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Azad: Elect human CM, not Hindu or Muslim
Constituency watch: doda
SHO among 12 hurt as NC, PDP workers clash in Kulgam
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Jolt to Congress as former ministers, legislators raise banner of revolt
The Machil fake encounter case: reactions to the judgment
Ruling a step towards greater accountability: Amnesty
Army yet to file closure report
JU men team win handball tourney
Visitors rue mismanagement at Jhiri Mela
Students protest revision of exam results, block highway
Zutshi tells security agencies to ensure foolproof security
Panel formed to deal with Ebola outbreak
One killed, 12 injured in road mishaps
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Azad: Elect human CM, not Hindu or Muslim
Reasi, November 13 “We need a human Chief Minister who feels the pain of the people and tirelessly works for them,” he said. He was addressing a rally at the Parade Ground in support of Jugal Kishore Sharma. He said dividing people on communal lines had never helped and never would. “It is not about having a Hindu or a Muslim Chief Minister or Prime Minister. Our country had a Sikh Prime Minister for 10 years. Religion does not matter when it comes to delivery to the people,” Azad said. He attacked leaders and parties trying to polarise people for personal benefits. The senior Congress leader was all praise for his party’s tenure and work at the Centre. “Our government worked for people living in far-off areas,” he said. He claimed that the BJP government was taking the credit of work done by UPA government. “The Prime Minister inaugurated the Katra rail stretch, work on which was done during our tenure. The Centre is planning to wind up MGNREGA,” he said. Asking people of Reasi to vote for the Congress candidate, Azad said, “He is always concerned about you.” Listing achievements during his tenure as Chief Minister, Azad said, “In 2007, Reasi, Kishtwar, Ramban and Samba were given district status. Jugal Kishore files
papers
Jugal Kishore on Thursday filed his nomination papers. He reached the returning officer’s office around 11.50 am. He was accompanied by his wife and relatives. After filing his papers, Jugal Kishore left for the Parade Ground. A rally was organised in which more than 4,000 people were present. “Azad has come here to bless me and now it is our turn to add this seat to the Congress tally,” the candidate said. |
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BJP emergence a threat to Cong, NC
Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service
Doda, November 13 While Congress leader and Minister for Roads and Buildings Abdul Majid Wani won the seat in the two previous Assembly elections, it was NC’s Maulana Ataullah Suharwardy who had maintained a stronghold in the area till his death in 1997. Though Maulana’s son, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy won the byelection on the seat after his father’s death, he could not maintain a tight grip on the constituency and lost to Wani in 2002 Assembly polls. Wani who contested the Doda seat as an Independent later joined the Congress.
But now, with the emergence of the BJP in the Chenab Valley region, both NC and Congress are on tenterhooks. Particularly, after its success in the area in the last parliamentary elections, the BJP is upbeat about its chances on the Doda seat though the party still lags behind the NC and the Congress. The saffron party had got more than 18,000 votes from the area in the Lok Sabha elections and to boost its chances it is looking ahead to conduct Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Doda ahead of the polls. The constituency assumes importance as it shares territorial borders with seven other Assembly segments and the BJP would be looking ahead to cash in on the “Modi magic” to influence the voters of the entire area. The Doda Assembly segment is scheduled to go to polls in the first phase of the five-phase elections on November 25 along with five other seats of the erstwhile Doda district. The Doda Assembly segment has a total population of 1,48,695, of which 16,066 live in urban areas while 1,32,629 are settled in rural areas. The area has a schedule caste population of 14,635, which amounts to 9.8 per cent of the total population. The schedule tribe population in Doda segment is 5,485 or 3.6 per cent. There is only one municipal committee and 87 panchayat seats, out of which 65 are being represented by the Congress and others are held by the NC.
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SHO among 12 hurt as NC, PDP workers clash in Kulgam
Kulgam, November 13 The clashes broke out in the compound of the Kulgam Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office. The workers were accompanying NC's Sakina Itoo, who is also Social Welfare Minister, and PDP's Abdul Majeed Padroo to the DC office where they filed their nominations for the Noorabad Assembly segment in Kulgam district. Sources said the workers of the two parties entered into a verbal duel which soon snowballed into a scuffle. “The workers threw stones at each other resulting in injuries to a dozen persons,” a source said. PDP leaders, including Sartaj Madani, former Speaker of the Assembly, and Abdul Ghaffar Sofi, Homeshalibugh MLA, accompanied Padroo. A senior police officer from the area said four policemen, including Kulgam SHO Irshad Reshi, were injured while trying to pacify the agitated workers. |
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Jolt to Congress as former ministers, legislators raise banner of revolt
Jammu, November 13 Kundal told reporters: “I am facing intense pressure from my supporters to contest election as Independent candidate.” He said it was difficult for him to ignore the wishes of his supporters. Kundal is the sixth candidate from the party to have raised the banner of revolt after the Congress released its list of candidates for the coming polls. The legislator hinted at contesting the elections as a rebel candidate from the RS Pura constituency. The Congress has nominated former minister and ex-MLA Suman Bhagat for the RS Pura seat ignoring the claims of Kundal, who served as the Chief Secretary before entering into politics. “I have been working in the RS Pura Assembly segment for the last six years with dedication and commitment,” Kundal said as he regretted the party’s decision of denying him the ticket. He said it has sent out a “wrong signal” among the dedicated Congress workers. Besides Kundal, former Congress minister Yogesh Sawhney has also announced to contest election as a rebel candidate from the Jammu East Assembly segment. The Congress has nominated Vikram Malhotra for the prestigious seat, considered as BJP citadel. Sawhney had won election from the Jammu East in 2002 and is hopeful of repeating the feat. Another former minister, Choudhary Garu Ram, has raised the banner of revolt for ignoring his claim on the Jat dominated Suchetgarh seat. The Congress has nominated RS Chib for this seat. Interestingly, all the three former Congress ministers are the supporters of former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Sources said there was a feeling among the Azad faction that there group was ignored in the ticket distribution. Some leaders openly raised the banner of revolt while a number of others are sulking as their candidatures were ignored by the high command. Former minister and ex-MLA Nowshera Dr Ramesh Chander Sharma is also miffed at denial of ticket from his home constituency. Voices of dissent
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The Machil fake encounter case: reactions to the judgment Demand speedy trial and death penalty for all involved in the case, including two civilians facing trial Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service
“While the Army verdict is welcome, the two civilians who are facing trial should get exemplary punishment,” said Nasema Bano, mother of Riyaz Ahmed, the 22-year-old mechanic who was one of the victims. She demanded a speedy trial and said the two civilians should be hanged. The family lives in abject poverty in a single-storey house at Nadihal village which is surrounded by paddy fields on one side and a hillock on the other. Most windows in the four-room house are without glass panes and have been covered by polythene sheets to protect the family from chilly winter winds. Riyaz’s mother recalled the day her eldest son disappeared. Carpenters were working on the windows in the house that day. “Soldiers killed my son who was helping his family of 10. After his death, his brother, who is a labourer, is working,” she said. “We are poor, but want that the civilians involved in the case should be given exemplary punishment,” she said, breaking down. “Justice will be complete only when all accused, including the civilians, get the death penalty,” she said. The family was informed about the conviction of soldiers Thursday morning. The Army convicted seven personnel, sentenced them to life imprisonment and withdrew their service benefits. Around 300 metres from Riyaz’s house lives Mohammad Shafi’s family. It came to know about the conviction through the media. “While the Army verdict is welcome, we want the civilians to be hanged. Bashir Ahmed lured the three youths and they were killed in a staged encounter. Bashir issues threats to us during civil court proceedings in Baramulla through a relative who is in the police,” said Shafi’s mother Zahida. Shafi’s grandmother Saib Ded was happy to hear about the verdict. “They should rot in jail so that they understand what kill innocents means,” she said. A kilometre away is Shezad’s house. His mother said delivery of justice was not complete if death was not awarded to the two local residents. “We are poor, but want justice to be completed. The Army men have been convicted, but the civilians should be hanged,” said Shezad's mother Ayehsa. Shezad’s wife Jabeena Akhtar was remarried to her brother-in-law. “Shezad’s nine year-old son asks about his father and get angry with Bashir. The family hopes that justice will be delivered,” she said. The three families had received Rs 1 lakh each as ex gratia. The three youths were killed in a fake encounter in Machil in 2010 and later termed as foreign militants. The bodies had been exhumed and buried again in the village. A number of local residents visited the local cemetery Thursday.
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Ruling a step towards greater accountability: Amnesty
Srinagar, November 13 As reported by The Tribune first, a General Court Martial (GCM) set up by the Army authorities has convicted seven of its men, including two officers, for their involvement in the 2010 Machil fake encounter case, in which three north Kashmir youths were killed near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector of Kupwara. The youths were later dubbed as Pakistani militants after being lured for money and job in 2010. Welcoming the verdict, human rights watchdog Amnesty International India, has in its reaction, said the Army in conflict-ridden Jammu and Kashmir should show its commitment to justice in other such cases such as the Pathribal fake encounter case. “We welcome convictions in #MachilFakeEncounter. The Army should continue to show commitment to justice in other cases. Now #Pathribal,” the human rights watchdog wrote on its Twitter handle Amnesty India @AIIndia, adding that convictions in the Machil fake encounter case “are one step towards greater accountability for security forces” in Jammu and Kashmir, including #Pathribal. On January 23, 2014, the Army announced the closure of the Pathribal case and gave a clean chit to five of its men, accused of killing five civilians during a “staged encounter” in south Kashmir on March 25, 2000. Welcoming the verdict, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Ghulam Nabi Monga said it was good to see the law take its own course. He demanded similar action in other such cases involving violations. Politicians hail convictions
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Army yet to file closure report
Srinagar, November 13 After establishing the guilt and the conspiracy in its investigations over four years ago on July 15, 2010, the police had presented a charge sheet against 13 accused in the Machil fake encounter case under Section 302 (murder) before the CJM, Sopore. The accused include two civilians, Bashir Ahmad Lone and Abdul Hamid Bhat, currently undergoing trail in the case before the Sessions Court, Baramulla. They have not been convicted. “Since the charge sheet in the case was presented by the police before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sopore, so as per the rule, the Army authorities have to present the closure report before the court informing about the General Court Martial proceedings, which has not been received yet,” an official concerned in the CJM court, Sopore, told The Tribune. Under Rule 7 of the J&K Criminal Courts and Court Martial (Adjustments of Jurisdiction) Rules, 1983, the Commanding Officer of the accused Army personnel/s is required to intimate the Judicial Magistrate concerned before whom the charge sheet is filed, about the proceedings of the court martial and its decision. As per the rules, once the GCM gives its verdict, it has to be confirmed by the higher Army authorities. Sources said the verdict file in the Machil fake encounter case is before the higher Army authorities in the Northern Command for confirming the verdict of the GCM. Once the verdict is confirmed, the Army authorities concerned are required to intimate the CJM court about the GCM proceedings in the form of a report, which is awaited. Meanwhile, the victims’ parents alleged that Bashir Ahmad, the main accused, had been issuing threats to them even while in jail. “He has issued threats to us several times even while in jail. He has threatened witnesses with dire consequences,” said Ayesha Begum, mother of victim Shahzad Ahmad Khan. |
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MC workers suspend work over argument with beauty salon owner
Jammu, November 13 The standoff between the local residents and MC workers continued for hours and it was only after the assurances by senior municipal officials that they lifted their dharna and removed the garbage. Though the woman refused to talk, but the safai karamcharis say that till the women does not tender apology they will not work in the area. “We just asked the woman who runs a beauty parlour in the area not to dispose of waste openly on the road, but she behaved rudely with us and even pushed one of the workers,” said Sanju Butt, a union leader. Butt alleges that all the workers are being harrassed by some local residents and they will not clean the area till their issues are resolved. “It’s matter of our dignity. We are doing our work with sincerity and will not tolerate the discriminatory attitude of people, who are daily harassing and humiliating us,” said Raju, another sanitation worker. Heaps of garbage, potholes in roads, stagnant water and blocked drains tell the tale of indifferent attitude of the authorities towards several residential colonies in Jammu and there are often arguments between residents and municipal workers. “The lack of effective mechanism by JMC officials and garbage containers and lack of awareness among the people are the main reasons for heaps of garbage getting collected in various parts of the city,” said Sourabh Kapoor, a local resident. |
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Denied ticket, BJP leader sits on hunger strike
Jammu, November 13 Narayan said he was shocked to hear that his name did not figure for ticket for the Billawar constituency seat. He said he was fully confident of getting the ticket as he had left no stone unturned to strengthen the BJP in the area. He said on the huge demand of public and on the assurance of the state BJP leadership, he took voluntary retirement from government job and joined the BJP. “In the last 10 months I have conducted more than 500 meetings/programmes and six big rallies in the Billawar constituency, which resulted in thousands of people joining the party,” Tripathi said. He said so many times he met the party high command and apprised them of various programmes done by him and they in turn appreciated his efforts. Terming the whole incidence as unfortunate, he alleged favouritism in the declaration of ticket for the Billawar constituency. He said the party high command neither saw the ground reality, nor popularity of the candidate during the distribution of ticket. Showing his loyality towards the BJP, he appealed all his supporters to maintain peace in the area and not to hold any sort of protest. He said his conscience asked him to sit on a hunger strike till justice was delivered. He appealed to the high command to reconsider its decision so that genuine and deserving persons did not suffer. |
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JU men team win handball tourney
Jammu, November 13 In the prize distribution function, Prof Mohan Pal Singh Ishar, former Vice Chancellor, JU, was the chief guest, who give away prizes to the players of winning teams. In his address, Prof Ishar stressed upon the larger involvement of students and faculty members in the sports activities. He also advised the Director, Sports, not to drop the ideas of projects which were initiated during his tenure. Prof Ishar also urged upon the present Vice Chancellor to ensure the completion of projects in the Sports Department and fullest support to the Directorate for organisation of different type of sports activities and sports events of the inter-university and national levels. Prof RD Sharma, Vice Chancellor, JU, while addressing the gathering congratulated the Director, Sports, and his team for undertaking such types of challenging job of conduction mega events in a row. Earlier Prof Dhian S Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, presented a brief report of the tournament. The matches were officiated by Anoop Singh, Karamveer Singh, Sanjeev Singh, Vikas Sharma, Karun Magotra, Govind Ram, Prabhleen Kour, Priya Charak, Bhanu Priya, Roshni Sharma, Pooja Sharma and Ashish Dogra and Rahul Bakshi. |
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Visitors rue mismanagement at Jhiri Mela
Jammu, November 13 “While the printed rate for parking a car is Rs 20 on the slip, people are being charged Rs 30. There is no check on such fraud being committed by private contractors. The government should take strict steps against them,” said Mohan Singh, a devotee. Even high volume of loudspeakers creates an unpleasant situation at the site and there is no check on the use of loudspeakers. “There is no control room to assist people. Garbage is littered around the fields and the historic pond has no proper arrangement for bathing, especially for women,” said Sarita Singh, a devotee from Punjab. Hundreds of beggars are also freely moving in the area creating problems for the pilgrims visiting the shrine. Even in the age of rapid urbanisation, the fair is the manifestation of vibrant folklore in local Dogra history and followers of Baba Jitto from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himanchal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh gather to pay tribute at the “samadhi” of legendary farmer Baba Jit Mal, popularly known as Baba Jitto. Inefficient admn
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Students protest revision of exam results, block highway
Samba, November 13 The protesters boycotted their classes and assembled in front of the college and raised slogans against the college and the varsity management. They demanded action against the erring officials of the varsity. Shilpa Sharma, a BA part-II student, said she had been declared passed in all subjects of her BA part-I examination four months ago, but in the amended list she has been declared failed in two subjects. “Based on the result I got admission in part-II. I had not applied for revaluation, despite that I have been declared fail in two subjects by the examination department of the university,” alleged Shilpa. The college, however, said it had no role in preparing the results and it was the university department that was to be blamed for the mess. “There is no role of the college management in examination results. It is totally in the control of the examination department of Jammu University,” said MS Pathania, vice-principal of the college. “Students are suffering for no fault of theirs and if they approach us with their genuine demands, we will take personal interest in helping them,” he said. |
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Zutshi tells security agencies to ensure foolproof security
Jammu, November 13 Zutshi called for a well-knit strategy to hold free and fair elections across the state. He directed the District Election Officers (DEOs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and observers to work in close coordination for achieving the desired results on ground. Laying stress on ensuring the foolproof security scenario during the election process, Zutshi called for deployment of adequate forces to restore the confidence of people, especially in the sensitive and vulnerable areas. The Deputy Election Commissioner also stressed the need for putting in place all necessary arrangements related to the elections well in time. He also discussed the transportation of polling staff, EVMs and other election material in the most difficult and inaccessible areas and asked for utilising helicopters service as per the requirement. On the issues related to the Model Code of Conduct, he said the Commission's directives should be implemented in letter and spirit.
— TNS |
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Panel formed to deal with Ebola outbreak
Jammu, November 13 Other members of the panel include Principal Secretaries of Planning and Development, Finance and Home Departments, Commissioner-Secretary, Health and Medical Department, as member-secretary, Director General of Police, J&K, Commissioner-Secretary, Revenue Department, and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. More than 5,000 people have so far died from the Ebola virus across the world. |
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One killed, 12 injured in road mishaps
Srinagar, November 13 The deceased had been identified as Salim Maqbool Bhat of Hanga. The officials said all the injured were shifted to the Sub-District Hospital, Handwara, for treatment. “We have registered a case in this regard,” the
police said. In a separate incident, a motorcyclist hit and injured a woman pedestrian. The injured has been identified as Nusrat Jan of Deesu, Iqbalpora. “She was shifted to the District Hospital, Anantnag, for treatment. The police have registered a case in this regard,” the police said. In Srinagar’s Rajbagh locality, the police said it had recovered an unidentified body this morning. The police said an unidentified body of a woman was found near
the convent crossing, Rajbagh. |
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Nadihal (Baramulla), November 13