Jailbreak plan by blasts accused thwarted; 18-ft tunnel found

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February 12, 2013

AHMEDABAD, Feb 11: A daring jailbreak planned by Ahmedabad serial blasts case undertrials at the Sabarmati Central Jail was thwarted by prison officials who uncovered a 18-feet long tunnel dug in the barrack where some of them were lodged.

As the plot for the great escape from barrack No 4 named ‘Chhota Chakkar’ stunned jail authorities, an FIR has been lodged against 14 of the serial blasts accused and a probe is underway. The tunnel was discovered late last night.

“We have found a tunnel dug in the barrack where 14 of the serial bomb blasts accused are lodged. We have registered an FIR and investigation is on,” Superintendent of Sabarmati Central Jail V M Parghi said today.

Sources said that Usman Agarbatti, a civil engineer and one of the 14 accused put up in the barrack, is allegedly the mastermind behind the plan, sources said.

The sources said the tunnel was being dug with such finesse that the plan was to link it with an underground sewer line that passed beneath the main gate of the jail premises.

The probe has been handed over to the Crime Branch of the Ahmedabad police.

Late last night, when jail authorities suspected something amiss in the behaviour of two inmates at barrack number four, they searched it and found the tunnel dug from inside the barrack, police said.

“Out of 68 accused of the serial bomb blasts case, 14 were lodged in this barrack and we have started probe on since how long digging work was on, how they were digging it and who else are involved,” said Parghi without divulging any further details. A Crime Branch officer suspected the digging may have been going on for the past two to three months.

The state Home Ministry has ordered an enquiry into the incident following a high-level meeting held this morning by Minister of State for Home Rajnikant Patel.

Pargi said they have not found any tools but it seems the accused were using dinner plates and wood to dig the tunnel.

“They had volunteered for the gardening work around the barrack and under that cover they were dumping the sand extracted from the tunnel into the garden outside,” said Jail IG P C Thakur.

On July 26, 2008, twenty near simultaneous bomb blasts across the city had killed 57 people. All the blast accused are lodged in Sabarmati Central Jail as trial has been ordered to be conducted in the premises because of security reasons.

“Everyday they used to get three hours free time to do work of their choice and we are suspecting that they might have used that time to dug the tunnel,” Thakur added.

He also claimed that no matter how long they might have dug the tunnel, their escape was impossible as the wall surrounding the barracks are 21 feet high and 20 ft deep into the earth.

Thakur, however ducked queries as to how could jail authorities fail to know about it till now. “Let us first investigate the whole incident,” he said.

A battery of high ranking officers including State Jail IG P C Thakur, JCP city Crime Branch Himanshu Shukla and other officer from Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS), Special Operation Group (SOG) and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have rushed to the jail premises.

Some of the 14 bomb blast accused who were lodged in the barrack where tunnel was found are: Sajid Mansuri, Yunus Mansuri, Shamshood Shahpurwala, Javed Sheikh, Kadri Juhapurawala, Arif Kadri, Umar Kala, Usman Agarbatti, Kayamuddin and Mufti Abu Bashar.

Additional Principal Sessions Judge Jyotsana Yagnik, who is conducting the trial of the serial bomb blast case, also visited the jail premises this morning.

Trial of the serial blasts case is being conducted inside Sabarmati Central Jail, as state government has invoked section 268 of the Criminal Procedure Code(CrPC) against all the accused in the case, restricting their movement.

More then 35 FIRs have been filed and nearly 24 accused are still absconding, including Riyaz Bhatkal, Mufti Sufiyan Patangia. (PTI)

PHE workers highlight long pending demands

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Feb 11: Various problems confronting the workers and employees were discussed in a meeting held at Sounthian near here under the chairmanship of Vijay Kumar Sharma, district general secretary of PHE Employees Association today.
The speakers expressed serious concern over non-payment of salary of PHE workers for the past 13 years and demanded immediate release of the same, as otherwise they would be forced to go in for ‘No pay, no work’.
They demanded immediate holding of DPC which has not been held for the past 18 years and also no financial burden was involved in conducting its meeting.
The speakers demanded posting of new staff to man the new water supply schemes as the existing staff was already over-burdened. They said with every passing year the Government orders new water supply schemes but has failed to recruit requisite staff to man the same.
Other demands raised in the meeting pertained to regularization of consolidated and community participation workers who were languishing for the past more than 15 years; Engagement of Imprest Estimate workers and land donors; Enhancement in wages of workers as private labourer is getting Rs 300 per day; and Regularization of ITI workers who have completed more than five years regular service.
Addressing the meeting Vijay Kumar Sharma assured full cooperation to PHE Minister. Others who spoke included Rattan Singh, Suraj Parkash, Subash Chander, Manoj Kumar, Sham Lal, Ashok Kumar,Kirpal Singh, Parth Singh etc.

Ganguly welcomes Bhajji recall

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

Kolkata, Feb 11:
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly today welcomed the national selectors’ decision to recall off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for the first two Tests of the upcoming series against Australia.
“It’s a good decision to bring him back into the side. I’ve always been hopeful of Bhajji. But it’s the skipper (MS Dhoni) whether he would play in the XI,” Ganguly said at Eden Gardens after the CAB’s working committee meeting.
Asked about Gautam Gambhir’s omission, Ganguly said, “It’s normal to be left out when you’re not doing well. But I’m confident he would do well to make a comeback.”
India might have lost to England in their last Test series at home, but Ganguly said the hosts would have the edge against Australia. (PTI)

School children skiing at the ski resort Gulmarg on Monday.

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

School children skiing at the ski resort Gulmarg on Monday.

PDD casual labourers hold dharna

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Casual labourers of Power Development Department (PDD), under the umbrella of All J&K Casual Labourers Union (AJKCLU), held one-day dharna in support of their demands in front of the office of Chief Engineer, MR& RE Wing, here today.
The dharna pradarshan was held under the chairmanship of Provincial president, AJKCLU, Choudhary Sampuran Singh.
Addressing the protesting casual labourers, the Provincial president said that in its Order No PDD dated Sept 9, 2012, the Government had ordered that the list of casual labourers would be published in the local dailies. The list of Srinagar province was published in the local dailies, but, till date no list of Jammu province was published, he said, adding in Jammu province, the concerned AEEs and Executive Engineers had not cleared the verifications of the casual labourers, till date.
He further said that the Chief Minister had sanctioned an amount of Rs 6.50 crore, which was also announced by PDD Minister, Shabir Ahmad Khan and Chief Minister’s political Advisor in a press conference, promising that the amount would be allocated in favour of casual labourers of PDD. But ten months has lapsed and PDD casual labourers were yet to receive a penny from the said amount, Choudhary said.
Stating that till the year 2012, 75 casual labourers have sacrificed their lives during public servicing and some 150 got handicapped due to electrocution, ironically without pay, the Provincial president demanded that the casual labourers of PDD be paid their salary at the first day of every month.
He also demanded that the list of PDD casual labourers of Jammu province be published in the local dailies as the earliest.
State president, Mohd Shafi Bhat, State vice-president, Akhil Sharma, State general secretary, Peer Qayoom Shah, vice-president, Jammu province, Rakesh Sharma, general secretary, Mohinder Paul Sharma, also attended the dharna pradarshan.

BJP stages dharna against shifting of ration depots

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Led by BJP Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary Constituency incharge Yudhvir Sethi and BJP Mahila Morcha state president, Priya Sethi, BJP activists along with residents of different parts of Old City, including women, held a massive protest at Purani Mandi Chowk against the Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution (CAPD) Department for its decision to shift ration depots from Purani Mandi, Julakkha Mohalla and Link Road to Peer Mitha, Pakki Dhakki and Pacca Danga.
They sat on dharna raising slogans like- “hamare ration depot vaapis lao, vaapis lao” and “CAPD Department hai hai, hai hai”.
Terming the decision of the Department totally unilateral without the consent of people, Yudhvir Sethi said that it is causing inconvenience to thousands of consumers who have to go to other areas away from their own localities to get ration items like flour, rice and sugar. The decades old ration depots, once easily feasible to every consumer, are also adding financial burden as the poor people have to pay the carriage charges to laborers.
He declared that the Party stands with the affected families and opposes the decision tooth and nail and will continue agitation till shifted depots are brought back to their original places.
Priya Sethi said the decision to shift ration depots to other places can not be justified by any means. It is indeed unfortunate that the Government departments take such decisions or frame such policies which invite public resentment and anger. The recent decision of shifting ration depots is one such case in this series of anti-people mindset of those at the helm of affairs in the coalition government, she added.
Anil Masoom, Arun Sethi, Neeru Anand, Vijay Mehra, Inderjeet, Ravinder Khajuria, Parveen Arora, Saroj Gupta, Bharat Bhushan, Suraj Charak were among others who participated in the dharna

Traitors don’t belong to any religion, must be punished: Meera

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

MATHURA, Feb 11: Traitors should be hanged, they do not belong to any religion, noted Pakistani actress Meera said here on the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

“Strict action should be taken against a traitor irrespective of his country or religion. If he has committed a crime, then he should be punished,” the Lollywood actress said.

“No religion teaches you to spread hatred. If any person tries to do that, he should be punished,” she said.

The actress, who has worked in several Pakistani and Bollywood films, was here yesterday to participate in Vasant Utsav program organised by a social group.

“The film-industry in both India and Pakistan can play a big role in bridging the gap between the countries,” Meera said, adding that both the governments should have lenient policies and rules, including Visa rules for better relations.

She debuted in Bollywood from film-maker Mahesh Bhat’s ‘Nazar’ and presently she is working on a feature film and a documentary. (PTI)

DyCM reviews SSA, RAMSA implementation

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand has directed the Education Department to speed up the process of recruitment of Sarva Shiksha Abhyan (SSA) teachers to clear the backlog within stipulated time frame.
He emphasized on fast track recruitment in education sector to minimize unemployment and address staff requirements. He also stressed on framing a time bound transfer policy particularly for those working in hilly and remote areas. He said thousands of posts are lying vacant in Education Department and stressed for early filling of the same.
The Deputy Chief Minister gave these directions while chairing a high level meeting convened to review the implementation and progress registered under SSA and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhyan (RMSA).
Minister of State for Education Feroz Khan was present on the occasion.
Tara Chand laid stress on creating infrastructure in upgraded high schools under RMSA. He directed the concerned agencies to speed up the pace of various works being executed under Education Department and complete all ongoing construction works of school buildings within the prescribed time frame.
He also reviewed the status of utilization of funds under SSA and RMSA and directed the concerned officers for timely utilize the funds under education sector. He stressed for computerization of the entire Education Department for ensuring transparency and easy access.
Reviewing the progress of pace of various works being executed in education sector, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned to furnish detailed status report of ongoing works for inspection.
Secretary General Administration Department Mushtaq Ahmed, Chairman Board of School Education Dr Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, Project Director RMSA Hilal Ahmed Parray and senior officers from BOSE and School Education Department attended the meeting.

30-40 terrorists active in Jammu: IG CRPF

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 11: While the foreign militants are still dominating the local cadre in view of inadequate support and new recruits, nearly 30 to 40 terrorists are still operating in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Doda, Ramban and some other parts of Jammu region.
Inspector General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu Sector, G J Singh while talking to `Excelsior’ at the sidelines of Investiture ceremony at CRPF Headquarters here today disclosed that due to increasing domination of security forces and reducing level of infiltration from across the borders, the strength of militants operating on this side, has considerably gone down in last few years. “The terrorists are lacking local support and changing mindset of the local youth has contributed a lot towards reduction in the number of ultras,” he said.
Referring to the present strength of ultras, the IG said on the basis of intelligence inputs gathered it has been established that nearly 30 to 40 militants are operating in parts of Jammu region. He said majority of them are camping in the hilly areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Mahore, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar but most of them have almost stopped their activities for some time now. During these days, there is heavy snow on the higher reaches and in view of severe winter and contained movement, they are believed to be taking shelter at different places as per their convenience. Under such circumstances, they will not strike in their respective areas to avoid direct encounter with forces.
Responding to another question, the IG said local people have seen long phase of militancy, blood shed and destruction here. The misguided youth have realized that nothing could be achieved with gun and there is definite change in their mindset. The militant outfits are not getting now the local boys as feeding cadre to run militant activities here. The boys are looking for jobs, opting for their better future and safety of their families besides living peacefully.
The `Sadbhavana tours’ of boys and girls besides elderly people from militancy infected areas, organized by the security forces in J&K have also helped a lot to these locals to realize the facts, vastness of this great country and prosperity and progress in other parts. The change in their mindset and declining support to militancy has demoralized the militant- cadre in the region. He said the CRPF is also organizing such tours and will continue to do so.
When asked about the strength of foreign ultras, the CRPF IG said foreign and local militants are in the ratio of 60: 40 this time in his area of operation (Jammu region). He said the local people hesitate these days even to provide shelter and food to the terrorists. In plain areas of Jammu, their strength is negligible and most of them are operating in the hilly areas. In view of some recent developments along the borders, the forces have increased vigil and CRPF companies deployed on the Internal Security duty have also gone extra vigilant. In most of the areas, they are operating with local police.
Reacting over the situation in parts of Jammu region and Kashmir as well after hanging of Parliament attacker, Afzal Guru, the IG said some reaction was expected in this part and additional CRPF companies were deployed at several sensitive places. Curfew was going on in many parts of Valley but in parts of Jammu region including Kishtwar, Ramban Rajouri and Poonch, Police and paramilitary forces were put on alert. He claimed that except some protests at Kishtwar and Banihal, situation was normal in Jammu zone.
Mr Singh said nearly 15 CRPF Battalions were presently deployed in Jammu zone while in Kashmir, their number of around 52. He said the CRPF has totally taken over from BSF deployed in Internal Security duty in J&K and in many parts of valley, the Force has also withdrawn its bunkers in view of improving situation.
Commenting on the preparedness of the CRPF in view of annual Shri Amarnath Yatra in J&K, Mr Singh said, the BSF as per its assigned task every year, will perform duty of providing protection to the pilgrims, their camps, yatra convoy and performing ROP (road opening) job. Additional deployment is also made to maintain vigil on the National Highway at identified locations from Jammu onwards. A few meetings on the annual yatra arrangements were held recently and another one is being held on 19th of this month again with SASB officials and other top officials in the State Administration, the IG added.
Earlier, the IG awarded DG’s Commendation Disc & Letter to 6th Bn of CRPF for best cost effectiveness and financial discipline for the year 2011-12. Six other CRPF personnel were also honoured on the occasion for their personal exemplary performance at unit level. DIG CRPF, Group Centre Ban Talab, Arun Kumar was also present besides other senior officers.

SHRC notices on DPS student’s death

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Daily Excelsior

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February 12, 2013

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Taking suo-moto cognizance of death of minor school going girl in Delhi Public School, State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) today issued notice to Commissioner Secretary, School Education Department, Director General of Police, Inspector General of Traffic Police and Principal, Delhi Public School.
“The Commission has learnt through media report and as also briefed by public spirited persons and the human rights activists across the State that on February 7, 2013 a sixth class girl student namely Suruchi, daughter of Surjeet Singh alias Pappu Choudhary of Sector No.8, Nanak Nagar was crushed to death by her own school bus in the campus allegedly due to sole negligence of bus driver and the school authorities”, said Amolak Singh, member of State Human Rights Commission in the notice.
“Though Magisterial probe is initiated after lodging of FIR to investigate the matter, various questions arise for which the Commission will seek answer from the authorities and school administration at the helm of affairs”, the SHRC said, adding Commissioner Secretary School Education and Director School Education shall furnish detailed report with regard to the action taken into the incident.
Principal DPS Jammu will give personal response with regard to the incident that costs life of minor student, the SHRC said, adding DGP/IGP Traffic will file details regarding steps taken to implement Supreme Court directive with regard to the transportation, safety and security of school going children”.
The respective responses shall reach the Commission before or on April 8, 2013 when the file will be on the board for further proceedings, the notice said.