Govt. developing border tourism in J&K, to lure visitors

Govt. developing border tourism in J&K, to lure visitors
Yash Khajuria	9/27/2011 9:03:47 PM
JAMMU, Sept 27: Travel enthusiasts will now get a chance to soak in the wholesome beauty of nature with Tourism Department and state government making a big plan to develop border areas in Jammu district on the pattern of “Wagah Border of Punjab”, for tourists. Under the plan, religious places on the International Border (IB) and Suchetgarh post will be developed for the purpose. Director tourism, Robin Singh Mehta has informed that the project for the development of border areas of Jammu for tourism attraction has been sanctioned and now the authorities are analyzing the components of the project and the work on the said project will begin soon. He stated that at the initial stage we will work on the said project from Octroi border outpost (BOP) here along Indo-Pak border which will cost Rs. 6 crore. Jammu and Kashmir government is focusing on promoting border tourism to attract more visitors to the state. Since, Jammu has come up as a major tourist destination in the recent years and in order to give a boost to it, infrastructure worth Rs 6 crore would be set up in Suchetgarh, the official said. As per the project projected for sanctioning, the projects include the development of a park spread over 150 kanals, entry gate, a tourist facilitation centre, the landscaping and development of a terrace garden with fountains, the development of a walkway to oversee the international border, a watch tower, a war memorial with a photo gallery of war heroes of the area, the construction of an amphitheatre and other tourism-related infrastructure. Besides the Suchetgarh model village and the octroi border outpost, the state government will also conduct circuital border trips to prominent sites like shrines and temples close to the Zero Line and picnic spots. It is pertinent to mention that at the present time a number of more than 200 tourists visits the border area daily, the number observe an impressive increase in the weekends. As the authorities initiated to develop these locations for tourist there are apprehensions that the figure of visitors will be change positively. If everything goes as planned, the work on the said project will start within a period of month, Mehta said.

YASH KHAJURIA: Govt. to conduct fresh survey of drop-out rate at ...

YASH KHAJURIA: Govt. to conduct fresh survey of drop-out rate at ...: Govt. to conduct fresh survey of drop-out rate at pre-primary level Yash Khajuria 9/24/2011 8:47:10 PM JAMMU, Sept 24: Concerned ab...

Govt. to conduct fresh survey of drop-out rate at pre-primary level

Govt. to conduct fresh survey of drop-out rate at pre-primary level
Yash Khajuria	9/24/2011 8:47:10 PM
JAMMU, Sept 24: Concerned about the functioning of the Anganwari centers and to make fresh survey of the drop out rate at pre-primary level in the state, governments has directed the Education department and social welfare department to conduct a joint detailed survey within a month. Sources said that the survey has been initiated after Central governments asked the state to ensure better coordination between both the departments to implement different schemes in proper way and come up with the detailed analysis of the impact of the different central schemes at the district level. The survey will be conducted between age group of 3 to 5. According to the sources failure at official level to coordinate properly has created confusion in implementation of different plans in the state. Official sources said that government wants to ensure proper coordination between Sarv Shiksha Abiyan (SSA) and Anganwari centres so that its benefit reaches the targeted population. “We are conducting a detailed survey and within month we will submit the report to government and after that there will be review different projects”, said a official. He said that it will allow better resource utilization so that targeted population group gets the maximum benefit. On the other side while the drop out rate from schools have come down from 7.8 per cent to 5.7 per cent in past few years the Education department will take part in survey to update its existing data at district level and provide consultancy services to the Social Welfare department. “The joint survey will allow us to provide them helping hand particularly at K.G level so that children are retained in the schools and Anganwari centres”, said a official. There are nearly 18,000 Anganwari centres in Jammu and Kashmir and in January this year centre approved nearly 3,094 new centres for the state but despite such large number of centres they have not helped in providing necessary help to the children below 5 years and most of them do not shift to regular schools. According to a source the problem with the Anganwari centres is that children who go to these centres then did not shift to regular schools which are one of the reasons for failure at government level to address the drop out rate. “There is lack of coordination and till both the departments will not help each other pre-primary education level cannot change”, said a source.

‘Ghost rationees’ will soon be thing of past, as CAPD to introduce photo ration card

‘Ghost rationees’ will soon be thing of past, as CAPD to introduce photo ration card

Yash Khajuria   9/22/2011 8:57:07 PM


JAMMU, Sept 22: The ‘ghost rationees’ who constitute about 10 per cent of the total 44.30 lakh souls getting ration from the depots of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department across the Jammu region, will soon be a thing of past as the Department has come up with unique photo ration cards. 


These cards, which are being introduced for the first time in the State, will not only help in detecting and deletion of ‘ghost rationees’ but also check misappropriation of Government ration by the dealers appointed by the Department to provide ration to the people in their respective areas. 


These photo ration cards will be given to all the Above Poverty Line (APL), Below Poverty Line (BPL) and AAY categories of rationees. Each ration card will have the photograph of head of the family and names of other members of the family. 


Sources said that existing ration cards have large scale discrepancies which have crept mainly due to the vested interests of certain ration dealers and out of total 44.30 lakh rationees registered with the CAPD Department, about ten per cent of them are virtually non-existing. 


Now, the CAPD Department in tie-up with the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, has come up with unique photo ration cards to get rid of ghost rationees once for all, check misappropriation of Government ration and bring transparency at the depots level, the sources disclosed, adding all the 9.70 lakh families will get these cards within a period of four to six months. 


The application forms for the photo ration cards will be given to the rationees by the concerned dealers, who will later submit the same to CAPD Department for verification. The concerned Area Inspector of the Department will then verify the details mentioned in the forms by conducting door-to-door survey in the urban areas while the Patwari will conduct the verification exercise in the rural areas. 


Each card has a separate six digit number and the same will also be mentioned in the two copies of month-wise coupons attached in the ration card. While one copy of the coupon will remain affixed in the ration card, the another mentioning quantity of ration purchased with rate charged from the rationees and signature of dealer will have to be submitted by the concerned dealer to the department at the end of every month.

Transporters strike affects normal life in J&K, demand 50 per cent hike in passenger fare

Transporters strike affects normal life in J&K, demand 50 per cent hike in passenger fare
Yash Khajuria	9/21/2011 11:16:20 PM
JAMMU, Sept 21: Normal life in Jammu and Kashmir was paralysed on Wednesday as 1 lakh vehicles went on strike demanding an increase in fare rates due to petrol price hike. Entire public transport including buses, mini buses, public vehicles and autos were off the roads in Jammu city on the call given by various transports organisation today. “We have observed strike today as government has failed to announce hike in the fares despite rising fuel prices,” All Jammu and Kashmir Transporter Welfare Association (AJKTWA), vice-president Anil Chopra said. Commercial vehicles including Buses, Mini-buses, public vehicles and autos suspended their work in protest against the delay in raising the passenger fare. Due to the strike students marched towards their schools by foot in the morning and return as the same in the bright daylight. Whereas knowing of two-day strike from wednesday many of the private schools and institutions already has announced off on the strike affected days. In the last 1 year the prices of fuel have hiked regularly and the fares of vehicle are still the same as they were increased last time at 13.50 percent, but now the transpoters has demended 50 percent increase in the passengers fare. Where already the people are annoyed of the increase in the petrol prices and now if the passengers fare increases it will be difficult to travel in the public transport for the common man. The demands being projected by the transporters include 50 percent hike in passenger fare, withdrawal of 10.5 per cent service tax on the insurance premium and 70 percent hike in 3rd party insurance. It is pertinent to mention here that another area of conflict between the transporters and government is the imposition of the 10 per cent service tax, which the unions claim is huge burden on them. “At a time when taxes have already broken our back, the service tax is total injustice with the people who earn their livelihood through playing vehicles”, said Surjeet Singh, another transporter. Last year transporters were demanding 30 per cent rise in fares and had threatened to go on strike. After the intervention of Minister for Industries Surjit Singh Slathia and Minister for Medical Education R.S Chib, 13 per cent hike was approved in the commercial sector. Sources said that Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) had increased the rate of insurance premium by 80 per cent which the unions claim have further compounded problems for them.

Chenab water diversion may face ire from Pakistan

Chenab water diversion may face ire from Pakistan
Yash Khajuria	9/20/2011 11:05:57 PM
JAMMU, Sept 20: In what could start another spat between India and Pakistan on river Chenab, state government is making techno-feasibility report to divert 100 cusecs of water from the river to augment the water supplyin the expanding Jammu city. According to the officials, Public Health Engineering (PHE) department is hiring the services of the consultants to start Geo-Technical Feasibility of the project. Sources said that it has been proposed that 40 Million Gallon Day (MGD) water will be lifted near Ranjan lift irrigation station on the left bank of river Chenab which about 28 km from the city centre. “We have started the process and when the plan is completed made operational will make city surplus in the drinking water”, said Minister for PHE, Taj-Mohi-Ud-Din. On will they face any objection from the Pakistan, he said that it is just a small volume of water, which is being diverted for the drinking purpose. “We don’t feel there will be objection from the otherside”, he Minister said. Minister said that the consultants will have to give due consideration to the Geo-Technical feasibility of the region through which the propose alignments of the channels will be proposed. It is important to mention here that Chenab river is constant cause of the friction between two nuclear armed countries as the Pakistan has been accusing India of violating the Indus Water Treaty of 1962, by over exploiting the water of northern rivers. Even Baghilar Hydro Power Project ran into trouble, inviting international arbitration to settle the dispute. According to the proposal, the water is proposed to be carried by Gravity having initial lift from river Chenab and will be filtered subsequently at a suitable spot to be identified on the higher contour through open channel or pipes at Roop Nagar. “Technically the project is very difficult keeping in view the hilly terrain and slide prone zones and a detailed techno feasible report is being prepared”, said a Engineer associated with the project. It is pertinent to mention here that the prolonged dry spell in Jammu in recent years has created permanent water crisis in region catering to the population of 13 lakh and floating population of nearly 3 lakh every month, mostly pilgrims. The dry spell has also reduced the ground water resources in the city so far mostly used to supply water to the city residents. On daily basis Jammu needs nearly 39 MGD of water but despite starting various projects, the PHE has been able to keep the supply at 26 MGD to 30 MGD, leaving many areas without water for days together.

With backing of MLA, Tehsildar Bishnah misusing official powers, defying rules

With backing of MLA, Tehsildar Bishnah misusing official powers, defying rules
Yash Khajuria	9/19/2011 10:46:04 PM
JAMMU, Sept 19: While former Chief Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was exposed to direct security threat, as the local administration did not allow the party to organise the rally at local school on Sunday, but the role of Tehsildar has become a doubtful in entire issue. Sources said that at the eleventh hour, People Democratic Party (PDP) was forced to change the venue where Mufti was expected to address by the local Tehsildar, who is a close relative of the MLA Bishnah, Ashwani Sharma. If sources are to be believed, local Tehsildar being a relative of the MLA is misusing his powers at many occasions he has floated the official rules involving the conduct in various issues. “Though this time sources said that this was done at the behest of the state government, as they wanted to disrupt the rallies of the PDP, but the role of Local Tehsildar is under scanner, who is misusing his official powers”, said a source. “He is misusing his power because he has backing of MLA Ashwani Kumar, who is using him at many occasions to harass the people”, said a local resident. Sources said that during the Republic day function (January 26), while as per rules Tehsildar was to unfurl the national flag, but he asked the MLA to unfurl the Tricolour. “They have created a family turf in the constituency and at time people have to face problems”, said a local resident. Sources said that due to sudden change of the venue, security personnel guarding the former Chief Minister had tough time to ensure his security. “Few days back local authorities held ASL meeting, but the said Tehsildar skipped the same, which is clear violation of the rules”, said a source. An official said that as per the rules, before any important political rally involving the former Chief Ministers or any high profile politician, it is necessary that all the government servants had to attend the ASL meet. “It is strange that Tehsildar did not attend the meet, defying the rules, but no action was taken against him. We fail to understand why no action was taken against him”, said a local resident.

64 fire tenders for 52 lakh population of Jammu region
Yash Khajuria	9/16/2011 9:29:34 PM
JAMMU, Sept 16: For the population of 52 lakh who inhabit the ten districts of Jammu region there are only 64 tenders and 35 fire stations to deal with any major eventuality in the region. Official sources said that while rapid expansion of towns and urbanization has increased the workload of the Fire Service Department but there has been no major modernisation of its equipment or personnel gear for last two decades. Sources attribute the poor condition of the department to the diversion of funds by the government for modernisation of police force to combat insurgency which has put the expansion plans for the fire service department to backburner. Official data says that Jammu district has 10 fire stations, with 25 fire tenders which cover the city of 12 lakh population. While Samba has 2 fire stations and 4 fire tenders, Kathua has 2 stations and 3 tenders, Udhampur has 3 fire stations and 5 tenders, Reasi has 2 fire stations and 3 fire tenders. Similarly Ramban has 4 fire stations and 5 tenders, Doda has 4 stations and 6 fire tenders. While Kishtwar has 1 fire station and 2 tenders, while border district of Rajouri has 3 stations and 5 tenders and Poonch has 4 stations and 6 tenders. Further officials figures say that there are only 39 heavy duty pumps at the disposal of the department which is not enough to cover the entire population of Jammu region. “There is shortage of equipment and vehicles but there is a plan to increase the number of fire station according to the population ratio but government has to take the initiative”, said R.S Sodhi, Director Fire Services Department. However he said that they are making maximum use of the available resources to deal with any eventuality. “At present we can deal with any major incident and steps are being taken to meet the requirements of the personnel”, Sodhi said. However an official source said that the department is still lacking even the basic equipments and the field personnel does not have fire resistant suits, masks or potable oxygen cylinders to deal with any man made or natural calamity. “It is not only fire for which the department is unprepared for, but natural calamities like the 2005 earthquake if it again struck the state they are ill prepared”, said an official. “We had submitted our requirements and needs to the government and after we get the required funds major expansion drive will be taken up”, said Sodhi. It is pertinent to mention here that in past over a week over a dozen fire incidents involving crops has put question mark on the working and the response of the fire tenders, which in most cases reached the spot after the devastation. It is pertinent to mention here that keeping in view the needs of the rapidly expending population in the state the previous government in 2005 had made a detailed plan to build new fire station across the state keeping in view the population ratio of the respective districts. Sources said that the main reason why the proposal did not materlise was the cost involved which was beyond the capacity of the government. Each new fire station involves expenditure of Rs 1.3 crore and an additional staff of 26 personnel at each station, which is quite out of budget for the funds allocated to the department.

MGNREGA workdays to be increased from 100 to 200 days

MGNREGA workdays to be increased from 100 to 200 days
Yash Khajuria	9/15/2011 10:31:40
JAMMU, Sept 15: With view to engage youth in work and to divert their attention from violent tendencies, government may increase the employment days under Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) from 100 to 200 days across the state. According to the sources, the implementation of the central scheme which was recently reviewed by the MLA M.Y Tarigami, who is chairman of the Assurance Committee of Legislative Assembly, has recommended that work days should be increased in the state keeping in view the large number of unemployed youth in the rural and far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said that committee has also suggested for the amendment of the Panchayati Act for the better implementation and utilization of the central funds. “It could be an important way to divert the attention of the youth so that they don’t indulge in violence. Further it will create work employment workdays for the people”, said an official. The Committee has observed that with implementation of the scheme in rural areas, particularly those which have faced continued neglect, can empower their socio- economic status to some extent. “There is need to reach out at grass root level in the state as it is very important central scheme”, said Tarigami. Though recently a national survey has adjudged Jammu and Kashmir as best state in the country for successful implementation of schemes in Primary Health Care sector and Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), but there are still many flaws as people have not shown much interest as the daily wages are less then what is given in private sector. In October this year government has said the engagement of as many as 17,500 supporting staff under the act to ensure timely execution of set targets. According to the economic survey carried out by the State Government in 2007-08, the funds utilization profile of NREGA during that period was very low. Data says that in Kashmir division, utilization was just 9.64 per cent of the available funds and in Jammu, it was 44.25 per cent. The report had said that the main reason was that the workers are not willing to work on the wages offered under NREGA and even those workers who have got registered fail to respond when they offered. "In the open market a laborer is getting average Rs 160 for working 9 hours a day whereas under NREGA he is getting Rs 110 only per day for working 8 hours", said a official.

Govt deptt owe whopping Rs 605 crore to PDD

Govt deptt owe whopping Rs 605 crore to PDD
Yash Khajuria	9/14/2011 7:30:36 PM
JAMMU, Sept 10: At a time when Government is making tall claims of reforming the power sector in the state and achieve revenue targets, different government departments still owe whopping Rs 605 crore to the Power Development Department (PDD). Officials said that this is the main hindrance in way of the Department to achieve its revenue targets. Sources said that most of the Government offices are using the electricity with impunity and despite repeated notices they have not responded to them. Sources said that government employees alone owe nearly Rs 28 crore to the department, putting question mark on the measures taken by the Omar Abdullah led government on reforming the electricity sector. It is pertinent to mention here that of the budget of Rs 5000 crore for the state, power sector consumes about Rs 2400 crore annually, while the revenue collection is just Rs 600-800 crore. “Speeches are ok, but no sincere steps are being taken by the PDD to recover the money from the defaulters. It will take years before the pending arrears are cleared by the government”, said a senior officer from the PDD on condition of anonymity. When contacted, PDD Chief Engineer Mohammad Qasim said, “We have taken steps for recovery but it will take time. These are pending for last many years and departments are also cooperating”. He said that they have took up the matter with the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who have assured that he will ensure that arrears are cleared. Every year PDD has the target of nearly Rs 1500 crore as revenue, but they are able to recover just Rs 600 to Rs 800 crore annually, due to which state had to face the wrath of the Union Power Ministry, which has warned the J&K from time to time, to improve its revenue collection. "While people are being made to shell out fees even using harsh measures, no effort is being made to recover dues from the departments who have emerged as major defaulters", said a official. It is pertinent to mention here that Power sector is a major headache for the J&K, while its use is increasing every year, but state had to divert crores to keep the power supply stable. Another worry is the higher Transmission and Distribution losses, which ahs reached nearly 72 per cent from 40 per cent just five years ago. Government has recently said that they intend to install 1200 capacitors to keep check on the losses on the advice of experts committee, but so far the project has also not helped much to check the losses. For providing uninterrupted power supply state requires nearly 2500 MWs of power at present. The restricted demand of power was nearly 700 MW for Jammu region and 800 MW for Kashmir region, which comes out at 1500 MW, but revenue recovery is falling every year. As per the data industry sector was to pay Rs 55.01 crore, while domestic sector Rs 216.14 crore and the agriculture sector owed Rs 147.81 crore for electricity consumed.

16 dead, 23 injured in Ramban accident

16 dead, 23 injured in Ramban accident
Yash Khajuria	9/13/2011 10:39:38 PM
JAMMU, Sept 13: 16 people today lost their life and 23 others were injured when a bus skidded off a road and fell into a deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district. Reports said that the vehicle was on way from Ramban to Banihar and met with the accident on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway leading to death of the passengers. Many of the injured were later shifted to Government medical College (GMC) Jammu for treatment. The vehicle rolled down the 400-ft Khooni Nala at Nashri, 200 kms from here, they said, adding at least 16 people were feared killed while 23 others were injured in the mishap. After getting the reports, Army and police launched the rescue and relief operation. In recent past district has witnessed number of accidents involving busses, Sumo’s and Matadors in which many people have died or have received grievous injuries, putting question mark on the functioning of the traffic and police department. It is pertinent to mention here that today about 18 students were injured when a matador carrying students from Chanderkote to Ramban skidded off the road. In the incident one student had received serious injuries. Recently on September 8, a TATA Sumo bearing registration No:- JK02W-4932 had met with an accident on Karol-Kundi road in which two persons had lost their lives and three other were injured Government has asked the district administration Ramban to submit a detailed report within one month to find reason why the number of accidents has increased in the district and fix the responsibility for the same. As per the directions, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bashir Ahmed Khan has been appointed as inquiry officer to conduct the enquiry to ascertain the reasons due to which the number of road accidents has increased in recent past claiming number of precious lives. Sources said that enquiry team has also been directed to inspect the vehicles in the district and make a detailed list of the old vehicles plying on the roads so that necessary action could be taken against them. “It has been directed to fix the responsibility due to which accidents have happened and suggesting preventive measures so as to avoid such accidents in future. There is great resentment among the people”, said a source.

State to get Rs 860 crore to cover un-electrified villages

State to get Rs 860 crore to cover un-electrified villages

Yash Khajuria         9/10/2011 8:29:12 PM

JAMMU, Sept 10 : While power crisis has become a major challenge for the Jammu and Kashmir, state has received Rs 860 crore under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana  (RGGVY) to cover the un-electrified villages. 

Official sources said that part of the fund of Rs. 191.14 crore is being incurred in Jammu division to electrify 6100 hamlets and 91 villages which has so far not seen the electricity and continue to remain in darkness even after sixty years of independence. 

State Government has further de-centralized the power reforms project in the state and to effectively monitor the project, now the DDCs of the concerned districts, will be given powers to take on spot decisions. 

“Every Executive Engineers of Power Development Department (PDD) and Power Development Corporation (PDC) has been asked to take monthly meeting to sort out any problem in smooth execution of this programme, so that un-electrified villages are provided with electricity”, said MoS Power Shabir Ahmed Khan. 

Shabir said that a new survey will be conducted such habitations which are totally un-electrified so far under the prescribed guidelines of RGGVY so that the purpose of this massive project could be achieved in totality. 

Referring to the impediments in smooth execution of the project mere for lack of trained manpower in repairing of equipments used in the project in the state, the Minister assured that the Centre will be approached to arrange training programme for the concerned state technicians so that damaged machinery could be repaired locally. 

It is pertinent to mention here that despite receiving nearly Rs 500 crore under the Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (APDRP), most of the power supply lines in the state particularly in urban centres have remained unchanged. 

Officials said electricity supplied to most of the city areas is passing through worn-out cables laid three decades ago which have become threat for the people particularly living in congested areas of the city. 
Nearly 2160 km of power lines have been changed but most of the urban centers have remained untouched putting lives of thousands of people at stake.

Delhi blast probe

Teenage boy, who sent email detained by NIA

Yash Khajuria  9/9/2011 8:42:24 PM

JAMMU, Sept 9: A joint team of National Investigation Agency (NIA), Jammu and Kashmir Police today detained a teenage boy who is alleged to have sent the Harkat-ul-Jihadi-Islami (HuJI) email claiming responsibility for bomb blast outside the Delhi high. 
The BA first year student was picked up after a three-hour search at a college in Kishtwar and was whisked away to Global Cyber Cafe for interrogation by a joint team of police, National Investigation Agency and cyber experts. The team was led by Deputy Inspector General (Kishtwar-Doda-Ramban range) Muneesh Sinha. 
Investigators had traced the HuJI email claiming responsibility for the blast to the Global Cyber Cafe in Kishtwar. 
HuJI had on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the blast. We own responsibility of the blast at the High Court, Delhi. Our demand is that Afzal Guru's death sentence should be repealed immediately as we would target major High Courts and the Supreme Court of India," the HuJI email had said. 
The cafe has been sealed and policemen in plain clothes have been deputed outside the shop. A team of NIA and experts from Hyderabad are in Kishtwar to probe the email link with the Delhi blast that killed 13 people. 
Meanwhile investigation is on to find the sources of another mail from IM was purportedly written by "Chotoo" and sent from "chotoominani5@gmail.com". The mail was received by the media houses at 12:37 PM today. Security agencies including National Investigation Agency (NIA) are also looking into the IM e-mail but serious apprehensions were being raised whether this was a genuine mail or a prank being played by somebody. 
Meanwhile Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said investigation into the e-mail claiming responsibility for the Delhi High Court blast, which has been traced to Kishtwar district of the state, is in an "advanced stage". 
"I am not in a position to share any details with you, other than the fact that various leads have been shared with us and we are in advanced stage of investigating those leads," Omar said on the sidelines of a function here. 
The Chief Minister was replying to a question about the email allegedly sent by the Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami ( HuJI), traced to Kishtwar district of Jammu division, in which the militant group claimed responsibility for the Delhi attack in which 11 people were killed yesterday. 
Omar said the nation demanded answers from those responsible for the security as to who was behind the attack.

Delhi Blasts

Five detained in Kishtwar in connection with Delhi blasts

Yash Khajuria         9/8/2011 7:39:44 PM

JAMMU, Sept 8: Police has detained five people in connection with the blast in New Delhi after email which claimed to have taken responsibility for the blast was traced to Kishtwar district. 
Sources said that two college students and three people who were managing the cyber café were detained for the questioning by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). 

Investigators traced the Bangladesh-based terror outfit Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami (HuJI) email claiming responsibility to a cybercafe in Kishtwar in J&K and detained its owner Mehmood Khawja and two others for questioning. 

The death toll in the blast that ripped through the reception complex rose to 12 with a 40-year-old man succumbing to his injuries at RML Hospital even as the high court resumed full-fledged proceedings after tight security checks at the entry gates. 

"We are investigating the email link in connection with the Delhi blast and investigation is going on" J&K DGP Kuldeep Khoda said in Jammu. 

They have been identified as Khajwa Mehmood Aziz, his brother Khalid Aziz, Ashwani Kumar, Mohammed Imran of Malipath and Ashiq Hussain. 

The mail from IM was purportedly written by "Chotoo" and sent from "chotoominani5@gmail.com". The mail was received by the media houses at 12:37 PM today. 

Security agencies including National Investigation Agency (NIA) are also looking into the IM e-mail but serious apprehensions were being raised whether this was a genuine mail or a prank being played by somebody. 

Meanwhile Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said investigation into the e-mail claiming responsibility for the Delhi High Court blast, which has been traced to Kishtwar district of the state, is in an "advanced stage". 

"I am not in a position to share any details with you, other than the fact that various leads have been shared with us and we are in advanced stage of investigating those leads," Omar said on the sidelines of a function here. 

The Chief Minister was replying to a question about the email allegedly sent by the Harkat-ul-Jehadi-Islami ( HuJI), traced to Kishtwar district of Jammu division, in which the militant group claimed responsibility for the Delhi attack in which 11 people were killed yesterday. 

Omar said the nation demanded answers from those responsible for the security as to who was behind the attack.

Patnitop ropeway project to face further delay due to doubts raised by environmental ministry

Yash Khajuria	9/7/2011 8:48:10 PM
JAMMU, Sept 7: The much-touted aerial ropeway project at Patnitop hill resort in Jammu and Kashmir, hanging fire since 2007, could face further delay with Environment Ministry seeking more details from the proponent before giving its nod. Sources said that ministry's panel on infrastructure development has asked the Nagarjuna Construction Company, which has to construct the project to seek permission from the State Chief Wildlife Warden in line with the amended Environment Impact Assessment Act. The 2.6 km-long aerial ropeway with 23 trolleys will pass through Dudu forest range and is almost one-km away from Sudhmahadev Conservation Reserve in the state and is being developed by NCCL on Behalf of the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA). The fate of the project, the first of its kind in the state involving construction and operation of a passenger aerial ropeway project and associated facilities at villages Kud-Sangote-Karla, (Patnitop) in Udhampur, has been hanging in balance since 2007. Locals have been pinning hope on the project for acceleration of developmental activities and economic growth in the localities after completion of the ropeway. Suggesting that there would be further delay, the members of the Expert Appraisal Committee has also asked the NCCL to conduct public hearing as per provisions in all the districts separately. Regarding the delay in first of his kind project which coming up at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 crore in Jammu and Kashmir Robin Singh Mehta, Director Tourism Department, Jammu, who also hold an additional charge of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PDA said that in the previous meeting with the Ministry's panel, they asked the proponent to submit clearance on infrastructure development and diverse projects from the State Chief Wildlife department, State Forest Department and also had suggested some important points to include in the proposal, in line with the amended Environment Impact Assessment Act. Over the current status of project Robin Singh Mehta has said that the proponent have completed the pending formalities and has send its proposal to the Ministry of Forest Department India and if the next gathering remains unconditional the development work on the project will start as soon as possible.

Administration clears no to brick klin owners to revises rates of bricks

Administration clears no to brick klin owners to revises rates of bricks

Yash Khajuria	9/6/2011 9:30:20 PM
JAMMU, Sept 6: While powerful lobby of brick klin owners is pressurizing the administration to revise the rates of the bricks, administration is in no mood to oblige their attempts. Sources said that government has decided not to increase the rates of the bricks, a major building block in the construction of houses and other developmental projects. While brick kiln owners say that rapid increase in the cost of the raw material like Coal, Firewood, Clay and Labour has increased manifold and administration should review prices, but sources said that government has no immediate plans to accept the demands of the klin owners. Rates were last revised on April 1, 2010. According to Janak Raj Mahajan, president of the Brick Kiln Owners Association (BKOA) because of the non-revision of rates brick kiln owners are not getting their production cost back, resulting which all the 259 brick kilns owners are facing virtual crisis. “Since the rates of the raw material has increased rapidly automatically leads to the increase in the production cost, and which is not in our favour”, Mahajan said. He said that as the government is not increasing the price of their product on the other prospect we are already paying tax on the raw material which we use, and the administration is imposing to pay input tax which is truly the injustice to brick kiln owners. He said that the government should have to revise the rates on the pattern of the neighboring states including Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. As the BKOA has presented that the rates of B class bricks at Rs 4175 per thousand, rates of C class bricks at Rs 3800 per thousand and the rates of tiles at Rs 4375 per thousand. He further said that the rates of brick in Punjab are above Rs 4000 per thousand and in Himachal rates of brick is Rs 4500. It is pertinent to mention that the government has recently on regular complaints of overcharging for bricks by the brick kiln owners. A team οf officers led bу Assistant Commissioner, Jammu, Vivek Sharma on Aug 28 conducted an inspection οf brick kilns іn R S Pura, Sub Division. On this issue when contacted to the Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, said that they (Brick kiln owners) are asking for the increasing rates then what to do we cannot fix the rates only favorable to them. Since panel of experts is analyzing the whole matter and whenever we come to the conclusion we will inform publicly. It is important to mention here that during inspection, eight of the 15 brick kilns were booked fοr various offences under provisions οf Labour Laws, Weights and Measurement Enforcement Act. Same numbers of brick kilns were also booked by CAPD for overcharging and for not showing the rate lists and other offences under Essential Commodities Act-1980. As par the existing government rates, the sale of class 'A' Bricks has been fixed at the rate of Rs 4100 per 1000 whereas the rate of Class 'B' bricks at the rate of Rs 3100 per 1000 inclusive of loading and unloading as par norm anyone found overcharging his license may be cancelled. But due to the unconsciousness of the administration the bricks are being sold at the rates of brick owners choice, at RS Pura Jammu, where the bricks are being sold at Rs 5500- 7500 per thousands on arguing the rate lists the brick owners said that till the government do not fix issue the new rate list they’ll sale brick on the same prices. Now the customers are annoyed by the overcharging of brick kiln owners.

Contract killer Moja arrested by police with Desi Katta

Contract killer Moja arrested by police with Desi Katta
Yash Khajuria	9/4/2011 9:10:23 PM
JAMMU, Sept 4: Two gangsters were arrested here with a local-made revolver “Desi Katta” and sharp-edged weapons recovered from their possession. On specific inputs, R S Pura Police comprising of SHO Police Station R S Pura under the direct supervision of and S.S. Sambyal, SDPO R S Pura set up check post at village Melowal, a wanted gangster and contract killer Mooja along with his aide Tirath singh was arrested by the police in R S Pura Jammu here today. The accused have been identified as Manoj Kumar alias Mooja son of Ashok Kumar resident of ward no. 4, R.S.Pura and Tirth Singh son of Ram Rakha resident of village Nelowal, R.S.Pura. Police also recovered weapons, including a homemade pistol (katta) alongwith four live shells and a toka from their possession. The gangsters were identified as Manoj Kumar alias Moja son of Ashok Kumar resident of Ward no.4, R S Pura. During initial interrogation arrested criminal Manoj kumar @ Moja uttered that he has collected the recovered “Desi Katta” from notorious gangster Rakesh Kumar alias Giri who had been killed in a police encounter November 22 last year. It revealed that he ‘Moja’ is an active associate of Giri’s gang and might be going for some violence accident before he was arrested. Superintendent of Police, Headquarters Jammu Shailender Singh, disclosed that the captured criminal was also involved in five serious cases under sections which have been registered against him as 382 at Police Station Gangyal in 2005, U/S 307/341/34 RPc 4/25 Arms act at police station R S Pura in 2005, U/S 307/147/148/149 RPc 3/25 Arms act at police station Nowabad in 2005, U/S 307/452 RPc 3/25 at police station Bari Brahmana in 2010, U/S 4/25 Arms act and 3/25, 4.25 Arms act at police station R S Pura in 2000 and 2003 respectively. According to the police record it is the first criminal case against the second absconder Tirath singh. A case FIR No. 138/11 u/s 3/25/4/25 A. Act was registered in this behalf and there is an apprehension that he might disclosed some info in further interrogation.

Sarfu’s death or suicide

Sarfu’s death or suicide
Every effort being made to scuttle investigation, as some police officials, politicians had links with smuggler
Yash Khajuria	9/1/2011 9:25:33 PM
JAMMU, Sep 1: Even after more than 13 days have been passed since the cross border smuggler Sarfu was found hanged in Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) at Miran Sahib, mystery has deepened further as nobody is buying the theory of police that he hanged himself. Sources said that there is every possibility that he was silenced because he knew many things which could have exposed the alleged nexus between senior police officials who hold high positions in Jammu and Kashmir and smugglers who used to smuggle narcotics from Pakistan. Sarfu, a notorious trans-border drug smuggler was found hanged in Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) On Aug 18 with the window grill with hіѕ trouser around his neck, Considered an hυɡе bump an ԁ vital lead for exposing the trans-border smuggling nexus in Jammu, Sarfu Ram was arrested аftеr well coordinated trap laid by law enforcement agencies. If the sources are to be believed after the Sarfu was arrested by the Narcotics Bureau in New Delhi, there was much alarm within the police establishment in Jammu and Kashmir as he had once worked as source of the police. Sarfu was found hanged at JIC on August 18 with his trouser around his neck. The family members of the deceased have repeatedly made statements that police in order to cover up their misdeed by terming the custodial killing as suicide. “He had claimed his association, blessings and partnership with a senior police officer of the state of that time. Resulting to the same his associates in the police had given him a clean chit and also had managed his release”, said a source. According to the sources, during the interrogation at JIC Sarfu has disclosed that name of some police officials and some political leaders who has helped him in the trans- border smuggling and after that there was an apprehension that he will be eliminated to save the black sheep in the police department. “It has become a big mystery why no action has been taken against the police official involved. Some say he holds the higher rank in Jammu and Kashmir and that was reason for his elimination. He knew too much”, said a source on condition of anonymity. Puzzling is how is was able to kill himself. “The JIC which has been constructed at Miran Sahib is under the direct supervision of technically capable and senior police officers and no chance has been left for such Incidents and never ever before any such incident has taken place in the JIC”, said a source. As per reliable sources, the senior officers are desperately trying to shield the corrupt officers, claiming that it is a case of suicide. They do not know that hard core criminals like Sarfu seldom go for suicide. Moreover, the authenticity οf postmortem conducted οn thе victims’ of custodial deaths hаѕ always remained suspicious. Hοw thе police саn ԁο miracles аt thе strength οf thеіr uniform іѕ nοt veiled frοm anyone; thе case οf SSP Manohar Singh іѕ a pointer whісh іѕ still afresh іn thе broadcast memory. When contacted SSP Jammu, Anand Jain said without saying anything told to get details from District Magistrate (DM) Sanjeev Verma. And When he was asked to comment about the investigation, Verma said that it is going on without specifying when the report will be made public. “Nobody want people to know the truth about the killing of the poor fellow as his death has closed the files of misdeeds done by the police in the name of fighting terrorism and cross border smuggling”, said a source.

Women detained for 26 hours by police in Mendhar, their only crime they wanted action against criminals who molested them

Women detained for 26 hours by police in Mendhar, their only crime they wanted action against criminals who molested them

Yash Khajuria

JAMMU Sept 3: While the recent custodial killing of cross border smuggler Sarfu is still fresh in the minds of the people, yet another example of police brutality has came to light from remote village Kas Blari of Tehsil Mendhar and district Poonch. 

According to a delegation which narrated its plight to the media, “On 25 August, five women of this village Kas Blari along with small children including infants who were depended on breast feed were allegedly taken into illegal detention for 26 hours by the SHO Mendhar, Gurmeet Singh and his aide Head Constable Dachan Singh unlawfully by imposing heavy charges of 307 and even not allowed her to perform religious rites of keeping Roza”. 

Dr Shehzad while requesting justice for these woman has said that the only mistake which was committed by these women was that they rose their voice against the criminals who molested one of the women on August 23. 

Victim Motian Bi dared to take on these criminal namely Ayaz Ahmed Mir and Maroof Ahmad. She made a complaint in police station Mendhar. But no action was taken by the police, aggrieved over the response of the police, Motian Bi being the victim has made a complaint with the judicial magistrate Mendhar seeking action against the culprits who molested her. 

Responding to the application of the victim JM passed the direction to the SHO Mendhar Gurmeet Singh to take immediate action in the matter. 

Pertinently the alleged criminal are also involved in another case where a person gulam Mustafa was assaulted by Ayaz Ahmed Mir and Mahmood Ahmad on August 20, this matter was also reported to the police station on August 21 but the SHO took no action on the issue. 

Later the matter was reported to the SSP Poonch who again referred this to the SHO Mendhar Gurmeet Singh for necessary action. 

Despite of the deputations of the villagers and the repeated instruction of the SSP, the corrupt and communal SHO did not take any action against these criminals. 

The matter exceeds the limits when the corrupt SHO after allegedly accepting hefty amount as bribe hatched a conspiracy and despite of arresting the criminals, which assaulted the victims Gulam Mustafa and molested the female victim Motian Bi. 

To daunt and to pressurize the complainants for withdraw their complaints against the above mentioned criminals fabricated two fake cases against them along their 19 family members filing charges U/S 307 and 353 against 24 family members. 

It is pertinent to mention that the alleged SHO holds a figure of over a dozen complaints for violating human rights, misusing his position and power and even the illegal detention of citizens against him in every Police Post-Station where he has served. 

“Despite of having serious allegations, why and how this inspector ranked Gurmeet Singh is always been deputed and posted as SHO consistently “People eagerly wants to know from the higher authorities. 

Why don’t the authorities take the necessary action against him who oftenly found indulge in these kind inhuman deeds.