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| ‘Militancy losing
ground’, Farooq Cautions SF against desperate militants, stresses human rights Excelsior Correspondent Pulwama, Aug 28: Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdulla has cautioned police and security forces against the militant violence saying that they were desperate to create......more Demonstrate
exemplary leadership qualities, Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 28: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today exhorted police to face the situation posed by enemy courageously and......more Ch.
Hussain tours Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Aug 28: The Minister of State for Revenue and Relief Ch. Mohammed Hussain was given a rousing reception at different places......more Massive
operation Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 28: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir is making all efforts to combat dreadful paddy blast disease. The spread of disease has......more Poojaris
killing Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: A meeting of Shri Vaishno Vairagi Sadhu Dharam Sanstha Suraksha Samiti, J&K was held under the chairmanship....more |
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‘Crush
terrorism in J&K with heavy hands’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: National vice-president Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Mr Om Birla has said that two day national convention of the.......more People
asked to keep Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: To create awareness about peace and security among the people, the J&K Ex-Police Men’s League organised a meeting in Nanak Nagar......more JI
conference demands Excelsior Correspondent KISHTWAR, Aug 28: The annual conference of Jamaat-e-Islami Kishtwar which concluded today called for an immediate settlement of Kashmir...more Back
door appointment case Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, R K Magotra has granted interim bail to Dr MP Gupta, S/o Dina Nath of Channi Himmat Jammu against whom a case of making 200 appointments of Pharmacists, Junior Assistants, Drivers and Various posts of Class-IV in the Department of Health.......more |
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‘Militancy losing
ground’, Farooq Excelsior Correspondent Pulwama, Aug 28: Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdulla has cautioned police and security forces against the militant violence saying that they were desperate to create sensation after having lost their ground. "They are desperate and want to do something to gain their lost ground", Dr Abdullah said while addressing the joint cabinet cum district development board meeting here today. He said police and security forces need to be extra vigilant to meet the challenge and stressed on greater measures of security, particularly at the police stations which he said were the likely targets of militant attacks. Referring to the recent attack on the police station at Poonch, the Chief Minister said the incident occurred due to the security lapse. He said he was recommending to the Governor the case for dismissal from service of the local SHO for his lapse in duty adding that he would like a policeman to face bullets rather than hide himself at the time of danger. Dr. Abdullah reiterated his commitment to upholding the human rights and asked the concerned agencies to ensure that no HR violation takes place. He said while militants deserve no compassion, the innocent civilians must not be harmed. He also asked the police to register every FIR that was lodged in this regard. The registration of FIR, he said, would deter officials from committing any rights violation. Besides the Minister of State for law, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Lone who is also the chairman, district development board, Pulwama, the minister for heath and medical education, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Minister for agriculture and cooperatives, Chowdhary Muhammad Ramzan, Minister for works, Mr. Ali Mohamad Sagar, member parliament, Mr. Ali Mohammad Naik, local legislators, financial commissioner, planning and development, Mr. K. B. Pillai, Divisional Commissoner, Kashmir, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and various heads of departments participated in the meeting. The Chief Minister appealed the people to desist from power theft and make judicious use of water and electricity both of which, he said, were scarce. He said the reckless use of these resources was costing the state dearly. He said the water sources were on the decline as glaciers up in the mountains were evaporating. He said water was going to be the most precious commodity in the world. Likewise, he said, the consumption of power was on much higher side than the production. He also referred to the forest degradation and called for peoples’ efforts to save these. He asked the police, SOG, para-military forces and the army to coordinate their efforts in saving the green gold from further plunder. Dr. Abdullah announced an additionality of Rs. 5 crores for the current district annual plan which had been earlier fixed at Rs. 44.03 crores. He said he would consider more funds after the allotted money was spent and stressed on its judicious use. He asked the officials to formulate viable plans and prioritize the schemes to ensure that the works taken up were completed in time. The Chief Minister approved Rs. 20 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakhs each for the development of major and minor towns of the district. He also assured funds for the liquid nitrogen plant for milk processing. The district has the highest milk production in the state for which it is called as the ‘Anand of Kashmir’. He suggested setting up of milk cooperatives in the district on the Anand pattern and diversification of the milk trade to include other milk products like cheese and butter. Referring to the demand for construction of the Mughal Road, Dr. Abdullah said the matter has been taken up with the Centre and the project would be completed on 50 : 50 basis by the Centre and the State. He said the project report was awaited from the RITES. In the works sector, the Minister for works, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar informed the meeting that out of the total 19 gutted bridges in the district about a dozen have been reconstructed, restoring the vital communication links that had been severed by militancy. He said this includes the major bridges at Pampore, Naina and Kakapore. He said work on Shopian-Bijbihara and Tahab roads was in progress. In the education sector, the Chief Minister approved the science stream for the degree college, Pulwama. He also announced free bus service for the science students of Tral and Shopian seeking admission in the Pulwama college. He emphasised the need to raise adequate laboratory facilities in the education institutions. "Let us spend our money on providing better education than going for haphazard expansion", he said adding that the Government would introduce English as a subject at the primary level like it is taught in private schools. He said middle schools at Singwani and Chak Chotipora in the upper reaches of the district will be upgraded. Earlier, the district development commissioner, Naseem Lankar, gave a resume of the achievements of the previous financial year and said that during 2000-2001 an expenditure of Rs. 39.04 crores was recorded in the district working out to 93 per cent of the total allocation. She said this year an outlay of Rs. 44.03 crores were fixed including the loan component of Rs. 6.23 crores from NABARD and Rs. 72 lakhs from LIC. She said health, education, irrigation, PHE and agriculture were the thrust areas of development. |
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Demonstrate
exemplary leadership qualities, Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 28: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today exhorted police to face the situation posed by enemy courageously and said a heavy responsibility lies on officers to demonstrate high degree of valour and exemplary leadership qualities while leading their men. Addressing jawans of Jammu and Kashmir Police, after inspecting the clearance operations in Botanical Garden lake, as part of the civic action programme of Jammu and Kashmir Police, here this evening, the Chief Minister said the force is for gallants and not cowards. Spelling out the qualities of a brave officer, the Chief Minister said that those at command must face a bullet at chest before their comrades fall. ‘How can an officer make a retreat or run for his life leaving his men to become the fodder of enemy’s cannon’, he wondered and referred to attack on the police station in border town of Poonch on Thursday in which seven cops lost their lives. He said the station house officer preferred to remain locked in the room till the arrival of senior officers than to respond the situation. ‘There is no place for coward officers in the police force’, he said. Dr Abdullah complimented the jawans for undertaking the clearance of artificial lake in the famous Botanical garden and hoped that they will continue to participate in civic action programme launched by the police. He said measures would be initiated for filling the lake with fresh water and gave instructions to the Comissioner/Secretary Tourism, Mr Parvez Dewan in this regard. Mr. Ali Mohammad Naik, MP, Director General of Police, Mr A K Suri, Additional DGP, Mr Gopal Sharma and senior officers of the police were present on the occasion. Mr Sharma said the jawans of the force undertook the clearance of the lake on July 14. Later, the Chief Minister went round the garden and Mr Dewan briefed him about the measures regarding its development and upkeep. |
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Ch. Hussain tours Thanamandi, inspects DIET complex Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Aug 28: The Minister of State for Revenue and Relief Ch. Mohammed Hussain was given a rousing reception at different places during his hectic tour of Thanamandi today. On the way to the town he inspected the complex of District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) at Rajouri and asked the Revenue authorities to check the the encroachments being reportedly made at DIET land. At Fatehpur the MoS inspected the Rosin and Turpentine Factory and met its employees. They while apprising him of their problems said that their salaries have not been released for last five months due to which they were facing lot of financial hardships. The Minister assured the employees that he will take up the matter with Minister for Industries and Commerce and all efforts will be made to release the salaries of the employees as soon as possible. He also assured them that the issue regarding the revival of factory will be taken up with the Minister for Industries. Ch Mohammed Hussain was also given a tumultuous welcome at Planger and the people of the area demanded that Planger be given the status of Naibat and a bridge be constructed on local river in the area. At Thanamandi the people demanded employment for the unemployed youth and the Minister assured them that the sufficient number of posts will be created in Government departments and para military forces for the unemployed youth. The Minister however asked the people to coordinate with security forces to weed out militancy. He expressed the hope that the security forces will also maintain a good public rapport and seek the cooperation of the masses. The Minister also visited the Ziarat of Sain Baba Ganji Badshah at Fatehpur to pay obeisance at the Dargah. Later on reaching Darhal the Minister was also accorded rousing reception there by the people. While addressing the gathering the Minister assured the public that possibility will be explored to give the tehsil status to Darhal and Naibat at Nadian. |
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Massive
operation launched to combat Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 28: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir is making all efforts to combat dreadful paddy blast disease. The spread of disease has assumed alarming proportions particularly in the districts of Anantnag and Pulwama. But for timely measures, the disease would have assumed epidemic form. The Director Agriculture, Kashmir with a team of experts has visited the districts of Pulwama and Anantnag recently for on the spot evaluation of the status of the disease. It is being observed that the favourable environmental conditions due to dry spell coupled with high humidity for the past three years, sufficient in-occulum build up of the virulent pathogen and the available susceptible hoist complete the disease triangle making its spread inevitable. The Department has constituted 15 Special Task Force teams for controlling the spread of the paddy blast disease. These teams will undertake the emergent anti-blast spraying on war footing in the blast affected paddy fields in the districts of Pulwama and Anantnag. The teams will take all other necessary measures for curbing the disease completely. They have been provided with two power sprayers each and required quantities of fungicides for carrying out spraying at least twice rotationally after an interval of 8 to 10 days. The Department has meanwhile launched an awareness campaign to educate the farmers in the entire paddy belt of the Valley with special emphasis to Pulwama and Anantnag, about the serious implications of the disease. For this, 175 training camps (one day awareness camp) have also been conducted through farmers training centers and extension agencies in all the districts of the Valley well before the commencement of Kharief season with special arrangements of seed treatment with recommended fungicides. As soon as the disease appears on the standing crops the farmers are advised to go for spraying with recommended fungicides made available by the Department at 80 per cent subsidy at its sale centers. The experts have suggested the use of paddy varieties 1007 and China-1039 as these two are the only varieties in the field, which have shown tolerance to the disease. The varieties released by SKUAST i.e. K-448, K-343 for lower belts and K-332 for the higher belts have also shown susceptibility to the disease and therefore are advised not to be used by the farmers. |
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Poojaris killing strongly condemned Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: A meeting of Shri Vaishno Vairagi Sadhu Dharam Sanstha Suraksha Samiti, J&K was held under the chairmanship of Mr Sita Ram Dass, president of Mahamandleshwar. As per a release, the meeting strongly condemned the dastardly act of militants who killed the innocent Bairagi Sadhus namely Mahant Shri Narotam Dass Ji of Kali Mata Mandir Dhund, Swarankote, Poonch and Poojrai of the Temple on the intervening night of August 27 and 28. Mr Sita Ram Ji while expressing his concern over the spurt of militancy in the state alleged that neither Central Government nor the state Government have curbed the militancy in J&K and demanded imposition of President’s rule in the state. He said the public in general and Bairagi Sadhus in particular have lost faith in Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah. He also threatened that last rites of the Sadhus will not be performed till the arrest of assailants. He also urged the Government to provide the security to Sadhus and Poojaris in the state. |
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‘Crush terrorism in
J&K with heavy hands’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: National vice-president Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha Mr Om Birla has said that two day national convention of the BJYM will be held at Agra on October 13 and 14 where a draft on national youth policy likely to be framed. Addressing a press conference here today Mr Birla disclosed that in this historic event at Agra in Utter Pradesh, about 500 delegates from all over the country are likely to participate. From J&K it has been indicated by the state unit president Satish Sharma that 500 activist will make it to the convention. The two day convention will be inaugurated by Union Home Minister L K Advani and the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee will preside over the function. A draft on youth policy will be framed on the occasion and alongwith some charter of demands it will be submitted to the Prime Minister. It will depict the feelings of the national youth. On this occasion, a village will be adopted by the organisation which would be turned into a model village of the country. He also laid stress on the improvement of environment protection and plantation drives all over the country. The youth, NGOs and specially the students should be involved in afforestation drives. The protection of environment was very vital for the survival of the human being and the animals on the planet earth. Referring to the situation prevailing in the state, the BJYM leader alleged that state government has failed to protect the life and property of the people in J&K. The terrorism prevailing in the state be crushed with heavy hands and firmly. The Centre and the State Governments should take every possible efforts to weed out militancy from this troubled state. The villagers residing in far-flung areas be provided security and confidence building measures be adopted. The Village Defence Committees be strengthened and sufficient number of weapons be given to the village youth and the ex-servicemen for self protection be cause it is not possible to have security personnel every where all the time, he added. State unit president Satish Sharma said that Kashmir unit of BJYM is also being constituted and several youth have shown keen interest to join the organisation. The activities of the Kashmir unit are being intensified and new members are being inducted into the party fold. He criticised the Pakistan for abetting terrorism and causing communal tension in the region and maintained that her dubious designs will be frustrated. |
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People asked to keep vigil & unity to boldly face militancy Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: To create awareness about peace and security among the people, the J&K Ex-Police Men’s League organised a meeting in Nanak Nagar here today. Nearly 400 residents of the locality attended the meeting. Nanak Nagar’s Sectors 6 and 8 Welfare Committees collaborated in the meeting which was presided over by Col B D Sharma and chairman, J&K Ex-Police Men’s League, Mr M M Khajooria was the chief guest. The league has launched an awareness programme about peace and security throughout Jammu city and subsequently spread to all corners of the State as the prevailing situation has become volatile. The security scenario particularly in Jammu region demands alertness and awareness among all sections of the people. Mr M M Khajooria, who is former DGP, has said that in such a situation the retired police men, wherever they may be, should not remain away from the moral duty of making the society aware of the dangers of the militancy-related events. They have to prepare the people to boldly face the situation created by the proxy war. He advised the participants to carry the message to other people also that the only effective measures to combat militancy is to come out against it and help the administration by getting united at all levels to build a mass movement to be able to apprehend the anti-national elements before they could strike anywhere. The meeting was attended by Mr Virender Bhasin, Dy S P (retd), president, District Committee, Jammu. Mr P R Sharma, S P (retd), Mr Hari Chand Bhagat, SP (retd), Mr J L Gupta, Dy S P (retd) addressed the meeting, a release said. Mr Ram Lal Sharma, retired Principal and a senior citizen of the locality, while speaking on the occasion expressed thanks to the league for organising such a useful programme for sensitising the people about the nefarious designs of our enemy and taking protective measures. Mr Sharma exhorted the people, particularly the youth to get united, remain vigilant and prepare themselves to fight the menace of militancy. The need for defending communal harmony and integrity of the country was stressed at the meeting. |
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JI conference demands early resolve of Kashmir issue Excelsior Correspondent KISHTWAR, Aug 28: The annual conference of Jamaat-e-Islami Kishtwar which concluded today called for an immediate settlement of Kashmir issue through the concerned parties including Governments of India and Pakistan. In the three day conference a large number of people residing in adjoining areas of Kishtwar town could not attend due to curfew. This conference was attended and conducted by a galaxy of luminaries from Srinagar including Mr G M Butt and Mr Ashraf Sehrai, Ameer and Naib Ameer of Jamaat respectively. Several resolutions were passed in the conference which said Kashmir dispute has consumed the lives of thousands of people, destroyed the property worth billions of rupees and wrought havoc in every field of life should be settled without losing any more time in the interest of people of Kashmir, India and Pakistan as also the whole of South Asia. The solution of this most important issue should be negotiated amongst the concerned parties to facilitate progress and prosperity of the future generation. In this connection the Jamaat welcomed the signals emanating from both the countries that they want to carry on the dialogue for the resolution of this dispute. Jamaat held that since the declaration of Jammu province as Disturbed Area, human rights violations have assumed alarming proportions. The killing by police and security forces by picking up youth in full public and torturing them to death has vitiated the atmosphere to a very disappointing degree, held the Jamaat resolution, calling for an immediate halt to violations and that everything be done as per requirement of law. The Jamaat resolution held further that Hindu Muslim brotherhood is the need of the hour and all those elements who have been making ignoble attempts to spoil and destroy this mutual brotherhood should be discouraged at both the public and the Government level. The Jamaat resolved that the elements seeking to disintegrate and divide the state on regional basis should be discouraged and opposed, especially those residing in Jammu province including both Hindu and Muslims. The recent arrest of Saidullah Tantray, chairman of J&K Freedom Movement and his unwarranted detention in Kot Bhalwal jail for two years is regrettable, especially in view of the fact that Mr Tantray is chronic diabetic patient in his advanced age and demanded his immediate release. The Jamaat also demanded release of Mr G M Mir, chairman, People’s Movement who has been arrested and detained under the same act. The Jamaat also called for giving a united fight to the menace of corruption at all levels. |
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Back door appointment
case Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, R K Magotra has granted interim bail to Dr MP Gupta, S/o Dina Nath of Channi Himmat Jammu against whom a case of making 200 appointments of Pharmacists, Junior Assistants, Drivers and Various posts of Class-IV in the Department of Health and Family Welfare stood registered by Vigilance Organisation. These appointments were made by M P Gupta during his tenure as Director Health Service Jammu and reportedly at the behest of former Health Minister Govind Ram Sharma. While granting interim bail, the Judge directed for furnishing surety and personal bonds amounting to rupees 20,000 each. " The order is subject to the condition that Gupta will appear before the Investigating Officer and shall not tamper with his prosecution evidence. He will not also leave the State without prior permission", it was ordered. While vehemently opposing the bail, Deputy Director Prosecution K S Charak even referred to the fact that Gupta has been already challaned in a case FIR No 39/98 for similar omission and commission during his positing a Director Health Services. The court, however, said that the accused is admitted to interim bail, with certain conditions. |
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BJP condemns killings in Surankote Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 28: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned the inhuman and brutal killings of two Pujaris and other civilian by the militants at Surankote in Poonch district today. State president of BJP, Daya Krishan Kotwal in a statement said that the killings of Mahant Narotam Dass and Mahant Devi Dass indicated that the militants wanted to create fear psychosis amongst the members of a particular community and resort to sort of ethnic cleansing. He demanded immediate security steps for protecting minorities in both the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Hans Raj Dogra, MLA Jammu West in a separate statement also condemned the killings of innocent people in Surankote area today and demanded immediate steps to protect the common people in the entire Poonch and Rajouri districts. Mr Dogra also regretted over the recent incident of rape in Sunjwan Jammu area and blamed Jammu Police for its failure to handle the case and shielding the culprit responsible for the act. |
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Education is Govt.’s first priority: Kamaal Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 28: The Minister for Industries and Commerce, Dr. Mustafa Kamaal today said that the National Conference has always given first priority to education which is key to the socio- economic development of the people. The Minister was speaking at the valedictory function of 5-day Scouts and Guide Camp organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Services district Srinagar at Gulmarg. The Minister said, after attaining independence from the autocratic rule, the next thing that received the attention of the leaders was the eradication of illiteracy. He said, they were very much aware of the fact that education is indispensable for laying the foundation of a progressive and civilized a society. He said, it is the out come of their concerted efforts that today the students of most for flung areas are able to receive education at their door steps. Dr Kamaal said, it has been the policy of the Government that the education system in the schools should be rooted in the culture and tradition of the Kashmir. The Minister asserted that that the wordly education only coupled with proper understanding of once religion could make a person civilized and lover of mankind. He said hatred and violence are antithetical to the progress of mankind and mutual brotherhood and collective efforts only could help to cultivate a civilized progressive prospers and peaceful society. He also stressed upon the need of preserving the culture and traditional ethos to resist the on salute alien cultures. Speaking on the occasion, the Divisional Officers Sports and Youth Services Department ,Mr Syed Ahmad Wani said that the underlying objective of holding such camps is to developed the intellectual and spritual capabilities of the student and to modify their social behavior. He said it is for the first time that Scouts and Guides from J&K have been selected for receiving President award. Earlier the participating Guides and Scouts hailing from 16 schools of Srinagar district presented a colourful cultural programme and demonstrated their skills learned by them during the camp. Later, the Minister inspected the steel girder bridge on Ferozpur nallah at Kunzer that has collapsed due to army trammer carrying a bulldozer. The Minister also inspected the temporary diversion laid for restoring the vehicular traffic on the Tangmarg road. Dr Kamal who is also the MLA of the area impressed upon the authorities to repair the damage bridge and the water pipe at the earnest. |
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Govt. bans prenatal sex determination tests Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 28: The State Government has banned the Pre-natal diagnostic techniques aimed at determining sex of the foetus. According to the Government order, no prenatal diagnostic techniques shall be conducted except for the purpose of detection of chromosomal abnormalities, genetic metabolic diseases, harmogiobino pathies, sex linked genetic diseases, congenital anomalies and any other abnormality or disease as may be specified by a competent medical authority. The order has been issued pursuant to the Supreme Court direction in the writ petition titled CEHAT v/s Union of India regarding pre-conception female foeticides and female infanticides on the basis of sex selection. As per the Government order no medical geneticist, gynecologist, pediatrician Registered Medical Practitioner or any other person should conduct aid in conducting by himself or through any other person, any prenatal diagnostic techniques at a place other than the one registered by the Government. No genetic counseling center, genetic laboratory or genetic clinic should employ any person who does not possess the prescribed qualification. Unless registered by the Government, none of these centers should conduct or help in conducting activities relating to prenatal diagnostic techniques. The Government have asked all the persons running diagnostic centers especially having facilities of ultrasonography in private sector to obtain license from Director Health Services Kashmir/ Jammu within a period of 45 days from the date of issue of the order, failing which they will be liable for action under law. The Government have authorized the Chief Medical Officers and Block Medical Officers to conduct surprise inspections of the genetic counseling centers and utrasonography clinics and report to the concerned Director Health Services if they observe any malpractices at these centers. The Director health Services Kashmir/Jammu have been asked to make concerted efforts to create awareness among public through seminars and mass media about such malpractices. |
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