NHRC notice to J&K Chief Secretary and
Union Home Secretary

Excelsior Correspondent

New Delhi-, May 11: The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to the Union Home Secretary and Chief Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Government to reply to the charges made by Prof. Bhim Singh in his petition to the Commission seeking protection and social security for the migrants from Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch.

NHRC has asked the respondents to submit their replies before June 9,1999. NHRC has warned that in the event of their failure to do that, the Commission may proceed to take such action as it deemed proper, the Commission has stated in its order made on the petition filed the Panthers Party Chief. The case shall be heard on June 9, 1999.

Panthers Party Chief had urged NHRC to issue appropriate instructions, directions, orders to the respondents to provide food, shelter, clothing, education facilities and medical care to these migrants and their children without any delay in the interest of justice, equity, rule of law and basic human rights; and further asked to provide each family of the migrants Rs.50,000/- each for the construction of the hamlets and also provide an emergency relief of Rs.50,000 to each family and free education to their children with entire free medical care and assistance.

The Petition stated that there are 45 families as refugees living in Chassana since August, 1998. In August, 5 innocent village youth were killed by the militants, namely, Krishna Singh (15), his father Hira Singh, Sukhdev and Dalip Singh. The families of those killed have nowhere to go and they are living at the mercy of local exploiters and militants.

In Kot Trunka (Budhal), District Rajouri, there is only non-Muslim family of Munshi Singh Thakur which has been living there since 1947. The family has no protection and no weapon is provided to them for their self-defence. Another ex-army Subedar, Ayub Khan, who opposed the militants lost his wife and brother who fell to the bullets of the militants. The State Administration does not care to provide them adequate security and support to fight the militants.

Recently, nearly 34 Muslim (Gujjar) families from rural areas of Surankot (Poonch) were forced to migrate and the State Administration failed to provide them any protection. Entire Gujjar Muslim Family was liquidated by the militants only last week. The militants raped the minor girls and women in another Gujjar family and later shot them dead. The surviving members of the community have shifted to Poonch Headquarters and are rotting in some streets with no care from the administration.

That recently, hundreds of families have migrated from the Tehsils of Mahore, Budhal, Kalakot, Noshera, Gool and other rural areas to the safe places either at the tehsil headquarters or to Jammu. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has openly declared that his Government shall not provide them any help or assistance in cash or kind for their physical survival. Thus, leaving no other alternative for the petitioners to approach the National commission for Human Rights.

There have been genocide the innocent people in Jammu Region which was highlighted by the media in India and abroad as a brutal massacre of humanity and shameful infringement of human rights. The latest massacre took place at Baljarala (Rajouri) where 6 people were shot dead at midnight in a marriage celebration. The State administration failed to provide any protection. The nearest police post was available in Rajouri, 17 Km. Away. This area has been under the threat of the militants ever since the present National Conference Government came to power in October, 1996. The administration has deliberately ignored to take necessary measures to provide reasonable security and protection to the locals. In Swari (Rajouri) more than one dozen innocent people including men, women and children were gunned down last year and there has been no equity and no preventive measures. Almost all the non-Muslim population of the area was compelled to leave their ancestral village to find some gutter to live for their safety. The people of this village have since migrated to some villages around Jammu City.

That year, Prankot (Udhampur) witnessed a carnage where 29 innocent villagers belonging to minority community were gunned down by the pro-Pakistani mercenaries. The prominent Indian leaders and some Central Ministers made a trip and witnessed the plight of broken families. 196 families of minority community from Prankote and nearby areas in the districts of Udhampur and Rajouri were forced to migrate leaving their homes, hearth and cattle and even standing crops on the mercy of the terrorists. These families are still living in a premises of High School at Pauni (District Udhampur). They have not been provided even a shred of cloth or food or shelter by the State of Jammu and Kashmir inspite of popular upsurge and public demand.

That the militants attacked the people of the minority community in Chassana, Mahore, Bhimdasa in Tehsil Gool (District Udhampur ) resulting in genocide and migration of the entire community from these villages. The villagers were left on the mercy of the militants. Recently militants committed another genocide in village Baljarala (Rajouri District) killing 7 people on spot on the day the Respondent No.1 made a grand Bus Trip from Wagha Border to Lahore. These gruesome murders at different places in the Districts of Udhampur and Rajouri and the failure of the State Administration to provide security to the people made them vacate their homes in distress and agony. That several unmarried girls were raped by the militants and their lands were forcibly transferred in the Benami names.

Nearly 20,000 families have been forced to flee their homes. In other words, the people belonging to minority community in these areas have been cleansed as per notorious Dixon Plan. The Dixon Plan was floated by Mr. Owen Dixon in 1949 proposing the division of Jammu Region on communal lines so that a buffer State could be created in Jammu and Kashmir with Muslim majority areas of Jammu Region. That nearly 20,000 families belonging to Tehsil Gool, Mahore, Reasi (District Udhampur), Tehsil of Budhal, Kalakote, Rajouri, Darhal, Thana Mandi (Rajouri District) have been forced out of their homes on gun point.

The State has refused to provide them any food, shelter or clothing or their bare livelihood. The chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir a statement on the floor of the Assembly saying that it was not his duty or his business to provide these migrants any assistance whatsoever. He said that this was the duty of the Union of India.

HC seizes account head of Director Handlooms

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 11: Mr Justice R.C. Gandhi of the State High Court Jammu-wing has ordered the seizure of Accounts Head of the Director and Deputy Director, Handloom Department of Srinagar and Jammu respectively and shall not be operated by them.

The treasuries Officers concerned was informed accordingly. However in case the judgement is implemented by the respondents and relief flowing from the Govt. orders as well as the judgement is made available to the petitioner, the respondents can operate their Accounts heads, otherwise same shall remain seized till further orders the court ruled.

Thi court order was passed in a comtempt petition filed by Adarsh Suman Gupta vesus Paramjit Singh, Director and others for not implementing the court's directions and Govt. Orders.

The petitioner Adarsh Suman Gupta was appointed as Master Weaver in the Handloom Department on consolidated pay and was regularised in the pay scale Rs. 1400-2600 with a restrospective effect from June 21, 1991. The order was passed by the then Commissioner/Secretary, Industries on June 28, 1995.

The petitioner filed a writ petition for implementation of the Govt. order. The writ petition was allowed on April 3, 1997 and the respondents were directed to implement the Govt. orders and grant him the benefit flowing therefrom within two month.

The respondents, however did not comply the directions.

The petitioner was further compelled to file the contempt petition.

Respondents filed the statement of facts stating therein that the payment could not be made because of the financial crunch. The court observed that this was no ground to default the court directions and Govt orders.

The petitioners was entitled the relief since 1991, which came to be settled by the Govt. The court directions since 1997 has not been complied with, therefore, the coercive action is invited by the Respondents-contemners. The orders are not passed by the Govt. just for formality sake and once the court has allowed the petition, it is the duty of the court to execute its orders and seek compliance. Advocate M K Bhardwaj appeared for the petitioner whereas no one appeared for the respondents.

Various decisions taken to promote tourism

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 11: Several decisions were taken for promotion of tourism keeping in view the increased flow of tourists to the Valley at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly here last evening.

The Director General of Police, Mr Gurbachan Jagat also attended.

The Chief Secretary said that the left over patch of the Pahalgam road be repaired. He said that power supply should be ensured at Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Boulevard, particularly during nights. He said, this should be done immediately.

Mr Jaitly said that foot-path from Dalgate to Nehru Park be repaired forthwith by pitching stone tiles and turf be laid beyond that point upto Nishat. He said the repair work should be executed during nights when there is no traffic on the road. He said parking lots should also be created on the Boulevard road.

Steps were also discussed for upgrading facilities for the tourists at Pahalgam, Gulmarg and other places of tourist interest in the Valley.

The Chief Secretary said that arrangements for the ensuing Amarnath Yatra should also be made well in advance.

The meeting among others was also attended by the Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, Mr JA Khan, Principal Secretary, Transport, Mr SD Singh, Commissioner/Secretary, Tourism and Information, Mr Parvez Dewan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, Director General Tourism, Mr Mohammad Ashraf, IGP, Kashmir, Mr PS Gill, Director, Employment and Information, Mr Sudhanshu Pandey and other senior officers.

The president, Travel Agents Society of Kashmir, Mr Nazir Ahmad Bakshi, president, Kashmir Hotels and Restaurants Association, Mr Mohammad Amin Tramboo and president, House-Boat Owners Association, Kashmir, Haji Ghulam Qadir Khan also attended the meeting.

Cong leader demands another Master Paln for Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 11: Pradesh Congress-I has demanded another Master plan for Jammu city to over come the scarcity of drinking water.

As per a release, the demand was made by Party state secretary Mr Raman Bhalla while addressing series of public meetings in Gandhi Nagar Assembly segment.

He said the old master plan can not cater to the needs of the people as the population of the city has increased many fold what it was 20 years ago.

He said many of the PHE pipes have been laid through the dirty nullahs and due to leakages the water seeps into these pipes which endangers the public health.

Mr Bhalla has demanded immediate removal of old pipes. He stressed the Government to make proper arrangements for drinking water in the city.

He expressed concern that many works approved by the BDO in the Gandhi Nagar area have not been executed so far due to non availability of funds.

He demanded black topping of the link road from Nanaknagar to Gangyal via Marakari, Digiana Camp, Model Town, internal Gadigarh to Bhore Camp, Qasim Nagar to Sheikh Nagar and Bye-Pass to Sunjwani road.

Mr Bhalla also demanded Community halls fro Gandhi Nagar, Bahu Fort, Channi Himmat Colony with allotment of a piece of land for worship at Channi Himmat.

He also demanded matador service for Nanak Nagar and Gangyal from Panjtirthi. He urged the people to vote for Congress in ensuing Panchayat elections.

Cong delegation from Marh meets PHE CE

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 11: A deputation of Congress leaders of block Marh led by former Minister and senior Congress leader Mr Mula Ram and Mr Hari Singh Chib, general secretary INTUC called on Chief Engineer PHE and apprised him of the problems of water scarcity in the rural area.

As per a release, the deputationists while highlighting the problems alleged that people in villages of Kanger, Bhalwal, Kot Kainic, Bantalab, Keran, Gho Manhasa, Tikkri, Kantwalo and Marh were facing acute shortage of drinking water.

They also told him about the leakages in water pipes in villages of Paloura and Kot Bhalwal. They said this will cause epidemic in the area if not checked immediately.

They also urged him that the newly constructed OHT at Paloura be linked with existing pipe line system and supply should be made from OHT Paloura.

Mr Mula Ram and Mr Chib expressed concern over the supply of impure drinking water in village Paloura and also apprised him of the mismanagement of PHE lower staff.

The other members of the delegation include Messrs Som Nath, block president Marh, Tallanter Singh, youth president Bhalwal, Surinder Singh, youth president, Marh, Rattan Chand, Deva Chowdhary, Asha Nand, Rattan Lal, Balwant Singh and Ajit Singh.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 11: The Housing and Urban Development Minister, Moulvi Iftikhar Ansari has asked the Srinagar Municipality to take effective measures to check illegal and haphazard constructions in the Srinagar city.

Addressing a meeting of the officers of Srinagar Municipality, Srinagar Development Authority and Housing and Urban Development Department convened here today to device ways and means for rationalising building permission and re-defining the Municipal and Srinagar Development Authority limits, the Minister said that stringent action would be taken against concerned ward officers for dereliction of duty. He said violation of building permission and land use should not be allowed at any cast as it amounts to haphazard growth detrimental for the planned development of the city.

The Minister asked the Srinagar Development Authority to develop growth and monitoring cell to keep a close watch on the expansion index of the city and urged the need for designing perspective plan to develop cluster townships in suburbs with adequate infrastructure facilities. This, he said, would go a long way to ease pressure on the main city. He said construction of commercial building in the densely populated area of the city should be discouraged. He impressed upon the officers of the Srinagar Development Authority, Municipality and Lakes and Waterways Development Authority to co-ordinate and devo tail their activities for proper development of the city.

Mr Ansari while urging the need for extending the Municipal limits of Srinagar city asked the officers to identify the areas for this purpose at an earliest. He said Srinagar Development Authority would be re-organised to make it an effective developmental agency for the Srinagar city.

The meeting was attended by the Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Pankaj Jain, Administrator Srinagar Municipality, Mr Gulzar Ahmad and Vice-Chairman Srinagar Development Authority, Mr Abdul Hamid.

46,000 income generating units being set up

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 11: Over 46,000 income generating units will be set up in the State under various self-employment schemes during the current financial year. Last year, 17,762 such units were estabished under these schemes.

This was stated at a meeting of the Apex Committee on Employment held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly, here today.

It was disclosed that 5,000 income generating units will be set up under Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana, 10,000 units under State Self-Employment Scheme and 5,437 units will be established under Swaran Jayanti Shahri Rozgar Yojana. Similarly, 26,000 units will be set up under Integrated Rural Development Programme.

The meeting decided that within next three months, workshops will be organised at the district level on self-employment programme to focus on the problems being faced by the concerned agencies at the cutting-edge level and workout solutions thereof. The branch managers of various banks will also be given orientation training regarding checking of documents at these workshops.

Recovery Melas will also be held throughout the State for creating awareness among the entrepreneurs about the need for re-payment of loans and running the units viably. The Deputy Commissioners will identify five chronic defaulters under State Self-Employment Programme in respect of each bank and shall take punitive action, wherever necessary.

A separate scheme will be worked out for giving due recognition to the bank branches in every district for their best performance in financing the income generating units under self-employment schemes. Self-help groups will also be constituted to provide suitable loans to the entrepreneurs for various activities under highly flexible Micro-financing Scheme.

The Chief Secretary stressed for giving more impetus to the self-employment programme in the State. He said that monitoring of the performance under various self-employment schemes should be done on quarterly basis.

The Chief Secretary impressed upon the bankers to speed up the process of financing of the cases. He said the bankers should organise inter-face with the beneficiaries, particularly in the rural areas. This, he said, will help in creating awareness among the youth about the self-employment schemes as also ensure more transparency.

The meeting among others was attended by the Financial Commissioner, Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr IS Malhi, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, Mr JA Khan, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr Ajit Kumar, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Mr MS Pandit, Commissioner/Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Pankaj Jain, Commissioner/Secretary, Science and Technology, Mr GD Wadhwa, Commissioner/Secretary, Social Welfare, Mr AK Angurana, Director, Employment and Information, Mr Sudhanshu Pandey and representatives of various banks.

Martyrs day observed

Excelsior Correspondent

KISHTWAR, May 11: Martyrs Day was observed here in memory of mr Satish Bhandari, a social activist and secretary of Hindu Raksha Samiti who was gunned down by militants five years ago.

As per a release leaders of different social and political organisations paid tributes to Late Bhandari.

Thousands of people from all parts of Doda district participated in the function to take the pledge to completely defeat the Pak-sponsored terrorism in the State.

The speakers said so far 149 people have been killed in Kishtwar tehsil who included 90 Hindus, 2 Bakerwals, 10 Gujjars and 47 others. The participants in the function also included Prof Laxmi Kanta Chawla, MLA from Punjab, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, member of the dissolved Lok Sabha, Ramesh Arora Advocate, president Hindu Raksha Samiti, Mr Indresh Kumar, RSS organising secretary of Himgiri Prant, Mr Bali Bhagat MLA Ramban and Ved Prakash Gupta local unit president of Hindu Raksha Samiti.

Prof Chaman Lal Gupta listed the sacrifices made by the nationalist people for defending Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of India.

Mr Indresh Kumar also spoke in the function.

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