Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Apr 9: A total thirty (30) passengers cross sides at Chakkan-da-Bagh LoC point in district Poonch today.
Today, when the LOC point opened between 1 pm to 1.30 pm, twenty four (24) passengers came to this side from Pak Occupied Kashmir while only six persons crossed over to POK from J&K side. Out of the total 24 who came to this side, 20 were the POK residents visiting first time while four of them were Indian returnees. From this side, no J&K resident crossed over to PoK and all the six were POK Returnees who stayed here with their relatives for some days.
From Indian side, GM DIC Poonch Abdul Hamid and DSP DAR, Poonch MA Qureshi were deployed while from Pakistan side SDM Hajira (POK), Aslan Ahmed facilitated the passengers.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: One person died while as seven others were injured in different road mishaps across the valley.
Reports said that a Maruti Car bearing registration number JK01F/1811 fell in a deep gorge at Abhama-Rajpora, Pulwama, resulting in on spot death of the driver, Manzoor Ahmad Gorsi aged about 32 years son of Ghulam Mohammad resident of Sangerwani. Ghulam Nabi Gorsi son of Khushi Gursi resident of Bagh Sangerwani was injured in this accident. The body was handed over to the legal heirs while as the injured was shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital Srinagar for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.
A Tipper bearing registration number JK01/0915 hit a motor cycle bearing registration number JK13/2057 near Abdullah Masjid Shopian, resulting in injuries to motor cyclist Mushtaq Ahmad Kullay. The injured has been shifted to hospital for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.
A bus bearing registration number JK03/9961 collided with a pole at Bramri-Kupwara, resulting in injuries to Masooda Begum aged about 25 years wife of Abdul Rashid Lone and her daughter Tanveera Rashid age about three years residents of Khaipora, Handawara. Both the injured have been hospitalized. Police has registered a case in this regard.
An unknown Maruti car hit and injured 15-year old boy, Mohammad Aslam Tantary son of Abdul Majeed resident of Chittergul, Chowgam near Sarnal-Pehroo, Anantnag. The injured has been shifted to District Hospital Anantnag for treatment. Police has registered a case and investigation is on.
A gypsy of 118 Battalion of CRPF bearing registration number JK02J/6683 hit and injured a pedestrian, Abdul Ahad Wani aged about 55 years son of Ali Mohammad Wani resident of Shoundgund-Kangan near village Kitchpora-Kangan. The injured was hospitalized. A case has been registered and investigations have been taken up.
A Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK09/1109 hit and injured a lady namely Dilshada Begam aged about 30 years wife of Shabir Ahmad Dar resident of Wazira Wagora Bandipora near Gund Jahangir, Hajin. The injured have been shifted to hospital for treatment. Police has registered a case in this regard.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry has demanded that all the branches of J&K Bank be allowed to accept the VAT amount (Commercial Taxes) and other taxes.
The demand was made in a meeting of the Chamber during a course of general discussion today. The members of the Chamber urged the Finance Minister and Principal Secretary Finance to review the previous requests of the Chamber regarding acceptance of commercial taxes by the branches of J&K Bank located in Jammu city, as the traders are compelled to travel long distances to deposit the tax amount.
Some members of Chamber also raised the issue of extension of subsidy to the Industry which expired on March 31, 2012. They said Industry is also facing difficulty in Jammu and Kashmir because of locational disadvantage of the State.
The Chamber also sought to bring to the notice of the Government for development of new areas for industrial estates, which is the only way for growth of the State and to eradicate unemployment.
Discontinuation of subsidy to the existing industry will prove damaging for the growth of industry and development of the State, said a hand out of Chamber.

Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Apr 9: The police arrested two drug-peddlers and recovered 40 kg poppy straw (Bukki) from their possession from Ramgarh area of district Samba last evening.
A police spokesman said that acting on a specific information, a police party from Ramgarh Thana led by SHO, intercepted two persons moving on foot and carrying bags on their back at Chak Slarian in Ramgarh. The police during frisking found poppy straw in both the bags. They were arrested and the consignment seized by police team.
Identified as Sukhjeet Singh alias Sukh, son of Lal Singh of Chak Slarian and Sarbjeet Singh alias Raju, son of Jaswant Singh of Khanpur in Ramgarh, both the drug-peddlers were put in the police lock up. A case FIR No. 18/2012 was registered against them under 8/15 NDPS Act and further investigation was in progress. The police was trying to find out the origin and destination of the consignment.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: The Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar today stayed the operation of Government order whereby 22 kanal forest land was allotted to one person in violation of forest laws as well as directions issued by the Supreme Court of India.
The order was passed in a PIL filed by one Kuldeep Kumar Sharma seeking direction of prohibition and restraining the respondents from changing the nature of the land, which is the part of Bahu Games Reserve.
After hearing Advocate Amit Gupta for the petitioner, DB issued notice to State through Chief Secretary, Commissioner Secretary Forest, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and private respondent Rajinder Parsad Sharma returnable within four weeks.
In the meantime, operation of Government Order NO 354-FST of 2006 dated July 3, 2006 was stayed till next date of hearing.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 9: In a bizarre incident, a middle aged person and father of two children jumped in front of a moving train alongwith his young sister-in-law near Chadwal in tehsil Hiranagar today.
A police spokesman said both of them had held their hands together and then jumped in from of the train (DMU) at around 7 am today. While ‘Jija’ was killed on the spot, ‘Sali’ was critically injured and was rushed to GMC hospital Jammu. Both are said to have illicit relations and there was some problem going on in both the families over it. Sister- in- law is also married and has two kids.
They have been identified as Krishan Lal (36), son of Dewan Chand, resident of Chainpur and Champa Devi (26), wife of Satpal, resident of Saiswan. The police has registered a case and started investigation. Body of the Krishan Lal was handed over to the family after conducting legal formalities by police.

Excelsior Correspondent
Udhampur, Apr 9 : 47 Air Defence Regiment celebrated its Golden Jubilee with pomp and show on completion of fifty glorious years of its service to the nation. Raised on April Ist, 1962 at Namkum, Ranchi, the Unit has been serving the nation in times of peace and war in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. The Unit has proved its mettle in every major battle the country has fought since its raising has also contributed tremendously in maintaining internal security of the country and provided relief during various natural calamities and other disturbances in internal peace. A large number of officers, JCOs and jawans, both serving and retired along with their families participated in the celebrations.
The occasion was marked by conduct of a blood donation camp at the Unit premises. The Addl Director General of Army Air Defence, Maj Gen H Gopalan congratulated the Unit on the auspicious occasion. He presented the DG AAD Trophy to the Commanding Officer, Col Aman Puri and also released the First Day Cover of the Unit. A solemn wreath laying ceremony to pay homage to the valiant martyrs of the unit culminated the events.

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, April 9: All J&K Gaddi Sippi Tribes Welfare Association (GSTWA) today organised a convention at Town Hall here.
MLA Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia was the chief guest on the occasion.
A large number of Community members from different parts of the State participated in the convention.
During the convention, various speakers reiterated the demands of the Community, which included establishment of Advisory Board for Gaddi Sippi tribes, restart of pre-matric scholarship in favour of Gaddi Sippi tribes students, 1% reservation in all professional colleges of the State exclusively for the students of the Tribes, recognition of Gaddi language in the sixth schedule of the Constitution of the State, nomination of one member belonging to Gaddi tribe for upper house of State Legislature and motorable road connectivity to all Gaddi Sippi habitations.
Mankotia assured the Community that he will take up their long pending demands before the State Government and also on the floor of the State Assembly in forthcoming Assembly sessions for redressel.
He also appealed the Community to educate their children as education is the only means for the development of the backward communities like Gaddi and Sippi.
After the convention Mankotia formally laid the foundation stone of the Gaddi Sippi Hostel.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: National Gurjjar-Bakerwal Welfare Trust (NGBWT) will educate and work on all round development of about fifteen crore Gujjar community including 40 lakh Gujjar and Bakerwals living in Jammu and Kashmir, and also constituted its body, here today.
Addressing a press conference, Er Ghulam Ali, national president, Gujjar-Bakerwal Welfare Trust told media personals that Trust will educate the Gujjars for maximum enrolment in different educational institutions and work for their due share as per their population; Educate the community for maximum avenues and share in employment in Government, public and private sector; To promote and preserve Gujjar Bakerwals culture; Manage the study, teaching, research of Gojri language and its inclusion in 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution.
Other developmental issues raised pertained to work for promotion of Gujjar news bulletin, folk songs through/TV channels and works for due space in these channels, and also to work to educate the community for political empowerment and other allied works.
On the occasion, national working committee members were also announced, who included Jagdish Caparana, (MP), Qumr Rubbani, (Rajasthan), Choudhary Abdullah (Kashmir) and Lal Husain Lodha (Jammu) as vice presidents, Rajendra Singh Gurjar as general secretary, Manzoor Badana (Udhampur) and Sonia Chodhary (Reasi ( as secretaries). Various other members were also announced for other districts.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: A Samohik Yagnopavit (wearing of sacred thread) of 18 boys was solemnized by Swami Kumar Ji Geeta Satsang Ashram in the Ashram premises at Muthi camp.
The three -day long function started on April 7 evening and it concluded with Puranahuti this evening. Minister of Revenue Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bahlla was the chief guest on the occasion. The function among others was attended by Mubarak Gul, Political Advisor to Chief Minister, Sartaj Madni, Deputy Speaker Legislative Assembly, Vijay Bakaya MLC, H L Pandita, general secretary PCC, Migrant Cell, Dr K L Chowdhary, K K Khosa senior vice president KP Sabha, Dr Sushil Wattal, Dr Ramesh Bhat, Kuldeep Riana and members of Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust.
Addressing the gathering Mr Bhalla said that Government is ceased of the problems of the displaced people and many steps have been taken in mitigating their sufferings.
He urged the migrants to cooperate with Government in implementation of PM’s rehabilitation package. Maintaining that Government is committed to rehabilitation of the community in Kashmir Valley with honour and dignity he said the Rs 7.50 lakh package for construction of a house per family has been revised and fresh proposal of Rs 20 lakh has been submitted to center in this regard.
He said the appointment on 800 dereserved posts and 700 non joining posts is in pipeline while the 3000 posts under state sector will also be advertised soon.
Swami Kumar Ji also gave religious discourses and highlighted the importance of holding the Samohik religious functions. On the occasion copies of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta were distributed by Kuldeep Raina among the gathering.
The devotees were served with prashad after Puranahuti.