WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2014 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU daily Excelsior The truth behind unprovoked firings Reservation to erstwhile Established 1965 T K Singh in J&K has been considerably wage a "final Jihad" against India General of Border Security Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra reduced as 1,990 incidents were to free Kashmir. Five days after Force). This was first observed on Doda district people s tensions intensified on recorded in 2005 against 170 in the fairy speech given by Saeed, 08 August 2014, when Pakistani the border areas between 2013. Subsequently, number of open sources documents have troops targeted Indian forward Shyam Bijyal India and Pakistan, the A civilians killed has been divulged on 03 June 2014 that posts in Bhimbher Gali Sub-Sec- he more vociferous one is, the more chances are there for one Incorrigible traffic incidents real motives of the unprovoked decreased from 557 in 2005 to 15 cadres from LeT, HM and JeM are tor of Poonch District. This was firing from the Pakistani soldiers to achieve the target whether that stands the test of constitu- in 2013. Consequently, the Chief likely to make joint attempts to followed by serial attacks on dif- tional validity or not. The leadership of Rajouri-Poonch is ardly a week passes without tragic news are yet to be identified. It has been Minister Omar Abdullah on the T infiltrate the region in the succes- ferent BOPs in number of areas worthy of acclaim in that they finally succeeded in getting 5% reser- of a road accident taking precious and speculated that the main reasons Independence Day (15 August) sive months. Thereafter on 11 including RS Pura and Arnia in vation for Pahari speaking people which would largely benefit the of the illegitimate firing could be stated that there has been "80 per- June 2014 it was revealed that the Jammu from 10-24 and 27/28 innocent lives. Fatal accidents generally Non-Gujjar and Bakerwal population. The struggle culminated into H firstly to divert attentions from cent reduction in militancy relat- three outfits have made their lat- (intervening night) August 2014. take place on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway current domestic disorder in Pak- ed incidents during the last five est efforts to augment manpower Till now reports have suggested fruition due to the concerted efforts of the leaders irrespective of at some of its critical and accident prone points istan; secondly, it was presumed and half years". by launching a fresh drive to that above 90 ceasefire cases have their political affiliations. that the firing was a disloyal Meanwhile revealing a seri- recruit local "talent" into their been recorded in 2014. The truth is that the movement for reservation for the Pahari or turns. According to official sources, 443 per- demonstration of Pakistani sol- ous blow on the leaderships of ranks in J&K. Having direct or Meanwhile, to bring peace speaking people was in the aftermath of ST status as granted to the sons have been killed and 2,140 injured in 1,360 diers against its Government for militant outfits such as Lashkar- indirect links to this modern ter- between the two nations and after Gujjars and Bakerwals simultaneously with the creation of allegedly sharing warm gesture e-Taiba (LeT), Hizb-ul- ror campaign, on 13 June 2014 more than 15 times of appeals Autonomous Hill Development Council for Leh. road accidents that have occurred on roads in with India (as both the leaders Mujahideen (HM) and Jaish-e- ISIS also released a new video in made by the Indian authorities, The leadership's contention was that they were facing discrim- mountainous three districts of the Chenab region agreed to initiate a Foreign Secre- Mohammed (JeM), Lt. Gen. Gur- Urdu, motivating people in Kash- ination and would argue that a Non-G&B resident of a particular taries level talks during Prime one Sector Commander and two since 2012. These are almost incredible figures mit Singh, General Officer in mir to join hands with their Commandant levels flag meeting locality availed of the same sort of facilities or faced the same hard- Minister Nawaz Sharif's India Command (GOC) XV Corps on "brothers" in Iraq and Syria and ships in education, health and other infrastructure besides inhaling ringing alarm bells that all is not right with the visit in May 2014); thirdly, the fir- between BSF and Pakistani 22 June 2014, just one day before launch Jihad against India. Rangers have been held at Octroi the same air and drinking the same water but at the time of given Road Transport Department. The Department ing was possibly opened to sup- he handed over his command to Intentionally or coincidental- port infiltration to create distur- Post in Suchetgarh Sector, RS opportunities in competitions, employment etc he was deprived of Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha explained ly though there were barely such Pura (29 August 2014), Pargwal the concessions/privileges as granted to and enjoyed by a G&B res- has completely failed to control the situation by bance in the upcoming Assembly that while top 10 militant com- incidents earlier in the year, series and Ramgrah (27 and 28 August ident and hence the advocacy for the cause . elections (late December 2014 manders were eliminated in 2013, of ceasefire violations by the Pak- strictly enforcing the guidelines for traffic over the 2014) respectively. Though the A bulk of population of the border districts nevertheless has and early January 2015) in Jam- the same number were neutralised istani soldiers were observed after been pacified, on one hand, and the decision to conduct census of mountainous Highway. The Government has mu and Kashmir (J&K); fourthly in Kashmir valley in 2014 (till the introduction of this alleged Pakistani Rangers reluctantly admitted that there is lack of proper safety meas- and most importantly, it was sus- June). modern wave of warfare. From agreed to stop firings through the Other Backward Classes who are clamouring for the implementa- negotiations which were held tion of Mandal Commission Report in toto has kept the hopes of ure on roads and the drivers drive under the pected that the firing was a cover Off course, these may not be 13-18 June and 16-20 July 2014 up tactic of Pakistani soldiers to good news for those across the Pakistani soldiers opened contin- under condensed pressures, cross OBCs, another a very major bulk of population, on tenterhooks, influence of liquor. We are surprised that the support massive infiltration border who wanted to keep J&K uous unprovoked heavy firing in border firing to promote infiltra- on the other. Government is fully aware of the main reasons of before the arrival of winter for a burning with the flame of militant Balakote and Mendhar Sectors tion is likely to be continued (or The question also arises as to who is Pahari speaking. Accord- new form of warfare in J&K. activities. As militancy began to (Poonch District), Keri Sector ( begin again) at their will after a ing to Dr. G. A. Grieson the word 'Pahari' applies to the groups of these fatal accidents like negligent rash driving, The fourth hypothesis downslide in the state, possibly Rajouri District), and Suchetgarh brief halt. languages spoken in the Sub-Himalayan hills from Bhaderwah of driving under the influence of drugs and liquor requires deeper analyses as Pak- frustrated extremist leaders are Sector in RS Pura (Jammu Dis- These cover up firings are District Doda to the eastern borders of Nepal. He describes Poonchi istan is perhaps frustrated with the trict). On the other side, infiltra- besides fatigue. The matrix of the road is also to trying to revitalize the violent expected to persist till the advent language as an offshoot of Punjabi with Lendi dialect. decrease of militant activities in movement as a new phase with tion attempts have been increased of winter, with maximum There is also a paradox when it comes to differentiation between be blamed for the tragic road accidents. Road the past few years and has been physical and moral support as well as foiled by Indian securi- attempts of infiltration. Mean- Backward Areas and Backward Classes. There is J&K State Com- looking for a fresh strategy to (direct or indirect) from global ty forces in areas such as Bal- while, the intentions to conceive mission for Backward Classes. In the case of Indira Sawhney V/S matrix like sharp curves, lack of parapet walls launch new phase of Jihad (to aug- Jihadi groups. A chronological akote, Mendhar, Krishna Ghati and crash barriers, pot holes, absence of reflec- ment the fading violence in the study of terror related events in and Bhimber Gali Sectors. Con- a new phase of militancy by the Union of India the Commission has the mandate to consider, reject region). It contradictorily hap- the past few months indicates that cerning the sudden increase of extremist Pakistani elements with or recommend the representation pertaining to Socially and Educa- tors on blind curves, absence of speed limit pens, when the world is expecting the latest ceasefire violation could ceasefire violation, on 22 July high attentions from internation- tionally 'Backward Classes'. There is no mention of 'Backward guide stones/ demarcation of speed limit zones that militancy could be increased obviously be a divergent tactic of 2014 the Union Defence Minister al Islamist group (ISIS) needs to Areas' as such but for years the state SCBC since its inception has are among the unpardonable shortcomings with in J&K with the removal of the Pakistani soldiers to support new Arun Jaitley highlighted in the be monitored seriously and been considering, rejecting or recommending the cases of villages US troops from Afghanistan, and wave of infiltration. Rajya Sabha that around 60 such thwarted in time. At the same for their incorporation in BA category as for instance the Govt. has the Road Transport Department. But still nothing getting supports from new Jihadi On 28 May 2014, Jamat-ud- incidents have been recorded till time, the trend of decreasing vio- recently additionally included many a village of the districts of Jam- is done to meet these requirements. group such as Islamic State of Iraq Dawa (LeT) Chief Hafiz Saeed, July 2014. lent incidents in J&K should be mu, Kathua, Ramban, Doda, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, Bara- The latest round of ceasefire and Syria (ISIS). accompanied by a former Inter maintained to continue, so that a mulla, Kupwara and Budgam in the category of Backward Areas. The subject of recurrent road accidents, espe- Indicating the dying situation Services Intelligence (ISI) Direc- violation (post June) that dis- final result to end violence would Even the Government's devised Form X to SRO 294 of 2005 men- cially in more dangerous zones of the National in militancy and revealing signif- tor General arranged a rally by the placed thousands of villagers and tions Socially and Educationally Backward 'Class' and not 'Area'. icant security improvement in name "Takbeer Convention" at took lives of security personals be achieved automatically in the Highway from Jammu to Srinagar has been J&K, the Annual Report of the the famous Aabpara Chowk near and civilians, considered to be the next few years. widely talked about subject in the print and elec- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ISI headquarters, Islamabad. He longest and most severe firing on (The author is an Assistant Professor at There is a composite culture. Apart tronic media. We at the Daily Excelsior have 2013-14 disclosed that in last nine had made a provocative speech borderlines after 1971 Indo-Pak- the Department of National Security Studies from Kashmiri and Dogri languages years militancy related violence amongst thousands and asked to istan War (according to Director in the Central University of Jammu.) highlighted this subject very often and have also which have already been included in the made some useful suggestions for controlling violation of traffic rules. The Governor has been Gypsum Reserves in J&K 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution the greatly grieved at innocent deaths happening on A S Wazir Department has been extracting a few namely "PARLANKA GYPSUM tractor to start his assignment even. main dialects spoken in the district are truck-load of gypsum from the Par- RESERVES" at village Dhamkund No considerable activity for the the National Highway and had desired the Chief hile working in Konkan lanka mines on day- basis sometime near Ramban in Jammu Province and extraction of gypsum is believed to Siraji, Bhaderwahi, Pogli, Bhalesvi, Minister to take some concrete measure to Railway as Chief Engi- with long interruptions in between - other "URI GYPSUM RESERVES" have been going on at the site of Par- Wneer on Katra- Banihal considered quite inadequately look- near Baramulla in Kashmir Province. lanka Mines near Ramban eversince reduce the number of road accidents along the Sector of Jammu - Srinagar Railway ing to the completion schedule of Both the Reserves are reported to cancellation of the contract except Kishtwari and Padri. The Gojri lan- line, an urgent necessity of construc- Sawlakote Dam project thereby caus- have tremendous potential of extract- extraction of a few truck-loads of National Highway. tion of a service road across Chingi ing fear of uncertainty for its full ing good quality Gypsum ranging to gypsum on day to day basis which is guage is also spoken. In addition, the The administration needs to strictly enforce nallah near Sangaldan to link the pro- extraction before submergence in as much as 99 Million Tons (which being considered as quite inadequate posed Loale Railway station site for Dam lake. can easily be extracted for commer- in light of the prevailing circum- Gaddi dialect is prevalent among the the standing rules for plying on the dangerous station's construction was considered In this context, it is pertinent to cial use). Confirmation of availabili- stances. segments of the National Highway. Just giving on war footing. During course of exe- mention that the work of construction ty of this much quantity of Gypsum The apprehensions of the people traditional shepherds. cution of this 14 km long Approach of Sawlakote Hydro Electric Dam has in these two reserves has also been and the fear of further such trouble of relief money is not the solution of the problem. Road, which starts from Chingi nal- since been started. Road net work has reported to be got made by J&K Min- submergence of a bulk of gypsum lah bridge site (23rd km on Ramban- We can say that the Road Transport Department almost been completed. Due to some erals Deptt. through the Geological reserves is genuinely haunting their The pattern of mountains in District Doda is very tough and chal- Gool road) and goes on its lower con- contractual problems, the main dam Survey of India, under the supervi- soul. The GysumReseres of Parlan- lenging. As La in Ladakhi stands for a pass so does Gali in local tours upside along the right bank of has not been taking its responsibilities seriously. work had been held up temporarily. sion of their senior and capable ka Mines situated along the right bank parlance in the twin border districts. River Chenab near village However, coming up of the dam and Expert like M.L. Bhat. It has further of river Chenab near Dhamkund, as It has been a victim of dereliction of duty. How Dhamkund, we encountered, unex- its Lake is expected any time within come to our awareness that the quan- is seen from Ramban Gool Road run- Were we to start from Rajouri -Poonch the hills and passes that come the Sumo that recently fell into the gorge pectedly, a unique and astonishing next 5 to 6 years. Contrary to this fact, tity of Gypsum Reserves of Uri has ning along river's left bank, are still come across are Khara ki Gali, Devahari Gali, Jamia wali Gali, Jarni feature of presence of huge stock of the extraction of full Gypsum Reserve been got authenticated by the J&K seen existing with their white shining Gali, China Marg Gali, Neelkanth Gali, Pathar ki GAli, Nurpur Gali, killing five female passengers was driven by a pure white gypsum in the form of of Parlanka Mines near Sangaldan, all Minerals Deptt. through their the then appearance. Aishmarg Gali, Chhoti Gali, Chor Panchal Pass, Peer Panchal Pass, hillocks present in thick layers all existing below submergence level of renowned Geological Expert Information gathered from dif- person who did not have the proper driving along the executed stretch of this 14 the dam lake, by use of all type of K.S.Chib. The Gypsum Reserves of ferent quarters lead to believe that Nabi ki Gali, Darhal Pass, Brahma Pass, Didam Gali, Rupri Pass, license? Why was he not checked by the Traffic km long approach road. This thick modern Technology available in the Parlanka Mines at Dhamkund (Ram- huge Reserves of Purest form of Gyp- Budhal Peer Pass and then the hills/mountains along Mahore, Gool layer of Gypsum mineral virtually, country, working on war footings is ban) in Jammu which may have the sum available in these two reserves Gulabgarh, Banihal, Pogal, Dessa, Kuntwara, Synthan Top, Mar- Police along the path he was driving? If the pas- starts from the configuration point of opined to take more than 10 long present market value ranging to mul- of J&K State have the potential of wah, Padder, Bonjwa-Gandoh, Bhaderwah and Bani and onwards Changi nallah with River Chenab at sengers had known that their vehicle was driven years. The people of the vast area sur- ti milliom rupees, are reported to be generating State revenue beyond its to Himachal Pradesh. about 2 kms upside of existing rounding Sangaldan has the cynicism existing at a level lower than the pro- figure of imaginations. Even the Par- by a person who did not have the proper driving Dhamkund Suspension Bridge on that there is quite inadequate deploy- posed Sawlakote Hydro-Electric lanka Reserves of Gypsum mines The issue is also to be seen in the relative living conditions. Erst- Chenab river, about 21 kms from ment of resources for the extraction of Dam Lake level and as per geologi- existing near Dhamkund ( Ramban) while District Doda is spread over a vast area of 11691 sq. km. from license, may be they would not have boarded the Ramban district Head Quarters on gypsum stock at site of mines and cal experts' opinion, the extraction of are opined to be sufficient enough to South Portal of Jawahar Tunnel to the mountains of Zanskar. It varies vehicle at all and would have been saved of fatal Ramban-Gool road. have, therefore, apprehensions that a Gypsum in its full quantity is going change the economy of this vast back- in altitude from 8000 feet to 15000 feet above sea level. The whole The matter was immediately ward area of district Ramban with major chunk of this White Gold valu- to take years together. On the other district is mountainous and backward. Literacy and connectivity are accident. brought to the notice of the concerned ing worth millions of rupees having hand formation of the Sawlakote capacity to generate employment of at the bottom but red-tapeism and corruption top the graph. If the State Government did not move in the J&K Minerals Department by the potential of generating huge financial Dam Lake body may be a reality in thousands of the youth; it should not Konkan Railway authorities. This and employment resources for the next 5 to 6 years. The people have, be allowed to go waste and submerge. Fields have been dug out on the slopes for farming, the least prom- matter even when the Governor had invited their important issue was also brought to state of Jammu & Kashmir, may be therefore, quite genuine apprehen- The Sawlakote Hydro-electric Pro- ising. The area did have a strong potential for livestock rearing but the knowledge of the then Dy. Chief prey to the vast water body of the Dam sions that a major chunk of Gypsum ject is under construction these days. it is receding with the ever increasing encroachments along low lying attention to the serious matter, what can one say Minister, J&K Government (who Construction of main Concrete dam lake in near future if extraction is not may get submerged in the Sawlakote mountain slopes and highland meadows. There is no deterrence. The about the good governance? It remains elusive. also happened to be Minister carried out with modern technology dam lake before its full extraction. on river Chenab near Dhamkund Incharge J&K Minerals Department) on war footing. Let the details with The existence of such two Giant (Ramban) and coming up of dam lake unscrupulous elements see an olive branch ahead in the regulariza- The first and foremost remedy of this malaise is during course of a courtesy visit of uptodate picture be brought to the Reserves having potential of nearly on its upstream within next 5 to 6 tion of their encroachments by way of such controversial measures the Managing Director Konkan Rail- knowledge of those people who have 99 million tons of good quality Gyp- years is a reality now; there is, there- as Roshni Act. This tendency is fast leading to disappearance of that the traffic personnel responsible for the fore, still sufficient time till the for- way to Dy. CM Minister at Srinagar, remained eagerly waiting for the sum sufficient enough to generate woods and alarming ecological imbalance driving the wild animals occurrence of the tragedy should be charged Kashmir. He was kind to listen to the development of their otherwise, revenue which could shape the econ- mation of the Dam Lake. Call of the issue, call the Managing Director of remote backward area on the omy and employment problem of the time, therefore, may demand serious out of their habitats to take on the humans in their premises. with criminal neglect of duty and prosecuted and the Minerals Department immediate- resources of Gypsum outcome. State, is learnt to have been estab- efforts for extraction of gypsum like- District Doda touching its borders with Kashmir Valley, exteri- punished according to the law of the land. ly and arrange/order joint site inspec- In our quest for technical lished somewhere in early eighties, ly to get submerged in the Lake in or Dugger, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh region falls on the outer tion. The team of officials of the knowhow of these Gypsum Mines yet, surprisingly, the things have near future by way of utilizing most Himalayan range. The mountain peaks laden round the year with Without punitive punishment this sickening dis- J&K Minerals Department, after site and further follow-up curiosity to allegedly been evaded, ignored and modern available machinery and technology synchronizing the plan- snow touch the sky ensuring life down below by their perennial ease of negligence of duty cannot be cured. visit directed stoppage of the con- know more about the facts and the fig- no deserving attention has been giv- structional activities by Konkan Rail- ures with reasons as to why such huge en to such important issues. It has ning of extraction with construction flowing waters but as far the natives they live in poverty and hos- way immediately desiring for the natural resources (if at all) which been given to understand that the schedule of the Sawlakote Dam. tile conditions of drought and chill. realignment of the Konkan Road net- could, otherwise, be a boom for the work of extraction of Gypsum from Extraction of the gypsum with its pos- There is a composite culture. Apart from Kashmiri and Dogri sible transportation through rope- work. The Officers of J&K Minerals employment opportunities and the two sites of Dhamkund and Uri was languages which have already been included in the 8th Schedule of Goodbye to obsolete laws Department and Techno-Geological ways, cleaning, grinding and packing development of this vast backward allotted to private agencies some- Indian Constitution the main dialects spoken in the district are Sir- State is run by laws and rules framed by Experts of Konkan Railway, there- and economically shattered popula- where in the year 2002-03. The at adequately available site of work after, confirmed presence of huge tion of the area, have remained extraction of gypsum at Uri site is will have the potential of generating aji, Bhaderwahi, Pogli, Bhalesvi, Kishtwari and Padri. The Gojri tremendous job opportunities for the the people through the instrument of their reserves of Pure form of Gypsum attended with lukewarm treatment going on ever-since. language is also spoken. In addition, the Gaddi dialect is prevalent unemployed youth of this otherwise valuing crores and crores of rupees, and not exploited adequately for pub- The Gypsum extraction Contract representatives in the State Legislatures backward area. among the traditional shepherds. Both the Gaddi as well as the G&B A all existing in the lower contours on lic benefits at earlier stage, the exer- for Parlanka Gypsum Reserves at Let the concerned State Admin- population has already been accorded ST status. or in the Parliament. Framing of new rules and the bank of Chenab River, which if cise revealed stunning picture. It has Dhamkund is also reported to have not extracted before coming up of istrative Department verify the facts All the Pahari dialects mentioned hereinabove have their own Acts etc. is closely related to the need of the time come to our knowledge from reliable been allotted to one Private Entrepre- of the issue involved and come up nearby Sawlakote Hydro-electric sources that Jammu & Kashmir State neur M/S Maheshwari of Calcutta by heroes, riddles and folk lores. The people of erstwhile District Project in next 5 to 6 years, will get with the Vision Document clarifying Doda speaking diverse Pahari dialects and inhabiting the high and Government's sense of responsibility to Minerals Department, about four the J&K Minerals Department some- their version of things in light of the submerged in the Sawlakote Dam decades back in early eighties, had where in 2002-03 on the guidelines rugged mountain slopes and cliffs, too, like their counterparts in meet these needs. Thus laws are enacted and Lake. In the background of this devel- fear and apprehension of the masses got the detailed survey and investiga- of Indian Bureau of Mining, Govt. of on possible submergence of Gypsum Rajouri-Poonch deserve the extension of 5% reservation for the sake implemented with definite purpose of carrying opment, the J&K Minerals Depart- tion done through some specialized India. The contract is reported to has ment chalked out strategy to extract Reserves of Parlanka Mines of of even justice on the grounds of their own merit and not at the cost agencies, to evaluate and find out the been subsequently cancelled by the Dhamkund Jammu in the Sawlakote the nation forward. But then the question arises. gypsum from the mines on large extent, type and quality of Gypsum in J&K Mining Department for the rea- of OBCs. scale. Ever since J&K Mineral Dam lake in near future. (The writer is a retired KAS officer) If a time comes when the purpose for which the two Gypsum Reserves of J&K State sons unknown, not allowing the con- (The author is former Chief Engineer) rules were framed are served and no more require the existence of the laws, what should be People on border in trouble Dog menace done with them. More so if these laws become a Sir, Sir, hindrance in good governance in the context of The continuous long Pak shelling has made the life and property of Dogs once known for their faithfulness and watchfulness, have Plantation drive changed circumstances, it becomes all the more the people living on borders disastrous. Many precious lives have been lost, large number of people have been injured and huge cattle wealth become a nuisance to the people. For a tell tale, few weeks back, I was Sir, important for the State to ensure that these hin- is lost. People have to move safer places for shelter. All household essen- accompanying a kid while moving to bazaar for making some purchas- drances are removed. It is with this logic that the tials have been left behind and houses looked deserted. Number of hous- es. On the way in the street, a group of dogs leapt forward to attack the This has reference to the news item 'Div Com for mas- sive plantation around Jammu City' DE Aug 29. Prime Minister has constituted a committee of es got terribly damaged because heavy shelling across the border. The kid when I raised a cry and managed prevent the child from biting who incidents of border firing, shelling and also ceasefire violations etc have had a miraculous escape. The Divisional Commissioner Jammu has very well experts to examine which of the existing laws taken place earlier also but this is for the first time when situation has To begin with, I have to say that the number of dogs is exceeding suggested that massive afforestation is imperative to solve and rules and Acts are obsolete and can be or turned from bad to worset. Today firing by Pakistan was the heaviest rapidly day by day and they outnumber the requisite. Early in the morn- the pollution problems and depleting ground water level should be removed so that action towards that is one. All along Jammu borders firing has remained continuous day in ing, you will find more dogs wandering in the streets than the people. in Jammu city. and day out. Pakistan directly targetted our civilian population and our An unprovoked bite from a rabid dog can be a serious one for once Jammu city as it is expanding horizontically as well as taken. We believe this is a step in the right direc- forces retaliated. But our forces did not target civilian population on the rabies develops in a person, it has 100 percent fatality. Sometimes, the vertically is losing it green cover rapidly. Large swathes tion because for too long a time many rules and other side. Despite massive destruction our State Govt has not taken full dogs make obscene presence and passers-by have to keep their eyes have been cleared of trees for building residential houses, regulations have proved more obstructive than measures in mitigating the suffering of those who have lost their liveli- shut down while moving through the streets and bazars. commercial complexes and roads. The rapid urbanisation hood in the spell of shelling. In a major development our security forces impulsive. However we hope that in examining As legally framed, dogs killing being a crime (except for a rabid has also affected the local flora and funa. The damage has have done a commendable job while taking control of relief camps for one) I have following measures to suggest to prevent dog biting: been done. Now, we have to find ways to overcome it. The the border migrants set up in safe locations in R S Pura, Bishnah and the entire corpus of existing laws and Acts that *Firstly, the drive initiated by Jammu Municipal Corporation to first step is to check ruthless cutting of trees. Then ways Arnia in Govt accommodations and has started providing them food, would be recommended for removal, great care sterilize the dogs is a welcome step to reduce their breed and keep their and means should be found for launching an afforestation clothes, medicines and all other necessary items. The present situation numbers in check. will be taken that such removals do not jeopard- campaign. Though many departments like social forestry demands to stand firmly behind our security forces and leave no stone *Secondly, the dogs should be caught and released at some isolat- ize good governance. Any Act or Rule that tends unturned to make our country militarily and economically very strong. ed vacant or useless area or in the jungle from where they cannot return are on the job, many NGOs should be involved in this to create confusion and contradiction should be Our border people need total care and sympathy. to human habitation. noble task. Yours etc.... Yours etc.... Yours etc.... scrapped and the administration should flow S N Raina Dr Tariq M. Khan Rajesh Gupta without hindrance. Jammu Mohalla Jullakha, Jammu Gangyal