Damage to Green Belt
Forest dept files case against PWD
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, December 27
The Forest Department has registered a case against Public Works Department (PWD) for allegedly causing damage to the forests while constructing a link road in Bakhar near Sunderbani on Jammu-Poonch National Highway.

The Forest Department sources said the Public Works Department officials, being misled by the local political party leaders on Monday, allegedly started destroying forest closures while constructing a link road from Bakhar to Dharma Sthan (temple). During the process, eight forest trees and 13 forest protection poles were destroyed, sources added.

Immediately after receiving the reports that PWD officials were causing damage to the precious green belt, a forest department team headed by Range Officer Sunderbani, N.C.Sharma reached the spot and stopped the work.

“The case was registered against PWD and also against some local political leaders for causing damage to the forests during construction of link road from Bakhar to Dharma Sthan. The road is being constructed after local Member of Parliament (MP) Madan Lal Sharma sanctioned Rs 2 lakh for its construction,” said a forest department source.

Confirming the incident, Range Officer N C Sharma said the department has registered a case against PWD officials and some local leaders under Section 6 of Jammu and Kashmir Forest Act 1990, on Monday.

He further said he had also constituted a team headed by block officer to probe the matter.

Border people to cast vote without fear
Tribune News Service

Jhangar-Nowshera (Rajouri), November 22
It will be different election for the thousands of people living along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Nowshera area.

Unlike 2002 elections, when they were transported by the local election authorities from the migrant camps at various places in Nowshera after being dislocated from their native places near the LoC, this time around these people will cast their votes from their homes.

There are roughly about 5,000 voters in these areas of Laam, Ladoka, Kalsiyaan, Bhawani, Ser and Makri.

Elated Ajay Kumar, resident of Sarya near LoC, says: “This time we will cast our votes from our homes.”

However, Kumar said the successive governments have done little for them. "We have been dislocated more than four times since Independence, no one cares for us. Every time we constructed our houses, they are destroyed in shelling. The government has not compensated us for the losses we suffered due to tension along the LoC,” rues Kumar. But we hope the representative we elect will do something for us, he adds. Another resident Sat Paul Sharma, former Sarpanch of Jhangar, echoed similar views.

Balanced development during Cong rule: Azad
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, November 22
“During the past couple of years, the focus of the Congress-led government was to create infrastructure across the state and a balanced development in the state,” former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said while addressing a series of public rallies here yesterday.

He said the Congress era was an era of overall development, peace and prosperity. It is during this era that the militancy has been tackled with heavy hand and human rights violation has almost come to zero.

The former Chief Minister said in the past three years, Rajouri district had taken up massive road connectivity programmes. However, the district was neglected by the previous governments, he added.

Election authorities for action against 3 officials
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, November 22
The district election authorities here have recommended action against three government officials for violating the model code of conduct of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The officials against whom action has been recommended by the authorities include two gazetted officers and a numberdaar.

The election authorities had received 13 complaints of the violation of the model code of conduct and have recommended action against the employees for the same. Giving details, district electoral officer Sheikh Rafiq Ahmed told mediapersons here that two gazetted officers and a numberdaar were found campaigning for various candidates.

One of the gazetted officer is posted in Kathua district who has come here for campaigning for his favourite candidate, the other one is posted in Rajouri itself.

shariq's blog

People suffer due to absence of bridge on nullah
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Samote-Buddhal (Rajouri), August 7
When about four months ago, Shahanaz Akhter (in her 20s), died after she had complications during delivery,locals here said her life could have been saved had she been shifted to Rajouri District Hospital.

Vehicles have to cross this nullah to reach Buddhal and Mahore. A Tribune photograph

But even as her parents and parents-in-law tried their best to shift her to the district hospital, she died while being taken to the hospital as the vehicle carrying her couldn’t cross the overflowing Kroon Nullah (stream) where the state government has failed to reconstruct a bridge for the last 20 years.

The locals, who are furious over the government’s failure to reconstruct the bridge which was washed away in 1992, complain that every year hundreds of patients who are seriously ill and are to be shifted from Buddhal (in Rajouri district) and Mahore (in Reasi district), to Rajouri District Hospital or Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H), Jammu, die during the rainy season as the vehicles have to cross the overflowing stream.

They added it was not only the precious lives which were lost due to the lackadaisical attitude of the government, but also during the rainy season when the water level rises in the river, the areas of Buddhal and Mahore are cut off leaving the people helpless.

“In 1992, heavy rains washed away the bridge near Samote along the Rajouri-Buddhal-Mahore Road connecting Koteranka with the far-off and backward areas of Buddhal and Mahore. Every year, during the rainy season, hundreds of patients, including pregnant women, die as the vehicles can’t cross the overflowing river during emergency situations. If it continues to rain for 2 days, our areas comprising more than 50,000 people are totally cut off from the rest of the world,” said Muhammad Rasheed, a resident of Bathan.

“The government should take a sympathetic view of the problem faced by the people here and should immediately get a bridge constructed so that we are not made to suffer further,” he added.

Jaipaul Singh, deputy commissioner, Rajouri, said a bridge was being constructed on the stream and would be completed soon.

shariq's blog

JAMMU DIARY
Transformers pose threat to lives

They are walking on razor’s edge, just two steps away from possible death. Dangerously located naked transmission lines and voltage transformers in the winter capital continue to pose a serious threat to the residents.

The Power Development Department has installed a number of voltage transformers in the city but without properly covering them.

Transmission wires without insulation and the transformers without any cage around it are a common sight in the winter capital.

Perhaps, the department would wake up from its deep slumber only after a tragedy strikes the residents.

Teachers turn contractors

A majority of government teachers as well as non-teaching staff in Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch are working as contractors. They are more concerned about marking their attendance and leaving the premises immediately so that they can take stock of the work at the site of their contracts. One wonders why the administration is maintaining a dead silence on the matter which concerns the future of thousands of students.

Traders make hay from cross-LoC business
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, June 23
It’s not the people who are benefiting from the cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade, but traders on the either side who are making the most of one of the main confidence- building measures between India and Pakistan.

The trade between the two countries follows the barter system wherein goods are exchanged from both sides. Sources in the district administration as also local sources told TNS that even as the trade had witnessed phenomenal increase since the time it was started through Poonch-Rawlakote cross-LoC road more than seven months ago, it had not benefited the people on the either side in any way. They added that it was the traders who were reaping the maximum benefit.

Since the prices of commodities on the either side are cheaper, people should have been benefited, but that did not happen, the sources said, adding that of the main items traded, including moong dal (green gram), onion and Peshawari chappal, the margin of traders varied between 100 and 1,000 per cent. They added that items like garlic, which is no longer on the list of tradable items since its import from Pakistan was banned due to plant quarantine measures, also brought huge profits to traders on both sides.

“Moong dal (green gram) is being sent by the traders from Pakistan at the rate of Rs 25 (Indian currency) per kg, but the same is being sold by here at Rs 55. Similarly, Peshawari chappal is bought from Pakistan at Rs 250 per pair, but the traders here sell the same for Rs 500 per pair, thus a profit of 100 per cent,” sources said.

“Onion is being send by Indian traders to Pakistan at the price of Rs 14 (in Pakistani currency) per kg, but the same quantity is being sold there at Rs 40. Similar is the case of other vegetables and fruits being sold by local traders to those in Pakistan, who are making huge profits”.

A reliable source in the district administration said had the respective governments checked the profit margins of the traders, people would have been benefited, but in the absence of any check, traders were making hay.

A senior officer in the district administration told The Tribune that the central government did not want to disturb the trade. “We also feel that people should also benefit from the trade between the two countries. Presently, only traders on both sides are reaping the maximum profit. The prices of the items traded from Pakistan should be monitored but for that the government has to take steps,” he said.

Police ill-treatment leaves leopard cub injured
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, March 30
The state Wildlife Department has initiated probe against the Thanamandi police for allegedly torturing a leopard cub.

It was against law and the local police should have informed the Wildlife Department after capturing the cub, said regional wildlife warden, Jammu, N.A. Kitchloo over the phone from Jammu.

The department would look into the allegations that as to why the police after capturing the cub from Pongai village in Thanamandi chained the animal from neck
and limbs.

There are also allegations that the cub was dragged to the local police station, which caused injuries to the animal.

The enquiry will also look into the allegations against the local police regarding illegal confinement of the cub for days and not informing the local wildlife authorities.

Sources in the Wildlife Department said after rescuing the injured cub, the local wildlife authorities administered it tranquilisers and shifted it to Manda Wildlife Sanctuary in Jammu.

They further said the cub had suffered bruises and was unable to walk due to injuries in the neck and paws because of its enchainment.

Cub was undergoing treatment at the sanctuary and the department is utilising the services of a veterinary surgeon for its treatment, they added.

Lovers shun marriages, elope to PoK
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, March 30
Leaving aside their first marriages, a man and woman, considered to be in deep love, have crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to marry each other for the second time. They, it is believed, have taken this decision to escape wrath of their relatives.

The story weaves around Muhammad Rasheed and Nageena Bi, who for tying the knot, reportedly escaped to PoK after crossing over the Line of Control (LoC) on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

Sources said Muhammad Rasheed Jat (35) and Nageena Bi (25), who was wife of Muhammad Afzal and residents of Qasba hamlet falling between LoC and fence in Bandi Jajiyaan general area in Poonch, were in love for last three years. The lovers were finding it hard to manage second marriage and were on a look out for some opportunity to flee from their native village.

Nageena, who is mother of five children-- four sons and a daughter--has taken along her two-month-old daughter.

Sources further said Nageena had been meeting Rasheed outside village for the last three years and the lovers were deeply in love with each other.

“However during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, the duo managed to flee from the village and crossed over to PoK after crossing the LoC in Poonch sector,” reliable sources said. “The duo is most likely to get married in PoK.”

Meanwhile, the family members of the duo have reportedly lodged a missing report at police station Poonch. Poonch SSP Jagjeet Kumar told The Tribune over the phone from Poonch that they got the information about the missing persons today and that too only through the special branch of Poonch police. “Accordingly, a police party was rushed to the village to ascertain the facts,” the SSP said.

Pak govt will help restore peace in state, hopes Farooq
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, March 30
Asserting that the Jammu and Kashmir was going through a difficult phase, National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah today hoped that the newly-elected Pakistan government will help bring peace and prosperity to the state. He was addressing a mamoth public meeting, at Kalakote here today.

Claiming that bilateral relations between India and Pakistan will not improve without peace in this trouble torn state, Dr Farooq said both Indian and Pakistan needed to work jointly for bringing the same.

Expressing optimism that the newly-elected Pakistan Prime Minister Makhdoom Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani will take personal efforts in accelerating the dialogue process between India and Pakistan, the NC patron advocated the involvement of the people of the state in the process.

“We are of the firm believe that peace to the sub-continent is possible only when the two countries are able to solve Kashmir issue,” Dr Abdullah said. “This dialogue process is, however, meaningless if the people of the state are not taken into confidence.”

“I am hopeful that the new government will help us in bringing peace to the state, where people have been facing bloodshed and miseries due to the ongoing turmoil,” former chief minister added.

Coming down heavily upon the political parties playing religious card, the NC patron said that people were being misguided for pity political gains.

“Secularism is the basic character of our society,” he said and warned the people that some elements were creating a wedge among the people on the name of Gujjar and Pahari, which may prove fatal for the composite culture of the state.

Without naming anyone, he said, “Those people who are opposing Article 370 are neither friends of the state nor well-wishers of the country.”

He said that people should remain cautious about such elements, which want to divide people on the name of religion, cast, colour and region. “Those elements will get a befitting reply in the upcoming assembly elections.”

Dr Abdullah criticised the state government for neglecting the far-flung areas of the state, where development was far from the reality. "I am shocked as the road of this area remains dilapidated and people are still without the basic amenities", he said questioning the hue and cry being raised by the coalition alliance about development of the state. He announced Rs 20 lakh from his MP fund for the water works scheme in the area.

HC ban on 15-yr-old vehicles doesn’t work here
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, February 29
Even after two years since the high court had banned commercial vehicles of over 15 years of age from plying, there is no stooping these vehicles across Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Most of these vehicles have been found operating in Buddal, Darhal, Thanamandi and Shahdara Sharief in Rojouri, whereas in Poonch district such vehicles are plying in Mendhar, Surankote, Bufliaz and Mandi areas.

Owners of such vehicles, which are more susceptible to road accidents due to heavy wear and tear, have a nexus with the traffic police and the local police (which is also involved in traffic management due to less number of traffic policemen in these districts).

The owners bribe the traffic policemen and the police on a monthly basis to ply such vehicles on roads.

The Tribune investigation indicates that during last year, these over-aged vehicles have caused deadly accidents killing hundreds of passengers in these frontier districts.

Now it is found that the vehicle owners of these over aged vehicles either sell these vehicles to transporters or are themselves operating the vehicles.

Farooq Ahmed Dar, a businessman, said, “The government should implement the directions of the high court so that precious human lives are saved and the air pollution is checked.”

Transport minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen expressed his ignorance about the matter. “No one ever brought the matter to my notice. But if there is truth in your findings, we will take action,” said the transport minister.

“To start with, we will form checking squad to check whether such vehicles are plying on roads in Rajouri and Poonch.”

Rajouri gets a facelift, courtesy President’s visit
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, October 9
President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil’s maiden visit to Rajouri today has done wonders for this border town. The Army and the civil administration prior to the dignitary’s visit here have ensured that the town gets fully prepared.

Locals say the authorities not only painted the dividers on the road, the routes from where President’s caravan would move have been cleared of debris and garbage.

“I have never seen preparations of such a level for the visit of any dignitary. The road from Mandi area to 25 Infantry Division headquarters has been cleared of vendors”, says Yograj Sharma, a resident.

“The roads leading to the division headquarters of 25 Infantry Division were dotted with garbage and cow dung everywhere, but everything has been cleared now”.

A senior officer in the district administration says they have worked day and night to spruce up the area. “We made every effort to ensure that the President gets a good impression about the town. So we left no stone unturned to give an aesthetic look to the town”.

Rajouri gets a facelift, courtesy President’s visit
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, October 9
President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil’s maiden visit to Rajouri today has done wonders for this border town. The Army and the civil administration prior to the dignitary’s visit here have ensured that the town gets fully prepared.

Locals say the authorities not only painted the dividers on the road, the routes from where President’s caravan would move have been cleared of debris and garbage.

“I have never seen preparations of such a level for the visit of any dignitary. The road from Mandi area to 25 Infantry Division headquarters has been cleared of vendors”, says Yograj Sharma, a resident.

“The roads leading to the division headquarters of 25 Infantry Division were dotted with garbage and cow dung everywhere, but everything has been cleared now”.

A senior officer in the district administration says they have worked day and night to spruce up the area. “We made every effort to ensure that the President gets a good impression about the town. So we left no stone unturned to give an aesthetic look to the town”.

70 SIM cards issued to youth: Police
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, September 18
Following specific inputs about militants using the mobile services of operators in the district, the police has started checking the records of SIM cards.

The police has recovered about 70 mobile SIM cards of one of the leading private operator from Muhammad Iqbal (22), son of Israr Bhatt, a resident of Falni village.

Sources in the Police Department divulged that the police had clear-cut information that militants were using the mobile SIM cards of operators. They added that the police was even having the numbers being used by the militants and had put these numbers under surveillance.

The police decided in a meeting held a few days back to check the records of the outlet dealers and the company operators.

SHO Buddhal said neither the youth was having any letter from the mobile operators nor was he keeping any record of SIM cards issued through him. Meanwhile, the police sources are also not ruling out the nexus of some influential persons with a few company officials who may be getting the SIM cards through illegal means.

2 brothers stray into PoK
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Sarya-Nowshera (LoC), July 28
Two brothers rearing cattle near the LoC, fearing punishment from their parents after their buffalo was injured in a landmine blast on Monday afternoon, reportedly strayed into the PoK.

Satpaul Sharma, grandfather of Rajat Sharma (8) and Rakesh Sharma (13), said fearing punishment from their parents his grandsons reportedly crossed over to the PoK after a buffalo was injured in landmine blast around 1pm yesterday. However, he added that the Pakistani authorities confirmed this morning that the boys were with them.

“We hope that they will be back home soon as we are worried for them. The Pakistani authorities should facilitate the return of our children,” Satpaul (65) said.

RK Bhatt, ASP, Nowshera, confirmed to The Tribune that the brothers crossed the LoC.

The Army is holding a flag meeting near Mendhar, where the children may be handed over to it for restoring them to their family.

2 brothers stray into PoK
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Sarya-Nowshera (LoC), July 28
Two brothers rearing cattle near the LoC, fearing punishment from their parents after their buffalo was injured in a landmine blast on Monday afternoon, reportedly strayed into the PoK.

Satpaul Sharma, grandfather of Rajat Sharma (8) and Rakesh Sharma (13), said fearing punishment from their parents his grandsons reportedly crossed over to the PoK after a buffalo was injured in landmine blast around 1pm yesterday. However, he added that the Pakistani authorities confirmed this morning that the boys were with them.

“We hope that they will be back home soon as we are worried for them. The Pakistani authorities should facilitate the return of our children,” Satpaul (65) said.

RK Bhatt, ASP, Nowshera, confirmed to The Tribune that the brothers crossed the LoC.

The Army is holding a flag meeting near Mendhar, where the children may be handed over to it for restoring them to their family.

SPOs exploited by politicians, bureaucrats
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, December 10
They are called Special Police Officers (SPOs) of the Jammu and Kashmir police but they do petty jobs of orderlies and domestic helps, courtesy the “influential people” they provide security to.

Despite playing a commendable role in quelling terrorism in this militancy-hit state, the SPOs are being taken for a ride by the “influential people” they are attached to for security. In majority of the cases here, the SPOs attached to politicians, administrative officers, police officers (including retired), some mediapersons and businessmen, are being made to do petty jobs other than providing security.

Sources in the Police Department said of the 900 SPOs recruited in the district, more than 150 were working as orderlies, drivers, cooks and babysitters with the “influential people” they are attached to for providing security. In some of the cases, these SPOs have been found working in the shops of businessmen (who get SPOs for security reasons) here, sources added.

“What else should I ask for? My boss takes care of everything from meals to my clothing. In lieu I have to just accompany him to the places he goes,” said a SPO with a politician. Another SPO attached with a mediaperson also working as cook, said “What's the harm in it? I just cook food for him and at times I do wash his clothes”. “It is too little a price for getting a government job”.

Not only the SPOs attached to “influential people” also called PSOs (personal security officers), provide security to most of the businessmen and are exploited and made to work as salesmen by the latter.

“There is no doubt that SPOs have played a crucial role in countering insurgency operations but this is also true that in most cases where these SPOs are performing security duties for some politicians, administrative officers, police officers, businessmen and even for that reason with some mediapersons, they are exploited lot”, said a senior police officer on the condition of anonymity. “We have clear cut information that SPOs attached with most of the influential people have been made to fit in other roles other than providing security by them”, he added.

“There is quite a truth in the fact that SPOs are being made to do petty jobs by people they are attached to for security reasons”, IG, Jammu, S.P. Vaid said.

Rajouri, Poonch link road remains closed
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Bufliaz (Poonch), February 16
Even as the state government has announced that the construction of historic Mughal road project linking Jammu and Kashmir province would be completed by 2009 and the traffic would start plying on it, one of the main approach roads to this ambitious road remains closed for more than a month.

The approach road to the under construction Mughal road through Dera Ki Gali (DKG) also serves as the shortest link road between Rajouri and Poonch districts.

The approach road that besides serving as approach road to the Mughal road at here also functions as alternate link road between Rajouri and Poonch passes through Thanamandi and DKG.

However, as the approach road to the Mughal road, the alternate road link between Jammu and Kashmir province, remains closed due accumulated snow of 4-5 feet at DKG. The government failing to get the road opened by the Border Road Organisation, the residents, who have pinned hopes from this road for economic growth, are questioning the sincerity of the government in constructing the Mughal Road and keeping it open throughout the year.

“We are hoping that the government will keep its promise and will get the historic Mughal road constructed by 2009. But what makes us feel that it (government) is not sincere in getting the road constructed and open it for vehicular traffic,” they said.

“It has failed to open one of the main approach roads even after a month of its closure due to heavy snowfall,” said Muhammad Rafiq, resident of Behramgala near here, who along with his wife Taj Begum had to trek about 20 km from their native place to Thanamandi to reach Rajouri to attend the last rites of his nephew Muhammad Taroof who died in a road accident.

Another resident, Munshi Khan, a shopkeeper here, said the BRO authorities did not send a single snow-clearing machine to open this road. Instead, he claimed, that the BRO authorities terminated some of the additional labour, involved in snow clearing job and only 15 labourers are left to complete the work.

The officer commanding, 79 Road Construction Company, BRO, said the approach road would be possibly opened within three to four days. “We are using the available resources like dozers and loaders to clear snow and open the Mandi-Sawjian road first. After this road is opened for traffic, we will shift our resources to open the road at DKG,” he said.

Addicts use codes to procure medicines
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Sangrur, December 13
Coke for Corex, kaju (cashew nut) for painkiller capsules, ‘kali nagni’ for opium, lal ghoda (red horse) for proxyvon painkiller and neela ghoda (blue horse) for pravonplas painkiller. These are the codes used by drug addicts for referring to these medicines, which they use as drugs.

Mohan Sharma, who is working as an administrator at the Red Cross De-addiction Centre here since 2005, revealed these codes.

Sharma, who has also written his experiences with addicts in a book “Nashe Vich Rurda Punjab”, says: “These names are used by addicts for procuring drugs from suppliers and also to communicate with other addicts.”

Sharma asserts that besides procuring drugs from medical shops, the addicts also avail the services of suppliers running mobile shops. They use code language - “Yeh slip doctor sahib ne bheji hai” (this slip has been sent by the doctor) - to procure their quota of medicines used as drugs from chemist shops while some suppliers also keep these medicines in scooters.

Sharma adds that some medical shops have even started giving home delivery of drugs. They also give them offers like they give one strip or one bottle (syrups) free of cost for the purchase of four to five strips or bottles.

Drug addicts, who are undergoing de-addiction at the centre, confirmed the codes being used by them. The police said it knew about these codes being used by drug addicts and efforts were on to arrest people selling drugs to them.

Addicts use codes to procure medicines
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Sangrur, December 13
Coke for Corex, kaju (cashew nut) for painkiller capsules, ‘kali nagni’ for opium, lal ghoda (red horse) for proxyvon painkiller and neela ghoda (blue horse) for pravonplas painkiller. These are the codes used by drug addicts for referring to these medicines, which they use as drugs.

Mohan Sharma, who is working as an administrator at the Red Cross De-addiction Centre here since 2005, revealed these codes.

Sharma, who has also written his experiences with addicts in a book “Nashe Vich Rurda Punjab”, says: “These names are used by addicts for procuring drugs from suppliers and also to communicate with other addicts.”

Sharma asserts that besides procuring drugs from medical shops, the addicts also avail the services of suppliers running mobile shops. They use code language - “Yeh slip doctor sahib ne bheji hai” (this slip has been sent by the doctor) - to procure their quota of medicines used as drugs from chemist shops while some suppliers also keep these medicines in scooters.

Sharma adds that some medical shops have even started giving home delivery of drugs. They also give them offers like they give one strip or one bottle (syrups) free of cost for the purchase of four to five strips or bottles.

Drug addicts, who are undergoing de-addiction at the centre, confirmed the codes being used by them. The police said it knew about these codes being used by drug addicts and efforts were on to arrest people selling drugs to them.

Poor cellular service irks customers
Tribune News Service

Sunderbani (Rajouri), February 25
Contrary to the claims of the telecom authorities to provide best service to the people, mobile subscribers in this belt of Rajouri district have been facing hardship. Mobile services being provided by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), usually remains disrupted for days together.

As the authorities failed to streamline mobile services, subscribers are now seriously considering surrendering the mobile connections due to poor connectivity. “There is no use of keeping mobile phones when the service of BSNL is so poor,” lamented Kuldeep Raj, a shopkeeper of Sunderbani.

He informed that local subscribers have repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of BSNL authorities, but to no avail. Narinder Sharma, another shopkeeper, told The Tribune that most of the subscribers were fed up with the mobile phones due to poor service. On the other hand, district telecom engineer M.L. Raina claimed that BSNL had been providing smooth service to its consumers. “Occasionally services disrupt due to some technical snag, but most of the time our staff restores service without any delay,” said Raina.

Being a remotest border area of Jammu and Kashmir, mobile phone is the only means of communication in this hilly belt. There are more than two thousand mobile subscribers in Sunderbani alone, but most of these customers were dissatisfied with the service.

Sunderbani residents seek trauma hospital
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Sunderbani (Rajouri), February 25
A few days back Sham Lal received multiple injuries in a road accident near here. Bleeding profusely, Lal was shifted to a local hospital here where doctors attending on him asked his family to arrange three units of O negative blood compatible to patient. Since the hospital here lacks blood bank, the family tried hard to arrange the blood of the otherwise rare group and managed to get it from Jammu. However, Lal died an hour before the requisite volume of blood was transported here. Doctors felt Lal’s life could have been saved at a trauma hospital where blood bank is a must.

Even though the state government admits that this area is highly prone to road accidents, it has failed to set up a trauma hospital.

The locals here said on an average, in a month, there are around 12-15 deadly accidents and since there are no trauma hospitals in the area, majority of the injured die.

Though doctors at the sub district hospital here manage to treat the persons with minor injuries, but when it comes to treating critically injured patients they simply give up, they added.

The locals added most of the critically injured patients die on the way to the district hospital (about 80 km away) here or to the well-equipped hospitals in Jammu.

The residents said even the Chief Minister during his visit here had announced the setting up of a trauma hospital, as the area is highly accident-prone. They rued that it seems that he too has forgotten about the announcement made by him.

“This area is highly accident-prone. Every month on an average around 12-15 road accidents occur here and scores of precious human lives are lost. To worsen the things, the sub district hospital here doesn’t have orthopaedicians and blood bank,” said Chander Mohan Sharma, a local youth leader and a resident.

“To minimise the loss of precious human lives, the government should set up a trauma hospital here. Even Chief Minister has announced a trauma hospital for this accident-prone area.”

Rajouri chief medical officer Dr Tilak Raj Gupta admitted that this area of the border district witnesses a high average of road accidents.

However, he said setting up a trauma hospital here is a policy decision and has to be taken by the state government.

Woman returns from PoK, arrested
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, June 14
An Indian woman who left her husband and home at Qasba village on the Line of Control (LoC) to elope with her paramour to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) returned along with her minor child after crossing the fences along the LoC from the Kerni sector in Poonch last night.

Her paramour didn’t return from PoK. Nageena Bi (30), a mother of four and wife of Muhammad Afzal of Qasba village, along with her minor child had traversed to PoK by crossing fencing from a forward area at Qasba village on March 28.

Her lover Muhammad Bashir (24) belonged to the same village. It is said that Nageena returned because her lover ditched her.

After getting the information about her return, a police team from Poonch rushed to the spot and arrested her.

During preliminary questioning, Nageena has divulged that her lover Bashir took her to his maternal uncle Rashid Ahmed’s house at Mang Pathri village in PoK, said one of the investigating officers.

After getting suspicious about the nationality, the Pakistani police summoned the lovers but the duo managed to fool them.

After this incident, the couple developed some differences and they had brawls on a regular basis.

“Her lover reportedly told Nageena to return to India if she didn’t want to live with him. She in a fit of anger took her baby and returned back to her village after crossing the LoC last night,” the investigator said.

The Poonch police has registered a case against the woman for illegally crossing over to PoK.

Woman returns from PoK, arrested
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, June 14
An Indian woman who left her husband and home at Qasba village on the Line of Control (LoC) to elope with her paramour to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) returned along with her minor child after crossing the fences along the LoC from the Kerni sector in Poonch last night.

Her paramour didn’t return from PoK. Nageena Bi (30), a mother of four and wife of Muhammad Afzal of Qasba village, along with her minor child had traversed to PoK by crossing fencing from a forward area at Qasba village on March 28.

Her lover Muhammad Bashir (24) belonged to the same village. It is said that Nageena returned because her lover ditched her.

After getting the information about her return, a police team from Poonch rushed to the spot and arrested her.

During preliminary questioning, Nageena has divulged that her lover Bashir took her to his maternal uncle Rashid Ahmed’s house at Mang Pathri village in PoK, said one of the investigating officers.

After getting suspicious about the nationality, the Pakistani police summoned the lovers but the duo managed to fool them.

After this incident, the couple developed some differences and they had brawls on a regular basis.

“Her lover reportedly told Nageena to return to India if she didn’t want to live with him. She in a fit of anger took her baby and returned back to her village after crossing the LoC last night,” the investigator said.

The Poonch police has registered a case against the woman for illegally crossing over to PoK.

Cross LoC bus plies as usual
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, December 1
Despite increased tension between India and Pakistan following the Mumbai terror attack, the LoC Poonch-Rawlakote weekly bus reportedly carrying more than 100 visitors from either sides crossed over to PoK and into Poonch today.

However, unlike the previous bus service the number of visitors from Pakistan this time around was quite less.

Sources in the district administration divulged that this morning

70 visitors, 35 Indians and equal number of Pakistani visitors on their way back, travelled from Poonch to Rawlakote through the LoC point at Chakan-da-Bagh. They added that 14 visitors from PoK also crossed over into India in the evening hours. But the number of Indians, who came back from PoK, was not known, they added.

“It is good that despite terror attack in Mumbai, bus service didn’t stop and shouldn’t stop. It is no ordinary bus service since it unites the divided families,” said Muhammad Ashraf from Rajouri while boarding the bus from Poonch towards Rawlakote. He added that he was going to meet his cousin in PoK and would see him first time after their families were divided in 1965.

Residents of ‘Suicide Colony’ pin hope on new govt
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, December 1
With the new government likely to be in place by the end of this month, residents of “suicide colony” here have already set high hopes from it. The colony gets its name from the fact that it is located in the middle of the riverbed of Rajouri Nullah and a mild flood can wash it away.

In fact, this colony, also known as Bela Colony, came up because of migration of people from the semi-urban areas after the beginning of militancy in 1990s. Migrants from Thanamandi, Darhal, Chandi-marh and Bufliaz built up the houses that later took the form of a colony.

However, this unplanned colony didn’t get its name because of this factor. “The colony comprising about 400 houses and inhabited by more than 3,000 persons is located in the middle of the riverbed of Rajouri Nullah. “It can be washed away by floods of even moderate intensity. Of late there have been huge loss to the people living here as our cattle and valuable commodities got washed away. The successive government didn’t take flood control measures to save us,” said Azhar Ahmed, resident of the colony who along with his family migrated from Thannamandi on the outskirts here. “Now that the new government is likely to be in place by this month end we are expecting it taking concrete flood control measures to save the inhabitants here.”

Social worker and businessman Farooq Ahmed Dar said, “This colony is highly flood prone. In every monsoon water enters the houses of these hapless people who are living on the edge.” “While this unplanned colony was coming up, the government didn’t prevent them from constructing houses. Now that their survival has become difficult, I reckon it is the duty of the government to save these people. I hope that the new government, which is likely to be in place by this month end, will definitely take solid steps for the safety of these people.”

Deputy commissioner, Rajouri, Sheikh Rafiq said the district administration had proposed a project for three areas.

Road connecting Jhangar in bad shape
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Sarya (Nowshera), February 8
As the state government pumps in crores of rupees in the development and maintenance of infrastructure in the villages lying close to the Line of Control (LoC), the more than 6-km road connecting Jhangar to this village constructed by the Rural Development Department is in deplorable condition.

Villagers complained that the road connecting their village to somewhat developed area of Jhangar was in bad shape and resembled a drain. They said even as few years ago the department carried some maintenance and put some sand on it, the condition of the road worsened few months later as rains washed away the sand.

Locals said after the road was washed away due to rains, huge potholes appeared on the road and it was even bad for plying tractors on it. They said since the entire length of the road was not fit for plying traffic, the villagers living at the tail end had to transport food, other eatables and articles of daily use, on foot causing them lot of sufferings.

“Since the entire length of road was not fit for plying traffic, we are facing lot of problems as we have to transport food, other eatables and articles of daily use, on foot. As the local MLA is from the ruling party, we are hoping that he will help in repair of the road,” Mukund Lal, a farmer, said.

Even as senior officers refused to comment on the issue on record, they admitted that the road had not been repaired for quite some time now. “We don't have funds to repair this road. As soon as we get requisite funds we will repair the road,” a senior officer of the Rural Development Department said.

Rajouri deputy commissioner Sheikh Rafiq told The Tribune that he was personally going to the area and would instruct the department to make a proposal for repair of the road so that it was repaired without any delay.

Villages along border face water shortage
Tribune News Service

Balakote-Mendhar (Poonch), February 8
Every morning, Saleema Begum (40), a housewife, treks down 3 km from her native village situated along the LoC to get a bucket of water to cook food for her children. This practice of fetching water from a spring has not changed for her even as she has to brave harsh weather sometimes. Similar is the condition of residents of several other villages along the border.

Though her village is being supplied an adequate quantity of drinking water in government records, practically it does not get even enough water for drinking purpose.

“There are water pipes here, but the department concerned does not supply water. What is the purpose of installing water supply pipes when clean drinking water is not supplied daily. Since water is needed for almost all domestic chores from cooking to washing clothes, we have no other option but to fetch it from the springs, which are situated far from here”, complains Saleema.

“It is not easy to get water from these springs also since there is a huge rush of people. Sometimes, it takes hours to get water”. She suggests that the government should first provide clean drinking water on a regular basis and then think of introducing information technology in these sectors.

“Since the Water Supply Department supplies water once in two-three days, we are facing a lot of problems”, another resident Shakeel Khan said.

“We have brought the problem of water shortage in our area to the notice of the department many times, but it had done nothing till now. However, we hope the young Chief Minister would help resolve our problem.”

Meanwhile, efforts to contact senior officials of the Water Supply Department here did not yield result. However, a junior officer, while admitting that there was a water shortage in the area, said the problem was not as severe as it was made to look.

Cop kills lover, commits suicide
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Kandi-Koteranka (Rajouri), October 4
A special police officer (SPO) from Hindu community and a married Muslim woman who were in love committed suicide today after facing stiff opposition from society.

The couple allegedly ended their lives by shooting themselves in Khandigali area of Kandi here last evening. Sources said Shareefa Begum, 24, a married woman of Morah area and the SPO Sanjeev Kumar who was presently posted in Gadyog area, were in love for the last five years, allegedly killed each other on October 3 after society offered stiff opposition to their frequent meetings.

Shareefa Begum was a mother of a three-year-old girl Gudiya. Sources revealed that Sanjeev allegedly gunned down his lover with his father’s .303 rifle and later pumped two bullets into his body killing his lover and himself on the spot in a forest area at Khandigali area on October 3.

“The duo used to meet in forest area. However, the villagers spotted the lovers on several occasions and didn’t approve of it. Taking note of this the in-laws of woman started keeping a close watch on her. Since the duo faced lot of opposition from their respective families, their meetings were restricted to forest area,” said a local source.

“On October 2, the boy was spotted by the in-laws of the woman after which he went missing. Next day the woman was missing. The bodies of the duo were recovered by the police from the forests of Khandigali area at around 8 pm.”

The police had recovered .303 rifle belonging to the father of the deceased boy from the spot. He added that the lovers had died on the spot, with boy having two bullet injuries in abdomen and back whereas girl has just one bullet injury.

1 killed, two hurt in bear attack
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, October 4
One person was killed and two others were seriously injured when a bear attacked them in the Chikkri Ban area of Poonch district on Friday.

Local sources said the bear attacked the two brothers — Maqsood Ahmed, Muhammad Din — and their neighbour — Muhammad Sharief — when they were working in their fields in the Chikkri Ban area of Poonch district. Maqsood died on the spot while Sharief and their neighbourer received serious injuries.

Both the injured were admitted to hospital.

Meanwhile, Forest Department sources said the marked increase in the number of wild animals in the forests of the Loran and Sawjian area due to militancy, wherein poachers are scared to illegally kill wild animals inside the forest as militants are also hiding in them.

‘Militant’ held from BJP candidate’s vehicle
Shariq Majeed/Tribune News Service

Rajouri, December 16
The police today reportedly nabbed an alleged militant from the private vehicle believed to be belonging to Dev Raj, who is contesting elections on BJP ticket from the Darhal constituency, from the Sunderbani area of this border district.

Reliable intelligence sources said on specific information, a team of special operation group of the Rajouri police led by DSP Operations Farooq Qaisar apprehended Satpal, son of Amar Singh of Mora Daraj in Buddhal, belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit.

The police apprehended him from the vehicle bearing registration number JK02E-9545 from near Sunderbani today. They alleged that the vehicle belonged to Dev Raj who is contesting assembly election as BJP candidate from the Darhal assembly segment.

“Satpal along with his wife, two brothers and father-in-law Shiv Charan Yadav was on the way from Jammu to Rajouri in a private vehicle belonging to Dev Raj. He was apprehended by the police near Sunderbani,” an intelligence source said.

“Satpal is being interrogated by the police to dole out his involvement in various militancy incidents,” the source said.

Meanwhile, police sources revealed that Satpal was working as a peon in Kalakote tehsil office in 2001 before joining militancy. They added that Satpal remained active in the Buddhal and Dharamsaal areas in Rajouri district and Mahore area of Reasi district.

The sources said Satpal was one of the close aides of HM area commanders Kirpal Singh and Sham Lal, who remained active in Kalakote, Budhal and Dharamsal areas. In 2004, Satpal went underground and was arrested by the police after he made first appearance in the Rajouri district.

Even as senior officers of the police declined to divulge anything about the operation, police sources confirmed the arrest of the alleged militant from the vehicle belonging to the BJP candidate.

Repeated attempts to contact the BJP candidate didn't materialise as he didn't attend the phone calls.

Mandi govt school without principal
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News service

Sawjian-Mandi (Poonch), July 21
It may sound bizarre but it’s true. A government school here is running without a principal for months together hollowing tall claims of the state government to provide quality education even in the remotest areas of the state.

Locals here said Government Middle School, Dhanna, here was running without a principal for about three months affecting the studies of the students.

“The school not only lacks a principal but also has staff who attend school off and on hitting the studies of the students who mostly belong to poor families,” they added.

“There is no principal in the school for the past about three months. Besides, the school has staff which attend the school off and on. This has badly affected the studies of our children. We are poor people and hence cannot afford to send our wards to private schools,” rued Manzoor Ahmed, a petty farmer whose son Rafi studies in class VIII in the school.

“We hear that every now and then the government makes tall claims of providing quality education in the remote areas of the state but on ground it is rhetoric. If the government is really serious about providing quality education, it should appoint more teachers in schools like this”.

He added that on several occasions, the locals have urged the education authorities to depute a principal for the school and also to make surprise checks about the presence of teachers in the school but to no avail.

A student of the school said since they had no school head, the teachers hardly taught them anything.

A local source in the education department confirming that there is no principal in the school for about three months said principal Ashwani Kumar, a local, had got himself attached to zonal education officer (ZEO) office in Mandi since the school was in the far-flung area.

He added that even a teacher, Shabnam, who is a maternal cousin of local MLA Ajaz Ahmed Jan visited the school occasionally.

The source said this was not the only school that lacked a principal in the Mandi area but there were two to three more such schools which were running without a head.

A senior officer in the education department while expressing shock on the matter said it would be thoroughly probed as to why the school was running without a principal.

Mandi govt school without principal
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News service

Sawjian-Mandi (Poonch), July 21
It may sound bizarre but it’s true. A government school here is running without a principal for months together hollowing tall claims of the state government to provide quality education even in the remotest areas of the state.

Locals here said Government Middle School, Dhanna, here was running without a principal for about three months affecting the studies of the students.

“The school not only lacks a principal but also has staff who attend school off and on hitting the studies of the students who mostly belong to poor families,” they added.

“There is no principal in the school for the past about three months. Besides, the school has staff which attend the school off and on. This has badly affected the studies of our children. We are poor people and hence cannot afford to send our wards to private schools,” rued Manzoor Ahmed, a petty farmer whose son Rafi studies in class VIII in the school.

“We hear that every now and then the government makes tall claims of providing quality education in the remote areas of the state but on ground it is rhetoric. If the government is really serious about providing quality education, it should appoint more teachers in schools like this”.

He added that on several occasions, the locals have urged the education authorities to depute a principal for the school and also to make surprise checks about the presence of teachers in the school but to no avail.

A student of the school said since they had no school head, the teachers hardly taught them anything.

A local source in the education department confirming that there is no principal in the school for about three months said principal Ashwani Kumar, a local, had got himself attached to zonal education officer (ZEO) office in Mandi since the school was in the far-flung area.

He added that even a teacher, Shabnam, who is a maternal cousin of local MLA Ajaz Ahmed Jan visited the school occasionally.

The source said this was not the only school that lacked a principal in the Mandi area but there were two to three more such schools which were running without a head.

A senior officer in the education department while expressing shock on the matter said it would be thoroughly probed as to why the school was running without a principal.

Mandi govt school without principal
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News service

Sawjian-Mandi (Poonch), July 21
It may sound bizarre but it’s true. A government school here is running without a principal for months together hollowing tall claims of the state government to provide quality education even in the remotest areas of the state.

Locals here said Government Middle School, Dhanna, here was running without a principal for about three months affecting the studies of the students.

“The school not only lacks a principal but also has staff who attend school off and on hitting the studies of the students who mostly belong to poor families,” they added.

“There is no principal in the school for the past about three months. Besides, the school has staff which attend the school off and on. This has badly affected the studies of our children. We are poor people and hence cannot afford to send our wards to private schools,” rued Manzoor Ahmed, a petty farmer whose son Rafi studies in class VIII in the school.

“We hear that every now and then the government makes tall claims of providing quality education in the remote areas of the state but on ground it is rhetoric. If the government is really serious about providing quality education, it should appoint more teachers in schools like this”.

He added that on several occasions, the locals have urged the education authorities to depute a principal for the school and also to make surprise checks about the presence of teachers in the school but to no avail.

A student of the school said since they had no school head, the teachers hardly taught them anything.

A local source in the education department confirming that there is no principal in the school for about three months said principal Ashwani Kumar, a local, had got himself attached to zonal education officer (ZEO) office in Mandi since the school was in the far-flung area.

He added that even a teacher, Shabnam, who is a maternal cousin of local MLA Ajaz Ahmed Jan visited the school occasionally.

The source said this was not the only school that lacked a principal in the Mandi area but there were two to three more such schools which were running without a head.

A senior officer in the education department while expressing shock on the matter said it would be thoroughly probed as to why the school was running without a principal.

Mandi govt school without principal
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News service

Sawjian-Mandi (Poonch), July 21
It may sound bizarre but it’s true. A government school here is running without a principal for months together hollowing tall claims of the state government to provide quality education even in the remotest areas of the state.

Locals here said Government Middle School, Dhanna, here was running without a principal for about three months affecting the studies of the students.

“The school not only lacks a principal but also has staff who attend school off and on hitting the studies of the students who mostly belong to poor families,” they added.

“There is no principal in the school for the past about three months. Besides, the school has staff which attend the school off and on. This has badly affected the studies of our children. We are poor people and hence cannot afford to send our wards to private schools,” rued Manzoor Ahmed, a petty farmer whose son Rafi studies in class VIII in the school.

“We hear that every now and then the government makes tall claims of providing quality education in the remote areas of the state but on ground it is rhetoric. If the government is really serious about providing quality education, it should appoint more teachers in schools like this”.

He added that on several occasions, the locals have urged the education authorities to depute a principal for the school and also to make surprise checks about the presence of teachers in the school but to no avail.

A student of the school said since they had no school head, the teachers hardly taught them anything.

A local source in the education department confirming that there is no principal in the school for about three months said principal Ashwani Kumar, a local, had got himself attached to zonal education officer (ZEO) office in Mandi since the school was in the far-flung area.

He added that even a teacher, Shabnam, who is a maternal cousin of local MLA Ajaz Ahmed Jan visited the school occasionally.

The source said this was not the only school that lacked a principal in the Mandi area but there were two to three more such schools which were running without a head.

A senior officer in the education department while expressing shock on the matter said it would be thoroughly probed as to why the school was running without a principal.