Mufti firm on national consensus, says ‘I’ll
not make issue with any party’

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Asserting that he would strive to evolve a national consensus on Kashmir, J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that he and his coalition Government alone cannot achieve the objective of achieving durable peace in the State.

Speaking during the interaction after delivering his address on Kashmir: a new ray of hope, at FICCI’s function here this afternoon, Mufti Sayeed ruled out his Government making issue with the Centre and any political party including NC on any subject. He said he believed in transparency and would not like to do anything under the cloak of secrecy. After formation of the coalition, necessitated by the fractured mandate in the recent historic elections, he called on the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and apprised them of their agenda, of which healing touch is the corner stone. He said, ‘he is not defensive on any issue, be it release of innocents and political prisoners or rehabilitation of victims of militancy including the orphans of killed militants’. ‘I had told the Prime Minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee that the killed militants did not seek permission from his children before picking up the gun. And it is the duty of the State to look after their education’, he added.

He also narrated how at various places the victims of militants were overwhelmed when he handed over appointment letters under SRO 43, that were pending for many years. They need compassion, love and attention, which his Government is providing.

Lauding the healthy growth of vibrant federalism in the country over the years, he said, federalism is gradually getting strengthened with states’ seeking economic independence through direct investment from international agencies. We too want such investment for economic betterment of our people. He said, he is sure that had Mohd. Ali Jenah alive today he would have repented for pursuing misconceived two-nation theory. He said that while a State cannot be made on religion, Indian federal structure has generated a new confidence even among the people of J&K.

He said recent elections that voted out a Government are the result of flowering democracy of India. It has gone down well in the minds of the people of Kashmir that Government’s are no longer made or removed by New Delhi but the power is vested in them. This is an unbelievable achievement for the people of the valley, as they perceived it today. He said the fractured verdict at the elections is, in fact, in the interest of the people of the State and the country because different parties representing different regional aspirations are working together, accommodating each other’s point of view to deliver better governance to the people. He said there are no differences between the alliance partners and we would carry on with our task with single-minded approach to help the people tormented due to unfortunate situation.

Responding to a specific query about promotion of commercial films as part of overall plan for normalcy, he said, he is looking forward investment in every field, adding that ‘investment in Jammu and Kashmir is in fact investment in peace’.

Mufti Sayeed’s extempore speech was widely appreciated by the captains of the industry and they assured full support in redeeming his pledges.

Earlier, the President of FICCI Mr. Rajendra S Lodha welcomed the Chief Minister and listed projects that could be of interest for outside investment. He also presented to the Chief Minister a copy of the report prepared by FICCI on horticulture and agro-based industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr. A C Muthiah, President elect of FICCI thanked the Chief Minister for his illuminating address and said that the ray of hope generated by Mufti Sayeed would ultimately be transformed into a reality.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Prof Puri, Gadha felicitated
Rafiq chides Cong for forgetting Sadiq on
death anniversary

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: The president J&K Sadiq Memorial Committee and Senior Congress leader, Mr Rafiq Sadiq today chided his party leaders for forgetting the man who was responsible for bringing the Congress Party in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Presenting the vote of thanks at a function organized in connection with observance of 31st death anniversary of Late Ghulam Mohammed Sadiq, the former Chief Minister, here this evening, Mr Rafiq regretted that the leaders who are today in chair because of him, have totally forgotten this great leader and visionary.

He said "I have realized that by inviting the Ministers in today’s function, a great blunder was done by me because instead of paying tributes to the late leader who has contributed a lot in strengthening the democracy in the State, they preferred to meet Congress chief Mrs Sonia Gandhi at Delhi as their chair was in danger".

"I had invited the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Syeed to grace the occasion, but he informed me in advance that he was pre-occupied with some other engagement in Union Capital and pleaded that he could not attend the function", he said.

And later, "I approached the Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Mr Mangat Ram Sharma who showed his willingness to grace the occasion but two days prior to function he informed me that he too was unable to attend it due to some other engagements".

This is the sorry State of affairs for a Party which could not remember one of its towering personalities who had contributed a lot in making the Congress culture common in Jammu, Mr Rafiq regretted.

Expressing his dismay over the role of the Congress leadership, he said even the Party could have forgotten Mahatma Gandhi and Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru had their death and birth anniversaries not been observed on Government level.

Earlier, rich tributes were paid to Late Chief Minister by former Minister and senior Congress leader, Mr Mohammed Ayub Khan who termed him (Sadiq) his political Guru.

He said late G M Sadiq was a towering personality and great visionary for whom the politics was a worship.

He was a true democrat, a man of principles and good ideas who throughout his life never compromised on secular principles and served the people of State till his last breath with dedication and honesty.

Had this great leader survived for more years, the history of Jammu and Kashmir would have been quite different today, he said.

Recalling the services of this great thinker, Prof Jagan Nath Azad, who chaired the function, said the politics of Late Sadiq was of humanity and not of communalism and regionalism.

He said the former CM of J&K being a renowned intellectual, was fond of reading good books on varied subjects.

Prof Azad also stressed that preservation of two papers read on life and contribution of late Sadiq be preserved in the form of magazines and news paper articles.

Rich tributes were paid to Late leader by Prof Rita Jitender who said that she was highly impressed by the high qualities this great son of J&K was having.

She said apart from other qualities late leader was a true believer in the principle of gallantry and women employees were given due respect during his rule.

Earlier Mr Hasrat Gadha, general secretary Fankar Cultural Organization J&K and Prof M R Puri former Vice Chancellor Jammu University read papers on the life and contributions of Mr Sadiq.

They highly eulogized his role in strengthening the progressive movement in Jammu and Kashmir despite facing many odds and hardships.

Mr Gadha recalled how Mr Sadiq developed a link with the progressive writers and intellectuals of the country at that time. The progressive democratic movement gained a momentum under his stewardship, he added.

Prof Puri who termed Late Sadiq a great educationist, recalled some steps taken by him in reforming education system at that time. He said the fragrance of his cultural and political values still prevails in the State. His convictions sustained him while others were waylaid.

He said present Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Syeed is a product of that School of thought which was founded by Mr Sadiq.

On the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh, a renowned diabetologist was awarded for giving a new concept regarding the stress diabetes to the world.

Among others who were felicitated for their best contribution in respective fields included Prof. M R Puri, Syeed Shabir, New Editor D D, Jammu, Sham Kaul senior journalist and Prof Assad-Ullah, an Urdu scholar. Dr Balji Nath Pandita, a renowned Sanskrit Scholar was also awarded in absentia and Hasrat Gadha was presented life time Sadiq Memorial Award for his services.

The programme was conducted by Mr Mahesh Gupta, former President Lions Club Jammu. Among others Congress leader Pradhuman Singh, NCP State chief Th Randhir Singh, Congress spokesman, Ravinder Sharma, Party leader Ajay Tony and general secretary Pir Panchal, K K Raina its patron N Hangloo were also present. Earlier floral tributes were paid to late leader.

At another function organized by Hind Mazdoor Sabha here today rich tributes were paid to late leader of the state. The function was chaired by Sabha J&K chief Mr Sat Paul Sharma.

Two killed, 11 injured in mishaps
Driver roasted alive as truck catches fire

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: A driver was roasted alive at village Rakh Badui while as a two persons were killed and 11 others injured, four of them critically, in three separate road accidents.

According to police, a driver was roasted alive at village Rakh Badui under the jurisdiction of Bari Brahamana Police station late last night when a truck in which he was sleeping caught fire.

The victim Kamaljeet, son of Mulkh Raj of village Rakh Badui had parked the vehicle bearing registration number JK02G-5961 at village Badui and himself went for taking dinner at his residence at around 1100 hours.

After having dinner, the driver came back to sleep in the truck as the vehicle was loaded with spare-parts of the auto-mobiles and he didn’t want to leave the truck unattended due to the fear of theft.

At around mid-night, the villagers heared sound of cracker bustings and came out only to find truck in flames. They immediately rang up Bari Brahama Police station and a police team headed by SHO Inspector Kuldeep Khajuria rushed to the spot alongwith fire extinguishing squad.

The fire was completely extinguished after about half an hour long operation but by that time the driver had burnt badly. The charred body was shifted to Government Medical College hospital.

A case under Section 174 RPC has been registered and further investigations were on.

Police didn’t rule out the possibility of some miscreants having set the truck on fire.

Meanwhile, a scooterist was knocked to death by a mini-bus at MLA Hostel crossing this evening. The victim was on scooter bearing registration number JK02B-564 when a mini-bus coming from the Parade side knocked him down.

The police personnel deployed outside the MLA Hostel immediately caught hold the mini-bus driver and shifted the critically injured youth to hospital. The youth was pronounced as brought dead by the doctors in the hospital.

A case of causing death due to negligent driving has been registered against the erring mini-bus driver identified as Rajinder, son of Puran Chand of Nagrota Gujroo, at Bus Stand Police Station. The vehicle was also seized by the police.

Identity of the youth was not established when reports last came in.

In another road accident, one person was killed and six others received severe injuries when a bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled down. The vehicle bearing registration number JK02F-3983 was on its way to Bakori from Budhal when met with accident.

All the injured were rushed to District Hospital Rajouri where doctors pronounced one of them as brought dead. The deceased has been identified as Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din of Dandore. The condition of injured was out of danger when reports last came in.

In yet another road accident, a motorcyclist received severe injuries after he was hit by a tipper number JKQ-7489 at Mungfali Chowk, Sarwal.

Police said that the tipper driver lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a curve as a result of which it first hit a motorcyclist and then electric pole.

The injured has been identified as Kashmir Chand, son of Thakur Chand of Karan Nagar.

Meanwhile, four persons sustained injuries, two of them critically, in a collision between a motor-cycle and a Tanga at Bale-De-Bagh under the jurisdiction of Akhnoor Police Station this evening.

Police said that three persons were riding on motor-cycle number PB08R-4729 when the two-wheeler collided with a Tanga at Bale-De-Bagh. Due to the collision, the Tanga Wala also fell on the road side and sustained severe injuries.

All the injured were rushed to hospital by pedistrians and condition of two of them was stated to be critical when reports last came in. Two of the injured have been identified as Afzal of Mawa and Deepak, son of Munshi Ram of Bhalwal Brahamana.

Identity of two of the injured was not established till late this evening.

Presentation Convent holds painting competition

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: An inter -school painting competition was held in Presentation Convent School on Wednesday in collaboration with Nehru Bal Sangh.

It was sponsored by ECIL-ECIT a Government of India enterprises, Computer Education Division. Five schools nearing 50 students participated in the competition. The Judges were Messrs Ajay from Fine Arts, Mrs Virender and Mr J S Chauhan.

The topic for the competition was national Integration and the children had expressed the theme extremely well in colours and concept.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chauhan applauded the hard work and talent shown by the students and various art teachers of participating schools, i.e J K Public School, Carmel Convent School and Kendriya Vidyalaya.

Later the prizes were distributed by the chief guest and Principal of the School Sister Phyllis.

In the junior category Presentation Convent School, J K Public School and Carmel Convent School bagged first,second and third prizes respectively.

In senior Category Presentation Convent (Shilpa Jain), J K Public School and Carmel Convent bagged first,second and third position respectively.

Beig for introduction of professional education

Excelsior Correspondent

Baramulla, Dec 12: The Finance Minister Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beig today inaugurated an additional block constructed at a cost of Rs. 72 lakhs. The block has been constructed to introduce diploma course for mass communication, video production and information technology.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister underscored the need for introducing vocational education side by side with the existing syllabus and curriculum so that avenues for tackling unemployment problem could over come to a great extent.

Lauding the efforts being made by the college management in starting IT and Mass Communication like vocational subjects, the Minister hoped that it will go a long way in promoting talent and professional skill.

Referring to the significance of education, Mr. Beig enumerated steps being taken by the Government for universalization of elementary education adding that hundred per cent child population is being brought under the programme. He said that the literacy is imperative to improve socio economic profile of the people.

Later the Minister awarded the students who performed well in different disciplines. He also gave away prizes to the teams which participated in inter college tournament concluded in the college recently. Mr. Beig announced a grant of RS. 30,000 in favour of the teams of Budgam and Kupwara for procurement of sports goods.

The MLA Ghulam Nabi Lone and District Development Commissioner, Baramulla were also present on the occasion.

Chander Bhaga High School celebrates annual day

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: Chander Bhaga High School, Akhnoor celebrated annual day in which Mr Madan Lal Sharma, MLA was the chief guest, while Mrs Veena Kumari, ZEO Akhnoor and Mr Vijay Gupta, Vice Principal Higher Secondary School Akhnoor were the guests of honour.

As per a release the chief guest inaugurated Computer Lab established in the School in collaboration with SSI Computer Education, Akhnoor.

Mr O P Gupta, Principal of the school, presented annual report and highlighted the achievements in academic and non-academic spheres during the sessions. He also expressed that there was need to put in joint efforts by the school management, staff, parents, local NGOs, to bring about over all development of the institution.

He also brought to the notice of the chief guest the problem caused by the inflow of drain water into the school, which was causing great hindrances in carrying out games and sports activities the most.

The students of the school presented a colourful cultural programme which included Saraswati Vandana, group dances, solo dances, skits and folk songs.

Speaking on the occasion the chief guest Mr Sharma lauded the performance of the students and wished the institution to flourish in all spheres in the days to come. He also assured that he would direct the Notified Area Committee Akhnoor to solve the problem of drain water that flows into the school. He assured the audience that as a representative of the area he would try his utmost to bring about over all development of the area.

Vote of thanks was presented by Mr Raman Gupta, the president of the management committee of the school.

Sawhney conducts tour of Jammu East constituency

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: Mr Yogesh Sawhney, MLA Jammu East, accompanied by Municipality officials including Health Officer Dr Anwar Chowdhary and Junior Engineers, visited interior localities of the City namely Mohalla Paharian, Gali Khilonian, Gali Afghan, Kali Janni, Peer Mitha and Gujjar Nagar areas.

As per a release the MLA took stock of the hygiene and sanitation problems being faced by the inhabitants. The people complained that their areas are not being cleaned regularly which was causing health hazards for them.

Health Officer Jammu Municipality assured the MLA that special drives have been launched and vehicles arranged to lift garbage from the said localities and that adequate staff has been deployed for this purpose to make the city temples neat and clean.

Earlier Administrator Jammu Municipality, Executive Engineer and other officials accompanied Mr Yogesh Sawhney to take stock of the development works to be carried out in the above said localities.