Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 21: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today gave a detailed briefing to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on security scenario prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir, mainly the Kashmir Valley, in the aftermath of execution of 2001 Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru’s execution in Tihar jail on February 9.
This was second one-to-one meeting between Dr Singh and Omar during past about 20 days. The Chief Minister had met Dr Singh for about an hour on January 31 discussing financial and other requirements of the State.
Reliable sources told the Excelsior that the Prime Minister took detailed briefing on Kashmir situation from the Chief Minister during past 12 days after Afzal Guru was hanged. They said the briefing was necessitated as budget session of the Parliament got underway today with President’s Address to joint session of the two Houses.
The UPA Government headed by Dr Singh felt that some political parties could raise the issue of Afzal Guru’s secret hanging without informing his family in Sopore and burial of his body in Tihar jail.
Since the execution of Guru, some parts of the Kashmir Valley have been witnessing disturbances with several towns observing shutdown, protesters engaging police and para-military with stone pelting and senior separatists kept under house arrest. Today again, authorities had to impose curfew like restrictions in Srinagar and other major towns of the Valley to ward off any fresh trouble after Friday prayers tomorrow.
Sources said the Prime Minister needed a detailed briefing from the Chief Minister not only on security scenario prevailing in the Valley but other aspects pertaining to execution of Guru as the UPA geared up to face some tough questions from few Opposition parties on the secret hanging, which has been questioned by various legal luminaries and academicians including Fali S Nariman.
While budget session of Parliament began today with President’s Address, the budget session of the State Legislature is starting on February 28 with Governor’s Address to joint session of Legislature. Omar Abdullah led National Conference-Congress coalition Government was already expecting major trouble in the Assembly from principle Opposition party, the PDP and some other parties and Independents on the secret execution of Guru.
Sources said the UPA Government had to take a stand in the Parliament on the execution of Afzal Guru in response to queries of some Opposition parties. Various Opposition parties in addition to legal luminaries like Fali S Nariman and academicians including Janata Dal (United), an ally of NDA, have questioned the secret hanging of the Parliament attack convict.
Sources added that the UPA Government wanted to be abreast with the situation in the Kashmir Valley not only to face the Parliament but also take necessary steps and help the State Government to ensure that it didn’t go out of control like 2010 summer unrest.
The Chief Minister, however, apprised the Prime Minister that situation has been handled with utmost restraint with people being allowed to hold peaceful protests. He told Dr Singh that para-military CRPF and police have been directed not to use excessive force against the protesters.
It may be mentioned here that three persons had died in initial days of protests while thereafter the para-military and police have handled the protests with restraint.
The Chief Minister is understood to have apprised the Prime Minister that the State Government has forwarded request of Afzal Guru’s family to the Union Home Ministry through official channels for return of his body, which was buried in Tihar jail after execution.
He reportedly apprised Dr Singh of the sentiments of the people that body of Guru should be handed over to his family for performing last rites. The situation that could arise in the event of handing over the body of Guru to his family in Sopore was also discussed, sources said.
A day after the execution, Omar, in interviews to electronic media channels, had criticized the Government for not informing the family of Guru about the hanging and instead using speed post for the purpose. He had said that present generation of Kashmir might not identify itself with Maqbool Bhat but they would definitely identify them with Afzal Guru.
The Prime Minister had openly snubbed Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde for not informing the family of Guru in advance about his execution. He had expressed his displeasure to the Home Minister on the issue.
Omar Abdullah was also expecting stormy budget session in the State on the issue of Guru’s execution especially with main Opposition, the PDP and some other parties going all out to take on the Governments—both Centre and State—on the issue.
Sources said the Chief Minister also utilized his meeting with the Prime Minister for again raising financial requirements of the State including a healthy annual plan for next financial year, release of pending plan amount for current fiscal, sanction of Phase-II of Prime Minister’s Re-construction Plan (PMRP) and funding under other Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
This was second one-to-one meeting between Dr Singh and Omar in just about last 20 days. On January 31, Omar had met Dr Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde while on February 1, he had called on Finance Minister P Chidambaram projecting financial needs of the State, both in short and long terms.

HYDERABAD, Feb 21:
Terror struck Hyderabad killing 12 people and injuring 84 others tonight when two powerful near simultaneous blasts ripped through a crowded area close to a cluster of bus stands in Dilsukhnagar area.
The blasts triggered by Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) tied to two bicyles took place in the peak hour at two sites 100 metres apart outside a roadside eatery near Konark and Venkatadiri theatres in the area located on the Hyderabad-Vijaywada national highway in Cyberabad police limits.
A woman was among the 12 dead, said State DGP Dinesh Reddy, who said it was “definitely the handiwork of a terrorist network.” Reddy said IEDs were used in the attack.
Union Home Secretary R K Singh said the near two simultaneous very powerful blasts indicate that it was a “terror attack”.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kirankumar Reddy said five-six of the injured were serious.
The twin blasts, described as dastardly by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh who announced a Rs two lakh exgratia to the kin of each of the victims, triggered a stampede-like situation with people trying to scamper for safety as it left a bloody trail.
The scene wore a gory look with severed body parts lying around. Footwear and various other objects were also seen indicating the desperation of the victims and the injured to flee the spot.
The Dilsukhnagar area is thickly populated and traffic jams are routine in the evenings with officegoers and students rushing home. Large numbers of people wait at the numerous bus shelters, eateries and shops in the area.
Eight people were killed in the first blast that took place at 6.58 PM near Konark theatre and three in the second that followed three minutes later.
Shinde said two bombs were placed within a distance of 100 to 150 metres and placed in two bicycles.
The injured have been rushed to various hospitals by ambulances and police and bomb disposal squads swung into action and began searches.
Shinde, who is likely to visit Hyderabad tomorrow, spoke of some intelligence inputs for the last two days which was shared with all the states but there was no specific information “like this”, referring to the terror strike.
Official sources said a general alert was issued for two consecutive days from February 19 to all major cities suggesting a possible attack by Pakistani-based terror groups to avenge the hangings of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and Mumbai attack convict Ajmal Kasab.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts, saying those behind the dastardly act will not go unpunished.
A team of National Security Guards(NSG) was being rushed to Hyderabad.
The previous major attack in Hyderabad was on August 25, 2007 when two blasts took place almost simultaneously in which 42 people were killed. The first blast was in Lumbini amusement park followed by another at an eating joint.
In the same year, there was a blast at the famous Mecca Masjid in which nine people were killed.
Union Home Secretary R K Singh said a NSG team headed for Hyderabad from Delhi by a BSF aircraft. A team of NIA hub stationed in Hyderabad has also rushed to the spot.
Singh said no group has taken responsibility yet.
There were reports that the bomb blast could be heard two to three kms away from the site of the explosion.
Sources in the state-run Osmania General Hospital said of the around 30 injured people admitted some of them were in a serious condition. They said three bodies were received brought dead.
Official sources said 14 blast victims were admitted to private Yashoda Hospital at Malakpet. In another private hospital, 18 injured persons were admitted.
S A Huda, Additional DGP (law and order), said the bomb blasts occurred at two places both in the Dilsukhnagar area falling within the Cyberabad Commissionerate.
Heart rending scenes were seen at the hospital as blood soaked injured persons, some of them grievously, were being treated amid wails of their relatives.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Home Minister P Sabita Reddy also rushed to the spot. The chief minister described the attack as an “act of cowards”.
The Dilsukhnagar area witnessed a blast in 2002 near a famous Saibaba temple in which two persons were killed and over 20 injured. (PTI)

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 21: Finally, President of India, Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) have cleared the appointment of five new Judges of State High Court and warrants of appointment are likely to be issued within next few days. These Judges would be administered oath by the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Justice M M Kumar next week.
Highly placed sources told EXCELSIOR that State High Court has received a communication from the Union Law and Justice Ministry that President of India and PMO have cleared the appointment of five new Judges of the High Court namely Bansi Lal Bhat, Special Judge CBI Court, Jammu, Janak Raj Kotwal, Member J&K Special Tribunal, Jammu (both from Judges quota), Senior Additional Advocate General, Ali Mohammad Magray, Senior High Court lawyers Dheeraj Singh Thakur and Tashi Rabstan (from Bar quota).
“Union Law and Justice Ministry would forward notification as well as warrants of appointment to the High Court as well as State Government within next few days following which Raj Bhawan would be approached for formal directions for administration of oath”, sources said, adding “generally Governor authorizes Chief Justice to administer oath to the Judges of the High Court, which in the case of five new Judges is likely next week”.
The exercise to fill up the vacant posts of Judges was set in motion in the month of June, 2012 when the Collegium of the State High Court headed by the then Chief Justice had recommended the names for the vacant posts. Later, the names were cleared by the Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice of India, Justice Altamas Kabir in November last year following which the file was forwarded to the Union Law Ministry for seeking the consent of Prime Minister’s Office and President of India.
With the filling up of five vacant posts, the strength of Judges in State High Court will increase from existing 7 to 12 against the total sanctioned strength of 14.
It would be after a long time that J&K High Court would be having 12 Judges against the sanctioned strength of 14 including the Chief Justice. The sanctioned strength includes 9 Permanent Judges and five Additional Judges. Presently, there are seven Judges of the State High Court including Chief Justice.
These are Chief Justice M M Kumar, Justice Virender Singh, Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir, Justice Jai Pal Singh, Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Hasnain Massodi.
The filling up of five vacant posts of High Court Judges would go a long way in bringing down pendency of cases, sources said, adding presently thousands of cases are pending in Jammu and Srinagar wings of the High Court because of shortage of Judges.

NEW DELHI, Feb 21:
President Pranab Mukherjee today said the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the North East has shown a perceptible improvement.
“The number of tourists visiting Jammu and Kashmir has increased from 8.99 lakh in 2011 to 12.37 lakh in 2012. Compared with 2011, the number of fatalities in incidents of terrorist violence in 2012 declined by nearly half,” Mr Mukherjee said addressing the joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session.
The President said the Government has accorded high priority to border management.
“In addition to the work of border fencing, roads and floodlighting along the borders with Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar, Government has decided to undertake the construction of 509 additional border outposts along the Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Pakistan border. The Integrated Check Post at Attari was operationalised in April 2012,” he said.
Mr Mukherjee said some part of the country witnessed communal incidents. In July 2012, violence took place in some districts of Assam in which about 100 persons were killed.
“In order to control the violence,adequate Army and para-military forces were deployed. The State Government set up relief camps and provided basic amenities to the affected people,” the President said.
He added that the Centre announced a package of Rs 300 crore for relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Mr Mukherjee said the government was determined to thwart any attempt at disturbing the communal peace and harmony.
“Incidents of Left wing extremist violence have shown a declining trend. The number of deaths in Naxal violence declined from 611 in 2011 to 414 in 2012,” he said.
The President maintained that the Centre was committed to dealing with Left wing extremism in a comprehensive manner.
He said the Congress-led UPA Government has taken several steps to tackle Naxal violence.
“…A new scheme for construction and strengthening of 400 police stations have been started in the affected areas. The first phase of the plan for improving road connectivity in 34 most affected districts at a cost of Rs 7,300 crore is likely to be completed by March 2015,” the President added.
Mukherjee called upon Pakistan not to do anything that could deepen the trust deficit between the two countries.
With memories of recent unfortunate incidents at LoC still fresh, the President sought to underline that India was committed to taking forward the procress of normalisation of relations with Pakitsan, but wanted reciprocity from the other side too.
“It is also important that Pakistan abides by its commitments and desists from acts that contribute to the trust deficit,” he said.
The process of normalisation of relations had received a setback last month when Pakistani troops violated ceasfire at LoC and brutalised the bodies of two soldiers killed in the firing.
Mr Mukherjee said that India attached highest importance to the relations with its immediate neighbours.
He pointed that with Pakitsan, there had been progress in strengthening mechanisms for bilateral trade and facilitating greater people to people to contact, and expressed the country’s commitment to work further to reduce the trust deficit, expecting the same from the neighbour.
Mukherjee dropped hints of hard decisions in the coming days in the wake of difficult economic situation and steps required to accelerate growth.
Expressing concern over the persisting difficult economic conditions, Mr Mukherjee, a former Finance Minister,noticed that the Government was taking steps to revive growth and indicated that some hard decisions might have to be taken to put the economy back on rails.
Mr Mukherjee’s observations at the joint sitting of the Parliament on the opening day of the budget session virtually gave indications of harder measures in the coming budget, though it is likely be the last budget of the UPA-11 as general elections are due in early 2014.
Mr Mukherjee observed that the past year has been a difficult one for the economy.
“Europe is in recession, while market economies’ growth is slowing down. There is a need to address the impact of growth hurdles,”the President said.
The 12th plan, he pointed out, had indicated that growth would depend on the extent to which the Government was able to take difficult decisions.
Noting that the real GDP grew only by 5.4 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal, Mr Mukherjee said the Government was taking steps to deal with factors responsible for the slowdown.
While stating that inflation was easing slowly, he recognised that it was still a problem.
The President also said because of the steps taken by the Government, there has been moderation in core inflation and recovery in growth was likely.
He said a target had been set for containing the current year’s fiscal deficit at 5.3 per cent of the GDP.
Touching on the issue of corruption amid growing clamour on various scams, Mr Mukherjee said the Central Government was committed to greater transparency, probity, integrity and accountability in governance.
With memories of the brutal gangrape of a girl in Delhi still fresh, the President stressed the commitment of improving the safety and security of women in the country.
The President said the Government has taken several measures to revive investor confidence.
“One significant step has been the rollout of direct cash transfer scheme which will complement subsidy schemes,” the President said, adding the scheme will help cut down leakages and assist beneficiaries.
The President said several measures have been taken by the Government to tackle the menace of corruption.
“Government attaches priority to the enactment of legislation proposed in the Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill, the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials and Officials of Public International Organisations Bill, Citizens’ Right to Grievance Redress Bill, and the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, which already stand introduced in Parliament,” the President said.
He added that the Government was also considering amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act to punish the guilty and protect the honest public servants more effectively.
The President said the Government was committed to take steps to improve the safety and security of women and children.
“The Government has taken a series of measures to improve safety and security of women in the country,” the President said.
He said Government has begun to implement a series of administrative measures to improve safety and security of women in the country.
The President said after considering the recommendations of the Justice J S Verma committee, the Government has promulgated an ordinance, amending the criminal law to provide for stringent punishment for heinous sexual offences against women.
The President said to ensure a safe and secure environment for women in work places, the Government introduced the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2012 in Parliament.
“The Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha,”the President said.
He said the National Mission for the Empowerment of women will implement a pilot project in public hospitals in 100 districts, called ‘One Stop Crisis Centre’, a specialised facility for providing all necessary services for women subjected to violence . (UNI)

Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Feb 21: In a major initiative aimed at improving healthcare services in the State, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad has sanctioned funds for procurement of 200 new ambulances for Jammu and Kashmir.
Besides, the Health Ministry has also provided nearly Rs 12 crore for purchase of latest equipment for District Hospital Doda and Sub-District Hospital Bhaderwah under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).
The decision was taken after the State Health Minister; Shabir Ahmad Khan expressed urgent need for these ambulances in a high level meeting in New Delhi to improve health services in the State.
While giving sanction for Rs 14 crore for procurement of these ambulances, Mr Azad directed for rational deployment of the newly sanctioned ambulances in far off and accident prone areas as per need and requirement.
“I hope that the newly sanctioned ambulances will be procured by the State Government efficiently and expeditiously so that they are made available to the people by next month. With 200 new ambulances in its stock, the State must try to operationalize 102 ambulances service at the earliest as that will facilitate smooth transfer of patients, particularly pregnant women and trauma cases, to the nearest health facility without any delay,” Mr Azad said.
Sources stated that the existing fleets of ambulances in State were either inadequate or outmoded. With the result, patients suffering from different ailments, who were in need of referral to health facilities, faced lot of hassles and hardships.
“The decision assumed great significance in a hilly State like Jammu and Kashmir, where the graph of people dying due to accidents is on the rise and therefore, the need for new ambulances was being persistently felt”, sources asserted.
Dwelling over the sanction accorded to nearly Rs 12 crore under NRHM, the Union Minister said, “the funds have been earmarked for purchase of latest equipment to District Hospital, Doda and Sub- District Hospital, Bhaderwah. The concerned departments can purchase the equipment like CT Scan, Ventilators, Operating Surgical Laparoscope, Ultrasound Machine, Anesthesia Machine and Operation Table (Hydraulic with Remote Control)”.
The Union Minister also assured the State Health Minister, Shabir Khan that the demand of equipments for other hospitals will also be considered in due course as per feasibility and availability of resources during the next financial year.
Confirming the meeting and release of funds for the State, Minister for Health Shabir Khan told EXCELSIOR that he had apprised the Union Minister of urgent medicare needs and requirements of people of the State especially those living in far off and hilly parts.
While pleading the case of State for better health care network in State, the State Health Minister said, “we asked for opening of at least 100 new Sub-centres in far off and hilly pockets of the State this year as no such centre had been granted for the past some time. We actually need as many as 700 of them across the State and the total expense of the same would be around Rs 3.5 crore”, he said adding, “the motive is to make the health care services accessible to residents of the State. The objective is that people suffering from ailments should have health care available within one hour of travel time”.
The State Health Minister said, “we have also projected requirement of Referral Transport and Vehicle Tracking and Management system, which will be fitted with inbuilt health equipment along with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and the total cost involved is nearly Rs 2 crore. These Vehicles will be monitored by two Control Rooms – one each in Jammu and Srinagar”, adding, “in case of an eventuality the ambulance located in the vicinity would be immediately redirected to move to the place, where untoward incident has taken place”.
Mr. Khan also demanded construction of two drug houses one each for Jammu and Kashmir division. He also submitted a plan proposal worth Rs. 14 crore to the Union Minister containing health care facilities for Amarnath Ji Yatris during this year’s yatra.

NEW DELHI, Feb 21:
Terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba were involved along with Pakistani soldiers in the killing of two Indian soldiers, one of whom was beheaded, in a cross-LoC attack last month.
This information was given by the officials of the Defence Ministry and the Army to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence today, sources told reporters.
In their presentation, the officials told the Committee that the killing and beheading was carried out by Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG) and terrorists from LeT and JeM were part of the operation, the sources said.
On January 8, Lance Naiks Hemraj and Sudhakar Singh were killed by the Border Action Team after crossing the LoC in Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The attackers beheaded Hemraj and took away his head. Sudhakar Singh’s body was also mutilated by them.
During the meeting, some members of the Committee sought to know from the officials about the steps taken by the Army and the Government to bring back the head of Hemraj.
The Committee was informed that various efforts were being undertaken including through diplomatic channels to press Pakistan to return the head of the soldier with dignity under established military laws and international conventions.
The Committee was also informed about the present security situation along the LoC and the steps taken by the Army there, the sources said.
The Committee was also told about the number of incidents of beheading that have taken place along the LoC in the past.
Following the incident, there were several ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army.
The situation calmed down after the second round of talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations of the two sides. (PTI)

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Feb 21: Indefinite curfews like restrictions have been imposed in parts of Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir valley on the occasion of Friday tomorrow while chairman of Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, who arrived here this afternoon, was put under house arrest.
The Authorities have imposed restrictions to prevent any violence on the occasion of Friday congregations in Srinagar city and in other major towns as hardline faction of Hurriyat Conference had called for protests across Kashmir valley in favour of return of the body of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru who was hanged early this month and his body was buried in Tihar Jail.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Baseer Ahmad Khan, said here: “In view of law and order situation and to avoid breach of peace and tranquility and damage to life and property, restrictions have been imposed on the movement of public and transport.”
“These restrictions will be under Section 144 CrPC in the jurisdiction of the police stations of Rainawari, Khanyar Nowhatta, Safa Kadal, S.R. Gunj, Zadibal, Soura, Maisuma, Kralkhud, Shaheed Gunj and Batmaloo of district Srinagar from midnight February 21, 2013 with immediate effect till further orders”, he added.
The Deputy Commissioner has directed the SSP, Srinagar, Ashiq Bukhari, to implement this order in letter and spirit.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Farooq Ahmad Shah said that restrictions have been imposed in Anantnag, Mattan and Bijbehara townships of the district on the movement of people and transport to maintain peace in these areas.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Ghulam Ahmad Khawaja and Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Khurshid Ahmad Shah have also imposed restrictions on the movement of people and transport in the major towns and district headquarters of Baramulla and Budgam under Section 144 CrPC tomorrow.
Similar restrictions were imposed by the Deputy Commissioners’ of Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal, Bandipora and Kupwara districts in their major towns to prevent any violence in these areas.
In the meantime, there was a mixed response to the strike called by the hardline Hurriyat Conference in support of the demand for handing over the body of Afzal Guru.
Geelani, who is under house arrest in Delhi, had called for three day strike in Kashmir to press for the return of Guru’s body to his family. Geelani had called for complete civil curfew on Wednesday and Thursday, while a shutdown after Friday prayers followed by peaceful protests.
The shops and business establishments in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, old city area remained closed, while in most the shops were open in other parts the Valley.
The public transport remained off the roads in most of the major towns of the Valley. However, some of the private cars were plying in Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir valley.
In Srinagar, outskirts and parts of Civil Lines area, life was near normal as the strike call failed to evoke much of a response in these areas. Majority of the shops were open.
The Government offices and banks in Kashmir valley remained open. However, majority of the employees faced difficulties in reaching their offices due to lack of public transport.
Hundreds of policemen donning riot gear were deployed in the sensitive areas in Srinagar and other towns to thwart any possible protest. However, in Srinagar’s old city areas, the authorities had kept minimum presence of police and para-military forces in the streets. There were no reports of any protests or clashes from old city area. However, shops were closed and hardly few private cars were seen plying in the old city.
A police spokesman said here that situation remained peaceful across the Valley today. “Traffic was partially plying in most of the towns including Srinagar city”, the spokesman added.
He said that today miscreants pelted stones on private and Government vehicles in Kulgam town injuring four persons including a Divisional Forest Officer. “Many vehicles were damaged in the incident including a SRTC Bus bearing registration number JK01Y/0034 and a Car bearing registration number JK03/9873. Kulgam police registered a case FIR Number 38/2013 under Section 307, 147,148,427/RPC in this regard”, the spokesman added.
Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, who arrived in Srinagar this afternoon, was whisked away by Police from Srinagar International Airport and taken to Nageen Police Station. He was immediately shifted to his home and put under house arrest. A large contigent of police was guarding his house and the lanes leading towards his house were sealed with concertina razor wire.
Mirwaiz who was put under house arrest in Delhi on February 9 soon after the hanging of Afzal Guru was allowed to travel to Srinagar today. He was to address a joint session of Hurriyat’s General and Executive council at Hurriyat Conference followed by a press conference and visit to Guru’s family in North Kashmir.
A Hurriyat Conference spokesman denounced his house arrest and restrictions on his movement, snapping his communications.
Mirwaiz said that in the wake of the current situation, the future strategy to move forward would be devised only after taking suggestions from all the constituents of the conglomerate.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) would set the process of registration of pilgrims for this year’s annual pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Amarnath ji in South Kashmir Himalayas from March 18 increasing number of banks, who would issue ‘Yatra Permits’ to the pilgrims from two to five and registration counters from 276 to 422 for convenience of the pilgrims countrywide.
Previously, only Jammu and Kashmir Bank had been registering Shri Amarnath pilgrims while during past couple of years, the SASB had also incorporated YES Bank, a private sector bank in the list of pilgrims’ registration. Last year, some Cooperative Bank had also registered the yatris.
This year, the SASB has added State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB) and HDFC Bank, who have also been authorized to register the pilgrims for Shri Amarnath yatra, which would start on June 28 from both Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) routes and conclude on August 21 on the occasion of Sharavan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
All five banks including two in private sectors (YES Bank and HDFC) would designate branches countrywide with fixed quota for registration of the pilgrims from March 18. A maximum of 8.80 lakh pilgrims could be registered for 55 days long pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath ji shrine, located at a height of 13,500 feet from sea level in Anantnag district of the Kashmir Valley.
While 7500 pilgrims would be registered for one day on each track—Baltal and Nunwan—another 1000 would be registered per day for aerial pilgrimage from both the routes, totaling 16,000 a day.
The Banks and the States have been allotted quota of registration.
However, in a major decision, the SASB has already decided to discontinue the process of on-line registration as the pilgrims had grossly misused the facility last year.
The Shrine Board has increased number of registration counters across the country from last year’s 276 to 422 this year, which would help the pilgrims to register themselves at their nearest destinations. Almost all major cities would have the registration counters.
Meanwhile, SASB Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Navin K Choudhary said that that the pilgrims can have full details of all registration centres from the Board’s website www.shriamarnathjishrine.com. He added that the registration counters have covered all States and Union Territories.
A decision to commence registration of yatra from March 18 was taken during an extensive review meeting of the yatra arrangements held under the chairmanship of Governor NN Vohra, SASB chairman, and attended by Mr Choudhary and Additional CEO SASB Preet Pal Singh.
The SASB has directed the Banks to ensure that no pilgrim was issued ‘Yatra Permit’ without Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC), whose format has been circulated by the Union Health Ministry and the State Health Department to all States and UTs and can also be downloaded from the SASB website.
The pilgrims would require to submit a duly filled application form, CHC and Rs 30 fee for handling charges.
Worthwhile to mention that the CHC issued by authorized doctors and Medical Institutes, approved by the States and the UTs, would only be valid. The health certificate must have been issued after March 1. The Shrine Board has already barred the persons below the age of 13 and above the age of 75 besides ladies with above six weeks pregnancy from undertaking the yatra.
Sources said no pilgrim would be allowed to cross ‘Access Control Fates’ at Domel and Chandanwari on the twin tracks without ‘Yatra Permit’. For every week, there would be specified color ‘Yatra Permits’ to avoid their misuse.
The Shrine Board would get every registered yatri covered with an insurance of Rs one lakh against accidental death with the State during the period of one week ahead of commencement and one week after conclusion of the yatra.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Three candidates including Devender Rana (National Conference), Rani Blowria (Congress) and Yashpal Sharma (PDP) were today elected unopposed to Legislative Council from three seats of Jammu division on last date for withdrawal of nomination papers.
With uncontested election for three seats of Jammu division, election would be held for five seats of the Upper House (four of Kashmir division and one seat reserved for Doda district) on March 7.
This is second term of Mr Rana in the Upper House and first of two others. Mr Rana has served as Political Advisor to CM, M S Blowria as Deputy Mayor of JMC and Mr Sharma as president of Poonch Municipality.
Assembly Secretary, Mohammad Ramzan, who is Returning Officer for the election, declared three candidates elected to the Legislative Council this afternoon after time for withdrawal of nomination papers expired.
“As only three candidates were in fray for an equal number of seats of Jammu division, they were declared elected as unopposed’’, Mr Ramzan said.
He said five candidates in fray for four seats of Kashmir division included Muzaffar Parray (Congress), Abdul Majeed Bhat Larnoo and Showkat Hussain Ganai (both National Conference), Nayeem Akhter Andrabi (PDP) and Shiban Krishen Dudha (Independent).
For Doda reserve seat, there would be direct contest between Naresh Gupta (Congress) and Mohammad Iqbal (NPP). Mr Gupta’s victory is certain going by the numbers the NC-Congress Alliance has in the Assembly.
After her election, Ms Blowria visited the Congress Headquarters, where she was given was welcome by the senior party leaders.