Protest by BJP women

KT News Service JAMMU, Apr 6:The women wing of the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata party today staged a noisy demonstration against the state government for its "anti-women" policies.

Led by Suresh Jamwal the women activists poured out of the party head quarters in Kachi Chawni and proceeded to march towards the civil secretariat.

The police however which was present in large numbers stopped the women just as they entered the road and ordered them to return.

The women activists were however in mood to listen and minor jostling followed.

The protestors raised slogans against the state government for embarking on policies which against the "rights of the women of the state." They also raised slogans against the state police for stopping them from proceeding towards the secretariat and accused them misbehaving with them.

Director Jammu airport for Paris KT News Service JAMMU, Apr 6:Director Jammu airport Anil Sharma is one among the ten Directors from different parts of the country who have been selected for a three-day study tour of the Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris.

The ten man team is slated to leave Mumbai for Paris on April 12 and will return after a three-day stay in Paris.

The team will study the operational preparedness of the De Gaulle airport which is one of the busiest airports in the world.

It will also study the latest airport management techniques being used in big international airports like De Gaulle.

'Commitment to conduct free & fair polls in J&K' CRPF deploys 40 battalions, 18 additional Cos: DGP KT NEWS SERVICE JAMMU, Apr 6: Sticking to their main Mantra "Ever alert to everything" and their commitment to conduct free and fair polls in strife torn Jammu and Kashmir, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have deployed 40 Battalions alongwith 18 additional companies in the state.

"This number is largest as compared to the deployment in the earlier elections", disclosed the Director General (DG) CRPF JK Sinha while addressing the media persons here this morning.

He said that huge deployment is made keeping in view 1099 hypersensitive and 1382 sensitive polling booths in the state and with an aim to conduct incident free polls in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

He expressed CRPF's commitment not to allow any disturbance in the state and to conduct free and fair polls.

He said that apart from the other forces the deployment of CRPF men is more in the state.

Showing the commitment of CRPF to maintain law and order problems in the state, Sinha said the CRPF have carried out several successful operations alongwith the security forces in the state.

He said that CRPF men had credit of conducting free and fair as well as incident free assembly polls in the state.

Expressing satisfaction over the election preparedness of CRPF in forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the DG CRPF said that the CRPF is confident of peaceful elections in the state as the militancy trends have shown deep decline here as compared to the year 2003.

He said that more stress have been laid to Central Hypersensitive an sensitive polling stations in the state.

He said that the CRPF jawans are known for their alertness and can handle any kind of situation.

He, however, said that there is extra threat from extremist elements here yet the CRPF jawans are prepared for any kind of disaster.

On the question of delay in replacement of Border Security Force (BSF) by the CRPF, DG JK Sinha said that replacement of forces is not simple in the militancy infested state.

The replacing forces have to equip themselves properly, building of intelligence network besides keeping in view the law and order problems.

He, however, said that the replacement is not an abrupt process and the BSF is gradually withdrawing.

He assured that the CRPF will completely replace BSF within 5 to 6 months or an year in a gradual phased manner.

Replying to another query regarding Human Rights violations in the state JK Sinha said that the complaints of HR violations is negligible against CRPF men which he said is a big achievement.

He said that last year the HR violations against CRPF men were lowest and most of those were proved to be incorrect during enquiries.

He maintained that this reflects human approach of CRPF men.

Replying to yet another querry regarding increasing stress in the CRPF men, DG CRPF said that the CRPF men are provided hard postings which leads to stress.

He said that the government is made aware of that and several measures are being adopted to reduce the stress level in CRPF men.

Earlier DG CRPF reviewed the security scenario in Jammu region as well the preparedness of CRPF for forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

He held a meeting with the senior officers of CRPF and took stock of the situation by analyzing the deployment, duties being performed and successful operations carried out by CRPF personnel in Jammu region.

JK Sinha also examined the arrangement made by CRPF units with respect to ensuing elections.

He briefed the officers in the meeting to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls in the State and to come up to the expectations of the people of J&K.

He called on the Governor of J&K SK Sinha.

He also discussed with the Chief Secretary, DGP and other senior officers of the State and Centre.