SRINAGAR,TUESDAY,15 RABI AL SAANI 1434 AH ; 26 FEBRUARY 2013

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STATE

Cabinet discusses budget proposals

Appreciates the performance of Finance Deptt

            JAMMU FEBRUARY 25: The Cabinet which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah discussed the budget proposals.

            The Cabinet also complimented the Finance Minister, Finance Department, Commercial Taxes and Excise Department for their outstanding performance in tax administration and collection.    

Omar reaffirms his mission for inclusive development

‘Justice to all, equitable development benchmark of governance’ 

            JAMMU, FEBRUARY 25 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday reaffirmed his government’s determination for inclusive development in the State adding that holistic growth of weaker sections has been flagged as focused area in the State’s policy planning.

            Addressing a mammoth gathering on Guru Ravi Das Jayanti here, the Chief Minister said that equitable development and justice to all irrespective of any consideration of region, religion, caste or creed is the benchmark of his government’s functioning.

            Omar Abdullah said that the special provisions guaranteed by the constitution and law for comprehensive development and welfare of weaker sections are being fully safeguarded by the government and clear directions have been given to the concerned to ensure all benefits reach to these sections hassle-free.

            Extending greetings to Guru Ravi Das Ji Samaj on 636 Jayanti of Guru Ji, Omar Abdullah described Guru Ji as a great social reformer who struggles and sacrificed for cultivating justice, creating classless society, ensuring dignity of women and preaching the concept of equality and brotherhood of human beings. He said this selfless sacrifice and struggle has made Guru Ji immortal, and even after over 600 years his teachings are as relevant today as these were at that time.

            Omar Abdullah emphasized the need for creating a society full of human values based on justice and equality. He said the best way of paying tributes to Guru Ji is to work for the upliftment of needy, downtrodden, women and destitute. He said that the Guru Ji’s philosophy that all human beings are born equal and only their good actions (Karam) make them higher in status is the universal truth and need to be nurtured by all. “For the significance and far reaching importance of Guru Ravi Das Ji’s teachings, Guru Nanak Dev Ji included 40 philosophical Shlokas (teachings) of Guru Ravi Das in Guru Granth Sahib”, he added.

            Announcing Rs. 20 lakhs for constructing the flooring of Guru Ravi Das Ji Sabha Complex, the Chief Minister said that the memorandum presented by the Sabha would be given due consideration adding that the maximum points identified in the memorandum have already been taken care of in the Board meetings of Schedule Caste Advisory Board. He said most of the demands have been taken up by the Vice Chairperson of Schedule Caste Advisory Board, in Board meetings and necessary directions have been given to the concerned in this regard. He said the issue of granting additional land to the Sabha would be discussed shortly.

            Vice Chairperson Schedule Caste Advisory Board, Ms Swaran Lata and President of the Sabha, Vijay Lochan also spoke on the occasion and referred to the land reforms and other measures taken by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for the upliftment and well being of weaker sections of the society. They also mentioned the keen interest of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in the holistic and inclusive development of all sections of the society in the State.

            Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra, Provincial President NC, Jammu, Devender Singh Rana, MLA Chaman Lal Gupta, various political and social activists were present on the occasion.

            On his arrival Chief Minister was given rousing reception by the people and management of Guru Ravi Das Ji Sabha. He was clad with the traditional turban of honour, presented a shawl and flower bouquets. 

Power shut down on Feb 26

            SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 25: According to Power Controller, Power Development Department, Kashmir, in order to carry out necessary works for restoration of cable crossing at Levdora, power supply from the 33 KV line of Wanpoh-Qazigund feeding Mir Bazar, Qazigund, Kund and Hiller Dooru receiving stations shall be affected on February 26, 2013 from 12 p.m. to 02 p.m.

Killing of panchayat members aimed at harming democracy: Govt

“Selective killing of NC workers matter of conern”

Srinagar, Feb 25 (VOS): While expressing serious concern over ‘selective killings’ of panchs and sarpanchs affiliated with the ruling National Conference party, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Muhammad Sagar today said targeting the grass root workers was part of a conspiracy ‘aimed at harming democracy in the state’.

He said the killings of NC workers in a particular area needed to be thoroughly probed to unveil the forces behind the ‘heinous act’.

“It is a matter of concern that panchs and sarpanchs affiliated with National Conference are being killed in a selective manner. Such attempts have been made in the past and I feel there is a conspiracy behind the killings”, Sagar said while talking to VOS.

Without ruling out possibility of political rivalry behind the killings, the Minister said that pointing fingers at any particular political dispensation would not be appropriate. “The government is making every effort for strengthening and empowering the grass root institution but some vested interests are not comfortable with their existence. By hatching conspiracies they are trying to harm democracy in the state”, he added. However, he said the considerable presence of militants in the area could also be a reason for the killings.

Referring to the slain sarpanch, Javed Ahmad Wani of Kreeri Baramulla, Sagar said ‘the heinous act of killings of the sarpanch is condemnable.’ “He was an active worker of NC. It is an act of barbarism”, he said.

However, the Minister claimed the sarpanch had already been provided security by the government. “The sarpanch and his father - both had been provided a PSO each. Inspite of that he was killed”, Sagar claimed.

He said the Chief Minister had personally given directions to the concerned security agencies for a thorough probe into the killings.

Sagar expressed ignorance when asked to react to statement of panchayat bodies claiming that several panchs and sarpanchs had migrated to Jammu due to security concerns. “We have no information on that. However, due to some threats etc some panchayat members have unofficially tendered resignations there”, he said.

Meanwhile former MoS Home and Provincial President of National Conference, Nasir Aslam Wani condemned the killing of the sarpanch.

“I knew him (Sarpanch) personally. He was senior NC worker” he said adding “Two SPOs had been deputed with him for his protection. Police is investigating why these PSO’s were not with him at the time of the attack.

He expressed apprehensions that the prevailing law and order situation in the valley could have affected the security grid and paved for the attack. “But we cannot say anything till the investigations are completed”, said Wani. (VOS)

Afzal’s family happy over ‘Hurriayt Coordination’

“Some journalists misquoted us”

Srinagar, Feb (VOS): Terming the ‘unification of Hurriyat groups’ as a tribute to Muhammd Afzal Guru, his family today said that convergence of the separatist leadership on one platform was a long cherished dream of Guru.

“It was a dream of Shaheed Afzal to see the Hurriyat Leadership united. Family is happy to learn about the setting up of the coordination committee”, said Afzal’s cousin, Mohammad Yasin Guru.

Yasin expressed anguish over some media persons, who according to him misquoted the family members. “Several journalists visit our house and ask various questions. But it is very sad that they are misquoting the family”, said Yasin.

One of the journalists had quoted one of the family members calling himself an ‘Indian’ but the fact is that no family member has made any such remark. “We never said that we’re Indians. The journalist has misquoted the family members”, Yasin told VOS.

He said that the family is delighted to know that coordination committee of Hurriyat and other organization has been formed. (VOS)

Return of Afzal’s body:

Engineer asks NC, PDP to support resolution

Srinagar, Feb (VOS): Apprehending that his resolution seeking the return of the body of parliament attack convict, Mohammad Afzal Guru, to his family could be sabotaged, Independent legislator Engineer Rasheed today asked National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party to support the resolution.

He said that Chief Minister could also move the same resolution in the State Assembly.

“I apprehend that Political Parties can sabotage my resolution as was done earlier. I ask NC and PDP to support my resolution. Even CM or the main opposition party PDP can also move the resolution in the Assembly”, said Rasheed addressing a Press conference at Srinagar on Monday.

He said that if the political parties get directions from the centre to sabotage the resolution, they would make every effort to do so.

Speaking about the detention of Syed Ali Geelani in Delhi, he said, “MP was not allowed to meet him. Politicians should understand what respect and privileges they have”. (VOS)

Cabinet discusses budget proposals

Appreciates performance of Finance Deptt

Jammu, Feb 25: The Cabinet which met here today under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah discussed the budget proposals.

The Cabinet also complimented the Finance Minister, Finance Department, Commercial Taxes and Excise Department for their outstanding performance in tax administration and collection.

Jammat condemns arrest of Hurriyat leaders, activists

Delegation visits Afzal’s residence, pays tributes

Srinagar, Feb 25 (VOS): Jama’at-e-Islami (J&K) while terming the government actions as autocratic today strongly condemned the arrest of Hurriyat Conference leaders and activists.

In a statement the Jamaat spokesman said the government actions are an autocratic and imperialistic method of suppressing the just voice of the people of Kashmir who are expressing their displeasure over the illegal and immoral execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru.

He said the people of Kashmir are demanding the return of his mortal remains to his family so that they can perform his last rights in accordance with the teachings of Islam. “In this connection, a high level delegation of Jama’at-e-Islami headed by Ameer-e-Zila Baramula Mohammad Maqbool Bhat visited Duabgah Sopore to pay glorious tributes to Shaheed Afzal Guru and on this occasion Ameer-e-Zila addressed a local gathering and expressed total solidarity with the family on behalf of Jamaat”, the spokesman added.

 He also fully supported the public demand of handing over the mortal remains of Shaheed to his family, the spokesman added.

He said Jama’at denounces the government action of arresting leaders and innocent youth without any justification and termed the house arrest of elderly Hurriyat Leader Syed Ali Geelani at his New Delhi residence in solitary confinement as ‘against all civilized legal norms prevalent in the world and a blatant violation of basic human rights’.

“Jama’at-e-Islami demands an immediate end to all nocturnal raids by Police and Security forces to arrest an innocent person which has created an atmosphere of terror in the whole valley. Jama’at also appeals all international and local human rights forums to intervene in the sordid situation being faced by people of Kashmir”, he added.

 PC calls J&K Police Bill ‘potential Marshal Law’

“CM wants to incorporate, validate another form of AFSPA”

Srinagar, Feb 25: Peoples’ Conference led by Sajjad Lone today lashed out at the Government for the proposed police bill, calling the proposed J&K Police Bill 2013 ‘a covert attempt by the State Government to impose Marshal Law in the State by putting civil liberties and rights into permanent abeyance’.

After a high level meeting  attended by various PC leaders including Rashid Mehmood, Mohammad Kamaal Malik and Junaid Azim Mattu, the PC spokesperson said the police bill is a brazen attempt by the State Government to unleash a new era of suppression in the State.

“It’s ironic that the Chief Minister wants to impose his own version of AFSPA in the State while posturing as a proponent of lifting the draconian law from the State. The bill aims to summarily bypass District Magistrates and Civil Administration in matters of law and order and has conspicuous indications of nurturing and integrating informers and mercenaries into the Police machinery by giving them sweeping, unbridled powers”, the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, PC Chairman Sajad Gani Lone has expressed bewilderment at the Chief Minister’s “double-speak and hypocrisy” by proposing such a “draconian and dictatorial legislation” in a State where the law and order mechanism is perceived to be tainted and oppressive as it is.

Sajad Lone has said that he wonders how the Chief Minister has the audacity to make such a ridiculous proposal while he pretends to oppose AFSPA. “What is the difference between AFSPA and the J&K Police Bill 2013? The J&K Police Bill is in fact a potential validation and incorporation of AFSPA into the State’s legal and law and order machinery and raises serious concerns about NC led government’s stand on draconian laws in the State”, the PC spokesperson quoted Lone of having said.

“The proposals to vest the powers of the District Magistrate with Police Officials and allowing them to arm and prop up counter-insurgents in the garb of a civilian militia are appalling. The proposal of the bill in Section 14 to legally allow “any police officer” to force and coerce “any able bodied person” to carry out brazen counter-insurgency and intelligence activities with a threat of a discretionary arrest is a slap across the face of the people of a State that has witnessed undeniable human rights violations by the Police apparatus and counter-insurgents in the last two decades”, he added.

He said the other proposal to give any police office, irrespective of his rank and jurisdiction to detain a person for “six hours” without accountability and without legal grounds is aimed at yet again bypassing the constitutional rights of the people of J&K. “The Bill also proposes to give sweeping powers to the State Police to enter into any public or private premises without a legal warrant and justification. The bill also brazenly advocates and proposes the unaudited, unqualified and unchecked distribution and use of arms and equipment within the Police department without the requirements of appropriate licenses. Is the State Government, without any shame or hesitation, asking Kashmiris to submit the remainder of their already abolished rights to the J&K Police?”, he added.

“The Bill’s proposal to allow the State to arbitrarily declare any area as a “Special Security Zone” where the powers of the civilian administration can be “integrated” with the Police department is a blatant trivialization of the civilian and legal institutions of the State and making all arms and functions of the civilian and legal machinery subservient to the Police”.

 The PC spokesperson said that the bill’s proposal to allow the Director General of Police to employ, constitute, arm and support “any number” of Village Defence Committees and Special Police Officers (SPOs)” in Section 63 is an open declaration of the revival of counter-insurgency in the State.

The PC spokesperson said that from having recommended dreaded Ikhwanis for national awards to having incorporated notorious counter-insurgency names into its folds, National Conference has demonstrated a consistent conviction and loyalty towards extra-judicial mercenaries and Ikhwanis. “It was National Conference that formed and constituted the notorious State Task Force (STF) under the government of Dr. Farooq Abdullah and it is National Conference again that is now publicly advocating the revival of counter-insurgency and the dictatorial supremacy of Police in J&K. The State Government has yet again chosen to humiliate the sentiments and miseries of the people of J&K and has thrown an open challenge to shamelessly complete the transformation of J&K into a total and complete Police State”, he added.

The PC spokesperson added that the Bill was dangerous and alarming and had conspicuous and inherent proposals to suppress civilians by eliminating whatever little checks and balances existed in the law and order machinery

Mainstream parties trying to gain political mileage out of Afzal hanging: DFP

Srinagar: Feb 25: The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) today said the mainstream parties are trying to gain political mileage out of the situation that has been created in the aftermath of Afzal Guru’s hanging.

“The political parties of the state are trying to outdo each other by playing politics over the issue. While the pro-freedom groups have been put under jails,” DFP said in a statment.

However,  the party expressed satisfaction over the fac t ‘that the pro-independence people are well aware about who is their friend and who is their enemy’.

DFP strongly condemned the continuous detention of their party chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah who was arrested from his house on the night of February 9 and has been lodged in the central jail since then.

Paying glowing tributes to Afzal Guru, DFP said that the martyr laid down his life for the Kashmiri people who have been oppressed by the authorities.

“It is deeply hurting that Guru was made a scapegoat in between the politics between Congress and National conference here and between the ruling parties and the opposition in Delhi. DFP chairman had been deeply hurt by the dirty politics played by the politicians that took away the life of Afzal Guru”, the statement added.

According to the statement, the DFP chairman stressed upon the fact that people should know the difference between so called democracy that exists only in name and the real democracy.

“He always believed in a healthy democracy and not in false democracy. The separatist leadership should understand that to fight the fake democracy of India they lay an example of democracy themselves, so that people should completely understand the difference between the fake and a real democracy,” the statement said.

“Our party chairman always feared the fake democracy of India and the present circumstances have proved him right by the dirty politics played by the authorities”, it added.

Coordination Committee calls for Strike on Friday

Protest in south Kashmir on Thursday; Red ribbons to be tied on Vehicles on Sat

Srinagar, Feb 25: After deliberations on the second consecutive day today, the Coordination Committee of various separatist and religious organizations today gave a fresh protest calendar for demading return of mortal remains of Muhammad Afzal Guru and Muhammad Maqbool Bhat.

According to a statement issued by the coordination committee, members of various separatist and religious organizations including Hurriyat (G), Hurriyat (M), JKLF, Bar Association, Jamaat e Islami and Dukhtaran e Millat today met in Srinagar at an undisclosed place and gave a four day calendar of Protests.

The committee has called for a valley wide strike on the Friday, March 1. On that day, supporting the already announced JKLF programme, the committee has asked people to peacefully protest after congregational prayers. The ullema and clerics have been asked to apprise people on the current situation apart from raising the issue of life and death imprisonments in favour of separatist leaders.

The Bar association has been asked to protest on February 27, Wednesday to raise voice against the hanging of Guru and demanding return of his body.

The committee has called for protests at district headquarters of south Kashmir viz Islamabad, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama on February 28, Thursday. People have been asked to raise slogans demanding return of mortal remains of Bhat and Guru.

The committee has also asked the people of Kashmir to attach ‘red ribbons’ on their vehicles, shops and houses on Saturday, March 2 as a mark of Protest.

It has asked people to observe, Sunday, March 3 as a normal work day in lieu of the Friday’s shutdown.
The meeting which apart from the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference, was attended by representatives of Hurriyat (M), Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Jamaat e Islami and Dukhtaran e Millat, the statement said said.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat Conference (G) General Secretary, Gulam Nabi Sumji said he had not been consulted before drafting of the protest programme announced by the coordination committee. “Being the General Secretary of the Hurriyat Conference, I was not consulted”, he said while refusing to elaborate further.  (VOS)

Police Bill 2013 an effort to institutionalize lawlesseness: Mirwaiz

Srinagar, Feb 25: The Hurriyat (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who is currently under house detention, has expressed serious concern over the police draft bill 2013 tabled by the government which it plans to make legislation.
In a statement, Mirwaiz said the passing of the Police Bill-2013 by the government would mean arming forces with legal impunity. He said the draft bill is an effort to institutionalize the lawlessness in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the bill, if passed, would leave the Kashmiris on the mercy of civil militia like Ikhwan and VDC’s.
The Chairman said the people were already suffering due to the draconian laws like AFSPA, DAA, and PSA. He said the current police bill will be a further addition to these repressive laws and it would thus increase the woes of the people.
Mirwaiz said that on one hand the government was publicly claiming for AFSPA revocation, but on the other it was working hard to legalise the police bill which would practically turn Jammu and Kashmir into a police state.
He said that instead of making people involved in murders and spreading repression and terror accountable before public and institutions, the government was practically arming them with unbridled powers and providing them with laws which would provide them legal immunity for committing further brutal acts.
Mirwaiz said this bill, if passed would mean that government wants to promote its way of thinking by using fear and terror among the masses, adding, and use these repressive laws against those who would raise their voice against this militarized system.
Instead of addressing public issues in the State Assembly, Mirwaiz said these so called representatives were busy in passing anti-people laws. He said that such act on their part was highly condemnable. He said passing such draconian bill amounts to award collective punishment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said that that passing such a draconian bill is also an unsuccessful effort to break the will of Kashmiri resistance leadership and people from further pursuing the freedom struggle. He said the people would vehemently oppose the current police bill 2013 and if they needed would come on roads to protest it.

Draft meant to legalize HR violations: Legal experts

“If bill is passed, we will be in state of terror”

Criticism too early in the day: Govt

Srinagar, Feb 25: Terming the JK Police Bill 2013 draft in its present form as a law aimed at legalizing human rights violations in the State, Legal Experts and academicians said people should put their efforts to pressurize the authorities to drop various provisions in the interest of welfare state.

“Police is supposed to be subservient to the civil administration but the problem in the bill is that it directs the civil administration to be subservient to the Police. SPO’s and VDC’s is another issue. It’ll legitimize their recruitment perpetually. They (SPO’s and VDC’s) are not the part of Police and not regulated by Police manual. And we have witnessed in past how serious offences they have committed against the civilians”, political analyst and academician Dr. Shiekh Showkat told VOS.

Terming the provisions to create special security zones as an ‘ultra virus’, he said, “Under the draft, if passed, Police can declare on their own any area as Special Security Zone. It’ll deprive the people of various rights and it can discriminate with the people of that area from the other areas”, he added.

When asked how the law could be more dangerous than controversial AFSPA, “AFSPA is for disturbed areas and is a temporary law. But this law will be a permanent law in the State, if passed by the legislature. It will become a part and parcel of the daily life on permanent basis”, he replied.

Another senior legal expert alleged that the draft is meant to legalize the human rights violations in the State on the name of ‘security of state’. “It is another and even more dangerous a draconian law. Now the authorities want to legalize the human rights violations on the local level”, said a senior academician in Department of Law Kashmir University on the condition of anonymity.

He said that if people fail to pressurize the government to drop these dangerous provisions, the state of will turn into a state of Police terror where no one will be accountable for the offences committing against innocent civilians.

Meanwhile, the state government today dismissed the criticism of the bill calling it unnecessary and too early in the day. “It is just a draft. It has to go through the cabinet and the state assembly. People don’t  need to worry as it will go through stringent scrutiny”, said Minister for Rural Development and panchayati Raj Ali Muhammad Sagar. (VOS)  

                                  NATIONAL

Chopper scam: CBI names ex-IAF chief SP Tyagi as suspect 

NEW DELHI: Armed with documents from Italy, CBI today named former Air Force Chief S P Tyagi in its preliminary enquiry (PE) into allegations of kickbacks in the Rs 3,600 croreVVIP chopper deal, the second former defence services chief to figure in a scam probe.Besides the former IAF chief, 10 others including his cousins — Julie, Docsa and Sandeep Tyagi have also been named along with four companies in the PE, CBI sources said here. CBI has registered the PE to probe allegations that some "middlemen have influenced the deal in favour" of the Italian companyAgustaWestland for the supply of 12 AW-101 VVIP/VIP helicopters.It is also learnt that parent company Finmeccanica paid a commission of seven million Euros (about Rs 50 crore) to the middlemen out of which huge sums were transferred to seven Indian nationals through Tunisia and Mauritius, the PE said.The money was sent in the garb of engineering contracts with two Indian companies — IDS Infotech and Aeromatrix, it said. This is the second instance when a former services chief figures in a CBI inquiry. Former Admiral Sushil Kumar was named in a CBI case to probe alleged kickbacks in the purchase of Barak missiles in early 2000.The sources said suspected European middlemen Carlo Gerosa, Christian Michel and Guido Haschkhe, advocate Gautam Khaitan formerly associated with Aeromatrix and its CEO Praveen Bakshi, former Finmeccanica chairman Giuseppe Orsi, former AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini have also been named.Besides Finmeccanica and AgustaWestland, IDS Infotech and Aeromatrix also figure in the PE, they said.The team of CBI officials, which returned from Italy with some documents from Finmeccanica and public prosecutor, found enough material in them to start its probe in the alleged payoffs of Rs 362 crore in the helicopter deal, they said. 

PSLV-C20 launches seven satellites, Pranab witnesses event

CHENNAI: India's polar satellite launch vehicle continued with its success streak on Monday, launching Indo-French satellite Saral and six other satellites from Austria, Britain, Canada and Denmark. The 23rd launch of PSLV-C20 — the 22nd consecutive success — also marked the second highest number of satellites being flown in a launch vehicle by the Indian Space Research Organization (Isro). The launch was delayed by five minutes because of a possible interference of space debris.President Pranab Mukherjee and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy were among those who witnessed the launch at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, 100km north of Chennai. The 44.4m PSLV carrying a payload weighing 668.5kg lifted off from the launch pad at 6.01pm, five minutes later than the scheduled time of 5.56pm.Saral, built by Isro, would study the ocean surface and environment using two French devices — ARgos and ALtila, based on the principle of radar. The other satellites riding piggyback are two micro-satellites UniBRITE and BRITE from Austria and AAUSAT3 from Denmark and STRaND from the UK, besides a microsatellite (NEOSSat) and a mini satellite (SAPPHIRE) from Canada. Isro had postponed the SARAL launch from December last year after it detected some technical inconsistencies.

                INTERNATIONAL

Militants vow to avenge Palestinian prisoner's death

SAIR (PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES): Thousands of angry mourners attended the West Bank funeral of a man who the Palestinians say was tortured to death in an Israeli jail, as masked militants vowed to take revengeIsrael reacted to the threat by demanding that the Palestinian Authority (PA) act "responsibly" to rein in unrest, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesman Mark Regev calling for peace talks not violence."Israel expects the Palestinian Authority to act responsibly to prevent incitement and violence which will only exacerbate the situation," Regev told AFP, in the second Israeli appeal for calm in as many days. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas earlier accused Israel of trying to sow "chaos" in the occupied West Bank but said that his people would not be provoked into violence.However, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of Abbas's Fatah movement, vowed to avenge the death of Arafat Jaradat, a 30-year-old father of two, who died in an Israeli prison on Saturday, allegedly from torture."This horrific crime will not go unpunished and we promise the Zionist occupation that we will respond to this crime," the militants said in a statement.The threat was issued as Jaradat was buried in Sair, his West Bank home, with masked militants firing assault rifles into the air and angry mourners who flooded the village waving Fatah banners and Palestinian flags.Al-Aqsa Brigades, of which Jaradat was a member, "mourns with pride its hero, the martyr of freedom, the prisoner Arafat Jaradat," the Brigades said.Protests demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and in solidarity with several hunger strikers have rocked the West Bank over the past weeks.Israel on Sunday sent an "unequivocal demand" to the PA "to calm down" the West Bank, where passions flared after Jaradat's sudden death that led to Palestinian accusations that he was tortured in jail."The Israelis want chaos and we know it, but we won't let them," Abbas said on Monday. "We want peace and freedom for our prisoners, and no matter how hard they try to drag us into their schemes, we will not be dragged."Israeli media have linked the unrest and concerns over a possible escalation to next month's visit by US President Barack Obama to the Jewish state and the Palestinian territories.An Israeli security source told AFP that defence officials were in constant contact with their Palestinian counterparts.An Israeli military spokesman reported "scattered protests here and there" in the West Bank on Monday but said the disturbances were minor with no injuries.However, Palestinian medics said that seven people were lightly wounded by Israeli army live fire as 500 Palestinians protested near Ofer prison and military camp, near Ramallah.Israeli prison authorities initially said Jaradat appeared to have died of a heart attack.However, on Sunday, the Palestinian minister of prisoner affairs, Issa Qaraqaa, citing the preliminary findings of an Israeli-Palestinian autopsy, reported bruises on Jaradat's body, muscle damage and broken ribs.Israel said the fractured ribs could have been caused by efforts to resuscitate him.An Israel Prisons Service spokeswoman said three hunger-strikers were Monday still in hospitals where they were taken at the end of last week for checkups, but she could not divulge details of their medical condition.Rights organizations and Palestinian prisoner support groups say the three, and a fourth prisoner under observation in the medical wing of a prison in central Israel, have been on hunger strike for several months.

Syria says ready for talks with rebels

MOSCOW: Syria is ready to hold talks with its armed opponents, foreign minister Walidal-Moualem said on Monday, in the clearest offer yet of negotiations with rebels fighting to overthrow President Basharal-Assad.But Moualem said Syria would continue its fight "against terrorism", a reference to its conflict with anti-Assad rebels in which the United Nations says 70,000 people have been killed."We are ready for dialogue with everyone who wants it... Even with those who have weapons in their hands. Because we believe that reforms will not come through bloodshed but only through dialogue," Russia's Itar-Tass news agency quoted Moualem as saying.He was speaking in Moscow, a staunch ally of Assad, where he was meeting foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.Moaz al-Khatib, head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition, told reporters in Cairo he had not yet been in contact with Damascus about any talks, but said he had postponed trips to Russia and the United States "until we see how things develop".Syria's government and opposition have both suggested in recent weeks they are prepared for some contacts - softening their previous outright rejection of talks to resolve a conflict which has driven nearly a million Syrians out of the country and left millions more homeless and hungry.But the opposition has said any political solution to the crisis must be based on the removal of Assad, whose family has ruled Syria since 1970. The government has rejected any pre-conditions for talks aimed at ending the violence, which started as a peaceful pro-democracy uprising.The two sides also differ on the location for any talks, with the opposition saying they should be abroad or in rebel-held parts of Syria. Assad's government says any serious dialogue must be held on Syrian territory under its control.Adding to the difficulty of any negotiated settlement is the lack of influence that Syria's political opposition - mostly operating outside the country - has over the rebel forces on the ground who appear determined to fight on until Assad goes.Itar-Tass did not report any further comments by the minister on the prospect for talks and did not say whether Moualem spelt out any conditions for starting dialogue."What's happening in Syria is a war against terrorism," the agency quoted him as saying. "We will strongly adhere to a peaceful course and continue to fight against terrorism."The Syrian National Coalition said on Friday it was willing to negotiate a peace deal, but insisted Assad could not be party to any settlement - a demand with which the president appears in no mood to comply.UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi said Assad had told him he intended to remain president until his term ends in 2014 and would then run for re-election.The political chasm between the government and rebels and a lack of opposition influence over rebel fighters has allowed fighting to rage on for 23 months in Syria, while international diplomatic deadlock has prevented effective intervention.Moualem's comments echoed remarks last week by Minister for National Reconciliation Ali Haidar, who said he was ready to meet the armed opposition. But Haidar drew a distinction between what said might be "preparatory talks" and formal negotiations.Assad, announcing plans last month for a national dialogue to address the crisis, said that there would be no dialogue with people he called traitors or "puppets made by the West".

          SPORTS

Ind vs Aus: Australia survive to reach 232/9 at stumps on Day 4, lead by 40 runs

CHENNAI: India inched closer towards a comprehensive victory in the first Test against Australia but debutant Moises Henriques delayed the inevitable with a fighting undefeated 75 on a difficult track to take the match into the fifth and final day.Henriques followed up his first innings half century with another gutsy effort as he added 57 runs for the final wicket with no. 11 Nathan Lyon (8 batting) to prevent India from wrapping up the match with a day to spare. The duo consumed 18.1 overs to not only frustrate the hosts but also snatch a lead of 40 runs after Ravichandran Ashwin's second five-wicket haul helped India decimate the Aussie top and middle-order. Ashwin grabbed five for 90 and his current match haul of 12 wickets helped India reduce Australia to 175 for nine before Henriques-Lyon provided some rearguard action to ensure that the game went into the final day. With pitch providing right kind of assistance for the spinners, senior-off spinner Harbhajan Singh also put up a much improved performance in the second innings scalping the important wickets of David Warner and Matthew Wade.The duo was ably complemented by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who also helped the team with important breakthroughs. The highlight of India's performance was skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's magnificent 224 which enabled the home team to post a mammoth 572 in their first innings, thereby ensuring a lead of 192 runs. The likes of Ed Cowan (32), Michael Clarke (31) and David Warner (23) tried their best but it was a near-impossible task to play a game of survival on a pitch that was deteriorating with the passage of every over. Batting more than five sessions to save the Test match was a Herculean task but Shane Watson and Cowan showed intent during the first session. Ashwin struck with the last ball before lunch. He invited Watson to play forwarded but ball took off the surface to hit the shoulder of his bat as Sehwag took the catch. However the post lunch session spelt doom for the visitors as they lost four top-order batsmen during the session.Henriques faced 124 balls hitting six fours and two huge sixes -- one each off Ashwin and Harbhajan. The Portuguese born all-rounder used his feet well against the spinner and also defended well when it mattered.It was extremely frustrating final hour for the Indians as a desperate Dhoni in his bid to complete formalities finally brought Ishant Sharma in the 76th over of the innings but the pacer failed to break the partnership. Earlier on, the troika of Ashwin, Harbhajan and Jadeja took full advantage of a crumbling pitch as the hosts reduced the Aussies to 128 for five at tea. The spinners exploited the deteriorating conditions as they polished the Australian top-half in the post-lunch session as India looked to go for the kill. Starting the post-lunch session at 34 for one, the Aussie batsmen found it difficult to play a surviving game on a pitch where there were enough footmarks on both sides for the spinners to trouble the batsmen. Whenever the delivery landed on the rough, there was vicious turn on offer and also the variable bounce made life even more difficult. Ed Cowan (32), who was trying to graft his way having played 97 balls, was finally adjudged leg before when an Ashwin delivery straightened after pitching and the left-hander wasn't entirely committed to the front foot. Although the batsman didn't look too happy, television replays suggested that the ball would have hit middle stump. Phillip Hughes's nightmare ended in three balls as he got a delivery from Jadeja that nastily jumped onto him after hitting one of the spots. The ball ballooned off his gloves and Sehwag took the easiest of catches at slip.Harbhajan, who had an indifferent first innings, bowled far better in the second essay. He was slower through the air and was also getting the required drift. David Warner, who curbed his natural instincts to score a patient 23 off 61 balls, got a drifter from Harbhajan and was caught plumbed in front of the wicket. Buoyed by the success, Harbhajan got his second wicket as he cleaned up Matthew Wade (8), who went for a wild sweep while completely missing the line of the delivery.The final session also started on a bright note when Ashwin got one to turn sharply as Clarke was trapped on the backfoot with a ball keeping low.With the departure of Australian captain, there were some premature celebrations in the stands. While Henriques looked confident at one end, Peter Siddle was bowled by Jadeja to make it seven down. However James Pattinson (11, 26 balls) provided some resistance which also helped Henriques to score a few runs in the process. Finally, left-hander Pattinson became Ashwin's fourth victim in the second innings as he edged one to Sehwag in the slips. The senior opener took a judged catch low onto his left. Mitchell Starc hit a couple of boundaries but didn't show intent to stay back for a long period as he tried to loft Ashwin to give an easy catch to Tendulkar in the long-on region. Once Starc was gone, Australia still needed 17 runs to avoid the follow-on but Henriques and Lyon fought well to live for another day. 

Jammu University lifts All India Inter-University Korfball Championship

Sports promote camaraderie: Governor 

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 25 – Jammu University won the All India Inter-University Korfball overall Championship 2012-13, organized by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education of the Jammu University, here today.

Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak bagged the overall runner-up trophy while Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar got third place followed by Panjab University, Chandigarh securing fourth position in the 6-day Tournament which was played on the league-cum-knockout basis.

Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, who was the Chief Guest at the Valedictory Function of the Championship, witnessed the last match of the Tournament played between the Jammu University and the Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. This match was won by the Jammu University by defeating Guru Nanak Dev University by 14-9 goals.

The Governor gave away trophies to the winner and runner up teams as well as to the teams which got the third and fourth positions. He also gave away mementos to the Coaches of various sports disciplines of Jammu University and technical officials of the Korfball Championship. He also gave away memento to Prof. Dhian Singh Bhau, Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, Jammu University, who was Organizing Secretary of the Championship.       

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor, who is Chancellor of the Jammu University, observed that sports and games inculcate a discipline and a spirit of camaraderie, friendship and brotherhood. He advised the students to concentrate on academics along side sports for their balanced personality development and achieving excellence in both the arenas. He said that now-a-days there are vast opportunities for the youth in both the spheres and they should optimally benefit from this scenario.

The Governor congratulated the winner and runner-up teams and hoped that many more sports competitions would be organized by the University in the coming time.    

Earlier, players of Jammu University and Guru Nanak Dev University and officials of both the teams were introduced to the Governor before the commencement of the match.

Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, in his welcome address, dwelt on the initiatives being taken for the promotion of sports infrastructure in the University. He thanked the Governor for being the Chief Guest at the Valedictory Function of the Championship and presented a memento to him on this occasion.  

Prof. Naresh Padha, Registrar, University of Jammu, presented a Vote of Thanks.

Mr. Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor, Deans, Heads of Departments, Faculty members and students of the University, sports lovers and players of various teams were present on the occasion.

Dhoni breaks Sachin's record of highest score by Indian skipper

CHENNAI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Monday surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record of highest individual Test score by an Indian captain en route his majestic 224 against Australia in the first Test. Dhoni, who reached his maiden double century on Sunday went past Tendulkar's 217 scored against New Zealand in 1999-00 at Ahmedabad. Dhoni reached the feat in the 144th over when he first hit a flat six off Nathan Lyon to reach 217 and then took a single to surpass Tendulkar's score. The India captain however fell eight runs short of equalling Andy Flower's highest

individual score by a skipper --- 232 against India. 

 Highest Individual scores by Indian captains: 

224 Mahendra Singh Dhoni vs Aus (Chennai) 
217 Sachin Tendulkar vs New Zealand (Ahmedabad) 
205 Sunil Gavaskar vs West Indies (Mumbai) 
203 MAK Pataudi vs England (Delhi).

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