Two-day seminar on Pakistan begins at JU
Training infrastructure for militants intact
in Pak: GOC 16 Corps

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Hinting at the role being played by neighbouring nation Pakistan of harbouring militancy, GOC 16 Corps Lt General R K Karwal today reaffirmed the Government’s claim that all the necessary infrastructure was intact there for the training of militants.

He said this while delivering the keynote address of a two-day national seminar on "Pakistan: Past, Present and Future" at Gen Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu (JU). Centre for Regional and Strategic Studies (CRSS), JU in collaboration with HQ 16 Corps is organizing the seminar.

Further speaking, Gen Karwal said that in Pakistan, people in general, had no affection for militants or any other kind of fundamentalists, as they were having many other problems to deal with.

Comparing the Economic position of India with Pakistan, he said the former has made tremendous progress and on the verge of becoming world super power but, the latter, lags behind due to its pre-occupation with internal problems like the struggle between fundamentalism-modernization and dictatorship-democracy.

He, however, highlighted that Pakistan is located at an extremely important strategic position and is a decisive factor for the peace and stability in the subcontinent.

Vice Chancellor, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, who inaugurated the seminar, in his remarks, said that development in the neighbouring nation had always remained at receiving end due to dwindling democracy, which led to uncertainty.

Prof Mattoo added that United States has to play an important role in the stability of Pakistan, as it enjoys tremendous influence over the rulers in the nation.

Hinting out complexity at the helm of affairs in Pakistan, he said three sections i.e. military, fundamentalists and foreign forces (US) had played a major role in the decision making of the nation. But, it’s time to decide who will lead the country under the prevailing global circumstances.

Northern Command Chief Lt General PC Bhardwaj, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said that India was fast emerging as one of the power centres due to its rising economic status and military power in the new world order.

Earlier, Dr Sangeeta Thapliyal, Director CRSS, read the welcome address and detailed about the seminar. The inaugural session concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr Matthew Joseph of CRSS.

Later, three sessions "Idea of Pakistan", "Institutions and Processes" and "Pakistan: Internal Challenges" were held in the day, wherein eminent personalities, constitutional experts, defence strategists and educationists deliberated on the said themes.

Meanwhile, the sessions on "Pakistan’s Foreign Policy", "Civil Society and Public Sphere" and "Future of Pakistan" will be held tomorrow.

HC issues notice to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: In a criminal revision petition seeking investigation against Chairman of All Party Hurriyat Conference and his associates for allegedly raising anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans, Justice Virender Singh of State High Court has issued notice to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

The criminal revision petition was earlier filed in the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate but it was returned on April 12, 2006 with the directions to the petitioner to produce the same before the competent court.

Thereafter, the petitioner filed the complaint before Principal Sessions Judge Jammu which was transferred to 2nd Additional Sessions Judge Jammu. The complaint was then dismissed on April 19, 2006 and the petitioner, who claims to be president of Janta Party, prayed before the High Court for setting aside the orders and forwarding the complaint to the independent agencies or Crime Branch for investigation against respondent and his associates.

In the complaint filed through Advocate K J Singh it has been alleged that on February 2, 2006 Chairman of All Party Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was received at Jammu Airport amidst raising of anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans.

Power shut down

Excelsior Corresondent

KATHUA, May 5: To carry out the urgent repairs of 33 KV Jajjar-Kotli-Katra Line on 7th, 8th and 9th May from 9 AM to 5 PM, the power supply to Katra town, Aghar Jittoo, Nomian and its surrounding areas will remain affected.

According to Executive Engineer, Sub Transmission Division, Udhampur, the shut down shall be subject to fair weather conditions.

CM inaugurates new block of Handwara Hospital

Excelsior Correspondent

HANDWARA, May 5: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today inaugurated new block of district hospital Handwara. The two-storey block has been constructed by JKPCC at a cost of Rs. 3.50 crore.

With the inauguration of this block, the bed strength in the hospital would go up from 50 to 100. It will also house two laboratories and two X-Ray plants. The units of dentistry, gynae, peadiatrics, ortho, eye testing, endoscopy and other facilities will be available to the people in the hospital. Arrangements are also being made for centrally heating of the hospital.

The Chief Minister also went round various wards and units in the hospital. He said adequate number of doctors and paramedics besides sufficient quantity of medicines and other facilities are being made available to the people in the hospitals.

Mr Azad also inaugurated 203 meter steel girder Mughalpora bridge in Kupwara this afternoon.

The bridge constructed at a cost of Rs. 6.50 crore over Kahmil nallah is the longest bridge in Kupwara district with a width of 6 meters including wheel guards on either side. The bridge would connect Vilgam, Mughalpora, Gushi, Hutmullah, Nagri and Magam with Kupwara town and benefit about 30,000 people of these villages. It would also serve as additional road link to Handwara.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said Government is making strenuous efforts to improve road connectivity in the State particularly in remote and far flung areas. He said several bridges under construction in the district would be completed soon adding that work is also apace on various road projects in the district.

The Chief Minister said Bungus area in the district is a beautiful place and offers ample scope for tourist attraction. He said possibility would be explored to start helicopter service to Bungus area from coming June.

Main accused in Meenakshi kidnapping case stabbed

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, May 5: The main accused in the much hyped Meenakshi Bhatyal kidnapping case was today brutally stabbed in broad-day light by three unidentified miscreants in the back side of TB Hospital near Military Hospital Chowk here this evening.

Police spokesman said that main accused in the Meenakshi Bhatyal kidnaping case—Aftab Ahmed, son of late Gani Ahmed Chandel of Shiv Nagar was sitting on a parapet on the highway when a group of three unidentified miscreants reached there and immediately threw chilly powder in Aftab’s eyes.

Later, they dragged the victim in the back-side of the TB Hospital where all the three accused brought out sharp-edged weapons and started stabbing wounds on Aftab. After critically wounding Aftab, the miscreants fled from the spot leaving behind the victim in pool of blood.

On hearing the screams of Aftab, some persons rushed to the spot and shifted him to District Hospital, Udhampur where doctors provided him first aid before referring him to Government Medical College and Hospital for specialised treatment.

He was responding to the treatment when reports last came in.

Police has registered a case in this connection and started investigations to identify and arrest the accused involved in the murderous attack. However, no break-through could be made till late this evening.

Aftab Ahmed was one of the accused in Meenakshi Bhatyal kidnapping case which rocked the Udhampur district in 2001. While the other accused in the case were discharged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), enquiry against Aftab Ahmed was still going on, the sources said.

DGP inspects PHQ, other offices

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 5: Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda today inspected various moving police establishments including Police Headquarters (PHQ) which re-opened here today following the bi-ennial darbar move to the summer capital.

The Director General of Police on his arrival to PHQ was presented guard of honour and later he visited all the sections of PHQ to ensure that officials are equipped with infrastructure and working conditions are upto mark. During his inspection, he was facilitated by Inspector General of Police (Headquarters), P. L. Gupta and other senior police officers.

During the inspection, Mr. Khoda had a detailed interaction with the officers and officials and stressed upon them to render their duties with zeal, enthusiasm and discipline irrespective of the place they are serving at. He enquired from them whether they had any problems regarding the accommodation so that they could be looked into. He also visited other moving police wings viz. armed, security, homeguards, telecommunication police housing division and various offices of zonal police headquarters, Kashmir.

On the occasion, talking to media persons, Mr. Khoda said that the security forces are fully geared up to meet the challenges ahead of this year to ensure smooth conduct of elections, Amar Nath pilgrimage, independence day celebrations and other important functions.

10 hurt in police lathicharge at Udhampur
Clerical cadre employees protest, block highway

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: At least 10 Government employees were injured in police lathicharge at Udhampur while agitating clerical cadre employees blocked national highway at various places in the region and held demonstrations on the 40th day of their strike today.

In a bid to intensify their agitation, the clerical cadre employees from various State Government departments held massive rally at Bikram Chowk. They assembled at PHE Mechanical department complex on University Road and then moved towards Bikram Chowk. Then they blocked main road near Tawi bridge for some time. The movement of traffic was disrupted for about half an hour. However, they were cane-charged and forced to disperse by the strong police contingent. Three employees received minor injuries/ bruises when police resorted to cane-charge at Tawi bridge. There was scuffle between cops and employees during the process. They however, moved up to Dogra Chowk near Press Club in the form of a rally. The employees were addressed by Rehmat Ullah Malik, R P Sharma and other employees leaders. They are demanding removal of anomalies in their pay grades.

The district administration had already taken extra precaution in view of their proposed highway blockade programme today. Additional police and para-military force personnel had been deployed near Press Club, Tawi bridge and Bikram Chowk.

At Udhampur, the police party led by SHO Jagdev Singh resorted to unprovoked lathicharge on the employees when the agitating clerical cadre employees blocked Jammu-Srinagar national highway and sat on dharna. District convenor of the Employees Association Vishav Bandhu was hit on his head with lathi and fell down on the road bleeding profusely. At least ten employees including women were injured in the police lathicharge. The highway was blocked hardly for fifteen minutes and the agitating employees dispersed there-after.

Later employees raised slogans against Udhampur police and district administration. Seriously injured employee’s leader was referred to GMC Jammu in view of head injury. The other injured employees were provided treatment in local hospital.

As a part of their State wide highway blockade agitation and ‘Assembly gherao’ program, the employees at all the district headquarters blocked roads and held massive demonstrations.

In Poonch, the road was blocked for about four hours. The employees from all the blocks assembled in large number near Bus stand and blocked road. Mohd Bashir Mir and Khem Raj Dutta addressed the employees rally. They later submitted a memorandum to District administration demanding that their genuine and justified demands be redressed. Reports from Kathua, Ramban, Reasi, Kishtwar, Doda, Bhaderwah, Rajouri and Doda said that massive rallies and demonstrations were held followed by blockade of roads. However, police forcibly cleared the roads by using force after some time.

The employees of various district units have strongly condemned the police lathicharge and teargassing on agitating employees at Srinagar and Udhampur by police today. They have resolved to observe Black Day on May 6 in this connection.

Young woman gang-raped in Kathua

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, May 5: A young woman, belonging to Gujjar community was gang-raped by the three youth of her own community near Jagatpur, under Kathua police jurisdiction last evening.

A police spokesman said that incident took place at around 7.30 pm when 25-year- old Zulfa Begum, wife of Gamma resident of Jagatpur adjoining Magar Khad, was returning home from Kathua. The woman works in a factory in Kathua town.

Three Gujjar youth namely, Hanief, son of Mir Mohammed, Aslam and Hasham Din residents of the same area intercepted the woman at an isolated place while she was walking to her house. She was forcibly pushed to the nearby bushes and raped by them. The woman showed resistance and was also injured. The youth escaped after crime while, the woman assisted by family members lodged an FIR with Kathua police. She has been admitted to District hospital Kathua for the injuries, she suffered during scuffle with accused persons.

The police arrested Hanief and Hasham from their hide-outs today while Aslam was still absconding.

3 cheats arrested

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Police today arrested three cheats and recovered gold and silver ornaments besides cash from their possession.

Police spokesman said that three cheats approached one Mohd Iqbal, son of Abdul Majid of Nashri Nullah, Batote and told him that they have the divine powers to increase the quantity of whatever item they put in a bag in their possession.

Innocent and greedy Mohd Iqbal believed in their words and handed them over nine tolas of gold, some silver ornaments and Rs 1200 cash. However, the cheats managed to hypnotize all the members of Mohd Iqbal’s family before escaping from the house alongwith the entire gold and silver ornaments besides cash.

Later, Mohd Iqbal brought the matter to the notice of Batote Police and a police team headed by SHO Bhushan Manhas immediately swung into action. After a long chase, the cheats were apprehended from Patnitop. From their possession, police recovered gold, silver ornaments and cash.

They have been identified as Maqsood Ahmed, son of Habibullah of Sopore, Abdul Hamid, son of Abdul Aziz and Mushtaq Ahmed, son of Mohd Ramzan, both the residents of Baramulla.

A case has been registered against them.

Kashmiri Migrant Welfare Organization holds meet

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: A meeting of Non Camp Kashmiri Migrant Welfare Organization, Janipur Colony was held here, today under the chairmanship of P L Saraf. The meeting was attended by non camp migrants from Bantalab, Bakshi Nagar , Barnai, New Plots, Bhawani Nagar and Pamposh Colony.

Mr Karan Choudhary was the special guest during the meeting which was also attended by president of Women Wing, Mrs Kundan Zutshi.

The meeting took a serious note of the Prime Minister’s package which was silent about the other main issues concerning community.

It demanded that quarters be allotted to non camp migrants living in rented accommodations and those migrants who have constructed temporary shelters be exempted from paying electricity and water charges. It urged the Government to formulate a concrete policy for employment by opening special placement cells for migrants unemployed youth numbering over 15,000.

Samajwadi Party takes out protest march

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Samajwadi Party J&K State took out a protest march here, today against the issuance of SRO 99 which debars an undermatric candidates for appointment on Class IV posts.

The demonstration was led by Samajwadi Party state chief, Sheikh Abdul Rehman. It started from Radio Station, Panjtirthi here and culminated at Divisional Commissioner’s Office Mubarak Mandi where a memorandum to Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad was submitted through Divisional Commissioner.

The memorandum termed the filling of 40,000 posts through fast track recruitment boards in the State only an election stunt. It alleged that these posts were deliberately not filled over the years to lure the electorate during the elections.

The Party, while criticizing the 50 per cent marks criteria for the candidates appearing in the interview is nothing but a conspiracy against the under privileged and rural based candidates to deprive them of employment opportunities as these people belong to economically backward classes who lack educational facilities.

The SP has also demanded that criteria of at least having 50 per cent marks in 10+2 for recruitment to a Class III post be lifted especially in case of SC, ST, OBC, RBA , LOC and other social castes.

It also alleged gross violation in selection and opening of centres under the Centrally sponsored Child Integrated Development Scheme which has sanctioned 6500 centres in the State.

JKNPP declares assets of Bhim Singh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Coming close on the heels of National Panther's Party's rhetoric demanding politicians to make public their properties before the ensuing State Assembly elections, the party president, Bansi Lal Sharma today declared both moveable and immoveable property of party supremo Prof Bhim Sigh amounting to worth Rs 74,027 besides some ancestral land.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Sharma said that Prof Bhim Singh is a regular taxpayer possessing PAN card bearing number APMPS-5350N. He maintained that Prof Bhim does not use his salary and allowance, amounting to worth Rs 40300 and contributes the same amount into the party fund.

"Prof Bhim owns 19 kanals unirrigated ancestral land in village Bhugterian, Ramnagar" said a document circulated by the party adding that he possesses goods of personal use including 5 pairs of Kurta Pajama, one video camera, one laptop and two shawls amounting to worth Rs 40,000.

It further revealed that Prof Bhim has a bank balance of Rs 1057, Rs 15614 and Rs 2356 in JK Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank and State Bank of India respectively.

It added that party supremo owns an ambassador car worth Rs 10,000 and an out of order motorcycle worth Rs 5,000.

Among other party leaders who attended the press conference were general secretary Anita Thakur, Ghulam Ali, provincial secretary Param Jeet Singh and vice president Praduman K Ganju.

Meanwhile in a press statement issued her today, Prof Bhim stated that he "feels proud" after declaring the assets and expressed hope that Ministers, Chief Ministers and heads of other political parties in the State will also toe the same line.

CJM issues warrants against SI, others

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Chief Judicial Magistrate (CM) Jammu Sanjeev Gupta today issued bailable warrants against then SHO Bagh-e-Bahu, Paramjeet Singh and constables Rakesh Kumar and A S Charak to secure their presence in the Court. The warrants have been sent to SSP Jammu for execution.

These bailable warrants were issued against police officials in a complaint filed by Advocate Bhushan Singh Charak. In the complaint, it has been submitted that on April 8, 2008 the complainant was stopped by constables Rakesh Kumar and A S Charak.

The constable used foul language while asking the complainant to disclose his identity. When the complainant disclosed his identity, the cops turned violent. While A S Charak was hurling abuses, constable Rakesh Kumar dragged the complainant out of his vehicle and started giving fists, blows and kicks.

On this act of police, the Bar Association Jammu suspended their work for the day and asked the senior police officers to take action against the cops and SI Paramjeet Singh, who instead of regretting the acts of his subordinate staff himself resorted to assault on the advocate.

TJAC urges Govt to concede demands of clerical cadre

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: JK Teachers Joint Action Committee today held a meeting under the chairmanship of Balwan Singh Jamwal to discuss the situation arisen due to non-serious approach of State Govt towards the demands of clerical cadre sitting on strike for the last 40 days.

In the meeting, TJAC leaders criticized the State Govt for its anti-employees policies and expressed serious concern over the consequences of the strike, as people in general have been suffering a lot due to it.

The members of the committee, appealed to the teaching community to observe one-day token strike on May 10 in support of the demands of State Govt employees and striking clerical cadre to impress upon the Govt to concede their just and genuine demands.

Among those who were present in the meeting included S Kulwant Singh (president JKSTA), Hari Singh (general secretary JKUSTA), Bharat Kumar (chairman JKSTA), Sukh Dev Singh (president JKPETA) and Subash Chander Sharma (vice president JKLTF).

3-day Sindhu darshan yatra to begin on July 22

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: The foundation stone of Sindhu Bhawan will be laid during the last day of this year’s Sindhu darshan at the bank of River Sindhu in Leh on July 25.

This was stated at a press conference here, today by All India president, Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti, Murli Dhar Makhija, Mayor JMC, Kavinder Gupta and Sudesh Paul, convenor of the Samiti.

They said as this year’s Sindhu Darshan coincides with Kumb Mela that is held after 12 years gap. Variety of programmes will be held including cultural programmes , interactions with people, pooja and felicitation functions during this three day long mela.

On May 19 a function will be held in Abhinav Theatre Jammu to greet the yatris coming from different parts of country to participate in Sindhu Darshan, they said. The yatra will leave for Sindhu Darshan on July 20 from here and it will reach Leh on July 22, they added.

They said the functions will be held in collaboration with Ladakh Phanday Tsogspa (Ladakh Kalyan Sangh) a NGO. On July 23 a programme to greet the yatris will be held in Leh city while on July 24 floral tributes will be paid to Mahatma Gautam Buddha which will be followed by Pooja and archana.

On the same day a havan will be performed at Sindhu Ghat which will be followed by a cultural programme, they said adding , later the yatris will visit the villages surrounding Leh , have interaction with local people and participate in cultural programmes there.

They said after laying the foundation stone of Sindhu Bhawan on July 25, the Samiti will organise a token yatra towards Kailash Mansarovar and visit upto village Kharu which is 40 kilometers away from Leh. In the evening an intellectuals meet will be held which will again be followed by a cultural programme in the night. The yatra will return on July 26, they added.

Urban Batwal community organises prog for youth

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Association of Urban Batwal Community organised character building programme for youth at Satwari here today.

The programme was sponsored by Guru Gyagi Foundation and a large number of youth of the community participated in it.

While speaking on the occasion, the chairman of the Association R L Kaith said that youth are supposed to be the main contributors in the nation building. They are infact, the backbone of the country. He said the youth often get guidance and moral education from the elders in the family and in their surroundings and schools.

Mr Kaith said that due to increasing influence of western culture, the youth are needed to be given moral education. Such programmes of character building would be more helpful for them, he maintained.

Several other senior members of the Association spoke on the occasion and educated the youth. Prominent among them included Capt Raj Kaith, Dr Ramesh Kaith, Mela Ram Tugga, G R Kaith, Des Raj Kaith, Madan Raj, Naresh Lakhotra, Ganesh Lal Motan, Nand Lal Lakhotra and Ujagar Lal.

During the meeting, Guru Gyagi Foundation also constituted Jammu East Wing body with Beli Ram Kaith as chief and Chaman Lal Lakhotra and Des Raj Kaith as deputy chiefs. The executive members are-Romesh Lal Motan, Bishan Dass, Mangat Ram, Bal Krishan, Ganesh Lal, Amir Chand, Master Naresh Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, Bharat Bhushan and others.

Chhamb DPs extend gratitude to Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Chhamb Displaced Persons Association (1965,71) in a meeting held here today expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for making public announcement for the redressal of demands of the refugees of Chhamb, West Pakistan, PoK and others from Jammu region. In a meeting of the Association held here, its president S R Nagial claimed that Chief Minister has by and large accepted all the demands of the refugees and it is matter of pleasure for all the community members. He also claimed that Chhamb DPs will organise a function in near future to honour the Chief Minister.

Mr Nagial claimed that at Abhinav Theatre function the Chief Minister claimed that demand of supplementary list approval with market rates for payment of cash compensation in lieu of deficiency in allotable land unit has been accepted. It was also claimed by Mr Azad that ownership right on the State land to DPs would be given soon. Some of them already have been granted the same.

The refugees leader claimed in the meeting that the demand of non-camp displaced persons from Chhamb has also been accepted and the rate of compensation per kanal has been enhanced from Rs 5000 per kanal to Rs 25,000 even in the case where payment have already paid to most of the families.

HC directions to MD SRTC in contempt petition

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: In a contempt petition filed by the former employees of the SRTC for implementation of Court directions, Justice Nirmal Singh of State High Court has directed the respondents to file compliance report in the registry on or before May 9, 2008.

In case the compliance report is not filed, then presence of Managing Director SRTC be secured through bailable warrants to the tune of Rs 10,000, the Court ordered.

The contempt petition has been filed by Lachman Singh and 14 other former employees of SRTC against the MD SRTC for willful and deliberate disobedience of Court directions passed on November 10, 2005 in the writ petitions.

After hearing Advocate Shahzad Azeem appearing for the petitioner and Advocate R Koul appearing for the respondents, Justice Nirmal Singh observed "the statement of facts has not been filed. Even though on the previous date it was ordered that in case the statement of facts is not filed, the MD SRTC shall appear in person, the compliance of the order has not been made".

The advocate appearing for the respondents sought exemption of the MD for today with an undertaking that within one week the compliance of the order will be made.

Upon this, the Court directed respondents to file compliance report on or before May 9, 2008, failing which the presence of MD will be secured through bailable warrants.

Endangered Hangul spotted in Valley

SRINAGAR, May 5: Dispelling fears that the endangered Kashmiri stag ‘Hangul’ is fast vanishing, the Wildlife Department today said the animal has been spotted at many places in the Valley besides the Dachigam National Park, considered the stag’s last bastion.

"The number of Kashmiri stag has not shown any decline in the Dachigam National Park here... It is the same as it was last year.In fact, Hanguls have been spotted at various other places in South and North Kashmir which is a very encouraging sign," Central Wildlife Warden Abdul Rashid Naqash said.

He said Hanguls, the only surviving species of Asian Red Deer, have been recently spotted at Shikargah-Tral and Kokernag in South Kashmir and Bandipora, Uri and Kupwara in North Kashmir.

The stag (cervus elaphus Hanglu), considered as a ‘living wonder’ of the Elysian Valley, is a unique species, found only in Kashmir. Hangul, which has antlers ranging from 11 to 16, was once widely found on the mountains of Kashmir.

Naqash, who also manages the Dachigam National Park, denied media reports that the Kashmiri stag was facing extinction in its last bastion. "Those who claim that the number of Hanguls has plummeted to an all-time low are sensationalizing the issue," he said.

"Authentic records of the data are with us and whatever be the actual figure, it will be made public after scientific analysis shortly," he said.

The Wildlife Department conducted a census of the animal in early March involving experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

"A total of 85 teams were pressed into service during the census," Naqash said.

In 1984 six years before eruption of militancy in Kashmir the Hangul count was recorded at 556, but in subsequent years the numbers dwindled and it was reduced to a mere 190 last year.

The Hangul population has been fluctuating from time to time. By the end of the 19th century, it was estimated that there were about 3,000-5,000 Hanguls in Kashmir, but their number went down drastically, ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 in 1947.

The main reason for the decrease in its number is the continued fragmentation of the animal’s habitat in the lush green forests of Dachigam National Park.

The sanctuary, which sprawls over an area of 140 sq kms is home to the endangered red deer, black and brown bears, musk deer, leopards and species of large birds such as black partridge and pheasants.

Set up as a royal hunting reserve in 1910, and declared a sanctuary in 1951, Dachigam is located in the western Himalayan region. It was voted the best national park in India in the 1980s.

Environment and Volunteer Organisation Kashmir Geographic Eco-Cooperation Limited has, meanwhile, started a campaign to garner public support for Hangul.

"Save me I am dying," reads a handbill with photographs of the endangered stag distributed by the group as part of its campaign ‘Save Hangul Save Kashmir’.

"If the Government does not wake up from its slumber and take emergency measures, the last of the Hangul may be seen in another five years," Nadeem Qadri, Chief Coordinator of Save Hangul Campaign, said.

"We have planned a number of measures to mobilise public support to safeguard the Hangul," he said, adding "the steps include holding of seminars, debates and public meetings." (PTI)

SDP holds rally

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Socialist Democratic Party (SDP) held a rally from Airport to Jammu Press Club today. The rally was led by the president of the Party, Dr Darkhshan Andrabi.

A large number of SDP activists participated in the rally which passed via Satwari, Gandhi Nagar, Bikram Chowk and culminated at Jammu Press Club.

The SDP, which has decided to participate in the ensuing Assembly elections in the State is organizing such programmes throughout the State to apprise the people of the policies and programmes of the Party, said Dr Andrabi.

She said in Kashmir valley SDP organized rallies at Srinagar, Beerwah and Hazratbal. Today’s rally will be followed by more rallies and road shows in near future, she added.

She said the SDP promises better future to youth as it has adopted the economic oriented politics.

Making a dig at NC and PDP, she alleged that they were nourishing separatism, regionalism and communalism. She also criticised the State Government for growing corruption and encouraging favoritism.

Dr Andrabi said that during her rallies in Kashmir Valley and militancy infested areas of Jammu region she has gone ahead with her nationalistic agenda and Tri-colour and people throughout the State supported the Party.

She said the people in the State are fed up with the separatists and want economic development.

Man commits suicide, 3 make abortive attempts

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: A 36-year old man allegedly committed suicide while as three others made abortive attempts.

Police spokesman said that a man namely Subash Chander, son of Rasal Chand of Punjab allegedly consumed poisonous substance at Kathua and he was immediately rushed to District Hospital.

Later, he was referred to Government Medical College and Hospital where doctors provided him stomach wash treatment. But he could not fight for his life and died.

Police has taken cognizance of the incident.

Meanwhile, three persons—Verinder Singh, son of Jaswant Singh of Billawar, Nishu Devi, wife of Sardaria Lal of Marh and Ashok Kumar son of Vinod Kumar of Canal Road made attempts to end their lives by consuming poisonous substance.

They were rushed to hospital when spotted unconscious by family members. Doctors immediately provided them stomach wash treatment followed by other medicare. Their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

The spokesman said that an unidentified man was brought dead in the hospital from Pouni Chak area.

Police has initiated inquest proceedings in this regard.