*Several houses damaged, cattle perish, panic grips people

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 20: After a day’s lull, Pakistani rangers rattled entire Arnia sector and parts of RS Pura sector with heavy mortar shelling and firing in early hours of this morning, killing and injuring several cattle and causing extensive damage to houses and cattle sheds in forward areas sending a fresh wave of panic among the border villagers, who had started feeling a sigh of relief yesterday due to no firing.
As firing intensified along the International Border, the Union Home Ministry dispatched 2000 additional Border Security Force (BSF) personnel to the border to strengthen the force and ensure that the militants didn’t manage to take advantage of firing and infiltrate into this side. Apart from additional manpower, the MHA has also moved surveillance equipments, vehicles and other infrastructure support along the border to strengthen Intelligence network, coordination with sister agencies and conduct special operations along the IB.
Official sources and eyewitnesses told the Excelsior that Pakistani Rangers opened up their guns covering one and a half dozen BSF posts and over dozen villages along Arnia sector and parts of RS Pura at 1.10 am. The Pakistani forward posts resorted to simultaneous firing at Pittal Pindi, Kaku-De-Kothe,Changia, Chanana, Sei Camp, Nikowal, Jabowal and Bakarpur in Arnia sector, Gharana, Gharani and Suchetgarh in RS Pura sector.
The Pakistani posts also used mortars during the firing, some of which fell inside houses and cattle shed of the people while others pierced through walls and roofs of the houses and entered rooms of the sleeping people.
Almost all villages in Arnia sector and parts of RS Pura sector including houses of the people were filled with exploded and unexploded 81mm and 51mm mortar shells. Army detonated all unexploded shells safely.
Though there was no human loss of life, three cattle were killed and over half a dozen were seriously injured after being hit by shells and bullets from across the International Border. The people, as usual, had tied the cattle outside their houses or in the cattle sheds, which were damaged.
When the Excelsior team visited the border villages in Arnia and RS Pura sector this morning, they didn’t find any house in the village, whose houses hadn’t been hit by the bullets and shells, leading to small, medium and large craters on the walls and roofs. Some of the houses had been rendered unsafe after being hit by the mortars and bullets.
Sat Pal and Girdhari Lal, two villagers in forward area of Jabowal told the Excelsior that their houses were rattled with the sound of mortar firing in dead of the night and they ducked under their beds to survive along with their family members.
“It was a very narrow escape for our families. Not only our families but over 100 other families in the villages had miraculous escape in early morning firing and shelling,” they said, adding that several houses had been damaged due to firing and shelling while few cattle were killed and others injured.
The BSF didn’t suffer any casualties or damage in the firing though their over one and a half dozen posts came under intense firing from the Rangers in entire Arnia sector and parts of RS Pura sector.
“The BSF retaliated effectively,” sources said, adding the guns of the Rangers fell silent around 5.45 am this morning after the BSF have  more than matching response. BSF Director General DK Pathak, who had visited Arnia sector only a day before had asked the border guards to give effective response to firing by the Rangers.
However, casualties or damage suffered by the Pakistan side in the heavy retaliation by the BSF was not known. Pak media claimed that one civilian was killed and seven others were injured on their side in the BSF firing.
Bodh Raj lost his two cattle while another was injured at village Gharana while Jagdish Raj son of Isher Dass lost roof of his house at village Gharani. Cattle of Balwinder Kumar son of Amarnath, Satpal son of Hans Raj and Girdhari Lal apart from others also suffered fatal and non-fatal casualties in the firing. Romesh Bhagat also lost his cattle at village Rakh Jeora in Nikowal area.
Four mortar shells had exploded in just one house of Yashpal Singh son of Kartar Singh at village Kaku-De-Kothe but fortunately Yashpal was living in other house and was using this one only for cattle.
The Veterinary Departments teams comprising among others Dr Indu Bushan, Dr Anil Dhingra and Dr Ashwani Bassan along with staff provided treatment to the injured cattle in the villages they could cover during the day today.
Six unexploded shells were detected by the villagers at village Sai Tangali early this morning. The shells had landed in fields of the people.
Police parties headed by SHO Arnia Inspector Kulbir Choudhary rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and informed Army and BSF. Bomb Disposal Squads of the Army reached the village this morning and safely detonated the shells in isolated area after keeping the civilian population away from the site.
The Bomb Disposal Squads moved from village to village detonating several live mortar shells.
The people could be seen collecting numerous empties of shells and bullets from their houses and fields in the morning.
In most part of the day today, the people stayed indoors in all forward villages of Arnia and parts of RS Pura sector except for the time when senior officers from BSF, civil and police administration visited the border to assess the situation. The people wanted the civil administration including DC Jammu A K Sahu to announce relief for the people, whose cattle had been killed or injured and houses damages in shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers.
The administration assured the people of quick action in the matter. The police officers once again advised the people living in the border areas to refrain from venturing out in the fields in view of continued firing from the Rangers.
Official sources described firing and shelling by the Rangers as “unprovoked and indiscriminate”. There was no reason for the firing except to prevent the villagers from cultivating paddy crop in the forward areas, which would lead to removal of grown up `sarkanda’ (wild grass) and give BSF clear view of the borders.
Sources said the Rangers want grown up grass not to be cut in view of their bad intentions to infiltrate militants into the Indian territory.
On Wednesday, a BSF jawan was killed and seven others including three BSF personnel and four civilians were injured in heavy firing by the BSF in Arnia sector.
Sources said no flag meeting or hotline contact has been proposed between the BSF and Rangers so far.
Meanwhile, to check infiltration bids along the International Border amidst continued ceasefire violations and firing by the Rangers, nearly 2,000 additional BSF personnel and special surveillance equipment have been deployed along the border for effective domination of the areas.
The additional man-power, surveillance equipment, vehicles and other infrastructure support have been moved into the border along Pakistan to strengthen intelligence network, coordination with sister agencies and conduct special operations along the border.
Sources said vulnerability mapping of the Border Out Posts (BOPs), which are sensitive with regard to infiltration, have been carried out and the additional resources have been deployed there.
“Continuous efforts are being made to deploy the latest surveillance equipment, fully fitted with day and night vision devices, for further enhancing the border domination”, sources said.
The Home Ministry has also directed for effective domination of the border by carrying out round-the-clock surveillance of the borders through patrolling, border ambushes and by deploying observation posts all along the international border.
The riverine segments of international border being patrolled and dominated with the help of water crafts and speed boats of BSF’s water wings, the officials said.

In first high level hotline contact between BSF and Rangers after fresh hostilities erupted between the two sides on the International Border (IB), the Inspector Commanders of both sides spoke on hotline late this evening and called for peace on the borders and implementation of ceasefire agreement.
Reliable sources said the Jammu Sector Commander of the BSF and Sialkot Sector Commander of the Rangers spoke on hotline this evening after last night’s heavy shelling and firing by both sides.
The BSF called upon the Rangers to strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement and maintain peace on the International Border. The Rangers Commander responded positively, sources said.
The Rangers assured that there will be no firing from their side, they added.
The hotline contact lasted about five minutes.
After fresh hostilities broke out between BSF and Rangers in Arnia sector on Wednesday, this was first hotline contact between the two sides. Sources said if peace prevailed on the borders, the hotline contact could be followed by the flag meeting.

Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 20: Congress party today declared that it would not have pre-poll alliance with any one and the Party would contest on all the 87 seats at its own in the coming Assembly elections in the State.
While announcing the decision of All India Congress Committee at a crowded press conference in presence of former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and PCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz here today, AICC general secretary and in-charge Party affairs in J&K, Ambika Soni said that after extensive talks with all the stake holders including party leaders and workers at all levels, the party has come to the conclusion to contest on all the 87 seats in J&K in the coming Assembly elections.
“There was massive pressure on the Congress leadership to take early decision with regard to contesting Assembly elections at its own. Even during party convention at Srinagar two weeks back and now in Jammu also, over 95 per cent party leaders and workers pleaded that Congress must contest at its own and party can perform well if it goes alone for polls. So, conceding to the demand of party cadre in the State, the decision in this regard has been taken after consultation with the party high command,” Ms Soni maintained.
Referring to the party mandate, Ms Soni said the party high command has asked to hold meetings in all the 22 districts of the State and take feed back from the grass-root level workers regarding the prospects, background, acceptability  and credibility of the potential candidates. Keeping all the factors in mind, the party would give mandate to the honest, clean image and potential candidates. She said the process of holding such meetings has already begun and next two meetings would be held in Kargil and then in Udhampur, she added.
When asked whether party would consider the candidates involved in anti-party activities or against whom corruption charges were pending, the AICC leader said, “The party high command has already taken a decision to pick up honest and clean image persons and I also personally feel that the candidates who are not acceptable to the people should not be imposed or given mandate. A committee headed by PCC president Prof Soz has already been framed for the purpose and it would shortly recommend the names of the potential candidates. It would be our utmost effort to select candidates with good reputation and public image, Ms Soni added.
In response to a question regarding demand of the party workers to project Mr Azad as Chief Ministerial candidate before elections, Ambika Soni said though there is tremendous pressure from party workers for this but there is tradition in Congress party not to announce Chief Ministerial candidate before polls. She said similar pressure was from Himachal and also in Assam on the party but it did not succumb to any pressure. Let the party candidates come winning and their consent would be sought for the projection of Chief Ministerial candidate,” AICC general secretary maintained.
Replying to a question whether Congress sacrificed its agenda at the cost of its coalition partners (NC) as described by Congress workers in Jammu convention on Sunday, Mr Azad said, Party has not deviated from its agenda. It would continue to pursue its agenda of secularism and development. But at the same time he maintained that coalition is compulsion in democracy. “Being in coalition, we could not deliver what we wanted to achieve. The issue of PoK and West Pakistan refugees, strengthening of Panchayat elections, holding of Block Development Committee elections could not be resolved. Several development projects which were started during my regime could not be accomplished. The party would focus on its left out agenda, if it comes to power after winning 44 plus seats in coming Assembly elections, Mr Azad maintained.
While justifying decision of the party to go alone for polls, Mr Azad said it was keenly observed that during recently concluded Lok Sabha elections NC could not transfer votes for alliance Congress candidates as expected. It was the same case for the NC as well. Both the parties could not transfer the party vote to the coalition candidates. It was realized now had both the parties contested at their own, the results would have been different.
Mr Azad further said since 2002, no single party Government was formed in the State. “We will try to revive the lost ground and will successfully achieve 44 plus to form the Government.”
However, on a query regarding the functioning of State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mr Azad said, “we as a coalition tried our best to do good to the people but if there is any resentment among the masses, it will be taken care of if we will be voted to power.”
He further said in 2002 and 2008 also, Congress alone contested on all 87 seats but formed the Government in coalition with PDP and National Conference later. “We will try to find out our shortcomings on the ground and will take measures accordingly,” Mr Azad added.
PCC chief Saif-ud-Din Soz said there are many issues in the State, which are yet to be settled. “We prepared roadmap for KPs and submitted a detailed report to the Centre and finally they announced the package but refugees’ issue has not yet been settled. We are fighting for them and would continue out struggle. He admitted that being in collation Congress could not achieve what it had decided. The issue of strengthening of Panchayats, holding BDC and Local Bodies elections remained unsolved. For this reason the State also failed to get Central assistance worth over Rs 600 crores. But Congress would continue to struggle for the pending issues of PoK/ West Pakistan refugees and strengthening of Panchayats and enhance remuneration of Sarpanchs and Panchs.
AICC secretary and 2nd in-charge J&K affairs of the party, Mian-ul-Haque was also present at the conference.

Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, July 20: Despite change of guard at the Centre, the State Government is confident that Narendra Modi-led regime would do justice with the border State and give hike to the annual plan for 2014-15 in comparison with last year’s plan.
Though State Government has projected plan outlay of Rs 11,900 crores comprising budget for plan, Prime Minister Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), top hierarchy of the Finance Department expected a better deal from the Central Government.
Exuding confidence of hike in the plan outlay, Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather told EXCELSIOR, “we are sure to get hike in annual plan for this financial year to cater to the requirements of the State. Though we have projected Rs 7300 crores worth annual plan for 2014-15, Rs 600 crores under PMRP and Rs 4000 crores under CSS, the Central Government needs to increase the allocation to give push to the developmental activities in the State”.
However, he elaborated further, “like other States of the country, we shall also have to wait till the plan outlay is finalised by the Union Government. Presently, there is no Planning Commission in place and we shall have to wait till Centre decides over the matterand some progress is likely to be made after culmination of the budget session”.
The Central Government was likely to take up approval of annual plans and Centrally Sponsored Schemes of various States only after annual budget of the country is approved by Parliament.  As budget session of Parliament is scheduled to last till August14, unless extended, the Government of India would take up annual plan of State after that.
Asked if the developmental activities were taking a hit due to ambiguity surrounding the plan finalisation process, the Finance Minister remarked, “though it definitely affects the functioning of the Government, we have taken several measures to streamline the process.  The State Government has authorized all the District Development Commissioners (DDCs) for 50 per cent expenditure of plan in both plan and non-plan category till the district plan was approved in DDB meetings, pending final approval of the annual plan”, adding, “the developmental activities also suffer as Jammu and Kashmir State has a limited working season”.
It is pertinent to mention here that the State had been reeling under major financial crunch due to massive delay in approval of its annual plan for the current financial year of 2014-15 with own resources of the State exhausting, leading to suffering of developmental works, cash crunchin treasuries and delay in holding of District Development Board (DDB) meetings, which had to approve plan of the districts.
To a pointed query regarding the demand for Dearness Allowance (DA) by the employees, Mr Rather said, “despite the on-going financial crunch, we are committed to hike DA from 90 to 100 per cent for our 4.5 lac employees. The Government would put its seal of approval on the proposal regarding release of DA instalments at the rate of 10% of pay raising the total DA to the State Government employees from 90% to 100 % soon”.
Top official sources also corroborated that the announcement pertaining to rise in DA is likely to be made by the State Government, shortly after the Eid festival.
Referring to other demands of employees, he said, “the Government would also provide the fourth instalment of the 6th Pay Commission worth Rs 850 crores, before the year concludes”. As per the road map prepared by the Government, the employees are being paid 20 per cent of the arrears of 6th Pay Commission annually to the employees. The State Government has already provided three instalments and the final one is scheduled for next year.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 20: Chief Minister and National Conference working president Omar Abdullah said today that he had made it clear to All India Congress (I) Committee president Sonia Gandhi about 10 days back that the National Conference would be going it alone in the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir but refrained from making public announcement to this effect as it would look “opportunistic”.
In tweets after AICC (I) general secretary, Incharge Jammu and Kashmir, Ambika Soni made an official announcement here that the Congress would go alone in the Assembly elections and have no pre-poll alliance with any political party including National Conference, Omar said: “I met Mrs (Sonia) Gandhi 10 days ago and conveyed her the NC’s decision to fight the elections alone. I had also thanked her for all her support”.
Omar said: “for it to be spun now as a Congress decision (to go it alone in the elections) is wrong and complete distortion of facts, not surprising but incorrect none the less”.
He said he had explained the reasons of NC decision to go along in the elections to Sonia Gandhi but also told her that “I wouldn’t be making a public announcement because I didn’t want to look opportunistic”.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of a function here this afternoon, Omar expressed concern over rising incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak to his Pakistani counterpart on the issue.
“I want the Prime Minister to talk to Pakistan authorities and tell them that ceasefire violations are not right,” Omar said.
Omar, who was replying to questions on repeated ceasefire violations at Jammu border by Pak troops, said, “Modi has good relations with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and they also communicate on twitter. They should get this message across that ceasefire violations are not right.”
Referring to China, Omar said, “We are not worried about China now because they don’t harm us anymore. But ceasefire violations from Pakistan side are a matter of great concern to us.”
“There has been loss of life and cattle and damage to property due to Pak firing, which has caused problems for us here,” Omar said.
Expressing concerns over plight of border people, the Chief Minister said: “Pakistan firing is dangerous for the people living in border areas.”
On a query about, journalist Vaidik’s meeting with Lashkar-e- Toiba (LeT) Hafiz Sayeed recently in Pakistan, he said, “only politics is going on Vaidik’s meeting with Sayeed”.
He said “Hafiz Sayeed’s ideology is different. Anyone can meet anyone and there is nothing wrong in it. Neither the meeting of Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik’s meeting Hafiz Sayeed was wrong nor is the meeting of Vaidik.”

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 20: National Highways are considered as lifeline of any State and country because these connect capitals and places of strategic importance but these lifelines in the hilly and border State of Jammu and Kashmir were virtually chocked by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at Centre during the last three years of its one-decade long rule.
This can be gauged from the figures of Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which clearly indicate how Jammu and Kashmir was treated like State of Telangana as far as allocation of funds for the development and maintenance of National Highways is concerned.
There are four main National Highways in Jammu and Kashmir—1A, 1B, 1C and 1D besides some small highways developed during the past less than one decade having a total length of 2319 kilometers and connect length and breadth of the State with rest of the country.
The National Highway 1A, which connects twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar is about 300 kilometer long and runs through some extremely treacherous terrain and even remains closed during winter because of avalanches and landslides.
Similarly, National Highway 1B having length of 274 kilometers connects Batote with Khannabal via Doda, Kishtwar and Simpthan pass. This National Highway too runs through mountainous areas and remains closed due to snowfall at different places.
Likewise, National Highway 1C (Domail-Katra) having length of 8 kilometer provides road connectivity to the holy town of Katra, the base camp of cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi, with the National Highway 1A. This highway is also considered as off shoot of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
National Highway 1D, which connects summer capital of the State with Leh, the extreme end of Jammu and Kashmir towards China, is the only road which provides connectivity to the entire Ladakh region with the rest of the State.
Moreover, there are some more National Highways albeit of not much length and these have been categorized as 3 New, 144 New, 144A New, 301 New, 444 New, 501 New and 701 New by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Notwithstanding immense importance of all these highways particularly NH1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, the United Progress Alliance (UPA) Government remained indifferent while sanctioning funds for the development and maintenance of National Highways in Jammu and Kashmir as it allocated a total of Rs 6.29 crore during the last three years.
Among the 31 States and Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir was the only State, which was treated so shabbily by the UPA Government. This can be gauged from the fact that Himachal Pradesh, where total length of National Highways is 2396.48 kilometers as against 2319 kilometers in Jammu and Kashmir was provided Rs 519 crore.
Similarly, Punjab where total length of National Highways is less than Jammu and Kashmir was provided Rs 537.46 crore and Uttarakhand having National Highways of 2364 kilometers was allocated Rs 491.39 crore during the last three years.
The meager allocation of funds for maintenance has resulted into poor condition of these highways in Jammu and Kashmir thereby causing inconvenience to the people as well as tourists.
The Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who recently met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, was justified in demanding return of three National Highways to Jammu and Kashmir for maintenance.
He has sought transfer of Batote-Kishtwar road, Kargil-Zanskar and Domail-Katra road for maintenance to J&K PWD as all these roads of vital importance are in bad shape at some places due to lack of proper maintenance.
Thousands of pilgrims visit Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji shrine daily, using Domail-Katra road, a major portion of which was in worst condition. Similarly, major portions of Batote-Kishtwar and Kargil-Zanskar roads have almost been turned into fair weather roads as heavy rains either lead to their blockade or massive traffic jams.

Govind Sharma
People of Marh Constituency, which is spread over a large area comprising 26 panchayats and 68,870 electors, gave mixed responses on the performance of sitting MLA of the constituency, Sukh Nandan Kumar. While a large number of people expressed strong resentment over his performance in last five years, there was also no dearth of such people, who appreciated the work done by the MLA notwithstanding his style of working and language problem.
Marh Constituency which is spread over a large area comprising 26 panchayats (20 of Marh constituency and 6 of Satwari) and some area of Ward No. 61 (Patta) with a strength of 68,870 electors, was won by Sukh Nandan Kumar in 2008 by defeating with 6,581 votes the then MLA, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, who ruled the Constituency for two consecutive terms.
Most of the people to which Excelsior team met, cited the language problem and tone of the MLA a negative side of his personality. They said that whenever they visited him regarding any work, he speaks in a harsh tone unlike other leaders, who speak very politely; sometimes it becomes unbearable for most of the people, so they opt not to go to him. While others said that he uses rough language but he is honest, clean by heart and always helps the needy who go to him.
Some complained that the local MLA always remains busy on his mobile phone and does not even listen to them properly when they visit him for any work of their area, there were many others, who showered heaps of praises on him for the development works initiated by him in last five years.
Most of the people expressed disappointment over worst condition of roads, lanes and drains, inadequate water and power supply, lack of proper infrastructure in Government schools and hospitals and failure of various Government schemes.
Chuni Lal of village Flora and Sant Ram of Tatrayal said that they will never vote in favour of Sukh Nandan, as in last five years a single developmental work was not initiated by him in their respective areas. The roads and lanes of their area are in deteriorated condition, people do not get ration in time and are deprived of benefits of various welfare schemes like IAY, PMGSY, etc.
Devraj (70), a village Chowkidaar and resident of Galwadda accused the MLA of ignoring the poor and downtrodden people like him. Pointing towards his one-room hut made of earth, logs and thatch, Devraj said, here “I have been living for many years during which many a time officials of BDO came and took details for extending financial assistance under IAY, but a single penny was not released under the scheme in may favour. I also approached once to MLA Sukh Nandan in this concern, but he did not pay any attention to me.
We people expect nothing more from our MLA, except good roads, lanes and drains but our MLA even failed to provide that, said Sonpal of Village Marh”.
Purshotam of Bawe Talab, a farmer by profession also expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of MLA. He said a public representative should not discriminate between rich and poor, but our MLA’s behaviour is not good with poor. “Once I approached him regarding our lanes, but instead of extending any help, he shouted at me. Such behavior is not expected of an MLA”, he said.
Tarlochan Singh of Gole Gujral also expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of MLA. He said, “I never saw MLA in our locality, where people are facing long duration power cuts and low voltage. Moreover, roads and lanes of the locality are in shambles”.
Rahul Sangral a College student and resident of Mandaal said that theirs is the most neglected area. “In this belt, there are about 45 villages but there is no proper road and transport facility. People have to wait about 40 minutes to one hour for a mini-bus, which is the only transport facility available in the area but that too comes so overloaded that one even cannot get space to stand on the entrance door. The condition of the roads is so worst that even our friends and relatives do not prefer to visit our houses”, he said adding “we have strong resentment with our MLA, who did nothing for the development of this most neglected belt”.
However, Rakesh Kumar (32) of Gajansoo lauded the MLA for his work in last five years. “Our MLA has left no stone unturned to redress the grievances of the people. Roads, lanes and drains everything is up to the mark; farmers are getting free subsidized seeds and fertilizers timely. What else we can expect form an MLA? ”, he asked.
“We are satisfied with the work done by Sukh Nandan in Marh area and will definitely vote in his favour in the upcoming Assembly elections”, said Sonpal (30), an ex-servicemen residing in Marh area.
Rattan Lal (60) of Kalyanpur also spoke in affirmative when asked about the performance of the MLA in last five years. Our MLA never disappointed us whenever we went to him for any help, he said, adding the people of this area are fully satisfied with his performance, so there is no doubt that we will vote in his favour.
Rajinder Singh, an ex-police personnel of Anand Nagar (Tommal) also appreciated the MLA for its work. He said that people of this area are happy with Sukh Nandan, as they are getting everything—good roads, lanes and drains, regular water and power supply and timely supply of ration, which a person needs to live good life.
He said those who say that the MLA is harsh in tone is totally wrong; the truth is that he is straight forward and speaks truth without any hesitation. He never gives false assurances to the public, he added.
One Anil Kumar (26) of Swanjana also showered praise on Sukh Nandan. He said Mr Sukh Nandan has initiated many development works in our area. The only problem the people of this belt are facing, are bad condition of Phalain Mandal Road, but with the initiative of the MLA, now this road is being widened and blacktopped upto Phalain and “we hope the left over stretch of this road will also be blacktopped as early as possible”.
However, Mr Sukh Nandan when contacted claimed that a lot of development works had been started in every part of his constituency, since he took charge as an MLA. Most of them have been accomplished while on some of them the work is going on.
On bad condition of roads in several areas, he said wherever people are complaining of bad roads, the work of  either blacktopping or patching is on and soon will be completed.
Describing his achievements in last over five years, Sukh Nandan said farmer community of his constituency was suffering in the absence of procurement centres to sell their produce, but in his over five years term, he got opened three procurement centres—one each at Gajansoo, Swanjana and Janochak, where farmers are getting higher prices for their produce. Besides this, in last over five years, various Government centres have been opened for providing subsidized fertilizers and hybrid seeds to the farmers.
He further claimed that in his over five year period, he gave about five new tube wells and about 100 transformers and 4-5 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to the people of his constituency. Moreover, many new primary schools were opened and about 45 middle schools upgraded in this period while the upgradation of two High Schools into Higher Secondary, are in pipeline.
He also took credit of sanctioning Village Tirlokpur Khariyan for model village, for which he said an amount of Rs 1,10,00,000 will be spent to erect a community hall and make a playground besides initiating other developments works like lanes, drains and blacktopped roads.
On people’s allegation that he is harsh in tone while dealing with them, Sukh Nandan said “I am not one of those leaders who adopt the appeasement policy and befool people with their sweet words. I am straight forward  and when someone comes to me for regarding any work, I do not befool them with false promises like many other leaders instead I speak plainly the truth whether I can help them or not”.

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 20: At least 40 people including 22 policemen were injured in clashes that broke out today in South Kashmir’s Kulgam area over the killing of a youth in security forces’ firing on protesters yesterday.
DIG, South Kashmir, Vijay Kumar told Excelsior that one Gouhar Ahmad Wani son of Nissar Wani resident of Dhanrun Dialgam was critically injured when a Para-military Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) party fired upon stone throwing protesters this evening at Dhanrun Dialgam in district Anantnag.
Kumar said that the CRPF party was returning from law and order duty at Qaimoh in Kulgam this evening and was on its way to Kokernag when it came under heavy stone pelting at Dhanrun Dialgam. He said that the driver of one of the vehicles was hit by a stone and he lost balance and the vehicles fell into a ditch. The youth pelted stones on the CRPF and they fired resulting in the injury to Wani.
The DIG said that Wani was hit in the upper part of the chest and his vital are safe. He was shifted to Srinagar’s SKIMS hospital for treatment and his condition is stated to be critical.
Kumar said that a police party was rushed to Dharun to rescue the CRPF men.
Earlier, Police and CRPF personnel were deployed in strength to quell the protests that started early in the morning with stone throwing youth attacking Police Station Qaimoh.
Apprehending trouble, the main roads in Kulgam were sealed by the police and CRPF and no movement was allowed. Kulgam district observed shut down against the killing of Suhail Ahmad Lone in security forces firing yesterday. The shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads.
The DIG told Excelsior that stone pelting on Police and CRPF that started in the morning continued till evening. “Thirteen CRPF, 9 police men and 6 civilians were injured in the stone pelting”, said Kumar.
Some of the injured persons have been identified as Zahid Bhat son of Manzoor Ahmad of Wanpoh, Yasir Rah son of Reyaz Ahmad of Khudwani, Shahid Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammad of Khudwani, Mohammad Amin Dar son of Abdul Aziz of Redwani, Mohammad Arif son of Mohammad Yaqoob of Redwani, Mohammad Aqib son of Bashir of Rampora, Farooq Ahmad son of Ghulam Ahmed of Rampora, Dawood Ahmad son of Mohammad Ibrahim of Turki Tashlu and Adil Ganie son of Muzaffar Ahmad Ganie of Ghat Redwani.
Reports said that fresh clashes between protesters and Police and CRPF started early in the morning after stone throwing youth attacked Qaimoh Police Station, Kulgam. The protesters were protesting against the killing Suhail Ahmad Lone who was killed last evening.
The protesters pelted stones on police and CRPF who responded with baton charging and tear gas shelling in which around 15 youth were injured. One youth was hit by a tear gas shell on his head. Over 21 police and CRPF personnel were also injured in the stone clashes. The injured have been shifted to district and sub-district hospitals.
Clashes also broke out at Ashjipora, Sherpra, Mir Bazar in Anantnag town against killing of Suhail Ahmad. Large contingents of Police and CRPF were deployed in Anantnag and Kulgam to restore order. However, there were no reports of any injuring from Anantnag town.

JAMMU, July 20:  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that National Conference president and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah wouldn’t be contesting the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State, which were due to be held in November-December.
“Dr Sahib is not contesting this time. His health is not allowing him to contest the polls,” Omar said.
About the reports that NC president and former Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah not contesting the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State, Omar maintained that the health condition of his father is not allowing him to join the electoral fray.
Farooq had contested recent Lok Sabha elections from Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, which he had won in 2009 Parliamentary polls, but lost to PDP’s Tariq Hamid Qarra. Due to health problems, Farooq had not attended the NC’s Parliamentary Board meeting, which had cleared first list of 32 candidates for the Assembly elections. (KNS)