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From Tashi Morup Leh, June 20: Unlike before the Leh Airport has come to life with the beginning of operation of long-awaited Jet .....more NC fails to provide basic facilities to people: NCP Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 20: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) national secretary Mr Jafar Akhtar has criticised the ....more JKNF activists intensify movement in Kathua Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 20: Activists of Jammu Kashmir Nationalist Front as a part of its campaign to intensify the..more Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20: The government have formulated Financial Conduct Rules prescribing ..more J&K
to revive papier machie craft Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20 - Jammu and Kashmir has initiated fresh efforts to revive its renowned and traditional papier machie craft. A modern...more |
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Settlement work completed in 1125 villages in J&K Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20: Land settlement work has been completed in 1125 villages of Jammu and Kashmir. Of these 502 villages are in Kashmir division and 623 villages in Jammu division. This was stated at a Revenue Officers meeting held here yesterday. The Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Abdul Qayoom presided....more Acting CM visits various areas of Batamaloo Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20: The Acting Chief Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah with a team of high level officers today visited.......more Shah for strict Building Permission Policy Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20: The Acting Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah has called for strict implementation of the building permission policy .......more Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, June 20: Muslim Youth Federation has hailed the decision of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for taking a bold initiative by inviting the Gen Mushraff to India.......more |
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From Tashi Morup Leh, June 20: Unlike before the Leh Airport has come to life with the beginning of operation of long-awaited Jet Airways recently. Fresh local ground staff in elegant formal royal blue suites, finished ticketing and service counters has changed the scene for good. Everybody heaves a sigh of relief. Indian Airlines staff too are seen in their white and blue uniform to this effect. According to Station Manager Leah, Abid, out of their total 34 passenger fleet nation-wide two 122-seater Boeing-737-700 aircraft have been specially modified spending over a crore rupees to suit the whether condition of Ladakh. Likewise, a few other changes Jet Airways had to bring into their codes including dress. In view of the cold weather female ground staff would not wear skirts as usual in Jet. Nevertheless in order to ensure discipline at the field Jet put the 45 fresh local staff into a 20-day rigoroustraining. This they are to manifest and maintain in their eight-hour duty ceaselessly. All this to ensure passengers’ comfort, which Indian Airlines has failed to deliver somehow. And that is the major challengebefore just arrived Jet Airways in a complicated Ladakhi situation. A flight a day and similar fares to that of Indian Airlines (50 percent discount for army, students and aged) comprised the present package of the Jet flight operation between Leh and Delhi. Jet Airways operate total 210 flights daily nation-wide and Leh is their 39th destination. "It is definitely an impetus for tourism in Leh," said a travel agent Nawang Moonlight Travels. Even a thousand tourists more makes a lot of difference, he added. There should not be break in the flight continuity and provision for early bookings will add greatly to the convenience of the tourist lot especially, Nawang suggested. Another Travel agent Lobzang Rinchen of Druk Travels is happy to see the facility and treatment by the Jet staff at the airport when he sent a client in the second day’s flight yesterday. He said, unlike a single counter of IA, Jet has four counters for various classes and there is no rush or hustle bustle. His client was well received and helped by a staff in clearing the baggage. This treatment and facility should invariably extend to local passengers also during winter or other non-tourist months, he said. Early morning operation of the Jet aircraft avoids the temperature-rise problem Modi-luft used to encounter during their short stint in Leh before, sources said. Mudi-luft often used to carry much lower than the carrying capacity due to this problem, which caused a lot of inconvenience, he said. Ravit and her husband from Israel easily got return tickets in Jet Airways when they decided to fly back than to go by road, which they did while there coming in to Leh. Rajiv Jain a tourist from Delhi is although happy about having Jet operating in Leh. But he is apprehensive about whether the Jet will continue to operate when there is not many travellers. He said, "Jet is probably here to catch the traffic during the tourist season." |
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NC fails to provide basic facilities to people: NCP Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 20: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) national secretary Mr Jafar Akhtar has criticised the Central and State Governments for ignoring the rural population and farmers in the field of development. As per a release, Mr Jaffar while addressing elected Panches from districts Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur and Doda at village Langar said that state unit chief Th. Randhir Singh was constantly projecting the problems of the people of the area before the Central and the State leadership and also presented his view point during K C Pants’ visit to the state. He regretted that basic facilities to the rural population have been denied. The people are crying for drinking water, power, roads , education and medical facilities in rural areas. They asked the village Panches to organise themselves under the banner of NCP to fight for the cause of the ruralites. The NCP leader suggested the elected Panchayat members to properly utilise their powers and work for the upliftment of their respective areas. Mr Jaffar also agreed the suggestion of Th Randhir Singh to send a delegation of newly elected Panches and Sarpanches from J&K to Maharashtra to study the Panchayat system in that State. Mr Singh in his address alleged that Panchayat elections in J&K was just an eyewash . He regretted that National Conference Government has refused to amend the laws provided for Panchayats and Local Bodies. He said elected Panchayat members without any financial power will not be able to perform their duties towards their voters who have elected them with the hope of the redressal of their problems. Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included —Ch Hussain Ali, Abdul Ghani, Mangal Dass, B L Suri, Paras Ram, Amrit Sagar, B L Sodhi Inder Mohan Bakshi, S S Manhas and others. |
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JKNF activists intensify movement in Kathua Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 20: Activists of Jammu Kashmir Nationalist Front as a part of its campaign to intensify the movement for reorganisation of the state. a massive public meeting of the prominent persons drawn from about 15 villages of tehsil Hiranagar was held at Ghagwal today. According to a release, the meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prof K L Bhatia Co-convenor of the Front. While addressing the gathering he said that Kashmiri rulers dominated the people of Jammu and Ladakh for last 53 years. The state has not seen a Chief Minister belonging to this side of the Pir Panjal ever since independence of the country with the result the people are being black mailed and discriminated in every sphere of life and this is not going to be tolerated any more. He exhorted the people to remain unite and get ready for a forceful and non-violent agitation, compelling the State and union governments to concede the popular demand of making Jammu region a separate state. This is the only way out to get political and economic freedom from the yokes of Kashmiri rulers. Mr Jagdish Dogra general secretary S D Sabha Jammu and a veteran Trade union leader delivered a forceful speech blaming Congress and NC Governments for total neglect of Jammu region in all spheres of life and state administration. He said that solution all the problems created by Kashmiri partial rulers lies in the separate statehood for Jammu region. Prof Bhatia mentioned under representation in State Legislature , share in employment, fund allotment, admission in professional colleges, poor representation in cabinet etc. are glaring examples of discrimination. He asked the people to keep a watch over the activities of psychophants and ‘yes-man’ Ministers hailing from Jammu region. It is unfortunate that these Ministers do not dare to raise voice against ill treatment given to Jammu people by Kashmiri rulers. Others who spoke on the occasion included—Rattan Lal Sharma, Rishi Kesh and advocate Vijay Kumar. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20: The government have formulated Financial Conduct Rules prescribing stringent action against public servants found indulging in financial misconduct. The draft rules prepared by the Finance Department came up for discussion at a meeting of the Committee of Secretaries held here today with the Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Jaitly in chair. These rules, when approved by the cabinet, would form part of the existing Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees Conduct Rules. This is part of Government’s determined effort to arrest drift in financial administration, prevent unnecessary loss to the State exchequer by checking financial irregularities of the employees at different levels and hold officers accountable for financial indiscipline, if found. Expressing concern over non-initiation of administrative and disciplinary action in some departments against officers found to have committed serious financial irregularities detected by the audit parties, the Chief Secretary ordered that the concerned Secretary to Government shall be responsible for initiation of action against the officers of their subordinate units against whom audit paras are pending. The new rules define financial misconduct. Even the authorities found to be intentionally or negligently failing to file counter affidavits before the courts or to provide record or to otherwise proper defend a case resulting into ex-parte decisions and loss to the Government, would amount to be financial misconduct. The definition also encompasses actions which lead to any financial liability without sufficient budgetary provisions or without proper sanction of comptent authority, over drawals from treasuries, allowing over stay in service beyond the date of superannuation, failure to deduct rent, fee or advances or anyother amount required to be refunded, draw or receive salary or allowances without LPC from the previous office except the minimum of the pay scales if allowed by rules and open or maintain a bank account without proper Government sanction. The Draft Financial Conduct Rules also provide for action for abetting financial misconduct if head of department or head of office fails to take congnisance of misconduct of his defaulting employee or extend support in proceeding against such employee. Such officers who commit or abet financial misconduct shall be punished under J&K Civil Service (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1954. The Chief Secretary also enquired about the progress in formulation of Model Purchase Manual and amendment to the financial powers of the officers. The Chief Secretary also discussed with the secretaries the report of a career conselling consultant on tackling problem of un-employment in the State. The Chief Secretary constituted a group comprising Principal Secretaries for Education, Health and Medical Education, Commissioner/Secretary, Employment, Director, Employment and a representative of the Planning Department to examine grant of some incentives to the training institutes in the private sector engaged in providing professional training in the alternative medical professions like nurses, medical assistants, technicians, etc. These incentives are aimed at helping these institutes in providing quality and specialized training for professionals in these disciplines. The report also advised the Government to encourage private computer training institutes and software development houses to set up centres in the State and provide incentives for them to be financially viable. The Chief Secretary asked Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism, Mr. Parvez Dewan to prepare a project independent of other schemes for incentive to students other than those of higher secondary classes who are keen to undergo computer training. Some sort of computer scholarships can be considered for such students. The State Government under a separate centrally sponsored scheme is launching a Rs. 18 crore project to provide computer training to the students of all the 250 Government higher secondary schools of the State in a phased manner. The scheme also provides for generators to operate computers in areas which have serious power shortage during day time. Under first phase, 100 such schools would be covered by the Education Department. The Chief Secretary said that computer training to students should not be viewed for job opportunities, but part of the curriculum to prepare them for professional colleges where computer literacy is increasingly becoming an essential part of the courses. He also directed the Information Technology Unit to conduct survey about the availability of computer infrastructure and trained manpower in the Secretariat and in the offices of heads of departments. The Chief Secretary also asked for a project to set up Floriculture Parks in the State in view of its high potential and growing market within and outside the State. Mr. Jaitly also took stock of the formulation of projects for NABARD funding and said that to offset delays, the departments may send their projects directly to the NABARD for processing. Those of the projects, which were shelved for want of resources, should be revived and prioritized for institutional funding. The Education Department has also undertaken a Rs. 250 crore project to construct buildings for 2500 primary schools which do not have their own accommodation and 7000 additional classrooms for existing school buildings in an effort to strengthen educational infrastructure in the State. This year, Rs.80 crore are being spent on this project under the first phase. |
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J&K to revive
papier machie craft Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20 - Jammu and Kashmir has initiated fresh efforts to revive its renowned and traditional papier machie craft. A modern paper pulp moulding plant is being set up at Srinagar at a cost of Rs. 35.50 lakhs under central governments critical infrastructural balance scheme (CIB) to provide latest facilities to the artisans associated with the papier machie craft. Stating this here today, the Industries and Commerce Minister, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal said that reputed Kumarappa National Handmade papier Institute (KNHPI), Jaipur has also been approached to provide necessary technical guidance and expertise to the State to promote papier machie craft on modern lines. He said these facilities would help to overcome manpower shortage in this sector as at present the number of artisans available for doing the grounding/pulping process is very limited, which restricts the production and the turnover. The paper machie industry has a manpower of only 8,000 artisans who do the painting and finishing on moulds. Dr. Kamal said that efforts would be made to train more people in papier machie for increasing its productivity as this craft is much more wanted in France and other European nations. He said exports of papier machie has not been upto the mark. Papier Machie production worth Rs. 17 lakhs have been exported in 1996-97 and conceted efforts are needed to increase the production level, Minister added. Papier Machie is among most renowned crafts of Kashmir representing rich traditions of craftsmanship that dates back to the reign of Zain-ul-Abidin Budshah (1420-1470 A.D). Originally the art of papier machie was confined to Kari Qalamdani, popularly known as ‘the making of pen cases’. With the passage of time, however, the craft developed and recorded a great perfection. Papier Machie as of today covers the whole range of poignant products that keep the customers allured throughout the world. Flower vases, office screens, trays, book jackets and powder boxes are only a few of the decorative and utility items produced in papier machie. The art products are embellished after the delicate process of preparation of mould use of pulp and application of colours and designing. The designs that very often reoccur in making for papier machie objects include gul-under-gul (flower within flower), hazara (the thousand flowers and gul vilayat, (the dear flower). Gold powder is also added to some of the objects to make them more alluring. Papier machie was till recently dominated by male artisans only but with the government promotional efforts, the young girls also take their share in making of the objects. The papier machie craft involves two groups known as sakhta makers and naqashs. The number of sakhta makers is estimated at 200 only who have to produce raw material for 8000 naqashs. Each naqash is capable of handling moulds made out of two kilograms of paper pulp per day, which create a need of approximately 5500 meters of paper pulp per year. |
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Settlement work completed in 1125 villages in J&K Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20: Land settlement work has been completed in 1125 villages of Jammu and Kashmir. Of these 502 villages are in Kashmir division and 623 villages in Jammu division. This was stated at a Revenue Officers meeting held here yesterday. The Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Abdul Qayoom presided. In Kashmir Valley the land measurement in 208 villages was done through Electronic Total System (ETS) covering over 2.35 lakh Khasra Nos whileas 294 villages were measured through traditional system covering 1.03 lakh Khasra Nos till May this year. It was stated in the meeting that 2,36,701 pass books showing particulars of land etc were issued to Zamindars and an amount of Rs 12.17 lakh has been collected as cost of these pass books from the land owners. Similarly, settlement work in 328 villages in Jammu division was completed with traditional system whileas land measurement in 295 villages was completed through ETS. So far 2,68,096 Khasra Nos have been measured. Record of Rights (RORs) of six villages have been completed and deposited in the record room. Addressing the meeting, the Revenue Minister said that performance of Settlement Tehsildars will be monitored by Commissioner Settlement monthly and instructions were issued to the Director Land Records that necessary tools are supplied to the concerned staff as and when requisitioned for undertaking settlement work smoothly. He said that Revenue Officers are guardians of land records and they have to ensure that there is no violation of land laws at all costs and close coordination is maintained between the officers for expeditious completion of settlement work in the State. He stressed upon the Revenue Officers that they should work with earnest zeal and dedication to redress the grievances of the common masses. The Minister issued instructions to the revenue authorities for submission of tehsil wise list of such unauthorized occupants of Kahcharai, State and shamlat lands with area of land occupied by each individual for appropriate action by the Government. Similarly, he has also asked for "Valuation of land" for fixing some sale rate of land after it is distributed in various zones in Kashmir Valley by the revenue authorities to determine minimum market value for each zone which will be used for charging stamp duty and Court fee at the time of registration of documents where under alienation of land is purported to have taken place. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir informed the meeting that necessary arrangements for supplying drinking water, ration, seed and fertilizers for the drought affected people have been arranged in the drought affected areas in the Kashmir Valley. Those who were present in the meeting include Financial Commissioner Revenue, Commissioner/Secretary Revenue, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Special Secretary Revenue, Settlement Commissioner, All Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir division, Settlement and Assistant Settlement Officers of Srinagar and Jammu. |
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Acting CM visits various areas of Batamaloo Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20: The Acting Chief Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah with a team of high level officers today visited various areas of Batamaloo including Haft Chinar, Allochibagh, Solina, Dood Ganga and Recka Chowk and inspected various ongoing developmental works being executed by various Urban Development Agencies in these areas. The Acting Chief Minister formally launched a Rs 40 lakh scheme for macadamisation of 3.75 km long street in Allochibagh. Addressing a gathering at Allochibagh, Mr. Shah said that the Government is taking every possible step to provide better civic amenities to the people to mitigate their problems. Mr. Shah urged upon the people to extend their cooperation for successful implementation of various developmental programmes so that the benefits of these schemes reached to the common masses. The Acting Chief Minister was informed that Rs 60 lakh Doodganga drainage project has been formulated for improving the drainage facilities in Resham Colony and Allochibagh areas. The scheme will be completed in two phases. The Acting Chief Minister announced sanction of Rs 20 lakhs for construction of two community halls in Batamaloo constituency and directed the Officers of Srinagar Development Authority to identify suitable land for the purpose. Referring to various problems being faced by the people living in these areas the Acting Chief Minister directed the Chief Engineers of UEED, PHE, R&B and Electrical Maintenance to take necessary measures to solve the problems of these areas. Mr Shah exhorted upon these agencies to maintain a close coordination while formulating and implementing the various developmental programmes so that no inconsistency occurs during the execution of these programmes. Mr. Shah expressed satisfaction over the working of Srinagar Municipality and Srinagar Development Authority and added that notwithstanding the financial constraints, these institutions are doing well by mobilizing all possible resources. He said that the various developmental works taken by these institutions are bearing fruits and appealed the people to maintain the assets being created by these institutions. The Acting Chief Minister was among others accompanied by the Chief Engineers of UEED, R&B,PHE and Electrical Maintenance Kashmir, Administrator Srinagar Municipality and Vice Chairman Srinagar Development Authority. |
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Shah for strict Building Permission Policy Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, June 20: The Acting Chief Minister, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah has called for strict implementation of the building permission policy so that unplanned growth of housing colonies is contained effectively. Speaking at a joint meeting of officers of Dal Development Authority, Srinagar Development Authority and Srinagar Municipality convened here today to discuss regulations of building activities within local and cashment area of Dal and Nagin Lakes, Mr Shah said that conservation and renovation of water bodies and eco-system is imperative for healthy growth of flora and fauna and maintain a pollution free environment. Mr Shah directed these authorities that while issuing building permission in the cashment areas of the Dal and Nagin Lakes, the aesthetic character and eco system should not get affected, this he said is necessary to improve the tourist activities in these areas and preserve the green belt. Mr Shah also stressed to adopt a systematic traffic management in these areas so that the traffic congestion and pollution in these areas is kept under control. |
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Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, June 20: Muslim Youth Federation has hailed the decision of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for taking a bold initiative by inviting the Gen Mushraff to India. According to a release, a meeting of the members of the Federation was held here today under the chairmanship of Shafqat Wani. He expressed hope that proposed summit between the two leaders will make headway in improving the relations between the two countries. Various issues pertaining to the growing unemployment among the youth were also discussed in the meeting. Among others who addressed the meet included—Shafiq Mir, Liaqat Choudhary, Waqar Qureshi, Farooq, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman and Ashfaq Magrey. |
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Agitating mob locks office of PHE Mechanical Div Kathua Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, June 20: The inhabitants of Barwal town and adjoining villages of Kathua today thronged the divisional office of the PHE Mechanical and forcibly locked the office in protest against non-supply of drinking water in their areas for the past 28 days. As per a release inhabitants of Barwal in hundreds led by Sarpanch Mr Parshotam Singh, staged dharna in front of PHE office complex. While addressing the sarpanch said due to alleged corruption and mal-functioning of the Mechanical system, the people of the area were forced to live without water. The demonstrators held that despite their hue and cry the authorities at the helm of affairs were unmoved which forced them to take to agitational course. Demanding a wider probe into the huge spendings on the water supply schemes in Kandi areas of the district the villagers alleged that lavish grants meant to provide water to the inhabitants of the kandi areas have been pocketed by the officers concerned as a result of which they have been forced to go without water that too in the drought like conditions prevailing in their areas. Today the agitating people asked the employees in the PHE Mechanical division to leave their chairs and vacate the office. later they locked the office complex including chamber of the Executive Engineer. The people warned that in case the water supply was not restored to their respective area at an earliest they would intensify their agitation. |
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Kargil raises an eyebrow on 'Cultural aggression' From Aijaz Hussain KARGIL, June 20 : As the annual Kargil Festival, inaugurated by Minister of State for Tourism Sakina Itoo on June 15 at Goshan, situated in the lap of famous Tololing and Tiger Hill in Drass, is in predress, people in Kargil are showing mixed response to it. While as they acknowledge importance and effectivenss of cultural activities in promoting local heritage and sports, a many are pointing their fingers at the inclusion of cultural troupes, they call it allien culture and label it as ''cultural aggression''. ''I don't think the officials who have organised this mela have worked deligently to make it appropriate and acceptable to the mindset of Kagilites'', argues a local cultural activist, Sadiq Ali. He adds that Kargil has its own cultural identity and people, and a different outlook which has to be well understood in organising such ventures. Traditionally religious oriented, Kargilites mainly are this Muslims where clergy has a dominant role in all spheres of life, religious or political in nature. Subsequently, their cultural activities have colour of religious orientation. Although winds of change have cast obvious effect on their social setup, but, by and large, they percieve almost everything on the parameters of religion and their tradition. Even as youngesters have been enthusiastic enough to welcome the festival and also protested against disruption of programme due to electric failure in the evening of June 15 when Delhi based qawals were singing, but they equally showed their resentment to the performance by Delhi based female Kathak dancer, Anamika, invited by the Department of Tourism. ''We don't oppose organisation of festivals like this, but what what we contest are some cultural activities which are not part of our cultue,'' remarks Asghar Karbalayee, vice chairman of the influential Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT). He argues that as the name of the mela is Kargil Festival, it has to necessarily reflect their culture. While quoting Alvin Toffler, author of famous book 'Future Shock', Karbalayee says that such misrepresentation of culture leads to ''culture shock'' from where stems the identity crisis. For 60 years Haji Mohammed Shafi, former president of Polo Promotion Committee, Drass, the festival is a blessing as it provides entertainment and also promotes the traditional horse pola different village teams across the breadth and length of Kargil participate in the festival. While endorsing Haji, Numbardar (village head) of Mushkoh Valley, Sonaullah, expresses optimism saying that the practice would attract more tourists to Kargil. Though modernisation has cast its obvious effects on the social fabric of Kargil, but people here have, to a large extent, adjusted themselves without getting alienated from their culture. ''We welcome anything that uplifts this downtrodden society. The only condition is that it should not be in conflict with our mindset and tradition'', says Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) Kargil president, A G Khudam. He launched a scathing attack on the dance item by Anamika saying it is not our culture. ''We can't tolerate things like this as they are not part of our culture. Kargil Festival has to be representative of our culture'', he asserted. But, Deputy Commissioner, Dr Mohammed Deen, vehemently dismisses the label of ''cultural onslaught'' and defends the festival as a part of well planned move to promote cultural heritage and sports, and to explore avenues to boost tourism here. ''Artists from outside have been invited to attract general public towards the festival. It is unfortunate that some people are labelling it as cultural aggression,'' said he. |
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Azhar Mahmood’s ‘Taabiz’ still in possession of jail staff Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 20: Nearly one and half year after Azhar Mahmood along with two other hardcore militants were set free by the Indian Government for the exchange of hijacked Indian Airlines passengers, the employees of the highly fortified Kot Bhalwal Jail who were influenced by the what they called ‘Moulvi’ Azhar Mahmood are still performing activities shown by the Azhar. Highly placed sources in the Kot Bhalwal Jail disclosed that Azhar Mahmood influenced the employees of Jail upto such an extent that they are still performing the activities shown by ‘Moulvi’, who later flouted a militant outfit called "Jaish-e-Mohammad" to take its revenge from the State Government in general and Indian Government in particular. Sources said that the ‘Taabiz’ distributed by the Azhar Mahmood during his detention period in Kot Bhalwal Jail are still with the employees who are claiming that the same is helping them in different ways. One of the Wardon posted in this high security jail on the condition of anonymity said that almost all the junior staff of the jail still have ‘Taabiz’ which were distributed by Azhar Mahmood. "A number of employees are claiming that their financial conditions have improved since they are possessing the ‘Taabiz’", the sources said, adding they are not ready to believe that Azhar Mahmood is a hardcore militant and considering him as a pious person and calling him "Moulvi Ji". Nodoubt, the prisoners and employees are not able to hear the ‘discourses’ from the Azhar Mahmood but they are still possessing ‘Taabiz’ which shows their belief in Azhar and path shown by him. It is worthwhile to mention here that even the senior officers like Deputy Superintendents, Superintendent and Deputy Controller etc were making bee line in front of Azhar Mahmood’s barrack to seek ‘Taabiz with devine powers’, to get rid of their problems. Sources said that the release of Azhar Mahmood has not only proven expensive for the Indian Government but also hurt the sentiments of the employees who are the ‘followers’ of the Azhar and very much impressed by him. "One of the wardons posted in the jail and staunch follower of Azhar Mohmood has pledged not to throw the `Taabiz’ till his last breath as he believes that till the `Taabiz’ is with him none can hurt him", the sources said on the condition that name of the wardon should not be published. Even these employees are not ready to believe that Jaish-e-Mohd militant outfit is floated by Azhar Mahmood because they said that ‘Moulvi Ji’ could not do such a shameful act. It seems that the discourses of Azhar Mohmood still have deep impact on the mind of the prison staff who are giving him importance not less that God. Sources said that even very influential persons from the administration and political activists were seen receiving Taabiz from the Azhar Mahmood during his detention in Kot Bhalwal Jail. |
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Challan presented in JDA complex double murder case Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 20: Bahu Fort Police today presented a challan in much publicised double murder case which was committed in JDA complex at Panama Chowk on April 24 in which Pardeep Kumar and Kamal Raj were killed and Sanjeev Kumar Sharma was seriously injured. The challan was presented in the court of Sub Judge Jammu under Section 302, 307, 109 and 34 RPC. The Sub Judge Mr Kartar Singh today committed the challan for trial to Sessions Court as per the sections mentioned in the challan. According to the challan there was old enemity between the accused persons—Balwan Singh, Gandarb Singh and Pardeep Kumar alias Deepa and Kamal Raj alias Papu. According to the police investigation which was conducted by Mr Sanjay Sharma, DySP and SDPO East on that day the accused persons—Balwan Singh and Gandarb Singh along with PSO Dev Raj had gone to JDA complex with the intention to kill Deepa, Papu and Sanjeev Kumar. In the challan it was alleged that accused Balwan Singh abused both the deceased and started beating Pardeep Kumar and Kamal Raj tried to rescue Pardeep from the clutches of Balwan Singh then both the accused ordered PSO Dev Raj who was in uniform to kill the deceased persons with AK 47. The PSO on advise of accused persons started indiscriminate firing and killed Pardeep Kumar and Kamal Raj while Sanjeev Kumar sustained grievous injuries in the firing. According to police investigation accused Balwan Singh took 12 bore gun and started beating Sanjeev Kumar and threw him from the window of the office. Sanjeev Kumar by crawling reached on the road side and hired an auto and reached Railway Station where from he was shifted to Medical College Hospital. During the firing, an employee of JDA was also injured and admitted in the hospital for treatment. In the challan, it was also alleged that deceased got a photograph in handcuff of accused Gandarb Singh who was arrested by the Hiranagar Police in some case and enlarged the same and posted on the buses of Udhampur-Katra-Reasi routes. As the accused Gandarb Singh had fought unsuccessful Assembly election from Reasi constituency, this was the main grievance of accused against the deceased persons who were lowering the prestige of Ganderb Singh in that area. |
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