Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: 1st Additional Sessions Judge Jammu, Y P Bourney has awarded three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 1000 to one Jatinder Kumar alias Madan Lal, who was facing trial for the last 13 years in a case of abetment to suicide.
According to prosecution case, the prosecutrix, a student of 8th class was being harassed by the accused person and on December 4, 1999 the accused caught hold of her and started dragging her with the criminal intention. However, she was rescued by her brothers, who incidentally came to the spot.
Finding it difficult to bear the insult and humiliation the prosecutrix ended her life by consuming poisonous substance. On this, police registered a case under Sections 306/354 RPC and after completion of investigation presented challan in the Court of law on February 4, 2000.
After hearing APP Harpal Singh for the State whereas Advocate C M Gupta for the accused person, Ist Additional Sessions Judge convicted the accused and awarded two years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 5000 under Section 306 RPC.
One year imprisonment was awarded for the offence under Section 354 RPC. The Court, however, clarified that both the sentences will run concurrently. Accordingly, the accused was sent to District Jail Jammu for serving the sentence.
3 yrs RI to accused in abetment to suicide case
Sweet shops inspected, booked at Kud
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: The Designated Officer District Udhampur, Khaminder Choudhary along with Food Safety Officers conducted inspections of Food Business Operators especially dealing with sweets at Kud.
During the drive 15 establishments were checked and sweets worth Rs.7500 approximately were destroyed on spot. Two statutory samples of Khoya and Gajrella were lifted under the provisions of Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006 and Rules and Regulations, 2011. The samples have been sent to the Food Analyst, Food Testing Laboratory, Jammu for analysis.
The team also sensitized the food vendors regarding the provisions of enhanced penalties and imprisonment under the new food law and impressed upon them to carry out their business operations by practicing hygienic and good manufacturing practices.
Mother, son receive burn injuries
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Feb 26: A woman and her son received burn injures, when their house caught fire at village Sarad Morha Clack.
As per reports, a house belonging to Shanker Dass, son of Bodh Raj of village Sard Morha Clack caught fire under mysterious circumstances.
In the incident, Soma Devi, wife of Shanker Dass and her son 4-year-old son Naresh Kumar received burn injuries and were shifted to hospital, where they were responding to the treatment, when last reports came in.
A case has been registered and investigation started.
Labourer dies in mishap
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMNAGAR, Feb 26: A labourer was killed after a stone hit his head while at work in Surni area of tehsil Ramnagar today.
The mishap took place when 25-year-old Sajjad Ahmed, son of Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, resident of Tandal village in Doda was engaged at work on Surni-Khadsal road under PMGSY. While working a shooting stone from the hill, hit his head and he collapsed there. The labourer in injured condition was rushed to Ramnagar hospital where he was declared as dead. His body was later sent to his home village after postmortem. The police has taken cognizance of the matter.
MLA inaugurates school, sanctions Rs 2 lakh for construction of shed
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Feb 26: Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Chenani Ghordi constituency Krishan Chander Bhagat inaugurated upgraded Government Middle School, Satyalta, zone Ghordi.
The school has been upgraded to High school.
On the occasion, students presented colourful programme and mesmerized the audience, with their performances.
A public meeting was also organized, during which MLA listened to the grievances of the public.
In the meeting, heads of different departments, large number of people from village Satyalta, Malal, Pausa, Bagad, Badaila, Bindla-Bani, Panchs and Sarpanchs were also present.
MLA on the demand of the people announced Rs 2 lakh for the construction of shed at Bandila.
Among others who spoke were Des Raj Prasher, President Block Congress Committee Ghordi, Ved Sharma Senior Congress Leader, Aman Gupta PRO Senior Congress Youth Leader, Rakesh Sharma District Youth Congress Leader, Thaker Dass Sarpanch, Madan Lal Sarpanch, Yash Paul Singh Panch, etc.
Pacific University Udaipur announces free education to J&K students
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Feb 26: Pacific University Udaipur, Rajasthan today announced to give free education to the students of Jammu and Kashmir.
While interacting with media persons, Director of the Pacific University, Col P S Bhatnagar informed that Congress leader Ashwani Khajuria, who is also a member of Pharmacy Council of India, has been nominated to bring awareness amongst the masses about the mission of University.
He disclosed that University will provide free education to those who have passed 12th standard. “There will be free Hostel facilities, uniform, course fees for all Graduation courses like BDS, Engineering (All Branches), Arts and Commerce, Pharmacy, Hotel Management, Fashion Technology, Fire & Safety Management, and Mass Communication to 5000 deserving candidates on the approval of the representative of University, Ashwani Khajuria”, he said.
Mr Bhatnagar further highlighted that the University is registered under section 2F of the UGC Act 1956. He disclosed that the Pacific School of Economics is being developed on the lines of Delhi School of Economics.
Intrusion bid foiled on LoC, ultra killed, others retreat
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: Troops today thwarted a major infiltration attempt by a group of militants on the Line of Control (LoC) at Chitti Bakri in Keri sector of Rajouri district by killing one militant and forcing others to retreat.
Official sources said troops observed movement of militants trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory on the LoC in forward area of Chitti Bakri in Keri sector of Rajouri at 1.45 pm. Alert troops challenged the militants after they opened indiscriminate firing on the Indian Army post.
Army spokesman SN Acharya said Pakistan troops also violated ceasefire agreement by opening firing on Indian posts in the same area, where the operation had been launched against the militants.
In retaliatory firing by the Indian Army, one militant was killed.
“Indian troops exercised utmost restraint and responded to Pakistan firing”, Mr Acharya said, adding that Army was maintaining a high state of alert and on the LoC.
No casualties or damage was reported on Indian side in the firing. Army have recovered one AK-47 rifle from the possession of slain militant, who was wearing khaki color salwaar kameez.
SSP Rajouri Mubassir Latifi said police have also intensified searches in its areas of operation to ensure that no militant could manage to enter into this side. A high alert was being maintained, he added.
Sources said other militants were reported to have retreated to Pakistan after the Indian troops opened firing.
Only yesterday, Pakistan Army had fired upon a patrol party of the Border Security Force (BSF) at Mandi sector in Poonch district. The BSF had retaliated. “It was also an act of ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army”, sources said.
Army have maintained area domination along the LoC to thwart infiltration attempts by the militants held up across the LoC on Pakistan side. Army have reports that the militants could make intrusion bids on the LoC quite often as their cadre had constantly been dwindling in Jammu and Kashmir.
Div Com reviews beautification of Raghunath Bazar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: To review the pace of progress on beautification and development of Raghunath Bazar, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pardeep Gupta convened a meeting of senior officers of various departments here today.
During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner had a detailed review of the status of work on the project taken up to beautify and develop the heritage market around the historical Raghunath Temple.
He took stock of the physical status of the work done by PDD and asked the committee constituted earlier to finalize the design of ornamental moulding for lower portion of poles so that the projection would be completed in a stipulated time frame.
Threadbare discussion was held on various issues mainly procurement of ornamental moulding for lower portion of poles to give them designer look with fancy lights and PVC Cable, renovation/modernization and ugradation of over head power distribution network at Raghunath Bazar under Heritage Development Scheme, shifting of underground BSNL cable for the development of Raghunath Bazar area.
Among others, District Development Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma, ADDC Jammu Rehana Batul, SE PDD Gurbachan Singh, Deputy Director Tourism Tarsaim Kumar, Deputy Director Information Jyoti Salathia, XEn PDD A. K. Chibber, General Manager SICOP Rakesh Sharma, President RBBA Baldev Khullar, other members of RBBA, senior officers of various departments were present in the meeting.
Govt to amend Panchayati Raj Act: Sagar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that the Government is considering the suggestions received from different quarters recommending amendments to J&K Panchayati Raj Act which will be sent to Cabinet soon.
“This will make the Act more democratic in nature besides addressing the concerns of various stakeholders in the Panchayati Raj System”, he added.
The Minister was speaking at a high level meeting convened to discuss recommendations of high level committee constituted to examine the suggestions received from different quarters and also private member bills tabled in the Assembly regarding the same.
Commissioner/Secretary Rural Development, Farooq Ahmed Peer, Commissioner/Secretary Law, G.H.Tantray and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
It is pertinent to mention that various suggestions have been received from different political parties, social organizations, organizations of the elected representatives of Panchayats and experts in the field of Panchayati Raj recommending that the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 should be updated and made more realistic.
The Committee after detailed deliberation presented the report, which was discussed in detail and the Minister asked the committee to present the same within a week for placing the same before the Cabinet so that necessary amendments are incorporated in the J&K Panchayati Raj Act. The Government will table the proposed amendments before the State Legislature in its current Budget Session.
LC Chairman constitutes 2 committees
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: Chairman, Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra has constituted two committees to select the nominee(s) for best Legislator and Media awards for the year 2013.
The committee with Legislators Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, Ravinder Kumar Sharma and Sayed Asgar Ali as members will select nominees for Media award, while the committee with former Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, Gurmukh Singh, former member, Legislative Council A R Tukroo and Journalist, Neeraj Rohmetra as members would select the nominee for best Legislator award.