278 persons detained under PSA: Sagar ‘11 Separatists Serving Detention For Subversive Activities’

Greater Kashmir

SYED AMJAD SHAH

Jammu, Mar 20: Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Sagar on Saturday said that directions have been issued to the police officials not to re-arrest any persons released after serving detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA). He said 278 persons were serving detention under PSA in various jails.

Replying to the discussion on the Demand for Grants of the departments under his charge in the Legislative Assembly Saturday, Sagar said the Public Safety Act was being used against persons, who were threat to the public safety and integrity of the state and was being used only in cases, where it was required to be used.

“We have issued directions that a person released after being detained under PSA shall not be rearrested”, he said. Earlier, in a written reply to the cut motion moved by the PDP MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Sagar said 278 persons were under detention in various jails within and outside the state under PSA. “These include 88 locals, 88 foreigners, 38 illegal border crossers, 6 Bangladeshi nationals, 11 separatists and 47 criminals as on February 1, 2010,” he said and added that only foreign detenues are detained in the jails outside the state while all the state-subjects were lodged in the jails within the state.
The House was informed that at least 15 persons (11 militants, 1 OGW and 3 separatists) have been booked more than once under PSA. “However, 139 PSA detenues have been released from January 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010 in the state”.
“No political leader in minor offences have been detained under PSA and all persons detained were deeply involved in terrorism and subversive/disruptive activities and their detention has been confirmed only after the competent authority had satisfied itself as to grounds of their detention”, he said.
In view of the security scenario of the state and to prevent certain persons from acting against the security of the state, he said, it was necessary to have such a law for the time being.

Bill on inter-district recruitments in current session: Government NC, PDP Members Censure Reservation System; Altaf Clarifies ST Stand

Greater Kashmir

SYED AMJAD SHAH

Jammu, March 20: The Government has decided to bring a bill in the assembly banning the controversial inter-district recruitments in the state.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar Saturday told the assembly that the bill will be introduced in the House on Monday. “It (bill) has become necessary in view of the concern voiced by legislators and also to protect the rights of youth,” he said.
Earlier in the day, main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two of the ruling National Conference (NC) legislators staged a sit-in and later walked out of the assembly demanding introduction of a bill on the issue.
The agitating legislators also objected to the reservation of eight percent jobs in the Kashmir Valley for the Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. They said the reservation for these candidates, when the community had no presence in the Valley, denied job opportunities to the local candidates.
“We will not allow our youths to suffer because of the reservation of jobs for the outsiders. The district posts should be filled up by the candidates from the district concerned only,” the legislators said before joining a sit-in in the well of the house.
NC members Mir Saifullah (Kupwara), Kafeel-ul-Rehman (Karnah) and Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan (Handwara) joined the protest by PDP members Abdul Haq Khan, Javed Mustafa Mir and Independent MLA Engineer Rasheed to press for abolition of the existing inter-district recruitment system. They were demanding an assurance from the government on bringing the bill on the issue in the house during the current session.
The members even staged a sit-in for some time near the well to press their demand. They were shouting slogans ‘Backward districts Ke Sath Zulum Bandh Kar;’ Inter district recruitment Bandh Karo’.
The members however, returned to their seats after the minister for law and parliamentary affairs, Ali Muhammad Sagar assured them that the matter was under consideration of the House and the Bill, pending from the last session, would be tabled in the House during the ongoing session, most probably on Monday.
When the members of PDP and NC were demanding tabling of the Bill, they came under criticism from Jammu based parties, who were heard shouting that the Bill was not in the interest of the unemployed youth of the state.
As the members were protesting, forest minister Mian Altaf Hussain got up to clear the stand of ST Community over the issue. “ST community has its own quota in the recruitment process which can not be shared with the SC category”, he said. The people falling under ST category are the worst sufferers of the prevailing system, he added.
Later participating in the discussion of grants, Choudhary Aslam of Congress also came in support of Mian Altaf and said that the quotas of ST and SCs shall not be mixed.
MLA Zanskar, Feroz Ahmad Khan, said that the ST community was united over the issue and “no one will be allowed to snatch our right”.

Plans to use Facebook to seek public feedback Traffic Police’s Innovative Move

SYED AMJAD SHAH

Greater Kashmir

Jammu, Dec 29: Going innovative, the traffic department is planning to take advantage of the reach of the community site face book- to seek public feedback for streamlining the traffic system across the state.
The Traffic Police is planning to open a departmental account to register complaints and seek suggestions and information, especially from the youth for better regulation of traffic, Inspector General of Police (Traffic) Hemant Kumar Lohia told media persons here today
About 950 precious lives have so far been lost in different mishaps across the Jammu and Kashmir State in 2010, the traffic police is looking forward to use public feedback to reduce such incidents in future,” he said
He said the people would be able to lodge their complaint and make suggestion on the Facebook page of traffic police. They would also be able to inform police about the mishaps and traffic jam and various other things which would help to improve traffic system across the state, he added
Claiming that the department is also looking forward to modernize its system of working, Lohia said, the traffic police would soon have four hi-tech intercept vehicles- two each for Srinagar and Jammu to improve surveillance and efficiency in tracking down the violators. Capable to keep eye on an area of 1.2 km and costing Rs 30 Lakh, the camera fitted vehicle will be connected with the server in the police control room and simultaneously with the traffic police control room. It would also help to apprehend criminal and anti-social elements, he said adding that six more such intercept vehicle would be procured in due course of time.
He also referred to the electronic signal system and said that the department has already submitted a proposal to the government in this regard. These signals would help improve lane driving as the drivers often take wrong turns and change their lanes leading to mishaps.
Lohia said that traffic police challaned 12, 000 vehicles for violating traffic rules during the year. He however regretted off the one million vehicles plying on the roads of the state and every one is violating traffic rule.
Referring to the unregistered vehicles, he said that around 300 vehicles are running on the roads without registration number, posing a threat to the security of life and property of the people.
“The police have been kept on alert and asked to seize vehicles plying without registration as-and-when they (vehicles) are spotted,” the senior traffic police officer said.
He added “We have given an December 31 ultimatum to all the people including police to register their vehicles with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and in case of non compliance, the traffic police would challan these.”
Advocating stern action against those violating traffic rules, IGP Traffic said that the people are making mockery of the rules and there is a need to frame strict rules to check such violations.
IG Traffic Lohia said that the department has recommended to state law commission to revise the rules for increasing the punishment for negligent driving and violation of road safety rules from 2 years to seven years.
Making a dig at transporters, he said if they do not make any mistake why are they making hue and cry over the registration of cases in the event of huge loss of life.
Referring to the Road Safety Week (RSW) being organised by traffic police from January 1-7, he said, the week long activities would witness active involvement of NCC cadets drawn from various schools. These cadets would help traffic police in educating people about the traffic rules, he added.
He claimed traffic police was trying its best to solve the problem of traffic and reduce the chaos-and-confusion on the roads.
For this purpose, he said, the department has taken number of steps and also submitted a proposal to the government for construction of nearly 16 foot bridges across Jammu city.
Advocating the idea of ‘vehicle-pooling-system’, the IGP Traffic said that the people should adopt this concept as it would not only reduce burden on the roads but also help to strengthen social fabric

Special IRP battalions to deal with `abnormal situation’

Greater Kashmir

Syed Amjad Shah

Jammu, Jan 3: The Director General of Police said that five battalion of Indian Reserve Police (IRP), recruited recently, are being provided special training, body gears and weaponry to deal with the “abnormal situation” in Kashmir valley.

Describing year gone as the “highly challenging” for the J&K Police, the DPG said the 2828 cops, and 1351 CRPF personnel were injured while dealing with the unrest in Kashmir valley, adding that 59 police personnel had been rendered disable for police department due to critical injuries. “91 civilians were killed while 545 others had received in the summer unrest,” he added.

Khoda, who was reviewing the ‘performance and deficiencies and also to introspect’ the department’s functioning in 2010, remarked, “To counter such a violent situation and to maintain law and order, five IRP battalions are undergoing training in different police training schools so that the department could deal the abnormal situation effectively.”

“The recruits of upcoming 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 IRP Battalions would be given special body gears to wear as it would reduce injuries while dealing with the abnormal situation,” he added, while saying that these recruits would be equipped with less or non-lethal weapons.

He said that the cops would be provided body protectors, poly carbonate shields, poly carbonate lathies, helmets and visors. Referring to the non-lethal weapons, Khoda said the police personnel would also be equipped with stun grenades, leaser guns, teaser guns, gas guns, anti-riot rifles, and pump action guns to reduce civilian killings.

The DGP maintained that the Police are focused to reduce the “unnecessary civilian causalities” and also to safeguard the security personnel involved in dealing with the law and order situation.

He disclosed that a total of 207 persons were detained for pelting incidents and out of them, 55 had been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).

Sharp decline in militancy related incidents: Khoda 8987 militants, 5057 civilians killed in 10 yrs

Greater Kashmir

Syed Amjad Shah

Jammu, Jan 3: With the consistent improvement in the situation, the militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have shown a sharp decline since last ten years, though the attempts of infiltration were higher than pervious year.

Giving an account of the last ten years, the DGP said that a total of 20, 984 incidents had been reported across the state while 8987 militants were killed in counter-insurgency incidents.

“As many as 949 militants surrendered, 5054 civilians were killed and 2647 security personnel had been killed in militancy related incidents,” he maintained.

He said that in 2010 the police have recorded ‘lowest ever’ number of militancy-related incidents in comparison to the record of last ten years from 2001

In 2001, the DGP said, 4536 militancy had taken place across the state, while in 2002 the incidents were slightly less i.e. 4038.

He said that 3401 militancy related incident took place in 2003, in 2004 these incidents further recorded decline to 2565, 1990 incident took place in 2005, 1667 incidents in 2006, and 1092 incidents in 2007.

In 2008, the DGP said, 708 incident were occurred, in 2009 only 499 incidents were reported, while in 2010 least number of militancy related incidents were registered i.e. 488, since last ten years.

While 2020 militants were killed in 2001, he said, in 2010 only 232 militants were gunned down by the security forces, especially state police.

“The militancy related incidents and the number of militant active in the state have shown a decrease with the mounting pressure of the police and other security related agency on them,” he added.

He said that 47 civilians were killed in 2010, while in 2001 their number was 1098 in the militancy-related incidents. “The highest number of 190 militants surrendered in the year 2006 while 20 gave up their arms in 2010,” he maintained.

Everyone knows harsh realities of political killings: DGP Police chief endorses Bhat’s statement, says `killers’ and `killed’ buried in same graveyar

Greater Kashmir

Syed Amjad Shah

Jammu, Jan 3: Jammu and Kashmir police chief Kuldeep Khuda Monday said that every one in Kashmir knows the harsh realities of political killings and it was the right time for the ‘right thinking’ and ‘truth speaking’ people to come forward and tell ‘reality’ to the people, which will be helpful for restoring peace in trouble hit-state.

“Senior Hurriyat leader spoke truth and had vindicated our stand. The right thinking and truth speaking people should come forward so that people know about the reality. They should tell people about truth and it could prove helpful for restoring peace and normalcy in Kashmir,” the Director General of Police (DGP) said while addressing a press conference here today.

He was reacting to a question on the statement of senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Bhat that top separatist leaders were killed by “our own people”.

“Everyone knew the harsh realities of political killings in Kashmir. He (Prof Bhat) revealed what everybody knows. I do not know what is the reason for him to say this at this moment? But this is the truth,” he remarked.

The DGP said the Hurriyat leader had vindicated the police stand. “He has said what we had been saying all along. The person involved in the killing of Mirwaiz Farooq is also buried in the same ‘martyrs graveyard’ where the senior Mirwaiz was laid to rest. Both killers and killed are martyrs for them,” he maintained.

During a seminar, Bhat had told that senior Mirwaiz Farooq, father of moderate Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and Peoples Conference chairman Abdul Ghani Lone were killed “by our own people”.

The DGP remarked, “We had always maintained that militants were killing leaders of rival factions. When a separatist leader himself makes this disclosure, all I can say is that our stand has been vindicated.”

Ration scarcity, ‘irregularities’ in BPL lists rocks Assembly

Greater Kashmir

SYED AMJAD SHAH

Jammu, Mar 2: The shortage of ration supply and alleged irregularities in Below Poverty Line (BPL) lists across Jammu and Kashmir rocked assembly on Tuesday forcing Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone to allow half hour discussion over the issue.
The opposition targeted the minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Qamar Ali Akhoon on alleged scarcity of ration across the state and ‘irregularities’ in the issuance of BPL list.
Replying to the clubbed questions of PDP MLA Peerzada Mansoor Ahmed, Prof Gharu Ram Bhagat and Bharat Bhushan, Akhoon said the re-verification of BPL lists in each district was being carried out by authorized Committees, headed by respective DDCs.
Admitting the cases of irregularities in BPL list have come to his notice, Akhoon said the government had already constituted a committee for the re-verification of the lists.
The opposition members from NPP, BJP and PDP took strong notice of the admission by the minister about the irregularity and started protest.
Replying to a supplementary, Akhoon said the government has decided to enhance the ration to 50 kgs against the existing scale of 35 kgs per ration card.

TARIGAMI, ZULFIKAR STAGE WALKOUTS
The assembly witnessed at least two walkouts by the opposition members after government failed to `satisfy’ them on different issues.
Senior CPI (M) leader and MLA Yousaf Tarigami’s raised the issue of inadequate availability of electricity in district Kulgam though his calling attention notice.
He protested the ‘unsatisfactory reply’ of the minister and said that the reply was nothing but jugglery of figures. Tarigami torn the written reply and walked out of the house
Choudhary Zulfikar Ali was second to stage a walkout after CAPD Minister Qamar Ali Akhoon failed to satisfy him. He had raised the issue of inadequate supply of ration in tehsil Budhal of district Rajouri.

AZAD’S NAME FIGURES IN ASSEMBLY
Union Health Minister and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad figured in state legislative assembly, here on Tuesday, leading to a war of words between BJP and Congress. Raising his concern over the deteriorating condition of District Hospital in Kishtwar, BJP MLA Chaman Lal Gupta said the government was indifferent towards the area despite the fact that it is the home constituency of union health minister.