Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 16: With the arrest of a vendor from Thannamandi area, Rajouri police today busted a racket of fake SIM cards in the area.
Reports said acting on a specific information a police party led by SDPO Thannamandi, under the supervision of SSP Rajouri Mubassar Latiffi conducted a raid at Saj village and arrested one Waqar Ahmed, son of Mohd Ashraf Bhatti, resident of Saj village. During search of his premises, the police seized a large number of SIMs, two stamps of J&K Bank Behrote, details of SIM cards issued on fake identity proof, two mobile phones and a computer were seized.
Mr Latiffi said during preliminary investigation, the accused disclosed he had sold over one thousand SIM Cards on fake ID proof, on higher price to unknown persons. It is feared that these SIMs might have gone to the hands of anti-national elements. A case FIR No. 99/ 2014 has been registered in this connection at Thannamandi Police Station. He used to operate from Darhali Morh to Saj and adjoining areas.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 16: After the surfacing of nexus between doctors and private diagnostic centres in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) vis-à-vis alleged involvement of Casualty Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Sauqib Shafi appointed in the Emergency Department of the hospital in the nexus, Principal, GMCH, Dr Ghanshyam Sharma has initiated inquiry into the matter and also ordered attachment of the CMO in some other department rather than Emergency Department.
“A letter was received by the Medical Superintendent, GMC Hospital by Police Department regarding involvement of CMO, Dr Sauqib Shafi with the owner of Bhatia Lab–a Private Diagnostic Centre at Bakshi Nagar for conducting the tests of the patients admitted in the hospital from the lab instead of hospital”, official sources told Excelsior.
According to letter written to Medical Superintendent by Incharge Police Post, GMC, the involvement of CMO with the private diagnostic lab Bhatia Lab surfaced. Before initiating legal action against the CMO, the police has sought departmental action against the doctor, the letter reads.
After receiving the letter, the Principal of GMC Hospital has ordered inquiry into the matter, which is to be conducted by the Personnel Officer, Administration, GMC, sources said, adding that the report will be tabled before the Principal within two days for necessary action against the CMO and his associates if found guilty.
They said that till the enquiry would be conducted, the CMO has been attached to some other Department of GMCH instead of continuing his services in the Emergency Department.
The nexus between doctor and private diagnostic centre ‘Bhatia Lab’ was unearthed when a technician namely Nitish Thakur of the Bhatia Lab was caught by the police while carrying the blood sample of a patient outside the GMCH premises, they added.
When enquired, the technician confessed that he was working for a private diagnostic center at Bakshi Nagar and had been sent there by his owner to take the sample after CMO Dr Sauqib Shafi made a call at the centre to collect the blood samples of the patients, sources said. This proves that there is an alleged nexus between the CMO and the owner of the diagnostic centre, sources added.
Dr Sauqib was among the 767 medical officers appointed on regular-temporary basis by the J&K Health and Family Welfare Department, sources said, adding that within four month of appointment, Dr Sauqib got himself transferred to GMC Jammu and posted as CMO.
“How he got himself transferred, is a million dollar question as according to the appointment order, it was mentioned that all the appointees would be on probation period of two years and were supposed to report in their respective divisions. They were asked to remain at the first place of posting for atleast two years, as per the transfer policy”, sources added.
When contacted Dr Ghanshyam Sharma, Principal, GMC Hospital told Excelsior that inquiry has been initiated in the matter and the report will be tabled before me in two days.
“If CMO would be found guilty, appropriate action would be taken against him and will also recommend to the Government for necessary action against him”, he added.
However, a circular has been issued in which it is clearly mentioned that if this kind of activity was again noticed in any departments of wards of GMC, strict action will be taken against the incharge Doctor and nurses, Dr Sharma stated.

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, July 16: The Muslim Co-ordination Committee, Leh today hosted a reception in the honour of Dalai Lama at Grand Dragon Hotel here.
Addressing the gathering, Dalai Lama reiterated his acquaintance with Muslims since childhood in Tibet and said that even today he stand in favour of Muslims in interfaith international conferences and meetings. This he said in context of September 11 terrorist attack after which the whole Muslim community around the world was generalized as terrorist. “Just because of few mischievous people alleging the entire Muslim community of being terrorists and to carry a negative image of them is totally unfair and wrong,” asserted Dalai Lama.
“A genuine practitioner of Islam must extend love to the entire creature of Allah and any person who claim as muslim but create bloodshed is no more a follower of Islam,” he said. He called India a living example to the rest of the world in terms of religious harmony where beside home grown religion other major and minor religion all live and flourish together.
Highlighting the incident of Shia Sunni conflict in some of the Muslim countries, Dalai Lama made an appeal to all the Muslims of Ladakh to take an initiative and make some earnest effort to reach out to them with the message of peace and brotherhood as the Ladakhi Muslims have century old tradition of harmony and cordial relationship with Buddhists and within their community through active participation at national level conferences thereby fulfilling the desire of Allah rather than remaining indifferent.
Sheikh Saif-ud-Din, President Moin-ul-Islam expressed gratitude to Dalai Lama taking time out of his busy schedule and admired him for advocating interfaith tolerance and harmony.
Ashraf Ali Barcha, President Anjuman-e-Imamia called Dalai Lama the apostle of peace and his visit to Ladakh the most blessed and happy moments for all the Ladakhis of all religion.

Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 16: Congress leader and MP Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz raised the question in the Rajya Sabha and protested against Government of India’s silence to the Israeli bombings on the unarmed Palestinians causing massacre to Palestinians.
He said its regrettable that Government of India watch this situation silently . He said that from Mahatma Gandhi until this day the People of India have had expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians for a dignified position as citizens of a sovereign State.
Prof. Soz said the people of India have always wanted a peaceful negotiated settlement of Palestinians. He elaborated and said that Late Yasir Arafat have been a good friend of India and thankful to India for its support . He said further that this has been a very good message to the International community.
Prof. Soz lamented the fact that the present Government in India was watching the situation as a silent spectator, while Israelis are massacring unarmed Palestinians and this Constitutes a breach of Policy adopted by India on the Palestinians question.

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, July 16: The Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu, today inspected the renovation work of Poonch Fort being executed by Poonch Development Authority under Centrally sponsored, Product Infrastructure Development for Destination Circuit Scheme (PIDDC).
He was accompanied by District Development Commissione Poonch, Sajad Ahmed Khan, and other officers of District Administration. The Chief Executive Officer, Poonch Development Authority, Ashok Kumar Bhagat, apprised him about the historical background of Poonch Fort and also about the details of renovation work being executed under Phase-I.
The project has been sanctioned in the year 2011-12 for an approved cost of Rs 379.14 lakh out of which an amount of Rs 75.83 lakh, has been placed at the disposal of the Poonch Development Authority for its utilization. He also apprised that a work done claim of about more than Rs two crore has already been created, which needs to be cleared immediately so that the pace of work is not interrupted.
Divisional Commissioner appreciated the work done by the Poonch Development Authority and assured that he would take up the matter with higher authorities for further release of funds as soon as possible. He also remarked that Poonch Fort & Bagh Deodi will be major attraction for the tourists in future and the tourist visiting Shri Buddha Amarnath from outside the state during Yatra would also like to visit historical monuments in Poonch to know more about the historical background of Poonch.
Meanwhile, Mr Shantmanu, chaired a meeting of district level officers to review arrangements for smooth conduct of ten day long Shri Buddha Amarnath Yatra commencing from August 1.
Shantamanu took stock of arrangements with regard to adequate availability of essentials including rice, atta, sugar and LPG cylinders besides medicare facilities, uninterrupted power supply and clean drinking water facilities.
Reviewing the preparations, he asked the administration to make elaborate arrangements for reception of the pilgrims besides taking care of security, accommodation, sanitation and traffic regulation for smooth movement of the yatra.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 16: Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) today under took demolition of unsafe portion of building belonging to Janak Rani Sawhney at Pacca Danga.
The Enforcement staff led by Satish Khajuria along with the Engineering staff with the assistance of Police party from Police Station, Pacca Danga, removed the structure amid heavy resistance from the tenants of building and local populace. The operation took more than five hours to take place.
Further, JMC Commissioner, Kiran Wattal visited Old Rehari and Narenian Mohalla, where representatives of Megh Sabha as well as residents of Ustad Mohalla apprised him of various issues including repairing of lanes or footpaths, non-functional street lights and cleaning of deep drains. The Commissioner directed the concerned Municipal Officers to redress the grievances of local citizens.

Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, July 16: Not even single truck loaded with goods arrived here from PoK while 25 truck goods crossed over to PoK from this side today.
Officials sources said that today 25 truck goods including banana, Jeera, tamarind valuing over Rs 65 lakh crossed over to that side from Chakkan-da-Bagh LoC point while no goods arrived here from that side. It is feared that payments of traders worth crores are pending from both the sides and it could be reason behind decline.
Today, a delegation of cross LoC traders also met visiting Divisional Commissioner here and took up their issues with him, which included increasing number of tradable items, provide banking facility, arrange meeting for clearance of pending payments worth Rs 10 crore with traders on both sides and installation of full body scanner for trucks at Chakkan-da-Bagh.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, July 16: Continuing its drive against illicit liquor, Katra Police today seized 14 bottles of Imperial Blue brand of country made foreign liquor from a bus driver, who was smuggling the same to Katra town for illegal sale.
The accused driver, namely Mahraj Singh of Faridabad, was smuggling these liquor bottles in bus number UP14T- 7724, which was on way from Faridabad to Katra.
According to Additional SP Katra, Kulbir Singh the consignment was to be delivered at Katra for the consumption of locals. Police has registered a case in this connection under 48 Excise Act and 188 RPC at Police Station Katra.

Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, July 16: The Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Simrandeep Singh today raised the issue of increasing honorarium to the polling parties deployed in difficult regions like Ladakh, Gurez and Kupwara with the Election Commission of India in the video conference taken by Vinod Zutshi, Deputy Election Commissioner of India.
“It is unfair to pay the same honorarium of Rs 1150 to the polling officers deployed in an easy district like Jammu or Samba as well as in a difficult district like Leh”, he said.
He stressed for factoring the difficulty level of the place of deployment of a polling party. Further, the DC pointed out that in difficult districts like Leh, the polling personnel are paid honorarium for only one polling day but in most of the cases, the polling parties are deployed two to three days in advance and hence should be paid for all these additional days at the same rate.
Moreover, the DC strongly raised the point for paying honorarium to Class-4 employees who are instrumental in packing postal ballots, packing polling material and receiving the polling parties late in the night.
The Deputy Election Commissioner agreed to all these proposals and assured to approve them before the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir.