Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 7: Accusing the State Government of neglecting the genuine issues of the Sikhs living in the state the All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) today threatened to launch an agitation in support of their demands.
The APSCC also asked the ministers and legislators of National Conference and Congress to pull up their socks or face music at the hands of Sikh community during the next Assembly elections scheduled to be held in 2014.
Taking dig at the functioning of the National Conference-Congress Coalition Government in the state, APSCC Chairman, Jagmohan Singh Raina said that the State Government has failed to solve the problems being faced by the Sikh community in the state. He said the community members would launch agitation in support of their demands adding that the government would be responsible for the consequences thereof.
“Justice has been denied to the Sikhs of the state since 1947 and the time has come when there is a need for carrying out a full-fledged agitation in this respect. All the legal means of registering the protest and raising our demands have never been taken serious by the State Government. Time has come to stand up and register our protest against the Government,” said Raina.
Referring to the issues confronting the Sikh community, Raina said these include employment package for Sikhs, immediate issuance of State Subject through Central Authority, minority status as per National Commission for Minorities Act, filling of Punjabi vacant posts, timely inquiry in 36 killing of Sikhs at Chattisinghpora and compensation of agriculture and horticulture losses suffered during turmoil.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7:- Panun Kashmir (PK) organized a seminar on the topic Invasion & Accession of J&K –crucial & fateful days at Press Club here today.
The leaders academicians, journalists and prominent citizens belonging to the refugee and internally displaced communities from PoK , Kashmir Valley and Jammu province participated in the seminar to discuss the crucial days leading to invasion on the state by regular and irregular troops of Pakistan as also the historical facts of the accession of the state with India.
Those who spoke included Dr M K Teng, chairman of the Advisory Committee of PK, Prof Hari Om, historian, Yuv Raj Gupta chairman POJK Sangarsh Morcha, Mirpur, V K Sehgal, journalist and chairman SRVA and Dr Ajay Chrungoo chairman PK.
The seminar was organized as a step towards documenting unknown facts about the invasion of the state in 1947 and its accession to India, said Mahesh Kaul who acted as anchor of the programme.
Speaking on the occasion Dr M K Teng said that the details of the invasion of the state were available to the then leadership at the helm of affairs right from its preparatory stages towards the end of August 1947 and asked that why GOI did not act after the real invasion on ground started on October 27, 1947 and why the state was left undefended till actual accession took place.
He said as Indian state from very beginning left the Northern Frontiers of the country undefended and the genocide of Hindus in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Rajouri, Poonch and Kashmir Valley has been a result of this attitude.
Dr Ajay Chrungoo said that a conspiracy of Hindus genocide is still on and it has not been recognized so far. This game has been more gruesome than the holocaust of Jews or American Christians, he added.
Dr Chrungoo said what has befallen on the Hindus and Sikhs of the state in 1947 and subsequently in 1989-90 is continuation of the same ruthless and murderous game.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: The ongoing Cultural Event and Sport Festival “Resurgence” entered its next phase today at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and saw a series of yet more adrenaline generating events.
The day started with Mime, Mimicry and continued with street dance, western vocal, theme dance and Bollywood enact.
The students participated enthusiastically in all the events. The whole campus was abuzz with activity. The main attraction of the day was Rock Nite in which the College Band “Paradox” gave stupendous performance.
The Inter University Literary and Cultural Events will start off tomorrow with students participating from various institutes across the nation.
The carnival is being supported by VLCC, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, KC Residency, Javid Habib, Abhinandan Caterers, Sanjeev Caterers and Jehlum Resorts.
Earlier, Annual Youth Festival of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, Resurgence started with great enthusiasm.
The gala event was inaugurated by Prof ML Garg, Dean, College Of Engineering.
The opening ceremony witnessed a Gaudiya Dance by Prof Mahua Mukherjee and her team from Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata, followed by a Punjabi folk dance by SMVDU Bhangra Club.
To increase the participation of students in these events, the student community is grouped into 5 houses called Aakash, Agni, Jal, Prithvi and Vayu. The teams of these houses are competing with one another and the winner will be given chance to participate in the Inter University events to be organized on April 8.
Various Universities /Institutions have been invited to participate in the cultural events whereas Jammu University, SKUAST, MBSCET and BGSBU have confirmed their participation.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: Reiterating Government’s resolve to provide all the basic amenities to the rural populace at par with urbanites, the Minister for Industries and Commerce, S. S. Slathia today said that all the available resources are being mobilized to fulfill the urges and aspirations of the people in connection with redressal of their grievances.
Speaking at a public gathering, after inaugurating a computer lab at Government Middle School Chak Salarian in Vijaypur, the Minister said people of the State have pinned high hopes on the Government for solving their day to day problems, adding that all the promises made to the people will be fulfilled during the remaining 3 years stint of the present dispensation.
The Minister also inaugurated newly constructed lane and drains in Chak Salarian village which have been completed at a cost of Rs. 6.50 lakhs under MGNREGA. He also announced installation of a transformer in the village and black topping of Salarian to Shamshan Ghat road. He said two BPL families of the village will be provided assistance for construction of their houses under IAY during the current year.
Mr. Slathia also inaugurated three additional class rooms in Government Middle School, Man Dalyal along with kitchen and lavatory facilities, which have been constructed at a cost of Rs. 9.45 lakhs under Sarv Shikhsha Abhiyan (SSA). He also inaugurated 3 newly constructed lane and drains and announced to provide 31 new electric poles and upgradation of existing power transformers from 52 KV to 100 KVs in the village.
Mr. Slathia sought people’s whole hearted corporation to the present Government for accomplishing its people friendly programme and cautioned them not to get swayed away from the hollow sloganeering of the opposition.

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 7: Police recovered a girl from Jammu five months after she was kidnapped from the Boniyar area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Giving details, a police spokesman said that on October 27, 2011 a girl of Alhootra-Panzla, Rohama as per her family members left her sister’s home for PHC Boniyar for treatment as she was not feeling well. The girl, however, did not return and subsequently her sister lodged a missing report at police station Boniyar.
The spokesman said that father of the missing girl stated that her daughter has been kidnapped by one Tariq Ahmed Najar son of Abdul Ahad resident of Alhootra-Panzla.
“Due to the strenuous efforts of Baramulla Police, the girl was recovered from Jammu on April 6, 2012. The accused Tariq Ahmed was also arrested. After fulfilling the medico-legal formalities, the girl was handed over to her legal heirs,” said the spokesman.
Meanwhile, in a separate action the west zone of Srinagar police recovered four boys who went missing few days back from the Khonmoh area of Srinagar city.
They have been identified as Aadil Gulzar Bhat son of Gulzar Ahmad, Ahmad Chopan son of Ali Mohammad, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Rashid and Irfan Shafi Ahanger son of Mohammad Shafi, all residents of Khonmoh.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today inaugurated two days 213th General Council Meeting of All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP) with great fanfare at Hotel Ashok. The General Council Meeting was organized by Jammu Printers Association.
Former Minister Dr. Romesh Sharma was also present on the occasion.
A large number of members of Jammu Printers Association (Regd) attended the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister hoped that the deliberations will come out with concrete suggestions for making the federation strong and viable for building economy and status of people.
This is the 3rd time that the GC Meeting of AIFMP is being held in Jammu and Kashmir. A GC Meeting was held at Hotel Lake View in famous Dal Lake, Srinagar in the very first year of the induction of Jammu Printers Association.
The second meeting was held at Patnitop in the year 2006.
Now again, Jammu Printers Association has been given the honour of holding the 213 GC Meeting at Jammu.
Members will sit together for two days and deliberate on the problems being faced by the printing fraternity. Rajjan Kuthari, President AIFMP will preside over the 2 days meeting ably supported by a glaxy of office bearers and a good number of past Presidents.
On the occasion, ‘JPA Reporter’ and ‘PRINT INTERNATIONAL Expo 2012’ were released.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 7: World Health Day was observed across the State today.
World Health Day was celebrated at Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sidhra. On the occasion, seminar, skit and poster making competitions were organised. Dr SL Verma, Founding Principal of ASCOMS was the chief guest while Dr A Kumar, Director Principal and Dr VK Gandotra, Prof and Advisor Academics were also present.
During the seminar, speakers from different specialities spoke on different aspects. In poster making competition, group headed by Nitika and Oshin were adjudged first while group headed by Poonam and Sakshi were conferred second ranking. Group headed by Shilpa and Harpreet bagged third ranking.
Regional Red Cross Society and Hrideya Deep Ashram, organised a free medial camp at Lower Ratnu Chak to mark the World Health Day. The camp was inaugurated by Anil K Padha, secretary, Regional Red Cross Society and was presided over by Swami Hridaya Nand Giri. During the camp, over 460 patients were examined and free medicines jointly contributed by BEE ENN Charitable Trust and Hridaya Deep Ashram were distributed.
World Health Day was observed at Government Middle School, Phinter, Billawar, where students from various schools participated. A seminar on “Health for All” was organised where number of speakers threw light on the importance of the topic. A rally was also organised on the occasion.
Guru Nanak College of Education, Jallochak, celebrated World Health Day by organizing the visit of its students to Saint Edward Public School, Sarore, thereby spreading the message of healthy mind and body in today’s stressful living environment. On the occasion, students performed various health education informative programmes elaborating the noble cause of blood donation. Sunita Jamwal, Principal of the college was the chief guest while the whole programme was organised by Anita Gupta.
On the eve of World Health Day, a seminar on the theme “Save the Girl Child” was organised by Red Cross and Education Department at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Kathua, in which students from various schools participated. On the occasion, Zahida Parveen Khan, District Development Commissioner, Kathua was the chief guest, who while speaking appealed the people to cooperate in eradicating this social evil, which is posing serious threat to the sex ratio. Officers from civil administration were also present on the occasion.
Health Department Ramban in collaboration with Ramban Police organised rallies to mark World Health Day, in which hundreds of students participated.
Eco Sanitation Welfare Council in collaboration with Guru Harkrishan Public School, organised a seminar on “Eco Sanitation–A way to Healthy life” and an awareness rally, to celebrated World Health Day. On the occasion, Commissioner, JMC, KL Khajuira, was the chief guest while Balbir Singh, Principal of the school and galaxy of senior citizens were also present.
Yogathon, unique nation wide initiative by the Art of Living was performed at GGM Science College, KC Public School, NITS Polytechnic, Miran Sahib, Heritage School, MHAC Nagbani, Vaishno Devi College of Education besides Kot Bhalwal and Amphalla jails to commemorate World Health Day. Hundreds of people participated.
An awareness rally “To Save Girl Child” was organised at Government Higher Secondary School, Nagri Parole to celebrate World Health Day. The rally commenced from the school premises and passed through various streets, in which staff members and girls students participated.
IPS Kidzee, Kathua organised a Medical Check up camp to celebrate World Health Day, in which Dr Mohinder Lal, Dr Reva, Dr Raj Kumar, Dr Vikas Pandu, Dr Dimple and Dr Ravinder, examined the children.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan participated in a “Walk for Good Health” organised by World Health Organization in association with Valley Citizen Council from Nehru Park, today to commemorate World Health Day. People from all walks of society including officials from civil administration also took part in the rally.

Excelsior Correspondent
GANDERBAL, Apr 7: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar today inaugurated Rural Development Complex at Vakoon Ganderbal coming up at Rs. 36.97 lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sagar said that Chief Minister is monitoring the overall development of the Ganderbal since 10 years as the Ganderbal is the Chief Minister’s own constituency.
The Minister said that conducting of Panchayat elections devolution of powers to Panchayats, RTI Act and Public Services Guarantee Act are the main achievements of the present Coalition Government, which provides rights to the general people to get the grievances redressed within a stipulated timeframe.
Referring to the development of the Ganderbal district, Mr. Sagar assured the people that all the demands of the people would be fulfilled in a phased manner. He said that Central University, Mini Secretariat, 16 bridges, Colleges, road connectivity and other developmental achievements would be put in force.
The Minister also visited under construction District Hospital building at Ganderbal coming up at Rs. 522.56 crore and took stock of the construction works.
The Minister impressed upon the concerned agencies to gear up their efforts for timely completion of the all ongoing projects within a stipulated timeframe.
On this occasion, Member Legislative Council, A.M. Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Showkat Ahmad, Director Rural department, Kashmir, Jehangir Mir, District Officers, prominent party leaders were present.

Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 7: Two artificial dams are being constructed at Dabbi and Phangeri in Kathua district to create ground water recharging facilities to the fields, drinking facilities to nomads and their livestock besides wildlife habitation, costing Rs. 39 lakh.
This was stated by the Minister for Forest and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad while taking stock of the progress of the projects taken under forest sector in the Kathua district today.
The Minister exhorted upon the officers to start work on new projects approved under CAMPA and ensure 100 per cent utilization of funds provided for the projects. He asked them to come up with detailed reports of big projects so that more people are benefitted.
The Minister urged upon district administration to get fenced the land available in the towns so that it could be saved from encroachment. He also directed officers to complete all projects under execution as per fixed schedule.
The Minister underlined need for proper and regular monitoring of the projects coming up in the district under forest sector and directed them that these projects should be completed within stipulated time frame.
While reviewing the functioning of Pollution Control Board(PCB), the Minister said the Kathua is the gateway of the Jammu and Kashmir and asked the concerned officers to ensure implementation of the laws enacted for checking the pollution control in the state.
The Minister also inspected Forest Nursery Sagwan in Samba district. He was informed that 25000 teak wood plants, imported from Madhya Pradesh and Utrakand, have been raised on experimental basis and subsequently for distribution among the farmers on concession rates. He was told that 50000 plants of different species have been raised at forest nursery Hari- Chak.
It was given out that 344 hectares of land has been treated by soil conservation department besides planting 3.14 lakh plant saplings costing Rs. 1.02 crore. Apart from this, the department also fenced 1.12 rft forest land and distributed 1.06 lakh plants among the farmers, it was told.
The meeting was informed that 1.19 lakh plants have been planted by DFO, Kathua, apart from raising 1.30 lakh plants raised for next season in three nurseries of the department. An area of 243 hectares have been brought under plantation, it was added.