Hiranagar
doctor ends life for land
Rallies swell on 23rd day of
bandh
By Sanjeev Pargal
Excelsior photo by Rakesh and Madan
Unfurling tricolour, people mostly women holding
demonstration in support of
demand to restore land to SASB at Sarwal, youth
taking out protest march in
Janipur and women carrying placards protesting at
Kathua on Thursday.
JAMMU,
Aug 14: A
65 year old Ayurvedic doctor, a practitioner and
a philanthropist today ended his life by
consuming poisonous substance in Hiranagar town
of Kathua district in support of an indefinite
agitation, launched by Shri Amarnath Yatra
Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS), demanding return of 800
kanals land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
The doctor, who chanted ‘Bum Bum Bhole’
at Lord Shiva’s temple in Ram Leela Ground
at Hiranagar, before laying down his life left
behind a suicide note calling upon the people to
continuously pray ‘Om Namo Shivay’ and
don’t relent till they get the land restored
to the SASB. With this, a total of nine persons
have given up their lives during 46 days long
agitation and 23rd day of consecutive bandh.
In Kishtwar town,
authorities relaxed curfew for one hour in three
zones separately on third day of highly
surcharged atmosphere in view of communal
flare-up. The relaxation period passed off
peacefully but minorities took out a procession
shouting slogans against the administration for
not arresting PDP leaders and separatists, who
had instigated majority community to lob grenades
on minorities and burn their property. They have
demanded stern action against the miscreants
responsible for vandalising the property of
minority community creating a fear psychosis
among them. Authorities in Kishtwar have,
meanwhile, decided to take stern action against a
number of Government employees of majority
community, who were also involved in rioting. A
civilian killed in police firing while several
others injured in firing and grenade blasts were
Government officials.
Excelsior/Dipanker
Women taking at massive protest rally in Udhampur
town on Thursday.
Even as day curfew
has been lifted in entire Jammu district and
curfew was relaxed in Samba district upto 4 pm
and Udhampur town upto 2 pm, people in large
number including women and children continued to
take out huge rallies, whose numbers swelled in
all major parts of the region, chanting religious
and anti-Government slogans and burning effigies
of Governor N N Vohra and Kashmir leaders.
Activists of Panthers Party also tried to block
train traffic at Ramnagar Morh in Udhampur but
were arrested before they could reach the railway
track.
Reports said a 65
year old retired Indian System of Medicines (ISM)
doctor Balwant Raj Khajuria son of Neel Kanth
Khajuria, a resident of Ward No. 10 in Hiranagar
town consumed poisonous tablets in his house at
about 12.30 pm and straightway went to Lord
Shiva’s temple at Ram Leela Ground where he
offered Rs 1100 donation. He repeatedly chanted
‘Bum Bum Bhole’ in the temple before he
fell down and started vomiting.
A number of people
rushed to the temple. SHO Hiranagar Inspector
Diwakar Singh also reached the spot and
immediately shifted Dr Khajuria to Sub District
Hospital in Hiranagar from where he was referred
to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu. He
breathed his last at Ghagwal.
As soon as the
report of the death of Dr Khajuria, who was a
practitioner and also had a chemist shop, spread
in Hiranagar town, people in large number started
pouring into the town from surrounding villages
chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ and
‘Shaheed Balwant Raj Amar Rahe’.
Excelsior/Ajay
People holding protest demonstration at Bishnah
on Thursday.
The Sangarsh
Samiti activists, who were sitting on relay
hunger strike, also rushed to Dr Khajuria’s
house. They told the Excelsior that Dr Khajuria
had, for the last 10 days, been asking the Samiti
activists to allow him to sit on fast-unto-death
in support of the agitation. A regular visitor to
dharna venue and Lord Shiva’s temple, he was
mobilising public opinion in favour of Sangarsh
Samiti.
Police have
confirmed recovery of a suicide note from the
pocket of Dr Khajuria. The brief signed suicide
note written in Hindi called upon the people to
continuously do the ‘jaap’ (pray) of
‘Om Namoh Shivay’ for the success of
Jammu agitation and construct a grand sarai for
the people at Lord Shiva temple in Hiranagar. He
wanted that all organs of his body be donated for
the study of GMC Jammu students. The suicide note
has been seized by police.
BJP leaders Prof
Chaman Lal Gupta and Dr Nirmal Singh and Sangarsh
Samiti leaders Brig (Retd) Suchet Singh, Surinder
Mahajan, Rajinder Singh Manju, Yashpal Sharma and
Ranjeet Singh, Advocates reached Hiranagar and
joined cremation of Dr Khajuria, which was
performed at 5.30 pm. A large number of people
from entire Hiranagar town and surrounding areas
joined last rites of the doctor, who had often
been holding free medical camps and used to give
free medicines to poor patients. He had retired
as an Ayurvedic doctor about seven years back.
His death has sent shock waves in entire Kathua
district.
Excelsior/Sanjeev
Defying curfew, large number of women taking out
rally in Samba town on Thursday.
With Dr
Khajuria’s death, a total of nine persons
have been killed in 46 days long agitation in
Jammu demanding restoration of land to the SASB.
While five persons have been killed in police and
Army firing in Samba and Kathua districts, a
youth had ended his life at Sangarsh Samiti
dharna venue at Parade Chowk in support of the
agitation. A youth had died after falling from
the roof while being chased by the cops while
another civilian had died in a grenade thrown by
the militants on the protesters. Besides this,
three persons—one each at Akhnoor, Samba and
RS Pura had made abortive attempts to end their
lives to support the agitation.
Meanwhile, a three
hour relaxation was given in curfew in Kishtwar
town from 2.30 pm in phases by making three zones
by the administration. The relaxation was given
separately in majority and minority dominated
areas to ensure that there was no clash.
DIG Doda range
Hemant Kumar Lohia, who has been camping at
Kishtwar for last three days since curfew was
imposed in the town after large scale vandalism,
told the Excelsior on telephone that the
relaxation period passed off peacefully.
During the
relaxation period, minorities took out a
procession in the town shouting slogans against
the authorities for not arresting PDP leaders and
separatists responsible for communal violence in
which large scale property of minorities was
burnt and damaged. In retaliation, minorities had
also set on fire business establishments of
majority community.
Paramilitary forces patrolling Kishtwar town on
Thursday.
As soon as the
minorities started coming out of their houses,
mostly from Sarkoot and marched towards the town,
authorities immediately withdrew curfew
relaxation, about 15 minutes before the scheduled
timing. The minority youths, who were shouting
slogans demanding arrest of the accused involved
in burning their property and adequate
compensation, dispersed peacefully, Mr Lohia
said.
The minority
youths also shouted ‘Bharat Mata Ki
Jai’ and ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ as they
marched through the town. They also raised
slogans against SP Kishtwar Dr Haseeb Mughal for
not taking action against the
‘looters’. As minorities took to the
streets, Army staged a flag march after which the
protesters dispersed.
Situation, albeit
tense, was fully under control in Kishtwar town
with Army, RAF, CRPF and police patrolling all
sensitive areas. Army and para-military would
stay in the town till situation is completely
brought under control, sources said.
Excelsior/Dipanker
Former MLA Udhampur Balwant Singh Mankotia
alongwith supporters being arrested for trying to
disrupt train services in Udhampur on Thursday.
.Even during
curfew relaxation period, the minorities
didn’t open their shops as a mark of protest
against police administration whom they charged
with giving majority community "enough
time" to attack the property of minorities.
For second day
today, the administration in Kishtwar tried to
arrange a meeting between the two communities but
couldn’t succeed as the minorities
categorically refused to attend such a meeting
till accused of Tuesday’s violence are put
behind the bars and SP Kishtwar is removed. As a
mark of protest, the minorities decided to
boycott official function of Independence Day at
Kishtwar and will hold a separate function to
celebrate the day with great pomp and show at
Chowgan, Kishtwar. Official Independence Day
function was first changed from Chowgan to ITI
Ground and then to DC office in view of curfew
restrictions, which were expected to continue
till curfew lasts.
It may be recalled
that two civilians of majority community
including a child were killed in police firing
and a grenade blast and 60 others from both
communities besides the cops were injured in the
clash in Kishtwar town on Tuesday. The grenade
had exploded within the mob. Authorities had to
clamp curfew, deploy Army and airlift RAF from
Jammu and rush CRPF from Doda to control the
rioting in Kishtwar.
Meanwhile,
administration in Kishtwar has taken a strong
exception to participation of a large number of
Government employees of majority community in
Tuesday’s violence which was evident from
the fact that one of the civilian killed in
police firing and a number of injured were
Government officials.
Authorities have
decided to write to the Government to break the
nexus of Government employees, who had been, for
the past quite sometime, managing postings in
home towns and instigating separatists.
In Bhaderwah,
Batote, Ramban and Banihal areas of Doda and
Ramban districts, shops of majority community
remained closed for third day today in protest
against the killings of Hurriyat Conference
leader Sheikh Aziz and other civilians in firing
in Kashmir.
In Udhampur, a
large number of activists of National Panthers
Party, led by former MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia
tried to march towards Ramnagar Morh railway
station on Udhampur-Jammu rail track at about
3.30 pm to block train traffic. New Delhi bound
Jammu Mail had just left Udhampur railway station
when the NPP activists tried to break
para-military and police barricades to block the
rail traffic.
Para-military and
police personnel had to use force to prevent the
NPP activists from marching towards the rail
track. It may be mentioned that after mob had
damaged nearly two kms long rail track at Ghagwal
and Barwal on Jammu-Kathua section, Army has been
patrolling the rail track to keep it through.
In Udhampur town,
authorities today relaxed curfew from 7 am to 2
pm but shopkeepers started downing their shutters
at 9 am. BJP activists led by Pawan Gupta marched
in the town to ensure a complete bandh. Traffic
even in interior areas of Udhampur remained
closed.
In the evening,
people including women defied curfew restrictions
and took out large rallies in entire town with
‘Bum Bum Bhole’ renting the air.
Protesters are not being allowed by the mob to
march towards Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Curfew free towns
of Udhampur district including Chenani, Ramnagar,
Majalata, Tikri, Jib and Rhembal also observed a
complete bandh for 23rd day today. Rallies by
people were taken out in all the towns.
Authorities today
relaxed curfew in entire Jammu district from 5 am
to 8 pm. Huge rallies were taken out by the
people all across the district during the day
today.
Administration has
decided to keep Jammu district free of curfew for
the same period tomorrow. In other curfew bound
areas—Samba district and Udhampur towns,
authorities have decided to relax curfew at least
till 4 pm or, if situation remained normal, even
beyond that to facilitate celebrations of
Independence Day. However, in Kishtwar town where
situation was still tense, only a couple of hours
relaxation was expected for I-Day celebrations.
The Sangarsh
Samiti has decided to hold parallel functions and
celebrate Independence Day all across the region.
However, it will not attend the official
functions. People in Samba have decided to
boycott official function, the first at newly
constructed district headquarters at Nandni Hill
near Chichi Mata temple. They will celebrate
I-Day at the place where two youths were killed
in police firing. The tricolor will be unfurled
by parents of the victims. At several places,
Sangarsh Samiti leaders and parents of martyrs of
agitation and Kargil war will unfurl tricolor.
People in Old City
took out a rally from Purani Mandi which was led
by Mahant Rameshwar Dass. The rally passed
through different localities of Old City shouting
‘Bum Bum Bhole’ and other religious
slogans before culminating back at Purani Mandi
temple. A large number of women joined the rally.
In Janipura, New
Plot, Rehari Colony, Rehari Chungi, Bakshi Nagar,
Shakti Nagar, Talab Tillo, Canal Road, Nai Basti,
Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Trikuta Nagar,
Gangyal and Digiana localities people including
women and children marched in large number
demanding restoration of land to the Shrine
Board.
Bar Association,
Jammu took out a rally, which was led by Bar
president B S Slathia and was joined by all
Advocates. The rally started from High Court
complex and after marching through different
parts of the City culminated at Parade Chowk.
In Sainik Colony,
a number of people including ex-servicemen led by
Col (Retd) Bhaskar and Col (Retd) K S Jamwal took
out a rally in the locality raising patriotic and
religious slogans. An all woman rally named
‘Matar Shakti’ was taken out in Barnai
which burnt the effigies of Governor N N Vohra,
NC president Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba
Mufti. From Durga Nagar, two rallies were taken
out during the day which were led by Corporator
Sheela Handoo in which police came under strong
criticism especially the Chinore police post for
indulging in highhandedness on the protesters.
From Roop Nagar Enclave, a huge crowd led by BL
Raina marched through different localities.
Residents of Muthi took out a rally and burnt
effigies of Government and Kashmir leaders at
Shalimar Garden. A peaceful rally was also taken
out at Patoli Brahamana.
In Bishnah, people
joined by women and children took out rallies at
Bana Chak, Kotli, Sikanderpur, Nowgran and
Bishnah town. At Bana Chak, people torched a
Pakistani flag while at Nowgran, they burnt the
effigies of Sonia Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad.
RS Pura, Arnia and
Miran Sahib towns were flanked by the crowds
which carrying tricolor and shouting ‘Bharat
Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’ and
‘Bum Bum Bhole’ marched in the towns
this morning.
People in Akhnoor,
Jourian, Khour and Pallanwalla towns also took
out rallies and observed a complete shutdown.
All shops,
business establishments, hotels, industries and
factories remained closed all across Jammu, Samba
and Kathua districts for 23rd day today. The
bandh was voluntary with shopkeepers downing
their shutters after 9 am despite lifting of day
curfew in Jammu district and relaxation in Samba
district from 5 am to 2 pm. There is no curfew in
Kathua district.
All Government
schools and colleges, both Government and
private, besides majority of Government offices
remained closed in most parts of the region while
traffic remained off Jammu-Srinagar and
Jammu-Pathankot National Highways and
Jammu-Poonch road via Akhnoor and Rajouri.
In Samba town,
people including women took out a march from
Chowhatta Bazaar to Main Chowk and dispersed
after setting afire a Pakistani flag. In Vijaypur
town, people sitting on relay hunger strike took
out a procession before new batch replaced the
protesters. A ‘jagran’ of Lord Shiva
was held at the hunger strike venue in the
evening. People took out a rally from Trait Basti
in Bari Brahamana in support of the agitation.
A fresh batch
joined relay hunger strike at Ghagwal town of
Samba which was headed by Narsingh Mandir Mahant
Ajay Dass and comprised Rattan Chand, Ram Dass,
Balbir Singh, Vijay Targotra, Nishant Upadhyaya,
Rahul Sharma, Yashpal, Subash Singh, Suresh
Singh, Pankaj Sharma, Vinod Malagar, Durga Dass,
Kewal Krishan, Ajay Koushal and Isher Dass.
In Kathua town,
people from all localities took out a procession
with larger participation of women and children
and dispersed peacefully after passing through
different bazaars. All shops and business
concerns remained closed in Kathua, Basohli,
Billawar, Bani, Rajbagh, Dayala Chak, Jakhbar,
Ramkot, Nagrota, Mahanpur and other towns of
Kathua district for 23rd successive day today.
Reasi town
observed a complete shutdown for 23rd day. Pouni,
Talwara, Jyotipuram and other areas also observed
bandh. In the morning, people took out a rally
from Chowk Chabutra to Bus Stand while in the
evening, a ‘mashaal rally’ was taken
out from Reasi to Jyotipuram.
Katra town, the
base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, observed
bandh for 13th day today. Langars are being run
for the pilgrims by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Board and local people as after lifting of
curfew, yatra has again started picking up and
was touching 10,000 per day on an average.
In Rajouri town,
shops owned by minority community remained closed
in support of the agitation. The BJP activists
took out a rally from Sanatan Dharam Sabha
shouting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’. In Surankot
town of Poonch district, majority community took
out a procession against the killing of Hurriyat
conference leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz and other
people in police firing in Kashmir.
Shops of
minorities in Bhaderwah town remained closed in
protest against damage caused to the property of
minorities in Kishtwar town.
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11
killed as truck plunges into gorge
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Aug 14: Eleven
persons were killed and one sustained critical
injuries when a truck, they were travelling in,
plunged into 300 feet deep gorge near Battery
Chashma on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway under
the jurisdiction of Ramban Police Station early
this morning.
The ill-fated
vehicle bearing registration number JK02X-7665
was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar when near
Battery Chashma it plunged into a deep gorge
killing nine labourers and conductor of the truck
on the spot and critically wounding two others
including driver of the vehicle.
Reports said that
driver could not negotiate a curve ahead of a
bridge near Battery Chashma leading to the tragic
accident. The accident was detected by Road
Opening Party (ROP) of Army and Police which
immediately informed nearby Army unit and Ramban
Police about the accident. Ramban Police team
headed by SHO Inspector Ajay Jamwal, BSF team led
by Deputy Commandant Ajeet Mohan and Army
personnel immediately rushed to the spot and
launched operation to bring out the occupants of
the ill-fated vehicle from the gorge.
SP Ramban,
Surinder Gupta and SSP Traffic National Highway,
Danish Rana also rushed to the spot to personally
supervise the operation. After hectic efforts,
the teams managed to reach at the bottom of the
gorge. It took several hours for them to bring
out the victims from the gorge.
All were rushed to
the Emergency Hospital Ramban where one of the
injured succumbed to injuries raising the toll in
the accident to 11. The critically injured driver
identified as Khursheed Ahmed, son of Fayyaz
Ahmed of Maitra, Ramban, was immediately provided
treatment and then referred to Government Medical
College and Hospital for specialised treatment.
His condition was stated to be critical when
reports last came in.
Five of the
deceased have been identified as Syed Murtaza
Shan (conductor of the truck), son of Mohd Afzal
Shan of Uri, Baramulla, Kuldeep Raj, son of Sana
Ram of Hiranagar, Dharam Raj, son of Jia Parshad
of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Naresh, son of Veer Singh
of Rai Bareli and Mukhtiar Ahmed of Rambam.
The identity of
six deceased could not be established till late
this evening. The body of Mukhtiar Ahmed was
handed over to his family members for last rites
after post-mortem while other bodies were lying
in the Emergency Hospital.
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21
awarded President’s Police Medals
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Aug 14: Twenty
one officials of Jammu and Kashmir have been
awarded President’s Police Medals on the eve
of Independence Day.
One each official
has been awarded President’s Police Medal
for Gallantry (PPMG) and Distinguished Services.
Eight officials have been given Police Medal for
Gallantry (PMG) and 11 officials for Police Medal
for Meritorious Services.
The recipient of
President’s Police Medal for Gallantry is
Constable Sajad Hussain (Posthumously).
The Police Medal
for Gallantry was given to Deputy Superintendent
of State Police Mohd Zahid, Sub-Inspector Arshid
Khan, DySP Rohit Baskotra, SP Abdul Ghani Mir
(Ist Bar to PMG), constable Muzaffar Ahmad, SI
Ashfaq Ahmad, Nitish Kumar, Superintendent of
Police (Ist Bar to PMG) and Sub-Inspector Sethi
Ram.
President’s
Police Medal for Distinguished Services has been
given to P L Gupta, IGP (Hqrs) PHQ, J&K.
The recipients of
Police Medal for Meritorious Services are Syed
Kifayat Haider, SSP Traffic (Kashmir, Bhopinder
Singh, Addl SP Udhampur, Rajnesh Pran, SP CID
Cell J&K, New Delhi, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, CPO
DPO Budgam, Hari Krishen Nazar, DySP Vigilance,
Mohammad Yousaf, DySP P/HQRs, J&K, Qudoos
Abid Khan, DySP Hqrs Anantnag, Inspector Bhawani
Singh, Inspector Ghulam Rasool Bhat, ASI Abdul
Rehman Wani and ASI Mohd Saleem Mori.
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21 pc
pay hike for Central employees
NEW
DELHI, Aug 14: Offering a bonanza to its about 55
lakh employees, the Government today approved new
pay scales that would give them an average
increase of 21 per cent, a move that would cost
the exchequer Rs 22,131 crore.
The windfall pay
revision, announced on the eve of the
country’s 62nd Independence Day, would be
implemented from September 1, this year and the
Government employees would get 32 months’
arrears, that too with significant improvements
over the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.
The Union Cabinet
approved the effective date for the pay revision
as January 1, 2006 and Central Government
employees and armed forces personnel would get 40
per cent of the arrears this fiscal and the
remaining 60 per cent next fiscal.
Finance Minister P
Chidambaram said the impact of revised pay scales
on inflation was taken into account when the
Government cleared the recommendations and the
Budget deficit targets would also be adhered to.
Both the Union
Budget and Railway Budget have a capacity to bear
the burden on account of implementation of
revised pay scale for Central Government
Employees, he told reporters after the Cabinet
meeting.
He said the burden
on Union Budget will be Rs 15,717 crore and Rs
6,414 crore on Railway budget for 2008-09.
Following the
revision of pay scales, total emoluments of a
Government employee including allowances at the
lowest level will exceed Rs 10,000 per month.
Government has
also fixed the annual increment for employees at
3 per cent, up from from 2.5 per cent recommended
by the Commission, which had submitted its report
in March.
While modifying
the recommendations, the Government has accepted
the suggestion of the pay panel for four pay
bands with 20 grade pays.
"The overall
average increase is 21 per cent,"
Expenditure Secretary Sushma Nath said. The
fitment rate will be 40 per cent as against 28
per cent recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission.
The
Government’s present salary bill is over Rs
70,000 crore and the pension bill is over Rs
30,000 crore.
At least three
promotions have been assured for all Defence
forces’ personnel and civilian employees
under the modified Assured Career Progression
(ACP) scheme. While the civilians would get it
after 10, 20 and 30 years of service, the Defence
forces’ jawans would get ACP in 8, 16 and 24
years.
The Commission,
for the first time, recommended Military Service
Pay (MSP) for armed forces personnel. The Cabinet
has increased the rate of MSP for PBORs to Rs
2000 from Rs 1000. Officers of the Defence forces
would get an MSP of Rs 6,000 over and above their
pay per month.
Middle level
officers of the Defence forces namely Colonels
and brigadiers have been placed in the highest
pay band of PB-4. Senior Lt.Generals overlooked
for promotions as Army Commanders due to lack of
residual service would now get the grade of Army
Commander (Secretary’s Grade), an official
statement said.
In the case of
Major Generals/Lt.Generals, MSP will be taken
into account notionally for fixation of pay as on
January 1, 2006.
Other decisions
taken by the Cabinet with regard to the pay scale
includes the doubling of lowest limit of
disability pension for Defence personnel to Rs
3100 a month. (PTI)
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No place
for violence: President
NEW
DELHI, Aug 14: Against the backdrop of escalating
violence in Jammu and Kashmir over Amarnath land
row, President Pratibha Patil today appealed for
calm and said differences could be addressed
through "dialogue and reconciliation".
In her second
address to the nation on the eve of Independence
Day, Patil made no direct mention of the
simmering crisis but said "whatever the
problem, whatever the cause, whatever the reason,
there is no place for violence in our
society."
Amid stepped
violence in Jammu as well as Kashmir, the
President stressed their all issues could be
sorted out through dialogue and "the paths
of peace and compromise can be complex and
difficult" but needed to be pursued.
Such steps
"alone will enable the nation to grow and
prosper," she said while appealing for
maintaining calm in all parts of the country.
"Wherever differences exist, all efforts be
directed towards reconciliation," she said.
"There
have been instances in our country of people
taking law into their own hands and causing
destruction to life and public property,"
she said without making any reference to violence
in J and K.
The President also
focussed on the growing threat posed by terrorism
to national as well as international peace and
security and regretted that terrorists groups
continued to receive support and sanctuary.
"We must
stand united against the threats emanating from
terrorism. Terrorists, with their disruptive
agenda, will never succeed in discouraging us
from our resolve to build a strong India, or from
working with our neighbours to eliminate this
menace from our region, or from our commitment to
forge co-operative relations with other countries
across the world," the 73-year-old President
said.
"The
ideologues of terrorism have little respect for
human life. They incite violence and mindless
destruction," she said.
The President said
she was confident that the concept of India that
is functioning in unison in a milieu of a vast
diversity will continue to define the
country’s identity.
"We should
pause and reflect on how our conduct and our
actions are promoting unity. We must ask
ourselves whether our actions are contributing to
strengthening of the national fabric and bringing
about tolerant thinking.
"We should
demonstrate our ability to listen to each other
to understand each other and if perceptions do
not agree, give to the others the freedom to hold
their views," she said.
Reminding the
people that they have duties towards the country,
society and family, said in discharging them
there was "an obligation to act
responsibly."
Patil also touched
upon energy security in her speech and said
"as a developing country our demands for
energy are growing. We cannot let lack of energy
become a constraint on our ability to deliver
high levels of growth.
"With the
challenges of increased oil prices and climate
change, the question of energy security confronts
us. We need to look at energy mixes that are
sustainable in the long run and are cleaner
sources of energy, gradually making deliberate
shift to renewable energy," the President
said.
She said it should
be country’s national mission to begin
exploring ways in which new sources of energy can
be harnessed viably.
"Technologies
increasing efficiency in energy-intensive sectors
need to be developed...Any contribution to save
energy is a step towards environment protection
and in saving the wide diversity of flora and
fauna on the planet," she said.
Patil said due to
the Government’s efforts and perseverance
many achievements have been made by the country
in different. "But there are several tasks
that await completion and new challenges that
need to be addressed. A nation’s work never
ends," she said.
Referring to the
Government’s flagship programmes for
improving the lives of the people, the President
said those involved in the implementation of
development and social welfare schemes must work
with dedication and zeal and without causing
delays.
"Implementation
done in a transparent and accountable manner will
ensure that welfare schemes reach the genuine
beneficiaries in a timely manner. Thus,
preventing corruption in our system and enhancing
efficiency in governance," she said.
Advocating special
attention for the development of agriculture and
rural areas, Patil said no one should forget that
the food security of the country is dependent on
the growth of its agriculture.
"Seventy per
cent of our population lives in villages and is
dependent on agriculture. Therefore, the
development of India will not be comprehensive or
complete unless there is development in the rural
areas and increased agriculture
productivity," she added.
The President said
social evils like dowry, female feoticide,
discrimination against girl child, domestic
violence, tobacco, drugs and alcohol were
blocking the country from becoming a progressive
nation.
"We must look
at a nationwide addiction focussed eradication
programme. Eliminating addiction and fighting
social evils can be a slow process as it involves
changing attitudes," she added.
Stressing for
inclusion of women in development programmes, the
President said "real development cannot take
root if it bypasses women, who represent the very
pivot around which social change takes
shape." (PTI)
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Lookout
notice issued as police launches search for PDP
leader’s PSO
Toll reaches 21 as one more
killed in CRPF firing
From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz
SRINAGAR,
Aug 14: Notwithstanding
a thaw in the trouble on fourth consecutive day
of fresh turbulence over "economic
blockade" in Kashmir valley today, death
toll of the people killed in different incidents
of firing this week has reached 21 as one more
civilian died in a clash between a mob and CRPF
in the capital city.
Informed sources
and officials said that in the one-odd gory
episode today, scores of residents of Safakadal
locality, including a large number of women,
gathered and indulged in anti-CRPF sloganeering
followed by ding-dong clashes with the
paramilitary force and Police. In retaliation to
intense stone pelting, forces resorted to firing
in air, tearsmoke shelling and baton charge. When
the situation began to go out of control, CRPF
opened fire. Sources said that about a dozen
civilian got injured in firing, tearsmoke
shelling and counter-pelting. Later one of them,
identified as Tanvir Ahmed Zargar S/o
Meraj-ud-din Zargar R/o Zadi Masjid, succumbed to
injuries.
Resultant tension
spread to a vast locality in half of the capital
city as small groups of youth gathered at
different places, burnt rubber tyres and enforces
shutdown. Movement of pedestrians as well as
vehicles remained minimal as few people ventured
out inspite of nine-hour relaxation in curfew
from 0600 hours that was later extended to 2100
hours. Reports said that there were minor clashes
between small groups of demonstrators but no
incident of considerable violence happened in the
Valley.
A group of people,
however, captured a driver of Crime Branch
Kashmir in Rawalpora outskirts of the capital
city, roughed him up and torched his Gypsy. He
had gone to carry Private Secretary of IGP Crime,
Aftab Ahmed, from his home to office. In a
similar incident, people captured five Police
personnel in Bijbehara area during a violent
demonstration, manhandled them mercilessly and
damaged their vehicle.
IGP Kashmir, S M
Sahai, said at a news briefing this evening that
the situation in Valley remained by and large
peaceful. He said that 13 demonstrations were
held in various parts of the Valley and a
Government vehicle was torched at Rawalpora. He
further said that with the death of the youth in
Safakadal the death toll in the last four days of
disturbance had risen to 21.
With today’s
fatal casualty in Srinagar, 10 persons have died
in the capital city, 4 in Bandipore besides 2 at
Sangrama and 5 at Chahal, Sheeri, in Baramulla
district. Nine incidents of fatal bloodshed have
occurred at Sangrama (2 killed), Chahal (5),
Bandipore (4), Lasjan (3), Bag-e-Mehtab (3),
Rainawari (1), Zoonimar (1), Bemina (1) and
Safakadal (1).
Replying to a
question regarding alleged excesses by forces on
civilians, Sahai said that everything possible
would be done to investigate reported complaints
and action under rules would be taken against the
personnel, if any, found involved.
In a related
development, Police today issued a lookout
notice, asking people in common to inform Police
Station Nowgam or Police Control Room Srinagar if
anybody happened to spot Constable Zahoor Ahmad
Rather ( Belt No: 823/11th Bn. Security) S/o
Ghulam Nabi Rather R/o Shikargah, Tral. The
proclamation said that Constable Zahoor (PSO to
PDP leader Javed Mustafa Mir) was absconding,
alongwith his service rifle after he "fired
indiscriminately without any provocation upon
Police, CRPF and civilians on 12.08.2008 at
Lasjan, bypass Srinagar".
"Due to this
several civilians got killed and some police,
CRPF personnel also got seriously injured. Police
has registered a case FIR No. 92/ 2008 against
him". It added and described that he was
thin with wheatish colour and height of 5-ft
8-inch. As reported in this newspaper earlier,
two men and a woman had died and 10 others,
including an IPS officer and four CRPF personnel,
had sustained gunshot wounds in the unprovoked
firing of the PDP leader’s PSO on a rally
near his house in Lasjan on Tuesday.
At the same press
briefing, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir,
Masood Samoon, said that Government had assessed
26 cases of the properties damaged allegedly by
CRPF to Rs 92,400 in Safakadal and 22 similar
cases in Kaw Mohalla, Khanyar, to Rs 35,000.
While giving
details about stocks of essential commodities
available in the Valley, Samoon said that rice
was sufficient for 20 days, wheat for 45 days,
sugar for 3 days, petrol for 7 days and diesel
for 5 days. He said that there was one
month’s supply of kerosene oil and the LPG
stock was for 6 days.
He claimed that as
many as 359 trucks and tankers arrived in the
Valley from Jammu in the past 24 hours upto 1400
hours today. Of these, 34 tankers carried diesel,
26 kerosene oil, 18 petrol, 26 LPG refills, 32
sheep, 15 rice, one chicken, 7 fruit and 200
trucks carried other miscellaneous commodities.
Samoon said that during the past 24 hours, 177
load carriers, including 64 laden with fresh
fruit, left for Jammu and onwards.
While curfew has
been lifted fully in Anantnag, Kulgam and
Ganderbal districts and a relaxation of 15 hours
was granted in Srinagar, authorities did not
order any relaxation in Pulwama and Baramulla
districts today. Relaxation was granted for
different periods of day in several other towns
and district headquarters. Reports of two-figure
and three-figure demonstrations poured in from
over a dozen curfew-bound and curfew-free
localities in the Valley. These, however, passed
off peaceful though the participants shouted
pro-Azadi, pro-Pakistan and Islamic slogans.
Inspite of
today’s less intensity in the trouble,
tension is bound to mount again on occasion of
the Independence Day on August 15th and the
senior separatist leader Sheikh Abul Aziz’s
Rasm-e-Chaharum in his residential town of
Pampore on August 16th. Both factions of Hurriyat
Conference, as also different militant
organizations, have, as per the tradition of last
19 years, asked the Kashmiris to observe
Yaum-e-Siah (Black Day) on August 15th. Hurriyat
has called for total shutdown with addition of
demonstrations from 1100 hours onwards.
Two other
separatist leaders, JKLF chairman Yasin Malik and
People’s Conference chairman Sajjad Lone,
today held a sit-in at Lalchowk and asked the
people to desist from stone pelting and other
attacks on Police and armed forces. They led a
rally of supporters through the city interior,
shouted pro-Azadi slogans and alleged that armed
forces were "felling innocent
Kashmiris" with bullets.
Meanwhile,
Hurriyat leaders held two meetings—first at
Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s residence at
Hyderpora and second at Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq’s house at Nageen—withy the
agenda of forming a Coordination Committee with
its own symbol and flag. Sources said that the
participants resolved that none other than
Geelani and Mirwaiz would issue calls with regard
to "further course of action".
According to sources, it was decided that people
would beat drums in the evening on August 15th
after observing total shutdown.
Hurriyat leaders
are said to have decided that a huge gathering of
people, to be drawn from all over the Valley,
would gather in Pampore on August 16th to observe
Sheikh Aziz’s Rasm-e-Chahrum. On this
occasion, Hurriyat would announce its further
programme that reportedly includes processions of
different categories of people and professionals,
particularly doctors and advocates in uniform, to
the UNMOGIP headquarters on the pattern of 1990
from August 17th.
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Two LeT
ultras held in Doda
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Aug 14: Army
and police today arrested two Lashkar-e-Toiba
(LeT) militants along with two grenades in Doda
town which they were plotting to throw on the
crowd during Independence Day celebrations
tomorrow.
Defence Ministry
spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami said troops of 8
Rashtriya Rifles and police apprehended the
militants from Poonch town on a specific
information. They have been identified as Farooq
Ahmed Naik, 27 and Mohd Ishaq, 19, both residents
of Neelsu, Doda.
Two grenades were
recovered from them, he said, adding a major
tragedy has been averted with timely arrest of
the militants.
SSP Doda Raghubir
Singh said the militants had been tasked by LeT
commanders Mudassar and Iqbal to lob grenades in
Doda town tomorrow.
Police was also
investigating the involvement of a woman and a
girl, who were reported to have helped the
militants reach Doda town.
Meanwhile,
Pakistan army resorted to heavy firing on Line of
Control (LoC) again violating cease-fire at
Kanari Post in Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch
district this afternoon. However, no casualties
were reported in the firing.
An Army jawan
Narinder Kumar of 3/11 Gorkha Rifles was killed
when a grenade accidentally exploded in his hands
at Gambhir in Rajouri district.
Three porters,
engaged by Army, were injured in a mine blast at
Mendhar.
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Advani
writes to PM Give up do-nothing policy
NEW
DELHI, Aug 14: Accusing the Centre of alienating
even the nationalist opinion by misreading the
sentiments of people of Jammu, senior BJP leader
L K Advani today asked Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh to honour the mandate of the provisions of
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Act and give up its
"do-nothing policy".
In a letter
addressed to Dr Singh, Mr Advani said the Shrine
Board Act was in tune with the provisions of
Article 26 and 27 of the Constitution which
clearly states that the State should not tax
money for religious purposes and the
contributions of that particular religious
denomination that should be used for running the
affairs of religious activities.
Hence it was the
duty of the Board to make proper facilities for
the pilgrims, who face severe climatic conditions
to reach the Shrine. It was also the duty of the
State to allocate land to the Shrine Board for
provision of facilities.
However J&K
Governor N N Vohra by revoking the order of land
transfer to the Board has contradicted the
provisions of the Shrine Board Act and he as
chairman of the Board had no powers to alienate
the rights of the Board, that too without
consulting the Board.
Land given to the
Board was as per the directions of the J&K
High Court. The decision to cancel the order of
land allotment to the Board attempted to contempt
of the Gigh Court, Mr Advani maintained.
He said he was
sorry that so many lives were lost in Jammu and
Kashmir and the Government should recognise the
gravity of the situation and take a ‘fair
and just’ decision speedily rather than
adopting "do-nothing policy"’.
(UNI)
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Withdraw
PDP chief's security: Samiti
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Aug 14: Taking
strong exception to the anti-national acts and
utterances of People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti and separatists, Shri
Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) today
demanded that security of such elements be
withdrawn at the earliest and they should be
brought to book.
Talking to
media-persons here this evening, spokesperson of
the Samiti, Narinder Singh said "on one side
the separatists and PDP president are thriving on
the country’s exchequer and on the other
side they are openly indulging into anti-national
acts and giving provocative speeches aimed at
disintegration of the nation".
"The Union as
well as State Governments should take serious
note of acts of such elements and immediately
withdraw their security before taking stern
action against them under law", he stressed,
adding "the time has come to get rid of the
black mailing tactics of the Kashmiri leaders
once for all".
He also took
strong exception to the appeal of National
Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah asking
people of Jammu region to call off agitation and
said "instead of making such appeals, Dr
Abdullah should teach the Valley people, who were
misled by the Kashmir leaders over Shri Amarnath
Shrine Board (SASB) land".
Mr Singh said that
Sangarsh Samiti will celebrate the Independence
Day at more than 100 places across the Jammu
region and the main function will be held at
Mubarakh Mandi Complex. "At all these
places, lakhs of people will take pledge to
continue the agitation till the restoration of
land to Shrine Board", he added.
To a question, he
said that for the past over 45 days people of
Jammu region have been agitating for restoration
of land to Shrine Board and nine people have
attained martyrdom for the cause but Central
Government continued to remain silent over the
issue. "While Central Government is
witnessing the unrest in Jammu as mute spectator,
it is continuing with its appeasement policy
towards separatists and anti-national elements in
the Valley", he regretted.
Sangarsh Samiti
warned the Central Government of dire
consequences if it continues to test the patience
of Jammu people. "From now onwards, Centre
will be responsible for any untoward
incident", Mr Singh said and made it clear
that agitation will continue without any break.
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DCI
approves 2nd batch of Dental College
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,
Aug 14: Dental
Council of India (DCI) has given approval for the
admission to the second batch of the Indira
Gandhi Government Dental College.
Authoritative
sources told the EXCELSIOR that approval to the
Dental College Jammu for admission of first batch
was given in 2007-08 with the condition that the
College will not proceed for 2nd batch till the
Council inspects the College and permits the
same.
During the
inspection of the College in the recent past, the
Dental Council of India found several
short-comings with regard to faculty and rejected
the College’s demand for admission of 2nd
batch and conveyed the same to the Union Health
Ministry.
Following this,
the then Secretary Health and Medical Education,
K B Jandial vigorously took up matter with the
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The
Union Ministry was pleaded to have lenient view
about the shortage of faculty members keeping in
view the fact that the State has very few MDS.
Though the Union
Health Ministry got convinced yet the Dental
Council of India (DCI) remained stick to its
stand, the sources disclosed, adding despite this
the then Secretary Health continued to take up
the issue with the Ministry.
"Finally, the
Dental Council of India has given approval to the
admission of second batch of Indira Gandhi Dental
College", the sources disclosed and said
that the approval to the earlier three batches of
2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 will be given
following the inspection of College by DCI when
the first batch of 2007-08 passes out next year.
It is pertinent to
mention here that it was due to the efforts of
the then Secretary Health, K B Jandial that the
Indira Gandhi Dental College could get approval
for the second batch.
Pak
troops fire at Indian positions in Jammu
NEW
DELHI: As
India celebrated its Independence Day, Pakistani
troops fired mortars and rockets at Indian Army
and Border Security Force (BSF) positions at two
places in forward areas of Jammu region today,
marking yet another ceasefire violation.
The two incidents
took place within an hour of each other along the
international border at R S Pura in Jammu sector
and the Line of Control at Mandi in Poonch sector
of Jammu and Kashmir, according to Army sources
here.
With the two
incidents being reported, the number of
violations of the November 2003 ceasefire
agreement with India by Pakistan Army since
January this year has reached 24.
At R S Pura,
Pakistani troops fired rockets at BSF positions
at Dhulia, Katmadia and Sangrul for about 45
minutes starting at around 2.10 am.
"The firing
of rockets did take place this morning and it is
a major incident. But since the rockets were
targeted at BSF positions, the Army is yet to
ascertain the details of the incident,"
Defence PRO at Jammu Lt Col S D Goswami told PTI.
The Pakistani
troops fired some five rounds of rockets at each
of the three BSF posts, Army sources said.
An hour earlier,
Pakistan Army also lobbed 60-mm mortar shells at
Indian Army positions at Mandi area of Poonch
sector in the state.
"There were a
couple of rounds of mortar fire by Pakistani
troops at our positions in Mandi of Poonch
sector," a top Army officer said here.
They also resorted
to indiscriminate small arms fire in the area and
the firing continued for a few minutes.
In both the
incidents of ceasefire violations, no damage was
caused or casualties were reported on the Indian
side, the sources added. (PTI)
PM asks
political parties to come together on J&K
issue
NEW
DELHI: With
the Amarnath crisis weighing heavily, Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh today warned that
dividing people in the name of religion could
threaten the country’s unity and asked
political parties to come together in finding a
permanent solution to problems of Jammu and
Kashmir.
He also appealed
to the people of J and K to cooperate in
establishing peace and resolving all issues only
through dialogue.
Addressing the
nation on the 62nd Independence Day from the
heavily-guarded ramparts of Red Ford, Singh, who
has come under attack over soaring prices, said
his Government was taking "determined"
measures to bring them under "reasonable
control".
Bringing
cheers to lakhs of Government employees and armed
forces personnel, Singh announced that Government
has gone "beyond" the recommendations
of the Sixth Pay Commission in increasing their
emoluments.
Turning to
the challenges posed by communalism, extremism
and fundamentalism, he said "politics of
consensus, not confrontation" was required
and cautioned that a divided nation cannot
overcome them.
In his
45-minute speech, the Prime Minister spoke about
last month’s terror attack on the Indian
Embassy in Kabul and said it had cast a
"shadow over the efforts to normalise
relations with Pakistan".
He made it
clear that New Delhi will not be able to pursue
peace intiatives with Islamabad if the issue of
terrorism is not addressed.
Reflecting
Government’s worries over the Amarnath land
transfer row, the Prime Minister said
"issues related to this sacred place,
especially the issue of providing the best
possible facilities to pilgrims, can only be
resolved in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill.
Terming the
recent incidents in J and K as a cause of
concern, he said "in this hour of crisis,
divisive politics will lead us nowhere".
"I
appeal to all political parties to keep the long
term interests of J and K in view and come
together to find a permanent solution to the
problems of the state," he said.
"Dividing
people in the name of religion can complicate
these issues further which can also pose a threat
to the unity and integrity of the country,"
he said while calling for "greater unity of
purpose" among political parties.
"We
cannot think only for ourselves. We cannot think
only about survival from day to day, from year to
year and from one election to another," he
said.
In his
speech, the fifth in a row since he assumed
office in 2004, Singh also touched on the Indo-US
nuclear issue and gave an appraisal of various
welfare measures initiated by his Government.
Describing
terrorism, extremism, communalism and
fundamentalism as "major challenges to the
unity and integrity of our country", he said
the recent attacks in Bangalore, Ahmedabad,
Jaipur and other parts of the country have
shocked the nation.
Voicing firm
determination of his Government to deal with
these challenges, he said the functioning of the
police, intelligence agencies and security forces
would be examined.
"We have
to further strengthen our intelligence agencies
and police forces to deal with the problem of
terrorism," Singh said.
Strongly
defending his Government’s decision to
pursue the Indo-US nuclear deal, the Prime
Minister said the agreement would end
India’s nuclear isolation and open up new
pathways for industrialisation of the country.
"The
nuclear agreement that we are negotiating with
developed countries will end India’s nuclear
isolation. It will open up new opportunities for
trade in dual-use technologies, opening up new
pathways to accelerate industrialisation of our
country," he said.
The nuclear
agreement awaits clearance from the 45-member
Nuclear Suppliers Group and the US Congress
before it can come into effect.
Singh made it
clear that Pakistan would have to end
cross-border terrorism, saying without the issue
being addressed "all the good intentions
that we have for our two peoples to live in peace
and harmony will be negated.
"We will
not be able to pursue the peace initiatives we
want to take. The terrorists and those who
support them are enemies of people of India and
Pakistan, of friendship between the two countries
and of peace in the region and the world. We must
defeat them."
Singh said
India was seeking a peaceful, stable and
prosperous neighbourhood and its foreign policy
is based on these principles. "We wish all
our neighbours well."
Touching on
the economic front, he said the RBI was
moderating the money supply growth to control
inflation. "However, while making these
efforts we should avoid doing anything which
hurts our growth".
"I know
how much each one of you is concerned about the
recent rise in prices. The inflation we have seen
this year is basically due to external factors.
All over the world and in global markets the
price of food, fuel and other commodities has
been rising... We are taking determined measures
to bring prices under reasonable control,"
Singh said.
"Our
economy must grow at the rate of at least 10 per
cent every year to get rid of poverty and
generate employment for all," he said.
Singh said he
has sought cooperation from the states to tackle
inflation. "I have urged all Chief Ministers
to improve and strengthen the Public Distribution
System (PDS) to ensure availability of essential
commodities to the common man at reasonable
prices," he added.
He said the
government has formulated a new Rehabilitation
and Resettlement Policy which would ensure that
there is reasonable compensation and proper
rehabilitation of rural people in the process of
industrial development. Parliament’s
approval will be sought for it, he said. (PTI)
Curfew
lifted in all 10 districts of the Kashmir valley
SRINAGAR
: The
Independence Day celebrations across Kashmir
passed off peacefully today and authorities
lifted curfew in all 10 districts of the valley.
"The curfew
was lifted in all 10 districts of the valley last
night. There has been no untoward incident since
then," Inspector General of Police S M Sahai
said.
The Independence
Day was celebrated at all district headquarters
of the valley with the main function taking place
at Bakshi Stadium here where Governor N N Vohra
took the salute at the march past.
District
development commissioners presided over the
functions but attendance was thin due to recent
unrest in which 22 persons were killed. No
untoward incident was reported from anywhere in
the valley.
The curfew was
clamped in all 10 district of the valley on
Monday following killing of five persons,
including Hurriyat leader Shiekh Abdul Aziz, at
Boniyar in Baramulla district during ‘March
to Muzaffarabad’ organised to counter the
"economic blockade" enforced by
Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti.
Meanwhile, the
streets of Srinagar and other towns wore a
deserted look as the coordination committee
formed by various separatist outifts and
traders’ bodies, including both factions of
the Hurriyat Conference, had called for a
complete shutdown.
Traffic was thin
and people preferred to stay indoors due to
palpable tension despite heavy security
arrangements.
Intelligence
officials of State police apprehended some
protests in the afternoon after Friday prayers.
Officials said they were prepared to tackle the
situation.
"We hope that
it remains peaceful and people disperse
peacefully after the Friday prayers," said a
police officer posted in Jamia masjid area.
Jamia masjid,
which is the stronghold of Hurriyat Conference
Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, has been a hotbed
of protests over the past 18 years and erupts in
protests at the slightest of provocations. (PTI)
Continuation
of dialogue to evolve amicable solution: Vohra
SRINAGAR
: Jammu
and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today reiterated
his commitment to continue the dialogue process
with the representatives of various agitating
groups in the State for evolving an amicable and
acceptable solution to various issues.
Addressing the
people after unfurling the tricolour at the
state- level function on the 62nd Independence
Day at Bakshi Stadium here this morning, the
Governor appealed to the people of the state to
maintain peace and calm in this difficult hour,
in keeping with the glorious traditions of
secularism, brotherhood and communal harmony. He
said, "It should be our collective
responsibility to resolve the most contentious
issues through the democratic process, based on
dialogue and conciliation."
Mr Vohra strongly
urged the civil society in the State to act in
its best tradition of assimilation and
accommodation, saying the people of the three
regions have to do unto others what should
assuage the feelings of all those who were
feeling hurt and aggrieved.
"We have to
rise beyond communal, regional and the
ideological divides and look to recreate a
peaceful environment across the state," he
said and added that the onus of this lies on the
people of all the three regions and on all of us.
He called for
shunning the path of violence and strongly
supporting the sincere endeavours of the
Administration in restoring the damaged social
fabric of the state.
Referring to the
recent developments in the State, the Governor
said since he came here to serve the people of
the State he was compelled to emphasise that,
more than any Government or any Governor, it were
the people of the State who have been, and will
have to, continue to be the agents of change and
missionaries of peace.
He expressed the
view that every single person in the state was
obligated to be concerned with what had happened
and to respond to the obtaining situation.
"Every single
person must prevent the destruction of the
environment of peace which he assiduously helped
create in the past several years," he
maintained.
Mr Vohra expressed
distress over the disturbances that took place at
the height of the business and tourist season and
said whatever might have been the reasons and
provocations, the unfortunate outcome had been
that trade and tourism had suffered enormous
losses.
He said the free
and open environment which prevailed earlier in
the year, attracting a large number of visitors
to the state, had been adversely affected.
He expressed grief
over the loss of life and damage to property in
the unfortunate incidents and said while monetary
assistance cannot compensate the loss of human
life in any way, efforts would be made to help
those affected by incidents of violence in
rebuilding their livelihoods.
He made a strong
appeal to the people to be aware of false
propaganda and rumours and help the
Administration in enforcing the Rule of Law, to
provide safety and security to every citizen of
the State.
He hoped that the
people would extend a helping hand in deepening
and widening the peace process.
The Governor
referred to the visit of the all-party delegation
to the state, led by Union Home Minister Shivraj
Patil followed by subsequent meetings under his
chairmanship and of the Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, at Delhi, and said there were a strong
pointer to the Central Government’s
sensitivity to the sentiments of the people of
the State.
(UNI)
People
boycott Govt functions to celebrate I-Day
JAMMU
: People
today boycotted all the Government programmes in
the Jammu region and participated in huge crowds
in the independently organised Independence Day
functions of the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh
Samiti (SAYSS), an amalgam leading an
agitation for
restoration of forest land to the (SASB) in south
Kashmir.
More than 20,000
citizens carrying the national flag gathered at
the historic Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex where
SAYSS convenor Leela Karan Sharma hoisted the
Tricolour while only a few hundred people,
virtually all government employees, attended the
main state function presided over by Dr S S
Bloeria, Advisor to Governor N N Vohra, nearby at
the Mini Stadium, Parade Ground, here.
People even
climbed at the roof of the complex with
Tricolours to witness the flag hoisting by the
Samiti convenor. People were vociferously
shouting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and
‘Bham Bham Bhole’.
The Samiti also
received heavy response from people at other
places in the city and the outskirts for the 62nd
Independence Day celebrations. The Tricolour was
unfurled by the people at every chowk in the
city.
At the state
function in the winter capital, Dr Bloeria took
the salute of the ceremonial parade. Contingents
of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF),
J&K Armed Police, J&K Police (women
wing), Forest Protection Force, Fire Service
Department, National Cadet Corps and students of
Sainik School Nagrota participated in the
function.
Despite directions
to the state police personnel to attend the
ceremonial parade in civil dress along with
family members, as reliable sources informed,
only those who were on duty made their presence
in the small gathering of former ministers, army
and civil officials.
Meanwhile, the
entire Jammu region observed complete shutdown on
the 23rd consecutive day today to protest against
the government for revoking the order of land
diversion in favour of the SASB. Neither were the
markets open, nor was the transport available for
public service.
A thick security
blanket was thrown over the entire Jammu city in
wake of terror threats aimed at the Independence
Day celebrations.
Troops of the
Army, Paramilitary Forces and Police have been
put on alert, following dozens of intercepts of
communication between the groups of anti-national
elements, Defence spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami
told UNI.
While curfew was
relaxed in Jammu district from 0500 hrs to 2000
hrs, there was no relaxation in the hilly
Kishtwar district.
The National flag
was unfurled at each district headquarter in the
region by the respective District Commissioners.
(UNI)
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