A Shia youth performing self-flagellation to mourn the deaths of Hussain and Hassan during a Zuljanah and Tazia procession at Jammu on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Ashok
A Shia youth performing self-flagellation to mourn the deaths of Hussain and Hassan during a Zuljanah and Tazia procession at Jammu on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Ashok

Muharram observed
with Tazia procession
in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Hundreds of Shiite Muslims today....more

ST status to Pahari opposed
Unscrupulous elements getting fake ST certificates: Gujjar Front

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: J&K Gujjar United Front, a newly.......more

BSP accuses Farooq Govt of adding to people’s woes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Bahujan Samaj Party has accused...more

Arun Gupta earns
laurels for Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Recipient of various awards, a young......more

Shastry laudes history
of Dogra land

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Lauding illustrious history of Dogra Land Prof Ram....more

HC dismisses Revision Petition filed by Ex AEE Municipality

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: High Court J&K has dismissed a Revision....more

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Jain Sabha condoles
demise of two
spiritual heads

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Today the Jain Community condoled the twin demise...more

Azad nominated to
"Alumini International"

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: The Managing Committee of "The Alumni International"...more

JD hails President’s decision

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: The Pradesh Janta Dal today hailed decision to the President....more

ASKPC condemns
autonomy report

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: The political group of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference in a meeting discussed the...more

Vigilance fails to get
prosecution sanctioned

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: The State Vigilance Organisation had to face humilitation when it failed to get......more

Govt to root out
militancy : Lone

Excelsior Correspondent

Kathua, Apr. 27 : The Minister of Home, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Lone today reiterated the resolve of the ....more

 

Muharram observed with Tazia procession in Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Hundreds of Shiite Muslims today took out Zuljanah and Tazia procession in connection with the Muharram to mourn the death of Hussain and Hassan, the grandsons of Islam’s prophet Mohammed who sacrificed lives in the battle of Karbala about 1,400 years ago.

Beating their chests and raising slogans to mourn the martydoom of grandson of Hazarat Imam Hussain, hundreds of the people gathered at Pir Mitha Masjid and took out annual self-flagellation procession.

Beating themselves with chains, knives and shards of glass thousands of Shiite Muslims inflicted wounds on themselves in remembrance of hardships suffered by Hassan and Hussain and their followers while trying to resist the army of Yazeed, who derided the tenets of Islam, in the battle of Karbala in Iraq 1,400 years ago.

Cries of ‘Ya Hussein, Ya Hassan’ rented the air as faithfuls took out ‘Tazia’ processions lamenting the slaying of Mohammed’s grandsons. Many others also joined the customary race dressing themselves as ‘Duldul’, the legendary horse of Karbala. The procession which started from Pirmitha Maszid passed through Lakhdhata Bazar, Rajinder Bazar, Pirmitha, Talab Khatikan, Circular Road culminated at Karbala at Pirmitha.

Stalls of water were installed all along the way from Masjid to Karbala from where the procession passed. processionists and those who were inflicting wounds to themselves were provided water by the locals.

Authorities had also made elaborate security arrangements. Additional police forces were deployed at the sensitive areas and some blockades erected at various places to prevent the processionists from moving towards preventive areas. Senior police and civil officials accompanied the procession all the way.

A mobile ambulance also accompanied the procession to provide emergency medical aid to those processionists who were inflicting wounds on themselves.

ST status to Pahari opposed
Unscrupulous elements getting fake ST
certificates: Gujjar Front

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: J&K Gujjar United Front, a newly floated conglomeration of Gujjars, asked the State Government to take in to consideration all aspects, both social and economical, before giving Schedule Tribe status to a community.

Addressing a press conference here today, president of the J&K Gujjars United Front, Mr M A Chowdhary took strong exception to the State Government’s proposal to give Schedule Tribe status to Paharis. "What is the criteria of giving ST status to Paharis as there is no provision to enlist a community as Schedule Tribe on the basis of its location", he said and added that Gujjars were nomadic so they were given Schedule Tribe status in 1991 by the then Prime Minister, Mr Chander Shekhar.

"We are not opposed to giving Schedule Tribe status to any community but rights of the Gujjars should be protected at any cost", he said.

Expressing resentment over the forcible encroachment of the lands belonging to Gujjars on the pretext of forming satellite towns, Front leaders demanded that land belonging to Gujjar Bakerwal and other communities at Sidhra should be denotified immediately and the people should not be dispossessed from their landed property.

Listing woes of the Gujjars, Mr Chowdhary regretted that rights and benefits enshrined for their upliftment appears to have not percolated to the people of this community and felt that the constitutional provisions are not being implemented and adhered to in their letter and spirit.

Airing their anguish over issuance of fake ST certificate, Gujjar leaders said that a large number of fake ST certificates are being procured by the unscrupulous elements to get the benefits illegally under Schedule Tribe category. He added that in recently selected list of KAS, MBBS, REC and other services, a number of such malpractices have been detected but nothing has been done by the Government to take the unscrupulous elements to task. Gujjar leaders demanded constitution of a scrutiny committee to keep a check on the prevailing menace of procuring fake ST certificates.

Taking strong exception to SRO 186, Gujjar Front leaders demanded withdrawal of this SRO as they felt that the same operates against the interests of downtrodden community and is against reservation rules. They also demanded complete implementation of the reservation rules 1994 under SRO- 126.

Gujjar Front leaders criticised the Government for backdoor appointments and described it as violation of the reservation rules. "These appointments should be quashed immediately and new appointments made through recruitment board headed by Deputy Commissioner of the concerned districts as provided in the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.

Gujjar leaders also demanded allotment of state land in favour of nomad Gujjars, relaxation of rules for issuance of PRC in favour of landless Gujjars and Bakerwals, ban on issuance of PRC/ST certificate (inter-district), inclusion of Gojri in 8th schedule, reservation in University admission, sub office of National Commission of Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe in J&K, reservation in Assembly/Council seats, establishment of special Directorate for Gujjar and Bakerwals and census for Gujjars.

New office bearers of the J&K Gujjar United Front included Ch Ahssan Ullah, chief organisor, MA Chowdhary, president, Hasham Ali, Senior vice-president, Ch Rehmat Ali, Ch Akhtar Hussain, Ch Rehmat Ali Bajalta, Bashir Ahmed Khatana (vice-presidents), S M Chowdhary, sect general, Zafar Ali Khatana, general secretary, Maqsood Ahmed, general secretary, Haroon Chowdhary, general secretary, Mohd Aslam Khan, secretary, Dr Suleman, Dr Saleem, Fateh Ali (Joint secretaries) and Shokat Parvez, treasurer.

BSP accuses Farooq Govt of adding to people’s woes

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Bahujan Samaj Party has accused the Farooq Government of adding to the woes and miseries of the people of the State in general and the poor, down-trodden and backward sections of the society in particular.

As per a release this resolve was made in a function held at village Patyali Chak in Marh block to celebrate 108th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar. The function was organised by BSP block Marh general secretary Mr Bansi Lal and presided over by senior vice president of the State unit Mr G L Bhagat while state chief of the Party Sheikh Abdul Rehman, MLA, was the chief guest and Messrs Ram Prakash Sharma, State general secretary and Som Nath, MLA were guests of honour.

While addressing Mr Rehman appealed the Chief Minister to ensure that justice was done to all and the guarantees enshrined in the constitution regarding reservation, liberty and equality in respect of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs and other sections of the society are implemented in letter and spirits.

Mr G L Bhagat while paying tributes to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar exhorted upon the gathering to follow the teachings of Babasaheb.

Arun Gupta earns laurels for Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Recipient of various awards, a young printer of Jammu, Mr Arun Gupta, has earned yet another prestigious award from India International Friendship Society, a renowned social organisation.

The Vijay Shree Award was presented to Mr Gupta on April 24 during a colourful function organised at Hotel Intercontinental, New Delhi, by Dr Bhisham Narayam Singh, former Governor of Tamil Nadu, Mr GVG Krishnamurthy, Election Commissioner and Mr Narinder Nath, Minister for Industry, Delhi.

A seminar on "International Involvement in Indian Economy" was also organised on the occasion.

According to the organisation the Vijay Shree Awards are given to a selected few most extraordinary men and women from the fields of Science, Technology, Education, Industry, Fine Arts, Politics and Social Work who have done something special for their country and have attained great excellence in their field of work.

It would be interesting to know that the past recipient of the award include Late Mother Teresa, former Vice President BD Jatti, Governor Khursheed Ahmed Khan, A.R. Kidwai, Sheila Kaul and Justice M. Fathima Beevi, Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid, Members of Parliament Sunil Dutt, Mohinder Kumar Singh, Gopinath Gajpathi, Justice P N Bhagwati, R S Sarkaria, H R Khanna and KBN Singh, Election Commissioner, GVG Krishnamurthy, Industrialists Vijay Mallya, Hari Shankar Singhania and J J Irani, Architect Pheroz Kudianawala, Heart Specialist Dr B K Goyal, Cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Sayeed Kirmani.

Shastry laudes history of Dogra land

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Lauding illustrious history of Dogra Land Prof Ram Nath Shastry exhorted the people of Kootah village to write the history of their land to enrich the historical account of the area. Narating the qualities of Mata Alma, the only known Dogri enlightened and brave women of Birpur, he exhorted the need to encourage women folk to come forward in social activities and not to confine them to the four walls of the house.

Prof Ram Nath Shastry was speaking at the inauguration of a library-cum-reading room at village Kootah, sponsored by Jammu Book Bank, Kootah with over 4000 population was produced many a firsts in fields of education, services and professional fields.

Earlier, Mrs Rageshwari Mattoo, General Secretary JBB gave an account of the organisation, starterd by Jammu Consumers Council in 1994. She particularly pointed out the absence of women amongst the audience and exhorted the villagers to involve them in the spiritual activities.

Mr MN Sehgal, President, Jammu Bank emphasised the need to use this platform liberaly to spread knowledge in the surrounding villages and habit of book-reading amongst the youth. He thanked the Arya Samaj, Trikuta Nagar and Jammu Dogri Sanstha for donating books on Dogri literature and religious philosophy, respectively. Such libraries in villages are the appropriate forums to spread and sustain local cultures, languages and traditions. He assured that whereas the village committee has undertaken to sustain this project, the Jammu Book Bank will continue to extend possible help in future as well.

Messrs Uttam Chand, Munshi Ram, Kewl Kewal, VP Sharma and other village representatives thanked the Jammu Book Bank for opening the library in the village and assured that this will further encourage the youth of the area to take special projects. They informed that the village youth have started several projects to support and help the students in the area. Whereas the students of merit are awarded in cash on achieving merit in exams and are financially supported to the tune of Rs 15000 for higher studies, the teachers giving good results are rewarded with Rs 1500. This sense of social involvement of the youth will get a boost and guidance with this project of Jammu Book Bank.

Besides all the prominent villages around, others present were Dr Lalit Mangotra, President Jammu Dogri Sanstha, Jatinder Dev. former MLC, Prof NK Sehgal and BK Sareen.

HC dismisses Revision Petition filed by
Ex AEE Municipality

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: High Court J&K has dismissed a Revision Petition filed by Mr M L Bhogia, the then Assistant Executive Engineer Jammu Municipality and his wife, Mrs Some Devi against the order dated February 23, passed by the Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Jammu in case FIR No. 38/96 P/S Vigilance Organization, Jammu.

The State Vigilance Organization had raided the residential premises of Mr M L Bhogia, Assistant Executive Engineer in December, 1996 in connection with the investigation of case FIR No. 38/96 on receipt of reports that the officer had raised assets disproportionate to his known sources of income by indulging in corrupt practices.

The investigation had prima-facie established the allegations which disclosed that the accused had raised assets to the tune of Rs 21,91,094.00, which were grossly disproportionate to his known sources of income. On receipt of prosecution sanction from the Government, the State Vigilance Organization had challaned the case in the court of Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Jammu for judicial determination. The Special Judge after hearing the preliminary arguments passed an order on 23.2.1999 framing charges against the accused persons for commission of offences. Aggrieved by the order of the Special Judge, the accused persons preferred a Revision Petition before the High Court.

Justice Mr Arun Kumar Goel, while dismissing the Revision Petition held in his judgement that "a perusal of the order passed by the trial Judge indicates that after having put in lot of labour and after having dealt with the contentions raised before him on behalf of the petitioners and having rejected their pleas has ordered the framing of charges. While passing the impugned order it has been observed that case under sections 12 and 14 of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Men and Public Servants Declaration of Assets Act of 19 83 is also triable under section 5(2) of the J&K Prevention of Corruption Act, 2006 (BK) (11949 A.D).

From the circumstances of this case it is clear that immediately on the next day, i.e. on December 5, 1996 petitioner No. 1 had operated not only her bank account with the Bank of Baroda and having withdrawn Rs 2,59,5000/-, but she also operated her Locker. It may be mentioned in this context that Lockers had been jointly taken by the petitioners, who knowing fully well that their premises had been raised and the Investigating agency is likely to take stock of the assets including those lying in the Locker, is primafacie a circumstance which has been rightly taken note of for framing the charge.

It may further be observed here that the explanation given by petitioner No. 2, i.e. the husband of petitioner No. 1 regarding operation of locker is that she wanted to bring the gun licence and regarding operation of her personal bank account by petitioner No.1 the husband feigns ignorance.

In this context it may be worthwhile to observe that under the Arms Act licence has to be kept with the Arm itself by the licence holder so that in case it is checked the holder is able to produce the authority authorising him to retain an arm. In the peculiar background of this case, the explanation of petitioner No. 2 regarding Bank account having been operated by petitioner No. 1 without his knowledge is also not prima-facie convincing and is thus hereby rejected.

Keeping in view the background and circumstances of this case as well as material collected during the course of investigation and the challan papers to which a reference was made by the learned counsel there does not appear to be any illegality or impropriety having been committed by the court while passing the impugned order. Prima-facie the impugned order passed by the trial court and consequential charge framed on its basis is legal and appears to be based on proper appreciation of evidence and correct application of law, thus it calls for no interference. As a result of this there is no merit in this Revision Petition which is accordingly dismissed summarily."

Jain Sabha condoles demise of two spiritual heads

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: Today the Jain Community condoled the twin demise of the spiritual head of all India Shevatember Sthanakvasi Jain Samaj-Acharya Shri Shri 1008, Shri Devinder Muni Ji Maharaj at Bombay and Sanghshasta-Shri Sudershan Muni Ji Maharaj at Delhi, a very popular and respected Jain Saint of Northern India.

As per a release on hearing the news of death, members of the Jain community assembled at Jain Sathanak at Jain Bazaar and held a condolence meeting. Representatives of various organisations of Jain Samaj paid tributes to the departed souls and remembered their teachings. The occasion was marked by rectial of religious hymns. Two-minute silence was observed to pay homage to the departed souls. All the business establishments of Jain community remained closed today.

Acharya Shri Devinder Muni Ji Maharaj aged 69 years, denouncing the material world at the tender age of 9 years became a jain saint and since then devoted his life in service of humanity, by preaching ideals of jain philosophy. He strongly advocated against the medical termination of pregnancy considering it as a great sin. He has made a great contribution in the field of Jain literature and written over 300 religious books about Jain culture and philosophy. Acharya Shri Devinder Muni Jain charitable diagnostic centre and polyclinic, which is under construction in Patel Bazar, Jammu will be dedicated to his memory.

Shri Sundershan Muni Ji Maharaj had a large following of disciples in Northern India. He was renowned for leading a life of a true Jain Saint even in modern times. He practised five Maha-vrats:- Ahinsa, Aparigrah, Achorya, Brahmcharya and Astaye, in letters and spirits.

Azad nominated to "Alumini International

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: The Managing Committee of "The Alumni International", an English and Urdu quarterly from Ontario (Canada) has nominated Professor Jagan Nath Azad, Fellow Emeritus University of Jammu, who is also president, Anjuman-i-Taraqqi-i-Urdu (Hind) on the Advisory Committee of the quarterly.

This distinction has been conferred on Professor Azad with retrospective effect, begining from January, 1999 in order to coincide with the start of the new year.

The editorial note on Azad in the issue No. 10 which appeared in March this year describes Jagan Nath Azad as a "roving ambassador of Urdu" and "the most prominent Iqbal scholar in the world".

JD hails President’s decision

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: The Pradesh Janta Dal today hailed decision to the President to dissolve the 12th Lok Sabha and directed Chief Election Commissioner to hold fresh elections.

In a press statement, Pradesh Janta Dal asked President of India to impose a ban on any kind of expense on publicity during the election and asked all the contesting parties and candidates to discuss their election manifesto on and through media. Janta Dal also demanded that some maximum amount must be fixed for election expenditure.

Janta Dal demanded that any person or party found violating any law should be dis-qualified from contesting elections or entry to the House and that should be made a principle in future too, as the people of this country have been always betrayed by such elements with false promises which they never fulfilled.

The statement also requested to the voters not to be fooled by such selfish, self-centred and anti-people parties and leaders who are trying to divide them on communal and regional lines.

The statement was jointly issued by Mr Swaran Dass, Mr Kulbir Singh, Sayed Aslam Shah, Satpal Sharma, Subash Chander and Haji Abdul Rehman.

ASKPC condemns autonomy report

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: The political group of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference in a meeting discussed the present political scenario and the perplexity created by the reports of the Autonomy Committees and condemned the very idea aimed at dividing the State on communal lines.

As per a release, they said the "autonomy" is an instrument to create a wedge between man and man on the basis of religion and a great danger to the national integrity and solidarity of the country.

Regarding pre-1952 position the ASKPC leaders said this amount to turning the hands of the clock backwards which in no way can be appreciated when the laws enacted and passed by the Parliament are beneficial for the whole country. How these laws are detrimental to our interests, they asked?

They held that in one country there can not be one law for goose and the other for the gander. Such an idea is to back-track people from the national main-stream. Besides there is no dispensation for the Kashmiri Pandits and their fate has not been defined anywhere being a miserable and annihilated lot.

The members vociferously condemned the idea and appreciated the role played in this regard by Late G M Sadiq, then Chief Minister of the State to bring the State of Jammu and Kashmir at par with other states of the country.

The members were highly critical for presenting very deceptive picture of KP properties in the State and the revenue authorities there have wilfully and deliberately deleted orchards, shops at big pieces of land owned by Kashmiri Pandits, which seems a deliberate mischief to erode the image and eliminate the rights of the KP community of being original inhabitants of the Valley. The members urged the Government to distribute cash relief to the displaced community who have no other source but live on these doles.

The meeting was chaired by Mr A N Vaishnavi, president All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference.

Vigilance fails to get prosecution sanctioned

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 27: The State Vigilance Organisation had to face humilitation when it failed to get clearance to prosecute co-accused in a Raid Case.

The State Vigilance Organisation had requested the Government of India for accord of sanction for prosecution of Mrs Suman Mala wife of Mr Vijay Gupta Assistant Conservator of Forests who is a PRT in Kendriya Vidhyala. The Vigilance Organisation had conducted Raid in the Huse of Vijay Kumar Gupta ACF on May 25, 1997 and a case was registered for alleged disproportionate accumulations of wealth. Besides other items Vigilance Organisation had objected mainly the construction of a House in Channi Bija though the house had been constructed by Mrs Suman Mala from her own sources.

After going through all the records, the office of the Asstt Commissioner K V Jammu vide its letter No. F-9/3/98-KVS (JR) dated Jan 28, 1999 observed that in continuation of this office letter dated 31.12.1998 and on perusal of records provided by the State Vigilance Organisation and Mr Suman Mala PRT Kendriya Vidyala No.1, Jammu, it is revealed tht she has raised construction of her house at Channi Bija from within her sources. She is an Income Tax Assessee and the documents referred by her are reflected in her Income Tax returns for the year of 1991-92 to 1997-98. She had sought permission from this office for purchase of a plot and also sum of Rs 67000 was sanctioned to her as part final withdrawal from her GPF Account for the construction of house on the said plot. In view of that there seems no valid ground for according sanction for prosecution of Mrs Suman Mala in the Court of law. Hence permission for her prosecution cannot be granted.

Govt to root out militancy : Lone

Excelsior Correspondent

Kathua, Apr. 27 : The Minister of Home, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed Lone today reiterated the resolve of the government to completely root out the menace of militancy and create congenial conditions for acclerated development in the State.

The Minister who was reviewing the law and order situation of Kathua said that we should be more vigilant and take all appropriate measures to ensure that militancy does not spill over to the district from neighbouring militancy affected districts of Udhampur and Doda and adjoining areas of Himachal Pradesh.

The Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Mr. Chaman Lal apprised that for the first time in three years, the border people have been able to cultivate their lands upto the international border. he said that general law and order position in the district is quite satisfactory. The SSP, Kathua, Mr. R.R. Swain giving a brief resume of the achievements said that all known transborder smugglers have been detained resulting in appreciable decrease in their activities. Adequate measures have also been taken to keep the hilly belts of the district militancy free. He said that despite sharp increase in population, the crime rate has remained static around one thousand crimes a year. Of there, three-fourth crimes relate to traffic offences and minor disputes. He said that efforts have also been made to check infiltration and transborder smuggling.

Earlier, the Minister inspected District Jail, Kathua and Sub District Jail, Hiranagar. He also interacted with the inmates to understand their problems.

The Minister issued instructions on spot for providing TV sets, water collers, indoor and outdoor games facilities in the jails. He said that Jails should serve as reformatories and called for providing congenial environment for inmates to reform themselves.

Mr. Lone also inspected the District Police Lines, Kathua. He visited various sections of the Police Lines, Kathua. He took stock of the SPO's detailed on security duty with various persons and personel provided for static guard duties. The Minister also inspected District Fire service headquarter, which is equipped with three fire tenders and portable pumping unit. He issued instructions on spot for taking follow up action with reguard to shifting of District Fire Service headquarter to Ravi Tawi irrigation Complex.

Among others, Additional Director General, Prisons, Mr. A.C. Chaturvedi, Deputy Inspector General, Jammu-Kathua Range, Mr. S.K. Mishra and Director, Fire Services, Mr. G.A. Bhat accompanied the Minister.

 

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