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MLC's kin
succumbs to blast injuries Excelsior Correspondent POONCH/RAJOURI, Nov 6: Four top terrorists including a ‘deputy commander’ of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit, Billal Ahmed alias Akbar Khan, were gunned down by army in two separate encounters in the twin border districts today while a minor girl and NC MLC’s kin, who was injured in a blast in Rajouri town on November 4 evening, succumbed to her injuries in Jammu Medical College hospital this afternoon. An army soldier also lost his life in one of the encounters. Official sources said the troops of Poonch Brigade were on look-out for a terrorist, who had escaped during an encounter on November 2, at village Chaprian in Sabjian belt of Mandi sector in Poonch district. As reported, 12 terrorists, who were trying to exfiltrate to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), were killed in the encounter with the army personnel in Chaprian. Sources said the lone absconding ultra was spotted by an army patrol party in early hours of this morning. The terrorist was asked to surrender but he opened firing on the troops with his AK-47 rifle and tried to escape. Army personnel retaliated and gunned down the terrorist, whose identity couldn’t be ascertained. One AK-47 rifle and three magazines were recovered from him, the sources said, adding the troops didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation. With this killing, the death toll in Chaprian encounter has gone upto 13. Another encounter took place in Dholwali dhok in Sabjian belt late this evening in which army eliminated a hardcore JeM terrorist identified as Billal Ahmed alias Akbar Khan, hailing from PoK. One AK-56 rifle, one magazine, two grenade and one wireless set were recovered from the encounter site, the sources said. They said one terrorist and an army soldier were killed in a fierce exchange of gun-fighting at village Snehi in Surankote tehsil of Poonch this evening. Operation in Snehi was going on with the troops hunting three more terrorists present in the area. Identity of the slain terrorist hasn’t been established so far but he was suspected to be a foreign mercenary. Another encounter took place between a group of terrorists with a joint team of army and police at village Madhoon in Topa area of Darhal in Rajouri district. Till this evening, army and police had killed one terrorist. Recoveries made from the terrorist included one AK-47 rifle and two magazines. His identity too hadn’t been carried out so far. Meanwhile, a five year old girl Rubiya Mir daughter of Javed Ahmed Mir and grand daughter of National Conference MLC Nazir Ahmed Mir, who was seriously injured in a grenade attack in Rajouri town on November 4, succumbed to her injuries in the Medical College hospital in Jammu at 1230 hours today. Rubiya had sustained deep pellet injuries on her head. Her body was shifted to Rajouri this evening. A total of 13 civilians were injured in the grenade explosion and, of them, four had been referred to Jammu in view of their critical condition. Security forces today destroyed a hideout of the terrorists at Dara Sangla in Surankote and recovered three foreign made blankets, two binoculars, one AK-47 rifle and three bags of ammunition. Our Doda correspondent adds: Security forces today apprehended three fresh recruits of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit from village Sarthal in Kishtwar tehsil of Doda district. They have been identified as Zakir Hussain son of Natha Gujjar, Mohd Shaffi son of Karim Gujjar and Zakir Hussain son of Bija Gujjar, all residents of Sarthal. Sources said the boys had been recruited into the Hizbul Mujahideen cadre by a Hizbul Mujahideen leader Jahangir. Security forces have launched a hunt for Jahangir, they added. |
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'Cease-fire useless unless
reciprocated by other side' Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 6: Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad today stoutly refuted the allegations that Congress has succumbed to the pressure of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) while forging an alliance with the former. Addressing an impressive meeting infront of the Congress Headquarters here today, Azad made it clear that decision to form a coalition Government headed by PDP chief Mufti Mohammed Sayed was taken in ‘national interest’. "Congress handed over Chief Ministership to Mufti Mohammed Sayed not due to the pressure of the former, but for the betterment and development of the Jammu and Kashmir State", he said, adding, "Congress Party is more concerned about people of Jammu and Kashmir rather than Chief Ministership". "It is not the question who is heading the coalition Government or who is the Chief Minister, as our goal is to mitigate miseries of the inhabitants of this violence plagued State", he clarified and assured the people that coalition Government will provide clean administration with transparency and accountability". Azad said his party had accepted some conditions of PDP but not in the way PDP wanted it to run a coalition Government. Criticising NDA Government at the Centre, he said its earlier formula failed in restoration of peace in the State and militancy only spread from the Valley to almost all areas of Jammu division. Without pointing towards anyone, Azad cautioned political parties against playing dubious games in the State, saying that the State had seen immense turmoil and could become a breeding ground for international conspiracies. He appealed all political parties to contribute their mite in restoring peace in the State by supporting the present coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir. Azad, who arrived here from Delhi this afternoon, disclosed that the expansion of the coalition Ministry would take place after the joint session of the State Legislature on November 21. About the allotment of portfolios to his party in the Ministry, he said "it is the man that makes the portfolio important." "No portfolio is less important. Congress men are more concerned about serving people rather than plum portfolios", he said. Contesting, what he called malicious campaign launched by some elements that Congress has back-stabbed people of Jammu region, Azad said, the people of Jammu were feeling proud in having a Deputy Chief Minister from their region. "In future also, we will also ensure that if a Chief Minister comes from one region, the Deputy Chief Minister should be from the other region’’. Thanking the people of Jammu for giving mandate to Congress and defeating National Conference, he, however, said he was expecting to get over 30 seats so that his party could form a Government of its own. Though the party got only 15 seats from Jammu, yet it is an encouragement for the people that governments can be changed through free and fair elections, he said. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma lavished all praise on Ghulam Nabi Azad for victory of the Congress Party in the State. He said that it was all due to hardwork and dedication of Mr Azad that Congress has succeeded in uprooting Abdullah regime. Later talking to reporters, Mr Azad said a unilateral cease-fire by the Central Government against militants in the State during Ramzan is of no use unless the other party "reciprocates it." "Cease-fire is useful only when the other party positively responds to it," he said, adding, "It was a good gesture on part of Central Government to announce unilateral cease-fire earlier, but unfortunately the other party did not respond," Asked who is the other party, he said "obviously the militants and their patron across the border." "Even the BJP-led NDA Government went in for a unilateral cease-fire not once but thrice, yet peace could not descend in the State despite the Congress having supported it," Azad said adding that although his party wanted to make all out efforts to ensure peace in the Valley, it would "never compromise" on Jammu and Kashmir or its borders. "We cannot adopt the same methods or move on beaten tracks for bringing peace in the State... That is why we gave chance to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the Government for the first three years and will see how the situation improves under its leadership," he said. To a question whether he would be contesting the Rajya Sabha election, Azad said, "what should I do for three years." When a reporter suggested that he could strengthen the party in the State, he said, he had been doing it earlier too as a Member Parliament. Earlier, a rousing reception was accorded to Mr Azad who arrived here for the first time after formation of the coalition Government. Thousands of Congress workers including newly elected MLAs had gathered at Jammu Airport to receive their leader. From Airport, PCC chief was taken in a big procession. All the way from Airport to PCC Headquarters, people were seen lined up to greet their leader. |
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Omar hits out at Mufti Govt for silence on autonomy issue SRINAGAR, Nov 6: National Conference fired its first salvo against the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed led Government in Jammu and Kashmir charging them with remaining silent over the issue of granting autonomy to the State. "The issue of autonomy does not figure anywhere in the common minimum programme adopted by the coalition partners despite the fact that the previous State Assembly had adopted a resolution on this," party president and Union Minister Omar Abdullah said. Dismissing reports that the autonomy was only an election plank and that his party never pursued it seriously, Omar said his party had raised the issue during the 1996 elections and submitted a "good and well drafted proposal" before the State Assembly which adopted a resolution to this effect. The party chief said his party was unnecessarily blamed on the issue of autonomy when the previous State Government had submitted a resolution only in 2000. To a question whether he blamed the Centre for delaying action on it, Omar said "we are not here for the blame game but definitely there was a delay on the part of the Centre." Omar expressed surprise that CPM, which is a partner in the ruling alliance in the State, had also chosen to remain silent on the issue of autonomy despite the fact that they had supported the resolution. About the reasons for the poll debacle of his party, the National Conference president said "we are definitely analysing the situation but one thing is sure that we were not able to highlight the achievements of our Government properly." He claimed that the previous State Government had been able to generate 1.5 lakh jobs in the last six years but this "fact has not reached all the ears in the State." To a question about the alleged atrocities committed by the Special Operations Group, Omar said "during my election campaign, I had promised to give a new face to this anti-militancy group while PDP had been saying that they would disband it." "Now whose stand stands vindicated. Afterall now Sayeed is also saying that the SOG will be given a new face and is refraining from using the word disband," Omar said. To a question whether corruption at high level was also a factor responsible for the defeat of his party, Omar said "you name a State where corruption does not exist. This State is no different from others but the problem was that here the menace was exploited to the hilt. If a peon is corrupt that does not mean that Farooq Abdullah is corrupt. "There were instances where corrupt officers were booked by the State Government," he said. He also said that initial misuse of POTA had also proved counter-productive for the Government. Asked whether aligning with the Centre had also cost the party, Omar said "we joined the Centre for representing State’s voice in Delhi but the opposition projected it as if we were Delhi’s voice in the State." He said that the National Conference had also assured to bring forward a Lok Pal legislation which the coalition Government had now started terming as "Ethisab" (accountability) Bureau. "The opposition parties have been accusing us of all misdeeds but now I will like to see how they function," Omar said. Assuring that his party would give a healthy opposition to the new Government, he said "we will support all the moves aimed at bringing relief to the people." About the future course of action of the party, Omar said "we will have to reach to the masses again. We may be down but we are not out and we aspire to romp home again." He said that his party would be soon meeting in Jammu to elect the new legislative party leader. Asked about some reports suggesting disgruntlement in his party, Omar said "there is no such thing as we go together hand-in-hand. Only time will tell whose party is weak and susceptible to defections and splits. We are solid like a rock." (PTI) |
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J&K Govt has no jurisdiction to review terrorism law: BJP NEW DELHI, Nov 6: Stepping up its attack, the BJP today criticised the reported statement of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that the State Assembly will review POTA saying the State Government has abolutely no jurisdiction to legislate or repeal a law relating to terrorism or the country’s sovereignty. Party spokesman Arun Jaitley told reporters that the BJP expected the Congress party to react to the Chief Minister’s statement which negated not only the Indira Gandhi-Sheikh Abdullah accord but also the constitution order enacted by Rajiv Gandhi in 1985. He said it was not only in relation to Jammu and Kashmir but in relation to the entire country that it was the Parliament which was vested with the legislative power to deal with terrorism and enact laws in that regard. Jaitley said this was unambiguously clear in the constitutional position. The recent political history of Jammu and Kashmir and its constitutional integration with India conclusively established it. Sayeed’s statement appears to be born out of ignorance, he said adding it was more disturbing that the statements were being made at a time when the people of Jammu and Kashmir had voted against terrorism and expect the statement Government to cooperate with the national effort for a final assault on terrorism. He said it was "curious" that the Chief Minister has been repeating these statements and "he must realize that terrorism is not fought through rhetoric and speeches. It has to be tackled by a comprehensive strategy at which the central Government has been working." Warning that these kind of statements from the Chief Minister would only send signals that the state Government "was being soft on terrorism," he said this was disturbing since the people of the State have voted against terrorism and expect the State Government to cooperate with the national effort for a final assault on terrorism. He said State Government and assembly have "absolutely no jurisdiction and it is incumbent upon every state to implement anti-terrorist law and only Parliament has the right to enact or repeal the law." (PTI) |
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Army source gunned
down in Budgam, 2 militant killed in Lolab Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 6: While as two militants, one counter-insurgent source of Army and one BSF soldier have reportedly died in different militancy-related incidents across Kashmir valley since last evening, militants left one civilian dead and 12 others injured when they launched a grenade attack on security forces at Anantnag today. One Police constable got killed when fast winds uprooted massive poplar trees at Baramulla town this evening. Informed sources in south Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that militants lobbed a hand grenade towards a joint group of security forces and counter-insurgents at Achhabal Bus Stand, at the district headquarters of Anantnag, this afternoon. It fell short of the intended target and exploded at a crowded place, causing splinter injuries to 13 civilians. While as most of the injured were treated at the local hospital, four of them with critical injuries were rushed to SKIMS and SMHS Hospital. Later, one of the critically injured, Mohammad Afzal Shah S/o Mohammad Ramzan Shah R/o Akingam, died while being rushed to hospital. Reports from Budgam said that an unidentified young man, appeared at Waseem Photo Studio in front of Budgam Police Station, and fired a pistol shots on the head of one Abdul Ahad Bhat S/o Mohammad Subhan Bhat R/o Drang Lassipora, Beerwah. He died on spot. The assailant used a silencer-fitted pistol and struck in broad daylight. Official sources confirmed that an extremely poor man, Bhat had been working as a counter-insurgent source with troops of 10 JAK LI. In the recent Assembly elections, Bhat was in the campaigning of the National Conference leader and former MLA Khansahib Abdul Gani Naseem. The slain individual had shot into prominance last year when elopement of his wife with a close associate of the former MLA Chadoura Ali Mohammad Dar had triggered off a war between Dar and the former MLA Khansahib Abdul Gani Naseem. While as MLA Khansahib was a supporter of Abdul Ahad Bhat—father of three young children—MLA Chadoura was the supporter of the man who had allegedly kidnapped Bhat’s wife. Reports from north Kashmir said that, on a tip-off, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 17th Bn eliminated two unidentified militants in an encounter at Bani Bahak, Warnau, in Lolab valley of Kupwara district. Two top-wanted militant, killed by troops of RR 15 Bn and SOG Bandipore in an encounter at Watrena, in Bandipore area last evening, have been identified as Bashir Ahmed Mir alias Haji Mohammad Haroon and his body-guard Tauseef Ahmed. A Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen spokesman today confirmed that Haji Haroon was the outfit’s "divisional commander" in north Kashmir, who was active in militancy for the last 13 years. Sources said that Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged gunfire in Gurez, Karnah, Keran and Uri sectors in Baramulla and Kupwara districts. One soldier of BSF 60 Bn, namely Umesh Kumar, got killed due to Pakistani shelling in Nowgam sector. Meanwhile, due to fast winds this evening, three massive poplar trees got uprooted and fell on the sentry box of the guards of JKAP 12th Bn at Khwaja Bagh, Baramulla. Constable Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Aloochibagh Srinagar, who was the sentry on duty at the Police formation, got killed. |
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No decision will be thrust on
migrants: Mehbooba Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 6: Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) led coalition Government will not thrust any decision on Kashmiri migrants regarding their return to Valley and any dialogue on Kashmir is incomplete without them. This was stated by the vice president of the Party and MLA, Pahalgam Ms Mehbooba Mufti while addressing series of public meetings in migrant camps at Mishriwala, Purkhoo and Muthi Phase one and second today. She, however, asserted that the return of the Kashmiri migrants to Valley with honour and dignity has the same place in PDP’s agenda as that of restoration of peace and normalcy. Our party wants to give a healing touch to peoples’ scars and it is fully aware about the problems of all Kashmiris including you who have suffered over these years, she told migrants. The fire-brand PDP leader maintained that honourable return of Kashmiri Pandits is also linked to return of normalcy and we all should be optimistic in this regard. Amid loud applause from the people at Muthi Phase First, she said Kashmir is incomplete without the Pandits and your land, orchards and houses are in ruins. The Valley remembers you as your distinct identity will only remain secure and intact in Kashmir, she added. It is the only land of Kashmir which can nurture a community like Pandits and not the alien environs outside Valley. I have myself grown up in the company of your community and many Kashmiri Pandit girls were my best friends, she said while recalling her past association with KPs. She said there is also a change in the mood of migrants now who too want to return to their homes and hearths. She assured them that the new Government will not thrust any decision on them in this regard. "You have faced many hardships during the last 13 years of migration and alien atmosphere also affected you to a great extent", she said. Expressing total solidarity with the Kashmiri migrants and assuring full help to them in redressing their grievances, she said I realize what problems you would be facing in a 9 by 10 feet room especially during the Summer when mercury is on the peak. She assured them that the new State Government will take all measures in redressing the grievances of the migrants like providing of drinking water, electricity, construction of quarters and opening of ration depots."I will discuss these issues with the Government and all measures will be taken to solve them", she added. Mehbooba maintained that she does not believe in making false promises because I have to approach you again. Regarding unemployment, which is also a major problem being faced by the displaced Kashmiris, Mehbooba said the Government led by her Party will not do any favour to any body in getting a Government job. "We will bring transparency in the system so that every deserving person is absorbed on merit", she added. She said no deserving person will be deprived by us and efforts will be made to provide a job to every jobless family. But this will take some time as we have no magic wand to solve these problems over night, she added. A survey will be conducted throughout the State in this regard and the deserving families which have no bread earner will be identified, she said. She said I have made it clear to my Party men that she will be the first person to take to streets if any leader is found involved in making the back-door appointments. She made it clear that the PDP led Government will be all different from the previous Governments and the people will have their say in it. Pointing towards the two Party MLAs who accompanied her, she said they are accountable before you and it is their duty to solve your grievances. Regarding the opening of Government ration depots in camps, she said we will see what hurdles they are facing in this regard and the nexus in this regard will be unmasked. Regarding the enhancement of cash relief from Rs 2400 to Rs 3,000 as announced by the Prime Minister, she said the new Government will also look into it. The meetings were also addressed by PDP MLAs from Devasar and Kuthar constituencies Messrs Mohammed Sartaj Madni and Peerzada Mohammed Hussain. Addressing the migrants at Muthi Phase Two, Peerzada said our Party has resolved to restore peace and normalcy in the Valley which is a key to honourable return of Kashmiri migrants. A memorandum was also submitted to PDP leader at Muthi Phase Second which among other things demanded reviewing of the Government order regarding enhancement of Relief to Rs 3,000, construction of new quarters, release of HRA and CCA to migrant employees and employment package to the displaced youth. Mr Madhusudan Bhat and A K Sidha also accompanied Ms Mehbooba during her tour to camps. |
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3 more arrested by police in exam scam Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 6: Another important break-through was achieved in the examination scam as City police today arrested three persons including two Government teachers, who had been running the exam racket for the last five years and minted lakhs of rupees from this illegal business. Police sources told EXCELSIOR that on specific information a police team led by SHO Pacca Danga Vijaypal Singh and Incharge Panjthirthi Police Post and Investigating Officer into the case SI Ravinder Singh Parihar raided some hideouts and arrested king-pin of the gang Master Inderjeet Singh Slathia, Master Satish Kumar and Kulbinder Singh alias Babal. While Master Inderjeet Singh Slathia was arrested from a hide-out in Government Quarters at Sarwal, Master Satish Kumar was arrested from Shehedi Chowk and Kulbinder from Rehari. "Some more arrests are likely anytime as interrogation of the arrested accused today brought into the light involvement of some more Government teachers ", the sources said. Master Inderjeet Singh Slathia was released on interim bail this evening while Master Satish and Kulbinder Singh are still in the police custody and they disclosed to the police that Superintendent of the Examination Centre Number 130 at Dewan Badri Nath School (DBN) was also assisting them in providing Board seal on charging Rs 1000 per day that too for a very short period. "Police has raided a number of hide-outs to arrest the Superintendent but to no avail as he had gone underground and was trying to get pre-arrest bail", the sources said and added that on the answer sheets of some previous papers of candidates of St Peter’s School, police has found the seal which was in his possession. The verification of previous papers has made it clear that the Superintendent was an active member of the gang and the seal number 266 was not stolen but was given intentionally by him to the gang. "On the disclosures of Master Satish and Babal, police today also recovered 30 more answer sheets from a hide-out", the sources said. The investigation brought into light that Master Satish Kumar was disqualified by the Board authorities as Assistant Superintendent about one year back. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 6: Atleast 27 persons were injured when a Matador in which they were travelling skidded of the road near Samba 50 kms from here on Jammu Pathankot National Highway this evening. According to police, the ill-fated vehicle was on its way from Hiranagar to Samba when driver of the vehicle reportedly lost control over the speeding vehicle while negotiating a curve resulting into vehicle skidding off the road near Daini village. Getting the report of accident, a police party from Samba Police Station rushed to the spot and started rescue operation with the help of villagers. All the injured were rushed to Sub-District Hospital Samba and condition of eight of them was stated to be critical. The injured have been identified as Dalip Kumar, son of Rilak Raj of Nai Basti, Samba, Isher Dass, son of Chuni Lal of village Mela in Hiranagar tehsil, Neelam Kumari, wife of Mohinder Pal of Hiranagar, Naresh, son of Dev Raj of Gagwal, Jyoti Devi, daughter of Naga Ram of village Mela, Moni Devi, wife of Prem Lal of village Mela, Hiranagar, Kajal, wife of Prem Lal, Veena Devi, wife of Rampal of Gagwal, Rampal, son of Om Parkash of Hiranagar, Sunil Rani, daughter of Prem Chand of Mela, Pinki Devi, daughter of Dev Raj of Mela, Mohinder Kumar, son of Nar Singh Dayal, Veena Rani, wife of Kewal Krishan, Yashpal, son of Bishamber Dass of Jatwal, Veena Devi, wife of Ram Lal, Suresh Kumari, daughter of Mohan Lal of Muhiana Morh, Vaishno Devi, wife of Kartar Chand of Dayala Chak, Joginder Pal, son of Karnail Singh of Nud, Anju Devi, daughter of Uttam Chand of Virpur, Pankaj, son of Sardari Lal of Gagwal, Pooja Devi, wife of Kartar Chand of Dayalachak, Vaiso Devi, wife of Nago Ram of Nagri, Rekha Devi, daughter of Rattan Chand of Gagwal and Surekha Devi, daughter of Sardari Lal of Gagwal. A case has been registered in this connection and further investigations were on. |
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Cong clears Azad’s
name for RS Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Nov 6: The Congress (I) high command has cleared the name of J&K PCC (I) president Ghulam Nabi Azad to contest the election for Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir State, where four seats to the Upper House have fallen vacant. Election to four Rajya Sabha seats would be held on November 18 while last date for filing the nomination papers is November 8. As per present strength in the 87-member Legislative Assembly, the Congress (I) with an effective strength of 20 and the backing of a number of independent and other MLAs could win two Rajya Sabha seats while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference could win a seat each. Though NC was short of a couple of MLAs to make its candidate, former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah through, but the Congress (I) won’t mind him making it to the Rajya Sabha, the sources said. For second Rajya Sabha seat, a number of names were under consideration of the Congress (I) high command. They included Krishan Amla, P Namgayal, Makhan Lal Fotedar, Saif-ud-Din Soz and Ashok Bhan, a member of Ram Jethmalani-led Kashmir Committee. The Congress (I) high command has authorised AICC (I) president Sonia Gandhi to finalise name of the second party candidate to be fielded for the Rajya Sabha, the sources said, adding the name was expected to be cleared by Gandhi tomorrow. The PDP, which could also win one Rajya Sabha seat, was in the process of finalising its candidate. According to sources, the PDP leadership has also left choice of the candidate to PDP president and Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed. Panthers Party supremo Bhim Singh is also camping in New Delhi for Rajya Sabha berth. Four Rajya Sabha members, who were retiring between November 19 to November 25 are Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mirza Abdul Rashid, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq and Koshak Thiksay. Sharief-ud-Din Shariq had since been elected to the Legislative Assembly in September polls while Koshak Thiksay had resigned from the National Conference on the eve of Assembly elections and joined Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF). The Election Commission had issued three separate notifications for four seats of Rajya Sabha polls. Two separate notifications had been issued for one seat each while the third notification had been issued for two seats. The notification was issued on November 1. In 87-member House, the NC is the largest party with an effective strength of 28 MLAs, followed by the Congress, which has 20 MLAs, PDP 16, Panthers Party 4, LUTF and CPM two each, BJP, JSM and BSP one each while rest are the independents. Most of the independents were backing the Congress (I). |
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Gas Turbine made
operational Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Nov 6: As a major step to provide respite to the people on account of power shortage, the Cabinet decided to commission Gas Turbine Station at Pampore and drawing additional power from NREB/PSEB to augment power supply. With these measures, the total curtailment would come down from 9 hours to 4 and half hours, which has been conveniently spread to minimise inconvenience to the people during peak hours. According to the revised schedule, consumers would have virtually continuous power supply during peak hours. These measures are consequent to the assurances given by the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed regarding respite in power supply all over the State. There will be no curtailment between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 9.30 p.m. to 4.30 a.m. However, the consumers will have to bear the curtailment once a week during the Iftaar time in the Kashmir valley and twice a week in Jammu. The curtailment schedule shall be reviewed periodically. In Jammu region, there shall be one and a half hour cut three times on rotational basis between 8 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. In Kashmir region, there shall be four and a half-hour curtailment in two groups. The curtailment timing will be notified, mohalla and feederwise, separately by the respective Chief Engineers, Electric Maintenance and Rural Electrification. Meanwhile, the Power Development Department has called upon the consumers to help in maintaining the power supply as per the schedule by maintaining its judicious use and desisting from putting heavy load, particularly during the peak hours. The power procurement costs being very high as compared to the fee charged. The department hopes that the consumers will cooperate in maintaining the supply. The added loads beyond the load in agreement will not only affect the supply but also damage transformers besides shattering distribution and transmission system that may cause inconvenience to the people. |
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Jandial posted as Director Information for third time Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: In its first transfer order, the new State Government today recalled K B Jandial, Administrator, Jammu Municipality as Director Information for third time in a bid to boost working of the Department that had been rendered totally ineffective. This is for the first time in the history of Information Department that an officer has been posted as Director for third time. Jandial was first posted as Director Information in 1995 when the militancy was at its peak. He had opted out of the Department in October 1998 and was posted as Administrator, Jammu Municipality. However, as Information Department was rendered defunct, Jandial was again called as its Director in April 2000. In October 2001, he again opted out of the Department following a reported Government move to post a Doordarshan Director as Director General Information. Again, Jandial was posted as Administrator, Municipality. However, after observing worst performance of Information Department, the new State Government has also decided to post Jandial as Director for third time. Mr Jandial is likely to be promoted and designated as Director General Information. Meanwhile, Director Information Narinder Singh has been posted as Administrator, Jammu Municipality in place of Jandial. |
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Hurriyat ready for any solution SRINAGAR, Nov 6 : Hurriyat Conference today said the Kashmir issue could be resolved only through a trilateral dialogue, though it maintained it was ready to discuss any other solution that would meet the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The Hurriyat stand is quite clear that if Kashmir issue is to be resolved through negotiations, then the three basic parties to the dispute - India, Pakistan and genuine representatives of Kashmiris - have to be involved, senior Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said at a seminar here. A dialogue process should be initiated and "if a solution that meets the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir arises out of it, we will abide by it," he said. Mirwaiz said a lot of noises have been made that he was willing to discuss autonomy as a solution to Kashmir issue. "Let me make it clear that autonomy does not constitute a solution to Kashmir issue. I believe that if Delhi wants to discuss autonomy, we have our own agenda and proposals to discuss with them," he added. Addressing the differences within the amalgam, the former Hurriyat chairman said there is a lack of coordination among the various sections — political, diplomatic and military — of the movement. Emphasising that the 23-party conglomerate should intiate social programme besides the political platform, Mirwaiz said the people would be alienated with us, if we do not listen to their problems and involve them with the movement. (PTI) |
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Installation of new CM big blow to Musharraf: Swami KARNAL, Nov 6: Union Home State Minister I D Swami today said that installation of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed as the new Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on November two, after successful elections was a big blow to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, since he could not succeed in his diabolical designs in the State. Mr Swami talking to UNI correspondent here denied of any move to pull back Army from Line of Control and International Borders in Jammu and Kashmir in view of continuing cross border terrorism. He said that just "partial shuffling back" was being mooted in the states bordering Pakistan. He said the two terrorists killed at the Ansal Plaza in New Delhi on the eve of Deepawali belong to Pakistan. They were sent by the ISI to foment communal tension in the country on the eve of festival of lights, he added. Mr Swami claimed that barring the USA the rest of the world considered Pakistan a big source of terrorism. "Only America is not interested in declaring Pakistan a terrorist state," he added. (UNI) |
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