Compensation awarded to 2 train passengers

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: Divisional Forum under J&K Consumer Protection Act, comprising Mr D K Kapoor, District and Sessions Judge as its president, Mr J K Gandotra and Mrs Ambika Khajuria, members today directed General Manager Northern Railways and others to pay rupees 5,000 for the deficiency in service to the complainants for want of required service to be provided to the complainants due to which they suffered mental agony.

The Forum also awarded an amount of rupees 1000 as cost of litigation, in addition to the refund of rupees 366 paid by the complainants as fare from Saharanpur to Delhi, which included the reservation of berth in their favour.

The Forum also directed the railways that the entire amount to be paid to the complainants within six weeks from today, failing which they shall be entitled to interest at the rate of 12 per cent.

The Judgment written by Mr Kapoor for the Divisional Forum has decided a question of law which was raised by the Railways that this Forum has no jurisdiction. The President referred the judgment of the Apex Consumer Commission and said that his forum has jurisdiction.

Shanti Devi of Patta Bohri and Kavita of the same area had filed a complaint in which they said that they were denied berth/sleepers on December 27, 1999 when they had boarded the Shalimar Train, despite the fact that they had confirmed tickets in S-2 coach.

Bee Enn Hospital starts latest cataract operation facility

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: The Bee Enn General Hospital here is all set to introduce the new technique of Phaco emulsification (stitchless cataract removal.

The services of a noted specialist in Opthalmology, Dr Vishal Gupta have been made available in this institution run by a trust. This will benefit those needing cataract removal and now they need not go outside Jammu.

Announcing this at a press conference, Mr Roshan Lal Bhalla, Managing Trust of the Bee Enn General Hospital here this evening. HE said sophisticated equipment worth lakhs has been procured for the purpose.

Dr Vishal Gupta,Opthalmology, a gold medalist MD from All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), who has joined the Bee Enn Hospital, told media persons that the latest technique of cataract removal in this institution in the Jammu city will benefit the people in this part of the country.

Answering questions, he said that all the necessary equipment has been installed and the process of registration of patients in on. The operation work will short after a week or so.

Dr Gupta said this technique is safe and no confinement to bed in the hospital is required.

Cataract is common among the people especially at the advanced age and new technique is certainly better, he opined. Removal of cataract by conventional surgical operation, using stitches, green badges and use of black glass, is no more now. The latest technique was started in big cities in the country but it has come to Jammu also.

Procedure of Phaco emulsification need most modern equipment and specialised technique to replace lenses in the eye. The whole procedure takes 20 to 25 minutes, he said adding that patient can after some short time go back home. Dr Vishal Gupta will be available for consultation and treatment in the morning and evening on all the week days.

There is no surgical trauma or hospitalisation. The rates depend on the quality of lenses used and other consumables. The rates charged at Bee Enn Hospital will be " much less", the Managing Trustee stated.

Dr Anita Didwal, an Opthamologist is also in this Hospital and will be assisting Dr Vishal Gupta.

Besides, Mr Roshan Lal Bhalla the other three trustees Mr Ram Lal Bhalla, Mr Kunil Bhalla and Mr Viney Kochhar were also present.

Complete bandh in Basohli

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 12: A complete bandh was observed in Basohli town today with people protesting against an incident of shoot-out.

All shops remained closed in Basohli town right from this morning. A large number of people gathered in the town and took out a procession shouting slogans against police. They gathered outside the police station and demanded that a First Information Report (FIR) should be lodged.

All educational institutions also remained closed during the bandh while traffic was off the roads. Police and para-military had been deployed in the town by local authorities to ward off any untoward incident during the bandh.

As tension mounted in the town, senior police officers and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Uttam Chand Dingra rushed to Basohli. They held negotiations with the people and conceded their demand that accused would be arrested within the next 24 hours. Following talks, a FIR was also registered at Basohli police station.

Late in the afternoon, the people called off their strike.

Darkness in day due to thick black clouds
Flights remain suspended from Jammu airport

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: The air-link between Jammu to Srinagar and Jammu to Delhi and vice versa remained suspended as thick black clouds reduced visibility considerably throughout the day today at Jammu.

The normal life was also disrupted as heavy rains lashed Jammu and its surrounding areas for hours together. The Meteorological Department of Indian Air Force (IAF) recorded 42.6 mm rainfall.

It was due to poor visibility throughout the day that none of the flights of both Indian Airlines (IA) and Jet Airways either took off from Jammu Airport or landed there. "The air-link between Jammu to Srinagar and Jammu to Delhi remained suspended throughout the day as visibility was very low due to thick black clouds", spokesmen of the Jet Airways and Indian Airlines said.

The flights of both Jet Airways and IA did take off from Delhi Airport for Jammu but due to inclement weather they were diverted to Srinagar. The flight of Indian Airlines from Delhi to Srinagar was delayed by 45 minutes while Jet Airways flight on the same air route was on time.

The passengers of both the flights had to wait for hours together at Jammu Airport for the resumption of the flight but the weather forced the authorities concerned to cancel the flights from Jammu to Srinagar and Jammu to Delhi.

But the incliment weather had little impact on the trains which on scheduled time reached at Jammu Railway Station and left the same for different stations of other states. "Some trains did run late but that delay was not due to inclement weather", a spokesman of the Norther Railways at Jammu said.

Meanwhile, Jammu city and its suburbs received heavy downpour and pools of water got collected at most places. Many low-lying areas were flooded by the rain waters. Such was the poor visibility that vehicular traffic was moving at snail’s place that too while switching on the head-lights right from 10 am as black clouds continued to hover in the sky.

The vehicular traffic remained disrupted for hours together at some places on Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot National Highway as all the nullahs were flooded with rain water.

According to Met Department, the 42.6 mm rainfall has reduced the day temperature by 9.2 Degree celcius while the night temperature registered 1.7 degree celcius decrease. The department forecasts clouds with smoke haze and thunder shower for tomorrow.

Tanishq to launch special exchange scheme from tomorrow

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: Tanishq, India’s leading national jeweller today announced the launch of a unique ‘impure gold to diamond exchange offer’ at its exclusive boutique in Jammu at Hotel Samrat, Jammu.

Under the scheme, the customer’s impure gold jewellery upwards of 17 kt will be valued at 22kt by Tanishq and exchanged for certified diamond jewellery. Having availed the offer, the customer would be entitled to a further 3 percent discount on the value over and above the exchange value so long as the jewellery is a diamond one. The scheme will start from October 14 and will continue till November 2, 2002.

"This scheme is a great opportunity for women who have always aspired to buy diamonds but perceived them to be expensive, Tanishq’s diamond collection is very affordably priced with on third of the total collection priced below Rs 10,000 and so our customers can make the most of this attractive offer", said Mr Bhuwan Gourav, regional manager North, Tanishq.

"Most people are not sure of the quality of diamonds they buy. Local jewellers use their own terms to describe the quality of diamonds. At Tanishq, however, we use very high quality. Unlike local jewellers, we follow the international diamond grading standards that find a mention in the certificate of guarantee issued with every products", said Ms Saroja Y L, senior manager, sales and marketing.

Court rejects bail in dowry death case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: First Additional Sessions Judge Jammu, Mr Jang Bahadur Singh Jamwal has rejected the bail application of accused Mukesh Kumar, S/o Nanak Chand of Nai Basti Jammu, who is facing trial for abetting his wife to commit suicide.

While rejecting the bail application, Mr Jamwal observed that the National Crime Records Bureau in its report in 1994 revealed an increasing number of crimes against women. "The women in India is raped after every 54 minutes and is killed after one day. If the courts don’t rise to the occasion and do not let the accused escort-free, the court is sure the day is not far-off when womenhood will live in peace as it used to be in olden days when women were worshipped in Indian society", it was observed.

According to the prosecution case, the brother of the deceased Babli Devi, made a written report to the Police stating therein that the accused Pinki Devi, wife of elder brother of the husband of the deceased and husband Mukesh Kumar were teasing the deceased and demanding many costlier items. On failure to bring the dowry items, the deceased Babli Devi on April 18, 2001 poured kerosene oil on her self and set her self ablaze. She was immediately shifted to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. A case was registered against the accused.

JKNPP announces Bhim Singh as Chief Ministerial candidate

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 12: The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) has announced Prof Bhim Singh, supremo of the party, as Chief Ministerial candidate of the party and asked all elected members of the Assembly to support candidature of Prof Singh.

This was announced by Mr Haresh Dev Singh, Legislator Party leader of the JKNPP while addressing a press conference after meeting of the newly elected Legislators of the party.

"Prof Bhim is the only candidate which is acceptable to people of all the three regions namely Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh irrespective of their cast, creed, colour and religion", he said and asserted that JKNPP has superior claim to form Government under the leadership of Prof Bhim Singh with the support of different political groups. "The State of Jammu and Kashmir is passing through a crucial time and only a person of the stature of Prof Bhim Singh can face the prevailing challenges", he said and appealed to the all political parties and individuals who have been elected as members of the Legislature Assembly, for the support.

Mr Harsh Dev Singh said that though there are two prominent leaders in the race for Chief Minister but Prof Bhim Singh is new face and is acceptable to all the people and all regions.

Though JKNPP has announced Prof Bhim Singh as its Chief Ministerial candidate but Harsh Dev Singh made it clear that they will create hurdle if any other group forms Government.

Earlier a meeting of the newly elected MLAs of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party was held under the chairmanship of Prof Bhim Singh. In the meeting Mr Harsh Dev Singh was elected as leader of the JKNPP Legislative Party. Mr Harsh Dev Singh was elected from Ramnagar constituency with a margin of more than 17,000 votes. Mr Harsh Dev Singh has retained Ramnagar seat.

Mr Fariq Chand, who was elected from Chenani-Ghordi constituency, has been elected as Deputy leader of the JKNPP Legislature Party. Mr Faqir Chand snatched this seat from BJP. Born in a remote village of tehsil Ramnagar, he belongs to a poor family. He is also chairman of the SC&ST committee of the JKNPP.

‘Giant-Killer’ Balwant Singh Mankotia was elected as chief whip of the Legislative Party. He has defeated Pawan Gupta, son of senior BJP leader Lala Shiv Charan Gupta, from prestigious Udhampur constituency. Founder of the Dogra Kranti Dal, Mr Mankotia has launched several agitation for the last eight years to liberate his people from the ruthless, corrupt and draconian Kashmiri rulers. He is also president of the Teachers Association of private schools.

Mr Yash Pal Kundal, who has created a history by winning Samba seat, was elected as secretary of the Legislature Party.

Mr Kundal led 30 days dharna in front of the Samba tehsil headquarters in July 2002 in support of the creation of district in Samba as was recommended by the Wazir Commission.

No fair representation to fair sex in 9th J&K Assembly

SRINAGAR, Oct 12: The results of just concluded Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections have proved that the State is no exception in denying a fair representation to the fair sex with less than one per cent making it to the 87-member ninth State Assembly.

Though 26 women filed their nominations in the elections, Mehbooba Mufti of People’s Democratic Party was the lone woman who could make it to the State Assembly reflecting a sentiment for their insignificant representation in political arena, common in various State Assemblies.

Significantly, more than 700 men candidates contested the 2002 elections.

While some of the women candidates, who failed to make it to the Lower House, said the people of the State are not yet mentally comfortable with a woman representative, others blamed the poor show on fear of violence which restricted their movements during election campaign resulting in less or no awareness about their candidature among the respective constituencies.

Out of 26, four candidates were fielded by National Conference from Noorabad, Wachi and Habbakadal (all from Valley) and Jammu East. The candidates included Minister in the outgoing NC Government, Sakina Itoo, who escaped four attacks by militants during poll campaigning.

Congress had also fielded four candidates, Khemlata Wakhlo from Sonawar, Amren Badr from Budgam, Swaran Lata from Samba and Suman Lata Bhagat from R S Pora. The major chunk of women candidates this time were independents numbering 10 - Hafeeza Begum from Pampore, Mehar Noor from Noorabad, Farhat from Dooru, Santosh Suri from Reasi, V R Pathania from Bilawar, Kamla Devi from Ramban, Khlida Tabassum from Amirakadal, Hafiza Begum from Sonawar, Noor Jehan and Minu Jamwal both from Gandhinagar.

All of them failed to make it to the State Assembly.

Other political parties which fielded women candidates were Nationalist Congress Party with one, Janata Dal (U) with one and Panthers Party with two.

While Khlida Mushtaq represented NCP from Devsar, Afroza Qadir of JD (U) contested from Amirakadal and Shameema Begum from Batmaloo and Shameema Rather from Chadoora were Panther Party candidates, who were among the losers.

The poor representation of fair sex in the ninth State Assembly is inspite of the fact that half the population of Jammu and Kashmir, women - who have been worst sufferers of at more than decade-old-militancy in the State - have been always an underprivileged lot. (PTI)

Pak election creats history
Jihadis’ strong showing is highly ominous

By B L Kak

Never before in the chequered history of Pakistan did anyone come across the scenario as it unfolded itself, step by step, at the end of the just-concluded general election to the national and provincial assemblies. In the previous polls, Islamic religious parties failed to win even 10 per cent votes.

Significantly, this time, when all of the nations, the United States of America (USA), seened quite keen on the return of majority of moderates on Pakistan’s political scene, these parties registered an impressive victory at the hustings.

A hurried look at the poll results made the average Pakistan-watcher to conclude: By far the most significant event has been triggered by a big boost received by the Islamist hardliners. True, Gen. Parvez Musharraf’s arch political foes, Mr Nawaz Sharief and Ms Benazir Bhutto, did prove that their respective parties have taken roots in their homeland, Pakistan. But the performance of hardliners has sprung a mine on the ones within and outside Pakistan who wanted the return on the scene of relatively moderate political class.

Astounding victory of the Muthida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) in the volatile North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) has, to say the least, set off alarm bells for the United States and India. Mutihada Majlis-e-Amal, secretly aided and abetted by hardliners within the Pak Armed Forces and the ISI,is an alliance of six extremist Islamic groups, each one of them supporting the dreaded Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

These two organisations’ hatred for the USA is much more greater and pronounced than that for other European and Western nations. But the anti-India scheme of things of both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda has continued even after the collapse of the Taliban regime as a result of America’s direct military intervention. No wonder, animated discussions on this side of the Indo-Pak border over how the jihadis will act in the coming weeks and months.

The MAM—the conglomerate of jihadis, to be precise—has, much against the wishes of the average moderate in Pakistan and elsewhere, managed to have a good showing not only in the provincial assembly of NWFP but also in the national assembly. True, Gen. Musharraf himself is a bit uneasy, in view of the unexpected response he got from a number of candidates fielded by Mr Nawaz Sharief and Ms Benazir Bhutto. But Gen. Musharraf’s success on a crucial front cannot be under-estimated.

In plain language, his hope for a strong jihadi showing to undercut the mainstream parties has, to a large extent, been realised. In the run-up to the polls, and, significantly, after the strong showing by the pro-Taliban jihadis in the NWFP, the US State Department again urged Gen. Musharraf to turn off the infiltration tap in respect of Jammu and Kashmir.

But the situation, as it develops, will, Pakistan-watchers anticipate, be different, if one were to take into account the accounts opened by the jihadis after their participation in the elections. At this juncture, the poll results haven’t caused many a ripple in the power corridors on this side of the Indo-Pak border. But the word has gone out, clearly suggesting further intensification of vigil by Indian border guards.

As the elections have created a set of problems for Gen. Musharraf, he cannot be expected to get his influence further depleted by putting the most emotive Kashmir issue on the backburner. Any doubts, in this regard, have been set at rest by the General himself when he stated on Saturday in Islamabad that Kashmir "will continue to be uppermost on my mind".

Did it suggest that the Pak military leadership will not allow turning off the infiltration tap? Obviously, yes. No wonder,security specialists on this side of the border don’t expect Gen. Musharraf to ignore the jihadis’ strong showing and to end infiltration into J&K in the immediate future.