Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 17: “Whatever Chief Minister had said about the BJP’s leaders is true and they should move to the Court today rather than tomorrow so that truth prevails”.
This was stated by provincial president of National Conference Devender Singh Rana during a press conference here today.
“We welcome the matter to be taken to the court, we will be happy to put the facts for judicial scrutiny”, he said, adding that BJP legislators in private appreciate Chief Minister’s bold futuristic power reform initiatives and took u-turn on seeing the cameras in a public function to derive political mileage”, he added.
He stated that Chief Minister did not refer to the Dogra turban, as is being made out by the BJP leaders. Chief Minister only said that “Jammu Ki Numaendgi Pagdi Pehenna Sa Nahi Hote Ha, Kaam Krke Sa Hote Ha (Just wearing a turban one cannot become a leader of Jammuites, one has to work selflessly for the welfare of people).
While showing the television footage of the Chief Minister’s speech, Rana said that the footage clearly speaks the lies being perpetrated by BJP legislators after getting exposed before the politically conscious people.
Taking a dig over BJP MLA Ashok Khajuria, provincial president said the exposure on BJP MLAs is just a preface of a voluminous book, leafs of which will be unfolded in the days to come to show the people the real face of representatives they had elected.
“NC workers will launch a mass movement at block levels to unveil the real faces of BJP legislators, who instead of highlighting issues of public importance remained engaged in pursuit of their personal problems as those of their relatives”, he said.
“Their pursuit for personal gains will not only surprise the people of Jammu but shock their own leadership in New Delhi as well when the facts will come out before them”, Rana said, adding that the truth of BJP legislators might be disturbing even to the peace of BJP stalwarts like Prem Nath Dogra and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in heaven.
Among others present were State vice president Kashmira Singh, provincial secretary Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Jugal Mahajan, Surinder Singh Bunty, etc.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 17: Stung by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s accusation on personal favours, the State Bharatiya Janata Party today threatened to move the court and file defamation suit against the CM for allegedly maligning image of the party MLAs and hurting Dogra sentiments.
“The party will file defamation suit against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who has hurt the sentiments of  Jammuites by making a comment on  Dogra turban and labeling  baseless allegations  of securing personal favours by the BJP MLA,” said BJP Legislature Party leader  Ashok Khajuria while addressing a crowded press conference at the party headquarters, here today.
Flanked by two other BJP MLAs, Choudhary Sukhnandan and Sham Lal Choudhary, Mr Khajuria asked the Chief Minister to disclose names of the BJP leaders, who sought personal favours. “As public representatives, we did meet the Ministers and CM for redressal of genuine concerns of commoners, including transfers of those posted in remote areas and hostile terrains even after completion of fixed tenure but we never sought personal favours,” the BJP MLAs said, adding that during the last more than five years they did not meet the CM more than two or three times.
“Mr Abdullah, whose party, along with Congress, suffered a humiliating and comprehensive defeat and got only a paltry 10 per cent votes in the just held Lok Sabha elections, has unleashed a vilification campaign against BJP in his desperate bid to divert people’s attention away from his failures,” he added.
Mr Khajuria claimed that by abusing the BJP legislators,  passing a remark on turban and describing Jammu people as ‘Bijli Chor’, Omar  Abdullah has hurt the sentiments  and self respect of the Dogras  for which the ruling  National Conference party would have to pay a very heavy price in the upcoming Assembly elections. “Like it happened in 2002 when he (Omar) had ridiculed Maharaja Hari Singh in an election rally at Samba, the NC will have to pay heavy price in the forthcoming Assembly elections for hurting the Dogra sentiments,” he explained.
The BJP MLAs also rubbished the claim of Omar Abdullah that they had not come up to the expectations of the people of Jammu. They  reminded  that it was the BJP that took up in right earnest the issues facing refugees from Kashmir, West Pakistan, PoJK and displaced persons of 1965 and 1971 and brought the August 9, 2013 Kishtwar carnage at the centre stage that led to the resignation of MoS (Home).  “It was the BJP that played a historic role in Amarnath land agitation that culminated in the fall of then anti-Jammu Government,” they added.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 17: Patron of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that his party would formulate a comprehensive and exclusive policy to address issues relating to the youth of the State.
He said that PDP leadership would organise interactions with youth at every district headquarters of the State before formulating the youth policy. During an interaction with a group of youth, who met him under the leadership of PDP’s youth wing president Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, Mufti called upon the educated youth to participate in the ongoing movement of his party to establish a new system of justice and equality in Jammu and Kashmir.
While reiterating his resolve to address all issues of youth, he reminded the group that PDP is only party in the State that has formulated a separate Youth Development Policy for the overall welfare and betterment of the youth.
“We will also accommodate wishes and aspirations of youth of all regions and sub-regions of the state by organising district level interactions”, he said and added that PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, senior leaders including Muzaffar Hussain Beigh,Tariq Hamid Karra  and others would participate in these interactions to make the youth policy more comprehensive and focused.
“PDP has devised a sustainable strategy to support the young people in developing their potential, to improve their living conditions and give them greater responsibilities in political decision-making processes”, he said. “PDP believes that the youth of J& K have the right to seek meaningful employment, participation in decision-making that affects their lives, and protection from socio-economic and political exploitation” he said and added that the party would strive towards realizing this objective for the State’s emancipated young population, who have done us pride in every field. He especially mentioned towards latest UPSC results in which ten youth from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified for civil services.
Mufti said that youth of J&K have huge potential and it was need of the hour to channelize their potential.  He said that PDP was aware of the problems of unemployed youth and give special attention of solve this problem. During interaction Mufti reminded that PDP led regime had proved how to deliver justice to the educated unemployed youth of the State. He especially mentioned that during PDP led regime more than 70,000 youth were appointed as teachers under Rebar-e-Talim (ReT) scheme and more than 30,000 Anganwari workers were also appointed. “Not only a single case of favouritism or nepotism were reported during our tenure because appointments were made with complete transparency and accountability to ensure that only deserving people would get jobs”, he said.
Mufti regretted that wrong policies being pursued by the National Conference led coalition have been fueling alienation and creating desperation among youth of the State.  He observed that instead of formulating a pro-youth policy, the present dispensation was brazenly trying to befool the younger generation by making false promises with them.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 17: Government employees from various departments and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) from Jammu areas held protest demonstration in support of pending demands of the employees near Press Club here today.
A large number of employees, under the banner of State Government Employees Joint Action Committee (SGEJAC) led by senior members Suresh Sharma, Subash Verma, Sushil Sudan, Babu Hussain Malik, Prem Singh Bawa, Yash Paul Sharma, K C Dubey, Darshan Magotra, Rinku Gill and others assembled at Exhibition Ground near Press Club at 10 am and held strong protest demonstration. They were shouting slogans in support of their pending demands.
Several senior leaders also addressed the gathering and criticized the Government for its `cosmetic approach’ in resolving pending issues of the employees. They alleged that only retirement age issue has been solved by the Government but no development has been witnessed on the issue of regularization of daily rated/ contractual/ consolidated workers. The issue of pay anomalies of the employees and PSUs workers’ demands have remained untouched. They pointed out that the Government can not befool the employees any more as they have suffered a lot at the hands of present coalition regime.
They also criticized the government for inviting only selective employees leaders for the talks in Srinagar, ignoring other stake holders and real representatives of the employees, particularly from Jammu region. They urged upon the Government to solve the demands of enhancement of Medical allowance from Rs 300 to Rs 1000 per month, fix qualifying service for pension from 28 to 20 years at par with Centre, accord budgetary support to PSUs and merger of 50 % DA with basic pay. They gave June 30 ultimatum to the Government for resolving the pending issues, failing which they would launch district level agitation.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 17: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today received a group of Indian diaspora youth presently on a visit to Kashmir under ‘Know India Programme’ (KIP) organized by Union Ministry of Oversees Indian Affairs. The NRI youth called on Chief Minister at his official residence.
The tour of diaspora youth is to promote awareness in them on different aspect of life in India and the progress made by the country in various fields of economy, industry, education, science and technology, communication, information technology, culture, etc.
Know India Programme provides a unique forum for students and young professionals of India origin to visit India, share their views, expectations and experiences to develop closer bonds with the contemporary India. As many as four to five such programmes are conducted every year in partnership with one or two State Governments.
The Chief Minister during interaction with them enquired of their feelings and experience in visiting Jammu and Kashmir. Omar Abdullah also shared various aspects of peace and development, cultural heritage, public empowerment, pluralistic ethos, amity, hospitality, agriculture and horticulture development besides the scenic and natural beauty of the State with them. He wished them success, prosperity and well being.
The members of the group asked various questions to the Chief Minister pertaining to various sectors of development in the State which Omar Abdullah replied in detail.
Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra was also present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent

Udhampur, June 17: The Northern Command of the Indian Army, popularly known as ‘Dhruva Command, celebrated its 43rd Raising Day today.
At a solemn ceremony at the Dhruva War Memorial, Lt Gen DS Hooda,  Army Commander Northern Command, paid homage by laying a wreath on behalf of all ranks, as mark of respect to the martyrs who have fallen on the battlefield in the service of the nation.
Northern Command was raised on June 17, 1972 after the 1971 Indo-Pak war and has the unique responsibility of guarding the nations borders with both Pakistan and China.  The ‘Dhruva’ Command has lived up to the faith reposed in it by the nation, be it combating Pakistan sponsored terrorism or the Kargil intrusion in 1999.  Deployed in extremely inhospitable and hazardous environs which includes Siachen, troops of the ‘Dhruva’  Command continue to serve with utmost zeal and enthusiasm, drawing inspiration from the saga of bravery and sacrifice of their predecessors.  On this occasion, the troops of ‘Dhruva’ Command rededicate themselves in the service of the nation and re-affirm their resolve to work for peace, prosperity and development in the State.
On this occasion Lt Gen DS Hooda, extended his good wishes to all ranks and their families.  He complimented the rank and file of the command for demonstrating  extraordinary endurance, steadfastness and exemplary sense of duty during counter terrorist operations with a people friendly approach as also in guarding the frontiers of the nation.  He exhorted them to continue maintaining the exalted standards through professionalism, dedication and devotion to duty.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 17: Director General of Police (DGP), K Rajendra Kumar today said that Jammu and Kashmir Police has a history of public service from the date of its establishment and the force, after facing tough challenge of militancy, has succeeded in bringing peace in the State.
Mr. Rajendra was addressing Jawans and officers at a police durbar held at District Police Lines Anantnag today. He said that the brave jawans and officers have offered supreme sacrifices of their lives while protecting the people and their properties. Due to the supreme sacrifices of our martyrs a congenial atmosphere has prevailed in the State and we are witnessing flow of tourists from some years, he added.
Saying that public service is the prime duty of Jammu and Kashmir Police, the DGP reiterated that safety of human lives and public property is our priority. He said that with the active cooperation of the people, the force has succeeded in eradicating the menace of militancy and restoring peace in the State. “Promptness in deliverance at all levels and respect towards human rights would help the cops to gain people’s confidence, which in a long run would help to achieve their cooperation in our fight against criminals and anti-social elements.”, he added.
Appreciating the role of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Rajendra said that upcoming Legislative Assembly polls and Amarnath Yatra are the future challenges for the force. He stressed upon the Jawans to serve with more selflessness, professionalism and discipline to overcome these challenges with fortitude.
During the darbar, DGP was accompanied by IGP Kashmir, AG Mir and DIG Anantnag Range, Vijay Kumar. He gave a patient hearing to the jawans and issued on spot instructions to solve their genuine problems.
Later, a meeting was chaired by the DGP to take stock of the security scenario and Yatra preparedness in the Range. Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, AG Mir presented resume of the security situation and briefed the meeting about its various aspects and arrangements put forth for smooth and peaceful yatra. The meeting was informed that advance manpower with required communication equipment has been deployed along the route to ensure safety of the pilgrims.
District Superint-endents of Police Sheikh Junaid Ahmad, Tejinder Singh, Mumtaz Ahmad, Waheed Ahmad Shah and ASP Sajad Hussain also briefed the meeting about law and order situation of their respective areas of responsibility.
Mr. Rajendra stressed upon the officers present in the meeting to maintain constant vigil and rapport with the public to sabotage any subversive attempt. He emphasized for adopting common strategy for crime control and investigation to curb inters district crimes. While conducting anti-subversive operation there should be no collateral damages, besides ensuring that law abiding people are not harassed, said the DGP.