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Candidates take part in physical fitness test at the BSF recruitment drive in Jammu on Friday. Photos: Inderjeet Singh

Ranjit Thakur

Jammu, November 22

Defying the gender barriers, hundreds of women aspirants on Friday lined up in the Border Security Force’s (BSF) recruitment drive in Jammu. The BSF is holding its first recruitment drive in J&K and Ladakh after the creation of two Union Territories. As many as, 50,000 aspirants applied online for 1,356 constable posts. In all, there are 172 posts for women.

A senior official said, “Seeing the number of women aspirants willing to serve the nation is beyond our expectation and is overwhelming. However, they need to work more on their physical strength to get through the recruitment process. We have great expectations from them.”

Neha, an aspirant, said, “It’s my childhood dream to join the Border Security Force. My parents have supported my decision. I want girls to be treated equally, as they have proved themselves time and again in almost every sphere.”

“I am an NCC cadet and have been practicing hard to get through the recruitment process. It’s my dream. I have cleared my running and I am hopeful about my selection,” another female aspirant said.

The Border Security Force started their recruitment process on November 16 and it will continue till November 22 in different parts of newly-created UT’s — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The candidates will be selected on the basis of a written exam, a Physical Standard Test (PST) and a Physical Efficiency Test (PET).

The Indian Army guarding the LoC retaliated to silence the Pakistani guns. File photo

Jammu, November 23

Pakistan Army on Saturday violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing and shelling on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, a defence spokesman said.

The Indian Army guarding the LoC retaliated to silence the Pakistani guns and the cross-border firing between the two sides in Sunderbani sector was going on when the reports last came in, he said.

“Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars at about 11.30 am, prompting a befitting retaliation by the Indian Army,” the spokesman said.

He said there was no report of any casualty in the Pakistani shelling. PTI

A bus passes through the Rohtang tunnel. File photo

ibune News Service

Mandi, November 22

The Rohtang tunnel will be closed for traffic between Manali and Keylong from November 25 onwards as the Border Roads Organisation will start pavement quality concrete (PQC) work inside the tunnel.

The authorities had been allowing the residents of Lahaul and Spiti use the tunnel between Manali and Keylong ever since the Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul, was closed.

The Pass was closed for traffic movement last week after heavy snowfall in the region. But, the BRO had restored it two days ago. The journey is risky via the Pass as a layer of snow has been deposited on the road. The region received fresh heavy snowfall today.

In an official statement, the BRO said the authorities would begin PQC work on November 25, which would continue for the next few days. “During this period, no vehicle will be allowed to ply via the tunnel between Manali and Keylong as it will affect the ongoing construction work inside the tunnel,” it said.

The authorities have also urged the district administrations of Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti to cooperate with them during the period.

Vishav Bharti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 22

“Will I be able to see a formal apology before I go from this world?” wonders Amritsar-based octogenarian Satpal Sharma, after he comes to know about the news of the Labour Party of the UK promising formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in its election manifesto. He along with other descendants of martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh massacre has been waiting for a formal apology for the decades.

Satpal Sharma, who is bedridden these days, has been demanding apology for the killing his grandfather Haqim Amin Chand, who fell to bullets on April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh. “I even protested during Queen Elizabeth-II’s visit in 1997 and demanded apology from her,” he said.

He tells that how he was detained by the police during the then UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit. Satpal says that it is his last wish to get an apology from the UK.

Finally, a hope has arisen among descendants of martyrs of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre after the Labour Party’s promise in its election manifesto that once they come to power, they would issue a formal apology for the massacre.

“We have been waiting for a formal apology from the UK for decades,” says Surinder Singh, nephew of martyr Sunder Singh, who was a talented fresco painter and was killed in the Bagh at the age of 17. Surinder says that an apology is the first step to accept that some injustice has been done deliberately. “We are thankful to the Labour Party and appeal Punjabis to support those whose politics revolve around human compassion,” he says.

The descendants feel that this announcement has potential to heal the century-old wounds. Sunil Kapoor, president of the Jallianwala Bagh Freedom Fighters Foundation and great grandson of Lala Wasoo Mal Kapoor, says they know it can’t bring back the departed souls, but it can certainly bring justice for all the families. But he laments that none of the Union governments have dared to ask the UK to apologise for injustice done in Jallianwala Bagh.

File photo of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Reuters

New Delhi, November 22

Britain’s main Opposition Labour Party has launched its election manifesto that promises an audit into the colonial past, including an apology to India for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar a century back. The manifesto also assured a public review of Britain’s role in Operation Bluestar that has been mentioned as the “Amritsar massacre”.

The promise to apologise is a step up from the deep regret expressed by then British Prime Minister Theresa May this year that was meant to coincide with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre’s 100th anniversary.

Under the sub-head “Effective Diplomacy”, the relevant part of the Labour manifesto reads: “We will issue a formal apology for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and hold a public review into Britain’s role in the Amritsar massacre.”

The manifesto further promises to set up a judicial probe into Britain’s “injustices of the past” that includes a public review of the country’s role in Operation Bluestar.

The party did not make a separate reference to Kashmir which had not gone down well with some Indian diaspora groups when the party passed an emergency motion at its September conference, hinting at international intervention in the region. This time, Kashmir has been clubbed with hotspots such as Yemen and Myanmar where a prospective Labour government will attempt conflict prevention and build peace. — TNS

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu is flanked by Upper House marshals without caps. PTI

NEW DELHI, NOVember 21

The Rajya Sabha marshals on Thursday were seen without caps which were part of ensemble of their new military-like “dress code”, in the backdrop of objections from various quarters, including ex-Army personnel.

Some members from the Opposition benches also made the mention about this to Chairman Venkaiah Niadu in lighter vein when the House assembled for the zero hour. “It is good,” said Congress MP Madhusudan Mistry, drawing attention of Naidu.

Naidu responded saying: “As I have said, nothing reflects like the Army,” and added that the review process is on. Sources said the Secretariat officialdom felt a bit let down on the unexpected reservations in certain quarters on the dress code’s design. There was a long-standing demand from the marshals, who are senior officers in hierarchy, for the dress code which distinguished them from the “Watch and Ward” staff in keeping with their official status. — TNS

The Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway. Tribune file

Srinagar/Jammu, November 22

About 350 tourists and locals, stranded due to heavy snow, were rescued by the Army from the 11,500-foot high Zojila Pass along the Srinagar-Leh national highway, a defence spokesman said on Friday.

The night-long rescue operation in coordination with civil administration was carried out by Army rescue columns despite continuous snowfall and sub-zero temperature, Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said in a statement.

Visitors to the area got stuck as regions around the pass like Sonamarg, Baltal and Nilgrar received heavy snow since Thursday which also led to traffic jams at many places, leaving over 250 trucks and passenger vehicles stranded.

Since November 21, he said the vehicles had moved from Sonamarg towards the Zojila Pass but the untimely and heavy snow, especially on the higher reaches, resulted in many vehicles skidding off the road and getting stranded in the snow, causing a traffic jam at many places.

“The traffic jam resulted in a very dangerous situation, wherein approximately 300-350 people, including women and children, were stranded at a height above 11,000 feet and temperature at minus seven degrees.

“In coordination with the civil administration, the Army rescue columns moved in vehicles promptly with aid and administrative assistance to rescue the stranded civilians from the Zojila Pass,” he said.

Col Kalia said while the police and GREF personnel got busy with clearing the traffic and snow, respectively, the Army columns started providing immediate medical aid and assistance.

“The stranded vehicles were recovered and organised for moving back. The passengers of the vehicles, which were stuck badly, were evacuated safely back to Sonamarg town in Army vehicles,” he said.

He said medical assistance, hot food and blankets were provided for the night by the Army.

“This immediate and pro-active action by the Army was critical in ensuring timely rescue, relief and saving precious lives. The humanitarian assistance provided to the ‘Awam’ (people) in their hour of need was much appreciated,” the officer said.

The Zojila Pass is situated at an altitude of 11,578 feet on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway. PTI

CHANDIGARH: Continuing with its focus on the improvement of  ..