Several officers transferred
Major shake up in middle rank administration

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 3: In a major shake up in civil administration, Government today ordered transfers and postings of 56 officers with immediate effect.

Irshad Ahmad Zargar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Additional Secretary to Chief Minister.

Riyaz Ahmad, Under Secretary to Government, Forest Department has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Pulwama against available vacancy.

Rachna Sharma, Child Development Project Officer, ICDS Project, Akhnoor has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Kathua against available vacancy.

M A Qadiri, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Baramulla has been shifted and posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Budgam against available vacancy.

Mushir Ahmed, Deputy Registrar, Cooperative, Rajouri has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Employment Poonch relieving General Manager, DIC Poonch of the additional charge of the post.

Rakesh Kumar Sarangal, Assistant Director, Employment (Central) has been posted as Deputy Director Employment (Central) against available vacancy.

Zubair Ahmad, Special Assistant with the Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Departments has been transferred and posted as Joint Director, Handicrafts, Kashmir against available vacancy.

R B Suri, who was awaiting orders of adjustment after his repatriation from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has been posted as Deputy Secretary to Government, Information Technology Department against available vacancy.

Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Administrative Officer in the office of Financial Commissioner, Revenue has been posted as Special Assistant with Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Departments vice Zubair Ahmad.

A H Bandey, Assistant Commissioner (Development) Poonch will hold the charge of the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Poonch Development Authority in addition to his own duties till a substitute is posted on regular basis.

Sheela Bhagat, Secretary, J&K SC, ST and OBC Development Corporation has been recalled and posted as Programme Officer, ICDS Projects Jammu against available vacancy. Abdul Aziz Bhat, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gurez has been posted as Deputy Director, Tribal in the Directorate of Social Welfare, Srinagar against available vacancy.

Aijaz Abdullah Saraf, Deputy Registrar in the office of Registrar Cooperative, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gurez. B A Masoodi, Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department Kashmir has been posted as Programme Officer, ICDS Projects Srinagar against available vacancy.

Veerji Hangloo, Assistant Director, Social Welfare Department Jammu has been transferred and posted as Programme Officer, ICDS Projects Leh against available vacancy. Sikander Hayat Tariq, Child Development Project Officer, ICDS Project Bufliaz, Poonch has been posted as Programme Officer, ICDS Projects Doda against available vacancy.

Nazir Ahmad Khawaja, District Social Welfare Officer, Anantnag has been transferred and posted as Programme Officer, ICDS Projects Kargil against available vacancy. Nawab Din, Deputy Registrar, Cooperatives Kathua has been posted as Deputy Director, Tribal in the Directorate of Social Welfare, Jammu relieving Deputy Director, ICDS Projects Jammu of the additional charge of the post.

Babu Ram, Child Development Project Officer, ICDS Project, Thathri, Doda has been posted as Programme Officer, ICDS Projects, Poonch against available vacancy.

Sheikh Abdul Hafeez, FA&CAO Health and Medical Education Department, in addition to his own duties, will hold the charge of the post of FA&CAO General Administration Department. The additional charge will last till such time a formal arrangement is made in this behalf.

Mohd Aslam Malik, FA&CAO, Education Department will also look after accounting functions of the newly created Department of Culture till such time a formal arrangement is made in this behalf.

Sachin Singh Jamwal, CDPO ICDS Project Ramban has been posted as DSWO Kathua, Raj Mohammad has been shifted from Mahore as CDPO ICDS Project and posted as DSWO Udhampur, Khalid Hussain, CDPO ICDS Project Marwah has been posted as DSWO Kishtwar with additional charge of ICDS Project Dachchan.

Mohd Anwar Bandey, CDPO ICDS Project, Dudu Basantgarh has been posted as DSWO Ramban, Atul Gupta, CDPO ICDS Project Nowshera has been posted as DSWO Reasi and R N Sadhu, CDPO ICDS Project Surankote has been transferred and posted as DSWO Samba.

Ritu Mahajan, AD (Administration) Directorate of Social Welfare Department, Jammu has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project Marh. Babu Ram Tandon, Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Billawar has been posted as Incharge CDPO Project Khour.

Trishla Kumari, CDPO ICDS Project Gandhi Nagar has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project Bishnah. Kanchan Bala, CDPO ICDS Project Marh has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project Gandhi Nagar. Ansuya Jamwal, who was attached in Directorate of Social Welfare Department, Jammu has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project Dansal.

Naresh Kumar, CDPO ICDS Project Arnas has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project R S Pura. Masooda Bano, Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Kot Bhalwal has been posted as Incharge CDPS ICDS Project Satwari. Santosh Tickoo, Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Ghordi has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Purmandal.

Anuradha Wazir, CDPO ICDS Project, Dansal has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project, Ghagwal. S K Sharma, CDPO ICDS Project, Mandi has been transferred and posted as CDPO ICDS Project Barnoti. D C Bhatti, DSWO Kathua has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Billawar with additional charge of ICDS Project Lohai Malhar.

Sushma Gupta, Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Kathua has been transferred and posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Basohli. Satish Kumar, CDPO ICDS Project Haveli has been transferred and posted as CDPO ICDS Project Hiranagar. Kamlesh Choudhary, Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Barnoti has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Kathua. Saleem Beigh, who was attached in Directorate of Social Welfare, Jammu has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Bani.

Madan Lal Sharma, who was attached in Directorate of Social Welfare Department, Jammu has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Duggan. Amar Jyoti, Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Purmandal has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Chenani. Narinder Kour has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project Panchari.

Achla Razdan has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Majalta, Asha Saproo has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Ghordi. Yash Pal Sharma, DSWO Udhampur has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Mahore with additional charge of ICDS Project Arnas.

Chander Kanta, who was attached in Directorate of Social Welfare Department, Jammu, has been posted as Incharge CDPO ICDS Project Reasi. Rajeev Singh, CDPO ICDS Project Vijaypur has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project Dudu Basantgarh. Usha Kumari, CDPO ICDS Project R S Pura has been posted as CDPO ICDS Project Thathri.

The charge of ICDS Project Manjakote will be held by DSWO Rajouri in addition to his own duties. Kamla Devi, Incharge CDPO Bishnah, Prem Prabha, Incharge CDPO Hiranagar, Veena Aima, Incharge CDPO Chenani, Muni Bhat, Incharge CDPO Panchari and Coni Sethi, Incharge CDPO Majalta will report to Directorate of Social Welfare Department, Jammu and their posting orders will be issued separately.

Situation ripe for more CBMs: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 3: Former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today said that coalition regime in the State has laid a solid foundation of mutual trust and confidence among different regions of the State. He said that this regime has carved out a new path of peace and tranquility in this region and it is high time for initiating some bold steps to further accelerate the on-going peace process.

Addressing a public meeting at Chakroi village of R S Pura, Mr Sayeed said that biggest achievements of coalition regime is that it has created conducive atmosphere for initiating peace process and taking Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to normalize relations between India and Pakistan.

"Previous NDA regime headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee and present UPA Government led by Dr Manmohan Singh whole heartedly supported initiatives taken by us for restoring peace in this region", he said while recalling the historic rally of then Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee at Kashmir on April 2002 when he had extended hands of friendship towards Pakistan at the time when tension was running high on borders.

"Despite tension on border at that time, Mr Vajpayee fully convinced with our convictions made an historical announcement from Kashmir which ultimately led to ease of tension on border", Mr Sayeed said.

‘‘What ever steps we have taken for restoring peace, successive Governments at Delhi endorsed our stand’’, he said and reiterated PDP’s commitment to work as facilitator for solution of Kashmir problem with honour and dignity. Since formation of PDP we have been advocating that dialogue is the only mean for solving all problems and pointed out election manifesto of the PDP in which party had promised to stop harassment of civilians, control violation of human rights, unconditional dialogue with different sections, release of political prisoners and disbanding Special Task Force.

After formation of coalition regime 'we fulfilled these commitments' and it is due to the policies being propagated by the Government that situation has been changed in the State.

"From Kathua to Kargil people have been peacefully living on border", the former Chief Minister said and recalled the situation in these areas before 2002. "Time is not far when Uri-Muzaffarabad road would be a trade route which felicitates economic growth of the people living on both sides", he hoped and added that other routes would be opened very soon and end economic deprivation of people of this region.

Highlighting achievements of the coalition regime, the Mufti said that before 2002 there were complaints of step motherly treatment and discrimination with Jammu and Ladakh regions.. "Our Government has initiated many steps to remove these discriminations. In every sphere of life equal treatment is given to all regions of State", he said and pointed out that Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are treated equally as far as opening of universities, colleges, schools and developmental projects are concerned. "It is our achievement that we successfully removed these discriminations", he said and added that State Government has also constituted Finance Commission to allocate equal funds to all regions and sub-regions of the State.

The PDP patron further said that coalition regime has institutionalized recruitment process and brought transparency in all recruitments. "More than 50,000 recruitments were made from 2002 to 2005 each and every recruitment was made in transparent manner", he said.

Pointing towards meeting of recent meeting of PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti with Asif Ali Zardari, Mr Sayeed hoped these types of steps would help in further accelerating peace process to end the decades old hostility and violence.

Militants kidnap 2 cops in Kupwara
Hizb spokesman Junaid arrested

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 3: In quick follow up to the arrest of four senior militants, Handwara Police have arrested Hizbul Mujahideen's Kashmir-based Spokesman Junaid-ul-Islam in the neighbourhood of Jammu & Kashmir Police headquarters in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar. Militants have, meanwhile, kidnapped two constables of Kupwara District Police from Surigam area this evening.

DIG north Kashmir, Dr B Srinivas, revealed at a news conference here this afternoon that Handwara Police conducted a raid in Srinagar and arrested Hizbul Mujahideen's "Chief Spokesman" , Abdul Khaliq Dar alias Junaid-ul-Islam S/o late Ghulam Qadir Dar R/o Khanpora, Baramulla, early in the morning today. He said that Dar was one of the most important functionaries and a thinktank of Hizbul Mujahideen who was also known as Khalil-ur-Rehman and Fazal-ur-Rehman.

According to Police records, Junaid-ul-Islam had crossed the LoC in 1990 to take training in guerrilla warfare at a Hizbul Mujahideen camp in PoK. He took training and later handled training camps for fresh recruits and trainee militants of the organisation. He was an ideologue and was also known for writing articles and his reactions to the write ups of other authors in local newspapers, particularly in the Urdu weekly "Chattan".

He had regularly visited a number of guerrilla training camps in PoK to propagate jehadi ideology and also headed media operations of his organisation. He also worked with Sada-i- Hurriyat radio wing in Muzaffarabad DIG said that since his return to Kashmir valley in 2003, Junaid -ul- Islam had been operating as the "Chief Spokesman" of his organisation who issued a series of objectionable and provocative press releases and had been involved in recruiting and motivating innocent youth into the organisation.

DIG said that Junaid -ul- Islam was a part of many conspiracies hatched by Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in causing some of the sensational militant actions in Kashmir and was closely associated with the top leaders of the organisation, including Syed Salahuddin, Shams-ul-Haq, Gazi Naseer-ud-din, Aamir Khan and many others. He said that, according to Police records, Junaid-ul-Islam had not indulged in physical violence or subversive activities but he had played a key role in indoctrination, training and launching for his outfit besides publicity and propagation.

Describing his arrest as a remarkable achievement for J&K Police, DIG said that the organisation had already suffered a host of setbacks in the last one month as a number of its top and middle-rung commanders had been either killed in different operations or arrested.

Meanwhile, informed sources told EXCELSIOR that Junaid-ul-Islam was arrested on the disclosures of half-a-dozen senior militants of Hizbul Mujahideen who have been arrested by Police and security forces in the last two weeks. During the course of investigation and sustained interrogation of the detained militants, Handwara Police learned that Junaid-u-Islam had established a hideout in close vicinity of J&K Police Headquarters in Karan Nagar locality of Srinagar where he was believed to be hiding. Police conducted a raid on Wednesday and arrested him without any resistance.

Meanwhile, sources in north Kashmir said that armed militants today kidnapped Constable Tariq Ahmed (572/Kup) and Constable Nazir Ahmed (1317/Kup) from Sheikh Mohalla, Surigam, in Lolab valley of Kupwara when they were going for execution of a warrant from Sogam to Surigam. Tariq is reportedly a resident of Anantnag district while as Nazir is from Srinagar.

DIG Srinivas said that Police had launched a manhunt to rescue the two constables and arrest their kidnappers who were reportedly four in number and all holding AK-47 rifles. No militant organisation had, however, claimed responsibility of the kidnapping till late this evening.

Meanwhile, dead body of an unidentified male of around 45 years of age was fished out from river Jehlum at Basant Bagh area in Srinagar.

Re-open 2003 rape case: SHRC

SRINAGAR, Apr 3: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) today directed police to reopen a case of alleged rape of a woman by security forces in Kathua district in 2003.

"Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua is solicited to reopen the case for investigation and the investigation should be entrusted to the next senior officer," acting chairman of the SHRC Habibullah Bhat said in his order.

The orders were passed on a petition by a woman, who alleged that she was raped by two jawans at her residence in thal Lohia village in Kathua district on December 12, 2003.

The Commission directed the SSP to submit a report in the case within 45 days from the date of receipt of the record and listed the case for next hearing on June 1.

The woman, in her complaint, has stated that during the intervening night of December 12 and 13, 2003, security force jawans knocked on the door of her house and when her husband opened the door, he was taken away.

Then the two jawans switched off the lights and raped her by turns at gun point.

She had registered an FIR at Basohli the next day. The victim also approached the SHRC which took the necessary measures and collected the police report wherein the case was reported as false.

Considering the gravity of the situation, Inspector General of Police, Human Rights, was asked to conduct an inquiry into the matter. The IGP submitted his report on March 30, 2008.

In his report, the IGP said "I am of the view that the directions may be issued to the SSP Kathua for reopening of the case and looking into the aspect of possibility of involvement of the force personnel, since the location of some component of Army and CRPF in that area is an established fact."

Quoting several Supreme Court judgements and observations, Bhat said rape leaves a permanent scar and has a serious psychological impact on the victim and also her family. Therefore, no one would normally concoct a story of rape just to falsely implicate a person.

The Apex Court has held that solitary statement of the victim with medical evidence was sufficient to sustain conviction under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Bhat observed. (PTI)

Farooq for people to people contact

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 3: National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah today said India and Pakistan should facilitate easy and convenient people to people contact between two parts of Jammu and Kashmir across the LoC.

Addressing a party convention, Dr Abdullah said movement of the people across the LoC will help in improving relations between two countries and create a better conducive environment which is imperative for healthy Indo-Pak relations, which alone can help in resolving the Kashmir issue.

He urged the party workers to work for welfare of the State and its people. He stressed on value based principled politics. He said the defeat of 2002 was a great learning experience for the party and it helped the party to introspect and look inwards.

‘‘This process of introspection has strengthened the party and prepared it very well to face the coming elections of 2008, he said and complimented the party workers for keeping the flag of NC high despite the pressures. He said in the last five and a half years National Conference has further consoloidated its base in the State and the elections of 2008 will be fought on people friendly policies.

Reacting to a comment by a speaker in the convention, the NC patron said National Conference and its leadership has never indulged in double speak like its political rivals who changed colours like chameleons and issue statements to withdraw them with impunity just to please their masters wherever they be. He said his party has always stood for certain ideology and has never ever changed its stance on those basic issues. He said National Conference did not believe in politics of region, religion, caste or ethnicity and instead it has always raised issues pertinent to development and welfare of the State and its all regions.

Dr Abdullah said the National Conference has always been committed to empowering and involving the people at the grass root level in the process of governance. He expressed his dismay that the visionary initiative taken by late Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to devolve the powers to the district level by starting the single line administration which has been virtually jeopardized by the present coalition Government. ‘‘The District Development Boards, which were a portent forum have been converted into a non functional defunct institution thereby depriving the people at the grass root level to participate in the process of planning and governance at the district level,’’ he said andcommitted that the National Conference if voted to power will also strengthen the three tier Panchayati Raj in the State and take the process of governance to the villages.

Dr Abdullah expressed anguish over the drought like situation prevailing in the State and urged the State Government to take initiatives to provide free quality seed and fertilizer to farmers of the State besides adequate compensation to help them over come the miseries.

He said in the coming elections National Conference will give mandate to only those candidates who are honest, upright and committed to welfare of the people and isolate those who are corrupt. He said it will be National Conference's endeavour to bring those faces before the people who have a clean image and are committed to policies of the party.

Migrants of Kashmir, Jammu need
State assistance equally: DB

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 3: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Y P Nargotra and Justice Sunil Hali today dismissed the appeal filed by the State Government against the direction of Single Judge regarding the migrants of Doda and Poonch and held that State Government cannot draw distinction between migrants of Kashmir and Jammu province as both need assistance equally.

If the State Government has formulated a policy to protect life and property of its subjects and to come to the rescue of those who due to the fear of militants have left their homes for taking shelter in safer places, it is not legally permissible to treat differently the migrants of Doda, Poonch and Kashmir, the Division Bench said.

During the course of arguments, Additional Advocate General B S Slathia submitted that the State has formulated a policy for rehabilitation of the migrants on tehsil level instead of district Jammu alone and in view of the policy respondents/ petitioner are not entitled to insist for their rehabilitation at Jammu.

It is pertinent to mention here that the persons, who have migrated from districts of Doda and Poonch like their counterparts in Kashmir valley on account of threat perception to their lives at the hands of militants, filed a writ petition in the High Court and Single Judge after hearing both the sides restricted their cases to two relief (inadequacy of relief and denial of equal protection).

Against this order, the State filed LPA which was dismissed by the Division Bench with the observations "the contention of AAG is misplaced and doesn’t deserve consideration for the reason that neither such contention was raised before the Single Judge nor there is any such direction in the order impugned as to at what place migrants are to be settled".

The DB further observed: "The matter is in discretion of the State and is required to be settled in the light of the directions issued by the Single Judge in a petition filed by Zila Doda Migrants Welfare Committee", adding "it is not legally permissible for the State to treat differently the migrants of Doda, Poonch and Kashmir. We don’t find any reason to interfere with the well-reasoned judgement of Single Judge".

BJP rejects joint control on J&K

NEW DELHI, Apr 3: The BJP today rejected the notion of joint control in Jammu and Kashmir and said India is the lone option for redeeming the democratic hopes and aspirations of people of Kashmir.

Reacting to the statement of People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti arguing for joint control by the forces of India and Pakistan, BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad said his party totally rejected any such suggestion.

" There is no scope for such a control either in Indian Constitution or that of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Referring to the debate along with Ms Mufti, he said he had made his earlier statement regarding her statement seeking Joint Control Mechanism for Kashmir but when she disowned her own statement attributed to her on the camera, he had no option to accept her version.

‘‘We have come to know that she, indeed, had made such statement and the BJP will not accept any move to turn the clock back to 1953 position in Kashmir,’’ Mr Prasad said. (UNI)

Contractor booked for duping NRI

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 3: Police have registered a FIR against a Kashmiri contractor for allegedly cheating a Non Resident Indian (NRI) doctor, who had purchased a flat for Rs 17 lakh at Channi Himmat, which had already been sold to another person.

Police said a case was registered against contractor N A Kamili and others at Channi Himmat police station after it was established during investigations that NRI Dr Tasneema Lankar, hailing from Kashmir and practising in London, had been cheated in the purchase of flat.

The same flat had already been sold to T P Singh by one Asgar Ali, police said.

While the NRI doctor had paid Rs 17 lakh for the flat, TP Singh had paid Rs 10 lakh, they said, adding further investigations in the case were on.