‘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.

DPC likely to meet on April 19

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.

Neeraj Rohmetra
Jammu, Apr 13: Despite several confidence building measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan at different levels, the latter continued to support and sponsor terrorism in the border State and the levels of terrorist violence is inextricably linked to the levels of successful infiltration from across the border.
This has been stated in the latest annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India that has been released recently. “The levels of terrorist violence and encounters in the hinterland of J&K are inextricably linked to the levels of successful infiltration from across the border”, says the report.
However, the report further elaborates that Security Forces (SFs) maintained better domination along the Line of Control (LoC) and with the result the levels of infiltration had come down considerably. “This had a direct bearing on the situation in the Valley and levels of incidents of terrorist violence had declined from 488 in year 2010 to 340 in 2011”.
The Government of India in tandem with the State Government, has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross border infiltration, which, inter-alia includes strengthening of border management and multi-tiered and multi-modal deployment along the International Border/ Line of Control and near the ever changing infiltration routes, construction of border fencing.
“Several measure have been initiated from better weaponry, improved technology for security forces, improved intelligence and operational coordination; and synergizing intelligence flow to check infiltration and pro-active action against terrorists within the State”, the report says.
The Government has also adopted various counter terrorism strategies to neutralize the efforts and capabilities of militants to disturb peace in the State. The Government has also encouraged policies to mainstream the youth and discourage the local youth from joining militancy.
Dwelling further, the reports states that the security situation is being continuously monitored and reviewed by the Chief Minister in the Unified Headquarter/ Command with senior representatives of the State Government, Army, Central Armed Police Force and other security agencies. “The MHA also closely and continuously monitors the security situation in tandem with the State Government and the Ministry of Defence”, the report says.
The focus of Government has been to proactively take suitable measures by all the SFs to reduce infiltration of terrorist from across the border; and to identify, locate and apprehend the terrorists who may have crossed over; as also their local associates.
Appreciating efforts of the State Government in conducting Panchayat elections, the MHA report says, “the 17 phase Panchayat elections, which were conducted after nearly two decades were landmark elections and overall, the elections were peaceful”.
In 2011, there was a perceptible decline in the number of terrorist incidents and civilian and SFs casualties compared to the last year. The year witnessed a 30% decrease in the number of terrorist incidents and 34% and 52% decrease in civilian and SFs fatalities respectively to the year 2010. Since the inception of militancy in J&K, 13,846 civilians and 4807 Security Forces (SF) personnel have lost their lives. The number of security forces killed declined from 69 in 2010 to 33 in 2011 whileas the number of terrorist killed declined from 232 in 2010 to 100 in 2011. One hundred terrorists were also neutralized during the year 2011.
To address the growing concerns along the Indo-China border in the State, the MHA reports says, “the situation arising out of poor road connectivity which has hampered the operational capability of the border guarding forces, deployed along the border, the Government had decided to undertake phase-wise construction of roads in border areas in Jammu and Kashmir”.
To support the State Government in its initiatives, the Central Government has been making available Central Armed Police Forces and helping to strengthen the State Police and reimbursing expenditure being incurred on a variety of security related measures. These inter-alia, expenditure on carriage of Constabulary, material supplies, rent of accommodation, honorarium to Special Police Officers, Civic Action Programme, air-lift charges, raising cost of India Reserve Battalions, transport, boarding and lodging, alternate accommodation for Security Forces, etc.
“The total amount reimbursed from 1989 till date under the SRE expenditure is nearly Rs 3500 crores. During the current financial year a sum of Rs 200 crores has been reimbursed to J&K Government till December, 2011”, the report says.
As part of relief measures for victims of militancy under PM’s package, a sum of Rs 100 crore has been released to the State Government from the budget head, Security Related Expenditure (Relief & Rehabilitation) in three installments to settle 2000 militancy related pending compassionate appointment case by way of providing cash compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next-of-kins (NoKs) of the civilians killed in militancy related violence. On request of the State Government, the Government of India has further approved the extension of this scheme.
The Scheme of ‘Mordernisation of State Police Force (MPF) is being implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs for capacity building of the State Police Forces, especially for meeting the emerging challenges to internal security in the form of terrorism. “Jammu and Kashmir and eight North Eastern States have been categorized as ‘A’ category states, which shall receive 100% Central funding for this purpose respectively”, the report says.

Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Apr 13: In one of the landmark judgments, Judicial Magistrate Pulwama, Javed A Naik has directed the Superintendent of Police (SP) Awantipora to take action against the SHO, Pampore for dereliction of duty and cordial investigation by him in an alleged rape case and not to hand over him such a serious nature case for investigations in future.
The Magistrate has directed that the SHO and such officials should not be entrusted with the job of conducting investigations in future particularly in offences which are of serious nature as they help accused in getting away with alleged crime.
While granting bail to an accused in alleged rape of a minor girl, the Judicial Magistrate Pulwama in his order said: “I would like to draw the attention of the police authorities towards the investigations conducted by the investigating officer who has not at all cared with the directions of his superior officer/Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Awantipora for conducting the medical examination of the victim well in time.”
“The investigating officer has been very cordial and helpful to the accused as despite observations made by the Assistant Surgeon SDH Pampore that Hymen is intact, however opinion regarding the rupture of the Hymen should be revised at LD hospital from some expert gynecologist he has not bothered to rush to the LD hospital for further investigation of the victim. The poor investigation could prove fatal to the prosecution case which is of a serious nature as per the allegations.”
The Judicial Magistrate said that SP Awantipora should take necessary action as envisaged under the law against the SHO since he has failed to send the alleged rape victim to LD hospital for further investigations.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Four persons were feared drowned after a Tata Sumo, they were traveling in, rolled down into River Chenab at Ramban this evening.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK02T-0632 was on its way from Ramban to Tatarsu via Krole when it went out of the control of driver and rolled down into river Chenab at around 6.30 pm.
On getting information about the incident, a police party from Ramban Police Station swung into action and started rescue operation with the help of Quick Reaction Team (QRT) comprising officials of different departments and local volunteers. After hectic efforts only one occupant of the ill-fated vehicle was saved and rushed to district hospital.
Despite repeated attempts, neither Tata Sumo nor remaining four occupants of the vehicle could be traced in the waters of River Chenab. Later, the operation was called off due to darkness and rainfall, which started lashing the area from 7 pm onwards.
According to the statement of injured passenger namely, Shahida Bano, daughter of Shamas Din Magray of Tatarsu, the identification of those feared drowned has been established as Shahida Begum, wife of late Mohd Ashraf, her children Simran and Shahid and driver Tanveer Ahmed.

SRINAGAR, Apr 13:
Protests broke out in the G B Pant Children Hospital here in Sonwar area of Srinagar today as the authorities started charging for the routine investigations being carried out in the hospital for the patients.
The directive to charge the attendants for medical examination was greeted with resentment by the attendants and they raised hue and cry over this directive. The attendants raised slogans against the administration and demanded immediate roll back of the order.
Some of the attendants while sharing their views with Excelsior said that the order is totally uncalled for. They said the patients admitted in the Government hospitals are entitled to free investigations and routine tests. They said this directive is equivalent to grabbing their basic right that is right to life.
“My child is admitted here for the last 15 days. Up to today were not charged a single penny by the hospital authorities for various investigations, but today they changed the rules. I was asked to pay Rs 25 for a routine test like blood grouping. Charges have also been levied on all the other routine tests and investigations,” said Fayaz Ahmad, an attendant.
As the attendants were asked to pay for the investigations by the authorities they were surprised as most of the patients are admitted there for past several days.
The attendants of the patients assembled in the hospital compound and lodged protests. They said since G. B Pant hospital is the lone hospital for the children in the Valley, the Government should immediately roll back the order.
“Children from different areas are admitted and as most of the attendants are poor the order to impose charges on tests is bound to create hardships for them. As such the hospital authorities more so the Government should cancel this order and give relief to the people,” said the attendants.
There are reports that other hospitals have also started charging for various investigations of the patients that has led to resentment from the common people.
Meanwhile, Police today found unknown newborn baby near SMHS hospital here and shifted the baby to G B Pant Children Hospital.
A police spokesman said that one newborn male baby was found near the Blood Bank, SMHS hospital Srinagar. He said the baby was shifted to G. B Pant hospital for safe care and treatment.

Srinagar, Apr 13:
Security forces today busted a militant hideout in Lolab area of the frontier district of Kupwara near the Line of Control (LoC) and recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
The recoveries comes after the security forces tightened vigil along the LoC following reports that the militants across in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) are desperate to infiltrate following the killing of their top commanders and their depleting numbers in Kashmir valley.
A Police spokesman said here that acting on a tip-off, a joint party of 28 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army and police busted the hideout at Chirdoori village in Lolab area.
The spokesman said that one AK rifle, four AK magazines, one pistol with magazine, one hand grenade and one Improvised Explosive Device (IED) switch were also recovered from hideout.
The other recoveries include two anti-personnel mines, two fuse mines, 12 detonators, two IEDs, 1.5 kg of explosives, 23 kg of urea and 1 m of cordex wire, said the spokesman.
It may be mentioned here that security forces achieved major success against Lashkar-e-Toiba militants in North Kashmir district of Kupwara during past two weeks.
Ten militants of the LeT were killed by the security forces in two major operations that were launched by the security forces in North Kashmir’s Rajawar forests. Ten AK rifles and huge quantity of arms and ammunition was recovered from the dead militants.
The security forces have apprehensions of infiltration from across the LoC after the successful operations eliminated top militant commanders over the past several months in Kashmir valley.
The vigil along the LoC has resulted in the killing of militants and recovery of the arms and ammunition during past two weeks.