Bar stir in 43rd day
Bhaderwah people warn Government

Excelsior Correspondent

BHADERWAH, Nov 7: A joint meeting of representatives of political parties, religious and social organisations, distinguished citizens, students associations and representatives of various organisations from Thatri was held here today under the chairmanship of Mr Lala Devinder Kumar Gupta to review the situation caused due to continuous strike of Bar Association which entered 43rd day today.

As per a release, the meeting launched a scathing attack on the functioning of Law Ministry and lashed out at Law Minister Mr P L Handoo.

It alleged the Law Minister was working at the behest of some vested interests and has thrown all norms to winds. By his one stroke of pen the Law Minister, has played havoc with the sentiments of people of Thatri and Bhaderwah, it added.

The meeting said the contentious matters having bearing on the delimitation of the boundaries which has rocked the entire Bhaderwah and Thatri region should have not been done without referring the matter to an independent commission. The delimitation of boundaries should have been done after obtaining the report from the said commission.

The participants said it is unfortunate that all the successive governments have adopted a discriminatory approach towards the Bhaderwah. They expressed concern over the shifting of offices from Bhaderwah to Doda and termed it a big conspiracy against the people of the area.

The participants also blamed the Government for ignoring the Bhaderwah in developmental field and demanded immediate revocation of SRO 280. They warned that in case the Government fails to concede the demand of the people the situation will go out of control.

NC Government a total failure; says Cong

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Senior Congress-I leader and MP, Mr Mufti Mohamamd Syed and state party chief Ch. Mohammad Aslam have blamed the National Conference Government for its failure on all fronts.

Addressing the largely attended public meeting at Billawar today, the Congress leaders charged the State Government of misusing and draining out of the developmental funds.

They alleged that the funds are being utilised on non productive schemes which has resulted into worst ever financial crunch in the state, a Party statement issued here today said.

They alleged that constituency developmental funds alloted to MLAs, besides the rural developmental funds and Panchayat funds were being misused and spent on political considerations.

For the proper utilisation of developmental funds, the Congress leaders demanded setting up of village committees. They also urged that the chit system by the ruling party MLAs and leaders be stopped immediately.

The Congress leaders also took Government to task for faulty recruitment policy, increasing corruption and favoritism. They demanded written tests be conducted for making recruitment to all classes and the share of under developed areas should be ensured by introducing block wise quota for the posts of non gazetted category.

They warned that the reported bunglings in the appointments by Ministers and ruling party MLAs has generated a lot of public resentment and is fraught with dangerous consequences.

Criticising Pakistan for resorting to unprovoked firing on civilian population in border areas and Line of Control, the Congress leaders described it a total failure of the Central Government’s foreign policy.

Mr Mufti Mohamamd Syed also stressed the Government to take up the issue during the ongoing talks with the Pakistan. He charged the State Government for its failure in providing relief and rehabilitation for the people who have been affected by the firing from across the border.

Mr Syed also warned that due to ineffectiveness of the State Government and its failure to flush out militancy the situation can take worst turn.

The public meeting was arranged by the local MLA, Mr Balbir Singh and it was also addressed by CLP leader, Miss Mehbooba Mufti, former Minister Dr Mehboob Beg, Madan Lal Sharma, Balwan Singh and Mr Ashok Sharma, MLA.

Gen Verma visits Army Hospital Rajouri

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov. 7: The Director General Army Medical Services, Lt Gen SCVerma, PHS today visited the medical establishments in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch. The general officer was on a day long tour of the region and visited the hospitals at Surankot and Rajouri.

The general was introduced to the doctors of the hospitals and briefed on the existing situation and organisation of medical services in the region by Col S C Sharma, commanding officer of the hospital at Rajouri. He visited the wards and departments and was appraised of the newly installed equipments in the hospital. The general showed keen interest in the necessity to seedup the modernisation of the hospital. He met with and enquired into the welfare of the patients injured in the line of duty in this sector.

The military hospital at Rajouri is the zonal hospital of the region and is responsible for medicare of all troops in the region in addition to exservicemen and families. The dependency of the hospital has increased in the recent times due to the increase in the number of troops in the region combating militancy and transborder terrorism. Since Jan. 98, over 200 soldiers and some civilians injured in militancy related acts have been attended to in this hospital. The hospital has successfully tackled complex intestinal, liver, chest, neck and vascular injuries to enable soldiers to return to active duty. The general complimented all medical personnel in the region and requested them to keep up with the good work being done.

BJP MP stresses for strengthening VDCs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party Member Lok Sabha, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta has emphasised the need for strengthening of the Village Defence Committees and weeding out of the suspects operating from within and outside the administration so as to eliminate the menace of terrorism in Doda District and other areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing public meetings at Kishtwar, Thathri, Premnagar and other areas of Doda District, the BJP leader appreciated the great role being played by the Village Defence Committees despite hurdles and problems being created by certain elements operating as upper ground apparatus of the ISI of Pakistan in various guises, including that of NC Congress and some other parties.

He said that the members of the VDC's have not only repulsed the repeated militant attacks on the villages but also have created a sense of confidence amongst the Villagers risking their own lives.

Prof Gupta was highly critical of the State Government authorities for trying to discourage the members of VDC and regretted that the village Defence Committees have not been even the meagre assistance of Rs. 1500/- per month for the past four months now.

He stressed for enhancing the monthly assistance of Village Defence Committees and also provision for wireless sets and some sophisticated weapons as the terrorists attacking the villages are armed with most modern weapons.

The BJP leader assailed the State Government authorities for not arresting the persons involved in the massacres of Chapnari Srawon-Thukrai and other places although the local culprits involved in these henious crimes have since been identified.

He expressed concern over the shortages especially that of foodgrains in far off hilly areas and paucity of fodder because of brought like conditions.

The meetings were also addressed by Mr Balwant Singh, Mr Salam Din, Mr Manmohan Gupta, Mr Brij Mohan and Mr Rajinder Singh as also other local leaders who voiced the problems facing the people of Doda District.

Gupta for taking up dev works in Doda distt

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 7: The Bharatiya Janata Party Member Lok Sabha Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, has stressed the need for taking up developmental works in the drought hit areas of Doda district on priority basis.

As per a release addressing a big public meeting at Gandoh, Prof Gupta regretted that despite spending of hundreds of crores for removal of poverty in this State, the plight of the poor clearly indicate that funds were misused and certain families have grown rich while the poor still remains poor.

He expressed his grief and concern over the loss of human lives because of misleading slogans by certain ruling party leaders, first by the National Conference and their associates in the Congress, and then by separatists in the name of Azadi which they never explained by such slogans what they meant.

The BJP leader asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power on the earth can separate it from India. However, such forces can cause damage and create problems and sufferings for the humanity, he added and said that India is strong enough to defeat the proxy war launched by Pakistan.

He said that militancy was also the result of unemployment and prevailing corruption in the administration.

At the meeting many local leaders also expressed their views and voiced the problems facing the people.

Women have their own identity, Bali

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 7: A one day conference on "Violence against Women'' organised by the National Alliance for Women Organisations (NAWO) J&K Chapter was inaugurated by the Industries and Commerce Minister, Mr Bodh Raj Bali at Hotel Asia here this morning.

The Conference was attended by a large number of journalists, educationists, prominent citizens and women belonging to various sections of the society.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Bali said that our women have their own identity and due place in the society since ancient times. He said that the women of our country like Rani Jhansi, Razia Sultana, Habba Khatoon, Indira Gandhi and many others had sacrified their lives for independence, unity and integrity of the country. He said the history speaks itself that the women always fought for their rights but they always remained victim of social injustice from one pretext to another.

Referring to the sexual harassment to women Mr Bali said that this is the creation of Western Culture indulged in our society besides illiteracy, ignorance, lack of proper education and the fashion has also taken deep roots and overpowered our younger generation which are the main causes of sexual harassment to the women of our society. He said the laws framed to protect the rights of women cannot be strictly implemented due to awareness among them and most of the cases failed at the initials stages due to non-availability of sufficient evidences. Mr Bali said that not to speak of violence against the present women but during the regime of Rajas and Maharajas our women suffered enormously by Sati system which was prevelant in those days. He said that rights of women are being protected at National as well as State levels to give them due place in every field of our society. He said that present Government under the leadership of Dr Farooq Abdullah has already declared 33% reservation to the women in the Panchayat elections besides they are being given due representations in both the house of legislatures. He said they are being provided jobs in public as well as private sectors to bring them at par with the other sections of the society.

While appreciating the steps taken by the women organisations for their welfare, Mr Bali said that the decisions taken in such conferences must land every nook and corner of the State so that awareness about the rights of women could reach to them. He said that there is a need of the hour to eradicate the menace of dowry system from our society which is also a main cause of victimisation of the women.

Dr. Nirmal Kaml readout the welcome address while Dr Rekha Choudhary put up introductory note. The first session on "Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment'' was chaired by Dr Ashok Jerath while Prof. Mrs Reeta Jatinder. , Dr Ashutosh, Dr Poonah Chowhan, Dr Lalita Dhar and Ms Manju Rashid spoke on the occasion and highlighted the issues in detail. The second session on "Militancy related violence'' was also held in the evening and Mrs Anuradha Bahsin Jamwal, Mrs Seema Khajuria, S Jag Mohan Singh, Mrs Frida Mir and Mr Harsh Dev Singh MLA took part in the delebrations. Mrs Bhawna Khajuria presented the vote of thanks on the occasion.

Among others Mrs Bimla Luthra and Zubaida Salaria MLAs besides former Director General, Information and Publicity, Mr S P Sahani were also present on the occasion.

Unemployed engineers warn agitation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: The Unemployed Graduate Engineers Association in a meeting here today, held under the chairmanship of Mr H S Sahni its president criticised the State Government for its failure to redress the demands of the unemployed engineers.

As per a release, Mr Singh while addressing the meeting said a four member committee has been constituted for every district to chalk out the programme for agitation.

He demanded that Government should review the policy of absorbing the unemployed engineers on batch wise basis and release stipend in favour of them immediately.

Mr Sanjay Singh Bhalwal, vice president of of the Association said the Government is favouring the doctors community but ignoring the engineers for unknown reasons.

Strategy discussed to uplift Basohli art

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: Vishwasthali, a social and cultural organisation of Basohli organised a meeting here in which a strategy was chalked out to uplift the Basohli miniature art.

As per a release, the meeting was held in presence of Mr D R Sharma, Additional Session Judge Jammu. The meeting initiated several steps for rectifying the distorted image drawn by certain groups regarding the Basohli art.

The meeting also decided to establish a Centrea at Jammu exclusively for this world famous art.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr O P Sharma, ex-Registrar of Jammu University. It also condemned the Ramlela Club Basohli for contaminating one of the best features of Basohli culture in the name of Ramleela. Dr Nirmal Singh conducted the proceedings.

Khajuria Biradri elects body

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 7: A general body meeting of the Khajuria Biradri was held at Devsthan of Baba Sidh Ji, Rajpura Mangotrian here on November 4 inwhich a committee for the Devsthan was constituted.

As per a release, the meeting was chaired by Mr R C Khajuria. It elected Mr Rattan Chand Khajuria as president while Mr M L Khajuria was elected as vice president.

The other office bearers include, Messrs Prem Khajuria, Ravi Khajuria and Ram Paul Khajuria as secretary, joint secretary and cashier respectively.