Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 10: A local court in Baramulla awarded life imprisonment to former divisional commander of Hizbul Mujahedeen on charges of murder and imposed a fine of Rs 10000 on him.
The District and Additional Sessions Judge Baramulla, Tasleem Arief convicted Maqsood Ahmad Bhat on the charges of murdering Dr Reyaz Ahmed Bhat in 2005.
“The period of imprisonment already undergone by the convict as an undertrial in the instant case shall be considered while computing the sentence,” the court said.
Bhat has been convicted for causing “intentional” death of a man in Baramulla district by using prohibited arms.
The court also imposed an amount of Rs 10000 on the accused and asked for paying the same to the state treasury.
According to the prosecution, the accused Maqsood Bhat killed Dr Reyaz Ahmed Bhat of Hanzura Pattan, a PDP Block President, on June 16, 2005. “A case under FIR No. 87/2005 under Section 302 of the RPC was registered in Police Station Pattan”.
“I am of the considered opinion that the case of the convicts is not the rarest of the rare case where the convict should forfeit his right to life because no case for awarding capital punishment is made out,” Judge Tasleem Arief said in his judgment.

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 10: People from Rajouri town held protest demonstration against the PDD authorities and blocked road near Sher-e-Kashmir bridge today.
A large number of people came out on the road and blocked movement of traffic from 2.40 pm to 3.45 pm near Sher-e-Kashmir bridge. They were shouting slogans against the Executive Engineer PDD Rajouri, Chief Engineer and Minister Incharge PDD besides the Chief Minister. They alleged that due to long unscheduled power cuts, the public was suffering a lot. Even during the month of Ramzan, the people are deprived of adequate power  supply.
Later, SHO Rajouri and a DySP reached the spot. They talked to the people and assured to take up the issue with concerned PDD officials. AEE PDD also turned up later and he assured the public to improve the supply position. Then agitating people lifted dharna from the bridge.

Excelsior Correspondent
BISHNAH, July 10: Jats under the banner of Jat Kalyan Sabha (J&K) held strong protest demonstration and day long dharna in the tehsil complex here demanding OBC status for the community.
A large number of  members of Jat community from Bishnah and RS Pura area led by  Ch Kamal Singh assembled at tehsil office complex here in the morning and started protest demonstration. It was followed by dharna. They were raising slogans in support of their demands. They demanded OBC status for the Jat community and also sought resolution of  the issues of refugees of Pak Occupied Jammu and Kashmir-1947, 65 and 71.
Kamal Singh while addressing large gathering said that Jats have been struggling for the last over a decade for seeking OBC status but the Government has not provided them the justice. It is unfortunate that the Central Government has accorded OBC status to the Jats but the community has been suffering in the J&K State. The Jats in Haryana, Delhi, UP, Uttrakhand, Rajasthan  have already been granted OBC status by the respective Governments.
He said that a large number people from Chhamb and Deva Batala were made to migrate but till today they are struggling for justice. The Government has failed to settle their issues despite lapse of many decades. The community is economically, socially   and educationally backward and needed support.  He also criticised some leaders of the coalition Government in the State who are just offering lip sympathy to the Jat community. These leaders have only befooled the community in last two decades.  Jat leader asked the community members to remain cautious from such elements using this community as their vote bank. He asked the community to teach lesson to these leaders in coming Assembly elections.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 10: Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shantmanu today visited Home for the Aged and Infirm at Amphalla and interacted with the inmates of the Home and enquired about the facilities being provided to them.
He was accompanied by Senior Teacher Arun Kumar and volunteers of Art of Living namely Suyash Raj Shivan from Doon School Dehradun and Bhargavie Raj of Ecole Globale of Dehradun.
Div Com appealed the young generation to give due respect to their elders and take good care of them as they are the persons who have brought them in  the world and shape their future life. He said that parents, in their old age, need love, compassion and company of their children for leading a peaceful life.
Arun Kumar also appealed the youth to respect their parents and said that Parents are divine gift and are the source of our life on the earth. He further said that the parents always think of their children’s comfort and always expect their bright future.
On the occasion, the Div Com along with inmates of the Home performed meditation.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 10: Paying rich tributes to Madr-e-Meherban Begum Akbar Jehan on her death anniversary, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has described her epitome of courage and a compassionate mother.
“It was Madr-e-Meherban who always supported Sher-i-Kashmir and spearheaded his mission when he was in jail, she exhibited highest courage, determination and commitment to lead the people in absence of Sheikh Abdullah”, he said, adding that Begum Akbar Jehan dedicated her life to people and worked tirelessly for their welfare and development with special focus on downtrodden, weaker sections, women and children.
The Chief Minister said that constitution of Gujjar and Bakerwal Advisory Board, Mobile Schools and Mobile Dispensaries for them, energizing Red Cross movement and establishment of Miskeen Bagh Education and Craft Training Centre for Women were some of the historic decisions taken by the Government on the advice of Begum Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
“Proper nurturing of children particularly belonging to weaker sections, Gujjar and Bakerwals and other economically downtrodden categories was her highest dream to realize. She worked throughout her life in this direction”, he said adding that holistic development of women and children and their educational excellence was her aim in life.
“From my childhood, I remained closely attached to my Dadi and found her always working for the welfare of people especially women and children. Whenever I entered her room, I saw her either offering Nimaz or reciting Quran. I saw her always praying for the betterment and welfare of the people and prosperity of the State”, Omar said and maintained that the best way to pay homage to Madr-e-Meherban is to carry forward her mission of devoting selfless service to the people and treating all with love and affection.

Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, July 10: Dy Commissioner Reasi ordered an inquiry after  a Govt High School was found locked for three days in Mahore area of district Reasi.
A deputation of the village Challad Barla met the Dy Commissioner Reasi, Dr Shahid Iqbal today and brought the matter to his notice. They revealed that on July 7 they rang up ZEO Arnas and informed that the Govt High School having strength of 250 plus students, was locked and no teacher was available. This area falls under winter zone. The ZEO asked the villagers to put another lock and also assured to visit the village. But for the next three days, nobody came there including the ZEO.
Pained over the attitude of School Education authorities, the villagers today met the DC Reasi and narrated the whole story. The DC directed Tehsildar Arnas to hold an inquiry into the matter and submit report within four days. The villagers alleged that Headmaster of the School who hails from Poonch visits this school hardly once or twice a month.
The villagers revealed that against 11 posts of teachers, hardly five are in place at school but hardly just one  or two teachers often visit the school but for the last three days on July 7, 8 and 9 the school remained closed. Headmaster broken both the locks today and entered the school. There is strong resentment among the people of the area and they have demanded action against Headmaster and the other absentee staff.