Over 1.5 Lakh Muslims attend Jumat-ul-vida prayers
Pro-Pak slogans, Hizb firing at Jamia Masjid congregation
No plans of sell-out on Kashmir: Hurriyat

From Ahmed Ali Fayaz

SRINAGAR, Dec 22: Even as hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri Muslims today participated in the Jumat-ul-vida prayers, on occasion of the last Friday of Ramazan, without any politics, leaders of the separatist Hurriyat Conference addressed a 1,50,000-strong congregation at Jamia Masjid here and assured the audience that there would be no "sell-out" on Jammu & Kashmir. Senior Jamaat-e-Islami ideologue and prominant Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, stole the show with his eloquent speech as thousands in the crowd dominated proceedings with pro-Pakistan slogans.

All the seven executive members of the Hurriyat Conference — namely, chairman Professor Abdul Gani Bhat, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Omar Farooq, Abdul Gani Lone, Mohammad Yaseen Malik, Maulvi Abbas Ansari and Sheikh Abdul Aziz — participated in the afternoon prayers at Jamia Masjid. While joining hands at the dais, they declared that there was neither divergence of opinion nor infighting in the separatist umbrella. Speaking one-by-one, they sought to convince the massive gathering that Hurriyat had no plans of "sell-out" on Jammu & Kashmir. Invariably, they maintained that no solution of the Kashmir dispute would be acceptable to them outside the known Hurriyat stand of "either UN resolutions or tripartite talks".

As regards the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s Kashmir ceasefire, the Hurriyat leaders said that the Indian initiative as well as Pakistan’s response to it were "bold steps" in the direction of the resolution of Kashmir dispute. Without any difference of opinion, the Hurriyat leaders asserted that their plan of going to Pakistan was necessary for taking the militant leadership into confidence with regard to the nascent political developments vis-a-vis Jammu & Kashmir.

Most of the Hurriyat speakers described Pakistan as the "benevolent helper and sympathiser of the Kashmiri freedom fighters and people". President of J&K Peoples Conference and senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone, who has just returned from Pakistan after a three-week-long tour of that country, was the only executive member who had no objection to the Hurriyat leaders’ plans of going to Pakistan but asserted that Kashmir needed "peace with dignity".

As a significant development, Syed Ali Shah Geelani disclosed that in its Thursday meeting at Mirwaiz Omar Farooq’s residence, Hurriyat had decided that the Government of India would be asked to provide travel documents to all the seven executive members and finally Hurriyat itself would choose the leaders who would visit Pakistan on January 15 next.

Meanwhile, special Jumat-ul-vida prayers were held at all the major places of worship and mosques in Kashmir valley today. Over 65,000 Muslims participated in the prayers at historic Hazratbal shrine. Massive congregations were also witnessed at Aasar-e-Sharif Janab Sahib Soura, Aasar-e-Sharif Shehri Kalashpora, Aasar-e-Sharif Pinjora Shopian, Kaba Marg, all Jamia mosques and Imambaras of Kashmir valley.

77 IAS, KAS officials transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 22: The State Government today ordered transfers and postings of 77 officials including an IAS and 76 KAS officials.

Mumtaz Afzal, IAS on his reversion from Food Corporation of India has been posted as Director, Rural Development, Kashmir against an available vacancy. Syed Asgar Ali, awaiting orders of posting, was posted as Director, Youth Services and Sports against a vacancy.

Sunita Sharma, Additional Registrar Cooperatives, Jammu is transferred and posted as General Manager, Divisional Procurement, Supply and Marketing Society, Jammu on deputation basis. MM Handa, General Manager, Divisional Procurement, Supply and Marketing Society, Jammu was recalled from deputation and posted as Additional Registrar Cooperatives, Jammu. Sudershan Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Relief (Migrants), Jammu is transferred and posted as Joint Agrarian Reforms Commissioner, Jammu against an available vacancy.

DK Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (HQ) has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Relief (Migrants), Jammu. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Malik, General Manager, J&K SRTC is recalled from deputation and posted as Assistant Commissioner (Revenue), Kargil against an available vacancy. Mehmood Rana, under orders of transfer was posted as General Manager, J&K SRTC vice Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Malik, has been on deputation basis.

GS Chib KAS has been posted as Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (HQ). MM Khan, awaiting orders of transfer, is posted as Secretary, Jammu Development Authority, on deputation basis. Mirza M Iqbal, Secretary, Jammu Development Authority, is recalled from deputation and posted as Deputy Director, Tourism (Publicity), Jammu.

Basharat Saleem, Deputy Director, Tourism (Publicity), Jammu was transferred and posted as General Manager, Agro Industries Development Corporation on deputation basis.

T Angchuk, under orders of transfer was posted as Deputy Commissioner Excise (Executive), Jammu against an available vacancy. Jia Lal Sharma, Collector, PWD, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil.

Dr Abdul Rashid has been posted as Deputy Director (Admn) Rural Development Department, Jammu. Indu Bhushan, awaiting orders of posting, was posted as Programme Officer, ICDS, Kathua against an available vacancy. SA Raina, also awaiting orders of posting, has been posted as General Manager, DIC, Rajouri against an available post.

Zahida Parveen Khan, Personnel Officer, Directorate of School Education, Jammu is transferred and posted as Deputy Registrar J&K Special Tribunal, Jammu against KAS cadre post. PK Bakshi, Deputy Director, Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development, Jammu was recalled from deputation and posted as Personnel Officer in the office of Director, School Education, Jammu. Ms Reva Gupta, is posted as Deputy Director, Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development, Jammu on deputation basis.

MA Mir, Deputy Director, Employment, Pulwama was transferred and posted as Development Officer, Handicrafts, Kashmir against an available vacancy. Dr Nazir Ahmed Nadeem, Reader, Kashmir University is posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Pulwama, Sheikh Mohammad Ashraf, General Manager, DIC, Baramulla is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Baramulla. MA Janwari, Deputy Director, Employment, Baramulla was transferred and posted as General Manager, DIC, Baramulla.

GA Khawja, has been posted as Administrative Officer in the office of Financial Commissioner (Revenue) against an available vacancy. Mohammad Javed Khan, will continue as Chief Planning Officer, Kathua on short-term deputation basis upto March 31st next year.

KA Qadri, Deputy Director, Libraries, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Archives in his parent department. Dr Peerzada Ghulam Nabi, was posted as Deputy Director, Libraries, Kashmir. KR Tak, Deputy Secretary to Government, Health and Medical Education Department is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Social Welfare (Central), against an available post.

SA Beigh, has been posted as Secretary, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, on deputation basis. Mir Fayaz Hussain, Secretary, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority is recalled from deputation and posted as Deputy Director, Tourism, Kashmir against KAS cadre vacancy. RK Verma, will continue as Chief Planning Officer, Leh on short-term deputation basis upto 31st March 2001.

Shabir Ahmed Bhat, is posted as General Manager, DIC, Doda against an available vacancy. Dr Irshad Ahmed Jan, is posted as Programme Officer, ICDS, Kupwara against KAS cadre post. AR Parray, is posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Kupwara against an available vacancy. KD Maini, will continue as Chief Planning Officer, Rajouri, on short-term deputation basis upto 31st March, 2001.

MS Sheikh, has been posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mendhar against an available vacancy. Munshi Muzaffar Hussain, will continue as Chief Planning Officer, Baramulla, on short-term deputation basis upto 31st March, 2001. MY Akhoon, is posted as Deputy Director, Employment Anantnag against an available vacancy.

RP Atri, is posted as General Manager, DIC, Leh. Anil Sharma, General Manager, DIC, Leh is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Food and Supplies, Jammu. Hemant Sharma, Deputy Director, Food and Supplies, Jammu is transferred and posted as Deputy Director, Handlooms, Jammu against an available vacancy.

Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Zanskar, is transferred and posted as Chief Project Officer, Desert Development Agency Leh. Arun Kumar Sharma, is posted as Assistant Commissioner (Development) Udhampur. Lobzang Tsultim, Assistant Commissioner (Development), Udhampur is transferred and posted as Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Zanskar.

Dr Rajeev Gupta, has been posted as Deputy Director, Employment (Central) against an available post. Daulat Ram Sharma, is posted as Deputy Director, Employment, Udhampur. Rafiq Ahmed Hakeem will continue as Chief Planning Officer Srinagar on short-term deputation basis upto 31st March, 2001.

Farooq Ahmed Lone, is posted as Deputy Director, Information, Kashmir. MA Allaqaband, Deputy Director, Information, Kashmir is transferred and posted as Development Officer, Handicrafts, Kashmir against an available vacancy. BA Saraf, is posted as Secretary, Khadi and Village Industries Board on deputation basis. Dr DR Kapoor, Secretary, Khadi and Village Industries Board is transferred and posted as Joint Registrar Cooperatives in the office of Registrar Cooperatives Societies, J&K.

Mohammad Muharram, Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (Stamps), Kashmir is transferred and posted as Programme Officer, ICDS, Pulwama. SA Kanth, Programme Officer, ICDS, Pulwama is transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Sales Tax (Stamps), Kashmir. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Special Assistant to Minister for Revenue shall continue as Special Assistant to Minister for Revenue. One leave reserve post from the overall cadre strength of KAS is transferred to Revenue Department for drawal of his salary.

Jahangir Mir, Special Assistant to Minister of State for Home shall continue as Special Assistant to Minister of State for Home. One leave reserve post from the overall cadre strength of KAS is transferred to Home Department for drawal of his salary.

Miss Reshim Kashyap, Officer on Special Duty in the Governor’s Secretariat is designated as Deputy Secretary in the same office. TC Sharma is posted as Deputy Commissioner (Central), Rural Development Department against an available post.

BK Pandita, is posted as Secretary, Social Welfare Advisory Board relieving Shagufta Parveen, KAS of the additional charge, on deputation basis.

Meanwhile, 17 KAS officers have been placed on deputation to the Government owned corporations/autonomous bodies.

They are MH Malik, J&K Handloom Dev Corp, Altaf Hussain, J&K Handloom Dev Corp, Parvez I Khateeb, J&K State Forest Corp, Sarmad Hafiz, J&K Pollution Control Board, Farooq Ahmed Khan, J&K Cable Car Corp, MA Siddiqui, J&K Small Scale Industries Dev Corp, Manzoor Ahmed Shah, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Mohammad Aslam, J&K Handloom Dev Corp, Mohd Saleem Shishgar, J&K Cements Limited, Nazir Ahmed, J&K Handloom Dev Corp, SM Sahni, J&K Tourism Dev Corp, Inder Singh, J&K Local Bodies, Abdul Majid Bhat, J&K Minerals Limited, Manzoor A Kirmani, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, GR Wani, J&K State Road Transport Corp, Khursheed Anwar, J&K Industries Ltd and MY Zargar, J&K Cements Ltd.

Talks with Kashmiri militants after Id
Delhi will permit Hurriyat leaders to visit Pak

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Dec 22: The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, has given his consent to the proposal seeking grant of permission to a delegation of Kashmir’s All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to visit Pakistan next month.

"They can go to Pakistan in their individual capacity", the Prime Minister was quoted as saying. In his unscheduled talks with his senior Ministers, Mr Vajpayee has made it clear that Hurriyat leaders’ proposed visit will not be officially sponsored.

The Government won’t sanction an official-level visit of Hurriyat leaders to Pakistan, merely because it is widely felt that such a move can bolster the view that Kashmir is the only item on the agenda between India and Pakistan.

During the talks, the Prime Minister voiced displeasure at certain "conflicting and contradictory" signals and statements from certain elements within the mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir vis-à-vis the Union Government’s peace initiatives in the State.

Disclosing this, a senior Ministerial source told EXCELSIOR that the Prime Minister had not taken gladly to the activity and expression of certain elements in these parties before and after the official announcement in Parliament on Wednesday about the Centre’s decision to extend the current cease-fire in the State by another month, till the Republic Day 2001.

The Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, who has been assigned the job of interacting with certain Kashmiri leaders and politicians as part of the plan to set the stage for peace talks on Kashmir, is understood to have conveyed to Dr Farooq Abdullah the Prime Minister’s message, which calls for "utmost caution" while discussing, openly or privately, future line of thinking and action vis-à-vis Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Vajpayee, the Ministerial source also divulged, had also resented what was termed as "behind-the-scene" attempts by some elements within the State’s mainstream political groups to incite certain elements loyal to Kashmir’s All-Party Hurriyat Conference against the Union Government and its peace initiatives.

The Ministerial source had a sensational revelation: Two "pro-India" leaders of J&K had, in the past some days, been involved in attempts at spreading disaffection between the camp led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and others within the Hurriyat Conference, apparently to reduce chances of reconciliation between the Government and the Hurriyat leaders. The Hurriyat Conference’s senior leader and strategist, Mr Abdul Ghani Lone, the source further revealed, had identified the "two trouble-makers".

Taking the situation as it is, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee is now favouring a two-track dialogue on Kashmir. While Islamabad’s "positive" response to New Delhi’s peace initiatives has led the Vajpayee Government to expect the resumption of talks with Pakistan in due course, the stage is being set for a parallel dialogue between New Delhi and Kashmiri organisations. Talks with Hurriyat leaders are expected after the coming Id-ul-Fitr festival.

Indications from the power corridors in Delhi are that the Prime Minister, who is directly handling affairs of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan, is against allowing the Hurriyat Conference to play a mediatory role between India and Pakistan. New Delhi’s reluctance to involve the Hurriyat as a mediator seems unavoidable in view of the national perception that a dialogue with Pakistan cannot be Kashmir-centric.

True, the Prime Minister has been informed that the Hurriyat leaders are keen on an official delegation with a political mandate to Pakistan to talk to the Government and the other organisations there. But Mr Vajpayee has been found unwilling to accept this proposal.

Instead, the option of a bilateral dialogue with Islamabad, it is pointed out, is being examined seriously in the light of new developments, suggesting a certain willingness by Pakistan to create the conditions to sit across the negotiating table. Significantly, since the announcement of the cease-fire in J&K, the rhetoric seems to have lost its sting with the result that the hate barbs and the mud-slinging has come to almost a sudden end.

It is also pointed out that the proposed dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad will be composite in nature along the 8-item agenda agreed by the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan earlier, and not Kashmir-centric. Mr Vajpayee is categorical that India had initiated the dialogue and would continue on the lines spelt out in the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration.

Farooq not averse to talks with Hurriyat but has his doubts

NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said he was not averse to Centre talking to Hurriyat leaders but had his doubts whether anything tangible would come out of such deliberations.

Referring to allegations that he was trying to "put spokes" in the dialogue process between the Centre and Hurriyat Conference leaders, he told PTI "talks with flexible minds can end in a result, but with them it would be just breaking heads."

About Hurriyat delegation’s proposed visit to Pakistan and meeting with militant leaders, he said "they are free to go anywhere and most probably they would be now looking for a new line to be fed from across the border."

Contesting the claims of Hurriyat Conference leaders of being representatives of people of Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said "they represent only themselves and no one else."

Abdullah also said that extension of ceasefire was a second chance to Pakistan "mend its ways and stop the killings of innocent people in the State."

About his announcement of Panchayat polls, scheduled for next month, which was termed by Hurriyat and other opposition parties as a "political gimmick", the Chief Minister said "I had promised and I am doing it. If I had not announced the polls then also I would have become a target."

Abdullah said his Government was determined to go ahead with its manifesto of decentralising political power to the grass root.

He dared Hurriyat leaders to face the elections. "I understand the language of ballot and they shy away from this democratic exercise due to the fear of bullet from across the border."

"If Hurriyat claims to be representative of people of the State, let me ask them a simple question as to how many minority people they have in their decision-making body."

He reiterated that the State Police would go after militants if they target innocent people and asserted that his Government would do everything possible to safeguard the lives of civilians.

Asked about the possibility of resumption of stalled Indo-Pak talks, Abdullah said efforts were on to create a conducive atmosphere but attacks against security forces and killings of civilians by Pakistan-backed terrorists were continuing.

"There has been a good beginning with exchange of fire along the LoC coming down drastically. I am all for return of long-awaited peace in the State but Pakistan’s ISI is directly involved in the killings which are continuing," he said.

Abdullah said he had told Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that "Pakistan must be told in very clear terms that while we have been very happy that the borders have become silent, the killings done by them inside the Valley must end as otherwise ceasefire has no meaning."

Quoting official figures, he said 63 civilians were killed and 183 injured during the last 21 days of Ramzan while the figure in the preceeding 21 days stood at 57 and 62 respectively. (PTI)

Militant-turned SPO shot dead in Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Dec 22: A surrendered militant turned Special Police Officer (SPO), who was missing from his place of posting since December 4, was found dead at Dundak bridge in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district early today.

The deceased has been identified as Kousar Mohammad, a resident of Surankote.

Police said head of Kousar Mohd was found hanging in Dundak bridge in the early hours of this morning. Remaining part of Kousar’s body couldn’t be traced. The head was seen hanging with the bridge by some people, who sounded police.

It was removed by police to a local hospital. The head was identified by local people as well as police personnel, who knew Kousar Mohammed. It was later handed over to family members for burial.

Police said remaining part of SPO’s body might have been thrown by the militants in a nullah. The head was hanged at the bridge by the militants overnight.

Official sources said Kousar Mohd once had been a dreaded activist of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. He remained affiliated with the outfit for a couple of years and was involved in some militancy-related activities. However, he gave up the path of violence and surrendered before police in Surankote on March 24 this year.

After two months of surrender, Kousar was engaged as Special Police Officer (SPO) by police in Poonch town. Since then he had been actively participating in anti-militancy operations.

Sources said the SPO went missing from his camp alongwith his official weapon on December 4. One report had said that the SPO had crossed over to Pakistan alongwith a couple of militants but this couldn’t be confirmed by official sources. Police records had stated him as missing.

A case in the killing has been registered by police.

Sonia has failed to keep dignity of the House: PM

NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Attacking leader of the opposition Sonia Gandhi for breaking parliamentary traditions, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today regretted that she had failed to keep the dignity of the House by raking up contentious issues even on the last day of the session.

"I have been in Parliament for the last 40 years and I have also held the position of the leader of the opposition. But I have always maintained the dignity of the House. This is for the first time that it has been broken," Vajpayee said in his concluding remarks at the end of the winter session of Lok Sabha.

Lamenting the unruly scenes and disruptions of proceedings by the opposition on various issues, Vajpayee sought convening of an all-party meeting before the coming budget session to reflect on proper functioning of parliamentary democracy.

The Prime Minister said even the question hour was not allowed on several days by the opposition, but added in a lighter vein "the Ministers concerned would have heaved sighs of relief when the questioners were absent".

Vajpayee’s remarks came after Gandhi squarely blamed the Government for the "mystifying delay" in acceding to the opposition demand for a discussion on the Ayodhya issue under rule 184 which entails voting and also accusing it of failing to make efforts to arrive at a consensus on the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Gandhi also said there was need to "cool communal tensions" which have been raised following "statements made outside Parliament by senior members of the Government".

Vajpayee, in his brief speech, indirectly charged the Congress and Left parties with failing to accept "a second option" on the women’s issue by not conceding to the Government’s suggestion to consider the proposal of the Election Commission on providing poll tickets to women by the parties by amending the Representation of the People Act.

"The opposition did not accept the option .... They are themselves divided on the issue. But we are being blamed for that. Should I also take names and blame others .... I will not," Vajpayee retorted.

On the defeat of the Government in Rajya Sabha on a motion on the Ayodhya issue, the Prime Minister said "one thing which has been proved is that the Government is in majority in the Lok Sabha."

In an obvious indication that the Centre wanted to intervene in trouble-torn Manipur, Vajpayee said the ruling NDA was aware that it did not have a majority in the Upper House and that any measure adopted by it would have to be with the cooperation of the opposition.

Referring to the farmers’ plight, he said the Government had taken several steps to mitigate them but regretted that agreements with WTO had been reached by previous regimes and inherited by the NDA coalition.

In a lighter vein, he told Speaker G M C Balayogi "I sympathise with you" while referring to the unruly scenes and disruption of proceedings on eleven days during the session.

When Vajpayee was lashing out at Gandhi on raking up contentious issues and breaking parliamentary traditions, members from the ruling benches cried "shame".

When Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav objected to this saying "this too is breaking of traditions", Vajpayee quipped "Mulayam Singh tilts both ways." Yadav said "I am always with the truth".

At this, the Prime Minister remarked "in Kaliyug, he is the only truthful man" leading to peals of laughter.

Vajpayee hoped that the new millennium would ensure a united House meeting challenges facing the country. (PTI)

Ayodhya issue not part of NDA agenda: Abdullah

NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said raising of Ram Janam Bhoomi-Babri Masjid issue was not a part of National Democratic Alliance’s agenda and efforts should be made in future not to rake the issue.

"Let the judiciary come out with a solution to the issue, why solve it on streets," Abdullah, who was here to meet Union Home Minister L K Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes, told PTI.

Abdullah blamed both Hindu and Muslim fundamentalist groups and said "if god is everywhere and belongs to everyone, then why fight over the place."

He hoped that the issue would not be brought to the fore again by any partner of NDA.

In a philosophical manner, the Chief Minister said "everyone including Jamaat and RSS leaders will return to the soil, then why fight over the temple or mosque." (PTI)

Operation on in Samba for absconding ultras

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 22: Two militants have escaped during yesterday’s encounter with police, SOG and army at Dhrui nullah near Gawalchara village in Nud area of Samba tehsil. One of them was stated to be seriously injured and may succumb to his wounds in the absence of treatment.

Police sources today said only two bodies have so far been recovered from the scene of encounter. One of the body was badly charred as a grenade or a bomb appeared to have exploded in his hands during the exchange of firing.

A police officer, who was at the spot during all three days of successful operation against the militants, said an information was first given at Samba police station on December 20 evening by a group of Village Defence Committee (VDC) members, who had noticed foot-prints along Nud village.

A joint operation was immediately launched by police parties of Samba, Vijaypur and Ramgarh besides sleuths of Special Operations Group (SOG) of Ramgarh in Nud after sealing all possible exit routes of the militants. Army also swung into action and carried out the operation.

While two dead bodies have been recovered from the scene of encounter, the possibility of one injured militant, who escaped from the spot, having succumbed to his wounds was also not ruled out, the sources said, adding a massive operation was going on by police parties headed by SHO Samba police station S S Samyal under the supervision of SP Border Manish Kishore Sinha to eliminate the absconding militant(s).

Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) A K Suri accompanied by senior police officials visited the Medical College Hospital this evening and inquired the condition of police jawans, who were injured in the encounter and were undergoing treatment in the hospital.

EC suggests amending election laws for
women’s reservation

NEW DELHI, Dec 22: Taking a cue from Government’s intention to seek a consensus among ruling NDA partners on the women’s reservation issue, the Election Commission today suggested amendment of election laws to make it mandatory for political parties to put up a minimum agreed percentage of women candidates in elections.

"By a simple amendment in the Representation of the People Act, all those parties which enjoy the recognition and privileges of the Commission shall retain them only if they put up out of 100 seats certain percentage of women candidates in the Lok Sabha and Assembly election," Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill said.

Asked to comment on abrupt adjournment of Lok Sabha over the Women’s Reservation Bill and the Government’s intention to go with EC’s suggestion, he said there must be a substantial representation of women in Parliament and State Assemblies in order to protect the vibrancy and effectiveness of Parliament and it was necessary to it at the earliest.

Coming down heavily on the issue of rotation of constituencies, Gill said this would "destroy the member’s loyalty to the constituency and their linkage with the electorate".

The CEC said that while more women should come to the political arena "they should not come in non-fight and semi-fight manner".

"The organic and sensible solution to the present problem is what we are offering," the CEC said.

"We say give legal guarantee to political space to women in all recognised political parties", the CEC said adding that brighter women would come with merit.

Stating that the Commission could only make suggestions and it was for Parliament to protect the effectiveness of the Constitution, Gill said that it was time to act with the Assembly elections in five States approaching fast.

Earlier speaking at a function, Home Minister L K Advani said that Government will seek a consensus among ruling NDA partners on EC’s proposal that political parties should provide tickets to women candidates since passage of the women’s reservation bill in Parliament seemed difficult. (PTI)

2 Kashmiri militants arrested

GHAZIABAD, Dec 22: Two Kashmiri militants working as sugar mill workers about 70 kms from here, were arrested in a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the State Police yesterday, police said today.

They said another militant also working there managed to escape.

The militants were arrested near Garh Mukteshwar and have been identified as Gulzar Ganniti and Sarfaraz Ahmad Thokri, police said. (PTI)

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