J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Three leaders of Tehreek-ul -Mujahideen, who recently infiltrated into Kashmir after undergoing training in Pakistan, were arrested by the BSF in downtown Srinagar. The three, Mohd Ashraf, Sohail Ahmad Baba and Mohammad Iqbal Sheikh, were produced before mediapersons on Thursday. — PTI photo

2 Kashmiri youths killed in US attacks
Udhampur (Jammu), October 25
Two persons from the Kashmir valley, who were among the 183 Kashmiri youths to cross over to Pakistan to join the “holy war” in Afghanistan early this month, have been killed during the US attacks in Afghanistan, intelligence sources said today.

Panun Kashmir threatens stir
Jammu, October 25
Panun Kashmir, a premier organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, has threatened to launch an agitation and appeal to the state and National Human Rights Commissions if the state government did not revoke its plan of regularising the services of those who had been appointed on posts which fell vacant after the Pandits migrated from the Kashmir valley.

DISTRICT DIARY
Residents resent power cuts
Udhampur
Long power cuts in Udhampur town have adversely affected residents, particularly shopkeepers, small industrial unit owners and students leading to resentment. Earlier the power cut used to be of seven and a half hours every day.

2 Kashmiri youths killed in US attacks

Udhampur (Jammu), October 25
Two persons from the Kashmir valley, who were among the 183 Kashmiri youths to cross over to Pakistan to join the “holy war” in Afghanistan early this month, have been killed during the US attacks in Afghanistan, intelligence sources said today.

Most of the 183 youths in the age group of 16 to 21 years were from among the 800 youths who crossed over to Pakistan in the past three months, the sources told PTI.

The youths had crossed over to Pakistan for training and handling of arms and explosives.

According to a list prepared by intelligence network with the help of local people, as many as 782 and 76 Kashmiri youth migrated to Pakistan from Kupwara and Baramulla districts, respectively, during the past three months.

A majority of the youths have been forcibly pushed into Pakistan on the directions of the top brass of militant outfits like the Lashker-e-Toiba.

Besides, about 600 militants are also stationed along the Line of Control (LoC) on the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) side for being pushed back into Jammu and Kashmir, the sources said. PTI

Panun Kashmir threatens stir
Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 25
Panun Kashmir, a premier organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, has threatened to launch an agitation and appeal to the state and National Human Rights Commissions if the state government did not revoke its plan of regularising the services of those who had been appointed on posts which fell vacant after the Pandits migrated from the Kashmir valley.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the organisation here today. The Chairman of the committee, Dr K.L. Chowdhary and the President of Panun Kashmir, Dr Agnishekhar, described the Cabinet decision to set up a four-member committee, which would finalise the process of regularisation of the services of those appointed on ad hoc basis against the vacant posts caused by the exodus of Pandits, as “sinister”.

Dr Chowdhary said by filling the posts occupied by the displaced employees would further lead to “ethnic cleansing” in the valley.

DISTRICT DIARY
Residents resent power cuts
Ramesh Gupta

Udhampur
Long power cuts in Udhampur town have adversely affected residents, particularly shopkeepers, small industrial unit owners and students leading to resentment.

Earlier the power cut used to be of seven and a half hours every day. The situation has now worsened with the cut extending up to nine hours. Residents have demanded an immediate improvement in the situation.

However, it is reported that the government proposes to increase the duration of the power cut to 11 hours.

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The activities of militants and the imposition of the Disturbed Areas Act on Jammu division have led to a decrease in the number of pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine.

Business at Katra and Jammu has been hit. Labourers and pony owners whose livelihood depends on pilgrims are facing hardship.

A similar situation prevails in the Patni Top, Sudhmahadev, Mantlai, Mansar and other areas.

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Students, including girls, attending the government college located about 2 km from Udhampur town are facing transport problems. Those who do not have their own vehicles generally walk to the institution. The college bus was declared unfit for use about five years ago.

A bus is urgently required at least for the girl students.