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COVER FEB 28th 2009

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Kashmir resolution process

Civil Society has role to play

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said the State’s democratic and civil society institutions must get actively involved in the Kashmir resolution process to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region. Addressing separate conventions of the party’s Urban and Rural units of Jammu here today Sayeed said the State’s political and democratic institutions must assert themselves as a matter of right and not as a concession. “Substantial measures need to be taken now to consolidate the peace and resolution efforts,” he said and added that the instruments of the State administration must have a greater role in the matters of governance and the internal security. “That is of fundamental importance to allow the democratic institutions of the State to grow and flourish,” he said.

Strongly condemning the latest tragic incidents of civilian killings at Kupwara and Bandipora, Sayeed said despite repeated assurances, even at the Prime Minister’s level, recurrence of such terrible incidents is not only uncalled for but demands concrete action on ground to salvage the hurt public psyche and bruised dignity. He said dealing with such incidents on case-to-case basis is going to prove inadequate in curbing the menace till the security forces continue to enjoy the impunity under the special laws imposed in the State for the past two decades.

Reiterating the party’s demand for troop reduction and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) as outlined in the PDP’s Self-Rule agenda, Sayeed said the time has come, when instead of relying on the length of the gun and strength of the bullet, the Government must genuinely engage with the people’s aspirations to work for lasting peace in the State. “If political solutions are not accompanied with sincerity of purpose and concrete action, possibility of lasting peace would recede,” he said and added that while the recent initiatives of the Government of India in this regard are a welcome step, the process, however, needs to be stepped up and made more comprehensive to positively impact the fast-changing situation in the State.

Sayeed called for substantive action on the reconciliatory measures including revocation of AFSPA, reduction of troops, rehabilitation of the victims of violence irrespective of their affiliation, safe passage to the youth who had gone across for armed training and are now keen to return and live normal lives, devising a rehabilitation and relaxation package for the militants who have forsworn violence, improving employability avenues for the educated unemployed youth, ensuring social security for the large number of widows, orphans and destitute and putting in place a comprehensive economic development program for the State. “Thinning the deployment of troops in the State would not only signal a commitment to carrying forward the peace process, but would be a significant goodwill message to the people of Jammu & Kashmir,” he said and added that the Central Government must look beyond the traditional notions of security and instead focus on inclusive peace in Jammu & Kashmir.

The PDP Patron emphasized that the Government of India should speed up the process of implementing the intra-State confidence building measures proposed by the Working Groups.

Terror infrastructure still intact in Pakistan

Indian Army chief, General Deepak Kapoor has claimed that the militant infrastructure still exists in various parts of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan continues to provide support to various militant organizations. “Terror infrastructure in Pakistan exists and is very much active, as more than 30 militant training camps are still active in the country, “Gen Deepak Kapoor, said while talking to reporters in New Delhi.”Pakistan seeks to convey an impression that it is taking action against terrorists and their infrastructure but the infrastructure was still active,” he said.

The number of camps “on the other side” can “safely” be placed between 30 and 50, he said, adding that there had been a significant increase in such camps from 32 in 2005 to 53 in 2008.

Gen Deepak Kapoor, considered a veteran in military affairs has served as chief of the Northern Command which includes Jammu and Kashmir. “Most of these camps are located parallel along the Line of Control (LoC) and between 10 and 50 km away from the LoC. The numbers of these camps have been varying at times,” he said. “I would rather put it that the infrastructure is active. Yes I would put it that way. I would not talk about the numbers specifically right now because of the fact that some of these are closed. But infrastructure is existing and active”.

Touch the Sky with Glory

The Indian Air Force set up a publicity stall during the two days Red Cross Exhibition cum Fari organized at Kala Kendra Jammu on 7 & 8 February 2009.

Youth of Jammu visited the stall with enthusiasm and josh and gathered lot of information about the avenues and opportunities as career in Indian Air Force the fourth largest Air Force of world.

Honorable Janab Omar Abdullah visited the stall and was impressed by the preparation and information made available to the Young aspirants. Various displays about Akash Yodha, Surya Kiran Show, and Operation Hum Safar along with pamphlets containing information about the entry in Indian Air Force in all ranks were provided.

BHADARWAH DIARY

BY: MAJID MALIK

BDO who has won hearts

There is no denying that during the regime of the former Chief Minister G N Azad more and more funds were pumped in to Bhaderwah for making it a model constituency. Though Mr. Azad is no more in the seat of power (CM) most of the works started in his tenure are now at the completion stage courtesy the honest and sincere efforts of the local BDO, Anil Thakur.

Block Bhaderwah has 42 Panchayats and almost in each Panchayat developmental works are going on under NREGA scheme. Out of these 192 schemes work on 112 schemes has since been completed and others are likely to be completed at the end of the on going financial year. At BDO office Bhaderwah, 36 cases of IAY stood identified by the Gram Sabha and funds were released for constructions of houses under the scheme. On the recommendations of the 12th FCA Finance Commission, 100 toilets have been completed in villages of Bhaderwah Block and on the spot payments were given to local villagers as wages. Under Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), 123 educational institutions including all Higher Secondary Schools, High Schools and Middle Schools of Bhaderwah constituency have been provided toilets. The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) scheme is also being implemented in Block Bhaderwah under which double stories were raised in 30 Panchayats including one at village Panjgrain besides developing two parks in the same village. Not only this, on the Model Villages 90% work stands already completed besides providing assistance to 148 BPL families for upgradeing their houses at Thanala village. In the same village, 148 people were given monetary help under IAY scheme.

People of Bhadarwah give credit for this all to the concerned BDO for his sincere efforts. According to them the BDO Bhaderwah needs due appreciation from the authorities for implementing the schemes and utilizing the funds in right earnest thereby ensuring the development of his Block at fast pace. “The State needs officers of Anil Thakur’s type”, they opine.

Corruption in R&B Division

Despite government’s resolve to fight out the menace of corruption there is hardly any sign of its level coming down. The reason being that when corruption is the easiest way to become rich why shouldn’t those having powers to do corruption not make best use of it? Like elsewhere in Bhadarwah also corruption in almost all departments is on the rise. Following is a glaring example of corruption though not the only one: In R&B Division Bhadarwah, the contractors mostly serving employees doing works on somebody else’s Cards are allotted works by the allotting authorities. Though the jobs are completed well within the time frame, their end comes much earlier and this happens because the material used in the construction works is so sub-standard that the structures fall even before their payments are released.

The stretch of road near Jama Masjid Bridge was decided to be provided with parapets. The idea being great, tenders were invited without wasting time and the lowest bidder allotted the job. The job was taken up in the right earnest and he was completed well within completion schedule. But alas, the whole structure crumbled within a week and the reason behind the collapse was stated to be the use of sub-standard material in the construction work.

As the practice has been, the concerned contractor will be made the payment for a job that now does not exist and this all would be manipulated with active connivance of the engineers of the concerned department.

Shooting of serial Mata Ki Chowki

TV and Film Actress Mona Ambegasukar was here in Bhadarwah in connection with the shooting of serial Mata Ki Chowki (a serial on Mata Vashino Devi). This is for the first time since 1980 after the shooting of film Noori that shooting of some serials is going on in Bhadarwah. People from twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar are coming to see the shooting. Mona has already to credit films like ‘Mangal Panday’ and ‘Hijack’. She has also acted in TV serials like Amber Dhara and CID. People of Bhaderwah enjoyed the shooting at Seri Bazaar Bhadarwah. Needless to say the cine actors are here due to the efforts of Talat Parveez the C.E.O. of Bhadarwah Development Authority.

DISTRICT: DODA

Kither Cleared of Killers

..For us they are the devils and fighting against them by standing shoulder to shoulder with Indian army is real jehad for us..

BY MAJID MALIK FORM BHADARWAH

Kithar which can be genuinely described as another Kaka Hill has been freed after over 15 years of militant’s occupation. Kither, a remote village in the hills of Bhalessa (Distt. Doda) was under direct control of militants since 90’s. Situated at a height of 2300 mts. above sea level, Kither is bounded with Padder in the north; Himachal Pardesh in south and south east; Bhadarwah in south west and Kishtwar town in north west. The area has 120 houses scattered in small hamlets with a population of 2000 souls. In 1990 when militancy raised its ugly head it was this area that provided base for militant outfits like Al-Jehad, H.M, Harkat-Ul-Ansar and now LeT to train new recruits and to carry out operations in the entire length and breadth of Jammu Province. Due to its tough terrain it was almost inaccessible for security forces to launch operations in the area. In 2001, troops of 26RR launched Hill Down operation to flush out militants from Kither, but the operation failed and resulted in the casualties of 11 army personals. During 2002 -07 the same troops remained engaged against the militants, but failure greeted them with 8-10 troops sacrificing their lives.

During this period barbarism was at its peak. Militants killed 14 civilians out of which 9 belonged to one family. Such was the height of barbarism that the head of a lady was shaven in presence of her vailing children. As if this was not enough, at least 8-10 cases of forced marriages with the girls of the unfortunate hamlets were witnessed and students were forced to carry food material and luggage of the militants. Such was the fear of militants that if some one was seen talking to any security personal he would be killed in full public view. The tragic account was narrated by one Shamas Gujjar who according to him had seen his 3 family members being lynched by militants on fake and false charges of spying.

Last month, the troops of 26 RR in collaboration with contingents of State Police belonging to Thathri, Gandoh and Kishtwar Police Stations with active public support conducted Snow Leopard operation from all the sides of the hill despite heavy snow fall in this remote area, which culminated in to elimination of top brass of HM outfit including its Divisional Commander, Shamim Thool, District Doda Commander, Mohd Iqbal and Tehsil commander, Javeed Jat besides killing of 4 Lashker-e-Toiba and surrendering of 4 HM militants. In the gun battle 1 JCO and 3 police personals were also injured. Mean while 3 army personnels including 2,I/C of 26RR were critically injured while crossing a deep snow trench at zapak nalla in Kithar.

The villagers have appreciated the efforts of army that it did for freeing them from the clutches of the trigger happy militants. They said that since 90’s they were being harassed by the militants who had killed a large number of innocent civilians including women for none of their fault.

According to an army spokesman civilians including students were cooperating with troops in their efforts to clear the area of the last militant. “I have no hesitation to accept that the huge success that came to us wouldn’t have been possible had the civilians of the area preferred to abstain from the operation. “We had welcomed militants in early days of militancy believing that they had come to free us from the clutches of the infidel Indians, but experience of past fifteen years of their brutalities unleashed against the innocent population of the area has opened our eyes. We no longer see them as angels. For us they are the devils and fighting against them by standing shoulder to shoulder with Indian army is real jehad for us”. A senior citizen of the area claims.

The villagers of the area have demanded that special army and police recruitment should be organized by the government in order to provide job opportunities to the youths that would also help them to protect the people from the onslaught of the anti nationalist elements active in the hilly and far flung area.

Senior police officials claim that in light of the mounting pressure on the militants more surrenders were expected in near future. According to a surrendered militant local support to militants has come to an end and people are cooperating with the security forces rather with the militants as was the case in the early days when militants would move about in the hilly areas without any fear or problem.“A special recruitment drive would soon be launched in the district for those who want to join security forces”, claim Army sources.

Shortage of wheel chairs makes patients suffer at SKIMS

Emergency unit of Sher-e- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), the only tertiary care hospital of the valley is short of wheel chairs and trolleys given the rush of patients faced by the unit. The emergency unit which receives more than 150 patients everyday has only ten wheel chairs and fifteen trolleys causing serious inconvenience to the patients.

Considering the fact that the number of patients visiting the emergency in case of natural or man made catastrophe can increase, the lack of requisite number of trolleys and wheelchairs can lead to serious problems.”I had an elderly patient facing emergency and he was to be taken for diverse examinations, but there was no wheel chair or trolley available,” Shazada, an attendant with the patient complained.

The attendants and the patients have expressed disappointed with the hospital administration for the shortage of wheel chairs and trolleys. “My patient who was injured suffered more complicacies due to the unavailability of a trolley or wheel chair”, Mohammad Salim, another attendant said. “I had to carry him all by myself inside the ward”, he added.

Fayez Ahmad, another attendant of a patient said: “To take my patient for X-ray, I had to wait for hours together to get a wheelchair. Insufficient wheelchairs create immense problems. I too would have followed the same tactic as other attendants do, but it is a delicate case as one of the fore and hind limbs of the patient are fractured,” says Fayez, while pointing to the patient. The hospital authorities also seem at loss regarding the available stock.

However, the concerned nursing attendant explains “We are in need of at least 100 trolleys and wheel chairs, but unfortunately there are only 15 trolleys which are functional and only ten wheelchairs are at present used to carry patients”.

Lack of trolleys and wheel chairs that tells upon the critical condition of the emergency patients has not only been worrying patients and attendants, but also the nursing attendants of the hospital. “We not only lack wheel chairs and trolleys, but also nursing attendants”, said one of the nursing attendants who wished not to be named. He further adds, “When the inflow of patients is more we make them (patients) to sit on the floor”. In addition to the dearth of wheel chairs and trolleys, there is a dearth of beds also. To cater to the inflow of patients which can be above200 per day, the emergency unit has not more than 12 beds.

When contacted Dr. Sajad Ahmed Khan, Joint Director SKIMS told that the issue is of grave concern and authorities will look into the matter. He said that it is the responsibility of the Medical Superintendent of the hospital to take care of such things.

Report is prepared by PBI

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