DRASS : The Government is totally committed towards ensuring that the needs of the Army are met and the force is “fully geared” up to take on the challenges, outgoing Army Chief General Bikram Singh today said.
“As Chief of Army Staff, I want to assure you that your army is stationed at the border and has the ability to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” he told reporters here.
The Army Chief is here to take part in the 15th anniversary of Kargil War Vijay Diwas.
“As you know that I am hanging my boots on July 31 and I thought what better way of saying goodbye to the profession than coming here and laying a wreath,” he said.
Asked if things have changed in terms of deficiencies in the army since Kargil War, he said, “Yes, things have changed. Let me tell you all the armies have deficiencies. It is not only that the Indian army has deficiencies.
“But things are being made up. The present government is totally committed towards ensuring that our needs are met. Our deficiencies are met. So let me assure you that your army is fully geared to take on the challenges. I personally guarantee you that,” he said.
Replying to a question, Gen Singh said the life of a soldier has improved since the Kargil incursions took place in 1999.
“It has improved by leaps and bounds in a very distinct manner,” he said.
“The aspirations of the force with regards to the security needs are being addressed by the government. Let me assure you that the present government is definitely committed towards ensuring that the aspirations of our soldiers are met,” he said.
On ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Army Chief said, “As you very well know that this kind of firing has been on and this thing has been happening almost every month and every year, but let me assure you that your soldiers are taking necessary action whenever required.”
Asked about the absence of senior army officers, who were part of Kargil war, from the function today, Gen Singh said he cannot comment on it as they might have had prior commitments.
“Look I cannot comment on that. It is possible that they are abroad, they are busy. They might have prior commitments. But let me assure you that each one of those officers has a commitment towards this cause,” he said.
Gen Singh later interacted with war widows present at the function and distributed gifts among them. (AGENCIES)
Army fully geared up to take on challenges: Army Chief
Slight intensity tremor hit HP-J&K border region
NEW DELHI : A slight intensity quake struck Himachal Pradesh(Chamba)-Jammu and Kashmir(Doda) border region this morning.
An India Meteorological Department statement here said, the quake, which hit at 1026 hrs, measured 3.9 on the Richter scale. The tremor was epicentered at 33 degree north Latitude and 76.1 degree east Longitude.
Its focal depth was 10 km.
(AGENCIES)
India summons Pakistan Dy High Commissioner over Mumbai trial
NEW DELHI : India today summoned Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner and lodged a strong protest against the adjournment of the ongoing Mumbai terror attack case trial in Pakistan.
While the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs here, the Indian Deputy High Commissioner went to the Pakistan foreign office in Islamabad and lodged a similar protest.
According to informed sources, Indian officials in their meetings with Pakistani officials both in New Delhi and Islamabad have sought regular briefing on the progress of the trial and the investigation being conducted by Pakistani authorities
It is understood that Indian officials during the meetings reiterated the high importance India attaches to bring to justice all those responsible in Pakistan for the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 in which 166 people were killed and hundred others injured.
For the seventh time in a row, a Pakistani anti-terrorism court trying the seven accused in the Mumbai attacks case adjourned the hearing on Wednesday.
The last hearing in the case and the one on June 25 could not be held because the judge was on leave. The case proceedings have not been held on a regular basis following the absence of the prosecution lawyers.
In the May 28, June 4, June 18 and July 2 hearings, the prosecution lawyers had not appeared in the ATC Rawalpindi primarily owing to security concerns.
Lashkar-e-Taiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Anjum have been charged with planning, financing and executing the attacks in India’s financial capital. (AGENCIES)
Fresh batches of yatris leave for Amarnath from Baltal, Pahalgam
SRINAGAR : Fresh batches of pilgrims, including sadhus and women, left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camp early this morning for the Amarnath cave shrine, situated at 12000 feet in south Kashmir Himlayas.
Officials said that 3.27 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance to the self made Ice-lingam till last night in the cave shrine.
Though the Ice-lingam has started melting, the rush of pilgrims, including women and sadhus, continued from both Baltal and traditional Pahalgam routes. Officials said that fresh batches of pilgrims left Baltal and Palahgam base camps early this morning as the weather remained pleasant.
Pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandanwari and other stations on traditional Pahalgam track, also started their onward journey this morning.
However, those who left Baltal this morning will reach the cave shrine later this afternoon. Meanwhile, pilgrims who had paid obeislance Ice-lingam till last night have enbarked on their return journey to Baltal this morning.
More than 3.27 lakh pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the cave shrine since July 28. Majority of them have returned to their homes.
(AGENCIES)
One more Amarnath yatri from Nagpur dies, toll 37 so far
SRINAGAR : With the death of one more yatri from Nagpur, the toll of Amarnath pilgrims has risen to 37 since the commencement of 45-day-long annual pilgrimage from June 28.
A yatri official here today said that 39-year-old Rajinder Mahadev, resident of wara Nagpur, suffered a massive heart attack near holy cave shrine last evening. He was rushed to medical camp where he was declared dead.
(AGENCIES)
Another batch of devotees leave for Amarnath
JAMMU : Amid tight security, the 29th batch of pilgrims today left for the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas from here.
As many as 823 pilgrims, including 538 men, 176 women and 8 children, left from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in a cavalcade of 22 vehicles at 4:10 AM, police said.
The convoy has already crossed Kud on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and would reach their destinations at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps by this evening, they said.
With today’s batch, a total of 50,028 pilgrims have so far left from the Jammu base camp for the Amarnath shrine. (AGENCIES)
Omar lashes out at Centre on AFSPA
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, July 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today lashed out at Centre on withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir and said that there are some people who will never see conducive atmosphere for withdrawal of such Acts from the State even if militancy is completely wiped out.
Chief Minister told reporters on the sidelines of investiture ceremony of State awards and Chief Minister’s Gold Medal for Honesty, Integrity and Meritorious Public Services, at SKICC, Srinagar today: “Some people won’t ever see conducive atmosphere because they have liking and love for these Acts to such an extent that if we silence the gun 100 percent, even then they will say the situation is not conducive.”
Omar was replying to a question on the statement made by the Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, in Rajya Sabha, yesterday in which he said that time is not appropriate for withdrawal of the AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister, Rijiju said, “raised the issue of withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act from the State in a phased manner, beginning from the areas which have been free from militancy for quite sometime”. “However, various stakeholders particularly the security agencies have expressed their apprehension to the Government that the revocation of the Act from the State of Jammu and Kashmir will jeopardise their efforts in maintaining the security and law and order in the State. Hence, it has been decided that the time is not appropriate at the moment for withdrawal of AFSPA from the State,” the Minister said yesterday.
Chief Minister, however, said that his Government is in touch with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the issue of renovation of the AFSPA: “This (AFSPA) is an ongoing discussion with Centre, prior to this it was with the UPA and now it is with the NDA.”
Omar said that he didn’t know what are the parameters set by the Centre for the revocation of the AFSPA and sought clarification from it for fulfilling them. “I don’t know what the parameters for the condusive atmosphere are. If they can tell us about the parameters then we will try to achieve those parameters”, he added.
He blamed Centre for deliberately delaying the revocation of the AFSPA from the State. “When we say it is the conducive atmosphere, they say not this year, next year; and next year they increase the goal post”, he added.
Omar hoped that thinking of the Centre over the AFSPA revocation changes so that the process of the revocation of the Act is started. “If hope their thinking changes and at the end this process will start”, he added.
Chief Minister said that the forthcoming Assembly elections may be politically tough for some people but not for the administration and on security front. He said 1996 elections were tough as it was conducted at the peak of militancy.
“I think the toughest election was 1996 election for us. There is huge difference between the militancy that time and now. Politically, it may be difficult for some people but for me administratively and on security front, I think 1996 election was tough for us”, said Omar.
On the Kaul commission report on the killings four youth in Shopian last year, Chief Minister said: “We got the report yesterday and it has been sent to Home Department for examination. The report will come back and whatever investigations we have to conduct we will do it”, he said.
On the Shive Sena MP’s force feeding a fasting Muslim, Omar described it as a shameful act. “Either they were knowing that he is a Muslim, then it is more shameful act. Even if they didn’t know it, still this type of goondaism is not good for a Parliament Member. When we win elections, we should set an example by our behaviour. If we are setting this kind of example for the people of this country, I think this is shameful. We don’t expect such kind of goondaism from an MP”, he added.
Omar cancels land to SAIL
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: The State Government today directed cancelling of the land allotment to Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) at Lassipora Industrial Estate as the public sector company failed to start project work even after several years.
“Omar Abdullah directed for taking action for cancellation of land to SAIL at Lassipora as this Authority has failed to initiate its programme at the allotted land despite the lapse of so many years,” an official spokesman said.
Omar passed these directions at a meeting held to review the development of industries and handicrafts in the State.
The Chief Minister said the land allotted to SAIL should be re-allotted to the budding entrepreneurs of the State for launch of MSME Units.
Omar also directed the Industries Department to work out a strategy for establishing proposed Textile Park at a portion of HMT Factory land as it has stopped its operations here for a long time now.
He said the matter should be pursued on fast track so that action on setting up of a Textile Park for the local entrepreneurs is taken up as early as possible.
Omar assured the representatives of industries that the Government is keenly pursuing the policy of industrialisation in the State with focus on nurturing local entrepreneurs and generating employment for the youth. (PTI)
12 structures damaged, water enters over 100 houses, shops
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 24: Massive rain and cloud burst in the upper reaches of Gharota area created havoc with flood in Mishriwalla, Kanha Chak, Marh besides parts of Akhnoor areas, causing extensive damage to at least a dozen structures including three poultry farms and four culverts, roads and electric poles last night.
At least eight cattle were washed away while flood water entered many houses and shops causing extensive damage to the property of the people. The flood also caused soil erosion at many places including Kot Bhalwal, parts of Gharota, Kangrail, Kaink, Purkhoo, Mishriwalla and parts of Marh while standing crop of the farmers was extensively damaged. Three Kullahs of Gujjar families also washed away in flood near Mishriwalla while a wall of Cardboard factory near Kangrail was damaged causing extensive damage to the raw material.
Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ajit Kumar Sahu along with Additional Dy Commissioner, Kalyan Singh, Tehsildar Jammu and SP Rural, SDPO Domana, Sanjay Parihar besides other officers visited many affected areas and took stock of situation. The District administration also provided immediate relief including ration and utensils to several families and shifted many to the safer locations.
Reports said it rained almost throughout the night but the flood in a limited area of Ban Talab, Kot Bhalwal, Kangrail, Buran, Kaink, Kangar and other low laying areas of Mishriwalla, Marh and Kanha Chak took place due to cloud burst. There was no much flood in other parts where rain continued through out the night including parts of Akhnoor and Jammu. The sudden flash flood was witnessed at around 2 am (midnight) after cloud burst in the upper reaches. The people were fast asleep. They woke up with sudden flash flood while rain was not so fast. The flood water was 4 to 5 ft in some areas.
The water entered many houses and caused damage to house hold items and electronic goods. It also caused some damage to Govt College of Engineering and Technology. The public property worth crores was said to be damaged in the flood. About a score of electric poles and transformers at few locations were damaged and power supply got affected. It has been reported that houses of Vijay Kumar, Dwarka Nath, Parshotam Lal, Kali Dass, Thoru Ram, Bodh Raj, Kewal Krishan, Sham Lal and many others got damaged. Many houses were submerged in flood water. Sarpanch Kangrail K L Sharma, Naib Sarpanch Rajan Sharma have demanded restoration of link road damaged and compensation to the affected families.
SHO Gharota, Insp Vinod Kundal disclosed that flash flood caused extensive damage to three link roads connecting Jammu -Gharota- Akhnoor road with main Jammu -Akhnoor- Poonch Highway. In Purkhoo area also the water entered many shops. Near Kangar a culvert/ Puli got damaged and road washed away there. The flood water also entered Panjwati Colony and caused damage. In Chak Patta, Purkhoo and Mishriwalla area at least half a dozen houses got damaged. A poultry farm belonging to Ashwani Kumar near Kaink was washed away and nearly 3000 birds said to have been killed. Three sheds/ structures were washed away in flood. Massive land erosion has also taken place in the area. One Atta Chakki of one Bodh Raj also got damaged.
SHO Kanha Chak Insp Rakesh Sharma said damage was extensive in this entire belt including Marh areas. The water entered into over 60 to 70 houses. He said that he along with DC and SP Rural Jammu paid visit to the affected area and noticed public property worth crores damaged in the flood. He disclosed that standing crop in many fields got damaged while land erosion has occurred at many places. At Pakhian village near Mishriwala a house was collapsed and property damaged.
At Chatha Gujran, two Kullahs were washed away. One cow and two buffaloes of one Vijay Kumar got washed away and at least eight other cattle were also washed away in separate incidents. A poultry farm of one Swarn Singh was also washed away and all the chicken got killed. One `Gatta’ factory was also damaged near Kangrail. The Revenue authorities were assessing the damage caused to the public property.
At Kashmiri Mohalla in Akhnoor town, the flood and rain water entered in many houses and caused damage to the public property. The people woke up and started saving their household items. Water even entered into the bed boxes of many people. At least 40 families were affected in the locality. At Targwal village four houses were partially damaged. Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Sharma also paid visit to the area and MC Akhnoor authorities started work to clear nearby nallah and main drain in the area on the instructions of Minister. He also visited parts of other affected areas and took stock of situation.
Dy Commissioner Jammu, Ajit K Sahu when contacted said that after receiving information, he along with ADC Kalyan Singh and other officers visited many areas of Marh, Mishriwalla, Kanha Chak, Kot Bhalwal and Gharota and took stock of situation today. He said at least eight houses have been damaged fully or partially while water entered into nearly 100 houses and shops causing damage to public property. He said much damage has been caused in the areas where people have encroached upon nallahs and raised structures at nearby vulnerable areas. He disclosed that three Kullahs of Gujjar families also washed away. The DC disclosed that ration and utensils were provided to the affected families while some were evacuated to safer areas. He said the Revenue officials were on the job to prepare detail of losses.