Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 23: Prominent writers, poets, research scholars, intellectuals, lawyers and office bearers of various literary and cul- tural organizations have decided to intensify the ongoing agitation against the blatant discrimination against Dogri language by deny- ing its legitimate representation in the Central Committee, the apex body of Jammu and Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. This was resolved at a meeting convened by Dogri Sanstha Jammu (Regd) held at Dogri Bhawan Karan Nagar here where- in various decisions were taken unanimously to seek justice for the second largest speaking language of the State and mother tongue of Dogras by the participating intel- lectuals. Announcing the decisions Joginder Pal Chhatrapa, president of Dogri Sanstha, said that the agi- tation would be reinforced in a phased manner. In first phase, Governor N N Vohra and CM Mehbooba Mufti, Chief patron the president of JKAACL, MPs, MLAs, MLCs and leaders of vari- ous political parties shall be approached to highlight the demand of due representation to Dogri in the apex decision making body of JKAACL. In the second phase, a sit-in demonstration shall be held by the intellectuals and writers of various languages outside the office of Secretary of the Akademy on the first day of reopening of Civil Secretariat at Jammu. In case of continued non-cooperation by the authorities of JKAACL to give representation to Dogri in its apex body, the writers affiliated to Dogri Sanstha would start return- ing their awards given by JKAA- CL, he added. Various speakers expressed their shock and resentment against the utter discrimination meted out to Dogri by JKAACL and unequivocally supported the agita- tion. Dr Lalit Magotra, former pres- ident of Sanstha and Convener (Dogri) at Sahitya Akademi New Delhi said that some vested ele- ments in JKAACL have been fol- lowing the anti-Dogri agenda and misguiding their president. They are creating confusion by empha- sizing that Dogri is given due rep- resentation in General Council rather than accepting their mistake of denying representation to Dogri in Central Committee. General council is a non-existant body of Akademy which has not held any meeting in last three decades. It is a glaring example of blatant dis- crimination with Dogri that all the members of Central committee,barring one artist, belong to Kashmir, he added. Assuring the full support of Bar Association and its various bodies, the senior advocates of J&K High Court, Ashok Vijay Gupta and Hari Chand Jalmeria said that struggle is inevitable to seek justice for any cause of Dogri and Dogra community in the pres- ent dispensation. Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee and noted theatre director Mushtak Kak, noted music direc- tor Brij Mohan,Prof Archanaa Kesar of Dogri Department,Jammu University, Randhir Singh Raipuria political and social activist, Gianeshwar Sahitya Akademi awardee and vice president Dogri Sanstha, Sham Talib, founder President Adabi Kunj, Sham Juneja ,Hindi writer , Tarun Sharma, president Nat Manch and Rajinder Ranjha of Dogri Bhasha Academy also spoke on the occasion. DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2016 (PAGE 3) Dogri writers threaten agitation, return of awards Senior lawyer, HC Jalmeria speaking during a function at Dogri Sanstha in Jammu on Sunday. Shangus deputation calls on CM Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 23: A deputa- tion from Shangus constituency of district Anantnag called on the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti at her residence here this morning and brought to her notice their griev- ances, demands and developmental issues of the concerned areas. The deputation led by Vice Chairman, Jammu & Kashmir Khadi and Village Industries Board, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain apprised the Chief Minister of their individual and collective problems and grievances. In their interaction with the Chief Minister, the deputation pre- sented a memorandum of demands pertaining to healthcare, road con- nectivity and other issues of gener- al development in the area. For pro- vision of better healthcare facility in the area they requested the Chief Minister to consider upgradation of PHC in Nowgam to adequately cater to the local population and also upgradation of Achabal Hospital to SDH. They also flagged issues con- cerning road connectivity particu- larly between Brakpora, Kanganhal and Chattergul and issue relating to forest clearance for a road stretch at Sonach near Gujjar Basti. They also demanded JK Bank branch at Dehto. The Chief Minister assured the deputation that the issues flagged by them would be taken up for redressal at the appropriate levels in the Government. She said the Government is alive to the public demands and necessary measures are already afoot to upgrade basic amenities and ensure prompt public service delivery. Mehbooba said wherever necessary additional focus would be concentrated to address the peo- ple's demands. Dialogue only way forward, Govt committed to peace with dignity: Naeem *Condemns burning of schools Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 23: Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar has condemned the burning of schools at various places in Kashmir during the last few days and stressed the need to tread the road of dialogue which is the only way forward. The Minister said that the damage to schools is not just burning of an institution but a colossal loss for the entire society. He said that dur- ing the last few months Kashmir has gone through a bad phase which has given pain to everybody. "The biggest causality has been the loss of human lives which is irreparable. We cannot bring them back but we can save our future gen- eration," said Naeem. "We will never forget the people who died. For the good of all we have to proceed constructively and dialogue is the only way forward," he added. Akhtar said Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti too has repeatedly reiterated the stand of the party and the Government regarding dialogue with all shades of the political opinion in J&K to pull the State out of the morass. He said that during the current turmoil people have suffered immensely on every count and PDP came with the sole agenda that such cycle of loss of life and property doesn't occur again and again. "It was Mufti Sayeed's dream to take everybody along on the road of peace, prosperity and development. He knew that the issue can be resolved only when entire country is taken along and that became the basis of the formation of current Government," said Naeem. "To achieve that long lasting peace everybody has to contribute and people from all schools of thoughts should come forwards for dialogue. Everybody has to make an effort," he added. The Minister said that the dominant feature of the ruling alliance is dialogue, reconciliation apart from development. "The people of Kashmir have been the primary sufferers of the conflict for the last so many generations. We have suffered physically, intellectually, socially, economically and in every other front. It is high time that these tragic times should end. Our party has been formed with the single aim of res- olution of issues," said Naeem. Anti-blackmoney operations to be intensified NEW DELHI, Oct 23: With both the one-time black money declaration windows con- cluded, the Income Tax department is set to intensify its crackdown against stash holders after a recent case where an IDS participant surrendered a fresh Rs 30 crore of unaccounted wealth to the tax- man after raids were conducted against him. The case that recently took place in Kolkata has stunned author- ities of the IT investigations wing after the said business entity pro- duced, during searches, a bonafide receipt of declaring about Rs 3 crore worth of black money under the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS) that ended on September 30.(PTI) Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti interacting with a deputation at Srinagar on Sunday. * Watch video on www.excelsiornews.com