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| Hundreds join Global movement for children Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: A large number of people from Jammu and students from different schools of the region have joined.....more JMM
organises meets Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Jammu Mukti Morcha organised a series of meetings in the past few days at Old Satwari, Village Hakkal, Ghou Manhasan......more Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Sept 4: In a well attended rally of Government employees held at Ramnagar town under the aegis of Low Paid Employees Federation....more Balwant
Thakur to Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Mr Balwant Thakur, secretary, J&K Academy of Art and Languages is going to participate one day international conference....more Post
strike syndrome grips GMC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 3: Though the strike of students of Government Medical College Jammu was over, the rift between students and various......more |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Vishav Hindu Parishad president for J&K unit Dr Rama Kant Dubey has alleged that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.........more Policy of
pick and choose Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Justice T S Doabia of the State High Court has directed that the State is bound by its own policy decisions and policy......more VARSITY
NOTE By Nishikant Khajuria While as more than seventy per cent admissions of freshers in Post Graduation departments in Jammu University, have been made, the class work in various faculties has commenced.......more Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: A meeting of Border Migrants Welfare Committee was held under the chairmanship of Mr Baldev Singh Bhau to discuss the future plan for mitigating the long pending genuine and basic demands of migrants in a democratic way..........more |
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Hundreds join Global movement for children Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: A large number of people from Jammu and students from different schools of the region have joined the Global movement for children launched by former South African president, Nelson Mandela which seeks to make children a top political priority. These people were lending their support to the cause of the children by signing " say yes to children forms" for the survival, development and protection of children across the globe. In J&K these forms were distributed by Youngs India a social welfare organisation with this aim to bring forward the Jammu people and make them vote for the best interests of the children. Mr Vivek Raina, chairman Youngs India said the rights of the children include survival, development, protection and participation of a child in day to day affairs. He said every country should keep the rights of children in mind while planning some thing concrete. They should always plan in the right direction and in best interests of the children, he added. He said the most urgent issues which needs the attention is to protect children from war and violence, educate them and consider them the first priority. Besides the staff of Jammu University Home Science Department, the students from different schools and people from different fields joined the mission by signing the "Say yes to Children" forms. These forms were printed by UNICEF. Mr Raina said the pledge forms will be presented before the United Nations Special Session on children which is taking place from September 19 to 21. The say yes campaign asks Governments, international organisations, companies, politicians, members of the media, families, teachers and parents to come together and see what they can do for children. This global movement is a world wide campaign to see that the Governments keep their promises to children. The Youngs India while launching the campaign in J&K has urged the State Government to take steps in formation of a commission for children immediately which can work for their best interests and protect their rights. He also appealed the people to join the movement enmass. |
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JMM
organises meets to project demand for Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Jammu Mukti Morcha organised a series of meetings in the past few days at Old Satwari, Village Hakkal, Ghou Manhasan, Talab Tillo, Mela (Hiranagar) and in Udhampur proper. As per a release the people at all the places overwhelmingly supported the demand for a separate statehood for Jammu and took pledge to fight and sacrifice for the cause. The people were critical of the State Government and sore about its discriminatory and indifferent attitude towards their problems. They were of the view that the State Government Machinery was working in the interests of anti-India elements and militants. The people at the places said that the minorities were being forced to flee from the far flung areas of Poonch, Doda and Udhampur districts because of casual handling of by the Administration. They added that infact the administration was helping the migration of minorities by its motivated actions. They said there was lot of anger among the masses against the attempt of the State authorities to change the demographic structure of the localities by allotting plots particularly to Kashmiri Muslims. The plots have also been allotted to the persons indulged in militancy and even to those who are non-state subjects, creating communal hatred and tensions and this process was being particularly being observed around Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua towns, they maintained. The speakers said the youth were vociferous against the present policy of discrimination in the matter of employment where those belonging to Jammu region are being ignored. They held that the present ratio of unemployed youth of Jammu region vis-a-vis Kashmir was 30:70 while as merely 15000 persons belonging to Jammu region have been recruited against the total recruitment of 1.5 lakh in the State after 1996. The people voiced their anguish over the leaders of the political parties of Jammu region who did not support the demand of creating of Jammu state and exhibited their determination to raise their voice against them, if they do not come forward in support of statehood demand for Jammu region. The speakers of JMM who addressed these meetings included Messrs Prof Virinder Gupta, H B Khajuria, Vikram Jeet Gaur, Dr Shiv Dutt Sharma, Col (Dr) V P Sharma, Rajeshwar Singh, M L Gupta, H S Manhas, Sardar Vikram Singh and Brij Mohan Gupta. At all the above placed the committees of jammu Mukti Morcha were constituted and the nominated members were asked to spread the message of Morcha in other areas. |
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Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Sept 4: In a well attended rally of Government employees held at Ramnagar town under the aegis of Low Paid Employees Federation, the speakers made a strong plea to the State government for immediate resolution of various demands of the employees. As per a release the demands raised in the meeting included reinstatement of ousted daily wagers, immediate release of DA instalment, enhancement of daily wage rate to Rs 100 per day, revision of salary of Village Guards, Anganwari workers, Part Time Instructors, Numberdars, consolidated workers and hand receipt workers commensurate with rise in the price index, extension of leave Encashment and earned Leave to the teachers and their promotion as senior teachers as also of Class IV employees. While addressing Mr Abdul Majid Khan, state president of the Federation criticised the State Government for pursuing anti-people and anti-working class policies in the name of "globalisation and economics reforms" thereby causing retrenchment of thousands of employees and workers and abnormal hike in the prices of essential commodities. Mr Khan said there was dire need of strengthening the Federation in all respects. Others who addressed included Messrs Giani Avtar Singh, Baldev Raj Sharma and Madan Lal Sharma. |
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Balwant
Thakur to participate in Oxford Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Mr Balwant Thakur, secretary, J&K Academy of Art and Languages is going to participate one day international conference being held at Oxford University London and an International Theatre Festival being held at Edensburg (Scotland). As per a release the International Conference is being held at Oxford University, London, from September 7 to 10 in which Mr Thakur will present a paper on the Development of Theatre in Ladakh, its history and contemporary relevance. The conference is organised by International Association of Ladakh Studies and Oxford University London. In the Edensburg (Scotland) International Theatre Festival, Mr Thakur will present an "audio visual presentation of his own theatre idiom for which he has already received International recognition. The presentation will be followed by a short term workshop, which he will conduct for Scotish actors. The month long International Festival at Edenburgs features the best of the theatre works of the world including the Lecture-Demonstration and Presentations by the Theatre eminent theatre personalities, particularly the theatre directors who have established their own school of thought in Theatre. The other from India included known theatre director Rattan Thiyam. It may be recalled that Mr Thakur was conferred with the highest Indian Honour in Performing Arts viz "The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award" for his life time contribution to Theatre. He has already made a place among the top Theatre Directors of the country with his productions like "Bawa Jitto", "Maha Bhoj", "Ghumayee" and "Aap Hamare Hain Kaun" as also "Mere Hisse Ki Dhoop Kahan Hai" etc. |
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Post strike syndrome
grips GMC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 3: Though the strike of students of Government Medical College Jammu was over, the rift between students and various Head-of-the-Departments (HoDs) of the College was still existing. The classes have been running normally in the College after the strike but the relations between students and teaching staff have not become friendly so far. "We have forgotten what had happened during the period of agitation and already apologised for the misbehaviour and misconduct with the teaching staff including HoDs", the medical students on the condition of anonymity said, adding "but after the strike we have seen widespread change in the attitude of HoDs towards us". The medical students apprehended victimisation at the hands of HoDs and teaching staff and said that teachers could take action against them one way or other. Though all the students are not scared of the teaching staff’s changed behaviour yet those who remained in forefront during the agitation are a scared lot. "After the agitation we saw feeling of intense dislike in our teaching staff particularly HoDs", the students said, apprehending that their future makers may victimise them in examinations. They further disclosed that everytime, after agitation, when they went to their respective HoDs they were given livid reply and almost everytime they had to come out of the rooms of their teachers with lugubrious expression on their face. The students, who have forgotten the misconduct they had done with the teaching staff and HoDs, who a number of time went to them to pacify the situation during agitation, are still hoping that their relations with their teachers would soon become friendly as were before the strike. "We are looking for sweet relations with our HoDs and want to bring an end to our bitter relations", they expressed their feelings and said that "for the sweet relations our HoDs should also take one step forward in this direction and forget the past. Sources said that to fulfill the gap between teaching staff and HoDs is not a difficult task and if both sides including Principal take one step forward gap would definitely be filled up. "The students are caught in two factions of HoDs and teaching staff—one faction which is loyal to Principal Dr H L Goswami and second faction is that which reportedly was very happy when the agitation was gaining momentum and are against Dr Goswami", the highly placed sources said, adding both the factions are unhappy with the students for their different reasons. The faction loyal to Principal wants to teach the students a lesson for their misbehaviour and misconduct with Dr Goswami while the another faction is angry with the students for their failure to take the agitation to logical end—removal of Dr Goswami. What soever were the aims and objectives of teaching staff and HoDs but at the time when their exams are approaching the students are finding it difficult to concentrate on their studies due to the apprehension of victimisation. Giving reasons for apprehending victimisation, some students said that earlier the HoDs were projecting the demand of postponement of exams of final year students by atleast month or more but now they are not doing so despite aware of the fact that the students have lost one month in agitation. They appealed the Principal Dr H L Goswami to look into the matter seriously and make every possible effort to bridge the gap between the teaching staff and students. When contacted President of Medical Teachers Association (MTA) Dr Suneel Sharma blatantly refused to comment on the issue and said that "I don’t want to say anything in this regard". |
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Ashok Singhal to address
rally in Jammu on Sept 9 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Vishav Hindu Parishad president for J&K unit Dr Rama Kant Dubey has alleged that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir can never end as long as Dr Farooq Abdullah is in power. Addressing a press conference here today, the VHP president said that militancy in the trouble torn Jammu and Kashmir state can not be contained till Dr Abdullah led National Conference Government is in power. He said National Conference sowed the seeds of militancy and gun culture in the State, moreover, it will never like to let it crush for ever as it suits well to the ruling regime in the State. It is very unfortunate that responsibility of security of lakhs of people of the state belonging to every community has been entrusted to a person whose integrity is doubtful under present circumstances. This is the big joke by appointing Dr Abdullah as head of the Unified Command even though his own Security Advisor is a top Army official. He demanded that Unified Command in the J&K should be handed over to a top Army officer not less than the rank of Lt. General and not to the Chief Minister or any politician. Dr Dubey alleged that the Central leaders like Advani have some weakness for Dr Abdullah because they often dance on Farooq’s tune and the later manages the things somehow his own way. The Centre should take serious note of the recent developments occurring in the State. The VHP leader said that efforts are being initiated to make J&K a purely Islamic state by forcing migration on minorities and the Government is also supporting the cause as a deep rooted conspiracy. It has been evident from several incidents which occurred from time to time. Sufficient intelligence inputs have been sent to the Centre by various Central and the state agencies but no serious thought is being given towards this growing problem. He also referred to the increase in selective killings, spurt in attacks on minorities and indifferent attitude of the Government which is limited up to lip sympathy after any massacre, he maintained. He further referred to the arrival of mercenaries from Sudan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries and pointed out that how they manage to reach up to their destination as directed by the ISI officials. Unless local support is there, nothing can be possible. Mosques are being constructed even at isolated places where there is no Muslim population and several nomad communities hailing from outside the region are being rehabilitated along Jammu-Kathua border with Pakistan just to facilitate easy infiltration and provide shelter to the armed intruders. A strict check is immediately required on such activities and the Centre should awake from the deep slumber otherwise it would be too late for it as leaders there are living in the fools paradise. They should now stop believing the feed back from the Chief Minister and his men. He is very clever in winning confidence and delivering emotional and impressive speeches. There is lot of difference in his speeches and actions, Dr Dubey maintained. He demanded immediate screening within the security forces and especially in J&K police and said that those elements whether surrenderees or other sympathisers of the militants be identified and thrown out as they have become major security threat within the force. Other officials supporting militants and serving in various Government departments should also be thrown out and a strict action be taken against them. The VHP leader further disclosed that VHP international president Mr Ashok Singhal is arriving in Jammu to address a huge rally on September 9 at Parade Ground Jammu at 10 am. Besides him, several top ranking leaders from various organisations of the country will attend this historic National level programme. Working president Mr Inderjit Khajuria and Surinder Sharma general secretary said that this programme will boost the saging morale of security forces, the youth and other patriotic people in the state who are facing the brunt of militancy since long. |
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Policy of pick and choose cannot be allowed: HC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Justice T S Doabia of the State High Court has directed that the State is bound by its own policy decisions and policy "pick and choose cannot be allowed". This observation was made in a writ petition filed by one Darbar Singh through Advocate B S Slathia in which it was submitted that after having received stipend for some time, the stipendiary volunteers represented their case to the State Government for their permanent absorption against the available seven vacancies in different departments. After struggling for some time, the Government order No GD-450 of February 24, 1975 was issued which provided for adjustment of unadjusted stipendaries against vacancies in the scale of rupees 280-520 available in various departments. It further provided that 33 percent of the future direct vacancies in pay scale of rupees 280-520 shall be earmarked for the unadjusted stipendaries. It was further submitted that the petitioner was adjusted in the pay scale of rupees 220-430. Aggrieved by the order, he filed the petition. While directing the respondents, Justice Doabia said that the Court is of the view that once the respondent—State had formulated a policy that the stipendaries are to be adjusted in a particular grade of rupees 280-520 and when seven vacancies were available in that grade and further fact that as on July 8, 1975 the petitioner was adjusted as one of the volunteers then there was no justification not to put him in the pay scale of Rs 280-520. The State is bound by its own policy decision but the policy of the pick and choose cannot be allowed. With these observations, the Court allowed the petition with the direction that the petitioner is held entitled to such relief as has been granted in the cases of others. |
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VARSITY NOTE By Nishikant Khajuria While as more than seventy per cent admissions of freshers in Post Graduation departments in Jammu University, have been made, the class work in various faculties has commenced. However, attendance in the classes is thin as only city students are turning up with the result that the customary rituals on commencement of new session, such as ragging, are yet to be observed. Class work in all the departments is likely to gain momentum from September 14 after the departure of National Assessment and Accreditation Committee team, which is arriving here on September 9. Though, like the previous years, the University authorities have constituted anti-ragging squads comprising of senior students and teachers, the customary ritual is understood to be performed on the Campus. "Without ragging ritual, the commencement of the new session seems dull while the freshers as well as seniors feel themselves not fully introduced to each other," says a students of third semester in PG course. However, on the other hand, the University authorities seem committed to make the commencement of current session dull as official introduction parties for welcome of the freshers and farewell to outgoing seniors would not be held at the University auditorium, this year. The Brig Rajinder Singh auditorium, which was being used for holding these official introduction parties, would not be available now for the same as the Department of Students Welfare has stopped providing the auditorium for the purpose. The decision in this regard has been taken by university authorities following the complaints that students did not keep the the auditorium clean and make it dirty during such ‘dhamakas’. As per the new official order issued in this regard, the auditorium can be available only for holding seminars or discussions but not for programmes like introduction parties. Following the decision of DSW, the University departments are now likely to organise simple introduction parties in their respective departments which means that the freshers of this year would not be able to enjoy ‘intro-dhamaks’ in their welcome. Ironically the Department of Students Welfare has stopped providing the auditorium for introduction parties despite the fact that Rs 1500 are charged for its booking for such purposes. * * * * * * As the National Assessment and Accreditation Committee has finalized the schedule of its four day visit to the Jammu University for its grading, a series of meeting are being held by the JU authorities for a final touch to their preparations for the visit. A meeting of Heads of Departments was convened today wherein all the arrangements regarding the NAAC visit, were reviewed and necessary instructions issued to the departments. All teaching as well as non-teaching staff members have been prohibited to get leave during September 9 and 13 while the class-IV employees have been instructed to be in uniform. A meeting of the Class Representatives (CRs) of all the departments will be convened by the University, tomorrow to discuss the interaction of JU students with the NAAC team as desired by the latter. NAAC interaction with the students will be held on September 12, between 1200 to 1300 hrs at the seminar hall in Environment Sciences block. As per the visit schedule, the NAAC team, which will arrive here in the evening of September 9, commence its official work from September 10 with a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor Prof R R Sharma in his office chamber. Besides visiting all departments of the University, the NAAC team will also inspect the JU Health Centre, Cactus Garden, Central Library, Works Department, University auditorium, sports facilities, NSS, boys hostel-1, boys hostel-2, girls hostel-1 and girls hostel-2. The five member NAAC team, after detailed meetings with JU authorities as well as students and getting all required information, will prepare a detailed report. On the basis of this report, the grading of Jammu University will be determined which in turn will decide the annual UGC grants for the institution. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: A meeting of Border Migrants Welfare Committee was held under the chairmanship of Mr Baldev Singh Bhau to discuss the future plan for mitigating the long pending genuine and basic demands of migrants in a democratic way. As per a release speaking in the meeting Mr baldev Singh Bhau said that the people of Pallanwala sector have been becoming prey of Pakistani bullets since independence of the country including the wars of 1965 and 1971. He said the people of the sector did not feel such kind of insecurity even during wars. Mr Bhau said the people of Pallanwala sector were forced to leave their homes in June 1999 due to unprovoked Pakistani firing but the present Government has failed to provide them accommodation and other facilities so far. Coming down heavily on Central and State Governments Mr Bhau regretted that despite repeated and humble submissions the Governments did not give proper attention towards their basic and genuine demands. Mr Bhau said the tents issued to migrants have been torn compelling the migrants to remain in open even during inclement weather conditions while no permanent staff has been appointed to listen to the woes of the concerned people. He said education system in the migrant camps has totally collapsed and that the students were being made to study from 11 am to 2 PM which step of the authorities was not appreciable and justified. The chairman stated with anguish that the Chief Minister himself had committed to ameliorate the sufferings of the people but has backed out from the promises made with the public. He warned that patience of the border migrants has exhausted and it may take some untoward turn if immediate remedial measures were not taken at an earliest. |
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Ashok Singhal to address
rally in Jammu on Sept 9 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: Vishav Hindu Parishad president for J&K unit Dr Rama Kant Dubey has alleged that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir can never end as long as Dr Farooq Abdullah is in power. Addressing a press conference here today, the VHP president said that militancy in the trouble torn Jammu and Kashmir state can not be contained till Dr Abdullah led National Conference Government is in power. He said National Conference sowed the seeds of militancy and gun culture in the state, moreover, it will never like to let it crush for ever as it suits well to the ruling regime in the state. It is very unfortunate that responsibility of security of lakhs of people of the state belonging to every community has been entrusted to a person whose integrity is doubtful under present circumstances. This is the big joke by appointing Dr Abdullah as head of the Unified Command even though his own Security Advisor is a top Army official. Dr Dubey demanded that Unified Command in the J&K should be handed over to a top Army officer not less than the rank of Lt. General and not to the Chief Minister or any politician. He alleged that the Central leaders like Advani have some weakness for Dr Abdullah because they often dance on Farooq’s tune and the later manages the things somehow, his own way. The Centre should take serious note of the recent developments occurring in the state otherwise the things will be more worst. The VHP leader said that efforts are being initiated to make J&K a purely Islamic state by forcing migration of minorities and the Government is also supporting the cause as a part of deep rooted conspiracy. It has been evident from several incidents which occurred from time to time. Sufficient intelligence inputs have been sent to the Centre by various Central and the state agencies but no serious thought is being given towards this growing problem. He also referred to the increase in selective killings, spurt in attacks on minorities and indifferent attitude of the Government which is limited up to lip sympathy after any massacre, he maintained. He further referred to the arrival of mercenaries from Sudan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and other countries and pointed out that how they manage to reach up to their destination as directed by the ISI officials. Unless local support is there, nothing can be possible. Mosques are being constructed even at isolated places where there is no Muslim population and several nomad communities hailing from outside the region are being rehabilitated along Jammu-Kathua border with Pakistan just to facilitate easy infiltration and provide shelter to the armed intruders. A strict check is immediately required on such activities and the Centre should awake from the deep slumber otherwise it would be too late for it as leaders there are living in the fools paradise. They should now stop believing the feed back from the Chief Minister and his men. He is very clever in winning confidence and delivering emotional and impressive speeches. There is lot of difference in his speeches and actions, Dr Dubey maintained. He demanded immediate screening within the security forces and especially in J&K police and said that those elements whether surrenderees or other sympathisers of the militants be identified and thrown out as they have become major security threat within the force. Other officials supporting militants and serving in various Government departments should also be thrown out and a strict action be taken against them. The VHP leaders also strongly condemned the blackmail tactics of the NC Government and said that they are sending notices to the people who are living here for the past several decades and terming them non-state subjects. These people are contributing a lot to raise the economy of the state. He said if such families were thrown out of the state, the VHP will give a befitting reply by showing its reaction in all the states for which the J&K Government will be responsible for its acts. The VHP leader further disclosed that VHP international president Mr Ashok Singhal is arriving in Jammu to address a huge rally on September 9 at Parade Ground Jammu at 10 am. Besides him, several top ranking leaders from various organisations of the country will attend this historic National level programme. Working president Mr Inderjit Khajuria and Surinder Sharma, general secretary said that this programme will boost the saging morale of security forces, the youth and other patriotic people in the state who are facing the brunt of militancy since long. |
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College non-teaching
employees to stage Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 4: All J&K Colleges Non Teaching Employees Association has decided to organise mass dharna on September 5. According to a press release, last phase of campaign at various colleges among non teaching employees of Jammu province including the migrants employees was concluded today. While addressing the employees meetings at Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri and all city colleges, the provincial leaders of the Association, Mr Ram Kumar Sharma, Sham Lal, Bhushan Lal, Pharladh Singh, Yaqween Mohammed, Abdul Hamid and Bansi Lal explained the reasons why non-teaching employees were forced to launch agitation against the authorities who have adopted anti non-teaching employees policies. It was alleged that non-teaching employees have been unnecessarily creating problems for the poor employees by their mis-management. Today a meeting of the executive committee members and organised members of Jammu province was held to chalk out the strategy about tomorrow dharna. The Association leaders called upon the employees to make the programme a grand success. They called upon the employees to gather in front of the GGM Science College. |
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Democratic Movement holds public meeting Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Sept 4: Democratic Movement today organised a public meeting at Ram Nagar-Gandyal Panchyat and Kerian Panchayat at village Gandyal. According to a press release, a large number of people including farmers, youth, workers, ex-servicemen, shopkeepers and employees attended the public meeting. The conference was presided over by Mr Babu Singh, founder Democratic Movement. Som Nath Sharma, district president, Bishan Dass, president Prajapati Sabha, Rajesh Sharma, Sarpanch Ram Nagar-Gandyal, Karan Singh, Sarpanch Kerian, Devinder Singh, Sarpanch Mahapatti. Dillawar Singh, Naib Sarpanch, Jagdev Singh Naib Sarpanch attended and addressed the meeting. While speaking on the occasion, Mr Babu Singh said that they have built and founded the Democratic Movement in 1994 with a mission to fight for democratic right of the people and new democratic model. He said that present so-called Lok Raj or democracy was a so called democracy and proved as anti-people. In this conference more than three hundred people joined the Democratic Movement and assured to participate in the proposed mass conference which is going to be held at Ram Lila Ground Kathua for the purpose of selecting the candidates for next coming Assembly elections. The leaders of the Democratic Movement have disclosed that they have proposed the name of Mr Jatinder Singh alias Babu Singh as a candidate for Kathua constituency and they will seek the approval of their candidate. |
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