Shah not averse to ‘sincere’ dialogue with New Delhi .........

SRCO gets SOS assistance....

Toph Sherkhania residents stage demonstration........

Dudha urges Govt to provide loans to displaced entrepreneurs............

JSM demands early setting up of Delimitation Commission.....

Swami Kumar Ji delivers lecture on Bhagwat Gita............

Symposium on iodine deficiency disorder organised.........

Rs one crore Sharda Sadan being constructed by KPA at Mumbai.........

Drug-peddler arrested, 2000 capsules recovered.........

BSNL to provide fixed line WLL within 3 months
Purmandal, Utterbehni to be on-line by March

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Jan 22: The religious places of Utterbehni and Purmandal are all set to get communication network as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has started work on establishment of telephone exchange there, which will be commissioned in March this year.

Not only through fixed line telephones, both the religious places will also be connected with mobile service which was the long pending demand of the people of these areas and the pilgrims visiting there.

Chief General Manager (CGM) BSNL J&K Circle K C Jindal told the EXCELSIOR that telephone exchange of 256 lines is being established at Purmandal village to cater to both the religious places and added that at initial stage, the exchange would have capacity of 256 lines which will be upgraded in the later stage keeping in view the requirement.

"The work is going at a fast place and we will commission the exchange in the month of March, 2006", he disclosed and said that with the setting up of the exchange at Purmandal, the people of both the religious places would not only get fixed telephone lines but also mobile service which will also be made available simultaneously.

Since lots of infrastructure of the mobile tower is connected with the telephone exchange of the area, it was not possible for BSNL to include these places in the mobile coverage network, Mr Jindal said.

To a question, he said that new CDMA BTS has arrived from the China for start of fixed terminal Wireless in Local Loop (WLL) service in the State which was kept pending till today because of main focus on GSM service. This service would also become operational by the end of March, he added.

He further said that the fixed terminal CDMA service would only be meant for the rural areas which BSNL could not connect with copper wire and added that in the entire state about 110 towers for CDMA service would be erected.

"The new WLL service would have no roaming facility as we don’t want our two technologies compete with each other. For those interested in having roaming facility, for them we have GSM service", he disclosed and said that the new CDMA service would be better than that provided in the past as it would be switch based like GSM service.

Since the received equipment was not enough to cover the whole State, order has also been placed for more equipment, the CGM said and added that one BTS of CDMA would have capacity of providing 30,000 connections.

Shah not averse to ‘sincere’ dialogue with New Delhi

From Sarwar Kashani

Srinagar, Jan 22: Democratic Freedom Party chief Shabeer Ahmed Shah today said that he was never averse to talks with New Delhi, if aimed at to resolve the Kashmir issue with ‘sincerity’, while speaking at a programme organized by his outfit.

Without reaching at any consensus, the programme was aimed at, various speakers at a seminar titled "Various Options for Kashmir Resolution" continued to remain divided about their opinions.

First kind of its exercise in the Valley since arms uprising started in 1989, speakers forming the ranging views, at a forum organized by Shabeer Shah’s Democratic Freedom Party threw their own opinions about the resolution of Kashmir issue but remained ‘chaotic’ and ‘confused’ as the problem itself.

Speakers like Prof Sidiq Wahid from Jammu University, Dr G QAllaqband renowned physician, Mufti Bashir-ud-din, veteran separatist Ghulam Nabi Hagroo, Comrade I D Khajuria of Jammu, Gul Mohammed Wani of Kashmir University, Jagdish Singh Azad, Raoof Punjabi Chairman KCCI and many others spoke on the occasion in their bid to express their opinions about the resolution of Kashmir issue and thereby create a kind of a consensus, which DFP could follow in future course of action.

DFP chief Shabeer Ahmed Shah in his welcome address sought to mention that he was in no hurry to talk to New Delhi and was taking every step ‘very cautiously’. He said that he was never averse to talks but maintained that he would never enter into a dialogue with New Delhi, which is a "dialogue for the sake of dialogue".

"I was never against the dialogue and always wanted to put forward my point of view before the various institutions and establishments in India but for the insincere attitude of India," Shah said.

Welcoming the CBMs between India and Pakistan, Shah said that DFP has always appreciated such steps, while viewing that these CBMs, in the long run, would prove futile if the Kashmir issue was not resolved sooner than later.

"Kashmir remains the core issue and if not resolved immediately all the CBMs between India and Pakistan will fall flat on their faces," he opined.

He suggested that a committee be formed of all the parties, from all the regions (J&K) to evolve at a consensus over the solution of Kashmir issue, which he recommended should also include militant groups as well.

He underlined the need for the separatist leadership to get united for the resolution of Kashmir issue.

"Kashmir is not the issue of Muslims only. It concerns Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Dogras, Kashmiris and all the fibers of the diversified society and hence we need to carry them along," he said.

Shah said that while there were few imported and imposing solution coming from the West and other corners, it was time for the people to look at a ‘homegrown’ solution as per their own wishes and aspirations.

Professor Sidiq Wahid was of the view that while looking at certain global and local ground realities, the target should be ‘resolution’ rather than focusing on the big word like PEACE.

He said that in the world over the definitions of self determination have changed and Kashmiris have to understand that.

Wahid said that there was a "psychological exhaustion" and "political disenfranchisement" besides economic vacuum and breakdown of social institution on the both sides of LoC.

Dr Allaqaband said that "symptomatic" treatment never addresses the disease at the root level.

"Root cause is Kashmir and it is to be resolved while keeping in view the economical insufficiency of the region," he suggested, while asking the leadership to set the house in order for the unified voice to emerge.

And then there was a time for the brief but hottest of the day speech. Sanjay Tickoo, a Kashmiri Pandit, who has not migrated from the land and has remained here, fighting all the hardships.

He said nothing but posed piercing questions to the separatist leadership, while addressing Shabeer Shah.

"When you people raised the slogans of Azadi, why didn’t you ask us what our role would be? I had no problems with Azadi and Nizam-e-Mustafa but the slogans molesting the sanctity and our pride have disgruntled us. Why didn’t you stop them at that time? Our leader HN Wanchoo was not killed by any Afghani or Pakistani. Everybody knows who killed him but have you people ever dared to speak about it?" he asked.

Amid loud applause and table thumping from the participants, Tickoo hitting hard at separatist leadership said, "I was labeled as mukhbir (agent/informer) many a times but I dared not to leave my mother land for which I was also stigmatized as a traitor in my own society."

He asked, "Why you politicians only remember us when an incident like Nandimarg or Chittisingh Pora happens?"

Ghulam Nabi Hagroo, a veteran separatist leader while narrating the history since 1584, when Mughals invaded Kashmir at last boiled down to the "only workable" solution which he said was possible only as per the United Nations resolutions.

Comrade ID Khajuria sought to suggest that "conventional" solutions were not applicable. He said that both the countries should own the region on the scales of independent social and political spectrum.

Gul Mohammed Wani of Kashmir University said that it was easier to find the solution than to sustain it while asking the separatist leaders to lighten themselves from the baggage of division in the house.

Jagdish Singh Azad said that the Sikh community has been neglected so far while assuring that the minority Sikhs would always support the favourable decision over Kashmir acceptable to all. He lamented over the secular claims of the state while pointing out the omission of the Sikh community in the recently published yearly calendars of Jammu and Kashmir Bank.

"It has the representation of all the religions in Kashmir but the Sikhs," he lamented.

SRCO gets SOS assistance

Excelsior Correspondent

KISHTWAR, Jan 22: Social Reforms and Charitable Organization (SRCO) received a shot in arm when SOS Children Villages of India came out with help to SRCO run Ashiyana (Orphanage being maintained by it) at Kishtwar.

Founder and president of SOS Children’s Villages of India, Padamshree J N Kaul, popularly known as "Papaji" presented first installment of financial support to the Ashiyana Hostel for food and educational support to 25 inmates of the hostel.

Padamshree J N Kaul assured SCRO of a long term based support for the growth, development and rehabilitation of children of militancy victims housed in Ashiyana which was got built by Army under its Operation Sadbhavana and handed over to SRCO.

SOS India is having two SOS Villages in Jammu and Srinagar looking after orphan children. SOS has also sponsored all widows of earthquake affected Uri and Tangdhar areas and supporting their children.

Kishtwar has for the first time come on the countrywide span of SOS Children’s Villages of India in active cooperation with Social Reforms and Charitable Organization.

Toph Sherkhania residents stage demonstration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: A demonstration was staged by the inhabitants of Toph Sherkhania, Tallab Mohalla, here today in protest against failure of the authorities to take action against the officials responsible for demolition of shops at Toph Sherkhania on November 5 last that led to the death of Asha Jamwal, wife of Aniru Singh Jamwal.

The protesting residents of the area who were shouting slogans demanding justice for the Jamwal family which lost one of their members in the mysterious fire that broke out while their shops were being dismantled by the authorities on November 5. They also demanded action against the erring officials.

Addressing the demonstrators Prabhat Singh Jamwal said the Chief Minister had ordered inquiry through the Deputy Commissioner Jammu and assured that the action against the erring officials will be taken within 15 days but nothing was done till date, though two and half months have passed since the incident.

He warned that in case the Government failed to take action within seven days, the people of the area will be forced to launch the agitation.

Among others who addressed the demonstration included BJP Mandal president, Kuldeep Mangotra and Rajinder Singh Jamwal Corporator of the area.

They said the land on which the shops were constructed belongs to the family and not the Jammu Development Authority as per the Revenue records. The family members of Late Asha Jamwal including her father Sat Pal Singh also participated in the demonstration.

Dudha urges Govt to provide loans to
displaced entrepreneurs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS) has urged the State Cabinet to issue necessary instructions to state Financial Corporation to disburse the loans without insisting for guarantees and collateral securities as per the guidelines of SIDBI in favor of 14 displaced industrial entrepreneurs who have been provided land and in whose favour loans have been also sanctioned. The Samaj has also urged State Finance Department to accord financial concurrence in favor of these entrepreneurs immediately.

This demand was made by the political advisor, AIKS, Shiban Dudha who was on the three day tour of migrant camps here.

The AIKS leader, while appreciating the recent gesture of the State Government for creating a cell in Relief Commissioner’s Office and showing concern for educated unemployed youth, has said that the well thought out proposal assisting the youth to set up small and tiny units must see the light of the day.

He said the guarantee and collateral security requirements from soft loans to be given to the displaced KP youth should be done away with as per RBI policy.

Mr Dudha alleged that the migrants who have availed the amnesty scheme for deletion of names from their ration cards were now forced to submit an affidavit to explain the where about of dropped persons which is against the very intent of amnesty.

He also appealed the State Government not to insist for impossible and impractical conditions while considering the cases of renewal. He demanded that migrants living in camps be given the backward category status.

He also demanded that the migrants should be considered with age relaxation for recruitment in armed forces in which 5000 persons are to be employed.

He regretted that till date no financial support was provided by State Government to the displaced people whose cases are pending for last 18 months. He demanded the financial assistance be paid to these migrants immediately as Rs five core are at the disposal of Chief Secretary for this purpose.

JSM demands early setting up of Delimitation Commission

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: Demanding an early constitution of Delimitation Commission to have fresh delimitation of the Assembly constituencies in the State to ensure due share to Jammu in the light of voters’ strength, Jammu State Morcha has charged Congress and allies with failing to keep up election promises.

In a statement JSM spokesman Onkar Seth alleged that even after a lapse of 40 months of coalition Government in the State not even a major promise has been kept by those at the helm of affairs, including the appointment of Delimitation Commission on one pretext or the other.

He pointed out that geographical area of Jammu is almost double than that of Kashmir valley and voter strength of two regions viz Jammu and Kashmir is almost equal, but Jammu has been granted just 37 seats as against 46 to Kashmir valley and this injustice formed the basic cause of domination of Kashmir over Jammu.

He alleged that Congress was the main accused for discrimination against Jammu province, but in the last Assembly elections Congress had promised to bring an end to domination of Kashmir over Jammu by appointing Delimitation Commission but the way Congress was avoiding setting up of said commission has raised several doubts about the bon-fire of the Congress leadership.

The Seth said under such circumstances the only way left for Jammuites was the reorganization of the State so that Jammu be declared as a separate State.

Swami Kumar Ji delivers lecture on Bhagwat Gita

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: The second lecture of the series of lectures that has been undertaken by the Bhagavaan Gopinathji Trust from January 15 this year was delivered by Swami Kumar Ji at Bhagavaan Ji Ashram Udaywala Bohri, today.

The organiser of the Trust, M K Tickoo in his introduction described Swami Kumar Ji a ‘reputed’ Gita scholar. Swami Kumar Ji delivered a thought provoking speech on Bhagwat Gita and exhorted the devotees to follow the teachings as are enshrined in the Gita which will lead the earnest seeker to the ultimate truth.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. O N Chrangoo. The third lecture of the series of lectures will be delivered by Prof. A N Dhar on topic "My encounters with saints and how I came to Bhagaavanji" on January 29.

The spiritual activity in connection with the auspicious month of ‘Magamassa’ is being held in the Ashram daily from 6-30 am to 7-30 am.

Symposium on iodine deficiency disorder organised

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: In connection with the intensive publicity awareness campaign launched by the Director of Field Publicity in Jammu province, an inter zonal symposium on the topic ‘Iodine Deficiency Disorders and Use of Iodized Salt’ was organised by Kathua and Jammu units at ICDS Project office Purmandal.

Anganwari workers from different zones participated and expressed their views on topic. Masooda Bano, Child Development Project Officer, Purmandal presided over the function.

Sabia and Kamaljeet Anand, supervisors ICDS Project interacted with the audience as resource person. The best adjudged speakers including others were awarded prize gifts on the spot.

According to a press release issued by Field Publicity Officer, Kathua, G L Bhagat, similar type of functions were also organised at Anganwari training institute Muthi Morh and ICDS Project Office complex Vijaypur.

Rs one crore Sharda Sadan being constructed
by KPA at Mumbai

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: Rs one crore Sharda Sadan will be constructed by Kashmiri Pandits Association (KPA) Mumbai at Khargar Navi Mumbai. This was stated by M L Mattoo, president of KOA Mumbai while addressing a meeting of Kashmiri Pandits here, today.

He said the land for the Bhavan has already been allotted by the CIDCO. He said the Sharda Sadan will be a cultural cum social center. It will comprise of hostel, sanctorium, polyclinic , charitable dispensary, cultural library and reading room.

He said, besides the propagation of Kashmiri culture, the center will provide opportunities for research and study in Kashmiri language, provide temporary accommodations to visiting patients and their families for medical treatment, temporary lodging support to up country students pursuing professional courses in Maharashtra and diagnostic and medical facilities for less privileged sections of the society.

Mr Mattoo also highlighted the role of KPA in the social sector. He said the main objective of this Center is for preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.

He said the Sharda Center will help the displaced community to face the challenges on several fronts.

Drug-peddler arrested, 2000 capsules recovered

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: Police today arrested a drug-peddler and recovered 2000 intoxicant capsules from his possession.

Police spokesman said that during routine checking of the inter-state vehicles at Gangyal, a police team headed by SHO Gangyal Vijay Choudhary under the direct supervision of SDPO South Shiv Kumar Chouhan subjected passengers of a bus to frisking.

During the course of checking of the vehicle and frisking of the passengers, police recovered 2000 intoxicant capsules from the possession of a youth identified as Sheetal, son of Amar Nath of Talab Tillo.

The capsules were seized and drug-peddler was arrested. During questioning, he informed the police that he had brought intoxicant capsules from Punjab for distribution among youth in Talab Tillo area.

A case has been registered in this connection and further investigations were on.