Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat Yash Pal Sharma today called upon the people to teach a lesson to the coalition for depriving common masses of their democratic rights.
Addressing series of public meeting at Mohalla Chand Kour at Ward number 16, Talab Tillo and Nai Basti areas, MLC Yash Pal Sharma said that failure of Omar Abdullah led Government to conduct civic bodies elections was a clear indication that this regime was not interested in strengthening democratic institutions in the State.
He said that civic bodies elections were due in the month of February 2010 but the Government has been delaying these elections with one or other excuse. “By delaying civic bodies elections, the State Government has deprived residents of urban areas of their democratic rights”, he said and exhorted the people to teach a lesson to the coalition for bullodozing democratic institutions.
Mr Sharma reminded the people that it was during the regime of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that civic bodies’ elections were held in the State after a gap of more than two decades.
Chaman Lal Angral and Krishan Lal organized meeting at Mohalla Chand Kour and Dr Ramzan organized the same at Nai Basti. Another meeting of Labour Cell of PDP Kathua was held at Gujjar Nagar in connection with the on-going campaign for party candidate Arshad Malik for Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat.
NC exposing its undemocratic character: PDP
SSP chairs police-public meet
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 4: SSP Srinagar Amit Kumar chaired a police-public meeting today in M R Gung area of down town here.
A police spokesman said the meeting was held at Community Hall, Zaina Kadal, Srinagar in which large number of respectable and civil society members including representatives of M R Gung and Safakadal area participated.
“Various grievances and issues were brought into the notice of the SSP, who gave a patient hearing and assured that it will look into the issue put forth and do whatever is possible,” the spokesman said.
Among others the meeting was also attended by SP, North Tahir Salim Khan and other jurisdiction officers.
5-yr-old crushed to death at Jagti, tractor trolley set on fire
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: A five-year-old boy was crushed to death by a tractor trolley in Jagti township on city outskirts today.
“The boy, Vivek (5), son of Piaray Lal of Block No 144 Lane 25 Jagti town, Nagrota died on the spot today when he was hit by a tractor trolley while crossing the road,” police said.
Police said the driver of the trolley escaped from the spot adding, angry mob damaged the tractor and later set it on fire.
Police, further, said senior police officials rushed to the spot and pacified the situation.
However, a case has been registered and investigations started.
The incident has generated a lot of public resentment with people demanding immediate arrest of tractor driver and closure of Jagti township road for trucks and tractors.
The camp inmates and JTC, JCC and other camp organizations who took part in the protest demanded Rs 5 lakh compensation to the poor family. They alleged that despite the repeated requests to the authorities not to allow the trucks and tractors carrying material to pass from the township no attention was paid to this demand till date resulting into the repeated incidents in the area.
Additional SP Jammu M L Kaith who visited the spot assured the protestors that special team has been constituted to nab the tractor driver. He expressed the hope that the driver will be arrested during the night.
4 bootleggers held in Khour
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: Police today arrested four bootleggers at village Malla Parhot in Khour areas and recovered a large quantity of illicit liquor from their possession.
The arrested accused have been identified as Baldev Singh, Sudesh Kumari, Shamas Din and Aslam Hussain, all residents of village Pukharni.
Police said the lahan recovered from the accused was destroyed on spot while the illicit liquor was seized.
Police parties headed by SHO Khour Surinder Raina made the arrests under the supervision of Additional SP Jammu ML Kaith.
Man injured while hunting
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 4: A man was injured in Kokernag area in Anantnag district while he was hunting in Ahalan forests.
A police spokesman said Bashir Ahmad Naikoo, son of Ghulam Rasool Naikoo of Ahalan Gadhool had gone for hunting along with two others in Ahalan Forests.
Naikoo was injured and was brought to District Hospital, Anantnag with multiple pellet injuries in his chest. He has been referred to Srinagar.
The spokesman said police has registered a case and investigation has been started.
IGP cautions youth over “disturbing” posts on social networks
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 4: Inspector General of Police Abdul Gani Mir has cautioned the youth not to pay any heed to the mischievous posts, which disturb peaceful atmosphere, of some rumour mongers on social networking sites.
Mir, who was on a day long visit to district Ganderbal, besides addressing the Public Darbar, chaired a high level security meeting and also inspected Police establishments.
Speaking at the Public Darbar which was attended among others by representatives of traders federation, transporters, Panchayat members and respectable, Mir said that from some time some mischievous elements are tailoring fictitious events or incidents and post mischievous information on social networking sites to disrupt the normal life.
Citing a few examples, the IGP said that people especially the youth should not pay heed to the malicious information.He assured that attempt will be made to solve the issues and grievances put forth by them on priority.
Regarding to the verification of antecedents of the persons who establish their shops or provide pony/potter/camping services to the yatries, the IGP said that efforts will be made to streamline the process of verifications and rule on first-come- first serve basis will be followed.
He said that the dereliction of duties, corruption and other complaints are looked into very seriously, and appealed to the people to provide information in this regard to the police.
Mir, while referring to the increased traffic accidents, said that special drive will be launched by the district authorities to check various kind of traffic violation to arrest the trend.
The IGP said that all the crime incidents particularly the murder cases are being investigated from all angles. Some cases are solved quickly while some blind murder cases take some time. Almost all the cases of heinous nature have been solved by the police over the years, he added.
Addressing the policemen and officers at the Police Darbar the IGP emphasized that the officers/officials have to bring in them attitudinal changes so as to serve the needy cheerfully and advised the policemen to work with high degree of dedication as public have expectations from them.
Red Cross Society organizes farewell function
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: To honour outgoing secretary, Anil K Padha who rendered his valuable services to the Red Cross for nearly 6 years, Regional Red Cross Society, Jammu organized a farewell function under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu at Red Cross Bhawan, Kachi Chawni, here today.
Lauding his stature, the Divisional Commissioner said that Mr Padha will always be in forefront to serve the poor and needy in future also.
The prominent among others who attended the function were Roma Wani, honorary general secretary, IRCS, J&K State Branch; Dr Yogeshwar Gupta, treasurer, IRCS J&K State Branch; RC Puri secretary RRCS, Jammu; Soujanya Sharma, Director Tourism, Jammu; Dr TR Raina, Ex-HoD Blood Bank, Jammu; Anil Suri, President BBIA, Jammu; Yash Paul Gupta, President ACTF, Jammu; Padmashri Jatinder Udhampuri; Suresh Sharma; Ashish Singh, executive secretary District Red Cross Committees, Jammu and Kathua, Sureshta Khajuria, Principal, Shangrilla Higher Sec School, Jammu; Balwant Thakur, Regional Director, ICCR, Jammu; OP Sharma, Executive Member RRCS Jammu, OP Bakshi, Director, RRCS, Jammu; HN Tikoo, President Sanskar; Navneet Kour, Chairperson NGO Support and Staff Members of Red Cross.
Navneet Kour presented the vote of thanks.
Missing housewife found dead; in-laws arrested, probe ordered after protests
Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Jan 4: Following a strong protest over the mysterious death of a young housewife, who was missing from the house of her-in law since December 13 last, the Deputy Commissioner Poonch ordered a magisterial inquiry into the case.
The deceased, identified as Shahin Akhtar (27) wife of Sami-ullah of Dera Mendhar, was found dead in a pool of water below Ari bridge near the Mendhar town, this morning. She was missing since December 13 and her decomposed body wore some injury marks on head.
As the deceased had already lodged a complaint with the Women Cell, Poonch alleging torture by her in-laws, her family members from the parental side and locals took to streets soon after the body was recovered.
Shouting slogans and demanding stern action against the accused in-laws, the protesting people were also joined by local MLA Rafiq Khan and they blocked the Main Chowk Mendhar after putting body of the deceased on road.
Despite repeated pleas of SHO Mendhar Bishnesh Kumar, the protesters refused to lift the dharna. SSP Poonch Shamsheer Hussain and ADDC Poonch Arvind Sharma also reached the spot and assured necessary action in the case.
On the direction of Deputy Commissioner Poonch, ADDC announced a Magisterial inquiry to ascertain the cause of death while acting swiftly police arrested all the members of in-laws of the deceased. They included mother-in law Zarin Begum, sister-in law Nazia Kousar, two brothers-in law Asad Ullah and Mehtab Bhat. Sami-ullah, husband the deceased, who is a jawan of SSB, 13th battalion and posted in Bihar, has already been in police custody since missing of Shahin Akhtar.
According to SSP Shamsheer Hussain, Additional SP Poonch Amit Gupta will conduct inquiry into the case.
NSTAR’s appeal to CJ
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 4: Newly Selected Teachers Association Rajouri (NSTAR) has appealed the Chief Justice of J&K High Court to save their career, which is otherwise hanging in balance for last two years.
“Since the selection list was quashed, we have suffered a lot. After getting tired from SSRB and Government we have decided now to appeal Chief Justice for saving our career, which is otherwise looking in dark”, said Jagdish Sudan, an executive member of the Association in a meeting held here today.
All the executive members of the Association directly raised finger over the working ability of SSRB, which they said was playing with the career of innocent educated candidates.
“The victimized candidates are not responsible in any way as they have no role in constituting and appointing the CEOs as members of the selection committee. It is the prerogative of the Government. So quashing the list on this ground along has disheartened the selected candidates”, the members said and appealed the Chief Justice of J&K High Court to look and intervene into the matter.
Focus on promises: Omar to Kejriwal
SRINAGAR, Jan 4:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today advised his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal to focus on the delivery of election promises rather than on the “fluff” surrounding the controversy over taking five-bedroom duplex Government flats.
“I don’t think anyone voted against Sheila Dikshit (former Delhi CM) because of her residence, so best to focus on what really matters rather than the fluff”, Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.Com.
Omar also asked the media to let the Delhi Chief Minister “move in and govern” saying no one will grudge Kejriwal for the duplex flats.
“No one will grudge Kejriwal (for) a 5 bedroom home, what they will grudge is poor delivery of election promises so just let him move in and govern,” Omar tweeted.
The Delhi Chief Minister faced criticism after reports that he had been allotted two five-bedroom duplex flats on Bhagwan Das Road in Delhi, one of which was to be used as his office.
Kejriwal today announced his decision not to take up the two flats, saying he had asked the Government to look for smaller accommodation for him. (PTI)