Jammu, November 12
With the focus on seven Assembly segments reserved for the Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is focusing on the Jammu region to revive its fortunes in Jammu and Kashmir.

All reserved Assembly seats fall in the Jammu region, three in Jammu district and one each in Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Ramban districts.

A senior party leader said BSP chief Mayawati was likely to address a rally in Jammu in the coming weeks for which dates were being finalised.

Though the party drew a blank in the 2008 Assembly elections, in the 1996 elections it had won four seats of Bhaderwah, Samba, Kathua and RS Pura. However, in the 2002 elections it won only one seat, Vijaypur.

Due to differences in the BSP, its lone MLA Manjit Singh deserted the party to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Manjit served as a minister in the PDP-Congress coalition government, headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed between 2002 and 2005.

“Our focus will remain on youth and weaker sections, neglected in the past six decades. The successive governments have failed to do justice with backward communities in the state,” said J&K BSP in charge Narender Kashyap.

Meanwhile, the party has released a list of 55 candidates so far and stress is being laid to reach out to the people in the seats for the SC community.

“Our policies and ideology is attracting people towards the party and the upcoming Assembly polls will give the party a decisive victory,” claimed Kashyap.

BSP candidate from Nagrota Rakesh Wazir attributed the party’’s poor performance in the 2008 elections to the Amarnath land row which helped the BJP to win 11 seats.

“There was polarisation in the last elections following the land row agitation. The BJP won 11 seats but it was exposed during the Legislative Council elections in 2011. This time, we will emerge as a force in the formation of a government,” Wazir said.

A senior party leader claimed that the Scheduled Caste communities could make or mar the electoral chances of political parties in about 20 constituencies.

“The SCs are facing discrimination at every level, be it reservation in jobs or representation in the Assembly. Backward classes have lost faith in the regional and other national parties,” he said.

Jammu, November 12
Efforts of Lal Bahadur Shastri had helped the BJP take roots in Jammu and Kashmir, said veteran leader Chaman Lal Gupta, who was recently re-inducted into the party fold.

Gupta said Shastri felt the need for a national party in Jammu and Kashmir during his visit to the state as Union Home Minister in 1963 and urged the Praja Parishad, founded by Prem Nath Dogra, to merge with the Bharatiya Jan Sangh.

“The Valley was on the boil after the disappearance of moo-e-muqqadas, a holy relic, from the Hazratbal shrine in 1963. Then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru sent Shastri to solve the crisis,” recalled Gupta.

Shastri felt the need of a national party to frustrate designs of such anti-national forces, he said.

“As the Congress and the Communists were working under the banner of the National Conference at that time, Shastri asked us to merge the Praja Parishad with the Jan Sangh,” Gupta recounted.

The Praja Parishad, which was founded by Prem Nath Dogra to represent aspirations of the people of the Jammu region as against the pro-Kashmir National Conference, was working as an ally of the Jan Sangh at that time and later vociferously supported the movement for total integration of J&K with the Indian Union.

“Convinced by the argument of Shastri, the Praja Parishad decided to merge with the Jan Sangh and paved the way for the party to take roots in this state,” said Gupta, who was an active participant in the Praja Parishad’s movement for the total integration of J&K with the Indian Union. The Jan Sangh was later reinvented as the BJP.

“When the Praja Parishad merged with the Jan Sangh we had not imagined that one day our party will emerge as a strong contender in J&K,” Gupta said while recounting the atrocities that were committed on the Jan Sangh workers by the then state government for unfurling the Tricolour in J&K in 1950s.

“Our nationalist movement was outlawed as communal to appease those who were clandestinely following the communal agenda in J&K,” he lamented.

Gupta, who remained expelled from the BJP for three years after the infamous cross-voting episode of April 11, 2011, said the time was the most “painful period” of his life.

“We have given our blood to this party. We cannot even think of betraying it,” he said.

Jammu, November 12
Taking a leaf out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development agenda book, candidates of various parties and their supporters are boasting about development issues on social media sites to check the BJP’s growth.

The saffron party has announced ‘Mission 44 Plus’ to form the next government. It has caused jitters in opponents by winning three of the six seats in the parliamentary polls for the first time.

Candidates and their supporters have been uploading cartoons and posts on social media sites to reach out the electorate. They are equating Modi’s Gujarat model with their respective constituencies.

Large hoardings and banners mentioning the agenda of development can be spotted in all 11 constituencies of Jammu district which will go to the polls in the last phase on December 20. The issues of development, unemployment and corruption have overshadowed other issues.

“People are the least bothered about national and international issues. They are concerned about development, surroundings and amenities,” said Arun Kumar, a supporter of Congress leader Raman Bhalla.

“Our MLA has done good work for 12 years. We have the right to highlight development in Gandhi Nagar,” he said. He admitted that development issues had brought the BJP to power in the Centre.

“Political parties and their candidates have realised that they cannot hoodwink the people on non-existent issues,” said Raman Sharma, a social activist.

“They had been doing it in the state for 60 years. Development issues have negated the propaganda orchestrated by them to hide their failure over the years,” he said.

There was only one demand that there should be a corruption-free government which could ensure all-around development and generate employment avenues, he added.

Kulgam, November 12
The family of Ghulam Hassan Zargar, BJP candidate from the Kulgam Assembly segment, were allegedly beaten up by gun-wielding men at their house in Bogund on Tuesday evening.

The family alleged that four armed men, two of them with their faces covered, barged into their house and beat them up along with some party workers present in the house.

Zargar was not in the house at the time of the incident. “They were looking for my father, who fortunately, was in Srinagar,” said Showket, Zargar’s son.

He said the gunmen asked for identity proofs of everyone present in the house. “We were not provided security until the incident. Some personnel were deputed to guard our house this afternoon,” he said.

A senior police officer said security had been provided to the family of the BJP nominee and investigation initiated into the matter.

The party’s Kashmir affairs in charge, Ramesh Arora, termed the incident as “political terrorism” and demanded a thorough probe. He alleged that the incident took place at the behest of parties sensing defeat at the hands of the BJP.

Meanwhile, panic gripped the Yaripora area in Kulgam district after some firing-like sound was heard near a rally organised by the Congress, minutes ahead of the arrival of state Congress chief Saifuddin Soz. An election rally was being held near the Yaripora market Wednesday afternoon when the sound was heard. It created panic and people ran for cover.

The police said Soz and Kulgam nominee Inayatullah Rather were on their way to the venue when the incident took place. The sound was heard from an orchard nearby, the police said. Mistaking it for a militant attack, some security personnel fired in the air. After investigation, it was found that the sound was caused by bursting of firecrackers at a wedding party in a nearby area, the police said.

Bandipora, November 12
Having been represented by the National Conference for four consecutive terms from 1977 to 1996, this north Kashmir constituency has swung its allegiance to two different parties in the last two elections. While a former-militant-turned politician and an Independent candidate, Usman Abdul Majid, was elected in the2002 Assembly elections, Peoples Democratic Party member Nizamuddin Bhat was elected from Bandipora in the 2008 Assembly elections.

Usman is contesting the forthcoming Assembly elections as a Congress candidate. The changing political allegiance, particularly in the post-militancy era, reflects the "neglect" of the Bandipora constituency at the hands of successive regimes and the absence of a strong representation, believe residents and the candidates from various political parties and Independents.

In 2007, Bandipora was carved out of Baramulla as a separate district in north Kashmir comprising three Assembly constituencies, Gurez, Bandipora and Sonawari. The district headquarters town of Bandipora is located 57 km north of Srinagar. The constituency comprising a projected population of 2.07 lakh on the basis of the 2011 Census has its major portions along the Wular, Asia's second largest fresh water lake.

The main source of the lake is the Jhelum river, pouring into it at Hajin and coming out at Sopore, before flowing down across the Line of Control through Baramulla. It is one of the 23 wetlands in the country designated as Ramsar sites.

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has submitted a project worth Rs 386 crore to the Centre for preservation and conservation of the lake. However, it has so far approved Rs 120 crore for the development of the lake areas. The state government claims that the amount is insufficient to meet the demands of the lake's development so it wants the Centre to approve the whole amount of Rs 386 crore.

At the same time, the state government plans to develop the lake area as an international tourist destination. The constituency in the shape of a semi-circle is closeted between the Harmukh mountains in the east and Wular Lake in the west, and its peripheries touch the Sonawari constituency, Ganderbal constituency in Ganderbal and Sopore constituency in Baramulla district. 

Srinagar, November 12
The BJP today hit out at the PDP MLA Peer Mansoor, who had yesterday stated that the BJP wanted to impose a Hindu Chief Minister on J&K. Talking to reporters here, BJP Kashmir affairs in charge Ramesh Arora termed the MLA’s utterance as the “frustration of the PDP”.

Asserting that the BJP had made it clear that it wanted to form the next government on its own and was confident of accomplishing its ‘Mission 44’, he said that is why parties such as the NC, PDP and the Congress had started getting frustrated.

In an apparent reference to the BJP, Peer had yesterday urged the people not to vote for communal parties that would impose a Hindu Chief Minister if voted to power.

Arora said the BJP did not believe in dual politics and it had already made it clear that if voted to power, it would nominate the CM based on merit and not on the basis of religion.

Jammu, November 12
Exuding confidence over the NC’s mass support, its working president Omar Abdullah Wednesday said he would form the next government. He said no government in the state was possible without NC participation.

He said the NC had kept away from government formation in 2002 on its own, but it was in a position to form the government as it was the largest party in the Assembly.

“Daydreaming by the PDP and the BJP will end,” he said. He was addressing public meetings at Hall and Shamthi in Ramban in support of its candidate Chaman Lal Bhagat.

The Chief Minister said the PDP was indulging in baseless propaganda and the BJP staging a drama to create an illusion and confusion among voters.

“People of Jammu and Kashmir are wise enough to read between the lines and understand the designs of parties creating a hype to mislead the public,” Omar said. “With its misinformation campaign and attempts at hiding reality, parties like the PDP want to belittle achievements of the NC-led government in the last six years,” he said.

He appealed to the people to be cautious about vested interests and remain united against nefarious objectives. He asked the PDP what it had done during its term.

“It brought the stigma of the number one state in corruption, encouraged corruption, gave misappropriation a free hand and stopped the rehabilitation of the youth in the mainstream,” he alleged.

He praised Bhagat and described him an honest and hard-working person whose aim was to serve the people sincerely. 

Srinagar, November 12
Five days after senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir was convicted by a special CBI court in Delhi in a corruption case, he submitted his resignation as the party’s general secretary today.

“Even though the facts and law are in my favour, I have decided to set a high moral standard in my public life and submitted my resignation as general secretary of the PDP to the president of the party,” Mir said in his resignation letter that was released to the media today.

He said there was no legal impediment for him to contest the upcoming Assembly elections.

“…the sentence against me has been stayed till January 2, 2015, and there is no legal impediment if I decide to contest the forthcoming elections,” he said.

On Friday, a special CBI court in New Delhi awarded Mir three years of imprisonment in a case related to wrongful release of Rs 30 lakh and contract for sale of urea to his firm by public sector National Fertilizers Limited in 1993-1996. He was also imposed a fine of over Rs 3 crore.

He said it was important to note two fundamental facts. “First, when the contract was awarded to me, I was neither a minister nor an MLA. I had the fundamental right to do business. The second aspect, which should clinch the issue, is that the court has noted and accepted the fact that as a public servant, I have had an impeccable record,” he said.

Mir said he was confident that in due process of law, truth would prevail and his position would be vindicated.

Kulgam, November 12
State Congress president Saifuddin Soz Wednesday said the polls would be a direct clash between the RSS and the people of Kashmir.

He exuded confidence that the BJP would not win any seat in Kashmir. "The BJP is nowhere right now. The RSS is ruling the country," he said. He was speaking to mediapersons. He was accompanied by Inayatullah Rather, Congress candidate from Kulgam, who filed his papers. Soz said there was a clash of ideologies between the BJP and the people of Kashmir.

"It will be a clash of ideologies between the people of Kashmir and the RSS," he said. He added that the BJP's Ram Madhav and his team had arrived in Kashmir.

Soz said the perception was that the BJP had opened its coffers for the elections. "The Congress does not have the money, but we have represented aspirations of the people of all three regions. Kashmir is nobody's fiefdom and one has to strive to win the polls here,” he said.

Kulgam, November 12
State general secretary of the CPM Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami today said the tainted bureaucrats and opportunists were abusing the political set-up of Kashmir by securing their space in various political parties.

Tarigami was addressing a gathering at the Town Hall in Kulgam today after filing his nomination papers at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here.

He was accompanied by Awami Muttahida Mahaz leaders, Hakim Muhammad Yasin of the Peoples Democratic Front and Ghulam Hassan Mir of the Democratic Nationalist Party. “The inclusion of these opportunists has eroded the faith of people in democracy and the electoral process,” Tarigami said, adding that some of the political parties have been receiving tainted retirees and those with vested interests with open arms.

The CPM MLA said the divisive forces were trying to create a wedge among the people of the state on communal lines.

“I think the people are wise enough to reject these elements by declaring their verdict against them in the forthcoming elections,” said Tarigami.

Tarigami is seeking re-election to the Kulgam Assembly segment which he has retained since 1996.

He said peace in the South Asian region was subservient to friendly relations between India and Pakistan.

“The hostilities on the Line of Control and the international border should immediately cease to foster peace and ensure development in the subcontinent.”

Srinagar, November 12
The distribution of relief by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), companies and individuals to flood-affected people in J&K has come under the High Court scanner, which has asked the divisional authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to explain the system for tracking and regulating the activities of these groups and individuals.

In this regard, the High Court, which is hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) about the pathetic condition of flood victims in Kashmir, has directed the respective Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu regions to file detailed information by or before November 18 to the court as to what is the mechanism in place for regulating the distribution of relief to the flood victims.

“At this stage, we direct the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to apprise the court by filing detailed information of what is the mechanism in place for regulating the distribution of relief to the flood victims by the NGOs and other individuals/companies. The information should be provided by or before the next date,” the Bench directed in its orders, while posting the matter for further consideration on November 18.

These directions by a Division Bench comprising Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur came after petitioner counsel GA Lone highlighted many issues relating to the sufferings of the flood-affected families. He also submitted that many people /NGOs were providing relief to the flood victims but there was no mechanism in place for regulating the same and to check or verify if the relief claimed to be distributed by the NGOs/individuals was actually reaching the deserving people in the flood-affected areas.

The Bench also directed the Director, Information, J&K, to get a public notice published in newspapers in which all those persons who on account of recent floods were displaced from their areas and were accommodated in the tented accommodations, be asked to approach the Deputy Commissioners concerned by filing an application, wherein they would have to indicate if they were still living in the tented accommodation.

While directing the Information Department to publish the notice in newspapers within two days, the High Court has further directed the flood-affected people to approach the DCs concerned within three days after the notice is published.

“The DCs have been asked to accordingly file reports about the total number of the affected people still living in tented accommodation after verifying the claims,” the Bench further observed in its orders.

This direction came after the petitioner had submitted before the court that a number of flood-affected people in Kashmir were still living in tarpaulin tents although the night temperature had considerably fallen because of the onset of winter. 

Jammu, November
The newly appointed chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) Dr Nutan Resutra called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

Dr Resutra apprised the Governor of his views regarding the reforms which need to be brought about in the curricula and the examination system in school education and make the board’s functioning more effective.

The Governor complimented Dr Resutra on taking over the important assignment and wished him success in all his future endeavours.

Kupwara, November 12
People’s Conference (PC) chairman Sajjad Gani Lone and the party candidate for the Handwara Assembly constituency in frontier Kupwara district on Tuesday urged people not to waste their precious votes by electing political parties such as the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the Congress to power.

Sajjad appealed to the people to vote for PC candidates to bring a positive change on the ground.

Jammu, November 12
Naib subedar Chain Singh of 13th JAKLI, who won a bronze medal in a rifle shooting event at the recently concluded 17th Asian Games, called on Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhawan here today.

Chain Singh hails from a remote village in Doda district.

He shared with the Governor his experiences at the Asian Games and his ideas about the up-grading sports infrastructure in the state.

The Governor complimented Chain Singh for his achievement and urged him to practice hard for securing a berth in the shooting team for the 2016 Olympics.

Srinagar, November 12
After the locals were found taking undue advantage of the situation post floods by indulging in illegal constructions, the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in the recent past has stepped up its demolition drive.

SMC Commissioner GN Qasba said the corporation had demolished 123 unauthorised constructions and around 300 encroachments during the last two months.

He said 123 unauthorised constructions had been demolished from different wards of the city after the floods. He said prompt action had been taken by the SMC against the people, who had taken undue advantage or proceeded for constructions without permission.

He said the SMC had also removed around 300 encroachments in east, west, south and north zone of the city. SMC chief enforcement officer Nisar Shah said these encroachments were both commercial and residential in nature.

“We are requesting people not to indulge in any illegal construction. People whose houses have been damaged due to the floods shall apply for building permission and can easily get the same,” he said. He said the applicants could get permission at the earliest for the constructions after the submission of required documents.

Meanwhile, SMC health officer Dr Rubeena Shaheen along with her team of food safety officers today closed down two shops at the Maharaja Bazar area for selling flood-hit food articles.

The entire flood-hit stock was seized on the spot and later destroyed at landfill dumping site.

Rubeena said after receiving a complaint, the SMC team inspected all the shops from the Mahraja Bazar area and found two shops selling flood-hit items. She reiterated appeal to the public to register complaints immediately in case they come across sale of adulterated or substandard food. She said the public could also contact the SMC helpline (01942474499) in this regard. 

Srinagar, November 12
Noted laparoscopic surgeon and assistant professor with Government Medical College Dr Mushtaq Chalkoo would chair a scientific session in the 9th International Congress of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India (AMASICON) to be held at Dubai from November 14 to 16.

An official handout from the AMASICON -2014 said Chalkoo’s abstract titled “The significance of Chalkoo’s point in laparoscopic” was approved by them. He was recently listed in the world’s prestigious Marquis “World’s Who’s Who, a chronicle of human achievements” in its 32nd edition. Chalkoo is internationally recognised for his innovations and techniques in the field of laparoscopy and minimal access surgery.

Srinagar, November 12
The Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) today made a contribution of Rs 1 crore towards relief work for those affected by the floods in Kashmir.

Sunil Kaushal, regional CEO, India & South Asia Standard Chartered Bank, handed over the cheque to representatives from the Indian Red Cross Society in the presence of SS Mundra, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India.

“Standard Chartered Bank has partnered with the Indian Red Cross Society in supporting the provision of large water purification units (WPUs) with the capacity to produce 3,000 liters of drinking water per hour, which will make safe drinking water available to those who were affected by the floods in the state,” said the official of the company.

They said the bank would also support the creation of emergency shelter units, promote awareness about hygiene as well as provide non-food relief items to 5,000 families who had been affected by this natural disaster in September. “The direct beneficiaries will include the elderly, women and children as they were part of the most affected groups when the disaster struck,” SS Mundra, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India, said.

Srinagar, November 12
The Enforcement Squad of the Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution (CA&PD) Department today conducted market inspections at several markets of Srinagar city.

An official said the markets of Batmaloo, Baghat, Hyderpora, Natipora, Bagh-i-Mehtab, Chanapora, Rangreth, Sarai Bala, LD Hospital Road, Maharaja Bazar, Sonwar, Zero Bridge, Nehru Park, Abi Karpora, Boulevard, Soura and Hawal were inspected by the team.

During the inspection, 328 business establishments were inspected and Rs 21,150 were recovered as fine from 26 erring shopkeepers for violation of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

Jammu, November 12
A meeting of teachers was held at Chowki Choura, a rural educational zone of Jammu district, under the chairmanship of Virender Kumar Sharma, state vice-president of the Teachers Guild, J&K, today.

A large number of teachers belonging to four clusters of the zone, namely Rah Salyote, Kathaar, Sungal and Dori Degar, attended the meeting.

In his inaugural address, Vijay Kumar Sharma, state general secretary, highlighted the origin and constitution of the Teachers Guild, J&K, and presented a brief view of the various cells of the guild.

He also told the teachers about the functions and role of the academic cell, sports cell, RTI and legal cell, retired educationist cell, social cell, art, cultural cell and training cell of the guild.

He also launched the membership campaign with lifetime membership for Rs 10 only. More than 100 teachers of the Chowki Choura zone filled the membership forms and joined the Teachers Guild, J&K. The participants unanimously decided to constitute a zonal body of the organisation very soon.

Kasturi Lal, an active member of the Teachers Guild and other speakers among the participants elaborated upon various problems of the teacher community, particularly issuance of orders for confirmation of services of teachers after completing two years of satisfactory service. The teachers resented non-release of their pending salaries for months under the SSA and RMSA.

Jammu, November 12
The two-day strike call given by employees of public sector banks affected the banking services here today. Employees held a protest against the Central Government for initiating reforms terming them against the interests of workers.

Employees of several nationalised banks held a demonstration against the policies of the Central Government in bringing the FDI and privatisation of critical areas in India.

Speakers alleged that economic policies adopted by successive governments at the Centre were against the interests of the working class.

Demonstrations were also held in several parts of the Jammu region against what the employees claim anti-worker policies of the government and the attempts by the management of banks to “de-unionise” officers and employees.

Meanwhile, the strike also affected the financial transitions and people had to face a lot of problems. Many of the ATMs run by public sector banks were without money and people were unable to withdraw cash.

All India Banking Officers Association (AIBOA) leader Ashwani Pardhan condemned the callous attitude of the Indian Banking Association (IBA) for rejecting legitimate demands of the employees. He said the IBA only appealed for deferment of agitation without going for resolving the issue.

The speakers asked members to make the strike successful. Vijay Zutshi, Ganesh Kumar, RK Mamba and Anil Gupta spoke on the occasion.

Jammu, November 12
The host University of Jammu (JU) men team toppled Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, by 31-30 in an exciting contest in the semifinal league match in the ongoing North Zone Inter-University Handball Championship at Sports Stadium here today.

In another match, Punjabi University, Patiala, defeated Panjab University, Chandigarh, by 33-22 points.

In the women section, Panjab University, Chandigarh, emerged victorious against Delhi University Sports Council by 21-18 points, while Punjabi University, Patiala, beat Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, by 32-21 points.

Earlier, Dr SM Bali, general secretary, South Asian Handball Federation, joint secretary, Indian Olympic Association, and chief executive officer, Handball Federation of India, was the chief guest.

He interacted with the players of teams. Prominent among others present on the occasion included BK Magotra, HS Chib, SS Gill, Dr VInond Bakshi, Raj Kumar Bakshi, Goutam Sharma, Vikesh Sharma, Ravish Vaid, Gagan Kumar, Vikas Karlopia, PD Singh and Jai Bharat.

The JU team is being coached by Dev Raj (Handball Federation of India).