|
|
| "Who will feed our minor
children now" Carnage lands 3 women with minor children between life and death By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Jan 8: The horrendous carnage in Sohnwa Maligam village near Ramsu in Ramban tehsil has left the surviving but injured members of three families to yell.....more Making
Municipalities, Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: Municipalities and Local Bodies generally remain under clouds for inept handling of affairs......more Misappropriation
case Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, R K Magotra has acquitted Lalita Kumari who was facing trial in five cases of corruption and misappropriation.......more HC
restrains mid-term Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: The High Court has restrained the State from making mid-term transfers in the Education Department.....more Piara
Singh inaugurates Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: Member Legislative Assembly Gandhinagar Ch Piara Singh visited several.....more |
 |
Ensure
redressal of public Excelsior Correspondent BUDGAM, Jan 8: The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Parvez Dewan with District Development Commissioner, Budgam, various heads of departments and district officers....more Quality
Control lab Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: A modern Quality Control Laboratory for testing of agriculture and horticulture products is being set up at Jammu shortly.......more Varsity
Note By Nishikant Khajuria Office of the Directorate of Distance Education of the Jammu University, has been shifted from its existing building to the new premises constructed at back side of residential area of upper Campus......more Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Jan 8: With the Pak sponsored militancy, the role of State police has become multi- dimensional. Over the last 12 years police personnel have had to encounter different kinds of situations arising out of proxy-war besides their normal.........more |
 |
|
|
"Who will feed our minor
children now" By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Jan 8: The horrendous carnage in Sohnwa Maligam village near Ramsu in Ramban tehsil has left the surviving but injured members of three families to yell with fear as to how will they feed their minor children without having any source of income and what would be their future? The wives of three brothers Baldev Singh, Chattar Singh and Bharat Singh, who were liquidated by the perpetrator of bloodshed in Sohnwa Maligam village, are fighting within themselves to decide what would they do to feed their children. "Presently one thing which is worrying us more is how will we feed our children as we have lost all the bread earners", said Goli Devi, wife of Bharat Singh, Durgi Devi, wife of Baldev Singh and Amar Dei, wife of Chatter Singh with fear and uncertainty looming large in their eyes. "We even don’t have any money to bring milk for our children as we had been living the life of hand to mouth", said Amar Dei with misty eyes. With fear lurking large on their faces, Goli Devi and Amar Dei with children in their laps were looking fearfully on each and every person passing through the Ward Number 2 of the Government Medical College and Hospital. Some relatives of the women looking after them in the hospital were continuously consoling the women who were repeatedly breaking down and finding it difficult to control their emotions. Amar Dei has been left with her three children youngest of them being of 8 months old, Goli Devi has left with two children and Durgi Devi with five children including three daughters. When asked, Goli Devi said "we are utterly zoonked of repeated thinking but failed to reach to a conclusion as to whether to go back to our native place or not", adding "we want to ensconced in safer places so that whatever property (children) we are left with would not become canon fodder of terrorists weapons in future". "Our houses were also burnt by the terrorists while fleeing and where will we stay after going back to Sohnwa Maligam", the sobbing women said and asked "what terrorists have achieved after killing our husbands and leaving us in miserable condition"? Earlier, they said, "our husbands used to get some amount from the Government for being VDC members and were running the home but now we have also lost that source of earning bread also". "Due to the terrorists we become widows at such an early age and our children have lost fathers at such a tender age", the women further said, adding "their luck has not allowed them to perform the last rites of the husbands". Another related story on page 11 Worst is the condition of Durgi Devi, whose all the five children are in native village with none to take care. She was repeatedly crying for her children and was insisting to leave for her native village to see her children. All the women recalled how their husbands were fighting with terrorists but none of the neighbour came forward to help them. "Had the neighbours come to our help, lives of some persons could have been saved", they said, adding the scene of blood and blood everywhere will haunt them throughout the life. Some of the injured children of Goli Devi and Amar Dei were earlier admitted in different wards of the hospital but in the morning they were put together in a ward by the hospital authorities. However, what to talk of senior officers from the administration even the senior hospital authorities didn’t find it fit to pay a visit to the wards where these hapless women and children are struggling for life. |
|
Making Municipalities, Local Bodies self-sufficient Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: Municipalities and Local Bodies generally remain under clouds for inept handling of affairs and invite wide-spread criticism on one account or the other while the people in general have the right to scold these bodies, for, they are not being provided basic amenities of life. Till the times the Octroi and Dharat system was not abolished the quality of service being provided by these bodies was some what upto tolerable mark but since the Octroi and Dharat was abolished in the year 1987, the resources of these civic organisations were squeezed to a considerable limits, but these bodies over the past one and a half decade have failed to supplement their income and achieve self-sufficiency. The authorities at the helm of affairs have remained asleep over the years to bring a change in the functioning of these bodies to cope up with the change of time and never thought as to which things are to be improved and what should have been dispensed with. None has thought that it should have been in consonance with the autonomy of these bodies to expect them to be least dependent upon the Government for their expenditure in general and current expenditures in particular and the citizens should have taken upon themselves to make local bodies viable and self-supporting institutions. If these views are expressed by those at the helm of affairs of Municipalities or the Local Bodies even then many a question remain unanswered as to after the abolition of the Octroi and Dharat, either the Government should have enhanced their grants or shared the proceeds of any tax or taxes realized by them with the local bodies. The Government on its part has maintained a complete silence over the measures to be adopted by the Municipalities and Local Bodies and till the come come out with their resolve to move these organisations to do their jobs effectively and come upto their expectations, the things won’t mark any change for the better and the people vis-a-vis functioning of Municipalities and local bodies. |
|
Misappropriation
case Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: Special Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu, R K Magotra has acquitted Lalita Kumari who was facing trial in five cases of corruption and misappropriation of funds from 1983 when she was posted as a Senior Assistant in Tehsil Education Officer Nowshera. While acquitting the accused, the Judge held that in view of quashing of the proceedings by the High Court, the challan is dismissed and Lalita Kumari acquitted. Earlier, she had filed a review petition in the High Court through Advocate S C Bali seeking quashment of the proceedings pending in the court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, on the grounds of delayed investigation of the trial and also relying upon the judgment of this court delivered in case of Amrit Bhushan Khullar, the then TEO Nowshera whereby the Court had quashed the proceedings. Justice R C Gandhi while deciding the Review petition had stated that the accused was arrayed as co-accused alongwith Khullar, who was the prime accused and after his deletion and being dropped, the offence of conspiracy cannot be established. It was the prime accused who had passed the bills and authorised the withdrawal of the amount from the Treasury. The charge against him could be more serious and the challan against him has been quashed, therefore the challans against Lalita also deserve to be quashed, the High Court had ruled. |
|
HC restrains mid-term transfers in Edu Deptt Excelsior Legal Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: The High Court has restrained the State from making mid-term transfers in the Education Department. The Government was restrained after Justice T S Doabia referred to the law laid down by the Supreme Court in case of Director School Education Madras versus O Karuppa Thevan and others, wherein the Apex Court had observed that an employee should not be transferred during the mid term session. This direction was passed in two identical writ petitions filed by teachers Madan Gopal and Mohd Tariq who were transferred by the order of the District Development Commissioner Udhampur. While disposing off both these petitions, the Court observed that it is a settled law that under normal circumstances no judicial review is permissible so far as the transfer matters are concerned. However, Advocates SS Ahmad and M L Gupta appearing for the petitioners drew the attention of the court that the mid-term transfers are not permissible. While referring to the judgment of the Apex Court, the Justice directed the respondents to take the notice of the Highest Court and take decision as permissible under law. Till a decision is taken, the order of transfer be kept in abeyance. This is, however, subject to the condition that the order passed by this Court is made available to the respondent authorities alongwith writ petitions within 10 days, the Justice said. |
|
Piara Singh inaugurates road to Shiv Nagar Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: Member Legislative Assembly Gandhinagar Ch Piara Singh visited several localities of his constituency and reviewed the development works being carried out in his area. According to a release, the tour of Kunjwani, Uttam Nagar, Deep Nagar and Shanker colony commenced with the inauguration of Link Road from Bye Pass to Shiv Colony for which Rs 3.31 lakh were sanctioned out of MLA Constituency Development Fund. Residents of the area highlighted the problems related with the crisis of potable water, increasing pollution in the area, requirement of street lights, construction of drains and other pending construction of roads. The MLA assured the gathering that he will discuss the above points with the authorities concerned and all out efforts at high level will be made to mitigate the problems in phased manner. He also appealed the people to extend cooperation to the security forces and to unite all in one. Those who spoke on the occasion besides Mr Singh include—Lalit Kumar, H N Kachroo, Inder Dass, V K Sood, Balwant Singh, Brij Nath Raina, C L Bhatti, Jagdish Magotra and Baldev Singh Halqa Sarpanch Gangyal. |
|
Ensure redressal of public grievances: Parvez Dewan Excelsior Correspondent BUDGAM, Jan 8: The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Parvez Dewan with District Development Commissioner, Budgam, various heads of departments and district officers conducted public hearing at Budgam today. Besides, MLAs Mr. Ali Muhammad Dar and Mr. Ghulam Hussain Geelani, the people representing different areas projected problems confronting them. The problems include inadequate power and water supply, dilapidated road conditions and lack of medicare facilities in hospitals. Several decisions were taken on-the-spot to mitigate the problems of the people. The Divisional Commissioner called upon the officers for responsive attitude to the urges and aspiration of the people and ensure their problems are solved at the earliest. Mr. Dewan called for organizing literacy awareness camps for increasing literacy rate in the district. District Development Commissioner apprized the Divisional Commissioner about the measures taken to provide drinking water facility to the masses of the district. He said 40 water supply schemes have been taken up at a cost of Rs.31 crore. Of this, 8 schemes would be completed by the end of this financial year involving a cost of Rs.5 core, benefiting 40,000 souls of the district. |
|
Quality Control lab at Jammu shortly Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: A modern Quality Control Laboratory for testing of agriculture and horticulture products is being set up at Jammu shortly. First of its kind in the State, this laboratory shall be pivotal for exporters as well as ensure quality agriculture products to the consumers. Disclosing this to EXCELSIOR here today, Mr H U Khan, Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) said that the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industry has santioned Rs one crore for establishing the quality control laboratory in Jammu. Mr Khan said that the SKUAST had prepared a project report for this vital quality control mechanism and submitted the proposal to the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industry which has been approved at a cost of Rs one crore. The work on this prestigious project will be taken up shortly, he stated. The setting up of the quality control laboratory will certainly prove useful to the exporters of agricultural and other produce. The proposal is to establish the laboratory at Division of Post-Harvest Technology at Research Centre, Udhaywala near Jammu. It is expected that the exporters of agricultural, horticultural and other products like walnuts, saffron, honey, fruit etc shall have better market, within and outside the country, after these bear stamp of quality. |
|
Varsity Note By Nishikant Khajuria Office of the Directorate of Distance Education of the Jammu University, has been shifted from its existing building to the new premises constructed at back side of residential area of upper Campus. The process of shifting of office records and other material to the new building had began on December 31 and by today, almost entire staff and offices of the Directorate have moved to the new premises. The shifted offices included Directors office, Assistant Registrar, Administration’s office, Administration Section, Accounts/Cash Sections, Publication Section, offices of all teachers, library, computer lab, information section, M Com, PGDBM and Law Sections, office of the Assistant Registrar, (Acad) and all sections working under the AR (Acad). Besides these, duplicate machines, general store and study material store have also been shifted in the new building. The shifting of Directorate of Distance Education in the new and separate building, is likely to further improve functioning of the Department of Distance Education. * * * * * * As only a day have been left for the last date for filing of nomination for the posts of three joint secretaries and a cultural secretary for the prestigious Jammu University Students’ Cultural Council , more than six nomination forms for the said posts have been received. Tomorrow is the last date for filing of nomination while the polling will be held on January 12. January 10 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature. * * * * * * Jammu University Research Scholars Association (JURSA) is all set to launch a massive agitation against the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission decision of reducing the upper age limit for Combines Services Competitive Examination (KAS). To chalk out the strategy and future course of action, JURSA has convened an emergency meeting of scholars, students and other KAS aspirants on January 10 in front of JU Central Library at 2 pm. * * * * * * Besides, ‘rotten’ outsiders, ‘love birds’, criminals and a few self styled students leaders, presence of monkeys on the Campus is another menace which has apparently gripped the Jammu University the most these days. While as the University administration and its security wing is contemplating new plans to check the infiltration of outsiders and criminals on the Campus, monkeys are increasing their number and spreading their areas of operation in the University premises. According to a rough estimate between twenty to twenty five monkeys have made the University Campus as permanent station for their stay and their presence can be witnessed generally near the canteens. About a dozen persons, including students and morning walkers, have become victims of these Campus roaming monkeys for the past some time. The morning walkers have even lodged a formal complaint to the University authorities in this regard but no initiative has yet been taken to get the Campus free from this menace. * * * * * * Even as presidium of the J&K College Teachers Association (CTA) is likely to be constituted by mid January, the newly elected president of the Association Dr Ravinder Chadha has initiated the efforts to highlight the community problems. Dr Chadha, who is not unknown to the college teachers since he had remained president and general secretary of the CTA, has been elected president of the prestigious body of college teachers for second time. He replaced Dr Madan Dogra of GGM Science College. While listing various demands of the CTA, Dr Chadha told EXCELSIOR that besides striving for immediate issuance of SRO regarding to Career Advancement Scheme and implementation of UGC service conditions for the college teachers, he would work hard to ensure the end of the dominance of Jammu University over the college teachers. Elaborating the point, Dr Chadha stressed that orientation programmes and refresher courses, which are must for professor grade and promotion of college teachers, should be organised as per the suitability and availability of college teachers. He also demanded introduction of PG classes basic research in the colleges. Once colleges are made research oriented, the college teachers would become entitled for benefit of earned leave, he added. |
|
Over 4700 cops
trained Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Jan 8: With the Pak sponsored militancy, the role of State police has become multi-dimensional. Over the last 12 years police personnel have had to encounter different kinds of situations arising out of proxy-war besides their normal work. A police spokesman to-day said that the changing scenario has made the task of state police much more onerous. The extra-ordinary situation, therefore, has called for devising measures to improve the professional as well as the working conditions of the police personnel. It is in this scheme of things that a systematic training programme based on Comprehensive Police Job Profile was undertaken during the year 2001. Under this programme a number of courses dealing with stress management, human rights, vertical interaction and other refresher courses including on Attitudinal Transformation were held time to time during the year. The spokesman said that during the last year 4732 police personnel comprising 7 gazetted officers, 333 non-gazetted officers and 4392 Constables were imparted basic training at Sher-e-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur, Police Training School (PTS) Manigam, PTS Sheeri Baramulla, PTS Talwara, PTS Kathua and at Police Technical Training Institute Vijaypur. In addition to this, four courses, two each at Jammu and Srinagar, on Attitudinal Transformation were conducted during the year, in cooperation with NIS Sparta Ltd, Delhi in which about 200 police officers and men participated. The spokesman said these courses proved very useful for stress management. These courses were well received by the participating police personnel. Similarly, three courses were organized under Spring Board Women’s Development Programme sponsored by the British Council for working women in which about 100 women police officers/officials participated. He said that with a view to avoid stagnation on account of completion of pre-promotion courses, 2000 officers and men were deputed for different pre-promotion courses at SKPA, Udhampur and Police Training School, Manigam. Similarly, nearly 700 officers and men were sent for different specialized courses in the Police Academy at Udhampur. These courses included crowd control course, human rights course, drill instructors course, different refresher courses, traffic policing course etc. About 1054 police officers and officials were sent to undergo different technical courses in police wireless, photography and mechanical fields at Police Technical Training Institute, Vijaypur. As many as 7 Addl. DsGP, 7 IsGP, 11 DIsG, 54 SSP, 48 DYSP, 64 Inspectors, 43 Sis, 16 ASIs, 21 HCs, 141 Cts, 5 CPOs, 5 SPOs and 7 Pos were deputed to different training institutions in the country for different courses which included courses on human rights, terrorism, counter intelligence, bomb disposal, VIP security and commando course. In order to familiarize them with the latest gadgets and methods used for investigation of crime in different prestigious institutions in the country, as many as 25 scientific officers of J&K Police Forensic Science Laboratory were deputed for different courses. One IG, one SSP and one Dy.SP were also sent outside the country to undergo courses designed exclusively to combat terrorism during the year 2001, the spokesman added. |
|
Cong flays
administration for not attending injured at GMC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: Various social, political and religious organisations have strongly condemned the gruesome killings of 7 members of minority community in Doda district. Beside providing security to the members of the minority community, these organisations also demanded adequate compensation for the breaved families. Most of these organisations flayed both State and Central Governments for their failure to protect lives of the minority community. In a statement issued here today, Shri Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha has strongly condemned the massacres of minority community at Ramsu. A meeting of the members of the Sabha was held today under the chairmanship of Lt Col (Retd) K S Jamwal to discuss the situation. Meeting strongly condemned the killings and said that it was not the first time, killings of minority community has been going on unabated for the last one decade. Kr Narayan Singh, senior vice president, Maj (Retd) B R Dogra, Rachhpal Singh Manhas, Jai Singh, R S Jasrotia, B S Manhas and others attended the meeting. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has expressed serious concern over the unprecedent killings of seven minority community members at Ramsu in district Doda. In a statement issued here today, Mr Hari Singh, general secretary of the PCC said that incident was a matter of grave concern and speaks the volume of the insecurity of the commonman in the hilly and far-flung areas of Jammu region. Mr Singh lambasted both State and Central Governments for their failure to protect lives of innocent people in the State. He warned that if selective killings were not stopped migration of the minorities will start again. PCC leaders later visited Government Medical College Hospital where injured have been getting treatment. PCC leaders expressed surprise that not even an single official of the administration has visited in the hospital to enquire about the conditions of the injured. PCC leaders who visited the hospital included Mr Hari Singh, Madan Lal Sharma, Parduman Singh Azad, Hukam Chand, Baldev Raj and Mr Amar Singh. PCC leaders demanded Rs 5 lakhs for those who were killed in the terrorist attack. Congress president of district Rajouri, Mr Vinod Sharma has also condemned the gruesome killing of minority community members at Ramsu. In a statement issued here today, Mr Sharma blamed both State and Central Governments for the killings. State unit of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has also condemned the killings of seven members of minority community at Ramsu. The meeting was presided over by Mr D K Kotwal, state president of the BJP. Meeting strongly condemned the grue-some killings at Ramsu. Meeting condemned the State Government for its failure to protect lives of the minority community. BJP MLA from Ramban, Mr Bali Bhagat has also condemned the incident. Mr Bali, who is MLA of the adjoining Ramban area, has issued a ‘strong worded’ statement from Jammu in which he has demanded adequate security arrangement for the minority community. He pleaded to strengthen VDCs in the area. J&K Far Flung Area Association has also expressed serious concern over escalation of militancy in the remotest areas of the Jammu region. Far Flung Area Association, whose head office is located at Gandhi Nagar area, has strongly condemned Ramsu massacre and urged the authorities at the helm of affairs to provide adequate relief to the affected families. Yuva Rashtriya Janata Dal president Mr Vijay Mahajan and general secretary Mr Rashid Malik have while strongly condemning the attack on minority community in a Ramsoo village, urged the Government to provide adequate ex-gratia relief and compensation to the next of kin of those VDC members who were massacred by terrorists. The meeting urged upon the State Government to establish security pickets which were removed from the area some times back and also to get conducted an enquiry to spot black fish of the area who are providing logistic support to terrorists. |
|
Kr Devinder Singh’s demise condoled Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: Various social and political organisations have condoled the sad demise of Kr Devinder Singh son of Capt Dewan Singh who left for his heavenly abode on January 7. According to a press release, a meeting of the Sainik Co-operative House Building Society Limited was held under the chairmanship of Mr Jai Singh, chairman of the Society. Meeting condoled the sad demise of Kr Devinder Singh and prayed the God to bestow strength to the bereaved family to bear irrecoverable loss and grant peace to the departed soul. To mourn the sad demise of Kr Devinder Singh son of the veteran BJP leader Mr Dewan Singh and convenor of the BJP ex-servicemen cell, a condolence meeting was held at BJP headquarters Kachi Chowni this morning. The meeting was presided over by Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal and attended by Mr Nirmal Singh, Kashmira Singh, Satish Sharma, D V Sethi, Sat Pal Grover, Opinder Bhat, D N Trishan, Mohammed Amin, Shamsher Singh, Kuldeep Mangotra, Dev Raj Sharma, Master Sohan Lal, Sat Pal, Ram Swaroop, Haji Mohammed Sardar Khatana, Ram Parkash Sharma and others. A two minutes silence was observed in the meeting for the eternal peace to the departed soul. |
|
| 4 villages in J&K being
developed as Model villages:Shah Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU Jan 8: The Government has decided to develop 4 villages two each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions as modal villages. These villages include Boatman Colony, Bemina and Hanjiwara in Kashmir Division and Channi Basti, (old settlement) and Parmandal Village in Jammu division. This was decided at the 35th meeting of Board of Directors of J&K Housing Board, held here today. The Housing & Urban Development Minister, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah, who is also the Chairman of the Housing Board, presided. It was revealed in the meeting that Rs. 2.07 crore are being spent on the development of these villages in the first phase. The board also decided to approach the State Government for release of Rs. 70 lakhs as state share for development of these villages. The Housing Board also decided to construct 240-C type residential flats at Gandhi Nagar for accommodating Government employees. Over Rs. 22.51 crore will be spent on the construction of these flats. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Shah impressed upon the management of the housing board to develop housing colonies which should be affordable for middle and lower income groups as well. He said that over increasing population growth has posed big problems of the housing and it was responsibility of the officers and engineers to devise such housing plans which could be cost effective and help check mushroom growth of un-planned and haphazard colonies. While setting up of the new colonies executing agencies should give priority to provide efficient civic amenities like water and power supply, road communication and better sewerage system to the dwellers, the Minister added. He said that though commercial activities would be imperative and should be given priority by the Housing Boards to make it self sustainable, but it has a social responsibility also to provide relief to the poor people by involving themselves in developmental activities and work for the welfare of the people, Minister added. The Board meeting was attended by among others Mr. J. A. Khan, Financial Commissioner, Finance, Mr. K. B. Pillai, Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development, Mr. Ajit Kumar, Principal/Secretary, Works, Mr. Anil Goswami, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Mr. G. N. Ahanger, Commissioner/Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Mr. A. S Wazir, Managing Director, Housing Board and Mr. Vinod Malhotra, Chief Town Planner, Jammu. |
|
"Provide us weapons
recovered from ultras" Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: The terrorists in the remote village of Sohnwa Maligam area in Ramban tehsil have been getting all out support from some villagers and the massacre of minority community members in the said village on the intervening night of January 6-7 was the result of that support. This was disclosed by an old man Nain Singh while talking to this correspondent. Nain Singh, is recuperating in the Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu from the injuries he had sustained while fighting with the terrorists. "Some Village Defence Committee (VDC) members including me received an information few days back that terrorists have been receiving all types of support and information from some sympathisers in village", he disclosed and said "we had also noticed suspicious movement of some persons in the village". Definitely, he said, terrorists were provided with an information at what time we (VDC members) used to reach home and added that had the terrorists not been provided information about VDC member’s families the terrorists could not have attacked only them. The seemingly depressed and in a shocking state of mind, Nain Singh who fought bravely with the terrorists untill he ran out of ammunition, further said that after the withdrawal of army the terrorists and their sympathisers in the remote villages have become active. Earlier, the army personnel used to patrol the villages but after their withdrawal none from the other security agencies bothered to patrol the areas, he maintained. He suggested that security forces should launch operation in the remote militancy infested areas to trace out the sympathisers of the terrorists as unless and untill sympathisers will remain there massacre of minority community would continue to take place. "How long we will continue fighting against the terrorists with antiquated weapons that too with meagre rounds", he said, adding "if the Government is serious in protecting the minorities in the militancy-infested areas then the Village Defence Committee (VDC) members should be given sophisticated weapons". Nain Singh, who lost his three nephews—Bharat Singh, Chatter Singh and Baldev Singh at the hands of terrorists questioned the seriousness of the Government in protecting minorities and asked how long the minorities will have to remain at the mercy of God? "Had we been provided with sophisticated weapons we would have given tough fight to terrorists and succeeded in eliminating them", the old VDC member further said, adding "Aap Khud Hi Andaza Laga Sakta Hain Ki Ek Aamm Bandook Se Hum Kaise Bada Hathiyar Wale Ugarwadion Se Lad Sakte Hain" (You can guess that how much it is difficult to fight with terrorists armed with modern weapons with old three not three weapon)? He further said that if Government could not bear the burden of providing them new weapons atleast those seized from the terrorists for the past so many years could be given to them after proper training. Expressing disappointment that none has come forward for their help when they were fighting with terrorists, he said, "I have failed to understand that why majority community members didn’t come for our help", adding the non availability of security picket in their village led to fleeing of terrorists after the incident. "The nearby picket of the Special Task Force (STF) is about 15 kilometre from our village", he informed and said "none seems to be serious in protecting our lives despite the fact that we have been audaciously fighting with the terrorists". |
|
‘Elections be
postponed in view of border situation’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Jan 8: President Jammu Mukti Morcha Prof Virender Gupta has urged upon the Central Government to honour the sentiments of general public of the country and fight a decisive and a final war against terrorism to finish this menace once for all as early as possible. Addressing a press conference here today, Prof Gupta said it would not be in the national interest if the terrorism gets further prolonged. Any more delay in this respect has the serious implications with regard to the general prosperity, well being and development of the people of the State and the general economy of the country. With the continuation of militancy the Kashmir issue shall always remain in focus of the world. The Government should immediately trifurcate the State and thereafter, start negotiation with the national and regional parties besides other groups to work out a solution acceptable to all the sections and ethnic groups of Kashmir and the nation as a whole. The Kashmiri leaders/ groups and others who have received directly or indirectly foreign help in waging a war against the sovereignty of the country and are involved in helping the terrorist activities are required to be identified and punished as per law. Referring to the tension on border and intensive deployment of forces on both sides of the border, the JMM leader said there is a need for revamping the civil administration. There is also need to gear up civil defence committees and the Government has not so far kept itself equipped to tackle the problems of the migrants from the borders. The people have been uprooted because of shelling by the Pak forces. Keeping in view the tense situation in all the border districts of Kathua, Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch, the Lok Sabha by-elections for Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary constituency be postponed. The Election authorities should take note of the situation prevailing in the area. Election is not the top priority this time of crisis in the entire border belt. Prof Gupta said that Morcha has decided to start mass awakening campaign by holding rallies and public meetings in whole of the constituency to enlighten the public about the need for separate statehood for Jammu region. It shall highlight the discrimination meted out to the people and the danger of extinction of cultural, historical and geographical identity of Jammu region at the hands of Kashmiri rulers. It shall expose the game plan of Kashmiri politicians to create Kashmir valley like situation in Jammu province and divide it on the communal lines. The Morcha also called upon the Centre to stop the State Government from implementing the Reservation Bill in the larger interest of the people of this country and the state as well. If the Bill is implemented it is going to adversely effect all the communities of Jammu region and harm the national interest at this juncture when the country is faced with a challenge of Pak sponsored terrorism. It also reiterated its stand that reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir State into three states of Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir is the only viable alternative to end the present crisis. This is the only solution which can meet the aspirations of all the three regions of the state and provide stability in the region. The other office bearers of the JMM including Mr H B Khajuria, Vikram Gaud, Mahesh Sharma, Shiv Dutt Sharma and Rajeshwar Singh were also present during conference. |
|
NPP leader reviews works in Ramnagar Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Jan 8: National Panthers Party MLA from Ramnagar has expressed serious concern over the extremely slow pace of construction work of Chowki-Kulwanta road and bridge at Piala in his constituency. According to a release, the MLA expressing his concern over the delay on the work, urged upon the PWD authorities to take action against the defaultering contractors and agencies responsible for the same. He further called for immediate restoration and opening of Ramnagar Badhole road and Mansar-Bari Brahmana road damaged during previous rainy season. He announced that Johnu Panjgrain road would be opened for traffic at the earliest. The MLA also urged upon the IWDP authorities at Ramnagar to ensure early payments to mates, labourers and Village Development Committees. He also stressed for the completion of planned IWDP targets before the close of current financial year. He further urged upon the PDD (M&RE) to undertake the electrification of remote areas of Khail, Patti, Kandi, Damak and Rassain villages in tehsil Ramnagar. |
|
|
|
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |
