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| ‘Create common economic space
with single currency’ Look for Kashmir solution in future, not in past: Mufti Excelsior Correspondent New Delhi, Dec 12: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that we have to look for solution of Kashmir problem not in the past but in the future.....more Diploma
Engineer rapes Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Dec 12: A Diploma Engineer has been arrested for allegedly raping two BA Part-I students of Government College for Women, Parade Ground Jammu at a hotel in Ramban on the intervening night of December 10 and 11.........more Bovine
animals seized, Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Police today seized about 12 bovine animals from Prithipur in Bishnah tehsil and arrested two persons........more Govt
exploring Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Jammu and Kashmir Government is exploring the possibility of making J&K Bank to finance a part of the State Plan.....more Enjoy high
internet speed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Now the internet savvy population of Jammu and Kashmir need not to sit infront of their computers for hours together due to the low connectivity......more |
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Government
orders Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Government has ordered a probe into the alleged manhandling of Independent MLA from Bishnah Ashwani Sharma by police officers at Ranvireshwar Chowk on November 4 when he was leading a procession of Jammu State Morcha (JSM).........more Bill on
women reservation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today introduced a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayate Raj Act, 1989 in the legislative assembly............more Consumer
Forum Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Divisional Consumer Forum Jammu comprising District and Sessions Judge DK Kapoor as its President and JK Gandotra and Minu Sharma as Members, in a complaint filed by Haji Ghulam Mohammad Ganai against Jammu Development Authority (JDA), has dismissed the complainant as frivolous and vexatious and directed the complainant.........more BJP
demands cancellation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Expressing deep concern over the Government refusal to cancel the December 7 entrance examination, meant for MD/MS courses, the State..........more |
‘Create common economic space
with single currency’ Excelsior Correspondent New Delhi, Dec 12: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that we have to look for solution of Kashmir problem not in the past but in the future. "Return to the past may not be possible and may not even desirable" Mufti said while delivering key note address on the first session of the two -day conference organised by Hindustan Times as part of Leadership Initiative on "Peace dividend": Progress for India and South Asia here today. On the panel was former Union Minister of State for External Affairs and President of National Conference Omar Abdullah while noted journalist and Editor of Asian Age M.J.Akbar was moderator. The session was attended by galaxy of political analysts, present and former diplomats. Senior civil servants, Kashmir watchers, scholars and intellectuals. Former American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was also present. Mufti Sayeed said the world has under gone tremendous change since partition and we have to be part of that changed system. "The past offers no hope" he said and added that we have to find solution to Kashmir problem in the future. "The seeds of a solution lie in using the logic of this change that is spearheaded by globalization to evolve a framework for new political dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir, which will resolve the issue on a long-term basis". In this context he said that our first move has to be to look for and create a much larger common economic space in a subcontinent and beyond. "We can, for instance, look for a SAARC economic space where we can have a free movement of factors of production like labour and capital; have greater market relations and indeed, have a single currency, a consistent and congruous monetary and fiscal policy, and uniform trade policy", Mufti Sayeed said. Asserting that economic interest override all other interests, he said political disputes would become intense, frozen position thawed and all economic relations bring us to one step away from political resolutions. In a scholarly and thought provoking 40- minute address Mufti Sayeed touched various aspects of intense and troubled history of Jammu and Kashmir and said that Kashmir issue cannot be put in any water type compartments as it would do no good but lot of damage to various factors of the issue that does not have any easy answer. ‘Readymade solution make the problem a distorted image and models make a mockery of the specify city of the issue’, he said, adding that one can look for frame work for a solution and in this contacts discussions at such a forum are useful. Dwelling at length the receding role of Internationalists like UNO, the Chief Minister also spoke about the oft-repeated demand for autonomy and said that while it does recognizes the ethno-nationalism of Kashmiris- Kashmiriyat, it is also a compromise solution. Taking its origin in early 50s, it does not merit as much today’s situation in country with regional parties gaining prominence and the centre being ruled by a coalition of political parties. Autonomy sought to create and enclave of federalism within a unitary system, India today is more federal than before. Political autonomy without fiscal autonomy is nothing as the former derives its substance and sustainability from economic independence. He said at present the State Government is finding difficult even to pay its wage-bill let alone finance states development. The real danger in this case is that the autonomist viewpoint, can be very easily diluted which then goes to compromise the basic principle of ethno-nationalism. He said even in early 50s the position of Sadr-i-Riyasat and Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir was not institutionalized and could be subverted. Mufti Sayeed also spoke on the proposal of converting line of control into international border and said "given that it is line of conflict, the conversion of LOC into IB could at best be a part of the solution and not the solution, if done on a stand-alone basis." He said internal dimension couldn’t be wished away. Categorizing people of the State into three generations, Mufti Sayeed said that there is also important to recognize inter-generation dimension of the problem. The first generation of Kashmir was the one that involved in the freedom movement. It did not accept a division of Kashmiri on the basis of religion but the divide across secular lines. The second generation of Kashmiris was the one who witnessed 1965 war and 1971 East Pakistan crisis. It responded differently as they developed animosity, mistrust and suspicion towards each other. He said ‘as historical memories recede, the third generation belonging to the age group of thirties or slightly more, is not swayed as the earlier generations. Having not witnessed any war between India and Pakistan, their emotional detachment helped to rise above psychological barriers and be more forward looking and future oriented. Referring to generation shift in Kashmir politics, Mufti Sayeed said that we have a wide spectrum of political leaders in the group of 30 to 40. In this connection he mentioned names of Molvi Umar Farooq, Sajjad and Bilal Lone, Omar Abdullah, Yasin Malik and Shabbir Shah and Mehbooba.Mufti Saying that it augurs well for the State politics, he opined that it makes the static State of affairs more interesting and pregnant with possibilities. He, however, added that there would be attitudinal change as the young , even world over are increasingly connected to international culture. Referring to the achievements of his Government in one year, the Chief Minister said that we have shown that political fundamentalism was the face of frustration; frustration because of the lack of dialogue. It was not the norm, but the exception to the historically known mental make up of Kashmiris. "In the first year of governance, we did not focus our attention so much on changing the political systems, but we tried to change the structures in which political, civil and economic life is conducted". The Chief Minister said that for the first time in the troubled history of Jammu and Kashmir, ‘the State Government is not in an adversarial role while talks are being conducted with the separatist groups’. He said the Government is the facilitator, attributing it as a major achievement of one-year in power. Mufti Sayeed said that nothing could show the change in the attitude more clearly than the recent State election. ‘Instead of bringing in the ante on Pakistan, the entire campaign was quite the contrary. We focused on progress not on parochialism and discussed development and initiated dialogue. Nothing can be more heartening than that. Concluding his speech he said amidst applause ‘as we sit here in the middle of a Delhi winter, I smell a spring in the political climate of the sub-continent. The blossoms are not far. And as you all know, the blossoms in Kashmir are the best in the world’. |
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Diploma Engineer rapes 2 Parade College girls Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Dec 12: A Diploma Engineer has been arrested for allegedly raping two BA Part-I students of Government College for Women, Parade Ground Jammu at a hotel in Ramban on the intervening night of December 10 and 11. According to DIG Udhampur-Doda range, Satvir Gupta on a specific information a police party from Ramban Police Station led by SDPO J S Katoch raided a hotel in the town and found the College girls and Diploma Engineer in compromising condition. Both the girls belonging to scheduled case community and the residents of Bhaderwah and the Diploma Engineer were taken into custody and subjected to questioning. The girls, in their statement to police said that they hailed from Bhaderwah and were putting up in the Parade College hostel and were kidnapped and lured by the Diploma Engineer—Tahir by posing a threat to their life if they did not respond to his dictates. The victims further alleged that they were raped by the Engineer a number of times but they could not resist due to fear of being killed. On Dec 9, one of the girls was raped in a rented house in Indira Colony area of Jammu. The accused—Mohd Tahir, son of Ghulam Mohd Zargar of Bhaderwah was staying in Janipur (Indira Colony) area of Jammu since the completion of his Diploma from Dehradun. Later, both the girls were produced before DIG Doda, Mr Gupta who directed the SHO Ramban Police Station to register a case under Section 342, 363, 366 and 376 RPC against the accused and investigate the case on merits. The girls were handed over to respective family members after conducting their medical examination in Ramban hospital and other legal formalities by police. The youth has been sent behind the bars. |
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Bovine animals seized, 2 arrested by Bishnah Police Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Police today seized about 12 bovine animals from Prithipur in Bishnah tehsil and arrested two persons. Police spokesman said that Bishnah Police team led by SHO (DySP Probationer) Manjeet Kour received information from the sources that bovine animals were being smuggled to Uttar Pradesh. Soon on the receipt of information, the police swung into action and chased the truck bearing registration number PB29B-5408 and on checking found 12 bovine animals in it. Both the occupants of the truck—Rajan Sharma and Jyoti—were immediately taken into custody and vehicle was seized. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that they had been in the business of smuggling bovine animals for the past quite sometime and had successfully taken the animals to Uttar Pradesh and Srinagar. They also disclosed the modus operandi and how they were dodging the police personnel at different checking points. |
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Govt exploring possibility of plan funding by J&K Bank Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Jammu and Kashmir Government is exploring the possibility of making J&K Bank to finance a part of the State Plan. This was decided at the maiden meeting of the recently constituted Cash Management Committee (CMC) held here last evening. The meeting was presided over by Economic Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Government, Dr. Haseeb Drabu. The meeting was informed that financing part of the State Plan by J&K Bank would, however, need for approval of the Union Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India. The State Government is going to take up the matter with the Union Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India authorities to seek their approval for the purpose, the meeting was told. Constituted on the initiative of Minister for Finance and Planning, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, the CMC has been asked to monitor and regulate the resources and expenditure to ensure proper cash flow and avoid liquidity problems. During its meeting the Committee highlighted the need for changing cash management system within the Government and vis-à-vis J&K Bank. Even as the overdraft of the J&K Bank was reduced by over Rs. 200 crore within two days of setting up of the CMC, the meeting observed that putting in place a better system of cash management monitoring and ensuring timely crediting of revenues received by J&K Bank to the State exchequer could reduce the overdraft by another Rs. 200 crore. The meeting also discussed the possibility of reducing the interest rate charged by J&K Bank on the overdraft facility. The committee is of the view that the rate of interest charged by J&K Bank on its overdraft could be reduced by 2 per cent if it is linked to any benchmark rate like the prime lending rate or the bank rate prevalent in the financial system. The meeting decided that the Government would make concerted effort not to seek overdraft above the fixed limit and the State has set the target of bringing down the overdraft to Rs. 600 crore by the end of the current financial year. Coming at a time when, traditionally, the Government faces liquidity problem, these measures if implemented could help the State easily tide over the cash crunch in the future. |
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Enjoy high internet speed as
Direcway Broadband Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Now the internet savvy population of Jammu and Kashmir need not to sit infront of their computers for hours together due to the low connectivity speed as Promising Duniya Infosystems Private Ltd and Hughes Escorts Communications Ltd today launched Direcway Broadband Services in this State to make you to experience the internet in ways you have only dreamt off. The services were launched by Minister of State for Defence Prof Chaman Lal Gupta at a function here this evening. He congratulated the team of Promising Duniya Infosystems for bringing the new concept in the State and hoped that introduction of Direcway would reduce the problems of internet users with regard to connectivity. With these services the internet savvy population can be connected to net 24 hours a day that too at a very high speed and without telephone lines. The users can download music and video clips in a fraction of seconds, check e-mails, chat with friends and do business on internet. Direcway Broadband offers a chance to experience high internet speed and provide a clear solution for the users no matter where they are located in India. Backed by 30 years of Satellite experience, the parent company Hughes has been continuously improving their products and making them accessible to the common user and helping to bridge the gap to the world of broadband to everyone. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Promising Duniya Infosystems (P) Ltd, the remarkable features of Direcway are location independent, wirefree connections, speed upto 512 Kbps, 99.9 percent network uptime, two way satellite service and online availability of traffic and usage patterns. "The product is backed by Hughes Escorts Communications Limited—a largest VSAT services operator in Asia Pacific region. With an installed base of 12000 VSATs across the country, HECL offers most comprehensive suite of partner service in India and has recently won the Best Service Provider Award in India by Frost and Sullivan, USA and Voice and Data, India for the year 2003", he disclosed. In this State, he said, Direcway facility is being provided by Promising Duniya Infosystems (P) Ltd, which would provide all necessary infrastructure for installation of Direcway Broadband services in the State. He added that unlike a dial-up connection or a traditional leased line (narrowband), which are limited to 128 Kbps of speed at the maximum, the Broadband speed potential poses unlimited opportunities to take the internet to lengths not experienced before, at speed of upto 512 Kbps. Senior BJP leader Shiv Charan Gupta, who was guest of honour on the occasion, also congratulated the team of Promising Duniya Infosystems. |
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Government orders probe into
manhandling Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Government has ordered a probe into the alleged manhandling of Independent MLA from Bishnah Ashwani Sharma by police officers at Ranvireshwar Chowk on November 4 when he was leading a procession of Jammu State Morcha (JSM). This was disclosed by the Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma in the State Assembly today. He said the MLA is peoples’ representative and the probe will be held through a senior police officer of I G level. It will submit the report within one month and the action will be taken against the guilty. Earlier the matter was raised when the House assembled for the day’s business in the morning by Manjit Singh of BSP, Jugal Kishore of BJP and Faqir Chand of NPP. They stood up from their seats and sought a statement from the Government as assured by the Speaker yesterday. They were supported by NC members including Ali Maohammad Sagar, Mubarak Gul and Ajay Sadhotra who said this being an important issue, the Government should come with a statement. But the Speaker Tara Chand asked to members to take the seats as Deputy CM will come with a statement on the issue later. However, when the House finished its day’s business in the afternoon, these members including Ashwani Sharma, Babu Singh and Balwant Singh Mankotia again stood up demanding the statement from the Government on the issue. Raising the matter Ashwani Sharma said that on November 4 he was ruthlessly beaten by the Police officers while leading a procession of JSM. He alleged that this way the peoples voice was being suppressed and Government should state whether we live in a democracy or dictatorship. He demanded that MLAs prestige be maintained and police atrocities on innocent people be stopped forthwith. He said innocent people in the state have become the victims of police accesses and action be taken against the erring officers. |
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Bill on women reservation in panchayats introduced Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed today introduced a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayate Raj Act, 1989 in the legislative assembly. The bill proposes to amend section 4 wherein not less than 1/3rd of the total number of panch seats reserved previously under above proviso shall be reserved for women belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. It further provides that not less than 1/3rd (including the number of panch seats reserved for women belonging to SC and STs) of the total number seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a panchayats. The proposed amendment in section 41 shall substitute words ‘panchs’ for ‘elected panchs’. Stating the objects for amendments in Section 4 and Section 41 of the Act, the Minister said that the proposed amendments would strengthen the representative character of the Halqa Panchayats and also to ensure effective participation of women and other weaker sections in the functioning of grass root level democratic institutions. |
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Consumer Forum imposes Rs 10,000
as Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Divisional Consumer Forum Jammu comprising District and Sessions Judge DK Kapoor as its President and JK Gandotra and Minu Sharma as Members, in a complaint filed by Haji Ghulam Mohammad Ganai against Jammu Development Authority (JDA), has dismissed the complainant as frivolous and vexatious and directed the complainant to pay an amount of Rupees 10,000 to JDA for dragging the latter in a forced litigation for its no fault. This amount is to be paid within a period of six weeks failing which the complainant shall be lawfully dealt with under the provisions of J&K Consumer Protection Act, it was ordered. In the judgment, it was observed that despite number of adjournments, the complainant failed to file the affidavits in support of his case and in order to counter the contentions raised by JDA in its written version." The complaint’s right to adduce the evidence stood closed and we are of the opinion that the complainant is not entitled to any relief, as he brought no evidence nor even cared to file own affidavit. Under such circumstances he is not entitled to any relief", it was observed. According to the complainant’s case, he was allotted a plot in the shopping complex Fruit Market Narwal on September 12, 1995 and deposited a sum of Rupees 5,000 as security with JDA. In the complaint, it was submitted that he was intimated vide a letter dated October 1, 1996 by JDA that 50 percent of the total cost of the plot to be deposited within 10 days, but the letter was received by him in first week of February 1996 and he deposited the entire amount of Rupees 66,111 by demand draft of J&K Bank. He alleged in the complaint that despite fulfilling all the conditions, the plot was cancelled and intimated to him vide letter dated May 2, 1998. The complainant filed this complaint that JDA wrongly and illegally cancelled his allotment. |
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BJP demands cancellation of Dec 7 entrance paper Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Expressing deep concern over the Government refusal to cancel the December 7 entrance examination, meant for MD/MS courses, the State BJP president Dr Nirmal Singh has accused the State Government of playing with the career of medicos. Dr Singh also stressed that in order to protect the interests of deserving candidates, BJP would leave no stone unturned to get the December 7 exam cancelled as the question paper was already leaked. The assurance was given by the BJP chief to the aggrieved medicos who met him here today and sought party’s intervention into the matter. Dr Nirmal Singh said that theirs was a fit case for consideration as the investigating agencies have established that the question paper was leaked to certain influential candidates of a private Srinagar based Medical College. The BJP chief alleged that the ruling coalition partners were shielding the accused officers and this was the only reason that the Minister of Medical Education has gone back on his promise of canceling the December 7 exam paper. He also assured the aggrieved medicos that he would take up their case with the concerned authorities and do everything to get justice done. He also warned the ruling coalition partners, particularly Congress, not to shield corrupt officers involved in paper leak scam. |
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Judicial employees condemn remarks against judiciary Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: The judicial staff in Jammu division struck work for the first half day today in protest against the inaction of the Divisional and the District administration is not arresting and prosecuting the elements for taking out contemptuous rally against the institution of Judiciary. Protest rallies were held by the judicial staff at all District and Tehsil headquarters demanding immediate arrest of the vested interest. The main rally was at Jammu which was addressed by the Surinder Singh Sudan, general secretary of the JEWA. Meanwhile, the Judicial Employees Welfare Association (J&K), strongly refuted the allegations of any backdoor appointments in the subordinate judiciary and clarified that it was for the first time that the selection of steno typist was made with full transparency and a selection list was published with full gradation and unfilled vacancies were immediately re-advertised. The Acting Chief Justice has also evolved a fool proof mechanism to complete the process of recruitment of the other staff. District Judicial Employees Welfare Associations Udhampur and Kathua strongly condemned the act of some miscreants who dared to use unparliamentary and unlawful remarks against the supremacy , dignity honour of the judiciary and challenged its powers. In a meeting of the members held here today a resolution was passed condemning the act and also inaction on the part of Divisional Commissioner, DC and SSP Jammu. They said that inaction of the Divisional Commission and SSP who allowed them to hold this type of procession was also strongly condemnable. It was resolved that the recent appointments made by the Chief Justice for 89 days are genuine and made only on the temporary basis untill the selection of the deserving candidates is made by the selection committee. JEWA supported the stand taken by the Acting Chief Justice to streamline the Administration. The judicial staff also struck work for half to lodge their protest in the Udhampur court. Judicial Employees Federation for district Doda has also condemned the act of some elements raising remarks against the system. An emergency meeting of Judicial employees was held in Bhaderwah court premises here today under the chairmanship of Mohd Iqbal Zargar, Nazir District court. A resolution was passed in which the activities of the persons having nefarious designs against the judicial system were not only condemned but regretted also. All the employees rendered full support to the successful administrator. Judicial Employees Samba today staged a dharna in the court premises for the first half day in protest against the civil administration and police agency for their failure to take action against the few miscreants who raised slogans the judiciary yesterday in Jammu. They reiterated their faith in the able administration of Acting Chief Justice, V K Jhanji. Meanwhile, Bar Association Samba in a meeting today strongly condemned the most deplorable act of certain miscreants in vain attempt to tarnish the image of judiciary by raising slogans against the institution and utter failure of law enforcing agencies for their inaction against culprits who continued their hooliganism unchecked for a pretty long time at Jammu. The Bar reiterated its resolve to fully support the institution. |
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National Woolen Expo
begins Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12 :Attributing political uncertainty in past as the root cause for non-exploitation of vast economic and employment generation potential in the agriculture and allied sectors, the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Abdul Aziz Zargar today called for a coordinated effort to promote sheep and wool industry in the state on modern lines. He was speaking at the inaugural function of a 10 days long National Woolen Expo-2003 here this evening. "There is need to provide marketing facilities to the sheep breeders and handloom viewers to eliminate exploitation by the middlemen", he said. The Expo has been organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Sheep and Sheep Products Development board in collaboration with the Central Wool Development Board, Minister of Textiles, Government of India with the objective to provide marketing cover to the artisans under one roof to enable them exhibit and sell their products directly to the buyers. The Expo would also provide an opportunity to the artisans of various states to interact with each other and share their experiences on various sheep and wool development techniques. Artisans and Handloom Cooperative Societies of Six states including Gujarat, Rajsthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Uttranchal have put up about 50 stalls at the Expo to exhibit their products. The artisans have been provided these stalls free of cost besides travel and transport charges by the Central Wool Development Board. Mr Zargar said that Government has identified sheep and animal husbandry sectors as core areas for reviving economy on sustainable basis and added that these sectors have vast economic and employment generation potential, which would be exploited optimally. For this purpose, he said implementation of Rs 13 crore-technology mission for development of sheep and wool products is in full swing. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Sheep and Animal Husbandry Yash Paul Kundal urged the need for providing purchase performance to the handloom weavers and artisans by the various Government agencies to boost indigenous hand made products in the State. He called upon the officers and field agencies to work with social commitment for developing sheep and animal husbandry sectors in a big way. The Ministers also visited some stalls and evinced keen interests in various hand-made exhibits. |
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Rare pencil pistol, chemical cartridges recovered SRINAGAR, Dec 12: In the first seizure of its kind, police have recovered a rare pencil pistol and 25 "chemical" cartridges from a militant hideout in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, leading to suspicion that ultras might be switching over to chemical or biological weapons from conventional arms. The pistol and cartridges marked ‘neroxin’ were recovered from the house of one Bashir Khan at Krishipora-Nagrimalpora village, Sub District Police Officer, Handwara, Altaf Khan said. Khan said during inspection of the ammunition, one of the police officers suffered giddiness and had to be referred to army hospital for treatment, leading to suspicion that cartridges might be carrying chemical or biological agents. The literature found with the cartridges has ‘BA’ marking in bold letters, a likely reference to biological agents, Khan said. "We are working on the possibility of the substance being nuclear, biological or chemical in nature," he said. Khan said the ammunition, which looks typical 6.35m rounds, had been sent for tests to the police forensic laboratory. "If our apprehension about presence of chemical or biological weapons turns out to be true, it is a dangerous development where militants are graduating from conventional weapons to Weapons of Mass Destruction," he added. Khan said such weapons were essentially desired to target important personalities. (PTI) |
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Illicit timber confiscated from CISF vehicle Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: About 3260 numbers of semi unfinished Willow clefts and 15 scants containing of illicit timber were seized near Batote and Kud being transported out of State. Meanwhile, a bid to smuggle 29 sleepers of deodar loaded in a vehicle No.JK05-7916 belonging to Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was foiled by forest officials near Lakhanpur. According to a forest department spokesman a truck of CISF carrying illicit timber been transporting from the Valley was intercepted at Lakhanpur forest check post and 29 sleepers of deodar were confiscated by Divisional Forest Officer, Kathua. Similarly, a truck bearing NO. JK02B-2797 carrying 3260 number of semi finished Willow clefts was intercepted by the forest officials on December 8, near Kud. Legal action against persons involved in the smuggling was initiated on the spot by the forest officials. Wooden clefts clandestinely hidden inside 15 resin containers were confiscated from three trucks bearing No.JK02H-9615, JK02G-5843 and JKS-1250 near Batote on December 9. The clefts were being clandestinely transported alongwith resin loaded from Sangaldan Resin Depot of Mahore forest division duly covered by official documents. The truck drivers and their associates were arrested and legal action was initiated immediately by the Batote Forest Division. About 40 kg of Guchis and 60 kg of Kakar-singi was recovered from a Maurti van bearing No.JK14-6865 on December 10, 2003 at Udhampur forest check post. The forest products was being smuggled by the driver who was not possessing any authorization document. |
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Death anniversary of G M Sadiq observed Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: A function was organised in the Pradesh Congress Committee office today to observe the 32nd death anniversary of veteran Congress leader, G M Sadiq former Chief Minister of J&K state. The function was held under the chairmanship of Mr Om Chopra Ex-MLA and president DCC, Jammu (Urban). Former MPs—Mohd Ayub Khan, Dharam Paul Singh and Janak Raj Gupta, Parduman Singh Azad MLC, Farida Mir -MLC, Th Puran Singh , P Namgial -MLC, Rafiq Sadiq—Member PCC, Yogesh Sawhney -MLA, Amrit Malhotra—MLC Shanta Bharti and Baldev Sharma -former legislators also addressed the meeting. While paying tributes to former Chief Minister, Mr Chopra described him as a true statesman, a front ranking politician who brought this state at par with other Indian states. He faced the challenge posed by Sheikh Mohd Abdullah and soon emerged as popular leader in the state. Mr Chopra said Sheikh Abdullah was not leader of Ladakh and Jammu but Mr Sadiq was popular in all the three regions. Mr Chopra while praising Sadiq said he raised the standard of life of the poor and down trodden and never gave vent to corrupt people as he was deadly against this menance. |
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Gupta distributes SIM cards to Kathua subscribers Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Dec 12: A function was organised today by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Kathua to distribute first SIM cards to the customers. Minister of State for Defence, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta distributed first ten SIM cards to the mobile subscribers. While addressing the gathering, Prof Gupta said that this revolutionary step taken by the BSNL at Kathua headquarters will help people to utilise modern means of communications. He appreciated BSNL authorities for taking radical steps in Jammu. Speaking on the occasion, Arun Kumar (CGM) said that Kathua was the first district of the State which is connected with the network. He further stated that SIM card to all the subscribers will be distributed in phased manner and afterthen they will connected with the complete mobile network. He further said that work on the mobile at other districts is on the progress and will be distributed in phased manner. R K Koul, GM TD and Charlie Methew and other prominent officers also attended the function. |
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Baig’s sarcastic remarks against Kichloo Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: The Minister of Finance, Muzafar Hussain Baig today made some sarcastic remarks against the NC Member Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo in the State Assembly. Intervening during the debate on scarcity of food grains in Marwah area, the Minister said the Member is often raising the P O I. He, while pointing towards Speaker he said Kichloo Sahab ka ham ahtiram kartay hain, yaeh har bat per keion khaday hotay hain, aur POI authatay hain, aur dusri bat yeh har vakat coat keion autartay hain, kal ko yeh kisi bat par pant be autarain gain (Sir we respect Kichloo Sahib,but why he stands up on every point and raises POI. Moreover why he takes off the coat every time unnecessarily and tomorrow he will take off his pant on any issue in the House.) Earlier the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ghulam Hassan Mir took the strong exception of some members using the unparliamentary language in the House. He said a member has just said that the reply was Mangadat which is totally an unparliamentary word. Earlier when the House started the business Ajay Sadhotra of NC wanted to know why the Speaker had denied permission to the electronic media in the House today when in the last session there was no ban on their entry in the House. He said he has been informed that except the cameramen of DD, the electronic media representing the private channels were not allowed to enter the House today. He demanded that electronic media be given permission to enter in the House for recording proceedings. Tarigami wanted a statement from the Government that why the compensation was not given to the farmers whose crops were destroyed by hail storm. |
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Janipur Police catch thief, recover stolen items Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: With the arrest of a thief and recovery of stolen items worth Rs 1 lac, Janipur Police claimed to have solved some burglaries in Jammu-West. Six television sets, including 2 coloured and 4 black and white, six speaker deck, one Video CD, one table fan, one transformer, 15 CDs and Rs 4000 in cash have been recovered from possession of the arrested thief whose identity was established as Vikas Singh of Lakkar Mandi. According to SDPO Bakshi Nagar, Dy SP Tanveer Jillani, the thief was held by a Police party, led by SHO Janipur, Bishnesh Kumar, when the former was moving with a television set on his shoulders, under suspicious circumstances in the wee hours, today. During investigation, Vikas Singh, who was working as conductor with a minibus, admitted that the television set with him was a stolen one and he had committed a number of burglaries in Janipur, Sarwal, Paloura, Talab Tillo and other areas. Police recovered other stolen items from the possession of Vikas Singh and registered a case under sections 380, 384, 457 and 454 of RPC against him. |
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Children’s painting
competition organised Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: A two-day on the spot children’s painting competition was organised by the State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Jammu. Total 1345 students from different Government and private institutions participated in the competition. The three equal State Academy Awards in infant group, have gone to Sharin Gupta of Healthy Minds Club, Jammu, Harishi Manchanda from PCTI’s Pearls, Jammu and Vishika Raina from Shakti Public School, Jammu. In the junior group, Ist prize was awarded to Rajni Bai from Army School, Maralian while second prize was bagged by Saleema Bano from J&K Police Public School. In the senior group, Ist and second prize were bagged by Arjun Chandan of J&K Public School, Jammu and Priya Gupta of Model Academy, respectively. Ist and second prize in the amateur group were given to Charandeep Singh of Guru Harkishan Public School and Suhasini Sudan of MHAC School, respectively. Stolen goods
recovered Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 12: Nowshera police today busted a gang of thieves, engaged in the thefts of car tape recorders and other accessories. The gang was operating in the area for last more than three months. Arrested gang members have been identified as Sunil Kumar R/o Narian, Devinder Kumar R/o Rumli Dhar, Vikramjeet R/o Daryala, Mukesh Kumar R/o Seri and Jyoti Parkash R/o Muradpur. Recoveries made from their possession included two tape recorders, five walkman, five head phones, 56 batteries of remote, 33 cassettes and eight transistors. Some more recoveries were expected, police said. the gang was involved in four thefts sometime back. A police party which arrested the gang was led by Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Nowshera Benam Tosh and SHO Surinder Chowdhary and was supervised by SSP Rajouri A Mujtaba. |
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