1. law, govt and politics
2. law enforcement
3. police

If Pak stops aiding
terror outfits, South
Asian security will
improve: Rajnath
DIG Udhampur Reasi
range reviews security
arrangements
P7 | NATION
P3 | CITY INFO
Kathua faces the
brunt of pak
terrorism
Hitting all the wrong
notes in J&K
P5 | KATHUA
P6 | OPINION
the NORTHLINES
The Newspaper of Substance
Vol No: XX
Issue No. 74
Jammu Tawi
SAT, Mar. 21, 2015 Pages - 12
Price ‘ 2/- www.thenorthlines.com, www.epaper.northlines.in Regd. No. JK/306/2014-16
5 killed, 10 injured in terrorist
attack on Police Station in Kathua
Terrorists attack on a Police
Station and fierce gunfight that
followed early Friday morning
took seven lives and injured ten
security personnel, including a
motorcycle rider whom they
abducted after sneaking into
Bobiya Border on their way to
Dayalachak, at Rajbagh on
Jammu-Pathankote National
Highway in district Kathua.
Two CRPF Jawans, one JKP
cop and a civilian were
martyred in the gunfight while
one civilian was killed by the
terrorists before . The joint
operation lead by the army,
CRPF and Jammu Kashmir
Police later ended with the
President
Mukherjee
condemns Kathua
terror strike
New Delhi:
President
Pranab Mukherjee today
condemned terror strike on a
police station in Jammu
region and asked security
forces to remain vigilant
against any threat to peace
Contd... on P2....
‘Kathua attack
eye opener for
those seeking
AFSPA
withdrawal’
New Delhi : Taking a dig at
its ally PDP, Union Minister
Jitendra Singh today said the
terrorist attack in Kathua
should be an "eye opener"
for those who have been
pressing for withdrawal of
AFSPA from Jammu and
Kashmir and called for
taking "appropriate" steps to
contain terrorism emanating
from Pakistan.
killing of two terrorists sneaked
into International Border from
Pakistan. However, it was
apprehended
that
some
terrorists were still holed up
inside the building.
Bodies of two fidayeens
were lying on a staircase inside
the complex however, no
confirmation from officials.
Ten
severely
injured
included CRPF Jawans, JKP
Dy SP, a police cop and a
civilian were rushed to Kathua
District Hospital from where
critically injured Dy SP Kathua
Diwakar Singh was shifted to
Govt.
Medical
College
Hospital at Jammu.
Immediate after the reports
of fidayeen attack, the Army
has taken over the operation in
hand with CRPF and JKP and
cordoned off the area. The
security forces took the
positions at vantage points
around the area and fought to
eliminate
the
terrorists.
Helicopters were pressed into
service for surveillance of the
place and surrounding areas
and to find out the possibility if
more such terrorist were hiding
around. During the course of
encounter, the Home Minister
Rajnath Singh spoke to the
DGPs of Jammu Kashmir
Police and CRPF and directed
them to deal strictly and
efficiently.
The Northlines Kathua
correspondent, Prabhu Dayal
reported quoting sources that
the terrorists probably after
AGENCIES
RAE BARELI (UP), MARCH 20
failure before coming off the
rails. The scene of the accident
that occured at 9.10 AM was
some 50 km from the state
capital Lucknow.
One of the coaches was a
general compartment, which lay
mangled along the tracks as
J&K Assembly rocked by
Kathua Fidayeen attack
WEATHER
JAMMU
SRINAGAR
High | Low
High | Low
28°C | 14°C 18°C | 1°C
rescuers used gas cutters to rip
apart the wreckage to find
trapped people. Most of the
casualties were from this coach,
officials said.
The other was a guard
compartment which is likely to
Contd... on P2....
Jammu
and
Kashmir
Assembly session was today
rocked by the early morning
Fidayeen attack in Kathua in
which six people including two
militants, two CRPF men, a cop
and a civilian were killed.
Mufti blames 'non-state actors' for
Kathua terror attack
NL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU TAWI, MARCH 20
Blaming non-state actors for the Kathua terror
attack, Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed
today warned them saying that the will of the
people cannot be weakened by any gun.
"I want to warn those people (who engineered
the terror attacks) that the will of the people
cannot be weakened by any gun. I want to send
them a message they should not create any
hurdles in this (path of democracy)," Mufti told
the Assembly here.
He was replying to motion of thanks on the
Governor's address to joint session of the State
legislature here.
Reacting to the terror attack, Mufti said "we
have a strong resolve that we have come to
change the history of J&K. We want to make
J&K hub of peace and normalcy. Nobody can
stop us".
Mufti blamed non-state actors for the Kathua
terror attack.
Contd... on P2....
J&K unit of Samajwadi
Party merges in NC
Omar terms PDP-BJP alliance as classic
example of opportunism, deception
NL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU TAWI, MARCH 20
Working President National
Conference Mr Omar Abdullah
on Friday accused PDP and BJP
of perpetrating fear and
uncalled for apprehensions in
the minds of people on the basis
of religion during the recently
held assembly elections to
further their electoral prospects,
describing it as part of pre-fixed
arrangement.
"In the Kashmir Valley and
the Muslim dominated areas of
the Jammu region, especially
the Chenab Valley, PDP
generated an atmosphere of fear
experience of the European
Union (EU), where all the
countries have entered into an
alliance for bringing holistic
economic development and
prosperity in the region.
"Pakistan is the only bottleneck
to operationalization of SAARC
and harnessing its full potential.
It will have to be engaged in the
interest of the entire region and
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
has already taken a lead on this
front" Mufti said.
Contd... on P2....
psychosis about BJP and RSS
trampling and mutilating their
distinct identity to garner
maximum votes but later joined
them as per prefixed gameplan", Mr Omar Abdullah said
while welcoming merger of the
J&K Unit of Samajwadi Party,
led by its President Sheikh
Abdul Rehman, into the
National Conference fold.
Mr Omar said that Mufti
Mohammed Sayeed did not tell
to his voters even once during
his heightened but pretended
anti-saffron campaigning that
PDP was going to forge an
alliance with BJP. In fact, he
portrayed both BJP and RSS as
enemy number one of Muslims
and subtly coerced them to vote
for his party. After getting 28
seats he virtually threw his party
into the BJP lap by dramatising
and delaying the government
formation.
The Working President took
jibe on BJP, saying it bartered
everything for the loaves of
power. "At end of the day, what
BJP has gained out of alliance
with PDP and with which face
they will be returning back to
their constituencies after
making tall promises and
generating euphoria", he asked.
He said PDP and BJP have
Contd... on P2....
Home Minister
lauds forces
for killing
militants in
Kathua attack
AGENCIES
NEW DELHI, MARCH 20
The Government condemned
the terrorist attack on a police
station in Kathua district of
Jammu and Kashmir today and
hailed the bravery of security
forces for gunning down two
militants.
Making a statement during
Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha,
Home Minister Rajnath Singh
said
he
just
received
information that the two
terrorists were gunned down by
the Jammu and Kashmir police
and the CRPF.
He said one civilian was also
killed and four policemen were
Contd... on P2....
The opposition members
sought explanation from the
government on the incident.
The issue was raised by the
National Conference MLA
Devender Singh Rana who
wanted to know about the steps
being taken by the government
to thwart the attack.
Contd... on P2....
AGENCIES
JAMMU TAWI, MARCH 20
Reports from across the
border have indicated that fresh
groups of militants have been
brought on the launch pads
across the IB in Jammu for
sneaking into the region of
Jammu for triggering violence.
Confirming it official sources in
Jammu said that the first sign of
the latest ingress by a group of
militants was available when
militants stormed into Kathua
police station killing two
people, injuring three otherts,
including a couple of security
personnel.
Even former Chief Minister,
Omar Abdullah,has stated that
those who attacked the police
station had sneaked into the
Indian
territory
recently.
Reports said that the Fidayeens
had enacted September 2013
incident when they killed three
security personnel during their
attack on Kathua police station
and larger attacked Samba
Army camp but later all the
three Fidayeens had been
eliminated.
Both state and no-state actors
in Pakistan and occupied
Contd... on P2....
Pakistan remains ‘fountainhead’ of
terrorism: Defence Ministry report
AGENCIES
NEW DELHI, MARCH 20
NL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU TAWI, MARCH 20
Describing the present
Coalition Government in the
State as a dispensation that has
added an element of diversity to
the NDA Government at the
Centre, the Chief Minister Mufti
Mohammad Sayeed today
stated that the participation of
the country's only Muslim
majority State in coalition with
BJP in J&K will play a critical
role in facilitating India's
recognition as an emerging
economic power at the
international
level.
He
described J&K as a shining
example of country's secular
credentials which defied the
logic of Two-Nation theory and
acceded to the Indian Union.
The Chief Minister was
replying to the Motion of
Thanks to the Governor's
Address in the Legislative
Assembly today.
Making a forceful speech,
Mufti said the example of the
BJP and PDP coming together,
despite ideological and political
differences, can be a model for
inclusive governance. He said
as the former
at the national
Prime Minister
level
more
Atal
Bihari
inclusive and
Vajpayee
had
diverse.
turned
his
The
Chief
Srinagar visit into
Minister said if
a
historic
India has to
opportunity to
become a great
reach out to
nation, it will
Pakistan
and
have to take
script the agenda
S A A R C
for peace, our
countries along,
partnership with
including
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Pakistan, and added that we
could make the power structure have to learn from the
Plan to push militants into J&K
being framed across border
Contd... on P2....
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night infiltration entered
Bobiya Border from Pakistan
side and hijacked one
motorcycle rider Joginder
Singh S/o Malkeet Singh R/o
Narote Jaimal Singh, Punjab.
The militants covered a
distance of near fiveKilometers with him and
thereafter killed him and
thrown his body the nearby
Nursery
with
deceased
motorcycle bearing number
PB35-V-1976. They fled from
the spot and further hijacked a
three-wheeler bearing number
JK08-A-5795, belonging to
Bharat Bhushan and reached
National Highway.
Fidayeen/terrorists two in
number, in army uniform,
Contd... on P2....
31 killed as train derails in
UP, more casualties feared
At least 31 people were killed
and around 150 others injured
today when the engine and two
adjoining coaches of the
Dehradun-Varanasi
Janta
Express
derailed
near
Bachrawan Railway Station in
this district.
"The toll has gone up to 31,"
Uttar Pradesh Health Minister
Ahmed Hassan told PTI over
phone. Officials feared that the
casualties could go up.
Though the cause of the
derailment was not immediately
known, officials at the scene of
the mishap said the train
apparently overshot a signal
because of a possible brake
 Govt to start process of AFSPA revocation
NL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU TAWI, MARCH 20
2 Pak Terrorists gunned down
NL CORRESPONDENT
KATHUA, MARCH 20
Mufti says JK Coalition adds
diversity to BJP mandate
Describing Pakistan's NWFP
area as the "fountainhead" of
terror activities in the region,
India on Thursday said use of
terrorism as state policy with
deep
roots
in
military
establishment there is a major
obstacle for peaceful bilateral
ties.
The Defence Ministry annual
report for 2014-15 released here
also sounded an alarm over
increasing Chinese activities in
the Indian Ocean region even as
it called for peaceful resolution
to territorial disputes in the
South China Sea.
Pakistan continues to remain
home to several non-state actors
with North Western Frontier
Province (NWFP) serving as the
fountainhead for terrorist
activities in the region," the
report said accusing Pakistan of
being "selective" in tackling
terror.
Noting that Pakistan's quest
for
strategic
depth
in
Afghanistan continues to drive
its policy to support Taliban and
its affiliates in Afghanistan, the
report said expanding footprints
of extremist and terror
organisations in Pakistan and
their linkages with terror
activities in Jammu and
Kashmir and rest of India poses
a security challenge to India.
This the report said also has
"severe ramifications" on
bilateral ties and to the peace
and security of the region.
"The use of terrorism as an
instrument of state policy has
deep roots in Pakistan military
establishment," it said noting
that ceasefire violations and
infiltration from across the
border also continues unabated.
"India desires peaceful and
cooperative ties with Pakistan.
However, continued activities
of terrorist organisations
operating from Pakistani
territory and territories under
Pakistan's control are major
obstacle and source of concern,"
said the chapter headlined
"Security Environment".
India remains committed to
resolving all outstanding issues
with Pakistan through peaceful,
bilateral dialogue on the basis of
Simla Agreement and Lahore
Declaration, it said.
It noted that India had during
the meeting of DGMOs of both
countries reiterated need for
Pakistan to uphold the sanctity
of LoC and IB and to stop cross
LoC transgressions.
However, the continued
existence of Terrorists camps
across the international border
and LoC and continued
instances of ceasefire violations,
attempted infiltrations and
transgressions demonstrate the
challenges faced by India in this
regard, the annual report said.
"Pakistan has continued with
its policy of selective approach
to tackling terrorists groups
operating from its territory and
areas under its control which do
not serve the interests of
Contd... on P2....
JAMMU |SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
Akhtar urges DCs to cleanse examination system
“Anti-Copying Week” being observed
NL Correspondent
Jammu March 20:
Minister for Education, Mr.
Naeem Akhtar, today urged all
Deputy Commissioners and
Education officers across the State
to go cracking on copying during
examinations in the Schools and
cleanse the system of this menace.
These directions were given via a
video conference with the Deputy
Commissioners of all the
Districts, late last evening here, at
the Civil Secretariat. The Minister
asked the Deputy Commissioners
to dedicate this week in helping
conduct
fair
and
clean
examinations. Let this week be
observed as “Anti-Copying
Week” in view of ongoing Board
Examinations across the State,
Akhtar told DCs. The board
FROM PAGE 1...
5 intercepted
killed...a jeep (Mahindra) load carrier and threatened the
Driver and Conductor to get down from the vehicle nearly 100
meter away from the Police Station at Rajbagh barely 15 km
from International border on the National Highway at about 6.00
am in the morning. They took both of them as human shield to
Police station and started firing on the Sentry on duty and entered
the police station while firing indiscriminately on CRPF Jawans
deployed there. They also threw grenades. J&K Police Cop on
Sentry duty Purshotam Lal S/o Om Prakash R/o Bhandore, Hira
Nagar was first to die to take on with the terrorists.
The terrorists took the positions inside the police station and
fierce gun battle ensued between terrorists and security forces
while ten injured were rushed to the district hospital at Kathua
during operation.
The injured so for identified as Diwakar Singh, DySP Kathua,
Aditya Sharma S/o Mukesh Chander of JKP, CRPF jawans
Bharat Presta, Bhagwan Singh S/o Shaym Sunder, Jhankar
Prakash, Mohan Singh S/o Om Prakash R/o Haryana, Parveen
Kumar S/o Jai Prakash R/o Haryana, Raj Kumar S/o Sharan
Kumar (Haryana), Suraj S/o Ramesh (Maharastra) and Lakhvir
S/o Roop Lal (Mukerian)-the Conductor of load carrier.
The senior officers from security forces and JKP have been
engaged in the operation now lead by the Army. Sources said, the
terrorists may be part of fresh groups infiltrated in Jammu
Kashmir last night or earlier. Possibilities of terrorist strike
elsewhere are not ruled out in Jammu- Kathua region. District
Kathua police contingent lead by the SP Navee Jain rushed to the
spot later joined by Danish Rana the DIG-Jammu-Kathua range.
Meanwhile, high alert is sounded in Jammu and Kathua and
vehicular movement stopped on Jammu Pathankote National
Highway from Kunjwani, Bari Brahamna and beyond
Lakhanpur.
J&K Health Minister has reached Rajbagh to have first hand
assessment of the fidayeen attack. He visited the hospital to
know about the well being of the injured passing instruction to
medical staff later accompanied the injured Dy SP to GMC
Jammu.
Union Minister of State in PMO, Dr. Jitendera Singh, former
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and senior Congress leader
Ghulam Nabi Azad paid tributes to those who have been killed in
the terror attack and condemned such acts of terrorism accusing
Pakistan for sponsoring such attack on India and waging a proxy
war.
Inspector General of Police Jammu Zone Disnesh Rana said
that, "we are clearing the area, verifying the facts and will
examine the documents we have recovered from militants."
Mufti
says JK...
Reiterating that no one can change the special status of J&K,
the Chief Minister said that time has come for Kashmir, Jammu
and Ladakh to harmonise their diversity and write a new chapter
in the State's history of reconciliation. "This special status has to
have political ownership not only in Kashmir, but also in Jammu
and Ladakh regions of the State to become a real mark of
distinction," he emphasized. He said building understanding
between various regions of the State was of utmost importance
and wondered how could one strengthen the links between
Kashmir and rest of the country if we fail to live harmoniously
even as the regions of a single State.
Referring to incidents at Chatergam and Macchil where the
Government of India took stern action against the security
personnel, the Chief Minister stated that his Government is
committed to take measures and examine the need to review the
special laws being applied to the State. There has been a lot of
debate over removal of AFSPA. There is a need to re-look at it.
My Government advocates a phase-wise removal of AFSPA from
the areas which have now been free of militancy for quite some
time.
Highlighting the purpose of the Alliance between PDP and
BJP, the Chief Minister stated that the new Government shall be
empowered to take confidence building measures within and
across the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K, thereby ensuring
lasting peace. "We want to create an enabling environment for all
round economic development of the State," he said.
Spelling out the reason for forging an alliance with the BJP in
the State to give a representative Government to the people after
holding wide consultations, the Chief Minister reminded the
Leader of the Opposition, Omar Abdullah, of his days as Minister
in Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA Government.
Highlighting the Agenda of the Alliance, the Chief Minister
hailed the people's mandate in the last Assembly elections and
thanked the Election Commission and the State Administration
for ensuring free-and-fair polls in the State.
Thanking all those who spoke during the Motion of Thanks to
the Governor's Address, the Chief Minister described the
Legislative Assembly as one of the most powerful Houses of the
country. "We will initiate unconditional dialogue with all
stakeholders so that we are able to bring the State out of
uncertainty. I see the present alliance as a wonderful opportunity
to bring Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh together. We did that in
2002 when Congress got the mandate of the people in Jammu
and we did the same now when people in Jammu voted
overwhelmingly for BJP," he added.
Stating that his Government has accorded top priority to
reconstruct the flood-ravaged infrastructure and rehabilitate
those people who lost everything to the September flood fury, the
Chief Minister said all affected people, especially small-time
businessmen who had no security of insurance, shall be provided
relief. "I have constituted a Committee to be headed by the
Finance Minister which will expedite rehabilitation and
disbursement of relief to the flood victims," he added.
The Chief Minister said so far the Union Government has
released Rs. 1,000 crore under "Prime Minister's Package for
Floods" for restoration of damage to public assets over and above
around Rs. 1,100 crore already available with the State
government under NDRF for emergency relief and temporary
restoration. An amount of Rs. 820 crore, he said, stands spent
under SDRF. "The work on commencement of permanent
restoration has already begun. We are separately pursuing the
release of a Special Package that would cater to the requirements
of the affected people," he added.
The NORTHLINES
CITY INFO
2
examinations for Matriculation
started from Thursday. Commissioner Secretary, School Education, Director School Education,
Jammu and Secretary, Board of
School Education, were also
present during the video conference. Akhtar said, any
invigilating staff found involved
in malpractice during the
examination should be dealt with
severity under law and a dossier of
that staff member submitted to the
administrative department for
vigilance action and departmental
inquiry. “Treat all those staff
members who are responsible for
supporting this menace as antisocial elements” the Minister
asserted. Akhtar told DCs to take
the exercise as a mission to
cleanse the system, adding that it
is their joint responsibility being
part of the team along with him
and as a team leader, he will stand
by them in this drive.
Flagging the issue of empowering the panchayats,
corporations and municipalities in the State, the Chief Minister
hailed Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for introducing the concept
of Single Line Administration where the entire Cabinet would go
to the people to address their issues on-the-spot. "I was so
pleased when former Chief Minister of Karnataka, R.K. Hegde
replicated the same concept for micro-level management in his
own State," he added.
The Chief Minister said he has in mind an idea of Smart
Governance that coalesces e-Governance, adheres to Public
Services Guarantee Act (PGSA) and the Right to Information Act
(RTI), Transparent Transfer Policy, which has security of tenure,
prevention of corruption in administration and fair disposal in
filling up of vacancies and regularization of employees so that
the faith of the people in Government institutions is restored.
The Chief Minister said the Government has already started
the process of identifying and giving responsible positions to the
officers in the administration who have impeccable credentials.
Making a pinpoint reference about Government's resolve to
address the issue of one-time settlement of refugees from across
the LoC, the Chief Minister said the Coalition Government will
also take all measures for sustenance and livelihood of the West
Pakistan Refugees. "I have framed a Committee headed by
Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, which will look into
the issue," he said.
Referring to the need for return of Kashmiri Pandits to the
valley, the Chief Minister said the social fabric of Kashmir is
incomplete without them. "The Centre has a comprehensive
policy for return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit
community and many of our brethren have taken benefit from it,"
he said, adding that an enabling peaceful environment will
facilitate a gradual return of the community to the Kashmir
valley. Mufti said during the UPA rule he had told the Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh that even temporary facilities for the
community should have been set up within the valley so that they
could gradually reintegrate into their culture and milieu.
Referring to the development of tourism sector, the Chief
Minister said the State is a known tourist place throughout the
world. In order to develop Jammu & Kashmir as a high-end
tourist destination, we have a specific plan for addressing the
tourism concerns of all the three regions of the State.
Referring to the issue of political prisoners in the State and the
perception in media about the exact number, the Chief Minister
said there are only 37 detenues under PSA. Among them, 20 are
foreign nationals, while only 17 detained under PSA are locals.
The Chief Minister stated that all lands other than those given to
the security forces on the basis of lease, licenses and acquisition
in which due process of law has not been followed, shall be
returned to the rightful owners, except in a situation where
retaining the lands is absolutely imperative in view of specific
security requirement. He said in any case, monetary
remuneration, be it in the form of rents or compensation, will be
made fairly at market rates.
Mufti said his Government will provide greater autonomy to
institutions like State Accountability Commission and the State
Vigilance Commission to bring in proactive, accountable and
transparent Government.
Stating that his Government will explore the possibility of
working out modalities for transferring the Dulhasti and Uri
Hydro Power Projects to J&K, the Chief Minister said the
Rangarajan Committee and the Round Table Committee Reports
recommendations will be implemented for moving towards
making J&K self-reliant in the power sector.
He said the State will also request the Union Government for
allocating a dedicated coal mine in Madhya Pradesh to J&K with
coal reserves of not less than 150 MMT for setting up a pit-head
Thermal Plant with equity support from Government of India.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over slow pace of work
on four-lanning of National Highway. "It is very painful to see
that we have not been able to provide hassle free & all weather
national highway between Jammu and Srinagar even so many
decades of independence. A light rain or snowfall closes the road
for days together. This government shall put four-laning of
National Highway on highest priority," he said and added that
construction of tunnel on Mughal Road shall also be taken up on
priority.
The Chief Minister also stated that a dedicated rail link
between Jammu & Srinagar and other parts of the State will be
taken up with the Centre. "The Kashmir valley is yet to be
connected with the rest of the country by means of a railway
track. The pace of work on the rail connectivity on the stretch
between Katra and Banihal needs to be geared up by the Indian
Railways so that this cheap mode of transport is offered to the
people of the State."
The Chief Minister also spoke at length about developing the
Horticulture & Agriculture sectors as these are directly linked
with growth of rural economy of the State.
Earlier, the Chief Minister began his address by condemning
the Rajbagh terror attack in Kathua district today morning in
which 4 persons including 2 CRPF men, 1 J&K Police personnel
and a civilian were killed. "I condemn the attack that took place
early morning today in Kathua in which four precious lives have
been lost. I offer my heart-felt condolences to the members of the
bereaved families and pray for peace to the departed souls," the
Chief Minister said.
Terming the Rajbagh attack as an attempt to derail the peace
process, the Chief Minister stated that such incidents won't be
allowed to disturb the attempts being in bringing lasting peace in
the Subcontinent.
The Chief Minister issued immediate instructions to the
Director General of Police to provide ex gratia as per norms to
the Next of Kin of those killed in the attack.
Mufti
blames ...
"This incident which has taken place…Is it suicide attack or
what… I do-not know. Why is this happening…What are their
designs…," he said.
"A democratic process has taken place that people of J&K has
come forward and taken part in the these elections and our
endeavor is to create an environment of peace and normalcy. Is it
they want to do…," he said.
The chief minister hit out at the non-state actors for their
design to derail the peace process and said "these are same forces
which you can see worldwide… In Syria and Iraq… Everywhere
something new. This is not in the Islam what they are doing…
Islam is message of peace".
"I want to say that the House should take a notice of it… This
www.thenorthlines.com
Commencement of Navratras
All arrangements in place for pilgrims at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
NL Correspondent
Katra, March 20
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has
made elaborate arrangements for the larger
number of pilgrims who are likely to visit
the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi Ji during Navratras, which are
commencing from tomorrow. These
arrangements include ensuring proper water
and power supply along the Track leading
to the Shrine, sanitation and availability of
special fast related food at the Bhojanalayas
of the Shrine Board.
In this context, Dr. Mandeep K.
Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, reviewed
the to-date status of these arrangements
with Dr. M. K. Kumar and Mr. B.
Mohandaas, Additional Chief Executive
Officers, Deputy Chief Executive Officers,
concerned engineers and unit heads of the
Shrine Board, keeping in view the large
flow of pilgrims expected during the
might be work of non-state actors. We should take on board
Pakistan, which itself is facing a major war (of extremism). If
there are some non-state actors, there also, they should be
isolated," Mufti added.
President
Mukherjee...
and security of the nation.
Expressing condolence to the grieving families of those who
lost their lives in the attack, the President called upon security
forces to remain vigilant against any "threat to the peace,
prosperity and security of our nation."
President Mukherjee also prayed for the speedy recovery of
the injured.
Militants stormed a police station in Kathua district of Jammu
region this morning killing four people including three security
personnel.
‘Kathua
attack...
Reacting strongly, senior Congress leader from the state
Ghulam Nabi Azad termed the attack as a "backstabbing" by the
Pakistan and said militancy and peace can't go hand-in-hand.
Union Minister Singh, who is an MP from Udhampur in J-K,
said the attack reflected that Pakistan was refusing to mend its
ways and it was time to take an "appropriate position" to deal
with problem of cross border terror.
"As an elected representative from Kathua, two important
observations come to my mind that possibly Pakistan is refusing
to mend its ways and, therefore, we would have to take an
appropriate position to that extent.
"Secondly and most importantly, I think this should also be an
eye opener and loud and clear message for those political
votaries who have been advocating revocation of Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act, partially or wholly," Singh said.
He said the Centre has been adopting "zero tolerance" policy
towards terrorist activities.
A 'fidayeen' squad of militants in Army fatigues stormed a
police station in Kathua, killing three security personnel and
leaving 11 others, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police
injured, in the wee hours today.
31
killed...
have been vacant. If not for the vacant coach, the number of
casualties would have been higher, the officials said.
The locomotive driver apparently overshot the signal and as a
result, the engine and two adjoining coaches derailed, Railway
Spokesperson Anil Saxena said in Delhi.
Railways have ordered an inquiry and announced a
compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those killed in
the accident. While Rs 50,000 will be given to those injured
seriously, Rs 20,000 will be given to people with minor injuries.
As soon as the news of the accident spread, people from nearby
villages rushed to the spot to help in rescue and relief operations
even before authorities arrived at the spot.
The accident spot presented a devastating sight with one of the
bogies reduced to a mangle of steel.
There was some anxious moments in the area as furious locals
raised slogans against the administration and railway authorities,
saying the rescuers took a long time to reach the spot.
Ambulances carrying teams of doctors were rushed to the
accident site to help passengers who were screaming in pain,
eyewitnesses said.
Train movement on the Lucknow-Varanasi section of the
Northern Railway has been disrupted due to the accident.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu ordered an inquiry by the
Commissioner Railway Safety of Northern Circle, to ascertain
the cause of the derailment.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced a compensation of
Rs two lakh to the kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the
injured. (AGENCIES)
J&K
unit...
left the situation polarised in Jammu and Kashmir by causing
enormous damage to its secular fabric. In such a situation it is
incumbent upon the secular forces to come together and meet the
challenge posed by deceptive, hypocritical and opportunistic
alliance. He made a strong pitch in this regard and said National
Conference will perform its designated role being the secular and
forward looking party of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Elaborating the need for secular forces coming together, Mr
Omar Abdullah referred to his party's support to Congress
nominee Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad during the elections to Rajya
Sabha and said it was a conscious decision to strengthen the
forces believing in inclusiveness of the state. "The decision to
support Congress was difficult in the backdrop of opposing each
other in the elections but for the overall good of the state and in
the larger interest of amity it was imperative", he asserted. He
hoped that all like-minded secular forces will join hands to foil
the sinister machinations of PDP-BJP combine.
Welcoming Sheikh Abdul Rehman and office bearers of his
party at a specially held function at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan, Mr
Omar Abdullah described him a veteran legislator and
parliamentarian who has immensely contributed towards the
development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir in different
capacities.
Mr Abdullah said Sheikh Abdul Rehman's joining will give a
new impetus to the party and strengthen it at grass roots level. He
described the event as good omen for the secular forces across
the State.
In his address, Sheikh Abdul Rehman said the General Council
of the State Unit of Samajwadi Party took a conscious decision
to merge into National Conference keeping in view its secular
credentials and service towards the people over decades.
Mr Rehman agreed with Mr Abdullah about PDP-BJP playing
a deceitful politics during the assembly elections and said that he
was privy to at least dozen of instances where PDP had fielded
candidates to cut Muslim votes for benefitting the BJP. Such a
vicious politics, he said, was not conducive for Jammu and
Kashmir.
He said National Conference will have to play its crucial role
in leading the secular forces to achieve the overall objective of
steering the state to peace, progress and development.
Alongside Sheikh Abdul Rehman those who joined National
Conference included Sheikh Mohammed Shafi, State Secretary,
Mrs Amrit Varsha, President State Women Wing of the party and
Mrs Pushpa Dogra, General Secretary.
Earlier, Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana and
other senior leaders of the party greeted and garlanded Sheikh
Navratras.
Dr. Bhandari, giving details of various
arrangements made for the Navratras,
informed that the Bhawan of Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi Ji, Atka and the area
surrounding it have been decorated with
flowers.
All the routes leading to the Holy Cave
Shrine have been fully maintained for
smooth movement of pilgrims, besides
ensuring sufficient supplies of provisions,
food, water etc. along the Track.
Abdul Rehman and his associates on their joining the National
Conference.
Two time legislator and a former MP, Sheikh Abdul Rehman
had been the State President of Bharatiya Jana Sangh now the
BJP.
On this occasion senior NC leaders including Mr Mushtaq
Ahmed Bukhari, Mr Rattan Lal Gupta, Th Kashmira Singh, Mr
Kamal Arora, MLA, Babu Rampal, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Mr
Brij Mohan Sharma, Mr Jugal Mahajan, Mr Gurdeep Singh
Sasan, Mr Dharamvir Singh Jamwal, Mr Chander Mohan
Sharma, Mr T S Tony, Mrs Bimla Luthra, Mr B L Bhat, Mr Anil
Dhar, Mr Israr Khan, Mr Sajjad Shaheen, Mrs Rashida Begum,
Mr Pradeep Bali, Mr Rohit Bali, Mr M L Munshi and other were
present.
Home
Minister...
injured in the gunfire which began at 0620 hrs. "I express my
sympathies for the civilian who was killed in the incident and
also praise the forces for their act of bravery in killing the
terrorists," Mr Singh said. Congress leader in the House
Mallikarujan Kharge raised the issue in the house and charged
the government with ignoring repeated incidents of terrorism in
Jammu and Kashmir.
Plan to push...
Kashmir feel upset over the marked improvement in the
situation in Jammu and Kashmir and that could be the main
reason for helping militants in crossing into Jammu and Kashmir
for the purpose of escalating the level of violence which could
not only further focus world attention on the Kashmir issue but
also force New Delhi to reopen the doors for dialogue process.
It is in this context that troops, guarding the LOC, and the BSF,
deployed on the IB, have been directed to intensify round the
clock patrolling for keeping a close watch on the movement of
militants across the border.
Troops and the BSF have been told to keep all the sensers
and gadgets functional on the LOC and on the IB so that Indian
forces were able to foil ingress bids by monitoring movement of
militants.
In addition to this troops have been told to complete the repair
of border fence that had been damaged owing to heavy snow
during the winter in north Kashmir because plans were being
framed
for pushing groups of militants into Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K Assembly...
"The House wants to know how the militant attack took place,
how the militants were able to launch this attack," Mr Rana said.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, meanwhile, in a reply
informed the House that two or three heavily armed militants
managed to enter the Rajpora Police station in Kathua and were
holed up in the police station.
"Police and CRPF have cordoned off the area and firing is on,"
he said.
Opposition members from National Conference and Congress
however, termed the answer "unsatisfactory". And criticised the
government for being "ill-informed". CPM MLA M Y Tarigami
also condemned the attack and said the House needed to show a
united face in condemning such tragedies and expressed
sympathy with the families of those killed in the attack.
Pakistan
remains...
regional peace and security," it added.
On the issue of China, it said that India remains conscious and
watchful of the implications of Beijing's "increasing military
profile in our immediate and extended neighbourhood, as well as
the development of strategic infrastructure by China in border
areas".
The Ministry said India is also taking necessary measures to
develop the requisite capabilities to counter any adverse impact
on own security.
Talking about other issues, the report said the shift of global
balance of power from the Euro-Atlantic region to Asia Pacific
has brought a complex and dynamic interplay of economic,
military and diplomatic factors.
This is evidenced in the escalation of maritime territorial
disputes, military postures and power rivalries, all of which have
added to the uncertainties in the security situation in the region,
it said.
Without naming China which is in territorial dispute with
several countries over South China Sea, the report said, "the
contestations over island territories in the Asia Pacific have
created tensions in the region and threaten to polarise the Asia
Pacific community".
Noting that India has important political, economic,
commercial nd social interest in Asia Pacific, the report said
India supports freedom of navigation in international waters and
the right of passage in accordance with international law.
"India's view is that all countries must exercise constraint and
resolve bilateral issues issues diplomatically, according to
principles of international law and without recourse to the use of
force".
The report said cooperative security construct is of immediate
relevance for South Asia.
On the issue of global security, the Ministry said India's geostrategic location makes it sensitive to developments beyond its
immediate neighbourhood, in West Asia, Central Asia, in the
Indian Ocean Region and the Asia Pacific Region.
Major geopolitical and geo-economic developments are
currently transforming the global security scenario into one of
uncertainty and volatility.
The transnational threats posed by the activities of terrorist
organizations have been exacerbated by the dynamics of intra
and inter-state conflicts and pose a danger to regions beyond the
primary theatres, it said.
"The transnational mobilization of foot soldiers and logistics
support for terrorist activities poses a serious internal security
challenge for countries around the world," the Ministry said
adding that the continuing economic crisis in the West has been
a major cause of worry for the global economy and has had
consequent effects on the economies of other regions.
Printer, Publisher & Proprietor Neelam Singh Gill. Published from Gurudwara Sunder Singh Road, Jammu-180001 and Printed at Northlines Offset Printers & Publishers, Jeewan Nagar, Digiana, Jammu.
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3
The NORTHLINES
Jammu
www.thenorthlines.com
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
City
Vikramaditya condemns
Kathua attack
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
Terming Kathua attack as dastardly and cowardly act, senior leader
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Vikramaditya Singh has asked
authorities to provide adequate relief to the victims of the attack. In a
statement issued here today, Vikramadiyta Singh said that such attack
was aimed at disturbing peace in the State. He said that such incident
was executed by those who were frustrated due to flourishing of
democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. Calling it a dastardly and cowardly
act, he said that such acts along the national highway are intended to
create civil disturbance and instill fear in common man. Vikramaditya
urged the state administration to further tighten security along the border
belt, especially for the protection of the National Highway that runs
within close proximity to the border, hence making it vulnerable to
such attacks.
DPP condemns terror attack
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
Duggar Pradesh Party while condemning the terrorists attack on
Rajbagh Police Station, strongly accused the Modi Government for its
utter failure and continuing the sick Congress policy towards terrorism
run by Pakistan killing thousands of countrymen in civil and uniform.
Uday Chand, President of the Party said it is a traditional practice that
after every terrorists attack, the people in power accusing Pakistan,
pays sympathies to the bereaved families, declared all-round alert,
distribute compensation to the victims and every time announce that
they will teach lesson to Pakistan but nothing happened, more than 20
years has been passed and we start waiting for the next attack. Uday
Chand said most of the Kashmiri political leaders always, usually
advocating negotiations with Pakistan, never condemning clearly the
terrorism and terrorists attacks, Duggar Pradesh Party strongly urged
the Prime Minister Mr Narendera Modi to send a delegation of these
Kashmiri leaders headed by Mufti Mohd Sayed, Chief Minister, Dr
Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Ex Chief Ministers, CPM
legislature Mohd Yousaf Taragami, Prof Saif Ud Din Soz, Ex Cong
President various Hurriet leaders to Pakistan to use their good offices
for ending the ongoing terrorism in J&K and rest of the country so that
no innocent be killed in terror attacks.
DIG Udhampur Reasi range reviews
security arrangements
Awareness camp for
minority Women
entrepreneurship
In order to ensure safe,
secure and smooth yatra to
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji
Shrine
during
Navratra
Festival
starting
from
Saturday, DIG Udhampur
Reasi Range Shri Surinder
Kumar Gupta, IPS carried out
a detailed "Security Review
and Preparedness" meeting at
Katra.
All
arrangements
for
An awareness camp was
organized by J&K State
Women's Development
Corporation in collaboration
with Swabhimaan Charitable
Trust at Sabzi Mandi Parade
Ground, Jammu on
Thursday. Near about 300
men and women of the areas
participated in the camp and
were apprised about the
schemes run by JKWDC.
NL Correspondent
Katra | March | 20
regulation and management of
crowd at various critical
points all along the yatra
routes
were
reviewed.
Additional
troops
from
Jammu and Kashmir Armed
Police and CRPF including
lady police will be deployed
to de-congest the bottle necks
and assist the yatries.
All critical points and areas
will be dominated by physical
presence
of
troops.DIG
directed to deploy "Quick
Action Teams" from CRPF
ANC condemns terror attack in Kathua
NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
Awami National Conference (ANC) has condemned the terrorist
attack in Kathua that snatched six precious innocent lives. Provincial
President, Gian Singh described the terrorist strike as cowardly and
warned that no matter what the latter did or would try to do in the
future, there is need to take concrete steps to avoid such incidents in
future."I strongly condemn this cowardly act of the terrorists, which
led to the killing of three security personnel, a civilian, and two
militants in a Fidayeen attack on Raj Bagh Police station in Kathua
district, Singh added. Singh expressing anguish over the incident said
that this needs to be condemned in the strongest possible terms and
perpetrators of this incident should understand that India cannot be
cowed down or weakened by such attacks. This is one thing that all
secular democratic forces must understand that there is a sinister design
by the terrorists to create an atmosphere which can jeopardize electoral
forces.
JUVC holds conference on Trends
and Computation Technologies
NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
A National Conference on
Trends in Electronics and
Computational Technologies
(NCTECT-2015) gets underway
in the University of Jammu
which is being organized by
Institution of Electronics and
Telecommunication Engineers
(IETE) Jammu Centre in
collaboration with Ramnagar
Campus of University of
Jammu today in the seminar hall
of
computer
science
department. Prof. R D Sharma,
Vice-Chancellor, University of
Jammu was the chief guest
while Prof. Rajni Kant, Chiefcoordinator campuses and
Rector, Ramnagar Campus,
University of Jammu presided
over the function while Maj.
Gen. (Retd.) P. K. Jaggia, VSM,
Secretary General IETE, New
Delhi,was the guest of honour.
Prof. R. D. Sharma, ViceChancellor, University of
Jammu lauded the efforts of the
organizers and laid stress on
such interdisciplinary activities
on the campus.
Prof. Rajni Kant in his
address spoke on various
activities being undertaken in
various campus of the
university with a special
reference to Ramnagar campus.
Romeo force
provides
guidance on
joining and
defence forces
NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
The Army has been making a
concerted effort towards the
upliftment of the people of the
remote areas in the Region
where
resources
and
opportunities are meager. A
Rashtriya Rifles Battalion
under Romeo Force with the
aim of empowering the youth
of far flung areas of Poonch
district conducted an awareness
lecture on "How to prepare to
get into Defence Forces".
The villagers were made
aware of various perks and
benefits of serving in the
Defence Forces. They were also
given in depth guidance on the
procedures and preparations
required. They were motivated
to make the most of these
opportunities which would
provide employment to them
empowerment them to look
after themselves and their
families.
and
Police
Operational
Components at all critical
points located on the yatra t
rack and holy town of Katra.
It is pertinent to mentioned
that three Joint Control
Rooms are functioning round
the clock at Bhawan,
Adhkuwari and base camp
Katra for better and effective
communication
and
coordination. As a part of
security review all existing
measures have been Restrategizes and beefed up to
ensure a complete round the
clock domination and to
normalize in proper response
mechanism to deal with any
kind of eventuality and
exigency on the yatra. Among
others Shri Sujit Kumar, IPS
SP Reasi. Sh.Sameer Kotwal,
Addt.SP Katra. Shri Sunil
Kumar Commandant/Dy.Co
CRPF Bn,SDPO Katra Shri
Ravel
Choudhary
and
Inspector Kuldip Krishan
SHO PIS Katra participated in
the meeting.
NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
‘Communication Skills’ workshop
for Polytechnic faculty, students
NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
The Humanities Department
of Govt. Polytechnic Jammu in
collaboration with National
Institute of Technical Training
Teacher
and
Research
(NITTTR),
Chandigarh
organized one week Integration
Communication Technology
(ICT) based online (video
conferencing) short term course
on Communications Skills in
the college in which more than
50 faculty and final year
students of various departments
of government and private
polytechnic colleges both boys
and girls. The co-ordinator of
the programme from NITTTR
Chandigarh was Prof PK
Singla, Incharge Curriculum
Development
Centre
of
NITTTR Chandigarh. Online
lectures were delivered by the
subject experts from NITTTR
Chandigarh Prof PK Singla,
Prof SP Bedi and Prof Meera
Anand
through
video
conferencing.
In the training programme
lectures were delivered on
significance and process of
communication, reading skills,
oral skills, listening skills and
writing skills. For the final year
students the lectures were
delivered on the topics i.e
resume writing, presentation
skills, group discussion and
how to appear interview. The
Principal of the College, Arun
Bangotra,
welcomed
the
participating faculty members
of various institutions of
technical education in Jammu
region and thanked the NITTTR
Chandigarh for organizing such
types of the programmes for
teachers. The Chief Guest of the
programme was Er. N.H Malik,
Secretary State Board of
Technical Education (J&K) who
applauded the effort.
Others
who
were
present were Er. I.J Singh, Er.
Zia -Ul- Haq Kohli and Er.
Harinder Arora, Er K.S
Bhatia, Er. K.S Manhas HODs
of various departments. The
local co-ordinator of the
Programme was Er. Munish
Kumar, (HOD Humanities).
Smt Seema Kanotra gave the
vote of thanks.
The camp was inaugurated
by Dr. Naheed Soz,
Managing Director, JKWDC.
The scheme run by JKWDC
was discussed during the
camp and the ladies were
asked to take benefit of the
schemes and start their
business and support their
family in running day to day
life. The school going girls
who participated in the camp
were asked to avail
education loan if they feel
any financial problems in
continuing their studies. The
ladies were asked to come
forward and take soft loans
under various schemes like
National Minorities
Development Finance
Corporation, NBCFDC,
NHDFC and ESW from the
corporation and start their
own small business unit. The
resource persons who
participated in the camp
spoke on different issues
like Micro
Finance/Education Loan
Scheme, Female Feticide
and Beti Bachoo, Beti
Padhav and also on other
issues.
A team from State
Disaster Management
Jammu Unit also gave live
demonstration for
preparedness in disaster
management.
Vijay Kumar Tikoo,
Development Officer throws
light on the scheme being
implemented by WDC in
detail. Among other Ms.
Neha Bhan, Chief
Coordinator (SCT), Smt. Raj
Kumari and Ravi Kumar
field functionaries of
JKWDC also spoke on the
occasion. At the end of camp
light refreshment was also
served to the participants
during the camp.
J&K RTI Movement observes RTI day
NL Correspondent
Srinagar | March | 20
Maj. Gen P. K Jaggia, in his
remarks focused on various
activities undertaken by IETE at
the national level. He further
said "This is an excellent
initiative to evaluate the stateof-the-art technologies by
bringing together scientists and
practitioners facing challenging
issues and seeking to elevate the
standards of academia by
sharing lessons".
Earlier, while welcoming the
gathering, Dr. Rakesh Vaid,
Chairman, IETE Jammu Centre
and convener of the conference
introduced the topic and threw
light on the theme of the
conference.
Dr.
Parveen
Lehana, Hon. Secretary of the
IETE Jammu centre and
organizing secretary of the
conference gave introduction
about the organization of this
event.
He informed that a total of
fifty eight presentations are
scheduled which includes
keynote address by Prof. Satish
Chand from NSIT, New Delhi,
Dr. Shashi B Rana from GNDU,
Amritsar and Dr. Suresh Kumar
from Kurukshetra University.
Ms. Deepika Sharma, Treasure
IETE Jammu centre presented
the vote of thanks while the
proceeding of the programme
was conducted by Dr. Radhika
Khanna. Prominent among
those present were Sh. J. K.
Sharma, Prof. S K Badyal, Mr.
Joy Ganjoo, Prof. Pawnesh
Abrol, Dr. Suresh Rao, Dr.
Susheel Sharma, Er. Vijay
Sharma, Dr. Rockey Gupta, Er.
Summet Gupta, Er. Joyti Lalotra
besides students and faculty
members from Ramnagar
campus, MIET, MBSCET,
members of IETE, research
scholars from the department of
Physics
and
Electronics,
University of Jammu among
others.
J&K RTI movement observed
RTI Day today across the state
with
much
fervor
and
passion.On its 6th anniversary
large number of RTI Activists
participated in a programme
which was held at it's
Headquarters in Srinagar. Apart
from discussing success stories
and changes RTI Act has
brought in J&K, the programme
was meant to create awareness
among general public especially
people from rural areas.
RTI is the best tool to fight the
menace of corruption and
people from all the walks of life
must use it in a proper way to
work for an open and
transparent system in the state,
NPSU condemns terror attack in Kathua
NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
National Panthers Student
Union NPSU today organized
a strong protest demonstration
against the militants attack in
Rajbagh,
Kathua
which
remitted in several causalities
besides injuries to dozens of
people. The protestors burnt
the effigy of BJP-PDP
coalition and held the Union
and
State
Governments
responsible for the security
lapse resulting in the loss of
several precious lives. They
raised anti-alliance slogans
and anti-Modi slogans besides
anti-PaK slogans for the
dastardly act committed by the
belligerent notion.
Addressing the protestors,
Thakur
Virender
Singh
accused the BJP led Union
Government for its double
speak and duplicity. He said
PM Modi made bold assertions
of taking ten heads of
Pakistani soldiers in lieu of
one Indian Soldier proved to
be hoax as the saffron party
agreed to surrender to the
agenda of PDP vis-a-via
Pakistan. He said that BJP has
made a complete ideological
said Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool,
Chairman J&K RTI Movement
and co-convener NCPRI.
J&K RTI Movement will keep
on working for awareness and
education of the Act in rural
Kashmir, under which village
level committees have been
setup in various areas. "We are
teaching the use of law in
villages and it is our preference
and priority.
We want State government to
implement section 23 which
deals with awareness among
people by the Government. So
far government has failed in
implementing Sec 4 and 23,
which shows how much sincere
the state government is in
implementation of RTI law in
the state, our State is most
corrupt hence laws like RTI will
of the coalition government's
soft policy on terrorism.
Lambasting power hungry
BJP for its criminal silence
over today's issue, he called
upon union and state BJP
leaders to clear their stand on
revocation of AFSPA which is
the prime objective of PDP led
government. He warned the
government to stop talks with
separatists in order to maintain
peace and harmony in state.
Others who were present in
the protest included Lovely
Singh, Rishi Badyal, Shubam
Singh, Shubam Jasrotia, Sumit
Singh, Asha Rani, Amit
Charak, Deepak Sharma and
others.
among top most corrupt states
by Transparency International,
SIC should compel Government
and Public Authorities to
implement Section 4 of the act
which
states
proactive
disclosure and Section 23 which
deals with awareness about RTI
act in the state. We suggest SIC
to work within ambit of RTI Act
and use discretion within its
given mandate, said Farooq
Kuthoo.
Advocate Ashraf, Head of the
Legal Cell J& K RTI Movement
castigated government for
deleting Rules, 2010 of J & K
RTI Act which were considered
to be model rules but in spite of
assurance from Ex Law Minster
in a TV Debate, our demand of
restoration of rules 2010 was
not met.
Declare Pakistan a terrorist,
rogue state: Harsh
NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi | March | 20
retreat on the issue of
terrorism by forging an
alliance with PDP. He said
that BJP's meek surrender over
the issue of Mursat Alam has
given a new lease of life to
militants and other subversive
elements who have felt
emboldened. He said that the
today's episode as the outcome
help in eradicating this menace,
said Dr. Shiekh Ghulam Rasool.
As RTI Act completed 6
years, Government has failed to
implement Section 4 (a)
proactive disclosure, which is
considered to be the soul of
RTI Act. Today we demand
that this important section
should be implemented in letter
and spirit, said Dr. Sheikh
Ghulam Rasool.
Farooq A. Kuthoo, Chief
Spokesman
J&K
RTI
Movement congratulated RTI
Activists for the great work they
are doing by risking their
precious lives. He was
particularly very upset with the
functioning of State Information
Commission. When our state is
suffering worst regime of
corruption and has been ranked
Maintaining that Pakistan's
notoriety
has
assumed
unacceptable proportions, Mr.
Harsh Dev Singh Chairman
JKNPP and former Minister has
urged upon the Union Govt. to
initiate appropriate steps to
declare Pak a rogue and terrorist
state for latter's highly
felonious, wicked and criminal
acts in persistently violating our
territorial Integrity and our
national Pride and Honour. He
said that today's incident in
which the rogue country has
pushed its indoctrinated terrorist
into the Indian side, killing and
injuring several soldiers and
civilians was alarming. Strongly
condemning
the
highly
outrageous conduct of Pakistan,
Mr. Singh said that it should be
an eye opener for the BJP Govt.
in the centre and partnered govt.
in the state which had been
indulging in Jingoistic rhetoric
and making tall prouncements
of "teaching Pakistan a lesion".
Reminding the BJP of its tall
sloganeering against Pak's
misadventures he ridiculed the
Saffron Party's surrender over
its stand of tough posturing
against Pakistan. He said that
BJP for the lust of power made
a paradigm shift in its stance
that "Terror and talks can't go
together" and initiated foreign
secretary level talks with
Pakistan only at the behest of its
coalition partner so as to
become a junior partner in PDP
led govt.
Condemning
Pakistan's
notoriety and highly violent
posturing during the recent past,
Harsh Dev said that Pakistan
had always responded to Indian
goodwill
gestures
with
contempt and malice, lamented.
Maintaining that not only the
infiltration but also the ferocity
of ceasefire violations has
increased during the BJP rule
after Hafiz Saeed was spotted
near the borders.
Singh said that BJP in its
desperation to remain in power
seemed to have ignored the fact
that Musrat Alam had waged a
war against the nation, carried a
huge reward on his head for pro
secessionist activities, antiIndia campaign immediately
after his release. He said that it
was regrettable that rather than
ensuring the revocation of the
release order of Musrat Alam,
the BJP leaders including
Deputy Chief Minister Dr.
Nirmal Singh were issuing
statements in the media of a
strong and stable govt.
Reminding the Saffron Party
of the slogan of 'Zero Tolerance'
on terrorism given by PM
Narinder
Modi
in
the
Parliament, Harsh lamented that
not to speak of 'Zero Tolerance'
the BJP had in fact displayed
infinite
tolerance
by
compromising on all its policies
and perceptions merely for the
sake of power. He said that each
announcement and decision
taken by the PDP during the last
10-15 days was incompatible
with the Saffron Party's core
philosophy but the latter failed
to put up any strong resistance.
The NORTHLINES
HILL DISTRICTS
www.thenorthlines.com
4
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
Dy C.M visits Rajbagh DIG Udhampur-Reasi range reviewed security Commencement
Pays tribute to Martyrs
KATHUA, MARCH 20: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal
Singh visited Rajbagh Police Station in Kathua today
Condemning the attack and terming this as cowardly act, Dr.
Nirmal Singh hailed the security forces for exhibiting
exemplary courage and described the sacrifices of security
personnel as of the highest degree of commitment towards the
country. Deputy CM said that such attempts of militants are
aimed at derailing the peace initiatives.
He also visited District Police Lines Kathua and paid floral
tribute to Constable Parshotam Lal of J&K Police during
wreath laying ceremony held with full police honor.
Dr Nirmal Singh also visited District hospital Kathua and
met the injured policemen and civilian and enquired about the
medicare been provided to them .
DGP K Rajindera, IGP Jammu Zone Danish Rana, DIG
Jammu Kathua Range Shakeel Beigh, DC Kathua Dr Shahid
Iqbal Choudhary, SSP Kathua Neeva Jain, ADDC Kathua Er
Narinder Singh Bali, ASP Kathua Nisar Khan, officers of CRPF
also accompanied the Deputy Chief Minister.
DC Reasi makes surprise
visit to SS exam centres
REASI, MARCH 20: Deputy Commissioner Reasi Sushma
Chauhan made a surprise visit to various examination centres to
inspect the conduct of Secondary School examination in
Mahore on Friday.
DC accompanied by ADC Reasi -Shiv kumar Gupta
inspected the centers in Thurso, Dharma and Shajroo. She
called upon the staff on duty to perform their duty with
sincerity, dedication and commitment. She directed the
authorities concerned to make arrangements to provide
adequate drinking water to the students appearing for the
examinations.
She informed that vigilance squads had been deployed to
ensure that there were no malpractices in the conduct of
examination across the district.
arrangements at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Sanjay Sharma
KATRA, MARCH 20: In
order to ensure safe, secure and
smooth yatra to Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine during
Navratra Festival starting from
Saturday, DIG Udhampur Reasi
Range Shri Surinder Kumar
Gupta, IPS carried out a detailed
"Security
Review
and
Preparedness" meeting at Katra.
All
arrangements
for
regulation and management of
crowd at various critical points
all along the yatra routes were
reviewed. Additional troops
from Jammu and Kashmir
Armed Police and CRPF
including lady police will be
deployed to de-congest the
bottle necks and assist the
yatries. All critical points and
areas will be dominated by
physical presence of troops.DIG
directed to deploy "Quick
Action Teams" from CRPF and
Police Operational Components
at all critical points located on
the yatra t rack and holy town
of Katra.
There will be enhanced
frisking and checking of
passengers
and
vehicles
converging and passing through
the holy town of Katra with a
least inconvenience to the
yatries. A separate "Night and
Dawn" domination plan would
be put in place by sending joint
teams of CRPF and police patrol
in early wee hours of the day.
All isolated nallahs and other
geographical features in and
around the yatra track will be
dominated by laying cut off
points by police parties.
It is pertinent to mentioned
that three Joint Control Rooms
are functioning round the clock
at Bhawan, Adhkuwari and
base camp Katra for better and
effective communication and
coordination.
As a part of security review
all existing measures have been
Re-strategizes and beefed up to
ensure a complete round the
clock domination and to
normalize in proper response
mechanism to deal with any
kind of eventuality and
exigency on the yatra. Among
others Shri Sujit Kumar, IPS SP
Reasi. Sh.Sameer Kotwal,
Addt.SP Katra. Shri Sunil
Kumar Commandant/Dy.Co
CRPF Bn,SDPO Katra Shri
Ravel Choudhary and Inspector
Kuldip Krishan SHO PIS Katra
participated in the meeting.
SSP Poonch inaugurate office
Awareness
camp cum
fair
underway
Vigilance Squads
Constituted in Reasi
REASI, MARCH 20: District Administration Reasi has made
elaborate arrangements in Reasi district so as to take all
possible steps to curb the menace of copying and unfair
means in the Secondary School (SS) Examinations, Annual
Session-2015.
The focus, as always, is on preventing copying or unfair
means at the examination centre and for this vigilance squads
have been constituted by district administration.
These squads would be working under the direct
supervision of the Deputy Commissioner Deputy
Commissioner Reasi-Sushma Chauhan today directed the
squads to ensure that the examinations are conducted in fair
and transparent manner and no copying or unfair means are
used during the exams. She further instructed all the squads
to send a detailed report about the conduct of examination by
or before 2:00 pm.
Panthers protest Toll Plaza,
allege imposition of 'Jazia'
UDHAMPUR, MAR 20:Jammu and Kashmir National
Panthers Party today held a Protest demonstration against
levying of fee at Toll Plaza, Ban Talab Nagrota by National
Highway Authority of India lead by Surjeet Singh Sr. Leader
NPP & Sarpanch Tikri Mand.
Condemning the government move to burden the already
burdened people of Jammu, Surjeet Singh said that the road to
Udhampur has not been completed as yet but the government
has started charging toll from the people of Jammu region. He
said that people have not recovered from the shock of flood as
yet and the economy based on pilgrimage tourism has been hit
hard and the government keeping in view the Navratra pilgrims
to katra and Amarnath yatra have imposed Jazia on the Hindu
pilgrims.
Singh alleged that a senior BJP Minister has got the share in
the contract for Toll Plaza.
Prominent among those present on the occasion were Raj
Dev Singh, Sham Singh, Sohan SInghj, Rakesh, Rasjubir
Singh, Bikram Badyal.
JKPCC Chief
visits injured police
personals
JAMMU, MARCH 20:
Ghulam Ahmed Mir,
President
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress
Committee (JKPCC), along with several party leaders on
Friday, visited Government Medical College Hospital
Jammu and enquired about the health of Jammu and
Kashmir Police personnel's injured in the terrorist attack
on Police Station Raj Bagh, Kathua, this morning. He
interacted with the patients and their attendants and
enquired about the treatment & other facilities being
extended to them from the government.
He asked the doctors about the status of injured and directed
them to extend best Medicare to them for their early recovery.
JKPCC President strongly condemned the terrorist attack on
Police Station Raj Bagh, Kathua today morning which resulted
into loss of precious lives and injuries to a large number of
people.
He said that such inhuman acts on the part of neighboring
country not only derails the peace process but affects the
normal lives of those who have nothing to do with these issues.
Later, a meeting was held at PCC Headquarters, Shaheedi
Chowk, Jammu, under the leadership President JKPCC in
which Senior Congress leaders including S/Shri Nawang
Rigzin Jora-Leader CLP, Thakur Hari Singh, Ghulam Nabi
Monga-MLC, G. M. Saroori-MLA, Haji Abdul Rashid-MLA,
Usman Majid-MLA, Mohamad Amin Bhat-MLA, Gulzar
Ahmed Wani-MLA, Manmohan Singh, Vikram Malhotra, Dr.
Rashid Choudhary, Shiv Kumar Sharma-President INTUC,
Shahnawaz Choudhary-President PYC, Pranav Shahgotra-Vice
President PYC, Neeraj Kundan-President NSUI, S. Surinder
Singh Channi, Narinder Gupta, Neeraj Gupta, Thomas Khokhar
and Mohammad Mushtaq Khandey paid rich tributes to the
martyred CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel who
lost their lives in today's terrorist attack and conveyed their
condolence to the sorrowing families. The meeting prayed for
the peace to the departed souls.
POONCH, MAR. 20:
Today S. Jatinder Singh
Johar
SSP,
Poonch
inaugurated the refurbished
office cum mess building of
retired police personnel of
Poonch district near Court
Complex Poonch office
Poonch.
During the inaugural
ceremony large number of
retired police personnel
including prominent of the
area present on the occasion.
With the opening of the
lodging facility the retired
police personnel can avail
the benefit particularly those
Police personnel residing in
far flung area of the district.
District Police also provided
furniture for the building.
SSP Poonch reassured the
retired police personnel that
J&K Police is committed for
the welfare of retired
employees and they should
feel part and parcel of Police
Parivar and also assured
them that their future needs
will be taken care of and they
should help the department in
providing timely inputs about
the prevailing situation as
they are also part of the local
community.
District Police Poonch has
already held an interaction
session with the retired
employees and is continuing
in its endeavour to take full
care of their welfare needs.
Panthers protest against
terrorist attack
UDHAMPUR, MAR 20
Jammu and Kashmir National
Panthers Party today held a
protest demonstration against
terrorist attack in Rajbagh,
Kathua at Slathia Chowk,
Udhampur.
Activists of Panthers Party
asked Bharatiya Janata party to
come out of the alliance as it is
becoming an anti-thesis of what
it has been preaching for last 65
years to the people of India and
state as well.
They said that the Pakistan have killed innocent persons in end to talks with Pakistan till
sponsored militants have the state in the same area time the time they stop spreading
become active once again and and again. They demanded an terror in J&K state.
IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL
MAGISTRATE
1st CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA
Present : Madhu (KCS Judicial)
Sohan Singh S/o Sh. Jaswant Singh
R/o Mandi Dansal,Tehsil & Distt. Samba
V/S
S.H.O. Police Station,Samba.
In the matter of
Application for Registration of birth/death of:Vrindha Sambyal (Female) D.O.B.07-02-2011 at home
Father's Name: Sh. Sohan Singh
Mother's Name: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari
NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC
Whereas, an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth
of Vrindha Sambyal (F) D/o Sh. Sohan Singh & Smt. Sangeeta Kumari
r/o Mandi Dansal, Tehsil & Distt. Samba and through the medium of this
publication notice at large and any other interested person is/ are
informed that in case anybody has any objection in respect of
aforementioned application then he/she/they shall file their objections in
this court within 7 days from the date of publication of notice, failing
which appropriate order shall follow.
Given under my hand and seal of this court today 20th day of March
2015.
Sd/Addl. Munsiff
Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba)
MAHORE, MARCH
20: The mega awareness
camp cum fair organized
to educate and inform
the public of various
social welfare schemes
gets under way at
Mahore today.
Sub
Divisional
Magistrate
Mahore,
Subash
Dogra
inaugurated the camp.
SDM said that such
awareness camps are an
opportunity for the
people to know about
the schemes of the
department. He called
upon the people to avail
maximum benefit from
different social welfare
schemes and programs.
Program Officer ICDS
Project Reasi Nawab
Din
said rural and
backward people of the
area have little access to
the benefits so the
department
is
duty
bound to reach out to
them and awareness
camps like this can go a
long way in serving the
purpose of reaching out
to the people, he added.
Xen R&B Mahore,
BMO Mahore, CDPO
Mahore,
Sarpanches,
Panches,
Anganwadi
workers,
Anganwadi
Helpers, ASHA workers,
prominent citizens and
scores of people of the
area attended the camp.
On the occasion, a
colorful
cultural
bonanza was presented
by artists of Information
Department Reasi based
on female foeticide,
education and other
topics
of
social
significance which was
highly applauded by the
gathering.
of Holy Navratras
Sanjay Sharma
KATRA, MAR 20 - Shri
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine
Board has made elaborate
arrangements for the larger
number of pilgrims who are
likely to visit the Holy Cave
Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno
Devi Ji during Navratras,
which are commencing from
tomorrow.
These arrangements include
ensuring proper water and
power supply along the Track
leading to the Shrine,
sanitation and availability of
special fast related food at the
Bhojanalayas of the Shrine
Board.
In this context, Dr.
Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief
Executive Officer, Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi Shrine Board,
reviewed the to-date status of
these arrangements with Dr.
M. K. Kumar and Mr. B.
Mohandaas, Additional Chief
Executive Officers, Deputy
Chief Executive Officers,
concerned engineers and unit
heads of the Shrine Board,
keeping in view the large flow
of pilgrims expected during
the Navratras.
Dr. Bhandari, giving details
of various arrangements made
for the Navratras, informed
that the Bhawan of Shri Mata
Vaishno Devi Ji, Atka and the
area surrounding it have been
decorated with flowers. All
the routes leading to the Holy
Cave Shrine have been fully
maintained
for
smooth
movement
of
pilgrims,
besides ensuring sufficient
supplies of provisions, food,
water etc. along the Track.
Agri Deptt organizes
farmers’ training
UDHAMPUR, MARCH
20: One day Farmers Training
Programme, was organized by
Department of Agriculture
Udhampur
under
the
supervision
of
District
Development Commissioner,
Udhampur, Mrs. Yasha Mudgal
at Old Town Hall Udhampur
here today.
More than 500 farmers
including Women farmers
participated in the Farmers
Training Programme organized
under CSS-ATMA(NMAET)
Scheme.
Chief Agriculture Officer
Udhampur, Mr. R.L. Bhagat
presided over the function.
Mr. Bhagat said that the
convergence of all the stake
holders under one umbrella
will act as a platform to work
out the future course of action
to increase the overall
production and productivity of
crops.
Among others, Project
Director ATMA, Mr. M.P
Gupta, Experts from various
allied
departments,
Sarpanches, Panches and a
large number of farmers were
also present in the programme.
DEO convenes DGPC meet
POONCH, MARCH 20: In
view of the conduct of ensuing
Gurdwara
Prabandhak
Committee (GPC) elections in
the district, the District
Election Officer, Mr. M H
Malik chaired a meeting of
representatives
of
Sikh
community including members
of
District
Gurdwara
Parbandhak
Committee
(DGPC) here today.
Various issues related to the
conduct of transparent and fair
elections were discussed. The
DEO assured that the Gurdwara
Prabandhak
Committee
elections shall be conducted in
a transparent atmosphere for
which necessary arrangements
will be put in place.
In view of the changed
demography in few wards,
some representatives of the
community also raised the issue
of delimitation to which the
District Election Officer
suggested
for
garnering
consensus
within
the
community.
President,
DGPC,
S.
Narinder Singh and other
members of the DGPC attended
the meeting.
DDC visits exam centre
UDHAMPUR, MARCH 20: District Development
Commissioner Udhampur, Yasha Mudgal today visited various
examination centers constituted in different private institutions of
the town for the conduct of Higher Secondary Examinations(12th
class) regular 2014-15 here today.
The DDC visited various examination centres in the town which
included Nehru Memorial Higher Secondary School, Vijay Higher
Secondary School and Brahmrishi Bawra Shanti Vidya Peeth.
On the occasion she was apprised by the concerned
superintendents regarding necessary measures initiated to ensure
fair and smooth conduct of examination.
DDC gave on spot instructions to the concerned to ensure fair
conduct of the exams.
Vikramaditya condemns
Kathua attack
JAMMU, MARCH 20: frustrated due to flourishing of
Terming Kathua attack as democracy in Jammu and
dastardly and cowardly act, Kashmir.
senior leader of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP),
Vikramaditya Singh has asked
I, Ravi Kumar S/o Kala Ram
authorities to provide adequate R/o Meen Sarkar, Tehsil Bari
relief to the victims of the Brahmana Distt. Samba have
attack. In a statement issued lost my ration card. Now I am
here today, Vikramadiyta Singh applying for the duplicate of
said that such attack was aimed the same. Objection if any
at disturbing peace in the State. convey to T.S.O. Vijaypur
He said that such incident was within seven days after
executed by those who were publication of this notice.
NOTICE
IN THE COURT OF CHIFE JUDICIAL
MAGISTRATE SAMBA
IN THE COURT OF CHIFE JUDICIAL
MAGISTRATE SAMBA
Present : Ritesh K. Dubey (KCS Judicial)
Present : Ritesh K. Dubey (KCS Judicial)
Surinder Singh S/o Sh. Joga Singh
R/o Pangdour, Tehsil & District Samba .
V/S
Incharge Police Post, Rakh Amb Talli
Application U/S 13 (3) of Registration of birth/death Act, seeking
directions to Incharge Police Post, Rakh Amb Talli to enter the birth
particular of applicant's son.
Sat Pal S/o Late Sh. Ram Krishan r/o Sordi, Tehsil & District Samba .
V/S
Incharge Police Post, Rakh Amb Talli
Application U/S 13 (3) of Registration of birth/death Act, seeking
directions to Incharge Police Post, Rakh Amb Talli to enter the birth
particular of applicant's son.
PROCLAMATION
Whereas applicant has filed the above titled application in this court for
issuing direction to Incharge Police Post, Rakh Amb Talli regarding
registration of birth particulars of his son namely Vishesh Sharma (male)
S/o Sh. Sh.Sat Pal & Smt. Tripta Devi R/o Sordi, Tehsil & District
Samba in Police post Rakh Amb Talli who was born on 05-06-2008 at
home and through the medium of this proclamation, general public is
informed that any person/s has/have objection to the same, in that event
he/she/they shall file same before this court on or before 27-032015,failing which appropriate order shall passed. Take notice that in
case the date of fixed is declared holiday, the matter shall be taken in the
next working day.
Given under my hand and seal of this court today 20th day of March
2015.
Sd/Chief Judicial Magistrate,
Samba
PROCLAMATION
Whereas applicant has filed the above titled application in this court for
issuing direction to Incharge Police Post, Rakh Amb Talli regarding
registration of birth particulars of his son namely Amandeep Singh
(male) S/o Sh. Sh.Surinder Singh & Smt. Balwinder Kour R/o
Pangdour, Tehsil & District Samba in Police post Rakh Amb Talli who
was born on 11-02-2009 at home and through the medium of this
proclamation, general public is informed that any person/s has/have
objection to the same, in that event he/she/they shall file same before
this court on or before 27-03-2015,failing which appropriate order shall
passed. Take notice that in case the date of fixed is declared holiday, the
matter shall be taken in the next working day.
Given under my hand and seal of this court today 20th day of March
2015.
Sd/Chief Judicial Magistrate,
Samba
The NORTHLINES
KATHUA
www.thenorthlines.com
5
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
Kathua faces the brunt of pak terrorism Shatru condemns
terror attack
Pankaj Sharma
Kathua | Mar | 20:
It was a day of terror in Kathua
as 6 people, including onepolicemen, two CRPF men and
two civilians, killed and at least
11 injured Friday in a string of
brazen militant strike. The
fierce encounter lasted for
around five and a half hours
after the militants dressed in
army uniform attacked Rajbagh
Police Station located at
Jammu-Pathankot
National
Highway, near about 15Kilometers away from Indo-Pak
Border.
According to sources the
militants, probably after night
infiltration entered Bobiya
Border from Pakistan side.
From there they hijacked one
motorcycle bearing number
PB35-V-1976 along with rider
Joginder Singh S/O Malkeet
Singh R/O Narote Jaimal Singh
Punjab.
The militants covered a
distance of near five-Kilometers
with him and thereafter killed
him, and thrown him in the
nearby Nursery. From there, the
militants hijacked three-wheeler
bearing number JK08-A-5795,
belonging to Bharat Bhushan
and reached National Highway.
At National Highway, the
militants stopped two-Mahindra
Load Carrier and hijacked them
along with three persons
including drivers on both. The
militants asked them for a lift up
to Rajbagh Police Station.
When the militants reached
Police Station, they asked them
to come with them in the Police
Station.
The moment the militants
reached the main gate of police
station, they asked the sentry
(Parshotam Lal S/O Prakash
Chand) to open the gate saying
that they are from army and
want to hand miscreants to
police. The drivers of the
vehicle begged police sentry to
let them go, as they are
innocent. However, in between
one militant opened fire on the
sentry and killed him on the
spot. Realizing something fishy
one of the driver of Mahindra
rushed inside a room, whereas
the other succeeded in jumping
the wall. However, the militants
killed the third one. Giving
boost to their action militants
rushed to the building and
started heavy firing and
throwing grenades. Sooner, the
police, CRPF and army rushed
to the spot and after a fierce
encounter of five and a half hour
killed both the militants. Kathua
Deputy Commissioner Dr
Shahid Iqbal said about two
militants launched the attack,
which is the first major assault
in the militancy-hit state
following the formation of a
People Democratic PartyBharatiya Janta Party coalition
government.
I G Danish Rana while
briefing the encounter moments
said, "Militants used automatic
weapons and hurled grenades at
the Rajbagh police station." He
added that, other than two
militants, we had lost onepolicemen, 2-CRPF men and 2civilians. Moreover, 11-persons
including 7-CRPF, 3-Policemen
and one civilian also injured
during the attack.
NL Correspondent
Kathua | Mar | 20:
In a press statement issued here
today, Sr. Youth Congress
Leader Advocate Ajat Shatru
Sharma strongly condemn the
cowardly today's terrorist
attack on Rajbagh Police
Station at Kathua. In his
statement he said that this
attack itself speaks that how
Pakistan is sponsoring the
terrorist activities in Jammu &
Kashmir from many years.
From few years Pakistan has
shifted the epicenter of terrorist
activists to the most peaceful
areas like Kathua district of
Jammu & Kashmir State
because of some unknown
reasons. Terrorist's bosses
sitting across the border are not
digesting the peace and
brotherhood of the peaceful
areas like Kathua, Hiranagar&
Samba. Despite of High
security
zone
terrorists
infiltrate easily escape without
notice by BSF deployed on
International Border.
No doubt all these similar
attacks so far have been
neutralized by our brave
soldiers of Police, CRPF &
Army but on the cost of
precious life of our soldiers
which could be saved if
intelligence agencies supplied
the inputs of the attack in few
early hours to the security
agencies.
Other youth congress leaders
who jointly condemn this
attack includes Man Singh,
MunishBhagatSanjeev Kumar,
JeevanJyoti, Aman Sharma,
Sandeep, Shail, Rohit etc.
DCC condemns
militant attack
NL Correspondent
Kathua | Mar | 20:
Subash Chander Gupta Ex.
MLC and President, District
Congress Committee Kathua
today condemned cowardly
attack by the militant on the
Police Station Rajbagh in
which three Security personal
and one civilian died and 9
other security personnel got
injured including Sub divisional
Police officer Diwakar Singh.
Terming the attack as
cowardice and barbaric act,
Gupta appreciated the role of
police and security forces in
neutralizing both the militants
involved in the attack. Gupta
shows solidarity with the next
of kith and kin who lost their
lives in this militant attack.
Gupta
demanded
that
government
should
take
decisive action against Pakistan
sponsored terrorism in our state
and deal this sensitive issue
with firm hand.
Gupta further
said that
Security forces should take
strict vigil on the border so that
such incident could not be take
place again.
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Aditya Sharma family in mourning
Aditya Sharma
Assembly-2015
LA condemns
Kathua attack
NL Correspondent/CNS
Jammu | Mar | 20
The Speaker, Jammu and
Kashmir Legislative Assembly,
Kavinder Gupta condemned the
terrorist attack on the Rajbagh
Police Station in Kathua district.
On behalf of the entire House,
the Speaker condemned the
incident asking the government
to take measures to strengthen
the security network and check
such attacks from happening. He
said the sympathies of the entire
House are with the families of
those who were martyred in the
cowardly attack.
Condemning the cowardly
act, the Deputy Chief Minister,
Dr. Nirmal Singh earlier gave
details about the incident to the
House and said that terrorists
attacked the Rajbagh police
Station at 6:18 am after killing
the Santry on duty, entered the
Police Station.
He said the whole area has
been cordoned by the Police and
CRPF Jawans and encounter is
still raging on. He said as per the
details available to him, 10
people including 2 police, 7
CRPF and 1 civilian were
injured in the attack so far and
they have been evacuated to
Kathua hospital. He said since
the area is still under security
cordon and security forces are
still engaged to flush out
terrorists, it is not possible to
present all the details at the
moment.
Meanwhile, senior
PDP Leader Vikramaditya Singh
condemned the militant attack
on Rajbagh Police Station in
Kathua.He offered his deep
condolences to the family
members of those killed.He said
Government must give adequate
compensation to them and also
to those who are injured in
hospital. Calling it a dastardly
and cowardly act,he said that
such acts along the National
Highway are intended to create
civil disturbances and instill fear
in common man.
Vikramaditya urged the state
administration to further tighten
security along the boarder
belt,especially for protection of
National Highway that runs
within close proximity to border,
hence making it vulnerable to
such attacks
Babu condemns
terror attack
NL Correspondent
Kathua | Mar | 10
EX-Power Minister Babu
Singh today condemned the
terrorist attack on Rajbagh
police station in Kathua district
which left three security
personnel and two militants
dead and 11 others injured.
While criticizing the terrorist
attack, Babu Singh condemned
the incident asking the
government to take measures to
strengthen the security network
and prevent such attacks.
He said such kind of terrorist
attacks have been occurring in
Kathua since long so to deal
with iron hand it is needed for
the government to take some
strong and bold measures so
that such incidents could be
stopped permanently in future.
He further warned the
neighboring Pakistan based
terrorist organization to shun
the path of violence and killing
of innocent.
Nature-Mankind Friendly
Global Movement, Kisaan
Movement and Youth
Movement have strongly
condemned the heartbroken
terrorist attack at Rajbag Police
Patient 'forced 'to visit
private hospital for surgery
NL Correspondent
Srinagar | Mar |20:
A two year old kid was sent home twice
from Bones and Joint Hospital while his
father waited for three days before his
kid was given a referral by a doctor to
attend a private hospital for surgery on
his legs that had caused fracture due to a
sudden fall from a height.
Two years old kid from frontier
district Kupwara Mir Talish son of Mir
Saleem was injured and suffered fracture
in his legs when he had a sudden fall
from roof of his house. He was
immediately rushed to SMHS Hospital
where doctors directed him have a
surgery at Bones and Joint Hospital. "My
son was withering with pain whom I
admitted in Bones and Joint Hospital
Srinagar under MRD number 113302.
Doctors refused to do a surgery saying
that he is only two years old kid. They
sent me home twice and when the pain of
the child reached to an unbearable limit,
I arrived in Hospital again and the
doctors instead of treating him, directed
me to admit the kid in GB Panth
Hospital," Mir Saleem told CNS.
Medical Superintendent Bones and Joint
Hospital Barzulla Dr Shabir admitted
that some doctors in the hospital have
been acting as middlemen and for sake
of Commission are forcing patients to
visit priavate hospitals. "This is the
major problem which I have noticed
here. I have been working hard to put an
end to this middlemen culture. I request
the father of the kid to approach me and
identify the doctor or doctors himself
and I will initiate action against them,"
Medical Superintendent told CNS.
station Kathua and tribute those
who lost their lives in this
heavy gun fight between cops
and Pakistan based terrorists.
District Chairman of the Global
Movement Sahib Singh,
District president of Kisaan
Movement Karan Singh and
District president of Youth
Movement Vikram Singh
slammed on the state as well as
union government for being
failed to stand a strong security
cover in this area which has
always been targeted by the
Pakistan based terrorist groups
so many times in past.
And this attack is the sheer
negligence on the part of
government, they said. Not
much long time has been
passed of happening most
dreadful recent terrorist attack
at Hiranagar, Dayalachack but
how the sensitivity of the area
is ignored to understand by the
Government.
All this huge negligence and
security elapse should be
investigated and deeply probed
by the Government because it
the concern of life and death of
a big population resding in this
targeted area of Kathua, they
added.
'Auto Rickshaws instructed
to install Digital Fare Meter'
NL Correspondent
Jammu, March 20;
Minister for Transport, Abdul Ghani Kohli while
replying to a question by D. S. Oberoi in the
Legislative Council today said that Motor Vehicles
Department has already issued instructions regarding
installation of func-tional electronic fare meters in
respect of Auto rickshaws.
The Minister said that the department has
authorized Radio Taxi Service for operation within
the Municipal limits of District Srinagar. These
vehicles do posses company fitted Electronic Fare
Meters and Operation of this service has proved
public friendly.
Similarly measures are being taken in District
Jammu for the convenience of general public. The
Minister said that moreover, all boards of inspections
located in every district have been impressed upon
not to issue fitness certificate to any auto-rickshaw
unless fitted with functional electronic fare meter
duly sealed and calibrated by the Weights and
Measures/Legal Meteoro-logy department.
The NORTHLINES
OPINION
QUOTE
www.thenorthlines.com
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
Hitting all the wrong
notes in J&K
"The real hero is always a hero by
mistake; he dreams of being an honest
coward like everybody else."
- Umberto Eco
the NORTHLINES, Jammu
Perils abroad
he brutal murder of an Indian
national, Prabha Arun Kumar, in
Sydney on March 7 has reignited
debates around the safety of Indians abroad.
The spate of violent attacks on Indians in
Australia over the past decade has
persistently fuelled nagging tensions in
India-Australia relations, puncturing the
sense of optimism that had emerged on that
front. Ruling out racial motivation behind
the attack, Australia has promised that the
perpetrators of the crime would be brought
to justice; a special detective squad has
been assigned to investigate it. But given
Australia’s generally lackadaisical response
in such contexts in the past, India has
reason to be sceptical of these promises.
The series of attacks on Indian students
about half a decade ago had been severely
condemned by India. The government had
questioned the effectiveness of the steps
taken then by the Australian authorities, and
issued a “restrained travel advisory”, asking
Indian students to take basic precautions in
being alert to their own security. The
insensitivity shown by Australian officials
— who were often in denial mode — in
responding to these attacks had come to
notice in India at that time. So one can only
hope that External Affairs Minister Sushma
Swaraj’s recent call to her Australian
counterparts for complete cooperation in
resolving the issue is met with the needed
level of seriousness at least this time. The
tragic event will, it is to be hoped, lead to a
broader debate concerning the conditions of
Indians abroad. First, the government can
consider adopting “smart” means to ensure
the safety of Indians while abroad,
especially in times of crisis. For instance,
Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth
Office (FCO) had, in 2008, set up a
‘Locate’ system to act as a people-tracking
register. This has now been replaced by a
country-specific alert system, via email,
Twitter and Facebook. Second, the Indian
government has often been criticised for not
doing enough about the conditions Indian
migrant workers face abroad. For instance,
a 2014 Amnesty International report lays
forth the human rights abuses encountered
by Indian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
By means of diplomatic pressure and
bilateral
agreements,
the
Indian
government has to ensure that these migrant
workers are not denied any of their labour
rights as provided under international law.
Third, an ethical discourse on the
conditions of Indians abroad has to
simultaneously involve an inward gaze on
how Indians have been treating their own
guests from overseas. Just last week, a mob
in Bengaluru chased and attacked Africans
in their suburban locality. With racial
prejudices, delays and inefficiencies at play,
the criminal justice system often proves
unequal to the task of coming to the aid of
many such foreign citizens while in India.
T
6
M. K.
NARAYANAN
The Central government headed by the BJP
does not possess the kind of levers needed to
deal with the ground realities in Kashmir. It
needs to do more than merely making strong
statements from time to time in the belief that
this would check the profligacy of the Jammu
and Kashmir Chief Minister and his cabinet on
matters of security
Events in Jammu and Kashmir seemingly
appear more surreal than real, making it difficult
to separate the truth from perceptions. The 2014
elections in Jammu and Kashmir had raised
expectations of a significant shift in a
progressive direction as far as the State was
concerned. The national parties, the Congress
and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had
between them secured over 45 per cent of the
vote, an increase of more than 14 per cent when
compared to the 2008 elections. Thus, the
perception was that this would herald closer
cooperation between Srinagar and New Delhi.
Unfortunately, this does not seem to be
happening — at least not yet.
Skewed mandate
A contributory factor, possibly, has been the
skewed nature of voting patterns which convey
the impression of a sharp divide — between a
predominantly Muslim populated Kashmir
Valley and the Hindu majority Jammu region.
Votes in the Valley largely went in favour of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), virtually
shutting out the BJP as Jammu voted
overwhelmingly for the BJP. The seat arithmetic
did not provide much scope for the emergence
of a stable government, unless the PDP and the
BJP — representing two opposite poles of the
political spectrum — combined forces. This did
eventually happen, but only after an extended
and corrosive delay. Moreover, the contents of
the common minimum programme of the two
parties, which was forged after several rounds of
discussion, hardly inspire confidence about the
longevity of their understanding.
Managing an “unlikely coalition” of this
nature, requires both sides to adhere strictly to
the rules of “coalition dharma”. At the very
least, it requires that neither party undermines
key postulates of the common minimum
programme, and that they take care not to upset
carefully contrived arrangements in place. At
best, there could be some room for employing a
scalpel — but used with a surgeon’s dexterity —
rather than a sledgehammer used by a
construction worker. Consultation and
accommodation have to be the watchwords. All
this is presently in short supply.
Breaking the concord
The choice of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as
Chief Minister for a full six-year term, did
foreclose some of these options. Mr. Sayeed
promptly proceeded to violate some of the basic
principles of the understanding. Almost his very
first pronouncement was to credit Pakistan, the
Hurriyat Conference and the militants for the
smooth conduct of the Assembly elections in the
State. This stoked a controversy that is unlikely
to die down. A little after this, an even more
serious controversy erupted following the
release of Masarat Alam, a Kashmiri separatist
hardliner and a close affiliate of the Tehreek-eHurriyat leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Hence,
of militants in the Valley has often been at odds
with New Delhi’s perceptions. Even earlier, as
the Chief Minister, he often demonstrated that
he was not on the same page as New Delhi on
these matters. His elder daughter, Mehbooba
Mufti, had also previously demonstrated a
“softness” towards militancy and the militants.
More serious than this, are the implications of
the Chief Minister’s so-called “healing touch”.
The road to hell, it is said, is often paved with
good intentions. The release of Masarat Alam
may be viewed as a minor incident, but can fuel
a new wave of unrest, and give fresh grist to
residual anti-national forces within the Valley. In
turn, it could encourage Pakistan to embark on
more aggressive moves.
Masarat Alam has been actively involved in
Masarat Alam has been actively involved in
violent activities for long. Kashmir’s dangerous
decade of the 1990s began with a single instance
of the abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, Mr. Sayeed’s
other daughter, in December 1989, and the letting
off of some militants in exchange for her release.
As a result, Kashmir and India suffered a great
deal and it has taken more than two decades to
retrieve the situation.
not all of New Delhi’s efforts to pour oil on
troubled waters can disguise the vast differences
in approach and attitude that exist between the
two coalition partners.
“Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is at its
lowest since the 1980s. Nothing should be
allowed to happen that would lead to a reversal
of this situation ”
Mr. Sayeed is not known to be a conciliator.
The Congress realised this during the PDPCongress coalition of 2002-2008. On that
occasion, he had only a truncated three- year
term. His strong views on how to chart
Kashmir’s destiny are in sharp contrast with
views held by a majority of the national
mainstream. Further, given his animus towards
the Abdullah family, which leads the National
Conference, it is only to be expected that every
decision taken by the Omar Abdullah ministry is
likely to be overturned. All this and more could
certainly have been anticipated.
Hence, Mr. Sayeed’s current statements must
not be perceived or treated, as an aberration. The
truth is that the Chief Minister is ambivalent on
the issue of India-Pakistan relations. He is
viewed as someone who has a soft spot for the
Hurriyat. His approach to militancy and the role
violent activities for long. Kashmir’s dangerous
decade of the 1990s began with a single instance
of the abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, Mr.
Sayeed’s other daughter, in December 1989, and
the letting off of some militants in exchange for
her release. As a result, Kashmir and India
suffered a great deal and it has taken more than
two decades to retrieve the situation.
Replay of the past?
To many, the events of the past few days are
beginning to look like an eerie replay of what
occurred then, and which was to push Kashmir
almost to the brink. In December 1989, Mr.
Sayeed was the Union Home Minister when his
daughter’s abduction and the release of militants
took place. The circumstances of the release and
the exchange remain controversial to this day.
Likewise, Masarat Alam’s release remains a
matter of controversy. His release coincided
with Mr. Sayeed’s assumption of office, leading
immediately to a hue and cry. This was followed
by strong statements by the Union Home
Minister that terrorism and violence would be
dealt with a strong hand — implicitly blaming
the PDP-led government for the release. All this
seemed to end in a whimper, following a belated
explanation that the release had been ordered by
the State government during Governor’s rule.
The belated explanation has, however, not
convinced anybody. Rather, it has all the
makings of a Sherlock Holmes novel.
The short-, medium- and long-term
implications of all this need to be carefully
considered. Kashmir remains a highly sensitive
region to this day. The government in New
Delhi headed by the BJP also does not possess
the kind of levers needed to deal with the ground
realities in Kashmir, unlike the Congress when it
was in alliance with the PDP. The Central
government needs to do more than merely
making strong statements from time to time in
the belief that this would check the profligacy of
the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and his
cabinet on matters of security.
Mr. Sayeed is unlikely to be deterred by the
vehement opposition voiced by the Lok Sabha
to his actions, or the Prime Minister’s categoric
disapproval of his controversial remarks. The
Chief Minister is a shrewd leader who realises
that he can possibly tap into a lingering, though
currently receding, anti-India sentiment among
sections of Kashmiris, who continue to remain
unhappy with the Centre.
Currently, militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is
at its lowest since the 1980s. Nothing should be
allowed to happen that would lead to a reversal
of this situation. No price should be seen as too
heavy for this. Measures need to be put in place
before the situation slips out of control. We do
not need a repeat of what took place during the
tenure of the Janata Dal government led by
Prime Minister V.P. Singh of which Mr. Sayeed
was a part of as the Union Home Minister.
Once the situation stabilises, the healing
measures initiated during the years 2005-2010,
under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, should
be revived and energised. The reports prepared
by the four working groups should be retrieved
for early implementation. The round tables
should be revived. All this had made
considerable progress during that period, but
withered on the vine due to neglect post-2010.
It may be too early, just yet, to consider a
India-Pakistan entente that could result in the
setting up of a cooperative and consultative
mechanism to deal with the problems of people
on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC). The
Pakistan Army seems to have once again gained
ascendancy and can be expected to be a spoiler
in terms of better India-Pakistan relations. India
will need to wait for better times. Nevertheless,
India must continue to affirm that it favours a
resolution of the Kashmir dispute that does not
seek to redraw borders, but will enable easier
commerce, communication and contact between
the Kashmiri people on both sides of the LoC.
(M.K. Narayanan is a former National
Security Advisor and former Governor of West
Bengal.)
It's time for India to join the Mine Ban Treaty
SATNAM JIT SINGH/
YESHUA MOSERPUANGSUAN
eft over from a previous phase of conflict,
India's landmines are no longer
useful,instead producing severe hardship
on border communities
India, since its independence, has been a
passionate advocate of disarmament measures in
the United Nations system. According to the
Ministry of External Affairs, "India has a longstanding commitment to the goal of general and
complete disarmament based on the principles
of universality, non-discrimination and
verification..." In 1996, India voted in favour of
a UN General Assembly Resolution urging
states to vigorously pursue an international
agreement banning anti-personnel mines.
However, in 1997 when the Mine Ban Treaty
came into existence, India chose to remain
outside it. This key contemporary disarmament
measure has saved thousands of lives. Eighty per
cent of governments in the world have joined
this treaty, and the UN Secretary General has
acknowledged it as a 'near universal' convention.
But India is still waiting and watching from
outside. Is it time for a rethink?
In 1999, India joined an Optional Protocol to
the UN Convention on Conventional Weapons,
a limited disarmament measure on antipersonnel landmines. The protocol prohibits the
use of undetectable landmines, requires
permanent marking and fencing of any mined
area, but does not comprehensively ban the
weapon. In the past, India was a major
manufacturer of undetectable landmines and
used them along the international border with
Pakistan as well as along the Line of Control
(LoC) in Kashmir.
Landmines are a globally condemned and
banned weapon due to their inherently
indiscriminate nature. Once a landmine is laid, it
does not discriminate between a combatant and
a civilian. Landmines usually remain active long
after fighting is over and become a lasting
deadly legacy of armed conflicts. It makes little
difference to communities whether one
landmine or a thousand exist in their fields or
roads, as the uncertainty regarding the presence
of a landmine is debilitating; it terrorises
communities, creating a culture of fear, and halts
or limits mobility and access to productive
resources. India has, in the past, stated that it
needs landmines to deter incursion by armed
militants, especially into Kashmir. Has this
proved effective? Don't the long-term negative
consequences of the use of this weapon far
L
outweigh its military utility? India has suffered
greatly from anti-personnel mine use. Hardly a
month goes by without reports of deaths or
injuries to soldiers or civilians due to antipersonnel mines laid - many of them India made
- along the LoC in Kashmir.
Suicidal strategy
The largest known use of anti-personnel mines
by any government in recent times was India's
(and Pakistan's) deployment of hundreds of
thousands of anti-personnel mines along the
international border during Operation Parakram
in the wake of the attack on the Indian
Parliament in December 2001.
Land forces were mobilised on a large scale
and mine-laying covered a huge parcel of
agricultural land along the border, thereby
disrupting the lives of lakhs of Indian citizens.
According to an April 2005 report of the Lok
Sabha Standing Committee on Defence, the
Indian Army suffered 1,776 casualties while
laying and removing its minefields on the border
between December 2001 and April 2005. The
total number of civilian casualties remains
unknown. However, an Indian NGO survey in
2004 counted at least 1,295 civilian casualties
from Operation Parakaram-laid mines.
Despite many rounds of manual and
mechanical mine clearance, by 2004 the Army
declared that at least 3,00,000 mines planted
along 400 kilometres of the international border
in Punjab and Rajasthan were untraceable, and
proposed that the area be permanently cordoned
off.
The full extent of areas mined during
Operation Parakaram is unknown. However,
reports from that time indicate 700 sq. km along
the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, and large areas
of Punjab and Rajasthan were mined. In January
2002, the Deputy Commissioner of Ferozepur
District of Punjab stated that 27 sq. km of land,
affecting 350 villages along the 210-km-long
international border in the district, had been
taken over at that time by the Indian Army for
laying minefields.
The attack on the Indian Parliament required a
response. However, reliance on anti-personnel
mines led to deaths and injuries of hundreds of
more Indian nationals and land displacement of
thousands with attendant hardship for those
villages. This damage was not inflicted by a
terrorist group or by an enemy; it was the
outcome of the Army's reliance on mine warfare.
Anti-personnel mines are an antiquated
weapon that can no longer have a place in India's
arsenal. The mines laid, and subsequently
replenished, over the past decades did not
impact the insurgency in Kashmir in any
significant way. But the misery they have
produced in the communities along the
international border and the LoC is real today.
With the subsequent construction of the fence
along the LoC, India's anti-personnel mines
have become all the more dispensable. Left over
from a previous phase of the conflict, they no
longer serve any purpose.
It is time for India to rethink its policy and join
the other nations around the globe that have
concluded that this weapon deserves to be
consigned to the dustbin of history.
(Satnam Jit Singh is a former Indian
Ambassador and a landmine survivor of the
1965 Indo-Pak War. Yeshua MoserPuangsuwan is a Senior Researcher,
International Campaign to Ban Landmines.)
The NORTHLINES
NATIONAL
www.thenorthlines.com
7
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
If Pakistan stops aiding terror outfits, South
Asian security will improve: Rajnath Singh
Agennices
Jaipur, Mar 20
"India has been a victim of cross-border
terrorism for the last several decades.
Terrorist organisations like Lashkar-eTaiba
and
Jaish-e-Mohammad
patronised by those across the border,
have inflicted several acts of terror on
the Indian soil. There are several
instances of such proxies being used in
other parts of the world," he said.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh
today asked Pakistan to "seriously
rethink" its strategy of using terrorism
as an instrument of proxy war, saying
this will "significantly" improve the
security situation in South Asia besides
being in its own national interest.
Inaugurating an International CounterTerrorism Conference, Singh said
Pakistan should understand that there
are no good or bad terrorists.
"It is unfortunate that even after
paying such a heavy cost for itself,
Pakistan and its associates find it
difficult to understand that there are no
good terrorists and bad terrorists," he
said, noting that the source of most
terrorist activity in India lies across our
borders.
Singh said Pakistan should
"seriously rethink its strategy of using
terrorism as an instrument of proxy
war, since this would be in her own
national interest." "Differentiating
terrorists into good and bad categories
has failed miserably. If the ISI and the
Pakistan Army stops their support to
certain terror outfits, I have no
hesitation in saying that the security
situation in South Asia will improve
significantly," he said.
"India has been a victim of crossborder terrorism for the last several
decades. Terrorist organisations like
Lashkar-e-Taiba
and
Jaish-eMohammad patronised by those across
the border, have inflicted several acts of
terror on the Indian soil. There are
several instances of such proxies being
used in other parts of the world," he
said.
Speaking about the changing face of
terrorism in the present world, Singh
expressed concern over the increasing
possibility and opportunity to use
available technology and cyberspace in
a destructive manner.
Singh also said the menace of
terrorism is greatly amplified in today’s
digital world. "A 'lone wolf' or a "DIY
(Do It Yourself) terrorist can go online
and learn how to carry out an attack
without ever leaving home," he said
and added that an expert group had
been recently constituted to look into
all possible avenues of cybercrime and
its linkages with the terrorist world.
He said the need for a committee was
felt as many terror groups are adept at
using the latest technology to propagate
their beliefs and deeds. They
extensively use modern technology to
reach out to wider audience with
susceptible minds. "Their online
propaganda
is
causing
selfradicalisation among youths. It is a
matter of serious concern that they are
seeding the minds of innocents with
poisonous provocation and inspiring
them to be brutally intolerant and
violent with others," he said.
Singh also sought international
cooperation in India's fight to counter
the menace of terrorism which knows
no boundaries and doesn't respect
nations' sovereignties. The terrorists
have become transnational in character
and,
therefore,
international
cooperation is needed to build popular
opinion and pressurise the countries
that use terrorists as their strategic
assets, he added. He called for global
awareness on terrorism and said all
countries should be aware of
developments in this area, which is
bound to affect them in some way,
sooner than later.
The three-day Counter Terrorism
Conference, 2015 will discuss issues
like 'illegal migration and border
security', 'cyber space', 'social media
and terrorism', and 'terror trade:
weapons, narcotics and fake currency'
in separate sessions. It is organised by
India Foundation in association with
Sardar Patel University of Police
Security and Criminal Justice at Jaipur.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar,
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval,
former Home Secretary G K Pillai,
former Army Chief Gen (retd) V P
Malik, former chief of BSF Prakash
Singh and other dignitaries are among
the participants. Several foreign
participants including former chief of
Sri Lankan Army Sarath Fonseka and
Admiral
Jamers
Loy,
Senior
Counsellor, Cohen Group, USA are
also attending.
Manohar Parrikar to chair Defence Anna Hazare says he will
Acquisition Council meet next week launch 'Jail Bharo Andolan'
Agencies
New Delhi, Mar 20
The Defence Acquisition Council
will meet next week during which
the issue of the USD 2.5 billion
Avro replacement programme is
likely to be discussed among
others. Defence sources said that
the DAC will meet either on
March 27 or 28, just ahead of
Defence Minister Manohar
Parrikar's maiden foreign visit to
Japan on March 30.
One of the main issues that is
likely to be discussed is the lone
bid of Airbus-TATA consortium
to replace IAF's ageing fleet of 56
Avro aircraft with C-295
transport carriers.
A final
decision was anticipated in
November but Parrikar had
sought more information about
the necessity of the aircraft and
the bidding process. "There is no
problem. All issues are being
looked into since we have a
single vendor situation," sources
said. Under the current defence
procurement policy, singlevendor situation is not
entertained unless cleared by the
DAC. One of the options, besides
selecting the consortium, is to go
in for re-tendering in which the
Indian companies become the
main player rather than the
foreign ones. Another option is
putting the project on hold and go
ahead with the joint development
and production of 'Multi-role
Transport Aircraft' with Russia,
VVIP chopper deal: ED questions
former IAF Group Captain
Agencies
New Delhi, Mar 20
The ED on Friday questioned a
former IAF Group Captain in
connection with its money laundering probe in the multi-crore
AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter
deal.
Sources said the agency
questioned the retired officer for
about two hours and his statement
was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act
(PMLA).
They said the officer was
questioned about some foreign
remittances received in his
account from suspected accounts
of the middlemen who are alleged
to have played a role in swinging
'kickbacks' to the tune of Rs 3,600
to crack the deal in favour of the
said Italian firm. The officer under
scanner, sources said, has floated
a private defence consultancy
firm to interact with foreign
vendors across the globe even as
the sources said he "denied any
wrongdoing in this VVIP
choppers deal" case.
The probe agency, in the same
case, had questioned an ex-Air
Marshal of the Indian Air Force
(IAF) yesterday.
The ED had registered a
criminal case under PMLA last
year to probe alleged financial
violations in the 12 VVIP
choppers deal by India from
AgustaWestland.
defence analysts said. They were
required to tie-up with an Indian
private company under which 40
aircraft will be produced here
while 16 will be bought off-theshelf.
However, only a single bidder
-- Airbus Defence and Space and
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd
(TASL) consortium -- had bid for
the proposal in October last year.
The Indian Air Force is keen to
replace the fleet as it feels that the
vintage Avro does not serve the
purpose in the modern era.
IAF wants a replacement cargo
aircraft with "back ram" and
ability to land in "under-prepared
ground" like in Daulat Beg Oldie
airstrip in Ladakh. Meanwhile,
terming the bid of C-295 as an
"elegant opportunity" for the
government's push for 'Make in
India', Airbus has said they
cannot be faulted for being the
only bidder.
Agencies
Rangoli, Mar 20
Anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare
today said a 'jail bharo aandolan'
will be started across the country
taking up the questions raised by
farmers and demanded a
separate Krishi Ayog for them.
Addressing
the
biennial
conference of the Krishak Mukti
Sangram Parishad here, Hazare
said, he will start the Aandolan at
the end of his three-month
countrywide tour from April next
raising questions on the
condition of farmers after the
Independence.
"I will tour 10 states and
address people there. We have to
raise the farmers questions and
ask what is the condition of the
farmers today even after 68 years
of achieving the Independence,"
he said while addressing the
should be a performing
government.
The
earlier
Congress government went, then
a new government came at the
Centre with the promise of
'acche din aayenge' for the poor,"
Hazare said.
"Six months have passed and
no 'acche din' we have seen for
the common man and farmers.
Only the rich have seen good
days. So we had to start this
aandolan," Hazare said.
"We are not happy with the
role of the government in the
Land Acquisition Bill. Irrigated
land is given to industrialists.
Earlier which ever farmer's land
is acquired by government,
permission of 80 per cent of the
people in the village is required.
But this government has
removed that. No difference with
the pre-Independence colonial
power," he said.
12 government employees held in
corruption case in Chhattisgarh
Agencies
Chhatisgarh, Mar 20:
Twelve employees of Chhattis-garh
Civil Supplies Department,
including some officials, were on
Friday arrested in connection with
the muti-crore corruption case
unearthed by the Anti Corruption
Bureau (ACB). "Eleven officials
and employees of Chhattisgarh
State Civil Supplies Corporation
and an official of the Chhattisgarh
State Warehousing Corporation
were apprehended following the
recovery of unaccounted cash and
disproportionate assets worth
crores of rupees from them last
month," ACB Superintendent of
Police Rajnesh Singh told media.
Those arrested are -- Manager of
Civil Supplies Corporation (Raipur
headquarter) Shivshankar Bhatt,
Raipur district manager Teekamdas
Heerchandani, junior technical
assistant
(Raigarh
district)
Kshirsagar Patel, junior technical
assistant (Jagdalpur district
headquarter) Satish Kumar
Kaivartya, Bilaspur district manager Kaushal Kishore Yadu,
company secretary Sandeep Agrawal, Surajpur district manager (incharge) R N Singh, Kanker district
manager Ashok Soni, assistant
accounts officer Raipur Sudhir
Agencies
New Delhi, Mar 20
category of self-employed (farming/
agriculture) were 11,772 which is 8.73% of
the total suicides," the Ministry of
Agriculture said in an affidavit.
The affidavit was filed in response to a PIL
seeking direction to the government to take
steps to prevent farmer suicides across the
country. The PIL by Punjab-based NGO,
Youth Kamal Organization, through its
President G S Happy Mann, had stated that
there is a high distress level in the agriculture
sector. However, the government said it was
not as alarming as made out in the plea and
claimed that suicides in the country are not
due to agrarian reasons only. It said that as
per NCRB causes of suicides include family
problems, illness, drug addiction,
unemployment, dowry dispute and other
reasons.
The affidavit said that according to NCRB,
the number of suicides by self-employed
other than those in farming and agriculture
was higher at 39,462 which was 29.28% of
the total suicides in 2013.
Further, it said, suicide deaths by house
wives were recorded at 22,742 (16.88% of
Kumar Bhole and Branch Manager
of State Warehousing Corporation
(Balod district) Dilip Kumar
Sharma, the SP said. Besides, two
contractual employees -- R P
Pathak and Devendra Singh
Kushwaha (assistant manager,
quality) have also been arrested, he
said. They have been booked under
Sections 109 (punishment of
abatement), 120 (B) (criminal
conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and
relevant sections of the Prevention
of Corruption Act, 1988, he said,
adding that these officials were
suspended following the raids.
On February 12-13, the ACB
had conducted simultaneous raids
at 25 premises of the civil supplies
department and its officials and
recovered unaccounted cash to the
tune of crores of rupees.
In the ongoing budget session,
the state government had said that
during the raids around Rs
3,64,63,320 cash and unaccounted
assets worth Rs 2,74,10,620 was
seized from the officials of the
department. Subsequently, 18
officials-employees
of
the
department had been suspended
while services of two contractual
employees of the department were
terminated. Official of the state
warehousing corporation had also
been suspended.
Agencies
New Delhi, Mar 20
As two key reform bills on coal
and mines got Parliament's nod,
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on
Friday attacked the party saying
the politics of "obstructionism"
led by the party has "failed".
"It is an important day for Indian
democracy, Parliament and
Indian economy as the politics of
obstructionism led by Congress
failed today," he said, adding
that the strength of Indian
democracy and better sense of
the country's lawmakers have
prevailed.
Asked about the way ahead for
the land bill, against which the
opposition stands united, he said
the government will take a view
on it but there was no dejection.
"As far as the land bill is
concerned, the government of
India, the Council of Ministers
will take a view on it," he said.
"There is no dejection," he said,
when asked if he felt so as the
land bill could not be passed in
this part of the budget session.
"Government had four important
bills, three of which have been
passed in the first part of budget
session, besides the budget.
Many important discussion on
issues also took place. From
total suicides), service at 16,706 (12.39% of
total suicides) and others at 24,809 (18.4%
of total suicides).
"If we take into view the fact that more than
50% of the population is engaged in
agriculture/farming, the number of suicides
under this category as compared to other
categories is much lower," the affidavit said.
The affidavit said agriculture, including
agricultural indebtedness is a State subject
and appropriate measures to develop
agricultural sector in states by compensating
bereaved families of suicide victims are
being taken care of by respective state
governments and the Centre was
supplementing them in their efforts through
appropriate policy measures and budgetry
support.
"Centre has taken several steps to revitalise
agricultural sector and improve upon the
condition of farming community on
sustainable basis by increasing public
investment, improving farm practices, rural
infrastructure, extension marketing, etc," it
said.
On the plea seeking apex court's direction to
the Centre to implement recommendations
of the report of National Commission on
Farmers (NCF) chaired by agriculture
scientist MS Swaminathan in 2006 on
farmer suicides, the Ministry said the
programmes under it are being enforced.
"Several packages have been announced to
mitigate the hardships faced by farmers
including Rehabilitation package of Rs
19,985 crore for 31 suicide prone districts in
four states- Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Karnataka and Kerala," it said.
Ajmal Kasab never
asked for Biryani: 26/11
Mumbai attack prosecutor
Agencies
Mumbai, Mar 20
"Kasab never demanded Biryani
and was never served by the
government. I concocted it just
to break an emotional
atmosphere which was taking
shape in favour of Kasab during
the trial of the case," Nikam told
reporters on the sidelines of
international conference on
counter-terrorism here.
26/11 Mumbai terror attack
accused Ajmal Kasab's demand
for Mutton Biryani in jail was
just a myth and was "concocted"
to stop an "emotional wave"
which was being created in
favour of the militant, claimed
Ujjwal
Nikam,
public
prosecutor in the case.
"Kasab never demanded
Biryani and was never served by
the government. I concocted it
just to break an emotional
atmosphere which was taking
shape in favour of Kasab during
the trial of the case," Nikam told
reporters on the sidelines of
international conference on
counter-terrorism here.
"Media
was
minutely
observing his body language
and he was well aware of it. One
day, in the court room, he bowed
his head and wiped his eyes.
"Moments later, electronic
media broke the news-- tears in
Kasab's eyes. It was Raksha
Bandhan that day, and panel
discussions were started in the
media on it.
"Some guessed Kasab got
emotional in memory of his
sister and some even went on to
question whether he was a
terrorist or not," Nikam said.
"This kind of emotional wave
and atmosphere was needed to
the stopped.
So, after that, I gave a
statement to the media saying
Kasab has demanded Mutton
Biryani in the jail," he said.
Nikam said that when he told
this to the media, again panel
discussions were started and the
media highlighted that a dreaded
terrorist was demanding Mutton
Biryani in jail while "the truth is
that Kasab neither asked for
Biryani nor it was served."
Nikam said that he during a
session in the ongoing
conference also disclosed this to
the audience.
Pakistani terrorist Kasab was
hanged to death in November
2012 nearly four years after the
November 2008 attack in which
he had killed scores of people.
government's view, I consider
this as a very successful
session," he said.
The Finance Minister said "the
sole purpose of the opposition
led by Congress was to create
obstruction in government
functioning and law-making
process in Parliament."
"But the strength of Indian
democracy and better sense of
the country's lawmakers has
prevailed," he said, citing the
reason for the passage of the
mining bill and the coal block
allocation law.
Jaitley said government has also
introduced an important bill in
Lok Sabha for taxing those
possessing foreign assets
illegally and filing criminal
cases against them.
"I hope in the second part of the
budget session, Parliament will
hold a meaningful discussion on
it," he said.
Mahan coal block not to
be mined: Coal Ministry
Agencies
New Delhi, Mar 20
the needs of the communities
and wildlife that depend on our
forests," Greenpeace senior
The Ministry of Coal on Friday campaigner Priya Pillai said.
stated that, pursuant to the
"The government must make
recommendation of the Ministry public and open up for
of Environment and Forests
consultation the inviolate criteria,
(MoEF), the Mahan coal block
and then apply them equally
in Madhya Pradesh will be kept across all blocks," she added.
off limits for mining.
This move comes as a major
The ministry gave this
blow for Essar Energy, which
information while replying to a
had hoped to mine the coal block
Right to Information query.
to supply coal for its nearby
"Even as we celebrate this win power plant.
for thousands of Indians, we are
The Mahan coal block has
painfully aware that Mahan is
become the third coal block to
just one of hundreds of coal
be named off limits, following
mines planned in forested India. the Marki Mangli II block in
The MoEF's current criteria
Maharashtra and the Namchikfor determining forests closed to Namphuk block in Arunachal
mining is clearly inadequate,
Pradesh. A total of 74 coal
only serving the interests of
blocks are part of the Schedule II
mining corporations, ignoring
and III of the coal ordinance.
Sonia meets rain-affected
farmers, assures Cong support
Agencies
Rajasthan, Mar 20
Suicide deaths of farmers decreased
since 2009: Centre to Supreme Court
The Centre today told the Supreme Court
that number of suicide deaths of farmers
have decreased since 2009 and there were
factors other than agrarian which led them to
take their lives. It said out of a total of over
one lakh suicides in the country in 2013,
cases of farmer suicide were recorded at
8.7%.
The Centre today told the Supreme Court
that number of suicide deaths of farmers
have decreased since 2009 and there were
factors other than agrarian which led them to
take their lives. It said out of a total of over
one lakh suicides in the country in 2013,
cases of farmer suicide were recorded at
8.7%.
"Suicides are essentially a manifestation of
an action taken in a specific state of mind
and are not confined to any particular strata
of society. Economic reasons may not be the
sole or major cause leading to suicide. "The
data relating to suicide by persons selfemployed in farming/agriculture from 19932012, as maintained by National Crime
Records Bureau (NCRB), Ministry of Home
Affairs, indicates a decreasing trend from
2009 onwards. The number of suicides by
persons
self-employed
in
farming/agriculture in 2009 were 17,368
which has come down to 11,772 in 2013.
"It is further submitted that according to
NCRB as against total population of 122
crore (estimated) during 2013, the total
number of suicides in the country was
1,34,799, out of which suicides under the
KMSS conference.
"The farmers' condition
remains the same. Only the
dalals
(middlemen)
are
constructing buildings. This has
to be changed," he asserted.
"Fill up the jails and leave no
place vacant in the jails. Going to
jail for our society and country is
our ornament," Hazare exhorted
the people. "Even after 68 years
of Independence no land
mapping has been done. Land
should be classified and only the
agriculturally useless land
should be given to industrialists
on lease with the farmers earning
an income from their land," he
said. "There should be a Krishi
Ayog for farmers to receive
suitable price for their produce.
Then there will be no suicide by
farmers," he said.
"Whichever
government,
Congress or BJP, is in power
Congress-led politics
of obstructionism has
'failed': Arun Jaitley
Congress president Sonia Gandhi
on Friday met the farmers of
Darbiji village of Sultanpur Tehsil
in Rajasthan and assessed the loss
suffered by them due to the recent
hailstorm. Congress president
Sonia Gandhi on Friday met the
farmers of Darbiji village of
Sultanpur Tehsil in Rajasthan and
assessed the loss suffered by them
due to the recent hailstorm.
Gandhi said that the party
would keep the demands of the
farmers before the Centre.
“We will keep their demands in
front of the Government. We will
fight for them. Everyone is asking
for help, they want a legitimate
compensation,” she told the
media. Earlier this week, unseasonal rain and hailstorm had destroyed crops in 26 out of 33 districts
in Rajasthan with more than three
thousand villages reporting loss of
half of the crop production.
Sushma to visit Tanzania,
South Africa on Mar 28-31
Agecnies
New Delhi, Mar 20
External Affairs Minister (EAM)
Sushma Swaraj will be visiting
Tanzania and South Africa on
March 28-31, with the agenda of
furthering bilateral ties between
India and the African nations.
Ministry of External Affairs
official spokesperson Syed
Akbaruddin shared Swaraj's
itinerary. "During her visit to
Tanzania, the EAM will interact
with her counterpart as well as
meeting senior officials there.
She
will
also
explore
opportunities to expand our
beneficial economic ties. India
and Tanzania have an annual
trade turnover of USD four
billion. Developmental aspects
will also be discussed during this
visit. Around 50,000 people of
Indian origin or Indian nationals
live in Tanzania," he told the
media. "In South Africa, apart
from bilateral meetings, the EAM
will
co-chair
the
joint
commission between India and
South Africa as well as a tripartite
meeting between the Foreign
Ministers of India, Brazil and
South Africa. She will also pay
homage at various sites related to
Mahatma Gandhi in Johannesburg, apart from meeting senior
leaders in South Africa. India and
South Africa have an annual trade
turnover of USD 11 billion. South
Africa is also the second largest
trade partner for South Africa
after Nigeria," he added.
Swaraj will first travel to
Tanzania on March 28, before
flying to South Africa in the latter
hours of March 29.
This is the first visit of an Indian
EAM to Tanzania since 2003 and
the first high-level official visit to
the East African nation since
former prime minister Dr
Manmohan Singh's trip to
Dodoma in 2011.
The NORTHLINES
8
KASHMIR VALLEY
www.thenorthlines.com
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
Police-Public Meet held in Srinagar Kathua militant attack rocks Flying squads inspect
exam centers
Legislative Assembly
SRINAGAR, MARCH 20:
Srinagar police continuing its
efforts to strengthen good
public relations organized
another Police-Public meeting
at Iqbal Park here today. This
was fourth meeting in series of
interactions held by South city
police this week.
Today a police-public
meeting was held in the
sprawling Iqbal Park Srinagar
that was chaired by SP South
city Sh. Shridhar Patil and
SDPO Imran Farooq. Large
number of respectable from
Allochi Bagh, Haft Chinar,
Sheikh colony, Solina, besides,
trade delegations from Goni
Khan market, Sarai Bala ,
Sarai Payeen markets, Naaz
market and Maharaja Bazaar
market attended the meeting.
The participants highlighted
many day to day issues
pertaining to their respective
area
including
Traffic
regulation in view of Flyover
construction, drug addiction,
road side encroachments etc.
Some of the issues were
discussed and on the spot
orders were issued to the
concerned
officials.
Participants were assured that
the matters concerning other
departments will be taken up
with the concerned authorities
for immediate redressal.
Patient 'forced 'to visit private
hospital for surgery
SRINAGAR, MARCH 20,
CNS: A two year old kid was
sent home twice from Bones
and Joint Hospital while his
father waited for three days
before his kid was given a
referral by a doctor to attend a
private hospital for surgery on
his legs that had caused
fracture due to a sudden fall
from a height.
Two years old kid from
frontier district Kupwara Mir
Talish son of Mir Saleem was
injured and suffered fracture
in his legs when he had a
sudden fall from roof of his
house. He was immediately
rushed to SMHS Hospital
where doctors directed him
have a surgery at Bones and
Joint Hospital.
"My son was withering with
pain whom I admitted in
Bones and Joint Hospital
Srinagar under MRD number
113302. Doctors refused to do
a surgery saying that he is only
two years old kid.
They sent me home twice
and when the pain of the child
reached to an unbearable limit,
I arrived in Hospital again and
the doctors instead of treating
him, directed me to admit the
kid in GB Panth Hospital,"
Mir Saleem told CNS.
He said that the doctors at
GB Panth Hospital after seeing
the condition of the kid were
shocked and advised me to
admit him in Bones and Joint
Hospital for an immediate
surgery. "I received a No
Objection Certificate (NOC)
from Registrar GB Panth
Hospital Dr Mohsin who in his
letter requested the Bones and
Joint Hospital doctors to do an
immediate surgery of the kid,"
he said.
He said that doctors at
Bones and Joint Hospital after
going through the NOC agreed
for the surgery. "The doctors
advised me to keep the
stomach of the kid empty and
did not administer him any
food before the surgery. I did
the same and for 12 hours after
keeping my child hungry, the
doctors refused to go for the
surgery once again and instead
the Doctor Irfan from Fifth
Unit of the hospital motivated
me to get the child admitted in
Florence Hospital Channapora
for the surgery. First these
doctors wasted my time and let
the child suffer from pain and
then to earn some commission,
asked me to move to private
hospital," he said and alleged
that these doctors have been
acting as middlemen and have
been forcing patients to visit
private hospitals.
Medical
Superintendent
Bones and Joint Hospital
Barzulla Dr Shabir admitted
that some doctors in the
hospital have been acting as
middlemen and for sake of
Commission are forcing
patients to visit private
hospitals. "This is the major
problem which I have noticed
here. I have been working hard
to put an end to this
middlemen culture. I request
the father of the kid to
approach me and identify the
doctor or doctors himself and I
will initiate action against
them,"
Medical
Superintendent told CNS.
Aga Syed Hassan greets lovers
of Wilayat on Nowruz
Endless inflation, Anjuman e Sharie shian
expressed displeasure
SRINAGAR, MAR 20:
While greeting lovers of
Wilayat,Iran Nation & its
leadership on the occasion of
Nowruz and New Solar year
of Islamic Rebublic of
Iran,President Anjuman e
Sharie Shian Hujatul Islam
Wal Muslimeen Aga Syed
Hassan Almosavi Alsafvi
prayed for the world peace
and prosperity of mankind.
President Sir Said
Nowruz-i-Aalam is primarily
the arrival symbol of spring
however the shias of world
celebrate
Nowruz
with
religious fervor for centuries
in pursuance of guardianship
of
Ameer-ul-Momineen
Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib
(Pbuh) and this day teaches
us to connect with the
guardianship.
Declaring revitalization of
Wilayah
as
Islam`s
excellency and solution of all
problems of muslim ummah
President Sir said that
Iranian nation with concept
and motive of guardianship
not only get rid of oppression
and exploiation of others but
Islamic system forced all anti
islam imperialist powers to
kneel infront of them.
Aga
Syed
Hassan
Almosavi Alsafvi remarked
that Increasingly harrowing
situation of Islam demanding
centralized authority in
muslim community`s, the
term in Quran known as
"Wilayat".
Belief of muslims of
different schools of thoughs
in Islam that this centralized
vision is possible only after
appearance of 12th Successor
of
Prophet
Muhammad
(Pbuh),Hazrat
Imam
e
Zamana (atfs) but struggling
for this is first duty of every
muslim.
Meanwhile expressing
displeasure
&
serious
reaction
over
endless
inflation in markets on the
occasion of Nowruz and
deliberate difference of
authorities in this regard
Spokesman of JK Anjuman e
Sharie Shian said the like
other religious holidays it is
bounden duty of government
to monitor markets but
authorities never bothered to
fulfill this responsibility,
which results that kashmiris
remembering Nowruz in
endless inflation as one of
the worst day.
SRINAGAR, MARCH 20,
CNS: The early morning
militant attack in Kathua
district rocked the Jammu and
Kashmir Assembly on Friday
with Opposition members
seeking an explanation from
the government on the
incident.
The issue was raised by
National Conference MLA
Devender Singh Rana who
wanted to know about the steps
being taken by the government
to thwart the attack.
"The House wants to know
how the militant attack took
place, how the militants were
able to launch this attack,"
Rana said.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr
Nirmal Singh informed the
House that two or three heavily
armed militants managed to
enter the Rajpora Police station
SMC launches
sanitation drive in city
hospitals, schools
SRINAGAR, MARCH 20,
CNS: To begin with a fresh
summer
spell
and
improvisation of sanitation in
the city, Srinagar Municipal
Corporation today kick started
an extensive sanitation drive
here at SHMS hospital.
This is the beginning of the
drive
which
Srinagar
Municipal Corporation shall be
launching in all the hospitals
and schools in the phased
manner that falls within its
jurisdiction in the coming
week.
The move aims at creating
healthy environment around
these places so that the people
including students, faculty,
patients and others while
approaching these institutions
shall feel comfortable and do
not face any inconvenience.
The drive which was
personally monitored by
Commissioner SMC was
Industry six months to ensure that all
that all tobacco packages in India have
pictorial warnings covering 85% the
surface area on both sides. The
warnings will feature pictures of
tobacco-caused diseases such as mouth,
lung and throat cancers.
Ironically, the Tobacco industry in
India is once again trying to jeopardize
the implementation of the new pictorial
warnings and delay their coming into
effect in April 1, 2015.
“It is shocking that the tobacco
industry is providing misleading
information to the Indian Government
and pressuring it to revoke its
trendsetting
decision.
It
is
disappointing to see that for their vested
interests and profits, tobacco companies
and trade bodies are trying to tarnish
India’s global image.” said Bhavna
Mukhopadhyay, Executive Director,
conducted both at micro and
macro level within the indoors
and outdoors of the hospital
premises including the wards.
Many wards could not be
attended due to the occupancy
of beds and shall be attended in
a phased manner at the behest
of hospital administration after
their consultation.
In addition to deployment of
fifty sanitary workers, SMC
also deputed phenyl sprinklers/
vehicles and fogging guns in
the hospital.
Huge quantity of garbage
was lifted and the specific
areas within the hospitals were
properly fumigated with the
disinfectants,,
and
other
cleansing agents.
Meanwhile the authorities
from various schools and
hospitals can put forth a
requisition to chief sanitation
officer for utilizing such
sanitation services. (CNS)
Kargil observes World
Sparrow Day
S H O T O PA / K A R G I L ,
MAR 20: The World Sparrow
Day was observed in Kargil
during which hundred of bird
lovers participated in a
symbolic procession from
Auditorium Hall Kargil to
Academy Hall Baroo.
The
programme
was
organized by Ranthag Theatre
Group Kargil Ladakh in
collaboration with Exploration
And Preservation of Cultural
Heritage Trust (EPOCH) Kargil
Ladakh.
On this occasion SSP Kargil
Dr Shilendra Kumar Mishra
was the Chief Guest and
Ashwani Kumar DFO Kargil
was the Guest of Honour.
Member of Ranthag Theater
Group presented a Drama on
Sparrow and its preservation,
and other participants presented
speech and songs on Sparrow
and Bird Preservation.
World Sparrow Day also has
a broader vision to provide a
platform where people who are
working on the conservation of
the house sparrow and other
common birds can network,
collaborate and exchange
conservation ideas which will
lead to better science and
improved results.
It aims to provide a meeting
ground for people from
different parts of the world to
come together and form a force
that can play an important role
in advocacy and in spreading
the awareness on the need of
conserving
common
biodiversity or species of lower
conservation status
Police re-arrests
accused who fled
from lock-up
SRINAGAR, MARCH 20:
Srinagar police achieved a
major breakthrough when it
succeeded in re-arresting
one of the burglary accused
who fled from police
custody few days back.
VHAI for pictorial warnings on tobacco products
SRINAGAR, MARCH 20: In order
to ensure strict implementation of new
and larger pictorial health warnings on
all tobacco products, Voluntary Health
Association of India (VHAI) submitted
a fresh memorandum to the Union
Health Minister J P Nadda. The petition
is signed by around 38,740 people who
strongly support the implementation of
new health warnings.
“The signatures were collected in an
online and offline petition started by
Sunita Tomar, an oral cancer survivor.
The petition is part of the
#LivesBachaoSizeBadhao, a public
awareness campaign to support the
move for a larger and stronger pictorial
warning on tobacco products in India,”
a statement issued by VHAI said.
Pertinently, Government of India on
October 15, 2014 has issued a
notification giving the Tobacco
in Kathua and were holed up in
the police station.
"Police and CRPF have
cordoned off the area and
heavy firing is going on. A man
has died and we are not sure if
he is a civilian or a CRPF
personnel. Ten people have
been injured which include
two policemen, seven CRPF
men while one civilian and a
policeman have been seriously
injured," he said.
Opposition
National
Conference and Congress
termed
the
answer
"unsatisfactory".
"What are you saying that
you don't know that the man
who has died can be either a
civilian or a CRPF personnel.
The government should have
the information," said Rana.
National Conference leader
Ali Mohammed Sagar said,
Voluntary Health Association of India.
The new warnings reaffirm Indian
global leadership, projecting the
country into one of the first positions
for the largest tobacco health warnings
in the world. Countries like Nepal,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, have taken the cue
from India and have dramatically
increased the size of pictorial warnings
on tobacco packages.
“India has demonstrated global
leadership with its new 85% pictorial
health warnings. It is essential that
these warnings appear on tobacco
packages as soon as possible. A picture
says a thousand words. Picture
warnings are especially important for
those who cannot read,” said Rob
Cunningham – Senior Policy Analyst at
the Canadian Cancer Society – author
of the report Cigarette Package Health
Warnings.
Srinagar police re-arrested
Tariq Ahmad
Mathanji
resident of Pamposh Colony,
Srinagar who was one of the
two burglary accused who
fled from the lock-up of
Police Station M R Gunj.
The duo was involved in
burglary cases FIR No’s
70/2014 and 09/2015 under
section 457,380 RPC of
Police Station M.R Gunj.
The hunt for the other
accused who is still at large
is going on.
Police
launched
a
vigorous searches after two
burglary accused Tariq
Ahmad
Mathanji
and
Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh
resident
of
Khudwani,
Kulgam fled from the police
lock-up at Police Station M
R Gunj in the intervening
night of 14/15-03-2015.
Four officials of Police
Station M.R Gunj including
MHC and Sentry were
suspended for negligence
and carelessness. A case FIR
No. 24/2015 under section
224 RPC was registered in
this regard.
"People are dying and you
have no information."
While condemning the
attack CPI (M) legislator M Y
Tarigami said that the House
needs to show a united face in
condemning such tragedies
and expressed sympathy with
the family of those killed in the
attack.
"It's a tragedy and it should
be debated here. The House
needs to know what steps the
government will take and has
taken. Let's not get divided on
the tragedy. Such tragedies are
unfortunate and we should
speak in one voice and
condemn it," Tarigami said.
Raising hue and cry and
demanding answer from the
government about the militant
attack, Congress legislators
amid slogans staged a walk
out. (CNS)
Awareness
camp held
BANDIPORA, MARCH
20: An awareness camp under
Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan was
organized
by
Rural
Development Department at
Hajin today. Presided over by
District
Development
Commissioner Bandipora, the
camp was attended by
representatives of Panchayat
Raj Institution, School Children
and a large number of local
people.
The District Development
Commissioner on the occasion
said that a campaign has been
started
Swachh
Bharat
Abhiyaan in the district so that
the common masses are made
aware about the programme. He
appealed the people to keep
themselves
and
the
environment
of
their
surrounding neat and clean so
that diseases are avoided and a
healthy society created across
the district. The speakers
including students during the
camp highlighted the need for
strict
implementation
of
Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and
hoped that the programme will
run in a successful manner in
the district.
Plantation of
Russian Poplar
prohibited in
Shopian
PULWAMA, MARCH 20:
According
to
District
Development Commissioner,
Shopian, The sale purchase and
plantation of Russian Popular is
prohibited
under
all
circumstances in the district.
Sub Divisional Magistrate
Zainapora, Tehsildars of the
district and executive officer
municipality shall ensure
prohibition orders in their
respective areas.
KULGAM, MARCH 20: Pursuant to the directions of the
Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Mr Ravinder Kumar Bhat, the
flying squads today inspected examination centers across the
district to oversee conduct of the on-going J&K State BOARD
examinations and ensure implementation of the directions of
the government on ground.
It was impressed upon the superintendents to avoid
deployment of the freshly appointed/regularized (R-e-Ts)
Teachers for examination duties. They were asked not to deploy
those teachers on examination duties, who have rendered such
duties in the near past.
It was also enjoined upon the superintendents not to allow
students/ supervisory staff to use electronic gadgets including
cell phones in and around exam centers.
The examinations are being conducted in a smooth and
orderly manner with no instance of unfair means from
anywhere was observed.
Vigilance raids JK Cements
and SMHS Hospital
SRINAGAR, MARCH 20, CNS: The sleuths of Vigilance
Organization raided working site and head office of the J&K
Cements Limited.
In a statement to CNS, Vigilance Organization said that a
team of the organization in presence of Executive Magistrate
raided the J&K Cements Ltd site office located at Khrew and
head office at Nawa-i-Subha Complex Srinagar.
The spokesperson said that the organization had received that
officers and officials of J&K Cements Ltd by way of favoritism
have purchased imported coal of inferior quality from local
dealers without following the laid down procedure for such
purchase.
"Samples of coal were obtained from working site at
Khrew for chemical analysis by the experts and records were
obtained for scrutiny for further course of action," he said.
Meanwhile, another Vigilance raid was conducted at
Parking slots of OPD/Causality of SMHS Hospital Srinagar on
the allegations that some employees of the Hospital in league
with contractor have allotted the parking slots on very low rates
and are charging Rs.20 per LMV as parking fee against Rs.10
as per tender notice.. "Some relied documents have been
obtained for scrutiny and further necessary action under law has
been taken up. (CNS)
Two killed in Budgam
road accident
BUDGAM, MARCH 20, CNS: Two persons were killed
and 48 including 12 females injured when a passenger bus they
were travelling in met an accident in Central Kashmir's
Budgam district.
Police sources told CNS that a passenger bus (JK026-1677)
was on its way to Srinagar from Raithan when the driver lost
control near Palpora village and the bus skidded off the road
and fell into a gorge.
Sources added that two passengers died on spot while 48
others were shifted to nearby hospital among which the
condition of many are stated to be critical.
The police identified the duo who died in the accident as
Ghulam Hasan Bhat son of Ali Muhammad a resident of Gret
Kalan and Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh son of Muhammad Sultan
of Hasan Gund Budgam. (CNS)
DC visits examination
centres
SRINAGAR, MARCH 20: Deputy Commissioner,
Srinagar accompanied by Director School Education, Chief
Education Officer and other concerned officers today visited
various examination centres in Srinagar where annual
examination for class 12th is going on.
The Deputy Commissioner inspected examination centres set
up in Burn Hall School, Sonwar, SP Higher Secondary School,
Girls Higher Secondary School Kothibagh.
The Deputy Commissioner interacted with students and
asked them about facilities provided to them and enquired if the
question paper was as per prescribed syllabus.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR PUBLIC
SERVICE COMMISSION
RESHAM GHAR COLONY, BAKSHI NAGAR, JAMMU.
(www.jkpsc.nic.in)
NOTICE
DATED: 17.03.2015
Whereas, the Health & medical Education Department vide their communication No. MEGaz/269/2013 dated 12.02.2014 referred 01 (one) post of Lecturer in Anesthesiology in the
Government Medical College, Srinagar under Open Merit category to the J&K Public Service
Commission for being filled up from amongst the eligible/suitable candidates; and
whereas, the J&K Public Service Commission, vide Notification No.6-PSC (DR-P) of 2014 dated
19.03.2014, invited applications on prescribed format from the permanent residents of Jammu &
Kashmir possessing the prescribed qualification; and
whereas, in response, a total number of 09 (Nine) application forms have been received by the
Commission; and
whereas, on scrutiny of the application forms received, certain deficiencies/discrepancies have
been noticed in respect of below mentioned candidates, which may render them ineligible for the said
post:S.No. Barcode Name of the candidate
Deficiency
1.
160779 Shafat Ahmad Mir
Certificate of teaching experience as Senior Resident not
countersigned by the Director SKIMS.
2.
160754 Iqra Nazir
Certificate of teaching experience as Senior Resident not
countersigned by the Director SKIMS.
3.
160649 Humera Manzoor
MD Degree qualification certificate
Now, therefore, the above mentioned candidates are advised to submit their deficient documents
by or before 27th of March, 2015 failing which their candidature shall be rejected without any further
notice.
Further, during the course of scrutiny it was also found that one candidate namely Ms. Nazia Nazir
bearing barcode No.183006 does not possess the requisite experience as on cutoff date i.e. the last
date of receipt of application form as such her candidature is reject.
However, she may file an appeal before the Appellate Authority of the Commission within 10 days
from the date of issuance of this notice i.e. by or before 26.03.2015.
The Commission shall not entertain any claim, whatsoever, after the expiry of the stipulated
period.
DIP/J-8730
Dated 20-3-15
(Shakeel Ul Rehman)
Secretary & Controller of Examinations
Public Service Commission
The NORTHLINES
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
www.thenorthlines.com
Assembly -2015: Question Hour
Govt to functionalize new admin units: Javed
JAMMU, MARCH 20:
Minister for Revenue, Javed
Mustafa Mir informed the
House that Government would
take necessary measures to
functionalize all newly created
administrative units in the
State.
Replying
to
the
supplementary raised by some
members to the main question
of Mr. Javed Ahmed Rana in
Legislative Assembly here
today, the Minister said that the
necessary
staff
and
infrastructure in all newly
created administrative units
would be provided in due
course of time.
The Minister informed that
there is no new proposal for
creation of new districts
including Mendher. He said
Committees constituted from
time to time to look into the
demands of creation of new
administrative units were not
mandated to recommend any
new district.
In reply to another question
by Jewan Lal, the Revenue
Minister said that the posts of
Tehsildars in Tehsil Lohai and
Duggain have not being
created yet. He said as and
when the posts of Tehsildar are
created the suitable officer
would be posted as Tehsildar
Lohai and Duggain.
Legislators, Mian Altaf, Mr.
G. M. Saroori, Mr. Vikar
Rasool and Mr. Javaid Mustafa
raised the supplementaries to
the main question and
demanded creation of staff for
new administrative units
created in their constituencies.
DPR of HEP Karnah at
advanced stage: Dy CM
The Deputy Chief Minister,
Dr. Nirmal Singh informed the
House that formulation of
Detailed Project Report (DPR)
for construction of Hydro
Electric Project (HEP) in
Karnah Tehsil is at advanced
stage adding that after
completion
of
all
the
formalities, the work on the
project would be started.
Replying to a question by
Raja Manzoor Ahmed in LA
here today, the Deputy Chief
Minister further informed that
renovation, modernization and
upgrading of existing Karnah
HEP for an installed capacity
of 12 MW was approved by the
board of J&K State Power
Development
Corporation
(JKSDPC). He said the
existing capacity of HEP is 2
MW. He said JKSDPC has
engaged an agency for
preparation of DPR which is at
an advanced stage.
Govt to ensure time bound
completion of on-going
roads, bridges: Bukhari
Minister for R&B, Syed
Altaf Bukhari informed the
House that Government would
initiate all necessary steps to
complete on-going road and
bridge projects in the State.
Replying to a question by Er.
Abdul Rashid in LA here
today, the R&B Minister
presented details of the funds
released under various heads
for R&B projects in the State
during last and current fiscal.
The Minister said that every
constituency would be given
its due share for upgradation of
roads and bridges adding that
efforts would be made to
complete ongoing bridges in
Langate constituency also.
Timelines advertised for
Rural Dev works: Haq
Rs. 168 Cr expended in
Kulgam under MGNREGA
Minister
for
Rural
Development, Mr. Abdul Haq
informed the House that
government has clearly spelled
out timelines for each officer
involved in the execution of
Rural Development works,
setting a timeframe of 33 days
to complete the entire process
for finalising the project DPR
and its clearance.
The Minister said all works
to be undertaken have to be
completed within the new
timeline framed by the
department and the monitoring
cell of the department has been
strengthened to ensure that the
order is followed in letter and
spirit.
Replying to a question by
Mr. M. Y. Tarigami, the
Minister said that to ensure
transparency in execution of
the works in field, the general
public and the Gram Sabha
shall also be involved and
entire process video graphed.
He said each work would be
completed in time, for which
the necessary directions have
been issued to the concerned
officials.
The Minister said that an
amount of Rs 168 Cr has been
utilized for execution of
different rural works in
Kulgam district during last
three years under MGNREGA.
He said during the period
33759 works were taken up
and against which 22509
works have been completed in
the district.
The Minister said that
105627 job cards were issued
to the people of Kulgam
district during last and current
fiscals adding that during the
period 2652979 mandays were
generated in the district under
various rural development
schemes.
The Minister also informed
the House that Rs 6.61 Cr has
been expended on construction
of 2294 dwelling units under
IAY in the district and the
construction of 1524 dwelling
units has been completed since
last two fiscals and current
financial year so far. He said
5642 beneficiaries have been
provided assistance under
NBA/Swach Bharat Mission in
the district during current
financial year.
Council-2015: Question Hour
Rs. 67.21 lac spent under District Plan: Hanjura
JAMMU, MARCH 20:
Minister for Agriculture, Mr.
Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura
while replying to a question by
Mr Qaiser Jamsheed Lone in
the Legislative Council today
said that an amount of Rs.
67.21 lakh has been spent
under District Plan, BRGF,
BADP
and
Technology
Mission in Lolab constituency
during last three years.
The Minister said that the
expenditure under Command
Area Development (CAD)
during last three years includes
Rs. 21.89 crore in 2011-12, Rs.
29.80 crore in 2012-13 and Rs.
22.47 crore in 2013-14 in
Kashmir Division while as Rs.
17.57 crore in 2011-12, Rs.
25.37 crore in 2012-13 and Rs.
25.70 crore in 2013-14 in
Jammu Division.
Auto Rickshaws instructed
to install Digital Fare
Meter:Kohli
Minister for Transport, Mr.
Abdul Ghani Kohli while
replying to a question by D. S.
Oberoi in the Legislative
Council today said that Motor
Vehicles Department has
already issued instructions
regarding installation of
functional electronic fare
meters in respect of Auto
rickshaws.
The Minister said that the
department has authorized
Radio Taxi Service for
operation within the Municipal
limits of District Srinagar.
These vehicles do posses
company fitted Electronic Fare
Meters and Operation of this
service has proved public
friendly. Similarly measures
are being taken in District
Jammu for the convenience of
general public.
Dr. Ganai, Pardesi also
raised supplementary to the
question.
16 Schemes under PMGSY
Phase III completed: Altaf
Minister for R&B, Syed
Altaf Bukhari, while replying
to a question by Sham Lal
Bhagat in the Legislative
Council today said that 26
schemes were sanctioned
under PMGSY phase-II in
Jammu province and executed
by
Rural
Development
Department. The Minister said
out of these, 2 schemes could
not complete due to poor
response to the tenders. The
works will be taken in hand
departmentally as reported by
Rural
Development
Department.
The Minister said that 17
schemes were sanctioned
under phase III in Jammu
province
to
provide
connectivity
to
the
unconnected
eligible
habitations, out of which 16
schemes have been completed
and 1 scheme has been desanctioned.
Waqf land record to be
updated to ascertain exact
position: Veeri
Minister for Haj and Aquaf
and Floriculture, Mr. Abdul
Rehman Veeri, while replying
to a question by Dr. Shahnaz
Ganai said that the matter for
vacating a large chunk of Waqf
land, assets from State, central,
government
institutions,
departments
and
private
persons
is
in
active
consideration
of
the
Government.
The Minister said the
Administrators appointed by
the Government have been
directed to provide the details
after updating the record
pertaining to the Waqf
land/properties under the
illegal
occupation
of
State/central
government
institutions/
departments/
private persons be got vacated
or regularized for usage or ask
them to pay the rent as per the
notification issued by the
Home department from time to
time as per the relevant market
rates.
Replying to supplementary
questions by Dr. B.A. Veeri
and Jahangir Hussain Mir, the
Minister said the Waqf land is
State property and it is our
moral duty to protect it.
MGNREGA Staff engaged
as per guidelines: Haq
Minister
for
Rural
Development and Panchayati
Raj, Mr. Abdul Haq Khan
while replying to a question by
Mr. Showkat Hussain Ganai
said that the Data Entry
Operators and Technical
Assistants
engaged
in
MGNREGA under Ghram
Rozgar Sahaik shall continue
as part of the scheme till it
continues.
The Minister said that
creation of post of Data Entry
Operator
and
Technical
Assistants are being engaged
as per guidelines of the
scheme. He said the cost of
their remuneration is also a
part
of
6%
of
the
Administrative
component
released under MGNREGA.
Mr. Naresh Kumar Gupta
raised supplementary to the
main question.
83 Water Supply schemes
under
implementation:
Padder
Minister of State for Public
Health Engineering and I&FC,
Mr. Abdul Majid Padder, while
replying to a question by Mr.
Sofi Yousuf said that the
erosion occurred due to heavy
flow of water in Nallah Lidder
from Langasbal to Srigufawara
due to floods of September,
2014. The Minister said, for
construction of protection
bunds on Nallah Lidder, a
Detailed
Project
Report
amounting to Rs. 16.56 crore
for Lidder Nallah under Flood
Management
programme
(FMP) was prepared and
approved under 8th Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC).
He said the revised DPR shall
be submitted to GoI during the
next financial year for
consideration.
The Minister said that DPR
under permanent restoration of
eroded/breached spots to the
tune of Rs. 286 lakh has been
framed. He said some
vulnerable spots have already
been restored under temporary
restoration at an estimated cost
of Rs. 293.37 lakh.
The Minister further added
that allotment of 4 Dug-wells
at Hanjana, Kaisi Nallah,
Bagnoti, Dandesar stands
allotted and work shall start
soon.
Council -2015
Discussion in LC on Governors’ address
JAMMU, MARCH 20: Resuming discussion on Governors’
address in the House today, Jahangir Hussain Mir said that peace
is imperative for development. He said it is unfortunate that when
the assembly session is going on, terrorists stormed the police
station at Kathua.
He said fighting against corruption, mentioned in the speech, is
a good sign and he hoped for good results. He said need is to
explore the mineral deposits, including Neelam of Poonch district.
He said Dogra Rulers had declared Urdu language as official
language but expressed concern over the treatment given to it. He
pleaded for retrieving back the Waqf Properties including land
occupied by various agencies and suggested to put it in use for
creation of jobs.
Qaisar Jamsheed Lone describes the address as empty and only
a jugglery of words. He pleaded that the land under the illegal
occupation of security forces should be given back to their owners.
Dr Veeri said that there are certain points which need further
clarification from the Government as to what is there clear stand.
He said there is nothing in the document and the whole agenda of
the alliance is to hoodwink the masses.
Yeshpal Sharma said that the farmers of the State are reeling
under the economic pressure, while the State has suffered from
corruption and blamed the previous regime for it. He said Poonch
and Rajouri had witnessed good development in the previous
regime of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and hoped the same will be
taken further.
Yasir Reshi asked the opposition as to why it is so much worried
about PDP-BJP alliance. He said present coalition has been framed
by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in the best interest of the people of
the State. He said people rejected Congress and NC in recent
elections and gave mandate to PDP and BJP.
Community engagement vital for
sustainable tourism growth: Nayeem
JAMMU, MARCH 20: There is a need to create awareness
among the stakeholders that preserving the ecology and grandeur
of our land is linked with our economic prosperity", this was stated
by the Minister for Education, Mr. Nayeem Akhter after
inaugurating the International Conference on Sustainable
Destination Excellence : Rebuilding from Crisis and Disasters at
Jammu University today.
The two days International Conference has been organized by
the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management University of
Jammu, J&K.
The Minister stressed that community participation can play a
vital role in promoting tourist destinations in the state and main
thrust should be on generating awareness among the stakeholders
for ensuring minimum depletion of resources and maximum
sustainable development.
Assuring every possible help from the government in creating
environmental consciousness among the people, the Minister
suggested that the faculty should undertake case studies of certain
tourist potential destinations and make environment assessment
studies of those areas as disaster impacts are growing due to rapid
growth and unsustainable development practices that tend to
increase the exposure and vulnerabilities of communities and
capital assets. He suggested the faculty members to form groups of
volunteers and activists who can aware the people regarding the
need to preserve and conserve our ecological heritage.
VC, CUK calls
on Governor
JAMMU, MARCH 20:
Prof. Mehraj-ud-Din, Incharge
Vice-Chancellor,
Central
University of Kashmir, called
on Mr. N.N. Vohra, Governor,
here at the Raj Bhavan today.
The VC informed the
Governor about the issues
which are thwarting the early
establishment of the new
Campus of the University. The
Governor suggested to Prof.
Mehraj-ud-Din the usefulness
of his having regular
interactions with the ViceChancellor of the Central
University of Jammu and,
besides, with the VCs of the
Kashmir
and
Jammu
Universities for securing
mutually
beneficial
convergences.
Power shut
down
JAMMU, MARCH 20: In
order to carry out the works of
replacement of bus bars,
jumpers and worn out clamps
in 132 & 33 KV yards of
132/33 KV Grid Station Miran
Sahib, the shut down of
132/33 KV Grid Station Miran
Sahib and 132 KV GangyalMiran Sahib Transmission
Line on 22-03-2015 from 9
a.m. to 3 p.m. is allowed.
As intimated by Chief
Engineer, S&O Wing Jammu,
during the shut down period,
the power supply to RS Pura,
Salehar, Miran Sahib, Kullian,
Seora and adjoining areas
shall be affected.
LMD intensifies
inspection drive
JAMMU, MARCH 20:
The department of Legal
Metrology intensified their
inspections
in
Jammu
Province to protect the interest
of consumers against the
exorbitant
pricing,
self
marking
of
MRP on
consumable goods, sale of
goods without bills and
overcharging
from
the
consumers.
A Team of officers
conducted
extensive
inspection of two leading
Boutiques Fashion Fortune
and Appearance in Gandhi
Nagar area to enforce the
mandatory
declarations
required for the information of
the consumers. On Inspection
team found marking of self
made MRPs on all the saleable
goods of stitched clothes,
ladies purses belts, artificial
jewellary, Lahanga and other
ladies dresses and items at
exorbitant rates as per
comparison with the available
bills present on the spot. The
rate list for chargeable
stitching was also not
displayed for the information
of consumers. All such items
were seized and seizure memo
was issued as per the provision
of law.
Meanwhile the department
continued to carried out
inspections in other districts,
Asstt Controller Samba Ms
Anita
Sharma
booked
Resturant and other two
traders in Jakh area siimillarily
Asstt
Controller
U d h a m p u r, D o d a , K i s t w a r
Ramban, Poonch too carried
out inspections of Wine
shops,dairy,banks,Dhabhas
and other traders dealing with
goods of daily use of
consumers,a total of 118
inspections were carried out,
out of which 21 cases were
booked and a sum of Rs 31000
was
recovered
as
a
composition money from the
defaulters with a warning not
to indulge in unscrupulous
trading practices to cheat the
consumers, failing which
action as warranted under law
will be initiated as a case of
regular defaulter.
Rao appeal Education
NCP demands probe in shifting of
Minister to help Pvt. Schools Territorial Army Co from Ghatti
Kuldeep Kumar Rao an
active member of Movement for
Peace, Equality & Justice has
said that new coalition
government of J&K has
emerged as morning star in the
sky with the expectations and
aspirations of every common
man of the State. It appears that
the time has now come when
anything associated to progress,
prosperity,
accuracy
and
accountability is possible.
Rao
appreciated
the
intentions of the Education
Minister and hoped that
government schools shall be
streamlined and improved.
The private schools do
provide standard education with
the help of staff on meager
emoluments while on the other
hand government schools with
hefty pay salary to its
government teachers who do
not do justice to the job, with
the result all the ministers,
bureaucrats, top business class
people do not send their wards
in government schools instead
they get their ward admitted in
Private
schools
paying
exorbitant on account of
admission and monthly fees.
The government should come to
the rescue of private schools
and provide the basic facilities
to these schools as also simplify
the process of granting
extension from time to time and
relieve them from the
cumbersome
process
in
obtaining the extension of
recognition from the Education
department so that they do not
get further harassed in the hands
of bureaucrats at the helm of
affairs.
Rao appealed Education
minister to consider the plight
of the private schools in right
perspective and understand the
services being rendered by them
to the common masses as also
provide
them
financial
assistants to the schools and the
teachers to meet the expenses
on account of the contribution
towards Provident Fund as the
staff of the private schools and
the Schools themselves are not
in a position to contribute 26%
PF in the light of their meager
salary & insufficient income of
at least 90% of the private
Schools existing in the state.
JAMMU 20 FEB, 2015
Thakur Randhir Singh NCP
President J&K, who belongs
to the area, in a strong worded
statement condemned the
Fidayeen attack at Rajbagh
Police station. He said that his
warnings to the successive
state and central governments
that Rajbagh, Jasrota wildlife
sanctuary , Babia, Paharpur,
Sartian, Chak Haria, Khanpur
are the perennial route of
Pakistan terrorists.
'Army
Brigade
was
deployed to flush out the
terrorists and the Defence
ministry was persuaded to
recruit
locals
in
the
Territorial Army and a
company was posted at
village Ghati which had been
withdrawn last year for
reasons unknown.
State NCP has demanded
that Defence Minister and
Home Minister should visit
this place and see how they
could stop this route of
Pakistan infiltration.
State NCP condoles the
deaths of all those who died
in this Fidayeen attack and
showed sympathy to injured
persons and demanded job to
next of kin of the deceased
and also compensation of Rs
10 lakh and special treatment
to the injured.
Singh said that as Chairman
Aromatic and Medicinal
Plants Growers Association of
India had already suggested
to the successive central and
state govts the cultivation of
Aromatic plants on the entire
international borders which
will be a great source of
earning for the farmers,
unemployed youth living near
International border .
Other senior leaders who
attended the meeting include
S/Sh
Krishan Kumar
Digra,Vice President NCP Dr
Liaquat Ali Magray, Vice
President NCP , Col Amar
Singh , Chairman Ex
servicemen
cell,R
S
Billowaria,
Gen
Secy
Sandeep Manhas , Gen Secy,
R C Bali, President NCP
Jammu city and others.
9
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
Mir greets people on
Navratras
JAMMU, MAR 20: Ghulam Ahmed Mir, President Jammu
and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has
greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Navratras and
Navreh, and prayed for their well-being and prosperity.
In his message of greetings, President JKPCC observed that
the Navratras have a special significance for the devotees who
visit the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji in large
numbers during this auspicious period. Also Sh. Mir
highlighted the State’s rich tradition of celebrating the holy
occasions and festivals in amity and brotherhood. He called for
strengthening this ethos of the State.
President JKPCC also extended greetings to Kashmiri
Pandits who celebrate the day as Navreh, the beginning of the
New Year and the onset of spring. He prayed and hoped that the
auspicious occasion will usher the State into an area of peace
and prosperity.
Lal Singh visits Kathua
JAMMU, MARCH 20: Minister for Health and Medical
Education, Ch. Lal Singh today went to District Hospital
Kathua and inquired about the well being of those who were
injured in the militant attack.
The minister directed for immediate shifting of the injured to
Government Medical College Jammu for further treatment. He
accompanied the injured to GMC and directed the concerned
authorities to ensure best medicare facilities.
Hanjura expresses grief
over Raithan road accident
JAMMU, MARCH 20: Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam
Nabi Lone Hanjura today expressed grief over the tragic
accident which occurred at Raithan in which three persons died
and 70 were injured when a bus was on its way to Srinagar.
Those who died include Ghulam Hassan Bita S/o Ali R/o
Gurwait, Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh S/o Sultan Sheikh R/o
Arigam and Ajaz Ahmad Ahangar (Lohar) S/o Abdul Gani R/o
Gurwait.
The Minister expressed his condolence with the bereaved
families and has directed District Administration, Budgam, to
probe the reason leading to the accident and take necessary
action against the persons responsible for the accident. He also
asked for providing adequate medical facilities to the injured
expeditiously.
Zulfikar for pragmatic approach
to cater area specific need
Stresses for proper utilization of funds
Jammu, March 20:, The Minister for Consumer Affairs &
Public Distribution (CA&PD) and Tribal Affairs, Ch. Zulfkar
Ali today stressed for adopting a pragmatic approach while
formulating and executing the Irrigation project to ensure that
they cater to the area specific need.
The Minister stated this while taking a detailed review at a
high level meeting of officers regarding ongoing projects under
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and
National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in
Rajouri district.
Secretary, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control gave detailed
resume of various activities besides physical and financial
achievements registered in district Rajouri during the current
financial year.
While briefing, SE informed that under NRDWP an amount
of Rs 12.55 crore has been spent against an allocation of Rs
17.91crore for developing 152 project during 2014-15.
He asked the concerned officers to take up the issue of filling
up the vacant posts in the department to further streamline the
functioning in the district Rajouri.
Mr. Parvez Malik, Superintendent Engineers, Xens, AEEs,
and other officers of PHE and Irrigation department were also
present in the meeting.
Hasrat inaugurate Miniature
Painting Exhibition
JAMMU, MAR 20: GR Hasrat, the noted literary figure of
the state inaugurated the Miniature Painting Exhibition at Kala
Kendra, Jammu today. The paintings prepared during the 5 day
miniature camp organized by the J&K Academy of art, Culture
and Languages were mounted for display at Kala Kendra. As
many as 12 artists participated in the camp. The aim of holding
such camp and exhibition was to give platform to the young and
budding artists for an interaction with the seniors and also to
work towards promotion of this art. Hasrat in his observation
said that the state has a rich tradition of fine arts which is linked
to its 5000 years odd history and the oldest Indus valley
civilization adding that the state is known the world over for its
miniature paintings particularly the Basholi paintings for its
colour combination and themes.
The Secretary while expressing thanks to the Artists said that
the chief characteristics of the Basholi paintings are
geometrical patterns, bright colours and glossy enamel. Besides
the bold colours, lustrous enamel like colours also employed.
The decorative conventions and dramatic compositions where
the figure are shown in clad in rich costumes, stylized faces and
large bulging eyes lent unique individuality to these paintings.
DPP condemns terror attack
JAMMU, MAR 20: Duggar Pradesh Party while
condemning the terrorists attack on Rajbagh Police Station,
strongly accused the Modi Government for its utter failure and
continuing the sick Congress policy towards terrorism run by
Pakistan killing thousands of countrymen in civil and uniform.
Uday Chand, President of the Party said it is a traditional
practice that after every terrorists attack, the people in power
accusing Pakistan, pays sympathies to the bereaved families,
declared all-round alert, distribute compensation to the victims
and every time announce that they will teach lesson to Pakistan
but nothing happened, more than 20 years has been passed and
we start waiting for the next attack.
Uday Chand said most of the Kashmiri political leaders
always, usually advocating negotiations with Pakistan, never
condemning clearly the terrorism and terrorists attacks, Duggar
Pradesh Party strongly urged the Prime Minister Mr Narendera
Modi to send a delegation of these Kashmiri leaders headed by
Mufti Mohd Sayed, Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar
Abdullah, Ex Chief Ministers, CPM legislature Mohd Yousaf
Taragami, Prof Saif Ud Din Soz, Ex Congress President
various Hurriet leaders to Pakistan to use their good offices for
ending the ongoing terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir and rest of
the country so that no innocent be killed in terror attacks.
BUSINESS
Rs 641
Delhi High Court ruling may BoIcroreraises
from share
affect SpiceJet passengers
sale to LIC, New
The NORTHLINES
10
www.thenorthlines.com
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
NEW DELHI, MAR 20:
SpiceJet passengers, especially
vacationers, may face a hard
time again including paying
higher fares with the Delhi High
Court
directing
aviation
regulator DGCA on Thursday to
deregister six Boeing planes of
the budget carrier SpiceJet, even
as the airline said it was not
expecting any disruption in
services following the order.
"Withdrawing six aircraft
from the fleet means a
significant
reduction
in
capacity. This would have a
direct impact on the airline's
passengers as well as air
travellers,"
Mumbai-based
travel firm Nomad Travel's
chief executive and Travel
Agents Federation of India's
former general secretary Ajay
Prakash said here.
SpiceJet currently has 32
aircraft in the fleet with 17 of
them Boeing 737-800 and
remaining
78-seater
Bombardier Q400s. If six of
them are withdrawn, the budget
carrier would be left with 26
planes only.
Apprehending large scale
cancellations of flights by the
carrier after it takes off six of its
Boeing 737-800 aircraft from
operations, Prakash said the
mismatch in demand and supply
could also lead to other carriers'
hiking fares.
"The ruling has come just
around the peak summer travel
period. Any reduction in
capacity would mean other
airlines increasing fares in view
of high travel demand," he said.
In a severe blow to the
airline, which is still in the
revival stage following the
change of ownership, Delhi
High Court on Thursday
directed the Directorate General
of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to
deregister six Boeing 737
aircraft given to the carrier on
lease by some foreign firms.
An airline cannot operate an
aircraft once it is deregistered
by the DGCA. Justice Rajiv
Shakdher, while issuing the
direction to DGCA, also said
that the aviation regulator will
decide in two weeks the Irish
firms' plea to export the planes,
majority of which are Boeing
737 aircraft.
Meanwhile, SpiceJet chief
operating officer Sanjiv Kapoor
expressed confidence of the
operations going forward
seamlessly.
"We don't expect any
disruption in services or
operation. The situation this
time has changed. There is a
new owner, and there are funds
with the company," Kapoor
said.
He, also said that the
company was already in
discussions with the lessors for
the induction of more aircraft,
adding, "We expect to add 8-9
more aircraft in the fleet during
the summer schedule."
Earlier, reacting to High
Court directives, the airline had
in a statement said, "We are
studying the order, if so advised
we will take matter to the higher
judicial forum. Dialogues are on
to settle the dispute amicably."
Stating that the reduction in
capacity may spell a bad time
for the passengers and travel
agents if the fleet size gets
further shrunk, Iqbal Mulla,
president of Travel Agents
Association of India (TAAI)
said, "It is going to be a major
problem more particularly for
the passengers. The summer
vacation rush may aggravate it
further."
India Assurance
NEW DELHI, MAR 20:
Public sector lender Bank of
India (BOI) on Friday said it
has raised over Rs 641.99
crore by issuing shares on
preferential basis to LIC and
New India Assurance.
"...members had accorded
their approval for issue of
2,00,00,000 equity shares to
Life Insurance Corporation
of India (LIC) and 26,45,502
equity shares to the New
India Assurance Company
Ltd on preferential basis at a
price of Rs 283.50 per
share," the bank said in a
filing to BSE.
The bank approved the
fund raising plans in its
extra-ordinary
general
meeting held on March 7,
2015. The issue price of
shares include premium of
Rs 10 per unit.
"Accordingly,
upon
receipt of funds from LIC
and the New Indian
Assurance Company Ltd,
the bank has allotted the said
equity shares in terms of
SEBI Regulations," it added.
Sebi concerned over large commissions
paid to Mutual Fund distributors
capping one percent upfront voluntarily agreed that mutual
commission.
funds would move to a trail
According to industry data, commission structure after Sebi
some banks are getting more expressed concern over the rise
than 50 percent of their in upfront fee paid to
brokerage commissions from distributors.
single MFs, indicating a special
The regulator is concerned
focus on selective fund houses, over the issue as it could hurt
which mostly happen to be their the profitability of small fund
own group entities.
houses. There are a total of 45
Market insiders say that MF mutual funds in the country and
houses are giving such high fees their total Average Asset Under
to distributors in order to attract Management currently stands at
MUMBAI, MAR 20: Sebi on more investors. Earlier, AMFI over Rs 12 lakh crore.
Friday expressed concern over
the disproportionately large
amount of commission paid to
mutual fund distributors, but the
market regulator said it would
be good if the industry puts a
NEW DELHI, MAR 20: India imported gold worth about USD
cap on the upfront fee.
26 billion during the April-December period of the current fiscal,
Industry body Association of Parliament was informed on Tuesday .
Mutual Funds of India (AMFI)
In a written reply to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of
plans to set one percent cap on State for Finance Jayant Sinha said 664.29 tonnes of gold worth
upfront commission.
over USD 25.74 billion was imported during April- December
"Sebi would hesitate to period of 2014-15.
directly
prescribe
the
The country exported 38.11 tonnes of gold during the nine
commission and would be month period, worth USD 1.55 billion.
happy if the industry does it.
Sinha said that on February 18, the Reserve Bank has allowed
Sebi has a concern that if a Star and Premier Trading Houses to import gold without any enddisproportionately large amount use restrictions.
of commission is being paid,
In reply to a separate query, Sinha said the government has
and certain anomalies have crept
received representation from the Gems and Jewellery Export
up, Sebi is uncomfortable," Sebi
Promotion Council to grant banking licence to ABN Amro Bank,
chairman UK Sinha said when
which is one of the largest financiers to the diamond industry.
asked about AMFI's plans of
India imports gold worth USD 26 billion
in April-December period
Government proposes to rank states based on ease of doing business Sensex, Nifty slip to 1-1/2 month lows
NEW DELHI, MAR 20:
The government has proposed
to give rating to states on the
basis of ease of doing business
in the country, Parliament was
informed on Friday.
"A detailed document on
action to be taken on various
measures of ease of doing
business by states with
specific
timelines
was
prepared and circulated to all
states and union territories,"
Commerce and Industry
Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
said in a written reply to the
Lok Sabha.
She said that the states
would be rated on nine
parameters -- setting up a
business; land and building; finance and tax; inspection
environment
compliances; reforms; enforcing contract
labour
compliances; and exiting a business.
infrastructure related utilities;
These action points were
Insurer cannot refuse third
party insurance: IRDAI
NEW DELHI, MAR 20:
The Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of
India (IRDAI) on Thursday
said that no insurer can refuse
to underwrite third party
insurance.
"The
regulations
(of
Insurance Laws (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2014) stipulate just
the minimum obligation of the
insurer in respect of motor
third
party
insurance
business," IRDAI said in an
exposure draft.
"Notwithstanding this, at no
instance the insurer shall
refuse to underwrite the
'liability only' motor policy
covering motor third party
insurance risk coming to its
office," it said.
This is a mandatory cover,
along with the own damage
cover, that a vehicle owner has
to purchase. This insurance
cover is for any collateral
damage to a third party,
generally a human being,
caused due to road accident.
The exposure draft said
every insurer during a
financial
year
should
underwrite such minimum
percentage of the 90 percent of
the overall motor third party
insurance business premium
of the industry for the
immediate preceding financial
year.
"The minimum percentage
so decided should be equal to
the simple average of insurer's
share in total gross premium
of the industry and that in total
motor insurance premium of
the industry, both in the
immediate preceding financial
year," it said.
Insurers are expected to
submit their response on the
exposure draft by March 25.
All the state governments
have been requested to
complete
these
reform
measures against the indicated
timelines on the 98 action
points.
"Further, each state has
been requested to complete
the recommended action
points within the identified
timelines so that the state is
not ranked poorly in subnational study," she added.
India has been ranked 142
among the 189 countries in
the World Bank report on ease
of doing business.
It has dropped two places
from its previous ranking. The
government is making efforts
discussed and finalised at the to improve the ranking and
national workshop on 'Make bring it within the 50th
in India' in December last position.
year.
MUMBAI, MAR 20: Indian
markets on Friday dropped to 11/2 month lows with benchmark
Sensex slipping 208.59 points to
28,261.08 and Nifty index
falling 63.75 points to 8,570.90
due to sustained selling pressure
on earnings concerns.
This is the third straight day
of losses for the indices, which
fell for the second week on the
trot.
Shares of Realty, Power,
FMCG, Consumer Durable,
Auto and Capital good sectors
were major losers of the day.
Small-cap and Mid-cap
indices also dropped by 2.14
percent and 1.49 percent
respectively as retail investors
offloaded shares.
"...markets are...awaiting the
4Q results, which are expected
to be subdued," said Dipen
Government should quickly notify
successful coal bidders: Assocham
NEW DELHI, MAR 20:
Terming the re-examination of
some bids in the coal auction as
"unfair",
industry
body
Assocham on Friday said the
government
should
expeditiously notify successful
bidders of mines under review.
The government is reexamining the bids for nine coal
blocks, including those where
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and
Balco emerged as the top
bidders, and a final decision on
their fate it yet to be taken amid
speculation of cartelisation
during their bidding process.
"Assocham has urged the
government to expeditiously
notify these as successful
bidders (and) enter into Coal
Mining Development and
Production
Agreement
(CMDPA) and issue vesting
orders to achieve the dual
objectives of coal ordinance i.e.
continuity of coal mining
operations
and
optimum
utilisation of natural resources,"
the industry chamber said a
statement.
In a communication to Coal
and Power Minister Piyush
Goyal, Assocham said, "A fair
treatment should be provided to
industry members who have
contested fairly and in good
faith."
Subdued interest in some coal
blocks leading to their
subsequent withdrawal from
auction process is an indicator
of relative utility of a
particular coal block, it
added.
"Decision to re-examine
bid prices through prism of
trend set by 'unexpectedly
high bids' should be
reviewed,"
Assocham
secretary general D S
Rawat said.
He
added
that
characteristics of each coal
block varies and bidding
would
have
been
dependent on factors
unique to the particular
coal block like peak rated
capacity, gross calorific value of
coal, extractable reserves,
mining
cost
and
most
importantly
logistics
to
transport the coal to end use
plant of bidders from coal mine.
"Delay in awarding coal
blocks to highest/lowest bidders
is not only causing uncertainty
to the industry and grave
concern for investors but it is
also giving vested forces an
Mahindra's used vehicle arm raises
USD 15 million from Valiant Capital
NEW DELHI, MAR 20:
Mahindra group's multi-brand
used vehicle retailer, Mahindra
First Choice Wheels Ltd
(MFCWL) on Friday raised
USD 15 million (Rs 94 crore)
from San Francisco based
investment advisor firm, Valiant
Capital for a minority stake in
the company.
This is the second round of
private equity raised by
MFCWL which puts the
valuation of the company at
around USD 100 million. The
first round of funding was in
2008 from Delhi based Phi
Capital, which continues to be
an investor in it.
The company said it plans to
use the fresh funds to accelerate
its growth both of the physical
network as well as adoption of
technology enabled products
and services.
MFCWL is planning to end
this fiscal year with 500
franchise outlets, 700 by next
year and to grow to over 1,800
outlets in the next 5 years.
In addition, it plans to use the
funds to broaden its reach for its
products and services across
other used vehicle categories.
For the ongoing fiscal, MFCWL
Shah, Head of PCG Research,
Kotak Securities.
The BSE Sensex resumed
slightly lower at 28,465.44 and
moved down further to
28,209.66 before ending at 11/2 month low at 28,261.08 -- a
net loss of 208.59 points or 0.73
percent from its last close. This
was its weakest close since
said its used vehicle volumes
will be 1,40,000 units.
Commenting
on
the
significance of the used-car
vertical, Mahindra Group
Chairman Anand Mahindra
said, "This is an extremely
important vertical for the group
and it shows the way we do
business, of how a large group
like us enters into the 21st
century business with a hybrid
model bridging the consumer
experience online and on the
ground."
Mahindra & Mahindra
President (Group HR, Corporate
Services and After-Market) and
Member of the Group Executive
Board Rajeev Dubey said
MFCWL has been investing on
physical presence that is critical
to the used car business, besides
working to provide consumers
with a consistent omnichannel
experience.
He said the offline and online
ecosystem is very powerful in
the used car business and the
company "will continue to
invest in the overall growth of
the hybrid model in the years to
come".
In order to enable the hybrid
used car ecosystem, MFCWL
has launched several technology
enabled products and services to
address the key drivers of trust
deficit in a used car transaction
namely – vehicle condition,
paperwork,
pricing
and
experience, the company said.
"Consumers are looking for
more tools and insight related to
used vehicles," MFCWL CEO
& Managing Director Nagendra
Palle said, adding the company
will launch a slew of technology
enabled products that will
"materially
increase
the
confidence with which they can
transact on used vehicles –
whether buying or selling".
The used car market in India
is estimated to be 3.2 million
units. It is expected to be almost
double the size of the new car
market in the next 5 years, the
company said.
opportunity
to
question
transparency and justness of the
auction process," Rawat said.
In the cases of coal blocks
auctioned for power sector, the
industry body highlighted that
power producers would not only
forego the mining cost which is
included as energy charge in
power purchase agreements but
have also quoted additional
premium which will go to the
state governments and will have
to be borne by the bidder.
This implies that in energy
charge component of the power
tariff, the coal cost would be
absorbed by the company which
will translate into downward
revision of tariff in existing
power purchase agreements
(PPAs), Assocham said.
Till date, a total of 33 coal
blocks have been auctioned in
two tranches. While in the first
lot, 19 coal mines were
auctioned, in the second as
many as 14 coal blocks went
under the hammer.
February 9, 2015 when it
ended at 28,227.39.
The Sensex has now
lost 475.30 points or 1.65
percent
in
three
consecutive days.
Meanwhile, the NSE
50-share Nifty dropped
by 63.75 points or 0.74
percent to end at
8,570.90.
Jayant
Manglik,
President-retail
distribution,
Religare
Securities said: "Tracking
weak global cues, equity
benchmarks made a sluggish
start and upheld that bias till the
end. Besides, depreciation in
Indian rupee too weighed down
sentiments but that helped IT
counters to end in green while
all the other sectoral indices
reeled under pressure."
Overcoming obstacles, the
Mines and Minerals bill was on
Thursday passed by Parliament.
Later, Coal Bill was passed by
Rajya Sabha.
Asian markets ended mixed
even as investors booked profits
after the previous day's rally
that was fuelled by the Federal
Reserve's dovish stance on
interest rates.
Key indices in China, Japan,
Singapore and Taiwan ended
0.13 percent to 0.98 percent
higher while indices in Hong
Kong and South Korea fell in
0.03-0.38 percent range.
European markets were
trading higher amid renewed
hopes for progress on the Greek
debt front. Key indices in the
UK, France and Germany were
up by 0.07 percent to 0.56
percent.
Airtel launches 4G
service in Punjab
MOGA, MAR 20: Bharti Airtel on Friday launched 4G
network here in Punjab, which has become the 11th town in the
state to have this service.
The other cities in Punjab where 4G service was available are
Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar,
Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, Kapurthala and Patiala, Airtel CEO (for
Punjab, Haryana and HP) Manu Sood said in a release.
The release said that customers here can now experience an
all new 'electrifying' internet browsing experience with the
Airtel's 4G home Wi-Fi.
Customers will be able to connect to the fastest ever internet
service and enjoy capabilities like high definition video
streaming with zero buffering, download 10 movies in less than
30 minutes, upload full holiday albums in less than 5 minutes by
uploading 2 high quality photos per second.
Sensex falls 136 points in morning trade
MUMBAI, MAR 20: The
benchmark BSE Sensex fell over
136 points in early trade on
Friday on sustained selling by
investors amid mixed cues from
other Asian markets.
The 30-share index was
trading down by 136.92 points,
or 0.48 percent, at 28,332.75 as
stocks of infrastructure, power,
auto and FMCG sectors,
witnessed heavy profit-booking.
On similar lines, the National
Stock Exchange index Nifty
slipped below the 8,600-mark by
falling 44.90 points, or 0.51
percent, at 8,589.75.
Meanwhile, Foreign Portfolio
Investors (FPIs) bought shares
worth a net Rs 1,428.72 crore on
Thursday, as per provisional data
released by the stock exchanges.
Among other Asian markets,
Hong Kong's Hang Seng was
down by 0.21 percent, while
Japan's Nikkei rose 0.08 percent
in early trade on Friday.
The US Dow Jones Industrial
Average ended 0.65 percent
lower in Thursday's trade.
The NORTHLINES
SPORTS
www.thenorthlines.com
11
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
ICC World Cup 2015
Australia beat Pakistan, set up semi-final clash with India
ADELAIDE, MARCH 20
Four-time
former
champions
Australia set up an explosive
semifinal clash against title-holders
India in the cricket World Cup
semifinal after comprehensively
beating Pakistan by six wickets in
the mega-event's third quarterfinal
here on Friday.
Set a modest target of 214,
Australia overcame a tumultuous
start to go past the finishing line in
33.5 overs after the home pacers, led
by Josh Hazlewood (4/35), wrecked
the Pakistani line-up.
Steve Smith top-scored for the
Aussies with a 69-ball 65 knock,
which was studded with seven fours,
while all-rounder Shane Watson
survived early jitters to carefully
craft an unbeaten 66-ball 64,
including seven fours and a six.
Pakistan had themselves to blame
for the World Cup ouster as they
dropped two easy catches, allowing
the hosts to wriggle out of a
precarious position.
Australia's chase was not off to a
very smooth start with opener Aaron
Finch departing in the third over
after contributing just 2 runs. The
David Warner blitzkrieg also ended
pretty quickly after the dasher had
made 24 off 23 deliveries, including
three fours.
In fact, Wahab Riaz was simply
outstanding in his opening spell of
six overs, during which he snared
two wickets conceding only 24 runs.
The pacer bowled with aggression
and passion, unsettling the Aussies
with not just his deliveries but also
with occasional glares and constant
chirps, which irked the batsmen and
invited jeers from the packed crowd.
Riaz could well have pulled off
three wickets in the opening spell
had Rahat Ali held on to a dolly in
the 17th over when Watson was on
just 4 runs. He eventually finished
with figures of 2/54 from nine overs.
Australians were poised rather
precariously at 59 for three after
skipper Michael Clarke (8) failed to
click.
However, Smith and Watson
shared 89 runs for the fourth wicket
to steer Australia out of trouble
before Glenn Maxwell (44 not out)
guided them to victory and a
semifinal showdown with India on
March 26 in Sydney.
Smith was adjudged LBW off
Ehsan Adil and despite being
unconvinced by the decision, the
batsman had to trudge off the field as
Australia had exhausted their lone
review by that stage.
His fall did raise hopes of a
Pakistan revival but they again let
the opportunity slip when Sohail
Khan dropped Maxwell's miscued
shot, once again leaving Riaz in
agony.
Earlier, Josh Hazlewood stood out
with a four-wicket haul as Australia's
disciplined bowlers strangled
Pakistan with a thoroughly
commanding performance, skittling
them out for 213.
Electing to bat after winning the
toss, Pakistan were stifled for runs
by the Aussie bowlers and folded
without putting up much of a fight in
49.5 overs.
Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc
(2/40) kept it tight to begin with
before Mitchell Johnson (1/42)
intimidated the Pakistanis with his
ferocious pace.
The pressure exerted early on
brought the desired result quite
quickly as the in-form Sarfraz
Ahmed (10) departed after trying to
find his rhythm for 16 deliveries.
The opener struck one four before
edging a tough grab to Shane Watson
in the slip region.
Sarfraz's opening partner Ahmed
Shehzad did not last long either and
was also caught in the slips by
Australian captain Michael Clarke
off Hazlewood's bowling. The score
read 24 for two at that stage.
The failure to get a good start hurt
Pakistan badly as the middle order
batsmen failed to get going barring
Haris Sohail, who notched up a 57ball 41 laced with four hits to the
fence. The ever-reliant Misbah-ulHaq could not build on the start
today and was dismissed by Glenn
Maxwell while attempting a slogsweep that was caught by Aaron
Finch.
Misbah's 34 runs came off 59 balls
and included one four and two sixes,
both coming off Maxwell's bowling.
Interestingly, the veteran had earlier
been saved by the bail which did not
come off despite Hazlewood
breaching his defences to hit the
stumps.
The procession back to the
pavillion continued when Umar
Akmal (20 off 25 balls) was caught
by Finch off Maxwell again.
Five down for 126 in less than 30
overs, Pakistan looked in deep
trouble when Shahid Afridi raised
hopes with some early powerhitting. However, the temperamental
all-rounder also went back to
pavillion after playing one of his
now trademark cameos, which
entertained while it lasted but did not
help the team's cause much.
Afridi was dismissed while trying
to smack Hazlewood out of the park,
holing out to Aaron Finch after
adding 23 runs that came off 15
deliveries and included three fours
and a lofty six off Johnson.
With the top half letting the team
down, the lower order was never
expected to hold up for too long and
this is exactly what happened with
Hazlewood and Starc cleaning up the
tail.
McCullum promises attack-first mentality ICC chief blasts its Bangladeshi
president over ‘fix’ claims
WELLINGTON, MARCH 20
There is a chill in the
Wellington air, thoughts are
turning to autumn and beanies
have been the order of the day at
training - not just for the West
Indians. But New Zealand's sole
focus remains giving this
feverish summer the most
glorious of finishes.
They have won eight ODIs in
a row. Extend that to 11 and they
will have etched a spot in New
Zealand's sporting history
normally reserved for the All
Blacks. First things first, though
- the biggest week the team has
faced begins with West Indies on
the ground where they skittled
England for 123 and rampaged
to the target. Never have New
Zealand been so heavily fancied
for a World Cup knockout
match. It is something the
opposition have been keen to
play up, firstly from Darren
Sammy and then Curtly
Ambrose although captain Jason
Holder was a little more
reserved. New Zealand are the
team with more to lose and have
been less bombastic in the buildup. But, as they have throughout
the last month, the co-hosts have
embraced the expectation. They
carry themselves with an air of
confidence, led by Brendon
McCullum, which they are
entitled to do. "It's the greatest
time of our lives," McCullum
State Wushu
meet from
March 28
said. "The brand of cricket has
really captivated New Zealand
and is starting to make people
around the world sit up and take
notice as well. We love the fact
we are playing in front of big
crowds and have had the support
we've had from our country.
Hopefully it continues for
another week or so yet. The guys
have had some incredible
experiences and it's the type of
thing you don't want finishing
any time soon." The brand
McCullum refers to centres
around him - the batting, the
captaincy and the fielding. It is a
high-risk strategy (which
includes hurling himself into
boundary boards) especially
with no second chances from
now on, but self-doubt is not in
McCullum's make-up. "I hope it
doesn't change just because
there's pressure on, because that
shouldn't take you away from
the best opportunity to win," he
said. "That style we're playing
has served us well, things don't
always go according to plan but
you have to go to plan B. We
have the players skills-wise and
with the characters in the group
who can quickly adjust." No
one, as yet, has been able to
knock them off the pedestal.
They were nearly toppled by
Mitchell Starc's burst at Eden
Park and were pushed by
Bangladesh in Hamilton. Yet
Parvez led Strikers XI wins by 31 runs
Meanwhile, in another trial
match, Chairman XI registered
10 runs win against President
XI. Earlier, Chairman XI made
137 runs for four wickets.
Usman Pandit played brilliant
innings of 51-ball 70 runs.
Raman Dutta (20), Parveen
Singh (17) and Manish Dogra
(16) were other scorers. Vijay
Dogra and Aamir Sofi took one
wicket each.
In reply, President XI
completed 20 overs making 127
runs losing six wickets. Zahoor
Sofi (42 off 33 balls) was main
scorer, followed by Pranav
Gupta and Vijay Dogra, who
added 30 and 16 runs
respectively. From Chairman
XI, Rahil Singh (4-0-26-2) and
JAMMU, MARCH 20
Wushu Association of
Jammu and Kashmir
is
organising 11th State Wushu
Championship at Indoor
Complex, MA Stadium, here
from March 28 to March 31.
Participants from 18 districts
of the state are expected to take
part
in
this
four-day
competition, a handout issued
by the Association here today
informed.
Meanwhile, the Association
expressed
thanks
to
Government, N N Vohra for
extending support to the game.
Saina Nehwal,
Carolina Marin
to fight it out for
World No 1 in
India Open
NEW DELHI, MARCH 20
In a departure from the norm,
it's not going to be the Chinese
but Olympic bronze medallist
Saina Nehwal and All England
champion Carolina Marin who
will be fighting it out for the
numero uno ranking in
badminton, in the India Super
Series starting next week. Both
Saina and Carolina will have the
opportunity to grab the coveted
numero uno status and snap the
four-year
long
Chinese
domination when they compete in
a strong field at the USD 275,000
India Open starting at the Siri Fort
Sports Complex from Tuesday.
rather than make them nervous,
those results have helped instil
an even greater belief in the
team that they can overcome
whatever challenge is put in
front of them. "I'm a horse
racing fan so in that parlance if
we miss the start it doesn't mean
we're out of the race,"
McCullum said. "The horse has
never been better and we've got
every chance in this game to go
out and win even if things aren't
100 percent. You can't say that
about too many New Zealand
teams in the past so that's
encouraging." Much has been
made of the individual talent in
the West Indies side even though
the collective remains an
inconsistent and brittle entity. So
far in the tournament, New
Zealand have been able to quell
any uprising in the opposition:
Sri Lanka's strong start to the
chase in Christchurch, David
Warner's early foray in
Auckland, Shakib Al Hasan's
cheap removal of McCullum
and Kane Williamson in
Hamilton. So the prospect of an
early slugging by Chris Gayle, a
middle-order rally from Darren
Sammy or Andre Russell, or a
wobble against Holder and
Jerome Taylor does not send
shivers through them.
"If West Indies turn up and
someone plays a match-winning
innings that's good enough to
overcome us at our best, then I
can live with that," McCullum
said. "That's just how the game
is played. But I'm still confident
we've got the team, even if we
don't have the perfect trip, where
we still a chance of being there
at the finish. You can't be fearful
of anything in this game, it's a
competition between two teams
and a competition between bat
and ball, you can't be too
worried about the emotions and
just deal with a game as it
unfolds." The cricket season is
drawing to a conclusion in the
southern hemisphere. Whether
New Zealand have one, two or
three matches remaining will
define this team's place in
history.
Satish (4-0-20-2) remained
most successful bowler while
Umar Nazir and Sourav Chopra
shared apiece each.
Selectors to name team
tomorrow
Meanwhile, the penal of
selectors, comprising, Qayoom
Channa, Ashvinder Koul and
Shahid Parvez and Asif
Peerzada shall name the 16member team tomorrow. "The
team will be announced
tomorrow and the boys shall
depart for the venue at Delhi on
March 22 to play five back to
back matches with first being
against host Delhi on March
24," said one of the selectors,
Ashvinder Koul said.
SYDNEY, MARCH 20
International Cricket Council
(ICC) chief executive David
Richardson on Friday slammed
his organisation`s Bangladeshi
president for questioning the
integrity of umpires, saying
allegations of fixing were
"unfortunate" and "baseless".
Mustafa Kamal claimed
decisions made by officials
during Bangladesh`s 109-run
loss to India in their World Cup
quarter-final in Melbourne on
Thursday seemed to have been
"pre-arranged".
Kamal was angry that India`s
Rohit Sharma, who top-scored
with 137, had not been given
out when he was on 90.
Rohit had been caught at deep
mid-wicket off the bowling of
Rubel Hossain, but umpires
Aleem Dar and Ian Gould
signalled a no-ball for what
appeared to be a legitimate
waist-high delivery.
But Richardson defended Dar
and Gould from all accusations
of biased officiating. "The ICC
has noted Mr Mustafa Kamal`s
comments, which are very
unfortunate but made in his
personal capacity. As an ICC
President, he should have been
more considerate in his
criticism of ICC match officials,
whose integrity cannot be
questioned," said Richardson.
"The no-ball decision was a 50-
50 call. The spirit of the game
dictates that the umpire`s
decision is final and must be
respected," the former South
Africa wicket-keeper added.
"Any suggestion that the
match officials had `an agenda`
or did anything other than
perform to the best of their
ability are baseless and are
refuted in the strongest possible
terms," Richardson insisted.
Kamal
said
he
was
considering quitting his post in
protest. "As the ICC president,
whatever I have to say I will say
it in next meeting. It could
happen that maybe I will
resign," Kamal said in
comments aired on Bangladeshi
television. "There was no
quality in the umpiring. It
looked like they took the field
after it (the outcome) was prearranged," he alleged.
Bangladeshi fans were also
furious at the dismissal of star
batsman
Mohammad
Mahmudullah who was caught
close to the boundary rope.
The match was the biggest in
the history of the cricket-mad
nation, marking the first time
that Bangladesh had made the
World Cup quarter-finals.
Many fans wept only after the
defeat while protestors also
burned an effigy of Dar, who
hails from Bangladesh`s great
rival Pakistan. Kamal, whose
position has been largely
ceremonial
since
India`s
Narayanaswami
Srinivasan
became the body`s chairman
last year, said the ICC`s
acronym seemed to stand for the
Indian Cricket Council.
"I cannot represent the Indian
Cricket Council. If someone has
imposed a result on us, in that
case no one can accept it,"
added Kamal, who is a minister
in the Bangladeshi government.
Meanwhile the Indian cricket
board said Kamal should have
made his feelings known to his
fellow administrators before
airing them in public.
"I wish he could have taken
all these issues on the ICC
platform during the ICC
meetings," said Anurag Thakur,
the Indian board secretary.
"The (reality) is we`ve won
against Bangladesh and India
has won all the previous
matches in the league stage. I
think it`s time to move
ahead...we can discuss and
debate these issues in the next
meeting." Bangladesh`s exit
dominated the country`s frontpage headlines on Friday with,
many commentators blaming
shoddy umpiring for the defeat.
"Tigers fall to controversial
calls," read the lead in the
Dhaka Tribune, while the the
headline of the mass-circulation
Bengali daily Kaler Kantha
said: "The dream run ends in
umpiring scandal."
Open TT Tourney by Jammu Police
JAMMU, MARCH 20
Led
by
international
cricketer, Parvez Rasool,
Strikers XI defeated Ram
Dayal's Challengers XI by 31
runs on the last day of the trial
matches for the forthcoming
North
Zone
Twenty20
Tournament at New Delhi from
March 24.
Batting first, Strikers XI set a
target of 172 runs for five
wickets, which, in reply,
Challengers could not chase and
exhausted their quota of overs
for 140 runs losing eight
wickets.
Parvez played fine innings of
50 runs off 41 balls while
Bandeep Singh batted equally
good adding unbeaten 39-ball
49 runs. Obaid Haroon (24 off
14 balls) and Adil Reshi (22)
were other main contributors to
the total. From Challengers,
Ram Dayal (4-0-36-2) bowled
impressive spell taking two
wickets while Abid Nabi,
Vishwajeet Singh and Amir
Aziz shared apiece each.
Later, Challengers XI could
not maintain the required run
rate and completed given overs
for 140 runs with two wickets in
hand. Jatin Wadhwan made 47ball 58 runs while Hardeep and
Abid Nabi added 30 and 11 runs
respectively. Sahil Sharma (4-017-3), Wasim Raza (4-1-14-2)
and Mohd Muddasir (4-0-26-1)
were the wicket takers.
Anant faces Akhilesh
in U-12 boys final
Hargun Kour 2-0 and
Archita beat Meghna Jain 20.
Anant Rohmetra shall be
Meanwhile, Anant has also
playing against Akhilesh in
made it to the semifinals of
the final of the under-12
the under-14 boys along
boys' event in the ongoing
with Akhilesh, Manya and
Open Table Tennis
Ansh. Quarterfinals:
Tournament, organised by
Anant Rohmetra bt Saksham
Jammu Police at Stag
2-0; Akhilesh bt Shivam 2Academy, here under Civic
0; Manya bt Sudhiksham 2Action Programme (CAP).
0; Ansh bt Ragdeep Singh
Earlier, in the semifinals,
2-0.
Anant defeated Manya 2-1
In men's singles event,
while Akhilesh trounced
Sandeep Khadotra, Azad and
Ansh in straight sets.
Similarly, in under-12 girls' Vasu won their respective
matches. The Results:
category, Ikhnoor has been
pitted against Archita in the Sandeep bt Kouvarjit Singh
2-0; Azad bt Bilawal 2-0;
title clash tomorrow. In the
semifinals, Iknoor outplayed Vasu bt Amit Abrol 2-0.
JAMMU TAWI, MARCH 20
A participant in action in open TT tournament at Stage Academy, Jammu on Friday.
12
JAMMU | SATURDAY | MARCH 21 | 2015
PM Modi's Jaffna visit interference in
Sri Lankan affairs: Chinese thinktank
BEIJING, MAR 20: Terming Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's visit to Tamil-dominated Jaffna
as "interference" in Sri Lanka's affairs, an official
Chinese thinktank on Friday said the recent
"incidents" in Sino-Lankan ties are sufficient to
"merit Beijing's attention."
"Modi's trip to Sri Lanka has courted attention
from media outlets of many countries including
China, with most of them believing New Delhi
has gained the upper hand when Colombo halted
the China-invested project," Liu Zongyi, assistant
researcher of Shanghai Institute for International
Studies, said in an article.
"Modi included in his Sri Lanka trip the city of
Jaffna in the Tamil-majority Northern Province,
which in fact shows India's interference in the
country's internal affairs," the article published in
a newspaper said.
In an apparent reference to the decision by Sri
Lanka's new government to review USD 5billion Chinese investments, including the
controversial USD 1.5-billion Colombo Port City
project, agreed during the previous Mahinda
Rajapaksa regime, article said "every small
country yearns to strike a balance among
different powers."
"Some of them even attempt to maximise their
national interests by taking advantage of the
competition among great powers."
The article said "regardless of the nationalist
Prime Minister's objective, recent incidents are
sufficient to merit Beijing's attention."
It, however, cautioned: "Historical disputes
between India and Sri Lanka over Tamil people
and fishery resources will make it difficult for the
two sides to build a rapport any time soon."
"If the Sri Lankan government ignores China's
goodwill in a bid to cater to certain powers, it will
hardly gain respect from the international
community," it said.
China proposed the 'One Belt and One Road'
(also known as Silk Road) project as a strategic
initiative to revive its slowing economy.
China should follow closely the reactions of
both regional powers and small states when
promoting the plan, it said.
"India has myriad historical and cultural links
with Indian Ocean island nations. New Delhi also
has the ambition of playing a leading role in the
region," the article said.
The initiative is hailed by most South Asian
and Indian Ocean countries, but India holds that
there must be "some ulterior geopolitical
purposes behind it," it said.
"New Delhi doesn't want countries in South
Asia and the Indian Ocean to participate in the
programme, but it is unable to propose a
substitute," it said.
"Now that Modi has reached out to the Indian
Ocean island states, it seems India is determined
to gain a dominant position in the region by
enhancing military and security cooperation with
them," it said.
Highlighting China's assistance to Sri Lanka to
fight the LTTE, the article said, "save for China,
no other country was willing to help Colombo
then."
Key Rajapaksa aide charged
with graft in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, MAR 12:: A key figure in the
former Mahinda Rajapaksa administration and a
current MP has been charged with graft and
questioned by a commission probing corruption
over accusations his assets exceeded his income.
Charges against Sajin de Vass Gunawardena in
the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court have been
filed under the Declaration of Assets and
Liabilities Law, the Commission to Investigate
Allegations of Bribery or Corruption said.
Gunawardena, who served as Rajapksa's
foreign policy advisor, is a current member of
parliament.
He was overlooking the Foreign Ministry for
Rajapaksa in its day-to-day running.
The Bribery Commission has questioned both
Gunawardena and his wife over accusations that
his assets exceeded his income.
In a related development, another senior
minister under Rajapaksa, Anura Yapa was also
questioned today over an alleged loss of 30
million Sri Lankan Rupees in the Ministry of
Petroleum where he was the minister.
He was questioned over the loss to the
government as a result of an executive decision
made by him outside cabinet approval.
Since Rajapaksa's defeat in the presidential
election in January, the former President's family
members have been reported to the anti-graft
panel.
On Thursday, the government announced that
it had traced more than a billion dollars in public
funds allegedly stolen by members of the former
regime.
The government has come under pressure from
the public to bring to book culprits of alleged
large-scale corruption in the Rajapaksa
government.
Let's do lunch:
Michelle Obama to Japan PM
TOKYO, MAR 20: Michelle
Obama suggested a lunch date
with Shinzo Abe at his wife's
restaurant on Thursday, offering
the Japanese Prime Minister a
place at her table next time she
is in town. Michele with Japan
PM.
The US first lady gave a
ringing endorsement of Akie
Abe's "izakaya" -- a traditional
Japanese-style pub -- after
eating there with her opposite
number on the second day of
her visit to Tokyo.
"Prime Minister, first of all,
your wife is an amazing
woman," said Obama, as she
met Abe at his office. "And the
restaurant is good, so you have
to try it. Maybe the next time I
come to visit, you can join us."
In a good-natured exchange
at Abe's office, he revealed:
"Actually I've never been to the
restaurant".
Earlier in the day Obama,
who is in Japan to launch the
"Let Girls Learn" initiative,told
an audience there was a global
"crisis" that left 62 million girls
without the chance of an
education.
"We often focus on the
economic barriers girls face –
school fees or uniforms, or how
they live miles from the nearest
school and have no safe
transportation, or how the
school in their community
doesn't have bathroom facilities
for girls," she said.
"But we all know that the
problem here isn't just about
infrastructure and resources.
It's also about attitudes and
beliefs. It's about whether
fathers -- and mothers – think
their daughters are as worthy of
an education as their sons."
Obama, who arrived in Tokyo
on Thursday without her
husband President Barack
Obama, said both Japan and the
United States were big donors
to "Let Girls Learn", which
aims to help young women in
developing countries.
First Lady, wearing a bright,
floral patterned jacket and
skirt, appeared alongside Akie
Abe and Caroline Kennedy, the
daughter of President John F.
Kennedy and the current
American ambassador to
Japan.
US officials said on
Wednesday
they
were
investigating threats made
against Kennedy, after a man
reportedly telephoned the US
embassy saying he would kill
her.
Later in the day, Obama paid
a visit to the Imperial Palace to
meet Emperor Akihito and
Empress Michiko.
On Friday, she will visit
tourist hotspot Kyoto, where
she will go to the 1,200-year-old
Kiyomizu Buddhist temple, a
stunning wooden structure set in
the hills around Japan's ancient
capital, as well as a similarlyaged Shinto shrine.
She will fly to Cambodia, one
of the first 11 countries the
initiative will be operating in,
on Friday afternoon from
Osaka.
The NORTHLINES
www.thenorthlines.com
China reprimands US official
over SCS patrol proposal
BEIJING. MAR 20: China on Friday criticised a top US
naval commander for suggesting that Southeast Asian nations
should jointly build a maritime force to patrol the disputed
South China Sea, saying it will "by no means" help solve the
issue.
"We hope the United States will strictly honour its
commitment of not taking positions or sides on territorial
sovereignty issues," said Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Hong Lei in response to the reported remarks by
Robert Thomas, commander of the US Navy's Seventh Fleet.
In his comments, Thomas had also said his fleet would
provide support in patrolling.
Hong said Thomas' remarks "will by no means help resolve
the South China Sea disputes properly or contribute to peace
and stability in the South China Sea (SCS)".
China claims almost all of the SCS which is contested by
Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan.
He said that it is China's long-standing commitment to
resolve the disputes in the SCS through negotiations and
consultations with the countries directly concerned.
According to Hong, China and the ASEAN have proposed a
joint initiative in which they will safeguard peace and stability
in the SCS independently of other nations.
He urged the US side not to make irresponsible remarks any
longer and instead do more that is conducive to boosting mutual
trust and regional peace and stability.
55 killed in two suicide bombings
in Yemen mosques
SANAA, MAR 20: Two suicide bombers attacked two
mosques in Yemen's capital Sanaa during Friday prayers,
killing at least 55 people and wounding dozens of others, a
security official said, raising fears that the Arab country is
slipping into a sectarian war.
The bombers detonated explosives at the two mosques
controlled by the Shia Houthi group, the official said on
condition of anonymity, adding that most of the dead were
supporters of the Houthi group.
The first attack hit the congregation at Badr mosque in
southeastern Sanaa, killing 35 people, while the second
bombing occurred at Hashoush mosque in the northeastern area
of the city, killing at least 20 others, he said.
The Shia Houthi group took control of Sanaa last September
and met strong resistance in the central and southern regions
from powerful Sunni tribes and the Sunni-dominated Al Qaeda
network.
On Thursday, tribal militia fought against security forces
supported by the Houthi group in the southern port city of
Aden, the second biggest city in the country, killing at least 15
people.
This is the second bombing attack in Sanaa this year after an
Al Qaeda car bombing attack against the police academy killed
at least 50 cadets on January 7.
Sri Lanka allows
construction of breakwater
at Port City Project
BEIJING, MAR 20: Sri Lanka has allowed some
construction work at the suspended USD 1.5 billion Port City
Project to save its existing structure from sea erosion ahead of
a visit by President Maithripala Sirisena here for candid talks
on bilateral ties.
"As far as we have learnt the Sri Lankan government has
approved resumption of the construction of breakwater of the
Colombo port," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei
told reporters here today while responding to a question
whether Colombo has informed Beijing about the construction
of a breakwater at the project site.
In Colombo, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said that the
decision was taken following a request by Prime Minister Ranil
Wickremasinghe when the cabinet convened for its weekly
meeting on Wednesday.
The entire project had been suspended by the new
government which took office in January after concerns were
raised over some aspects of the project.
Hong said China believes that "the Sri Lankan side will
properly deal with relevant issues to safeguard their own
interests as well as the lawful rights and interests of Chinese
companies and create sound conditions for the mutual benefit
of cooperation between China and Sri Lanka."
Earlier, Hong announced the visit of Sirisena to China to take
part in the annual Boao Forum for Asia.
The new Sri Lankan President will be visiting along with
Presidents and Prime Ministers of 13 other nations to take part
in the four-day event to be held in the Chinese island of Sanya
starting from May 26.
During his visit here the new Sri Lankan President, whose
government has changed the dynamics of pro-China policies
pursued by the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, is
expected to discuss the fate of USD five billion loans extended
by China which his government said was taken at exorbitant
rates.
Primary focus of his talks with the Sri Lankan President
would be the fate of the Colombo Port City projects which was
suspended by the new government over concerns of corruption
of and adverse environmental impact as it is being built on
reclaimed land.
The project key to Xi's multi billion Maritime Silk Road
project implementation in the Indian Ocean raised hackles
locally as the China Communications Construction Co (CCCC)
would get 108 hectares of the 233 hectares project on freehold
basis and the rest on a 99-year lease, according to media
reports.
Sri Lanka's Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Arjuna
Ranatunga said that that approval had been given to allow part
of the project to continue in order to prevent damage from
heavy rains and sea erosion.
He further said that the Prime Minister had asked for the
necessary reports and documents over the Port City to be
submitted to the sub committee soon in order to decide the
future of the project.
"Only once the necessary documents are submitted will the
Prime Minister decide on the future of the project," Ranatunga
said.
Best gift ideas for the
occasion of Navratri
NEW DELHI, MAR 20:
Navratri is not only about
singing and dancing, but it is
also about exchanging gifts and
presents amongst everyone.
It is a tough task to select a
present according to the likings
and wishes of your friends and
relatives, however you need not
have to worry much. Just
browse through the article
below for gift ideas for the
occasion of Navratri.
Spiritual gifts: Gifting a
mesmerizing Mata Rani's idol is
one of the best gifts to present
someone on the occasion of
Navratri. This will become a
permanent feature of the
devotee's Pooja room. You can
send across Mata’s blessings in
the form of veils or scarves that
is offered to the Holy Goddess
during the ceremony. Silver or
gold
coins
with
Holy
inscriptions or Goddess's figure
are also good options. Holy
books compiled with songs,
prayers and mantras that will be
highly appreciated by the elders.
Jewellery: One of the best
idea on a special occasion like
Navratri is to gift out jewellery
with inscriptions of Devi Durga
on a pendent, bracelet or a ring.
Calendars or poster: A
calendar or poster of the
Goddess is also an economic yet
wonderful gift for any of her
devotees.
Ethnic wear: With limited
options available in market,
shopping for men is the most
difficult task. It is always a safe
option to gift a tradtional ethnic
wear, like dhoti kurta or pyjama
kurta with an embroidered
shawl. Whereas for women, you
can opt for ethnic chaniya choli
or an anarkali salwar suit.
Dry Fruits Box: As most of
the devotees of Maa Durga
observe fast on this occasion,
they preferably consume dry
fruits, milk and fruits. So,
gifting a box of dry fruits will
prove to be a very useful gift on
the occasion of Navrarti.
NASA mission detects mysterious
dust cloud on Mars
WASHINGTON, MAR 20:
NASA's Mars Atmosphere and
Volatile Evolution (MAVEN)
spacecraft
has
observed
mysterious high-altitude dust
cloud and aurora that reaches
deep into the Martian
atmosphere.
The presence of the dust at
orbital altitudes from 150 km to
300 km above the surface was
not predicted earlier. Although
the source and composition of
the dust are unknown, there is
no hazard to MAVEN and other
spacecraft orbiting Mars.
"If the dust originates from
the atmosphere, this suggests
we
are
missing
some
fundamental process in the
Martian atmosphere," said
Laila Andersson from the
University of Colorado's
Laboratory for Atmospherics
and Space Physics (CU LASP),
Boulder, Colorado.
It is unknown if the cloud is a
temporary phenomenon or
something long lasting.The
cloud density is greatest at
lower altitudes.
However, even in the densest
areas, it is still very thin. So far,
no indication of its presence has
been seen in observations from
any of the other MAVEN
instruments. Possible sources
for the observed dust include
dust wafted up from the
atmosphere, dust coming from
Phobos and Deimos, the two
moons of Mars, dust moving in
the solar wind away from the
sun or debris orbiting the sun
from comets.
However, no known process
on Mars can explain the
appearance of dust in the
observed locations from any of
these
sources.
Earlier,
MAVEN's Imaging Ultraviolet
Spectrograph (IUVS) observed
what scientists have named
"Christmas lights".
"What
is
especially
surprising about the aurora we
saw is how deep in the
atmosphere it occurs - much
deeper than at Earth or
elsewhere on Mars," added
Arnaud Stiepen from the
University of Colorado.
The source of the energetic
particles appears to be the
sun.Billions of years ago, Mars
lost a global protective
magnetic field like Earth has, so
solar particles can directly
strike the atmosphere.
The electrons producing the
aurora have about 100 times
more energy than you get from
a spark of house current, so
they can penetrate deeply in the
atmosphere.The findings were
presented at the 46th Lunar and
Planetary Science Conference
in the Woodlands, Texas
recently.
'Milky Way may has several
planets brimming with life'
LONDON, MAR 20: After
analysing satellite data, an
international
team
of
researchers have calculated the
probability for the number of
stars in the Milky Way that
might have planets in the
habitable zone.
Their calculations, published
in the journal Monthly Notices
of the Royal Astronomical
Society, show that billions of
stars in the Milky Way will have
one to three planets in the
habitable zone, where there is a
potential for liquid water and
where life could exist.
The team from the Australian
National University and the
Niels Bohr Institute at the
University of Copenhagen made
calculations based on a new
version of a 250-year-old
method called the Titius-Bode
law.The Titius-Bode law was
formulated around 1770 and
correctly calculated the position
of Uranus before it was even
discovered.
"In these 31 planetary
systems that were close to the
habitable zone, our calculations
showed that there was an
average of two planets in the
habitable zone. According to the
statistics and indications we
have, a good share of the planets
in the habitable zone will be
solid planets where there might
be liquid water and where life
could exist," explains Steffen
Kjaer Jacobsen. Using NASA's
Kepler satellite, astronomers
have found about 1,000 planets
around stars in the Milky Way
and they have also found about
3,000
other
potential
planets.Many of the stars have
planetary systems with two-tosix planets, but the stars could
very well have more planets
than those observable with the
Kepler satellite, which is best
suited for finding large planets
that orbit relatively close to
their stars.