J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Protest against POTO hits life in valley

Srinagar, November 28 Amid stray incidents of violence, normal life was paralysed here today in response to a general strike call given by the High Court Bar Association in protest against the “hasty implementation” of the controversial POTO in J&K. Indian paramilitary troops stand near a burning tyre during a strike in Srinagar on Wednesday. — Reuters photo In video: (28k, 56k)

JD (S) MLA from J&K joins Cong
New Delhi, November 28
The Congress got a boost in Jammu and Kashmir when the lone JD (S) MLA in the Assembly joined the party.

Jhanji to take oath as J&K HC Sr Judge on Dec 3
Chandigarh, November 28
After relinquishing charge as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice V.K. Jhanji will be administered the oath of office as a Senior Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on December 3. Mr Justice Jhanji was elevated to the Bench on March 15, 1991.

Water shortage in Kandi area
Kathua, November 28
Kandi area of Kathua district have been facing shortage of drinking water. The areas include Barwel, Uttri, Logate, Kharote and Jandere villages.

Protest against POTO hits life in valley
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 28
Amid stray incidents of violence, normal life was paralysed here today in response to a general strike call given by the High Court Bar Association in protest against the “hasty implementation” of the controversial POTO in Jammu and Kashmir.

The general strike call by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association was given a day after the police sealed the house of one Ghulam Mohammad Dar here on Sunday night under POTO on charges of harbouring Al-Badre militants. This along with the arrest of 10 Al-Badre militants has been the first instance of the implementation of POTO in the state. The call was supported by various separatist political organisations, employees’ unions and traders here.

The police lobbed teargas shells and resorted to mild lathicharge in the district headquarter town of Baramulla in north Kashmir where hundreds of protesters took to streets against the implementation of POTO. Three demonstrators were arrested by the police, reports reaching here said.

Protests were also organised in some localities of Srinagar where groups of demonstrators took to streets. Crowds restored to stone pelting forcing the police to use teargas shells.

All shops and business establishments remained closed here. Transport vehicles went off the roads throughout the city routes. Near normal traffic was plying on the inter-district routes, government offices, banks and educational institutions also remained closed. There was thin attendance in Central Government offices.

Various separatist organisations have condemned the enactment of the controversial ordinance in Jammu and Kashmir. The parties include Jamaat-e-Islami, Hurriyat Conference, Awami Action Committee (a constituent of the APHC) headed by former Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq, Democratic Party of Shabir Ahmad Shah, Human Rights Front and others.

JD (S) MLA from J&K joins Cong
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 28
The Congress got a boost in Jammu and Kashmir when the lone JD (S) MLA in the Assembly joined the party.

The announcement about Mr Jagdish Raj Dubey, who represents the Bisnah constituency, joining the Congress was made by the Congress chief spokesman, Mr Jaipal Reddy here today in the presence of the JKPCC chief, Mohammad Shafi Qureshi, and former state PCC chief Chaudhary Mohammad Aslam. The joining comes at a time when the political parties in the state are preparing for an early Assembly elections.

Meanwhile, the party today accused the government of harassing and intimidating the Tehelka officials.

Jhanji to take oath as J&K HC Sr Judge on Dec 3
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 28
After relinquishing charge as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice V.K. Jhanji will be administered the oath of office as a Senior Judge of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on December 3. Mr Justice Jhanji was elevated to the Bench on March 15, 1991.

During his tenure as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice Jhanji had delivered several landmark judgements. As many as 13 professors were appointed in the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research following an order passed by Mr Justice Jhanji. The allotment of mines in Haryana were also quashed and the state was directed to give lease through public notices.

Allotment of nine industrial plots to Oswal and Hero Cycles was also quashed by Mr Justice Jhanji. On the basis of another order passed by him, rules were framed for the allotment of government houses in Chandigarh. Orders were also pronounced by Mr Justice Jhanji in a kidnapping case filed against now DIG (Administration) Sumedh Singh Saini.

Mr Justice Jhanji had also stayed the allotment of plots to MLAs by the Harcharan Singh Brar government, besides setting aside the orders of the trial court permitting the withdrawal of an attempt to murder case against Chief Minister Brar’s son. Another petition filed by Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann was also decided by him. A distillery owned by relatives of former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal was also directed to be closed.

Mr Justice Jhanji was in the news recently for directing the Union of India and other respondents to issue travel documents to London-based self-styled President of “Khalistan” Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan for enabling him to return to India. Mr Justice Jhanji did his schooling from Delhi before doing his law from Delhi University.

A dinner is being hosted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association on Thursday. At about 11.30 am, Mr Justice Jhanji will meet the members of the Bar Association.

Water shortage in Kandi area
Our Correspondent

Kathua, November 28
Kandi area of Kathua district have been facing shortage of drinking water. The areas include Barwel, Uttri, Logate, Kharote and Jandere villages.

The general complaint is that the booster pumps, pumpsets and motor pumps which have been non-functional for months have not been repaired so far. Besides this no water has flowed through the pipes which were laid at many places near Budhi Khandiare two decades ago. Similar is the case in Billawer tehsil.

Residents alleged that the Public Health Engineering Department was callous in this regard. In Kathua, though the water supply is satisfactory, yet there are complaints of water shortage in some areas of Patel Nagar and Kalibari.