CJ inaugurates fast track courts in Ladakh

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, June 15: Strenghtening people’s faith in judiciary with speedy disposal of cases is need of the hour.

This was stated by the Chief Justice, J&K High Court, Dr B P Saraf, while inaugurating Fast Track Court at Leh and the newly created Munsiff courts at Khalsi, Nyoma and Nobra today.

The purpose of establishing such fast track courts is to provide speedy disposal of cases thereby ensuring justice to the people at their doorstep, he said.

The geographical features of Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh especially need such courts for speedy and cost-effective justice. The setting up of such courts in this region will prove beneficial to the people, he added.

The Chief Justice announced on the occasion that for posts of the judges for these sub-courts, the local will be from eligible. Monday is deadline for applying for these posts.

Dr Saraf assured to take necessary measures for having single judge sitting, once in a month, to attend the High Court level cases, especially taking into consideration the geography of the region. He promised that he would himself come to attend such cases.

The Chief Justice also informed that a "Suggestion Box" will be kept in these courts as a direct contact between the public and the Chief Justice. This suggestion box will be under the charge of a senior citizens’ committee.

On the occasion, the Chairman, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Mr Thupstan Chhewang, in his welcome address said the Fast Track Court at Leh and Munsiff courts at Khalsi, Nyoma and Nobra will help the people to get speedy disposal of their cases. Mr Hassan Khan, MP also spoke on the occasion.

The Minister of State for Ladakh Affairs, Mr Kushok Tokdan, District Development Commissioner, Leh; Principal and Sessions Judge, Leh, former Union Minister Mr P Namgyal and senior judicial officers were present.

Workshop begins at Jammu varsity

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 15: A two-day workshop of " India: Environment Management Capacity Building Technical Assistance project" commenced in the Environmental Sciences seminar Hall of University of Jammu here today. Eminent experts from all over the country are participating in it.

The Department of Economics in collaboration with the Environmental Economics Research Committee has organised this final review workshop. It will hold deliberations for two days on important issues and also conduct field studies.

Professor R R Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, who was chief guest at this workshop, in his address said that the experts on environment and others disciplines will be interacting and sharing knowledge with our students and scholars.

It is a matter of pride, he said that two research projects have been assigned to this university as well.

The Dean, Academic Affairs, Prof A N Sadhu also spoke.

The Dean, Social Sciences, Prof O P Sharma, University of Jammu outlined the objectives of the two-day workshop wherein experts are taking part.

Dr Amitava Mitra made presentation with illustration on the topic: Environmental Conservation and Demand for Nature-based Tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. Other studies were also discussed in details and their final review made.

JU non-teaching employees union organise Annual Day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 15: The Vice Chancellor, Prof R R Sharma today said that the legitimate problems of the employees of the varsity will be tackled to all possible extent.

Speaking at the Annual Day function of the Non-Teaching Employees of Jammu University here today, Prof Sharma said the problems within the varsity administration will be attended to promptly and those relating to University Grants Commission or the State Government will be taken up. The Vice Chancellor said that the university essentially comprises of three components: students, teachers and non-teaching staff who have to play their important role in building such high learning institutions. These components should work in close co-operations for creating most congenial academic atmosphere.

Prof Sharma appreciated the cultural programme presented by the varsity staff on the occasion.

Prof M R Puri, former VC, in his presidential address recalled that during his tenure there was good relationship between the teachers, non-teaching staff and the students.

While appreciating the cultural programme, he expressed satisfaction that now more and female employees too are particiapting in these activities.

Mr M R Thakyal, president, Non-Teaching Employees Union, JU, in his welcoming speech, pinpointed some of the problems of the staff.

A colourful cultural programme was presented by the varsity employee. The items included group songs, dances, skits, solo Dogri and Punjabi as also gazal.

The presentation of Dogri folk item Geetlu, Rajasthani dance by girl child Surbi Amla, attractive sapera dance by Mr P R Vaid as well as Master Pranav’s dance were highly applauded by the large gathering present in the Brig Rajinder Singh Auditorium in the campus. Skit and mime presented by Mr Subhash Sangra and his team was also appreciated. The cultural programme was prepared by Mr Vijay Atri.

Prof M R Puri gave away mementos to all the artists who presented the cultural show. Office-bearers of the Non-Teaching Employees Union presented shawls to Prof M R Puri, Mr Ram Sarup Gupta and Mr P S Sahi.

Mr R S Dalpatia, general secretary of the union conducted the proceedings and also presnted vote of thanks.

Inhuman treatment meted out to local youth in terrorists’ captivity
Militants forcibly recruiting Kashmiri youth

Excelsior Correspondent

NAGROTA, June 15: Though tears streaming from the eyes of 15 years old Javed Ahmed Gagroo, his innocent face was delighted as he was among the three minor Kashmiri youth who were rescued by the Army from the clutches of the so-called Mujahideens.

The horrified experience which he witnessed during weeks long captivity with the militants was still haunting him but he was happy that he will again meet his family.

Javed Ahmed Gagroo, Javed Ahmed Ganai and Basarat Gulzar Hajam, all hailing from the Anantnag district of Kashmir division were rescued by the Army from the clutches of militants who were forcibly taking them to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) for training. An alert column of Army intercepted a group of militants near Gulabgarh at Udhampur district who were taking them to PoK. After an encounter soldiers rescued these youths.

Story of other three youths namely Riyaz Ahmed, Ghulam Hassan and Javed Iqbal who were presented before media men by Army was same but they were brave enough to give a slip to the militants and managed to reach at nearby army formation.

Story narrated by the all the six youth was similar. They were recruited much against their wishes. "Hailing from poor families, the youth were intimidated extensively by the terrorists and a feeling of awe inspired in them. Helpless and having resigned to fate, they revealed that that had no other option available as the terrorists had threatened to eliminate their entire families if they expressed any opposition", said an army officer.

During interaction with media-men these innocent youth virtually broke down while narrating horrified experience and ill-treatment meted out to them by the so-called Mujahideens. "I have lost all hopes of meeting my family members", subbing Gagroo said while disclosing ill-treatment meted out to him by the terrorists. It was all due to the efforts of armymen, the Kashmiri youth said, that he will again meet with his family.

Same was the feeling of Basarat Gulzar Hajam, a tenth class student of Government Higher Secondary School Mattan who was kidnapped by the militants on gun point. Militants kidnapped him from Mattan and used him as porter for so many days. "With heavy load on my shoulders I was forced to track difficult terrain without any food and water", fear stricken Basarat recounted how he spent a week with militants. "They used all three of us a porters at gun point", another youth Javed Ganai said.

Hailing from Dara Dulia village of Poonch, Javed Iqbal was kidnapped by militants while he was working in his field. "As I refused to accompany them, they (militants) gave me a severe thrashing with butts and threatened to eliminate my entire family. I had no option but to go with them ", said Iqbal. Iqbal spent one month with militants and during that period they gave him inhuman treatment. Javed Iqbal ran from the captivity of militants while they were camping in a hide out at Badot in the Poonch sector.

These youth revealed that two pro-Pakistani outfits — Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) and Hizbul Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment (HMPPR) — are forcibly recruiting local Kashmiri youth into their outfits to show that militancy is still continuing in Jammu and Kashmir. These youth said they were shown heavy weaponry by HMPPR outfit in Banihal area and were asked to get training in militant camps across border in Pakistan. They were told that they will be given missiles to handle and these could kill hundreds of people at a time, they said, adding mercenaries were treating locals like their servants and brutally treating them. They said they were happy that army had saved them from militants and now they wish to join the force to serve the country.

Col. Naveen Chopra of 16 Corps said that revelations by the six youth are a clear indicator that the general public is disillusioned with the on-going terrorist violence and holds Pakistan responsible for the same. "An increasing realization is perceptible that the terrorists, acting at the behest of their Pakistan based mentors are out to impede developmental work in Jammu and Kashmir", he said, adding, " the people are yearning to see normalcy returned to their state".

Mr Chopra said that having sensed the public mood and seeing that no one likes to pick up arms voluntarily, terrorist outfits have resorted to forcible recruitment to portray a situation that the Kashmir problem is a people’s movement. "Six youth disclosed that similar disillusionment persisted amongst a large majority of the local terrorists and they were all looking for an opportunity to shun the path of violence and return to the mainstream to work for the development of the State", he said.

Escape of 3 Pak nationals
CBI gives clean chit to Kot Bhalwal jail authorities

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 15: Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI), probing the escape of three top Pakistani militants from Kot Bhalwal jail in 1998, has given a clean chit to jail authorities in this sensational jail escape that had brought a bad name to the entire Police force and other security agencies that year.

In a challan presented against Mohd Khalid of Machi Khokhar Sialkot, Mohd Irfan Khan alias Ramesh alias Anwar of Gadi Mohalla Tanda in Pakistani Punjab and Mohd Aslam alias Salim Khan alias Abu Baker of Faqir Pura Muzzafarabad Pakistan, it has been pointed out that these three militants had escaped from the lawful custody and all out efforts had been made to apprehend the accused, but they could not be located as they had fled back to Pakistan.

The Court on the request of the CBI had issued warrants against the trio, as during the filing of the challan, they were neither present, nor apprehended till date.

According to the CBI findings, the three militants were locked in a well guarded Cell number 8 in Kot Bhalwal jail. There was heavy rainfall during the night of October 16 and October 17, 1998 when they managed to escape from the high security zone. Coupled with it, there was an electricity failure on the fateful day in the entire area. The militants had used some iron rods, poles and nylon ropes to make good their escape after cutting one of the iron rods of the ceiling.

During the investigations made by the CBI, a site plan to the scale of Cell number 8 and surrounding areas of Kot Bhalwal jail was got prepared through CPWD authorities. It was found that overhead iron rods of the cell were painted when the jail was initially constructed by PWD Jammu. The premier investigating agency had also examined the witnessed of CID, Prison Department, CRPF posted at Kot Bhalwal, private contractors supplying flood and grocery items and some labourers. Apparently, no complicity of the Staff was found during the investigations.

The challan was presented by CBI through DySP A K Ohri of Delhi Cell of CBI/SIC in the court of Chief Judicial magistrate Jammu. Later, general warrants of arrest were issued, but no arrests have been made so far.

The investigations in this case were earlier undertaken by Local Police and investigating agency also before handing them over to CBI.

HC directive to SSRB in Teachers selection case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 15: The State High Court has directed J&K Service Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) to conduct the interview of the petitioners in general category for the posts of teachers in Jammu district against the Advertisement Notice No 1 of 1999 of March 9, 1999 provided that the interviews were not over till date.

The direction was passed in two different writ petitions filed by Suman Bala and 20 others and Anita Pathania and six others against SSRB, wherein it was pointed that their candidature for the post of the teachers was ignored despite being highly qualified than those who have been called for the same.

While directing the respondents to conduct the interview, Justice R C Gandhi said that the result of the petitioners, shall not, however, be declared till further orders.

In their petitions, the petitioners had impressed upon the Court to direct the respondents to entertain their higher qualifications and also recast the existing criteria for selection to the post of teachers.

Advocate Surrinder Kour appeared in this case for petitioners.

Dutt hails NDA Govt’s policy on Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 15: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member Parliament Vaid Vishno Dutt has hailed BJP led NDA Government for taking certain bold initiatives with an effort to bring about peace in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement here, Mr Dutt said that with these moves, the so-called sole representatives of Kashmir have been eliminated and the people of the State in general and valley in particular, have rejected them as they want peace at the earliest.

Mr Dutt, who addressed various meetings of the workers here and Rajouri in connection with mobilisation to receive the BJP National president Jana Krishnamurthi here on June 23, said that by such moves, the Government at the Centre has provided its capability to handle the affairs of the State with sincerity and seriously.

The statement alleged that during all these years, the Governments that ruled the State have discriminated with different regions on the basis of the communal considerations. Jammu and Ladakh have not been getting their due share in Government jobs, legislature and other fields, he alleged. He, however, said that the time has come when these forces would be defeated and for that, people of the State and the nationalist forces will have to join hands and make them realise that they will not be tolerated.

The BJP MP said that by defeating these forces who preach separatism, it will be the real homage to late Shyama Prasad Mukerjee whose martydom falls on June 23.

Teach NC a lesson: PDP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 15: Dubbing Farooq Abdullah Government as " most corrupt and inefficient" regime in the history of the State, president People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti Mohd Sayeed has called upon people to teach a lesson to the ruling National Conference in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Addressing a meeting of PDP workers from Doda and Batote, the former Union Home Minister charged National Conference Government with its failure on all fronts and alleged that Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and his Cabinet colleagues were minting money through corrupt practices.

The PDP leader expressed his concern over the drought like situation in Doda region and lamented that no relief was provided to the affected farmers despite the fact that a Central team, which visited the State last year, had assessed complete damage to crop in the area.

While highlighting the plight of people of Doda, the Mufti expressed concern over the migration of people from the area to Ladakh and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh due to the increasing unemployment in Doda and adjoining areas. He pledged that after coming to power in the State, the PDP would concentrate more on the development of remote areas and upliftment of poor and weaker sections of the society.

Speaking on the occasion, Party general secretary Ved Mahajan claimed that only PDP under the leadership of Mufti Sayeed can provide a good goverance in Jammu and Kashmir and redress the grievances of the commoners.

Among others who addressed on the occasion included Abduil Rashid Katoch, Imanm Din Rounyal, Abdul Aziz and Hakum Chand Bhagat.

Meanwhile, a meeting of PDP zonal committee ( Bhaderwah) was held under the chairmanship of Muzib Ali, wherein gratitude was expressed for Mufti Sayeed, Mehbooba Mufti, Muzzaffar Hussain Beig and Ved Mahajan for getting them a surgeon at Bhaderwah hospital. The people of Bhaderwah had been raising this demand for a long time and the same became the reality due to the efforts of PDP leaders, the meeting pointed out.

Police men honoured for excellent performance

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, June 15: DIG Poonch, Rajouri Range, Mr S S Bijral formally honoured the brave police men at a function here today for their excellent performance in anti militancy operations during the first five months of the year 2001.

A cash award of Rs five lakh was distributed among the recipients individually on the occasion by DIG. These cops have participated in the anti militancy operations jointly launched by police and security forces.

The operations were conducted at Dhokedhara on February 27, Kotcharwal on February 19, Palyrni Leeran Dodaj on April 6, Dudasan on April 16, Khablan Nagati on April 15, Sabji Darhal on March 29 and Ghaichapata and Khakadharni on May 3.

The money was delivered personally by Director General of Police Mr A K Suri to SP Rajouri on May 31.

Speaking on the occasion DIG Rajouri, Poonch Range lauded the performance of the brave policemen. He called upon them to perform their duties to the motherland with added motivation, dedication and commitment as public at large has high expectations from them during this hour of crisis being faced by the state in particular and country in general.

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