Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 16: The lethargic approach of the Public Works Department (PWD) in repairing the Kishtwar-Dangdoru Dachhan road claimed lives of eight people including Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) when the Tata Sumo, they were traveling in, plunged into river Chenab at Pinjrari in district Kishtwar this morning.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK14-8968 was on its way to Kishtwar from Dangdoru-Dachhan when it plunged into river Chenab at Pinjrari due to the dilapidated condition of the road, resulting into on the spot death of eight persons and serious injuries to two others.
After receiving information about the accident, police party from Police Station Dachhan, medical teams, Army personnel and local people rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies and injured persons, which were later shifted to District Hospital, Kishtwar.
The deceased have been identified as ASI Mushtaq Ahmed of Juda Mohar, district Reasi, Constable Mangat Ram (36), son of Narayan Dass of Hanzal, Vidya Lal (55), son of Dass Ram of Janakpur Dachhan, Ghulam Hassan (35), son of Habib Shah of Patimhalla, Constable Mangat Ram (36), son of Narayan Dass of Hanzal, Tanu (6), daughter of Romesh Kumar of Kalno Dachhan, Parvaiz Ahmed (25), son of Gh Rasool of Dangdoro Dachhan, Krishna (36), wife of Narayan Dass of Kalno Dachhan and Sachin Kumar (17), son of Yashpal of Kalno Dachhan.
The injured were identified as Abdul Hamid (35), son of Mohd Ramzan of Pinjrari-Dachhan and Sonia, wife of Rakesh Kumar of Prangass-Dachhan.
The bodies were handed over to family members for last rites after completing legal-medical formalities.
A case under relevant Section has been registered at Police Station Dachhan and investigation started.
Meanwhile, NN Vohra, Governor, has expressed sadness on being informed about the innocent persons injured and killed in road accident near Panjrari in Kishtwar district.
The Governor has wished speedy recovery to those injured and conveyed his condolences to the families whose near and dear have been killed and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
The Governor has, in his message, once again urged the Transport and Police Departments, and all other concerned agencies, to lose no more time in enforcing the required remedial steps.
Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has conveyed his heartfelt condolences and deep sympathies to the bereaved families of those who died in this tragic accident.
Expressing shock and grief on the loss of precious lives, Mr Azad prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased and wished all the injured a speedy recovery.
He has also called upon the State Government to provide adequate medical assistance to the injured.

Fayaz Bukhari

SRIANGAR, July 16: In a tragic accident involving a military crane and a SUV on Srinagar-Baramulla highway in Srinagar this morning, seven commuters were killed and two injured. The accident was followed by massive protests and clashes between police and security forces leading huge traffic jams on the highway.
The mishap took place near HMT on Srinagar-Baramulla highway when a military crane bearing registration number 01P013859W of 51 RR collided head on with a Tavera vehicle bearing registration number JK01P-1464 near Noora Hospital.
The crane was part of Army convoy and was on way from Srinagar to Baramulla while as the civilian vehicle was on way to Srinagar from Sopore in North Kashmir.
All the injured were shifted to hospital where three persons succumbed to injuries on way to hospital and four others passed away during treatment.
The dead have been identified as Mohammed Rafiq Antoo son of Ghulam Mohammad of Dugliteng, Baramulla; Ghulam Nabi Dar son of Mohammad Ismaiel of Kranshoo Colony, Sopore;Ghulam Hassan Bhat (driver) son of Abdul Samad of Dangarpora in Baramulla; Naseer Ahmad Mir son of Mohammad Jamal of Mumkak, Sopore; Pir Mohammed Syed son of Pir Sharif-ud-Din of Ashpir, Sopore; Mohammad Ramzan son of Ghulam Nabi of Sopore and Zareefa wife of Ashiq Hussain of Diver Pattan. The husband of Zareefa, Ashiq Hussain and Sheikh Zaid son of Abdul Qayoom of Naseem Bagh, Sopore who are critically injured have been admitted in SKIMS hospital in Srinagar.
Soon after the accident, the locals protested against Army and clashed with police.
Angry youth tried to set the crane on fire and thrashed its driver, however, Army fired few shots in air to disperse the angry protesters. The contingents of Army immediately reached to the spot and rescued the driver identified as Hawaldar Krishan Singh.
The angry youth pelted stones on police and security forces leading to clashes between police and youth. Police charged batons and fired tear smoke to disperse them. Two protesters were injured in the clashes and they were treated in Noora Hospital.
The clashes led to major traffic jam on the highway disconnecting North Kashmir from Srinagar. However, the traffic was restored at around 3 p.m. but the security forces are heavily deployed on the highway upto Narbal. Sporadic clashes were reported till late in the evening and residents said that police beat up residents of adjoining localities and smashed the window panes.
Police said that driver of the Army crane, Hawaldar Krishan Singh, has been arrested and the crane was seized. A case (under FIR No. 139/2014 under Section 279, 337, 304 A RPC) has been registered in Police Station Parimpora and investigation into the matter has been taken up. “In aftermath accident there was some minor law and order situation which has been brought under control”, police said.
Meanwhile hundreds of people took to streets and staged anti-army protests in Sopore where from these commuters belonged. Stone pelting and clashes were also received from several places at Sopore town
Defence spokesman, Col S D Goswami, in a statement issued here said that an Army vehicle and a civil Tavera vehicle met with an accident near Lawepura village on National Highway today, resulting in the death of seven persons and injuries to two more persons. “The General Officer Commanding in Chief, Northern Command, Lt General DS Hooda has expressed deep anguish and regrets on the unfortunate loss of innocent lives and conveys his deepest condolences to the bereaved families”, the statement said.
“Police are investigating the case. Army authorities are extending full cooperation to the Police to enable expeditious and early completion of the inquiry into the accident”, the spokesman added.
Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani appealed people to observe complete shutdown on July 17 and called for the peaceful protest demonstration on 18 July, Friday, against the Israeli aggression in Gaza and to mourn the tragic deaths in the HMT incident.

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, July 16: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today blamed Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, of exploiting the tragic accident in Srinagar by calling for shut down and protests.
Omar wrote on microblogging social networking site twitter: “The accident happened with an army truck but it was an accident, not a deliberate action. I hope better sense & cooler heads prevail.”
In another tweet, Chief Minister said: “Only in Kashmir can a tragic accident be exploited by ordering a 2 day shutdown & protests after Friday prayers. Height of exploiting pain.”
Omar offered condolences to the families of those who were killed in road mishaps. “The deaths in the two road accidents in Kishtwar & Srinagar are extremely tragic. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased”, he wrote.

*Operationalization of new adm units approved

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 16: State Cabinet, which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, today ordered massive reshuffle in the civil administration.
Pradip Kumar Tripathi, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been transferred and posted as Director General, Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development, J&K, relieving B B Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of the additional charge of the post.
Bipul Pathak, Commissioner/ Secretary, Science and Technology and Information Technology Department, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary Transport Department.
Ashok Kumar Parmar, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/ Secretary Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department vice Sarita Chauhan, who after completion of the Mid Course Training (Phase-IV), shall report for further orders of posting to the General Administration Department.
Rohit Kansal, awaiting orders of adjustment in the General Administration Department, has been transferred and posted as Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. Shailendra Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Tourism and Culture.
Vineeta Gupta, Excise Commissioner has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, ARI and Trainings Department, relieving Mohammad Ashraf Bukhari, Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department of the additional charge of the post.
Shahid Anayatullah, Secretary Transport Department has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Labour and Employment Department, relieving Mohammad Shafi Rather, Secretary Social Welfare Department of the additional charge of the post.
Tushar Kanti Sharma, Director, School Education, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Member, J&K Special Tribunal. Parvez Ahmad Malik, Secretary Youth Services & Sports and Technical Education Departments, has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Science and Technology & Information Technology Department.
Nirmal Sharma, Labour Commissioner has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, relieving Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department of the additional charge of the post.
Shafaat Noor Barlas, Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority, has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development Department & Panchayati Raj, relieving Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department of the additional charge of the post.
Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, has been transferred and posted as Secretary to the Government, Youth Services & Sports and Technical Education Departments. Zaffar Ahmad Bhat, Secretary to the Government, Department of Tourism and Culture, has been transferred and posted as Excise Commissioner.
Saurabh Bhagat, Transport Commissioner has been transferred and posted as Secretary in the Industries and Commerce Department. Hemant Kumar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, has been transferred and posted as Director, Command Area Development, Jammu. Dilshad Khan, Special Secretary to the Government, Industries and Commerce Department, has been transferred and posted as Transport Commissioner.
Sajad Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, vice Manzoor Ahmad Lone. Saugat Biswas, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, has been transferred and posted as Director Employment, J&K.
Jatindera Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri. Shyam Vinod Meena, Additional Secretary to the Government, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Doda.
Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kathua. Mubarak Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Doda, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Samba. Manzoor Ahmad Lone, Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Budgam. Mohammad Hussain Malik, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Poonch.
Rajinder Krishan Varma, Deputy Commissioner, Samba, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department. Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Director, Command Area Development, Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Reasi.
Dr Abdul Rashid, Director, Employment, J&K, has been transferred and posted as Director, Industries and Commerce, Jammu, against an available vacancy. Jahangir Mir, Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, has been transferred and posted as Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir. Peerzada Hafizullah Shah, Chief Executive Officer, JAKEDA, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary to the Government, ARI and Trainings Department.
Gulzar Hussain, Project Director, DRDA, Kargil, has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, JAKEDA. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Additional District Development Commissioner, Kupwara, has been transferred and posted as Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Kashmir.
Nisar Hussain Wani, Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam. Rohit Khajuria, Member, Services Selection Board, has been transferred and posted as Executive Director, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, against an available vacancy.
Mukhtar-ul-Aziz, Additional District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, has been transferred and posted as Executive Director, Rehabilitation Council, Social Welfare Department, relieving Ghulam Rasool Mir, Additional Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department of the additional charge of the post.
Bashir Ahmad Khan, Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag.
Abdul Rashid War, Additional District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, has been transferred and posted as Director, Command Area Development, Kashmir, against an available vacancy.
Choudhary Rashid Azam Inqalabi, Special Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Ramban. Nazir Ahmad Mir, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Authority Wullar-Manasbal, has been transferred and posted as Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Authority, Gulmarg, relieving Tufail Matoo, Managing Director, J&K Cable Car Corporation of the additional charge of the post.
Farooq Ahmad Rather, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Authority, Sonamarg, has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, against an available vacancy.
Dr Abdul Kabir Dar, Director, Indian System of Medicine be re-designated as Director General, Indian System of Medicine pursuant to his promotion in the Common Pool of posts for HoDs.
The Cabinet also ordered transfers/postings in the J&K Accounts Service.
A M M Jehangir, Director General Codes Finance Department has been transferred and posted as Director General, Audit and Inspections. Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, Director Local Fund Audit and Pensions J&K has been transferred and posted as Director Finance J&K State Forest Corporation.
Lochan Dass, Director Audit and Inspections J&K, has been transferred and posted as Director Accounts and Treasuries Jammu. Mohammad Aslam Malik, Director Accounts and Treasuries Jammu has been transferred and posted as Director Local Fund Audit and Pensions J&K.
Mohammad Rafi Andrabi, Director Budget Finance Department has been transferred and posted as Director Codes Finance Department
The Cabinet also approved the recommendations made by the High Power Committee headed by the Chief Secretary for examining the proposals of different departments regarding creation of posts and necessary infrastructure for the new administrative units.
It approved the creation and operationalization of new administrative units viz 46 Sub Divisions, 135 Tehsils, 177 CD Blocks, 301 Niabats and 2576 Patwar Halqas.
The Cabinet further approved the creation of 5860 posts out of which 181 are under Gazetted category and remaining under Non Gazetted category by corresponding adjustment of 2187 posts out of overall strength of Revenue and Relief Department. It also approved creation of infrastructure for the new units in a phased manner as per the recommendations of the High Power Committee and allotment of funds to the tune of Rs. 63.22 crore for making these new administrative units immediately operational.
The Cabinet authorised CA&PD Department to open 7697 departmental sale outlets in replacement of the existing fair price shops and the outlets functioning through internal adjustment by engaging 7697 salesmen and 7697 helpers to man these on casual basis.
The department was also authorized to take all other necessary steps to make these outlets functional.
The Cabinet directed for taking all necessary steps for the smooth implementation of the Re-structured Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (R-APDRP).
It also took note of the steps taken so far towards the implementation of the (R-APDRP) Part A and Part B. The Government of India launched (R-APDRP) in the year 2009. The Programme has two components; Part A and Part B. The estimated cost of Part A (R-APDRP) is Rs 191.25 crore and the estimated cost of Part- B is Rs 1665.27 crore and it covers 30 towns in Jammu and Kashmir including twin cities of Jammu and Srinagar. The overall objective of the programme is to reduce the AT&C losses in the towns covered in the programme to 15%.
The Cabinet also accorded sanction to the procurement of the medicine for anti Hepatitis-C Virus (HCV) therapy at Takiya Magam and Sonabrari villages (Kokernag) from M/S Fulford India Limited in relaxation of the procurement rules. It asked the Department of Health and Medical Education to conduct a survey in other districts of the valley to assess the incidents of Hepatitis-C.
The creation of 1032 posts of Accountant-cum-Data Entry Operators under Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) to be filled up on contractual basis for a period of 4 years on monthly honorarium of Rs 8000 in the first phase also received the Cabinet nod.
The Cabinet also condemned the wonton killings of men, women and children in Gaza strip over the last few days and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.

Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 16: The refugees’ issue and the strategy for the forthcoming elections in J&K came up for discussion in BJP high level meeting which was convened by Party’s newly elected national president, Amit Shah at Union Capital today.
The meeting, which was chaired by Mr Shah was also attended by Ram Madhav a strong RSS man who was recently inducted in BJP. Besides, Party National general secretary, organization, Ram Lal another national general secretary, J P Nada, BJP Prabhari for J&K and chief whip in Rajya Sabha, Avinash Rai Khanna, Union Minister in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, BJP Seh Prabhari, J&K, R P Singh, State president and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Leader of Legislative Party in J&K Assembly, Ashok Khajuria, former State president, Dr Nirmal Singh, four party generals secretaries of the State Ashok Koul, Bali Bhagat, Kavinder Gupta and Rajiv Jasrotia were present in the meeting.
This was the first meeting of Mr Shah with Core Group of the Party from the State after taking over national president of the Party few days back. The Party sources said that BJP has attached top importance to trouble –torn J&K which has witnessed lot of blood shed in last 25 years of turmoil and Mr Shah has urged the Partymen to work for winning the hearts of the people of the State.
According to party sources, Mr Shah urged BJP leaders to concentrate on Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region and create such a situation that ruling NC was politically confined to Valley during electioneering.
He also stressed on giving mandate to honest, young and dedicated partymen in the forthcoming Assembly elections who have a good public image, acceptability and 100 percent chances of winning the elections, sources said, adding Mr Shah also stressed on conducting a detailed survey in this regard.
He asked the Partymen from the State to make such a strategy for the forthcoming elections that the BJP sweeps the Assembly elections. Mr Shah also enquired about the prevailing political situation in the State in the aftermath of Lok Sabha elections, sought details from the Party leaders about the previous Assembly election held in 2008 and party wise position in the Assembly.
Sources said the meeting discussed in detail the future strategy and Mr Shah urged the Partymen to concentrate fully on Kashmir and Ladakh regions, sources said, adding it was decided that BJP will hold five big rallies in the State which included two in Jammu region, one in Kashmir Valley and one each in Kargil and Leh districts of Ladakh region starting from the month of September and Mr Shah will also visit Jammu in September to address a public rally here.
The BJP leaders from the State took up the issue of PoJK refugees forcefully in the meeting and showed their annoyance for not keeping any provision for their one time settlement in the recent budget. They stressed that the State Government be asked to submit the one time settlement package of these refugees immediately to Centre and the issue be settled once for all as BJP has always championed their cause and also made a commitment to these hapless people during the campaigning in Lok Sabha elections.
The BJP general secretary Bali Bhagat confirmed that Amit Shah assured that the Party will fulfill the commitment as budget session is going on and amendments can be made in it to include refugees’ package also.
Mr Bhagat said Mr Shah also assured that all steps as warranted under the Constitution of India will be taken to ameliorate the lot of West Pak refugees.
He said that among the 22 Union Ministers who were earlier named to visit the State some senior members of Cabinet have shown their inability to visit on the dates given to them due to their preoccupation and instead some more Ministers from BJP ruled States like Punjab, Rajasthan and MP have been included in the list and their visit to State will begin from July 25 to apprise the people of the State about the policies and programmes of Modi led Government at Centre.
He said Ram Lal and J P Nada the two national general secretaries of the Party will also visit Kashmir on July 19.
Admitting that Vikrama Dittya the elder son of Maharaja Karan Singh, the then Sadr-e-Riyasat of the State has approached the Party for his entry in BJP, Mr Bhagat said the proposal in this regard is under consideration of Party High Command.

* Several villagers trapped in fields for hours

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, July 16: Reviving hostilities along the International Border after a long time, the first after takeover of Narendra Modi Government at the Centre, the Pakistani Rangers today resorted to indiscriminate firing on the BSF posts and civilian areas in Arnia sector killing a BSF jawan and injuring seven others including three security personnel and four civilians.
Several civilians, who were working in their fields in the forward areas at Pittal, Pindi, Kaku De Kothe and adjoining areas of Arnia sector, were trapped in the Pakistan firing for more than couple of hours and reached to safety only after the firing stopped.
This was second major incident on the borders after Modi Government took charge, the first being on the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector of Poonch district in which an Army jawan was killed and five others were injured in an IED blast, which was reportedly triggered from across the LoC with a remote control. Today’s incident was first major on the IB in the new Government.
The first spell of firing by the Rangers took place from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm while in the second spell they opened firing at Nikowal and Treva areas of Arnia from 4.30 pm to 5.15 pm. There were no casualties or damage in second round of firing.
However, the intermittent firing from Pakistan side continued till late tonight.
Official sources and eyewitnesses told the Excelsior that the Pakistani Rangers started firing from their South Jarwa Post at 11.30 am with a sniper shot hitting BSF’s Observation Tower at Pittal Post of Arnia sector causing serious injuries to BSF 192 battalion jawan Som Raj. Two BSF jawans ASI Madan Lal and constable Sanjay Dhar went to evacuate Som Raj but the Rangers resorted to more firing causing serious injuries to both of them.
Inspector Madan Lal, who led another team to the spot, was also hit by the bullet and got injured.
The BSF jawans took positions and retaliated.
The Rangers also targeted the civilians working in the fields in forwards villages of Pittal, Pindi, Kaku De Kothe and surroundings in Arnia sector. Even a bullet fired by the Rangers hit a civilian inside Arnia town in Ward No. 13 causing him a bullet wound at his thigh, leading to panic in entire Arnia town and the border villages.
Three Bihari labourers, who had been hired by the locals for cultivation of crops, were also hit by the bullets and got injured.
Several civilians were trapped in their fields during the firing. They lied down in the villages to survive the firing and remained held up in the field for couple of hours till the guns of the Rangers were silenced with effective retaliation given by the BSF.
Exchange of firing in which small and heavy arms were used by both sides continued till 1.30 pm.
Senior BSF officers rushed to the spot. All eight injured including four BSF jawans and four civilians were evacuated from the site of firing and shifted to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, where seriously injured BSF jawan Sanjay Dhar succumbed to his injuries.
Other injured have been identified as Inspector Madan Lal, ASI Madan Lal and constable Som Raj, all belonging to 192 battalion of BSF and Jaiwan Mandal, 25, son of Chui Mandal, Jai Nandan Mandal, 22, son of Vidya Nandan and Jatta Nandan, 24, son of Vidya Nandan, all Bihari labourers and Mukesh Kumar son of Jara Singh, a resident of Ward No. 13, Arnia.
All the injured were responding to the treatment in the GMC Jammu.
Sources said the BSF jawans not only fired at the BSF posts but directly targeted the civilians working in the fields. They added that the Rangers didn’t want the people to cultivate the crops as it would stop growth of `sarkanda’ (wild grass) giving the BSF a clear view of the International Border and thwarting plans of the Rangers to push infiltrators into this side.
“This was one of the reasons that the Rangers wanted to create scare in the minds of villagers to prevent them from cultivating the rice crop. If the crop was sown, there would be no growth of `sarkanda’, which would hamper the Pakistan plan to push militants into this side under the cover of wild grown up grass,” sources said.
Only yesterday, the BSF and Rangers had held a flag meeting at Chambliyal forward post in Ramgarh sector in which the BSF had lodged protest over two incidents of firing on the BSF posts.
Sources pointed out that the Rangers appeared determined to give cover to the infiltrators ahead of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which was the reason that they wanted to stop cultivation of crops and keep `sarkanda’ grown up.
Meanwhile, BSF, police and civil officers visited the site of firing and the GMC Jammu for investigations and inquire condition of the injured. Body of martyr Rajesh Dhar has been shifted to the BSF headquarters and would be sent to his native town in West Bengal tomorrow morning with full honours and tributes.
The Pakistani firing reminded the border villagers of September 2013 heavy firing and shelling along the International Border right from Hiranagar to Pargwal in Akhnoor in which several BSF jawans and civilians had been injured. The BSF had retaliated effectively forcing the Rangers for flag meeting in October after which the hostilities ceased.
There was panic among the villagers after today’s heavy firing by the Rangers as they feared that the season of crop could be spoiled if the firing continued. Today also, several villagers had miraculous escape in the firing as they remained trapped in the villages for couple of hours.

*DyCM, Bhalla, Sham stage walkout

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 16: State Cabinet today witnessed clash between Congress and National Conference Ministers over one time full and final settlement of the claims of the refugees with Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Housing and Minister for PHE staging walkout over discriminatory attitude of their Ministerial colleagues from the alliance partner.
Due to the protest by the Congress Ministers, the Cabinet meeting remained suspended for nearly one hour. It was only on the intervention of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah that the issue was resolved and the Cabinet in principle agreed to clear the rehabilitation package prepared by the Revenue Department in the next meeting after placing it on top priority.
Sources told EXCELSIOR that as soon as the memorandum of the Revenue Department regarding rehabilitation package for one time full and final settlement of the claims of PoK Displaced Persons of 1947 and Chhamb Displaced Persons of 1965/1971 came up for discussion, National Conference Ministers-Abdul Rahim Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar objected to the same.
“Since the proposal was submitted shortly before the start of the Cabinet meeting, we have not gone through its intricacies. Moreover, this is a sensitive issue and needs to be cleared after thorough discussion”, sources said quoting National Conference Ministers’ observations made in the Cabinet.
Smelling conspiracy aimed at scuttling the rehabilitation package, Minister for Housing and Horticulture, Raman Bhalla objected to the stand taken by the National Conference Ministers and remarked, “this memorandum has been placed as per the previous decision of the Cabinet and we would not allow lingering of decision any more”.
On this, the NC Minister said, “this issue is pending during the past 65 years and why you are in hurry to resolve it now”. This infuriated Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma, who remarked, “I have failed to understand why you are creating hurdles in providing justice to those people, who have been meted injustice during these years”.
“Moreover, when West Pakistan Refugees have already been segregated from the proposal and would be discussed separately what sensitivity you are talking about”, he said, adding “the PoK and Chhamb Displaced Persons are the bonafide citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and they cannot be denied justice anymore”.
As there was no positive response from the Cabinet, Mr Bhalla stood up in protest and walked out of the meeting. Mr Sham, who was having verbal spat with the NC Ministers, too left the meeting along with the Deputy Chief Minister after making it clear that issue of refugees was more important for them than routine Cabinet agenda.
Due to their walkout, Cabinet meeting remained suspended for nearly one hour. As routine agenda and transfers of Deputy Commissioners could not be taken up due to the walkout, Chief Minister deputed Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Tourism, G A Mir and Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone for convincing Congress Ministers to take part in the Cabinet meeting, sources said.
Later, Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for PHE and Minister for Housing took part in the meeting only after the Cabinet in principle agreed to clear the proposal in its next meeting after placing it on top priority. “The rehabilitation package would be approved in next Cabinet meeting and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has also given positive response in this direction”, sources said.
Following this, Cabinet took up routine agenda and cleared the same.
According to the sources, the Revenue Department has proposed payment of ex-gratia compensation in favour of PoK DP families and Chhamb DPs of 1965 and 1971 at the rate of Rs 25 lakh per family against the losses suffered by them on account of immovable and moveable properties left out in Pakistan.
It has also been proposed that recommendations be made to the Government of India for providing job reservation in paramilitary forces/army and other Central Government services and reservation in professional colleges outside the State for the children of PoK and Chhamb refugees and inclusion of left out families for providing incentives.
It is pertinent to mention here that during last Cabinet meeting held on July 2, 2014, Congress Ministers had lodged strong protest over discrimination with the PoK and Chhamb refugees and it was only on Congress protest that Cabinet had directed the Revenue Department for moving fresh proposal on package for these refugees.

Mir Iqbal
While the people of Kulgam district in South Kashmir have witnessed new developmental works after it was carved out from Anantnag, but the people in Kulgam Assembly constituency are still struggling for basic amenities like pure drinking water, health care and electricity.
The constituency is represented by the CPI(M) General Secretary MLA, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami since 2008. He was first time elected from this constituency in 1996 and represents this constituency since then.
The inhabitants of dozens of villages while talking to EXCELSIOR said major projects like Mini Secretariat, District Hospital building and intra-district roads were built, yet they complain about day to day problems faced by them.
“What is the fun of constructing mega buildings and roads when people are being slowly poisoned to death by supplying highly contaminated water,” Haji Bashir Ahmad Dar, of Kulgam town told EXCELSIOR.
Dar said their representative should focus on pure water supply, improvement of health care services and ensure uninterrupted, scheduled power supply, and then these buildings and roads would be meaningful.
The inhabitants accused the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department of providing them contaminated water.
They said innumerable sewerage outlets and drains of upper areas open in the water supply channels, which is then supplied to them through taps without filtration.
Inhabitants of Chekpora, Ashmuji, Brazul, Skinder, Amnoo and other areas said from last five years water-borne disease break out in these villages due to which hundreds of people including women and children are suffered from diseases like gastroenteritis, diarrhea, typhoid and hepatitis.
Despite crores of rupees being spent on the construction of water supply schemes to ensure the supply of quality water, authorities continue to supply the water to the people without any filtration and chlorination.
Mohammad Yousuf parry, Lumberdar of village Chekpora said scores of latrines at Village Amnoo, wastage of CRPF camp located in the south of Kulgam town on Devsar road, garbage of a revered Shrine in main town Kulgam and pollutants from district hospital Kulgam are directly dumped into the canal, thus, posing threat to thousands of lives.
Parray said even cattle don’t drink tap water that is being fed to the humans. The tap water contains insects, earth worms and yellowish particles remain floating in it.
Locals said that the PHE has dipped pipes into the Veshav stream at village Mirhama and supply it directly to inhabitants in the area without any filtration.
“Nallah Veshav, which drains most of the northern face of Pir Panjal is the main left bank tributary of river Jhelum and traverses through District Kulgam, has been polluted to the extent that fowl smell emanates from it due to which health of thousands of inhabitants is at risk,” Mohammad Yaqoob, a local said.
Terming the contaminated water supply as “poison”, the inhabitants said the water pipes are also damaged at many places which suck dirty water of canals and drains at several places through big holes and the same water is being supplied without any filtration.
The residents alleged that despite crores of rupees spent on construction of water tank at village Amnoo and Panepora water supply scheme, the authorities failed to supply filtrated water.
“Recently, a water borne disease spread in our village which affected health of more than 30 people, we visited Chief Medical Officer, Kulgam and he asked people not to take tap water without boiling,” said Master Mohammad Khalil Bhat of Chekpora, adding when the villagers asked CMO that district hospital waste also contaminates the water canal, he downplayed the issue.
The angry villagers said that they visited Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam thrice after the spread of water borne disease; he didn’t pay any heed to their pleas.
Since farming is the main source of economy in this constituency, the inhabitants said for that they need proper irrigation canals, but the canals are dysfunctional as these are not cleaned by Irrigation Department despite the users paying irrigation tax (Aabiyan) regularly.
The locals also leveled allegations against the PHE for setting their main office building on fire to hide the mass bungling carried out by some vested interested people from past some years.
“We filed an RTI to know the status of Duderkoot to Yamrash and Kulgam water supply schemes, but instead of replying us, they (PHE) official set the building on fire,” they alleged.
The residents also said dozens of other villages in the constituency which include village Laroo, Shurat, Bugam, Poniwah, Awgam, Katrasoo, Shalipora, Chancer, Okey, Hadigam, Awhatoo, Amnoo, Checkpora, Mirhama, Lisoo, Chehlan, Behibagh, Nanibugh, Sangus, Nillow, Mahipora, Daderkoot, Tantraypora, Sempora, Munad Guffan, Manchiva, Dessand, Hanjan, Turigam, Parigam, Pariwan, Odura are facing similar problems.
Similarly, inhabitants of this Constituency said that they are satisfied with the timely construction of many projects with the personal efforts of local CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Assembly constituency Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, but maintained that little attention was given to some other important projects like drinking water supply, electricity and health care.
They said 105 villages from Nehama town to Ashmuji village and Munad to Devsar regions are facing irregular power supply and it has become too faulty to cater to the genuine energy needs of consumers in the constituency.
“Kulgam seems to be at the receiving end of this power crisis. Villages receiving erratic power supply for the most of the time face numerous other problems on account of low voltage,” Ghulam Hassan, a local Sarpanch said.
While the Power Development Department (PDD) attributes the erratic power supply to overloading and pilferage, the residents blame the Government for the crisis.
“The unscheduled power cuts are adding to our miseries and there is no improvement in power supply from last many years despite people here staged protested several times in the past,” Hassan said, adding, the situation has gone from bad to worse now as power cuts are more frequent and extended during the evening hours.
The residents also expressed their dissatisfaction with the functioning of district hospital Kulgam, and other health centers in the constituency, adding only construction of huge buildings doesn’t guarantee better health care, but deployment of human resources in good number with accountability would have played a major role in health sector here.
Abdul Rashid Tantray, a local resident said that the doctors most of the time remain absent from their duty during the night hours, due to which a number of death cases were reported in the hospital for last few years. “A woman doctor has unleashed her might and rule and if any attendant of patient raises genuine issue regarding treatment, she starts hurling abuses and threatens of police action,” he said.
Tantray said the referral records of this hospital would suggest the number of patients who were referred to territory hospitals in Srinagar after surgeries conducted at Kulgam hospital.
People’s Democratic Party, candidate for Kulgam Assembly Constituency, Nazir Ahmad Laway said that there are some medicos deployed in hospital, who have made it their personnel property due to their contacts with a particular political leader.
“Some medicos are enjoying political patronage, which has ruined the quality treatment of patients,” he said, adding, District Hospital Kulgam is the only hospital where police has registered maximum FIRs against the attendants rather than those responsible for the death of precious lives due medical negligence or any other issues.
The constituency is represented by Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami who defeated PDP candidate Nazir Ahmad Lawvey by over 200 votes in 2008 Assembly elections. Tarigami polled 17175 votes while Lawvey polled 16939 votes.
MLA Kulgam Constituency, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that his style of developmental work is different because of which he completed almost all the major projects on time. “You will not see massive development in any constituency in Kashmir except in my constituency,” he said.
When asked that water borne diseases broke out in some villages including Chekpora, Ashmuji, Brazul, Skinder, Amnoo and others, Tarigami said when he received the information about the spread of water borne diseases in the area, he directed a team of doctors to visit the area and ensure proper treatment of patients. “I visited the villages to ensure that people won’t suffer from basic amenities including drinking water,” he said.
“Doctors found Hepatitis B and C have broken out there because of intake of excessive drugs,” said Tarigami. He said some people who tried to hide their fault and shifted the blame on impure water. “Work on several water supply schemes, filtration plants, service reservoirs are near completion. Some new water supply schemes have been approved,” he said.
Commenting on electricity crisis in Kulgam constituency, the MLA said that his constituency does not face any power crisis. “Power crisis is the problem of whole Kashmir, not confined to his constituency,” he said.
Claiming that Kulgam has the best healthcare facilities available in South Kashmir, Tarigami said district hospital Kulgam was constructed in record time where almost all the facilities are available. “We have latest equipment available in the hospital”, he said.
Showing displeasure against some doctors for preferring to serve only in cities, the MLA said those doctors selected on reservation quote like RBA, SC, ST and ALC don’t want to stay in their remote areas.”I requested these doctors to stay here to help poor and needy,” he said.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 16: The State Vigilance Commission has directed for registration of a case against some Revenue officials and others for conferring ownership rights of a prime land under Roshni Act in favour of a dead person.
Vigilance Commission inquiry revealed that one Sita Devi was conferred ownership rights under Roshni Act in respect of prime State land measuring 4 kanals at Rajbagh after clearance by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir on 30.06.2007 on the recommendation of Nazool Department against the payment of Rs 72 lacs.
Interestingly, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar on March 4, 2008 ordered conferment of ownership rights upon Sita Devi for 4 kanals of land under survey number 1317 and 1318 in estate Nursing-grah though she had already expired on January 21, 2008.
Enquiry by Commission further revealed another person namely Shamsher Singh, who represented himself as an attorney holder of Sita Devi, in connivance with concerned Revenue authorities, got the mutation entered in the mutation register in favour of Sita Devi on April 16, 2008 though only part payment of Rs 54 lacs had been made and Sita Devi was already dead, thereby conferring ownership rights on a dead person as the proprietor of the land.
In the Jamabandi register, deceased Sita Devi was entered as owner and the land was shown in her personal possession. Strange enough on the same date Naib Tehsildar, after entering deceased Sita Devi as the owner of the land showing the land in her personal possession, mutated the same land of deceased Sita Devi in the name of Shamsher Singh on the basis of a will deed which is under scrutiny. As per the complaint the land has further been handed over by Shamsher Singh to Mohammad Younus son of Ghulam Ali Dar of Nowshera Srinagar and Hakim Zaffar Ali son of Hakim Shair Ali of Nishat under agreement to sell for a consideration of Rs 15 crores and a Commercial Hotel has also been established on the land in question.
Holding that these facts prima-facie disclose commission of a cognizable offence by the Revenue officials in connivance with said Shamsher Singh and others, the State Vigilance Commission directed the Director, Vigilance Organization to register a case against the concerned officials for thorough investigation. This apart, a reference has also been sent to the Chief Secretary of the State with the recommendation to take administrative action against delinquent officers and restore the disputed land as per law.