Zabarwan Times E-Paper English 04 May, 2014

Srinagar, May 3: Relatives of hundreds of detained youth al-legedly involved in stone-pelt-ing incidents were seen wait-ing outside different police stations and posts to get their kins released as early as possi-ble. After the stone-pleting inci-dents in length and breadth of Kashmir Valley, police have swung into action and have nabbed hundreds of stone-pelters across Kashmir Valley. Most of the detained stone-pelters according to police had been bailed out by the Court, however, “even after that these youth did not mend their ways and continued to indulge in stone-pelting.” According to reports, hun-dreds of youth have been ar-

rested by police for their al-leged involvement in stone pelting. Some of the youth have been called to police stations for their involvement in past in stone-pelting incidents. Eye-witnesses told CNS that scores of men and women were seen waiting outside police stations to meet their dear ones. “My 15

years old son has been lodged in Saddar police station. He is not a pelter but a student,” Shameema Bano from Padsha-hi Bagh told CNS. Her daugh-ter expressed the same views. She said that her brother who was arrested by police during nocturnal raid has been lodged in the police station and no po-lice officer is allowing to meet his brother. There are six teenagers,

See Parents on pg 11

Srinagar, May 3: National Confer-ence Party President Dr. Farooq Abdullah has said that the NC-Con-gress Alliance in Parliamentary Elections was working “perfectly well” and that Dr. Mustafa Kamal’s comments stating anything to the contrary were irrelevant.

“ C o n g r e s s votes were transferred e f f e c t i v e l y to National Conference candidates in the Anantnag Parliamenta-ry Segment

election and Congress leaders in South Kashmir worked with ut-most honesty and dedication to ensure that the NC-Congress Co-alition Candidates win with large margins”, Dr. Farooq said accord-ing to a statement issued to KNS, adding that the same “cooperation and mutual trust”

would be seen in the Baramul-la-Kupwara Parliamentary Seg-ment as well.Dr. Farooq said that the NC-Con-gress Alliance in these Parliamen-tary Elections was an

See Farooq on pg 11

Srinagar, May 3: The Drug and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) has found subs stan-dard mustard oil, turmeric and skimmed milk being provided to the Anganwari centres in Kashmir.According to Nazir Ahmad Wani, deputy controller of the department in order to ensure that only wholesome and quali-ty food is provided by Integrat-ed Child Development Scheme (ICDS) centres of Kashmir Divi-sion, the department of DFCO Kashmir had lifted 339 samples of food articles from various

ICDS centers (Anganwari cen-tres) during last financial year, out of which Four samples have been declared as Substandard which includes Mustard Oil, Turmeric powder (2 samples) and Skimmed milk. The sam-ples were mainly lifted in Pul-wama and Ganderbal districts.He said the above food articles worth Rs 20 Lacs have been seized from various ICDS cen-tres by the department. The designated officers of the con-cerned Districts, after complet-ing the investigation have filed charge sheets before Adjudicat-

ing officers of concerned dis-tricts out of which two cases have been decided imposing a fine of Rs Two Lac eighteen thousand.Moreover the department has started special drive and ac-cordingly all the designated officers of Kashmir Division have been asked to have thor-ough inspection of ICDS cen-tres and lift the samples of vari-ous food articles available with the centres so that only quality and safe food items are avail-able with them. Moreover the

See Anganwari on pg 11

Baramulla, May 3 : The election process in Baramulla Parliamentary Constit-uency is in full swing with authorities related to the conduct of forthcoming parliamentary elections giving final touches to the arrangements for con-ducting free and fair polls.According to a government handout is-sued to KNS, polling material and staff is being readied for locations and random-ization of EVMs and polling staff is also in advanced stages. Photo electoral rolls have attracted the attention of voters in the constituency and efforts are being made to deliver voter slips to voters at their doorsteps through Booth Level Officers. According to District Election Officer, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone, who is also Returning Officer for the par-liamentary constituency, the District administration had launched an aware-ness drive through colleges and other educational institutions to maximize the inclusion of new and first time vot-

ers. As a result many new voters were registered who are expected to exercise their franchise in the coming polls.As many as 11, 90, 766 voters

See Baramulla on pg 11

Srinagar, May 3: Life remained crip-pled in Srinagar’s old down on Sat-urday as the curfew was clamped in its various areas on the third con-secutive day to prevent possible pro-tests over the killing of Nawa Kadal boy on April 30.Bashir Ahmad, 26 was killed during the firing on April 30. Widespread protests erupted in various areas of the valley after which authorities imposed curfew in Srinagar’s old city. The government has already ordered probe into the killing of the Nawa Kadal boy. On Saturday, the authorities imposed curfew in Sri-nagar old city- restricting the move-ment of people at large in the area.The authorities stated that the sit-uation remained peaceful in the entire summer capital on Saturday and that life resumed to normal in the civil line areas of the city.

See Curfew on pg 11

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SUNDAY 04 May | 2014 | 03 Rajab, 1435 AH | PAGES 12 | VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 123 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 Paisa)Pen For Justice Largely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&Khttp://www.zabarwantimes.com

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Inside story

On Edit Page

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Life-Thy name of positivityIf Western lifestyle has affected our culture very badly damaging our moral values, it has some positivi-ties also which we ignore totally. The lifespan has increased but human being once called a social animal has confined himself to nuclear family system, thus becoming a prisoner of self created isolation. The concept of joint family system has faded out due to circumstances mostly economi-cal. In East, people have developed a kind of expansionist

Afghanistan : Over 2,000 feared dead in landslides

PG 06 PG 08 PG 06

Residential house damaged in fire

GUWAHATI: Police found nine more bodies on Saturday after a deadly ram-page by tribal separatists in Assam, taking the death toll to 32 following two days of violence.The latest fight-ing in the area, a site of frequent ethnic clashes, began on Thursday with the killing of 11 Bengali-speaking Muslim villagers, followed by more bloodshed on Friday when 12 others were slain.Police said it was not immediately known when the nine villagers whose bodies were recovered on Saturday had been killed.“The death toll has gone up to 32,” police inspector general S N Singh told AFP. “Security has been further tightened with police and paramilitary

Assam violence: Thousands flee their homes

fearing more attacks

Srinagar, May 3: With lakhs of la-borers hailing mostly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh working in Kashmir in different sectors, little was done to fa-cilitate their participation in elections being held across India.The reports received by KNS main-tained that the non-locals earning their livelihood in Kashmir seem least interested in casting their votes and in electing representatives of

See Vote on pg 11

Lakhs of non-locals in Kashmir didn’t vote

Elections in Baramulla LS seat

Substandard food being supplied to Anganwari centres

Life remains crippled in old city on third consecutive

Situation under control, no curfew today: Govt

‘No crossing voting anywhere against our coalition partner’Srinagar, May 3 (KNS): Congress senior leader and minister for health and medical education on Saturday said that Congress and National Conference has ‘cor-dial chemistry’ and there was no cross voting anywhere as was re-ported by a section of press.Talking to KNS, Taj said: “We should not find fault in our plans reached between us under

See Taj on pg 11

Congress-NC has a cordial chemistry: Taj

Srinagar, May 3 : Fire broke out in to the residential house of Mo-hammad Shafi Hakeem son of Abdul Gani resident of Dagapo-ra Khanabal, resulting in the partial damage to the structure. Fire was brought under control by fire tenders, Police and locals. Police has registered a case in this regard. (KNS)

Warrants issuedAngry over coup

Srinagar, May 3: Today police organized counselling sessions for youth who have been found indulging in stone pelting at district Pulwama.According to a police handout, a team of experts had daylong sessions with these youth. The aim of the programme was to understand the situations, which draw these youth towards these acts of violence. The programmes were held in

See Police on pg 11

Police organizes counselling for stone pelters

Differently abled person found in Srinagar

1 died in a road accident

Srinagar, May 3: An unknown, differently abled person was found in Hyderpora, Srinagar. According to a police statement issued to KNS, the man was found by people of Gulberg Col-ony Hyderpora, jurisdiction of Police Station Sadder, Srinagar in a local Masjid. The people handed over the person to Po-lice Station Sadder. The person is suffering from speech impair-ment. Anybody having any in-formation regarding the said per-son is requested to contact SHO Sadder 9419001083, SDPO Sad-der 9419000453 or Police Control Room, Srinagar on 100. (KNS)

Srinagar, May 3 : A motorcyclist died in a road accident in Sopore, last evening. A police statement issued to KNS said that a motorcy-cle driven by Haroon Rashid Un-too son of Abdul Rashid resident of New Colony Sopore rammed into a parked van bearing regis-tration number JK05D/2266 at Nowpora Sopore, in the jurisdic-tion of Police Station Sopore. The motorcyclist was injured in this accident. He was shifted of SMHS hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. Police has registered a case in this re-gard. (KNS)

NC-Congress Alliance Working Perfectly Well: Dr. Farooq

DFCO seizes food articles worth Rs 2000000 from Anganwari centres

Baramulla, May 3: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Pa-tron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said security and sta-bility in Jammu & Kashmir is possible only in a space provided by amity, friendship and cooperative re-lationship between India and Pakistan. “Manifestation of hostility by the two countries either through rhetoric or through action has neither helped in the past nor is such antagonistic approach going to do any good to the region in future,” Sayeed said, according to a statement issued to KNS while addressing election ral-lies in Sonawari and Pattan as-sembly segments of Baramulla Parliamentary constituency.Sayeed said unfortunately J&K has always been the worst vic-tim of Indo-Pak hostility and its people have been paying

a colossal price for the same. “Innocent killings and repeat-ed disturbances point to exis-tence of a problem in Kashmir which can’t be wished away,”

he said and added that the people of J&K not only want resolution of the problem but they also yearn for a life that is normal in universal sense. He said while the people in J&K want their political and human rights to be upheld with digni-

ty and honor, they at the same time seek protection of their so-cio-economic rights in an envi-ronment of peace and stability.Sayeed said instead of address-ing the just concerns of the peo-ple, National Conference has contributed to the worsening of the situation through mis-gov-ernance and denial of justice. “Their only

See Mufti on pg 11

Indo-Pak peace key to stability in JK: Mufti

Parents keen to get their sons released‘Will provide counselling to them before their release”: IGP Kashmir

NOTA a ‘Flop Show’ in KashmirVoters here are committed ones: Experts

Srinagar, May 3 : The much hyped None of The Above option (NOTA) that was introduced in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) turned out to be a flop show in Kashmir as the people here seem least inter-ested in pressing that ‘strange’ button.NOTA was also given much hype in Kash-mir as several experts termed it synonymous to the referendum- claim-ing that the option could

show a clearer picture of Kashmir to the outer world. As the polls were held Kashmir valley on April 24 for Anantnag and April 30 for Srinagar Lok Sabha seat, while monitoring the elections, observers found NOTA option a failure as the people were either voting for their favourite candi-dates or staying indoors. One case among ten thou-sand was reported that pressed the NOTA option that too just without ac-

tually knowing about the button. Dr Gul Moham-mad Wani, who teaches political science in Kash-mir University, told KNS that the reason behind NOTA failing to attract voters is that the voter in Kashmir, is always a committed one. He could either vote for a particu-lar party or boycott the polls. Dr Gul remarked that a voter here in Kash-mir risks his life to move towards the

See NOTA on pg 11

Says PDP’s lies have no end

Omar addresses election rally at Tangmarg

Tangmarg, May 3: Caution-ing the people against what he termed as an “unholy alliance” of PDP and BJP to divide the voters and wedge apart different sections of the society for power politics, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who is also Work-ing President of the National Conference Saturday asked the voters of Baramulla-Kupwara Parliamentary Constituency to

puncture the balloon of decep-tive politics of PDP by extending full support to NC-Congress joint candidate, Sharif-ud-din Shariq.According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing an Election rally at Tangmarg to-day, the Working President of National Conference said that in the current Parliamentary Elec-tions voters have to make

See Omar on pg 11

Srinagar, May 3: Stressing on the need of the people’s involvement in the electoral process Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and former deputy chief minister, Muzaf-far Hussain Baig has said it is only through the sensible use vote the destiny of J&K can be changed.According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing various road-side meetings in Sangrama segment Baramulla parliamentary constituen-cy he called upon the people partic-ularly the youth to understand the importance of vote in order to get rid of their miseries and help the state to be back on the rails. “Vote is a powerful weapon available before the people which needs to be honoured as it represents their voice in the democratic setup,” he added. On this occasion Syed Basharat BukhariBaig said the anger of people is genu-ine as National Conference which has always misused their mandate for its trivial political benefits instead of giving voice to their sentiments with-in the system. But, he said, it is the institution of vote only which could guarantee a larger change on

See Baig on pg 11

Only sensible use of vote can change destiny of state: Baig

‘Dr. Mustafa Kamal's comments irrelevant’

1616 polling booths set up for 12 lac voters

Pic: Gulzar Dar

11 Srinagar, Sunday 04 May 2014 Zabarwan Times

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Curfew Farooq

Baig

Baramulla

Police

Anganwari

NOTA

Parents Vote

Omar

Taj

Mufti

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Huriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani had on Friday asked government to lift curfew from the old city and had also urged people not to observe any strike on Saturday.In Ganderbal, shutdown at some places was observed against the killing of Nawa Kadal boy and also in some areas of Baramulla and Bandipora similar re-ports were received. There were also minor clashes reported in some areas of North Kashmir’s Palhallan during the Saturday morning hours.Police spokesman told KNS that the situation re-mained peaceful in valley on Saturday with no untow-ard incident reported from any place. Stating that the situation in the old city remained peaceful, the dis-trict administration Saturday stated that no curfew shall be imposed in the old city on Sunday.Meanwhile, The family of slain Old City youth Satur-day alleged that they were not allowed to offer Fateh Khwani of their son at martyrs’ graveyard by police and paramilitary troopers.The family of Bashir Ahmad Bhat of Gratabal Nawa Kadal, who was killed in ‘security forces’ firing on Wednesday soon after the polling concluded, told GNS that the police and Central Reserve Police Force came early in the morning and imposed curfew. “Ini-tially, after seeing their mood, we couldn’t even dare to ask them to allow us for offering Bashir’s Fateh Khawani,” Farooq Ahmad Bhat, his family member, told GNS over phone, adding when we asked they re-fused to allow.Bashir was buried at ‘martyrs’ graveyard’ Eidgah, which is barely one kilometer away from Nawa kadal.He alleged that the tent which was installed by family was also removed by government forces. “They even removed the tent,” he said. Farooq said adding that then we installed tent in another locality, Arampora.“They allowed us to install tent at Arampora only af-ter saying us that no loudspeaker should be used by you people or any disturbance should be created,” he said. “They also thrashed two to three people.”He said due to government restrictions we could in-stall epitaph at the grave of Bashir. (GNS)

an important decision of keeping divisive, commu-nal and deceptive forces away from power by casting their votes with responsibility and insight. And giv-en our history of secular ethos and brotherhood, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have a greater respon-sibility to defeat communal and polarizing forces by rallying behind the NC-Congress Candidates.Omar Abdullah asked the people to come out in large numbers on the 7th of May to cast their votes in fa-vour of the NC-Congress Alliance candidate Sharief-ud-Din Shariq and hand a miserable defeat to PDP - a party that hadn’t thought twice before falling into Na-rendra Modi’s lap for the promise of political patron-age. Omar Abdullah said that PDP was acting as the indoctrinated State wing of BJP in J&K and had gone to the extent of fielding candidates tactically in Jam-mu and Udhampur Seats to divide the anti-Modi vote, thereby helping Modi’s candidates.“But the people of Jammu and Kashmir have fully acknowledged this unholy alliance between BJP and PDP and have rejected it in South Kashmir and Sri-nagar Parliamentary Seats till now”, Omar Abdullah said. He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are known the world over for a glorious history of amity and brotherhood and that ‘Kashmiryat’ had given hope to the rest of the country in times of dire communal turmoil. The same people, based on the power of the same spirit of ‘Kashmiryat’ will scut-tle the designs of BJP and PDP against the State of Jammu and Kashmir and its people.Omar Abdullah said that every vote polled in favour of the NC-Congress alliance candidate would be a vote in favour of Rahul Gandhi while all votes cast in favour of the PDP candidate would directly ben-efit BJP and Narendra Modi. “You have to make an important decision and reject the forces who want to divide you based on their communal venom and world-view”, he said. Omar Abdullah added that the dangerous quid-pro-quo political game played by PDP to help Narendra Modi with the hope that in return he will extend his blessings to the PDP leadership has to be foiled with full force and might. He asked the electorate of Baramulla-Kupwara con-stituency to contribute collectively and en-masse in defeating the communal, anti-J&K, BJP-PDP nexus by voting for Sharif-ud-din Shariq.Omar Abdullah said that the Lok Sabha Elections are meant for electing Members of Parliament and consequently the Prime Minister of the Country through the Parliament Members, and it has noth-ing to do with the election of MLAs in the State or with the re-election of the State’s Chief Minister. “When the occasion of State’s Assembly Elections arises, my government and me will come to you with our performance and report record on peace, recon-struction and development fronts”, he said elaborat-ing that at the time of Assembly Elections full details of each and every work done by the coalition govern-ment would be presented to the people. Omar Abdul-lah said that right now, in these Parliament Elections, voters have to cast their votes to elect the Parliament Members who would voice their concerns in the Par-liament and safeguard the interests of the State - traits that National Conference leaders have exhibited time and again in the Indian Parliament.Omar Abdullah said that the track record of Sharief-ud-Din Shariq and other NC-Congress alliance can-didates as Parliament Members has been exemplary and has aided development initiatives of the State government. He said they have highlighted the con-cerns of the State vociferously in the Parliament in the past and would continue do so in future too.The Working President, National Conference said Jammu and Kashmir has remained the abode of plu-ralistic ethos, communal harmony and brotherhood between various sections of the society. He said the benchmark of NC-Congress political agenda has been the slogan of Hindu-Muslim-Sikh Itihaad (Unity be-tween Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and other faiths and sections) and that both NC and Congress have always worked for strengthening these values in the State. “We have upheld the inter-faith solidarity, equitable development and inclusiveness all along”, he said and added that a conspiracy is being hatched by PDP and BJP to divide the State and its people on the basis of religion, sects and language. “You have to be cautious against this design”, he told the people.The Election rally was also addressed by President JKPCC Professor Saif-ud-Din Soz, Minister for Agri-culture Ghulam Hassan Mir, NC-Congress Alliance Candidate for Baramulla-Kupwara-Bandipora Par-liamentary Seat Sharief-ud-Din Shariq, Provincial

President National Conference Nasir Aslam Wani and various other senior leaders of National Conference and Congress. (KNS)

ideological coalition that was brought together under the common cause of secularism. “We are fighting a common enemy and we are protecting a common in-terest and that interest is secularism. The question of differences doesn’t arise anywhere”, Dr. Farooq said.Dr. Farooq said that National Conference was a strong votary of Rahul Gandhi becoming the Prime Minister of the country and had made it amply clear that Nar-endra Modi, given his communal instincts and divi-sive nature should never become the Prime Minister of the country. “We reiterate our resolve of being in this battle with Congress together - a battle to safe-guard our history, our secular credentials, traditions and ethos,” Dr. Farooq said.Stating that PDP’s tactical alliance with BJP was now an open chapter, Dr. Farooq said that National Conference and Congress were together committed to defeat the BJP-PDP nexus in the State. “We will not allow BJP to make inroads into J&K through the tro-jan horse called PDP. Their alliance has been exposed in how they worked with BJP against the Congress candidates in Jammu region. The people of J&K will ensure a befitting response to this unholy nexus.” Dr. Farooq said. (KNS)

our pre poll agreement. Cross voting is a myth and finds its mention only in some baseless reports.” Re-ferring to NC additional general secretary allegations on cross voting, Taj said: “Congress is now used to such statements and does not find his (Kamal) ‘words worth for cognizance.” KNS)

concern has been to silence the public sentiment through brute force to somehow cling to power,” he said and added that not having learnt any lessons from the tragedies of 2010 unrest, NC continues to pursue the policy of repression and high-handedness to sup-press the public outrage. Reiterating that PDP would continue to work hand-in-hand with the progressive and democratic forces in the country to facilitate dignified resolution of JK’s problems, Sayeed asked PDP cadres to prepare for a significant role ahead as the winds of change have already set in across J&K. “The overwhelming public support to PDP’s agenda for peace and prosperity is obvious from the voting pattern in south and central Kashmir in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and it is going to consolidate further in North Kashmir,” he said and assured that PDP would continue with its endeavour to work for the larger political and economic welfare of J&K and its people. Addressing the rallies, PDP Senior Vice-Pres-ident Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari complimented the PDP cadres for having successfully and effectively carried the party’s political and economic agenda to the grassroots level. “Having sacrificed their person-al interests for the larger objective of ensuring peace, dignity and prosperity for the State and its people, the untiring efforts of the PDP cadres have made this par-ty to become a people’s movement,” he said and urged people from across the board to contribute in consoli-dating this movement for change in the larger interest of peace and stability. He urged people to vote and sup-port PDP candidate for Baramulla Parliamentary con-stituency Muzaffar Hussain Baig. Addressing the ral-lies, senior PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra saidthat PDP stands for political power for the common good and not for a selected privileged few. He called upon the State’s young population to play a greater and more vibrant role in the political decision-making by driving the ongoing movement for change. “PDP believes that the youth of Jammu & Kashmir have the right to seek meaningful employment, freedom of expression, participation in decision-making and protection from socio-economic and political exploita-tion,” he said and added that the party would contin-ue its struggle towards realizing this objective for the State’s emancipated young population. He said PDP is the only political party in the State with an exclusive and comprehensive Youth Development Policy which envisions a productive role for the State’s youth while ensuring their economic and social security. He said unfortunately youth have been the biggest victims of the repressive policies adopted by Omar Abdullah-led government in the State.

the ground if it used consciously to elect sincere and trusted leadership to the parliament and assembly. Baig said the PDP which had only got 16 members in 2002 changed the political and governance discourse in the state as it was the commitment and sincerity of the party’s leadership towards its people which made it happen but the NC has only got disaster to the state besides getting overwhelming support of the people.He said cynicism among the people is direct result of the bad policies of the NC which it has resorting to from the last many decades in order to remain in power. “The PDP during its brief tenure made a remarkable beginning to build the people’s trust in the system, but that everything got reversed soon after the NC-led government took over the reins of the state,” said Baig.He said the performance of the NC-led government has been disastrous over the where the ordinary people have to face tremendous hardships because of the anarchy prevailing in the system. He said, “The corruption has touched new heights in the state, pow-er scenario has gone worst in every nook and corner of Kashmir, the development process has taken a back seat, there is growth stagnation prevailing and the policy paralysis has created havoc in the system which is also responsible for the disenchantment among people.”Baig said now the people have to make a clear choice and decide whether they want to get Kashmir out of the mess or want suffer under the anti-people policies of the NC.

two from Raj Bagh and four from Padshahi Bagh locked up in Sadar Police Station. “They are imma-ture but not innocent. We apprehended them on spot while attacking CRPF bunker at Mehjoor Nagar area of Srinagar city on the polling day. We have identi-fied all the stone-pelters and in coming days, we are going to arrest them,” Station House Officer Saddar police station told CNS adding that it is apathy that parents don’t have control over their children. Scores of women folk were seen outside police sta-tions located in civil lines areas. “We have released

most of the youth soon after the polling was over. There are some known stone-pelters who are still be-hind the bar and they will be released once their par-ents assure us that they will not indulge in violence in future,” a top police official from Srinagar city told CNS. Relatives of youth who were waiting outside police station Pampore told CNS that their son’s are inno-cent. “My brother was arrested after the 2010 summer unrest but after his release, he abjured violence. I fail to understand why he was arrested again when he is innocent,” Irshad Ahmed from Namlabal Pampore said. “Why don’t you trust police when we tell you that no one is innocent? Come and see yourself, how many vehicles these stone-pelters have damaged. We never arrest any innocent and whosoever has been arrested is a known stone-pelter,” a police official from Pampo-re police station told CNS. Scores of parents perplexed with gloomy faces were seen waiting outside police station Pulwama. “I am not going to tell you that my son is innocent. He participated in procession and stone-pelting on the polling day in Pulwama. My humble submission to In-spector General of police Kashmir Zone is that give a chance to my son and I assure him that he will never indulge in stone-pleting again,” a father of a arrested youth said adding that he is disturbed and desperate to see his educated son out of the lock-up. “There are at least 20 youth in our lock-up. Every one of them disturbed peace in the town and attacked poll staff and police on the polling day in Pulwama. More arrests are on cards and in coming days, we are going to arrest more youth who have been identified and are known stone-pelters,” a police official from Pulwama told CNS. Reports said that there are many youth locked up in different police stations in old Srinagar city, however due to ongoing curfew, their relatives are unable to meet them. “We have almost released everyone who were called to police stations before polling in Sri-nagar. There are still few youth in lock-ups and they will be released as well,” a top police official said. When contacted Inspector General of Police Kash-mir Abdul Gani Mir told CNS that police is going to release all these stone-pelters in coming days. “Before their release we will dispatch a team of expert com-prising of known psychiatrists and doctors to different police station and would provide counseling to these stone-pelters. We will keep the record of these pelters and release them so that in future they don’t indulge in stone-pleting incidents,” IGP Kashmir Zone said. Meanwhile, a team of experts met various stone-pelters at Pulwama police station and interacted with them. Sources told CNS that all the stone-pelters would be released in coming days on the condition that they will abjure violence. (CNS)

different groups in which the counsellors encouraged the participants to talk freely and give vent to their emotions. The experts in these sessions have found certain issues confronting these youths including the need of providing more employment opportunities and some other issues related to the breakdown of re-lations. In these sessions the participants shared their feelings and various perspectives, were discussed for channelizing their energies towards gainful employ-ment and for positive usage of their capabilities.The experts also tried to assess their sociological per-spective. Throughout the sessions the youth enumer-ated various problems being confronted by them and some of them need immediate attention. The experts in their interactions with the youth highlighted the importance of doing positive things for their own and society in large. The experts also discussed during the interaction the good entrepreneurship develop-ment activities carried out by different departments including J&K Entrepreneur Development Institute (EDI), Directorate of Lifelong Learning (DLL) Univer-sity of Kashmir, University Science Instrumentation Centre (USIC) University of Kashmir and the profes-sional courses run by the other Industrial Institutes in the valley. The experts also provided information of the employment schemes of the State and Central Government. The experts also touched briefly the consequences of drug abuse which has emerged as a major menace among the youth. The interactive ses-sions were followed by a compact brain storming ses-sions in which various solutions were discussed. The solutions were categorized and it was found that some solutions are within the hand of individual and his family, whereas, some solutions can be addressed by the society and some other by the policy makers and the Government.On the basis of these sessions taking of a lenient view with regard to first time offenders is under consider-ation of police department. (CNS)

including 6, 22,632 male and 5,66,460 female voters would be exercising their franchise across the Con-stituency. This includes 5, 83,753 voters of Baramul-la, 2, 11,967 voters of Bandipora and 3, 93,400 voters of Kupwara districts. There are 18,257 migrant voters in-cluded in these figures spread over the three districts of Baramulla 8307, Kupwara 8468 and Bandipora 1482. To facilitate these voters exercise their franchise, 1616 polling booths have been set up across the constituen-cy at 1303 locations. This includes 822 polling booths in Baramulla district, 531 polling booths in Kupwara district and 263 in Bandipora district. The Election Commission of India has deputed two General Observ-ers Murli Krishna and Pravesh Kumar, one Security Observer Maddyreddy Pratap and one Expenditure Observer Mahipal Singh to monitor free and fair poll-ing in the constituency.Strict compliance of Model Code of Conduct in the Constituency is being ensured and in every assembly segment one each flying squad and static squad has been set up to check any violations. District Election Control Rooms have already been set up in all the three districts of the constituency and a round the clock Media Centre for the constituency is already op-erational at the DC Office, Baramulla with telephone numbers 01952-236512 and 236912. (KNS)

their choice. When asked for the reason, many of the labourers said that there was no facility available for them to cast their votes nor were they in a position to reach their respective home states to exercise their right.Mohammad Shaban, who has been working in Kash-mir since 1996 as a painter told KNS that he had no resources so that he could go to his native place that too only for the purpose of voting. “I am not interest-ed in voting at least when it costs you thousands of

bucks to reach home and press the button.” Another non-local from UP namely Naushad who works in Sri-nagar’s old city as the barber stated that government should have facilitated the voting of the laborers who work outside their native places. “It is for the first time that you are asking us about this issue. It wasn’t in our minds even.”A large number of non-locals working in Kashmir are mostly doing the jobs as the daily wages in the private sector. They work as masons, carpenters, painters, barbers and laborers. Experts when asked over the issue stated that the trend is growing across the India when the people leave their native places and work in different parts of the country. It was also maintained that migration has become the part of the socio- eco-nomic life in India where a class has emerged that cannot vote. The remedial measures were suggested that like the armed forces stationed in Kashmir cast their votes through the postal ballots, the same should have been adopted for the people working far from their places. (KNS)

polling booth and when he does it, it seems bizarre that he wastes the same. “A voter would either vote for a particular party or boycotts the election. He could never waste his ballot.” Interestingly, terming the introduction of NOTA option in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the state during the polls in JK, the separatist leadership had unanimously termed it an ‘irrelevant’ option. Also, senior Con-gress leader and Medical Education Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din had said the move should not be intro-duced in the State as the same could strengthen the separatist elements here at large. “Government of In-dia (GoI) should move the Supreme Court to prevent the implementation of NOTA in disturbed areas like Jammu and Kashmir and North-East,” Taj had stated at a function here. He also had written a letter to the Prime Minister and the Congress high command that the option of NOTA should not be applicable in Jam-mu and Kashmir, as it would be used by separatists in anti-election campaign. (KNS)

Designated officers of Kashmir Division have also been directed to keep strict vigil over the quality of MID-Days meals provided to school children. The pub-lic in general has been requested that in case of any doubt with regard to any food article, the complaint may be lodged on the help line number 0194-2495191 of the Department. (KNS)

Lolab, Kupwara, May 3 (KNS): Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Conference Sajad Gani Lone today said National Conference and Peoples Demo-cratic Party have always stood against Kashmiris in the Parliament. “It is moral obligation on the elected representatives to articulate the aspirations and grievances their people more effectively in the parliament. Unfortunately for the decades, the parlia-mentarians of NC and PDP have always stood against the Kashmiris in the Indian Parliament or at times prefer to keep mum and let things happen which are against the people of Kashmir,” Lone said, address-ing a mammoth gathering in Lalpora Lolab today.According to a statement issued to KNS, thousands of youth had converged from different parts of Lolab to join the Peoples Conference’s carvan of change. Lone said the Kashmiri MP’s have not only eroded the credibility of Kashmiris but also bring in hall of shame for its own people. “PDP patron Mufti Mu-hammad Syed justified every atrocity committed on Kashmiris on the floor of parliament as a Home Minister. He defended the Kunan-Poshpora rape case on the floor of the parliament. Omar Abdullah also bought the similar shame to the Kashmiris. He was a Minister in the NDA regime and refused to budge and resign and instead supported the carnage of Muslims in Gujarat. Omar Abdullah justified every atrocity committed on the Kashmiris during his father’s rule in Kashmir,” Sajjad said.He said the parliamentari-ans from the rest of India gaze in disbelief as these so- called Kashmiri leaders go against their own people on the floor of the parliament. “They have never defended the Kashmiris. They never talked about the draconian laws prevailing in Kashmir, in the par-liament.” The PC chairman said the time demands sending new people to the parliament to put an end to the stigma of Kashmiris bitching off Kashmiris. “Let the people of other states know that Kashmiris can defend their own people with pride,” he said, adding “The Kashmiris have a right for sincere espousal of their aspirations and grievances, at the national level and it is an opportunity to educate the rest of India about the real truth in Kashmir and not fed them with traditional lies.” (KNS)

NC, PDP failed to represent Kashmiris in parliament: Sajad

‘Mufti defended Kunanposhpora rapists; Omar backed Modi’

Srinagar, May 3: (GNS) Two officials including a senior officer of Education department were placed under suspension after a special inspection team vis-ited the ZEO office at BK Pora area of Nowgam in out-skirts of Srinagar city and found them absent from their duties.An official at Director School Education, Kashmir told GNS that director of the department paid a sur-prise visit to various schools of Srinagar and Budgam Districts.He said that the schools inspected by the Di-rector School Education were Govt. Boys High School Natipora, Govt. Girls Middle School Barzulla Baghat, Govt. Secondary School Rawalpora (Barzulla), Govt. Primary School Rawalpora, Govt. Boys High School Hyderpora, Govt. Girls High School Hyderpora, Govt High School Barzulla, Govt. Boys Middle School Humhama, Govt. Girls Secondary School Ompora, Govt. Girls High School Bhagat-e-Kanipora, Govt Higher Secondary School B. K. Pora, Director School Education also visited Zonal Education Office B. K. Pora where ZEO was found unauthorisedly absent.“-Director School Education ordered the immediate suspension of ZEO BK Pora and also the Head Assis-tant of the office for his negligence in providing the requisite information”, he said.The official further said that Director took a strong notice of the absen-teeism and mismanagement of the school records in-cluding the attendance registers.

ZEO among 2 officials suspended

SRINAGAR | SUNDAY, MAY | 04 | 2014Daily ZABARWAN TIMES NEWS

Take a break from your routine, Libra. You might feel like you’re leading an army into battle as you strive for new adven-tures and conquer new realms. Make sure you take a bit of time out today to stop and let your troops rest. You deserve a little rest yourself. Use this moment of stillness to form your plan of attack so you’re sure about how to proceed.

The key for you is to minimize your daily drama as much as possible, Scorpio. You may not realize how much you cripple your-self by the way you exaggerate every aspect of your life. Try not to give so much of your attention to things that really don’t matter much. Petty jealousy and gossip about other people’s lives are es-pecially irrelevant in your world.

Be careful of advertising yourself as someone who is so strong and mentally competent that you’re capable of handling every-thing, Sagittarius. Take note that the strongest mule on the trail usually ends up carrying the most weight. Your emotions are more sensitive than you may think, and certainly more than you demonstrate to others. Be honest about the way you feel and not just the way you think.

Things should flow well for you today with very little ef-fort on your part, Capricorn. Take note that if any quarrel arises, it’s an indication that the person you’re arguing with isn’t nec-essarily the right person to deal with or confide in. Emotional issues are likely to be the hardest ones to overcome, but this shouldn’t be a problem for you. You have the ability to work through these like a pro.

This is meant to be a nice, relaxing day, so treat it as such, Aquarius. There’s no need for you to plan any great strategy at this time. Try to take it easy and not indulge in any unnecessary stress. This is your time to enjoy the moment. Don’t tax your mind by overanalyzing everything that comes your way. Go with the flow and have a great time regardless of what you end up doing.

Your sensual nature is heightened, Pisces, and you’ll find yourself engaged in tender moments and languid peacefulness in the company of others. Soothe your soul by letting yourself slip into situations that give you the emotional freedom to do or say whatever comes to mind. Life should be like a love poem written by a great master. Accept the good energy that comes your way.

Your sixth sense is right on target, Virgo, so trust your instincts today. You’re likely to connect with someone in a wonderful partnership that will help you foster the very plan you want to develop now. Stay close to those things that resonate strongly with your morals. The answer is in front of you; you don’t have to search too far afield in order to find it.

Allow your eager and restless nature to express itself in ways other than through the spoken word, Aries. Show someone that you care through your gentle touch or a big bear hug. Hold on a little bit more tightly than you might normally. There’s an unspo-ken understanding that comes when you communicate through nothing but pure silence. Work on developing this kind of connec-tion with those closest to you.

This is a terrific day for you, Taurus. You should find that your relationships, especially with men, go exceptionally well. Your tender and extremely sensitive nature is finally being recognized as the treasure chest it is. There are many times in which this type of personality is seen as weak, yet today is one of those times in which you’re given the full credit you deserve.

A selfish attitude on your part won’t be tolerated today, re-gardless of the circumstances, Gemini. Don’t make it worse for yourself by pretending that you don’t notice others’ hurt feelings. People are likely to be extra sensitive today, so be careful about trying to impose your will on someone who really wants nothing more than an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.

You could find the hardest person to face is you, Cancer. You tend toward introspection, and you may find yourself shrinking into self-recrimination. You could analyze the important people in your life and yet fail to address the one you really need to look at – you. As you continually strive for perfection, give yourself proper credit. Do something nice for yourself today.

Take advantage of the creative energy in the air today, Leo. Keep your hands moving and your imagination flowing toward something fun and artistic. If you begin to doubt your work, you may fall down a spiral of creative blockage. Don’t get into the habit of constantly judging the quality or outcome of your work. Give yourself free rein to open up and explore whatever comes to mind.

JAMMU, MAY 03- Secretary Bureau of Public Enterprises, Floriculture & Horticulture Sanjeev Verma convened a meeting to review the physical and financial achievements of the Horti-culture department here today .The meeting was attended by the Direc-tor Horticulture Jammu Anil Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director Horticulture (Central), Chief Horticulture Officers, Deputy Director (P&S), Accounts Officer Directorate of Horticulture, Divisional Level Officers and District Horticulture Officers of Jammu Division.Director Horticulture apprised the chair about the Physical & Financial achievements made by the department during the financial year 2013-14 under differ-ent Centrally Sponsored Schemes and State Plan Schemes. It was informed that subsidy amounting to Rs. 11.86 crores was disbursed under different schemes during 2013-14. This includes 2558 Ha area under fresh Horticulture

Plantation, creation of 73 units of water resources, 19431 sq mtrs of protected cultivation, 231 units of Horticulture Mechanization, 165 vermicompost units, rejuvenation of 176 Ha of old and senile orchards.Also 508 mobile dem-onstrations were conducted in fruit preservation/processing and value ad-dition. 569 people were imparted one Month training and 12 were imparted six months training to enable them to set up small scale units.The depart-ment has intensified information dis-semination and training programmes by organising exposure visits , demon-strations, Kissan Goshties, Fruit Shows, Kissan Melas and through print and Electronic Media all aimed at capac-ity building of its orchardists and field functionaries. The nursery accreditation programme with National Horticulture Board, Government of India has till date granted accreditation to 39 nurseries in Public and private Sectors and cases of

another 44 nurseries are under process. Record revenue of Rs. 58 lacs was gen-erated against sale of quality fruit plant/ crops from the departmental nurseries.He exhorted upon the district heads to gear up their field functionaries and work with team spirit. He stressed to in-centivise and comprehensive sensitisa-tion drives for the farming community so that the activities and development programmes of department are imple-mented at grass root level in letter and spirit. He advised Chief Horticulture of-ficers to submit detail project reports regarding strengthening and upgrading of departmental nurseries, area/ crops specific plan for establishment of new orchard areas. Threadbare discussions were held with the field functionaries to scale up the productivity by adopting modern technologies and building up infrastructure Mr Verma also stressed that department should work in close coordination with other institutes.

Condolence meeting heldKATHUA MAY 03:-The employees of District Information

Centre, Kathua have expressed shock and grief over the sud-den demise of the brother of Anil Kumar, Project Operator here on Saturday morning.

The deceased, Ashwani Kumar (33) died of cardiac arrest in the wee hours at his home in Kathua.

District Information Officer and officials of the District and Tehsil Information Centres of Kathua have expressed heart-felt condolence to the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul.

Earlier, all the staff members of District Information Cen-tre held a condolence meeting and expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for giving courage to the family to bear the irreparable loss.

Later the staff of Information Department also attended the funeral and paid tributes to the deceased.

Symposium on Save the Girl Child held

JAMMU, MAY 03:- A symposium on the topic “Save the Girl Child” was organized at Government Girls Higher Sec-ondary School here today.

Special Secretary School Education Department, R.A. In-qlabi was the chief guest on the occasion.

Students namely Mansi, Kanika, Pooja, Uzma, Apeksha and Bandu participated in the symposium and stressed upon the eradication of discrimination against the girl child from the society.

Verma reviews achievements of Horticulture Deptt

GUWAHATI: Police found nine more bodies on Saturday after a deadly rampage by tribal separat-ists in Assam, taking the death toll to 32 following two days of vio-lence.

The latest fighting in the area, a site of frequent ethnic clashes, began on Thursday with the kill-ing of 11 Bengali-speaking Muslim villagers, followed by more blood-shed on Friday when 12 others were slain.

Police said it was not immedi-ately known when the nine villag-ers whose bodies were recovered on Saturday had been killed.

“The death toll has gone up to 32,” police inspector general S N Singh told AFP. “Security has been further tightened with police and paramilitary troopers deployed in strength.”

The nine bodies, including those of women and children, were recovered from Narayanguri village in Baksa district, 200 kilo-metres (125 miles) west of Assam’s main city of Guwahati.

This week’s attacks come as the country votes in a multi-phased general election that began on April 7. Polling winds up on May 12, with results to be announced

four days later. Voting in Assam has ended,

with April 24 the last day of poll-

ing. Police blamed the attacks on the outlawed National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), which has been demanding a separate homeland for decades.

Investigators said they arrested

around 20 suspects on Saturday in the violence-hit districts of Baksa and its neighbour, Kokrajhar.

“So far we have arrested about 20 people,” said a senior police official, who did not want to be named.

Witnesses said some of the victims were killed as attackers

opened fire on them while they slept in their homes.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directed Assam chief min-ister Tarun Gogoi and Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Saturday to “restore normalcy” in the area, while condemning the attacks.

“(My) heart reaches out and grieves for all those who lost their near and dear ones,” Singh said in a statement.

The attacks have prompted se-curity forces to launch a massive hunt for the guerillas and have spurred some 5,000 people to flee from their homes, police officer Singh said.

The officer added that an indef-inite curfew has also been imposed in the violence-torn districts, with police given shoot-on-sight orders and army soldiers on standby.

The victims of the attacks were Muslim migrants who have been locked for years in land disputes with indigenous Bodo tribes in the tea-growing state that borders Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Media reports said Muslim vil-lagers were targeted as a punish-ment for not voting for candidates backed by the rebels.

Chief minister Gogoi said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would probe the violence and involvement of any political parties.

“An NIA probe has been sought and anyone found guilty, including politicians, will not be spared,” Go-goi told reporters after a state cabi-net meeting on Saturday.

While the opposition Bharati-ya Janata Party has criticized the Congress-led state government for inaction and failure to protect its people, some student groups have demanded Gogoi’s resignation.

Seventeen people were killed in clashes in the same region in January, and thousands of others fled their homes for fear of further attacks. Survivors of Thursday’s at-tack in Kokrajhar district described how a group of around 20 masked gunmen had carried out the kill-ings late at night.

“We were asleep when gun-men barged into our home and sprayed bullets, killing my elderly mother, my wife and my four-year-old daughter,” Siraj Ali told a local TV channel, as he sat beside the bodies in a police station.

“I don’t have anyone left in my family now,” Ali said.

Assam violence: Thousands flee their homes fearing more attacks

District RCS meet held at Doda Inter-School tourney concludes in Doda DODA, MAY 03:-A meeting of the District Red Cross Society was convened at Doda

today under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner Doda Mubarak Singh to discuss the steps to be taken for strengthening Red Cross Society in the District.

Assistant Commissioner Revenue Doda, Assistant Commissioner Development Doda, Chief Medical Officer Doda, Chief Education Officer Doda, besides other officers of dis-trict administration and health department attended the meeting.

While speaking on the occasion DDC said that there is need to enhance the resource base of the Red Cross Society in the district to raise its funding besides strengthening Ju-nior Red Cross (JRC) and Youth Red Cross (YRC) volunteer activities by appointing Brand Ambassadors of each school.Regarding construction of Red Cross Bhawan at district lev-el, the DDC directed ACR Doda to identify suitable land for the purpose. He also directed the concerned officers to make necessary arrangements for celebration of World Red Cross Day on May 8, 2014 in the district.

DDC Ramban handed over wheel chair to beneficiaryRAMBAN MAY 03:-District Development Commissioner Ramban M H Malik today

handed over a wheel chair to a differently abled person of Gool at district headquarters, Ramban.

DDC apprised that this prosthetic aid is being provided to the physically impaired persons under a scheme of Social Welfare Department. He further told that there are numerous schemes in the Social Welfare Department where people can be benefited. He urged the people to come forward and avail benefit from these schemes.

The wheel chair was handed over to Javed Ahmed, a resident of Jaman Gool. The fam-ily members of beneficiary thanked the district administration for this aid.Speaking on the occasion, the DDC said that the differently abled persons may apply anytime to his office for availing the benefit of these prosthetic aids and other welfare schemes.

DODA, MAY 03:-The Inter-School tour-nament U-17 and U-14 age group Boys/Girls in disciplines of Kabaddi, Volley Ball, Kho-Kho and Wrestling , organized by De-partment of Youth Services and Sports in City Middle School Doda concluded.250 students drawn from different schools including boys and girls participated in the tournament that was held under the supervision of ZPEO Doda. District Youth Services and Sports Officer Doda Mr. S.R Kotwal Katoch was the chief guest during the valedictory function.In Kabaddi U-17 years category (Boys) HSS Doda defeated HS Trown by 07 points while as in 14 year age group GMS City Boys defeated M.S Doda by 08 points.In Volley Ball U-17 years category (Boys) HS Pangsoo beat HSS Boys Doda by 01 set and in U-14 years category M.S Shalote beat City Middle School Doda similarly by 02 sets .Similarly in Kho – Kho U-17 category Girls , HS Paryote defeated HS Pul Doda by 09 points and in U-14 Kho-Kho category City Middle Schools Doda defeated Middle School Akramabad 0-5

points.Meanwhile in Boys Kho-Kho U-17 years category AIER Academy Doda beat Green Model Higher Secondary School by 03 points and in U-14 years category Green Model Higher Secondary School Doda de-feated City Middle School Boys by 01 point The Matches were officiated by Mr. Subash Kumar PEM, Mr. Fayaz Amed PEM, Mr. Ifroz Hussain PET, Mr. Ravinder Rana PET, Smt. Salma Rozi PET, Smt Satya Devi PET, Mr. Anayatullah Gattu PET, Mr. Farooq Ahmed PET, Mr. Irshad Ahmed PET and Mr. Jagdish Chander PET. Meanwhile in Boys Kho-Kho U-17 years category AIER Academy Doda beat Green Model Higher Secondary School by 03 points and in U-14 years category Green Model Higher Secondary School Doda defeated City Middle School Boys by 01 pointThe Matches were officiated by Mr. Subash Kumar PEM, Mr. Fayaz Amed PEM, Mr. Ifroz Hussain PET, Mr. Ravinder Rana PET, Smt. Salma Rozi PET, Smt Satya Devi PET, Mr. Anayatullah Gattu PET, Mr. Farooq Ahmed PET, Mr. Irshad Ahmed PET and Mr. Jagdish Chander PET.

16th Lok Sabha Elections-2014

Electioneering in full swing in Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency

BARAMULLA, MAY 03: The election process in Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency is in full swing with authorities related to the conduct of forth-coming parliamentary elections giving final touches to the ar-rangements for conducting free and fair polls.

Polling material and staff is being readied for locations and randomization of EVMs and polling staff is also in advanced stages.

Photo electoral rolls have at-tracted the attention of voters in the constituency and efforts are being made to deliver voter slips to voters at their doorsteps through Booth Level Officers.

According to District Election Officer, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone, who is also Returning Officer for the parliamentary constitu-ency, the District administra-tion had launched an awareness drive through colleges and oth-er educational institutions to maximize the inclusion of new and first time voters. As a result many new voters were regis-tered who are expected to exer-cise their franchise in the com-ing polls.

As many as 11, 90, 766 vot-ers including 6, 22,632 male and 5,66,460 female voters would be exercising their franchise across the Constituency. This includes 5, 83,753 voters of Baramulla, 2,

11,967 voters of Bandipora and 3, 93,400 voters of Kupwara dis-tricts. There are 18,257 migrant voters included in these figures spread over the three districts of Baramulla 8307, Kupwara 8468 and Bandipora 1482.

To facilitate these voters exer-cise their franchise, 1616 polling booths have been set up across the constituency at 1303 loca-tions. This includes 822 polling booths in Baramulla district, 531 polling booths in Kupwara dis-trict and 263 in Bandipora dis-trict.As many as 11, 90, 766 vot-ers including 6, 22,632 male and 5,66,460 female voters would be exercising their franchise across the Constituency. This includes

5, 83,753 voters of Baramulla, 2, 11,967 voters of Bandipora and 3, 93,400 voters of Kupwara dis-tricts. There are 18,257 migrant voters included in these figures spread over the three districts of Baramulla 8307, Kupwara 8468 and Bandipora 1482.

To facilitate these voters exer-cise their franchise, 1616 polling booths have been set up across the constituency at 1303 loca-tions. This includes 822 polling booths in Baramulla district, 531 polling booths in Kupwara dis-trict and 263 in Bandipora dis-trict.The Election Commission of India has deputed two General Observers Mr. Murli Krishna and Mr. Pravesh Kumar, one Secu-

rity Observer Mr. Maddyreddy Pratap and one Expenditure Observer Mr. Mahipal Singh to monitor free and fair polling in the constituency.

Strict compliance of Model Code of Conduct in the Constitu-ency is being ensured and in ev-ery assembly segment one each flying squad and static squad has been set up to check any viola-tions.District Election Control Rooms have already been set up in all the three districts of the constituency and a round the clock Media Centre for the con-stituency is already operational at the DC Office, Baramulla with telephone numbers 01952-236512 and 236912.

Daily Zabarwan TimesEDITORIAL/ OPINIONEDITORIAL/ OPINIONDaily Zabarwan TimesSrinagar, Sunday 04 May 2014

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer

Life-Thy name is positivity

If Western lifestyle has af-fected our culture very badly damaging our moral values, it has some posi-tivities also which we ig-

nore totally. The lifespan has increased but human being once called a social animal has con-fined himself to nuclear family system, thus becoming a prison-er of self created isolation. The concept of joint family system has faded out due to circum-stances mostly economical. In East, people have developed a kind of expansionist attitude and are busy in amassing wealth, de-veloping palatial properties. The race for more money has made the whole society materialistic. The whole life of a person goes in accumulating wealth and ev-erybody perhaps forgets to en-joy the life till his death nears. However, in Western coun-tries the positivity of enjoying life has overtaken the capital-istic instinct of the society. In these countries people are more fond of spending whatever they earned than to leave it for their coming generations. The isolat-ed old couples whose children have left for better avenues, the big mansions in thousands with-out even an occupant managed by servants and crores of un-spent money in bank accounts tell the tale of our isolation and pathetic life. There are hundreds of parents who do not even see the faces of their children before their death. Similarly, there are thousands of children who come to know about the death of their parents through some relations or neighbours. What a pity! We are criticizing the western cul-ture but we never peep into their positivities which could even change over lives and become a guiding force for us. To enjoy the beauty of this creation of God called world, we forget that life is a precious gift of God which is bestowed only once. Hence, we should try everything to live it, enjoy it, protect it, and let others also do the same. The concept of amassing wealth without enjoy-ing an iota of it, is even against the philosophy of nature which says that enjoy the life and spent your wealth for your well being and for the well being of others. The concept of charity in every religion is an indicator of be-ing generous in one’s spending. Let’s enjoy the life within the parameters advised by the great religions and adopted by most advanced societies.

Education to Physically Challenged Persons

Presently Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), which is the main vehicle under the Min-istry of Human Resource Development for implementation of the provisions of The Right of Children to Free & Com-

pulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 is providing inclusive education wherein children with spe-cial needs are mainstreamed in regular schools. Under SSA, over 32 lakh CWSN have been iden-tified till March, 2013. Out of this, over 85% are enrolled and 1.5 lakh are enrolled in home based education and 28 lakh aids and appliances have been distributed under SSA since inception of the programme. While large number of children with disabili-ties are enrolled under SSA as part of inclusive education, State Governments are also running special schools for children with disabilities. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is providing financial assistance to NGOs to set up special schools under Deendayal Disability Reha-bilitation Scheme (DDRS).The Government's approach continues to be one of promoting inclusive education, but special edu-cation is also made available to those who need it.The Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Edu-cation (RTE) Act, 2009 came into force from April 1, 2010. The RTE Act provides for free & compul-sory education to children including children with disabilities as mentioned in Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) (PwD) Act, 1995 and the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 namely, i) Blindness, ii) Low vision, iii) Leprosy cured, iv) Hearing impairment, v) Locomotor disabilities, vi) Mental retardation, vii) Mental Illness, viii) Autism, and ix) Cerebral Palsy, and eventually cover Speech impairment, Learning Disabilities, etc. in the age group of 6-14 years at elementary level in a neighbourhood school. The Govern-ment is implementing Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) as main programme for universalizing, ed-ucation for all children for the age group of 6-14 years.SSA provides Rs. 3000 per child per annum as a budgetary or funding norm. The major inter-ventions under SSA for education of physically challenged children are identification, functional and formal assessment, appropriate educational placement, preparation of Individualised Edu-cational Plan, provision of aids and appliances, teacher training, appointment of research teach-ers, therapeutical support, establishing research rooms to provide support to children with disabil-ities, provision of ramps and handrails.The Scheme of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) was launched in

2009-10 replacing the earlier scheme of Integrat-ed Education for Disabled Children (IEDC). It provides assistance for the inclusive education of the disabled children in classes IX-XII. The aim of the Scheme is to enable all students with disabilities, after completing eight years of ele-mentary schooling, to pursue further four years of secondary schooling (classes IX to XII) in an inclusive and enabling environment. The scheme covers all children passing out of elementary schools and studying at secondary and higher secondary stage in Government, local body and Government-aided schools, with one or more dis-abilities as defined under the PwD Act, 1995 and the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and

Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999. The components of the scheme include : i) assessment of medical / educational needs, ii) provision of student specific facilities, iii) devel-opment of learning material, iv) support services like special educators, v) construction and equip-ping of resource rooms, vi) training of general school teachers to build their capacity to fulfill the needs of children with special needs vii) make schools barrier free. Setting up of Model inclusive schools in every State is also envisaged. Girls with disabilities receive special focus and efforts made under the scheme to help them gain access to secondary schools, as also to information and guidance for developing their potential. There is a provision of a monthly stipend of Rs.200/- for the disabled girls.Central assistance for all items covered in the scheme is on 100 per cent basis. The School Ed-ucation Department of the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations is the imple-menting agency. They may involve Non Govern-mental Organisations having experience, in the field of education of the disabled, in the imple-mentation of the scheme.

Under the National Scholarship Scheme which is funded from Trust Fund for Empowerment of PwDs financial assistance is provided to students with disabilities to enable them to pursue pro-fessional or technical courses from recognized institutes and get employed/self employed. Un-der the Scheme till last academic session 1000 scholarships were provided to the students with disabilities through out the country and from the academic session 2013-14 this number has been increased to 1500 students. 30% scholarships are reserved for girls. Only Indian nationals are eligi-ble for scholarships. Under the National Fund for People with Dis-abilities (National Fund) 500 new scholarships to be awarded each year are equally distributed (125 each) for the four major categories of disabilities viz. (i) Orthopaedic (ii) Visual (iii) Hearing and (iv) Others. Further, 40% of the scholarships in each category are reserved for girls. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme for students with disabilities has been launched for providing them scholarship to pursue M.Phil/Ph.D courses.Section 33 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Par-ticipation) (PwD) Act, 1995 provides for reserva-tion not less than 3% of vacancies in government establishments for persons with disabilities of which 1% each shall be reserved for persons suf-fering from (i) blindness or low vision; (ii) hear-ing impairment and (iii) loco motor disability or cerebral palsy. Accordingly, reservations are made in various Government Establishments in-cluding Public Sector Undertakings (PSU).Further, with a view to encourage employment of Persons with Disabilities in private sector, the Government provides the employer’s contri-bution for Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees State Insurance (ESI) for 3 years, for employees with disabilities including visually impaired persons employed in the private sec-tor on or after April 1, 2008, with a monthly sal-ary upto Rs.25, 000 under its Scheme of Incen-tives to the Private Sector for Employment of Physically Challenged Persons. National Handicapped and Finance Develop-ment Corporation (NHFDC), a PSU under this Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, is providing loans at concessional rates for en-couraging self-employment of Persons with Dis-abilities.The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employ-ment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) guarantees employment to rural household adults including differently abled persons. Under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), a provision of 3% of the total beneficiaries has been made for differ-ently abled category.

Pioneering Spices Research

Life has changed for good for Mr. George Thomas Panackavayal, a 65 year old progressive farmer from Koorachundu in Kozhikode district of Kerala. George Thomas’s story is an inspiration for

those who lament agriculture is no more a profit-able business. From a novice farmer to an award winning visionary figure, his triumph is a living testimony to the significant work done by the In-dian Institute of Spices Research (IISR), Kozhiko-de, through its Krishi Vigyan Kendra(KVK).Being a traditional black pepper grower, George was cultivating local varieties. Yield from these vines was not so promising and most of the vines died because of quick wilt. Like any other tra-ditional farmer, his life was also full of ups and downs.

The Beginning of a New InningsIt was in the year 2007, a training programme on mushroom cultivation at IISR’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra located at Peruvannamuzhi in Kozhiko-de district changed his life forever. It was the be-ginning of a winning partnership in agriculture. With the guidance and support of the KVK, he started a mushroom cultivation unit investing around one lakh rupees.Later George Panackavayal turned into culti-vation of ginger and turmeric by procuring five kilograms of IISR Prabha variety of turmeric and Varada variety of ginger. He followed the scien-tific crop management practices; took the advice of experts from KVK and IISR at each and every stage of cultivation and it worked well. In 2010, he sold 1000 kg of turmeric and 500 kg of ginger rhi-zomes to other farmers through the Participatory Seed Production programme of KVK. Next year also, he harvested a bumper yield of 500 kg of tur-meric and 400 kg of ginger from a mere 15 cents of land.In the year 2007, he planted around 300 vines of high yielding varieties of black pepper such as Sreekara, Subhakara, Panchami and Pournami released by IISR. From the third year of planting, the vines started yielding and in year he got a yield of 200 kg fetching him a net income of 75000 rupees. He is also growing coconut, areca nut, nutmeg, rubber, tapioca and other tuber crops. He was one of the four farmers mentioned in the Harvesters of Hope, a compilation of the success stories of 101 farmers in the country, published by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2009. He credits all his success to the support he got from IISR.George’s success story is not an isolated one. Thanks to remarkable work done by IISR; many farmers have scripted success stories by cultivat-ing different spices across the country.

IISR GenesisSpices research in the country had a modest be-

ginning with the establishment of a regional cen-tre of Central Plantation Crops Research Institute at Calicut- the city of spices in the year 1975 by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Further in 1995 the research on spices gained full momentum with the establishment of Indian In-stitute of Spices Research, the one and only ICAR centre for research on spice crops. The institute is located in a serene campus of 14.3 hectors at Chelavoor, 11 kilometers from Calicut city.The experimental farm of IISR is located at Peru-vannamuzhi, a picturesque setting about 51 ki-lometers north east from the city of Calicut. The research farm, set up in a leased land of 94.8 hect-ares, focuses on intensive production of nucleus planting materials and conservation of biodiver-sity in spices. IISR is also the headquarters of All India Coordinated Research Projects on Spices which is the largest spices research network in the country. The mandate crops of the institute are black pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice, garcinia, va-nilla and paprika.IISR maintains the world’s larg-est germplasm repository of spices with a total of 2575 black pepper accessions, 435 cardamom ac-cessions, 685 ginger and 1040 turmeric accessions. Apart from this, the institute has gene reposito-ries of Vanilla, Paprika and other tree spices such as Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg and Cassia.A significant contribution of the institute in the field of spices research is the breeding of high yielding spice varieties that are tolerant to drought, pests and diseases. The institute has de-veloped various technologies for sustainable pro-duction of spices.

Spices Varieties Released by IISRA significant contribution of the institute in the field of spices research is the breeding of high yielding spice varieties that are tolerant to drought, pests and diseases.Eight varieties of black pepper were released by the institute. Varieties such as Sreekara, Subha-kara, Panchami and Pournami are already in the farmers’ field. Latest varieties include IISR The-vam, IISR Malabar Excel, IISR Girimunda and IISR Shakthi.IISR Vijetha 1, IISR Avinash and IISR Kodagu Suvasini are the cardamom variet-ies developed by the Cardamom Research Centre (CRC) of IISR functioning at Appangala in Koda-gu district of Karnataka.The ginger varieties of the institute, IISR Varada, IISR Rejatha and IISR Mahima are suitable for cultivation in all major ginger growing tracts of the country.Eight high quality turmeric varieties have been released so far by the institute. Suguna, Sudarsha-na, Parbha, Prathibha and IISR Alleppy Supreme are known for their high curcumin content and other quality attributes.

IISR Vishwasree, a high yielding nutmeg variety with a bushy and compact canopy, is suitable for all tracts in South India. Kerala Shree another nutmeg variety released recently. Navasree and Nithyasree are the leading cinnamon varieties of IISR well known for their bark oil and oleoresin.

White Pepper Production TechnologyWhite pepper is one of the value added forms of black pepper that fetches high revenue for farm-ers. Owing to its charming creamy white colour, mild flavor, attractive odor, good taste and suit-ability to use in any food item, it has become a hot choice in the international market especially in the European countries. It also fetches almost fif-ty percent higher price in the market.Traditionally, white pepper is produced by the de-cortication of ripened or dried berries. But this conventional method and other mechanical de-cortications were inadequate for bulk production of white pepper at industrial or farm level. The hygienic aspects and quality of white pepper are also a matter of concern. Scientists at IISR have developed a bacterial technology for converting mature green pepper to white pepper through bac-terial fermentation.Mature green pepper obtained after harvest is washed in sterilized water containing a mid log phase culture of Bacillus bacteria and it is incu-bated at room temperature for five days. Then the pepper berries are trampled and washed thor-oughly with running water to remove degraded pericarp and bacterial metabolites. Creamy white pepper berries obtained through fermentation is dried to get high quality white pepper.

Broiler Goat Rearing‘Broiler Goat Rearing’, fine-tuned by the scien-tists of the Peruvannamuzhi Krishi Vigyan Ken-dra of IISR is a boon to the farming community especially in the areas where green fodder is in scarce. Under this method, 15 to 30 days old kids with a higher birth weight are selected before they start eating green leaves. These kids, once identified, are kept away from their mothers and are housed separately in sheds made of bamboo or wooden poles. Proper ventilation, sunlight and cleanliness are ensured at all the times.Initially, the kids are given small quantities of concentrated feed. And the quantity is increased gradually depending upon the intake. Additional supplements such as liver tonic mixed with fish oil are also given twice a week. Young kids are also provided with mother’s milk for one month (twice or thrice a day) for their proper growth. Various women self help groups like Kaveri Kudumbashree and Nidhi and several other indi-vidual farmers in Peruvannamuzhi of Kozhikode district of Kerala have been rearing goats in this method for the past five years.

What is this life if full of care,There is nothing to stand and stare