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Major
success by Romeo Force, SOG Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Oct 4: In another major success, Special Operations Group (SOG) and Romeo Force today eliminated a most wanted militant and chief of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Pir Panjal Regiment Abu Billal and his three associates in an encounter at village Pattan in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district. A large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered from the scene of encounter where Billal and his outfit’s ‘area commander’ Shahbaaz Khan and two others were killed this afternoon after a three hours long gun-battle. While Defence and police sources only confirmed the killings of two militants, local people told officials that two more militants have been killed in the encounter and their bodies were lying in the village. Giving details of the encounter, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Ram Lubaya said SOG and local police developed an information last night that most wanted ultra Abu Billal, who was heading HMPPR for the last one year, will visit Pattan village in connection with the recruitment of local youths into militants’ ranks. Since last evening, SOG personnel accompanied by troops of 6 Sector (Rashtriya Rifles), part of Romeo Force had been maintaining a constant vigil in and around Pattan village, Lubaya said, adding that both the militants were spotted in the village alongwith their two body-guards at 1030 hours today. Seeing that troops had laid an ambush for them, the militants forcibly entered into a house and started firing on security personnel from inside the house. Army and SOG jawans initially exercised restraint to avoid civilian casualties. However, after about 40 minutes, the civilians managed to come out of the house. Troops then retaliated militants’ firing effectively and after about an hour long gun-fight gunned down two militants. However, two body-guards of Abu Billal jumped out of the house after latter’s killing and disappeared into an adjoining forest area. Both of them were chased by army and shot dead this evening. They were identified as Abu Usman and Abu Baker Romeo Force or SOG didn’t sustain any casualty in the operation. Bodies of Abu Billal and Shahbaaz Khan were recovered from the scene of encounter and handed over to local police after their identification. Four AK-56 rifles and a huge quantity of ammunition, grenades, rifle grenades and one wireless set was recovered from the possession of slain ultras. Abu Billal was instrumental in a series of civilians killings including that of a National Conference leader Haji Mumtaz and two police constables Riaz Ahmed and Mohd Yusuf Mate. He was also wanted in a number of attacks on security forces besides triggering IED blasts on Surankote road. In view of his terror tactics and ruthless killings of innocent civilians, Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) had appointed him as chief of Hizbul Mujahideen’s PPR Regiment about a year back. Being HMPPR chief, he had forcibly recruited a number of youths into the militancy and sent them to Pakistan for arms training. With the killings of Abu Billal and three others people of Surankote tehsil have heaved a sigh of relief as both of them alongwith their associates had let loose a reign of terror among the civilians. |
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Russia supports
consolidated NEW DELHI, Oct 4: Backing India’s proposal to create a consolidated front to combat terrorism, Russian President Vladimir Putin today asserted that foreign interference in Jammu and Kashmir should be stopped and the vexed issue resolved bilaterally between India and Pakistan on the basis of compromise. "Russia fully supports the Indian proposal to create a consolidated front to combat terrorism," Putin said in his address to a joint sitting of Parliament. In his 15-minute speech punctuated with repeated applauses, the Russian leader said "solving the Kashmir issue is only possible on a bilateral basis, on the basis of compromise, with absolute respect of the Line of Control and stopping interference from outside". Sharing New Delhi’s concern on terrorist violence in Kashmir, Putin said, "we know what happens in Kashmir. We share your concern about the regular outbreaks of violence there." Deviating from his prepared text, Putin, who spoke in Russian, said "I would like to share the absolutely trustworthy information with you that the same people are organising terrorist attacks from the Philippines to Kosovo, Kashmir, Afghanistan and Russia’s Northern Caucasus". In his address, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said India desired friendly relations with its neighbours based on mutual respect and "civilised norms of behaviour and we intend to pursue this approach". Vajpayee stressed that close Indo-Russian understanding was essential to peace and stability in Asia "in view of the continuous proliferation of nuclear weapons and missiles in our region". Maintaining that India remained committed to the creation of a nuclear-weapon free world, he said that the country had consistently striven for global disarmament and had been in the forefront of all international efforts in this direction. Welcoming Putin, Vice President Krishan Kant said the two countries faced a far greater danger, of international terrorism, "a pernicious one, which casts its deadly shadow on all that we cherish as good, sublime and noble." Addressing MPs and special invitees in the packed central hall, 48-year old Putin said, "the territorial integrity of the country should be protected. Russia and India are one on this." The Russian leader made it clear that "no matter how our relations develop with other countries, Asian or otherwise, that will not prejudice our relations with India". During the course of his speech, Putin described India as an "equal partner", "long-time ally", "great country" and "major global player". He also endorsed India’s plea for expansion of the UN Security Council to make it more representative. (PTI) |
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Vigilance unearths multi-million transport subsidy scandal Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 4: Vigilance Organisation has claimed to have unearthed a multi-million transport subsidy scam involving senior officers of the Departments like Sales Tax, Industries, Food and Supplies and other Government agencies. One of the person involved in the scam — Bilal Ahmad Butt has been arrested and a manhunt has been launched to arrest the other persons involved in the scam. According to the case, in pursuance of the Government notification, a facility of 90 percent subsidy on transportation of wheat etc was being provided to the flour mill owners operating in the Valley from Rail Head Jammu upto their location of industrial units. All the flour mill owners operating in the Valley for over five years from the date of their commissioning, were entitled to the claim of this benefit. However, reports were pouring in that some flour mill owners in the Valley, in conspiracy with some functionaries in the administration, had claimed the transport subsidy illegally on production of fake and forged documents, resulting in pilferage of public money running into crores of rupees. Preliminary inquiries, as also the examination of the connected records of Industries Department, Food Corporation of India, Sales Tax Department, Lakhanpur and Food and Supplies Department, prima-facie indicated that some fishy deal was going on between various Government servants and mill owners for ulterior motives . In the course of verification of connected records, the claims projected by Shuhul Flour Mill Anantnag were taken up for preliminary verification, which disclosed that the flour mill had been commissioned in 1993 and owned by Abdul Rahim Guru, Gulzar Guru and Ghulam Mohd Guru, all sons of Gafar Guru of Channapora, Srinagar. The mill owners had received subsidy at the rate of 90 percent from 1993 to 1998. An amount of about rupees 47 lakh has been received by the mill owners during the years 1996-97 and about Rs 21 lakh during 1997-98. The other similar claims amounting to over Rs 16 lakh have also been sanctioned in favour of the flour mill owners. Surprisingly, it came to the light that the fictitious and fake documents had been prepared by the owners of the mill in pursuance of criminal conspiracy hatched with public servants to swindle the funds on account of transport subsidy claim. The stamps fixed in the challan papers turned to be fake and fictitious. It was also disclosed that the vehicles which figured in the transport subsidy claims, submitted by Shuhul Flour Mill, actually belonged to Food Corporation of India and exist in their records and not to the Flour Mill, as fraudulently shown by them in the papers. A dealer from Amritsar, who as per the Shuhul Flour Mill records had despatched truck loads of wheat etc, on enquiry denied having despatched this wheat to the the mill owners, thus substantiating the suspicion that the State exchequer had been defrauded in pursuance of the criminal conspiracy. It was further revealed that fictitious and fake documents had been prepared which facilitated swindling of funds which as per inquiries conducted so far, has touched rupees one crore. |
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Cabinet approves proposal for State funding of elections Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 4: The State Cabinet today approved the proposal for State funding of elections. The Cabinet which met here today with Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah in chair, considered the recommendations of the high power committee set up by the Union Government for providing State funding to the recognised political parties for elections. The recommendations envisage creation of Election Fund for part funding of election by the State Government by making a contribution of Rs 10 per elector per annum. This comes to Rs 5 crores annual contribution by the State Government towards the Fund. Similarly, the Union Government would also contribute Fund. In view of the tight financial position, the Cabinet decided to make a request to the Central Government to meet the entire expenditure in full in case of Jammu and Kashmir. Under this proposal of State funding of elections, the candidate of a recognised political party will be provided specified quantity of POL for vehicles, one set of loud speaker for every assembly segment subject to a maximum of six sets for parliamentary constituency, one telephone for each assembly segment and six telephones for parliamentary constituency. The proposal also provides for minimum arrangements for campaign booth outside every polling station, refreshment and food packets for counting agents in counting halls. At the State headquarter the recognised political parties will be provided rent-free accommodation and telephone with specified free cells. The Election laws would be amended to curb the mounting expenses. These include restriction on wall writings, display of cut-outs, hoardings, banners, flags (except at party office and public meetings), use of more than specified number of vehicles for campaigning and publicity and holding public meetings beyond the specified hours. All donations to political parties above Rs. 10000 would be strictly paid by cheques. The State Government had already communicated its views to the Union Ministry for Law and Justice on the proposal of State funding of elections and after due consideration of all aspects approved the scheme with some suggestions. |
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J&K to get 12 pc free power from NHPC projects Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 4: Jammu and Kashmir State will get 12% of power generated from seven hydroelectric power projects taken up by NHPC in the State. These projects would be returned to the State under a mechanism to be worked out between the Centre and the State Government. For the first, these projects will be constructed on BOOT basis i.e Build, Own, Operate and Transfer. The State Cabinet at its today’s meeting approved the terms and conditions for execution of these power projects by NHPC. The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah chaired the Cabinet meeting. Announcing the decisions of the Cabinet, the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly said that under the MoU signed by the J&K Government with Union Ministry of Power, the NHPC will invest Rs 16,000 crore in next 5 to 7 years on these hydroelectric projects having total installed capacity of 2800 MW. The projects are Kishanganga, SEWA II, Uri II, Nimo-Bazgo, Chutak, Burser, Packal Dul. In these projects, special consideration has been given to provide larger share of employment to the residents of the State. Class III and IV will be filled up from the candidates of the local areas while 30% officers and engineers on these projects will be taken on deputation from the State Government. The NHPC has also agreed to give preference to the applicants of the State in direct recruitment in other vacancies. Under the agreement, the Centre will also construct 400 KV transmission line between Wagroo and Kishanpur for evacuation of power from Uri project and supply to the Valley during winter months when availability of power reduces considerably. The Cabinet also shifted the headquarters of SDM of Dudu-Basantgarh from Lati to Basantgarh. By another decision, the Cabinet accorded extension in the adhoc appointment of Assistant Surgeons for a period of 89 days from the expiry of previous term. This shall be extendable by further extension of 89 days with a break of two days after each spell till regular appointment is made in consultation with Public Service Commission. Mr Jaitly said that the Cabinet has also sanctioned increase of stipend from Rs 4,929 to Rs 8,000 per month to non-government Post-Graduate students of Medical College, Srinagar/Jammu from April this year. It also approved stipend to in-terms of Medical College from Rs 1500 to Rs 2400 per month. It has also regularised the action of Principal of Medical Colleges in paying stipend of Rs4929 to non government Post-Graduate students of Medical Colleges beyond 1993-94 for a period they were undertaking Post-Graduate courses. Mr Jaitly said that the Cabinet approved introduction of J&K Levy of Tolls (Validation) Bill in the ensuing session of the State legislature. The Bill seeks to protect and validate action taken by the functionaries at the toll posts levying additional toll on the export of dry fruits in terms of SRO 348 of 1982 notwithstanding its supersession by SRO 359 of 1998. The latter SRO does not reflect the intention of the Government to discontinue the levy authorised under SRO 348. |
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Cost of paramilitary
forces’ deployment From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The Government of India has categorically ruled out the possibility of waiving off the entire outstanding dues, running into crores of rupees, recoverable from various States as the expenditure on the deployment of central para-military forces there. Fresh messages have been dashed off to 18 States, urging them to liquidate arrears totaling Rs 980,37,68,154. While the arrears in respect of the deployment of the Border Security Force (BSF) in 5 States, namely, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh are of the order of Rs 36,79,92,546, the amount of arrears recoverable from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Pondicherry and Uttar Pradesh for the deployment of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has been put at Rs 47,16,50,858. According to the statistics maintained by the Union Home Ministry, Assam, Andhra Pradesh , Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Pondicherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu , Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal owe Rs 740,43,26,405 as the expenditure on the deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF). A sum of Rs 1,55,97,98,345 is recoverable from Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Haryana, Karnartaka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh as expenditure incurred on the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in these States. Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have been officially designated as "exempted category" States. The Government of India, EXCELSIOR was officially told, would continue to give special assistance to some of the States, including J&K, which are facing problems on account of terrorism through the scheme of security related expenditure (SRE). After the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in its report for the year ended March 1999, referred to an unintended rolling subsidy to the States and observed that any sign of accepting the tendency of the State Government not to clear the dues might encourage others to delay or refuse reimbursement, both the Home Ministry and Finance Ministry decided to pursue States and public sector undertakings (PSUs) to pay the dues. In fact, it has been decided that the release of funds by the Home Ministry to various States under different schemes would be adjusted against outstanding amounts. Even as dues with regard to the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in PSUs are being recovered, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr Vidyasagar Rao, has noted that some of the PSUs have not paid their dues as "some of them have either gone sick or are closed or facing financial difficulty". The Home Ministry’s statistics show that Rs 5569684041 are as outstanding dues against 247 public sector undertakings. As many as 67 have been declared as the defaulting undertakings. The amount to be paid by these units as CISF’s deployment cost is well over Rs 4675435444. On recruitment norms vis-à-vis the central para-military forces, it is officially stated that 90 per cent of the constable vacancies in BSF, ITBP and Assam Rifles and 100 per cent vacancies in CRPF and CISF are allotted among the States and Union Territories on the basis of population ratio of the respective States and Union Territories. Remaining 10 per cent vacancies in BSF, ITBP and Assam Rifles are allotted to the border States where the concerned central para-military force is deployed. As many as 2107 youths from Jammu and Kashmir were recruited in central para-military forces in the last three years. Maharashtra accounted for the maximum number of recruitment (3295), followed by Uttar Pradesh (2976), West Bengal (2602), Madhya Pradesh (2162), Andhra Pradesh (1955) and Bihar (1695). The number of youth recruited in para-military forces from Andaman and Nicobar during the period was just 2, as against 3 from Daman and Diu. Goa accounted for 22, while the number of youth from Pondicherry was put at 50. |
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Two hideouts busted in
Poonch Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Oct 4: Troops of Krishna Ghati Brigade and Poonch Brigade smashed two hideouts of the militants in Mendhar and Mandi sectors overnight while Pakistan army stepped-up artillery firing on the Line of Control (LoC) to give cover to sneaking militants. Defence sources said in the first incident, troops of an Artillery Regiment under Krishna Ghati Brigade of Ace of Spades Division launched a seek and destroy operation in inhospitable terrain of Peer Margot Ghati near Kasblari in Barilla forest of Mendhar tehsil late last evening. A thorough search operation carried out in the area led to recovery of five Rocket Projectile GUN (RPG) HE rocket, four RPG heat rockets, one machine gun barrel, 10 hand grenades and a huge quantity of Pika ammunition. The consignment had been concealed under a boulder in two rucksacks. The search operation was still in progress and more recoveries were expected. However, no arrests were made from the hideout, the sources said. Troops of a Rajput battalion under Poonch Brigade busted another hideout at Barapathar in Mandi area this morning. Eight RPG heat rockets, eight RPG HE rockets, 1500 rounds of UMG ammunition, 20 kg RDX and 25 UBCL grenades were recovered from the hideout. "Such recoveries combined with elimination of militants cadres have been a great demoralising aspect on the groups operating in Poonch", the sources said. Meanwhile, a Defence spokesman said, Pakistan has started using artillery to provide covering fire to infiltrating militant groups on the LoC in both Rajouri and Poonch district. Terming it as an ‘alarming development’, the spokesman said till now artillery exchange were taking place along the LoC in areas North of Pir Panjal Ranges. Hitherto, Pak army was firing small caliber weapons including mortars in their bid to target Indian army posts. However, during the past 48 hours, Pak army fired a number of 105 mm rounds, which landed in civilian areas of Poonch sector. This resulted into death of a housewife at Guntrian and injuries to three other civilians including two old men hailing from Shahpur and Kayian villages. It is evident that enemy troops and ISI are seeing failure written on their faces during the ‘Year of Decision’ and are desperately trying to induct maximum militant to regain the lost initiative, the spokesman said, adding the use of artillery will have serious ramifications as activation of LoC on this account will lead to large-scale civilian casualties. Indian army has so far been exercising utmost restraint but can’t remain a silent spectator to such development and may have to retaliate suitably, he asserted. |
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Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Oct 4: The State Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, decided to release another instalment of Dearness Allowance, became due from January this year to the State Government employees. This instalment of DA equivalent to one per cent of the Basic Pay will be given to all State Government employees including work charged, whole time contingent paid employees working in regular pay scales. This also apply to All India Service Officers working to the State Government. With this the total DA payable to employees from January this year would increase from 37% to 38% of their Basic Pay. The Cabinet also decided to release the similar instalment of one per cent to the State pensioners and family pensioners. This decision has the financial implication of Rs 30.34 crore this year. Meanwhile, the Cabinet promoted 17 KAS officers to selection Grade of 12000-16500. They are: Mr O P Kalanderia, Mrs Roma Wani, Mr Ghulam Nabi Lone, Mr Mohammad Shafi Rather, Mr Sudershan Sharma, Mr Altaf Hussain, Mr M A Kakroo, Mr Satish Nehru. Mr Sat Paul, Mr Parvez Ahmad Malik, Mr J L Sharma, Mr Virender Magotra, Mr Anal Kumar Gupta, Mr Baseer Ahmad Khan, Mr R K Ghagat, Mr Abdul Majid Mir, Mr Mohammad Ramzan Thakur. The Cabinet also approved promotion of the following KAS officers to selection grade on regular basis who were earlier promoted on officiating basis. They are Mr Mushtaq Ahmed, Mr A R Mir, Mrs Vineeta Gupta, Mr Mohammad Afzal Bhat, Mr D K Vaid, Mr Shahid Anayatullah. |
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Army post attacked in Lam Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 4: Troops of Poonch Brigade tonight gunned down a Pakistani militant at village Saloonia in Mandi area of Poonch district while an army jawan was killed and two others were injured in continued Pakistan firing and shelling in Lam sector today. According to official reports, jawans of 8 JAK Li launched a search operation in Saloonia village late this evening after getting a report from the villagers about movement of militants. Numbering between four to six, the militants had recently crossed over to Indian territory from the Line of Control (LoC) and were heading towards a forest area when they were spotted by people. In the operation that followed one militant was killed tonight while others were still trapped. Exchange of firing between the two sides was still going on when the reports last came in. By tomorrow morning, toll in the encounter was expected to go up. One AK-56 rifle and some ammunition was recovered from the scene of encounter. Meanwhile, the reports said that Pakistan army opened firing on army’s Kansi Post in Lam sector of Nowshera tehsil in Rajouri district early this morning. An army jawan identified as Naik Jaswinder Singh, who was manning the border post, was killed in Pakistani firing. Subedar Shakdar Singh and Sepoy Jagdish Kumar were injured in the firing at the same post. Indian side fired back and inflicted some casualties on a forward enemy post. However, details of the casualties on other side couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Reports of exchange of firing between Indo-Pak troops were also received from several other parts of LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts. |
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PM asks Mamata to resume office NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The National Democratic Alliance Government today virtually rejected the demand of Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee to roll back the prices of the petroleum products with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee asking her to resume the office. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has telephonic conversation with the Trinamool Congress leader and "requested" her to continue in discharging the ministerial responsibilites till his return. Giving details of the telephonic conversation between the Prime Minister and Railways Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said that Ms Banerjee heard the Prime Minister patiently. However, he declined to elaborate if she made any remark. Mr Mahajan said the Prime Minister conveyed her that the Government would accord a second look after resuming his duties in the third week of October. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister held parlays with NDA convenor George Fernandes, Union Home Minister L K Advani, Petroleum Minister Ram Naik, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan, where it was decided to adopt a wait and watch approach . (UNI) |
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Militant
killed in Kulgam Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 4: Three Police and CRPF personnel as also equal number of civilians got injured today in two grenade blasts in the capital city while as the dead body of a civilian was recovered in Bandipore and a militant was reportedly killed in Kulgam area. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that at 1830 hours this evening, someone lobbed a hand grenade on the picket of CRPF 82 Bn, near a liquor outlet, at Aloochibagh. One head constable, one constable besides a civilian sustained injuries. In retaliation, CRPF opened fire but it was not immediately known whether any of the injured had gunshot wounds. Earlier at 1505 hours, militants hurled a hand grenade on the escort Gypsy of J&K Bank Ltd at Saraf Kadal in downtown which exploded causing splinter injuries to constable Shafeeq Ahmed of JKAP 7th Bn. Two passers-by, namely Nisar Ahmed of Lal Bazar and Zahoor Ahmed of Rajouri Kadal also sustained injuries. The injured were rushed to hospital. Reports available from Bandipore said that Police recovered the beheaded dead body of an 18-year-old youth, namely Mohammad Iqbal Shah S/o Ghulam Hassan Shah of Katsan village from a cattle grazing field who had been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on Sept 29 last. Sources said that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 01 Bn eliminated a militant in an encounter at Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam area. He was identified as Showkat Ahmed Ganai of Brazloo. One AK-56 rifle, two grenades and some ammunition was claimed to have been seized from the spot. Meanwhile constable Mohammad Rafeeq of SOG camp Palhalan, a cadre of IRP 6th Bn, died of his own bullet when he mishandled a pistol. |
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Capt dismissed, jailed for 7 yrs in rape case Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 4: An Army captain was sentenced to undergo seven years rigorous imprisonment and dismissed from service for committing rape on a young girl in Banihal area of district Doda. The officer—Capt Ravinder Singh Tewatia was being tried by a court-martial, for committing rape on a village girl on February 14, 2000 at Naugam in Banihal tehsil. After the charges were proved against him, the officer was dismissed from service, a Defence handout said. He was sentenced 7 years rigorous imprisonment. The inquiry revealed that Captain Tewatia was posted in 12 battalion of Rashtriya Rifles, involved in the anti-terrorist operations. On the fateful day of Feb 14 this year, the said officer alongwith a local SPO—Bharat Bhushan allegedly committed rape on one K. Bano of village Naugam. Following strong resentment in the area over the act, the people lodged an FIR against the Captain and SPO—Bharat Bhushan. The medical examination of the girl also confirmed that she was raped. In view of the intense public pressure, the higher Army authorities promised to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident. The expeditious dispensation of justice by the Army authorities has been appreciated by all but the delay in trying the co-accused is causing immense resentment among the public mind. The civil authorities are trying the SPO in this case. |
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Rs 1820.25 crore released to J&K as SRE since 1990 NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The Centre has released Rs 164.12 crore towards Security-Related Expenditure (SRE) in terrorism-affected Jammu and Kashmir for the current financial year of 2000-2001, Home Ministry officials said today. This includes Rs 131.55 crore reimbursement of SRE for the months of March-July this year, Rs 20.99 crore for ammunition for security forces, Rs 11.12 crore as SRE arrears for 1989-98 and Rs 46 lakh as direct payment for airlift charges. A total of Rs 1820.25 crore have so far been released to the J and K Government since 1990 to enable it to combat the decade-long terrorism. The total reimbursement includes Rs 759.12 crore as additional expenditure on police (like ration allowance, carriage of constabulary, material and supplies, rent and accommodation hired for security forces, air lift, vehicles, arms and ammunition, special police officers etc.) It also includes Rs 260.03 crore as ex-gratia relief to persons affected by terrorism, Rs 198.88 crore for security work/expenditure in residences of employees working in security zone, Rs 12.71 crore for welfare of terrorism-affected people like orphans and relief to persons affected by cross-border firing and Rs 46.75 crore as SRE arrears. A total of Rs 172.61 crore have been paid towards election-related expenditure. The Centre has been reimbursing additional security-related expenditure to the state since 1990-91 besides giving reimbursements for the conduct of parliamentary/assembly elections in the State. The reimbursement is given as grant-in-aid. (UNI) |
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Pak Army supplying stinger missiles to terrorists NEW DELHI, Oct 4: The Pakistan Army is supplying weapons like stinger missiles and mortars, which are capable of firing long distances, to terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, indicating a shift in their tactics, defence sources said today. Recent seizures of 82 mm mortars, rocket launchers and grenade launchers made by security forces show that terrorists were finding it increasingly difficult to attack army camps with ease due to heightened security, they said. As a result, Pakistan Army was equipping terrorists with weapons which could fire long distances, facilitating easy attack and get away, they said. Recent reports had indicated that Pakistan had supplied terrorists with shoulder-fired anti-aircraft stinger missiles which could target low-flying helicopters used for special forces operations. Stating that the 82 mm weapon system had a range of about five km, the sources said the trend of supplying heavy calibre weapons to terrorists was on the rise in recent days as was being revealed in the operations. (PTI) |
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Harshvardhan is first ‘Crorepati’ MUMBAI, Oct 4: Harshvardhan Navathe has earned the distinction of being the first ‘Crorepati’ of the popular Star Plus game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), hosted by megastar Amitabh Bachchan. Harshvardhan, who was introduced to mediapersons by Star Plus at a five-star hotel here tonight, said ‘it was not monetary consideration but an opportunity to meet the matinee idol Amitabh that prompted me to participate in KBC’. The 27-year-old Mumbai youth, son of a retired IPS official, still wants to achieve his dream of joining the IPS. ‘I want to be an IPS officer like my father’, he said. Harshvardhan, whose hobbies include listening to old Hindi music, watching action movies and body-building, says the prize money of Rs one crore ‘is a hard-earned money and not mere luck. I have studied for it..Though not exactly for KBC but for two years day in and day out I am preparing for IAS exams’. On standard of questions posed during the show on Star TV, he says, ‘they are good if know the answer but seem difficult if you don’t know the reply’. To a query, whether he has received an income-tax notice or calls from the underworld, he replied in the negative. Harshvardhan recalled that initially for 15 minutes after winning ‘I was in a state of shock unable to apprehend as what was happening around me’. (PTI) |
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Tickeless travel costs her job MUMBAI, Oct 4: A City Magistrate, who was found travelling in local trains without ticket on three occasions, has been compulsorily retired from judicial service by the Government of Maharashtra. Metropolitan Magistrate A A Walawalkar was retired prematurely on the advice of Mumbai High Court although she had eight years to reach superannuation, Additional Registrar, Special Investigation Department, Hemant Sampat said. Besides Walawalkar, seven Judicial Officers (Judges and Magistrates) have been retired prematurely for various reasons in the last one month, Sampat told PTI. J W Singh, facing a case of alleged extortion in nexus with the underworld, was also dismissed from judicial service last month. The action against Walawalkar was taken on September 29 last after an inquiry was held by Additional Sessions Judge Hemant Deshpande. He submitted a report to the High Court which advised the State Government to drop the Magistrate from judicial service. The inquiry revealed that Walawalkar not only travelled ‘ticketless’ but allegedly created a ‘scene’ thrice at various railway stations. "On one occasion, she had made a big fuss at Dadar railway station saying that Magistrates are not bound to carry tickets with them", Sampat said. The Magistrate stayed in suburban Mulund and used to travel in local trains to attend the courts. When she was found travelling ticketless, Walawalkar presided over a court at Dadar. Her recent posting was at ‘Ballard Pier’ in South Mumbai where she presided over a Metropolitan Magistrate court. (PTI) |
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MQM dismisses threats of action by Musharraf NEW DELHI, Oct 4: Dismissing threats of action and charges by the Pervez Musharraf regime that Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leaders were making "anti-Pakistan" statements in India, the visiting MQM delegation today said they were not afraid of these "threats". "We are not concerned with these statements. Threats do not frighten us," MQM’s Central Coordination Committee member S A Tariq Mir, who is here with two other senior party leaders, said. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Lt Gen Moinuddin Haider had yesterday said in Lahore that "no one would be allowed to go scot-free after making anti-Pakistan statements". He said a report had been sought from the Pakistan High Commission here about the visit of the MQM delegation and necessary action would be initiated against them. Instead of taking any positive step, the military regime "is stuck in its feudal mentality. Pakistan has to get out of it," he said. Asked whether the Musharraf regime could frame sedition charges against them, Mir said many MQM leaders had been "hounded out of the country on false charges". MQM chief Altaf Hussain is exiled in Britain, while senior leader, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui (Industry Minister in Nawaz Sharif Government) was also "forced to flee" Pakistan. Dr Siddiqui is part of the delegation now in India. The military regime "has concocted many false cases against Dr Siddiqui. They will keep him out of Pakistan like they have (done to) so many others. But this will neither help the Pakistan regime nor the country. The Pakistani rulers have to first change their mindset," Mir added. (PTI) |
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