Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah here this evening, affected major reshuffle in the police and civil administration by transferring 24 IPS and 35 IAS and KAS officers with immediate effect.
According to the orders, K Rajendra Kumar, ADGP, Armed, Law and Order has been transferred and posted as DG, Prisons Department. P L Gupta, Commissioner of Vigilance has been transferred and posted as ADGP, (Coordination) PHQ, against a newly created post.
Navin Agarwal, ADGP Prisons Department has been transferred and posted as DG Youth Services and Sports vice J P Singh. Duety Rani Doley, presently on leave has been posted as ADGP, Homeguards and Civil Defence. Vijay Kumar Singh, IGP Trainings/CIV, PHQ, upon his promotion has been posted as ADG Security vice Dr Ram Lubhaya. He will take over the charge of the post on March 31, 2013 on the superannuation of Dr Lubhaya.
Shiv Murari Sahai, IGP, Kashmir Zone upon his promotion has been posted as ADGP, Armed vice K Rajendra Kumar. Dilbagh Singh, IGP, Jammu Zone upon his promotion has been posted as MD, Police Housing Corporation which post has been declared equivalent in rank and status to that of ADGP. Owais Ahmad Sheikh, IGP Technical Services upon his promotion as ADGP will await orders of posting in the Home Department.
Rajesh Kumar, DIG, North Kashmir Range, Baramulla, upon his promotion, has been posted as IGP, Jammu Zone, vice Dilbagh Singh. Abdul Gani Mir, IGP Crime has been transferred and posted as IGP, Kashmir Zone vice S M Sahai. Suleman Salaria, IGP Personnel PHQ has been transferred and posted as Commissioner, Civil Military Liaison vice P R Manhas.
Yoginder Koul, IG Home Guards has been transferred and posted as IGP State Human Rights Commission against an available vacancy. Arun Chowdhary, IGP (HQ) PHQ has been transferred and posted as IGP (Pers) PHQ vice Suleman Salaria. Deepak Kumar, IGP Vigilance has been transferred and posted as IGP (HQ), PHQ vice Arun Kumar Chowdhary. Syed Javed Mujtaba Geelani, awaiting orders of posting, has been posted as IG Crime vice Abdul Gani Mir. S S Khandare, DIG CIV PHQ upon his promotion has been posted as IGP Technical Services and CIV.
Alok Puri, MD Police Housing Corporation has been transferred and posted as IG Vigilance. J P Singh, DIG, Jammu has been transferred and posted as DIG Baramulla. Ashkoor Wani, SSP Udhampur upon his promotion has been posted as DIG Doda- Kishtwar. Ali Mohd Bhat, SSP Vigilance upon his promotion has been posted as DIG Vigilance.
Shakeel Ahmed Beigh, DIG Traffic Jammu has been transferred and posted as DIG Jammu. Gareeb Dass, DIG Doda-Kishtwar has been transferred and posted as DIG Udhampur. Shafqat Watali, DIG Traffic Kashmir has been transferred and posted as DIG Traffic Jammu. Jagjit Kumar, DIG Udhampur has been transferred and posted as DIG Traffic Kashmir.
Shaleen Kabra, Commissioner Secretary APD has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Secretary, Technical Education and Youth Services and Sports Department relieving Bipul Pathak of the additional charge. Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production Department vice Shaleen Kabra.
Shailendra Kumar, awaiting orders of posting, has been posted as Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir vice Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon. Farooq Ahmad Factoo, Commissioner Secretary School Education Department has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Secretary BPE and Floriculture Departments.
Shiv Dev Singh Jamwal, Director H&P Department has been designated as Director General Hospitality and Protocol Department. Hirdesh Kumar, awaiting orders of posting, has been posted as Secretary School Education. Shagufta Parveen, Secretary BPE has been transferred and posted as Chairman, SSB relieving Mohd Afzal Bhat of the charge of the post.
Sanjeev Verma, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, has been transferred and posted as Transport Commissioner vice Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo. Mohd Afzal Bhat, Member SSB holding the charge of the Chairman SSB has been transferred and posted as Secretary Cooperatives Department relieving Commissioner Secretary Agriculture Production Department of the additional charge. Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo, Transport Commissioner has been transferred and posted as Secretary Transport Department reliving the Secretary CAPD, of the additional Charge.
Parvez Ahmad Malik, Director CAPD Jammu has been transferred and posted as Director Area Planning against an available vacancy. Baseer Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar has been transferred and posted as Director Panchayati Raj against an available vacancy. Ramesh Kumar Koul, Director Estates has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary to the Chief Minister against an available vacancy.
Abdul Majid Ganai, Additional R C New Delhi has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal against an available vacancy. Ajit Kumar Sahu, Deputy Commissioner Poonch has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma. P K Pole, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur has been transferred and posted as Director School Education, Jammu relieving Hilal Ahmad Parray of the additional charge.
M. Raju, awaiting orders of adjustment, has been posted as Deputy Commissioner Poonch vice Ajit Kumar Sahu. Yasha Mudgil, Project Director SSA has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Udhampur vice P K Pole. Jatindera Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary Planning and Development Department has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Kathua. He will, however, assume the duties of the post on March 31, 2013 on the superannuation of the present incumbent Zahida Parveen Khan.
Shyam Vinod Meena, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kathua has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Ramban vice Shabir Ahmad Bhat. J P Singh, Director Youth Services and Sports has been asked to report to General Administration Department for further posting. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Srinagar vice Baseer Ahmad Khan.
M H Malik, Special Secretary Planning and Development Department has been transferred and posted as Director Estates vice R K Koul. R K Verma, Special Secretary GAD has been transferred and posted as Director SSA vice Yasha Mudgil. Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary, Planning and Development Department. Farooq Ahmad Lone, Director Agriculture Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, vice Farooq Ahmad Shah. Mohammad Saleem Shishgar, awaiting orders of posting in the GAD, has been posted as Secretary State Vigilance Commission.
G S Chib, Special Secretary General Administration Department has been transferred and posted as Director CAPD, Jammu Parvez Malik. Robin Singh Mehta, Director, Tourism Jammu has been transferred and posted as Additional Commissioner Jammu in the office of the Divisional Commissioner Jammu against an available vacancy.
Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Additional DDC Baramulla has been transferred and posted as Director Agriculture Kashmir vice Farooq Ahmad Lone. Asif Hameed Khan, Joint Director Tourism Mumbai has been transferred and posted as Additional Resident Commissioner New Delhi vice Abdul Majid Ganai. Soujanya Kumar Sharma, Executive Director Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society has been transferred and posted as Director Tourism Jammu vice Robin Singh Mehta. He will also hold the additional charge of the post of Executive Director Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society.
Tariq Hussain Ganai, awaiting orders of adjustment has been posted as Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority vice Mehmood Ahmad Shah. Mehmood Ahmad Shah, Chief Executive Officer Gulmarg Development Authority has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner Commercial Taxes (Vigilance & Inspection) Kashmir against available vacancy. Subash Chander Chibber, Additional Secretary Higher Education Department has been transferred and posted as Additional Secretary General Administration Department.

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 15: State Cabinet today gave nod to the introduction of four important bills in the State Legislature during the ongoing Budget Session and transfer of 18 mandatory functions of various departments to the Urban Local Bodies.
The bills, which received the approval of the Cabinet for introduction in State Legislature, are Jammu and Kashmir Private Security Agency (Regulation) Bill of Home Department, J&K Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill of Social Welfare Department, Bill for constitution of board for Shri Mata Sukhrala Devi Ji and Shri Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrines at Billawar and Jammu and Kashmir Golf Development and Management Authority Bill, authoritative sources told the EXCELSIOR.
Sources said that Cabinet has given nod to the transfer of 18 functions, functionaries and funds to the Urban Local Bodies of the State, which is mandatory for release of balance amount of Rs 367.64 crore under the JNNURM.
It is pertinent to mention here that pursuant to the agreement signed by the State Government with the Union Government for implementation of JNNURM, the Union Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation sanctioned 108 projects for an amount of Rs 1312.68 crore for the State. So far against the committed ACA of Rs 1139.36 crore, an amount of only Rs 771.71 crore has been released.
“Following the transfer of 18 functions, functionaries and funds to the Urban Local Bodies as approved by the Cabinet, the State would be able to get balance amount of Rs 367.64 crore from the Union Government”, sources said, adding “now formal orders will be issued for transfer of funds, functionaries and schemes including the plan allocation, centrally sponsored schemes and the concomitant assets of the connected departments on as it is whereas basis”.
In response to a question, sources said, “these 18 functions are presently being performed by various departments like PWD (roads), PHE (water supply), PDD (street lights) etc”.
About the J&K Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, sources said, “the Government intends to enact legislation as the J&K Juvenile Justice Act of 1997 is falling short of taking full care of rehabilitation of the juveniles”, adding “moreover the Government wants to have a legislation at par with National Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2006”.
Sources further said that the objective behind enacting new legislation is to lay down the basic principles for administering justice to a juvenile or the child, make the judicial system meant for a juvenile or the child more appropriative of the developmental needs in comparison to criminal justice system as applicable to adults, prescribe a uniform age of 18 years for both girls and boys, ensure speedy disposal of cases by the authorities within a time-limit of four months, spell out the role of the State as a facilitator rather than doer, create special juvenile police units with a humane approach through sensitization and training of police personnel and to provide effective provisions and various alternatives for rehabilitation and social integration of abandoned, destitute, neglected and juveniles in conflict with law.
About the bill regarding constitution of Board for Shri Mata Sukhrala Devi Ji and Shri Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrines at Billawar, sources said, “though the pilgrimage to these shrines is increasing every year, the facilities and infrastructure is insufficient to cater to the requirement of pilgrims”, adding “the Government wants to establish a Shrine Board on the lines of Shiv Khori Ji Shrine Board for better management, administration and governance of these shrines. Moreover, with the setting up of Shrine Board there would be judicious use of the offerings”.
At present, a management committee headed by Tehsildar Billawar is looking after the affairs of Shri Mata Sukhrala Devi Ji Shrine while as a committee headed by former MLA is taking care of the affairs of Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrine.
“The purpose behind enactment of legislation vis-à-vis private security agencies is aimed at regulating their functioning keeping in view the security ramifications”, sources said, adding “if enacted by the legislature the Government would be able to appoint controlling authority, which will regulate the functioning of private security agencies including registration and licensing etc”.
Moreover, under the legislation the Government would have powers to debar certain categories of persons from being eligible for obtaining license for running the private security agency, set up mechanism for renewal of licenses besides laying conditions and eligibility for the issuance of a license and being a security guard, sources said, adding imposing restrictions on private security guards on disclosure of information acquired while working in any establishment and imposing punishment for contravention of provisions contained in the license would also be the salient features of the legislation.
According to the sources, Cabinet also approved solar power policy prepared by the Science and Technology Department, creation of two Sub-Transmission Divisions-one each at Leh and Kargil, environment management and rehabilitation and resettlement plan for 850 MW Rattle Hydro Electric Project, implementation of the condition of local employment for providing incentive under the State Industrial Policy, 2004 and implementation of National Optical Fibre Network in the State besides creation of posts of Assistant Surgeons in the Prisons Wing of the Home Department, posts for Lolab-Bangus-Drangyari Development Authority, creation of posts for proper implementation of Food Safety and Standard Act, posts of various categories in the Neuro-Surgery, Anesthesia and Critical Care for Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar.

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 15: The Opposition MLAs of BJP, NPP and BJP breakaway group today protested in the Legislative Assembly against Pakistan National Assembly’s resolution passed yesterday on 2001 Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru and State Government’s failure to pay tributes to martyrs of Wednesday’s fidayeen attack at CRPF’s Bemina camp in Srinagar.
The NPP also vociferously took up the issue of what it called “unconstitutional allocation of funds’’ to National Conference workers in his Ramnagar Assembly segment by the Planning Minister. Trooping into the Well of the House, NPP leader Harshdev Singh tried to march towards the treasury benches but was prevented by the Marshals.
The agitated Opposition members wanted the Legislative Assembly to adopt a Resolution denouncing Pakistan National Assembly’s Resolution condemning execution of Afzal Guru and seeking return of his body to the family members.
However, Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni, who was in the Chair during the Question Hour, ruled that the Resolution has been passed by Pakistan and “we can’t do anything here’’.
“How the Government can reply to the Pakistan Resolution? This is a non-issue. A second country has adopted the Resolution’’, Mr Madni said as the Opposition members continued to shout slogans protesting the Resolution passed by Pakistan Parliament and the Government failure to visit the CRPF martyrs and pay last respects to them.
As there was no response from the treasury benches to Opposition’s demand for passing a Resolution against Pakistan’s National Assembly and the Government failure to pay last respects to the CRPF martyrs, the Opposition MLAs including those belonging to BJP, BJP’s breakaway group and NPP staged a walk-out in the Assembly shouting slogans like ‘Shaheedon Ka Apmaan Bandh Karo, Bandh Karo’ and ‘Shaheedon Ka Apmaan Naheen Sahega Hindustan’.
The Question Hour remained disrupted for over 25 minutes due to protest by the Opposition members in the House.
As soon as the House assembled for the day, NPP leader and former Minister Harshdev Singh was on his feet and charged the Planning Minister with releasing funds to National Conference workers in his constituency, which he described as “direct interference’’ in his Assembly segment.
“This wouldn’t be tolerated’’, he said.
Joined by two other NPP legislators Balwant Singh Mankotia and Yashpal Kundal, Mr Singh shouting ‘Chor Bazaari Bandh Karo’ and ‘Coalition Government Hai Hai’ trooped into Well of the House. He marched towards the treasury benches and grappled with the marshals, who tried to stop him.
“There is blatant abuse of public money. The public funds are being misused. The Government money is not personal property of the Minister’’, he said.
Mr Singh went atop his desk even as the Deputy Speaker advised him to take up the issue during grants of the Department but the NPP members continued to shout slogans like ‘Sarkari Khazane Ki Loot Khasoot Bandh Karo, Bandh Karo’ and ‘Chor Bazari Bandh Karo, Bandh Karo’.
In the meantime, all four BJP MLAs including Ashok Khajuria, Jugal Kishore, Sukhnandan Choudhary and Sham Choudhary were on their feet and wanted the Assembly to adopt Resolution denouncing Pakistan National Assembly Resolution passed yesterday on Afzal Guru in which they had condemned execution of Guru and sought return of his mortal remains to the family.
“What relation Pakistan has with Afzal Guru? Who they are to adopt resolution on Guru? This is an internal issue of India. Pakistan has no right to interfere in our own affairs’’, BJP MLAs Ashok Khajuria and Jugal Kishore shouted.
Taking the NC-Congress coalition Government to task, the BJP MLAs said while the NC legislators have been addressing Guru as ‘Saheb’, none of them has bothered to visit the CRPF martyrs and pay tributes to them even though they were killed while protecting citizens of the State in a fidayeen attack at Bemina, Srinagar on Wednesday,
“The Government shall feel ashamed for disrespecting the martyrs by not visiting them in Srinagar yesterday’’, the BJP MLAs said while shouting ‘Sharam Karo, Sharam Karo’ and ‘Shaheedon Ka Apmaan Naheen Sahenge, Naheen Sahenge’.
Jugal Kishore said the Government should apologise for not visiting the martyrs and adopt a Resolution condemning Pakistan Assembly.
“What is the difference between our Ministers and Pakistan? Our Ministers have been calling Guru as ‘Saheb’ while Pakistan has adopted a Resolution condemning execution of Guru. This is ridiculous’’, Mr Kishore said.
“They want to break Jammu and Kashmir’’, CPM MLA MY Tarigami remarked.
Hakim Yasin (PDF) said the Pakistan Resolution issue should be raised in the Parliament and not here in the Assembly.
Ashok Khajuria wanted to know why the Government was hesitant in condemning the Pakistan Parliament resolution.
The Deputy Speaker told the BJP MLAs that the Government can’t reply to the Pakistani resolution.
Later, the BJP breakaway group MLAs and NPP also joined the protests against Pakistan Resolution and disrespect shown to the martyrs by the Government.
“Shaheedon Ko Shardanjali Dene Koi Naheen Gaya (none went to pay tributes to the martyrs). This has demoralized the CRPF’’, Harshdev Singh said.
As the Chair repeatedly said that this was not an issue, BJP’s Ashok Khajuria remarked that this was an issue of 121 crore Indians and not “ours only’’.
After agitating on the issue for about 25 minutes, the BJP, BJP breakaway group and NPP MLAs staged a noisy walk-out in the Assembly shouting slogans.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly after the walk-out, BJP MLAs Ashok Khajuria and Jugal Kishore said the execution of Afzal Guru was an internal matter of India and Pakistan has no right to interfere in it.
“Pakistan has not only been spreading terrorism in the country but was also provoking the youth to join it’’, they said and warned that the people of India including those of Jammu and Kashmir wouldn’t allow the Pakistani designs to succeed.
Jammu State Morcha (JSM) MLA Ashwani Sharma, who was not present in the Assembly during protests, said outside later that Pakistan should be declared a terrorist country,
“Pakistan Army first took the head of one of our jawan. Now they have interfered into our internal matters by passing a Resolution on Afzal Guru. The Government of India should take stern action against Pakistan’’, Mr Sharma said.
NPP leader Harshdev Singh said all ties should be suspended with Pakistan for its interference into India’s internal affairs. He also charged the Ministers of State Government with interfering into his constituency by releasing funds for the party workers in “blatant abuse of authority’’. He said he would continue to disrupt the House till the Ministers mend their ways.

Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Mar 15: In a major breakthrough, police investigators have found involvement of 15 people in Bemina Fidayeen attack who were either directly or indirectly involved in it and have arrested 4 of them so far, sources said here.
Five CRPF men were killed, 10 people were injured including 6 CRPF men and police eliminated two Fidayeen who carried out the attack in Bemina locality on Srinagar Bypass.
Sources told Excelsior that so far police have arrested 4 persons including a Pakistani national Abu Talha in the Bemina Fidayeen attack case. The investigators have established that the group was specially trained for carrying out strikes.
Police got first break through on the very first day of the Fidayeen attack after they arrested Bashir Ahmad Mir who was picked up by Special Operations Group of police hours after the attack on the CRPF camp at Bemina. Bashir, resident of Uri in district Baramulla was a militant and later surrendered and was working for the security agencies.
Sources said that Mir had helped the Fidayeen to enter Srinagar city from North Kashmir. “The Bemina attack Fidayeen have stayed in Baramulla, Palhalan and Tangmarg areas of North Kashmir before landing in Chattabal area of Srinagar for launching the attack”, sources added.
Mir was arrested by police after tracking down his mobile number which was listed in the diary of the killed Fidayeen and the SIM card that was recovered from the dead Fidayeen. Mir’s questioning led to the arrest of a Pakistani militant, Abu Talha from Chattabal area of the city yesterday.
Sources said that Police have detained one Pradeep Singh, a Government employee of Kansipora Baramulla as his name also figured in the investigations. Singh has already been on the security agency radar for past several months for his alleged links with the militants. He has provided logistics to these Fidayeen, sources added.
A former militant from Palhalan area of Pattan in district Baramulla has also been arrested for his alleged role in providing logistics to the Fidayeen. He has reportedly been arrested from Shaheen Gunj area of Srinagar.
Meanwhile, police have conducted post mortem and has taken DNA samples of the dead Fidayeen today. They were handed over to Masjid Committee Nowgam for burial, sources added.
The SDPO West, Rajive Pandey is investigating the case under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Central Kashmir Afadul Mujtaba.
In the meantime sources said that a group of few suspected Fidayeen launched from the Neelam Valley in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) have reportedly entered Kashmir valley a month ago to carry out Fidayeen strikes here.
Two of them were killed when they targeted Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men in Srinagar on Wednesday killing 5 CRPF men and injured 10 others while one was arrested from Chattabal area of Srinagar yesterday.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: Army today captured a Myanmar national from Army Cantonment area and handed him over to police due to his suspicious activities.
He had disclosed his identity to Army as Rahentula, 26, son of Kal Miyan R/o Dhuli Jawala, district Sohyaja, Myanmar.
Army PRO Col RK Palta said alert jawans of the Army observed movement of a civilian intruder in Army Cantonment area when he jumped the wall inside the Cantonment at 6.30 pm. He was captured and quizzed but couldn’t give satisfactory answer except for disclosing his identity.
Army found 100 takas of Bangladesh from his possession.
He disclosed that he had come here 10 days back and was working as casual labourer.
“Nothing could be ruled out at this stage”, Col Palta said when asked as to whether the intruder was a suspect.
He added that the intruder has been handed over to Gandhi Nagar police station for further investigations.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 15: GOC 15 Corps Lt General Om Prakash called on Governor N. N. Vohra, at Raj Bhavan here today.
During an hour long meeting, the GOC briefed the Governor about certain important aspects related to border management in the context of the increasing attempts being made by Pakistan to enhance infiltration across the LoC.
Gen Prakash also informed the Governor about the role being played by the Army in supporting the State and Central Police Forces in dealing with militant activities in various parts of the Valley. The Governor stressed the importance of effective coordination among all the Forces, particularly in the context of the stepping up of subversive activities.
In a separate meeting, the Governor was also briefed by the senior most officers of the Central Intelligence Agencies.

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 15: For the second consecutive day today, curfew in Srinagar and major towns of Kashmir paralysed life in the Valley while at least one dozen protestors and half a dozen security force personnel were injured in clashes that broke out after Friday prayers.
Srinagar and major towns of Kashmir valley remained under strict curfew for second day today after the killing of a man in Srinagar’s old city area in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) firing on Wednesday. Barring few incidents of stone pelting and protests after Friday prayers situation across Kashmir valley remained peaceful.
Curfew was imposed in Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Sopore, Pulwama, Pampore, Awantipora, Tral, Anantnag, Bijbehara, Mattan, Kulgam and Shopian towns on Wednesday as authorities apprehended trouble in Kashmir valley in the aftermath of killing of a man in Srinagar.
Altaf Ahmad, a close associate of Speaker of the Assembly, Mubarak Gul and worker of ruling National Conference was killed as CRPF men fired after they came under stone pelting attack in Zoonimar area of Srinagar on Wednesday.
Major roads across Kashmir were blocked with steel barricades and coils of concertina razor wire to prevent any movement of vehicles and people. However, in Civil lines areas of Srinagar police deployed at the barricades allowed movement of people and vehicles who were facing emergencies.
Reports of protests amid clashes between protestors were received from Kupwara and Langate in north Kashmir with forces resorting to baton charge and tear smoke shelling to disperse the protestors and stone peltors.
Peaceful protests were reported from Natnoosa Langate, Kralpora, Lalpora, Trehgam and Rafiabad. Clashes broke at Langate in which half dozen protestors including SHO Handwara Shakeel Ahmad and one dozen policemen were injured.
Clashes also broke out at Cement and Chattipadshai Bridges in Baramulla and Chinkipora and Patapora Sopore between protesters and security forces.
People at Muran Chowk and Rajpora in South Kashmir district held protest demonstrations against the arrest of local youth Asraarullah of Dangerpora Pulwama.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon said that the situation across the Valley remained largely peaceful and under control. “No curfew will be imposed on Saturday. But restrictions will be put in place in downtown area”, he added.
Meanwhile police today arrested Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani from his Hyderpora residence and was lodged at Humhama police station.
Meanwhile, Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberations Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik continue to remain under strict house detention at their respective residences.

NEW DELHI, Mar 15:
The time is “not right” for the removal of AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir, Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh said today emphasising that any decision on this “should not be politicised”.
“We only make recommendations. If I was to be asked, I would say that the time is not right at the moment to tamper with this enabling act. We should not take away AFSPA at this juncture,” he said when asked to comment on the issue.
The Army Chief, who was speaking at the ‘India Today’ conclave was asked to comment on Union Minister Farooq Abdullah’s demand for repeal of the AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) from the State.
There have been similar demands voiced by his son and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, other political leaders and separatists in the Valley.
“It is important to observe the situation and it is important to understand the security contours of the situation before we take a decision. The decision should be a pragmatic one, it should be in national interest and it should not be politicised,” he said.
Gen Singh said the Indian Army was working for strengthening the hands of the State Government and the day it feels it can handle the situation on its own, “then period. Go ahead”.
The Army Chief observed that the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC) was still intact. One of the terrorists killed in the Tuesday attack on CRPF troops in Srinagar was of Pakistani origin and a number of external factors were “impinging” on the security environment in the State, he said.
“This decision (on AFSPA) has to be taken in the backdrop of violence profile, in the backdrop of what can happen in future, in the backdrop of futuristic contours. We have to be very confident that it does not relapse. We shall not be left in a position of disadvantage,” Gen Singh said.
On suggestions that the Army was not listening to the Government on the issue as Finance Minister had stated that the Government wants the law to go but Army has objections on it, he said, “If a decision is taken by the Government, we are ready to relocate.”
Replying to a query whether the Army did not want to move out of the counter-insurgency roles, Gen Singh said, “We are losing our officers and men day in and day out. We are not there for fun.
“We are there as the nation wants us to be there. We are not getting fun out of dying. We are there because we are mandated to do so.”
He said it was seen that when the conditions are not good, “no one says anything but whenever things are improving in the counter-insurgency operations, you will find that there is anti-army rhetoric.”
The Army Chief said the force was not in the State for any “army centric” agenda and was performing its tasks in the national interest.
The Army, he said, did not want to be involved in internal security operations for very long.
In the recent past, political outfits in the State and its Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have been advocating the removal of the controversial act from some parts of the State but the Army has been in opposition to this demand.
The Army also made it clear to Pakistan that it cannot keep the tap of exporting terrorism to India open and hope for confidence-building measures (CBMs) with it.
“They are bleeding us and you want us to shake hands with you at the military level. I think that is not done. We got to be fair and there has to be level-playing field,” Gen Singh said and accused the neighbour of having “double standards” when it says that terrorists were not under its control and conceals them as non-state actors.
“The term CBM has got to be preceded by addressing trust deficit. You cannot talk of these things for endless years the way the things are going on. You cannot afford to keep open this tap of exporting terrorism to India. You have to check that and only then we can move forward,” he said.
The Army Chief was answering queries at the India Today conclave about the Army being opposed to the CBMs between India and Pakistan.
Gen Singh said “things can improve” if Pakistan tells India that it can come and take stock of terror infrastructure there.
“You cannot have double standards. You say they are not in our control but yet we have non-state actors. They are bleeding us and you want us to shake hands with you at the military level. I think that is not done. We got to be fair and there has to be level-playing field.
The Army Chief said any decision on the CBMs has to be preceded by both the armies addressing trust deficit.
“This is something we have to do because we cannot be talking of something else and doing something else,” he said.
He cited the example of Pakistan Army’s double speak during Kargil war where first it disowned its troops present in Indian territory only to later say that its officers had ventured into Indian territory during that time.
“Let us be sensitive to each other’s aspirations, let us go ahead with civility,” he said referring to the issue of beheading of an Indian soldier by Pakistani troops.
The Army Chief also made it clear that Indian troops had not crossed over to the Pakistan side of the LoC on January 6.
“We have not crossed over anywhere as alleged by Pakistan Army on January 6 to carry out any operation across the LoC. And it (the allegation) was done to justify and legitimise what was done on 8th. The issue is that these can be handled at local level…. Beheading has to be condemned. That is not done,” he said.
To a query that Governments of India and Pakistan are close to agreement on Siachin but the Army was opposing it, he said, “Please understand it is our area and it is strategically important. Why are we talking about giving our own area to somebody. It defies logic.”
On giving more role to women in the Army, he said 200 more avenues have been opened in the force for them as per a study ordered by him.
The Army Chief said the women were “strong and robust” and 200 new slots would be given to them.Gen Singh said in the last 65 years, the Army has lost 22,443 men and officers in different wars fought by the country and they have to be given their due by the nation.
To queries on China, the Chief said the Army was prepared and “will not let any asymmetry” affect it.
He said the proposed Mountain Strike Corps was in final stages of being cleared by the Government and it will be a capability which the force wants as part of its modernisation. (PTI)