Rajouri Day celebrations

As part of the celebrations for Rajouri Day (April 4 to 14), Maj Gen KH Singh, GOC Ace of Spades Division, interacted with the senior citizens of Rajouri today.

Before the interaction the senior citizens were, taken on a visit to the 'Hall of Fame' at Rajouri and briefed on the sacrifices made by the valiant people of Rajouri and the Army, for the liberation of Rajouri.

The participation of school children, civil administration, local populace, was among the topics discussed during the interaction. The GOC stressed upon the need for a constructive role of the youth and the guidance required to be provided by the seniors, for growth and prosperity of Rajouri.

The senior citizens expressed solidarity of the local population with the Army, for the betterment of Rajouri. They informed the GOC that, the Rajouri Day celebrations will have a deep impact on the youth towards understanding the sacrifices made by their ancestors, for the liberation of Rajouri and thus, motivate them to work for the prosperity of Rajouri and national well being. The GOC assured the local populace of all out support of the Army towards betterment of the people living in far flung places of Rajouri.

Meanwhile, the Ace of Spades Division organised a visit of the students of HEM and National Public School, Rajouri to 'Hall of Fame' today, to showcase the sacrifices made by the valiant people of Rajouri and the Army, for the liberation of Rajouri.

The visit proved to be an eye opener for the students, to learn and understand the heroic deeds of the ancestors of both Rajouri and our brave soldiers. They also learnt about the various wars fought and the contribution made by the local population in the same.

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BJP JKNPP stage walkout over police action in Rajouri

The Opposition BJP and JKNPP today staged a walkout in the Assembly protesting against the alleged police crackdown on protesters in Rajouri.

They also demanded release of those arrested in connection with the violence in the town.

Jugal Kishore of BJP drew the attention of the House towards the cane-charge and tear gas shelling by the police on 300-odd people belonging to minority community protesting the arrest of 17 members in Rajouri today.

He claimed that even women were not spared by policemen, who resorted to violent means to curb the protest.

Kishore and other BJP members sought a reply from the government on the issue.

JKNPP members Harshdev Singh and Balwant Singh Mankotia held the state government responsible for failing to control the situation in Rajouri. Later, both party leaders staged a walkout in the state Assembly.

Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone said that the government has given an elaborate reply on the issue and said the situation has returned to normal in Rajouri.

However, the curfew was today reimposed in the border district after six cops among seven people were injured in stone-pelting and cane charge.

Police as a precautionary measure had imposed curfew in the town on March 8 after some unidentified persons pelted stones at a religious procession, prompting security personnel to lob tear gas shells to disperse them.
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Minorities refuse to open shops in Rajouri

17 arrested for defying Section 144 Minorities refuse to open shops

Even as normalcy returned to Rajouri town today and authorities also lifted night curfew, the minorities refused to open their shops demanding immediate arrest of the miscreants involved in stone pelting on religious Bhairav procession on the occasion of Holi festival.

The minorities under the aegis of Sanatan Dharam Sabha offered themselves for court arrest in protest against delay by police in arresting the accused, who had subjected religious procession to stone pelting. They declared not to open their shops till all 17 accused involved in stone pelting, who have been identified, were arrested and put behind the bars.

Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, GA Khwaja said night curfew has also been lifted from Rajouri town. However, Section 144 would remain in force as a precautionary measure. Day curfew was lifted from Rajouri town yesterday.

The minorities defied Section 144 in the morning and tried to take out a procession under the banner of Sanatan Dharam Sabha demanding action against the persons, who had subjected Bhairav procession to stone pelting on March 6 and 7 leading to imposition of curfew in Rajouri town and outskirts.

Police said 17 leaders of minority community were taken into custody for defying prohibitory orders. They were released in the night.

Police added that they were conducting raids at various places in search of accused involved in stone pelting on the religious procession. However, they were absconding from their houses.

The accused will be arrested shortly, police added.

Meanwhile, despite lifting of day curfew, the minority community didn't open their shops. They have decided to keep their shops shut till the accused involved in the stoning were arrested and put behind the bars.

The persons arrested for violating Section 144 included ex Municipal president Rajouri, Rajinder Gupta, BJP leader Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Yogesh Sharma , Vijay Gupta, Hardev Raj, Bharat Bhushan Vaid, Kamal Gupta, Dev Raj Gupta, Ashok Gupta , Davinder Malhotra , Sushil Vaid, Ram Avtaar, Youginder Gupta, Karan Vir , Rajesh Data, Rakesh Gupta and Kulbhushan. They have refused to come out of police station till their demands were addressed.

It is pertinent to mention here that following the incident of stone pelting, the district administration had imposed an indefinite curfew in the town which continued for about five days . Since then, the minority community has been demanding the arrest of all those who had pelted stones on the religious procession. 

In a statement issued here, senior BJP leader Vibodh Gupta said that their protest was not against any particular community but it was only to protest against the failure of police in arresting the real culprits . 

" We demand the immediate arrest of those who have let loose a reign of terror in the town . We appeal to the leaders of majority community to come forward and isolate those trouble maker in the society . It is the duty of majority community to assure the safety and security of the minorities", Mr Gupta said.

In his separate statement, senior BJP leader Kuldeep Raj Gupta said that he has offered his volunteer arrest in protest against the communal tension created by some elements in the town. " I will never allow them to succeed in their designs and aims. I demand Government must act against those who had pelted stones on our religious procession", said Mr Gupta.

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Day curfew lifted in Rajouri

Day curfew was lifted in Rajouri town today following improvement in the situation even as dialogue between the two communities was on to restore calm in the trouble-torn area.

"We have lifted curfew from 8 am in the border town in view of improvement in the situation," Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri GA Khwaja said, adding night curfew would remain in force for the time being.

"No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere in the district so far and the situation is under control," he said.

In view of improvement in the situation, the authorities had relaxed curfew for eight-hour yesterday.

To restore normalcy in the town, leaders of the two communities met here in the presence of Industry and Commerce Minister Surjeet Singh Slathia and Minister of State for Power Shabir Khan. Initially, they met the Ministers separately and then collectively.

Senior police and civil officials were also present at the meeting.

The minorities insisted on arrest of the persons involved in attack on their religious Bhairav procession before opening their shops. The Ministers assured them that law will take its course as FIRs have been registered.

The minorities didn’t open their shops during curfew relaxation demanding immediate arrest of those, who instigated and attacked their religious procession.

"Several meetings with leaders of both the communities were held to resolve the matter. The religious heads also made appeals to the people to maintain calm," official sources said.

Curfew was clamped on the town on last Wednesday after some unidentified persons pelted stones at a religious procession, prompting security personnel to burst tear gas shells to disperse them.

The stone-hurlers were protesting against VHP national working president Praveen Togadia’s recent remarks, which, they alleged, had hurt sentiments of a particular community.

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Rajouri returns to normalcy

Rajouri is returning to normalcy after 5 days of curfew. The administration today allowed eight-hour relaxation which passed off peacefully.

However, as assured in J&K Legislative Assembly, the ministers’ delegation to review the situation has still not reached the area but Minister of State Shabir Ahmed Khan visited the town to defuse tension between two communities. Large number of people today came out from their houses and purchased essential commodities.

During the curfew relaxation period, members of only one community opened their shops while the other community did not respond to the calls for maintenance of peace and harmony and kept their shops and business establishments closed. 

The religious leaders Vishatma Nand Saraswati, Madrasa Mohamdia Rizvia, Ishtiyaq Bhat, Mushtaq Dar, Iqbal Butt and Abdul Rashid Lone came forward appealing both communities to avoid violence and contribute for peace in the area.

An NGO National Forum for Peace and Human Rights has visited various areas of Rajouri to talk to the leaders of both communities. Its district genera secretary, Tanveer Shawl has said that they have received positive response from both communities and people are desirous of coming closer and solve all disputes which erupted during the last few days. He said that both communities want peace but there are certain reservations which will be solved within a couple of days.

On the other hand Deputy Commissioner Ghulam Ahmed Khawaja and Senior Superintendent of Police Vijay Singh Sambyal were also doing hectic efforts to bring peace in the area and they are continuously meeting both communities and impressing upon them to shun rigidity and contribute for restoration of normalcy. Minister of State Shabir Khan held talks with both communities at Dak Bungalow Rajouri, wherein he appealed to the people of both communities to give peace a chance in the town.

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Curfew relaxed for 8 hours in Rajouri

With improvement in situation in Rajouri township, the authorities relaxed the curfew for eight hours today from 0900 hours to 1700 hours. The relaxation in curfew this morning was given after the situation in the town remained peaceful for last 24 hours and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. During the curfew relaxation hours, the situation also remained peaceful and the district administration held meetings with the civil society members to resolve the issue amicably between them.

Meanwhile, the parleys are going on between the two communities informally to restore peace and total normalcy in the area and the district administration is also keeping a close watch on the situation.

According to Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, G A Khawaja the situation is limping back to normal in the troubled town, which remained under curfew for last six days. He said no untoward incident was reported during the curfew relaxation period today and some business community members also opened their shops in the town.

He said the MoS Power, Shabir Ahmed Khan, also visited the town and Minister of Industries and Commerce, Surjit Singh Salathia is visiting the town tomorrow to assess the situation. The administration, will also organize a meeting of the representatives of two communities tomorrow, he added.

However reports said that the members of minority community did not open the shops and business establishments during the curfew relaxation period also.

Meanwhile, the leaders of both communities refused to meet the Minister and held the joint meeting on their own for restoration of peace in the town. The initiative of restoring peace was taken by the leaders of two communities in view of the examination of the children.

The issue was raised by BJP Legislative Party leader, Jugal Kishore Sharma and MLA West Prof Chaman Lal Gupta in Assembly today as they wanted to know that was the Government going to send a Ministers delegation to the town. However the Speaker, Mohammed Akbar Lone informed the House that the delegation will visit if the local administration thinks the situation is conducive for that.

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Curfew continues for 3rd day in Rajouri

Indefinite curfew continued for the third consecutive day today in the border town of Rajouri following the eruption of communal tension prompting the administration to impose indefinite curfew to prevent further clashes in the area. However, administration today gave one-hour relaxation this evening in two different localities of the town.

Meanwhile, administration made several reconciliation efforts to pacify the matter to restore peace and tranquility in the Rajouri town but could not reach at a settlement point as the leaders of the both the communities were adamant on their demand of arresting of ring leaders of the other community.

Administration gave one hour relaxation in two localities during evening from 6.00 PM to 7.00 PM on the third day of indefinite curfew in the town. The relaxation which was given in the localities included Gujjar Mandi and Jawahar Nagar while whole of the trouble-torn old Rajouri town was under complete curfew on the third consecutive day without any relaxation.

However, no untoward incident was reported from the areas which were given curfew relaxation. Meanwhile, sources said, a deputation of Sanatan Dharam Sabha called on DIG Poonch–Rajouri range on his invitation in an effort to sort out the matter but it did not yield any fruit as the members of the Sabha were adamant on their demand to arrest main leaders of the particular community.

Police as a precautionary measure had imposed a curfew in the town on Thursday after some unidentified persons pelted stones at a religious procession, prompting security personnel to lob tear gas shells to disperse them. The stone-pelters were protesting against a recent remark of VHP international president Praveen Togadia, which they claimed had hurt the sentiments of a particular community. A case was registered by police in this connection.

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State Debt will go up to 47443 cr

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 Former Finance Minister and PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig said today that Jammu and Kashmir’s debt was expected to go up to ` 47,443 crore by 2014-15, which would be worked around 90 per cent of total Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) instead of prescribed limit of 49 per cent.

Addressing a press conference outside the Legislative Assembly after Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone turned down his plea to allow him to speak in the House after Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather’s reply to the budget speech, Mr Baig, former Deputy Chief Minister of the State, reiterated his charge that the State was falling in debt trap and Mr Rather has failed to give any roadmap to bring the State out of it.

He said the estimates and the figures revealed that J&K would had a debt of ` 28,724 crore during 2009-10 and ` 31,271 crore in 2010-11, which would go up to ` 34,694 crore in 2011-12, ` 38,511 crore in 2012-13, ` 42,746 crore in 2013-14 and ` 47,443 crore by 2014-15.

Total income of the State i.e. Gross State Domestic Product (both Goods and Services) would be ` 41,367 crore during 2011-12 and taking 7 per cent growth into account, which has been projected by Mr Rather, the total income would go up to ` 44,258 crore in 2012-13, ` 47362 crore in 2013-14 and ` 50,673 crore by 2014-15, Mr Baig said.

"As per the Finance Commission’s directions, as against ` 50,673 crore worth income, the State’s debt and liabilities should be ` 24,000 crore i.e. 49 per cent of total GSDP. Instead, our liabilities and debts would be 90 per cent of total GSDP i.e. nearly double the permissible limit’’, the former Deputy Chief Minister, who was flanked in the press conference by two senior PDP leaders, Abdul Rehman Veeri and Basharat Bukhari, said.

He regretted that the Finance Minister has failed to give any roadmap to bring the debts and liabilities under control. "Our debts will be 125 per cent of total economy. The Finance Commission has said that if the debts were not brought to 49 per cent, no money would be given to the State in the next award’’, he said, adding as his disclosures would have exposed the Government he was not allowed to speak in the House.

Mr Baig said without mounting debts and liabilities it was a common sense that fiscal deficit of the State would go up and not decline.

He added that the previous PDP Government was negotiating with the Central Government to give ` 16,000 crore to ` 17,000 crore of Prime Minister’s Re-construction Plan (PMRP) to J&K Government instead of getting these projects executed through the Central agencies. The present Government has failed to take any such initiative, he regretted.

The former Finance Minister recalled that J&K had been designated as special category State along with North Eastern States till 1991 when it used to get 100 per cent grant. "When we were in the Government, we were negotiating with the Centre for treating J&K at par with North Eastern States for 100 per cent free grant instead of present system of 90 per cent grant and 10 per cent debt’’, he said and asked: "why can’t J&K be declared special category State at par with North East’’?

Mr Baig said he had advocated earlier also that the Government should go for debt swapping by raising loans from financial institutions at 8 to 10 per cent interests and return ` 18,000 crore worth liabilities on which the State had to pay 15 per cent to 20 per cent interest.

Calling for appointment of a Commission to assess losses under Indus Water Treaty, the PDP leader said J&K would become ` 50,000 crore to ` 60,000 crore surplus instead of reeling under debt if it managed to get compensated for the losses suffered by it under the Treaty.

He charged the Finance Minister with misleading the House that the Union Government had fixed targets under Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act during 2007-08 when PDP was in power. Claiming that the targets had been fixed in 2009, he wanted to know how the PDP could have taken an initiative earlier.

He attributed decline in fiscal deficit to 4.2 per cent to taking 2004-05 figures into account for calculating GSDP instead of 1998-99 besides not counting Rs 1300 crore obtained through financial institutions for returned J&K Bank’s Overdrafts and ` 1000 crore grant to liquidate OD in the fiscal deficit.

Pointing out that the Government would be unable to control the future debts, he said any such steps would bring down the growth from 6.8 per cent to 5 or 4 per cent.

Countering Mr Rather’s claim that the had to pay 17.5 per cent interest to J&K Bank on ODs, he said the interest rates were 10 to 11 per cent during PDP regime though Farooq Government had paid 18 to 24 per cent interests to J&K Bank.

"Who Controlled J&K Bank? Who controlled J&K Bank’s Board? Who has appointed Chairman of J&K Bank’’? Mr Baig asked adding the Government had the powers to decide interest rates through the Board and the Chairman.

He said Mr Rather has counted income of daily wagers in the Per Capita Income but made no mention of unemployed youths, whose number has crossed 6 lakh. He called upon the Government to take urgent measures to improve the welfare of SCs/STs/OBCs and backward districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Budgam, Kupwara and Doda.

Mr Baig also batted for the welfare of PoK and other refugees including Mirpuri, Poonchis etc saying there was nothing in the budget for them. He wanted to know how many SCs/STs/OBCs or youths from Ramban, Reasi, erstwhile Doda, Rajouri and Poonch figured in the list of 800 youths, who have been given seed money as subsidy under finance schemes of the Government.

"There were five Congress MLAs in Doda belt. They were being ignored despite serving their people. They should raised the voice of people. From Rajouri and Poonch districts also, there was just one Minister of State’’, the PDP leader said.

Mr Baig said the PDP Government had brought Rs 33,000 crore worth projects and took ` 3500 crore loan from Asian Development Bank for just 4 per cent or even 2 per cent interest.

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Pandemonium in Assembly over Rajouri situation

PDP stages walk-out after clashes with BJP; verbal spat between Mehbooba, Sagar 

People’s Democratic Party today clashed with Bharatiya Janata Party in the Lower House over the Rajouri incidents before staging walk-out in protest against the failure of the Government to defuse the situation while as Leader of the Opposition Mehbooba Mufti entered into verbal spat with the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar. Following the massive uproar, Speaker directed the Government to depute a team of Ministers to Rajouri to bring the situation under control and bridge the divide between two communities created by the ‘objectionable’ statement of Vishav Hindu Parishad president, Parveen Togadia.

The uproar in the House started as soon as proceedings of the day began with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Ch Zulfikar Ali accusing the Government of not taking steps to defuse the prevailing situation in Rajouri district.

"There is continuous curfew in the district and people are finding it difficult to get the essential commodities", he said, adding "we are living in a political system and not Governor rule…clamping of curfew and continuing the same for days together is not going to defuse the situation".

He further said, "it is unfortunate that earlier Government allowed the VHP leader to vitiate peaceful atmosphere in the district and now it is watching the situation as mute spectator". The PDP MLA stressed that Ministers should visit the district and defuse the situation by inviting the representatives of both the communities.

Ch Zulfikar was joined by all the PDP MLAs in questioning the Government on the issue. "Where is the Government….why Government is not taking the Rajouri situation seriously", said Abdul Rehman Veeri.

In the meantime, all the four BJP MLAs and lone member of Jammu State Morcha stood up in support of VHP leader. "Togadia Aayega Aur Aapki Chhati Par Paav Rakh Kar Aayega" shouted BJP’s Ashok Khajuria. "Some people are trying to gain political mileage out of the Rajouri incidents", remarked Ashwani Sharma.

On this, PDP MLAs started raising slogans—"Parveen Togadia Hai Hai….Hai Hai". They were countered by BJP and JSM MLAs, who shouted "Rashtar Virodhi Log Hai Hai". The sloganeering from both the sides continued for sometime following which Speaker, Mohd Akbar Lone intervened and said, "I have directed the Government to depute a team of Ministers to Rajouri in order to defuse the prevailing situation there".

However, despite Speaker’s intervention, all the MLAs of main Opposition party staged walk-out after about 10 minutes long clashes with the BJP Members. On this Speaker remarked, "Ab Tak Kahan Soye The Aap Log".

Expressing concern over the protest by both PDP and BJP MLAs, CPM Member, Mohd Yousaf Tarigami said, "it is unfortunate that people’s sufferings are being politicized", adding "let me make it clear that Togadia has not done anything good for the country. He is not only communal but criminal as well".

Stressing that Government should send a team of Ministers to restore peace in Rajouri district, he said, "we sympathize with the people of Rajouri and gap between both the communities there has to be bridged at the earliest".

National Panthers Party MLA, Harshdev Singh stressed that MLAs should behave responsibly and don’t try to communalize the situation in the border district of Rajouri. Hitting at attempts to politicize the situation, National Conference MLAs—Mubarak Gul and Nazir Ahmed Gurezi said that House should send a message to both the communities asking them to maintain the communal harmony and don’t fall prey to the vested interests.

Another NC MLA, Aijaz Ahmed Jan accused the PDP and BJP of not bothering about the sufferings of the Rajouri people and said, "both these parties have started new game keeping in view the forthcoming Municipal elections. They are only concerned about the votes instead of making an appeal to both the communities to maintain communal harmony and peace".

His remarks infuriated the BJP MLAs, who once again started protest on the issue and even entered into verbal spat with the NC MLA. However, with the intervention of Speaker, an order was restored in the House.

Soon after returning to the House, Leader of the Opposition, Mehbooba Mufti requested the Speaker to allow her to speak on the ground that several members had expressed their views on the Rajouri situation. However, she was not allowed by the Speaker, who even directed that nothing should be recorded of PDP MLAs.

On this, PDP MLAs again started protest and moved near the Well of the House. They returned to their seats only after Speaker indicated that Mehbooba Mufti would be allowed to speak only after the already taken up question.

Later, while allowing Mehbooba Mufti to speak on the issue, the Speaker informed the House that he has already directed the Government to send a team of Ministers to restore communal harmony in Rajouri district.

"It would have been wise for the MLAs to raise the issue only after question hour", Mr Lone said, adding "it is due to non-adherence to the already taken decisions that the proceedings of the House get disturbed and time of question hour is wasted". "You are welcome to raise the issues but I will not allow anybody to take this House for granted", he further said.

While commenting on the Rajouri incidents, Mehbooba Mufti said, "being largest Opposition party we have right to raise voice on any issue. We have the right to protest and stage walk-out", adding "Government doesn’t want to listen us". She even quoted verses from Quran Sharief while criticizing the Government.

The Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs objected to Mehbooba Mufti linking verses from Quran Sharief with the issue and said, "this is unfortunate on the part of PDP". On this, PDP MLAs again stood up in protest and started shouting at the Minister. Two PDP MLAs—Javed Mustafa Mir and Syed Bashir even entered into verbal dual with the Minister.

"Omar might have given Vigilance clearance to you but we have not. We will expose you as to how much assets you have created", Mehbooba Mufti shouted at Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister.

Accusing the PDP of politicizing the Rajouri situation, Mr Sagar said, "the Government has already given bit-by-bit details of the happenings in Rajouri", adding "some people are trying to flare up the tension in the district".

Later, while interacting with the media-persons outside the House, Mehbooba Mufti said that "internal alliance" between NC and `divided’ BJP was eyeing personal benefits in the upcoming Municipal elections due to Rajouri situation.

"Tension prevailed in Rajouri after provocative remarks of VHP leader but Government is not taking up the matter seriously", she said, adding "‘PDP wants harmony to be restored in the region so that innocents, who are struck up in their house due to the curfew don’t suffer".

"The PDP legislators are not being listened and not allowed to raise the issues of common masses in the House", she further said.

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Fresh Tension in Rajouri

Stone pelting mob clashes with cops
curfew defied at 3 places

Curfew was defied at three places by the majority community as one of the processions taken out after Friday prayers at Kheora turned violent and clashed with police on outskirts of Rajouri district leading to fresh tension in the town prompting administration to go ahead with curfew for third consecutive day today.

People from majority community took out processions at various places across twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch protesting remarks of Vishwa Hindu Parishad national working president Praveen Togadia and alleged biased role of administration in dealing with the situation.

Deputy Commissioner-cum District Magistrate, Rajouri GA Khwaja said the situation didn’t warrant any relaxation in curfew, which continued for third day today within Municipal limits of Rajouri. He added all senior officers of the district would review the situation tomorrow morning at 10 am before taking a decision on giving any relaxation in curfew.

Tension erupted at Kheora, the site of new District Hospital when the youths from majority community started taking out a march after Friday prayers shouting slogans against Praveen Togadia and district administration. Police asked the processionists to disperse peacefully but they subjected the cops to heavy stone pelting.

Police and para-military personnel subjected the protesters to mild lathicharge. The ding dong battles between the two sides continued for half an hour after which the mob dispersed. Police have taken five persons into preventive custody for leading and instigating the mob to take out procession after Friday prayers and pelt stones on police and para-military personnel.

Situation remained tense in Kheora but it was under control, SSP Rajouri Vijay Singh Samyal said.

The District Magistrate maintained that there was no curfew in Kheora as it didn’t fall within the Municipal limits of Rajouri.

People defied curfew at Broian Wali Masjid and Jamia Masjid in the heart of Rajouri town to offer Friday prayers. The people didn’t stop despite being asked not to come out of their houses. However, the people at both these places dispersed peacefully after the prayers.

The DC Rajouri said the people didn’t move in groups and proceeded to the Mosques one by one.

Official sources said police and para-military personnel had been deployed in full strength outside all the places of religions in Rajouri town and outskirts to prevent any untoward incident and defiance of curfew.

"Barring Kheora incident, situation passed off peacefully in entire Rajouri district’’, they said, adding that authorities were keeping a strict vigil in all sensitive areas to prevent any fresh trouble.

Asserting that there had been no meetings between the two communities so far to resolve the issue and defuse tension, the Deputy Commissioner Rajouri said that the administration has asked leaders of both the communities to open channels of talks and come to them for formally arranging a meeting so that tempers cooled down and curfew was lifted.

"So far such a situation has not emerged’’, Khwaja said, adding the authorities too wanted the situation to cool down before giving any relaxation in curfew.

He added that authorities have also opened communication channels with both the communities and wanted to create a platform for a common meeting with their representatives to restore peace and calm in Rajouri, which reeled under curfew for third consecutive day today.

People from majority community also took out processions at Manjakote, Budhal, Darhal, Thanna Mandi and Kandi in Rajouri district and Mandi in Poonch district besides various other places of the two districts after Friday prayers. They shouted slogans against Togadia for his remarks against majority community and the administration for what they called inept handling of the situation.

Processions at all these places dispersed peacefully.

Curfew was clamped in Rajouri on Wednesday evening after Bhairav procession taken out by the minorities on Holi festival was attacked for second time at City Chowk, Rajouri by the majority community in protest against Togadia’s remarks made in a meeting of the VHP on March 4.

Authorities said in view of tense situation a meeting couldn’t be arranged between the two communities as neither side was coming forward to take initiative of breaking the stalemate.

The DC Rajouri said they have kept Army stand-by. The Army has said that they were already in readiness in view of militancy in the district and would be available as and when required by the civil administration to maintain law and order.

Sources described situation in entire Rajouri town and outskirts as ‘very tense’, which didn’t warrant any relaxation in curfew.

They said both the communities were agitated. While the majority community was up in arms against Praveen Togadia’s remarks, the minorities have resented the attack on their annual religious Bhairav procession twice.

Police have detained nearly 20 persons in connection with clashes after attack on Bhairav processions followed by stoning on police and para-military. While some of the arrests were preventive, others have been made formally.

Meanwhile, making a statement in the Legislative Assembly on Rajouri situation, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said Praveen Togadia made provocative and inflammatory remarks in a meeting organized by Dharam Raksha Nidhi in Rajouri on March 4. A FIR was registered against Togadia under No. 92/2012 and Section 153-A RPC.

Mr Sagar said on March 5, Muslims took a protest rally against Togadia’s speech and raised objectionable slogans at City Chowk.

"On March 6, a Jhanki procession was taken out by Sanatan Dharam Sabha led by Dinesh Sharma. The Muslims also took out a procession and both came across each other. Saner elements from both sides prevailed and police also intervened. However, some youths pelted stones on the procession from roof top. Police used teargas shells. The DC and SSP Rajouri rushed to the spot and controlled the situation’’, he added.

Mr Sagar said on March 7, Hindus take out Holi Processions organized by Sanatan Dharam Sabha to Bus Stand and raised objectionable slogans. There were counter slogans by the Muslims. The jhanki procession was stoned by the mischievous elements at Town Hall, he said, adding 11 persons have been arrested so far.

Asserting that no one will be allowed to disturb peace, Mr Sagar said the IGP Jammu has also reached the spot and adequate deployment has been made to keep the situation under control.

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BJYM protests against Rajouri administration

To register protest against failure of Rajouri district administration in ensuring safety and security to minorities, hundreds of BJYM activists under the leadership of its state president, Munish Sharma, held a massive protest demonstration here at Kachi -Chawni today.

They were carrying Party flags and placards with slogans demanding protection of minorities.

Addressing the demonstrators, Munish Sharma said that minorities in border district of Rajouri are living under shadow of terror for the last three days as the local administration has miserably failed to restore their faith by not taking strict action against culprits responsible for stone pelting on the members of minorities who were part of the centuries old annual religious Bhairav Jhanki which was taken out in connection with Holi celebrations in Rajouri town on Wednesday.

He said the Rajouri district has been peaceful in the past even when there was communal tension in the State and district presented a true picture of communal amity and brotherhood in the State.

He said some miscreants hatched a conspiracy to create tension between the two communities and had the administration acted in time and made proper arrangements for the yatra the situation would have not taken a critical turn.

He demanded protection to minorities and warned agitation in case Government failed in its in its prime duty. He also demanded immediate transfer of police and district administration.

Vikram Randhwa, Vijay Choudhary, Sanjay Baru, Vipin Shastri, Ajay Vaid, Adarsh Bhagat, Parimoksh Seth, Surinder Choudhary, Parduman Singh, Sat Choudhary, Pushpa Wazir, Jaideep Samyal and a large number of BJYM activists participated in the demonstration.

Meanwhile All Migrant Camp Coordination Committee (AMCCC) president Desh Rattan has also expressed his anguish and concern over the Rajouri incident and demanded that minorities in the district be ensured full protection by Government. He also demanded that DC and SSP Rajouri be transferred for their failure in maintaining law and order in the town.

Amendments in State Vigilance

Mubarak Mandi Bachao Andolan 

Jagati township in jammu

Curfew continues in Rajouri town

Curfew continued for the third consecutive day in the mountainous Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Protests sparked in the hilly town following provocative remarks by the VHP international working president Dr Pravin Togadia at a function on Sunday.

The members of the majority community protested against the remarks of Dr Togadia following which a case was registered against him under section 153-A of Ranbir Penal Code.

Demanding action against the VHP leader, the members of a particular community demonstrated and clashed with the police personnel that forced the district administration to impose section 144 of CrPC in the town on Wednesday followed by a curfew to avoid any untoward incident.

However, curfew was imposed in the area after the stones were pelted by some anti-social elements at the ‘Bhairon procession’ taken out on the occasion of Holi.

The prominent and senior citizens from both the communities have condemned the incident and demanded actions against the perpetrator of violence.

Inspector General of Police Dilbagh Singh yesterday rushed to the Rajouri district and reviewed the law and order situation, sources said and added that he also held meetings with the prominent people of the area.

‘The curfew is continued in the area and no relaxation has been given as yet under preventive measures,’ Vijay Singh Sambyal-Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu said this afternoon.

Mr Singh added that the law and order situation is being reviewed and the curfew will continue unless complete normalcy restores in the town.

 Jk News Group

Snow lashes Jammu Srinagar highway

Vehicular traffic on the 300 km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was again stopped, this evening, as a precautionary measure due to slippery road conditions and at-least 2000 vehicles were stranded at different places on the highway. More people fell ill due to outbreak of viral fever in Banihal villages today.

Our correspondent Khawaja Sharjeel from Banihal said that after the highway was cleared by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), it was reopened for one-way traffic in the morning. The smooth flow of traffic continued till late evening but due to fresh snowfall and rains, the traffic was stopped at 6.30 PM. At-least 4 inches of fresh snow accumulated on the highway near Jawahar Tunnel and 2 inches at Patnitop making the road slippery.At-least 750 vehicles stranded at a stretch between Patnitop to Banihal were to allowed to move towards the valley and out of these, 400 crossed the Jawahar tunnel till 5 in the evening.

The highway, the only surface link with Kashmir valley, was closed due to heavy snowfall, avalanches and landslides on the Jawahar tunnel-Banihal-Ramban-Patnitop stretch on January 15. However, due to a thick blanket of fog in Sher-Bibi area, where a major avalanche was cleared, Srinagar-bound traffic was stopped for some time as a precautionary measure but later trucks carrying essential supplies, including LPG, oil supplies and food grains, were allowed to move to Kashmir valley from Jammu.
The men and machines of the BRO worked overtime to clear the highway from heavy snowfall, two major avalanches and five landslides. The highway was lashed by heavy snowfall on January 15 and January 16 at Jawahar tunnel, Banihal, Batote and Patnitop areas. Two major avalanches also hit the arterial road at Nachalana and Shatani Nallah, while five landslides occurred at Digdol, Panthal, Sheri-bibi and Maroog and Shergarhi areas of Ramban district.

The inter-district highway of Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch has been restored for traffic even as Doda-Kishtwar is still closed due to snowfall at various places. Besides, most of the inter-district roads in Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and partly Kathua districts are closed due to heavy snowfall. The inter-state Bhaderwah-Chamba (Himachal Pradesh) road is also closed following nine feet snow at Sartangal Pass.

Our correspondent from Udhampur reported that due to the closure of the highway in the evening, over 2000 vehicles are stranded at various places, mostly at Udhampur and Nagrota areas of Jammu district. He said that in Udhampur, traffic was stopped at Jekhani, Bye-Pass, Mand, Dhar Road and Bali nallah. Normal life has been thrown out of gear due to fresh rains and snowfall in Udhampur district. Fresh snowfall was witnessed at Patnitop, Nathatop, Dudu Basantgarh, Latti Dhuna and Pancheri while the plains witnessed heavy rainfall.

Our correspondent from Reasi said that the people of remote areas of Mahore tehsil Reasi suffered huge loss of cattle. IAF carried out relief operations and dropped essential commodities, particularly food grains, in the mountainous belt of Reasi district, providing relief to people in the snow-hit area.

Intensifying relief operations to provide essential commodities to people trapped in the higher reaches of Mahore area of Reasi district owing to heavy snowfall and hostile weather conditions, the District administration in coordination with the Air Force, dropped several quintals of food grains in Gulabgarh area of the district. MI-17 Helicopters, fully loaded with food grains took off from the Reasi sports stadium and landed at Gulabgarh, to provide immediate relief to people trapped in inclement weather conditions.

Last year too, Indian Air Force Helicopters air-dropped ration and other material for people living in Dewal and Gandiala villages of Mahore area on December 13 during the first snowfall. Relief operations are being maintained under the close  guard of Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal and district Development Commissioner of Reasi Sheetal Nanda with a thrust to ensure that all inhabitants of such area could get essential commodities.

According to Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajinder Singh Tara, sufficient stock of food grains is available with different stores of the district especially in far-flung areas and every effort is being made to reach out to the people trapped in higher reaches due to snow.

Police handout said that cops are assisting the civil administration in snow clearance operation, besides offering all available resourses to help people in tough times. Parts of the district, particularly large parts of subdivision Mahore have witnessed more than 10 ft of snowfall over the past week. This abnormal situation has led to the disruption of supply lines of food grains and other essential items to the residents of the far flung areas of the subdivision. The adverse weather had also led to temporary suspensions of the major roads of the district, particularly the stretches between Arnas and Mahore, between Mahore and Chassana and between Mahore and Shajroo.

Police personnel actively assisted the district administration and the Border Roads Organization authorities in restoring the transport links so the essential commodities and people in distress could be transported to their respective destinations. So far no loss of life or limb and only minor damage to property has been reported in the district due to adverse weather conditions.

The handout further said that heavy snowfall in Doda district led to disruption of all essential services. In view of this, Joint Control Rooms were established at Doda and Bhaderwah respectively with civil administration and PMF to monitor the situation in the District. All SHOs/IC PPs, Operation groups in the district were kept on alert and were briefed to act as rescue operations.

The patrolling was got conducted by SHOs, IC PPs, Ops Groups in their AORs to reach out to people and redress their problems.  The communication network in the entire district was kept alive to monitor the situation and pass it on to senior quarters. SP Doda with Deputy Commissioner, Doda and a Representation of Police physically supervised the road clearance operation and restoring of essential services on Doda –Bhaderwah road, Doda-Assar Road, Doda-Gandoh road and Doda-Bhagwa –Bemina road respectively.