Tarigami demands probe in killing of student

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29: Communist Party Of India (Marxist), CPI (M), state secretary, and MLA Kulgam, Mr Mohammad Yousf Tarigami has demanded a thorough probe into the killing of a 12th class student in Khanabal Anantnag recently.

In a statement, issued here today, Mr Tarigami also demanded that the Government should trace the culprits and punish them. He said the officers found guilty for negligence should also be delt under the law.

The CPI (M) leader while quoting the inhabitants of the area alleged that during his recent visit to the locality he was told that the ill fated boy Mr Mohammad Ayub Bhat was arrested by the police sometime back and after seeking his bail orders from the Court on December 14, the boy was released from the police custody.

Mr Tarigami said no sooner the boy alongwith his parents came out of police station and was on his way to his house he was whisked away by some unknown persons forcibly leaving the parents in lurch. Next day the dead body of the boy was found at Anchidoora in Anantnag.

He said there is a brewing resentment among the people of the town against the incident who alleged that it was a custodial death.

The MLA has also brought the matter in the notice of Divisional Commissioner and Director General of Police (DGP) who have assured him that the matter will be investigated and culprits brought to book.

BJP decides strategy for second phase of agitation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29; As a second phase of its agitation against the hike in power and water tariff the City unit of Bharatiya Janat Party (BJP) will take out a torch light procession in the city on January 4.

This was decided in the meeting of City office bearers of the Party held here under the chairmanship of Mr Satya Paul Grover, city Unity chief, A BJP handout issued here today said.

The meeting was held to take the stock of the situation created due to the first phase of agitation held on December 26 outside the Office of Divisional Commissioner. The meeting decided to intensify the agitation to force the state Government to withdraw the price hike decision.

The BJP while criticising the decision said it was taken to tax the people who have been paying the tariff and other taxes regularly.

The Party warned that the discrimination with the people will not be tolerated at any cost and the Party will fight against the same at all fronts.

The torch light procession will start from Pradesh BJP office on January 4 from 5 pm and it will culminate at Mandir Chowk.

Among the others who attended todays meeting include Dr Mohan Lal Gupta, Messrs Dev Raj Sharma, Mangat Ram Gupta, Amar Nath Gupta, Rajesh Khajuria, Dr D P Suman, Murari Lal Balgotra, Krishan Lal Gupta, Surinder Sharan, Sian Dass, Vimal Jain and Subash Jandial.

YHAI to organise trekking camp in Doda district

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29: The first ever trekking camp by Youth Hostel Association, since the erruption of militancy in the state, will be organised in January at Padar area of the Doda district.

It was revealed by the Joint secretary of Youth Hostels Association of India, Kashmir unit, Mr P V Rawal while addressing a press conference, here today.

Mr Rawal regretted that state unit of the Association could not organise any trekking camp in Jammu and Kashmir, after the erruption of insurgency since 1990. "The State Government did not agree to provide security cover to the trekkers and the Association felt it was risky to conduct camps in the militancy-infested state," he said

"However, the YHAI has now selected some safe and short routes in Jammu region for the nature study, if not trekking," said Mr S P Verma, life member of YHAI.

Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI) which offers cheap, and best accommodation in youth hostels throughout the country, also organises trekking, adventure sports, said Mr Rawal.

Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI) is a constituent of International Youth Hostel Federation linked by a chain of over 6000 youth hostels in 65 countries.

On the occasion, Mr Rawal disclosed that construction work of the youth hostel at Nagrota had been completed and the same would start functioning shortly whereas land for same at Leh has been selected and the work may started very soon.

The press conference was to be addressed by Dr Harish Kumar Saxena, national chairman of YHAI but he could not reach Jammu.

Court work affected due to strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29: The work in the High Court of Jammu Wing as well as in the subordinate courts was paralised today due to the strike of Lawyers.

The Bar Association Jammu yesterday in a meeting of general house had decided for two days strike on December 29 and 30 in protest against the policies of Central and State Governments for appointing law officers in the High Court of Jammu Wing and other courts from Kashmiri Lawyers and ignoring the rights of Jammu lawyers.

Today a number of Jammu lawyers assembled in the High Court complex and subordinate courts complex and expressed their resentment over the attitude of both the Governments for neglecting Jammu region in every sphere of life. The former president of Bar Association Jammu Mr R P Jamwal in a statement asked the State Government to issue a white paper on the expenditure occurred on the Kashmiri migrants and also issue a detailed note on the casualities of the Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims in militant activities.

JKTF delegation meets Tariq

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29: A high level delegation of Jammu and Kashmir Teachers’ Forum under the chairmanship of Mr Abdul Qayoom Wani called on the School Education Minister Mr M S Tariq.

As per a release, the controversy created by the Financial Advisor’s circular regarding release of initial high start was discussed and Mr Tariq issued on spot instructions to remove the controversy forthwith. The Minister directed the Commissioner-cum-Secretary School Education to put up the files regarding pay anomaly and leave encashment for speedy disposal as the matters have already been accepted by the Government and the Chief Minister himself at Srinagar.

The delegation also discussed the problems being faced by migrant teachers at Jammu who have not been given promotional benefit and other related benefits since 1991. The Education Minister issued on spot instructions for speedy disposal of the problems of the migrant teachers.

The delegation thanked the Education Minister for bringing wholesome change in the School Education Department.

The Forum warned the state administration not to back track from the agreement from the agreement, for, such a move will prove costly. However after meeting with the School Education Minister, the Forum postponed the programme of dharna as also the state-wide agitation.

Government urged to hold dialogue with employees

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29; Various social and political organisations have expressed serious concern over the Government ‘s rigid stand on the employees demands.

In their separate statements these organisations have urged the Government to take immediate steps of holding parlays with striking employees so that the present stalemate ends.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA from Samba Mr Som Nath while expressing his solidarity with the striking employees urged the Government to solve their demands immediately.

He said any further delay on the part of the Government will precipitate the situation further and increase the problems of the poor masses.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress-I leaders Messrs Yogesh Sawhney, Ashok Sharma, Dr Kanwal Singh, Hakum Chand Sharma, Raj Kumar and Tashwant Singh held the National Conference Government responsible for the present situation created due to employees strike.

Congress workers at a meeting held at R S Pura under the chairmanship of Mr Darshan Raina, senior Party leader expressed serious concern over Government’s silence viz-a viz employees strike. He urged the Government to negotiate with employees leaders immediately.

Mr J L Khar a social and political leader while expressing his concern over the Government’s indifferent attitude towards employees demands

urged the authorities to hold a meaningful dialogue with the leaders of both public sector and Government employees so that the present stalemate ends. National Council for Common Cause has also expressed its grave concern over the situation arising from employees strike and blamed Government for adopting an irresponsible attitude for the same.

BJYM district committee Rajouri also met here to take the stock of the situation created due to ongoing employees strike. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr Pushpinder Gupta, BJYM district general secretary.

It blamed the Government for adopting a rigid stand on the genuine demands of the employees. The meeting was also attended by Messrs Vikas Gupta, Vivek Mahajan and Rajesh Bunty.

3 booklets released

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 29: Three booklets on the development registered in the districts of Doda, Udhampur and Poonch were released at a colourful cultural evening organised by the State Information Department at the auditorium of Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu here today.

The Transport Minister, Mr B A Kitchloo released the booklet of Doda district while the Industries Minister, Mr Bodh Raj Bali released the booklet of Udhampur district and the Agriculture Minister, Mr Nisar Ahmed ‘Khan released the booklet of Poonch district. The special publications list out the efforts made by the Government on socio-economic development for last two years in these districts.

Later, a colourful cultural programme was also presented by the artists of the Cultural Wing of the Department and the students of the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Mubarak Mandi.

Speaking after the release of the booklet, Mr Kitchloo said that the State had not fully got rid of militancy and still many far-flung districts are under spell of residual militancy. He said that the new Government was not only confronting bravely with the militancy but many evils like poverty, unemployment, natural calamities and illiteracy had also to be dealt with on priority basis. He said that efforts were afoot to spread a road communication network throughout the State.

Referring to the killings of innocent persons, living below poverty lineby Pak sponsored militants, Mr Kitchloo said that Pakistan should concentrate on the welfare of its own people rather than pushing in infiltrators to our side. He said that new road communication from Paddar-Pangi linking Himachal Pradesh with Doda district are under construction. Besides Bhadarwah-Chamba road, Basholi-Bhaderwah road are likely to be completed within a period of two years. Besides Kishtwar-Sarthal road is also under speedy construction, he added. He said a new era of developments has started in the State and the Government was determined to provide security of life and property to every citizens.

Mr Bali said that the present Government took the reins of administration two years ago after a devastating period of about 8 years of militancy which had crumbled the edifice of the State. He said that just after taking over the administration of the State, the new popular Government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah restored almost all the institutions which had suffered a severe setback during the period of militancy.

The hopes for a new and bright future were revived and the people heaved a sigh of relief, Mr Bali added. He said that despite many challanges from within and across the borders the new Government succeeded in giving phillip to all the developmental sectors as well as winning the faith of the people of the State. He said that development was a slow process and so we have still to go many steps ahead on all the sectors to full fill the dream of new Kashmir.