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| INTERNAL SECURITY MATTERS | | Omar asks New Delhi for AFSPA’s limited rollback | | | Agencies
New Delhi, Aug 17: Pressing for partial withdrawal of special anti-terror laws from Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today appealed to the Centre and political parties to take a "pragmatic view" on lifting AFSPA from the districts where terrorist activities are "minimal".
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act played an important role in providing legal protection to army and paramilitary forces during the years when insurgency was at its peak in the state, but now it is time for shunning the "extreme positions" on the issue keeping the changed situation in view, he said at the chief ministers’ conference on internal security.
"Now that there is a distinct change in the security environment in the state, there is a good case for reviewing the continuation of the AFSPA, particularly in those areas of the state which are at the moment not unduly affected by insurgent or terrorist activities," he said at the meeting, which was earlier addressed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
In a veiled hint at BJP and other political parties and the Defence Ministry, which ... | |
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| Pakistan based terror groups planning fresh attacks: PM | | | | Agencies
New Delhi, Aug 17: Terror groups in Pakistan are planning to carry out fresh attacks in India and there has been a surge in infiltration this year which is "disturbing", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here today.
The area of operation of terrorists today extended far beyond the confines of Jammu and Kashmir and covers all parts of the country, Singh said while addressing a conference of the Chief Ministers on Internal Security.
"There is credible information of ongoing plans of terrorist groups in Pakistan to carry out fresh attacks," Singh told the conference attended by Home Minister P Chidambaram.
Noting that there were signs of revival of over-ground militant activities... | |
| | | | Sadbhavna: Govt turns it into sad story | | | | Early Times Special
JAMMU, Aug 17: The security forces have spent crores of rupees on welfare projects in the state for creating valuable assets in the hinterland. In far-flung areas of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, the forces spend money, routinely, on creating school buildings, community assets, computer and vocational training centres.
Most of these centres are located in areas affected by terrorism and the money is spent under Operation Sadbhavna. As the nomenclature suggests, the projects undertaken are meant for creating sadbhavna (or goodwill) among the masses.
Women widowed in terrorist killings and orphans are provided hostel and schooling facilities under these p... | |
| | | | Govt wakes up to draught challenge; | | 64% loss reported in Kathua district | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 17: In a late reaction to nationwide outcry on draught fuelling fears of acute food shortage, the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered survey of possible damage to crops in the state, particularly in Jammu region where rainfall has remained far below the average during cropping season.
While reports from other districts are being gathered, the Kathua district alone is reported to have recorded 64% loss to the crops. The government has claimed that no loss has, so far, been reported from six of the ten districts in Jammu province.
In reply to a calling attention notice of BJP leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, the Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla told Legislat... | |
| | | | MLC fumes over protocol | | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, Aug 17: Deputy Chairman, J&K Legislative Council, S. Arvinder Singh Micky responding to the concern shown by members about treatment meted out to MLC, Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah at Kupwara on Independence Day function by the district administration said that it was a matter of concern. He asked the member to lodge a written complaint so that it is referred to Privilege Committee of the house for appropriate action.
Earlier, MLC, Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah alleged that district administration did not accord him due protocol at the venue of Independence Day at Kupwara.
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| | | | DDBs get VCs | | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: Government has today accorded the nomination of Vice Chairman of the District Development Boards (DDBs).
Minister of State, Independent Charge, for Haj, Auqaf and Fisheries, Mr. Ajaz Ahmad Khan, nominated a Vice Chairman of Poonch and Samba districts, Minister of State of Independent Charge of Cooperatives, Printings and Stationery, Mr. Manohar Lal Sharma has been nominated as Vice Chairman of Ramban and Kishtwar districts and Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, PHE, Tourism and Revenue, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani nominated as Vice Chairman of Ganderbal and Kupwara districts.
Besides, Minister of State for R&B, Mechanical Engineering, Heal... | |
| | | | Tajik, Kyrgyz envoys meet Vohra | | | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Aug 17: The Ambassadors of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in India, Mr. Saidbeg Saidbov and Ms. Irina Orolbaeva, called on the Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra, here this afternoon. The Ambassadors are in Srinagar to attend the two-day Conference on “Eurasian Peace and Cooperation”, being hosted by the Kashmir University.
The Governor, while interacting with the visiting Ambassadors, dwelt on the historic and close ties between India and the Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, and the very large scope for further enhancing and strengthening cooperation to boost trade, commerce and tourism. He also spoke about the progressively growing educa... | |
| | | | FM seeks more time from employees | | | | Early Times Report
Srinagar Aug 17: As employees refuse to budge on their pays and salaries issue and move ahead with their proposed strike, the government today said that it has already done for them far more than it was capable to do and is committed to go beyond that.
Making a ‘fervent appeal’ to the employees, the Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather asked them to wait till award of thirteenth Finance Commission. “The payments of arrears would be made as per cabinet decision dated 19 February, 2009 as soon as the necessary funding in this behalf is made available. The demand for pay revision arrears has been already projected to the 13th Finance Commission, he said, adding the same is... | |
| | | | 9 test positive in J&K | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 17: Even as the Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma today rated Jammu and Kashmir as number one state in country in combating the swine flu, the state today appeared racing with places like Pune with nine suspects testing positive for H1N1 viral influenza.
While one patient (a girl student) had already been put on vaccination and two cases were reported in Srinagar a couple of days back, the latest laboratory reports have put the total toll to nine. A one-year old girl is among the four swine flu patients’ doctors in GMC hospital informed. They said that GMC hospital administration received 12 reports from National Institute of Communicable Disease, New Delhi to... | |
| | | | 9 test positive in J&K | | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 17: Even as the Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma today rated Jammu and Kashmir as number one state in country in combating the swine flu, the state today appeared racing with places like Pune with nine suspects testing positive for H1N1 viral influenza.
While one patient (a girl student) had already been put on vaccination and two cases were reported in Srinagar a couple of days back, the latest laboratory reports have put the total toll to nine. A one-year old girl is among the four swine flu patients’ doctors in GMC hospital informed. They said that GMC hospital administration received 12 reports from National Institute of Communicable Disease, New Delhi to... | |
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