Ramban, July 18:

Six persons were killed and nearly 30 injured after the Border Security Force (BSF) fired at protesters outside their camp in Gool area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ram-ban district on Thursday. Agitated protestors torched an Army vehicle and ran-sacked the office of Deputy Commissioner Ramban. Reports said that four BSF personnel soon after the night prayers forcibly en-tered into a seminary at Shaddi area of Gool Town and thrashed the religious teacher Qazi Shabir Ahmed without any reason. “As the news about the incident spread in the area, people in hundreds came on roads that time, however the Teh-sildar and police officers of the area pacified the protes-tors and encouraged them that they can protest early in the morning against the incident,” an injured at SMHS Hospital said.Reports said that thousands of people assembled at Shaddi Gool and marched towards BSF camp. The pro-testors raised pro-Islamic and anti-BSF slogans. “Po-lice was accompanying us. Deputy Commissioner

and SP Ramban were also marching with us. No BSF personnel were in sight. As we reached near the BSF Camp, they indiscriminate-ly fired upon us,” an eyewit-ness said.Reports said that in an open violation of Standard Oper-ating Procedure (SOP) BSF personnel fired directly upon the protestors, kill-ing at least six persons and leaving scores of protestors injured.The deceased have been identified as Lecturer Man-zoor Ahmed Shan son of Ab-dur Rehman, Javid Ahmed Manhas son of Haji Abdur Satar, Farooq Ahmed Beigh son of Mohammad Abbas, Abdul Lateef Bakarwal son of Abdur Rashid, Mirza Shahbaz son of Mohammad Shafi Jaral all residents of Gool.Some of the injured were identified as Mohammad Amin, Mohammad Rafiq Zargar, Qamar-u-Din Najar, Abdul Rashid Mir, Nazir Ahmed Chandeel, Moham-mad Iqbal Kutay, Nayeem Ahmed Kumar, Tariq Hus-sain, Irfan Ahmed Geeray, Mohammad Farid Geeray, Bashir Ahmed Geeray, Zubair Salam Wani, Master Masood and Abdul Rashid

Bhat.Protestors alleged that po-licemen present on the spot were instructed by DC Ram-ban Sham Vinod Meena to

resort to firing on protes-tors. Even after the deaths of six people and continuous firing by BSF personnel,

See Bloodbath on Pg. 11

Srinagar, July 18:

Kashmir is staking its claim as one of the premier destina-tions for adventure tourism in the country, and globally. The J&K Bank Mughal Rally, an annual motorsport race, has redefined Kashmir in terms of adventure sports.The Mughal Rally ran its fourth edition this year, over June 28-29. About 120 rally-ists from various parts of the country competed in two cat-egories. From 2010 to 2013, about 1,000 motorsport buffs have rolled into Kashmir to compete in The Mughal Rally. Such is Kashmir’s pull for motorsport that the hills are coming alive with the roar of engines. Speed champions of

the country are experiencing the thrill of competing on the delightfully challenging, ever-changing tracks of the PirPan-jal and other mountain ranges in this region.The region’s magnetic appeal for motorsport is spreading. The third season of the JK Racing Series, re-christened Formula BMW, may hold its third round on the smooth, wide road skirting the fantas-tic Dal Lake. Formula BMW is slated in Srinagar in the first week of September.Worldwide, sport is consid-ered a significant boost for tourism. These popular mo-torsport events are spread-ing the message of peace in Kashmir both nationally and internationally. At a time

when cricket, football or other popular sports were nowhere on Kashmir’s soil, motorsport came to Kashmir, and helped boost tourism. In 2005, when terrorism was still high in the valley, the Raid De Himalaya rolled into Kashmir. The Raid, an iconic motorsport event, is the mecca of rallying in Asia. It is organized by Himala-yan Motorsport, the premier Shimla-based motorsport club. And in 2010 came The Mughal Rally.The Mughal Rally is a fast, technical event on a track that was once an elephant trail – at the time of the Mughals. This is the historic track used by Emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan to traverse Kashmir to go to Lahore.

Construction of the Mughal Road was conceived decades ago by the then J&K Chief Minister Sheikh Abdullah - the grandfather of the present Chief Minister, Omar Abdul-lah. Omar’s father Farooq Abdullah was equally keen on it, and pushed it all along dur-ing his tenure as CM. In May 2007, the Supreme Court final-ly gave clearance for the con-struction of The Mughal Road.Work began in full earnest to widen the old elephant trail into a road. Two years later, the road was still a quagmire of mud and rocks, and could be traversed only by powerful 4X4 vehicles. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, an auto buff, knew the track wasn't ready for normal traffic yet. But with

its breathtaking landscapes, it was ideal route for a rally.In 2009, the Raid De Hima-laya again ended in Srinagar. During the prize-distribution ceremony, Omar Abdullah asked Himalayan Motorsport to open The Mughal Road with a rally. Himalayan Motorsport agreed, and The Mughal Rally was born.In June 2010, the first Mughal Rally ran on the Mughal Road. At that time, the average top speed of the competitors was 55 kilometers per hour. The first year of the Mughal Rally was historic and literally path-breaking! Unbelievable ascents on huge slabs of rock and deep mud. Endless hair-pins being cut till one lost the count. Only experienced rally-

ists driving 4x4 vehicles could imagine crossing on the 'first cut' of the road to Pir Ki Gali. It was an event to rival the East African Safari Rally, though on a much smaller ‘run dis-tance’.In its first year, The Mughal Rally was threatened by an on-going curfew. Being an event much in public glare, it need-ed a security net to ensure a safe run through disturbed areas. Nature heightened the excitement. There was pour-ing rain on the first day over SinthanPass, and landslides aplenty on the second day over PirkiGali. The water cross-ings were running so high that GauravChiripal of Delhi, competing in a Suzuki Grand

See Motorsport on Pg. 11

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FriDAY July 19 | 2013 | 09 ramzan 1434 AH | PAGES 8 | VOL NO: 3 | iSSUE NO: 174 | rS: 2/- (Air SUrCHArGE FOr JAMMU /DELHi/LEH 50 PAiSA)Pen For JusticeLargely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&K

BLOODBATH IN RAMBAN

New Delhi, July 18:

Security agencies are continuing with the interrogation of three Chi-nese youths who had intruded into the northern sector of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir recently even as top officials said that they would not be deported but sent back into their territory. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief Ajay Chadha today said the trio could not be deported and the "law will take its own course". Sources in the Home Ministry and ITBP said that these youngsters would be pushed back into their territory after their interrogation

is finished and it is established that they had strayed into Indian side by mistake and with no ulterior mo-tives. This is the usual legal way in such instances, the sources said. Salamo, Abdul Khaliq and Adil Thorsong are at present in the cus-tody of security agencies at Margo post in north of Ladakh after being detained on June 12 and had told interrogators about their dreams to enter India and earn money as they were facing acute poverty in their region. The trio had claimed they were driven out by extreme poverty from home and wanted to come to India

because they had seen it as a land of prosperity on the silver screen. The three men, aged between 18 and 23 were nabbed inside Indian terri-tory on June 12 near Sultanchku. It was also not clear from where they had come as the nearest habi-tation across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was in north of Kara-koram range. Authorities are working on the possibility that they could have en-tered through either Raki Nallah, Jeevan Nallah or north of Daulat Beig Oldie, where Indian and Chi-nese troops had a face-off for nearly 21 days from April 15 to May 5.

See Youths on Pg. 11

Chinese youths not to be deported but sent back

Kashmir hills coming alive with craze for motorsport

http://www.zabarwantimes.com

Six dead, scores injured in BSF firing, DC shifted, Curfew imposed

Srinagar, July 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families strongly condemned the Gool inci-dent calling it unacceptable.Immediately after the incident the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah spoke with the Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, who ordered a probe into the incident and assured that any use of excessive force or irresponsible ac-tion will be dealt with strictlyThe state Government has also ordered a magisterial en-quiry to determine the exact sequence of events and on the

See Killings on Pg. 11

New Delhi, July 18: Re-gretting the loss of lives in clashes between a mob of protestors and BSF per-sonnel in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir, Union home minister Sush-ilkumarShinde on Thurs-day ordered an inquiry into the incident.

See Shinde on Pg. 11

Srinagar, July 18: In the interest of administration Government today ordered transfer of Mohammad Hussain Malik, KAS, Direc-tor Estates and posted him as Deputy Commissioner Ramban vice Mr. Shyam Vinod Meena, IAS, who has been asked to report to GAD for further duties.

Gool Killings unacceptable: Omar, Azad

Srinagar, July 18:

In the wake of prevailing situation after the Ramban incident, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Division Abdul Gani Mir chaired se-curity review meeting here at Police Control Room (PCR) on Thursday. Sourc-es said that during the meet-ing it was decided to impose curfew all over Kashmir to normalize the situation.Senior police officers briefed IGP about the pre-vailing security scenario

in valley. They also briefed him about the situation that is arising out from Ramban incident. The senior police officers also briefed the IGP about the security arrange-ments that have been put in place for dealing with the present situation.IGP, sources said reit-erated his support and stressed upon the people friendly measures to be implemented on ground to normalize the situation. Highly placed sources said that it was decided in the

meeting that curfew would be implemented in length and breadth of Kashmir on Friday. Besides IGP Abdul Gani Mir, DIG CKR Ahfad-ul-Mujtaba, IGP CID, Dr B. Srinivasan, DIG Security Mushtaq Mohammad Sa-daiq, SSP Srinagar Ashiq Hussain Bukhari, SSP PCR, Sheikh Mahmood, SSP se-curity Rafiq-ul- Hassan, SP traffic Haseeb-ur- Rehman, SP SBK Dr Muhammad Haseeb Mugal, SP CIK Sheikh Junaid and all zonal SP’s of Srinagar.

Srinagar, July 18:

Former director of SK In-stitute of Medical Sciences Dr Jalal-ud-Din was seri-ously injured and two of his Personal Security Officers were killed when unidenti-fied gunmen attacked the vehicle he was travelling in near Pampora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama dis-trict on Thursday. Official sources said that gunmen ambushed the vehicle of Dr Jalal-ud-Din near his residence at Astan Mohalla Namblabal Pampo-re at around 2:40 p.m.

While the former director and renowned cardiologist suffered bullet wounds in his head and abdomen, two of his PSOs were killed on the spot. The slain cops have been identified as Tariq Ahmad Bhat (belt no. 1111/S) son of Ghulam Qadir of of Bagiyas Chatabal Srinagar and Per-vaiz Ahmad Wani (belt no. APS/87) son of Abdul Ma-jeed of Wanigam Qaimoh Kulgam. The gunmen also decamped with the Insas rifles of the cops and fled the spot, sources said. In the meanwhile, locals

and police reached the spot and shifted Dr Jalal to SKIMS where he was oper-ated upon by team of doc-tors.“After his operation, he is in stable condition and out of danger,” Dr Aijaz Mus-tafa, medial Superintendent of SKIMS told KNS.Meanwhile, 50 Rashtriya Rifles of Police and 183 Bat-talion along with police have cordoned off the entire area and launched searches to track the attackers. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has condemned

See Dr Jalal on Pg. 11

Srinagar, July 18:

Pradesh congress presi-dent prof. Saif-ul-din Soz on Thurs-day, requested the chief min-ister, Omar Abdullah to call an all par-ty’s meeting so that the Gool incident is discussed threadbare.“I make a strong plea

with the State Chief Minister that Judicial probe be ordered imme-diately. I also earnestly

request the Chief Minister to call an all party’s meet-ing so that r e c u r r e n c e of such viola-tion of human

rights is stopped com-pletely,” Soz said in a

See Soz on Pg. 11

New Delhi, July 18:

The Centre has asked the Jammu and Kashmir to keep a strict vigil over the situation in the state follow-ing the death of three per-sons in firing by security forces.As part of its damage con-trol exercise and apprehen-sive about protests during the holy month of Ramzan, Home Minister Sushilku-mar Shinde came out with a

strong statement where he warned that any excessive use of force would be dealt with strictly.Home Ministry officials said they were in regular touch with the state govern-ment officials and asked them to ensure that secu-rity forces observe restraint and no more violence take place anywhere in the state in coming days.The Centre is particularly

See Centre on Pg. 11

Shinde orders inquiry

DC Ramban shifted

Dr Jalal seriously injured, 2 PSO’s killed in attack

Centre Expresses Concern Over JK Violence

Curfew on Friday, IGP reviews securityGool killings: Soz pleads CM for all party meeting

Father attempts to kill daughterSrinagar, July 18: As per a police spokesperson a father slits throat of his six years old daughter, who is struggling for her life at a hospital, in Kokernag.“Mohammad Qasim Tas son of Abdullah Tas resident of Aha-lan Godole, Islamabad, tried to kill his six years daughter Sakina Akhter by slitting her throat by sharp weapon. She was shifted to Sub District Hos-pital, Kokernag for treatment,” reads a statement.Meanwhile a case under FIR number 93/2013, under section 307 RPC has been registered in this regard.

7 held for pasting threat postersSrinagar, July 18: Anantnag po-lice has arrested seven persons for pasting ‘threatening posters’ and has also recovered incrimi-nating printing material from them.“Last week threatening posters were found pasted around few places at Lal chowk, Reshi bazar, etc. The poster bore the names of 33 people who were threatened to stay away from police by HM outfit,” reads a statement.Meanwhile a case FIR No. 225/2013 under section 505,506, 120(b) RPC and 13 ULA Act has been registered and investiga-tion was taken up.Pertinently on July 15, 2013 An-antnag police received a tip off, regarding Ashiq Hussain Nar-chor son of Mohammad Yousuf Narchor resident of Mattan Chowk Anantnag to be involved in the poster pasting incident. He was arrested, during his questioning he confessed of preparing and pasting the threat letters at various places in town. He also disclosed the name of his associates who assisted him in execution of work. Manzoor Ahmad Wani son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Wani resident of Iqbal Mar-ket, Mohammad Abass Wani son of Abdul Rehman Wani resident of Sarnal Bala, Saqib Tahir Shah son of Tahir Shah resident of Dangerpora , Rahid Shafi Wani son of Moham-mad Shafi Wani resident of Qazibagh Anatnag, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat son of Abdul Aziz Bhat resident of Anchidora and Bilal Ahmad Hajam son of Ghulam Nabi Hajam resident of Shangus were arrested on his disclosure,” reads a statement.Police spokesperson further said that they have arrested all the associates involved in the case, and upon their disclosure one Laptop, one Printer, 05 plain leaves of HM letter pad, and two printed leaves of HM letter pad were recovered.

internet services suspended Srinagar, July 18: Authorities suspended internet services on mobile phones and through dongles in Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure follow-ing killing of four persons in firing in Ramban district. The internet services on mobile phones and through dongles have been suspended for the time being to prevent miscre-ants from spreading rumours using these services, official sources said. The speed of the Broadband connections has also been reduced, they said. In the past, authorities had suspended internet and mobile services during the 2010 sum-mer unrest in the Valley as some people used the internet to mobilise protests. These services are suspended on every Republic day and Independence Day as a precau-tionary measure as well besides the services were snapped for a week in the wake of hanging of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru in February this year. The incident today took place when a mob attacked a BSF camp in Ramban to protest alleged high-handedness of a patrolling party.

NATION DAILY ZABARWAN TIMES

5 SRINAGARFriday, July 19, 2013 Kashmir Thunder

Friday 19 . 07 . 2013

I am no Indian choice to be north CM, says C V Wigneswaran

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s retired Supreme Court judge C V Wigne-swaran, named the main Tamil party TNA’s choice for chief min-ister of the northern province, has dismissed reports that he won the position because of backing by In-dia.

“I have seen press stories. There is no truth in them. No one from India has spoken to me or I have spoken with anyone (from) India,” he told the local Neth FM radio.

The media reports here had claimed that Wigneswaran, a po-litical fresher, had won the nod over the political veteran Mavai Senathirajah as the former judge was favoured by India.

Asked how he would reconcile his entering politics when his role was in the judiciary, Wigneswaran said he was convinced to enter pol-itics after persistent requests to do so. “I was very reluctant but was convinced by many,” he said.

On the vexed question of land and police powers to the provinces which is being bitterly opposed by the Sinhala majority domi-

nated southern politicians, Wigneswaran said the po-lice powers were about pro-tection to people.

“It is not right when peo-ple outside want to make decisions on land issues in a province”.

If elected, he said he would work towards help-ing people who had suf-fered since the end of the war four years ago.

He hinted that he would work in cooperation with Presi-dent Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“You can’t fight the President or his representative the Governor. So need to work so as not to create friction. This is the law according to the thirteenth amendment”.

Wigneswaran, who entered Bar in 1979, served as a judge in the Su-preme Court between 2001-2004.

He is extremely articulate in Sinhala, the majority language. Despite being Tamil his children are married to Sinhala families.

Reacting to his candidacy, the

ultra nationalist Sihala Urumaya or the JHU said it was a reflection that Tamil separatist movement’s extension of the separatist battle to diplomacy and international forum.

“He is a legal luminary and in-tellectual but aims to represent the most extremist elements among the Tamils. This shows that the Tamil separatist struggle has as-sumed a new dimension which will be a challenge to the unitary state of Sri Lanka,” JHU deputy secretary Udaya Gammanpila said.

Will launch fresh campaign for Ayodhya

temple: VHP

Varanasi: VHP has planned to soon organise a nation-wide mobilisation campaign to garner sup-port for their demand for a new temple in Ayodhya, veteran leader Ashok Sin-ghal said on Wednesday.

“Religious leaders from all over the country will take part in marches in Ayodhya in August to press their demand for a temple,” Singhal said.

The marches in the Ay-odhya area will begin on 25 August and continue till 13 September, Singhal said.

The marching supporters will cov-er the districts sur-rounding Ayodhya, he said, adding that a second cycle of marches beginning 25 September would see participation by supporters from southern India.

The second phase of marches would continue till 13 October, Singhal added.He urged Parliament to take up the Ayodhya issue in the upcoming monsoon ses-sion, failing which a mas-sive meeting would be organised on the banks of the Saryu in Ayodhya on 18 October in support of the temple demand.

Singhal said that if the temple came to be con-structed in Ayodhya, it would be more due to the efforts of VHP and other Hindu groups than any at-tempts made by BJP.

‘Hindu nationalist’ Modi a leopard who won’t change his spots: NCP

Mumbai: As the Bharatiya Janata Party continues the strong Hin-dutva pitch with ‘Hindu nationalist’ posters in Mumbai, the Nationalist Congress Party has com-pared the party’s poll campaign panel chief Narendra Modi to a leop-ard who doesn’t change his spots. “The leopard never changes its spots. In the beginning, it ap-peared that their cam-paign will be develop-ment oriented but it’s become clear what it will be now,” said NCP leader Supriya Sule.

Meanwhile, the when asked if the cornerstone of the BJP’s campaign will be Hindutva, the party’s leader, Ashish Shelar said the party’s poll plank will be devel-opment. “The campaign will be decided by cen-tral leadership and Ra-jnath Singh has said that it will focus on develop-ment and governance,” Shelar said.

The BJP has put up posters of its campaign panel chief and Gujarat Chief Minister Naren-dra Modi posters across Mumbai. The posters

show Modi declar-ing that he is a pa-triot and a Hindu nationalist.

The posters along with Modi’s recent comments about being a Hindu na-tionalist in a Reu-ters interview seem to indicate that the BJP’s PM contend-er intends to fight the next elections on Hindu themes. These posters come

at a time when Modi is facing heat from his crit-ics over his comments in the interview where he caled himself a Hindu nationalist.

Modi, in an interview to Reuters, had claimed innocence in the 2002 Gujarat riots and said he is a Hindu nationalist as he is born Hindu. “I am nationalist. I’m patri-otic. Nothing is wrong. I am born Hindu. Nothing is wrong. So I’m a Hindu nationalist. So yes, you can say I’m a Hindu na-tionalist because I’m a

born Hindu,” he had told Reuters.

Claiming to be inno-cent in the Gujarat riots, Modi had said that he would feel guilty if he did something wrong but that’s not the case. Modi had also come under fire for his puppy remark during the interview. During the interview, Modi said, “While driv-ing if a puppy comes under the wheel, will it be painful or not? Of course it is.”Minority Affairs Minister Reh-man Khan had hit out at Modi for his ‘Hindu nationalist’ remark saying, “There is noth-ing called Hindu or Muslim nationalist, there is only Indian na-tionalist.”

“No one can change the character of any person. This is just the beginning of unveiling of his character, more will come out in future. Nitish always said Modi is fascist, Modi always treated minority with

contempt,” said JD(U) leader Sabir Ali.

These posters also come at a time when the BJP is set to finalise its poll campaign team and strategy. The BJP Parlia-mentary Board is sched-uled to meet in New Delhi on Thursday to name its poll campaign team that will work under the cam-paign panel chief, Naren-dra Modi. The meeting will be chaired by party President Rajnath Singh and will be attended by all top leaders including LK Advani and Modi.

Sources say former party president Nitin Gadkari is likely to be named in-charge of poll bound Delhi and Rajas-than. The leaders in the board meeting are likely to discuss and finalise the election manage-ment mechanism for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The proposals before the board include constitut-ing sub-committees on manifesto, mobilisation and publicity.

Supreme Court quashes NEET, says no unified exam

for medical coursesThe court’s decision

came on 115 petitions challenging the MCI no-tification on NEET for admission to MBBS and post-graduate medical courses conducted in col-leges across the country.

The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the Medical Council of India’s (MCI) notifica-tion for holding common entance tests for MBBS, BDS and post-graduate medical courses.A three-judge bench by a 2:1 ver-dict held that the MCI no-tification was ultra vires of the Constitution.

The apex court, how-ever, made it clear that its verdict will not affect the admissions which have already taken place.

The majority verdict by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir and Jus-tice Vikramajit Sen said that MCI is not empow-ered to prescribe all India medical entrance tests.

The bench said that the MCI notification was in violation of Articles 19,

25, 26, 29 and 30 of the Con-stitution.

Justice A R Dave said he did not share the view of Chief Justice Kabir and Justice Sen.“Holding of National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) is legal, practical and is the need of the society. Hence, I have dissented,” Justice Dave said.

The court’s decision came on 115 petitions challenging the MCI no-tification on NEET for admission to MBBS and post-graduate medical courses conducted in col-leges across the country.

On May 13, the court had lifted the bar on declaration of results of examinations that had already been conducted and said the admission process could go ahead.It had modified its December 13, 2012 or-der by which it had stated that MCI, Dental Council of India, as well as the states, universities and other institutions, will be entitled to conduct their respective examinations for MBBS, BDS and post-graduate courses but shall not declare their re-sults until further orders

Akhilesh Yadav expands ministry, inducts two new

faces in UP CabinetThe Uttar

Pradesh ministry was on Thursday expanded with the induction of two new faces even as two ministers were elevated.

Uttar Pradesh is one of the most populous states. While Narad Rai and Kailash were sworn in as Cabinet ministers at the Raj Bhawan, Ram Murti Verma, who was a minister of state, was given Cabinet rank. Similarly, backward leader Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, a minister of state, was made a minis-ter with independent charge.

While Ram Murti Verma hails from Ambedkar Na-gar and is a Kurmi leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Kailash is a legislator from Ghazipur and considered close to Mulayam Singh Yadav.

Cabinet minister Narad Rai -- Member of Legislative Assembly from Ballia Sadar seat is Bhumihar -- a caste dominant in eastern Uttar Pradesh and is senior party leader and was minister in previous SP government.

At present, there are 21 Cabinet ministers including CM, six state minister with independent charges and 31 state ministers.

Supreme Court directs States to frame rules to regulate acid saleNEW DELHI, JULY 18: The Supreme Court today directed

States and Union Territories to frame rules to regulate sale of acids and oth-er corrosive substances within three months and make acid attack a non-bailable offence.

The court also directed that acid attack victims shall be paid a compen-sation of at least Rs 3 lakh by the State Government concerned as an after-care and rehabilitation cost for such victims.

A bench headed by Justice R. M. Lodha said the States and UTs, which have not regulated acid sale, issue guidelines based on the model draft rules framed by the Central Govern-ment.

“The Chief Secretaries of the respec-tive States and administrators of each Union Territory shall ensure compli-ance with this order expeditiously and frame rules within three months after receiving the model draft rules from the Central Government,” it said.

The bench also asked the Central and State Governments to work togeth-er and make the necessary rules under the Poison Act, 1919, for making acid at-

tacks a non-bailable offence.The bench, which is hearing a PIL

filed in 2006 by Delhi-based acid attack victim Laxmi, who was then a minor, also passed a slew of interim directions on various issues including sale of ac-ids.

Perusing the compensation schemes of 17 States and seven UTs, the bench observed that the amount which is be-ing paid is “grossly inadequate”.

“It cannot be overlooked that acid at-tack victims need to undergo a series of plastic surgeries and other corrective treatment. Having regard to this, the Solicitor-General suggested to us that the compensation amount to be paid by States to acid attack victims must be enhanced to at least Rs 3 lakh.

“The suggestion is very fair. We ac-cordingly direct that the acid attack victims shall be paid a compensation of at least Rs 3 lakh by the State Govern-ment concerned as an after-care and rehabilitation cost for such victims,” the court said.

The court also said of the compen-sation amount of Rs 3 lakh, Rs 1 lakh will be paid within 15 days of the occur-rence of the attack being brought to the notice of the State Government.

“The balance of Rs 2 lakh shall be paid by the State or Union Territory concerned as expeditiously as possible and positively within two months of the incident,” it said, adding that the compliance of the order has to be en-sured by the Chief Secretaries of the States and Administrators of the UTs respectively.

The bench, in its interim directions, said the licensed seller of acids and cor-rosive substances will have to maintain a log/register pertaining to the sale of such material.

It said the register shall contain the addresses of the persons to whom such substances have been sold.

Photo identity card, containing resi-

dential address issued by the authori-ties, would be required for purchasing such substances which in any case can-not be sold to a person who is below the age of 18 years, the court said.

It also said sellers will have to dis-close their stock to the authorities con-cerned, otherwise the undeclared stock would be confiscated and “a suitable fine of up to Rs 50,000 shall be imposed on such sellers”.

However, the court said that educa-tional institutes, research laboratories, hospitals, Government departments and public sector undertakings could acquire in bulk acids and corrosive substances by following certain guide-lines.

“All such institutions/departments shall maintain a register regarding such substances and file the same with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate con-cerned,” it said, adding that a person of that institute/department shall be made accountable for the custody of such substances.

The court also made it clear that there shall be compulsory checking of student/personnel who have been al-lowed access to such places.

Two more children, cook dieWith the death of

two more children, the toll due to con-sumption of spuri-ous midday meal at a government primary school in Bihar’s Saran dis-trict rose to 22 on Wednesday.

While 16 chil-dren, aged below 10 years and studying in Class I to V, had died in Chhapra it-self, four others were declared dead on arrival at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) late on Tuesday night. Two died at the hospital on Wednesday morn-ing, official and PMCH sources said.

Among the dead were two children of a woman cook of the midday meal project Panno Devi. Three children of another woman cook Manju Devi are under treatment at PMCH along with her.

Twenty five others are under medical supervision in PMCH, Superintendent of PMCH Amar-kant Jha Azad said.

The Superintendent said the ailing children were admitted to ICU of paediatric department and senior doctors were attend-ing to them round-the-clock.

The tragedy took place at the government primary school in Dahrmasati Gandawan village at Mashrakh block, about 25 km from Chhapra and 60 km from state capital on Tuesday.

Ashok Gehlot challenges Vasundhara Raje to prove allegations on refinery land

Reacting sharply over BJP state president Vasundhara Raje's allegations related to re-finery land in Barmer district, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said that if any of his minister is found involved in it he will drop him forthwith.

"Let her name a single min-ister who bought land, I will drop him forthwith...or used the government power to obtain such land", Gehlot told a pub-lic meeting on his 12th round of 'Sandesh Yatra' in Dausa-Alwar

belt.Gehlot said it was stunning

to hear her (Raje) false and base-

less allegations on refinery and power generation.

"At least she, who was once the Chief Minister of the state, should not make allegations abruptly without consulting the records on facts," Gehlot said.

In her 'Suraj Sankalp Yatra's' in western Rajasthan on July 15, Raje has alleged, "Why the land was not procured before an-nouncing the refinery...big people and ministers have bought land

on peanut (low) prices and sold it on higher."

DU issues seventh cut-off listDespite six rounds of admissions

in Delhi University, a number of colleges still have seats vacant and have issued a seventh cut-off list late Wednesday night.Unlike previ-ous years, some of the much sought colleges such as Hansraj, Ramjas and Kamala Nehru still have ad-missions open in Commerce for general category.However, the cut offs havedipped only slightly for the course with Hansraj issuing it at 96.25-98 per cent, Ramjas at 95.75-97.75 per cent and Kamala Nehru at 92-96.75 per cent.Other colleges where Commerce is still available are Acharya Narendra Dev, Janaki

Devi Memorial, Kalindi, Lakshmi Bai, Moti Lal Nehru, Satyawati, S.G.T.B. Khalsa, S.G.N.D. Khalsa, Shivaji, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College and Sri Aurobindo.Fifteen colleges including Delhi College of Arts and Commerce still have Economics on offer. English on the other hand is still available at 9 colleges.Admission for Political Science and History was closed in most colleges. Gargi and Moti Lal Nehru were the only two excep-tions to have both the courses on of-fer.The science courses were most-ly closed for admissions. In many colleges, seats remained vacant in

the reserved categories for all the courses.Meanwhile, Delhi Univer-sity Teachers' Association (DUTA) members staged a protest outside the Vice Chancellor's office de-manding that the university ensure continuation of all ad-hoc teachers in their respective colleges from the new session.They claimed that many colleges were displacing ad-hoc teachers from their jobs under the pretext of holding interviews.

Classes for the new academic session are to begin from July 24. This year Delhi University is in-troducing the new four-year under-graduate programme.

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