Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 9: District Congress Committee President and former MLC Subash Chander Gupta said that neither the State nor the Central Government is giving heed to the hardships of the farming community.
He said this during his visit to the different areas of Kathua district, where crops have suffered damages.
Gupta disclosed that the Governments in place of helping the poor farmers, is busy in boosting their hardships and as a result, the farmers are committing suicides.
He said that recent unseasonal heavy rains and hailstorm has immensely damaged the standing crops, hundred percent throughout the district. He said the administration is boasting of initiating survey of the loss, however, the administration has done nothing positive.
Moreover, in the Assembly Session, Government had not declared or taken any step for the welfare of the farmers, he added.
“The Crop Insurance Scheme of the Government is still an illusion for the farmers”, he rued. Demanding an adequate insurance policy for the crops he said that the Government should announce compensation for damages as per the neighbouring State Punjab, he added.
During the recent rains the flood washed away hundreds of acre land of Mahi Chak, Airwan, Pandori, Nangal, Jarmal, Ghati, Kotpunnu, Chabay Chak, Tengdevpura, Rattnu Chak Ballian, Mathra Chak, Muthi Charu, Sapalwan, Kunthal and other adjoining villages, but no steps has been taken by the Government towards the farmers residing in these areas, he added.
Subash Gupta demanded that the administration should take precautionary measures and construct protection dams.

NEW DELHI, Apr 9:
The Indian Army   successfully test fired the advanced version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from Car Nicobar Island today to operationalise another regiment of the weapon system.  The Block III variant of BrahMos with steep dive capability was launched by the Army unit from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher at about 1100 hours, an official statement issued by the Army said here. The missile followed a predetermined trajectory and successfully hit the designated target on Trak Island at an extended range. Developed by BrahMos Aerospace as a joint venture between DRDO and NPO Mashinostroeyenia of Russia, the 8.4 meter long missile can fly at 2.8 times the speed of sound and is capable of carrying conventional warheads of upto 300 kgs for a range of 290 km. Featuring a very low radar signature, it can be launched from land, ship, submarines and air platforms.  (PTI)

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: In a bizarre incident, the Crime Branch instead of booking its own officer for having encroached the State land has registered FIR against Regional Director Survey and Land Records, Jammu, who was Enquiry Officer and has submitted a preliminary report against the DySP of Crime Branch.
According to the Regional Director, a complaint was filed before the Deputy Commissioner alleging that the State land is being sold in connivance with the revenue staff. There was another complaint that the land is proprietary and some persons backed by Crime Branch DySP Ibrahim Chowdhary and other 2 police officers of the SP rank on the pretext of some entries on State land of village Sunjwan are entering in village Channi Himmat and have constructed their houses.
The matter was accordingly referred to Regional Director Survey & Land Records, R K Shavan for enquiry. The Regional Director, in the first instance, issued status quo order but DySP, who wanted to make further constructions over the State land, obtained stay from the Court of Commissioner Survey and Land Records and went ahead with the illegal construction.
He never perused the matter further and ultimately his case was dismissed by the Court of Commissioner Survey and Land Records with a direction to the Court of Regional Director to go ahead with the proceedings. The Enquiry Officer, in his preliminary report, has indicted DySP Ibrahim Chowdhary for having encroached the State land and constructed a house over it.
Accordingly, a report was submitted to Deputy Commissioner for stringent action against the police officer/ revenue officials. On this, the Deputy Commissioner further asked for some more information from the Regional Director. However, instead of appearing before Enquiry Officer, the DySP managed FIR against the Enquiry Officer itself for pressurizing and sabotaging the enquiry.
“The final report is still to be furnished and some more police officers, who were indirectly approaching me for influencing the enquiry and too have encroached the State land, are likely to be indicted”, Shavan said, adding “I am fighting against the land mafia and a deliberate FIR has been registered to tarnish my image of 15 years unblemished career. This all is to be justified by the concerned”.
Mr Shavan is reportedly writing to the DGP and IGP Crime Branch for suspension of the concerned, who in fact, have abused power to sabotage the enquiry and shield the land mafia run by the police.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: In compliance with fresh directions of High Court regarding removal of all illegal structures along the river embankments, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone today convened an officers meeting to get first hand appraisal from the concerned regarding removal of encroachments along the river Jehlum embankments.
The Deputy Commissioner was informed that the demarcation of encroachments along the bank of river Jehlum has been done and work of removal of the same is underway and number of illegal structures have already been demolished so far.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed upon concerned officers to speed up the demolition of illegal structures and ensure that all unauthorized structures on the embankments of River Jhelum embankments are removed. He asked them to ensure restoration of original width of River Jhelum. He directed intensifying the drive to remove all encroachments so that High Court directions are implemented in letter and spirit.
He also asked the concerned to organize all sorts of manpower and machinery for swift removal of encroachments across the full length of the river.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner also directed the officers to remove all the Russian Popular trees in the City well before the time so that people do not face any problem.
The DC also asked the concerned officers to ensure implementation of ban on use of polythene carry bags in Srinagar.

Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Apr 9: Police today arrested two poachers along with skins of 3 snow leopards.
As per police sources, on specific information, police team from Kishtwar police station arrested two poachers along with skins of 3 snow leopards.
The accused have been identified as Murtza Ahmed, son of Sarfraz Malik of Maliknar Chatroo and Mohammad Sharief, son of Mohammad Ramzan of Mughalmaidan.
The arrested poachers, during interrogation revealed that they got the animal skins from a hunter/poacher and were intending to sell it in the market.
The snow leopard is very rare species and an endanger animal found in the higher reaches of J&K and its poaching is prohibited under J&K Wild Life Act. The market rate adopted by the smugglers vary from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 lakh per skin and other body parts are also sold for various purposes.
In this regard, a case under FIR number 51/15 under Section 379 RPC, 50/51 J&K Wild Life Act has been registered at police station Kishtwar and investigation are on to uncover smuggling modules of poachers involved in this illegal trade.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 9: J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) released a special issue of “Qadawar” on life and work of renowned Tribal reformer, Ch Ghulam Hussain Lassanvi on his 54th death anniversary in a function held here today at Seminar Hall of the Academy.
Veteran Gojri writer, Iqbal Azeem and noted Scholars— Ch Nassem Poonchi, G R Azad and Abdul Hameed Kassana were in the presidium.
Giving details about the book, Dr Javaid Rahi, Chief Editor of JKAACL stated that the 70-page book comprised of some important articles about the life and work of Ch Lassanvi who rendered his whole life for social reformation and cultural upliftment of Gujjar and Bakerwal community of the State.
He said late Lassanvi was a tallest leader of Gujjars who worked selflessly for the rights of nomadic, tribal and other suppressed classes.
He was among the founders of first Gujjar-Jat Conference, a social organization that later converted into a political party in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ch Iqbal Azeem in his presidential address appreciated the Academy for publication of a special number on life and work of the great leader who was popular among Gujjars as Gujjar Gandhi.
Earlier welcoming the guests, Mohammad Ashraf Tak, Head of Academy’s Divisional office Kashmir stated that Academy is holding a series of programme in Kashmiri, Gojri and Pahari.
Mian Arshad Qammar, Assistant Editor, Gojri said this is the fifth volume of ‘Qadwar’(Urdu), a book series  initiated by Academy since 2010 to cover life and work of Tribal Gujjar leaders.
Later, a paper reading session was held which was presided over by Ch Naseem Poonchi and G R Badhana. Those who presented their papers included Ch Abdul Ghani Arif, Abdul Majeed Hasrat, Taj ud Din Taj, Ghulam Rasool Azad, Ch Younas Abrar and Ch Ayoob Katarya.
A Gojri Mushaira was also held in which poets from the Valley participated.

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Apr 9: A minor girl today died after she drowned in a water body near her house in Kanthol village of Kotranka.
As per police reports a two years old girl Asiba, daughter of Mohammad Aslam, a resident of Kanthol village accidentally fell into a water body near her house after which family members rushed and fished her body out of the water body.
After completing legal formalities, the body of the minor was handed over to family members for last rites.
Police has taken cognizance in this regard.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: An old woman, who received about 30% burn injuries in a fire accident on March 26 at Sain Baba Temple in Talab Tillo, today succumbed to her injuries at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu.
According to a police spokesperson, the woman identified as Meena wife of Gori Nandan, a resident of Bhaderwah (at present Anand Nagar, Talab Tillo) had gone to Sain Baba Temple in the evening of March 26 when while lighting a ‘diya’ in the temple premises, her clothes caught fire.
In the mishap, the woman received about 30% injuries and was immediately shifted to GMCH for treatment, where she expired this afternoon.
The body of the deceased has been shifted to mortuary room of the hospital for conducting post mortem. The concerned police has already taken cognizance of the matter.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Hailing the announcement of Prime Minister to increase compensation of farmers to 1.5% and lowering the criteria of 50 percent crop damage to 33% for providing compensation to farmers, BJP Kissan Morcha (BJPKM) today said this announcement is testimony to the fact how much the Union Government is serious towards the welfare of the farmers.
While addressing a press conference at party headquarters, State president, BJPKM, Karan Singh along with general secretaries—Kasturi Lal Sharma and Raghuvir Singh Manhas, said that for the first time after Independence any Prime Minister has understood the problems and grievances of the farmers with humane approach and it received wide-spread appreciation from the farming community.
Karan Singh said that criteria of 50 percent crop damage for providing compensation to affected farmers has been reduced to 33 percent by Narendra Modi Government and it will obviously help more farmers to get compensation for their crop loss.
He said that not only this, other important decision is to raise the parameters for helping farmers. The amount of compensation has been increased to 1.5 times.