Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: In a bunch of writ petitions vis-à-vis dispute over huge chunk of Sainik Colony land, State High Court has directed Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to call the entire record pertaining to the case and himself examine it before filing affidavit within three weeks.
After hearing battery of lawyers, Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar observed, “what is required to be ascertained is as to how and in what manner the accusation proceedings have been conducted and what would be the stand of official respondents”.
“In view of the issues raised in all the writ petitions, the ACR/Collector Jammu is not in a position to take a stand before the Court. In order to settle the issues raised and to arrive at just conclusion in the matter, Divisional Commissioner Jammu is directed to call the entire record pertaining to the case and himself examine it and file his affidavit before the Court within three weeks”, Justice Attar said.
While considering the issue, the Divisional Commissioner should afford an opportunity to hearing all the petitioners, the interveners and Sainik Cooperative Housing Building Society, the High Court said.
With these observations, High Court directed the Registry to list these petitions in the week commencing from May, 2012.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: In a petition filed by Mohd Aslam, DySP Headquarter Reasi, against whom FIR was registered at the behest of the senior police officers, State High has issued notice to then SSP and Additional SP Reasi and SHO Police Station Reasi returnable within four weeks and restrained the respondents from presenting challan against the petitioner till further directions.
According to the petitioner, he was transferred from Kathua to DySP Headquarter Reasi on March 30, 2011 and before his joining, then SSP Reasi divested his charge and assigned the same to Additional SP Reasi.
The petitioner made repeated requests for assigning the charge to him but all in vain as the SSP had old personal grudge against the petitioner. On December 8, 2011, then SSP Reasi issued a deployment order for security arrangement in connection with the visit of Dr Farooq Abdullah at Sports Stadium Reasi on December 10, 2011.
In the order, petitioner was asked to ensure the deployment inside and outside the stadium besides other duties specifically mentioned therein. In compliance to the deployment order, the petitioner entered the main VVIP gate of the Stadium for identifying the location for parking ambulance but the Additional SP did not allow him to enter the stadium on the ground that he has not been assigned any duty in the deployment order.
The Additional SP directed her body-guards, driver, wireless operator and other policemen to throw the petitioner out of the stadium and locked the VVIP gate. On this, Head Constable Charanjeet Singh and Selection Grade Constable Subash Chander assaulted the petitioner. On this, the petitioner requested the SSP to initiate legal action against the Additional SP and other culprits but all in vain.
Instead the respondents joined hands and registered a false and frivolous FIR against the petitioner and arrested him. He was even given severe thrashing in the police lock-up.
After hearing Advocate Sheikh Altaf Hussain appearing for the petitioner, Justice Mansoor Ahmed Mir issued notices to the respondents and restrained them from presenting final report of the investigation till further directions from the Court.
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 14: After the suspension of their three colleagues, the employees of Centaur Hotel today threatened to go on indefinite strike from April 17 in case the suspension order is not revoked by April 16.
Hundreds of employees of the hotel carried out a protest demonstration against the action of management for suspension of the three employees. The protesters also alleged that the management is carrying out behind the scene deal of the hotel.
The suspended employees Mohammad Amin Dar, Ghulam Haider Dar and Showkat Ahmad Bhat also took part in the protest demonstration and feigned ignorance about the allegations leveled against them. They termed the grounds of suspension as flimsy saying that the management does not want the employees union to come up at the hotel.
Talking to Excelsior, a group of protesting employees said that the management suspended the three employees without any rhyme or reason. They said the employees were suspended on mere allegations adding that nothing could be proved against them.
The employees said that they have served two days ultimatum to the management to recall the suspended employees otherwise the 400 employees of the hotel would go on complete strike from April 17. They said management alone would be responsible for the consequences thereof.
“We would go on a pen down strike on Tuesday and this would be followed by hunger strike. If the management still does not listen to us we would come on streets and lodge strong protests”, said the employees.
“We are going to hold the elections for the union and for this process we have set up election commissioner. We have nominated three persons for the post of election commissioner so far and all these three persons have been suspended. This is all being done to woo us so that no elections are held and employees don’t raise their voice against the management,” said the employees.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: Underscoring need to revive age old festival celebrations at historic places, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said Baisakhi is an important festival of the region and all sections of society should join together in the festivities. He said the jubilations have special importance for Billawar region, as they have become part of the age old tradition of the area.
Mr Tara Chand said this while inaugurating historical three day Baisakhi Mela at Billawar.
Describing historical importance of Billawar town, the Deputy Chief Minister said reference of the town is found in one of the most authentic and detailed historical chronicle of the sub-continent- the Rajatarangani.
He said the region has vast tourism potential and efforts would be redoubled to explore the potential to its fullest, adding that the region is world famous for its religious tourism.
Minister of State for Cooperative, Finance and Planning Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, Member of Parliament Ch. Lal Singh, MLC Subash Gupta, DDC, Kathua Zahida Parveen Khan and other senior district level officers of police and civil administration attended the grand inauguration ceremony.
An impressive cultural programme comprising of Dogri folk songs and dances by the local artist remained key attraction of the Mela.
Responding to the demand of Shrine board for Sukrala Mata and Mata Bala Sundri as the pilgrims inflow in these shrines has increased manifold in recent years, he directed the DDC Kathua to submit comprehensive plan for these shrines, so that needful be done in this regard. He said sincere effort will be made to make the Baisakhi Mela a regular and important feature on the state culture calendar.
He said tourism requires better infrastructure and to address the need the project to double lane Dayala Chak – Challan and Billawar-Sukrala Mata roads would be taken up at the right quarters.
Stalls of different government departments were installed showcasing their working, schemes and programmes.
The cultural troupe which participated in the programmes included, Khajoor Singh & party, Bansi Lal & party, Ramalo Ram & party and students of different schools.
Later, the Deputy Chief Minister toured the Billawar town and the historic ancient Lord Shiva temple. He said funds for the construction of bus stand have already been released and now the authorities need to work in double shifts to complete the work at the earliest.
A number of deputations also met Mr. Tara Chand and brought to his notice various demands of the people of the town. The deputations were given patient hearing and assured of redressal of genuine demands.
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 14: The National Conference today welcomed the historic development in which India has decided to permit Foreign Direct Investment from Pakistan.
In a statement issued by the party spokesman, the General Secretary Advocate Sheikh Nazir Ahmed has welcomed the steps taken by India and Pakistan in initiating banking and other facilities for the people of both the countries. He said that this will help in creating a peaceful atmosphere between the two countries and give a new impetus to the dialogue process. He also hailed the bold steps taken by both the countries to ease the visa restriction, setting up of Indo-Pak business council and providing banking facilities by opening branches of major banks on the either side.
Both the countries have fought three wars, continue using around 3% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on Defence while as majority of the people in both the countries still live below the poverty line, he said, adding that it should be a matter of serious concern for all the stake holders.
The General Secretary said that it is high time for both India and Pakistan to understand the futility of wars which has only brought death and destruction to both the countries. He reminded that National Conference has always worked as a bridge between the two countries.
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 14: Minister for Transport & CA&PD, Qamar Ali Akhoon on Saturday said that Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway would be ready for vehicular traffic from April 25, 2012.
The Minister disclosed this while reviving the measures taken by BEACON authority in connection with lifting of snow as well as removing snow avalanches and other hurdles at Captain Marh.
He asked the Beacon authorities to accelerate the restoration work on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway to ensure that the vital road would be thrown open for the vehicles at the earliest. The lone link between Leh and rest of the country was closed in December last year due to heavy snowfall at Zojilla pass and adjacent areas.
The Minister stressed upon the Beacon to press more men and machinery into service for removing all the bottlenecks on the road. He also asked the administration and security agencies to ensure the safe passage of the people who are travelling on foot including vegetables and medicines carrying ponies.
Earlier, the Engineer of the Beacon, A.P. Singh informed the Minister that presently 6 bulldozers and near about 30 labourers have been pressed into service for removing the snow slides and other hurdles on the road.
Meanwhile, Mr. Akhoon asked the regulating agencies to repeat the normal schedule for the movement of up and down convoy of Army vehicles.
He further said that the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways has already approved the construction of 13 kilometres long Zojilla Tunnel to provide all season link to the twin districts of Leh and Kargil, adding that work on this project will be started this year.
The Minister said that with the construction of Zojilla tunnel, a long pending demand of the people of Kargil and Leh would be fulfilled.
Excelsior Correspondent
PULWAMA, Apr 14: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayat Raj, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar today conducted an extensive tour of various villages including Charsoo, Barsoo, Noorpora, Awantipora and Pampore of district Pulwama and reviewed the progress made under various developmental schemes launched by the Rural Development under MG NREGA, IAY and SGSY etc.
The Minister was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Dr. Nasir Ahmad Lone, Director Rural Development, Kashmir, Jehangir Mir and other district sectoral heads.
Addressing the people, the Minister said that under MG NREGA Rs. 750 crores out of Rs. 900 crores have been spent during the last financial year. He said that efforts are on to make strong Panchayats by involving the Panchs and Sarpanchs in the development process of the rural areas at grass root level.
Meanwhile, the Director Rural Development, Kashmir in his address said that under MG NREGA, Rs. 14.44 crore against Rs. 17.60 crores have been spent in District Pulwama while 32,153 job cards have been issued to the unemployed persons. He further said that during the last financial year 7.06 lakh mandays have made available to the job card holders. He said Rs. 5.95 crore have been utilized under IAY for construction of 1822 low cost houses.
‘Open 8 more cross-LoC routes, ease travel procedures’
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 13: Though the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan has adversely affected the State of Jammu and Kashmir yet it is not possible to unilaterally abrogate the same in the absence of any exit clause and solution to the water issues lies in the integrated development plan for the conservation of Indus Basin.
This has been observed by the Dileep Padgaonkar-headed panel of interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir in its report, which was submitted to the Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram in the month of October 2011.
“The limitations imposed by the Treaty to enhancing water storage capacities on the rivers on the Indian side has curbed both the hydro-power generation capacity of the Jammu and Kashmir as well as blocked the efforts for irrigating land”, the report said, adding “these factors, in turn, have failed to attract investment in the State”.
According to the report, the answer to the water issues doesn’t lie in the abrogation of the Treaty but in rendering it more effective. “Under the Treaty, India is duty bound to comply with the obligations as an upper riparian State and in any case, it is not possible to unilaterally abrogate the Treaty”, it said, adding “even at the peak of hostilities between India and Pakistan, the thought of nullifying the Treaty had not crossed minds in Pakistan”.
Speaking about the potential for convergence, report said, “the solution to the water issue lies in integrated development plan for the conservation of the Indus Basin. “This would take into full account the linkages between water, land and the users, the environment and the infrastructure. It would have to focus on better cooperative management of shared water resources”, report further said, adding “vast amount of financial and technical resources would be needed to attain these goals besides political will of all stakeholders”.
About the disputes arising out of the division of different parts of erstwhile princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, the report said, “if psychological trauma of the people of Jammu and Kashmir being suffered during the last six decades has to be brought to an end, a settlement to the disputes should apply on both sides of the Line of Control”.
Noting that the situation on the Pakistani side of the LoC was rather different from that on the Indian side, the report points to the lack of freedom and autonomy in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
“A large number of legal and constitutional reforms and changes on the ground will be required on the Pakistani side if the same political, economic and cultural freedom are to be offered across the LoC”, the report said, adding “2009 Gilgit-Baltistan reforms package brought the Pakistani side of the State closer towards harmonising relations with the Indian side”.
Suggesting expansion and easing of trade and travel between J&K and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, the interlocutors have suggested near-universal support in all parts of the former princely State to inter-Kashmir trade and travel. They have also referred to the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Working Group on Strengthening Relations across the LoC on opening more cross LoC routes and relaxation of restrictions to include pilgrims, patients and tourists, if necessary, unilaterally by India.
Pointing towards the number of memorandums from traders associations and travelers on the bureaucratic difficulties in promotion of trade and travel, the report said, “the permit procedures are extremely cumbersome as a result of which the buses often run at 10 to 20 per cent capacity”, adding “trade has remained on a primitive barter basis in a world where money travels more easily than people or goods”.
The interlocutors have suggested opening of all routes across the LoC like Jammu-Sialkote, Jhangani-Mirpur, Mendhar-Kotli, Turtuk-Khapulu, Skardu-Kargil, Chamb-Nonian, Gurez-Astoor-Gilgit and Titwal-Chilham. “The measures to ease travel would include issue of travel permit on the strength of the Permanent Resident Certificate, completion of security clearance within a maximum period of 30 working days, provision to multiple entry-exit permits valid for one year and permission to relatives to see off or receive travelers at the border posts”, the report said.
In order to ease trade, the interlocutors have suggested holding of fairs in towns close to the LoC on both sides, annual or bi-annual haats or market fairs between the check points on both sides of the LoC. They have also recommended enlarging of list of export and import items without any restrictions on the quantity of traded goods.
“The customs duties should be exempted on reciprocal basis for a period of three years”, the report, said, adding “banking facilities should also be provided on both sides of the LoC and the barter system done away with”.
The interlocutors, according to the report, have also suggested swift customs checks especially for perishable items and use of scanners to clear trucks, which will considerably reduce the time being consumed in checking every item. “The trucks should be allowed to go directly to their destinations or transport depots should be created in areas adjacent to the LoC”, the report said.
The report has also recommended setting up of consultative committees with members from each legislature on both sides, along with experts, to facilitate activities in areas such as agriculture, environment protection, tourism, exchange visits, and medical relief measures during epidemics and natural disasters.
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar Apr 13: Police have achieved a major success by cracking the whip on the administrators of the anti-Government and-anti police pages on the social networking site, Facebook.
Police said that these pages operated by youth were fomenting trouble in Srinagar and other major towns of Kashmir valley during the summer unrest of 2010.
Police source said that they have summoned four administrators of these major anti-Government pages and have identified 24 other youth, who will be summoned in coming days.
Those who have already been summoned for cyber crime are Muheet, Salik, Faraaz and Irfan Trambu, all hailing from Srinagar city. They have been questioned by the police and have confessed their crime to the investigators.
These four youth were the administrators of “Freedom of Dawn, Allaw, Hoshar Jammat, Ballaiy Khuda and We love Syed Ali Shah Geelani” pages.
Police have seized their laptops and desktops that proves their involvement, said a police source. They have also tracked their involvement through their IP addresses and other electronic evidence is also proving their involvement, said police sources.
Most of these youth are in their late teens and are doing undergraduate courses in Management and Commerce in various colleges in Srinagar.
Police sources said that their parents are also being summoned and these youth will be counseled.
Police were after these youth who were fomenting trouble in Srinagar city and other major towns of Kashmir valley for past few years, sources said.
An investigating officer told Excelsior that Police were after these youth for a long time. He said that a special police team was constituted to identify and nab them.
He said that they were uploading provocative and seditious material on these websites and pages besides making pejorative comments. “They were concealing their identity by using pseudonyms while running these pages”, he said.
Police sources said that they had been investigating and monitoring the activities of these pages for long. They said that the administrators of these pages were interlinked to each other. These youth were passing on passwords to one another for operating and uploading information on these pages.
An investigating officer said that many of these administrators are based in Srinagar. However, some persons were operating these pages from Pakistan and European countries.
Police sources said that a Switzerland based Christian woman and some Kashmiris living in foreign countries were also involved in the cyber crime for fomenting trouble in Kashmir. They said that the woman visited Kashmir last year and met these youth to co-ordinate the activities of these pages.
Police had already registered two FIRs – FIR No132/2011 under section 66 IT Act, 13Unlawful activities (Prevention) Act and FIR No88/2010 under section 66 IT Act, 13 Unlawful activities (Prevention) Act against them.
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 13: After being cancelled twice, the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) of Police Department has been fixed for April 19 to take up promotion of top brass in the Department, which have been pending for quite a long time.
Official sources said a notification has been issued for the third time in little over a month for meeting of the DPC on April 19.
The DPC comprised Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Home Secretary B R Sharma and Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda.
The DPC was fixed twice in the previous month. However, both the times it had to be cancelled due to busy schedule of the bureaucrats.
The Police Headquarters has prepared a fresh proposal for the DPC. The PHQ has favoured promotion of entire batch of 1994 IPS officers from Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) to Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs) and entire 1998 batch of IPS officers from Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to DIGs.
However, it hasn’t yet sent any proposal for promotion of IGPs to Additional DGPs due to only one vacancy. There were four IPS officers of 1987 batch and the Government wanted to promote all of them simultaneously as ADGPs after creation of three more vacancies.
According to sources, there was only one vacancy of ADGP in CID. Four IPS officers of 1987 batch included VK Singh, who was on Central deputation in Singapore, SM Sahai, IGP Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh, IGP Jammu and Owais Ahmad IGP Personnel/Training Police Headquarters/Technical. First three of them were Regular Recruits (direct IPS officers) while Owais Ahmed was KPS conferred with IPS from 1987.
Two IPS officers of 1987 batch—Dr Ashok Gupta and Raja Aijaz Ali had retired on February 29 as Director Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA), Udhampur and IGP Crime.
VK Singh is scheduled to return to the State in June or July this year after completion of Central deputation.
Sources said the DPC would face a major problem in meeting the Police Headquarters proposal to promote11 DIGs of 1994 batch as IGPs as there were only four cadre and three ex-cadre posts available. While No. 1 DIG in seniority, due for promotion, SJM Gilani was on Central deputation with the Central Bureau of Investigations and could be given proforma promotion as he was yet to return to the State.
Still, there was requirement of 10 posts of IGPs to promote entire batch of 1994 officers.
Four cadre posts of IGPs, which were available for promotions included IGP Crime, J&K, IGP Security, Director SKPA Udhampur and IGP Technical Services J&K. While Raja Aijaz Ali and Dr Ashok Gupta had retired as IGP Crime and Director SKPA, Arun Choudhary and Ashok Gupta have earlier held the post of IGP Technical Services and IGP Security. Mr Choudhary was presently posted as IGP Police Headquarters.
The Government sanctioned the cadre posts. Three ex-cadre posts, which have been created by the Government included IGP Human Rights, IGP Law and Order and IGP North Kashmir Range Baramulla.
Gulzar Singh Slathia, IGP Armed had earlier held the post of IGP Human Rights while Pankaj Saxena had served as IGP NKR Baramulla.
Sources said three posts, which could be created by the DPC if it wanted to accommodate all 1994 batch officers as IGPs, have been identified as IGP/MD Police Housing Corporation, Director SSG and Director Civil Military Liaison. Amin Shah had earlier held the post of MD Police Housing Corporation while VK Singh and Raja Aijaz Ali had served as Director SSG as IGPs. MK Mohanty, RK Tickoo and Raja Aijaz Ali had earlier occupied the post of Director Civil Military Liaison.
However, it would depend on the DPC as to how many posts it opted to create for promotion of 1994 batch IPS officers.
The 1994 batch IPS officers, who were serving as DIGs, included SJM Gilani, who was on deputation to CBI, Abdul Ghani DIC Central Kashmir Range, Srinagar, Mohammad Suleman Salaria, DIG Vigilance, J&K, Sunil Sharma, DIG CID Jammu, Farooq Khan, DIG Jammu-Kathua range, Dr Kamal Saini, DIG IRP Jammu, PR Manhas, DIG Security J&K, Yogender Koul, DIG Crime, J&K, Alok Puri, DIG Administration, Munir Ahmed Khan, DIG North Kashmir Range, Baramulla and Abdul Qayoom Manhas, DIG Trainings, Armed Police Headquarters.
Rouf-ul-Hassan is only 1994 batch IPS officer, who has already been promoted as IGP and posted as IGP Armed/IR Kashmir.
Sources said there would be no major problem before the DPC to promote all seven IPS officer of 1998 batch, presently posted as SSPs, as DIGs. While a couple of vacancies of DIGs already existed, even if five DIGs were promoted as IGPs, all SSPs of 1998 batch would get through as DIGs.
The 1998 batch IPS officers included Rajinder Gupta, SSP CID (Special Branch) Jammu, Parminder Singh, SSP Special Security Group, J&K, Showkat Ahmad Malik, SSP CID (Special Branch) Kashmir, Ahfadul Mujtaba, SSP Vigilance, Jammu, Abdul Hamid, Commandant IRP Ist battalion, Mushtaq Mohammad Sadiq, Principal, Police Training College (PTC), Manigam and Shakeel Ahmad Beigh, SSP Udhampur.
