Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: A meeting of Samajwadi Minority Forum, (SMF) J&K State was held under the chairmanship of Inderji Labroo wherein their discussed their grievances.
The meeting discussed about the wrong policies of the Government and held that it was persistently pressing hard for electrical charges which is totally wrong policy adopted by the Government. It said that poor migrants are unable to pay electricity monthly charges from a meager amount of Rs 5000 as cash relief paid to a family.
In the meeting stress was laid for enhancement of the relief upto Rs 12000 per month and other allied demands.
Those who addressed the meeting included Kuldeep Koul, Ashok Radhu, Bharat Bushan Koul, Bharat Bushan Dhar, Dileep Bhat and others.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, April 23: Four persons were injured in different road accidents across the Kashmir valley today.
Police said a Maruti car bearing registration number JK01K/0658 hit and injured Habibullah Bhat son of Abdul Khaliq resident of Amargarh Sopore near Lalad. The injured has been hospitalized.
Meanwhile, a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK01D/1791 skidded off the road near Sagam, in the jurisdiction of police station Kokernag , Anantnag, resulting in injuries to 02 passengers namely Mubeena, 30, wife of Gulam Hassan Shaksaz and Sakib Ahmad, 13, son of Nazir Ahmad resident of Bidder Kokernag. Both the injured have been shifted to Sub District Hospital Kokernag.
In an another accident, a Maruti car bearing registration number JK05/3909 skidded off the road while on way from Watergam to Kalantra near Munagam, Baramulla, resulting in injuries to driver of the vehicle, Abdul Ahad Rather son of Gulam Ahmad Rather resident of Watapora Bandipora.
The injured was shifted to Sub District Hospital Kreeri where from he was referred to SKIMS Soura Srinagar for further treatment.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 23: Police in Srinagar achieved a major breakthrough by arresting 3 burglars from Jammu when they were trying to flee with stolen gold items worth Rs 20 lakh, besides, arresting a domestic help for stealing gold jewelry worth Rs 10 lakhs.
The SSP Srinagar, Ashiq Bukhari said that Rainawari police received a complaint from Ather Mustafa resident of Saida Kadal that gold items worth more than Rs 14 lakh missing which were kept in a safe place inside their house.
The SSP said that a case (FIR No: 16/2012 U/s 457,380,12B RPC) was registered in Rainawari police station and swift action was launched. “Few suspects were rounded up where in a clue stuck that a vehicle Wagon-r bearing registration number JK2S-9840 was seen in suspecious condition near the ill-fated house. When the registration number was confirmed from the concern authorities, we found the cell number of the owner of the vehicle”, he added.
The SSP said that after investigations it was found that the suspected person was heading towards Jammu and a police team of Rainawari rushed to Jammu and arrested the suspected persons, Ahahaan Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Yaqoob Bhat resident of Panjtirthi Jammu, Yougesh Dogra son of Ved Prakash Dogra resident of Janipur Jammu and Akshay Kumar son of Kripal Chand, resident of Janipore Jammu.
SSP said that the sustained questioning of the arrested persons revealed that they had conceded the stolen gold items in the door of the vehicle that was parked near Gaw Kadal Srinagar.
“The vehicle was seized near Gaw Kadal and when the plastic covering of the door was opened all stolen gold items were found concealed inside the door. The case was solved within 24 hours and the accused have been put behind the bars, gold items recovered and vehicle used has been seized”, he added.
The SSP said that in another burglary case, on March 20 Police Station M R Gunj, received a complaint from Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh son of Mohammad Khaleel Sheikh resident of Saraf Kadal that gold items worth more than Rs 10 lakh were missing from his home.
It was observed that the domestic help of the victim family Gulzar Ahmad Wani Son of Abdual Gafar Wani resident of Kathran Beerwah was behaving strangely.
During Wani’s sustained questioning he admitted that he had committed the theft with the help of one Jahingir Ahmad Waza son of Ali Mohmad Waza resident of Tanki Mohalla. “The stolen gold items worth more than Rs 10 lakh were recovered from different places mostly from the house of the Gulzar Ahmad Wani”, he added.
The SSP said that in another burglary case (FIR NO 18/2012 U/S 457,380 RPC of Police Station M.R Gunj) all stolen electronic items worth Rs 50,000 were recovered from two accused Hilal Ahmad Rah son of Abdul Rahim Rah, resident of Urdu Bazar and Gulzar Ahmad Dar son Ali Muhammad Dar resident of M R Gunj. “The case was solved in two days of reporting with recovery of all stolen electronic goods”, he added.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, April 23: The Bandipora Awami Mahaz, a recently formed party by civil society in Bandipora, won the Traders Federation elections by defeating People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Congress and National Conference supported candidates.
The secretary of Bandipora Awami Mahaz Mohammad Yusuf Para was elected as president of the Federation.
The Mahaz candidate Para got 375 votes while his nearest rival PDP supported candidate Nasir Ahmad Matoo got 169, Congress supported candidate and former chairman of Bandipora Municipal Committee got 106 and NC supported candidate Mohammad Mir got 54 votes.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: PCC general secretary & spokesperson Ravinder Sharma (MLC) has denied that JKPCC Chief Prof. Saifuddin Soz, blamed National Conference for creating hurdles in empowerment of Panchayats in the State.
Reacting to the news reports appearing in a section of press regarding the statement of PCC Chief, during the course of interaction with a delegation of Sarpanchs and Panchs at Rajouri, on Sunday. Spokesperson stated that Prof. Soz had explained the position of the Congress party viz- a -viz the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution and said that Congress favours its implementation in the state or adoption of its provisions in the State Panchayat Raj law, wherever required. Prof. Soz further told them that the Congress is in discussion with its alliance partner (NC) on the issue.
Prof. Soz further advised the delegation that there was no need to adopt agitational path, as was being put forth by the leaders of delegation and asked them to persue their demands in a peaceful and democratic manner through the mode of debate and dialogue.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: The 57th Birth day of Swami Kumar Ji of Geeta Satsang Ashram was celebrated with fervour and gaiety at TRT Muthi today.
A large number of devotees thronged the Ashram to participate in the function. Besides the religious scholars saints also graced the occasion.
The Advisor to Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, was the chief guest. Prof R N K Bamezai Vice Chancellor Mata Vaishno Devi University was the guest of honour. Among other dignitaries present included Swami Chaman Lal Bamzai, Ashok Kaul, chairman Rural Development Society (RDS).
Swami Kumar Ji gave religious discourses and highlighted the religious significance of birthday pooja among Hindus.
On the occasion Ramesh Hangloo president Pir Panchal was felicitated by the Ashram for its setting up Sharda Radio and termed it a great service to community.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 23: Thousands of people participated in an impressive Shobha Yatra taken out in the city of temples in connection with the birth celebrations of Bhagwan Parshuram ji here today.
Minister for Revenue and Relief, Raman Bhalla and Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma flagged off the Bhagwan Parshuram Jayanti Shobha Yatra from Brahman Sabha, Parade Ground here this afternoon. BJP MLA from Jammu East, Ashok Khajuria and Jammu State Morcha MLA from Bishnah, Ashwani Sharma, were also present on the occasion besides executive committee members of the Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha and a large number of members of the community.
Addressing a large gathering on the occasion Mr Bhalla said ‘Akshay Tritiya’ (Parshuram Jayanti) is observed traditionally as the birth anniversary of Parshuram ji, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. ‘Akshay Tritiya’ is considered as one of the most auspicious days, according to the Hindu Calendar. He said the day on which Moon, Sun and Jupiter unitedly come under Mrigshira Nakashatra, is called Akshya Tritiya. He urged the people to follow preachings of Bhagwan Parshuramji in their daily life.
Mr Bhalla further said according to the Puranas, the holy Hindu scriptures, on this day of ‘Akshay Tritiya’ Vedvyasa alongwith Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic of Mahabharata. The Mother Ganga (river) also descended to the earth on this day. He said the people today from all walks of life, particularly the Brahman community offer special prayers, take bath in holy rivers, make charity, offer barley in the sacred fire and worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laxmi. He said Parshuram Bhargava belonged to Treta Yuga. The purpose of this sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is considered by religious scholars to relieve the earth’s burden by eliminating sinful, destructive and irreligious monarchs.
While congratulating people on this occasion, Sham Lal said that Parshuram is famous for killing ‘Haihaya-Kshatriyas’ on the earth 21 times for their pride. He wanted to spread and preserve the Vedic culture on the earth. Parshuram is said to be a warrior Brahman and the first-ever warrior saint as well.
Tableaux of Bhagwan Parshuram, Lord Shiva, Data Ranpat, Baba Jito, Brahma Kumaris , Dwarika Nath Shastri ji and many others mounted on highly decorated chariots/ open vehicles were the main attractions of this grand Shobha Yatra. A large number of devotees/ members of the Brahman community, raising religious slogans like “Bhagwan Parhsuramji Ki Jai”…..were following the chariots. Most of the vehicles were fitted with loud speakers. The devotees were also singing Bhajans, sermons and many were seen even dancing. Band Baja and traditional `Dhols’ were also part of this impressive Shobha Yatra. It started from Parade Ground and after passing through Moti Bazar, Link Road, Jain Bazar, Kanak Mandi, Raghunath Bazar, City Chowk culminated at Parade. Many people greeted Shobha yatra enroute and also joined. They showered flowers petals from the top of their houses, building when the Shobha Yatra was passing through city routes. President Brahman Sabha, Pt Ved Parkash Sharma, general secretary Shakti Dutt Sharma, vice president Virender Magotra, secretary Sat Pal Sharma, treasurer Ram Pal Sharma and others were also accompanying the yatra. They greeted the people on this occasion.
Earlier, the Revenue Minister released the DVD of Bhagwan Parshuram (Bhagwan Parshu Chalisa). The music to this DVD has been given by Prakash Sharma, renowned music artist. It has been sung by Pratima Sharma and Kanta Sharma. The other supporting artists are Pramila Bali, K M Jaitee, Ramesh Raina and Surinder Sharma. Recoding has been done by Amarjit Singh while it has been founded by Late Pritam Singh, music composer of Radio Kashmir Jammu.
Meanwhile, Dogra Pujari, Jyotish Shastri Sangh, Jammu province also celebrated Parshuram Jayanti at Bakshinagar here today. The ceremony commenced with `havan’ and special prayers in the morning. Jagdish Chander Sharma, general secretary SD Sabha Geeta Bhawan, Jammu was the chief guest. Several other scholars also attended the programme. Later, they joined Shobha Yatra of Bhagwan Parshuramji at Parade Ground.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Apr 23: While 42 passengers crossed sides in ‘Karvan-e-Aman’ bus at Aman Setu ( Uri), 63 persons from both sides of the LoC made entry and exit at Chakkan-da-Bagh LoC point in district Poonch today.Twenty five (25) PoK guests came via Chakkan- da-Bagh while nine (9) through Aman Setu here this afternoon.
As many as 24 returnees also crossed sides at Kaman post, the last Indian military post on the LoC in Uri sector. Nine PoK residents, including two women and three children arrived at Kaman post after crossing the Aman Setu, (peace bridge) on foot. Twelve Kashmiris, who had gone to other side of the LoC in previous buses also returned to their homes after completing stay in PoK.
Out of the total 63 passengers who crossed sides at, thirty went to that side of the LoC while 33 arrived here from the PoK via Chakkan-da-Bagh. Eight Indians crossed over to that side for first time while 25 new guests came from that side. Eight Indians returned after stay in PoK while 22 PoK residents also returned today.
The LoC point was opened between 2 and 3 pm and Abdul Hamid GM DIC Poonch and M A Qureshi DSP DAR Poonch were deployed to facilitate the passengers at the LoC point. Arshad Mehmood, SDM Hajira (PoK) was deployed from the Pakistani side.