Daily Excelsior.........State

Mufti - the smart survivor fulfills a dream

SRINAGAR, Nov 2: The new Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed is a smart survivor in the maze of politics fulfilling a dream to remove the Abdullah family from power but lives with the tag of a man blamed for rise in militancy in the border State.

67-year old Sayeed, who gets the prize post after multiple switches of political loyalty, is a stalwart of Congress during much of his political career and a known baiter of three generations of the Abdullah family.

It was during Sayeed’s tenure as the Union Home Minister in the V P Singh Government from December 1989 to November 1990 that militancy heightened in J & K and his daughter Rubayya was kidnapped by militants in the Valley.

The Home Minister allowed the release of some militants in return for her freedom which boosted the morale of militants and Sayeed received a lot of flak for this action.

Sayeed still believes that talks with militants could help in ending over a decade-old violence in the State.

Born on January 12, 1936 in Bijbehara of Anantnag district in J & K studied at S P College in Srinagar and went to Aligarh for his MA and Law degree.

His political journey began in 1950 through the National Conference and in 1959 he was member of the Democratic National Conference.

With the merger of his party with the Congress, he became a Congressman in 1965. He stayed put in the Congress and from 1975-87, Sayeed held the reins of the Congress party in the State as its president.

Sayeed was a member of the State Legislative Assembly from 1962 to 1972 followed by five years as a member of the Legislative Council. He was Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperation and Minister of Works and Urban Development.

In 1985, he again won his Assembly seat from Anantnag.

A long time critic of the National Conference, he has a running feud with Farooq Abdullah, who blames him for the dismissal of his Governments in 1984 and 1990.

Sayeed had crossed over to the Janata Dal in 1987 and became a minister in the Centre.

He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1986 and again in 1992 but resigned in 1996.

After a long winter of political hibernation he returned to active politics after the 1998 Lok Sabha elections. He revived the Congress in the Valley and won the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.

Ahead of the J&K elections, Sayeed formed the PDP which put up a splendid showing bagging 16 seats.

Sayeed is married to Gulshan and has one son and three daughters. His elder daughter Mehbooba has followed in his footsteps and was a Congress legislator in J&K and kept the Congress flag aflutter in the State when Mufti was away. Sayeed was elected to the State legislature in 1962 from Dachinpora constituency on a Congress ticket and rose to prominence by becoming the first Muslim Union Home Minister at the Centre in 1989, in the Government led by V P Singh.

Sayeed has held a ministerial portfolio in State Government twice as a Congressman but switched to Janata Dal in an anti-Congress wave after the party suffered a loss of image due to the Bofors kick back scandal.

He, however, rejoined Congress on the eve of 1996 Assembly elections but did not contest polls.

With his daughter Mehbooba Mufti also jumping into the political fray, Sayeed decided to lauch a regional political party — People’s Democratic Party.

But Sayeed faced a bitter electorate losing the 1999 Parliamentary elections in his stronghold of Anantnag-Pulwama constituency.

Sayeed, along with Mehbooba, started nursing the new party’s grassroots and directly took the fight to the camp of ruling National Conference, which paid rich dividends in the just concluded Assembly polls.

Though Sayeed himself took the back seat with Mehbooba leading the PDP for the most of the six years of National Conference rule from 1996, he emerged as the top contender from the party for the Chief Ministerial post.

Sayeed came close to becoming the Chief Minister in 1976 when Congress withdrew its support to the Government led by Shiekh Mohammad Abdullah, the NC founder.

A strong advocate of dialogue with the separatists militants, Sayeed quit Congress for second time in 1998 as, according to him, the high command did not agree with his suggestion for resolving the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. (PTI)

After collision, car-truck catch fire
Retd Lt Col, Capt among five Vaishno Devi pilgrims killed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Retired Lieutenant Colonel and his son—a Captain in Army—among five Vaishno Devi pilgrims were killed in collision between a Maruti car and a truck near Chichi Mata on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway this afternoon.

According to police, all the five victims were returning to Delhi after having darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in a Maruti car bearing registration number PB-10W/0757 when their vehicle collided with a speeding truck, on way to Jammu from Pathankot, near Chichi Mata under the jurisdiction of Samba Police Station.

Soon after the collision, the driver of the truck jumped out of the vehicle and fled from the spot before he could be caught by those present outside the Chichi Mata temple.

About three minutes later both the Maruti car and truck which was loaded with sugar caught fire and people could not get any chance to bring out the critically injured passengers of the Maruti car.

Getting the report of head-on collission between a Maruti car and a truck and subsequently catching of fire, a police party from Samba Police Station swung into action and on reaching the spot of accident saw both the vehicles burning in flames.

The people who gathered on the spot immediately started pouring water on the burning vehicles but all in vain and the police had to immediately call fire tenders, which reached the spot within next five minutes and extinguished the fire.

The bodies of all the five passengers were brought out of the Maruti car and shifted to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Samba for post-mortem.

The deceased have been identified as retired Lt Col Gurcharan Singh Mehta, his son Capt Rajat Mehta and daughter-in-law Leena Mehta, all the residents of Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, Sanjeeta Mohini, wife of Ashwani Mohini and her daughter Priyanka Mohini, both the residents of Rohini, New Delhi.

Police has registered a case in this connection and hunt was on to nab the absconding driver. But no arrest was made till late this evening.

Meanwhile, driver of a truck bearing registration number JK02D-1635 was found dead in the vehicle near Fire Station Batote. There was reportedly no injury mark on the body.

The deceased has been identified as Hari Lal, son of Nater Singh of Assar. Police has taken the cognizance of the incident.

Meanwhile, a pedestrian was killed when he was hit by a oil tanker DLIG-B0537 at Keli Mandi under the jurisdiction of Samba Police Station.

Identified as Pardeep, son of Ram Chand of Ward Number 4, Samba, he was immediately rushed to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) where doctors pronounced him as brought dead.

The driver of the tanker fled from the spot and was not arrested till late this evening.

Purani Mandi encroachment case
DB directs JM Administrator to appear in Court

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Justice V K Janji and Justice SK Gupta has directed Administrator Jammu Municipality, Mr K B Jandial to be present in the court on the next date of hearing, to explain as to why the order dated September 17, 2002 has not been complied with in letters and spirits.

This court direction was passed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the residents of Purani Mandi Jammu, in which it was prayed that the then Governor Mr Jagmohan got park constructed at Purani Mandi Chowk. The Park has been destroyed now, as within the park, some commercial activities are going on and these encroachments were posing threat to the residents of the area.

On September 17, 2002, the DB had directed Jammu Municipality Administrator to stop the commercial activity being carried on within the Park and also remove the encroachments so that the sanctity of the Park is restored.

On October 29, 2002, Ms Anshuja Sharma was appointed as Commissioner by the Court to submit the reports whether the encroachment as claimed by JM was removed. In her report, it was stated that the commercial activity has not been stopped.

From the report of the Commissioner, the Court was of the view that the statement made by Advocate SS Nanda, appearing for JM, that the encroachment has been stopped, was not on the basis of the correct information supplied to him by Administrator. The Court accordingly directed Administrator to appear in the court.

Beg questions Cong, PDP alliance

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: National Conference (NC) will continue its struggle for restoration of composite culture of Kashmir and fight for the secular values which has been the age old tradition of the people of the Valley.

This was stated by Dr Mehboob Beg, MLA Anantnag while addressing a felicitation function organized by Kashmiri migrants from his constituency in his honour here today.

While reiterating his Party’s stand on return of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley he said, the KPs are the part and parcel of Kashmiri culture and Valley is incomplete without them.

Commenting on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress alliance in the state he questioned the disbanding of SOG and STF as promised by the PDP in its poll manifesto.

He wanted to know whether the disbanding of the SOG and STF is a reward or punishment to the people of the strife -torn state.

Dr Beg said likewise the increase of ex-gratia relief from Rs one lakh to two lakh for the militancy affected victims as promised by the PDP is no solution to the problem. "We expected that killings will stop and people will get rid of daily dance of death"he added.

The NC leader also took the Congress to task for betraying the people of Jammu saying heavens would not have fallen had a Congman from Jammu been installed as Chief Minister. But the way the Congress surrendered before the PDP shows total betrayal of the people of Jammu region.

He also asked the Centre to define the national interests in J&K saying hundreds of NC workers were killed for the national integrity during the last 13 years of turmoil and the main reason that our Party was punished in recent elections is that we opposed any compromise with the militants and took a tough stand against them in the larger interests of people of the state and country.

It may be recalled Dr Beg is the only NC candidate who won a seat for his Party from Anantnag district of South Kashmir.

Thali competition on Diwali organised

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 2: Bharat Vikas Parishad Trikuta Nagar branch celebrated Diwali by organising a Pooja Thali competition and Pariwar Milan at at Trikuta Nagar today.

According to a release, a large number of people from different walks of life attended the function, which commenced with the recitation of Vande Matram. Prof Suresh Gupta, secretary of the branch welcomed the guests and also conducted the proceedings.

The children presented a colourful and impressive cultural programme on the occasion.

Earlier, Prof S C Anand gave detailed account of various activities undertaken by the organisation.

In Thali competition, Seema Sharma was adjudged first, Tanu Jain second while Urvashi Sawhney third. The others who participated in this contest included— Sneh Lata, Neha Sahu, Sagun Sethi, Jagriti Gupta, Komal and Jyoti Arora.

Ms Pushpa Chawla vice-president of the branch also spoke on the occasion regarding importance of celebrating Diwali. She said the festival can also be celebrated in a simple and holistic way. The function concluded with the singing of National Anthem.

The others present on the occasion included— Bharat Bhushan, H D Bargotra, K K Gupta, Sham Sunder Bhatia, A K Arora, Ved Balotra, Om Parkash, Dr S N Sharma, Dr Sushilla Sawhney, D V Satti and N D Rohmetra.

HC vacates status-quo on 90 kanal land

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Justice Muzaffar Jan in a petition filed by Secretary Ministry of defence and others, has vacated the stratus-quo order, passed on September 10, 2002 by the High Court in regard to the land measuring 89 kanals and two marlas situated at Village Deeli, with the observation that on the presentation of the petition it was admitted on September 9, 2002 and the parties were directed to maintain status-quo.

The counsels SC Gupta and Parmod Kohli appearing for respondent Ram Nath submitted that since the land has not been acquired and is not in possession of the petitioner (Army) and the petitioners have exhausted all alternate remedies by filing appeals and revisions, and have been consistently held not entitled to the relief, therefor the order of the status quo may be vacated to enable the respondent Ram Nath to enjoy the usage of the property.

The Court while vacating the status-quo, also said that Ram Nath has submitted a photo-stat copy of the correspondence addressed by Director LW (North), Col R K Malik to NC Colwks, HQ Northern Command (Works) wherein it has been submitted that as no objection certificate from the State Government is not forth-coming, the acquisition of this land may be dropped.

Sound of Silence to be performed on Nov 5

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in collaboration with Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi for the first time organising a creative dance performance ‘Sound of Silence’ on November 5, 2002 at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu.

Disclosing about the performance, the Secretary of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Mr Balwant Thakur said that Jammuites will have the occasion to witness an international level performance in Jammu. This creative dance performance has already staged in Germany, Hongkong, Scotland, Itlay, Royal Opera House, London, Dubai and in many European and Asian countries.

The performance is being performed by Samundra Centre for Indian contemporary performing art. Madhu Gopinath, Vakkom Sanjeev and Kalamandalam Anand are the founders of the Samundra Centre for Indian contemporary performing arts and are leading figures in the field of contemporary Indian dance and music.

Madhu and Sanjeev (Choreographers) are trained in various classical dance form and martial arts. They express their creativity through innovative items that go beyond the boundaries of tradition, seeking a powerful, contemporary, yet unique Indian dance. Kalamandalam Anand is a renowned Chenda and percussion artist with a diploma in Chenda Melam from Kerala Kalamandalam.

They choreographed "The Sound of Silence", a recent work, is an innovative and original dialogue between the movement and sound, body and soul, and tradition and modernity.

Governor greets people on Diwali

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: The Governor Mr Girish Chander Saxena has greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights.

In his message, the Governor said that Diwali evokes cheerfulness and joy and reflects the composite ethos of our great civilization. He added that this day we celebrate the victory of truth over falsehood, with a profusion of lights that lights up our hearts, homes and the environment around us. The feelings of warmth, love and joy that every one feels on the occasion adds to the spiritual era of the festival.

The Governor expressed the hope that Diwali this year will be celebrated with traditional fervour and enthusiasm, but with due care to avoid atmospheric and noise pollution or any inconvenience or hurt to anyone.

Mangat Ram Sharma: 3rd DyCM of J&K

SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Mangat Ram Sharma, who was included in the cabinet of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, is the third Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the second one from Jammu region.

The first Deputy Chief Minister of the state was Mirza Afzal Beig, who got the post in Sheikh Abdullah’s cabinet in 1977. However, his tenure was short lived as he was forced to resign on September 25, 1978.

Two days after his resignation, Beig was also expelled from the National Conference.

On July two, 1984, D D Thakur was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister in the Ghulam Mohammed Shah cabinet.

Thakur, who was a trusted lieutenant of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, won the Deputy Chief Minister’s post for having engineered a spilit in Farooq Abdullah’s Government and foundation of Awami National Conferernce on March six, 1986, when Congress withdrew support from Shah’s Government and backed Farooq Abdullah.

The 71-year-old Mangat Ram Sharma is the third politician and the first Congress man to have risen to the post. (PTI)

Tremors rock Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Moderate tremors rocked north-west Kashmir twice early today, forcing people to rush out of their houses.

A weather office spokesman told UNI that first tremors were felt around 0339 hrs in the north-west areas. The second round of tremors another were felt around 0703 hrs, causing panic among the residents of these areas, he said.

Official sources said people rushed out of their houses in panic and took shelter in the open despite severe cold outside.

There was no report of any loss of life or damage to the property, sources said.

The spokesman said the earthquake measured 5.2 on the richter scale. However, its epicentre was not yet known. (UNI)

GREF gives green signal, Govt yet undecided
Crucial link to Valley from Doda still plugged

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Nov 2: The crucial link to Kashmir valley from district Doda which brought the people of this hilly district more closer to each other is still plugged. Even after the completion this road via Kishtwar- Chhatroo-Sinthon Top and Anantnag about two years ago, the road is yet to be put under use by the Administration.

Chief Engineer, Project Beacon of Border Roads Organisation, popularly known as GREF, Brig Mahadevan said that this road is fit for traffic on the either side. It was made motorable from Kishtwar to Chhatroo, Sinthan Top and Bellu from where the jurisdiction of Anantnag district commences about two years back. The light medium and even heavy vehicles of the department and forest etc. are plying on this route smoothly from Kishtwar to Anantnag but unfortunately the State Government and even the District Administration Doda did not bother to formally open this route for passenger vehicles.

He said the distance between Kishtwar and Srinagar has been decreased considerably with the construction of this road. The distance of Kishtwar from Srinagar via Batote- Ramban is about 288 kms. This distance has become lesser by at least three hours by using this route. Earlier, the State Government agency—PWD was engaged in the construction of this road but it was handed over to GREF in 1996. Col Padamanaban, a senior engineer of GREF connected with the task, disclosed that from 1996 onwards, the GREF has spent Rs 7 crore on this road which included widening, surfacing, construction of protection walls, culverts etc. Almost all the major works on this road have been completed and the road is fit for use. Now it is up to the administration to open the road for vehicular traffic and provide relief to the people who wish to visit Kashmir valley from Doda and vice-versa. The lack of will on the part of Administration is creating hurdle in the operation of vehicular traffic on this road.

Regional Transport Officer, Jammu Mr Salim when contacted said that earlier, it was a fair-weather road and therefore, the movement of traffic on this link throughout the year was not possible. The passenger buses are already plying in between Kishtwar and Chhatroo but thereafter, no passenger vehicle is operating.

Militancy is the major factor which caused delay in the opening of this road for general public. He pointed out that on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway the militants despite the presence of a large number of security force personnel manage to strike and cause IED blasts but it is very difficult to ensure security on this route. No doubt the distance between Srinagar and Kishtwar will decrease by more than 70 kms but even then there is no public demand to open this road till today.

Responding to a question, the RTO said that though GREF people claim to have completed this road two years back yet the decision regarding opening the route depends on the State Government. There may be some technicalities hampering the process of operation of vehicles on this route. But militancy factor remained the main hurdle in this process, he maintained.

He pointed out that even Bhaderwah—Chamba road remain closed due to militancy. During Mani -Mahesh yatra in Himachal Pradesh this year, the buses from Doda district plied through Udhampur-Jammu-Pathankot to Himachal. The pilgrims avoided to use this route due to security reasons. The RTO, however, said that the Government may decide about the opening of this route shortly if the public of the area shows interest in this regard. There will be lot of convenience for the people from this hilly district for going to Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir valley.

NCC Naval wing camp at Mansar concludes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Jammu and Kashmir Naval unit of National Cadet Corps, Srinagar unit organised its annual training camp near Mansar lake in which over 100 cadets including 25 senior wing girls also participated. All cadets hailed from Jammu and Kashmir State.

As per a release Lt Commander Narinder Kumar Bhuri, who is also Commanding Officer Naval Unit, was the chief guest who stated that the basic aim of this camp was to acquaint the cadets maximum about the knowledge of Navy.

The activities in the camp included rowing the long boat with oars, enterprise class pal boating and wind-surfing. A team comprising 20 boys and 10 girls will be selected to participate in the national level competition to be held at Vishakhapatnam from November 8.

Mr P C Adhikari, Deputy Director General and other officers of Srinagar Group including Group Commander Colonel Lalotra conducted a tour of the camp and congratulated the cadets and exhorted on them to strive hard to achieve excellence.

On the concluding night of the camp on October 31, a camp fire was also organised in which the cadets presented cultural programmes displaying their own talent. Lt Commander Bhuri congratulated the cadets on successful completion of the camp and impressed upon them to imbibe in them the spirit of dedication and discipline.

The camp concluded yesterday with social service by the cadets around Mansar Lake when the cadets cleaned the debris accumulated around the lake.

JJSF protests against Mufti’s installation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Accusing the Congress and Panthers Party of betraying Jammu people by joining hands with alleged anti-Jammu People’s Democratic Party, Jammu Joint Students Federation activists today held a protest demonstration against installation of Mufti Mohd Sayeed led Government in the State.

The slogan shouting activists of JJSF took out a protest march in the city and also burnt the effigies of Sonia Gandhi and Mufti Sayeed.

Coinciding with the oath taking ceremony of Mufti Sayeed as the Chief Minister, JJSF activists assembled at Exhibition ground, this morning and held a demonstration.

Shouting slogans against Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi, Panthers Party and Mufti Sayeed, the protesters marched towards Jewel Chowk where they torched the effigies of Sonia Gandhi and Mufti Sayeed. Later the procession proceeded towards GGM Science College and converged near the Shahidi Sthal. The JJSF activists took oath at the memorial and vowed to continue the ongoing struggle for getting separate Jammu State.

While addressing the gathering, JJSF chief Mr Rajinder Jamwal lashed heavily on the Congress and Panthers party for selling out the self respect, dignity and honour of Jammu people. He announced that Mufti Sayeed could be Chief Minister of Kashmir but not of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that by imposing Mufti as CM, Congress has committed a historic blunder and the party will have to face its consequence similarly as BJP faced debacle during the recent Assembly polls.

Some other JJSF leaders, including Kuljeet Singh, Prithpal Singh and Ghulam Ali, who also addressed on the occasion, appealed people to observe ‘black day’ today against installation of ‘anti-Jammu’ Mufti Sayeed as Chief Minister.

BJP workers block road, stage dharna

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: The Bharatiya Janata Party workers from Marh Block today staged a dharna and blocked the Jammu Akhnoor road at Damana in protest against what they alleged the failure of police to arrest the culprits responsible for killing of Sunil Sharma a BJP worker during recently held Assembly elections in village Panthal of Marh Block.

As per a BJP handout issued here today the dharna was held under the chairmanship of Party vice president, Mr Chander Mohan Sharma.

While criticising the police he alleged that it was trying to hush up the case. He demanded immediate arrest of culprits.

He said the murder was committed during the broad day light but over a month has elapsed but no arrest has been made so far by the police. He warned that Party will continue agitation till the culprits were not arrested.

Addressing the protestants Ch. Sukhnandan alleged that inspite of number of pleas by the family of late Sunil Kumar, police failed to nab the culprits.

BJP leader Mr Omi Khajuria, Mandal chief of the Party Mangat Ram Gupta and Suraj Prakash Padha also met the Dy SP Akhnoor and demanded probe into the matter.

However the SHO Damana, Mr Jagjit Singh denied that the BJP workers had blocked the road at Damana. He said only a deputation of partymen came to Police Station and demanded the action against the culprits.

7 killed, 30 injured as bus rolls down

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 2: Seven persons were killed and 30 others injured, nine of them critically, when a bus in which they were travelling skidded off the road and rolled down into a nullah at Manglian, 20 kilometre from here, this evening.

According to police, the ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JKQ-6727 was on its way from Charakh Pakhrai to Udhampur when met with accident. The driver of the vehicle reportedly lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a sharp curve resulting into vehicle rolling down.

The driver Durga Dutt of Subash Nagar Udhampur immediately jumped out of the vehicle and fled from the spot.

Getting the report of accident, a police party from nearby police station immediately rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. All the passengers were brought out of the nullah and rushed to District Hospital Udhampur where doctors pronounced seven of them as brought dead. The condition of nine of the injured was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

The deceased have been identified as Subash Chander, son of Krishan Chand of Charakh, Rattan Chand, Dina Nath, son of Chandu, Sibu Devi, wife of Des Raj, Bodh Raj, son of Gopi Chand, Shanker Singh, son of Durga Singh and Rano Devi, wife of Anant Ram, all the residents of Pakhlai.

The injured have been identified as Rakesh Kumar, Mukesh Kumar, Balwan, Amar Nath, Sonu, Thakuri Devi, Khadak Singh, Santosh, Kunti Devi, Koushalaya Devi, Vijay Kumar, Pritam Singh, Yash Pal, Nek Ram, Vaishno Devi, Sanjay Singh, Jeevan Lal, Raghubir Singh, Krishan Singh, Kailasho Devi, Subash, Ravinder Singh, Madan Lal, Dev Raj, Jagnath, Des Raj, Dev Raj, Ram Lal, Sewa Singh and Vijay.

A case has been registered in this connection and hunt was on to nab the absconding driver.

CMP of coalition Govt dangerous for State: BJP

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 2: Senior BJP leader and former MLA Udhampur, Mr Shiv Charan Gupta has expressed his deep concern over the common minimum programme of Congress—PDP and other coalition partners under which the present Government has resolved to disband existing SOG units, release of detenues involved in militancy and related activities and non-implementation of POTA.

In a press statement issued here today, Mr Gupta warned the Mufti Govt that with these steps which the government intends to take will frought with serious consequences and endanger the life and property of people who have been already reeling under militancy for the last more than 12 years.

He pointed out that the dissolution of SOG will not prove effective in dealing with the militants as the jawans specially trained to deal with the militants will not be utilised properly in anti-militancy operations. Mr Gupta further added that this action of the Government will also discourage and demoralise the morale of the J&K police force which is considered as one of the best force in the country.

Advocating the enforcement of POTA the BJP leader said that this law is the best instrument to tackle militancy in the state and its non-implementation will further deteriorate peace and and order in the state.

The BJP leader appealed the coalition government headed by Mufti that before implementing the common minimum programme, it should take into confidence the people as well as all the political parties.

CM visits Hazratbal to pay obeisance

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 2: Immediately after taking over as Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today visited the holy shrine of Hazratbal to pay his obeisance there.

As the swearing in ceremony was over at the SKICC, Mr Sayeed’s cavalcade drove to the shrine via Nishat foreshore road. His cabinet colleagues, Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beigh and Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, accompanied him.

The Chief Minister met people inside the shrine complex and individually shook hands with them. They congratulated him on assuming the high office. Inside the shrine mosque, he prayed for the welfare of the people of the State. He met the caretakers of the shrine and informed them that the Cabinet Minister, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir would be soon visiting the shrine to look into the problems faced by the devotees.

A large number of people greeted Mr. Sayeed on way to the shrine. At several places, he interacted with local people who acquainted him with their problems. The Chief Minister assured them that their grievances would be looked into.

Later, in the evening, a stream of people visited the Nowgam residance of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to congratulate him on taking over as the Chief Minister.

AHD’s border area dev prog underway in Kathua

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Nov 2: "Border Area Development (BAD) is a challenge before the Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) in Kathua district and the Department has resolved to meet it with all technical and material resources at its command. This was stated by Dr S C Gupta, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Kathua while setting off the farmers awareness camp in Rajpora.

He said the Department is faced with the problems of high injuries resulting from Pak shelling in border areas and displacement of people which has resulted in great disruption of the routine animal husbandry practices in the border areas.

He said most of the villages in Hiranagar and Kathua Tehsils right up to Ghagwal are greatly affected by the shelling, border deaths and mining of the land near the border as such the greater loss of production have occurred to meet the farmers needs for medicine and other services for better live stock production.

He said AH Department has taken up the vaccination, health care , first aid and other breeding services on war footing and farmers awareness camps have been organized in Rajpura, Mareena and Nagri. The camps were attended besides, Dr Gupta CAHO Kathua by Dr M L Sharma, LDO Hiranagar and Dr K C Gupta LDO Kathua.

It was given out that prophylatic measures especially vaccines have been taken up in a big way and 1.33 lakh vaccine dozes have already been administered. Besides 1.66 anti Henmintic deworming have been performed. The farmers were briefed about frozen semen technology especially for buffaloes as most of the Gujjars have settled permanently in border villages. The district has recorded 51,000 births with this frozen technology.

Medical Employees Welfare Forum constituted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Paramedical Employees of Government Medical College and Associated Hospitals in a meeting here today discussed the various problems of medical employees.

As per a release, the meeting was chaired by Mr Ravinder Nath Sharma and the leaders of all categories and unions participated in it. They also decided to form a new body for the solution of long pending demands.

The new body was named as Medical Employees Welfare Forum with Mr Dass Ram Kandley as its chairman.

Baldev Raj Nargotra , Ravinder Nath Sharma, Shanti Saroop Raina, Kuldeep Sharma, Bishan Verma and Anoop Kohli were elected as convenor, general secretary, office secretary, cashier, organizer and publicity secretary respectively.

World Anaesthesia Day celebrated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 2: Jammu Association of Anaesthesiologists celebrated World Anaesthesia Day by organising a function in which the anaesthesiologists from Medical College, Jammu, ASCOMS, Defence forces and J&K Health Services participated.

A scientific session was held in the function, where papers were presented by different speakers. Dr Sudha Kohli, Secretary of the Association presented the vote of thanks.

Meanwhile, Association president Dr Sudershan Gupta, Prof and Head of the Department said that 20 anaesthesiologists from GMC, Jammu, ASCOMS and field attended 3rd North Zone ISA Conference held at GMC Patiala. Dr Satyadev, Dr Bimla Bhagat and Dr G B Kohli, ex-Professor, presented their papers in the function. Dr Kohli also chaired a scientific session.

Dr Sudershan Gupta also chaired a scientific session and was specially honoured for his participation and work done.