JAMMUNEWS

Kashmir University to host Int’l book fair from March 2

2009-02-27T02:31:00.001-08:00

Kashmir University's Allama Iqbal Library is all set to host a mega international book fair from March 2. Forty-five local, national and international level book publishers shall be participating in the 3-day book fair, which will be inaugurated by the KU vice-chancellor, Prof Riyaz Punjabi.

The publishers shall put on display more than 50,000 titles of books on varied subjects. Tata Mc Graw Hills, Taylor and Francis, Springer, Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press are among the prominent publishers who will participate in the book fair.

The KU chief librarian, Riyaz Rufai, said the mega event is expected to cater to ardent needs of academic community of the university besides the student and scholars of other colleges and research institutes in the Valley.

The event is expected to focus on some important issues including awakening reading habit amongst people, bringing passionate browsers more closer to books of their interest and choice, arranging books and other reading material relevant to areas of study and research for enthusiastic selectors, development of literary culture in Kashmir, showcasing books on other courses run in some technical colleges and institutes of the valley.

"The online books and book stores are an added feature of the fair," Rufai said.

It will be organized in two beautifully decorated Pandalas (tents) outside the Iqbal Library.

Lone elected J&K Assembly speaker

2009-02-25T05:47:00.001-08:00

Former Deputy Speaker, advocate and senior politician Mohammad Akbar Lone was unanimously elected as Speaker of the 11th Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on the inaugural day of the Budget Session, here today.

Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather proposed the name of Lone for the post of Speaker and Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand seconded the proposal. Speaker Pro-tem, Chowdhary Mohammad Aslam sought vote in favour of Lone, who got unanimously elected by a voice vote.

After being elected as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Pro-tem Speaker Chowdhary Mohammad Aslam, PDP Legislature Party Chief Ms. Mehbooba Mufti and BJP Legislature Party Chief Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta escorted Lone to the Chair of the Speaker.

Various Members from both Treasury and Opposition benches felicitated Mr. Lone on being elected as the Speaker of the 11th Legislative Assembly today.

Tara Chand, while congratulating Lone on getting elected as the Speaker of the 11th Legislative Assembly, said he has worked with best capabilities as Deputy Speaker during the last six years. This, he said, has invited acclaim and appreciation for Mr. Lone. He also said that as Speaker, Mr. Lone would be able to maintain discipline and decorum in the House as he is a seasoned politician, legislator and a lawyer.

Rather congratulated Lone on being elected as Speaker and hoped that as the Presiding Officer of the House, he will work in an impartial manner to accommodate the views of the Members across the House. He said that rising above party lines, Mr. Lone is expected to prove his prudent nature. He said that Lone's role as Deputy Speaker during the last six years has been appreciable.

Speaker Pro-tem Chowdhary Mohammad Aslam, while congratulating Mr. Lone, said his experience as a former Deputy Speaker would be of immense help to him in discharging his duties as Speaker. He also wished him a successful role as the custodian of the House.

Ms. Mufti also congratulated Mr. Lone on getting elected as the Speaker of Legislative Assembly. She said that as a custodian of the House, he would discharge his duties in an impartial and efficient manner, adding that as Deputy Speaker, Mr. Lone's role has been exemplary. She offered full cooperation on behalf of her party to the newly-elected Speaker for smooth conduct of the business in the House.

Prof. Gupta, while felicitating Mr. Lone, said he expected him to work with dedication and fearlessly for ensuring the Members of the House to raise public issues and maintain the decorum of the House.

CPI (M) Member, Mr. M. Y. Tarigami said that maintaining dignity of the House is the biggest responsibility of the Speaker which is possible only by extending Members' cooperation to the Speaker. He said the Members from both Treasury and Opposition benches would have to be very responsible and cooperative in smooth conduct of the business.

Leader of the Democratic Party Nationalist Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir also greeted Mr. Lone and said that during the Budget Session, there can be divergent views of the Members for which the Speaker will have to be cool and sober.

Others Members who also felicitated Mr. Lone on being elected as Speaker include Mr. Harsh Dev Singh of the J&K Panthers Party, Mr. Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen of PDF and Mr. G. M. Saroori of the Congress.

CM opens Boys' Hostel at Baba Ghulam Shah university at Rajouri

2009-02-22T08:02:00.001-08:00

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday asked the students to concentrate wholeheartedly on their studies and bring laurels to the State by exhibiting their mettle and excellence in the field of science and technology.

The Chief Minister, on the last phase of his three-day extensive tour of the twin border district of Rajouri and Poonch, today visited Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah (BGSB) University of Science and Technology, about 11 kilometres from here.

Mr. Abdullah said, "Your parents want you to be example for others and earn them name by achieving new highs in education", adding, "You should come up to the expectations of your parents and the State".

After addressing the students, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Boys' Hostel and also laid the foundation stone of the School of Biosciences and Biotechnology Park. The boys' hostel has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.30 crore and will accommodate nearly 300 students. The hostel comprises 65 rooms, besides dining halls and other facilities.

Later, the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Masud Chowdhary briefed the Chief Minister about the academic and infrastructure development programmes of the University. Mr. Abdullah asked the University Management to look for generating more and more resources for making the university self-sufficient. He said that subjects of high marketability should be made important part of the curricular activities so that after passing out, the students are absorbed without having to wait for long.

The Chief Minister also visited various faculties and blocks of the University and interacted with the teaching staff.

Later, Mr. Abdullah distributed appointment letters among 24 youth under SRO-43 while as 16 persons were given cheques of Rs. 4 lakh each, in lieu of the appointments.

Yesterday, the Chief Minister had distributed similar cheques at Poonch among the persons under SRO-43.

Speaking to the beneficiaries, the Chief Minister said that relief provided by way of financial assistance or in the shape of employment would not compensate the loss of their dear ones, however, it is only to express sympathy of the Government and the concern it has for the welfare of the bereaved families.

Press club Jammu set for elections

2009-02-21T05:40:00.001-08:00

The sitting president of the Press Club of Jammu, Manu Shrivatsa accompanied by his ten member team today filed the nomination papers for the post of President of the Club, elections of which scheduled to be held on February 25, 2008.

Mr Shrivatsa, who is sitting President of the Club, is seeking mandate of the journalist fraternity to further accelerate the developmental activities of the Club.

Accompanied by a number of working journalists, Manu Shrivatsa filed his paper for the post president, Sohial Kazmi for the post for secretary general, Raju Kerni for the post of vice president and Zorawar Singh for the post of treasurer.

In the previous team Manu Shrivatsa is the president and Sohail Kazmi is secretary general. Raju Kerni, a veteran journalist, who had won last election as Treasurer, is seeking mandate of the voters for the post of vice president.

For this panel, seven journalists namely Sant Kumar Sharma, Rajnesh Parihan, Channi Anand, Mukesh Gupta, Sanjeev Sharma, Sanjay Pathak and Vinod Kumar filed their papers for the posts of the member executive committee. First time a journalist from Kathua is also contesting election of Press Club. Sanjay Pathak, who is the panel of this team, a prominent journalist of Kathua district.

While addressing the journalist fraternity after filing the nominations, Sohail Kazmi said that during their tenure their team has accelerated developmental activities in the Press Club. He said that their panel has been seeking mandate on developmental plank and said that their team has initiated many welfare schemes for the journalist members.

Reporters and photo journalists from all the prominent news papers and news channels were present on the occasion to express their solidarity with the present team and assured full cooperation in elections. They said that victory of the present team is must in the interest of the working journalists.

J&K annual plan pegged at Rs.6,500 cr

2009-02-21T04:31:00.001-08:00

The Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rahim rather today said that the next year's proposed Annual Plan size of Jammu and Kashmir is slated to be Rs. 6,500 crore, excluding Rs. 2,417 crore proposed plan outlay under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme (PMRP) for 2009-10.

The proposed plan outlay 2009-10 was discussed at a high-level meeting here today, held under the chairmanship of Minister for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather.

The proposed plan outlay will soon be submitted to the Planning Commission, Government of India, for subsequent approval.

The meeting discussed threadbare proposed plan of PMRP and earmarked Rs. 2,417 core for 2009-10 to complete the various flagship programmes undertaken under this scheme. The important projects taken up under this programme include Baglihar Hydro Electric Project, Mughal Road, Srinagar-Leh Power Transmission & Distribution Line, Khanabal-Pahalgam Road, Narbal-Tangmarg Road, 14 New Colleges, 9 New Women ITIs, Model villages, Two-Room quarters for Kashmiri migrants under Phase I and Ramban-Dhamkund Road, 10 more collages and 5 more ITIs of Phase II.

To minimize the negative impact of global economic meltdown and the recessionary trends it has produced all over the world on the economy and developmental schemes, the meeting discussed a comprehensive stimulus plan of Rs. 1,000 crore for rural infrastructure and social security schemes in the State to be forwarded to the Central Government for approval. The plan was formulated in the backdrop of communication received by the Government from the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, to take appropriate monetary steps to supplement the fiscal measures designed by Centre to stimulate the economy.

The works covered under the flagship programmes include Housing for urban poor, Indira Awas Yojana, Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and National Social Assistance Programme.

J&K tableau for republic day gets national prize

2009-02-20T22:24:00.001-08:00

This year's Republic Day tableau "Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir" prepared by J&K Academy of Art Culture and Language for Republic Day Prade held at New Delhi, got National prize for the State in overall competition of 18 tableaus.

Sh . Zaffar Iqbal Manhas , Secretary JK Cultural Academy today received the prize on behalf of State of Jammu and Kashmir from Union Minister for Defence Sh. A K Antony in a function held at New Delhi today. The Designer of the tableau Sh Chushool Mahaldar was also accompanied the Secretary on the occasion.

After receiving award Mr Zaffar told news persons that the tableau of State adjudged best third in overall competition adding that state's tableau for the Republic Day brought a magnificent picture to Rajpath about the tourism potential available in all the three regions — Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He said that this prize is a national recognition for State's diversed culture adding this is a matter of pride for the people in Jammu and Kashmir, it has put on the Academy a responsibility for maintaining the honour in years to come.

Designed by a Delhi-based States creative consultant and veteran artist Chushool Mahaldar, the tableau was aimed to project the state as a safe destination for visitors from across the globe, said Zaffar added that "We want to tell the world that Jammu and Kashmir is a safe tourist destination.

The tableau presented the Replica of a Gompa — monastery where Buddhist monks and nuns live, study and practice religion in Ladakh — will pull the houseboat-shaped tableau depicted the diveresed Culture of Ladakh. In the "houseboat" was seated by Kashmiri folk- musicians playing traditional instruments like rabab, sarangi, matka (pitcher) and tumbhaknar. The Kudd dance, was performed at the end of sowing or harvesting represented Jammu in the tabeau.

Behind this proud achievement is versatile artists team who conceived, designed and finally presented it under the aegis of Jammu and Kashmir Academy said Zaffar.

J&K government orders transfers in planning department

2009-02-20T09:54:00.001-08:00

Transfers and postings in Planning Deptt.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20 - The Government has ordered transfers and postings in the Planning & Development Department with immediate effect.

Mr. R.P.Sazgotra, I/C Director, Manpower Planning, has been transferred and posted as I/C Director, R&B.

Mr. B.R. Lachotra, I/C Director, BADP, has been transferred and posted as I/C Director PHE/I&FC.

Mr. A.K. Gandotra, Joint director, Forest Department, has been transferred and posted as I/C Director, Agriculture Production Department.

It has further ordered re-designation of I/C Directors working in the Planning & Development Department.

Mr. S.A. Qureshi has been re-designated as I/C Director, Perspective & Man Power Planning., Mr. Manohar Khajuria as I/C Director, Project Appraisal & Plan Monitoring and Mr. Ravi Kumar has been re-designated as I/C Director, Central Sector Schemes.

Further, Mr. S. S. Jamwal, Joint Director, Agriculture Production Department and Mr. Pervaiz Sajad Kakroo, I/C Joint Director, PHE/I&FC have been asked to report to Planning & Development Department for further adjustments

Kashmir University departments to remain open on Sunday

2009-02-20T09:50:00.000-08:00

Srinagar**, Feb 20:* In connection with the receipt of PG entrance forms,
Kashmir University's teaching departments, institutes and Centres shall
remain open on Sunday, February 22.
A notification to this effect was issued by the varsity's Dean (Academics), Prof Aziz-ul-Azeem on Friday.

'J&K needs upgraded tourism infrastructure for coming season'

2009-02-20T06:34:00.001-08:00

Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora today stressed early completion of work on ongoing projects involving Rs. 140 crore under Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) in seven Tourism Development Authorities (TDA) of Jammu region. He directed the concerned authorities to remove hurdles and speed up pace of work so that upgraded infrastructure is fully operationalized for the ensuing tourist season.

Mr. Jora was taking a review meeting of Tourism Development Authorities here today. These Authorities have been created with the objective of tapping tourism potential in new locales of the State.

Secretary Tourism, Mrs. Tanveer Jehan, MD, JKTDC, Mr. M. Y. Qadri, Director, Tourism, Jammu, Mr. S. M. Sahni and the Chief Executive Officers of all the Tourism Development Authorities attended the meeting.

While reviewing works underway at Patnitop, the CEO said that an Aerial Passenger Ropeway would be installed from Kud to Patnitop at a project cost of Rs. 60 crore. Already approved by the Central Government, the Authority is in the process of completion of formalities with Forest Department for laying of the aerial ropeway. The CEO also said that execution of Rs. 7.19 crore Mall Road, near Kud is currently in progress and so far Rs. 5.60 crore have been expended on the project. He informed the Minister that tourist-related infrastructure including huts, hotels, guesthouses, tourist reception centres, parking spaces have been upgraded to facilitate tourists. He also added that development work at Sanasar Lake has also been started.

While reviewing the pace of tourism-related work in Rajouri district, the CEO, Rajouri informed the Minister that construction of TRCs at Shahdra Sharief, Chingus and Rajouri is currently in progress. He also said that construction of wayside amenities at Sunderbani, Palma and Manjakote, besides construction of interpretation centres at Rajouri and development of base camps at Kotranka and Darhal, at a cost of Rs. 4.44 crore, is in final stages and will be completed soon.

The work on 14 tourism-related projects falling under Poonch Tourism Development Authority have been approved out of which five projects have been taken up so far which include construction of TRCs at Gulpur, Surankote and Mendhar besides tourism recreational infrastructure at Takiya Sharief is in progress.

The meeting also reviewed the pace of work on the execution of Rs. 21.78-crore three Tourism Circuits at Lakhanpur-Bani-Basohli, Bhaderwah-Doda-Kishtwar-Simthan-Srinagar and Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch. So far, Rs. 8.78 crore have been utilized on various works in all the three Circuits. Once complete, these circuits will be equipped with facilities like traveller mart, art development centre, TRCs, wayside recreations, hot-water springs, heritage cottages and tourism huts.

Under Bhaderwah TDA, the infrastructure like construction of TRC, viewpoints, children's park, lillium garden at Lake View Resort, Gatha, have been created, the CEO informed the Minister.

The meeting also reviewed the ongoing work on projects of Kishtwar TDA and it was given that construction of TRC and other amenities at Barnoyari are being completed at a cost of Rs 1.58 crore. The CEO said that infrastructure at Bimalnag and renovation work of temple therein have been completed.

CEO, Surinsar-Mansar, TDA, while giving a factfile of his Authority, informed the Minister that Rs 3.19 crore are being spent during current financial year on various works. He said facilities like parking lot, shopping complex and amusement park have been created at Mansar while as construction of club, fast-food shop and viewing decks there are in progress. He said Rs 1.96 crore, out of the current year's outlay, have been incurred so far on the development of various tourism-related infrastructure.

After taking a detailed review of all the TDAs, Mr. Jora instructed the concerned CEOs to personally monitor the work on the projects underway so that they are completed in time for the coming tourist season. He also issued instructions for formulation and submission of project reports for development and exploration of new tourist spots in the region. He also said that he would personally visit all the tourism development authorities for a firsthand assessment of the works being executed.

The Minister also called for involvement of local people so that they also benefit from creation of tourism infrastructure as the same has the potential of generating employment as well boost economy of the region

Hey Ram: Let's give away Kashmir

2008-08-30T04:34:00.001-07:00

Ramananda Sengupta

Give away Kashmir. Give it the azadi that the people are demanding.

Because our democracy, God bless it, does not allow us to ‘trample over’ the wishes of the people.

And while we are at it, perhaps we should ‘give away’ parts of the northeast as well. Because people there too are chafing over ‘Indian rule.’

In other words, instead of summarily trying and executing the people who blatantly abuse, denigrate and desecrate our nation, who openly raise anti-national slogans on our soil, we should actually bow before their demands. That has been the long-standing demand of our friendly neighbour, Pakistan.

But all of a sudden, sections of the Indian mainstream media -- and people like Arundhati Roy -- are echoing these views.

‘What if he (Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a separatist ‘leader’) and his followers were to adopt the strategies of non-cooperation and satyagraha, which were used (by Gandhi) to gain independence?’ asks Jug Suraiya in an article titled ‘India Minus K-word’, in the Times of India dated August 20, 2008. ‘Could the Indian state use physical force against such a peaceful mass movement — if in fact it did arise, as some say it now has — and still retain its moral idea of itself?’

By the same author: Why am I proud of India? | A troubled Pakistan bodes ill for India | Youngistan needs You

“If you believe in democracy, then giving Kashmiris the right to self-determination is the correct thing to do. And even if you don’t, surely we will be better off being rid of this constant, painful strain on our resources, our lives, and our honour as a nation?” argues Vir Sanghvi in the Hindustan Times. (Think the unthinkable, August 16)

“India needs azadi from Kashmir as much as Kashmir needs azadi from India,” pontificates Ms Roy, the writer turned whatever.

But if I was scared when I read all this, I was downright terrified when a reasonably reliable contact in one of our intelligence agencies hinted that this was actually a “trial balloon” being floated at the behest of the UPA government, to gauge the people’s reaction to such a proposal.

It’s Jammu vs Kashmir --- finally

2008-08-30T04:29:00.000-07:00

Arvind Lavakare

Arvind Lavakare may be 71, but the fire in his belly burns stronger than in many people half his age. The economics post-graduate worked with the Reserve Bank of India and several private and public sector companies before retiring in 1997. His first love, however, remains sports. An accredited cricket umpire in Mumbai, he has reported and commented on cricket matches for newspapers, Doordarshan and AIR. Lavakare has also been regularly writing on politics since 1997, and published a monograph, The Truth About Article 370, in 2005.

When several of our mainline English dailies recently splashed what they thought was the novel headline, “Jammu vs Kashmir”, on account of the unprecedented angst and anger in the Jammu region of J & K state over the denial of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board, I was amused.

Jammu shutdown extended till Aug 31

I was amused because as many as seven years and 11 months ago a major web portal had posted an article of mine bearing the headline “It could finally be Jammu vs Kashmir”. My forecast then was not based on astrology or prescience but on a study of the past agonies of Jammu that had run over into the present. And study is something that current bred of “Breaking News” journalists hardly do, if at all.

UN monitoring Kashmir situation

It did not require meticulous research, but just some serious reading, to know that Jammu’s troubles had begun soon after the monarch of J & K, Maharaja Hari Singh, from the Dogra community of Jammu, chose to sign his princely state’s accession to India, rather than to Pakistan, in October 1947 under the British Parliament’s Indian Independence Act, 1947. The troubles emanated from Sheikh Abdullah, the towering National Conference leader from the predominantly Muslim populated Kashmir Valley, who, for reasons as yet unclear, was the pet of Jawaharlal Nehru, our first Prime Minster among several Congress ones who believed that the Hindu community was a danger to free India. It was just a matter of time therefore that Nehru coerced Maharaja Hari Singh to hand over the reins of the J&K state to the interim government of Sheikh Abdullah and his National Conference Party --- the first time that Muslims, not Hindus, became the rulers in J&K.

No question of peace formula: SAYSS

2008-08-30T04:25:00.000-07:00

Talks will resume today between the Jammu and Kashmir Governor's mediator and the group spearheading the agitation over the Amarnath land row amidst reports that a peace formula was in the making.

S S Bloeria will hold talks with the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) here on the issue. The talks were deferred over the last two days because Bloeria was unwell.

Amidst reports of peace formula in the offing, the group spokesman said there was no such proposal and the Government had to concede to the main demand of restoring the land to the Shrine Board for yatra use.

"Where arises the question of a peace formula or compromise formula when the fourth round of talks between Governor's panel and the samiti's committee has not taken place so far?

"During the first three rounds of talk on August 23, we have already given written demands to the Governor's panel headed by his advisor S S Bloeria," SAYSS spokesperson Narinder Singh said here.

"The fourth round of talks was delayed twice and is now scheduled for today and we are waiting for it to be held," he said, adding "the Government has to respond to our demands and then the Samiti will decide on it".

Referring to the peace formula, the Samiti's spokesperson said such repots were deliberately being "planted" in the electronic media to create confusion among the people in Jammu and "please separatists and other leaders of Kashmir."

He also alleged that People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was also placing hurdles in resolving the issue. (PTI)

Situation in J&K ‘far less serious’ than projected: Narayanan

2008-08-30T04:22:00.000-07:00

Even as curfew and protests continue in Jammu and Kashmir following the Amarnath land row, the Centre feels the situation in the state is "far less serious" than "portrayed" and normalcy should return within "a week to 10 days".

National Security Adviser M K Narayanan refused to agree that the situation in Kashmir is similar to 1990 as is being suggested by various sections.

"I think the (situation is) far less serious than what is being portrayed but at the same time certainly something that we are very unhappy about," he said on Karan Thapar’s ‘Devil’s Advocate’ programme on CNN-IBN.

"I mean people have started comparing it with the 1990s and what not. Certainly the situation is nowhere around that," Narayanan said.

His comments came even as curfew continued to be imposed in Kashmir for the seventh day after a series of protests spearheaded by separatist leaders.

The National Security Adviser, however, conceded that the recent developments had eroded the signs of improvement in situation in the state.

"What is causing us concern is that four years of improvement in the situation, (we) believed that we have reduced levels of alienation, (there were) substantial signs of normalcy in the state. People had forgotten about issues," he said.

"No major concern other than day-to-day problems of living, better electricity, internet connection etc. Suddenly (these) seem to have been sort of pushed into the background and mobs have come out onto the street," he noted.

Narayanan said blockade of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway produced certain "concerns" among people in the Valley but there are visible signs of improvement in the situation and normalcy should return in the State within a week to 10 days.

On the upcoming holy month of Ramazan, he said the Government will have to do "relaxation of various kinds and various purposes so normalcy should be round the corner."

"We are hopeful that this could be achieved in the next one week to 10 days," he said.

The National Security Adviser said the Government was trying to pacify the agitators in Jammu so that they don’t block the highway.

"In the cold comfort I would say the fact of the matter is that the concern about the blockade could have brought so many people out onto the street is a matter of concern for us.

"That is why we are placing so much emphasis on reducing the agitation in the Jammu region because as long as that agitation persists, the danger of the likelihood of the crowd coming onto the National Highway (will remain)", he said.

Asked whether the Government agrees that there was a blockade of the highway considering that there have been differing versions, he said "For a day and a half, there were some discrepancies."

He said the truck traffic had dropped. "If there was let us say 100 trucks going, it came down to 15 to 20 for a day and a half and today it is back to about 85 to 90."

Commenting on the Hurriyat Conference’s claim of being the representative of people of the state, Narayanan said the amalgam was not the "principal voice" in the Valley.

Asked whether a mood for secession is brewing in the state, the National Security Adviser disagreed.

He said reference to the Amarnath land issue as "transfer" of land, which triggered the agitation, was wrong and should have been avoided.

"I think what really—there was an agitation over the issue of the what was wrongly referred to as handing over of land or diversion of land when actually (it was not), it was not necessary, it was an uncalled for...Mistake."

Narayanan also insisted that police was not involved in killing of the Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz.

He claimed that there was "concern" among the Hurriyat after the killing of the leader as they also probably knew police was not behind it.

He said Aziz was shot in the back while police was in the front during the Hurriyat-led "march to Muzaffarabad’.

"This is a concern even among the Hurriyat and others saying that who is now amongst us who is trying to eliminate some of us," he said.

Asked specifically whether Hurriyat knows that police did not kill him, he said "yeah, they will never admit it I suppose, but the fact of the matter is that it was certainly not the police. He was shot in the back."

Asked who could be behind the killing of the Hurriyat leader, he refused to answer, saying "You will know at the right time, I presume and assure, of who it is or which group is responsible."

When asked whether he was pointing fingers at Pakistan in connection with Aziz’s killing, Narayanan said the government does not have any facts about it.

"No, we have no fact at the moment about A or B or C. What we are clear at this moment is that it was not the police...There are lot of things, circumstances... The fact of the matter is that he was not a martyr to the cause that is being made out to be."

He said had the police been able to do a postmortem of the body, then facts could have been much "clearer".

"They took the body away before there was a chance for postmortem. Then the fact would have been much clearer," Narayanan said.

Justifying the government’s crackdown in Kashmir, he said initially the government allowed movement of the protesters but when the situation deteriorated, it had to resort to certain restrictions.

"There was a period Muzzafarabad Chalo, then there was a the sort of one or two other bandhs relating to the funeral processions. First we allowed a lot of movement across. There was no effort by the administration to interfere with that ..And a new issue comes up all the time.

"When the Lal Chowk Chalo came up and the feeling was that now these people are moving from what could be concerns worries and problem into really a problem of trying to build up other...Region thats when the crackdown took place." (PTI)

Tendulkar proves SCG is Sachin’s Cricket Ground

2008-01-04T04:28:00.001-08:00

www.merinews.com

Abhishek Behl

A PLACARD carried by an Indian supporter read SCG as Sachin’s Cricket Ground and Tendulkar proved today that this indeed was true.

India scored 532 with the help of a scintillating Tendulkar century in the second test match of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground known as SCG.

In a day of fluctuating fortunes, Tendulkar’s unbeaten 154 runs took the battle to the Australians, who were looking to gain an upper hand, when two Indian wickets fell in quick succession.

Due to a stubborn resistance from the tail, India managed to score 532 runs, gaining a lead of 69 valuable runs.

Ishant Sharma was the last man out after scoring 23 runs, of which five were boundaries. He was caught and bowled by Brett Lee, giving the Aussies half an hour to bat before the close of the day.

Australia managed to score 13 runs without loosing a wicket, looking to take on the visitors on the fourth day of the play.

Earlier, the day belonged to Sachin Tendulkar, who scored a masterly 154, supported by a brash Harbhajan Singh, who scored 63. The duo managed a 129 partnership, with Harbhajan playing his unorthodox shots all over the ground.

It was Tendulkar, who batted cautiously in the first session and negotiated the Ausssie pace attack with a dour inning. But he changed gears immediately in the post lunch session, when Aussies put India on the mat with two quick wickets of MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble.

Dhoni cut a Brett Lee snorter from the back foot but managed only a nick to Adam Gilchrist. Captain Anil Kumble, otherwise known for stodgy resistance, also fell to the same combination.

It was at this juncture that Tendulkar changed to an attacking mode and played some delectable shots to reach his hundred.

Indian shying away from result-oriented dialogue: Geelani

2007-12-23T22:23:00.000-08:00

KT NEWS SERVICEJAMMU

Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani today accused Indian government of shying away from holding a result oriented discourse aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue. "Had the Indian government understood the importance of our open doors and hearts, they would have engaged us in a meaningful dialogue intended at resolving the long pending Kashmir issue in coherence with the wishes and aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir," said senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Politics:worst tumult to remember

2007-12-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

Nirbhay Jammual Jammu Dec 23

Some described it as the politics of convenience other termed the politics of compulsion. Whatever description one may choose, but the year 2007 remained as the year of political tumult for Jammu and Kashmir. The year began at a high political note as the budget session was advanced to January instead of the routine February-March calendar. The Opposition National Conference which was seen more as a friend of the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during the previous assembly sessions was not all the same.

12 top hm militants surrender before CM in J&K

2007-12-23T22:05:00.001-08:00

excelsior correspondent

Twelve top militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit today surrendered before Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in Ramban as Mr Azad called upon parents of the ultras and the people who matter to persuade more and more militants to lay down arms and join national mainstream.
Surrender by a dozen militants, who were operating in different parts of the State for a period ranging between two to seven years, was the result of two month long constant efforts put in by Kashmir police under direct supervision of DGP Kuldeep Khoda and IGP Kashmir S M Sahai.

The ultras, who had been kept in safe custody and tight security at an undisclosed place since last evening, surrendered before Mr Azad in the presence of Mr Khoda, Mr Sahai, IGP Jammu Dr Shesh Pal Vaid, Deputy Commissioner Ramban A D Shanas and SP Ramban Basant Rath.

Baglihar to go operational in June next: AzadCM, Jora inspect pace of work on mega project

2007-12-23T09:02:00.000-08:00

Ramban, December 23 – Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Sunday that 450 MW first phase of Baglihar Hydel Power Project would become operational by June next, adding that the completion of 450 MW second phase of the project in near future would considerably improve the power position in Jammu and Kashmir.
Azad was speaking with media persons after inspecting the pace of work on Baglihar Hydel Project near here. He said that the work on the prestigious project has picked up fast during the past over one year and is being executed round the clock. The Chief Minister inspected work on the dam and power house. He was briefed by the executing authorities about the status of various components of the project.

He also interacted with engineers and other manpower engaged in the construction of the project. The Baglihar Hydel Power Project is the biggest electricity generating project coming up in the state sector. The pace of work on the project had slowed down in the past, breaking the target date of its completion. However, the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad after taking over the responsibilities of the State personally monitored the execution of the prestigious project and visited the site several times. He made it clear to the executing agency to complete it without further delay as the State was badly in need of power.

Today's visit to the project site was part of his effort to speed up the early completion of the project. Minister for Power, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, District Development Commissioner, Ramban, A. D. Shanas, Executive Director, Baglihar Hydel Project, V. K. Malhotra, Chief Engineer, Power Development Corporation, Electric, S. K. Raina, Chief Engineer, Civil, R. A. Kamli and other senior officers were present on the occasion.

Pak citizens oblivious while Musharraf is endorsed, Sharif debarred

2007-09-16T03:16:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Behl

Political events unfolding in Pakistan have raised adrenalin in most parts of the world but the average Pakistani on the streets is oblivious of the hype created by chasm between the army and Pakistan politicians.

PEOPLE FEEL that this is a just a war of interests between Military and political mafia of the country, who wants to serve their own selfish ends. Battle is not between dictatorship and democracy but for owning Pakistan and using, rather misusing her resources like a personal fiefdom, feels an average Pakistan citizen.
Striking a despondent note on the future, Abdul Sattar, an electrical engineer, living in Karachi, says, “Forget about democracy in Pakistan. It is basically feudal-cum-military society ruling at the top, either one of them will be owning us and any one point of time.”
Not ready to discuss the political situation, Sattar told merinews that future of Pakistan was decided in America and an average Pakistani had no role to play in the entire game.
“We are still a colony and decisions are made in Riyadh, Dubai, London and Washington,” he said, echoing the views of large number of citizens on the streets.
Interacting with Pakistanis it becomes clear that they want to break from the extremes imposed by religious fundamentalists as well the military rule.
Sandwiched between the devil and the deep sea, Adnan, a software professional from Karachi, said, “People are fed up with the military rule of Musharraf. They want democracy but they are helpless.” He added that Pak president had outlived his utility and was more of a burden to the country.
Accusing Musharraf of diluting the concept of Jehad, which was one of the most fundamental precepts of Islam, Adnan opined that Pakistanis do not like the blind modernism promoted by him.
“We want to live peacefully and are least concerned with politics of the country,” he added.
From what is emerging it becomes clear that people are resigned to their fate and though angry at the treatment meted out to Sharif are obviously not in love with ‘Mian Sahib’, as Sharif is popularly called.
Identified more with Punjab than with other areas of Pakistan, Sharif’s arrest and subsequent deportation has not caused much stir outside Punjab.
A resident of Lahore, Mohd Imran Zafar, Network engineer, said that situation was quite normal.
“Yahan par sab kuch normal hai aur traffic bhi aam dinon ki tarah hi chal raha hai (everything is normal here and the traffic on the roads too is normal)”, he told this scribe over the phone from Lahore. He however said that there was lot of support for former Pakistan premier and people want that he should come back.
Instead of talking about their political future, if you talk to Pakistanis they prefer discussing Indian heroines particularly Ashwarya and Kareena. This became evident when, Abdul Sattar, the electrical engineer from Karachi said “Forget about democracy in Pakistan tell me how is Aishwarya Rai and how is her marriage with Abhishek?”
Adding somewhat wistfully, “Yeah, the situation in Pakistan is really sad and depressing but actresses from India give us the high.”
Meanwhile, ignorant of what majority of Pakistan wants, the military government in Pakistan barred the former Prime Minister from participating in the ensuing elections saying that he had already been convicted in a case.
On the contrary the Federal Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz endorsed the re-election of President Musharraf, to ensure the stability, security and growth of Pakistan.

Pakistan tense, Nawaz Sharief deported to Saudi Arabia

2007-09-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Behl

Pakistan witnessed high drama today as a defiant Nawaz Sharief reached Pakistan to challenge the military might of Musharraf regime. A tension full day came to a close when Mian Sahib was deported to Saudi Arabia.

EVEN AS THE Pakistan president tried to defuse the explosive situation by deporting Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Nawaz Sharief to Jeddah, the mood in the country is volatile.
The former Premier had reached Jeddah on Monday evening. He was taken to an undisclosed location in Saudi Arabia under heavy security.

In Pakistan, a virtual martial law was imposed in Punjab, considered to be the bastion of the Sharief clan.
Thousands of PML-N activists were put behind bars by the Army regime including central as well as provincial leadership across the country.
Eyewitnesses said that all roads leading to Islamabad were closed and heavy containers were stationed at bridges to stop the movement of vehicles in the city.

http://merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=126194

Indian websites hacked: Swiss hacker offers free solution

2007-09-02T00:18:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Behl

The man, who hacked the email addresses and websites of Indian embassies and government sites throughout the world has offered to fix the problem in five minutes and that too free of cost.

DAN EGARSTAD, a Swiss, who runs the site derangedsecurity.com during an exclusive interview with merinews.com said that hacking the emails and sites was a two minute job for him and he would rectify the same if different governments contact him.

“I am a security expert and I was just doing a simple experiment, when I hit upon this discovery, wherein I could break into the websites and email addresses of a majority of Indian Embassies located in foreign countries,” he said, adding that this could prove to be major security risk as very sensitive data is handled by some of these organisations.

When asked if he had tried to contact Indian government, Dan replied in negative, saying that his experience with private companies and governments has been extremely bad. “I tried to contact a private company but they behaved very badly with me and threatened to take legal action against me” said the security maverick.

The reason behind first hacking and the posting the email addresses and passwords of these establishments on his website, he said was only to create awareness among the governments and administrators regarding internet security.

“What is surprising is the attitude of the establishments which do not care about the security of their internet platforms. No one has cared to contact me and ask the fix for this problem,” said the Swiss citizen while talking to Merinews.

Asserting that he was an ethical hacker and had no axe to grind, Dan Egerstad said that if the governments and companies can call for a fix of the problem fee of cost, “I won’t charge them any money,” he reiterated.

How easy it is to break into a site or someone’s email address becomes clear, when he says, “I can teach a person with basic security knowledge to break into a website or email address within 5 minutes,” he however, refused to teach the same to this correspondent, when asked to do so.

Ready to help anyone and everyone in this regard, Dan said “If the authorities have not yet figured to plug the holes then they can contact me and I am ready to help.” He further revealed that despite the security breach a number of websites and their administrators had not responded so far. “They are still having the same password and have not made any changes which is not very professional and is quite irresponsible,” he added.

The Indian sites which have been hacked include Indian embassy in Sweden, Defence Research Development Organization, Indian Embassy in USA, Indian Embassy in Germany, Indian Embassy in Finland and a number of other important websites and emails belonging to different countries and users.

Hyderabad bomb blasts demonstrate holes in Indian establishment

2007-08-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Behl, www.merinews.com

Even as UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi called for fighting terrorism in the Gandhian way, two terrible blasts ripped apart Hyderabad killing at least 40 persons and injuring many more.
She said this while delivering a lecture in Cape town University in South Africa, while terrorists, who obviously have no faith in Gandhian ways planned and executed their attack to perfection.
The inhuman blasts in Hyderabad have once again proved the failure of Indian intelligence and security agencies in preempting the actions of terrorists operating in the country. Political failure of the Indian establishment is evident and as a usual Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil is scheduled to visit the spot where the actual blasts took place.
National security Guards are already there, the Leader of the opposition will be visiting Hyderabad and the usual post blast voices will be made. Money and jobs will be offered to the families of those killed, a special investigating team will be constituted and and after few months all will be forgotten, till another blast hits the nation.

Being the most powerful politician in the country, Sonia’s statement assumes significance as her words set the tone for the administration and governance of the country. Congress government particularly Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil have time and again failed to ensure that justice is done to the perpetrators of these crimes.
Even as hundreds of Indians have been mowed down by terror attacks in Hyderabad, Kashmir, Delhi, Varanasi, Bombay, Malegaon and many other places, the UPA government has failed to provide leadership to the country.
The most important question is whether the government has any concerted plan to fight terrorism? After suffering for so many years have we evolved a plan as to how to check the global terrorists, who are bent upon killing the people?
Are the local police and security men trained to take on the might of these highly motivated but misguided men.

The answer to these questions is plain no. Even if the Indian government has any poper plan to tackle terror its results are evident, India is not safe. Terrorists are planning and executing their operations with impunity and government has no concrete solution to offer against this menace.
Only thing which the government can do is add more Zs to the security of its own ministers and bureaucrats, who are already well protected and over fed. If a proper audit of the Indian security system is done then it will be obvious that ninety percent of the resources meant for protecting the public are usurped by Indian politicians, VIPs bureaucrats and their families.

Hyderabad has been on the hit list of terrorists and this is what the pan-Islamic jihadi terrorist organisations in Pakistan, which are members of Osama bin Laden's International Islamic Front (IIF), have been saying even long before the IIF was formed in February, 1998.
Top Indian Terrorism expert, BV Raman, writes “They look upon Hyderabad and Junagadh as Pakistani territory, which should have come to Pakistan in 1947. They also look upon them as legitimate lands of the Ummah, which should be restored to the Ummah. They project their jihad as a three-phase struggle. Under Phase I, they would "liberate" J&K. Under Phase II, they would "free" Hyderabad and Junagadh from "Hindu control." And under Phase III, they say they would "liberate" the Muslims in other parts of India.”
Indian government must wake up from the deep slumber and formulate an effective policy against the Pakistan based terrorists. The Congress government and its Left allies will have to stop appeasing Pakistan, a country which has been branded as exporter of global jihad.
Life of every Indian is precious and the government should stop treating this loss of lives as routine which it has been doing for the last many years. If this is not done at the earliest, chances are more blasts will rip through the Indian cities and kill many more.

And it is not that only ordinary Indians will die, but even those rich, powerful and influential Indians, who do not visit the chaat Bhandars, public parks and bus stands will face annihilation, though their number may come next in the game of global jehad.

Japanese PM draws a new painting of Indo-Japan relations

2007-08-24T19:55:00.000-07:00

Abhishek Behl, http://www.merinews.com/

“Stronger India is in the interest of Japan, while a strong Japan is in the interest of India and both countries have started working towards building an enduring relationship which is mutually beneficial to the people of both countries”- Shinzo Abe.

AT THE FUNCTION organised by India Center Foundation on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minster Mr. Abe, inaugurated and added colours to a canvas to portray the new picture of Indo-Japan relations.

Cutting across political ideologies, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi joined hands and came together on stage with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to add colours to the canvas, signifying a rare unanimity on Indo-Japan relations.

While Abe painted the red hued Sun, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje Sindhia added her own signature style and engulfed the sun with vibrant orange and brown, signifying energy and power.

A large number of dignitaries, who were present on the occasion used the brush with enthusiasm and panache and filled the canvas with vivid colours signifying the improving relations between the two countries. An abundance of red, yellow, green and browns ware filled by leading politicians, industry leaders and bureaucrats including Minister of State for Planning MV Raj Shekharan, former Defence Minister George Fernandes, Gautam Adani, chairman Adani Group, Rajesh Shah, chairman Mukund Steel, President FICCI Amit Mitra, Girish Kumar Sanghi, MP; Suresh Prabhu, MP; Aloke Mehta, MP;Vijay Darda, MP, Lalit Modi, Ram Jethmalani, Dilip Padgaonkar, Sudeendhra Kulkarni, Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah and many others.

Japanese Ambassador Yasukuni Enoki was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that India and Japan have entered a new phase of friendship, which would significantly impact the world.

The relations which had been silent for the past 10-years are now growing at a rapid pace as Japan has re-discovered India and both are natural allies in the road towards progress, said the Japanese Prime Minister while appreciating the work done by India Center Foundation in strengthening the relations between the two countries. The Foundation and particularly it’s chairman Vibhav Kant Upadhyay, he said has played a vital role in building cultural, social and economic linkages between the two countries.

Welcoming the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said that Abe’s visit to India was a historic one and marked the high watermark of Indo-Japanese relations.

Extending warm welcome to Japanese entrepreneurs in Gujarat, Modi said that they were aiming at building a mini-Japan in Gujarat that would be a hub of industrial growth in the country.

CPI(M) general secretary, Sitaram Yechury, recalled that Prime Minister Abe was the grandson of the first post-war Prime Minister of Japan and was playing a crucial role in improving the Indo-Japan relations. Both India and Japan complement each other and if they build a strong relationship, they can reach the pinnacle of the new pecking order in the world, he added.

Dwelling on the role played by India Center Foundation, chairman Vibhav Kant Upadhyay said “India and Japan are natural friends and friendship between two countries will benefit and service the world besides the two nations.”

Here it must be mentioned that India Center Foundation has played a crucial role in promoting India-Japan relations and it was instrumental in the successful creation of India-Japan global partnership which was announced by the Prime Ministers’ of both the countries in the wake of post-Pokharan sanctions. India Center Foundation was established in 1996 with the vision of catalyzing the relationship between the two countries.

Earlier, addressing a business meeting organised jointly by FICCI, CII and ASSOCHAM, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underlined the need for a bilateral currency swap agreement and called upon the private sector in both countries to assist their respective governments in meeting the challenge of climate change that Japan and India have decided to tackle at the global level.

Mr. Abe reiterated his government’s commitment to assist India in infrastructure development, particularly the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata Dedicated Freight Corridors and Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.

Chaos stalls proceedings in assembly second dayRather, Qarra exchange heated words; NC, PP legislators protest

2007-08-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

Athar Parvaiz

SRINAGAR, Aug 22: Chaotic scenes dominated the proceedings of in the state assembly for the second consecutive day and the scheduled business got suspended with the legislators in opposition benches protesting in favour of their persistent demands.
The speaker had to enforce adjournment thrice as every attempt to resume the scheduled business proved unsuccessful. Prior to the adjournment of the house on the third and final occasion, leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister,

Tariq Hameed Qarra exchanged words of criticism and disparagement. They also made arguments in favour of their respective benches and both of them refused to take the responsibility of the resultant chaos on the two successive days. Later, Rather further elaborated his and his party's viewpoint during a press conference outside the assembly complex.
The high drama began at the very outset today as the legislators from district Kupwara, donning black aprons, inscribed with the slogan "Estehsal Bandh Karo", walked into the well of the house and demanded immediate attention towards the far-flung district. They said that the district has altogether been ignored just because people of Kupwara have elected NC candidates. Those who raised slogans included: Qaiser Jamshed, Kafeel-ur-Rehman, Mir Saifullah and Sharief-u-Din Shariq. Jamshed and his other colleagues were later forced to leave the house as the speaker observed that they were disprupting the proceedings.

Mubarak Gul and legislators of Panthers Party also chose to get assertive in favour of their respective demands. Mubarak demanded attention about the "deteriorating condition of Srinagar city" whereas legislators of Panthers Party demanded immediate revocation of suspension of Harsh Dev Singh. Harsh was suspended by the Speaker on Tuesday after senior Congress leader, Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma moved a motion for his suspension.

All the members later raised joint slogans: "Nekami Sarkar Hai Hai.. Choroon Ki Sarkar Hai Hai." Finding the members unrelenting, the speaker adjourned the house for 10 minutes (which ultimately continued for more than an hour). When the attempt was made for the second time to resume the "business" at 12:05 pm, Panthers Party (PP) legislators started raising fierce slogans in favour of revocation of suspension orders against their leader, Harsh Dev Singh.

Jammu and Kashmir in nutshell today:Drama in Jamm and Kashmir assembly

2007-08-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

Amid continuous clashes in Assembly, Cong comes closer to PDP, Panthers to NCOn day 2 of failed business, Govt hints at aborting session

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Aug 22: Continuous clashes on varied issues between the Opposition and the ruling coalition on the second consecutive day in the Legislative Assembly today concluded with the senior Congress leader and Minister incharge CAPD Taj Mohiuddin's revelation that the Government would ask the Speaker to adjourn the current session sine die if National Conference (NC) persisted with its 'tactics of disrupting the business'. The House witnessed mayhem as NC's MLAs from Kupwara sought "justice" to their district and three of the Panthers Party's MLAs demanded revocation of the suspension of their colleague Harsh Dev Singh who had been punished on Tuesday for allegedly threatening to murder Minister for Rural Development, Jugal Kishore Sharma.

"We are seriously thinking to request the Speaker to adjourn this session sine die if National Conference did not discard its tactics of disrupting the business in the House", Taj Mohiuddin threatened at an interaction with media on premises of Legislative Assembly. According to him, the "real cause" of NC's indignation was that the senior PDP leader and Minister incharge Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Tariq Hameed Qarra, had touched some sensitive nerves of the Opposition leaders by exposing their "doublespeak".

He said it was utterly unfortunate that senior NC leaders, who have been members of the House for over 25 years, used "derogatory language" to silence Mr Qarra. "They shouted that the Minister had gone mad", Taj referred to the leader of the Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather's unexpunged remarks on the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. Speaking on behalf of his Congress party, Taj said: "We endorse each and every word of the Law Minister".

Taj's outburst came minutes after he came out of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad's chambers, clearly to express his party's solidarity with the ruling coalition sibling. He was escorted to the dais by a number of the coalition MLAs and Ministers, notably PDP's Abdul Aziz Zargar and Dilawar Mir besides Jugal Kishore of Congress. Taj and Zargar accosted the journalists immediately after NC's Abdul Rahim Rather and Panthers Party's Balwant Singh Mankotia lashed out on the coalition Government separately at a platform created by the State Information Department. Both, Taj and Zargar held NC and PP members responsible for disrupting the business and "playing with the sentiments of the people". They said that the Opposition had run out of the issues and was taking refuge under "cheap histrionics". Rather and Mankotia had earlier separately put the blame of disrupting the business on the Treasury Benches.
Briefing mediapersons, Rather said that in his earlier statement in the Assembly today, Mr Qarra had presented himself as a "mad man". "As everything was turning calm, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister got up without any reason and made an impromptu outburst on the Opposition. I did seriously realise that the Minister had turned mad. I told the Speaker that the Minister had some mental problem and was in need of a medical examination. I told him that we had a well equipped mental hospital with qualified doctors here", an unusually irritated Rather vomitted.

He alleged that the Law Minister's tantrums, coupled with the Speaker's repeated orders of adjournment, were "part of a conspiracy to scuttle business of the House". In his briefing, Mankotia lamented that the Speaker had taken extreme action against Harsh Dev Singh for a disputed incident that had occurred outside the Assembly but he had not explained under what rule of the business he had entertained the Congress leader Mangat Ram Sharma's motion and hastily expelled an elected representative.

NC's, PP's and the coalition's briefings and counter-briefings were understandably preceded by hours of unruly scenes on day three of the current session in Assembly. With the Speaker's arrival, three of NC's MLAs from Kupwara---Kafeel-ur-Rehman, Qaisar Jamsheed Lone and Mir Saifullah---emerged on the well while shouting slogans and seeking "justice" to their backward district in development. Wearing black aprons, emblazoned with bold slogans in Urdu, all the three MLAs continued with their dramatic demonstration, forcing the Speaker to order an adjournment of 10 minutes. Proceedings, however, resumed after a pause of one hour. When the agitating MLAs, supported by many of their party colleagues from their seats, persisted with the drama, their own party colleague and Deputy Speaker, Mohammad Akbar Lone, who was this time in chair, ordered watch and ward staff to take them out.

Even as everybody seemed to be appreciative of the Deputy Speaker's action and Speaker Tara Chand took the seat in a relaxed atmosphere, Mr Rather got up and requested Mr Tara Chand to withdraw Harsh Dev Singh's suspension for rest of the session. Speaker told him that he had received the submission and would consider it properly before coming up with his decision. On this occasion, NC's senior leader Ali Mohammad Sagar too got up and began disputing the penal action against the PP's MLA as "unwarranted, unjustified and unconstitutional". It immediately ignited all three of the PP MLAs who began shouting volleys of slogans and occupied the well. As the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mr Qarra got up and began making a statement, PP's Balwant Singh Mankotia began gesticulating and snatched away his microphone. This prompted the watch and ward staff to quickly run to the Minister's rescue and drag out all three of the PP MLAs.

Taking umbrage on the ruckus caused by the NC and the PP MLAs over Harsh Dev's suspension, Qarra turned bitter and directed his ire on Rather. Continuing his hard-hitting speech, he slapped the accusation of "doublespeak" on Rather and shouted that the latter had proved himself as incompetent in functioning as Leader of the Opposition. "Mr Rather, don't you have any control on your members. This pandemonium has questioned your competence as Leader of the Opposition", he shouted on the NC leader. He claimed that Mr Rather had assured maintenance of order from the Opposition in his meetings with the Minister and the Speaker but he was encouraging and provoking a many members in the Opposition to create mayhem.

"This is all a drama to demonstrate to the media as you people have no issue to confront the Government. Why doesn't the Leader of Opposition know as to where the black aprons of his MLAs came from. We'll hold you accountable--- in the people's court", Qarra grumbled and evoked louder slogans from the Opposition. "Mr Speaker, you'll have to think if this House could run with this pandemonium. You'll have to take an appropriate decision", Qarra directed on the Speaker.
As Qarra paused with thumping of desks in his praise by several PDP and Congress members, Rather retorted in the din of anti-Government slogans by NC MLAs that the Minister incharge Parliamentary Affairs had turned "mad". This prompted Speaker Mr Tara Chand to adjourn the business till tomorrow. Significantly, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was present in his chambers and also visited a medical camp outside on Shergarhi Lawns, distanced himself from the mayhem and did not enter the House.
Three-hour-long drama on the floor of Assembly came at the cost of authorities subjecting hundreds of thousands of people to untold suffering outside. Entire public movement remains frozen in the top business streets of Budshah Chowk, Maisuma, Koker Bazar, Jehangir Chowk and parts of Hari Singh High Street from beginning to end of every day's business in the Legislature. While the shopkeepers have been complaining losses worth Rs 20 to 50 cr every day, residents and other commuters have got to live in a curfew-like situation. Any demand of relaxation is being perceived by the authorities as comprise to security guidelines.

Speaker's announcement of adjournment was quickly followed by leaders of all the political parties approaching media and attempting to convince them that their rivals were responsible for failure of business on yesterday and today. When journalists asked Taj Mohiuddin why the session had not been held at SKICC if the Government, according to him, was really concerned about the people's suffering outside, he pleaded that the convention complex had been booked by different parties one to two years in advance. He said it was impossible for the Government to disturb the conferences at SKICC. When it was pointed out to him that no international conference was booked at SKICC during the current session of legislature, he said that he would check the records.

While Minister for Rural Development, Jugal Kishore, explained to the journalists as to how and why the PP members had been threatening and abusing him for "pre-empting the exploitation of Talwara migrants" in Reasi area, PP's President and MLC Bhim Singh spread fire in all directions, with the exception of NC and BJP. He alleged that Jammu Police had unleashed a reign of terror on his workers and Talwara migrants on the directions of Chief Minister and senior Police officials in Jammu. He alleged that most of the Congress party's MLAs and Ministers had swindled an amount of Rs 70 cr which Government of India had provided for the relief of Talwara migrants on a direction from Supreme Court. In an explicit allegation, he claimed that Taj Mohiuddin had grabbed 500 kanals of land at river Tawi in Jammu city in addition to spending Rs 5 cr of State exchequer on his private bungalow. He held out a threat that his party would continue agitation until Harsh Dev Singh's suspension was revoked by the Speaker.