Yearender J&K
Peace cry louder than gunshots in Kashmir

JAMMU, Dec 30: If 1999 was the year of heightened tension in the wake of Kargil war, the year 2000 will go down in the annals of history as the year of bold peace initiatives in trouble-torn Jammu and Kashmir, continuing militant violence nothwithstanding. The year is wrapping up on a hopeful note.

While the last decade of the by-gone millennium spelt doom on the land of sages and saints, the new millennium ushered in the hope for peace and better days. The peace cry in Kashmir becomes louder as the year comes to a close making everyone move towards the negotiation table.

Significantly, the year also saw a softening of stances and perceptions by the gun-toting militants, by their mentor Pakistan and, India, which gained world recognition as a major player for peace in the region.

While the peace attempt through a dramatic unilateral ceasefire by the Hizbul Mujahideen on July 24 was sabotaged by Islamabad, the Prime Minister’s Ramzan ceasefire survived repeated provocations and has been extended by another month.

Stepped up violence and killings notwithstanding, the bold initiative by the Prime Minister rekindled the hope for peace in the otherwise grim scenario. It rejuvenated the people’s yearning for peace, which was otherwise suppressed by the continuing killings and mayhem in the name of ‘Jehad’.

Though the Hizbul move was sabotaged, it reflected the fast dawning realisation for peace among the militants who shunned many inhibitions and joined the peace talks at Srinagar with a high-ranking central team in full media glare.

Finding the hold over the militants loosening, their handlers across the border panicked and did what is now a part of history. Though the Hizbul Mujahideen, the biggest militant body in the state, had called a truce, yet over 150 civilians were gunned down by militants, over 100 on August one alone.

Though militant outfits responded negatively to the Prime Minister’s truce announced on November 19, the Hurriyat Conference, a conglomerate of several secessionist and militant organisations, had to finally bow to people’s pressure for restoration of peace and the moderates in it overtook the hawks to join the peace efforts. The peace echo was heard on Pakistani soil also when Abdul Gani Lone talked of it and publicly distanced himself from the foreign mercenaries.

Succumbing to international pressure amid increasing isolation, pakistan responded positively and ordered a de-escalation on the border and withdrawal of its forces from the Line of Control (LoC). To cap the trend, the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders have got clearance from the centre to go to Pakistan for talks with militant leaders to prepare for parleys.

The die is cast for peace in Jammu and Kashmir and different players are busy in confabulations. The political atmosphere has been charged.

Among the significant trends in this year’s militancy were the increasing militant casualties mainly due to the pro-active policy of the Government and greater information flow from the people. More than 1500 militants were killed in the state during 2000, the highest in a year since 1994.

The foreign mercenaries killed this year (440) were the highest since 1990. The year also saw increased infiltration of foreign mercenaries, who took over the command of militancy as local support dwindled for the so-called Jehad.

There was also an increase in the quantity of RDX smuggled into the state. About 2800 militancy-related incidents took place during the year and 1380 kg RDX was recovered.

Civilian casualties decreased from 821 during 1999, to 720 this year, but due to the Government’s pro-active policy and the increased use of IEDs and RDX by militants, the casualty among security forces increased to about 380 against 356 last year.

Among the worst incidents of militancy were the nine carnages on August one night in which 105 persons, including 22 Amarnath pilgrims, were gunned down. It was for the first time that militants succeeded in attacking pilgrims right in Pahalgam.

The high-level inquiry that went into the Pahalgam killings, however held the CRPF responsible for a number of deaths saying the jawans over-reacted during the militant attack resulting in a higher number of casualties.

The massacre of 25 Sikhs at Chattisinghpora on March 21 during the US President Bill Clinton’s visit to India shocked the world and left an otherwise confident Sikh community in Kashmir uncertain.

A car-bomb exploded near the State Bank of India’s branch on Residency Road in Srinagar on August 10 after the revocation of the Hizbul Mujahideen’s ceasefire and took 15 lives including that of Pradeep Bhatia, a visiting Hindustan Times photojournalist.

For the first time, militants succeeded in killing a minister, this year. On May 15, the Minister of State for Power, Ghulam Hassan Bhat and four others were blown to pieces in a mine blast at Mundipora, Dooru.

However, the renowned Shia leader and former minister Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari escaped life-threatening attacks during the year, first at Gund Khawaja Qasim on June two and then at Matipora Pattan on September one. These two militant attacks, however, left 14 others dead.

Another Shia leader, Aga Syed Mehdi, former Congress general secretary, was not that fortunate. He and his four security personnel were killed in a mine blast while on way to Badgam on November three.

The National Conference workers continued to remain the target of the ultras. Of the 33 political workers killed, 25 belonged to the ruling party.

Another trend in militancy during the year was the emergence of Fidayeen attacks. Casualty-wise, the worst was the one at the 34 RR camp in Beerwah on September one in which 11 soldiers including a major and both the militants were killed.

Mid-2000 witnessed hectic political activity when the state legislature in its special session from June 19 discussed the state autonomy report and passed it for the consideration of the Centre. The move, part of the election pledge of the ruling national conference and a deft move on the state’s political chessboard, generated a national debate.

Opposition to the autonomy report was strong and the NDA coalition Government at the Centre, in which the NC is a partner, outrightly rejected it. The ruling party leaders visited various state capitals and met the leaders of premier political partes and to dispel apprehensions the move generated.

The Centre’s decision to reject the report led to a souring of the NC-BJP ties and speculations that the NC was quitting the NDA coalition.

However, the Prime Minister saved the situation by inviting Dr Farooq Abdullah to Delhi for a dialogue on the issue of greater autonomy. Though the State Government constituted a ministerial committee to pursue the matter, a solution to this political issue remained elusive.

After a gap of 23 years, the year saw the Government take the bold step for restoring the representative character of democratic institutions and civic bodies. A schedule for panchayat elections was announced on December 19. The cabinet approved eight-phase elections from January 15, 2001, to be followed by civic elections and polls to the co-operatives.

Compounding the tragedies which the state otherwise had plenty due to militancy, as many as 290 people died in 66 road accidents during the year.

Twelve people were killed in a bus accident on January two at Samroli Udhampur while 40 Jammu and Kashmir police personnel lost their lives when their bus rolled down a deep gorge near Ramban on December 5. December alone accounted for 67 deaths in 12 road mishaps. The major accidents of the year include 29 deaths at Deoli Doda on May 13, and the deaths of 27 Army personnel at Banihal on June 12.

Tourism, particularly pilgrim tourism, touched new heights with the numbers of the devout to Vaishno Devi touching the five million mark. On December 22, the five millionth pilgrim was honoured by the Shrine Board. The number of Amarnath pilgrims also touched a record 1.80 lakh mark this year despite the tragic militant carnage on August one.

The recently launched Sindhu Darshan in Leh graduated to a national festival with the Prime Minister inaugurating it on June 7.

The State Government signed MoUs with regard to the seven hydro-electric power projects with an installed capacity of 2800 mw to be completed by the NHPC in five to seven years on BOT basis. The projects are expected to generate 10,000 jobs for the local youth.

Under an innovative Rehbar-e-Taleem scheme, all the 560 closed schools were reopened in the state. (UNI)

ASSI members discuss problems with Jammu MLAs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: Association of Small Scale Industries (ASSI) raised its problems during an interative programme organised at ASSI Bhawan in Industrial area of Gangyal here today.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs from all the three constituencies of Jammu, Ch Piara Singh, Mr Hans Raj Dogra and Ashok Khajuria were the special invitees. The chief guest, Vaid Vishnu Dutt (MP) however, could not make it to the session.

Mr A K Wadhera, president of the Association in his welcome address highlighted various problems being faced by the members of the Association and alleged that they were facing harassment in the hands of Sales Tax, Industries, PDD and other Government department. He pointed out that the assurances given by the state Government in respect of benefits under Industrial promotion schemes are not being provided and still the unit holders are being disillusioned.

He pointed out that local units manufacture large number of items which are consumed by various Govt departments/ agencies but they are procured from outside the State. The local units be given preference. Defence, BRO, MES, para-military forces , Police Railways and Telecommunication departments usually procure goods from outside. The Union Home Ministry has reportedly issued a circular recently to accord preference to the local units in their purchases but unless and untill the procurement wings are shifted to J&K only for the local procurement , much headway is not expected, he maintained.

Mr Wadhera also referred to the debt relief package, N-E type package, freight equalisation scheme and local area development fund.

The MLAs strongly criticised the NC Government for its discriminatory attitude and said that the Jammu traders and industrialists are generating huge Sales Tax, income tax and power revenue but they are still facing harassment in the hands of Government. They said that no serious thought has been given to develop and revive sick industry in the region. The MLAs assured the unit holders to take up the matter in the Union capital with the Union Ministers for the over-all development of the industry in the State.

NC committing fraud on name of Panchayat election: PDP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: The ruling National Conference Government was committing fraud on the name of holding Panchayat elections thereby playing with their sentiments even when the polls at the grass root level were going to be held after 23 years.

This was stated by People’s Democratic Party state general secretary Mr Ved Mahajan while talking to mediapersons here this afternoon. He said the anomaly was self speaking as the State Government got published beginning of election process through local and national media on December 28, on Eid day that the election for the first phase shall be held from January 15.

Mr Mahajan said while the notification was published on december 28, the last date for filing of nomination for Mendhar block was fixed at December 26, and under such circumstances how the information reached the intending candidates and who filed their nomination papers could be any body’s guess.

The PDP leader added further that while a single day was fixed for filing of nomination papers for Mendhar block, two days were fixed for Balakote block viz December 27, when the notification had not been published and December 29. The date for scrutiny of papers for these blocks was December 30 and withdrawal of candidature on January 1, 2001 and the date of polling on January 15.

Similar was the case with Poonch where the date for filing nomination was December 27 while for Mandi blocks dates were december 29 and 30. the date for scrutiny for both blocks was fixed for January 1 and date of withdrawal on January 3.

Similar was the case in all the blocks of Rajouri and Kupwara districts where the elections are being held in the first phase, said Mr Ved Mahajan.

The People’s Democratic Party leader said further that the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah by ordering non-party basis Panchayat election has already conceded defeat, otherwise how come that a party enjoying two third majority could order such elections.

Mr Mahajan said he has talked to other political parties also like BJP, Congress and BSP in this behalf, as this was a common issue concerning all.

He disclosed that PDP supremo Mufti Mohammed Sayeed would conduct a tour of Poonch and Rajouri district from January 2 to 4 to assess the pre-poll scenario.

Other PDP leaders present in the press conference included Messrs Trilok Singh Bajwa, Satwinder Singh, Ashok Sharma and Jagdish Jaggi.

HSS leaders join Shiv Sena

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Dec 30: At a simple but impressive meeting of J&K Shiv Sena, presided over by Mr Devinder Krishan Shastri here, the entire Hindu Shiv Sena district unit merged with Shiv Sena.

As per a release a large number of Hindu Shiv Sena office bearers and its activists attended the meeting. While addressing Mr Mohinder Pal Khajuria, state general secretary of Hindu Shiv Sena held that under the present trying times it is only Shiv Sena led by Mr Bal Thakrey that can provide succour and a sense of security among the minorities in Jammu and Kashmir state, who are living under constant threat of militants, who enjoy the support of ruling echelon.

Prominent among those who joined Shiv Sena included Messrs Mohinder Pal Khajuria, Bharat Kumar and Chaman Lal Chalotra, state spokesman and joint secretary of Hindu Shiv Sena, Sunder Bhargav, Sanjay Sharma and Sham Lal Sharma.

While welcoming the merger of Hindu Shiv Sena with Shiv Sena (Bal Thakrey), Mr devinder Krishan Shastri congratulated them and said that all like minded people and units should join hands to put up a common front against the anti-national forces who are conspiring against our country and particularly against Jammu and Ladakh regions.

Mr Yash Gupta, Up-Sampark Pramukh presented seropa to Mr Mohinder Khajuria on the occasion.

Those who attended the meeting from Jammu on behalf of Shiv Sena were Messrs Kuldeep Luthra and Shashi Abrol, state vice presidents, Rajinder Gupta, secretary, Ashwani Gupta, provincial president, Vipin Hindu and Abinash Bhatia.

Govt announces D G Police Commendation Medal

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: The State Government today announced the Director General of Police, Commendation Medal for 100 officers and cops for their meritorious and exemplary performance during the year 2000.

This was stated in an official handout issued here today. It said the recommendations for the same was made by the Medal Committee already constituted by the Government.

Those who have been selected for this prestigious medal include two Additional Director General of Police (ADGPs) Messrs Rajan Bakshi and Gopal Sharma, Inspector General Police, (IGP) Jammu Zone, R V Raju and three DIGs, P K Gupta, DIG Crime and Railways, Jammu, Dr S P Vaid DIG Jammu, Range and Dilbagh Singh, DIG Baramulla.

Deepak Kumar, AIG T&I,PHQ , H K Lohia, Commandant JKAP 7th Battalion, Punkaj Saxena, S P Poonch, Saji Mohan SP Ramban, M K Sinha, S P Border, Jammu, Syed Ahmed Syed, SP CID, Kashmir, Avtar Singh Bali, Commandant, Auxiliary police, Second Battalion, Ghulam Rasool Haji, SP NHW Ramban, Mohan Singh Bahu, Deputy Director, Prosecution, Jammu, Abdul Hamid Bhat, SP Awantipora, Kashmir, Amir-ud-Din Lone, Dy SP, JKAP 14th Bn, Tanveer Jeelani, Dy SP, SDPO Khanyar, Mohammed Mushtaq Khan, Dy SP Jammu Zone, Ghulam Qadir Malik, Dy SP Headquarters, Doda are the other officers who have been selected for this medal.

Besides them Abdul Razak Khan, DY SP SDPO, Samba, Sohan Lal Koul,Dy SP CID Poonch, Bashir Ahmed Tamil, Dy SP SKPA, Udhampur, Tilak Raj Rana, IC Dy SP Ops Handwara, Prem Raj Shan, Incharge Dy SP, Operations, Pulwama and Mrs Savita Parihar, Incharge Dy SP AHJ Jammu also figure in the list.

In the inspectors category Kundan Lal, Inspect IRP 5th Bn, Mohammed Amin Bhat, P A to ADG HG/CD, Inspector Fiyaz Hussain of Vigilance Organisation, Inspector N S Parihar, SHO, Police Station Tral, Kashmir, Mushtaq Ahmed, SHO P/S Budgam, Ali Mohammed Bhat, Inspector PCR Srinagar, Shamsher Singh Sambyal, SHO,PS Samba, Inspector Ram Singh Charak, SHO, PS Udhampur, Vijay Pal Singh, SHO Police Station Mandi, Inspector Shahida Parveen, SOG Rajouri, Inspector Tariq Khursheed, SSG, Inspector Ghulam Ahmed Dar, SKPA, Udhampur and Inspector Sunil Sharma, PTWS, Jammu have been selected for the medal.

In the sub inspectors category, SI Mehboob- ul- Haq, APCR Srinagar, S I Tanveer Ahmed, JKAP 14th Bn, SI Mohammed Shaban, IRP IIIBn, SI Shori Lal, IRP III Bn, SI Nazir Ahmed SHO PS Sumbal, S I Abdul Gani, Estates PHC Bemina, S I Tsering Gurmeet, I/C PP Penikhar, S I Dhian Singh, I C Crime Section RPHQ, Jammu, SI Bharat Sharma, I C, PP, Residency Jammu, S I Ashwani Kumar, SOG, Jandi Fort, Hiranagar, SI Mohammed Showkat, SHO, P/S Gursai, S I Divender Singh, IRP 5th Bn, S I Showkat Ali, NGO SSG, SI Ashok Kumar, Crime Branch Jammu, SI Ummar-ud-Din, SKPA Udhampur, S I Abdul Khaliq, NGO, PHQ, S I Prithpal Singh, NGO PHQ and SI Kiran Kumar Bazaz, NGO, PHQ will be conferred the Award.

Among the Assistant Sub Inspectors Ami Chand of Vigilance, Abdul Hamid Khan, of APHQ, Mohammed Issaq of PS Bejbehara, Mohammed Aslam, SOG Kupwara, Mohammed Hanif, NGO Kashmir Zone, Sagar Mal, SOG Rajouri, Bal Shastri, Distt Udhampur, Mohammed Rafiq, P/S Rajouri, Niaz Ahmed, CID (SB) Kashmir, Khem Raj, CID (CI) Jammu, Abdul Khaliq, CID (SB) Kashmir, Amerjit Singh, Traffic, Jammu, Pran Nath,SKPA Udhampur, and Abdul Rashid, PHQ have been selected for the medal.

The Head constables who have been selected for the medal include Ms Asha Rani, JKAP VII Bn, Romesh SinghJKAP XII Bn, Ghulam Nabi, IRP III Bn, Bashir Ahmed, SOG Baramulla, Farooq Ahmed P/S Ganderbal, Ravi Ji SOG Kupwara, Talib Hussain, PP Chatta, Subash Chander, DPI Rajouri, Gopal Krishan, CID (SB) Jammu, Naseer Ahmed, CID (SB) Jammu, Nanak Singh CID CI Kashmir, Rajinder Kumar, CID Cell, New Delhi, Mohammed Anwar, Security Wing, Tara Chand, Crime Branch, Jammu, Shabir Ahmed, Crime Branch Jammu, Swaran Singh, SKPA Udhampur and Mohammed Maqbool, PTWS, Jammu.

Among the selection grade Ashraf Ali, Vigilance, Nissar Ahmed and Ghulam Mohammed P/S Kulgam, Majid Hussain, SOG Rajouri, Abdul Ahad, Security Wing, Bashir Ahmed Lone and Shabir Ahmed, PHQ and Parshotam Lal, 4th Security Bn have been selected for this year’s medal. The three constables who will also be conferred this prestigious medal are Gulzar Ahmed APHQ, Khurshid Ahmed, P/S Shergari, Srinagar and Ghulam Jeelani, IRP III Bn, Srinagar.

Thieves gang busted by Trikuta Nagar police

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: Trikuta Nagar and Narwal police have busted a gang of thieves ar Qasim Nagar, Narwal and effected recovery of a huge quantity of stolen property. Recovery was made from the godown of one Girdhari Lal and Prem Kumar Sharma, both residents of Shakti Nagar.

The search operation which was led by SI Sohail Rasheed and ASI Som Dutt Khajuria besides constables from Trikuta Nagar and Narwal was completed in three hours.

Since no documentary proof of the ownership of these items have been produced before police, the items were seized under Section 550 CrPC and the accused were booked under Section 54 CrPC, Incharge SHO Trikuta Nagar police station Dr Mohd Haseeb Mughal said.

He appealed to PDD, Forest, Railways Department and general public to come to the police station and identify the stolen property.

Lovely appointed as YJD national secretary

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: Mr Daljit Singh Lovely has been appointed as national secretary of the Yuva Janta Dal (U).

According an official handout issued by Avinash Kakde, national president of the Yuva Janta Dal, Mr Lovely has been appointed national secretary of the Yuva Janta Dal to service the party at national level.

Bansi Raina accorded warm send off

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 30: A touching farewell was accorded by the officers and staff to Bansi Lal Raina, SP, Police Control Room Jammu on his superannuation today.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Anil Goswami and DIG Jammu Dr S P Vaid handed over mementos to Bansi Raina and recalled his meritorious services during his tenure as SP PCR Jammu including 39 years of previous service.

Among others present were AIG (P) PHQ, SSP Crime Jammu, SSP Jammu, SSP CID and some local officers.

Destruction of habitat in region leads to drastic decline in wild life

By Gopal Sharma

The wild life protection, for the last few years has become a well established profession all over the world. Wild life to the conservationists do not just mean the big game but the entire diversity of rich fauna. Due to large scale degradation of wild life habitat, people should not rely on nature left alone to protect the endangered species but some species must be preserved from extinction because they perform essential biological function in the eco-system.

Wild life occupies the anomalous position among the natural resource on the earth. From the earliest days, there has been great cultural and religious attachment with nature and wild life in India. The Rig Veda, Yayur Veda and Upnishads have clearly indicated that conservation of nature and wild life was the basic responsibility of the people.

The old history tells that the emperor Ashoka, the greatest and noblest ruler of India had extended complete protection of living being including animals and birds. Conservation of wild life has been an essential part of the Indian thought and tradition from the earliest times. All religions which took birth in India—including Hinduism, Budhism and Jainism have propagated the idea of conservation of life.

According to renowned environmentalist and chief scientist in the Environment Department, Mr Gurcharan Singh the interest in conservation is not a sentimental but rediscovery of truth well known to our sages. The Indian tradition teaches us that all forms of life including human, animal and plant , are so closely linked that disturbance in one gives rise to imbalance in other.’’

All forms of life are closely inter-linked and each living organism has its own place, duty and special utility. Everytime a species become extinct, a strand is broken and man himself moves closer to his doom. Each species in ecosystem is vital to maintain a unique ecological status. Change in the composition of species in ecosystem will change human environment and affect the human life which some times is not noticed. The physical conditions of environment are improved by wild life and million of micro organism functioning in the nature. Certain animals, small organism and creature are indicator of change in environment.

Mr Singh says, any change in the quality of water, land and air will be known by variation of population or change in behaviour of certain living organism. Change in ecosystem community and function give early warning of unexpected danger to the health. In addition to the scientific information, wild life preservation is very valuable from cultural, recreational, aesthetic and economic points of view. He expressed that conservation and wise management of wild life is must and it should receive due importance in the planning processes and economic development must be based on the ecological considerations.

India is one of the richest country of the world in its genetic diversity of flora and fauna. Almost all major type of habitats from areas of the heaviest rainfall to the driest desert, from coldest Himalayas to hottest climatic conditions, from the highest elevation to the sea level are found in India. In addition to a large number of invertebrates, there are about 5,000 species of mammals, 1230 species of birds, 220 species of snakes, 150 species of lizards, 30 species of turtles , 3 species of crocodiles, 142species of amphibians and 105 genera of fresh water fish in India. This has again been enriched by migration of birds from Siberia (USSR), Europe and other animals from Nepal, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Mayanmar (Burma) and Bhutan.

According to a survey, there has been a drastic decline in wild life all over the world due to destruction of habitats. During last 400 years 120 species of mammals and 225 species of birds have become extinct. India has lost about 2.8 million hectares of mangrove forest during last 90 years and hardly 14 percent of the land area of the country is under adequate tree cover. Destruction of forests in India and especially in the northern region has given a serious threat to wild life. The lesser one horned rhinoceros and hunting leopard ( Cheetah) have become extinct in India.

In Utter Pradesh and Parts of Bihar, a large number of wild animals have been killed in the recent past and the inter-national gangs of the smuggling of body parts of these animals are actively operating. It has also been mentioned in the " Tuzak-e-Jahangiri" written himself by Emperor Jahangir that vast thick forests existed in Rajouri, Chingus and Poonch area along historic Mughal road while going to Kashmir. The great Mughal king used to spend 2-3 months of summer in Kashmir during those days. It says, such thick were the forests that the land hardly received the sun rays even during the mid- day. But now one can well understand that thick forests of Rajouri and Poonch have almost disappeared within four centuries. The mountains and hills have turned barren in most of the areas. The wild animals have also disappeared with the destruction of their habitat.

There is increasing awareness among the people about the need for protection and conservation of wild life. More than fifty national parks and 250 sanctuaries today exist in the country. But still there is need to do a lot for the conservation of wild life habitat.

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