11 critically injured airlifted to GMC
9 killed, 28 hurt as mini-bus plunges into gorge

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: In a tragic accident, nine persons were killed and 28 others received injuries, four of them critically, when a mini-bus they were travelling in, plunged into 700 feet deep gorge near a grid station, three kilometres from Pul Doda this afternoon.

The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK06-1238 was on its way from Doda city to Bhalla Bhaderwah when it plunged into gorge near a grid station, few kilometres from Pul Doda.

Before landing at the bottom of the gorge, the vehicle collided with several rocks leading to severe injuries to all the passengers of the vehicle.

On the receipt of information about the accident, Assistant Commissioner Revenue and Tehsildar Headquarters alongwith teams of police, civil defence and Army rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. It took two hours to the rescue teams to bring out the injured passengers from the gorge and shift them to District Hospital Doda.

Two persons reportedly died on the spot while seven others succumbed to injuries while being shifted to the hospital raising the toll in the accident to nine. All the 28 injured were immediately provided first aid in the Doda Hospital.

Keeping in view the critical injuries to 11 injured persons, Deputy Commissioner Doda Sourab Bhagat contacted Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sudhanshu Pandey for chopper service of Indian Air Force (IAF) to airlift the critically injured persons to Jammu for specialised treatment in the Government Medical College Hospital.

Later, a chopper of IAF landed at Doda and airlifted 11 injured passengers to Jammu and condition of four of them was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

Medical Superintendent of Government Medical College Hospital, Dr Ramesh Gupta, who was personally supervising the specialised medicare being provided to the airlifted passengers, said that two of the injured were admitted in the Ortho Wing while remaining nine in the Surgery Wing.

"All have sustained multiple injuries and condition of four of them continued to be critical", he said, adding the senior doctors were attending the injured persons.

Seven deceased have been identified as Kamaljeet, son of Prem Nath of Thalangla, Bhaderwah, Darshana Devi, wife of Rattan Lal of Bhaderwah, Anil Kotwal, son of Manohar Lal of Prem Nagar, Shan Din, son of Mohd Din of Bhalessa, Soma Devi, wife of Om Raj of Charala, Ishtiar Ahmed, son of Bashir Ahmed of Bhaderwah and Mohd Arfat, son of Mohd Ramzan of Bhaderwah.

Identity of two deceased could not be established till late this evening.

The injured airlifted to Jammu and undergoing treatment in Government Medical College Hospital have been identified as Shafqat, son of Mohd Ashraf Qazi of Pranoo, Imtiaz, son of Basharat Ali of Duga Bhalla, Duni Chand of Chinta, Ratan Singh, son of Feroz Chand of Bhaderwah, Sher Singh, son of Brij Lal of Domal, Haseena Begum, wife of Mohd Ramzan of Guraka Bhalla, Farooq Ahmad, son of Din Mohd of Chakrabhati, Vikram Singh, son of Om Parkash of Jaganoo, Dimple Devi, wife of Hans Raj of Jammu and Abdul Rasheed, son of Ghulam Rasool of Kotli Trown.

The injured admitted in Doda Hospital are Saba, daughter of Shah Din of Bhalessa, Naveeda Begum, wife of Ghulam Hussain of Dugga Bhalla, Sajjad Ahmed, son of Nazir of Doda, Gori Lal, son of Sita of Damal Trown, Yog Raj, son of Suneet Singh of Assar, Kuldeep Singh, son of Gori Chand of Sindra, Shaffya, wife of Farooq Ahmed of Chakrabhati, Zakir Hussain, son of Shamas Din of Marmat, Rattna, wife of Hem Raj of Sindra, Saleema, wife of Ghulam Rasool of Dugga Bhalla, Tariq Hussain, son of Ghulam Haider of Bhalla, Puja Devi, wife of Bharat Bhushan of Trown, Shareefa, daughter of Abdul Latif, Abdul Majid, son of Mohd Munwar of Anantnag, Mohd Hussain of Dhroundi, Afzal Ahmed, son of Abdul Rasheed of Trown and Imtiaz Ahmed, son of Abdul Gani of Bhaderwah.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed shock and grief over the loss of precious lives in a tragic road accident. He conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and issued instructions for adequate medical treatment to the injured persons.

Uproar in Upper House
NC MLCs marshalled out

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Jan 31: Unprecedented uproar, noisy scenes and protests by the Opposition National Conference members continued in the Upper House today followed by the forcible eviction of the agitating Opposition legislators.

The shouting of slogans and protests disrupted the proceedings in the House for some time, however, the chairman preferred to run the business amidst sloganeering and din. NC legislators including Bashir Ahmed Naz, Sakina Itoo and T S Wazir stood up immediately with the commencing of the business during Question Hour in the Legislative Council and reiterated their demand of ouster of two Ministers whose names have figured in the House. They demanded CBI probe into the whole episode and removal of PDP ministers Qazi Afzal and Tariq Hamid Qarra. NPP legislators Prof Bhim Singh also joined the protest and kept standing raising his demand of action against corrupt and tainted ministers. He also protested the way the business was being conducted by the Government in the Legislature.

The PDP members including Murtaza Khan, Ved Parkash Gupta ( Ved Mahajan), Nizamuddin Bhat, Sayed Basharat Bukhari and others stood up and levelled allegations against the NC members. Mr Mahajan alleged that some of the NC members have managed entry into the House by offering huge money. Mr Murtaza Khan demanded that a probe should also be held into the properties amassed by the politicians including NC and other party leaders, forest lands grabbed by them and assets raised right from 1975 on wards. All the major scams during the period of National Conference regime should also be investigated by an independent inquiry committee.

It led to heated exchanges between the NC and PDP members and the process of allegations and the counter- allegations continued for some time. The chairman repeatedly tried to intervene and restore order but the Opposition rejected the request from the Chair and went on with their slogans and demands. There was massive use of unparliamentary words in the House of elders by some of the members and the uproar and high-pitched drama continued for some time.

After shouting slogans at the front row for about 20 minutes, the Opposition NC members then trooped into the Well of the House and started raising loud slogans. They also resorted to thumping of the desks and tables. As the entire House was witnessed in full disorder and surrounded by high pitched slogans, the chairman directed the watch and ward staff to marshal out the agitating members.

A scuffle arose between NC legislators Bashir Naz, T S Wazir and watch and ward staff members when they tried to drag NC members out. Services of two women staff members of the Council were sought by the Chairman to evict out Ms Sakina Itoo. After hard struggle, the NC members were marshalled out of the House at around 11.24 am. After this action of the chairman, order was restored in the House of elders.

While the NPP legislator Prof Bhim Singh continued to raise his point in the din, he went to protest and sat on dharna in the Well of the House after, NC members were forced out. He however, went back to his chair after some time to participate in the rest of the business. The NC members boycotted the proceedings thereafter, and did not turn up.

Employees call off dharna on assurance of Baig

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) which had given four days call for Assembly gheroe lifted the dharna today after the EJAC leadership got an assurance from Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig that the employees demands will be looked into and redressed accordingly.

To end the impasse created due to the three day long employees agitation who took out processions in the city to storm the Civil Secretariat and gheroe the State Assembly, Mr Baig today invited the representatives of EJAC for negotiations in his office chambers in which thread bare discussions were held on the demands of both State Government and public sector employees.

The employee delegation which was led by EJAC president, Abdul Qayoom Wani apprised Mr Baig of various problems being faced by the employees, including those working in private and public sectors.

Mr Baig was closeted by Chief Secretary, B R Kundal and Commissioner/ Secretary Finance, B B Vyas in the meeting while EJAC delegation comprised of its 20 office bearers.

While talking to Excelsior, Abdul Qayoom Wani said that meeting was held in cordial atmosphere and Mr Baig sought 10 days time in issuing orders regarding agreed demands.

He said, the demands which in principle have been agreed by Government included release of Pay and COLA to public sector employees, sanction of revival plan, reducing the qualifying service for pensionary benefits from 33 to 21 years, change of designation of helpers, conversion of 6500 grade into 7400, enhancement of SLI slab from 31,000 to 1, 50,000, revival of mediclaim policy and enhancement in retirement age from 58 to 60 years.

Wani said the employees issues will also be discussed with Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad who has also invited the EJAC delegation for talks tomorrow morning. "We received a communique through Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey this afternoon in this regard", he added.

He said in view of the positive response of the Government the employees will not hold any demonstration tomorrow but assemble at Eid Gah at 9-30 am where they will be apprised about the outcome of talks with the Government by EJAC leadership.

Meanwhile, State Government and public sector employees owing allegiance to EJAC took out a procession in the city on the third day today also and held a peaceful demonstration at Shalamar Chowk in support of their demands.

It may be recalled that EJAC had given a call of four days State Assembly Gheroe in protest against the failure of the Government to concede the demands of Government and public sector employees and over 20 employees were injured in police cane charge near Civil Secretariat yesterday.

Besides these demands the employees are also demanding an Interim Relief of Rs 1000 till the implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations.

Corporators march against discrimination

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: Much to the surprise of ruling Congress-PDP alliance, the Corporators of these parties alongwith those of Opposition parties led by Congress Mayor Narinder Singh and National Conference Deputy Mayor Dharamveer Singh Jamwal today took out a peaceful protest march to the Civil Secretariat to highlight the glaring and increasing discrimination with JMC in comparison to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) at the hands of the coalition Government.

Carrying placards reading "stop discrimination with JMC" and "bring an end to step motherly treatment with JMC", the Corporators took out the protest march from the office of the Corporation to the Civil Secretariat to apprise the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad about the discriminatory approach towards JMC.

As Chief Minister was not present in the Civil Secretariat at that time, the protesting Corporators called on Chief Secretary B R Kundal and expressed anguish over the Government’s discrimination towards the Jammu Municipal Corporation. A memorandum was also submitted to Mr Kundal.

Mayor Narinder Singh told the Chief Secretary that in 2005-06, the JMC received Rs 4.20 crore as development fund from the Government but in 2006-07 the financial assistance to the Corporation was reduced to Rs 2.96 crore.

Disclosing the increasing discrimination with JMC, he said that during the current financial year a paltry amount of Rs 1.80 crore was initially set as development fund and later the amount of assistance was increased to Rs 2.50 crore.

But much to the surprise of all the elected representatives in the Jammu Municipal Corporation only half of the sanctioned amount—Rs 1.25 crore was released till today thereby putting to virtual halt all the developmental works within the Corporation’s limit, the Mayor further informed the Chief Secretary.

The discrimination with JMC can be gauged from the fact that Rs 1.50 crore additional financial assistance was provided to the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) in November-December 2007 besides routine development funds, the JMC memorandum said.

Similarly, SMC got sufficient amount for street lights in 2006-07 and 2007-08 respectively but the Jammu Municipal Corporation was over-looked. "Our appeals from time to time have fallen on deaf ears", Mr Narinder Singh regretted.

According to the Mayor, the unfinished works due to lack of adequate financial assistance has created embarrassing situation for the elected representatives.

He further said that during 2007-08 about 70 resolutions passed by the Corporation were submitted to the Government but decision has not been taken even on a single resolution thereby creating resentment among the Corporators.

"What to talk of other resolutions even the one pertaining to the reorganisation of the Corporation was not entertained despite the fact that the same was necessary to increase the staff strength in tune with the requirements of 71 wards", he further regretted in the memorandum.

Before taking out protest march, the Corporation organised a meeting in which the Corporators of ruling parties came under severe criticism from the co-Corporators of Opposition parties for their failure to get adequate assistance from the coalition Government.

56 cross sides in Karvan-e-Aman

SRINAGAR, Jan 31: As many as 56 passengers of Karvan-e-Aman bus crossed sides at Kaman, the last Indian military post on the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector in north Kashmir today, official sources said.

The number of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) residents visiting Kashmir this time was less, reportedly due to the persisting cold wave here.

They said 32 passengers from here boarded the bus at an undisclosed location this morning for Kaman post under tight security arrangements.

Of these, 14 passengers were returning to their homes in PoK after meeting their relatives here for the first time since the partition.

They said 18 persons were travelling to PoK for the first time to meet their relatives across the border since their separation 60 years ago.

The passengers deboarded the bus on this side of the border and crossed the Kaman post bridge on foot to reach the other side. They were later taken to Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK in buses belonging to the PoK-administration.

Similarly, 24 passengers arrived here after crossing the bridge on foot from the other side of the LoC, sources said.

The returnee passengers, including 24 citizen of this side, crossed over to the other side for meeting their relatives there.

According to sources, only five fresh citizens of PoK arrived here this time to meet their relatives here.

The trans-border bus service, suspended in 1947, was resumed on April 7, 2005 after the first bus was flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh alongwith UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The bus service played successfully despite threat by a number of militant outfits. However, it was suspended for about a month when the Kaman post bridge and road on other side was damaged in the devastating October 8, 2005 earthquake, which claimed one lakh lives on either side of the border.(UNI)

Produce Hurriyat leader on every hearing: Court

SRINAGAR, Jan 31: On the heels of State High Court’s order imposing fine on five District Magistrates (DM) for failing to provide information about detenues, a local court has directed Jammu and Kashmir Police to produce senior leader of breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) Masarat Aalam Bhat before it on every hearing.

The first Additional Sessions Judge in his order said action under law would be taken in case of non- compliance of the court directives.

Aalam was arrested early last year when he, alongwith other Hurriyat leaders, was addressing a press conference in a local hotel here.

He was later detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) on the orders of District Magistrate here. However, the court quashed the detention order and directed police to release him in October last year. Aalam was released and re-arrested immediately.

The prosecution informed the court that Aalam was again booked under PSA for two years from January 17 for allegedly playing a role in strengthening the Hurriyat Conference (Geelani). The prosecution alleged that this faction of the group comprises hardliners and pro-Pakistan elements.

The fresh grounds for detention under PSA says Aalam was challenging the accession of the State with the Union of India, therefore affecting the territorial integrity of the country.

The court directed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), here, to produce Aalam before the court on every hearing failing which action under law for non-compliance of the order would be taken against him.

The charges for detention further says that HC organised a public meeting at Eidgah without permission from the authorities in April last year. During the public meeting besides anti-Indian slogans, flags of militant groups were also hoisted.

A HC spokesman said the charges levelled against Aalam this time were also the same which had been quashed by the court in its earlier order when he (Aalam) was released and re-arrested immediately in October.

He said authorities are ignoring court orders as hundreds of others are also languishing in different jails in and outside the State for years despite being released by the courts.

State High Court imposed a fine on five District Magistrates for their failure to provide information about detenues to court yesterday. (UNI)

Authority has failed to achieve objectives: CAG
JDA arrears cross Rs 56 crore

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 31: Unrecovered premium of Jammu Development Authority (JDA) have touched an all time high at Rs 56.61 crore, according to Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India’s latest report.

The Vice Chancellor JDA told the CAG representatives that only an amount of Rs 2.57 crore was to be recovered as arrears on account of rent. However, the audit pointed out that unrecovered premium on accounts of shops, plots and flats besides commercial institutions was Rs 56.61 crore.

There was a variation of nearly Rs 54 crore in figures given by the VC JDA and the figures pointed out by the auditors.

The VC has agreed to ascertain the factual position, the report said.

Even after having a full fledged ‘recovery wing’, the JDA had arrears on account of rent to the extent of Rs 8.16 crore pertaining to the period between April 1996 to March 2007 from the allottees of shops, institutions, halls, shopping centres and transport yards etc, the CAG said.

Similarly, it added, Rs 48.02 crore was receivable on account of premium of allottees assets including plots, shops, commercial and institutional sites and flats.

The CAG has pointed out that 148 cases of allotments made in violation of norms were recommended for cancellation by an enquiry committee in March 2006. Despite lapse of considerable time, the JDA had not cancelled any allotment, it said.

In severe strictures against the Authority, the CAG charged it with having failed to achieve its objectives of improving quality of life of its inhabitants.

"The JDA neither planned nor prioritised its operations which was evident from non preparation of detailed plans at micro level, resulting in execution of unplanned, piecemeal and adhoc project. Works were taken up in anticipation of administrative approval and technical sanction and without acquisition of land or survey", the CAG noted.

Consequently, it pointed out, the projects were either abandoned midway or stretched beyond stipulated completion periods resulting time/cost overrun, unauthorised, irregular, avoidable, wasteful, unfruitful/idle investments.

"The Authority lacked focus and direction, which was reflected in non-maintenance of basic records of developed assets and their disposal resulting in double and irregular allotments besides loss of revenue. Non-existence of internal control mechanism also deprived the Authority of an effective tool of monitoring its performance", the CAG said.

It recommended that the JDA should compile and prepare its annual accounts since 1985-86 on priority besides divisional/zonal plans for execution of projects as approved in Master Plan 2001-2021.

Basic records of land and other assets should be maintained for keeping proper inventory. Area wise and colony wise allotment record should be maintained for disposal of assets in a systematic and transparent manner, it added.

The CAG suggested setting up of a separate cell for public grievances and citizens charter by the JDA.

Drabu gets extension, Bhagat appointed as DC Samba

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 31: The Government today gave extension to Dr Hasib Drabu as Economic Advisor to the Government for another one year with effect from January 1, 2008 or co-terminus with the term of present Government, whichever is earlier.

As Economic Advisor to the Government, Mr Drabu, who is also Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, will have the status of Minister of State.

The Government today also ordered transfer and posting of Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Saurabh Bhagat as Deputy Commissioner, Samba in place of B S Jamwal, who retired today.

Mr Bhagat will hand over the charge of DC Doda to Khurshid Ahmad Bhat, Additional District Development Commissioner, Doda.

Vakil invites Sonia to visit J&K

Excelsiory Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Jan 31: Minister for Social Welfare Abdul Gani Vakil today met Congress president Sonia Gandhi here and briefed her about latest political and economic situation in the State.

He apprised her about organizational matters and development programmes taken by Congress led coalition Government in the State.

The Minister also apprised her about the measures taken for economic empowerment of women through Women Development Corporation and institutional framework available to women folk of the State in the shape of State Women Commission for redressal of their grievances.

Mr. Vakil pleaded for enhancing outlays under social security Central schemes for the State stating more funds required to be allotted to Jammu and Kashmir for speedier upliftment and empowerment of women and children as these sections have suffered immensely in past turmoil.

The Minister also extended invitation to her to visit the State for which the Congress president responded positively. He said, "women folk of State feel elated and encouraged with her visit which boost their morale and confidence".

Later, the Minister called on Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mira Kumar and requested for enhancing grants under SCA to SCSP scheme. He also pleaded for increasing grant-in-aid to reactivate voluntary efforts (NGOs) for upliftment of downtrodden.

Mr Vakil also met Minister for Tribal Affairs and discussed with him issues pertaining to welfare of tribal in the State and grants under Art 275 (I) of Indian Constitution.

Both the Ministers assured their full cooperation and sympathetic consideration of his demands.

Sopore villagers for public hanging

Excelsior Correspondent

SOPORE, Jan 31: Police today used baton charge and tearsmoke to disperse a demonstration which demanded public hanging of a shopkeeper who had allegedly committed rape on a 9-year-old girl in Tarzoo village earlier this week.

Nearly a thousand men, women and children from Tarzoo formed a procession and walked all the way to this apple-rich township while shouting slogans against 48-year-old shopkeeper, Abdul Ahad Malla of Ambarpora, who had allegedly raped 9-year-old girl Shaista Rasheed D/o Abdul Rashid Rather, inside his shop two days ago. Malla has been arrested and detained for sustained interrogation after Police Station Sopore registered case FIR No. 25 of 2008 dated 29-01-2008, under section 376 RPC (rape) against him.

The men and women in the procession made attempts to ransack and torch Malla’s shop but police prevented them from doing so. Later the procession reached Sopore where police used a mild cane-charge and some tearsmoke to disperse it. The demonstrators were heard shouting slogans and demanding hanging of the ‘‘rapist’’ in full view of the public. Police assured the demonstrators that necessary action under law would be taken against the accused.

Police officials told EXCELSIOR that Malla was running a shop in his neighbouring village of Tarzoo after having worked as ‘‘Nazim-e-Halqa’’ with a politico-religious organisation of which he continues to be a member. They said that on the day of occurrence of the offence, Shaista had been sent by her parents to Malla’s shop for getting a handigas refill. After she returned, she complained that the shopkeeper took off her clothes inside the store-room and committed rape on her. She was rushed to Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar, where doctors conducted her examination but they did not confirm legal and technical aspects of rape.

Officials said that nevertheless there was adequate circumstantial evidence to suggest that a serious offence had been committed on the minor girl. They said that police would soon complete the investigation after records statements of all the witnesses and others concerned and the same would be submitted to a judicial magistrate for prosecution of the accused.

Air traffic to Kargil resumes

SRINAGAR, Jan 31: With considerable improvement in the weather condition, Air traffic to Kargil from Jammu and Srinagar resumed today after remaining suspended for about two weeks due to heavy snowfall and slip on the runway.

Official sources said 32 stranded passengers left Jammu for Kargil, in a maiden AN-32 flight today after the runway declared safe for landing.

Similarly 43 passengers arrived Jammu from Kargil, they added.

They said 91 stranded passengers left Srinagar for Kargil in two sorties of Airforce AN 32 flights and 88 passengers arrived Srinagar from Kargil.

The flight could not be operated for two weeks due to unfavourable weather conditions

They said one MI-17 Airforce flight, carrying 14 passengers, including five Haj pilgrims, also operated between Bandipore and Gurez. Similar flight would operate tomorrow, they said.

One MI-17 Airforce flight would also operate between Kargil and Zanaskar tomorrow, subject to weather conditions, they added.

Srinagar-Kargil road had been closed for six winter months from November 15 last year due to snowfall. (UNI)

SHRC orders probe into custodial death

SRINAGAR, Jan 31: Stating that it was not satisfied with the reports submitted in connection with the custodial death of a youth, State Human Rights Commission today directed the Government to treat the incident as a murder case and re-investigate it.

Bhat also directed the State Government to provide a compensation of Rs two lakh to the victim’s family.

Passing the orders on a petition filed by G M Badroo, whose son, Sajad Ahmad Badroo, was allegedly killed by SOG and Army personnel, acting Chairman of SHRC H U Bhat said the Commission had come to the conclusion that Sajad was killed in police custody.

"The Commission is shocked to find the fantastic line of defence projected by the police that the youth collapsed during interrogation and died when he was being shifted to an Army camp," Bhat observed.

He also expressed surprise over the report submitted by the Inspector General of Police in which he had claimed that Sajad was tortured by militants and his father did not report it apprehending trouble.

Bhat directed the Government to treat it as a murder case and re-investigate it.

"The Commission feels it as an obligation to recommend to the Government that petitioner should also be provided the benefit of a Government job under the compassionate appointment rules," he said. According to the petition, Sajad was picked up by security forces on October 27, 2005 and the next day his body was handed over to his relatives. Sajad’s father alleged that his son was killed by the security forces in custody. (PTI)

Azad for CBI inquiry into "loot" of forest wealth in 1980s,90s

Srinagar : Facing opposition onslaught for the forest scam during his rule, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said he will go for a CBI inquiry into "loot" of forest resources in the state during 1980s and early nineties.

Azad also said no one including his brothers, who are forest contractors, will be spared if they are found involved in the plunder of forest wealth.

"I will refer the matter of looting of forest wealth in Jammu and Kashmir during 1980s and early 1990s to the CBI so that an impartial inquiry is conducted and the guilty are punished," Azad told reporters here in an apparent counter-attack against the opposition National Conference

Azad said corrupt elements, especially those who faced action since he launched his campaign against corruption, have ganged up against him and were trying to intimidate him by dragging the name of his relations into the scam.

"If they think that Ghulam Nabi Azad will wear bangles by naming my brothers, they are mistaken. If my relations are involved, they will be treated as anybody else," Azad said referring to allegations levelled by former general manager of the State Forest Corporation against him.

Ghulam Hassan Marazi has filed a petition in the state high court alleging he was being targetted by the Chief Minister for opposing the 'undue' demands of his brothers who were forest contractors. He also claimed that divesting Qazi Mohammad Afzal of the forest portfolio last year was only aimed at covering up the misdeeds of his brothers.

"I am not responsible for the deeds of my relations -- right or wrong.I have left home more than 40 years ago," he said, adding he would not abandon his campaign for a corruption-free state.

Azad ruled out referring the Kundal committee report to the CBI for further investigations saying the state vigilance organisation and crime branch of local police were already on the job. The committee probed the forest scam in which two ministers are allegedly involved. "The Kundal committee report will not be referred to the CBI.

The vigilance (organisation) and crime branch are already investigating the matter," he said.

Azad said the committee has recommended dismissal of former managing director of the SFC Aijaz Ahmad Bhat and former general manager Marazi on the basis of their misconduct during the service.

Giving details, the chief minister said Bhat was not even an Indian citizen as his Indian passport has expired four years back.

"This man had been drawing salary from forest department here while he was in the US for 14 years. He has travelled 23 times between India and the US during the period," he said.

Azad said the man had criminal intent as he had travelled on four different names and given six fake addresses including two in the US.

On marazi, the chief minister said he had entered the government service as a class four employee at the age of 15 years. "How can anybody enter government service at 15, he asked and added eight enquiries have been ordered against him and he has managed to come back every time." (PTI)