Srinagar, November 15
The authorities in Kashmir today placed Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other leaders from the amalgam under house arrest to foil the proposed march to the UN observer office in Srinagar.

Mirwaiz had called for a sit-in outside the UN observer office in Srinagar to protest the killing of a civilian allegedly by the security forces in Kulgam district on Friday, where a complete shutdown was observed against it.

The call for a shutdown was extended by senior Hurriyat leader and the chairman of his faction Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Since morning, the authorities placed the Hurriyat leadership, including chairman Mirwaiz under house arrest to prevent them from taking out a march and holding a sit-in protest outside the UN observer office.

Mirwaiz in a statement today termed his arrest and imposition of restrictions on his “peaceful” political social and “religious” activities as “cheap dictatorial tactics” on part of the government.

Though, Awami Action Committee general secretary Ghulam Nabi Zaki tried to march towards the UN office, he was, however, arrested by the police on the way.

Meanwhile, a complete shutdown was today observed in most parts of Kulgam in south Kashmir against the killing of 18-year-old boy Tariq Ahmad Bhat.

According to local sources, all shops, commercial establishments and other places of work remained closed. Clashes were also reported from some parts of the district.

There were conflicting reports regarding the killing of Tariq Ahmad Bhat with his family alleging that he was killed after troops fired on protesting civilians.

“My son was an innocent bystander. He was watching the protest from afar when a bullet pierced his heart,” said Muhammad Ismail, Tariq’s father, alleging that the troops fired at his son.

While the Army termed the allegations baseless, the police maintained that Tariq was killed as firing erupted after the killing of militants.

(With inputs by Suhail A Shah)

Srinagar, November 15
For the first time after deciding not to contest polls from the family bastion, Ganderbal, Omar Abdullah today addressed a public rally there to seek votes for the party candidate, Ishfaq Jabar.

“Ganderbal is and will forever remain close to my heart and will always receive the focused attention,” Omar said while addressing the rally.

Omar Abdullah is contesting from two constituencies — Sonwar in Srinagar and Beerwah in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

A spokesman for the National Conference (NC) said hundreds of youth on motorcycles and atop vehicles adorned with NC flags welcomed Omar Abdullah near Zakura and took him to Ganderbal in a rally where thousands of party workers and supporters received him amid sloganeering in support of the NC and its perennial bond with Ganderbal.

“This is the first time that I am coming to Ganderbal to ask for your precious votes for someone not from my family and I am touched and overwhelmed by your support and enthusiasm today. I stand inspired by the passion and spirit of the youth who received me in Ganderbal today and promise them that my personal bond and association with Ganderbal will remain unchanged till I live,” the Chief Minister said.

He said after serving them for six years, he decided that a local leader from within Ganderbal should be the party candidate.

“After witnessing your passion today I am certain that Ishfaq Jabar will receive unhindered support from you. Ishfaq is a young, educated leader and will continue the work that I did in Ganderbal for the last six years and we will together ensure that Ganderbal reaches new frontiers of development, employment generation and economic progress,” Omar said.

Omar also highlighted the work done by his government for Ganderbal in the last six years.

Jammu, November 15
The BJP today released a list of 16 more candidates for the coming polls, even as stalemate continued on the prestigious Nagrota Assembly segment.

With today’s announcement, the BJP has so far released names of 70 candidates out of 87 Assembly seats.

Interestingly, the BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav had yesterday said the party would contest only 70 seats.

The Nagrota Assembly segment holds significance for the party as the BJP state president Jugal Kishore Sharma won the last two Assembly elections from this seat.

Nagrota is the native place of Sharma, who was elected as a Lok Sabha member from the Jammu-Poonch seat in the last parliamentary polls.

Sources said the BJP was unable to find a “suitable” candidate for the seat as it was not interested in giving ticket to Jugal Kishore’s younger brother Nand Kishore.

“There is a feeling among the BJP leaders that without the support of Sharma family it is not possible to win this seat. So the party wants to keep the Lok Sabha member in a good humour before finalising the candidate for the seat,” a source said.

The National Conference has fielded party provincial president and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s close aide Devender Singh Rana from Nagrota.

Meanwhile, the list of candidates announced by the BJP today included the name of former mayor Kavinder Gupta.

The BJP dark horse is set to lock horns with Congress heavyweight and Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla.

The party has nominated Dr Devinder Manyal from the Samba Assembly segment while former minister and Congress leader Thakur Puran Singh, who joined the BJP last week, would contest the Darhal seat.

In another development, the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Front (JKDF) today merged with the BJP.

JKDF state president Anil Gupta and his team were welcomed into the party fold by Rajya Sabha member and in charge J&K BJP Avinash Rai Khanna and Jugal Kishore Sharma.

Jugal said the efforts of Anil Gupta and his colleagues would prove a boon for the party.

“The BJP has proved its credentials time and again and the people have realised that it was only the BJP which can be trusted,” Jugal said.

Srinagar, November 15
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today resolved to “liberate” the mountain-locked regions of Jammu and Kashmir from the “state of siege” and said the party would work towards the development of places like Kargil and Leh, if voted to power.

“Places like Kargil and Leh will be brought into the economic and development mainstream,” PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said while addressing public meeting at Kargil and Drass.

“The tremendous potential of these areas would be harnessed for the benefit of residents by improving connectivity and addressing political urges and socio-economic needs,” Mufti said.

Accompanied by senior PDP leaders Muzaffar Hussain Baig and Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari and local candidate of the party, Haji Inayat Ali, Mufti earlier went to the Islamia School Kargil, the influential seminary, to hold discussions with its president Aga Jamal and other scholars.

A PDP spokesperson said the seminary representatives extended their support to the party and also accompanied the leaders to the venue of public meeting.

Mufti, meanwhile, said PDP’s vision of Jammu and Kashmir becoming a bridge between India and Pakistan included the opening of the Kargil-Skardu road.

“The decision on reopening this road and starting a bus service on it was taken by India and Pakistan many years ago, but because of lack of follow-up there was no movement forward on this initiative,” the senior leader said.

“The PDP would work for its implementation along with its engagement with the Union Government to strengthen the cross-LoC confidence building measures, which have direct impact on places like Kargil and Drass,” Mufti said.

Jammu, November 15
The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), an umbrella body of elected panches and sarpanches, today accused the Congress of breaching its trust by not nominating even a single panchayat member for the coming Assembly elections.

“The Congress, which had promised due representation to panchayat members in the elections, has done nothing more than mere lip service,” said AJKPC president Anil Sharma.

He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi had promised more powers to panches and sarpanches, but they ignored the panchayat representatives in ticket distribution. “It is a breach of trust and people will punish them for cheating panches and sarpanches.” — TNS

Jammu, November 15
Just ahead of the first phase of polling on November 25, Pakistani Rangers violated the ‘mutually brokered ceasefire’ deal today and fired three 82 mm mortars and opened small fires along the International Border in Arnia area of RS Pura sector in Jammu.

“This morning, around 9.27, Pak Rangers fired three 82 mm mortars and also opened small fires in Pindi area of Arnia. The BSF also retaliated and it was a brief exchange of fire,” said a police officer at Arnia police station.

The shells exploded in agricultural fields in Pindi village and luckily none was killed or injured, he added.

“It was for the first time since the bloody skirmishes in the first half of October that Pakistan has fired three mortars—a battalion-level weapon,” an Intelligence officer said.

In October, Rangers had initiated unprovoked firing from Arnia and then flared up the International Border in Arnia, RS Pura, Ramgarh, Hiranagar, Kanachak and Pargwal sub-sectors, drawing BSF into the skirmishes that lasted till October 12.

On October 17 and 18, Rangers violated the ceasefire in Makwal and Allah Mai De Kothe areas of Jammu.

The International Border and the LoC in Jammu region witnessed heavy firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani troops since October 1, which left 10 persons dead and over 95 injured, including 13 securitymen.

Over 35,000 people were forced to flee their homes to avoid the shelling.

Kangan, November 15
Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology Mian Altaf Ahmad has statewide appeal and has hardcore followers.

Mian Sahib, as he is popularly known among his admirers, is down-to-earth and modest.

After contesting the elections for the first time in 1987 and becoming a minister, he has not looked back and has stayed connected with the people of all communities and sections of society.

His approach to the people and the issues during his tenure as the Minister for Social Welfare, Health and Forests in the successive governments since 1987 and the loyalty of the people that he enjoys across the state has made him a leader of the masses.

Though he represents Kangan — a hilly constituency, where he has brought all elements of modernisation, development and employment by undertaking massive works, his appeal across the state is his biggest strength.

Mian Altaf, 56, is known for his suave nature and that has earned him a sobriquet, “gentleman politician”.

While talking about his work as an MLA from Kangan from where he is seeking re-election for the fifth time Mian Altaf said: “There has been a lot of development in all sectors…this has sent a strong message to masses.”

He said there was hardly any sector, ranging from basic amenities and road connectivity to tourism in the area, which had been left without any quantum of development, particularly during the past six years.

“No area is without road connectivity,” Mian Altaf said, adding that all efforts had been made to provide road connectivity to the area.

The minister said Sonamarg, about 100 km north-west of Srinagar on the Srinagar-Leh highway, was developing like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. “Tourists have started coming to this spot like Gulmarg or Pahalgam,” Mian Altaf said.

He said once the proposed Z-Morh tunnel, which will connect Kashmir to Ladakh, is completed, Sonamarg would become a skiing resort and a tourist spot round the year.

The constituency got a boost in the development sector with the creation of two community development blocks, one niabat, one tehsil and an office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate this year. With the upgrade of the Ganderbal Power House to generate 90 MW of power, the minister said it would benefit both Kangan and Ganderbal, as a major portion of the project was in Kangan.

After the polls in Kangan on November 25, Altaf will criss-cross the state to campaign for the NC candidates, particularly in the Gujjar-dominated areas. His followers are among the Gujjars who form almost 25 per cent of the 12 million population of the state.

• Minister for Forests Mian Altaf Ahmad has brought all elements of modernisation, development and employment to the Kangan constituency in Ganderbal district by undertaking massive works.
• The constituency got a boost in the development sector with the creation of two community development blocks, one niabat, one tehsil and an office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate this year.
• After the elections in Kangan on November 25, Altaf will criss-cross the state to campaign for the National Conference candidates, particularly in the Gujjar-dominated areas.

Pulwama, November 15
Mysterious posters of the Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit surfaced in various villages of Pulwama and Shopian districts of south Kashmir on Friday. The posters warned people to not participate in any election rally and boycott the polls completely.

The posters were sighted in the villages falling on the border ridge of Pulwama and Shopian district and were later removed by the Army.

Eyewitnesses said the posters were pasted on the shutters and electric polls in Tahab area of Rajpora constituency, Chakora village of Pulwama constituency and Tukroo and Daramdor villages of Shopian Constituency.

“Those who would come to vote would have to bear the consequences,” read the posters.

Meanwhile, a senior police official said there were only few posters, which are being investigated.

Political leaders, however, have accused main stream parties for the mischief and asked voters not to get intimidated.

“People should cast their vote and take these posters for granted as many parties rely on poll boycott to win seats,” said Mohammad Khalil Bandh, an incumbent MLA.

Ghulam Mohidin Mir, National Conference (NC) candidate and ex-MLA urged people not to get scared from the posters and come forward to vote so that the errant ambitions do not succeed.

Jammu, November 15
A 15-day hands-on training programme on preparedness and response mechanism in disaster situations for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board employees concluded today.

Employees of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board attend the disaster preparedness and response programme at the shrine in Jammu on Saturday. A Tribune photograph

The training was imparted to the employees by a 10-member team of experts from the National Disaster Response Force.

Over 150 employees participated in the training programme, which comprised basic and advance training programme.

While 100 employees took part in the five-day basic programme from November 1, the remaining comprising the Disaster Management Task Force, set up to effectively respond to any emergency situations, participated in the 10-day advance programme from November 6.

The basic programme included a brief over-view of major disasters, search and rescue in collapsed structures, rescue strategy and techniques, lifting and stabilising loads, basics of medical first response, basic life support and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, rescue supervision and safety management.

The advance programme comprised disaster response mechanism, evaluation and simulation exercises, search and rescue related inputs, rope rescue, emergency techniques from higher and lower elevations, water rescue technique, climbing, crossing and descending techniques, tying knots and hitches, use of conventional, modern and advance equipment.

On the directions of Governor NN Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shrine Board, a very high priority is being laid on effective disaster management plan for the pilgrimage by building capacities of the Board employees and evolving a culture of preparedness and response to deal effectively with emergent situations, said Dr MK Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of the Board.

He said such training programmes were being regularly organised for the employees of the Board since 2009.

So far about 1,800 employees have been provided training on disaster management, Bhandari said.

Srinagar, November 15
Sikhs in the state are deprived of their due rights and despite being a minority, the state government has done nothing to ensure that the benefits of the National Minority Act are extended to the Sikhs.

Jagmohan Singh Raina, chairman of the All-Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), stated this while addressing mediapersons today.

Expressing concern over the “apathetic approach” of successive governments towards this minority community in Jammu and Kashmir, the Sikhs had rejected the “politicians who exploited the sentiments of the community”, he said.

Raina said the decision to “reject such politicians” was taken at a two-day session of the APSCC recently, attended by nearly 900 delegates.

“There is no print in following political parties that have done nothing for the community over the past 60 years. The leaders of these parties are interested in only votes and show no concern whatsoever towards the problems of the community,” Raina stated.

He added that instead of voting for such political parties, clearly hinting at the Congress and National Conference, the community would use the “opportunity to elect the right person”.

Srinagar, November 15
Students of undergraduate courses at Government College for Women, Srinagar, are aghast as the college authorities have asked them to appear again for midterm examinations as their answersheets were “washed away in floods”.

The students of various academic and professional courses said they were being forced to appear again for the examination they had already finished before September 7 floods.

“Why cannot they compensate the loss? They should take only the papers which we were yet to appear for. This is injustice. We are already traumatised due to the situation in our homes and the losses we faced,” a student of second year of social sciences said.

The students are against the decision of various colleges in Srinagar of holding midterm examination again after the floods, while the University of Kashmir has postponed examinations till March.

The Srinagar GCW is one of the worst-hit colleges of the city. “We had already appeared in the examinations, the loss of papers is the headache of the college. They should do something about it, why are we being told to appear for the same papers again? We have even lost our books in the floods. They are just troubling us with the re-examination,” a student of BSc said.

The principal of college was not available for comments.