Amandeep Murder Case: Attached police officer gets support from Netizens

Amandeep Murder CaseAttached police officer gets support from Netizens Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 25
One of the two senior police officers who was yesterday attached to the police headquarters for “using foul language” against politicians -- as revealed by a leaked video of the “police interrogation” of business tycoon Choudhary Nagar Singh, alias Nago -- has been inundated with sympathy messages from his friends on social networking site Facebook.

With some 5,000 friends on the Facebook, Superintendent of Police Mubassir Latifi, who earlier headed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the murder of Amandeep Singh, son of former legislator Deepinder Kour, is getting flooded with messages and wishes from Netizens.

One of his friends, Khalid Mustafa Bhatti, has posted: “It pained but what can v (we) do except pray.” In response to this comment, Latifi has posted, “Need your prayers only. Thanks a lot dear.”

Another friend Rizwan Ahmed has posted, “Sir, I salute u (you) for doing justice. Tou kya howa tiger aj headquarter mai hai lakin kahlayega na tiger hi na (What if the tiger has been attached to the Police Headquarters, still he will be recognised as a tiger.) Sir, once again (I) salute u. With love, Rizwan.”

Some of his friends are not only sending him sympathy messages but are also wishing him a promotion. “Very soon bro (brother) is coming (as) SSP Jmu (Jammu). So, don’t take tension,” writes Thakur Virender Rulz.

The action against the police officer has not only invited a stream of messages but has also started a debate on his facebook account.

Following the circulation of the video, showing the interrogation of Nago, the state government at a Cabinet meeting yesterday had ordered the attachment of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Basant Rath and Superintendent of Police (SP) Mubassir Latifi to the police headquarters here.

In the leaked video, the police officers have been shown using “foul” and “derogatory” words against some politicians and influential persons.

Superintendent of Police Basant Rath does not have a facebook account at present. “Earlier, the SSP had made an account on the facebook, but now either he has deleted or blocked it,” said a police officer, once considered close to him.

Snow season to make late entry in state this year, says Met

Snow season to make late entry in state this year, says Met Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 23
The tourists who are planning to visit Jammu and Kashmir to enjoy the snow will have to wait a little longer this year as snowfall will be delayed.

Last year, the snowfall came almost a month in advance to the scheduled time, and this year it is expected after mid-December. Last year, the first major snowfall was witnessed on October 22 in some parts of the Kashmir valley.

This year, the current temperature in all three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh — is two to three degrees above normal.

Officials in the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said currently the minimum and maximum temperature in the Jammu region was between 14 and 25°Celsius. Similarly, in the Kashmir valley the temperature was between 2 and 16°Celsius.

In Ladakh also, which is a cold desert, the trend remained similar with the maximum temperature recorded at 11°Celsius.

Sonam Lotus, Director, IMD, Jammu and Kashmir, said: “The temperature is two to three degrees above normal this year. There are bleak chances of snowfall before mid-December. However, a few higher reaches may witness snowfall before this period.”

“So far, only Gulmarg and Sonamarg witnessed one-inch snow on November 10. But, this was not enough to attract tourists.”

About the forecast of the department, he said there was hardly any possibility of rain in the next 10 days. “The temperature will remain almost similar in the coming few days. Once there will be rainfall, only then there is the possibility of snowfall,” maintained Lotus.

As per the IMD, the snow season in J&K starts from November 15, which lasts till March 15.

SNOW SCAPEn This year, snowfall is expected after mid-December. n The normal snow season in Jammu and Kashmir starts from November 15 to March 15 n The current temperature in all three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh — is two to three degrees above normal. n According to Met forecast, there’s no possibility of rain in next 10 days.

Srinagar-bound flights cancelled due to fog

Srinagar-bound flights cancelled due to fog Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 23
Due to foggy weather in Kashmir Valley, a large number of Srinagar-bound air passengers had to wait for hours at the Jammu Airport today. However, most of them could not reach Srinagar as a number of Srinagar-bound flights were cancelled or delayed.

Most of the flights were behind schedule. While no one from the Airports Authority of India was willing to speak on the issue, sources said a few flights reached here almost 3-4 hours later than their scheduled arrival.

This delayed arrival and departure of some other flights, as the runway was occupied by the Srinagar-bound flights, sources said.

“Only one private flight went to Srinagar, and even that reached there via Delhi. The flight took off from here and then went to Delhi before reaching Srinagar,” said a police officer at the Jammu Airport.

He further said this was the first day of the season when the flights got delayed. Till the evening, the situation had not improved. When contacted, SK Anand, Air Traffic Controller, Jammu Airport, did not speak on the issue. Meanwhile, Met officials at Srinagar said the visibility was less than half of what was required.

Migratory birds arrive in advance at Gharana Wetland Reserve

Migratory birds arrive in advance at Gharana Wetland Reserve Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 22
With the onset of the winter, migratory birds from Central Asia has started arriving in advance at the Gharana Wetland Reserve, near the border with Pakistan, 35 km from here.

Bar-headed Geese and Grey-legged Geese are the first ones to arrive at the wetland reserve this month. This reserve attracts a large number of birds, including some endangered species.

With the early arrival of these birds, the State Wildlife Protection Department has also started an exercise to remove weeds from the wetland and make it conducive for the stay of the birds. “About 20,000 birds come here during the winter, which has already started. Normally, these birds arrive here in December and stay till February end and return to the countries they had migrated from. This year, birds of a few species have arrived in advance,” said Tahir Ahmad Shawl, Wildlife Warden, Jammu.

He added the climate in the Jammu regions suited these birds. “When Central Asia experiences a harsh winter, these winged visitors prefer to stay in Jammu and Kashmir,” added Shawl.

Known as a bird watchers’ paradise, this reserve attracts birds, including Siberian Hans, Keel, Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Mallard Duck, Common Goose, Purple Moorhen and Little Cormorants.

Asked about the reasons for the decrease in the number of migratory birds in the past few years, Shawl said, “People living in the adjoining areas of the wetland reserve create disturbances, which results in a decrease in the number of visiting birds. But this time the department has been trying its best to get the maximum cooperation from the villagers. We are trying to provide compensation to the farmers, who suffer loss of crops.”

He added the matter had already been taken up with Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma for providing compensation to the farmers. “Though there is no law for providing compensation to farmers, the Chief Wildlife Warden has been trying hard to sort out this

old issue. He is trying to ensure that birds come here in a large number to enjoy the winter in the Jammu region without any disturbance,” he added.

To watch and click the pictures of these migratory birds, a large number of people and wildlife photographers also throng the reserve.

Migratory Bar-headed Geese in Gharana Wetland Reserve along the Pakistan border, 35 km from Jammu. Courtesy: the Tribune

Agri insurance scheme comes a cropper in Jammu region

Agri insurance scheme comes a cropper in Jammu region
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 21
Almost four years have passed since the government introduced the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) in the state to assist the farmers suffering losses due to natural calamities like rains, floods and droughts. However, there is just one man handling the implementation work in the entire Jammu region with 10 districts.

Due to the casual approach of the Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC), which acts as the implementation agency in the state, and the Agriculture Department, the basic purpose of the scheme is getting defeated and few farmers have so far insured their crops.

The government has covered five major crops under the scheme, including paddy, wheat, maize, potato and mustard. The Perusal of the official documents procured by The Tribune revealed that the total number of farmers covered in the Jammu region under the scheme was also decreasing. The documents revealed that the total number of farmers covered under the scheme during the kharif season in 2009-10 was 1,944, which came down to 1,294 in 2010-11.

A similar trend was observed in the rabi season, as the farmers covered in the year 2009-10 were 2,379, which reduced to 1,152 in 2010-11.

Though field officer of the Agriculture Insurance Company Ashwani Bhat termed it a result of unwillingness of farmers to get covered under the scheme, Ajay Khajuria, Director of Agriculture, Jammu, said it was the result of lack of infrastructure of the insurance company.

Khajuria said, “The insurance agency has appointed just one man here to look after the entire region, which is not possible. Though the officer visits the region yet there is a requirement of more staff, so that farmers in the remote areas could also be covered under it.”

Bhat said, “Basically, I have been told to focus on RS Pura and Marh blocks of the Jammu region. But, I am visiting the entire region. The results will definitely come, but it will take some time.” He further said the number of total farmers covered this year would be calculated.

However, he was not sure of any positive results this year also.

A file photo of a farmer assessing the damage caused to his crop due to rain in the RS Pura sector of Jammu.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Vivek Express gets poor response in Jammu

Vivek Express gets poor response in Jammu Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 20
A special train “Vivek Express”, an initiative of the Railways to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, got a poor response of visitors on its first-day halt at Jammu Tawi railway station here.

The train, with a mobile museum in two coaches, will be stationed here till November 23. It has been specially made to exhibit the story of Ramakrishna Mission and how Swami Vivekananda set it up. It also throws light on the life of Swami Vivekananda with the help of portraits.

After travelling in 15 states, when the doors of this mobile museum were today opened to visitors in Jammu, there were hardly any visitors who came to see the mobile museum except of railway officials, .

Till 3.30 pm, only 260 persons had come to see the train. Officials travelling with the train blamed the staff of the local railway station for getting a poor response here.

“In other cities, hundreds of people came to see the exhibition. But, here at the 102nd stoppage of its journey, the train got almost nil response,” said Chandershekhar Prasad Verma, in charge of the train. “The local railways authorities have completely failed to give publicity to the train. Not a single banner has been put up anywhere at the railway station. The officials here are not even making announcements at the platforms. How will the public come to see this train?”

He further said that 8.5 lakh people had visited the train to see the exhibition, since it started the journey from Howrah on January 12, 2010. “At some places, it received an overwhelming response. At Madurai in Tamil Nadu, 22,800 people came to see the exhibition in just one day. Now, you can better understand the difference in response here,” said Verma.

The train, which last evening arrived here from Punjab, will leave for Haridwar on the night of November 23. The entry is free and anyone can visit the mobile museum from 10 am to 6 pm.

Cadets of Northern Railways’ Scouts and Guides are maintaining a register to get the feedback of visitors.

“May be because of Sunday, the train got few visitors today. But, the local railway staff has been trying to draw more visitors,” said Narinder Kumar, in charge, Scouts and Guides, Jammu Tawi railway station.

Visitors look at posters and material on life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda in Vivek Express, which reached Jammu on Sunday. Tribune photo: Anand Sharma

Subsidy on drip irrigation system raised to 90 pc

Subsidy on drip irrigation system raised to 90 pc Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 19
The state government today announced a 30 per cent increase in subsidy on the installation of the drip irrigation (micro irrigation) system in fields. Earlier, there was a total of 60 per cent subsidy, 50 per cent to be provided by the Centre and 10 per cent by the state government.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made this announcement at the “Horti Expo 2011” at the Kala Kendra here today. The total subsidy is now 90 per cent and the farmers will have to pay only 10 per cent.

“The Centre will continue providing 50 per cent subsidy, while the state has increased its share of the subsidy from 10 per cent to 40 per cent. It will help the farmers to install the drip irrigation system in their fields and save water,” said Omar.

Stressing upon the farmers to adopt this water saving technique, Omar said, “Farmers in our neighbouring states are already using this technique. Even some progressive farmers in the Kashmir valley have been using the drip irrigation system. My father has also installed it in his fields. The time has come for our farmers in the Jammu region to use this technique.”

He added, “Having to pay just 10 per cent is very nominal and almost every farmer can use this system to irrigate his fields (big or small). It is beneficial to all kinds of farmers.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Horticulture Sham Lal Sharma said, “Our state has a huge potential of dry fruit production and we are hopeful of getting 40 lakh metric tonnes of production by 2014, which was just 13 lakh metric tonnes during 2008-09.”

About paddy procurement, Sharma said the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the Union government were not providing the state the kind of support it actually required.

He said the government had planned to open fruit and vegetable markets in every district by next year. Besides, a cold storage would also be opened in every district, he added.

Those prominent among present at the Horti Expo organised by the Department of Horticulture, Jammu, were Director, Horticulture, JL Sharma and Vice-Chairman of the Kissan Advisory Board Rashpal Singh.

A few stalls were also put up to spread awareness about the new techniques among the farmers. However, some stall managers alleged that the show, which was scheduled from November 18 to 20, started a day later.

The department did not charge any fee from the stall owners.

Bumper production of almond, walnut in state this year

Bumper production of almond, walnut in state this yearArchit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 17
With bumper production of almond and walnut in Jammu and Kashmir, the horticulture department is expecting almost 50 per cent increase in the revenue collection.

“Last year, the department had done business of almost Rs 200 crore, and it is expected to cross the figure of Rs 300 crore this financial year,” said Mohammad Javed Khan, Director, Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department.

Khan added, “Due to favourable climate in the Kashmir valley and the kandi areas in the Jammu region, there is an increase in the production of almond and walnut, which will definitely increase the revenue collection.”

Khan further maintained that the quality of almonds and walnuts was very good in Kupwara, Budgam, Uri and Rajouri districts of the state.

“Our dry fruits are very popular in European countries, especially due to the organic farming. The growers here do not use urea,” Khan said, adding that the demand for the state’s dry fruits was much higher than the total production.

He said the white walnut, which was considered the best variety of walnut, grew only in Jammu and Kashmir. “Walnut is good for health, as it controls the cholesterol level in the body. The demand for walnut from other countries has been increasing,” said Khan.

The maximum business of dry fruit takes place at the Narwal market in Jammu, which is the biggest market of dry fruit in the country.

Khan said the department normally exports 1 kg of walnuts at a price of Rs 700-800 and 1 kg of almonds for Rs 450-500.

Cong MP lauds Army’s role in providing security

Cong MP lauds Army’s role in providing security Archit Watts/TNS

Kathua, November 16
Congress MP from Udhampur-Doda constituency Chaudhary Lal Singh today indirectly targeted the state as well as the Central government over the demand for the removal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir.

Lal Singh, addressing a public gathering on the 13th Martyrs’ Day function organised by him at Shaheedi Chowk in Kathua, declared: “The Army is present from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to protect us. I have talked to the Defence Ministry in this regard and they have termed the (AFSPA rollback) issue baseless.”

“Anyone who will try (to withdraw) it, would not be tolerated. The Army is a security cover to us and it protects the entire nation,” added Lal Singh.

He also demanded a hike in the salaries of personnel belonging to the Army, BSF, CRPF and the state police.

He urged the government to increase the daily meal allowance of the Jammu Kashmir police personnel.

Highlighting the plight of the Special Police Officers (SPOs), he said: “These personnel have been working hard to wipe out militancy from the state. But, when it comes to providing them permanent jobs, they get rejected because they do not meet the physical standards set by the police,” said Lal Singh.

The Congress leader said the government should amend its policies to rehabilitate SPOs.

13TH MARTYRS’ DAY OBSERVED: MP seeks better facilities for martyrs’ families

13TH MARTYRS’ DAY OBSERVEDMP seeks better facilities for martyrs’ families Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Kathua, November 16
About 100 families of martyrs belonging to Udhampur, Doda, Kathua and Samba districts were honoured by a battery of ministers, MLAs and MLCs at a function organised on the occasion of the 13th Martyrs’ Day by MP Lal Singh at Shaheedi Chowk here today.

Lal Singh organised the function in memory of the martyrs, who laid down their lives while protecting the integrity of the nation. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was to be the chief guest, could attend the function due to his meeting with the Prime Minister.

Lal Singh sought some amendments to the existing laws saying, “If the only married son of a family dies while fighting militants, our laws only provide monetary support to the widow of the martyr. The laws should be amended and the government should also provide some support to the parents of the martyrs so that they can spend their lives comfortably.”

He said, “To honour the families of the martyrs is our prime motive. But it does not mean that the work is finished. The government should provide them some privilege that they need not to have stand in queues at government offices.”

The MP also demanded some kind of medical support for these people. “I receive a large number of complaints regarding the non-payment of timely benefits to the families of the martyrs. In some cases, petrol pumps and kerosene oil depots allotted to the families of the martyrs had been forcefully “purchased” by influential people. This practice should be stopped forthwith,” demanded Lal Singh.

He motivated the people, especially the youth, to join the armed forces. “The kandi belt of the Jammu region has produced a number of security officers, who are serving across the country. A large number of people have made the supreme sacrifice too. But when it comes to providing any financial support to their families, the government starts citing fund crunch, which is unfortunate,” said Lal Singh.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma fainted during the function. Doctors were called to attend to him and he regained consciousness after a few minutes. He later addressed the gathering.

Minister for Hajj and Auqaf Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Minister for Cooperatives Manohar Lal, former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, former Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Arvinder Singh Micky, MLA GM Saroori, MLCs Subhash Gupta and Naresh Gupta and former MLA Kanta Andotra attended the function.

The leaders paid floral tributes to the martyrs. The members of martyrs’ families were seen in tears while remembering their wards.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, who fainted during the Martyrs’ Day function in Kathua on Wednesday, being offered water. A Tribune photograph

Ladakhi students eagerly await Buddhist spiritual leader’s arrival

Ladakhi students eagerly await Buddhist spiritual leader’s arrival Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 15
With the Dalai Lama all set to undertake his maiden visit to Jammu and Akhnoor tomorrow, various associations of Ladakhi students are planning to accord a rousing welcome to the Buddhist spiritual leader.

For this purpose, the representatives of four major associations - All Ladakh Students’ Association, Old Kargil Students’ Association, Leh Muslim Students’ Association and Kargil Muslim Students’ Association - have hired around 60 buses to ferry nearly 3,000 Ladakhi students to the recently discovered Buddhist site in Ambaran, near Akhnoor.

The Buddhist spiritual leader will inaugurate a photo exhibition in Ambaran and will then address the public.

Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, president of the All Ladakh Students’ Association, said, “Nearly 3,000 students belonging to Ladakh will be ferried in 60 buses to Akhnoor from the Ladakh House, where we will queue up on both sides of the road to welcome the Dalai Lama. The buses will move around 6 am.”

“This is the first visit of His Holiness to Jammu and Akhnoor, so we are doing all that we can to make the visit a memorable one. Besides the Ladakhi students living here, 1,500 youngsters from Ladakh are also expected to reach here by midnight.”

Namgyal said, “As of now, the administration has not accepted our request to allow our few representatives to meet His Holiness. Let us see, whether they will allow us by tomorrow.”

STIR AGAINST RECRUITMENT POLICY: Protesting students may raise pitch tomorrow

STIR AGAINST RECRUITMENT POLICYProtesting students may raise pitch tomorrow Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 14
This Wednesday when a number of VVIPs like the Dalai Lama, LK Advani and Ghulam Nabi Azad will be here in Jammu and its nearby places, the students who have been agitating against the state government’s new recruitment policy may hold a protest demonstration. Though the administration has already started making arrangements for the smooth visit of the three VVIPs, intelligence inputs have been suggesting that students will also come out on the roads to protest against the state government on that particular day.

The student community has been lodging protest demonstrations across the Jammu region for the last fortnight, demanding revocation of the policy. They also attempted to gherao the secretariat on the first day of the Darbar reopening here on November 9.

A senior police officer told The Tribune that November 16 would be a very hectic day for them and they have already alerted cops to thwart any kind of protests on that day.

“All kinds of precautionary measures will be taken for that particular day, because three dignitaries will be coming to Jammu and its nearby places. Cops in civvies and patrolling parties have been given special directions for that day,” said the officer.

Besides maintaining law and order, the security agencies will also be maintaining a strict vigil to thwart any possible attempt by militants and their sympathisers, he added.

Meanwhile, students’ associations have started conducting secret meetings.

“We had already shown black flags to the state government on November 9. But, it does not mean that we will not gherao any minister or MLA of the Congress-NC government in the coming days. This time we will not give any such call in advance, as the last time the police had used brutal force on our activists,” said Suresh Ajay Magotra, chairman, Youth of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. “If the government can stoop to any level to play with the future of youth, why can’t we take the bull by the horns?”

Panthers Party demands probe, holds protest

Panthers Party demands probe, holds protest Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 14
Alleging that Jammu and Kashmir Bank had committed various irregularities in recruitments recently, the Panthers Party held a protest outside the zonal office of the bank here today and demanded a thorough probe into the matter.

The protesters alleged that the bank committed irregularities in making recruitments at various levels and discriminated against the candidates from the Jammu region.

“The bank neither followed the prescribed procedure for selections nor it published any list of selected candidates to conceal its shady affairs as well as its bias against the Jammu region,” said Faqir Nath, a former MLA from Chenani.

Shouting slogans against the bank authorities, he demanded a probe into
all the recruitments
made recently.

Faqir added, “The concealing of the final selection list by the bank and issuing individual call letters to the selected candidates was sufficient to support the apprehensions and contentions of the aggrieved youth of the Jammu region.”

He alleged, “Of 1,600 recruitments made recently, 1,200 recruits were from the Kashmir valley. It is a clear case of discrimination against the youth of the Jammu region. Our youth are well educated and they should be given their due share.”

At present, the state government is holding 53 per cent share in the bank, which makes it answerable and accountable to the people, the protesters said.

Demanding the suspension of the chairman of the bank, the protesters urged Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather to order a thorough probe into the issue. The Panthers Party leaders also warned the government that they would take up the issue in the coming session of the Legislative Assembly.

Sajjad Bazaz, spokesperson for the bank in Srinagar, while talking to The Tribune over the phone, said, “The most transparent method was adopted by the bank in recruitments. Everything has been done in a fair manner. Those who have been recruited have cleared the written test and interview. As everyone has a right to protest, they can also lodge their protest.”

RECRUITMENT POLICY: Students to start signature campaign

RECRUITMENT POLICYStudents to start signature campaign Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 13
To express their anger towards the state government for its new recruitment policy, the students, who have been protesting for past many days, have decided to start a signature campaign from tomorrow.

“The signature campaign will last for 10 days and then all the signatures will be sent to the President for her intervention into this anti-youth policy of the state government,” said, Suresh Ajay Magotra, Chairman, Youth of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh (YJKL). “Maximum number of students will be involved in this movement,” he stated.

He said the student community had welcomed the decision of the high court to stay the implementation of the new recruitment policy till November 25, but the agitation would continue.

“Our agitation will remain peaceful. We will also organise awareness camps to educate the people and acquaint them with the pros and cons of this policy,” added Magotra.

Tstatement of “self-styled” organisations, saying that the issue was related to the youth and the organisations should avoid giving any statement in the regard.

PROTEST OVER NEW RECRUITMENT POLICY: Admn decides to close gates of all colleges

PROTEST OVER NEW RECRUITMENT POLICYAdmn decides to close gates of all colleges Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 12
After adopting various methods to foil the protests of students, the local administration has decided to close the main gates of all colleges in the city. Students of the colleges and the University of Jammu are protesting against the state government for the past fortnight demanding the revocation of the new recruitment policy.

Sensing that the students may again try to ‘gherao’ the civil secretariat, the administration has decided to close the gates of the colleges. The administration had earlier foiled an attempt by the students to gherao the secretariat on November 9.

Following inputs that the students may try to hold a protest against the state government this afternoon, a large number of policemen were deployed in the city. Though the day passed off peacefully, some protests were reportedly held in colleges and the university.

However, the students said as it was a holiday in the university today, the strength of protesters was also less.

“The police has been using force to suppress our voice. Our leader Manik Sharma, who had held a protest outside the university, was arrested last night. Now, the police is not releasing him. We will continue with our protest. In the coming days, we will intensify the agitation,” said Talib Hussain, president of the All Gujjar and Bakarwal Students’ Association.

Though the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has stayed the implementation of the new recruitment policy till November 25, the students have been holding protests across the region.

Policemen stand guard outside Goverment MAM College in Jammu on Saturday. The main gate of the college is also closed. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

11/11/11 fails to catch fancy of expectant mothers in Jammu; Maternity wards in city didn’t see any unusual rush on ‘special day’

11/11/11 fails to catch fancy of expectant mothers in Jammu 
Maternity wards in city didn’t see any unusual rush on ‘special day’Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 11
Contrary to the trend of planning the birth of babies on a unique date of birth, that is 11/11/11 (November 11, 2011), maternity hospitals in Jammu did not see any mad rush of pregnant women today.

There wasn’t any increase in the rush of delivery cases in the two maternity hospitals — SMGS Hospital in Shalamar and Government Hospital in Sarwal.

“Despite the ‘numerological significance’ of the day, we did not get any request from parents to schedule the delivery of their babies today. The total number of delivery cases remained as usual, just like other normal days,” said Dr Dara Singh, Deputy Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital. This is the main hospital in the Jammu region which caters to a large number of gynaecological cases daily.

Dr Singh added, “Normally, we handle 30-60 delivery cases, including caesarean sections, per day. The number also remained the same today. Till 1 pm, 10 babies took birth in the hospital and not a single expectant mother had pre-planned the delivery for this day.”

Medical Superintendent of Government Hospital, Sarwal, Arun Sharma said, “The day passed off just like other days. People are more worried about their health and not even one would-be-mother took the risk to bring forward or postpone the delivery, just to give birth to the baby on this special day.”

Dr Sharma added, “Five babies took birth in the hospital today, and two of them were caesarean deliveries.”

However, Rakesh Kumar, who became father of a baby today, said, “We are happy that we got a baby on this special day. But, we had not scheduled the delivery for this particular day. There are a number of health-related risks involved when you pre-arrange the delivery date.”

All the new mothers too in the two hospitals were ecstatic that they had given birth to their babies on this special date. 

A newborn in the maternity ward of a hospital in Srinagar on Friday. — AFP

Students block road over detention of 4 protesters

Students block road over detention of 4 protesters Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 11
On National Education Day, when Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed was chairing a programme to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at the Zorawar Singh Auditorium in the University of Jammu (JU), the student community held a massive protest demonstration on the campus and later blocked the road leading to it for more than two hours.

Nearly 50 students were holding a peaceful protest demonstration on the university campus and requesting other students to boycott their classes when a police party, anticipating trouble during the Education Minister’s programme, detained four protesting students. This led to the blockade of the university road around 1 pm by the protesting students.

The students were lodging a protest demonstration against the new recruitment policy of the state government, under which all new recruits (non-gazzetted) would get 50 per cent of their basic salary for the first two years and 75 per cent of the basic salary for the next three years.

As soon as the news of detention of the four students spread, a number of students descended on the road opposite the university under the banner of the Progressive Students’ Association (PSA) and the Youth of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, demanding unconditional release of their activists.

Sensing the gravity of matter, all senior officials of the district administration, including the duty magistrate, SP and the DSP reached the spot.

Despite their assurances that the students would be released in the evening, the protesters did not end their protest and demanded the immediate release of the students.

The agitating students, including girls, sang patriotic songs and raised anti-government slogans against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for clearing the recruitment policy, which they termed “anti-youth”.

While demanding the unconditional release of their activists, they also raised slogans against the area Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajeshwar Singh, alleging that the officer had given them the assurance that their activists would be released within minutes.

Meanwhile, the university security closed the main entrance to the campus. No one was allowed to go inside or come out for almost one hour.

Traffic was also diverted from Bikram Chowk and rotary outside the police headquarters, as the students had blocked the road.

Later, with the efforts of the police, the road was opened around 3 pm. But, a large number of students remained present outside the university till late evening.

“We will continue our protest against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah till he revokes this anti-youth policy. The present coalition government is playing cheap tactics to suppress our voice, but we will stick to our genuine demand,” said Suresh Ajay Magotra, chairman of the Youth of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

Later, the police released all four detained students, which defused the tension. 

Rural areas to get better medicare facilities

Rural areas to get better medicare facilities Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 11
Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sham Lal Sharma has reiterated the commitment of the coalition government to upgrade the medicare facilities across the state, particularly in the rural and far-flung areas.

For this purpose, the minister said the government had done a lot of things in the recent past. “Apart from these things, the government will hold medical camps across the state, especially in rural areas so that the people can get better treatment at their doorstep,” said Sham Lal, while interacting with the people after inspecting the week-long free surgical-cum-medical camp at Sub-District Hospital, Jourian, here recently.

He further said the department was already organising health camps, but in a short period the number of camps would get manifold increase.

Appreciating the efforts of the organisers for arranging medical camps in the rural areas, he said all those interested to organise such camps in the remote areas to reach out the poor people, the government would provide them all the logistic support to supplement efforts in providing healthcare to the people.

“At Primary Health Centre level, all the vital diagnostic facilities and services of specialised doctors have been made available round the clock despite a paucity of staff. The government has made earnest effort to create adequate posts of doctors and paramedical staff to cater to the rural services,” added Sham Lal.

He said the state government had already declared that the health and education were the core sectors, which would continue to receive the focused attention.

Seeking people’s support to keep hospitals neat and clean, Sharma said the government’s duty was to create facilities and people had to protect these assets.

He said a sense of responsibility had to be created amongst the people and they must understand that the government property was their own asset and they had to protect it for their own benefits. The panchayat institutions in the rural areas would keep a vigil on the government assets and make sure that the assets were well protected.

Director, Health Services, Jammu, Dr Madhu Khullar, also attended the medical camp.

Students again plan to gherao secretariat

Students again plan to gherao secretariat Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 10
Though the police yesterday foiled the “secretariat chalo” march of the students protesting against the new recruitment policy of the state government, it is learnt that the students are once again planning to gherao the secretariat complex.

Sources say this time students will not give any such call in advance, as the police may thwart their plan.

All major student unions, which had yesterday attempted to go to the secretariat, have been holding secret meetings to plan the protest march against the new recruitment policy.

A student leader preferring anonymity told The Tribune that they would not budge from their stand until the government revoked the “anti-youth” policy.

“We are sticking to our genuine demand and will adopt all means to get it fulfilled. The student community across the state is feeling let down by this controversial policy. Some time soon we will definitely move towards the secretariat. This time no one would be informed in advance about the protest demonstration,” he added.

Another student leader said: “We are the least bothered about the police’s brutality. They can arrest our leaders, but they can’t suppress our voice. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seems to be the least bothered about the future of the younger generation. To show him students’ power, we will again go to the secretariat, but the protest will be free from violence.”

Students’ protest march against recruitment policy foiled; Cops prevent protesters from reaching secretariat; 50 students detained

Students’ protest march against recruitment policy foiled Cops prevent protesters from reaching secretariat; 50 students detainedArchit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 9
On the first day of the Darbar reopening here after a gap of six months, the police converted the city into a fortress and used force to gag the voice of the student community, which had given a call for “secretariat chalo” today. Nearly 50 protesting students were detained when they attempted to go near the secretariat this morning.

The students had given the “secretariat chalo” call to express their anger and show black flags to ministers and MLAs of the coalition government over the new recruitment policy. According to the new policy, all new recruits (non-gazetted) would get 50 per cent of the basic pay for the first two years of service and 75 per cent for the next three years, without even any allowances.

Anticipating a massive demonstration outside the secretariat complex on the Shalamar Road here, the police had made adequate arrangements by deploying a large number of cops to thwart any protest bid by the students.

To ensure a peaceful reopening of the secretariat, especially as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had organised a meet-the-Press programme, all colleges and University of Jammu (JU) were also closed today.

Though the students made several attempts to reach the secretariat complex in small groups, men in khaki prevented them from doing so. The police bundled the students, including girls, into jeeps and buses to take them to various police stations.

Not a single student carrying placards depicting anti-government slogans and demanding revocation of the “anti-youth” policy could reach near the secretariat, as all of them were detained near the city chowk, a few metres from the secretariat complex.

Chaos and confusion prevailed outside the university and colleges, as their entry points were closed today. Though a few people were allowed to come out of these institutions, none was allowed to go inside, which led to minor scuffles between students and the police.

Some teachers were also barred from entering the university campus. The “hide and seek” between the cops and agitating students continued throughout the day. All senior functionaries of the state government remained on their toes to stop students from going near the secretariat.

Meanwhile, a few students belonging to the Progressive Students’ Association (PSA) and the Gujjar and Bakarwal Students Association were detained after a minor clash broke out between the protesters and the police on the university campus. The clash broke out when the students tried to go out of the campus.

Some students alleged that the cops detained their leaders late last night.

Poultry products become dearer

Poultry products become dearer Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 8
With the onset of winter, the rising demand for eggs and broiler has increased the prices of poultry products by almost 10 per cent as compared to last month. There is a huge demand for poultry products in the state, but the production is much less. As a result, traders here import poultry products from Punjab and other neighbouring states to meet the demand.

The wholesale price of chicken in Jammu region has increased from Rs 85 a kg last month to Rs 95-100 a kg, traders said.

The price of eggs has also moved upwards. In the wholesale market, 100 eggs now cost Rs 323 as compared to Rs 300 last month.

In the retail market, one egg is available between Rs 4 and Rs 5. “The price will rise further in the winter season, when the consumption of poultry products increases,” said Rawail Singh, a trader.

He said the Eid festival and the rise in price of soyabean, a key ingredient in the poultry feed, have also caused a spurt in prices of poultry items.

“A day-old chicken costs Rs 25, and takes almost one month to grow and attain the weight of about 1 kg,” added Rawail Singh.

Officials in the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department also accepted the fact that there was an increase in the prices of poultry products because of the rise in their demand.

“Our state is dependent on other states for poultry products. We are putting in efforts to increase the local production, but the demand is also increasing, which becomes the reason for the price rise,” said Manzoor Ahmed, in charge of the poultry wing of the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department.

Schoolteacher admits to thrashing student: CEO

Schoolteacher admits to thrashing student: CEO Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 7
The teacher, who on Thursday allegedly thrashed a Class XII student of Government Higher Secondary School, Gambhir Mughlan in Rajouri district, finally confessed before the chief education officer (CEO) that he had thrashed the boy when the latter refused to provide him the phone number of a girl student.

Though an inquiry report is yet to come in this regard, ML Sharma, CEO, Rajouri district, said, “The guilty teacher, Shahid Mughal, has admitted his fault. He has admitted that when the student refused to give him the girl’s number, he thrashed the boy.”

Sharma added, “I have sought an inquiry report from the school principal, who will submit it on November 9 when the offices will resume after a gap of holidays.”

He further said the final action would only be taken against the teacher when the report would be submitted in this regard. “So far, the teacher has been barred from taking the classes,” added Sharma.

Meanwhile, victim Shariq Nissar has lodged a complaint with the police seeking strict action against the accused.

In his complaint, Nissar has alleged that when he reached the school on November 3, contractual teacher Shahid Mughal asked the phone number of a girl student and on his refusal, the teacher started beating him.

The Manjakote police has been investigating the matter. The victim’s father has also alleged that they were afraid of any further attack from the teacher’s side as he belonged to an influential family.

BJP steps up tirade against ‘corrupt’ NC-Cong coalition

BJP steps up tirade against ‘corrupt’ NC-Cong coalition Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 7
Stepping up the attack against the ruling National Conference (NC)-Congress coalition for their failure to solve basic problems of people, the BJP today exhorted the people to launch a decisive war against this “corrupt” regime in the state.

Addressing series of public meetings in different areas of the Jammu region in connection with the ongoing “Jan Jagran Yatra”, BJP leaders came down heavily on the ruling coalition for its failure on all fronts.

The leaders said since formation of this government, problems of the people have increased, but the government was much concerned about raking up irrelevant issues to appease separatists and other anti-national elements active in the state.

They further lambasted the regime for raking up the issue of revocation of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in the state and said this issue was raised only to appease separatists and other pro-militant elements active in the Kashmir Valley.

They also warned that any decision to withdraw the AFSPA would prove disastrous for the state because situation was not conducive.

BJP MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma, while addressing public meetings in different areas of the Nowshera and Kalakote assembly segments, flayed the government for not fulfilling the promises made during the last Assembly elections.

Addressing a meeting at Kishanpur, state president of BJP Shamsher Singh Manhas said in response to the clarion call of the BJP against corruption, black money, price rise and several issues confronting Jammu and Kashmir, the people were turning up in rallies in large number, which was an indicator that they were fed up by the anti-people, anti-youth, anti-farmer and anti-poor policies of the government and endorse the demand of the BJP that “the CM should step down”.

He said the Congress-led UPA has set new records in corrupt practices. It has added to the woes of a common Indian citizen by making steep rise in the prices of petrol, diesel, LPG, kerosene oil and other essential items, he added.

Ashok Khajuria, MLA, Jammu East, and other senior leaders also addressed the meetings.

Festival celebrated with fervour in Jammu; No untoward incident reported

Festival celebrated with fervour in Jammu No untoward incident reportedArchit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 7
The Eid-ul-Azha (Bakr Eid) celebrations remained by and large peaceful in the Jammu region. A large number of people wearing new clothes thronged various mosques and Eidgahs in the morning to celebrate it with religious zeal and fervour. The excitement for the festival appeared much more than the previous years.

The celebrations, which started today, will last till November 9. A number of people sacrificed goats and camels to mark the festival.

Scholars from different schools of thought delivered special sermons to highlight the significance of the day and the purpose of the sacrifice rendered by Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim.

In Jammu, the biggest Eid congregation was held at Eidgah on the Residency Road, where a large number of people offered prayers. They were seen hugging each other and extending greetings to each other. Similar celebrations were also held in Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Samba, Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, Ramban and Reasi districts of the region.

Security men were put on high alert for the occasion and were directed to make special security arrangements.

Talking to The Tribune on phone, IGP (Jammu Zone) Dilbag Singh said: “All possible arrangements were made to tackle any untoward incident, keeping in mind that anti-national elements might try to create some disturbance on such occasions. Luckily, the day passed off peacefully.”

High Court stays new recruitment policy: Students vow to continue protesting till government withdraws decision

High Court stays new recruitment policy Students vow to continue protesting till government withdraws decisionArchit Watts
Tribune News Service

Kashmir/Jammu, November 6
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court, observing that the state’s new recruitment policy “exploits human talent”, has stayed the government order while it asked the state to file objections within three weeks.

Advocate Jahangir Ganie said Justice Hasnain Masoodi yesterday heard the writ petition filed by him on behalf of his client Ghulam Nabi Dar of Hazrtbal against the state.

“Prima facie, the court observed that that the new job policy announced by the government exploits the human talent and as such put the orders on this direction by the government in abeyance,” advocate Jahangir said.

Even as the High Court in Srinagar has stayed the implementation of the new recruitment policy for three weeks, the agitating students vowed to continue their protest till the state government revoked the “controversial” policy.

Terming it an anti-youth policy, a number of student unions in Jammu region have decided to gherao the Secretariat on November 9, when the Darbar will open here after a gap of six months.

“We welcome the move of the high court, but this is not the final decision. We demand that before the court pronounces its decision, the state government should revoke this policy in the larger interests of the youth of the state,” said Suresh Ajay Magotra, chairman of the Youth of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

“We have been fighting against this anti-youth policy for the last one week and will definitely go to the Secretariat on November 9, where we will show black flags to the ministers and MLAs of the ruling NC-Congress government. A number of student unions are supporting us for this purpose,” he added.

The local unit of the ABVP has also expressed similar views. “The stay on the recruitment policy shows that it is anti-youth, anti-state and hence ill-directed,” ABVP leader Pawan Sharma said.

“We are not going to budge from our stand till the government itself does not revoke this policy. The ‘Secretariat Chalo’ call still stands and we will go there on the first day of the Darbar opening to express our resentment against the state government,” added Sharma.

The youth wing of the National Panthers Party is also continuing their protest in all colleges and universities in the region.

Pushpinder Manhas, leader of the youth wing of the National Panthers Party, said: “We will further intensify our agitation. For the past few days, our activists are staging protest demonstrations at various levels across the state and will continue with it till this policy gets revoked.”

THE ‘ANTI-YOUTH’ POLICY

• Under the new recruitment policy, the fresh recruits (non-gazetted) will only get 50 per cent of the basic pay for the first two years and 75 per cent for the next three years, without any allowances..
• For the past one week, students have been protesting against the new policy, terming it as anti-youth.
• Ghulam Nabi Dar, a resident of Hazratbal, filed a petition in the High Court against the policy.

Shortage of goats pushes up prices in Jammu region

Shortage of goats pushes up prices in Jammu region Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 5
People in the Jammu region, who were waiting for the prices of sacrificial goats to come down for Eid-ul-Azha (Bakr Eid), will have to shell out more money, as a large number of goats have been sent to the Kashmir valley.

An average goat weighing about 40-45 kg is selling around Rs 25,000 in the open market here, which is, according to the officials of the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department, five times more than the prices fixed by the department.

“Most of the livestock has been transported to the Kashmir valley, where the consumption is much higher than the Jammu region. It may be one of the reasons of the sudden spurt in the prices of the livestock, especially of goats, in the Jammu region,” said Dr AK Koul, Director, Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department.

To a question about the reason for the livestock being sent to the Valley, Koul said, “Nearly 60 per cent of the goats in Jammu and Kashmir are imported from Rajasthan and the remaining 40 per cent are sourced from the state. Ahead of Eid, butchers from the Valley come to Kathua district, where we have an open market of the livestock, and buy goats at a higher price than offered by the meat sellers of the Jammu region. So, whosoever pays more gets the livestock. This has led to an increase in the prices of goats here.”

About the scarcity of goats in the Jammu region, Kaul said, “Goats are available in abundance in markets in Kashmir at prices cheaper than those available in the Jammu region. But we have deputed our doctors and other officials at all major markets, including Gujjar Nagar, Talab Khatikan, Ustad Mohalla and Malik Market, here so that the sale of unhealthy livestock could be checked,” he added.

He also made it clear that the department would not provide any subsidy on the goats.

Boy thrashed for not giving girl student’s phone number

Boy thrashed for not giving girl student’s phone number Education Dept orders inquiry; School told to file report within two daysArchit Watts
Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 4
A class XII student of Government Higher Secondary School at Gambhir Mughlan in Rajouri district has complained to the police that a teacher thrashed him when he refused to give the latter the phone number of a girl student.

The victim, Shariq Nissar (18), in his complaint to the police, alleged that when he reached the school yesterday teacher Shahid Mughal asked him about the phone number of a girl student. When Shariq refused to give the teacher the girl’s phone number, the latter beat him up.

Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Nissar Hussain, father of the boy, said, “Shahid Mughal is the son of an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) and has been engaged as a teacher on contract for the past five months. Earlier, Shahid had tried to get the phone numbers of girls from other students and was not ready to mend his ways.”

“Yesterday, when my son reached the school, Shahid, who was already there, started beating him. I got a call from my son’s friends that he had been injured. I rushed to the school and there I found him crying with pain,” added Nissar.

He said they had lodged a complaint with the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Rajouri, ML Sharma, demanding stern action against the guilty teacher. “Shahid Mughal attended the school this morning, but neither the police nor the Education Department took any action on our complaint,” said Nissar.

Meanwhile, the CEO, Rajouri, has initiated an inquiry into the incident and asked the school authorities to file a report within two days. “I have received a complaint that a teacher beat up a student when the latter refused to give him the phone number of a girl student. However, the inquiry report is still awaited,” said Sharma.

The Manjakote police said it was also investigating the matter.

Massive rise in price of goats

Massive rise in price of goats Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, November 4
The skyrocketing prices of sacrificial goats have dampened the excitement of Eid-ul-Azha (Bakr Eid), which will be celebrated on November 7. Just three days are left for Eid, and there is little activity in the markets where goats are sold.

An average healthy goat, which was available between Rs 4,000 and Rs 7,000 last year, now comes for Rs 15,000- Rs 25,000. As a result, neither the buyers nor the sellers are showing much enthusiasm to purchase the livestock.

Nazir Ahmed, a meat seller outside the Jama Masjid in the Talab Khatikan area, said: “Last year, we got good business. But, this year the prices of goats have been touching the sky, which have dampened the excitement of Bakr Eid.”

“Normally, a week before Eid, goat sellers from various places gather outside the mosque in this area, but this year no one has arrived as yet,” added Nazir.

Besides the prices of meat, the cost of other goods have also gone up. Aslam Khan, owner of Qasmi Kutubkhana that offers religious items for sale, said: “As the prices of all essential commodities have been shot up, people are not interested in doing much shopping. Inflation has drastically affected our business this year.”

Mohammad Asif, a local resident who had come to buy a goat, said, “The prices are too high. Now, I will have to go to a rural area where the prices will be cheaper as compared to the urban areas.”

He demanded that officials in the Sheep and Animal Husbandry Department should immediately intervene or take some steps so that the prices could be controlled and goats could be bought for Eid without pinching the pocket.