Srinagar, April 21: (GNS) Nation-al Conference Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah Monday said BJP had made it amply clear in its manifesto that the party wanted a Uniform Civil Code in the country and this obviously implies that BJP wants to banish the Muslim Personal Law Board in this country despite the reli-gious sentiments of Muslims.National Conference Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah addressed an impressive pub-lic meeting at Chadoora, Budgam and said that Narendra Modi had an agenda of destruction and division and want-ed to spark another par-tition in the country. The remarks made by a BJP leader that all op-ponents of Modi are Pa-kistan supporters reflect the poison and venom that dictates the policies of BJP and Narendra Modi.Speaking at the public meeting which was organized by MLC Panchayati Raj and NC Dis-trict President

Budgam Ali Mohammad Dar, Dr. Farooq Abdullah BJP was out to wage a war not just against the minorities of India but also against the very idea of India. Narendra Modi speaks about development but refuses to talk about the multiculturalism and communal harmony that has bound this country together for centuries”.Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that BJP had also made it clear in its manifesto that Narendra Modi

wanted to abrogate Article 370 of the Indian Consti-

tution and hence destroy J&K’s Special Status.

Dr. Farooq said “Modi should know that there is a party called National Conference that has bled in the lanes of our towns and villages and sac-rificed in the annals of our history to safe-guard Article 370. Modi should know that a thousand Mo-di’s cannot stand in front of

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Srinagar, April 21: The former Union Home Secretary R K Singh Monday shot back at National Conference patron Farooq Ab-dullah, saying his remarks over the hanging of Mohammad Afzal Guru were ‘utter nonsense’.“He Farooq Abdullah is fully aware about the execution of Guru and is befooling people,” Singh told Srinagar-based news gather-ing agency GNS.Questioning Farooq’s silence when Guru was hanged on Feb-ruary 9, 2013, for abetting an at-tack on Indian parliament in 2001, Singh said: “Where was Farooq Abdulah at that time, why did he keep mum after his hanging.” He should not ‘speak non-sense’.He said Farooq’s son and Jammu

and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and Indian Prime Minis-ter Manmohan Singh were aware about the hanging.“Farooq should talk to his son, Prime Minister and Union Home

Minister,” he added.Blaming RK Singh, who has now joined the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Farooq Sunday said that they were kept in dark over the hanging of Guru.He said neither he nor another union minister from the state, Ghulam Nabi Azad, were even consulted when the decision to hang Guru was taken.“We lodged a complaint with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that why we were not consulted,” the NC president, seeking re-elec-tion from Srinagar Parliamentary constituency, said.Meanwhile, brother of Guru, Aijaz Guru termed Farooq’s remark as poll gimmick.

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TUESDAY 22 April | 2014 | 21 Jamadi-Ul-Saani, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 | VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 111 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 Paisa)Pen For Justice Largely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&Khttp://www.zabarwantimes.com

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Inside story

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Negotiations –only way forward

The disclosures made by Hurriyat conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali shah Geelani about meetings of two emissaries of BJP Prime ministeri-al candidate Narinder Modi and its strong rebuttal by the Chairman of APHC (U) Group Molvi Umar Farooq has opened a hot debate not only in J&K but in the whole sub continent. Though BJP has also vehemently denied that any of Narinder Modi’s representatives met any Hurriyat leader including Syed Ali Shah Gee-lani but the APHC (G) has remained consistent on its statement. It doesn’t

Every necessary step should be taken to spread Adult Literacy to the maximum extent: First Lady

PG 06 PG 10 PG 06

Patient’s death sparks protest

at Hospital

JAMMU, APRIL 21: Mr. N.N. Vohra, Governor, emphasized the impor-tance of the National Cadet Corps being promoted in the maximum possible number of educational insti-tutions in the State. He said that such training imbues the youth with disci-pline, moral courage and the capacity to deal with unforeseen exigencies working as members of a team. He said this while presiding over the 76th

Governor directs Home Department for early disposal of pending cases

Becomes rockstar Rift with parents

Ex-home secy shoots backNC will stand as a wall between

BJP and J&K: Dr. Farooq

Says Farooq’s remark ‘utter non-sense’

Srinagar, April 21: Chief Min-ister Omar Abdullah, who is also Working President of the National Conference, said that by defeating PDP in the current Lok Sabha Elections people would be ensuring the defeat of communal forces spearheaded by Narendra Modi. He added that defeating PDP would also amount to a defeat of falsehood and deceptive politics.“Both PDP and BJP are skilled at flaring up emotions, divid-ing various sections of the soci-ety, polarizing the atmosphere and making false promises which they have conveniently shelved whenever they came to power”, Omar Abdullah said while addressing election ral-lies at Dooru and Kokernag in South Kashmir on Monday.Omar said that BJP pledge in its manifesto about abrogation of Article 370, enactment of the Uniform Civil Code and con-structing a Temple at the site of Babri Masjid at Ayodhya were all indication of the communal

mindset of Narendra Modi. He said PDP is an active accom-plice and partner of BJP’s con-spiracy to divide the people on communal lines and is working day and night to help Narendra Modi in his pursuit to be the Prime Minister of India.Omar Abdullah said that bar-tering the interests of Jammu and Kashmir for Chief Min-istership has been the hand-

iwork of PDP in the past. He said PDP’s interests in trading innocent lives and emotions of the people became amply clear when this party came to pow-er in the State. “The hidden face of PDP got revealed before the masses through their an-ti-people agenda and behavior during its tenure in the pow-er”, Omar Abdullah

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Defeat falsehood, defeat PDPRahul tested friend of J&K: OmarAzad describes PDP a new born child

Srinagar, April 21: The latest rift between paral-lel factions of Hurriyat Conference has erupted at a time when parliamenta-ry polls are days away in Kashmir. Though the rift and war of words between the chief of Hurriyat fac-tions in Kashmir is not new, but this time, it has erupted at a crucial time as they have called for boycott of polls.“There is already divi-sion in Hurriyat camp and now this infighting. Hurriyat is losing credi-bility and people are also losing faith in leadership. So, it will weaken their appeal (poll boycott),” Noor Muhammad Baba, who is a Political Science professor at the Universi-ty of Kashmir, told GNS.He said leaders must ex-hibit to lead people and put their influence. He, however, adds: “Those who are committed to separatist movement will surely not vote.”The latest rift between parallel factions of Hurri-

yat erupted after Syed Ali Geelani claimed that fac-tion headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq had met emissaries BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. “Those who said they have expec-tations from Modi over Kashmir issue and those who said that Modi won’t be hardliner any more after he becomes PM of India have actually met his people and that is why issued such statements,” he had claimed.Mirwaiz, hitting back at Geelani, rubbished his claims and termed them ‘baseless and fabricated’. “It is deliberate attempt to mislead the public of Kashmir as well as free-dom loving people. Since 1990, people are giving sacrifices and leadership is also giving sacrifices. We want to tell Geelani that this is the same lead-ership which gave blood to the freedom move-ment,” he had said.A vet-eran Kashmir

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Will Geelani-Mirwaiz rift affect their poll-boycott call?

Srinagar, April 21: Kashmir on Monday observed a shutdown ‘against the detention of pro-freedom leaders and youth’ with clashes in several parts be-tween youth and forces.The call for shutdown was given by Hurriyat Conference (G) chair-man Syed Ali Geelani.Since early morning, shops and other com-mercial business estab-lishments were shut in Old City of Srinagar. The schools, banks, and petrol pumps were also shut while public transport was also off the roads. The private transport, however, was plying normally.In civil lines and up-town areas of Srinagar, the shutdown call evoked mixed response. At several places in civil lines, some shops were open

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Clashes in parts as Kashmir observes

shutdown

Anantnag, Apr 21: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today sought a de-cisive mandate for the par-ty, both for the Parliament and the State Assembly, to carry forward its agenda of safeguarding the political, social and economic iden-tity of Jammu & Kashmir.According to a statement issued to KNS, he said PDP would carry the voice of the people to all parts of the country and uses all the fo-rums including the Assem-bly, Parliament and other democratic platforms to se-cure the political and eco-nomic rights of J&K.Addressing impressive election rallies in Koker-nag assembly segment of Anantnag Parliamentary constituency, Sayeed ex-pressed confidence that the voters would endorse PDP’s policies in greater numbers this time empow-ering the party as a strong voice in the Parliament. “PDP would need a clear mandate to represent the just concerns and aspira-tions of the people of J&K and seek better prospects for its enterprising young population,” he said and urged the electorate of Anantnag Parliamenta-

ry constituency to lead the movement for change through ballot by voting for PDP en-bloc on April 24.Senior party leaders, Peer Mohammad Hussain Dis-trict President; Nizamu-din Khatana Ex MLC; Ab Rashid Dar, Ex Chair-man Legislative Council; Zone President Ab Rahim Rather; party leader Ab Salam Reshi; Gh Hassan Rather; Choudhry Gulzar Khatana; Choudhry Zaf-far; Adv Sheikh Javed; Mohd Ismail Khandey; Ab Hamid; Bashir Ahmad; Peer Shabir, Majid Majid; Manzoor Ahmad and oth-ers were also present and spoke on this occasion. Reiterating his resolve to fight for the rights of the State that were systemat-ically surrendered by the National Conference (NC) leadership in pursuit of power, Sayeed said PDP would pursue it at all fo-rums, on the streets, in the Assembly and in the Par-liament. “NC sold the very soul of the State by gifting water resources to the NHPC, which generated billions from it and Jammu & Kashmir having steeped into perpetual darkness as a result”,

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Mufti seeks decisive mandate for PDP

Urges voters in Anantnag to lead movement for change

Srinagar, Apr 21: Peoples Dem-ocratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Monday said Dr Farooq Abdullah’s statement on Afzal Guru’s hanging would have been laughable if his col-laboration in the act had not cost a life out of turn. She said Afzal was a victim of the UPA govern-ment in power at the center and in the state and he was picked up from 28th position in a crass display of a mindset that treats Muslims as dispensable, in a des-perate bid to stop Modi’s rise and improve Congress chances.According to a statement issued to KNS, Mehbooba said: “Nobody has been hanged except Afzal only because it was not a DMK or an Akali Dal that could defend his rights but National Confer-ence that has sacrificed our in-dividual and collective interests all along for Abdullah family’s power, luxury and fortune.” Ad-dressing wayside meetings in Bijbehara segment of Anantnag Parliamentary constituency Me-hbooba said Dr Farooq Abdullah is lying when he says he had no knowledge of Afzal’s hanging and that it had been carried out at an official’s level.She reminded Abdullah of his remarks recommending Afzal’s execution one year before the se-cret hanging took place and said

the NC leader had said on Feb 24, 2012 in Jammu that “Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru should pay the price for attacking In-dia. Anyone who attacks India should pay the price for it.”Mehbooba said NC leadership is trying to throw wool into eyes by distancing themselves from Afzal hanging. “How could Omar Abdullah imprison entire Kashmir without prior notice? Newspapers have reported the telephonic conversation between home minister and the CM in which Shinde told him jo baat hui thi who kal ho rahi hai” Mehbooba said adding it is un-imaginable that they could not be knowing it. “And if they were not even informed about such an important even what are Abdul-lah’s doing in government and what are they seeking votes for again?’ Mehbooba asked. Hitting out at National Confer-ence leadership for defaming Kashmir and its people through-out the country Mehbooba said no person could ever abuse his own people by calling them ma-hacors (big thieves) and then come to seek votes from them. “Could some other political per-son say the same thing about his people and then claim to be rep-resenting them,

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Farooq telling lies about Afzal hanging: PDP

Mehbooba quotes Farooq’s statement recommending execution‘People to judge whose godfather could Modi be’

Srinagar, April 22: Ask-ing the PDP to desist from spreading lies and false propaganda, the senior leader of National Con-ference and Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Ali Moham-mad Sagar has said that they should go for intro-spection and read histo-ry about their creation and the conspiracies they have hatched against peo-ple in order to grab power and please their political bosses. The Minister was ad-

dressing a series of public gathering at various plac-es in Old City Srinagar.

“The people of the state are well

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Sagar Asks PDP to go for introspection and recall cause for their creation

Srinagar, Apr 21 : BJP leader L K Advani‘s official website was hacked on Monday by some unknown hackers- writing the message of Free Kashmir on the portal.According to the reports received by KNS, wrote prais-es for Pakistan on Advani’s website and also called for the demilitarization of Kashmir. The website also mentions the name of BJP’s prime ministerial candi-date Narendra Modi saying, "Good Morning Narendra Modi" and went on to raise the Kashmir issue.The hackers also claimed to have Kashmir’s freedom as their goal and the reason given by them to hack the website was written that they want Kashmir to be-come free from 'military rule.’Earlier also the fan website of bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan was hacked and

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Advani’s website hacked, free Kashmir slogans uploaded

Srinagar, April 21: The relatives of a patient who died at Shri Ma-haraja Hari Singh Hospital in Sri-nagar staged a protest on Monday, alleging medical negligence. The protestors said that the doctors at SMHS hospital did not treat the patient well and they fled from the ward soon after the death of the patient. “One Mehrajudin Khan resident of Dalipora Kawdara Srinagar was admitted into the hospital after he felt unconscious at home. The doctors did not take pains and after observing him casually discharged from the hospital. As the patient reached home, he felt unconscious again. We shifted him to hospital again

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Srinagar, April 21: Unidentified gunmen shot dead a Congress Sar-panch, his son and Nambardar in two separate attacks at Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama dis-trict late Monday evening, official sources told GNS.They said that suspected militants opened fire upon the Mohammad Anwar Sheikh son of Mohammad Sadiq Sheikh of Amlar village of Tral in Awantipora at around 9:10 pm. “The gunmen shot him from point blank range outside his residence”.Mohd Anwar, who is a Nam-bardarof Amlar village, was shifted to nearby Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,” he said.

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3 killed in twin Tral attack

Congress Sarpanch his Son, Nambardar among dead

11 Srinagar, Tuesday 22 April 2014 Zabarwan Times

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Ex-Home

Farooq

CallMehbooba

Advani’s

Attack

Hospital

Shutdown

Sagar

Omar PDP

Owner , Printer & Publisher: Suhail Malik Editor -in-Chief: Shahana Malik RNI NO. JKBII/2011/39764, Email: zabarwantimes@gmail.com Publised at Govt. Quarters , M-13 Magarmal Bagh Srinagar-190001 J&K, Printed at:- Sangarmal Offset Press Humhama Sheikhpora Tele/Fax: 2478370 Cell No. 09999964750, 9796 787844

He questioned imposition of curfew hours before Guru was hanged on a February morning. “It is rub-bing salt to our wounds,” he said. (GNS)

National Conference and Sheikh Mohammad Abdul-lah’s vision of amity, brotherhood and a dignified re-lation with India”.

said and maintained that PDP cannot fool the people again and again by their tactical and deceitful politi-cal characteristics.The Working President National Conference said that the father-daughter Mufti duo can to any extent for the temptation of self-seeking power even if that meant selling the interests of Jammu and Kashmir as has been vindicated time and again even since Mufti Sahab's entry into politics. He said yet another proof in this regard is PDP’s tactful support to Modi to be-come Prime Minister of India despite his known ani-mosity against Jammu and Kashmir and its people.Omar Abdullah said that fielding of candidates in the current Lok Sabha Elections particularly in Jammu-Poonch and Undhampur-Doda Parliamenta-ry Constituencies by the PDP to benefit BJP has un-earthed the hidden alliance between the two parties.Omar Abdullah cautioned the people against going astray because of PDP’s deceptive and fake sloganeer-ing, falsehood and propaganda. “This has been the habit of PDP all along. You should beware of falling prey in their trap”, he added elaborating that NC-Con-gress coalition in the State and at the Centre is only capable of ameliorating the lot of people of the State and in ensuring peace, progress and political stabil-ity.The Working President National Conference said that Rahul Gandhi is a time tested friend of Jammu and Kashmir and his intention to seek all round welfare and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir is clear and demonstrated. He said Rahul Gandhi symbolizes the secular and democratic ethos of the country and de-serves to be the Prime Minister and lead the country towards new heights, ensuring inclusive and equita-ble development. Addressing the rally Sr. Congress leader and union Health Minister Gh. Nabi Azad describes PDP as a new born and said that the party is no match to con-gress. Azad asked the people to vote in large numbers in favour of NC-Congress joint candidate Dr. Meh-boob Beg and help democracy and secularism to get strengthened in the country as well as the State. He said National Conference MPs have always highlight-ed Jammu and Kashmir centric issues in the Par-liament positively and will continue to do so in the future while the then PDP Parliament Member Me-hbooba Mufti’s track record in this regard has been shockingly dismal and disappointing.The NC-Congress joint candidate Dr. Mehboob Beg also addressed the function.

journalist, however, has different view on the rift be-tween the warring factions and its effect on the poll boycott appeal. He says: “It is a one-sided affair. The current rift between Hurriyat factions headed by Gee-lani and Mirwaiz will have no effect on polling. Those who have to vote will vote and those who are with boy-cott will boycott.”He further elaborates: “The Mirwaiz faction has only called for boycott but they are not running poll boy-cott campaign. The Geelani faction has also called for boycott but they too aren’t running boycott campaign. Geelani himself is ill but his stature has appeal. So, it will not have any effect any polling.”He believes that ‘there will be slight increase in poll percentage’ in upcoming Parliament elections.The break-away faction of Hurriyat headed by Shabir Ahmad Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front headed by Yasin Malik has been on the fore front of running anti-poll campaign Kashmir.But, Dr Sheikh Showkat, who teaches International Law at Central University of Kashmir, said despite the on-going war of words between Geelani and Mir-waiz, the poll percentage will be low as compared to 2009.“In 2009, the poll percentage was little bit high be-cause General Musharraf tried to engage mainstream politicians of Kashmir including Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti and during that election, they tried to capitalize it.”He said: It will definitely have no effect as people are committed to cause irrespective of division between leadership.” He said polling goes high in upper belts of Kashmir due to ‘militarization, illiteracy, back-wardness and remoteness’, but in urban areas will people will boycott as usual.”A civil society member, whose group on Sunday had appealed Geelani and Mirwaiz to show restraint, also believes that there will be no effect on poll boycott ap-peal. “It will have no effect. The rift and boycotting of polls are two separate issues,” she told GNS.The Anantnag constituency is going for polls on 24 April, Srinagar constituency on 30 April and Baramu-lla on 30 April. (GNS)

while public and private transport was also plying normally. Though the shops were closed in Lal Chowk – the city centre – but the vendors were doing their business as usual.However, at around 6:30 pm, dozens of masked youth appeared in Maisuma and attacked nearby Akhada Building which houses a CRPF camp with stones. The police and paramilitary troopers came in action and intense clashes started between the two sides which continued for nearly an hour.In north Kashmir’s Baramulla, the clashes amidst shutdown erupted at Azad Gunj and Cement Bridge between youth and government forces. The clashes continued several hours but no one was reported injured.The clashes also erupted in Sopore town between youths and government forces which continued throughout the day. The volatile Palhallan hamlet also witnessed stone-pelting clashes.In neighbouring Bandipora town, violent clashes erupted between youth and government at Gulshan Chowk. The clashes continued for nearly two hours.In Kupwara town, the effect of the shutdown was less.

Witnesses told GNS that most of the shops and other commercial establishments were open public and private transport was plying normally.The south Kashmir’s Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts also observed shutdown on the call of Geelani. In Muran chowk of Pulwama, angry youth pelted few stones in the morning to enforce shut-down.The Anantnag district was partially shut with pri-vate and public transport plying normally.Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement issued to GNS said the situation remained normal throughout the valley. “However, isolated minor stone pelting by some miscreants was reported from Gulshan Chowk Bandipora and Azad Gunj Baramu-lla,” he said, adding no one was hurt till last reports came in. (GNS)

he said and added; “Let NC leaders name one sub-stantial political or economic concession the State got through any of the party’s accords with Delhi.”PDP patron said NC through all its accords right from the Delhi Agreement of 1952 had only surrendered the rights of the State and got nothing in return for the people except power and luxuries to build personal fortunes. He said NC has all along been exploiting the Kashmiri sentiment and the State’s resources to keep New Delhi happy. “No wonder people now view NC as a source of all their troubles,” he added.Sayeed said PDP has become a thorn in the side of NC as it has emerged as the only credible option for the people of J&K. He said having suffered for gener-ations at the hands of NC’s unchallenged domination, the people are now endorsing PDP’s policies after judging the party’s performance during the 3 year brief stint in power from 2002 to 2005. Sayeed said in its brief stint, PDP-led Coalition Government had adopted a multi-pronged strategy to seek redressel of the security, political, economic and developmental concerns of the State. “While facilitating resolution of the Kashmir problem, our Government had at the same time taken some revolutionary measures on the developmental front,” he said and added that unfortu-nately, the present Government put all those develop-mental initiatives on the backburner which included construction of a tunnel on Anantnag-Sinthan-Kisht-war road.Complimenting PDP cadres for having successfully and effectively carried the party’s political and eco-nomic agenda to the grassroots level, Sayeed said having sacrificed their personal interests for the larg-er objective of ensuring peace and dignity of the State and its people, the untiring efforts of the PDP workers and leaders have made this party to become a people’s movement.Sayeed said instead of crying hoarse against the PDP, Omar Abdullah should apologize to the people for hav-ing failed to fulfill his commitment on Sadak, Paani, Bijli and Rozgaar, the plank on which he sought votes in 2008 assembly elections. “Unfortunately the road communication power and employment have turned out to be the biggest casualty of the present regime,” he said and added that the pathetic condition of roads, acute power scarcity and soaring unemployment speak volumes about the performance of NC-Con-gress coalition government. (KNS)

she said and added such a person could not even have dared to go back to his state but Abdullah family has taken Kashmir for granted. Mehbooba said Dr Farooq Abdullah has not only tried to defame Kashmiris but brought disgrace to his own position as well by clowning around at the cost of Kashmir. She said NC is still living in the past when they could get away with such insulting behavior but they must know that Kashmir is a different place now and the people here won’t take any more humiliation from their so called representatives.Mehbooba said the contempt and hatred that the Sheikh family harbors for Kashmir comes out at all crucial junctures despite their best efforts to hide it at the time of seeking votes. Farooq Abdullah’s most infamous remark ‘Kashmir ko goli maro’ came from the national capital at a time when the government headed by his son was on a killing spree in the state in 2010 and the NC supremo was telling the world over TV channels how ‘my son is singlehandedly defending the country’, said Mehbooba.Referring to the Omar Abdullah government’s pros-ecution of youth in 2010 Mehbooba said the NC had branded those young people who sought justice for their dead friends as drug addicts, LeT agents, paid criminals and the accused included even 12 year olds who were handcuffed and held under PSA.She said branding all Kashmiris as stone throwers is a unique feat of Omar government which has made every Kashmiri a suspect and now our children are harassed, rusticated and prosecuted even for cheering in a sports event. “This is the kind of representation the Abdullah family has achieved for Kashmir after sucking the blood of people here for decades”, said Mehbooba.Mehbooba said NC has never been known for a decent political conduct and now its leaders after sensing de-feat are openly issuing threats to PDP which it sees as the only danger. Not content with that, the party is telling brazen lies in an attempt to cover up its op-portunistic alliance with BJP after 1996 when it had 60 members in the assembly, she said.She said the NC did not snap its ties with the NDA even after its autonomy resolution was dumped or after the Gujarat riots that took place in 2002, Febru-ary. “Omar resigned as minister only after his defeat in Ganderbal and the NC continued in the NDA till it was voted out of power in 2004 and then waited as a stepney for UPA till 2009”, she said and added that even as part of UPA it kept its liaison with the BJP which voted for their candidates in Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections.Referring to Omar Abdullah’s godfather remark against the PDP leadership Mehbooba said consider-ing the background of Mufti Saheb and Farooq Saheb it is obvious whose god father Modi could be. For a person who could ‘detect Allah in Modi’s eyes’, the BJP prime ministerial candidate is no mere political figure but a part of his spiritual make up, Mehbooba said. (KNS)

aware of the fact the patron of the PDP during his ten-ure as the Union Home Minister was instrumental for the enactment of provisions of certain draconian Acts and presiding over several massacres which took place across the valley besides, ensuring the peo-ple are subjected to miseries and hardships”, Sagar said they are masters in spreading lies as they are real enemies of the state and its people as they enjoy a cozy relationship with the rightist organizations of

India, who have a history of being anti Kashmiri.Appealing the people to come and exercise their fran-chise in favor of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Sagar said that PDP is targeting National conference by launching vicious and malicious propaganda against it, as they are in a habit of doing so since long and have always been defeated in their nefarious designs by the mass-es.Coming down heavily on the hypocritical attitude of the PDP for trying to promote themselves as well wishers of the Srinagar city, Sagar said that it is a recorded history that the city of Srinagar was sub-jected to worst form of discrimination during their regime. “People of the city are aware of the fact that various projects for ensuring holistic development of the historic city were put in back burner during their regime and people were subjected to political victim-ization by PDP Leaders’’, he added.Sagar said that PDP should also explain that how much youth from the Srinagar city were provided employment and other related income generating units during their regime whereas National Confer-ence has provided employment to over 60,000 youth during these years and thousands have been provid-ed incentives under various schemes like Himayat, UDAAN and EDI to set up their income generating units. He said thousands of youth have also been bought under J&K SKEWPY.Referring to K Issue, Sagar said that during his ten-ure as Chief Minister of the State, the Patron of PDP never talked about the resolution of Kashmir Issue, now he is trying to mislead the people as has been his habit during his entire political carrier, which is based on negative politics and deceit. He said Nation-al Conference has always been advocating the peace-ful resolution of the issue and have rendered the in-numerable sacrifices for the same.

the protest against the hanging of Guru was regis-tered on the portal. The cyber crimes and the num-ber of hackers according to the survey is increasing in South Asia due to the easy availability of the tech-nology. Youth have been reported to be more inclined towards cyber crimes. (KNS)

Similarly, in another incident suspected militants barged inside the house of Ghulam Nabi Mir, Sar-panch, affiliated with Congress at Batgund, Tral. The gunmen opened fire upon the Sarpanch and his Son Firdous Ahmad Mir.Both the injured were immediately shifted to the local hospital where Sarpanch Ghulam Nabi Mir and his son Firdous Ahmad Mir (24) succumbed to injuries, official sources told GNS.The incidents occurred within 15 minutes.Meanwhile, Army, Special Operation Group of Police and CRPF cordoned off both the areas and launched the hunt to nab the suspected attackers. (GNS)

where doctors again observed him casually,” one of the protestors Shabir Ahmed told CNS. The protestors while holding a particular doctor responsible for the death of the said patient said that the particular doctor and his team fled from the hos-pital after the death of the patient. They demanded stern action against the said doctor adding that the patient was the father of three unmarried daughters. Chief Medical Officer Dr Omar and Medical Super-intendent SMHS hospital Dr Nazir Choudhri refused to comment on the issue while Principal Medical College Srinagar, Dr Rafiq Pampori told CNS that he has initiated an inquiry in this regard and the report will come within next days. The protestors dispersed from the premises of the hospital only after top police officials assured them that matter would be inquired thoroughly. (CNS)

Jammu, Apr 21 ): Awami National Conference Pro-vincial President, Gian Singh while addressing a meeting of workers at party headquarter in Gandhi Nagar has criti-cized the practice of re-ligious leaders issuing appeals in support of political parties and said such calls will have no impact on community voters.”According to a statement issued to KNS, Gian Singh has said that using religious personalities or religious symbols for po-litical objectives is dan-gerous. "We however ap-peal to all right thinking and responsible citizens to realize that since the past two years or so com-munal fires are being de-liberately stoked; covert-ly and not so covertly, and if we don't wake up in time, then the nation could suffer irreparable damage," Singh added.” All prospects of develop-ment will be meaningless if society is disturbed. Condemning political leaders for violating the model code of conduct by making provocative and communally-charged speeches during the course of their campaign, Singh appealed voters that they should not get carried away by clerics and political parties who are appealing to cast vote on religious lines. Singh urged voters to cast vote as Indians to fairly par-ticipate in the world's

largest democratic ex-ercise. They shouldn't vote for parties but for candidates with fair cre-dentials. He criticized the provocative state-ments made by leaders to polarize the elections, which has so far passed peacefully. He said that communal statements are against the interest of the nation. "Our de-mocracy is so mature that those who made provocative statements were banned from the making further speech-es. Political leaders in India now threatening voters? Statements by politicians such as vote for us or your water supply would be cut off or if you do not vote for us, we will ensure fresh graduates will remain unemployed are state-ments voters in rural India are getting used to. Political leaders of top parties open up on this issue and defend the statements made by their seniors. A few admit having erred while a few others manipulate the statements made and say that the true meaning of the statements have been misinterpreted by the media, Singh added. Those who spoke on the occasion include former Minister, GD Shah, pro-vincial vice president, Randhir Singh, youth president, Raj Sharma Distt President, Vijay Magotra besides others. (KNS)

Using religious symbols for political objectives

dangerous: ANC

Srinagar, Apr 21: A Handwara resident has approached State Hu-man Rights Commission (SHRC) after a govern-ment doctor drained him of his hard earned money in lieu of an unsuccess-ful kidney stone opera-tion in a private nursing home here in Srinagar.According to the reports received by KNS, two years ago a resident of Batagund Handwara Shabir Ahmad Wani a 37-year-old and father of three children com-plained of kidney stones and was admitted in a private nursing home for the treatment at Khyam Chowk Nowpora Srinagar. After paying a huge sum to the doctor for carrying out a sur-gery, Wani was finally operated but to no avail. He says that due to the negligence of doctors, the stones were not removed from his kidney even af-ter he was operated upon by the doctors.He said that on Novem-ber 10, 2013 under OPD ticket number 0082416 he was admitted at dis-trict hospital Handwara, where the surgeon Mun-fat Malik told him that he will operate him at a private nursing home in Srinagar. The doctor had told him that there were no facilities avail-able in Handwara hospi-

tal so it would be better for him to get operated in Srinagar private hos-pital. Wani said that on doctor’s advise he got ad-mitted in private nursing home where he under-went different clinical examinations against Rs 5000 in first phase.He stated that in De-cember 26, 2013 a doctor namely Munfat Malik carried out his oper-ation. Wani said few days after the surgery he was discharged from the hospital. Wani said after reaching home his condition got worsened. Wani stated that when his condition deteriorat-ed further he reported back to the Dr Munfat who avoided him on dif-ferent pretexts and paid no heed to his repeated requests.Few days ago, Wani said that Dr Munfat told him that the nursing home has no special machine available at this time for laser surgery and ad-vised him to wait for few more months.Wani who works as a dai-ly wager in JKPCC has finally filed a petition at SHRC- requesting the commission to provide him justice. Director Health Services Kashmir when contacted assured to order departmental inquiry into the matter. (KNS)

Doctor’s negligence:Daily wager operated

by Govt surgeon in private nursing home

approaches SHRC

Pattan, April 21: Rail service was suspended in North Kashmir after hundreds of people staged protest against the Rail Department for failing to repair the main railway tunnel leading to Pattan and other hamlets. Reports said that hundreds of farmers and locals Monday blocked the train at Pattan Railway Station due to which the department suspended rail service for hours together. Amid anti-railway department slogans, the pro-testors said that the railway tunnel near Pattan has become the source of nuisance for the general public especially for the farmers. “The condition of the tunnel is pathetic. There is mud, water logging and darkness in the tunnel and people are unable to cross it. From past four year, we have been requesting the department to repair it but nothing has been done so far,” one of the protestors Muhammad Saleem told CNS. Additional District Development Commission-er Baramulla Mukhtar-ul-Aziz along with police officials rushed to spot and assured protesters that tunnel would be repaired soon after which the protes-tors dispersed peacefully. ADDC told CNS that the de-mand of the people is legitimate and the authorities would commence work on the tunnel after a week. Deputy Inspector General of Police North Kashmir Ghulam Hasan Bhat said that they have already in-timated DC Baramulla and requested him to address the problem faced by the people. (CNS)

Pathetic condition of Railway Tunnel sparks

protest in Pattan

Scrutiny of nomination papers held for 4-

Ladakh Lok Sabah seatNomination papers of BJP’s covering candidate rejectedLeh, Apr 21: The scrutiny of the nomination papers of all the candidates of various political parties as well as Independent candidates were done by the Return-ing Officer, 4-Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency, DC Leh Simrandeep Singh in presence of the General Observer Naveen Mahajan at Conference Hall Leh today.The confirmed candidates include Tsering Samphel (Indian National Congress), Thupstan Chhewang (Bhartiya Janta Party), Syed Mohammad Kazim (In-dependent), Anayat Ali (Independent), Mohammad Amin (Independent), Ghulam Raza (Independent), Mohammad Hassan (Independent) and Mohammad Abbas (Independent).According to a department of information handout, the nomination papers of Chhering Dorjey, covering candidate of Bhartiya Janta Party, was rejected on the ground that the first nomination paper filed by Thupstan Chhewang was accepted.

Army and IAF airlifted patients from Gurez

Srinagar, Apr 21: Army and IAF airlifted a pregnant women and an injured man from forward Areas of Gurez to Bandipora.According to a statement issued to KNS, on 20 Apr 14, Army authorities arranged an aerial sortie for evacuating an eight month old pregnant woman, Mrs Zaheera Begum a resident village Chorwan, Gurez, from Gurez to Bandipora and further to Srinagar for medical treatment, after she developed serious complications.

SRINAGAR | SUNDAY, APRIL | 20 | 2014Daily ZABARWAN TIMES NEWS

Take a break from your routine, Libra. You might feel like you’re leading an army into battle as you strive for new adven-tures and conquer new realms. Make sure you take a bit of time out today to stop and let your troops rest. You deserve a little rest yourself. Use this moment of stillness to form your plan of attack so you’re sure about how to proceed.

The key for you is to minimize your daily drama as much as possible, Scorpio. You may not realize how much you cripple your-self by the way you exaggerate every aspect of your life. Try not to give so much of your attention to things that really don’t matter much. Petty jealousy and gossip about other people’s lives are es-pecially irrelevant in your world.

Be careful of advertising yourself as someone who is so strong and mentally competent that you’re capable of handling every-thing, Sagittarius. Take note that the strongest mule on the trail usually ends up carrying the most weight. Your emotions are more sensitive than you may think, and certainly more than you demonstrate to others. Be honest about the way you feel and not just the way you think.

Things should flow well for you today with very little ef-fort on your part, Capricorn. Take note that if any quarrel arises, it’s an indication that the person you’re arguing with isn’t nec-essarily the right person to deal with or confide in. Emotional issues are likely to be the hardest ones to overcome, but this shouldn’t be a problem for you. You have the ability to work through these like a pro.

This is meant to be a nice, relaxing day, so treat it as such, Aquarius. There’s no need for you to plan any great strategy at this time. Try to take it easy and not indulge in any unnecessary stress. This is your time to enjoy the moment. Don’t tax your mind by overanalyzing everything that comes your way. Go with the flow and have a great time regardless of what you end up doing.

Your sensual nature is heightened, Pisces, and you’ll find yourself engaged in tender moments and languid peacefulness in the company of others. Soothe your soul by letting yourself slip into situations that give you the emotional freedom to do or say whatever comes to mind. Life should be like a love poem written by a great master. Accept the good energy that comes your way.

Your sixth sense is right on target, Virgo, so trust your instincts today. You’re likely to connect with someone in a wonderful partnership that will help you foster the very plan you want to develop now. Stay close to those things that resonate strongly with your morals. The answer is in front of you; you don’t have to search too far afield in order to find it.

Allow your eager and restless nature to express itself in ways other than through the spoken word, Aries. Show someone that you care through your gentle touch or a big bear hug. Hold on a little bit more tightly than you might normally. There’s an unspo-ken understanding that comes when you communicate through nothing but pure silence. Work on developing this kind of connec-tion with those closest to you.

This is a terrific day for you, Taurus. You should find that your relationships, especially with men, go exceptionally well. Your tender and extremely sensitive nature is finally being recognized as the treasure chest it is. There are many times in which this type of personality is seen as weak, yet today is one of those times in which you’re given the full credit you deserve.

A selfish attitude on your part won’t be tolerated today, re-gardless of the circumstances, Gemini. Don’t make it worse for yourself by pretending that you don’t notice others’ hurt feelings. People are likely to be extra sensitive today, so be careful about trying to impose your will on someone who really wants nothing more than an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.

You could find the hardest person to face is you, Cancer. You tend toward introspection, and you may find yourself shrinking into self-recrimination. You could analyze the important people in your life and yet fail to address the one you really need to look at – you. As you continually strive for perfection, give yourself proper credit. Do something nice for yourself today.

Take advantage of the creative energy in the air today, Leo. Keep your hands moving and your imagination flowing toward something fun and artistic. If you begin to doubt your work, you may fall down a spiral of creative blockage. Don’t get into the habit of constantly judging the quality or outcome of your work. Give yourself free rein to open up and explore whatever comes to mind.

HARDOI (UP): Narendra Modi on Monday vowed to cleanse the politi-cal system and Parliament from crim-inal elements if he comes to power and said his first job will be to set up a panel to probe pending criminal cases against the new MPs.

The BJP prime ministerial candi-date said he will ensure that all of-fenders are sent to jail after asking the Supreme Court to hear the cases against them expeditiously.

Modi’s promise to crack down on MPs with criminal antecedents across party lines in a bid to decriminalise politics and Parliament came at a poll rally here.

“I have decided that when a new government is formed after May 16, I will set up a committee to find out what cases are pending against whom. (Lok Sabha) candidates sub-mit in their form during filing nomi-nations the details of cases against

them. I will not discriminate in it. I will not spare even the BJP and NDA candidates.

“I will ask the Supreme Court to hear the cases fast. Those, who have committed crime will go to jail and their seats will go to candidates with clean image. No accused will dare to fight polls. Who says that this cleans-ing cannot happen? I have come to cleanse politics. It is necessary to free Indian democracy from criminalisa-tion,” he said.

Modi also stepped up his attack on SP, BSP and Congress, saying the “power game by the clan of three par-ties” is responsible for the poor plight of UP and the nation even as he ridi-culed Rahul Gandhi for visiting homes of the poor like tourists who visit Taj Mahal. Playing up his tea-vendor im-age, the Gujarat chief minister also sought to contrast it with those “born with a silver spoon in their mouth”

and made an oblique reference to his OBC origin as he reached out to voters in the Hindi heartland.

“While the country has been de-stroyed by the governments of moth-er and son, Uttar Pradesh has been de-stroyed by a father-son government. On one hand there is a father-son duo while on the other hand is Behenji (Mayawati)...they waste their whole tenure of five years in teaching a les-son to each other.

“And mother and son (Sonia Gan-dhi and Rahul Gandhi) simply add fuel to the fire, inflame it. This clan of SP, BSP and Congress is thriving here in this manner. Enough of this game of power has continued. Now give me a chance to serve you,” Modi said.

Targeting both Congress and SP for practising dynastic politics and nepo-tism, Modi was quite acerbic in his criticism of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra.

Scrutiny of nomina-tion papers held for 4- Ladakh PC

LEH, APRIL 21- The scrutiny of the nomination papers of all the candidates of various political parties as well as Independent candidates were done by the Returning Officer, 4-Ladakh Parliamentary Constituency, DC Leh Simrandeep Singh in presence of the General Observer Naveen Mahajan at Conference Hall Leh today.

The confirmed candidates include Mr. Tsering Sam-phel (Indian National Congress), Mr. Thupstan Chhewang (Bhartiya Janta Party), Syed Mohd Kazim ( Independent ), Mr. Anayat Ali ( Independent ), Mr. Mohd Amin ( Inde-pendent ), Mr. Ghulam Raza ( Independent ), Mr. Mohd Hassan ( Independent ) and Mr. Mohd Abbas ( Indepen-dent ).

The nomination papers of Chhering Dorjey, covering candidate of Bhartiya Janta Party, was rejected on the ground that the first nomination paper filed by Thupstan Chhewang was accepted.

Narendra Modi vows to put corrupt politicians behind bars, says won’t spare even BJP leaders

JAMMU, APRIL 21: Mr. N.N. Vohra, Governor, emphasized the importance of the National Ca-det Corps being promoted in the maximum possible number of ed-ucational institutions in the State. He said that such training imbues the youth with discipline, moral courage and the capacity to deal with unforeseen exigencies work-ing as members of a team. He said this while presiding over the 76th meeting of J&K Rajya Sainik Board, here at Raj Bhavan, today.

The Governor observed that, through its District and Zonal officers, the Department of Sainik Welfare should extend all required help to encourage and enable the youth who are desirous of joining the armed forces and assist institu-tions which train students to qual-ify for appearing before the Service Selection Boards.

The Governor directed Mr. Ajit K. Sahu, District Collector Jam-mu and Mr. Rajinder K. Verma, Dis-trict Collector Samba to expedite the land acquisition processes for enabling the early establishment of Sainik colonies at village Patti in

district Samba and at village Barn in district Jammu.

The Governor directed the officer representing the State Home Department to ensure that all pending issues relating to the Sainik Welfare Department are settled on most urgent basis.

The Rajya Sainik Board approved the establishment of a Committee chaired by Chief Sec-

retary/ Principal Secretary Home for the selection of ex -Defence Service officers to posts under the Sainik Welfare Department. The Board also approved the amend-ment of the existing recruitment rules to enable the Sainik Welfare Department to fill up all the exist-ing vacancies. For promoting the employment of ex- Servicemen in the various departments of the

State Government, the Governor directed that the Home Secretary shall settle the pending proposal for providing vertical reservation, on most urgent basis.

Later, the Governor chaired the meeting of the State Manag-ing Committee for Funds, which discussed various issues relating to the budgetary support being provided by the State Government to the Department of Sainik Wel-fare, as also the contribution of the Kendriya Sainik Board to the J&K Rajya Sainik Board. The Governor emphasized the need for evolving appropriate objective – specific strategies for maximizing the wel-fare of ex-Servicemen and their families.

A detailed power point presentation was made by Brig. (Ret.) R. S. Langeh, Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, on the occasion, giv-ing details of measures taken for the welfare of the ex-Servicemen, financial status of the Board, status of construction of Sainik Bhavans and implementation of various de-cisions taken in the last meeting of the Board.

Present in the meeting were, Mr. Mohammad Iqbal Khan-day, Chief Secretary; Mr. B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Finance; Mr. Suresh Kumar, Prin-cipal Secretary, Home; Mr. Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Lt. General HJS Sachdev, SM, Chief of Staff, HQ Northern Command, Vice-Pres-ident, J&K Rajya Sainik Board; Maj Gen J S Cheema, VSM, Chief of Staff HQ 15 Corps; Maj Gen Manoj Kumar; Brigadier Raj Pu-rohit, Representative, COS HQ ( Corps); Brig MLN Sravan Kumar, Officiating COS HQ 14 Corps; Brigadier Suresh Menon; Com-modore Rohtas Singh, Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board, New Delhi; Col. J S Chouhan, Director Resettlement, Zone ( North); Maj Gen. G S Jamwal (Retd.) AVSM, President J&K Ex- Services League; Maj Gen N S Jamwal (Retd.); Brig-adier R S Jamwal (Retd.); Hony Capt. Bana Singh, PVC; Hony Capt. Mohd. Hanief Bakshi (Retd.); Sub Shashi Dev Singh Jamwal (Retd.); and Brig. Anil Gupta (Retd.)

Governor directs Home Department for early disposal of pending cases

EC seeks tape of VHP leader Pravin Togadia’s ‘evict Muslims from Hindu areas’ speech

Supreme Court allows iron ore mining in Goa with upper limit of 20 million

RAJKOT: The Election Commission has sought the recording of speech made by VHP leader Pravin Togadia in Bhavnagar in which he allegedly said that people from minority community should be stopped from buying properties in Hindu-dominated localities.

“They (EC officials) are in the process of acquiring the recording of the statements made by Togadia and after listening to it they will decide the future course of action,” Bhavnagar district collector and returning officer P K Solanki said here on Monday.

Togadia had reportedly asked his supporters on Saturday to get vacated the house purchased by a Muslim man in a Hindu locality near Meghani Circle area in Bhavnagar, around 180km from here.

Togadia had allegedly told the gathering, mainly comprising local residents and Ba-jrang Dal workers, that they should give an ultimatum of 48 hours to the occupant to vacate the house, or else they should storm into it, take possession and put up a Bajrang Dal board there.

He reportedly also asked them to demand the implementation of Distrubed Areas Act in Bhavnagar, which prevents inter-community sale of immovable property. The Act is in force in Ahmedabad and Vadodara, he said.

The VHP leader said there had been a pattern in many towns and cities in the country that first house in a locality is purchased by Muslims at a very high price, and later they keep coming to settle in surrounding house at lower price.

He also said that election is the best time to pressurise political parties to ensure safety of Hindus and people should not be afraid of pressuring either BJP or Congress.

The Muslim family, which has purchased the house, has not shifted to that locality. However, RSS denied that Togadia has made any such statement. RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav tweeted, “Pravinbhai had not said anything that was

attributed to him. It was a fabricated news. No Swayamsevak thinks on those lines.”

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday allowed an annual cap of 20 million tonnes of iron ore to be extract-ed in Goa which was banned by it in the state for nearly one-and-a-half years.

A bench comprising justices A K Pat-naik, S S Nijjar and F M I Kalifulla, how-ever, said expert panel will give final a recommendation on annual cap on ex-cavation of iron ore within six months.

It said there cannot be a deemed re-newal of lease after 2007 of the existing lease deeds emanating from 1962 on-wards.

It also said there will be no grant of lease for mining around one km of na-tional parks and wild life sanctuaries.

The court directed the ministry of en-vironment and forests (MoEF) to iden-tify eco-sensitive areas around national parks within six months.

It said the Goa government will for-mulate a scheme within six months for utilising the funds generated by e-auc-tion. The bench said that the workers on

rolls of all mining firms will be paid 50 per cent of the wage during the period for which they were out of work be-cause of the apex court stay on the min-ing activity.

Further, within six months, the ex-pert panel will recommend how the ex-tracted dumps are to be utilised, it said.

The bench had on March 27 reserved its order on putting the annual cap on volume of iron ore to be extracted in Goa.

The bench had said it cannot go into the policy matter and will only address the regulatory aspect involved in it.

The expert panel had recommended to Goa government to form a mining corporation or a public sector company in view of “illegalities” by private min-ers.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, assist-ing the court as amicus curiae in the case, had read out portions of the expert panel report that was submitted in the apex court on March 26.

Every necessary step should be taken to spread Adult Literacy to the maximum extent: First Lady

JAMMU, APRIL 21: Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady and Chief Pa-tron of the Vasudhaiva Kutum-bakam Welfare Society, (VKWS), lauded its efforts towards the upliftment of women and chil-dren of the disadvantaged seg-ments of society. She was speak-ing at a function organized by VKWS at Jammu Club, today.

Mrs. Vohra urged the mem-bers of the Society to extend their activities for promotion of adult literacy to the maximum possible extent. She said that interested members could con-sider launching a campaign by starting to teach uneducated adults living in their vicinity. In this context she congratulated the Society for taking the ini-tiative for providing computer education to the needy students on payment of a nominal fee.

Speaking about the benefits of the opening provided by the So-ciety, she said that, in this age of technology, computer education enhances the employment op-portunities of the young girls.

She said that no child should be left uneducated merely for want of funds and appealed that the affluent segments of society must come forward to sponsor their education.

Mrs.Vohra appreciated the fact that the VKWS has iden-tified girl students for provid-ing them scholarships for given periods. On the occasion, she released “Surging Steps”, a Sou-

venir brought out by the VKWS as part of its Silver Jubilee cel-ebrations.

Earlier, Prof. Ved K. Ghai, President of the VKWS, read out the Annual Report (2013-14) which gave a brief account of activities of the VKWS and also presented the Action Plan (2014-15). She said that the So-ciety has launched “NIVIDA” as its Silver Jubilee Project, to help the underprivileged children and that VKWS is planning to provide educational support to meritorious students living in the rural areas.

Mrs. Sneh Chopra, Pa-tron of the VKWS; Mrs. Kailash Gupta, Working President; Mrs. Indira Rathore, Vice-President; Mrs. Ruby Sharma, Secretary; were among those present on the occasion.

76th J&K Rajya Sainik Board Meeting held

Daily Zabarwan TimesEDITORIAL/ OPINIONEDITORIAL/ OPINIONDaily Zabarwan TimesSrinagar, Tuesday 22 April 2014

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer

Negotiations –only way forward

The disclosures made by Hurriyat confer-ence (G) Chairman Syed Ali shah Gee-lani about meetings

of two emissaries of BJP Prime ministerial candidate Narind-er Modi and its strong rebuttal by the Chairman of APHC (U) Group Molvi Umar Farooq has opened a hot debate not only in J&K but in the whole sub con-tinent. Though BJP has also vehemently denied that any of Narinder Modi’s representa-tives met any Hurriyat leader including Syed Ali Shah Gee-lani but the APHC (G) has re-mained consistent on its state-ment. It doesn’t matter much what transpired if these meet-ings took place but what mat-ters is that whether these lead-ers have consulted their cadres and taken the people into con-fidence about the subjects dis-cussed. If these meetings have taken place it is not in any way going to help to solve and prob-lem but can lay a basis for some future planning. At this time it seems to be creating an atmo-sphere in this direction and see whether people react angrily or support a dialogue process if it takes place with the union leaders at any juncture. Many some of the Hurriyat leaders are in favour of dialogue with anybody including Narinder Modi if he is voted to power at the centre. This kind of talks have been held during the time of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Dr. Manmohan Singh also, though no headway could be made in breaking the ice as far as Kash-mir issue is concerned. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have always given their node directed and interestedly for initiation of dialogue to solve the waxed Kashmir issue so that stable peace returns to this piece of land called Paradise on Earth. Hence, the separatist leaders should not feel shy and should infact initiate sustained dialogue to carve out an accept-able formula which can bring lasting peace and prosperity to the sub continent and the world at large. It has never been in any bodies’ interest to continue with any conflict. Conflicts lead to only destruction of life and prosperity and take away peace of mind of everybody involved in them. Dialogue process has always yielded positive results and so many issues have been resolved by sitting across the negotiating table. It is what ev-ery religion, every polity and every religious and political thinker says.

Daily Zabarwan TimesEDITORIAL/ OPINIONEDITORIAL/ OPINIONDaily Zabarwan TimesSrinagar, Thursday 27 February 2014

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer

Protecting Wildlife

Daily Zabarwan TimesEDITORIAL/ OPINIONEDITORIAL/ OPINIONDaily Zabarwan TimesSrinagar, Thursday 13 February 2014

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer

Let legislators be as parliamentar-ians as they are expected to be

The Largest Tribal Religious Congregation at Sammakka

Sarakka Jathara Sammakka Sarakka Jathara or Medaram

Jathara is the largest tribal religious congre-gation in the country. The biannual Jathara takes place at Medaram village of Tadvai Mandal in Warangal district, in Telangana

region of Andhra Pradesh. Approximately one crore devotees are expected to take part this time at the Jathara to be held between February 12 to 15, 2014. A little festival of tribal’s in a small village has become a major pilgrimage in the last six years. This festival is held to get the blessings of goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka. It's believed that in those 3 to 4 days of the Jathara, goddesses’ real presence is felt. With the Jathara nearing, arrangements at Medaram village have also been picking up speed. It might be noted that about 80 lakh pilgrims had taken part in the Jathara last time.The Sammakka Jathara was declared as a state fes-tival by Andhra Pradesh government in 1998. Dev-otees in large number from neighbouring districts and different states including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odessa, Maharastra, Karnataka and Jhar-kand participate at the Jathara. People offer banga-ram (gold) in the form of jaggery of a quantity equal to their weight to the goddesses and take holy bath in Jampanna Vagu (stream). It is a festival with no Vedic or Brahmanic influence.Jampanna Vagu is a tributary to River Godavari. According to the history, Jampanna is the tribal war-rior and the son of Tribal Goddess Sammakka. The Jampanna vagu took his name as he died in a bat-tle fighting against Kakatiyan Army in that stream. The Jampanna vagu is still red in colour believed to be with the blood of Jampanna (Scientifically the red colour of the water is attributed to the soil composi-tion). Devotees believe that taking a holy dip in the red water of Jampanna Vagu reminds of the sacrifice of their gods who save them and also induces cour-age into their souls.

The actual festival begins in the month of Magha, on Sudha Pournami (full moon day) evening when Sarakka (in the form of vermilion) would be tradi-tionally brought from Kanneboyinapalle, a neibhou-ring village in the forest, and placed on a gadde, an earthen platform raised under a tree. By next sunset, the main goddess Sammakka (in the form of vermil-ion) will be brought from Chilukalagutta. There are two gaddes (platforms) separately one for goddess "Sammakka" and other for goddess "Sarakka". They are represented by bamboo sticks smeared with tur-meric and vermilion (Pasupu and Kunkuma). Since time immemorial, there is a huge tree standing on Sammakka gadde.Hundreds of people who are often believed to be possessed by the goddess come here dancing ecstat-ically throughout their journey. People believe that Goddesses Sammakka, Saralamma fulfill their de-sires with their divine and miraculous powers.Couples visit to pray to the goddess to bless them with children. Many pilgrim pay their promises made to goddess during the Jathara, by offering jag-gery, calf 's, coconuts and donations in cash etc. Pil-grims take bathe in Jampanna stream to get purified and absolve from sins.When the priests bring out the ochre box and oth-er relics from a hidden forest location, there is great tumult with frenzied beating of drums, blowing of trumpets and full throated yells. It is said that during the festival a huge tiger prowls around peacefully.According to a tribal story, in the 13th century some tribal leaders who went for hunting found a new born girl (Sammakka) emitting enormous light and playing amidst tigers. She was taken to their habita-tion. The head of the tribe adopted her and later she became the saviour of the tribals of that region. She was married to Pagididda Raju, a feudatory tribal chief of Kakatiyas, who ruled Warangal area. She was blessed with 2 daughters and one son namely Sarak-

ka, Nagulamma and Jampanna respectively.After sometime, there was a severe drought that lasted for years and as a result the mighty Godavari River dried up. Pagididda Raju didn't pay tribute to King Pratapa Rudra. In turn king Pratapa rudra sent his army to subdue the tribals and collect the tribute. Then a War was fought between tribal chief Pagididda Raju and Kakatiya army on the banks of "Sampenga Vagu" (Jampanna Vagu). The Koya army fought valiantly but could not withstand the well equipped Kakatiya army.Though fought valiantly Pagididda Raju, his daughters Sarakka, Nagulamma, son in law Govinda Raju lost (husband of Sarakka) lives in the battle. Later Jampanna also dies in Sampenga Vagu (after renamed as Jampan-na Vagu in the memory of his heroic fight against well trained Kakatiya army).Upon hearing this news Sammakka also enters war and fights and causes lot of damage to Kakatiya army. Surprised by her Bravery and Valour the Kakatiya Prime Minister visited war ravaged Koya kingdom with proposal of peace and offered Sammakka a place in the emperor’s harem as the chief queen. Sammakka turned down the offer and resolved to continue the fight to avenge the dead. The battle continued and Sammakka was seriously wound-ed. Sammakka told her people that as long as they remem-bered her, she would protect them. Then, she cursed the Kaktiya dynasty to perish and with that wounded body proceeded towards Chilakala gutta and disap-peared in the forest. The grieving Koyas searched for their queen all they found were a red ochre box (a container of vermilion), her bangles and the pug marks of a huge full grown tigress, exactly the same place where she was found as an infant by the koyas. The Kakatiya dynasty came to an end very soon. Since then the Koyas, Waddaras and other Indian tribes and castes have been hold-ing festivals in memory of Sammakka and Sarakka regularly.

GSI has made phenomenonal contributions in the mineral sector and is carrying out systematic investigation for mineral re-source assessment of the country in geolog-ically potential areas through modern and

sophisticated exploration methods involving modern geological mapping techniques, geomorphological and lineament mapping through study of satellite imageries, aero and ground geophysical studies and geochemical mapping. As part of this GSI has initiated extensive pro-gramme of modernization on the advice of the Parlia-mentary Standing Committee on Industries, and as per guidelines laid down by an Expert Panel on Moderniza-tion of GSI. The modernization programme is aimed to improve the regional exploration for assessment of natu-ral resources by infusion of latest state of art technology. The technology infusion envisaged during the 12th Five Year Plan period is” Ø Strengthening of the state of the art equip-ment in chemical laboratories like ICP-MS, ICP-AES to match world standard in precision and also facilitate log-ical conclusion of mineral exploration within scheduled time.Ø Modernization and augmentation of equipment for ground geophysical survey like multi-channel gam-ma ray spectrometry, multi frequency EM system etc.Ø High-end petrological instrument for diamond, strategic and PGE exploration.Ø State of the art drilling machine (reverse circula-tion, hydraulic etc.). In order to improve the quality of exploration for miner-al resources of the country, following equipment / instru-ments were procured or in the process of procurement as per the plan: § Airborne surveys including airborne magnetic, electromagnetic and gamma-ray surveys have proved quite useful in identifying first order target areas

worldwide and may be used as direct tool in exploration. The airborne survey is strengthened by procurement of heliborne multi-sensor airborne survey system compris-ing on board sensors like magnetic, gravity, time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) and gamma ray spectrometry and hyper spectrometry. § Application of geochemistry to mineral exploration, adopting conventional as well as advanced geochemical techniques, in soil surveys, stream-sediment surveys, vapour surveys and bedrock surveys has proved useful in detection of dispersion ha-loes of hidden ore bodies. To strengthen the geochemical exploration GSI has upgraded its regional laboratories by procurement of sophisticated instruments like ICPMS, EPMA etc. for low detection analytical determinations particularly for elements like gold, PGE, rare earth etc. § Application of time-tested geophysical techniques in locating concealed deposits is considered as one of the most effective exploration tools. Ground geophysical survey is being strengthened by procuring new sophisticated instruments like Multi electrode resistivity-IP unit, multi frequency EM profil-ing unit etc. § GSI has procured magneto telluric (MT) instru-ment to strengthen its geophysical survey over Indian craton to image the sub continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM). The outcome of the survey will enhance the scientific knowledge of the deeper parts of the earth and will help to model the process of craton formation more accurately which in turn will help in targeting concealed ore bodies/kimberlite bodies (KCR) § GSI carries out offshore surveys and mineral re-source evaluation in the EEZ and TW. To strengthen the marine survey GSI is procuring one deep Ocean Going Research Vessel from M/s Hyundai Heavy Industries, South Korea. This will help in assessing the mineral/nat-ural resources present in EEZ of our country.

The details of technological upgradation with adequate instrumental back up is as follows: o In the field of Thematic Geological Mapping (TGM), the technology infusion that has been envisaged includes: Field Laptop, or Table PC, Mapping GPS unit, GSI Portal, mobile mapping vans with portable gener-ator.o In view of completion of systematic geological mapping over the country, an Integrated Thematic Map-ping (ITM) has been visualized with required technol-ogy infusion that includes: Ground Penetration Radars [GPR], shallow drills, deep drills, Electron Probe Micro Analyzer etc.o As a redressal measure for effective analytical output with lower detection limits of geochemical sam-ples, augmentation of the state of the art instruments such as ICPMS, AAS, XRF and DMA, in the laboratories of GSI has been incorporated.o In the field of geophysical mapping, the technology infusion that is being proposed includes high precision gravimeter and total field magnetometer. · For hyperspectral mapping, Space borne and Airborne Hyperion data with specific spectral range (necessary for geological objects) are to be procured and utilized. In this context, it is contemplated to have a con-tinuous acquisition of hyperspectral data in collabora-tion with ISRO/ NRSG/NNRMS. · To enhance the pace of drilling and qual-ity/reliability of subsurface information, it is necessary to induct improved techniques and equipment such as reverse circulation drilling with inbuilt system for con-trolled deflection of borehole path and adopting a com-bination of coring and non-coring operations in a single borehole. Rotary Air Blast (RAB) drilling which is fastest and cheap method is also to be inducted. State of the art drilling machines such as reverse circulation, hydraulic rigs, etc., are in the process of procurement.

Latest Technique in Mineral Exploration Technology Infusion envisaged during XII Five Year Plan Period

The unfortunate happenings in the Legislative Assembly are in no way conducive for

the constitutional bodies like legis-latures which are symbolic of dig-nity, Parliamentarian behaviour, statesmanship and political ma-turity of the society as a whole. The dent such incidents cause to democratic institutions are fatal and uncalled for. India is the larg-est democracy of the world which symbolizes the deep rooted phi-losophy of supermacy of constitu-tion and democratic foundations which provide solution to every problem through negotiations and by sitting across the table. The leg-islatures which enact laws to guide the whole nation and the states should really look as the bodies of decency and patience and not like the state Assemblies or Parliament is looking for the past few days. If the constitutional bodies are not allowed to function, how can they fulfill the aspirations of the people whom they represent and whose eyes are always fixed on them for the solution of their problems. The legislators are elected by the peo-ple with a purpose and if that pur-pose is not served then what is the fun of wasting cores of rupees on holding the elections. The Govt. should also behave as responsible as it should be. It should allow the opposition to pose the problems of the people so that a solution is carved out. If the Govt. tries to si-lence the opposition then what is the fun of sitting in these august houses. The real test of democracy comes when the opposition rais-es the public issues and the Govt. patiently listens and tries to solve them. The present session is per-haps the last but certainly the last Budget session, hence it is im-perative for both opposition and Govt. to take maximum benefit of the time and utilize it for the wel-fare of the people. Now as the Lok Sabha Elections are nearing, the code of conduct will be in force, hence the developmental aspect has to be kept in mind. Both op-position and Govt. has to go to people who will judge them on performance and what they are doing in the state legislature. It is the duty of the people’s represen-tatives to solve them with best of their capabilities and the unfortu-nate incidents in which two mem-bers of the Assembly had to suffer physically should not be allowed to be repeated. The language and gestures used is the past and also on many occasions by some mem-bers do not suit the parliamentar-ianism, and statesmanship.

Himalayan range is not only most fascinating & spec-tacular but also a natural

wonder of the earth which is the richest in habitat of animal life. One third of the mammal species are liv-ing in the lap of Himalayan moun-tain range. Jammu & Kashmir has variety of geographical regions, climate and vegetation which are a delight to the wildlife enthusiasts and tourists. The richness of Hima-layan range is a boon for the state economy. But unfortunately with the population explosion, rampant poaching, shrinking forests due to construction, wildlife is deplet-ing very fast. Out of 15 prominent wild life species unluckily owing to human interference five species have been declared critically en-dangered including Hangul, Musk Deer, Markhor, Snow Leopard and Brown Bear. The forest area, the natural habitat of wild animals, is being encroached by human habi-tation which includes construction of roads, buildings, industrial hous-es, tunnels, railway tracks & sense less felling of trees. All these factors pose a potential threat to wild life and a number of wild life species are vanishing with every passing day. Besides this the use of pesticides for agriculture and horticulture pur-poses contaminated water adds to this tragedy every day. The contam-inated water increases toxicity in the animals and results in ailment which causes untimely death of birds, fish and animals. The shrink-ing of forest cover by ruthless cut-ting of trees, timber smuggling and other factors are the main cause of death of animals as they do not get sufficient food and therefore die of starvation.Though World Wildlife Fund is making all out efforts to save the endangered species by including them into Red Data Book, the state government must also take care of the natural habitat of these endan-gered species. The duty of the con-cerned department does not end by organizing some functions during wildlife week starting from 2nd October but constant and effective measures should be made by wild-life protection staff. They should be given advanced training in pro-tecting the wildlife. Apart from this awareness, campaigns must be initi-ated to create consciousness among the people regarding the fall of the number of wildlife species. Though some clubs have been set up but their number is negligible in view of the magnitude of the problem. Moreover the poachers and wood smugglers should be severely pun-ished so that a strong message goes across that nothing will be tolerat-ed against the destruction of forests and forest life.