Fidayeen attack at Anantnag; Mine blast at Baramulla
5 CRPF soldiers, 2 Armymen killed; 26 troopers injured

From Ahmed Ali Fayaz

SRINAGAR, Dec 4: Even as Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s unilateral ceasefire with Kashmiri militants has evoked a significantly positive response at the political level, militants today killed at least seven security forces personnel and left 26 more injured in two major attacks at Anantnag and Baramulla, in Kashmir valley. While as 5 CRPF jawans got killed and seven more injured in Lashkar-e-Toiba’s suicidal attack on a CRPF formation at Anantnag, two Armymen got killed and 19 injured in a mine blast at Baramulla. Two militants and a civilian have also got killed and six more civilians injured in the two major incidents of violence.

Well-placed official sources told EXCELSIOR that two militants, travelling in Maruti car No: JK03-3351, followed a CRPF vehicle without any suspicious movement upto the battalion headquarters of CRPF 61 Bn at 1625 hours this evening at Anantnag town. As the CRPF vehicle drove inside the protected premises, at Heevan Theatre, near Ashajipora, the two heavily-armed militants alighted and lobbed several hand grenades while directing automatic gunfire on the guards posted at the main entrance. All the seven soldiers at the main gate sustained injuries even as they ducked for safety.

The suicidal duo ran towards the arms storage (Kot) and shot dead a sentry on duty. At the Commanding Officer’s office, the militants kidnapped and later shot dead four unarmed CRPF officials. In the three-hour-long gunbattle, one militant got killed while as another sustained critical injuries. CRPF requisitioned a consignment of tear-smoke from 54 Bn, near Bus Stand, and fired dozens of shells. Still, nobody came out from inside. Even as the injured militant, as well as the four unarmed officials, are believed to have died, till late tonight officials confirmed the death of only one militant and one CRPF jawan, namely Padita.

Sources, who participated in the operation, identified the injured CRPF personnel as Sub Inspector Deva Chand Yadav, Swami Ram, head constable Sailova, D K Mohi, Prabhat Singh and Arwind Raj. They have all been rushed to hospital for medical treatment. Yadav and Sailova have been rushed to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar. Two of the injured were treated at Anantnag.

There was no reaction to the CRPF firing from the destroyed structures after 1930 hours. However, sources said that the operation had not been concluded till midnight. Sources said that the Commanding Officer was present at his residential quarter, inside the premises, when militants trooped into the formation. But, he and his family, escaped unhurt.

Lashkar-e-Toiba has claimed responsibility while saying that its Fidayeen inflicted heavy casualties on the paramilitary force. Unconfirmed reports said that the Maruti owner has been identified as Nisar Ahmed of Roh-Manghall village.

Baramulla blast

Informed official sources said that militants had parked a three-wheeler at Khanpora outskirts of Baramulla town. It remained parked on left hand side of Baramulla-Uri road for one hour. As an Army convoy passed that way, towards Uri, at 1225 hours, militants exploded the three-wheeler with a remote control device.

One Gypsy, followed by two Army buses, faced the brunt of the mine-blast. One Lance Naik Jai Chandran of 161-Field regiment got killed on spot while as 20 personnel sustained injuries. Late evening reports, yet to be confirmed by officials, said that one of the critically injured personnel succumbed while being rushed to Base Hospital of 15 Corps at Srinagar. Officials confirmed the death of one Lance Naik and said that nine of the critically injured had been airlifted and rushed to Base Hospital. Two of the injured are likely to be referred to the hospital of Northern Command, Udhampur, on Tuesday morning.

Sources said that as many as seven civilian passers-by sustained splinter injuries. They were rushed to hospital. While being rushed to SMHS Hospital, a Junior Engineer of Baramulla Rural Engineering Wing, namely Aqeel Ahmed Shah S/o Ghulam Qadir Shah of Khanpora, breathed his last. The other injured were identified as Adil Bashir Gojri S/o Bashir Ahmed Gojri (a Class 8th student), Ali Mohammad Sheikh S/o Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh of Delina ( a cobbler), Abdul Hameed Wagay S/o Ghulam Nabi Wagay of Woltra Rafee-abad ( a farmer), Mahesh Pathak of Basantpur UP (a beggar) and Iqbal Ahmed Gujri of Khanpora.

The injured Army personnel included a Captain, namely Jai Singh as also a Lieutenant. The Army convoy was taking personnel of 161-Field Regiment, 64-Field Regiment, 6 Raj Rifles, 5-Mehar and 21-Sikh, to forward formation in Uri. Hizbul Mujahideen claimed responsibility of the mine blast while claiming that a large number of Army personnel had been left killed and injured. Officials, however, confirmed death of one soldier and admitted that nine personnel had sustained "extremely grievous injuries".

Uri-bound passenger bus No: JKS-4359, Tata Matador JKC 2742, Tata-407 No: JKF-30 and Tata-407 No: JK01-618 suffered damage in the blast.

Unofficial reports said that immediately after the blast, troops opened indiscriminate gunfire in which seven civilians got injured and one died. However, DIG Baramulla-Kupwara Dilbagh Singh, as well as SSP Baramulla Abdul Qayoom Manhas, claimed that all the injured were found with splinter injuries. Still, reliable civilian sources at Baramulla said that CRPF men thrashed a large number of people at the main town, about one Km from the site of blast, and several were left injured.

Reports from north Kashmir added that unidentified militants fired upon a surrendered militant, namely Farooq Ahmed Bhat S/o Mohammad Maqbool Bhat at Kreeri Bus Stand and left him injured alongwith an 8-year-old boy, Shabir Ahmed S/o Abdur Rehman of Wagoora. Both were rushed to SHMS Hospital. A former JKLF militant, who surrendered in 1992, Farooq Ahmed was now running a shop. Unconfirmed reports said that Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen has claimed responsibility and described Farooq as a CPI(M) activist.

Unidentified gunmen appeared at the house of Mohammad Ashraf Sheikh S/o Habibullah Sheikh R/o Warpora Magam (Handwara) and fired indiscriminately, late last night. He, alongwith a carpenter, namely Abdul Qayoom S/o Ismail of Dedikot sustained injuries. Both of them were later rushed to hospital.

At Pazalpora, Magam (Handwara), militants shot at and injured a civilian, namely Rafeeq Ahmed Ganai S/o Ahmed Ganai of Neerampora, Vilgam.

Reports from Budgam said that militants shot dead Habib Khan S/o Ahad Khan of Lawaypora at Manhama, near Magam.

US Apex Court upholds Bush view

WASHINGTON, Dec 4: In a major setback to Democrat presidential hopeful Al Gore, the United States Supreme Court today overturned a Florida court ruling extending the deadline of manual recount of ballots.

Gore’s Republican rival George W Bush had opposed the recount which had cut down his lead from 930 to just over 500 in Florida in the controversial presidential elections. The US Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, said the court was not clear on what grounds the Florida State Supreme Court had acted in extending the deadline by five days allowing hand recounted ballots to be included in the final tally of votes from Florida, setting aside the decision of Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris.

"After reviewing the opinion of the Florida Supreme Court, we find that there is considerable uncertainty as to the precise grounds for the decision...," the nine Judges of the Apex Court said.

"The judgment of the Supreme Court of Florida is therefore vacated, and the case is remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion," they ruled.

The US Supreme Court made it clear that there was considerable doubt in the court’s mind as to why the Florida Supreme Court went against the reaffirmation by Congress that the legislature would decide on these issues.

Bush had contended that the Florida Supreme Court had overstepped its bounds by extending a deadline for certifying the Florida election results and allowing the manual vote recounts sought by Al Gore.

The American Supreme Court ruling will restore Bush’s lead from the post-recount total of 537 to 930.

The Supreme Court said the state High Courts were free to interpret state constitutions but added: "it is equally important that ambiguous or obscure adjudications by state courts do not stand as barriers to a determination by this court of the validity under the federal constitution of state action."

Immediately after the Supreme Court decision, Florida Leon county court Judge N Saunders Sauls, who was to rule today on the Gore suit for recounting of 14,000 ballots by hand, put his decision on hold apparently to consider what effect the US Supreme Court decision would have on his authority to order a recount. (PTI)

Vajpayee should take initative :Bhat
Hurriyat for positive, meaningful political
dialogue on Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: All Party Hurriyat Conference chief Prof Abdul Gani Bhat has said that Hurriyat’s position to resolve Kashmir dispute was that the concerned parties (India, Pakistan and representatives of people of Kashmir) should have a positive and meaningful political dialogue.

Bhat, who flew in here on Saturday, while talking to a group of newsmen today, said dialogue is the next step and the initiative for this should be from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Stating that the concerned parties had to engage in a dialogue in order to achieve a breakthrough, Bhat said "we have to rise above prejudices, bitterness in history as well as hostilities rooted in past and find a way out."

Bhat, who is the chairman of Muslim Conference, said "the keys have to be applied to unlock doors of understanding and goodwill and now or never should be our motto".

"I do not know whether or not we need to wait...The opportunity has to be seized," he added. He urged the Government to allow Hurriyat leaders to travel to Pakistan for creating a conducive atmosphere for re-initiating a dialogue for a lasting and peaceful solution to Kashmir problem.

He said that the Centre should lift the ban on travel of Hurriyat leaders and permit them to go to Islamabad for talks with Pakistan Government.

Hurriyat has stated that it is prepared to participate enthusiastically in any comprehensive peace process, he said. Terming the suspension of combat operations by Prime Minister as a first step towards peace, Bhat said "it has to be followed by much bigger steps so as to create an impression that the past has been buried and the future is being built on a firm solid base."

The Hurriyat chairman said "smaller issues should not now engage our attention. We must take up bigger issues with courage and conviction to ensure a brighter future for the entire region."

"There is perhaps no alternative available to any of us other than a peaceful dialogue," he said.

He said India and Pakistan should not waste hard earned money of the people on (security) operations that breed only hatred and violence.

"We will have to purchase peace and make sacrifices," the Hurriyat chairman said.

For making cease-fire more meaningful, he said, "the Government should set prisoners free and provide an opportunity to Hurriyat leaders to travel to Pakistan and allow political activities freely in keeping with the democratic traditions in Jammu and Kashmir and put an end to human rights violation with a firm hand.

"A climate will be generated and I hope and trust Pakistan will reciprocate like they did to the Prime Minister’s cease-fire call," Bhat added.

About the possibilities of achieving a breakthrough in talks, the Hurriyat chairman said "we will be talking to Indians, Pakistanis and boys with guns with a view to ensuring it that good sense prevails.

After taking over as chairman of Hurriyat Conference, Bhat had said the seven-member executive of the amalgam should be divided into two teams to hold talks with Indian and Pakistani officials separately but simultaneously.

Asked about the suggestion from Islamabad asking India to allow a delegation of Hurriyat Conference executives to hold talks with Pakistan, Bhat said "under present scenario, this is one of the possible solutions."

Bowing to international pressure on Pakistan to respond positively to India’s unilateral cease-fire declaration in Jammu and Kashmir, Islamabad announced its armed forces would observe "maximum restraint" along the Line of Control.

He welcomed Pakistani Government’s decision to exercise utmost restraint on the Line of Control as a positive development and expressed the hope that India would reciprocrate the step.

The unilateral cease-fire offer by India was a positive move and so was Pak Government’s decision on maximum restraint, he said.

Bhat flew in here amid speculation that an unofficial intermediary would be exploring with the Hurriyat prospects of a political dialogue with the Centre.

This is Bhat’s first visit to the capital since the cease-fire announced by the Centre became operational on November 27.

Former chairman and senior Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq also flew in here last evening, while JKLF chairman Yaseen Malik is already camping in New Delhi.

Major tragedy averted
Bomb detected in Jammu Tawi Express

CHENNAI, Dec 4: A major disaster was averted today, with the timely detection of an explosive device aboard a long distance train which arrived from Jammu at the Central Railway Station here, a Railway spokesman said.

He said the device was found by the Railways maintenance staff and the Railway Protection Force in a sleeper class reserved compartment while checking the Jammu Tawi Express, which arrived at 1.30 p m, nearly 90 minutes behind schedule.

It was not immediately clear whether it had been timed to go off, he said adding the train might have gone on the return journey carrying the bomb, but for its timely detection.

The detection comes just ahead of the eighth anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya on December 6.

An hour after its arrival, the train was taken to the nearby basin bridge maintenance yard for maintenance work after which it was brought to the yard for checking.

During this check, a small cylinder with protruding wires and a timer device attached to it, was detected from underneath the seat in a sleeper class reserved compartment.

Immediately, the bomb disposal squad was alerted. The squad cordoned off the place and took it away for analysis. The nature of the device and the possible intensity had it gone off were under study, he added.

Railway Inspector General of Police G Thilagavathy told PTI that the device was found wrapped in the Gwalior edition of a Hindi newspaper, dated November 28.

She said the device was linked to wires which were attached to something resembling a battery box, inside which a small watch was found.

Thilagavathy said the disposal squad had taken out the device and only after it was defused could one form an idea about its intensity and nature.

The Railway Police and the RPF have taken up stringent security measures as three separately planted devices exploded on the demolition anniversary in 1997 on three different trains.

All three trains had departed from Chennai and were bound for Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore and Allapuzha. The bombs exploded in a span of one hour on December 6 morning, killing 10 passengers. (PTI)

Pak-sponsored violence anti-Islam: Muslim body

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: A highly influential Islamic religious body, Aalami Roohani Markaz, today slammed the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist activities in Kashmir as "anti-Islam" and urged Muslims in the Valley not to be misled by fanatics and avail the peace initiative of Prime Minister A B Vajpayee in the form of unilateral ceasefire during Ramzan.

Appearing before the media for the first time in its century-old history, leaders of the Markaz, which claims to represent 20 crore Muslims across the country, declared, "the situation created by the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir is absolutely against the tenets of Islam."

"These murders and violence being perpetrated in the name of Jehad are absolutely derogatory of Islamic precepts and is not at all to be supported by sincere, spiritual minded Muslims. It is neither Islam nor jehad, " said Maulana Mohd Ali Johar, Markaz vice-president.

Asserting that "Kashmir is India’s head", Markaz general secretary Mohd Shahid Khan said, "Kashmir was and will remain an integral part of India. There can be no compromise on it."

The Markaz leaders asked Pakistan to first "solve its own internal problems including Shia-Sunni clashes and step-motherly treatment meted out to Muhajir migrants from India" before intervening in India’s internal affairs.

Heaping lavish praise on Vajpayee for the ceasefire, they appealed to the Muslims in Kashmir "not to be misled by the fanatics and follow democratic and peaceful ways to attain their objective for peace and prosperity."

"The unilateral declaration of ceasefire shows the transparency and sincerity of Vajpayee and now it depends solely on the Muslims to avail this rare proposal for peace," Khan said.

The Markaz had, in September, organised a ‘peace march’ from Delhi to Srinagar.

Khan said the Markaz was willing to mediate between the Centre and the Kashmiri leaders including the Hurriyat Conference "to bring an amicable solution to the problem."

He claimed that the Markaz branches in Pakistan have also welcomed the Prime Minister’s initiative and organised a public meeting "which was suppressed by the authorities there."

They expressed hope that "good sense" would prevail over Pakistan’s Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf and Islamabad would stop abetting cross-border terrorism.

On the Pakistani decision to exercise restraint along the Line of Control, Maulana Ali Johar said, "it seems that they have realised that negotiations and not confrontation is the wise and sensible way to sort it out."

On the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue, Khan said, "it is a dispute between two brothers and we will accept whatever verdict the Supreme Court gives in the matter." (PTI)

Pak response to ceasefire not substantive: PM

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: Two days after Pakistan announced that its armed forces would exercise "maximum restraint" across the Line of Control, Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee today said Islamabad’s response has not been "substantive" but felt the Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir could be extended.

"Islamabad’s response has been good, but not substantive," the Prime Minister told reporters here and added if Pakistan cooperated the ceasefire could be extended.

Pakistan should stop cross-border terrorism, violence and continue the posture of peace and friendship with India, he said.

Asked what should be Pakistan’s response, he said "what they have to do, they know."

Vajpayee’s statement came as Pakistan said it was not opposed to India holding dialogue with Kashmiri militants but it should be followed by tripartite talks involving Islamabad.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Riaz told AP in Islamabad that India should also allow Hurriyat leaders to visit Islamabad for talks and three-way talks should begin immediately after Ramzan.

External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh is likely to make a statement in Parliament tomorrow outlining India’s reaction to Pakistan’s response on the ceasefire.

Highly placed sources here said the Pakistani response fell short of New Delhi’s expectations.

They said India was extra vigilant, extra cautious and extra wary as it should learn many a lesson from Pakistan.

If the ground situation in J and K improved and Islamabad stopped cross-border terrorism, then India would consider reviving the stalled dialogue process with Pakistan, they said.

The sources said the Government took the decision to go ahead with the Ramzan ceasefire after "careful and cautious" deliberations keeping in view the long history of soured relation between the two neighbours.

They pointed out that during the July-August ceasefire by militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, Pakistan had masterminded six simultaneous strikes on August one including the Pahalgam massacre of Amarnath pilgrims.

The ceasefire was intended to spell out clearly India’s stand that it wanted peace in J and K, they said maintaining the ceasefire came at a time when the security forces had "substantially controlled" militancy and had achieved major successes on the ground.

The ceasefire, they said, was also in response to the growing desire of the State who have been yearning for peace after a protracted and senseless proxy war by Pakistan, the sources added. (Agencies)

Hizb asks India not to rake up infiltration issue

SRINAGAR, Dec 4: Pakistan-based Kashmiri militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen today asked New Delhi not to rake up the "frivolous issue" of infiltration of militants on the Line of Control but take concrete steps to resolve the basic issue of Kashmir.

"Now that Pakistan has instructed its troops to exercise maximum restraint on the ceasefire line (Line of Control), it is imperative for India to pay full attention to the principle and basic issue of Kashmir rather than rake up the frivolous issue of infiltration and exfiltration of Mujahideen on the LoC," Hizb spokesman based in the State, Commander Masood, said in a statement here.

Apparently commenting on the statements of the Union Home and Defence Ministers asking Pakistan to curb infiltration across the border and give up the "pseudo-war" against India, the spokesman said by raking up such issues India would deprive the people of the sub-continent of the fruits expected from a "big and important" step taken by Pakistan.

"Infiltration and exfiltration of Mujahideen or border crossing was the outcome of the rigid attitude adopted by India by not fulfilling the promises made to the people of Kashmir," the spokesman said,

"Pakistan has no responsibility at all in stopping the border crossing," he said.

The spokesman said the outfit would play a key role as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir to resolve the basic issue.

He also made it clear that without involvement of Pakistan, resolution to the Kashmir issue was not possible. "Everlasting solution to the Kashmir issue is possible only when Pakistan is involved in the negotiations," he said.

"The parties concerned - India and Pakistan - should not waste another 50 years but read the writing on the wall and ground realities and come forward with result-oriented and fruitful proposals to resolve the Kashmir issue," he said. (PTI)

Suspensions to life ban on cards

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: Punishments ranging from two or three years of suspension and ban for life are on the cards when the disciplinary committee of the cricket board meets in Chennai tomorrow in the backdrop of betting and match-fixing scandal.

A C Muthiah, president of the board and chairman of the committee, and board vice-presidents Kamal Morarka and K N Ram Prasad would decide on the punishments to be meted out to the five - Mohammed Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia, Manoj Prabhakar and Ajay Sharma - cricketers found guilty by CBI in the wake of match-fixing allegations.

Morarka said this evening he would attend the meeting, contrary to information available in Chennai.

Though there was no confirmation on hand, the sources say there could be a life ban on Azharuddin and two or three years of suspension on Jadeja, Prabhakar and Sharma, the last named might also invite a life ban.

On the eve of the meeting there was speculation on the pressures brought on the board members by the indicted cricketers and also by some members of the board, who are politically connected.

The sources confirmed that the board president had sought legal opinion from reputed Supreme Court counsels in case the ‘punished players’ went in for legal remedy.

Asked to comment how fair but strict the punishments would be, the sources said "if a retired player is let go scotfree, he could continue to involve himself in misconduct and if a current player is not punished, the cancer will spread to others in the present team".

According to the sources, the banned or suspended players would not be involved in Indian cricket in any manner and also they would forfeit their benefit matches.

"We cannot hold back the money of these players lying with the board," the sources said.

Meanwhile, Kamal Morarka is opposed to any penalty being imposed on the players accused of match fixing and nexus with bookies or punters as the evidence found against them is ‘disproportionate’.

Talking to PTI from Mumbai, Morarka said he was not particularly concerned about defending Ajay Jadeja as mentioned in a section of the media but about the larger issue of ensuring fair justice. "The board owes it to itself to see that there is fairness in its actions," Morarka said.

The sources said it is not known whether board secretary Jaywant Lele, who is the convenor for all sub-committees of the board, would be attending the Chennai meeting tomorrow.

The board president and the members of the committee have decided to issue a ‘press statement’ tomorrow after they decide the quantum of punishment at the meeting. (PTI)

Pak has no objection to Govt, militants talks

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: In a significant change of stance, Pakistan today said it has no objection to Kashmiri militants holding talks with India but it should be followed by three-way dialogue involving Islamabad which should begin "immediately after Ramazan".

The talks between India and the militants should be a first step toward tripartite peace negotiations involving Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Riaz was quoted as saying by AP.

Pakistan had been opposed to talks between India and militants without Islamabad being included in it.

The three-way dialogue should begin immediately after the end of fasting month of Ramazan, he said.

His statement came two days after Pakistan responded to India’s unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir by announcing that its armed forces would exercise "maximum restraint" along the Line of Control to strengthen India’s initiative.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said India should allow Hurriyat leaders to visit Islamabad for talks before the Ramazan month is over. The talks could be followed by similar discussion between India and the Hurriyat leaders in New Delhi, he said in an interview with CNN.

Referring to the Pakistani announcement, Sattar said Islamabad has taken a step and "we would like to move forward toward a settlement of the Kashmir question in conformity with the wishes of the Kashmiri people so that all of us can find a settlement that will be acceptable to the Kashmiri people."

He denied that Islamabad had taken the step under any foreign pressure. (PTI)

LBA holds rally in support of UT status

Excelsior Correspondent

LEH, Dec 4: Qualms inbred in the Ladakhi minds (especially Buddhists) against the Kashmiri rule can be sorted out if and only if Ladakh is separated from the Jammu and Kashmir Government by conferring it with the Union Territory status, said Tsering Samphel, president of Ladakh Buddhists’ Association (LBA) while addressing a large gathering of thousands of people at Leh Polo ground today.

Today’s rally, jointly organized by LBA and Gonpa Society, was attended by large number of monks besides common people from Leh and other areas such as Sakti, Alchi, Khaltse and so on. Lead by traditional musicians, the long trail of procession with hordes of banners hailing their demand, began from the martyr’s ground near Petrol Pump where an effigy sign of Pak ISI was burnt.

When the rally passed through the main market some of the younger monks and other youth got violent and pelted some stones towards the policemen. However, the leaders and other seniors quickly controlled the situation. And there is no report of any injury. Meanwhile all the shops were closed and also there was hardly any traffic movement until noon. The Government offices functioned normally.

The final gathering at the Polo ground ensued the emphatic speeches of the leaders amidst roars of slogans. Geylong Lobzang Nyantak, LBA Youth president, while strongly criticizing the State Government, listed out some of the stark injustices against the Buddhist dominated Leh districts in particular and Buddhist community in general. He alleged that whether it is the problem of unemployment, erratic flight operations, sudden termination of helicopter service to remote Zanskar, untold sufferings of Mulbekh residents are according to the conspiracy hatched by Farooq led Government against the Buddhists of Ladakh to dismantle them.

However, he said, Farooq has failed in his ‘iron cuts iron’ theory (Dr Abdullah allegedly said this in a speech in Kargil during an election pointing to two Lama representatives in NC party) in his bid to divide the Buddhists’ community and we are now united. And to achieve our goal of UT we follow the bloodstained footprints of those who sacrificed their lives while struggling for ST status or Hill Council, he added. Geylong Nyantak also mentioned the J&K Government’s apathy towards reputed national marathon athlete from Ladakh Rigzin Angmo, who got the sponsorship from another State Himachal Pradesh after failing to get from J&K Government. He said that any talk for the solution of the J&K problem in absence of representatives from Ladakh would be a folly.

President Gonpa Society while reiterating his firm believes in misrule by Kashmir Government specified the sheer unconcern towards the Rangdum incident in which three monks were killed. No serious inquiry ensued the incident while as in other places like that of Chattispura Sikh killings the action against those involved were abrupt. This shows, he said, negligence of our small Buddhist community whose patriotism towards the motherland is utmost and such apathy, towards the killing of monks, from the Farooq led State Government raises doubts against it.

Earlier Tsering Samphel while giving the account of various struggles against the Kashmir rule said no matter who ruled the J&K State in the last 53 years Ladakh has always faced severe injustices in the hands of Kashmiri leaders. It is irony that three completely different regions were joined to form the J&K State while other states formed in India was on the basis of language and culture.

One killed, another injured in clash

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Dec 4: One person was killed and another seriously injured in a group clash at village Khanikot under the jurisdiction of Arnas police station in this district today morning. A seriously injured person has been kept under arrest in the hospital by police in connection with the clash.

The deceased has been identified as Mohd Rafiq and the injured as Mohd Iqbal, both residents of village Khanikot, who reportedly had an old land dispute with each other.

Police reports reaching at the district headquarters said that the duo had a verbal duel followed by heated exchange again this morning. Some elderly persons of the village tried to avert the clash but to no avail.

Both the persons, the reports said, brought out sharp-edged weapons from their houses and attacked each other. In the process, Mohd Rafiq was hit by the weapon in his head. He fell down, bleeding profusely, and was rushed to a hospital by some local people.

However, Rafiq succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital. Mohd Iqbal was also injured seriously as he received serious injuries on his person. He too was later shifted to a local hospital where his condition remained critical. He was likely to be referred to another hospital.

Meanwhile, Arnas police have registered a case in the clash and started investigations. The injured Mohd Iqbal has been kept under arrest in the hospital as he was an accused in the case but his statement hadn’t been recorded so far in view of his serious condition. No other arrest has been made in connection with the murder.

Dead body of Mohammed Rafiq was handed over to his family this afternoon after post-mortem and was buried by the villagers.

President appoints CJs of 4 HCs

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: President K R Narayanan today appointed Chief Justices of four High Courts, including the new States of Uttaranchal and Jharkhand.

Justice Ashok Abhaiendra Desai, Judge of the Uttaranchal High Court has been appointed Chief Justice of the court while Justice Vinod Kumar Gupta, who is a Judge in Jharkhand High Court, has been elevated to the rank of Chief Justice, according to a official communique.

Justice Naresh Chand Jain, Judge of the Guwahati High Court has been made Chief Justice of the court while Justice Satya Brata Sinha, Judge of the Calcutta High Court has been appointed Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court. (PTI)

Mamata resigns, Vajpayee rejects

NEW DELHI, Dec 4: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee resigned today for the second time in over two months owning "moral responsibility" for Saturday’s train accident in Punjab but Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee promptly rejected it.

"The Prime Minister has declined to accept the resignation letter given by Mamata Banerjee," sources in the Prime Minister’s Office said hours after she resigned saying she had been constantly doing "soul searching" ever since the news of the accident reached her.

Forty-three people lost their lives and over 100 others were injured in the accident involving Howrah-Amritsar Mail and a goods train.

Banerjee, who has been under opposition attack for "devoting more time" to politics of West Bengal where Assembly elections are due early next year than to the Railway Ministry, had resigned in September in protest against the steep hike in prices of petroleum products.

But she retracted after the Prime Minister’s assurance that the Government would have a second look at the hike.

"I reached the conclusion that in order to adequately respond to my conscience, I should resign from the office of the Railway Minister," she said in the letter to Vajpayee though she maintained that the minister was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the railways.

But as head of the 16 lakh-strong organisation she was taking the "moral responsibility" and resigning, she said. Despite putting in her papers, Mamata went to Lok Sabha and made a statement in which she said seven senior officials had been asked to proceed on leave forthwith to facilitate an "impartial and unbiased" enquiry into the accident.

Immediately after she made the statement, CPI members led by Basudeb Acharia demanded her resignation owning responsibility for the accident. They also said the minister owed an explanation to the House over the inordinate delay in reaching the accident site.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee said the loss of lives had "touched" her heart. "Even if one person dies, I feel guilty. Ours is the world’s second largest rail network and there is need for more care and safety," she said. (PTI)

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