Daily Excelsior.........State

Involvement of people must in solving Kashmir problem....

Vishwakarma Jayanti celebrated with fervour...

Violence has no role in Kashmir: Azad...

MLA Bishnah says Arnia converted into model town..

One killed, 31 injured in road accidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 22: One person was killed and 31 others received injuries, three of them critically, in separate road accidents.

Police spokesman said that a motorcyclist was knocked to death by a speeding oil tanker bearing registration number PB08-9615 at Channi Kartholi.

The critically injured motorcyclist identified as Mohinder Singh, son of Angrez Singh of Rakh Barnoi was immediately rushed to hospital where he was pronounced as brought dead.

Police has registered a case in this connection.

Meanwhile, 27 persons were injured, three of them critically when a bus they were travelling in skidded off the road and rolled down about 300 feet on Chatyar road near Chingas.

The ill-fated bus bearing registration number JK02C-9171 was on its way from Jammu to Poonch when met with accident. On the receipt of information about the accident, security forces personnel rushed to the spot and started rescue operation.

All were brought out of the gorge and shifted to local hospital. Three of them were, later, referred to Government Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment.

Two of them have been identified as Mohd Zabir Shah, son of Sagir Hussain of Singhpura Nowshera, Kartar Singh, son of Dharam Singh of Himachal Pradesh. Identity of third injured shifted to GMC was not established till late this evening.

The spokesman said that four persons were injured in separate road accidents reported from different parts of Jammu city and its outskirts.

They have been identified as Sanjay Kumar, son of Pawan Kumar of Raghunath Bazar, Inderjit, son of Roshan Lal of Trikuta Nagar, Jahangir, son of Mohd Shafi of Prem Nagar and Ajay Kumar, son of Sat Paul of Bahufort.

Birth anniversary of Maharaja Gulab Singh celebrated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 22: In connection with the 214th birth anniversary of Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of the Jammu and Kashmir State, an impressive function was organised here this evening.

Former Sadar-e-Riyasat and Member Rajya Sabha, Dr Karan Singh presided over the function while Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi was the guest of honour on the occasion. The programme was organised by the Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust. Several prominent persons of the State including R&B Minister, Gulchain Singh Charak, former minister Thakur Randhir Singh, Prof Zahoor-Ud-Din, Maj Gen (Retd) Goverdan Singh Jamwal and former DGP M M Khajooria were present on the occasion.

While paying tributes to the great Dogra ruler, Dr Karan Singh said that Maharaja Gulab Singh, who started his career as an ordinary soldier in the Army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab, is the source of inspiration for the coming generations. He said nobody knew that the boy with village background will one day become a mighty ruler, who extended the boundaries of the Jammu and Kashmir State up to 84,000 sq miles and made it the largest State in India having boundaries with China and Russia. But it was unfortunate that its area has now reduced upto half of it.

Commenting on the present political situation in the State, Dr Singh said that for the last 16 years, the State has been passing through the turmoil. " The situation infact could not be properly understood by them or even us but with the recent developments I hope the things will take turn and peace will be restored to this State, " Dr Singh observed.

Referring to the inclusion of Dogri in the 8th Schedule, Dr Singh stressed the need to work more for the development the language.

He said Dogri must be encouraged by the parents in the families and taught to the young children. He said it is the duty of every citizen here to maintain the proud Dogra identity.

Mr Charak while paying tributes to Maharaja Gulab Singh said that achievements of this great Dogra ruler are the source of inspiration for all of us and coming generations. He stressed the need of preservation of the old monuments and other museums of the Dogra rulers and said that after getting them declared as Heritage sites, it could be major source of tourists attraction. He said that Rs 43 cr is being spent on the maintenance and preservation of Mubarik Mandi.

Maj Gen (Retd) G S Jamwal suggested to have an Army Heritage Centre at Jammu with unique War Memorial depicting names of all the heroes of the Dogra Army right from 1826 to 1947. Prof Zahoor-ud-Din and M M Khajooria also spoke on the occasion.

Rajinder Singh Pawar, founder and chairman of the NIIT was awarded 3rd Maharaja Gulab Singh award for his distinguished services. Maharani Yasho Yajya Lakshmi, president of the Trust, gave away the award which carries cash award of rupees one lakh. Maharaja Ranbir Singh Scholarships were given to the two Research scholars, Rupali Sharma and Ajay Singh Manhas.

Ajatshatru Singh, presented the vote of thanks.

Govt to effectively deal with land grabbers: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 22: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has called upon the people to become active partners in massive reconstruction and development process in Jammu and Kashmir to make it as the number one developed State in the country.

The Chief Minister was addressing a largely attended public meeting after inaugurating 100 metre long Balole nallah bridge near Gadigarh on Satwari-R. S. Pura road here today. The Rs. 5.30 crore bridge has been constructed by JKPCC in a record period of seven months instead of scheduled 18 months under triple-shift system of work on the instructions of Mr. Azad who had visited the site in June this year and ordered for the same. It has been constructed with state-of-the-art technology available in the country under Central Road Fund as part of upgradation of Satwari-R. S. Pura road.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma, Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak, Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma, legislators Ashok Sharma, Praduman Singh, Suman Bhagat, Ch. Gharu Ram and Raman Bhalla, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Pramod Jain, senior political leaders, prominent citizens, officers and engineers were among those present on the occasion.

Chief Minister while appreciating the engineers and contractors in accomplishing the construction of the bridge in seven months instead of scheduled 18 months under triple-shift, recalled his visit to the site in June last when despite scorching summer the work was going apace. He said that with the construction of a spacious and modern bridge the problem of traffic congestion on this road will be over now.

Mr. Azad directed that the upgradation of Satwari-R. S. Pura road should also be accomplished by next year under triple-shift system. He said that all the development works should be completed in a time bound manner to avoid time and cost over runs and benefit the people expeditiously.

Chief Minister called upon the people to come forward in a big way and become active partners in the process of development. He also stressed for discouraging the tendency of encroaching roads and Government land as well as other public property, adding that Government would effectively deal with such elements and bring them to book. He said those of the revenue officials who connive with land grabbers and have destroyed lattha and other revenue record will be taken to task, adding that people in general and custodians of public property in particular have to realize their responsibility of protecting and maintaining infrastructure.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma asserted that impact of various high public-utility development projects like roads, schools, hospitals and other such schemes is visible on ground. He said that given the speedy pace of progress on development projects the State is sure to become the most developed one soon. He also stressed for strengthening communal harmony, secularism and amity.

Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak said that the bridge has been constructed under triple-shift system in a record period of seven months. Dwelling on upgradation of Satwari-R. S. Pura road, he said that the work on it is apace under double-shift system. He also appreciated Mr. Azad’s vision for launching massive infrastructure development in the State.

XV Corps bids farewell to Gen Dhillon; transferred to Delhi

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 22: The General Officer-in-Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based XV Corps, Lt Gen S S Dhillon, has been appointed as the Master General Ordnance at the Army headquarters in New Delhi, a defence spokesman said here today.

Gen Dhillon had taken over as the Corps Commander of XV Corps, also known as Chinar Corps, on June 17 last year.

However, his replacement was not immediately known.

The spokesman said he was commissioned in the Grenadiers Regiment in 1968 and has had an illustrious career spanning 38 years.

He graduated from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, attended the senior and higher command courses at the Army War College and is an alumni of National Defence College at New Delhi.

The spokesman said Gen Dhillon took part in active operations during the 1971 war. He has held a number of prestigious command and staff appointments at various levels during his career.

As an infantry officer, he was privileged to command an independent mechanised brigade. After command of the infantry division in Baramulla, it was the unique honour to again come back to serve as Corps Commander at Srinagar.

The GOC has served in the Army Headquarter in the perspective planning and military operations Directorates, been a senior instructor at Staff College, Wellington and was posted abroad as the Commandant of the Indian military training team, Bhutan during the crucial counter ULFA operations in 2003.

Gen Dhillon is at present the Colonel of the Grenadiers Regiment and has been honoured with Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vishist Seva Medal for his distinguished service and for the conduct of counter insurgency operations.

Farooq assures to take up Sikhs’ demands with PM, CM

Excelsior Correspondent

R S PURA, Oct 22: Stressing on the need of strengthening brotherhood and communal harmony, former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah today called upon Sikhs to unitedly face the challenges.

Addressing a function organized by Jammu and Kashmir Lubana community to celebrate ‘IX Guru Identification Day 2006’, Dr Abdullah regretted that it was all due to ego clash among some people that Sikhs were not getting their political share. He said that need of hour was that Sikhs should remain united and increase their role in decision making bodies.

Dr Farooq Abdullah appreciated role of Sikhs in the development of the State as well as in the country. He said that Sikhs have excelled in every spheres of life.

Pointing towards demands highlighted during the function, Dr Abdullah assured the gathering that he will take up this matter with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad. "Your demands are genuine and I will take up these demands with all concerned people’’, he said and supported the demand that a Sikh should be nominated as member of the Public Service Commission and Lubana community be included in the list of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

Speaking on the occasion, Bibi Jagir Kour, former president Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee (SGPC) highlighted role of Lubana community in Sikh religion. She in her address also stressed on the need of following teachings of great Gurus.

Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, Lok Sabha member from Punjab and ex-Cabinet Minister of Punjab also addressed the gathering.

Earlier while highlighting demands of the Lubana community, members demanded inclusion of Lubana in OBCs category, special recruitment drive for unemployed youth of the community. They pointed out that successive State regimes have neglected this backward community which is living all along the International Border.

Santokh Singh, Makhan Singh, Paramjit Singh, Mohinder Singh, Capt Hazara Singh, Capt Bana Singh (PVC) and others also addressed the function.

Earlier all the participants were received by chairman of the Lobana Baradari Chatter Singh at Bari Brahamana and reception was accorded to Bibi Jagir Kour and Dr R S Ajnala.

BSP alleges injustice with SC, ST, OBCs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 22: Bahujan Samaj Party has taken serious view of the injustice done by ruling elite of Jammu and Kashmir with Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in giving reservation rights to them.

State BSP president Dr Sat Paul said the Jammu and Kashmir Government has made Reservation Act 2004/ SRO 294 in which SCs are getting 8 percent reservation only at State level in recruitment while their population in Jammu district was 35 percent, in Kathua 32 percent, in Udhampur 28 percent and the percentage for Poonch and Rajouri districts was 15 percent. He said SCs deserve reservation as per their population.

The BSP has welcomed the struggle launched by Backward Classes Union of Jammu and Kashmir for their reservation rights according to Mandal Commission recommendations and assuring all out help and cooperation to it asked BCU to come under umbrella of BSP.

The BSP meeting through resolutions demanded reservation to SC and STs according to population at district, divisional and State level in recruitments, admission in professional institutions and promotions; Implementation of Mandal Commission recommendations in toto giving 27 percent reservation to OBCs; Exclusion of RBA and ALC from OBC list; Non-inclusion of Pahari Speaking people under ST; Issuance of OBC certificates on caste basis only; Horizontal reservation to poor amongst the upper caste according to population proportion; and Christian community be also given the status of Minority Community and given reservation according to their population.

Prominent speakers included Puran Chand, Surinder Sharma, Madan Choudhary, Shanker Dass, Pardeep Kumar, Neelam Kumari and Kulbhushan Kumar.

Bear enters BSF camp, attacks 4; eliminated

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 22: A wild bear entered a Border Security Force camp near Rajpura village in Mandi area of Poonch and attacked four persons including two BSF personnel this morning.

The sources said that a full grown up bear, who has created a reign of terror in Loran-Mandi area entered a barrack of BSF’s 60 battalion near Rajpura village in Mandi. The wild beast entered a barrack and attacked Lance Naik, Diwakar and another jawan-Ashish Dass. The bear caused serious injuries to both of them and escaped towards nearby fields after jawans chased the animal.

Meanwhile, the villagers started a hunt for the bear as it had caused injuries to more than half a dozen persons of the area including a woman earlier. They tried to capture the animal but in the process he pounced upon two villagers Mohd Azam and Asad Ullah, causing serious injuries.

All the four injured were shifted to Poonch hospital. Later, DFO Poonch Brij Mohan Sharma and another senior Forest Officer also rushed to the area. They spoke to the Chief Wild Life Warden J&K, seeking permission to eliminate the animal.

After seeking permission the villagers surrounded the bear, stonned it but he slipped and entered into a cave. The people burnt fire at the opening of cave and the animal rushed out. It was done to death with lathis and stones by the villagers. It was then brought to Poonch town this afternoon.

Govt to install mobile jammers in all prisons

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Oct 22: Stung by the major security lapse in the high-security Central Jail of Jammu at Kot Bhalwal following the recovery of a mobile phone from an under-trial prisoner, the State Government is planning to install mobile jammers in all the prisons of the State.

Authoritative sources told the EXCELSIOR that this measure is being taken to ensure that the latest technologies in the field of communication don’t become a tool to breach security in future.

State Home Department has asked the Communication Wing of State Police and Prisons Department to work out modalities in this regard as soon as possible and submit details about number of jammers required to install in all the prisons across the State. They have also been asked to provide names of the companies which are manufacturing state-of-the-art equipment, the sources said.

Installation of the jammers is the only solution to put a full stop on the misuse of the latest communication technologies like mobile phones, these sources said and added that with the installation of jammers even the security personnel deployed in the prisons would not be able to use mobiles while on duty.

It is pertinent to mention here that on October 19, 2006, personnel of Intelligence Wing of the State Police deployed in the Kot Bhalwal Jail recovered a mobile phone belonging to a Harkat-ul-Ansar militant from one Gurmail Singh, an under-trial in a murder case. The mobile phone was handed over to Gurmal Singh by HuM detenue Ruhail Hashmi before he was taken to Sangrur Jail on July 21, 2006.

When contacted, Financial Commissioner Home B R Kundal, confirmed that directions have been issued for working out modalities for installation of mobile jammers in all the prisons. "At the initial stage the jammers will be installed in those prisons where hard-core foreign detenues are lodged", he said.

Admitting that recovery of mobile phone was a major security lapse on part of the jail authorities, he informed that an inquiry has been ordered in this regard and strict action would be taken against the erring officials on the receipt of inquiry report.

He also disclosed that directions have been issued to the Prisons Department to ensure frequent checkings of the barracks so that nothing unpermissible could land in the hands of detenues.

As districts police cannot enter the prisons without permission, District Magistrates have been asked to conduct checkings of prisons after regular intervals, Mr Kundal further said and added that with regard to Kot Bhalwal Jail, District Magistrate Jammu Hirdesh Kumar has been directed to conduct checking of the jail within shortest possible time and submit report.

Involvement of people must in solving Kashmir problem

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 22: Eminent intellectual Kuldeep Dogra today stressed upon civil society to formulate a comprehensive proposal for solution of vexed problem of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a seminar organized by Knowledgeable Peace Society on `Opportunity, Option and Adjustment Of All The Ethnic Identities In The Resolution of JK Problem', Mr Dogra said that aspirations of wishes of all ethnic groups should be fulfilled. He was of the opinion that politician alone should not be allowed to represent all the masses.

``We must formulate our own proposal accommodation aspirations and wishes of all sections of the society'', he argued and politicians alone should be allowed to take decision on the future of masses.

Pointing towards self-rule proposal being propagated by the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Dogra said that empowerment of all people and trickling down of democracy was must at grass root level to remove alienation of the masses.

Mr Dogra further said that economic forces have been becoming so power full and days are not far ahead when economic powers will force both India and Pakistan Government to resolve all conflicts.

I D Khajuria, Hoshiyar Singh, Jamail Qazmi, Murtaza Khan and many other intellectuals addressed the function.

Vishwakarma Jayanti celebrated with fervour

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 22: Like in other parts of country, Vishwakarma Jayanti was also celebrated across Jammu region with fervour. Large number of people thronged Vishwakarma Temples for worship.

Several Shobha Yatras of Bhagwan Vishwakarma were taken out in different parts of Jammu region amidst raising of slogans like "Jai Bhagwan Vishwakarma" to mark the celebrations of the Jayanti. The tableaux in these processions were depicting the teachings of Bhagwan Vishwakarma.

All the Vishwakarma temples were highly decorated with saffron buntings and prayers were offered. The people involved in engineering and other related trades worshiped their tools and plants as this day is connected with the development of the living beings.

Vishwakarma Day was also celebrated by Pradesh Vishwakarma Sabha, J&K. President of the Samba Rattan Lal Chargotra alongwith other office bearers visited various Vishwakarma temples at New Plots, Shakti Nagar, Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Pata Bohri and Bishnah to offer prayers.

A team of the Sabha was also deputed to Mishriwala, Batera, Akhnoor, Jourian and Khour. They impressed upon the people to remain united and follow the path shown of Bhagwan Vishwakarma.

Vishwakarma Samaj organised a function at Mishriwala to celebrate the day. President of National Conference Omar Abdullah was the chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, he said that teachings of Vishwakarma are not for a particular religion or section but for all sections of the society and they are more relevant today. Artisans are the backbone of the system and no society can sustain without them, he further said.

"It is unfortunate that Government has not declared holiday under Negotiable Instrument Act", he regretted and stressed that from next year holiday should be declared on Vishwakarma Day.

President of Vishwakarma Samaj Mangal Dass presented a shawl to the National Conference president.

Vishwakarma Day Pooja was also performed at PHE Ground Water Workshop at Kunjwani and Company Bagh Sub-Divisional Jammu under the chairmanship of president Indian National Trade Union Congress Shiv Kumar Sharma. Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Dr Romesh Sharma was the chief guest on the occasion.

INTUC president also apprised the Minister about the demands of the PHE employees and hoped that Government would soon concede them.

J&K Satyug Nirman Sanstha (Labour Cell) also celebrated the Vishwakarma Day at Shiv Durga Mandir Hall, Resham Ghar Colony. Additional Deputy Commissioner B S Jamwal was the chief guest on the occasion.

Suman Sharma, general secretary and Sham Mehra, president of the Sanstha appealed the people to follow the path shown by Bhagwan Vishwakarma.

Reports from Udhampur said that an impressive Shobha Yatra was organised by District Vishwakarma Samba and its other units under the presidentship of Radhay Sham Manhas. The Shobha Yatra after passing through different areas culminated at Vishwakarma temple Udhampur.

Before the Shobha Yatra, pooja of Bhagwan Vishwakarma was performed. MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia also participated in the Pooja.

Transport Nagar Welfare Association also organised a function to celebrate Vishwakarma Day. Former Minister and MLA Gandhi Nagar Raman Bhalla was the chief guest on the occasion.

Mr Bhalla alongwith workers performed pooja of tools. He also felicitated some old workers of the Transport Nagar. Later, Mr Bhalla visited Gangyal where he performed poojas in several temples of Bhagwan Vishwakarma.

On the auspicious occasion of Vishwakarma Day a function was held at Bishnah in which special prayers were held. Large number of people attended the function.

Prominent among those who spoke on the occasion included Tilak Raj Verma, Madan Lal Jallandharia, Dr Ved Dogra, Bodh Raj Jallandharia, Balbir Kumar Verma, Jagdish Raj, Tunda Ram, Master Ramesh Chander, Anu Radha Pandey, Master Ashok Pandey, Rattan Lal and others.

Violence has no role in Kashmir: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 22: "The valley of Kashmir which had since times immemorial established its high status of being epitome of secularism and proved the facts of its rich character effectively in 1947 when whole sub continent had become slaughtering place of human lives. Great visionary Mahatma Gandhi detected glittering ray of hope in this Valley," said Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad while addressing police commemoration day at Armed Police Head quarter Zewan here yesterday.

On the occasion former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Director General of Police Gopal Sharma, Additional Director General of Police Armed P. S. Gill, Additional Director General CID Kuldeep Khuda, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Bashrat Ahamd, Inspector General of Police Kashmir, all ranks of police officers and personals and Retired police officers were present.

The Chief Minister said that violence is not akin with the temperament of people of Kashmir. He said during last 17 years horrible atmosphere of violence created by militants by killing innocent civilians, police and other paramilitary forces has created the sense of hate in the minds of people against them and rendered the heaven to shambles. He said that militants have given bad name to the sacred Valley by resorting to violence and anti-human methods and tried their best to damage its high traditional fabric. He said that whole world feel ashamed of their savage acts and brutal acts of slitting heads and vital parts of the bodies which is being done deliberately in order to harm the high image of Kashmir. He said militants make attempts to exploit the sentiments of people on fundamental lines but rapacious and saner majority of people rejected their ideology.

Mr. Azad said that time has come that gun wielding youths should shun the violence for ever and adopt non violent methods in a democratic manner and work for the development and prosperity of the State and allow people to take sigh of relief. He said he has taken the vow to usher the state towards everlasting pace and prosperity with the support of people in general.

The Chief Minister while paying tributes to 684 martyrs who lost their lives during last one year through out the country said that this commemoration day is coinciding with important festivals like Diwali, Jamit-ul-vida and Eid, which makes us to realize the shocked state of mind of their kith and kin who might be missing them on these scared occasions. However the Chief Minister assured all the family members of these martyrs that not only the people of Jammu and Kashmir but entire country is with them to share their feelings on these occasions.

While paying tributes to the police martyrs, Director General of Police, Gopal Sharma said that this day is celebrated in memory of those police personals and officers who gave their precious lives for fighting the militancy and protection of lives and property of the people and peace and prosperity of the State. He said Jammu and Kashmir Police is ready every time to protect the lives and property of the people and to fight against the militancy. He said the day is near when there would be complete peace and prosperity in all nook and corners of the State. He said that 72 officers and personals have laid down their lives during fight against the militancy during last year in the State. He also read out the names of the all the martyrs who scarified their lives.

Later the Chief Minister laid floral wreaths on the Smadi of martyrs and also inaugurated a blood donation camp which was organized by the J&K Police.

On the occasion former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Director General of Police Gopal Sharma and other senior police officers also laid floral wreaths on the Smadi of martyrs.

The martyrs were honoured by playing Pipe Band Tune "Wattan ki Rah Mian Wattan Kay Nawjawan Shaheed Hoen".

The contingents of J&K Police, BSF, ITBP, JKAP, IRP, district Police Srinagar, Women contingent and Auxiliary Police participated in the parade.

Our Jammu Correspondent adds:

Police Commemoration Day parade was held at Gulshan Ground. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Dr S P Vaid took the salute and paid homage to the martyrs. DIG Armed Gulzar Singh Slathia, SSP Jammu Mukesh Singh, SSP PCR S A Beig alongwith DGP (retd) M M Khajuria and others retired officers participated in the parade.

MLA Bishnah says Arnia converted into model town

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 22: Ashwani Sharma, Independent MLA from Bishnah today addressed a public meeting in Arnia town on the completion four years of his tenure as MLA.

A number of people from different villages of Arnia attended the public meeting.

Mr Sharma said roads in Arnia town, lanes and drains, sewerage and drainage system has undergone a vast improvement during last four years. Power and water supply have also improved.

On education front, he said additional accommodation has been constructed and computers provided to the schools, which will improve standard of education.

Construction of Bishnah-Arnia road via Pandorian is almost ready while Bishnah-Arnia road via Salerh has been sanctioned under NABARD and work on it will be taken up shortly. This new road has 15 km length.

A Children’s Park is also under construction at Arnia.

With these development works, a commitment to make Arnia a model town is near fulfillment, he said.

He reiterated his demand with the Government for making compensation to farmers living in the border areas. He said no compensation has been made to the people who were affected by October 8, 2005 earthquake in Jammu region and heavy rains while compensation was paid to the people.