Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 1: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said he would “wait and see” whether army opts for court martial or civil court trial of the accused personnel in the Pathribal case in the wake of Supreme Court verdict on the alleged fake encounter killings.
“What’s to react to? Court has set a time line now we see which the army chooses – court martial or (civil court) trial. Let’s wait and see,” Omar said on microblogging site Twitter.
Omar was responding to a query on Twitter where his response sought on Supreme Court’s ruling on the Pathribal case.
The Supreme Court today asked the Army authorities to decide whether its personnel accused of fake encounter killings in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam should be tried by court-martial proceedings or by regular criminal courts.
A bench of Justice B S Chauhan and Justice Swatanter Kumar said that if the Army authorities were not keen on court-martial proceedings, then the CBI can seek sanction from the Centre for prosecution of the Army officers.
CBI had charge sheeted five army personnel including four officers in the Pathribal case. The CBI had filed the charge sheet before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Srinagar in 2006. The investigating agency did not seek sanction for prosecution maintaining that the army officers were not acting as per line of duty.
However, army unsuccessfully challenged the charge sheet before CJM court and High Court saying it should be returned as prior sanction had not been sought. (PTI)
Omar to watch Army response
40 PoK settlers sent to J&K
MAHARAJGANJ(UP), May 1: Forty persons, who were detained here by security forces while they were trying to enter India through the Nepal border, were today taken to J&K by the SSB.
The group, comprising 12 men, six women and 22 children were sent to J&K by a chartered bus, Shashtra Suraksha Bal commandant of Sonouli, Kamal Kant told reporters here.
As per some papers recovered from them all of them hailed from J&K, but in 1984 they had left for Pakistan occupied Kashmir’s Muzafarabad town, Kant said.
“They were married and settled in Muzaffarabad,” he said adding the SSB would be accompanying the group till the UP border and from there the central intelligence agencies would take over.
The possibility of some of them being involved in terror activities cannot be ruled out and the central agencies would look into it, Kant said.
The group had reached Kathmandu from Pakistan a couple of days ago and from there crossed into India.
These persons have crossed the border on April 29 and were detained by the security personnel as they did not have valid documents. (PTI)
ATS Pune to quiz IM operatives
NEW DELHI, May 1: The Anti-Terrorist Squad of Pune was today given by a Delhi court the custody remand of alleged Indian Mujahideen operative Mohammad Qateel Siddiqui to interrogate him for his alleged role in the German Bakery bomb blast in Pune.
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vinod Yadav allowed the Pune ATS to take Siddiqui in its custody for a month after the Special Cell of Delhi Police said it has no objection to the same.
Siddiqui, 27, a resident of Darbhanga in Bihar, was arrested by the Delhi police near Anand Vihar bus terminal on November 22 last year.
He was one of the eight alleged IM operatives to have been arrested by the Special Cell for their suspected involvement in various bomb blasts across the country.
The Pune ATS has said Siddiqui had conducted a recce at the Bakery a few days before the blast on February 13, 2010.
Meanwhile, the court also allowed the plea of Hyderabad ATS for a month’s custodial remand of another IM man, Mohammed Tariq Anjum.
Anjum, 31, was arrested from Bihar and is said to be a member of banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
Besides Siddiqui and Anjum, the Special Cell had arrested Gohar Aziz Khumani, Mohammed Adil, Abdur Rehman, Mohammed Irshad, Gayur Ahmed Jamali and Aftab Alam, from various places in Delhi, Bihar, Chennai and elsewhere in the country.
Currently in judicial custody, they are allegedly involved in various terror cases, including Pune German Bakery blast, Bangalore’s Chinnaswami Stadium blast, September 2010 Jama Masjid shooting and September 7, 2011 blast at the Delhi High Court. (PTI)
3 Incharge PPs transferred
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: SSP Jammu Parbhat Singh today ordered transfer and postings of three Incharge Police Posts, all Sub Inspectors.
SI Abid Shah, Incharge Police Post Talab Tillo, has been transferred and posted as Incharge Gujjar Nagar Police Post in place of SI Altaf Mohammad.
SI Altaf Mohammad has been transferred and posted as Investigating Officer (IO) in Domana police station.
Sub Inspector Uttam Chand has been shifted from District Police Lines (DPL), Jammu and posted as new Incharge of Talab Tillo Police Post.
Govt working hard to mitigate sufferings of pople : Slathia
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: “The Omar led Coalition Government is working hard to mitigate the sufferings of the people with focus on equitable development of all the three regions of the State”, stated Minister for Industries and Commerce Surjit Singh Slathia here today.
The Minister was addressing a series of public meetings convened in various areas of Vijaypur block. The Minister impressed upon the people to come forward and supplement Government efforts to ensure equitable development of every part of the State irrespective of caste, creed and colour.
At Gho Brahmana, Mr. Slathia inaugurated newly constructed four class rooms and multi purpose Science laboratory in Government Higher Secondary School Gho Brahmana completed at a cost of Rs. 37.60 lakh by R&B department.
Addressing the students, teachers and other prominent persons after inauguration, the Minister said that Government is keen to upgrade educational infrastructure at every nook and corner of the State so that quality education is provided to the students.
Responding to the demand for construction of examination hall in the school premises and primary health centre in the area, the Minister assured that the demands would be fulfilled in a stipulated time frame. He said that various development projects have been initiated in the area to meet the local demands.
said that the work on construction of Computer centre is also in full swing. He also assured the people that a tube-well at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.20 crore would also be constructed in the area soon.
Other demands which were brought to the notice of Minister included installation of 20 poles in Gho Brahmana, branch of J&K Bank/SBI Bank, construction of tubewell, library, installation of flood lights at various locations, safe drinking water, interrupted power supply, etc.
The Minister also inaugurated newly constructed lanes/drains at Kehrawali, Panchayat Chak Salaria under BADP/MGNREGA completed at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh by Rural Development Department. The people demanded construction of approach road to Samshan Ghat and installation of flood lights. The Minister onspot gave instruction to the concerned officers for early redessal of the same and announced 6 flood lights for the area.
Later, at Trindian village, the Minister dedicated a tube-well under scheme NABARD having capacity 15000-20000 gallon per hour to the people of the area. The tube well has been constructed with a cost of Rs. 65 lakh by Irrigation and flood control.
Taj announces Rs. 19 cr. Hydraulic schemes for Poonch
Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, May 1 : Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Taj Mohi ud Din today said the border town of Poonch was set for a developmental change given the focused attention Government is paying towards the region.
Addressing public meeting at Khanitar, the Minister said the area has seen many difficult times in the past and hoped that good and prosperous times would return to it soon. He said Government is working in this direction and so far areas hidden from the developmental pace of the state have been brought to focus. He praised the determination and harmonious behavior of the people of the district while appealing them to continue with the tradition.
Mr. Taj announced starting a flood protection project worth Rs. 14 crores on Khanitar nallah and directed the engineers to start work on it soon. He said earlier also Flood Control Department had given 237 crates for it but with this comprehensive flood protection project the problems would be solved forever. He also announced Rs. Five crore water supply scheme for Khanitar village to meet the drinking water needs of the catchment areas.
The Minister said his Department, for the first time, has evolved a set procedure to decide on the cases of casual and consolidated labour and also cases of land coming under water supply schemes. He asked the claimants to come forward with their claims with documentary proofs so that their cases are settled at the earliest.
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chairman, Gujjar & Backerwal Advisory Board, Bashir Ahmad Naaz enumerated the measures Government has been taking for the welfare of people belonging to backward areas and classes.
Earlier, the Minister inaugurated Rs. 4.50 crore water supply scheme at Dhallan and another water supply scheme at Dara Dhullian. Legislators, Ajaz Jan and Jehangir Mir besides Deputy Commissioner, A. K. Sahu, SP, Shamshir Hussain, Chief Engineer, PHE, Jammu B. R. Dogra, ADDC, Syed Anwar Hussain and other officers were present on the occasion.
Later, the Minister also attended a rally of PHE workers at Poonch. Addressing the field staff of the Department, Mr. Taj impressed upon them to work with zeal and dedication for the benefit of people and not let anyone to complain about their work and conduct.
Tara Chand conducts Srinagar city tour
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 1: Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand today conducted tour of Srinagar city and interacted with traders, senior citizens and shopkeepers. He also visited Lal Chowk and Budshah Chowk.
The Deputy Chief Minister issued on spot orders for beautification of Lal Chowk and Budshah Chowk and its pavements. He directed Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation for installation of dust bins in the areas and to ensure full sanitation of entire city.
Mr. Tara Chand also visited Sangarmall Shopping Complex where he interacted with senior citizens, traders and representative of various shopkeeper associations.
Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister chaired a meeting at Banquet Hall to discuss various steps being taken by Srinagar Municipal Corporation for beautification of Srinagar city.
The meeting was attended among others by traders, various associations of shopkeepers, hotels and other senior officers.
The meeting discussed threadbare various issues including sanitation, conservation of Dal Lake and shifting of Dal dwellers, sewerage and drainage problems, facilities to tourists, smooth functioning of street lights, widening of various city roads including Boulevard road etc.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that an amount of Rs. 15 crore is being spent for modern drainage system in Srinagar city to solve the problem of water logging. He said that a number of steps have already been taken for the beautification of Srinagar City especially in connection with sanitation. He further said that a number of STPs have already been completed. He said that shifting of Dal dwellers to newly established colony is under progress and the land vacated by them would be included with Dal Lake.
He directed Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation to ensure the proper functioning of street lights, adding it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to cooperate with the Government machinery for the conservation of world famous Dal Lake which plays a major role in attracting the tourists all over the world.
However, Mr. Tara Chand stressed for the congenial atmosphere and said the peace is imperative for not only overall development of the State but also boosting the tourism sector in the State which gives a lot of employment opportunities to the educated unemployed youth.
Ensure irrigation facilities to tail enders: Bhalla
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1 : Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla today has directed the Irrigation Department to ensure irrigation facilities upto tail end of rural Raipur-Satwari areas.
The Minister said Government is committed to provide adequate irrigation facilities to the farmer community through Ranbir canal, irrigation tube wells and pump sets so that they do not face any inconvenience during Rabi sowing season.
Mr. Bhalla was addressing the villagers after kick starting modernisation work on Khandwal Irrigation Channel at Chib Mohalla in Raipur-Satwari, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 11 lakh.
Mr. Bhalla asked the department to immediately start desilting works of minor and major distributaries in the areas so that the irrigation water could reach upto tail end of the villages. He asked the engineers to repair the breach portion of the distributaries of the areas so that the farmer community could avail the benefit during Rabi sowing season.
The Minister asked the people not to put debris in the irrigation distributaries as such type of practices not only create problems for the department but also affects the farmers.
Mr. Bhalla informed that Government has launched number of schemes for boosting the agriculture production across the State like providing latest techniques equipments. He said that several sale outlets have been opened especially in far off and rural areas for providing timely seeds and fertilizers to the farmers.
Regarding upgradation of Government High School, Raipur-Satwari, Mr. Bhalla said that a proposal is under active consideration of School Education Ministry for approval, adding after getting approval.
For improving power scenario in Raipur-Satwari and Barzalla villages, the Minister said Government is committed to provide regular power supply in every nook and corner of the State by creating new receiving stations. He said Government has identified the land for construction of receiving station at Barazalla and Over Head Tank at Raipur -Satwari.
For the convenience of villagers, Mr. Bhalla asked the RDD to construct 35 Individual Household Toilets under Total Sanitation Campaign scheme in the Raipur-Satwari village. He said under the scheme, Government has provided Rs. 3700/- for construction toilet unit.
Taking serious note on the delay of construction work of Multipurpose Community Hall at Raipur-Satwari, the Minister asked the accompanied R&B Department Executive Engineer to cancel allotment of work and allot the fresh one for timely completion of the project.
Govt not serious to redress needs of displaced community: AIKPC
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: All India Kashmiri Pandit Conference (AIKPC) said that the Government is not serious to redress the short-term needs and requirements of the displaced community.
In a statement issued here by Hriday Nath Jatoo, president, AIKPC, said that even after two weeks not a single commitment made by the Chief Minister to the Apex Committee has been fulfilled.
He said that CM in the meeting has declared that he will expedite the appointment of Kashmiri Pandit job aspirants, who are on the waiting list, increase the cash assistance to the displaced Kashmiri Hindus and introduce the ordinance of the temple shrine bill.
He appealed all the leading KP organizations including Panun Kashmir to put their heads together and make a joint strategy on short term demands for mitigating the miseries of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
AIKPC made a fervent appeal to the entire Kashmiri Pandit community to chart out future course of action for settling in Kashmir with honour and dignity at a place where there are provided constitutional guarantees and safeguards.
Power Grid dedicates dining hall, kitchen at Rotary Inner Wheel
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 1: Mr S C Singh, Executive Director, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCL), Northern Region-II, dedicated a kitchen and a dining hall under its CSR scheme to the children of Rotary Inner Wheel (Home for mentally retarded chidren) at Channi Rama Jammu.
Power Grid was approached by the office bearers of the school for extending helping hand in constructing a dining hall and a kitchen in addition to face-lifting of the entire building. Power Grid immediately agreed to the proposal and constructed a kitchen and a dining hall for the needy children. Power grid also undertook the work of face-lifting of the entire building under its package at a total financial implication of Rs 15 lakh.
Power Grid had earlier also dedicated a hall and stair case at a cost of Rs 10 lakh to the said school under its CSR scheme. Further Power grid has provided Rs 7 lakh to the school as financial aid to the school from 2010-11 till date in addition to requirements like inverter, beds, almirahs, mattresses, quilts, bed-sheets and pillows amounting to Rs 2.5 lakh. Rs 5 lakh would be provided to the school as financial assistance in the current financial year, a handout issued by Power Grid revealed.
Mr S C Singh assured the management committee of the continued support from Power Grid in their yeoman service to the needy and deprived children.
Mr Singh was accompanied by S D Joshi, AGM (C&M), Stanley Mathews, Chief Manager (HR) and other senior officers of the Power Grid. Among others Mrs Ravi Dubey, president, Rajinder Kapoor, secretary and M N Prabhakar from Rotary Innwer Wheel were present. They hailed the efforts of Power Grid in helping them in noble causes.