VDC member
kills wife, daughter Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Nov 3: Two civilians were killed in exchange of firing between militants and Army personnel at village Pattan Gana in Palangar area near Behrot this morning. The killings were preceded by a powerful explosion at Behrot triggered with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Meanwhile, a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member gunned down his wife and infant daughter in his house at village Dalori, near here last mid-night. Official reports received here said a blast occurred on the roadside at Behrot at about 0825 hours today without causing any casualty or damage as the road was isolated at that time. The blast was triggered by an IED fitted by the militants with a view to blow up security or civilian vehicles on the road. Soon after the explosion, a team of Army personnel rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area to apprehend militants responsible for planting the IED. Sources said troops sighted a group of three militants moving towards village Pattan Gana in Palangar area, about one km from the scene of explosion. Army personnel, assisted with additional re-inforcement from their camp, rushed towards the spot and challenged the militants. An encounter ensued between the two sides at 0930 hours which continued till 1300 hours. In the exchange of firing, the sources said, two civilians including a shopkeeper were killed. However, the militants managed to escape during the cross-firing and disappeared in an adjoining forest area. Army continued search operations to apprehend the militants but success hadn’t been achieved till tonight. The civilians killed in cross-firing have been identified as Manzoor Ahmed, 25, son of Abdul Sattar, a shopkeeper and Zubair Ahmed, 24 son of Gul Mohd, both residents of Pattan Gana village. Manzoor Ahmed was sitting in his shop while Zubair was moving towards his house when they were killed in the firing. Their dead bodies were removed to a local hospital and were handed over to their families after post-mortem. The civilian killings sparked off tension in the village. No casualty was reported on Army side during the encounter, the sources said. Meanwhile, a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member Sher Singh gunned down his wife Shunka Devi and a five month old unnamed daughter at his house in village Dalori in Gharat area, near here last mid-night. The killings were executed with an official weapon assigned to the VDC member, the sources said, adding the reason behind the killings couldn’t be ascertained immediately. A police party from Rajouri led by DySP Headquarters Mr Bashir Ahmed rushed to the village early this morning after getting a report and arrested the VDC member. His official weapon has also been seized by the police. Dead bodies of the victims were cremated this evening by other family members of the victim and local people. Police have registered a case against the VDC member and started investigations. |
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BSF
jawan killed in Pak firing Excelsior Correspondent HIRANAGAR, Nov 3: Outrightly rejecting the much touted ‘relief package’ announced by the State Government, the displaced villagers camping at the tehsil headquarters have decided to gherao the Civil Secretariat to intensify their agitation. A ministerial team, which visited the displaced persons at their camp, had to return empty hand as the villagers were reluctant to return. Meanwhile, a BSF jawan fell victim to the unprovoked Pakistani firing at village Londi early this morning. Even as the Government has announced a comprehensive relief package for the border people, a sense of insecurity was looming large in the entire 40 kms border belt of this tehsil. As Pakistani firing remained unabated, villagers of Pansar, Rathua, Maniari, Kodyala, Chack Chandre, Muthi Charu, Muthi, Mangu Chak and Bobiya were also planning to move out of their villages enmasse to protect their lives. ‘What is the fun of announcing free ration or cash relief for the victim", asked Vijay Sharma, a displaced villager while reacting to the Government’s relief package. Dubbing the package as a ‘cruel-joke’, Mr Vijay said "we are demanding security but they are giving us ration". "We are capable enough to earn our livelihood", he said and asked the Government not to treat them as beggars. Criticising authorities for making contrary statements, Ram Parshad of village Londi said that right to life was a fundamental right and it was duty of the State to protect their basic right. The displaced villagers have rejected the package and announced that unless the Government didn’t sort out the problems with Pakistan , they would not return to their native places. A meeting of the displaced villagers was held under the chairmanship of Mr Nanak Chand Sharma, president of the Border Union to chalk out the future course of action. It was decided in the meeting to organise a ‘Challo-Jammu’ march on November 9, on the opening day of the Secretariat, in case Government failed to accept their demand. Villagers warned the Government against spreading disinformation regarding the migrations from the border villages. Talking to EXCELSIOR, Mr Nar Singh, chairman of the Border Union said that make-shift arrangement should be made for them until situation turns normal in the border belt. MLA Hiranagar, Mr Prem Lal, on the other hand, has asked the Government to immediately heed the miseries of the displaced persons camping at tehsil headquarters. He demanded some safe places for the families of Londi and Khawaraha. He extended full support to the demands of migrant families. "I’m fully with the migrants", he declared. However, the Pakistani Rangers continued their unprovoked firing on the border areas of Jammu district. Despite being deserted by the villagers, the Pakistani troops continued unprovoked firing on Londi village. They resorted to heavy firing before dawn today. A BSF jawan who was on patrolling received severe injuries in the firing and later succumbed. The deceased has been identified as Dilbagh Singh of the 35th Bn of the Border Security Force. The BSF jawans retaliated and firing continued till this afternoon. Firing has also reported from Jogwan, Pallanwalla, Rajpura, Takwal, Jamanaballa and other areas of Akhnoor sector. While entire population had deserted Londi, a Health dispensary continued to run there by Dr N D Sharma. A three member ministerial team comprising Industry Minister, Mr Bodh Raj Bali, Sheep and Animal Husbandry Minister, Mr Surjeet Singh Slathia and Food and Supplies Minister, Mr Ajay Sadhotra, visited the migrant villagers at tehsil headquarters and asked them to return. They assured fool proof security to the villagers. The visiting ministers were taken to task by the agitating villagers who were demanding some safe place for their family members. The villagers ridiculed team’s security assurances as a BSF jawan was killed in Pakistani firing early morning at village Londi despite the repeated assurances of the authorities. SRTC salaries worth Rs 14.62 lakh missing Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Cash worth Rs 14.62 lakh has disappeared from an office of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) at Parimpora during last night. Official sources said that the salaries of SRTC employees worth Rs 14.62 lakh disappeared in mysterious circumstances in the custody of an SRTC employee near Truck Terminal Parimpora. Investigations began today after the cashier lodged an FIR with Police Station Parimpora. While as the cashier stated that he had put the cash in an iron safe before leaving his office last evening, the Chowkidar told police that he was watchful by midnight and after that he hit the bed. This morning, the iron safe containing cash worth over Rs 14 lakh was missing from the office. Police interrogated a number of SRTC employees including a Manager, an Accounts Officer, an Accountant, a cashier and a Chowkidar who all denied knowledge of the incident. Surprisingly, cash worth Rs 20 lakh was found intact in an ordinary wardrobe. Investigations are said to be underway as to how the iron safe containing cash worth Rs 14 lakh disappeared and how the cashier had kept a hefty amount of Rs 34 lakh at an unsafe place. Another massive haul
of explosives in Valley Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 3: While as security forces eliminated two foreign militants in an encounter near Kupwara, huge quantities of arms and ammunition were recovered at several places in the Valley today. Official sources said that two unidentified militants, believed to be foreigners, got killed in an encounter with Army at Chontipora in Kupwara district. One AK-56 rifle with 125 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the spot. A large haul of explosives was unearthed by troops of a Garhwal Regiment in the capital city outskirts of Palapora early this morning. Sources said that on the basis of specific information, troops conducted a raid at Shunglipora, Palapora on the northern periphery of the capital city. 285 kg of explosive, 200 metres of fuse-wire, 5 kg of RDX, 15 hand grenades and 2 detonators were recovered from the village. Sub Area Commander Brigadier Tripat Singh said that the explosive stock had been smuggled into the capital city lately with the specific purpose of sabotaging the annual Durbar Move. However, he said, the strict vigil and pressure mounted on militant activity had denied the militants an opportunity to disturb the Durbar Move. In October, Army had recovered the biggest-ever haul of explosives, weighing 770 kgs, from Tangmarg area. From Kobal Marg forest area of Kupwara, security forces recovered one UMG, two disposable rocket-launchers, 18 grenades, 8 stick grenades, 6 remote control devices, and 5 IED circuits. Official sources said that a Pak-trained militant surrendered before the security forces at Wusan in Kangan area with one AK-56 rifle, 8 hand grenades, 15 detonators, 12 single and double barrel guns and 3 kg of explosive. CM, MoS Home visiting
devastated Tangdar today Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 3: While as the death toll due to heavy artillery and mortar shelling on Tangdar has reached 4, Pakistani Army today diverted their offensive to another border village, namely Titwal, where three houses got damaged and an equal number of civilians sustained injuries. in all, 24 people have sustained injuries while as 52 residential houses have suffered damage at the border villages of Tangdar and Titwal since Monday morning. Authoritative sources at Kupwara told EXCELSIOR that in all one woman and three men, including an employee of Border Roads Organisation, got killed in Monday's daylong artillery and mortar shelling by Pakistani troops on Tangdar. As already reported by this newspaper, the unprecedented Pakistani offensive began early in the morning on Monday. Two persons had died instantly while as two more, including the BRO employee, succumbed to injuries in the evening. Pakistani troops diverted their shelling to Titwal, 8 km from Tangdar, today as three residential houses got damaged and three civilians sustained injuries. A total of 20 civilians and an Army Havildar had got injured at Tangdar on Monday. Six of the critically injured civilians including Mangta Khatana of Kupwara, Gulshan daughter of Mangta Lone and Misra wife of Shah Zaman, residents of Tangdar, were airlifted to the capital city and admitted at Bone & Joint Hospital. Sources said that the arm of a critically injured male was amputated at B&J Hospital today. Badly damaged leg of an Army Head Constable Srinivasan was amputated last evening. Sources said that in all 13 residential houses were destroyed completely while as 34 houses suffered partial damage. As already reported, a village mosque, Food & Supplies depot, two shops, one Army barrack, three Army vehicle, a fuel depot of security forces had suffered extensive damage on Monday when the brigade headquarters as well as the nearby Tangdar village faced heavy artillery and mortar shelling from Pakistani troops on Monday. The Sub District Hospital at Tangdar also suffered partial damage. Even as the security forces claimed to have retaliated with ‘‘an appropriate response’’ and ‘‘silenced’’ Pakistani guns, the hostile troops directed their strike on Titwal today and left three civilians injured. Three residential houses got destroyed. Highly-placed sources in the Security Wing of J&K Police told EXCELSIOR that Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister of State Home Mushtaq Ahmed Lone and Director General of Police Gurbachan Jagat would be visiting the devastated Tangdar township in a helicopter on Wednesday. The Chief Minister was likely to take stock of the latest obtaining situation at Tangdar and Titwal with the Army authorities as also to monitor the relief measures and supplies of medicine and food. HC orders civil prison to SSRB chairman, member Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 3: In a land mark judgement, Mr Justice Arun Kumar Goel of State High Court Jammu Wing has ordered that the then Chairman and a member of the Subordinate Services Recruitment Board be lodged in civil prison for 15 days in default of payment of fine of Rs 1000 each for not implementing a judgement of the court. The order was passed in a contempt petition filed by Pritam Dass Sharma and 15 other aggrieved candidates of tehsil Sunderbani in Rajouri wherein they have stated that the contemnors did not carry out a judgement of the court regarding selection of teachers. The then Justice M L Koul had passed some direction to the SSSRB authorities while disposing off a writ petition filed by the aggrieved candidates against selection of teachers in the district in the year 1989. Vide judgement dated October 25, 1993 the court had upheld the contentions of the petitioners but instead of quashing the selection, had directed the authorities to consider the petitioners afresh for appointments on ‘‘preferential basis’’. Mr Justice Goel observed the directions to examine the case of the petitioners on ‘‘preferential basis’’ issued by the single judge is not without meaning and also not a surplusage. ‘‘It was for the respondents SSRB Chairman S L Sailova and the then member Ghulam Abbas Shah to show from the record that they had examined their case on such basis and further required to prima facie demonstrate that how and in what manner the case of petitioner was examined on ‘‘preferential basis’’, he said. The court further observed that ‘‘preferential basis’’ would in the text of the present case mean giving some advantage to the petitioner over other similarily situate persons but the record does not indicate any such thing. ‘‘None of the respondent appear to have considered that matter in the light of the mandate of the court. The respondents should have been conscious of the writ of this court and were further required to carry out the same to ensure that the rule of law as well as its majesty and dignity are upheld’’. Mr Justice Goel said this court is satisfied that respondent Chairman and member have not at all carried out the writ of this court. Rather they have treated it as non-est. And when they were put to notice both of them tried to justify their disobedience instead of making mends. Thus both respondents were held liable to be punished. They were find Rs 1000 each in default of the payment. They shall be lodged in civil prison for 15 days. The punishment was however suspended for three months to enable them to comply the order of the court. Mr D K Khajuria appeared for petitioners, D S Choushan and R K Bhatia for respondents. Abducted female students recovered from Railway Station Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 3: Police have recovered two young girls of RS Pura, who had allegedly been ‘kidnapped’ by two boys of the same area, about 10 days back from Jammu Railway Station. The boys and girls were trying to board a train to leave Jammu when they were caught by the police personnel. Police sources said a police party of Railway Station saw the boys and girls moving mysteriously at the Railway Station trying to get tickets for a New Delhi bound train this morning. Police, which had already been given the photographs of missing girls and boys, chased them. The boys fled from the platform after seeing the approaching police personnel. However, the girls couldn’t escape and were apprehended by the police party. The girls were handed over to RS Pura police station where their families had registered a report of kidnapping against both the boys identified as Janak Raj son of Hans Raj of Nandpur and Rajesh Kumar son of Rattan Lal, a resident of village Gurdian. Police continued search for the absconding boys but they managed to give a slip to the police, the sources said, adding efforts were on to apprehend them. Police said the girls had eloped with the boys with their consent though family members of both the girls had lodged a report of kidnapping against them at RS Pura police station. Both the girls—who were students of Matric— had gone for private tuition at RS Pura on October 24 evening from where they were whisked away by the boys. Since then, police was looking for both boys and girls but they had remained untraced. RS Pura police have restored the girls to their families after recording their statements and preliminary questioning. Police said after putting up at different places during 10 days, the boys and girls were trying to escape to New Delhi when they were captured by the police. CM denounces sectarian
hatred; Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah has asked the people to eschew bickerings and maintain unity and brotherhood in which lie the key to success. He said Islam preached unity and equality and denounced sectarian hatred and prejudice, created by some self-interested persons. Addressing a mammoth gathering at Zadibal on the foundation stone laying ceremony of Imambara, the Chief Minister said that religious places belong to every human-being and not a particular community or a sect as these are solely meant for worship to God for seeking His blessings. However, the division of worship places on the basis of sectarian politics by some vested interests has sown the seeds of dissension between the sects of the same religion. He said unity and integration would enable us to grapple over the problems and hardships in day-to-day life. He said that late Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah always believed in religious amity and unity and it was Sher-i-Kashmir who allowed Muharam processions to pass through during broad-day light saying that Dr Farooq Abdullah would personally participate in the main procession on Ashura. The Chief Minister said the militancy has brought untold miseries to the people and shattered the economy as well as education in the State. He said Pakistan has now resorted to unprovoked shelling on our border areas of Kargil and Karnah which has damaged several educational and health institutions besides causing loss of lives. The tourism industry which provided livelihood to a sizeable population of the Valley was in moribund in the wake of militancy and the State Government has taken series of measures to revive this industry. He said the Government is keen to revive the academic culture in the professional colleges of the Valley. The Jhelum Valley College (JVC) which was in shambles has been taken over by the Government and about 84 students would be admitted in the College this year. Dr Abdullah made a fervent appeal to the people to maintain the surroundings of historic and worship places saying that these should appear to be splendid and attractive for the visitors. He announced formulation of a Master Plan for the proposed Imambara at Zadibal adding that steps would be taken for resettlement of the affected families so that the dream of a architectually grand Imambara could be translated into a reality within the next three years. Earlier, the Housing and Urban Development Minister, Molvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari highlighted the historical importance of the existing Zadibal Imambara tracing its origin to 1518 AD passing through several upheavals as the existing structure of the Imambara is as old as 128 years. He said the proposed Imambara would be sprawling over an area of 170x170 feet with 120 feet high Minaret and 84 feet wide tomb. Costing about Rs 7 crores, the Imambara will have holy Quranic verses inscribed on the structure for which technical expertise from Iran would be sought. The Imambara would be master-piece to attract domestic tourists and locals as well. The Chief Minister also inspected the new model of the Imambara and evinced keen interest in it. Present on the occasion, were Minister of State for Roads and Buildings, Mr Qamar Ali Akhoon and the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Khurshid Ahmed Ganai. PM refuses to accept
resignation CALCUTTA, Nov 3: Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee today resigned from the Coordination Committee of the ruling BJP-led coalition in protest against the Vajpayee Government’s "failure" to check price rise. Banerjee sent her resignation to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, chairman of the Coordination Committee, in a sealed envelope through the Trinamool Congress delegation which left for Delhi this morning. Official sources in New Delhi, meanwhile, said the Prime Minister had refused to accept Banerjee’s resignation and directed Defence Minister George Fernandes to rush to Calcutta to persuade her not to press her decision. Announcing her decision here, Banerjee said that despite requesting the Central Government to convene a meeting of Chief Ministers to arrest the price rise, the Vajpayee Government did not act in time. "The Centre should be assertive, effective and positive. It should direct the State Governments to take action against hoarders and profiteers under the Essential Commodities Act", she told newsmen at Raj Bhavan after meeting State Governor A R Kidwai on the price rise issue. Banerjee said that had the Centre kept vigil, the State Governments would have taken action against the hoarders. The firebrand leader said "I have sacrificed my membership in the Committee. I hope this will pressurise the Government to take effective steps to curb the price hike". When told that the Centre had already convened a meeting of State Chief Secretaries, Banerjee said the Chief Secretaries could not convey "political message". She appreciated the steps taken by the Vajpayee Government in this respect but said it was late. "But it is always better late than never," she added. To a question whether she would rejoin the Committee if the BJP requested her, the Trinamool Congress leader replied, "I am not withdrawing my resignation. I want that the people should get relief". Asked if she would talk to Defence Minister George Fernandes, who was asked to rush here to persuade Banerjee, she retorted "why can’t I talk to Fernandes ? he is our friend. We are all friendly allies". (PTI) Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 3: A civilian was gunned down by the militants at Chatroo in Doda district last night. The deceased has been identified as Manzoor Ahmed. According to official reports, militants shot dead Manzoor Ahmed inside his house when he was asleep. Militants escaped after the killing. Chatroo police have registered a case in the killing and started investigations. No arrest has been made so far. President, PM greet people on Guru Nanak’s birthday NEW DELHI, Nov 3: President K R Narayanan, Vice President Krishan Kant and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today greeted people on the eve of Guru Nanak’s birthday. In his message the President wished that Guru Nanak’s teachings kindle the spirit of harmony and mutual faith and unite the society. Vice President Krishan Kant said Guru Nanak’s life and teachings were a precious treasure of India’s spiritual heritage. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said Guru Nanak preached peace, fraternity and universal love to the whole mankind. (PTI) No shortage of salt with Super Bazaar, says Dhoori NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Despite assurances given by Central and Delhi Governments about enough quantities of salt available in the capital and caution against panic buying, people continued to purchase the commodity in bulk creating artificial shortages in the market. Most of the outlets of Super Bazaar and Kendriya Bhandar, the two most important consumer cooperatives, were virtually unable to cope with the demand and consumers’ rush as people queued up in large numbers to make bulk purchases of essential commodities. Retailers in many markets made a killing selling a one kg packet of salt for as much as 40 per cent more than its normal price. Meanwhile, Super Bazaar Chairman Surendra Singh Dhoori announced that enough quantities of salt were available at the Super Bazaar and its outlets all over the capital and people could buy it as per their requirements. Mr Dhoori who convened a meeting of officials of the Super Bazaar and conducted inspection of its outlets in the wake of rumours of an impending salt crisis, appealed to the people not to pay any heed to such rumours spread by anti-social elements. "Such rumours are spread by vested interests particularly when elections are round the corner," he said. He also directed his officials to maintain the supply of salt in sufficient quantities. Officials said the Government was contemplating stern action against rumour mongers, black marketers and hoarders and would invoke the National Security Act (NSA) against such people. They said that as on November 1, the availability of salt in the Capital was four million tonnes and monthly consumption in the entire country was about 500,000 tonnes. About 2.8 million tonnes of salt were available for industrial requirements and part of it could also be released for human consumption. Delhi Food and Civil Supplies Minister Poornima Sethi said more than 80 traders had been rounded up in a crackdown on hoarders and black marketers. The officials said the Government would also take action against rumour mongers under various acts which could entail imprisonment even upto three years. The Government was also trying to find out the cause and source of these rumours and would proceed accordingly. The railways had also assured priority in making available wagons for transporting salt. The officials said here was a surplus stock of salt to be carried over to the next season. Moreover, the new stock would be available in January to boost the stock. The Gujarat Salt Federation has also said it had a stock of 20 lakh tonnes and was willing to supply iodised salt at the rate of 75 paise a kg. The TATA salt and several other salt companies have also assured the public of sufficient quantities of the commodity in stock which could be supplied whenever required. (UNI) |