Demonstration outside Kot Bhalwal jail
ABVP activists protest, burn Masood’s effigy

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 28: The activists of Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP) today held a massive demonstration outside Kot Bhalwal Jail, where the top militant leader demanded by the plane hijackers to be released is lodged.

The students led by the ABVP National Secretary , Mr Romesh Pappa gathered outside the Kot Bhalwal jail, about 13 kms from here and organised a massive demonstration against the Pakistan, its Inter-Services Intelligence agency and the Islamic Fundamentalism for abetting terrorism in the region.

They also burnt the effigy of Pak militant Maulana Azhar Masood, who has been lodged in the Kot Bhalwal jail. The student leaders also raised slogans against the Dr Farooq Abdullah led National Conference government in the state for its failure to control militancy and termed some of its leaders as sympathisers of the militants.

The ABVP strongly opposed the release of Maulana Azhar Masood and other militants as demanded by the hi-jackers and maintained that such black-mail tactics would go against the interests of the country. They warned the Pakistan of such acts and said that Vajpayee government at the Centre should give a strong reply of this act.

Raising slogans—Pakistan hai hai,....ISI hai..hai.....Masood Azhar hai hai..... Osma Bin Laden hai..hai....., the students then set afire Masood’s effigy filled with crackers outside the jail. It is to be mentioned here that the security has already been tightened inand around this jail in view of the plane hijacking by Pak terrorists to secure the release of some jailed militants. Additional police and para-military force have been deployed and senior officials are closely monitoring the situation there.

Addressing the youth, the ABVP leader Mr Pappa said that declaration of jehad by Saudi national and Islamic Fundamentalist—Osma Bin Laden against India has added serious dimensions to the ongoing terrorist activities in the country. He said the recent increase in the terrorist activities in J&K and the North East after Kargil conflict are clearly indicating the gravity of the situation and the government of India should take a lesson from it.

3 major irrigation schemes being taken in hand shortly

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 28: Three irrigation schemes in Kathua and Jammu districts estimated to cost about Rs 7.5 crore, have been approved under the Centrally sponsored Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) to give a boost to agriculture sector.

This was disclosed at a meeting of senior engineers of Irrigation and Flood Control held here today to review the pace of progress on different on-going schemes in the Jammu region. The Minister of State for Works, Ms Sakina Itoo presided.

The meeting was informed that under minor irrigation sector, NABARD has sanctioned Rs 20 crore for eight irrigation schemes in Jammu Division.

Sixty Seven irrigation and flood control schemes costing Rs 65.33 crore have been submitted to the Government for loan assistance from NABARD. These schemes on completion are expected to provided additional irrigation facilities for about 500 hectare of land besides protecting cultivable area from soil erosion due to floods.

The Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mr Inder Jeet Singh told the Minister that the Department has undertaken an ambitious programme to re-construct about 53 defunct tube wells in Jammu and Kathua districts at a cost of Rs 6.5 crore to stablise the irrigation facilities for 4000 acres land. In addition, a battery of 100 tube wells costing Rs 8.5 crore is in advance stage of completion. These schemes are being funded by NABARD.

The functioning of the Ravi Tawi Irrigation Complex and other on-going schemes was also reviewed at the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Ms Itoo emphasised that the engineers should work with dedication to complete the schemes within stipulated period so that their benefit reach the common people immediately. She also called for co-operation and co-ordination between different departments to obtain optimal results of developmental projects.

Kitchloo reviews arrangements for Jumat-ul-Wida

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec. 28 : The Minister for Haj and Auqaf, Mr Bashir Ahmad Kitchloo today chaired the meeting of senior officers of the Kashmir Division to review the arrangements made by the Government for Jumat-ul-Wida, Shabi Qadir and Idd-ul-Fitr. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Khursheed Ahmad Ganai and all Deputy Commissioners of the valley were also present in the meeting.

The meeting was informed that all necessary steps are being taken to provide essential items to the consumers of the valley without any difficulty. The Animal Husbandry Department was advised to ensure maximum number of chickens on these occasions. Similarly the Food and Supplies Department alongwith Srinagar Municipality will ensure availability of quality meat and milk, by conducting frequent checks.

The Minister advised the divisional administration to augument the activities of the market checking squads and take immediate action against those who are found involved in hoarding and profiteering.

The Chief Engineer, Electrical Maintenance was advised to ensure the smooth supply of electricity on these occasions. The PHE department was also advised to ensure the smooth supply of water throughout the valley.

The biggest ''Jumat-ul-Wida'', and ''Idd-ul-Fitr'' congregation will be held in different parts of the valley and divisional administration has taken necessary steps to mobilize adequate transport service for this purpose. The SP, Traffic was advised to identify the traffic routes leading to places of congregation. The fleet of SRTC buses will remain available on these days.

The Medical department will establish many medical camps at different places and Srinagar Municipality will take necessary steps for arranging proper sanitation.

Hijacking a reflection of wide ranging conspiracy: Jain

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 28: Bajrang Dal (BD) has termed the hijacking of Indian Airlines Airbus as a reflection of wide ranging conspiracy of Pakistan.

Talking to media persons here today, the National convernor of Bajrang Dal, Dr Surinder Kumar Jain said we should see it as an act of enemy nation as Pak planning, money and men were behind it.

He expressed the hope that Indian Government’s will make all efforts with full confidence for the release of passengers and crew and asked the Government to use the pro-active approach for releasing the hostages.

The Bajrang Dal leader said the hijacking is the third phase of Operation Topac of Pakistan and its second Phase was Kargil misadventure under which the Pakistan had a plan to annex the Kargil and join it with Pak Occupied Kashmir (POK).

He said under the the Third Phase of Operation Topac Pakistan wants to create lot of internal disturbance in India.

Warning the Pan Islamic forces for their ulterior motives he said they are working under a big plan to destabilise India and added that hundreds of Islamic Madrassas have been opened in country to propagate the fundamentalism and secessionism.

Elaborating he said, only 443 Madrassas were in country during the partition whose number has now increased to 80,000 and recently startling revelations were made by the Army that a large number of these Madrassas are functioning under the influence of Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan.

Maintaining that his organisation is not against any religion but what is painful to note is that in those places the Madrassas have been opened where there is no Muslim population.

He warned that if this menace is not contained immediately and the activities of the ISI agents are not thwarted well in time, the day will not be far away when Kashmir like situation will be created in rest of the India also.

Making a dig at Government also he said the VIP treatment given to terrorists in jails has also boosted the morale of militants and their mentors. The terrorists have no human rights, and they should be paid in the same coin, he added.

He while differing with the statement of Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah that hijacking is an attempt in desperation said the terrorism is taking the new dimentions and spreading to other parts.

Expressing grave concern over the reported demographic change in Jammu, he said this is a great threat to aborigines here as Muslim population is being settled in the outskirts.

He asked the Government to remain vigilant so that Kashmir like situation is not created in Jammu and demanded abrogation of Article 370 immediately.

He also warned the Christians against forcible conversions and said the Church is trying to gain foothold in Jammu which will not be tolerated by the Bajrang Dal volunteers.

He said in many parts of Jammu region where there are no Christians the Churches are being constructed under a big conspiracy and blamed the Christian community of Jammu of playing with the sentiments of Hindus by displaying a banner at Bikram Chowk with the caption "Om Nama Essau".

He revealed that in last six months 20 Churches have reportedly been constructed in Jammu and the Hindu community will not tolerate it as they are the breeding places of terrorism.

He said the North India is the main target of Christians and they plan to construct a Church at every postal pin code by 2000.

He said to overcome such menace, the Bajrang Dal has resolved to unite the youth throughout the country and a national convention in this regard will be held at Bhopal on February 18,19 and 20 to chart out a one time action plan in this regard.

He said about 11,000 workers will meet in this convention and take a solemn oath to fight against the elements who are posing a threat to national security.

He said Bajrang Dal is bound to end the unwanted activities like conversions and drug mafia in country. Besides the eradication of untouchability and dowry will be our main action plan, he added.

He also expressed his dismay over opening of slaughter houses in the country and said their number has increased from 300 in 1951 to 36,500 at present.

Mr Tilak Raj Sharma, working president of State VHP while speaking demanded ban on transportation of bovine animals.

Motor-cycle lifters’ gang busted, 2 nabbed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 28: The police busted a gang of motor-cycle/ scooter lifters and arrested two gangsters from city’s Bakshi Nagar area here last night.

A senior police official said the police acting on some clues organised a special naka led by SHO, Madan Mohan Singh intercepted two youth riding on a motor-cycle in Bakshi Nagar area. They were taken into custody. The motor-cycle was fitted with fake registration number plate as—WB-01-1248. Another youth, moving on Motor-cycle No. JI-02F/4699 observed the police action from a distance and fled away with the bike.

The arrested gangsters are identified as —Bhupinder Singh alias Sonu, son of Kirpal Singh of Gurha Bakshi Nagar and Naresh Kumar, son of Sardari Lal of 39-A, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu.

Both the accused were taken to Bakshinagar police station and were placed under sustained interrogation. At their instance, a without number platemotor-cycle was recovered. They also disclosed the identity of their other associates. The police has launched a massive manhunt for the other members of the gang. The raids are being conducted at their suspected hideouts.

The police said that these two motor-cycles had been stolen by the accused from the premises of Medical College, Jammu.

Khajuria demands arrest of Ansari

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 28: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president and Jammu East MLA Mr Ashok Khajuria today left for Chennai for participation in the national executive meeting of the party.

In the meeting, scheduled to be held tomorrow, Mr Khajuria will brief the national executive regarding the law and order and political situation in the sensitive border State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued here, Mr Khajuria urged the State Government to immediately arrest former Housing and Urban Development Minister Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari and put him behind the bars.

Mr Khajuria said an FIR has already been registered against Mr Ansari and he should be arrested immediately for his involvement in Rs 60.25 lakh scam.

Mr Khajuria also demanded immediate recovery of Rs 35 crore worth Sales Tax arrears from Ansari’s business concerns.

Hussain, Saxena take over as DC, SSP Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Dec 28: Mr Khalid Hussain and Mr Pankaj Saxena today took over as Deputy Commissioner and SSP respectively of Poonch district.

Mr Khalid Hussain replaced Mr G Q Mugal and Mr Saxena succeeded Mr J P Singh.

A war send off was given to Mr Mugal by the local people and his services to the district were recalled. Mr J P Singh couldn’t be given a send off as he had already proceeded on leave.

‘Hepatitis B’ awareness camp ends

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 28: Hepatitis B awareness camp launched by Rotary Club Gangyal at Zanana Park here on December 26 concluded today.

As per a release, about 8715 persons including a sizeable number of children were covered during two phases of second dose.

The president of the Rotary Club, Mr Balbir Gupta while speaking on the occasion said the "Hepatitis B"is a deadly viral disease which is hundred times dangerous than AIDS virus.

He said the number of deaths caused by the Hepatitis B per day is greater than the deaths caused due to AIDS per year.

He said Hepatitis B vaccine is a dose of three injections known as Engrix B which is the World’s first genetically Engineered vaccine. He said this is the only vaccine with which 0.5 ml of dose is recommended upto 19 years of age and the only preventive measures against the disease.

He also said the incidents of disastrous disease like lever cancer and Hepatitis B have assumed alarming proportions.

The Club general secretary, Mr Pardeep Vaid said the Rotary clubs are rendering their valuable services to the needy and poor people from time to time.

Among others who participated in the awareness programme include Messrs Ganesh Koul, co-chairman Rotary Club, Sanjeev Jain, Ashok Pandoh, Ajay Khajuria, Bansi Lal Gupta, Devinder Vaid, Arjan Gupta, Kailash Dewan, Sanjeev Aggarwal, Balram Gupta, Kamal Gupta, B D Gupta, Romesh Koul, Anil Gupta, Naresh Gupta and Surinder Gupta.

The young volunteers of the Club Messrs Vishal Gupta, Manoj Mehra, Sandeep Pandoh, Vinay Gupta, Anil Gupta, Virender Gupta and Daleep Vaid also participated in the Camp.

The camp was supervised by Dr K L Gupta, (retd) Director Health Services, Dr Sudesh Sharma, Dr Mahesh Gupta, Dr Vinod Gupta and Dr Rajeev Gupta.

Displaced employees warn against return move

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 28: All Displaced Kashmiri Employees Forum (ADKEF) in a meeting here today has urged the Government that not to take any decision in hurry regarding the return of the displaced employees to Valley as the ground situation is not yet conducive for the same.

Addressing the meeting, the Forum chief, Mr M K Tickoo also warned that no such proposal will be acceptable to the displaced employees. He said the Government before taking any decision should take leaders of displaced employees into confidence.

He said the situation in the Valley is deteriorating day by day and under the prevailing situation no security can be guaranteed to the members of minority community who have been forced to migrate by the gun wielding militants.

He said instead the Government should solve the genuine problems of displaced employees which have piled up over the years. He expressed dismay that despite the assurances given from time to time no steps were taken by the Government to solve the problems of displaced employees.

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