Prisons Deptt launches website

Principal Secretary Home Department, B.R. Sharma today declared 5th State Prison Duty Meet - 2012 open at an impressive function held at Central Jail Kotbhalwal.

Director General of Prisons, Navin Agarwal was present on the occasion.

Mr. Sharma emphasized the importance of Prison Duty Meet in his speech and elaborated on various aspects of the same. He appreciated the work of Prisons Department particularly the programmes of Reformation and Rehabilitation for changing the mindset of the deviated youth.

Director General Prisons, Navin Agarwal elaborated on the purpose of holding State Prison Duty Meet annually. He said during meet we will be observing the professional competence of prison staff, examining their duty related knowledge and creating healthy competition among them. Superintendent Central Jail Kotbhalwal, Rajni Sehgal also spoke on the occasion.

A total of 44 participants selected from all over the State participated in the events of Essay Competition, Quiz Competition, Problem Solving Competition, First Aid Competition/Hygienic and Health Care Competition, Competition on finding of hidden prisoners and articles, prevention of escape and suicide, besides 100 meter / 800 meters race.

After declaring the State Prison Duty Meet open, the chief guest also launched the website of J&K Prisons Department (www.jkprisons.org) which was long pending demand of the department.

Army saves life of pregnant woman

Samote Army of 14 Sector of Uniform Force saved life of a pregnant woman of village Lower Kandi after she suffered serious pregnancy complications.

Naseem Akhter, wife of Master Khaliq Hussain of village Lower Kandi, tehsil Kotranka (Rajouri) was pregnant and suffered serious complications.

She was residing in a house, which was far away from road and no medical aid was available anywhere nearby.

The Army then came to rescue by arranging an ambulance and an Army Doctor with the help of a civil doctor namely Ashraf and his assistant Shamsad Malik carried out the delivery in the Army Ambulance.

The lady was blessed with a baby girl under medical supervision and later, both were taken to Bakori hospital for further medical aid.

Sarpanch of the village, Munir Hussain thanked the army for timely help and saving two precious lives.

KPs protest Indo Pak dialogue

A protest demonstration was staged by Joint Forum of Kashmiri Pandit organizations in front of Press Club here today to protest against the recently held Indo Pak dialogue. The demonstration was led by senior KP leader and president, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, (ASKPC) A N Vaishnavi.

The protestors displaying pla-cards and banners raised slogans denouncing the Indo-Pak talks as sham. They said that these talks would prove counter productive and would only encourage Pakistan and secessionist elements in the State.

The Joint Forum leaders who addressed the demonstration included Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo of PK, Rakesh Kaul of Kashmir Samiti Delhi (KSD), H L Chatta, general secretary, ASKPC, R K Raina, senior vice president, ASKPC, D N Kissu, chairman Non Camp and Virender Raina its spokesperson and women leaders Mohni Koul and Phoola Kaul.

They lambasted the Union Government and said that the manner in which the secessionist elements were facilitated to meet the Pakistan Foreign Minister is shameful. This smacks of a deep rooted conspiracy to undermine the position of the Indian nation and harm its vital national interests. The complicity of Pakistan in arranging meeting with these elements who are bent upon to break India has been established and as such the Government of India should have taken strong and appropriate measures, they added.

Instead it seems that the meeting was facilitated by the Government and was held in full glare of the media.

They said it has shaken the nation and created doubts regarding the sincerity and credibility of the Government in context of Kashmir issue. The manner and conduct of the Government gives rise to fears and suspicions that there may be a sell out being worked out at the cost of the nationalist forces in the State.

They said that time and again, the nationalist forces in the country including the Kashmiri Pandits have made it clear that there is no constituency in the country for negotiating or experimenting over the territory and sovereignty of India in J&K. The KPs have asked the Government of India to initiate a comprehensive dialogue process with the representatives of the community that would ultimately lead to the establishment of a separate homeland for seven lakh KPs in Valley, the added.

July 13 as Black Day

Kashmiri Pandits observed July 13 as a Black Day today.

Joint Forum of K P organizations held a demonstration here today and marched towards the UNO office at Jammu to register its protest on Black Day. The demonstration was led by A N Vaishnavi, president ASKPC, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, president Panun Kashmir, H L Chatta, general secretary ASKPC, D N Kissu, chairman Non Camp, R K Raina senior vice president, ASKPC, Virender Raina, national spokesperson of the Joint Forum and S Prem Singh, president Kashmiri Sikh Displaced Front.

Addressing the demonstrators, Vaishnavi reiterated his demand that KPs be recognized as internally displaced people and their issues be settled as per international covenants applicable to IDPs. He alleged that the mindset of interlocutors is at a complete variance with the nationalist point of view on Kashmir issue who are creating a very unpalatable situation for the nationalist elements in J&K.

Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo said that July 13 reminds the KPs of the attempt of genocide that was committed against the community in Kashmir in 1931. A design to ethnically cleanse the Kashmir of its minorities was hatched at the behest of the communal forces, he added.

H L Chatta said that mere economic or employment packages’ can’t pave way for Kashmiri Hindus to resettle in Valley, unless their geopolitical aspirations are met, there is no possibility of the Pandits return to Kashmir.

A joint meeting was organized by Panun Kashmir and its women wing Kashmira Vahini today to observe the Black Day. The participants wearing black bands in token of a strong protest against persistent moves of State Government to call July 13 as martyrs’ day while in fact it was a day when frenzy mobs in Srinagar attacked and looted the shops and houses of Kashmiri, Punjabi and Dogra Hindus.

They said nine Pandits were done to death and scores of houses were looted on this day in 1931.

Dr Agnishekhar, convener PK, while paying tributes to the Hindu victims of 1931 expressed surprise and indignation that those Kashmiri Pandits who were killed by the frenzy mob have been left unrecorded and unsung by State authorities while their tormentors are continuously eulogized and bestowed tributes by the main stream political parties of the Valley. He said after brief lull of 123 years of Dogra rule during which Pandits felt a relief after being continuously persecuted since 14th century, had again to face persecution from this day in 1931 till date.

Others who paid tributes to Hindu victims of 1931 included PK president Vijay Bhat, its political secretary Sanjay Raina, national spokesperson Kashmira Vahini, Dr Khema Koul, Shiban Khaibri, media chairman PK and Sanjay Dattatrey, national coordinator PK.

Decrying the July 13 as the Black Day in the history of the State, Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch (JKVM) in a meeting today called on the people of the State to recognize the communal agenda of July 13, 1931. The meeting took stock of the current situation in Kashmir and the challenges before the displaced Hindus from the Valley who were the primary targets of the rioters of 1931.

In his address Dr R L Bhat pointed out that the events preceeding the communal riots of July 13, 1931 and the events that took place on this day were communal in character and directed against the Maharaja not for his being a dictator but for being a Hindu. The rioters too targeted the Hindus, their houses and business establishments. The most unfortunate aspect of this has been the recent lionization of non Kashmiri instigator of July 13 riots, Abdul Kadir in Kashmir.

The meeting among others was addressed by Kashmiri Lal Bhat, M M Thaploo, M L Bhat, Chand Ji Pandita, P L Bhat, H L Bhat, national general secretary, JKVM, B L Bhat its state president and Dr AN Pandita chairman Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust.

Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) observed the day as Black Day and its activists wore the black badges besides the people switched off the lights on their respective houses and residences on the appeal of the organization this evening for one hour.

Besides to protest against the atrocities committed on the community on July 13 in 1931 the protest was held to draw the attention of Government, political parties throughout the country towards the problems of the KPs, said Kundan Kashmiri national president of the organization.

He, while addressing the gathering at Dwarika New Delhi appealed the community to be united at this crucial juncture and warned Government and its agents not to play with the aspirations of the community.

Jayanti of Bhagvaan Gopinath 2011

Jayanti of Bhagvaan Gopinath celebrated with religious gaiety

The 113th Mahajayanti of Jagadguru Bhagvaan Gopinath was celebrated at Bhagvaan Gopinathji Ashram, Udaiwala, Bohri, today with religious fervour and gaiety.

A large number of devotees thronged the Ashram from early in the morning and their number swelled to thousands in the afternoon. The Mahajayanti celebrations started with Paduka Poojan in the morning which was followed by serving of prashad to Sadhus. They were also offered dakshina (offerings in cash) which has been a tradition since Bhagvaanji’s lifetime.

After the Sadhu bhandar, the prasad was also served to devotees and this continued till late in the evening.

On the occasion devotional songs were recited by the devotees which continued till late evening. The celebrations concluded with Aarti at 7.15 pm. There was intense activity throughout the day in the Ashram.

The Ashram has become a Sidha Peeth for the devotees who visit there daily to pay obeisance to Bhagvaan Gopinathji.

The Ashram as well as the administration had made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. The activists of the Trust were deployed as sewadars to guide the devotees on the occasion.

As per a Bhagvaan Gopinath Trust handout, Mahajayanti was also celebrated at various Ashrams of Bhagvaanji throughout the globe. The functions were held at Bhagvaanji’s Ashram at Kharyar Srinagar in Kashmir Valley, Gole Gujral, Jammu, Pamposh Enclave and Vikaspuri, New Delhi, Chambur and Kandivilli, West Mumbai, Kashmir Bhavan, Kothrud, Pune, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jaipur and other places in India and abroad.

All these Ashrams and Satsang Mandals of Bhagvaanji are working to disseminate his ideas of spirituality and universal brotherhood, the handout added.

Dr Mookerjee 111th birth anniversary

BJP remembers Dr Mookerjee on his

111th birth anniversary

The 111th birth anniversary of founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS) Dr Shyama Prasad Mookerjee was celebrated with much fan-fare and enthusiasm by the activists of BJP here today. In this connection the district BJP led by its president Rajesh Gupta organized a function at Bal Niketan in the premises of Ved Mandir Ambphalla where the stationery items, sweets and uniforms were distributed among children of Bal Niketan.

While speaking on the occasion BJP state president Shamsher Singh Manhas said Dr Mookerjee was an institution in himself who dedicated his entire life for the total integration of J&K State with Indian Union and he also laid down his life for this cause.

He said it was Dr Mookerjee who abolished the permit system in the State.

He urged the Party activists to follow the footsteps of late leader and defeat the designs of those elements which are inimical to the national cause in the State.

BJP state general secretary Sat Sharma (CA) said Dr Mookerjee was a symbol of nationalism who was respected by people belonging to all communities. With his dedication to the national cause and spirit of self sacrifice which he displayed Dr Mookerjee became a role model for coming generations, he added.

Others who paid tributes to Dr Mookerjee included Rajesh Gupta district BJP chief, Ved Mandir Management Committee chairman, Amar Chand Gupta, Shiv Kumar Gupta, Bansi Lal Bharti, Lalit Moza, Balbir Ram, Vikram Randhwa, Jaideep Sharma, Munish Sharma, Aseem Gupta, Rajinder Sharma, Karan Singh, Sanjay Baru, Ashwani Sharma and Raj Rani Jamwal.

Another function was held by BJP’s Senior Citizens Cell led by Kuldeep Raj Gupta at Rajouri. While paying homage to Dr Mookerjee, Mr Gupta said it was due to his supreme sacrifices that the permit system was abolished in the State. With his supreme sacrifices the hopes of separatist forces in J&K were dashed to ground, he added.

Akhand Path for Everlasting Peace

The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) at organized Akhand Path for everlasting peace in Kashmir at a gurudwara here in which many Sarpanchs and Panchs from all districts of the valley took part.

In a statement, a spokesman of the APSCC said that Sarpanchs and Panches assured that they will work upto the expectation of the people without discrimination. He said the Sarpanches and Panchs belonging to the Sikh community have full faith and trust of the majority community.

Speaking on the, occasion APSCC chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina urged Sarpanchs and Panchs to give out their cent percent so that next time they are elected unopposed, which will automatically reflect their dedication, honesty and work done for the welfare of their voters.

"Most of the rural areas in Kashmir are under developed in terms of roads, drinking water and in medical infrastructure. The Panchs and Sarpanchs need to take care of these issues on priority. The state government should provide the newly elected public representatives with all the public funds since they are true grass root representatives of democracy," said the APSCC chairman.

BABAYN to commence yatra on June 14

Baba Amarnath Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas, (BABAYN) a conglomeration of several social, trade and religious organizations, today said it will march to the Amarnath cave on June 14, fortnight before the date announced by the shrine board, and claimed that over 40,000 pilgrims have registered with it.

Niyas dared the state government to "interfere in their programme." The conglomeration is not happy with the shorter yatra period - between June 29 and August 13, which was announced by Governor-headed Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

President of BAN Surinder Mohan Aggarwal said the organisation will head as per the schedule and will perform a yagya on June 13 at Ranvireshwar temple here before leaving for the holy cave.

"Although we have not received any intimation from the government so far, but our doors will always remain open for any consultations pertaining the date of the yatra," he said.

Aggarwal said "SASB has no control over the fixation of dates and said that their role is limited only to the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage."

He also maintained that if the government does not provide security to their march to the holy cave, the Niyas will make all the arrangements for the yatra themselves.