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

5 held in Excise raids...

ABVP activists protest against ‘misuse’ of JU’s name by NGO..

Hindi Divas celebrated at GCW Parade...

ASKPC’s concern over encroachment of religious places in Valley ..

Dr Shrivatsa conferred with Hindi Sevi Samman..

Enforce traffic rules strictly: Yaseen to officers...

Charak orders enquiry into Okura bridge damage..

10 gamblers arrested by Kanachak Police.....

3 of Chopra family cremated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: Bodies of the three members of Chopra family, who were brutally murdered during the intervening night of September 17 and September 18, were consigned to flames amidst emotional scenes. Rajinder Bhushan Chopra and his wife Madhu Chopra were cremated in the same pyre while as their 17 year old daughter, Saloni Chopra was cremated on the bank of the river Tawi.

Emotional scenes were witnessed when bodies of three members of a family were consigned to flames simultaneously. Both the sons of Rajinder Chopra, Puneet and Rohit could not control their emotions when they lit pyre of their younger sister Salooni.

Large number of people including political activists of all political parties, businessmen, industrialists, social activists and relatives of the Chopra family attended last rites of three members held at Jogi Gate Cremation Ground.

Earlier Puneet Chopra and Rohit Chopra, who reached Delhi on Tuesday, arrived here this morning. On their arrival, bodies of all three members were taken to ‘Shanti Kutir’; residence of late Rajinder Bhushan Chopra where large number of people including some prominent politicians were already present.. After performing some rituals, the funeral procession started from Trikuta Nagar. Bodies were taken in a vehicle followed by large number of people.

As reported earlier, prominent businessmen Rajinder Bhushan Chopra, his wife Madhu Chopra, daughter Salooni Chopra, driver Jagan Singh and domestic servant Sonu were brutally killed by some unidentified persons on Sunday night. As both the sons of Rajinder Bhushan Chopra were studying in Australia, relatives decided to perform last rituals after their return.

Meanwhile people present at cremation ground demanded the nabbing of killers as early as possible to revive shattered confidence of the people.

Governor visits Narayannag, Gangabal
Nation proud of Gujjars’ valour: Sinha

Excelsior Correspondent

WANGAT, Sept 20: Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha today lauded the courage of Gujjars and Bakerwals in braving the brunt of anti-national elements, saying that the Nation is proud of their valour and fortitutde.

Interacting with Gujjars, after laying Chadder at the Mazar in Baba Nagri here this morning, the Governor said that Gujjars and Bakerwals have immensely contributed in nation building and their role as second line of Defence on borders is enviable.

General Sinha said that keeping in view the enterprise and bravery of youngsters of these communities; he had recommended qualification relaxation for them in the Army and other Para Military Forces. The Governor also said that J&K Government has taken several measures to ensure development of areas inhabited by Gujjar and Bakerwals in the state. He said the Army has already initiated various welfare measures to improve their quality of life and creating facilities in their habitations.

The Governor said that the Nation values their patriotic bent of mind which is source of inspiration for us all.

Gujjar leader and former Minister, Mian Bashir claimed that the Gujjar areas have generally remained free from the tentacles of terrorism during the past one and a half decade. He said the community has always remained in forefront for heralding peace and tranquility in the State.

Mian Bashir also apprised the Governor about the construction programme in Baba Nagri aimed at providing facilities to the visiting devotees thronging from various parts of the State round the year.

The Governor later visited the ancient Narayan Nagh temple and Gangabal, a bowl shaped valley with magnificence twin blue lakes originating from Harmukh. At Narayan Nagh the local Gujjar community apprised him about their problems.

Principal Secretary to Governor, Dr Arun Kumar also accompanied him during his tour.

Demarcation Committee begins field surveys,
requisitions land records

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Sept 20: To meet the deadline of six months fixed for finalising detailed report about the boundaries of the newly created eight districts in the State, Demarcation Committee has started field surveys and requisitioned required maps and land records from the Revenue Department.

Reliable sources told the EXCELSIOR that six-member Demarcation Committee headed by former Chief Secretary Dr Sudhir Singh Bloeria has started field surveys in some areas with the assistance of the field functionaries of the Revenue Department.

They said that on the directions of Commissioner Secretary Revenue Masood Samoon, all the concerned Deputy Commissioners and Tehsildars have been assisting the Committee members in executing the task within the stipulated time-frame.

"Field surveys have been set in motion only in those areas whose land records and maps have been thoroughly studied by the Committee members, most of whom have served in the Revenue Department", the sources said.

They disclosed that as the field survey for the Samba district was in final stage, the revenue officers have also prepared a sketch of the same and submitted to the Committee members for modifications. "Process of preparing sketches of other districts will start only after the completion of the field surveys", the sources said.

Sources further disclosed that Committee has asked the Revenue Department to speed up the process of providing maps and land records of all those existing districts and tehsils from which the new districts will be carved out so that their detailed study could be completed at the earliest. They said that understanding maps and land records is prelude to the field surveys.

"Geographical conditions, population, number of villages and area will be some basic things which are being kept in mind before finalising the boundaries of the new districts", the sources said and added that Committee will also lay thrust on rational population and villages.

Discussions are also going on with the senior officers of the Revenue Department to understand the criteria earlier adopted while creating tehsils and districts, the sources said.

When contacted, Dr Bloeria said that work on finalising boundaries of the newly announced districts was going on at different levels simultaneously. "At some places, field surveys are going on while for others land records or other related things are being studied", he added. Even the discussions with the Revenue Department officers at District levels are going on.

DB dissatisfied over creation of CNG infrastructure in J&K

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 20: The Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Justice B. A. Khan and Justice Bashir A. Kirmani in a case titled Kashmir Consumer Welfare Forum V/S Commissioner, Transport and others gave additional directions/observations saying, "We are not impressed by steps taken by the Government, be that through Coordination Committee or the concerned Nodal Officer, in connection with creation of CNG infrastructure in the State.

The DB directed Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Industries Department (Nodal Officer) to pursue the matter with GAIL authorities vigorously and to finalize dates with the new CMD, GAIL or any other competent authority for execution of requisite agreement. The Nodal Officer shall have two weeks’ time to pursue the matter with competent authority of the GAIL and to take steps for execution of requisite agreement on a date to be mutually fixed, the Court held.

The Court expressed surprise on non-cooperation of CMDs of Oil Companies operating in the State who were directed to deploy four testing vans/mobile Labs-two each in Jammu and Srinagar for checking adulteration of petrol.

In view of failure of the oil companies to adhere to Court directions, it also becomes necessary to direct Secretary to Government, Consumer Affairs and Public distribution Department to take up and pursue the matter with the oil companies and to ensure deployment of four testing vans/labs in the state which could help checking adulteration of petrol sold by various dealers/pumps, the DB held.

This Court had directed the concerned authorities to identify sites for bus stands, bus bays, zebra crossing, passenger shelters, sub-ways, overhead bridges and had also ordered setting up of expert committees for all this. Coordination Committee to be considered by it in its next meeting for accord of necessary clearance and sanction.

The Chief Engineer was also directed to give details of the status of ongoing works and also the works related to beautification and illumination of Srinagar city.

The Court regretted that neither Transport Commissioner nor RTO Kashmir, IGP, Traffic or his field staff have taken worthwhile steps to implement Court directions regarding enforcement of ban on 25 year or more old vehicles to take them off the roads in State. ‘‘The compliance pretended by them in this regard is frivolous and it seems to us that in all likelihood all such vehicles are running on roads, defeating the very purpose for which the Court had passed the ban order. We are told that 93,520 fifteen to twenty-five year old trucks, 163 mini-buses, 1529 taxies and 1762 three-wheelers are covered by the ban and, therefore, ought to have been taken off the roads under Court orders which is not, however, the case. No action plan has been formulated by these authorities to enforce the ban’’ the DB observed.

The Court directed to take immediate steps to conduct a survey and determine requirement of city bus service and their routes within one week and to issue route permit to mini-buses to make up the short fall as may be determined, for being deployed on these routes to ensure that no inconvenience was caused to public particularly because of shifting of bus stand to Pantha Chowk.

The Court also directed Transport Commissioner and Director of Education, Kashmir and Jammu to take necessary steps and ensure that managements of all private schools were complying with Court directions on the subject and also in respect of parking of the vehicles in parking bays provided by them. ‘‘These authorities shall file fresh reports showing compliance of Court directions in this regard’’, it was ordered.

Plot to loot petrol pump, businessmen of Katra foiled

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Sept 20: Police today foiled a plot to loot petrol pumps on the highway and Katra-based businessmen and arrested four dreaded criminals near Tikri.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Udhampur Prithvi Raj Manhas said that one Yog Raj Singh lodged a written complaint with Katra Police yesterday that his Maruti van bearing registration number JK02-8664 was stolen on the intervening night of September 18 and 19.

Subsequently, SHO Katra Inspector S S Sambyal registered a case and started investigations to trace out the stolen vehicle and book the culprits. He conducted raids at several places and laid special nakas. Investigation were conducted by Mr Sambyal under the supervision of SDPO Katra Anil Magotra.

In the wee hours of today, Inspector Sambyal intercepted the stolen Maruti van near Tikri and arrested four dreaded criminals, who were travelling in the same. One more criminal identified as Sahil Sadhotra alias Golu of Main Bazar Katra managed to escape from the spot.

The arrested criminals have been identified as Mangal Singh, son of Karan Singh of Kun, Katra, Ganesh Sharma, son of Bishan Dass Sharma of Miari, Deepak Sharma, son of Des Raj of Arli Katra and Rakesh Singh alias Baru, son of Harnam Singh of Katra.

During search, police recovered three sharp-edged weapons, two iron rods and one packet of chilly powder from the vehicle. All the criminals were taken to police station and put to sustained questioning.

The arrested criminals, during interrogation, revealed that they were on their way to loot petrol pump near Tikri and had also planned to rob some businessmen, who used to take huge money from Katra to Jammu.

Mangal Singh, who is a history sheeter and Ganesh Sharma further revealed that they had planned to murder one Varun Sharma of Katra, who was reportedly running a rival gang in the Katra town.

SSP said that investigation into the case was in progress and some more arrests are likely. He added that with the arrest of four dreaded criminals police not only recovered the stolen vehicle but prevented henious crime, which the criminals were planning to commit.

Inquiry ordered into snatching of mobile phone by policemen

SRINAGAR, Sept 20: Police has ordered an inquiry into an incident of snatching of a mobile phone from a non-Kashmiri carpenter and beating up a doctor by a police officer and two constables of special operations group in Budgam district.

An inquiry has been ordered into the incident of mobile snatching from a carpenter and alleged beating up of a doctor by a police officer at Beerwah, Senior Superintendent of Police (Budgam) Aashiq Bukhari said.

Sub-Inspector Mubarak Shah, incharge of the SOG camp at Beerwah snacthed a mobile phone from a carpenter, who sought the help of a doctor Showkat Ahmad Banday to get it back from him.

Banday approached the police officer at a hotel to get back the mobile phone but the Sub-Inspector took exception to interference by the doctor. He and two constables beat him severely at the nearby SOG camp.

Taking cognizance of the incident, the Station House Officer of Beerwah Police Station informed the SSP about the incident, who ordered a departmental inquiry.

The Police Officer and two constables, who tortured the doctor, have been asked to report at district police lines till the inqiury is completed. (PTI)

Court directs reinvestigation in loan case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu, J R Kotwal today directed Vigilance Organization in a loan case in which various senior officers of State Financial Corporation are allegedly involved, to reinvestigate the case to identify the responsible persons for the act.

This direction was been issued in a charge-sheet presented by the Vigilance Organization in which it has been alleged that the loan documents of Truck No JK02B-5626 were prepared by S Mohinder Singh Head Assistant Office of SFC Jammu, which were verified by Rajinder Parshad Manager Transport. Both the officials in misuse of their official position and for their personal gain, prepared loan case file of Truck and submitted it to S C Chopra, then Chief Manager (accused).

Accused with verification forwarded the loan file, which was based on forged documents to higher officers for sanction of loan.

It was further alleged that when the officers/officials of the corporation came to know about investigation by the Vigilance Organization, accused SC Chopra, Rajinder Parshad, Harbans Lal Assistant Manager and Joginder Pal record keeper intentionally destroyed or concealed the original case file of the truck.

The Court while directing the reinvestigation of the case, observed that the investigating officer in this case failed to collect material sufficient to identify the officer/ officials involved in the preparation of the loan case in question and later disappearance of the concerned file from the office of the corporation.

All the five accused officials of the corporation; it appears have been charge-sheeted on the basis of a general impression gathered by the investigators rather than on the basis of the material collected against them. The IO, it is clear, has failed to investigate the case in the right perspective.

Mr Kotwal further observed that agreed the original file was not available in the office of the corporation and it may not have been possible for the IO to collect direct evidence as regard of the official involved in preparation of the loan case but the matter should not end their only and what is expected by the Investigators is to use their expertise to collect other evidence to identify the persons so involved. It is a fit case where the investigating agency should be asked to try further and identify with cogent material the responsible persons, charge-sheet based upon General Impression would not suffice and ordered reinvestigation of the case.

According to the prosecution case that S Paramjit Singh accused hatched a conspiracy with the officials of the state Financial Corporation Jammu to secure a loan of Rs 2.68 lacks from the corporation for purchase of truck in favour of fictitious person Dev Raj.

Jora tours Khaltsi

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Sept 20: Kanji village was being connected with motorable road next year and Rs 32 lakh were being spent on construction and upgradation of road in the current year.

This was stated by Power Minister Nawang Rigzion Jora in Kanji Rong, where the people had thronged to plead their demands. In the recent flood a major portion of road was damaged. Mr Jora said the Government was endeavouring to connect all remote areas, which are not yet connected with motorable road. The people demanded construction of a residential school at Kanji.

During his 3-day tour of Khaltsi sub division Mr Jora visited Wanla, Ursi and inspected road repair works. He directed the engineers to work with dedication. He assured that State Government was taking up with the Centre the construction of Wanla-Lingshed road as it involved big amount of money and district plan was not in a position to carry it.

During his visit to Lama Youru Gompa and Lama Youru village the people demanded for providing a high voltage Diesel Generator. Lamas of Gompa demanded for construction of breast wall to the Gompa as that of Basgo Khar. He also visited High School Lama Youru and on demand of the students he directed the Superintending engineer to construct additional toilets in the school.

The Minister was accompanied in his tour by Superintending Engineer Sonam Morup, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sonum Gyalson, ACD Tsering Morup and other senior officers of Khaltsi sub division.

5 held in Excise raids

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Sept 20: Special team of Excise Department raided about half and dozen villages in Rajouri district today and arrested five persons. About 700 lt of lahan and 40 lt of country liquor was also seized.

An official spokesman said that Excise team led by Inspector Mohd Bashir conducted raids at village Saranu, Dalori, Bindi, Dani Dhar, Jawahar Nagar, Dassal and Muradpur today and recovered a large quantity of Lahan. The team also seized forty litres of country ( Desi) liquor. They destroyed the infrastructure of the persons engaged in this illegal activity and also arrested five persons from Dhani Dhar and Jawahar Nagar areas.

Those arrested are identified as Mohan Lal, Rajinder Kumar, Ved Parkash and Ashok Kumar from Dhani Dhar and Kuldip Raj from Jawahar Nagar. A case was registered against them. The operation was conducted under the supervision of ETO, M A Khan, the spokesman said.

ABVP activists protest against ‘misuse’ of
JU’s name by NGO

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: Agitated over the alleged misuse of Jammu University’s name by a NGO, activists of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) held a protest demonstration in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office chamber, here today.

They were demanding University clarification on the wrong impression created by the NGO ‘Society for Justice Awareness and Delibrance’ for organising a literacy camp.

Shouting slogans against the recently floated NGO, the ABVP activists, led by Mukesh Kumar, stormed into the administration block and held protest demonstration in front of the VC chamber. They were also demanding an inquiry into the matter so that the erring Professors may be grilled for allowing the University’s name get ‘misused’.

Later, on the assurance of Vice-Chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo that no NGO would be allowed to misuse the name of Jammu University, the agitating ABVP activists dispersed off. He also claimed his ignorance about any sort of cooperation by Jammu University’s to the Society for Justice Awareness and Deliverance for mobilizing volunteers and organising a camp.

Earlier, in the morning, Prof Mattoo flagged off volunteers of the same NGO near Fountain Plaza on the campus for their onward journey to Batote and participation in the four-day ‘Youth Orientation and Legal Literacy Camp’ there.

Hindi Divas celebrated at GCW Parade

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: Government College for Women, Parade Ground Jammu and Rashtriya Bhasha Prachar Samiti, J&K, jointly organised a function in connection with Hindi Divas, in the college premises, here today.

On the occasion, former HoD Hindi, Jammu University, Prof Om Parkash Gupta, former Editor of ‘Shiraza’, Sardar Amrik Singh and renowned writer Prof Satya Pal Shrivats, were honoured.

Former Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof M R Puri, who was chief guest on the occasion, threw light on the contribution made by the Tourism Industry, Media, Cinema, Railways and India Army towards the promotion of Hindi.

Besides release of a book entitled ‘Dev Bhoomi’, by Vijay Lakshmi Sharma, a debate competition on ‘Hindi Bhasha Vishva Bhasha Ki Aur’ was also organised in which students from various colleges participated.

Prominent among those, who attended the programme, included Dr Jatinder Udhampuri, Sardar Deedar Singh, Dr Nirmal Vinod, staff members of GCW Parade and representatives of other colleges.

Dr Bharat Bhushan, HoD Sanskrit, conducted proceedings while Prof Renu Nanda, HoD Hindi, presented vote of thanks.

ASKPC’s concern over encroachment of
religious places in Valley

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: Religious Sub Committee of All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) in a meeting here, today, held under the chairmanship of A N Vaishnavi, president of the organization has expressed grave concern over the encroachments of temples and shrines of Pandits in the Kashmir Valley.

Addressing the meeting H L Chatta, general secretary of the organization lambasted the State Government for its delaying tactics in handing over the quarters at Khir Bhawani Shrine to Sudhar Samiti as the land on which these quarters were built belongs to Samiti.

He demanded that the quarters be immediately handed over to Samiti. He also expressed grave concern over the grabbing of Ganesh temple at Handwara in Kupwara district of North Kashmir by a local political leader who has also dug a pit in the temple premises. This action on the part of the local leader has hurt the sentiments of the Hindus.

Mr Chatta demanded that the temple be immediately restored failing which the ASKPC will be forced to launch agitation.

He also demanded restoration of Crore Tirath at Baramulla on which one land grabber has also constructed a building.

He urged the Government to take immediate steps for restoration of land belonging to Shanti Ghat (Cremation Ground) in village Krangsoo (Mattan) in South Kashmir district of Anantnag which has been encroached by some unscrupulous persons.

He demanded that the structures raised on this land be immediately dismantled.

Dr Shrivatsa conferred with Hindi Sevi Samman

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: Dr Satya Pal Shrivatsa, a renowned scholar of the State, was conferred with the prestigious "Gangasharan Singh Award" under Hindi Sevi Samman scheme run by a pioneering Hindi institute under the Ministry of Human Resource Development—Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra.

The award has been instituted for the promotion and teachings of national language-Hindi. The award was presented to Dr Shrivatsa by President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi recently.

Dr Shrivatsa is the first scholar of J&K, who had been selected for this prestigious award. Till date, only 68 scholars of Hindi language across country have been honoured with this award by the said institute.

Dr Shrivatsa, who served in various Government Degree Colleges across the State, was invited by Dr Karan Singh to take over as Principal of Shri Raghunath Sanskrit College, Jammu after his superannuation from the Government service. He was awarded fellowship by University Grants Commission (UGC) to undergo PhD course from Pune University. He was also awarded a Senior Fellowship by Department of Culture, Government of India, to work on folk dances of Jammu region.

He has attended several literary conferences and seminar-cum-workshops including All India Oriental Conference, World Sanskrit Conference and various other conferences organised by Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra and Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Sansthan Sangh.

Enforce traffic rules strictly: Yaseen to officers

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 20: Directions have been issued for implementation of traffic rules to minimize occurrence of traffic accidents in the state particularly on Jammu-Srinagar national highway besides providing better transport facilities to the people.

This was announced by the Minister for Transport Hakim Mohammad Yasin here today at a high level meeting convened to review the functioning of the Transport Department.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the regulation of traffic would be streamlined in the state so that the traffic accidents could be reduced and better traffic facilities provided to the people. He directed the concerned officers to mobilize all agencies for launching special drive against the traffic violators. He warned that serious action would be taken against those officials of the Transport department who do not discharge their duty satisfactorily.

The Minister said that Government is actively considering to formulate a revised permit policy in the state and added that till then no fresh permit at district level will be issued. He also directed the concerned officers to ensure operating of passenger services in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar as well as district and rural areas up to evening hours so that the people do not face inconvenience.

It was also given out in the meeting that the Department has realized Rs. 4 crore as fine from the traffic violators in the state during last financial year while as Rs. 2.61 crore were recovered during the first five months of current fiscal year.

Transport Commissioner Mr. R. Tikoo, Commissioner Secretary Transport Department Mr. Devender Nargotra, Special Secretary Mr. Haq Nawaz besides senior functionaries of the department attended the meeting.

Charak orders enquiry into Okura bridge damage

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar Sept 20 : Expressing deep concern over the washing away of the approaches of a bridge at Okura, Anantnag and partial damage caused to the bridge due to recent floods, the Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak has ordered a One Man Commission for enquiring the cause of damage.

This was decided at a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Minister for R&B Gulchain Singh Charak.

Joint Development Commissioner, PWD. Mohammad Shafi has been designated as inquiry officer to investigate various aspects that led to the washing away of the approaches and part of the bridge. The Enquiry Commission has been asked to submit the report within a week's time to see that whether sub-standard material has been used in the construction of the bridge.

The Commission will also see that technical specifications have been followed or not during the execution of the bridge

It was also decided in the meeting that the concerned Chief Engineers and Managing Director, JKPCC would conduct a survey and submit a detailed report of main projects which have either been washed away or partially damaged during the recent floods along with their estimated cost, date of start and completion of work.

The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer PWD Srinagar Nazir Ahmad Shah, Chief Engineer, R&B Jammu M.M. Sharma, Director Information, Farooq Ahmad Renzu, MD JKPCC Mr. Ifthikhar Ahmad, Joint Development Commissioner, PWD Mohammad Shafi and Joint Director Planning Manohar Khajuria.

10 gamblers arrested by Kanachak Police

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 20: Police today arrested 10 gamblers and recovered thousands of rupees from their possession.

Police spokesman said that on a specific information a police party from Kanachak Police Station led by SHO Inspector Narinder Singh under the direct supervision of Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Akhnoor Atul Sharma conducted a raid in Mishriwalla Migrant Camp and arrested 10 gamblers.

From their possession police recovered several thousands of rupees.

The arrested gamblers have been identified as Surinder Kumar, son of Gopi Nath, Rattan Lal, son of Dina Nath, Shivan Lal Pandita, Hari Lal, son of Hirday Nath, Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Koul, son of Badri Nath Koul, Jawahar Lal, son of Sher Lal, Kuldeep Kumar, son of Saroop Lal, Manoj Kumar, Madan Singh, son of Balwan Singh, all the residents of Mishriwalla Migrant Camp.

A case under 13 Gambling Act has been registered against them.