. It is moving cautiously. It has decided two low-key constituencies for its working president Omar, the third generation of the Abdullah family to lead the party, after holding several meetings to look for a safe seat for him. The party was so cautious that Omar did not pick Ganderbal, an erstwhile bastion of the Abdullah family where the PDP had made strong inroads.

The party still has its strongholds as it goes to the polls this month and the next month. It will be hard to evict its candidates from some constituencies of Srinagar district, north Kashmir and from central Kashmir’s Kangan seat, but if the impossible happens, like it happened in the parliamentary elections, there will be little safe ground left for the party.

In the Jammu division, where the NC’s representation had slipped from nine seats in 2002 to six in 2008 election, after the state witnessed a communally-charged agitation, the party is attempting to again widen its scope by highlighting its development record. It has given candidature to strong contestants in Hindu-populated constituencies with a hope that it will again make inroads into the plains of Jammu.

However, party faces multiple challenges in the Jammu region from an invigorated BJP, the Congress and its arch-rival PDP.

The NC carried out a vociferous anti-Modi and anti-BJP campaign during the parliamentary elections, which it later realised was a mistake. It is now planning to go to the Assembly polls with a local character where it will trumpet its past glory when its founding leader was the state’s Prime Minister.

The party will ask for votes with a promise to struggle for the restoration of the pre-1953 autonomy — the golden era of the NC when it had an unparalleled status in people’s imagination. National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah has always been a poster boy of the party, even decades after his death. It is likely that the party leaders will increase the mention of this grand old man of Kashmir’s politics in the rallies and meetings to infuse energy among the workers as many among the party cadre are still loyal to him.

The party will also ask for votes to protect the Article 370, a constitutional guarantee which safeguards J&K’s special status. It is already trying to paint a villainous picture of its arch-rival PDP by blaming it for imposing the “draconian” Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

The party, however, has to fight against its own image, which has led to a strong anti-incumbency wave. During the party’s tenure in the government, the region had witnessed an unprecedented street agitation in 2010. Nearly 120 civilians were killed and curfew and restrictions were used rampantly and detention of dissenters had become a routine.

The party is also facing a challenge of its patron’s absence as Farooq undergoes treatment in London. Farooq, in contrast to his son Omar, has been a magnet for the party who used a mix of humour and years of experience of living through political intrigue to keep his party workers enthused. Omar misses much of his father’s humour and experience and the young Abdullah’s style of working, which is criticised for being isolationist and elitist, has done much harm to the party than good.

When the party goes to the polls, it will be one of the hardest challenges in its history and may turn out to be one of its most decisive moments.

Srinagar, November 7
The National Conference is ready to team up with the Congress if the party fails to form the government on its own after the polls, but it will not consider an alliance with the BJP, said NC general secretary Sheikh Mustafa Kamal. The senior leader, however, said he was hopeful of a good show after receiving the feedback from the party workers.

“With all the differences we have, we also have areas where we have a meeting ground. We do have permanent areas of discord, but for the sake of democracy, if at all it comes to that, we will ask for help from the Congress and I am sure we will have enough numbers to dictate the things,” Kamal told The Tribune.

He claimed the prospects of the Congress in the Jammu region were improving as BJP was “cracking up”.

“The non-Muslims in Jammu in almost all the election in the past have voted for the Congress. With the BJP cracking up, it improves the prospects of the Congress,” Kamal said.

He asserted that the NC would never team up with the BJP to form the next government in the state. “The BJP is not an option. In the present scenario, people will never shake hands with them,” the NC veteran said.

Even as Kamal talked about the existence of a “meeting ground” between the NC and the Congress, he said the nearly six-year-old coalition between the two parties never worked “smoothly”. “They were never sincere towards us…they were always out to sabotage us,” Kamal said. He further said the NC would continue to struggle for the restoration of state’s autonomy within the Union of India, as existed prior to 1953 when Jammu and Kashmir had its own Prime Minister.

“The autonomy was unanimously passed by the legislature and we stand by that. It is not only NC’s commitment but it is the people’s commitment that they gave through their representatives in the two-third majority. Therefore, it cannot be confined to the party only. It is the demand of the people of the state,” he said.

Kamal though acknowledged that the party has not been able to “break ice” on several fronts, including restoration of autonomy and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in its six-year tenure. “We have not been able to soften New Delhi’s attitude towards autonomy. We have not been able to break ice or do much about AFSPA. These are two burning issues which are affecting the people here and we stand by that,” he said.

The controversial leader, who made several belligerent statements during the past six years of Omar Abdullah government and at one instance even called India an “enemy”, said the party feels that even after acceding to the Union of India “we are still at the receiving end of the bitterness of our neighbour and our country”.

‘AFSPA, autonomy burning issues’ We have not been able to soften New Delhi’s attitude towards autonomy. We have not been able to break ice or do much about AFSPA. These are the two burning issues which are affecting the people here and we stand by that Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, nc general secretary

Srinagar, November 7
On June 10, 1939, when Jammu and Kashmir was a princely state ruled by Hindu monarch Hari Singh, a special two-day convention of the Muslim Conference began at the Mughal-era Pather Masjid (stone mosque) in the old city area of Srinagar.

The convention ratified the decision of the Muslim Conference general council to change the party’s name, a turning point in Kashmir’s history which later influenced the princely state’s decision to join India.

“It is time that we give up the attire of an infant because our movement has reached its exuberant youth,” said Choudhary Ghulam Abbas, a senior leader of the Muslim Conference. He was addressing the convention and advocating the change.

The new name was the National Conference (NC), which marked the rise on Kashmir’s political scene of Sheikh Abdullah. The young postgraduate in chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University was an eloquent speaker. He was the grandfather of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Sheikh was a charismatic leader in Kashmir’s modern history who led the ‘Quit Kashmir Movement’ against the monarchy in 1946. He made friends and enemies with Jawahar Lal Nehru and Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Sheikh was called Sher-e-Kashmir (Lion of Kashmir) by his followers and friends.

He became the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir after the state’s merger into India. He was jailed in 1953 and spent two decades demanding plebiscite before making a comeback after an agreement with then PM Indira Gandhi. Indira-Abdullah accord was seen by separatists as Sheikh’s meek surrender for power. It prepared the ground for an armed struggle.

He died in 1982, seven years after agreeing to give up the demand for plebiscite. His son Farooq was anointed as the next seniormost leader of the party. It marked the NC’s transition into a family-centric party and the Abdullahs became its central point who had the last word.

Farooq Abdullah: Patriarch of the party

Farooq Abdullah has been the most prominent face of the NC for the last three decades. He took the reins of the party from his father, who died in 1982. Farooq was the Chief Minister from 1983 to 1987, 1987 to 1990 and 1996 to 2002. Farooq was first elected to the seventh Lok Sabha in 1980. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1982. He was inducted into the Cabinet and made the Minister for Health. He was elected to the Lok Sabha again in 2009. He was Minister for Renewable Energy. Farooq had emerged as the patriarch who was instrumental in holding it together through turbulent times. He experienced different eras of political intrigue and violence. -- AQ

Omar Abdullah: Third generation leader

Omar Abdullah became the state’s youngest Chief Minister in January 2009 when he was 38 years old. An eloquent and articulate speaker, he represented the third generation of Abdullahs. He was first elected to the Lok Sabha from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency in 1998 and re-elected from the same constituency in 1999. He was Minister of State for Commerce and Industry from October 13, 1999, to July 22, 2001. He was later made Union Minister of State for External Affairs. He was re-elected from Srinagar in 2004 for the third time. Omar’s maiden attempt to enter the Legislative Assembly failed in 2002 when he lost from family bastion Ganderbal. He made a comeback in 2008 when he won from the same seat. He tried to incorporate new ideas of governance during his tenure as Chief Minister, but met limited success on connecting with street mood. He pioneered the use of social networking and micro-blogging in the region by utilising blogs and opting for Twitter. —AQ

Devender Singh Rana: Party troubleshooter

Devender Singh Rana is one of the strongest NC leaders in Jammu and Kashmir. He is provincial president of Jammu and has earned respect in political circles in a short span of time. He has carved a niche for himself in state politics and his integrity and loyalty to Omar set him apart. He is a humble, diplomatic and articulate leader with good public skills. He started out as media adviser to Omar when the latter was NC president. Rana was elected to the Legislative Council in 2007 when the NC was in a minority in the House. He keeps a low profile in power politics. He has humble demeanour, secular credentials and the ability to connect to cross-sections of people. He worked as political adviser to the Chief Minister. He was given the task of managing party affairs of the Jammu region in January 2013. The Assembly elections will be a big challenge for Rana to increae the NC tally in the Jammu region. It has been a stronghold of both the BJP and the Congress since 2002. — AKT

Ajay Sadhotra: Long-time stalwart

Ajay Sadhotra is Planning and Development Minister in Omar Cabinet and the secular face of the NC in the Jammu region. He won Assembly elections from the Marh segment in 1996 and 2002. He lost in 2008 in the backdrop of the Amarnath land row. He was elected to the Legislative Council in 2009 and inducted into the Cabinet in 2013. Sadhotra became an NC member in 1975. He was given important posts in the party. He worked as general secretary of the Youth National Conference, became vice-president of the Jammu provincial unit and worked as its provincial president later. Close to NC president Farooq, he was made a minister in 1996. He played a vital role in pointing out mistakes of the government and raised his voice in favour of the people of Jammu from 2002 to 2008. — AKT

Ali Mohammad Sagar: Family loyalist

Ali Mohammad Sagar is one of the most influential leaders of the NC outside the Abdullah family. After the party’s rout in the General Election, Sagar replaced Sheikh Nazir, Abdullah family’s oldest member, as NC general secretary. Sagar is the party’s connection between the old guard and the new generation. His association with the NC began in 1975. He became a municipal councillor in 1977. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1983. He made his second entry to the Legislative Assembly in 1987. He was appointed Minister of State for Information in 1988. Sagar was elected to the Legislative Assembly for the third time in 1996. He was appointed Minister of State for Home and was included in the Cabinet in 1998. Sagar won again in 2002 and 2008. He is in the Cabinet and for Rural Development Minister. He has a strong hold over the Khanyar constituency, which he has represented for 18 years. — AQ

Srinagar, November 7
The first snowfall this winter has cut off the Ladakh region and several remote parts of the Valley as light to moderate rainfall continued to lash the region on Friday and the state weather department said more rain and snow was likely to fall in the coming hours.

The road connectivity between Kashmir and the Ladakh region was snapped as snowfall blocked the Zojila Pass along the Srinagar-Leh highway. The four constituencies of the Ladakh region – Nobra, Kargil, Leh and Zanskar – are scheduled to go to the polls in the first phase later this month on November 25.

The highway from Srinagar to Leh town remains shut for several months during winter as snow closes down the Zojila Pass for an average of five months.

Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Sarmad Hafeez, said vehicular traffic along the Srinagar-Leh highway had been “temporarily suspended” after snow accumulated at the Zojila.

The snowfall has also snapped the surface connectivity between Kupwara town and the remote Karnah and Machil towns, which are located quite close to the Line of Control in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Itrat Hussian Rafique confirmed the closure of roads saying that nearly 18-inch snow had accumulated along the 80-km road near the high-altitude Sadhna top, which had blocked the only road link connecting the border town of Karnah with the district headquarters.

He said roads leading to another border town, Machil, had also been closed for traffic due to snowfall. “We are waiting for the weather to improve to clear snow from the roads and restore the traffic,” he said.

Most parts of the Kashmir valley, including Srinagar, were lashed by light to moderate rains causing a considerable decrease in day temperature.

The state weather department said moderate to heavy rain and snow would occur at most places of the Valley in the coming hours, adding that there would be decrease in precipitation only after Sunday. It said rain and thundershower would also occur at many places in the Jammu division and at a few places in the Ladakh region.

With inputs from Amin Masoodi in Kupwara

Samba, November 7
Following the death of a youth under mysterious circumstances, residents of Badhodi village in Kathua blocked the Jammu-Pathankot national highway and disrupted vehicular traffic for more than two hours at Ghagwal in Samba district today.

Darshan Singh (22) of Badhodi village in Kathua district was working with a stone crusher at Reyi village in Samba for the last few months.

He was found dead there last night. He was shifted to the District Hospital Samba by some employees of the stone crusher, where doctors declared him brought dead.

The protesters, who included the family members and relatives of the deceased, blocked the Jammu- Pathankot national highway at Ghagwal in the afternoon.

They demanded a thorough probe into the incident as they alleged Darshan was murdered.

“We have met senior police officers, but still the officials concerned are not ready to take any action against the owners of the stone crusher. The police have been terming Darshan’s death as an accident and trying to hush-up the issue,” said Rajesh Singh, a relative of the deceased.

“We demanded arrest of the killers and compensation from the owners of the stone crusher,” he added.

“It is a matter of investigation. An FIR has been registered and investigations are on,” said Sanjeev Chib, SHO, Ghagwal.

However, the relatives of the deceased staged a protest and sought compensation and an inquiry marked into the incident, he said.

Later, on behalf of the district administration, Assistant Commissioner, Revenue, Samba, MY Mallik reached the spot and assured them of a fair investigation in the case and a compensation of Rs 3 lakh were given to the family of the deceased by the owner of the stone crusher. After getting the compensation and assurance off a fair investigation, the protesters lifted their dharna.

Jammu, November 7
A meeting of the Vidyalaya Management Committee (VMC) of Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) No 1, Gandhi Nagar, was held under the chairmanship of Shantmanu, Divisional Commissioner. The guests were given reception by the Scouts and Guides of the school.

The members included Dr SH Keen, Medical Superintendent, Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jeet Ram Kalsi, AGM, BSNL, Dr Biyas Dev, Prof Renu Nanda, Department of Education, University of Jammu, Suman Gupta, renowned artist, and Sudha Gupta, PGT (maths), KV No 1.

During the meeting, TR Choudhary, Principal of the vidyalaya, welcomed the Divisional Commissioner by presenting him a bouquet. The details of maintenance and repair works and infrastructure facilities were given by the principal. He also gave the details of the functions, celebration of events, programmes like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Prime Minister’s interaction with students (live) and “Ekta Daur” (run for unity), etc.

Expenditure and budget issues were discussed in detail and appropriate decisions were taken for the vidyalaya’s functioning and development.

Srinagar, November 7
The residents here are facing tough time due to erratic power supply in the aftermath of the floods.

The winters, which arrived a month earlier, have made the situation worse with the people in many localities protesting the power outage amid growing cold.

The residents alleged that frequent and unscheduled power cuts for hours together have become a routine after the floods. “It is badly affecting us. Despite repeated complaints to the authorities concerned there has been no improvement in the supply,” said one of the residents.

“We are facing frequent power cuts that too during the evening and night hours. We lost all our winter stock in the floods, including the charcoal that was supposed to be used for warming fire pots (Kangri). We expect the government to at least maintain the maximum power supply this winter…at least in the flood-hit localities,” said Ali Muhammad Bazaz, a resident of Bemina.

Similar complaints were reported from other parts of the city, including Badshah Nagar, Natipora, Safa Kadal, Batmaloo, Ram Bagh, Jawahar Nagar, Lal Mandi, Baghat and Mandir Bagh.

People said they were facing difficulties in the absence of regular power supply. “Cold is increasing by the day and these days we are totally dependent on electricity, which is unavailable most of the time,” said Muzaffar Ahmad, a resident of Barzulla Srinagar.

Though people alleged that electricity was playing hide and seek, the Power Development Department (PDD) is yet to announce any curtailment plan for the winter.

Senior officials of the PDD said the damage to the PDD infrastructure in the floods was a major cause of the erratic supply in some areas of the city.

“These are the after effects of the floods. We had temporarily restored all the lines…. The department faced immense loss of infrastructure. So sometimes we shut down the supply as we have to repair the lines. However, we ensure maximum power supply,” said Chief Engineer, PDD, Bashir Ahmad.

“Last night one of our receiving stations in Bemina, Srinagar, faced a major fault. The supply to whole Bemina was shut for the night. We restored it in the morning,” he said.

The Chief Engineer though said the situation would improve. “This will soon be over as we are working day and night repairing the faults. Despite the challenging situation we have been ensuring round-the-clock supply in areas where religious activities were held,” he said.

Srinagar, November 7
The Kashmir Traders Federation (KTF) today flayed the Power Development Department (PDD) for failing to provide uninterrupted supply to the business community.

A meeting, attended by different market committees and businessmen, was held here to discuss the day to day problems, including the erratic power supply.

“The business community is still reeling under the effect of floods…water has just receded, many of us have not been able to resume our businesses yet and the power department has started curtailing the supplies. It is just the beginning of winter, what will happen in the peak winter season?” asked a KTF spokesperson.

The spokesperson condemned the attitude of the PDD and questioned the department for not providing 24-hour supply despite installation of meters and payment of dues by the consumers.

The businessmen of the city, especially those whose establishments were located at the Lal Chowk, Karan Nagar, Jawahar Nagar, Batamaloo, Raj Bagh, Hari Singh High Street, Maisuma and Residency Road, were badly hit by the floods.

Srinagar, November 7
More than 120 km of the road network affected due to floods in the Valley has been restored temporarily and the government officials say the complete macdamisation would be carried out in June next year.

As per official data, at least 283 bridges were damaged in the September floods out of which 53 collapsed. Also 127 km roads were washed away, causing immense inconvenience for the inhabitants.

The residents, however, blamed “official apathy” for the worsening road conditions.

“The government was not even repairing the roads properly before floods but we expected them to do it after the floods. Travelling has become difficult and it is also affecting people’s health. Bad roads have also become a reason for frequent traffic jams. It won’t end till the roads are maintained properly,” said Javaid Ahmad, a civil society member from Nowgam, Srinagar.

Officials from the Roads and Buildings Department said it was not possible for the department to think about macdamization of flood-hit roads during the winter months.

“We have temporarily repaired and restored all the roads that were either affected or washed away by the floods. For macdamisaton we have to wait till June next year keeping in view the harsh winter in the Valley,” said Tanveer Jahan, Commissioner Secretary, Roads and Buildings Department.

“The macdamisation needs more than 20 degree Celsius temperature and it is not possible till April,” she said.

Srinagar, November 7
Of the 152 nomination papers filed in 15 constituencies for the first phase of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir 13 have been rejected by the authorities.

The scrutiny of nomination papers for the 15 Assembly segments, going to the polls in the first phase on November 25, was held across seven districts in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh regions of the state on Friday.

Officials said of the 152 nomination papers filed in 15 constituencies of seven districts in the state, at least 13 nominations, including four in Kashmir, six in erstwhile Doda district and three in Ladakh, were rejected during the scrutiny. 

Jammu, November 7
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Umang Narula today inaugurated an expenditure monitoring centre at the PWD Guest House, Gandhi Nagar.

The centre has been established by the District Election Officer for monitoring expenditure incurred by various candidates and political parties during the ongoing Assembly elections for 11 constituencies of Jammu district.

The CEO said more than 100 officers/officials had been posted in the centre. They include assistant expenditure observers, accounting teams, video viewing teams, media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC) team and expenditure monitoring cell under the supervision of Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Jammu, GA Balwan, who has been appointed as a nodal officer for expenditure monitoring.

There are three expenditure observers deployed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for keeping an eye exclusively on the expenditure, who will also be visiting the centre regularly for examining and checking accounts of the candidates.

All type of expenditure-related information coming from various sources are sent to the expenditure monitoring cell and the expenditure monitoring teams to calculate the expenditure as per the rates fixed by the District Election Officer and prepare a shadow register of the candidates. It is also mandatory for the candidates to prepare their own expenditure registers, which they have to be produce before the monitoring team regularly. The registers are taken by the accounting teams and notices are issued if any discrepancy is found.

Srinagar, November 7
The Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today condemned the Chattergam killings in which two teenagers were left dead in the Army firing and two others were injured.

Doctors and paramedics of Kashmir hospitals on Friday wore a black band to protest the Chattergam killings.

“The brutal killing of innocent civilians by the Army is outrageous and intolerable. Indian security forces are slaughtering civilians in Kashmir, showing wanton disregard for humanity. Indian troops in Kashmir have unleashed a reign of terror and people are in a state of constant fear,” alleged Nisar ul Hassan, president of the Doctors Association Kashmir.

He said killing of youths by security forces was a vendetta against them for raising voice against atrocities inflicted on Kashmiris.

Jammu, November 7
The police today busted a gang, which was allegedly involved in six cases of robbery.

The arrested robbers were identified as Haqiqat Singh, alias Ladda, of Kullian, Ashok Kumar of Kirpind, Satish Kumar, alias Bindu, of Miran Sahib, Sachinder Singh, alias Sehindi, of Kotli Shah Doula and Rash Paul Singh, alias, Kella, of Gagian.

Talking to mediapersons here, Uttam Chand, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), said the gang members were arrested following a robbery incident at the Nari-Kullian road in the Miran Sahib area.

“Around 8.15 pm on November 5, a brick kiln owner, Darshan Kumar, resident of Gandhi Nagar, complained at the Miran Sahib police station that he was coming from the Nari area towards Jammu in his Maruti car along with his driver. His vehicle was intercepted by three masked miscreants, who were riding a motorcycle. They were armed with firearms and sharp-edged weapons. They robbed him of Rs 75,000 on the Nari-Kullian road and decamped with the amount,” the SSP said.

He said police teams from the Miran Sahib police station were sent to different areas for arresting the accused involved in the case.

“After hectic efforts and on reasonable suspicious, five suspects were rounded up from different locations. During their sustained questioning, they confessed to their involvement in the crime, besides having their involvement in other incidents of robbery in Jammu district,” the senior police officer said.

He said they were involved in five cases of robbery registered against them at the RS Pura police station, Gandhi Nagar police station and Miran Sahib police station.

“The police have recovered a US-made 7.65mm semi-automatic pistol with two magazines, two country-made pistols, 15 cartridges, two “tokas” (sharp-edged weapon), Pulsar motorcycle, black mask, bucket and exhaust pipe,” he said.

He said the gang was active from quite some time in the district and a great success was achieved with the arrest of the main members of the gang.

Jammu, November 7
Eminent artist from Jammu and Kashmir KK Gandhi will participate in the national art camp at Manali, Himanchal Pradesh, from November 19 to 24.

The camp is being organised by the VSB Group, New Delhi. Several senior artists from across the country will participate in the camp, which will allow the artists to interact with painters to share their view on art and other areas.

Gandhi’s paintings reflect the vibrant colours of nature and merge the boundaries of past and present on canvas. He has earlier participated in 35 national and international art camps across the country. He has also organised 17 solo shows and 50 group shows.

New Delhi, November 7
The Congress on Thursday released its final list of candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections ensuring in it a blend of young faces and old warhorses.

The list of 69 candidates includes the sons of three top state party leaders — Salman Soz, son of state unit chief Saifuddin Soz from Baramulla; Ranish Sharma, son of former state Deputy CM Mangat Ram Sharma (who quit the Congress recently) from Bani in Jammu division, and Choudhry Akram, son of late Congress Legislature Party leader Choudhry Aslam.

Around 20 per cent of the 69 candidates are below 50 years of age with about five being from the Youth Congress, including Irfan Kullar (36), fielded from Pahalgam. Vice-president of the Jammu and Kashmir Mahila Congress Shamima Raina has been fielded from Zadibal.

All 17 sitting members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have been renominated, including all ministers. Among them are Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand from Chhamb SC seat, Peerzada Mohd Syed from Kokernag, GA Mir from Doru and Taj Mohiuddin from Uri.

Jammu, November 7
The annual “bhandara” (community lunch) will be organised at the ancient temple of Lord Bhairavnath at Upper Bazaar in the Panjtirthi area of old city on November 15.

“A prabhat pheri (morning procession) will be taken out from the premises of the temple of Lord Bhairavnath, who is the fifth Rudra of Lord Shiva, on November 9 and after passing through various parts of the old city will culminate at its originating point,” Pandit Rumil Sharma, head of the Prachin Shri Bhairav Mandir Committee, told reporters here.

He said thousands of devotees from various parts of the state are expected to visit the temple on November 15.

“All the arrangements have been put in place to ensure hassle-free movement of people in the area. The entire area from Chowk Chabutra to Dhounthly Bazaar is being decorated and illuminated,” he said.

He said the congregations of at least 52 communities would be held on November 14. “We request all the people to attend the bhandara and seek the blessings of Lord Bhairavnath,” Sharma said. — TNS

Jammu, November 7
The Gangyal police today arrested two drug peddlers in the Kunjwani area and recovered 300 bottles of Corex and 144 intoxicant capsules from their possession.

The accused were identified as Abid Hussain Sofi of Noor Bagh, Sopore, and Wasim Raza of Shallpura, Sopore, in the Kashmir valley.

The police said a team, led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohammad Din under the supervision of the SHO, Gangyal police station, intercepted two pedestrians at a check point in Kunjwani around 4 pm and they were subjected to physical frisking.

At least 300 bottles of Corex and 144 Spas Proxivan capsules were recovered from their possession, the police said.

A case under Section 8/21/22 of the NDPS Act was registered against them at the Gangyal police station.