Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Ex-Police Personnel Forum, Rajouri District, today discussed demands in its monthly meeting today.
A comprehensive discussion on the issues pertaining to welfare of Ex-Police officials took place in the meeting, which was held under the chairmanship of Om Parkash Sharma. The meeting highlighted various demands including enhancement of medical allowance to Rs 1000 per month, 15% reservation in police recruitment and professional institution for wards of policemen and one rank one pension for police personnel on the pattern of Army.
The members also demanded that life saving drugs be provided to ex-policemen in police hospitals besides providing them financial assistance for the marriages of their daughters from the Police Welfare Fund.
The members also sought department’s help in the form of financial assistance for the treatment of ex-police personnel, who are suffering from chronic diseases and are in very advanced stage.
Ex-Police Personnel Forum discusses demands
Varun Gandhi dropped as General Secretary in Amit Shah’s team
NEW DELHI, Aug 16:
Varun Gandhi was today dropped as General Secretary by BJP president Amit Shah who constituted his new team, inducting former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa as Vice President and new RSS pointsman Ram Madhav as General Secretary.
A week after his formal anointment as party President, Shah announced his new team of party office bearers that includes 11 Vice Presidents, eight General Secretaries and 14 Secretaries.
The new team also includes 10 party Spokespersons, five of them are new.
While dropping Sultanpur MP Varun, whose mother Maneka Gandhi is a minister in Modi Government, Shah has retained General Secretaries JP Nadda, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Murlidhar Rao and Ramlal, who will continue to take care of the organisation affairs.
Party sources said that Varun has not been included because his mother has been included in the Modi Cabinet as Minister of State with independent charge.
The four new General Secretaries are Ram Madhav, the RSS face who was sent to the party recently, outgoing BJP Mahila Morcha chief Saroj Pandey, Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan Bhupendra Yadav and Ram Shankar Katheriya.
Yeddyurappa, who had formed his own outfit after being forced to quit as chief minister following corruption charges but had rejoined on poll eve, is among the 11 Vice Presidents in Shah’s new team. Former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has been retained as Vice President.
The other Vice Presidents are Bandaru Dattatreya and
Satyapal Malik, both Lok Sabha members, Purushottam Rupala and Prabhat Jha, former state unit presidents and Raghuvar Das, a former deputy chief minister of Jharkhand.
The other Vice Presidents are Kiran Maheshwari (a former MP from Rajasthan), Vinay Sahasrabuddhe (one of the BJP’s think-tank), Renu Devi (from Bihar) and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma.
The team has a mix of party workers from across the country but has major representation from poll-bound states of Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand. The team also includes five OBCs, six women and has representation from SCs and STs as well. 80 per cent of Shah’s team are below the age of 60.
Shah’s new team has 14 secretaries. Shrikant Sharma, who heads the media unit of the party, is one of the new Secretaries.
Siddharth Nath Singh, who was in charge of West Bengal where the party registered some success in the Lok Sabha polls, have been retained as Secretaries.
Former union minister Pramod Mahajan’s daughter Poonam Mahajan has also been made a Secretary.
Other party Secretaries are Shyam Jaju, Anil Jain, H Raja, Ramesh Deka, Sudha Yadav, Ram Shekar Netam, Arun Singh, R P Singh, Jyoti Dhruve, Tarun Chugh and Rajneesh Kumar.
The new team has retained Anurag Thakur as the Youth Wing chief and appointed former Aurangabad Mayor Vijaya Rahatkar as the new Mahila Morcha chief. (PTI)
Bootlegger held
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: RS Pura police arrested a bootlegger along with large quantity of illicit liquor pouches.
A police spokesman said that, on specific inputs, a police team from RS Pura Police Station intercepted a pedestrian namely Arjun Singh, son of Babu Ram, a resident of Banote.
During checking, police recovered 56 pouches of illicit liquor and arrested the bootlegger.
A case under FIR number 149/14 under Section 48 Excise Act has been registered at RS Pura Police Station and investigation started.
About 54 Kg Bhukki seized
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Aug 16: District Police Udhampur seized about 54 kg poppy straw being illegally traded to different parts of the Country.
A police spokesperson said on August 15, 2014, a Police party of Police Station Udhampur while conducting surprise checking of the vehicles plying on the National Highway, intercepted a truck bearing registration No PB02BU-9799 coming from Kashmir side and loaded with apple boxes. During the thorough checking of the apple boxes, about 38.5 Kg Poppy Straw (Bhukki) was found packed inside four apple boxes which were concealed in the centre of the whole load.
The driver of the truck namely Jarnail Singh, son of Baldev Singh, resident of Majalta, Udhampur and his associate Kala Singh, son of Hajara Singh, resident of Puma District, Amritsar were arrested on spot and the vehicle seized.
In this connection, a Case FIR No 315/2013 u/s 8/15 NDPS Act stands registered in Police Station Udhampur.
On the same day, the same police team intercepted another truck bearing Registration No PB46G-9954 loaded with apple boxes coming from Kashmir side. During the thorough checking of the truck, about 15.4 Kg Poppy Straw (Bhukki) was packed inside one apple box concealed in the centre of the whole load.
The driver of the truck namely Des Raj, son of Khyalu Ram, resident of Sarsoo, Tehsil Ramnagar, was immediately arrested on the spot and vehicle seized. In this connection, a Case FIR No 316/2013 u/s 8/15 NDPS Act stands registered in Police Station Udhampur.
The further investigations in both the cases are going on.
The whole operation was conducted by the police team of Police Station Udhampur led by Inspector Mahesh Sharma, SHO Police Station Udhampur and Gourav Mahajan, Deputy SP Headquarters, Udhampur under the overall supervision of M Suleman Choudhary, IPS, SSP Udhampur.
Minor boy missing
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: A minor 4-year-old boy has gone missing from old city on Friday.
A police spokesman said Fayaz Ahmed Rather son of Hamza Rather of Malpora, Baramulla, at present living in Gratbal Nawakadal, Srinagar, reported to police in Safa Kadal that his son Sajad Ahmed has gone missing on Friday.
Four gamblers nabbed by Gadigarh police
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Gadigarh police arrested four gamblers alongwith Rs 9,590 stake money and playing cards.
As per police sources, a team from Gadigarh Police Post conducted a raid at Ward Number 1, Bhour Camp and arrested four gamblers alongwith Rs 9,590 stake money and playing cards.
The gamblers have been identified as Sukwinder Singh, son of Deva Singh, Bishan Kumar, son of Madan Lal and Swarn Singh, son of Sujan Singh, trio residents of ward number 1, Bhour Camp and Tej Bhushan Sharma, son of Jagdish Kumar, a resident of lower Gadigarh.
A case under Section 13 Gambling Act has been registered at Gadigarh Police Post and investigation started.
Police team led by SI Khyati Maan Khajuria made the arrest under the supervision of SDPO Gandhi Nagar Harjeet Singh and SP South Rahul Malik.
Hapless India face daunting task to save Test
LONDON, Aug 16:
Joe Root slammed an unbeaten 92 as England took a substantial first innings lead of 237 runs on the second day to tighten their grip on the fifth and final cricket Test against a hapless India here today.
Resuming the day on 62 for no loss after bundling India out for 148 yesterday, England scored at a brisk pace by adding 323 runs today from 86 overs to end the day on 385 for seven at an Oval pitch which has eased out considerably.
Root was going strong on 92 not out after facing 129 balls with the help of nine fours and a six. Chris Jordan was giving him company on 19 and the duo have put on 67 runs for the unbroken eighth wicket.
Captain Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance also made substantial contributions with 79 (off 183 balls) and 64 (off 117 balls) respectively.
‘Butter fingered’ Indian fielders also did not do any good for their team’s cause by dropping Cook twice — on 65 and 70.
India, who are trailing the five-match series 1-2, will now need a herculean task to save the Test.
Indian bowlers gave a sort of a fightback in the second session as they took four wickets through a double strike by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and a wicket each by pacers Varun Aaron and Ishant Sharma.
But they were not able to find regular breakthroughs after tea break and let go off the opportunity to claw back into the game.
Ashwin (2/55), Aaron (2/111) and Ishant (2/58) took two wickets apiece, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/86) also chipped in on the day. Stuart Binny (0/58) was the other bowler deployed.
Root and Jos Buttler (45 runs, 73 balls, 9 fours) put on 80 runs for the sixth wicket after tea as they wrestled back the initiative from Indian bowlers.
The Indian attack lacked consistency in the final session in comparison to their bowling in post-lunch session and the two batsmen took advantage of that to score freely. Root and Buttler brought up their 50-run partnership in the 82nd over, the runs coming off from only 81 balls.(PTI)
Cong workers warn leadership against imposed candidates in Assembly polls
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: Warning the party leadership, the Congress workers in Kargil today predicted a defeat in forthcoming Assembly polls and repeat of the Lok Sabha election result if they were not taken into confidence before deciding the candidates.
“If the mandate is given in Assembly election without consulting the party workers, the Congress candidates in both the Assembly constituency would meet the same fate as in recently held Lok Sabha polls and we will not be responsible for the defeat,” the Congress workers from Kargil said in one voice in the presence of PCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz and former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during a Convention at Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kargil, on Saturday.
Taking cognizance of the caution, both Soz and Azad asked the party workers to prepare the panel at grass root level for the Congress mandate on Kargil as well as Drass Assembly seats.
They sought to assure the party workers that no candidate would be imposed on them by the high command.
Pertinent to mention her that in the recently held Lok Sabha elections, Congress candidate T Samphal had to face defeat on Leh-Kargil seat where Ghulam Raja, another senior Congress leader, had raised banner of revolt and filed his candidature as independent.
During the day-long convention of Congress workers from Kargil district, the party discussed strategy and preparations for the forthcoming Assembly elections, which are likely to be held in November.
Besides Soz and Azad, the convention was also attended by Asgar Ali Karblai, Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Hill Development Council, Kargil, rebel Congress leader Ghulam Raja and others. AICC general secretary and incharge J&K Affairs, Ambika Soni was also scheduled to attend the convention but she could not turn up owing to some health problems.
Speaking in the convention, Asgar Ali Karbalaie accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of converting his official function at Kargil into a political one.
Later, talking to media persons, Ghulam Nabi Azad predicted that Congress would form Government in Jammu and Kashmir on its own. Dubbing Narendra Modi as communal, he claimed that the former would see a sudden downfall like his rise in the political arena.
Azad also came down heavily on National Conference and alleged that the party did nothing but only befooled the masses who would teach it a lesson in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
Meanwhile, urging the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for calling the Cabinet Meeting as early as possible, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz today said the time was ripe to give Cabinet nod to important decisions pending with it.
He said that the package for refugees, reservation for Pahari Speaking People, OBCs including Jats and several other matters were not only indicated in the Congress Party’s Manifesto but these proposals were already with the Cabinet.
He further said, “in addition to these proposals, Congress Party has been wanting to enhance honorarium to Sarpanchs, Panchs, Numberdars while several other public welfare measures have already been put up before Cabinet.”
Court rejects bail plea of Police Inspector
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: Principal Sessions Judge, Anantnag, Abdul Rashid Malik today rejected the bail plea of Police Inspector namely Aijaz Ahmad Shah, son of Mohd Saleem Shah of Anantnag.
The Police Inspector was arrested after he under the false pretext developed a friendship with the father of 8th class girl student and on the date of occurrence entered the house of the victim, enticed her away without consent of her father, took her on the second floor and made an attempt to rape her. During the course of resistance she sustained injuries on different parts of her body.
“The Investigating Officer is heading to conclude the investigation under Sections 452, 354 and 323 RPC despite the fact that in view of the material available on record, the evidence collected by the IO and the medical certificate there is ample evidence against the accused under Sections 363/376/511 RPC”, the court said, adding “it appears that the IO has not gone through the provisions of Section 361 and 363 RPC as well as 376/511 RPC coupled with the amendments made in Sections 354 and 376 as per J&K Criminal Laws Amendment Act, 2013”.
In order to ensure fair investigation in the case, the court directed SSP Anantnag to associate two competent police officers having adequate knowledge of law and procedure and in whose integrity he reposes faith and confidence in order to ensure filing of challan in the court of competent jurisdiction.
“A copy of this order shall be circulated to all the Judicial Officers of the district so that the accused is not in a position to file successive bail application by suppressing the material facts and orders of rejection”, the court directed, adding “a copy of this order be also transmitted to SSP Anantnag for immediate compliance and he shall file status report on or before 20th of August, 2014 before Sub Judge, Judicial Magistrate, Vailoo”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Anantnag, has extended free and competent legal services to the victim and Advocate M Y Shardar has been engaged to render free and competent legal services to the victim with a direction to furnish status report to the Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Anantnag and the Chairman, District Legal Services Authority after a prolonged counselling persuaded the victim to resume her studies and it is expected that she will resume her studies after the unfortunate and traumatic event she had undergone.
“The Investigating Officer shall remain careful not to cause undue harassment to the victim or to her parents during the course of investigation and the victim shall not be un-necessarily called in the police station as this will surely harass the victim at this stage”, the court directed.
JSM MLA Ashwani Sharma joins BJP
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 16: The lone MLA of Jammu State Morcha (JSM), Ashwani Sharma, today joined BJP at a public meeting at Bishnah.
Sharma, a two-time MLA from the Bishnah constituency, said, “BJP stands for good governance, eradication of poverty and corruption, and development. It is the main reason which has inspired me to be part of this party and the people of my constituency also wanted it.”
Sharma was welcomed to the BJP fold by party’s State unit president and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, J&K State in-charge and MP Avinash Rai Khanna and its Legislative Party leader Ashok Khajuria.
The BJP state president said Sharma’s entry into the party would send a strong and clear message to all patriotic segments of the State, and that it reaffirms BJP’s commitment to justice to all and discrimination to none.
The political path chosen by Sharma by being in JSM was on account of his desire to see that discrimination against Jammu is brought to an end. However, he is now convinced that BJP is a better and more effective organisation in bringing to an end discrimination not only against Jammu region but all other such neglected regions of the State, and has therefore decided to be part of BJP, he said.
BJP MP Khanna said the time has come for the rank and file of the BJP State unit to envision the party’s future role in the State, being destined to be in the governing role. He said the party’s target to win at least 44 seats in the upcoming Assembly polls was achievable.
Khanna said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision has inspired and galvanised the entire country and the party workers must not bring laxity in their political work and should convince the masses to vote for BJP in the forthcoming Assembly elections.