Murderer arrested 16 years after his escape from jail

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 30: Police today arrested a murderer, who during a jail break attempt went missing way back in 1990.

Police sources said that Bashir Ahmed Wagay, son of Ab Gani planned to eliminate Mohd Ismail Naik, the husband of his next door neighbour Saida Begum. The murderer was in illicit relationship with his neigbouring woman, who was married to Bashir Ahmed Wagay.

Under his plans to eliminate Wagay, Mohd Ismail Naik, according to Police, convinced him to travel to a nearby jungle together in October 1990 and killed him with an axe there, when he was lying flat on the ground. However the villagers spotted the body in jungle and informed police which took the body into its custody immediately.

A case under section 302 RPC was registered at P/S Damhal Hanjipora and subsequently, Wagay was arrested and a challan was produced against the murderer.

However, murderer broke open the lock of jail where he was lodged and went missing after 21 days of detention. He contacted Saida Begum and got married with her in Punjab.

Police tried its best to trace out Wagay, but failed to nab him. Believing that his case has been written off from the police records, Wagay returned to his native place after sixteen years following which the relatives of Mohd Ismail Naik came to know about his presence in the village and they informed police immediately. Police arrested Wagay during a raid and a challan is being produced against him in the court of Principal District and Sessions Judge Anantnag.

‘Keep displaced persons, refugees
out of Roshni Scheme purview’

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: All POJK Displaced Persons Front today demanded that all displaced persons or refugees of 1947, 1965 and 1971 be kept out of the purview of Roshni Scheme as long as their cases of compensation are not permanently settled.

Addressing a press conference here this morning, convenor of the Front Prof Virendra Gupta said that all the displaced persons and the refugees, who have not received any formal allotment letter from the Government against the land occupied by them so far, should be kept out of the purview of the Roshni scheme.

In number of cases the displaced persons from Chhamb and 1947 refugees were settled by the Government without providing them the ownership rights of the lands. Moreover, there were also large number of cases where non-camp refugees of Chhamb were not provided any piece of land for their settlement, he said.

As such these displaced persons occupied the deserted and barren lands which were of no use to Government then. But the Government has not regularised their possession so far, he regretted.

He demanded that all the displaced persons and refugees of 1947, 1965 and 1971 be kept out of the purview of the Roshni Scheme as long as their cases of compensation are not permanently settled and a special commission is appointed to settle issues pertaining to them.

"The revenue authorities be directed to regularise the land in possession of displaced persons", Mr Gupta further demanded and said that State land getting vacated from the land grabbers be used to make up the deficiency in allotment of land to the refugees and displaced persons.

The other demands of the Front include registration of cases of immoveable property claims of about 10,000 families of 1947 refugees, those rural displaced persons of 1947, who have not been allotted the land as per the laid down scale be compensated for deficiency in kind or cash as per the prevailing market rate, interim relief package of Rs 47 crore send by the Central Government be distributed among the concerned families and till the final settlement of the claims Rs 5000 per month be granted to the displaced families.

Mr Gupta disclosed that POJK Front will hold dharna in front of Divisional Commissioner’s Office on January 6, 2007 to impress upon the Government to accept the demands of displaced persons at the earliest.

Demonstrations held, effigies of Bush-Blair burnt
Hanging of former Iraqi President widely condemned

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: The execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein few hours before Id-ul-Zuha today received widespread condemnation across Jammu and Kashmir with political parties holding demonstrations and burning the effigies of President of United States of America George W Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) Prof Bhim Singh said that by hanging Saddam Hussein United States of America and United Kingdom have demonstrated the extreme arrogance of power in public.

Addressing a press conference, he strongly condemned the execution of Saddam and said "As the US and UK have demonstrated the extreme arrogance of power in public by hanging the former head of a Muslim State, I fear the execution will have an adverse impact not only in Iraq but also in other parts of the world".

Terming the execution of Saddam Hussain as violation of the UN charter, the JKNPP supremo said "it was not a hanging but murder of a leader, who believed in secularism".

"Saddam’s execution was against the sentiments of the people in the world. It is just the beginning of a more serious and bigger problem in West Asia as well as the world. All those who believe in democracy would condemn the act,’’ Prof Singh said.

In reply to a question, the JKNPP supremo said "US and UK hanged Saddam as he killed 128 people. But what about the killing of 5.5 lakh innocent Iraqi civilians during invasion by US and UK forces", adding "Bush and Blair should also be hanged for killing lakhs of people".

Prof Singh, who is also a lawyer, said that trial of Saddam was a farce and the verdict to hang Saddam was a judicial assault as the country was under US-British military occupation. "Dismissal of head of the court after he declared Saddam as innocent is a clear indication that US and UK had pre-plan to murder former Iraqi President", he added.

Later, in the evening the activists of JKNPP held a protest demonstration at Bikram Chowk against the execution of Saddam Hussein. They burnt the effigies of US President George W Bush and UK President Tony Blair.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, while expressing shock over the execution of former Iraqi President, said that Saddam Hussein was not given free and fair trial. "Execution of Saddam during holy days is most unfortunate and against the sentiments of every right thinking citizen", he added.

Senior Vice-president of the party Abdul Gani Vakil also condemned the hanging of Saddam Hussein and said that his fate should have been decided by the Iraqi people and not by the ‘puppet’ Government.

State Committee of Communist Party of India (CPI), in a meeting held under the leadership of State secretary Kanwal Dev, strongly condemned the execution of Saddam Hussein.

"This act will have serious repercussions to the extent of disintegration of Iraq", the CPI said and added that hanging was carried out at a time when the entire Muslim world was marking the day for love and peace for mankind.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kashmir Province, in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Sofi Yousaf, expressed shock over the execution of Saddam Hussein. "It seems to be a deliberate attempt on the party of Bush administration", he added and stressed that Bush administration needs to justify the exigency to execute Saddam on the auspicious Id-ul-Zuha.

Terming the execution of Saddam Hussein as a dastardly act, CPI Kashmir Counsel came up with strong condemnation. CPI leader Abdul Rehman Tuckroo and Mohd Yousaf Bhat said that democratic forces of the world have failed to keep the nefarious designs of America at bay.

Senior party leader G M Malik lamented the silence that has been maintained by the world right from the day sentence was awarded to Saddam Hussein.

Samajwadi Party, J&K supremo Sheikh Abdul Rehman said that international conspiracy was hatched at the behest of US President George Bush against Saddam Hussein and stressed that Mr Bush should be put on trial for blood shed and infringement of international law.

Duggar Pradesh Party also condemned the execution of former Iraqi President and said that this day will become ‘death day for America’. The party said that such punishment should be given to George W Bush, who has killed thousands of innocent Iraqis. The party has decided to observe seven days mourning.

On hearing the news of Saddam Hussein’s execution, the students and scholars of Jammu University protested against America. Terming Saddam as martyr in the fight against imperialism, they raised anti-Bush and anti-US slogans.

After the protest, the students and scholars organised a discussion where all the issues after hanging of Saddam Hussein were discussed.

Janata Dal (United), in a meeting held under the chairmanship of its State president Inder Mohinder Tar Singh, condemned the execution of Saddam Hussein and said that the same will be a great threat to peace in West Asia.

Our Rajouri Correspondent adds that hundreds of mourners gathered at Talab area in Rajouri to protest against the execution of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussien. They took out a procession to Gujjar Chowk where a demonstration was held.

The demonstrators strongly condemned the execution of former ruler of Iraq and held America directly responsible for his killing. The porcessionists, who passed through main bazars of Rajouri, were shouting slogans against the US President, George W Bush and puppet Government of Iraq.

The demonstrators also blocked the traffic at busy Gujjar Chowk for one hour. The demonstration was addressed by Moulvi Dil Mohammed, Khatib Jama Masjid, Gh. Rasool, Mushtaq Dar, Shafqat Mir and Shafqat Wani.

Advocate Tajim Dar and Avinash Jasial also condemned the execution of former Iraqi President.

Various bodies support inclusion of
Bhoti language in 8th Schedule

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: Various social and religious organizations today extended their full support to the people of Ladakah in their demand regarding inclusion of Bhoti language in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution and opening of holy Kailash Mansarovar route via Leh in Ladakah.

Addressing a joint press conference along with the leaders of Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association that spearheads the demand of Ladakhi people, the president Sanatan Dharam Sabha , Dharni Dhar Sharma, its convenor , Shayam Chouramani, VHP State chief, Dr Ramakant Dubey, Himalayan Parivar of Ladakah leaders Tashi Targayas and Phunsong Chospail today in an appeal to Prime Minister have urged him to concede this genuine demand.

The Bhoti Language should be brought into the Eighth Schedule of Indian Constitution on the same pattern as the Dogri and other languages of the country were brought, said Dr Dubey.

Justifying the demand he also made an appeal to Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad that a recommendation be made to Union Government in this regard.

Favouring the opening of Kailash Mansorovar road via Leh, Ladakh, he said the pilgrims visiting the holy place also provided be with all the facilities which are given to Haj pilgrims.

The Government of India should also take up the issue with China Government and seek its cooperation in this regard, said Dharni Dhar Sharma. He further demanded that all facilities be given to Hindus of J&K who intended to visit Pakistan for meeting their relatives or religious shrines as has been given to Muslims of the State.

Tashi Targayas who heads the delegation of Ladakhis said the people of Ladakh with the support of the Association are undertaking a "Pad Yatra" from Jammu to Delhi via Chandigarh in support of their demand.

Seeking the support of all the countrymen in this regard, he said Bhoti language is the mother tongue of Ladakhis and it is spoken in entire Himalayan region from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

Further this language is the medium of instruction and source of cultural affinity among the people of Himalayan Parivar. This language is one of the classical languages of world, which has been derived from Devnagari in the 7th century and with its rich literature and history it fulfills the required conditions to be included in the eight schedule, he added.

He said during the Sindu Darshan on June 23, 24 and 25 a resolution was passed to this effect also. The resolution was passed by the people of Ladakah as well as the people of India who had participated in the Sindu Darshan.

Through another resolution during the Sindu Darshan the Government of India was urged that one of the routes for Kailash Mansorovar yatra be opened via Leh Ladakh.

Migrants’ plea to PM

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: Displaced Welfare Forum from Muthi Camp Phase first in a meeting here, today outrightly rejected the shifting of camp inmates to the proposed site at Jatti, Nagrota and reiterated that they will resort to agitation against the decision.

They said that the proposed site has already been rejected by the inmates of Muthi, Mishriwala, Nagrota and Purkhoo.

Meanwhile, the Displaced Forum Mishriwala in a meeting has also extended its full support to Displaced Welfare Forum from Muthi. It, in a meeting held under the chairmanship of S L Dhar criticized the Government for shifting the migrant camps.

During the meeting an appeal was made to Prime Minister of India and he was urged to depute a team from PM’s Office to migrant camps to ascertain the views of displaced people regarding shifting of camps. They warned that the camps should not be shifted without taking the camp dwellers into confidence.

They alleged that previously the quarters for migrants were also constructed at Sheikhpora, Tulmulla and Matan without taking the displaced community into confidence.

Over Rs 1 cr being spent on protection of bunds

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Dec 30: An amount of Rs 1.09 crore is being spent under Command Area Development scheme during the current year and till ending November, 2006, Rs 55 lakh have already been expended.

This was stated by Executive Councillor, Agriculture, Tsering Norboo Lampa while inspecting the construction of protection bunds at Tukla today. The Executive Councillor Health Droje Motup and Deputy Director Command Area Development Tashi Tsetan were also present on the occasion.

Tsering Norboo said huge erosion of irrigated land was caused in the area during floods in August this year and irrigation channels got washed away. He said besides PWD, the Rural Development Department and CAD came forward to check the soil erosion so that more and more land could be brought under cultivation.

The EC Health Dorjey Motup stated that floods this year caused lot of damages in Tukla-Fulak area of Rong-Churgut and not only washed away irrigated land, head works of channels and roads but it also washed away the motorable bridge connecting Tukla with Fulak. He assured that the said bridge would be completed by next year.

Nove Soan for payment of balance ex-gratia

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: The Nove Soan Kashmir Front in a meeting today at Nagrota demanded that the Government should go ahead with the construction of model township at Jatti for displaced people.

The meeting, also demanded that ancillary works of the township like bridge on the local river and approach road be taken up in hand on priority basis.

He said the Government should also discuss the blue print for the model town with the community leaders as it should include all facilities like schooling and hospital. He also welcomed the enhancement of relief to Rs 4000 and demanded balance payment of ex-gratia relief, and compensation for losses suffered by the community.

WLC College celebrates new year with Bal Bhawan inmates

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: Keeping its social commitments in consideration, WLC College India celebrated the new year eve with the inmates of Bal Ashram and Balika Ahsram (orphan house) at Ved Mandir complex, Ambphalla, here today.

All the staff members and students of WLC College were present in the function with administrative staff of the Trust.

The staff members and students contributed the money for this programme and organised the function under the supervision of assistant Manager Neena Sharma. WLC students decorated the hall, participated in fun games, danced with the Bal Ashram kids and presented some gifts, school bags, sports items and fruits.

The WLC students visited the entire campus, interacted with the inmates, shared their routine life experiences and future prospects.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Sandeep Singh Pathania, Central Head WLC College India, lit the ceremonial lamp and extended his best wishes on the new year eve. He said that WLC College intended to take on this activity as a regular feature so that the institute is able to contribute for all round development of the children there.

The programme was coordinated by Pooja Dhar.

40 students of Arena Multimedia
placed in different companies

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: To celebrate the placement of its 40 students in different companies and welcome new year, Arena Multimedia organised an impressive get together.

All the students of the insitute took part in the get together and enjoyed the occasion by dancing on the tunes of hit numbers and music.

On the occasion, the Centre head informed that student of the Arena Multimedia have got placement in Adlabs, Cityinfo, Landmarkers, Care College, Digitech Systems, JPS Technologies, Visionary Network, Asia Colour Lab, Singh Studio, Sachdev Computers and Apexcel in Jammu while some others have been placed in Thomson Graphics, Reliance, Ramoji Films Satyam Infoway, Hallmark Cards, Bates India etc in Delhi.

He inoformed that the placement drive will continue for the remaining students as the animation industry is booming and requires around 15 lakh animators, graphic designers by the year 2008.

Symposium, painting competition on
empowerment of consumer rights

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: Department of Legal Metrology, J&K Government, in collaboration with the Consumer Research and Education Cell, Jammu University, organised a symposium and painting contest on ‘Empowerment of Consumer Rights and Duties’, here today.

There was 14 participants in the symposium while 30 students from different school took part in the painting competition.

Vishali, Vijay and Sukhjeet Kour secured Ist, 2nd and 3rd place, respectively in the symposium while the consolation prize was bagged by Premoksh Seth. In the painting competition, Simrin Kour of Convent School was adjudged first while the second and third place were secured by Aagam Jandial of New Era and Sudha Mahajan of KC Public School, respectively.

Prof Ajeet Angral and J S Chouhan were the judges.

In the symposium, the participants highlighted the rights of consumers and stressed the need to exercise these rights while purchasing any product. They also appealed the business community to use correct weights and measures, get themselves registered with Legal Metrology Department, don’t overcharge and ensure satisfaction of the consumer.

Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, who was chief guest on the occasion, distributed prizes among winners of the symposium and painting contest.

In his address, the Minister stressed the need to involve NGOs and institutions like Jammu University in the ongoing movement for empowerment of consumer. As the empowerment of consumer will automatically weaken the exploiter, more efforts are required to be made in organising such programmes and preparing literature for the purpose, he added.

In his presidential remarks, Dean Academic Affairs Prof B P S Sehgal assured all possible co-operation from Jammu University for consumer awareness programmes. Earlier, Dr D L Choudhary, Convener of Consumer Research and Education Cell, JU presented a formal welcome address and highlighted the role of University in creating consumer awareness by organising such programmes.

Prof S K Sharma of the Law Department delivered introductory remarks while vote of thanks was presented by J L Bhagat, Additional Secretary Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department.

Kawa to impart free computer education

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: In order to promote computer education in the society, Kawa- a leading name in the field of IT, has announced to impart free computer education to approximately 1000 computer illiterates.

This was stated by by Er M S Katoch, Chairman of the Kawa Group.

The institute has decided to launch free basic computer courses of 45 days duration starting from Ist January 2007, he said adding that the course would be offered by all Kawa Centres functioning across five states in the country and each institute would enroll approximately 40-50 students.

The course will cover computer basic, DOS, Windows, main options of Word, Excel, Power Point, Internet.

The interested candidates may contact nearest Kawa centre for getting them enrolled for the said course. The admissions will be made upto January 5.

According to a release, Er Katoch said that growing use of computer has made it compulsory to learn at least its basic. Therefore keeping in mind the growing use of computers and unaffordability by various segments of the society has inspire us to make this education easily accessible to the people, he said.

Usnu Kahin
Cathartic tale of repentant souls

By Ravinder Kaul

Expectation is at the bottom of most disappointments. One feels let down and cheated when things do not turn out the way one had hoped. Therefore, in the twenty odd years of reviewing plays, I have learnt not to harbour any preconceived notions while going to witness a play. This way one does not feel cheated when hopes do not get transformed into reality. Moreover, this attitude also has the potential of occasionally giving one a surprise. Today’s Punjabi play "Usnu Kahin", presented by Manoranjan Kala Kendra in the ongoing Festival of Plays being organised by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Abhinav Theatre, was one such surprise. A very pleasant one at that.

Almost everything in the play clicked. A powerful script, competent direction, a fumble-free acting, good lighting design and appropriate music, all these ingredients combined to make it a performance worth remembering. However, the piece de resistance of the show was the breathtaking display of histrionic talent by Sonia Kour, who, as Guddo, displayed all the emotions and acting skills in her repertoire to make it a moving experience for the viewers. She cried at the tragic plight of her father, she laughed when her father again picked up the Dhol, she strongly resisted the evil advances of her brother’s friend, she felt helpless at her loneliness, she was afraid of her circumstances, she was indignant at her brother’s behaviour towards the family, she was combative when her honour was at stake. She was good in every emotion. Very very good.

Pali Bhupinder Singh is a well known playwright of Punjabi language, who has written some memorable plays in recent times. "Usnu Kahin" is a play that deals with human frailties in a very sensitive manner. Aatu, Raja and Rama are three friends living in a village in pre-independent India. Raja is an underground freedom fighter and the British police has announced a reward on his head. The mother of Raja is at her death bed and Raja has to come to meet her. It is decided that when Raja is visiting her mother, Aatu, who is an accomplished drumbeater of the village and whose house is on the way to the village, will stand guard and alert Raja by beating his Dhol in case he senses any danger. The British police comes to know of the impending visit of Raja and raids the village. Aatu is bribed by them and he does not alert his friend. Raja is killed by the police. Aatu is distraught and his treachery haunts him all through his life.

Time passes and Aatu has now become an alcoholic and a recluse, who is looked after by his daughter. He cannot now bear the sound or sight of a Dhol. His son has got involved with terrorists, who come to visit the village in order to kill some villagers whom they see as their enemies. They assemble in the house of Aatu. Aatu and his daughter try to stop them but fail. When they leave for the village to execute their evil plans, Aatu finally picks up his Dhol after all these years and starts beating it loudly, alerting the villagers. The villagers wake up and the plan of the terrorists fails. One of the terrorists attacks Aatu and fatally injures him. Before breathing his last Aatu hallucinates and asks his daughter to tell Raja if he comes visiting that "when the time came he did beat the Dhol..... he did beat the Dhol."

Apart from Sonia Kour, M.L.Sharma and T.S.Premee also acted well in their respective roles of Aatu and his friend Rama. Amit Sharma as Sheera and Rajinder Kumar as Kanta have to learn one important lesson. Having a couple of drinks does not necessarily mean getting completely drunk. They would have been much better, had they not overdone it.

Music by Padam and Vijay Sharma was appropriate and succeeded in supplementing various sequences in the play. Light design was also good. The only weak link in the play was the set. Its design as well as its execution left a lot to be desired. The partition between the room of Sheera and the rest of the house was non-existent. The window at the rear end of the set was very fragile and the hut itself was not upto the mark.

T.S.Premee, the director of the play, has been around for quite some time. But with this play he has truly excelled himself. One hopes that in future also he can live upto the expectations generated by this play.

On Sunday Tapasya Kala Kendra presents its play "Apne Hisse Ka Sach" in Hindi under the direction of Subash Jamwal.

Nine deodar trees laid on road in
Bhadarwah by forest smugglers

Excelsior Correspondent

BHADARWAH, Dec 30: In a daring devil act nine lush green trees were cut and thrown on the road by the forest smugglers on Jai Bhadarwah road near Misrata last night.

After receiving the reports the Inspector of Forest Protection Force, Satish Manhas rushed to the site but the smugglers managed to escaped from the area in the cover of darkness.

The matter was brought to the notice of the administration and in the morning the Tehsildar Bhadarwah, Mr Rajesh Kumar rushed to the area along with SHO Bhadarwah to take the stock of the situation.

The Jai, Bhadarwah road remained blocked till 9 am as the trees were lying on the road. Later the GREF personnel were pressed into service by the administration to clear the road, said Tehsildar Bhadarwah.

According to reports the Forest Protection Force had seized 30 green sleepers from the same area one day earlier. But the territorial Forest officials reached the spot only when the road had been cleared.

The forest officials said that they were fired upon when they seized some sleepers in the same area on December 28. But surprisingly the matter has not been reported to police by the Forest officials nor the FIR was registered.

The Tehsildar said when one of his orderlies went to DFO’s office to inform him of the matter he became infuriated and thrashed him. The Tehsildar has taken up the issue with District Magistrate and urged him that the DFO be asked not to intervene in the case till its thorough investigation.

Meanwhile the Executive Magistrate has issued directives to police to start investigation of the matter and arrest the culprits.