Last phase of Assembly elections No specific militant threat, but ready to avoid any disruption: DGP Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): Two days ahead of the last phase of assembly elections in the state, in which 20 assembly segments of Jammu are going to polls on December 20, Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra Kumar Thursday said though there is no specific militant threat, police have taken extra measures to foil any attempts of violence. Talking to KNS, the state police chief said that no specific militant threat has been received for the polls scheduled to be held in Jammu on December 20 “but at the same time police is maintaining a close vigil to avoid any incident of violence during the elections.” “Adequate security measures have been put in place and the extra deployment of forces has been made in various areas wherein polling is scheduled to be held during the last phase of the five phased assembly elections,” he said. The DGP says that arrangements for the security have been made in the assembly segments as the attempts by the militant have been made earlier to disrupt the poll exercise. “Though we don’t have the inputs about any specific militant threat but all measures have already been taken to thwart any attempt that could disrupt the election process” The 20 seats, spread over the three districts of Jammu province - Rajouri, Kathua and Jammu, will go to polls on Saturday. Most of the assembly seats in Jammu which would vote on December 20 are located close to the border areas. On December 16, Lt Gen Subrata Saha, GOC, Chinar Corps after attending a function at Nowgham had cautioned that militants would try to carry out more attacks in the coming days. He had warned that a large number of militants were waiting on the other side of the border to infiltrate “but the forces are fully equipped and prepared to bring them down.” Valley to get respite from additional power cuts No new curtailment schedule will be issued for winter: CE PDD Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): The Power Development Department (PDD) Thursday announced a respite from the unscheduled and extra power cuts, saying no new curtailment schedule would be implemented in Kashmir during the winters this time. As Kashmir valley used to reel under darkness, particularly during the chilling nights of the winter months, people always would raise arms against the government, accusing it of turning blind eye towards their plight. The PDD this time has decided not to burden the people with anymore extra cuts and erratic power supplies, pledging to continue with the same schedule of power which is being implemented at present. The Chief Engineer PDD, Bashir Ahmad Khan told KNS from Jammu over phone that though there are 10 percent of more losses in electricity as compared to that of the previous year but there would be no new curtailment schedule issued till March next year. “There are losses but we have decided not to have additional power cuts. The schedule which is in vogue at present shall continue to remain till March next year,” he said. Khan added that in metered areas there are around two to three hours of the power cuts while as in non-metered areas, the curtailment is for six to seven hours. “People must use power very economically. Wastage of power by the people is proving to be a major concern for all, especially in the winter months. Hooking must be avoided so that smooth supply of electricity could be ensured by our department,” Khan told KNS. Rape accused attacks police with grenade Constable injured SP Kupwara says accused a former militant Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): A police personal was injured when a person accused of rape hurled grenade towards the police party when the latter approached him for summon execution on Thursday. Superintendent of Police (SP) Kupwara told KNS over phone that constable Ghulam Hassan of Dragmula police post was injured when a person accused of rape hurled a grenade towards the police party. According to the KNS correspondent, Ghulam Qadir Dar, resident of Bumhama, Kupwara was accused of rape and an FIR was registered in the year 2011 with number 367 under section 376, 511, 425. The Kupwara court asked the SHO Kupwara to execute the court order related to the case. Reports informed that a police constable for executing the court order reached the residence of Ghulam Qadir. Reports informed that soon the police appeared near Qadir’s door, he hurled a grenade towards the police due to which one police personal was injured. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Police said that the involved tried to escape from the scene but the police apprehended him soon after the incident. SP Kupwara says that the accused is a surrendered militant. Mufti seeks Jammuities support to establish new system of equality, justice in JK: Mufti Promises to formulate comprehensive policy for Jammu Jammu, Dec 18 (KNS): With a promise to formulate a comprehensive programme and policy for the socio-economic growth and development of Jammu region, patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today winded up his aggressive election campaign for the fifth and final phase by addressing series of public meetings at R S Pura and Gandhi Nagar assembly segments in support of party candidates Sardar Trilok Singh Bajwa, Bhushan Dogra and Amrik Singh Reen on the last day of campaigning. During the meeting at R S Pura, former Mayor of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and prominent leader of Jammu region Manmohan Choudhary joined the PDP along with hundreds of his supporters in the presence of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. “Formation of PDP government in Jammu and Kashmir is inevitable because people have made up their mind to give PDP a chance to provide them accountable and corruption free government”, Mufti said while speaking in these meetings amid severe cold. He observed that it was result of the good governance of the previous PDP led coalition that there was realization among all sections of the society and among residents of all regions of the State that only PDP has the vision and commitment to address their aspirations. He reminded the people that during its tenure of just three years PDP government had treated all regions equally and decentralized powers at grass loot level by political and economically empowering all regions and sub-regions of the State.”. “Credit goes to the PDP led regime that first time after 1947, all regions were treated equally in developmental and other activities”, he maintained and added that it was after 2002 that successful efforts were made to empower all regions to remove the sense of inequality and discrimination. Reaffirming his commitment to formulate a comprehensive policy to cope up with the problem of unemployment in the State, Mufti made it point to remind the people that it was during his tenure that an investment worth Rs 10,000 crore was made to develop industry in Jammu region. “I had traveled across the country to convince the investors to invest in the State”, he said. He assured that his party has vision to address the problem of unemployment. At R S Pura, Mufti reiterated his commitment to start on the spot recruitment in the border areas so as to provide employment to the youth. He said that PDP has been propagating the agenda of peace, unity and reconciliation in this region”, he said and reminded the party workers that with 16 MLAs PDP has changed political discourse of the state and has laid strong foundation of peace and inter-regional unity in Jammu and Kashmir. “We will continue our policy of peace and reconciliation to establish lasting peace on the borders”, he said at R S Pura. He reminded the gathering that during its tenure the PDP led regime had proved its capability of changing life of the common masses by treating all individual equally and providing equal opportunities to all sections of the society. “During our tenure we generated governance consciousness among the people and residents of Jammu and Kashmir had a taste of good governance and pro-people administration”, he said. During the rally at Gandhi Nagar, Mufti reminded that it was during the regime of PDP that civic amenities were provided to the people of the city and a beautification plan was launched to develop parks in the outskirts of Jammu city. Terming Jammu as historic city of the country, he promised to restore historic importance of this city and would develop this city as gate way of Jammu and Kashmir. Vote in large number to keep communal parties at bay: Farooq to Jammuities ‘BJP, PDP don’t want everlasting peace in region; Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): President National Conference, Dr Farooq Abdullah Thursdaysaid huge number of people should take part in the democratic process to defeat the divisive agenda of BJP. In a fax message to people of Jammu from London, Dr Farooq appealed them to vote in large numbers and defeat the ‘divisive agenda of communal parties like BJP who are hell bent upon to destroy the secular fabric of the state. He said that the huge turnout in the ongoing assembly elections are hints enough for BJP to know that people in Jammu and Kashmir don’t support the ‘communal agenda’ of any party. Lashing out hard at BJP and PDP, Farooq alleged political parties like these don’t want an everlasting peace in Kashmir and they are trying their best to muzzle the voice of Kashmiris. “They (BJP and PDP) don’t want that Kashmiris should have one voice. They firmly believe that politicians should be produced from every home in Kashmir so that to curb the genuine voice of the people,” Farooq said. “Those talking of safeguarding the rights of people of state, were the first ones instrumental in eroding the autonomy of the state.” “Over the years our constitution was eroded, followed by eroding Article 370. Important constitutional positions like Sadr-i-Riyasat (President), a separate passport from Lakhanpora to Ladakh and many other constitutional privileges were eroded by these very people,” he said. “Furthermore, BJP strictly follows a communal agenda and it was the party that in connive with their offshoot- PDP tried to set ablaze the whole state in 2008 agitation.” “BJP and PDP pitted people of Jammu against Kashmir and vice versa and flared up the communal tension in the state in 2008. And it was because of these parties that the relations between the traders of Jammu and traders of Kashmir witnessed bitterness,” Farooq said. He said those daydreaming about revoking Article 370 from the state should know that it is the foundation and basis of the relationship between the state and the rest of country and no power in the world can revoke it. While appreciating the people of the state for coming out in large numbers to cast their votes during the last four phases, he said, “I hope people of Jammu will also take part in the democratic process in large numbers to defeat the divisive agenda of certain parties.” Meanwhile, senior party leader Sheikh Nazir (Advocate) has also appealed the people of Jammu to vote in favour national conference candidates in large numbers so as to safeguard the interests of the region. Dar-ul-Khair continues to distribute relief among flood victims Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): Dar-ul-Khair Mirwaiz Manzil is continuing its efforts to distribute relief goods among the people who have been severely affected by the recent floods. On the instruction of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Patron Darul Khair, a delegation comprising of Mohammad Shafi Khan, Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi, Peer Ghulam Nabi, Farooq Ahmad Saudagar, Mohammad Sidiq Hazari, visited Qamarqari area of Srinagar to distribute woolen blankets, clothes and eatables among the flood victims. Expressing their sympathy and solidarity with the flood victims on behalf of Mirwaiz, the delegation told the victims that it would be only through collective efforts of Kashmiris that they could extricate themselves from the after effects of the ravaging flood which destroyed property worth millions. The delegates assured the flood victims that they should not consider themselves alone in these times of crisis as Dar-ul-Khair Mirwaiz manzil would continue its relief and rehabilitation efforts throughout the winter season. Mir predicts of hung assembly Says no party will full majority after polls Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): The ‘Third Front’ leader and Agriculture Minister in the outgoing government, Ghulam Hassan Mir Thursday said the Jammu and Kashmir is all set to witness a hung assembly as no party here is going to get a full majority. Mir, who contested from Gulmarg assembly segment during the 3rd phase of the ongoing state elections, told KNS that Jammu and Kashmir is all set to witness a hung assembly this time as the ground reports suggest that no political party will register a full majority. “There will a hung assembly this time and I am sure that no one will get a full mandate this time,” Mir said. Maintaining that the Third Front will play a vital role during the post election period, Mir who served as the minister in NC- Congress coalition, said that his party has adopted a wait-n-watch policy till the results of the elections are out. He added that Third Front will play a vital role in the next government formation of the state. Over the question of possibility of the re-elections, in the case of hung assembly, Mir said that agreements and alliances could be later forged so that next government is formed for Jammu and Kashmir. Mir on November 19 had claimed that the Third Front in state’s political landscape is to play a vital role in the government formation. “Third Front won’t approach PDP for support but the PDP itself shall request us for the same. If the agenda of BJP during state elections here is mission 44, the agenda of the Third Front is to form the government in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mir had said while filling his nomination papers from Gulmarg. “I can only tell you that the Third Front is going to play a vital role in the formation of the government in Jammu and Kashmir. All parties will request us for the support, we would not request anyone,” Mir said while addressing people in his assembly segment. Will sit in opposition if we don’t have numbers: NC Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): Ruling National Conference (NC) Thursday said that it would sit in the opposition if it doesn’t get numbers to form the next government in Jammu and Kashmir after the state elections 2014. “As a political party we can only say that if we don’t get the adequate numbers after the elections for the next government formation, we would like to sit in the opposition in the legislative assembly,” NC additional general secretary Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal told KNS. He said the party has decided not to forge any alliance with the Congress and BJP. “For us, PDP is no choice. Congress is already gone and how could we rub shoulders with the party like BJP that is fanning the communal fires during conversions across India,” Kamal said. He added that the party has contested the polls all alone in the state and hopes to get good numbers as the party has found remarkable acceptance across the state. “We have contested the polls and are looking for a very good numbers,” he said. The NC’s firebrand leader added that his party would sit in the opposition if it doesn’t get ‘adequate’ numbers for the government formation. “We treat opposition equal to the ruling party. We believe that there are two wheels in the cart that runs that state and one wheel is opposition,” Kamal said, adding that NC would not barter its interests against the ‘petty political gains’. Participation in electoral process detrimental for freedom movement: Shah Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): Reiterating his stand on elections conducted in the State,, Hurriyat Conference Jammu Kashmir (HCJK) leader and chairman Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Shabir Ahmad Shah Thursday said the pro-freedom leadership and the people of Jammu and Kashmir are of the view that till Kashmir issue is resolved, any participation in electoral activity is detrimental for the ongoing freedom movement. Shah, who was arrested during the election drama, after his release, in a statement to press said, “We don’t believe in the so-called elections that were conducted forcibly and under the shadow of gun. Keeping in view the highhandedness of Army and police during the period, arrest of pro-freedom leadership, political activists, youth and students, we categorically reject any administration/ government that comes to fore as a result of these sham elections.” Criticizing the hype created by Indian leaders over the participation of ‘some people’ in these polls, Shabir Ahmad Shah said that after every election in the State, they (Indian leaders) declare that by participating in polls, the people of Kashmir have rejected the resistance leadership and that they have acknowledged that their future lies with India. “If Indian leaders and their Prime Minister Narendra Modi are so sure about people’s support, why are they scared of conducting referendum in the State? Let everyone see whom the people of Kashmir will give their mandate,” he said. Shah questioned, “When India doesn’t shy away from seeking votes from Kashmiris in the name of progress and development, why they are hesitant in letting people decide their future. The so-called champions of democracy are making huge claims of ‘freedom of expression’, we want to tell them as to why they felt the need of 8 lakh forces and police besides putting resistance leadership, political activists and youth behind bars, in conducting the elections in the State. They should tell us where in this world are opposition locked in jails during elections. We were prevented from reaching out to people to express our viewpoint otherwise the pro-India leaders would have known their worth.” HCJK leader said that pro-India politicians exploited the people in the name of Kashmir issue and development. He said even these politicians are aware that Kashmiri nation have sacrificed more than 6 lakh lives since last 67 years for a ‘great cause’ without any compromise. Shah said the war of words between the pro-India parties during elections is just to mislead the people while as the main objective of all these parties is to fill their vote bank and there is not an iota of difference between them as “they all work on the directions of New Delhi and its agencies.” Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement, Democratic Freedom Party chairman said, “By wearing Dhoti in Jammu and Pheran in Kashmir, the realities will not change. Though, he (Modi) made big claims of democracy and humanity but lacks the courage of facing the truth. Kashmir issue is on the top agenda of United Nations and the resolutions passed there in Security Council have been signed by all countries of the world including India and Pakistan but unfortunately, it is due to India’s stubbornness that this issue is lingering. India reneged from its promises kept with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” “We are the well-wishers of the people of India and we only want to break the system by which made us slaves. We want to break the chains of slavery with which India has tied us as no nation can tolerate the life of subjugation. This is not any border or a bilateral issue which can be settled through ‘give and take’ method but is the same indigenous struggle which India launched against the then British Empire. We are in favour of resolving this long pending dispute according to the UN resolutions or through the tripartite dialogue between all the stakeholders – India, Pakistan and Kashmir,” he added. Mufti working on hidden agenda of BJP, alleges Kamal Appeals people of Jammu to vote in large numbers for NC candidates Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): Additional General Secretary National Conference, Mustafa Kamal Thursday alleged that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and BJP are working on a hidden agenda and are hell bent upon dividing the people of the state on religious and regional lines. Addressing election rallies in Jammu region, he said, “It was because of the sacrifices offered by National Conference that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is still one, while other parties particularly BJP and PDP have been trying hard to create wedge between the two regions.” He appealed people of Jammu region to vote for national conference candidates keeping in mind the huge number of sacrifices offered by NC for Hindu-Muslim-Sikh unity in the region. “PDP, Congress and BJP have always worked against the unity of the people of state and they are responsible for eroding the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir,” Kamal said and alleged Mufti is responsible for giving Kashmir some of its darkest and bloodiest chapters in a decade long history and he is working on a hidden agenda of BJP. “He (Mufti Sayeed) changes colours like a chameleon. The symbol of his party, Pen and Inkpot was basically the symbol of MUF and under this guise Mufti tried to lure the people of state towards his party. This symbol depicts nothing other than hoodwinking and cheating the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Kamal alleged. He further alleged Mufti is the biggest turncoat in the political history of Jammu and Kashmir and after serving the Indian National Congress for over forty years, kicked the party as soon as his handlers (agencies) in Delhi signaled him to create a party of his own. “PDP is an offshoot of BJP and people of Jammu and Kashmir know it very well that how much money was paid to Mufti Sayeed by BJP to create PDP, soon after the NC government submitted the autonomy resolution to the central government which was duly passed all the legislators of the state,” Kamal said. He said since the day one NC stood for upholding the human rights in the state and offered huge sacrifices to save people of the state from tyranny. “It was NC government that made amendments in the public safety act (PSA). The huge sacrifices offered by the National Conference especially by its founder Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah who spent most of his time in incarceration was only because to protect the human rights of the citizens of this state,” he said. “And in the last six years Omar Abdullah went all-out safeguarding the rights of the citizens.” He said National Conference is the only political custodian of J&K’s honour and political individuality; besides, a repository of thousands of sacrifices that have been rendered ever since National Conference came into being to fight suppression, and injustice. Fateh Khawani observed for Peshawar massacre victims at NC headquarters Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Thursday while condemning the inhuman and barbaric attack on an army school in Peshawar, Pakistan in which more than 140 people were killed, paid rich tributes to those martyred in the incident. Condolence meetings were held in both the regions of the state in Srinagar at Nawa-i-Subhu complex and at Sher-i-Kashmir Bhavan Jammu. The party leaders condemned the dastardly attack on the innocent children and said no religion especially holy Islam allows any such cowardly attacks on innocent people particularly women and children. The leaders- Sheikh Nazir (Advocate), Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Advocate Ratan Lal Gupta, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed and other leaders expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed to pray to almighty to give patience and strength to them to bear this immense loss. On the occasion Fateh Khawani in the memory of those killed in Peshawar carnage was also held at both the places. “The whole humanity today is in mourning seeing the corpses of children as young as 7 being carried by their parents. The incident has shocked people across the globe,” Sheikh Nazir said. JK Bank chairman inaugurates Currency Chest in Ganderbal Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): Streamlining its cash management system in the valley further for complete customer convenience, J&K Bank today inaugurated a Currency Chest Complex in Ganderbal district amid reasonable gathering of people comprising of valuable clients, traders, senior citizens and local residents. The bank’s Chairman and CEO Mushtaq Ahmad inaugurated the complex in presence of Executive President Parvez Ahmad, President M Syed Wani, Zonal Head Kashmir (Central), Abdul Rashid Shigan and Cluster Head Ganderbal Shafat Ahmad Kitab. Speaking on the occasion, Chairman said, “The purpose of opening this currency chest is to keep pace of our customer services with our expanding foot-print. The idea is to serve people across the state and provide them world class banking services at their closest possible locations. I am sure the chest will smoothen our cash management system in Ganderbal and its adjoining areas.” This chest will certainly put an end to all inconveniences related to cash management, he added. During his interaction with the audience, he further said, “J&K Bank remains committed to work for your financial progress and prosperity and I am sure your patronage and cooperation shall always be our guiding force in realizing such objective.” Chairman also sought suggestions from the people for better conduct of services by the bank. Those present on the occasion hailed the bank’s efforts to provide international banking services to people at their door-step. They praised dedication of bank’s staff and hoped that they will further improve upon it to win complete customer loyalty. Div Com reviews flood rehabilitation process in Valley Asks divisional adm to speed up removal of encroachments Srinagar, Dec 18 (KNS): Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Rohit Kansal reviewed the post flood rehabilitation work in Kashmir Division at a high level meeting in Winter Secretariat Srinagar here today. The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Vice Chairman LAWDA, Director CA&PD Kashmir, Director Health Services Kashmir, Chief Engineers of PHE, PWD, Joint Director Information Kashmir and other Divisional level officers. Div Com enjoined upon the officers to ensure speedy rehabilitation of all flood affected families. He directed Chief Engineer PWD and Commissioner, SMC to ensure immediate removal of all types of encroachments on the banks of river Jehlum and its tributaries. The meeting was that 166 residential sheds have been completed and handed over to the flood affected families in Valley and the rest of the sheds will be completed soon. It was further informed that the free ration for three months has already been distributed among the consumers. In all 41 structures and tin sheds have been dismantled in Srinagar city, the meeting was informed. The Div Com directed the CA&PD and FCI authorities to take steps for ensuring the free ration for six months among the consumers, besides lifting back of all commodities including rice and wheat from the godowns which were affected during the floods within the 15 days positively. He directed Municipal authorities to clear the debris on the roads in Srinagar city. He also directed the PDD authorities to constitute checking squads for ensuring judicious use of electricity. Respected subscribers you can surf our website to read all the news bulletins at your will. 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Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:03:09 +0000
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