32 DIGs, SPs transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: In the interest of administration and consequent upon the Central deputation of Mr Pankaj Saxena, IPS, the Government today ordered transfers/postings of 32 DIGs and Superintendents of Police with immediate effect:

Mr Ram Lubhaya, DIG, Rajouri/Poonch Range has been transferred and posted as DIG, Special Security vice Mr S S Bijral; Mr S S Bijral, DIG, Special Security Group has been transferred and posted as DIG Rajouri/Poonch Range vice Mr Ram Lubhaya.

Mr Dilbagh Singh, DIG, Baramulla/Kupwara Range has been transferred and posted as DIG (Security) vice Mr M A Shah; Mr M A Shah, ADIG (Security) has been transferred and posted as ADIG, Baramulla/Kupwara Range in his own pay and grade vice Mr Dilbagh Singh; Mr H K Lohia, Commandant, JKAP 7th Bn has been transferred and posted as SSP, CID (CI) Kashmir vice Mr Niaz Mehmood.

Mr Niaz Mehmood, SSP, CID (CI) Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Commandant, IR 8th Bn against an available vacancy. Mr Kamal Saini, Commandant, IR 3rd Bn has been transferred and posted as SP, Poonch against available vacancy while Mr Alok Kumar, SP (Ops), Doda has been transferred and posted as SP, Kulgam vice Mr H R Parihar;

Mrs Manjoo Rashid, Principal, PTTI, Vijaypur has been transferred and posted as SO to IGP, Jammu against available vacancy; Mr H L Fotedar, awaiting orders of posting (attached with IGP Jammu) has been posted as Principal, PTTI, Vijaypur vice Manjoo Rashid; Mr Alok Puri, SP (Security), Raj Bhawan has been transferred and posted as SP CID (SB), Jammu vice Mr Nissar Ahmad.

Mr Johnny Williams, Addl SP, Jammu has been transferred and posted as SP (Security), Raj Bhawan vice Mr Alok Puri. During his posting as SP North and Addl SP Jammu Mr Williams had established a good rapport with people besides carrying out several successful operations.

Mr J P Singh, SP, Kupwara has been transferred and posted as Commandant, Auxiliary Police 2nd Bn. vice Mr A S Bali; Mr A S Bali, Commandant, Auxiliary Police 2nd Bn. has been transferred and posted as SO to IGP, Kashmir vice Mr Rafiq-ul-Hassan.

Mr A A Samoon, SO to DIG, Srinagar/Budgam Range has been transferred and posted as Commandant, JKAP 12th Bn against available vacancy; Mr Rafiq-ul-Hassan, SO to IGP, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as SP East Srinagar vice Mr G M Dar; Mr G M Dar, SP East Srinagar has been transferred and posted as SP Kupwara vice Mr JP Singh.

Mr Surinder Kumar, Addl SP, Udhampur has been transferred and posted as SP (R&H) Jammu vice Sheikh Mehmood; Sheikh Mehmood SP (R&H) Jammu has been transferred and posted as Dy Commandant IR 1st Bn vice Mr Joginder Singh; Mr N D Wani SO to IGP, Security is transferred and posted as Commandant, JKAP 7th Bn vice Mr H K Lohia.

Mr M A Antoo, Dy Director, Tourism (Enforcement) has been transferred and posted as SO to IGP, Security vice Mr N D Wani; Mr H R Parihar, SP Kulgam has been transferred and posted as Addl SP, Udhampur vice Mr Surinder Kumar; Mr M A Ganai, Principal, PTS, Manigam has been transferred and posted as Commandant IR 3rd Bn. vice Mr K K Saini.

Mr M A Kenoo, Dy Commandant, JKAP 8th Bn. has been transferred and posted as principal, PTS, Manigam vice Mr M A Ganai; Mr Nissar Ahmad, SP CID (SB) Jammu has been transferred and posted as Addl SP, Jammu vice Mr Johnny William; Peer Ghulam Ahmad, Dy Commandant, JKAP 14th Bn. has been transferred and posted as SO to DIG Srinagar/Budgam Range vice Mr A A Samoon.

Mr Joginder Singh, Dy Commandant, IR 1st Bn has been transferred and posted as Dy Commandant, JKAP 11th Bn. against available vacancy.

Mr Rajinder Singh, Dy. Commandant IR 4th Bn has been transferred and posted as Dy Commandant, JKAP 14th Bn. vice Peer Ghulam Ahmad; Mr Rajinder Gupta, SP South Jammu has been transferred and posted as SO to DIG, Jammu/Kathua Range vice Mr Bachan Singh.

Mr Bachan Singh, SO to DIG, Jammu/Kathua Range has been transferred and posted as SP South Jammu vice Mr Rajinder Gupta

Mr Iqbal Afroz Malik, SP, Transport Workshop, Jammu has been transferred and posted as SP, Transport Workshop, Srinagar vice Mr Mohammad Amin Tak; Mr Mohammad Amin Tak, SP Transport Workshop, Srinagar has transferred and posted as SP Transport Workshop, Jammu vice Mr Iqbal Afroz Malik.

Bhat meets Pak High Comm
Growing bickering in Hurriyat

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: In the wake of growing dissension within the Hurriyat Conference and the Centre’s move for holding talks with all groups in Jammu and Kashmir, chairman of the amalgam Abdul Gani Bhat today held a meeting with Pakistani High Commissioner here.

The luncheon meeting between Bhat and Qazi Ashraf Jehangir lasted more than three hours at the Pakistani High Commission.

The Hurriyat spokesman here Abdul Majid Bandey confirmed that a meeting had taken place between the two. "It was a routine meeting," Bandey told PTI here.

However, Hurriyat insiders said Bhat had been summoned by the Pakistan High Commission following reports of growing bickerings within the 23-party conglomerate.

Besides this, the two are believed to have discussed the stand of Hurriyat Conference in the wake of Centre’s announcement of holding talks without any pre-conditions with all groups including the conglomerate.

Serious differences surfaced within Hurriyat Conference over the issue of holding talks with the Centre for resolution of the Kashmir issue after the Centre recently announced the name of K C Pant, currently Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, to negotiate with all groups in Jammu and Kashmir for restoration of peace in the
State.

The offer was immediately rejected by the Bhat who said until the delegation of the amalgam was allowed to go to Pakistan it would not hold any talks with the Government.

However, in a surprise move, senior Hurriyat functionary Abdul Gani Lone termed Bhat’s comment as "his personal view" and said a decision to this effect would be taken only when the executive of the 23-party conglomerate met.

Even though Bhat has rejected the Centre’s offer for talks with Pant as the negotiator, it would be difficult for Hurriyat to run away from the proposed talks as the Centre has this time offered talks without any preconditions, a one-time demand of Hurriyat Conference.

Bhat said it was the Centre’s "gimmick" but Lone said he felt talks were the only means for resolving the issue.

Significantly, Jamaat-e-Islamia, one of the major constituents of the Hurriyat Conference and its armed wing Hizbul Mujahideen have remained silent over the development and have not offered any reaction.

The Kashmiri-dominated Hizbul Mujahideen had initiated a short-lived unilateral cease-fire but has been maintaining a studied silence over the proposed talks.(PTI)

Delhi CM alerts police
Kashmiri migrant shopkeepers threaten immolation

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: The threat of direct action by a section of Kashmiri Hindu migrants has set in motion the Delhi Government headed by Ms Sheila Dixit. Round-the-clock vigil has been ordered in and around the INA market in Kidwai Nagar in south Delhi.

The Chief Minister of Delhi, Ms Dixit, has, in fact, alerted the local police and ordered them to handle the situation with "greater skills and utmost caution".

This follows the threat by Kashmiri migrant shopkeepers to resort to self- immolation if the Government did not offer them a suitable rehabilitation package. The threat of direct action has followed the authorities’ plan to relocate the migrant shopkeepers from the INA market because of the upcoming flyover at the crossing of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The trouble arose after the migrant shopkeepers alleged that the rehabilitation package offered by the Government falls short of what they stand to lose by shifting their shops from Kidwai Nagar.

In recent years, a number of shops were built by Kashmiri migrants in the area. These migrants attribute the prevailing rehabilitation crisis to differences among the local bodies in the National Capital Territory Region of Delhi.

EXCELSIOR was told that as many as 60 shops belonged to Kashmiri migrants in the Kidwai Nagar INA market. These shops are being shifted from a commercially strategic area of Delhi to an insignificant alley near the Super Bazar. Hence, the outcry against the far-from-suitable rehabilitation package.

Kashmiri shopkeepers are not against the construction of the much-needed flyover. Indeed, they seem prepared to shift from the area. Their condition: "We will shift only when we are given a suitable area".

Initially, the authorities had planned to shift them to an area near Lajpat Nagar. But the idea was dropped after the NDMC and MCD decided against it. The local bodies, it was alleged, were fighting among themselves. And the result, migrants lamented: "Delay in our rehabilitation for no fault of ours".

The Kashmiri shopkeepers have also alleged that some elements in the adjoining Mohan Singh market are also colluding with the local bodies to thwart their rehabilitation in the area near Kidwai Nagar.

After a decision was taken to shift the migrant shopkeepers en masse to a plot under the MCD, a squabble took place between the NDMC and MCD over who would allot land for their rehabilitation. And desperate shopkeepers accused the MCD of having refused to rehabilitate them as, according to MCD, it was NDMC’s liability to rehabilitate them.

True, the authorities have allotted a new site to the migrants for constructing their shops. But just when it looked like they could set up their shops at the new place and settle down, the Deputy Commissioner of NDMC told them that they could not erect nut and bolt structures with tin sheds.

Kashmiri shopkeepers have stated that the NDMC wanted them to raise only temporary structures using tarpaulin material. "This is unacceptable", assert majority of shopkeepers.

Representatives of both parts of J&K hail talk offer

NEW DELHI, Apr 10: Representatives of both parts of Jammu and Kashmir have welcomed the Indian Government’s unconditional dialogue offer to the separatist groups and made strong appeal to the leadership of Pakistan and India to ease travel restrictions on separated families, reports UNI.

The representatives, who met in Geneva on the sidelines of the 57th session of the commission of human rights, felt that dialogue was essential for the final settlement of the 54 - year old - issue, Mr Ashok Bhan, one of the participants said here today.

The meeting of the Kashmir leaders was attended by former Minister Prof S D Soz, Hurriyat leaders of PoK Ghulam Mohammed Safi, Altaf Hussain Qadri and Masood Tahir, Mr Chaudhry Hussain, PoK Minister and Prof Warikoo, besides Mr Bhan, Supreme Court lawyer. Sardar Shoukat Kashmiri, leader of the peoples.

It was organised by Syed Nazir Gilani, a London - based sepataist leader, who is working for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue.

However, there were differences in approach regarding the settlement of the issue with the Hurriyat leaders feeling that the Indian Government should not put restrictions on the five - member team to visit Pakistan.

There was a general consensus that talks are the only way to find meaningful and purposeful solution to the long standing issue, Mr Bhan said. The people of Jammu and Kashmir were fed up with violence and yearning for peace and tranquillity.

It was agreed that such meeting should continue in order to involve all sections of the people in the dialogue process. There was also a suggestion for starting trilateral talks on the Kashmir to give push to the peace process. The Indian Government should also open dialogue with the Pakistan Government while remaining enganged with the separatist and other political groups.

Mr Bhan said it was felt that Kashmiris based in Europe and other parts of the world should also be involved in the peace process so that a comprehensive solution is found.

PTI adds from London: Two London-based Kashmiri groups have welcomed the appointment of K C Pant, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, to hold dialogue with representatives of Kashmiri leaders, describing it as beginning of a process for "serious and meaningful dialogue."

"The appointment of Pant to hold interaction with militants and political leaders is an expression of the will on the part of the Prime Minister to promote peace in the sub-continent and resolve Kashmir problem peacefully," M A Raina, Director of Jammu Kashmir National Awareness Campaign, said.

"The spirit of this will should reflect in Kashmir where killing of innocent people should stop and violence should come to an end," he said.

"The political and militant leadership and other representative character of the Kashmiri society should form a collective non-party expert group to hold meaningful dialogue," Syed Nazir Gilani, Secretary General of Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR), said.

"All variables in the society should converge on a codified beginning and take a pro-active role," Gilani said in a statement here.

He said the step taken by the Union Government should be responded positively by Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Government, all political parties, NGOs, trade unions and social and religious bodies from all over the State.

"Kashmir is a political problem and a negotiated political solution, reflecting aspirations of the people of the State, should be sought," Raina said.

Hurriyat meet on Centre’s talks offer soon

NEW DELHI, Apr 10 : The crucial executive meeting of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) will be held later this week in Srinagar to discuss the Centre’s offer of dialogue with all the separatist and political groups in Jammu and Kashmir to bring about peace in the strife-torn State.

The meeting, which will be chaired by Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, would deliberate on the offer of dialogue and chalk out the response of the separatist groups, Hurriyat sources said today.

In his initial response, Prof Bhat had rejected the offer and insisted that the Centre should allow the five member Hurriyat delegation to visit Islamabad for talks with the Pakistan Government and the leaders of the militant groups.

However, senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone described Prof Bhat’s comments as his personal, stating the matter would be debated at the seven-member executive of the 23-party conglomerate.

Prof Bhat, who is currently here, is in touch with the party leaders and other well wishers to ascertain their views on the dialogue, for which the Indian Government has named Mr K C Pant as a negotiator.

He is also in touch with JKLF leader Mohammed Yasin Malik, who is in the United States.

Political parties and groups have so far maintained discreet silence on their stand in the dialogue process. However, through emissaries and intermediaries they are trying to get further feedback from the Government on this issue.

The Government announced its decision to hold unconditional talks with the political groups in Jammu and Kashmir last week to end 12-year old militancy in the State.(UNI)

13 zones identified for migrants’return

ANANTNAG, Apr 10: The authorities have identified 13 "safe zones" in this district for resettlement of 780 Kashmiri Pandit families who had migrated to different parts of the country in 1990.

Talking to visiting reporters, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag G A Peer said after a detailed survey, 13 zones were declared safe where the Kashmiri Pandit families were interested to return back and resettle here.

He said a team of officers representing different departments and security agencies during their survey had extensive meetings with the local Muslim population who too are very keen to see their Pandit brethren back.

When asked if the areas identified by the authorities were totally for Pandits, he replied in negative and added that the Pandits were in majority in these areas before they migrated to other parts of the country.

He said, "we do not want to keep the Pandits, who are interested to return back, in isolation since they have to work and live in Kashmir with everyone."

"We wanted that they should live and work together with their Muslim neighbours so that they do not feel that they are in jails," Mr Peer said and added after all they have to do business and other works.

He, however, said,"we will take care of their security and other needs."

In reply to a question, he said, "this is just an experiment and if we will succeed in our efforts, the day will be not far away when all the Kashmiri Pandits will be back in their houses."

Mr Peer said his district will be the first to encourge migrants to return back.

About the other measures Government is taking to encourage the Pandits to return back to Kashmir, he said, "we will give them every financial assistance to repair and rebuilt their houses or the houses which have been selected by us for their stay."

He said they will also be provided financial assitance to restart their business or any other work.

The district head said, "we have identified 360 houses in the safe areas where 780 families can live."

Mr Peer said a number of Pandit families have agreed to return and live in the areas and efforts are on to persuade others to return here.

In reply to a question, he said about 9000 kanals of land are under the occupation of Army, Rashtriya Rifles and other paramilitary forces in the Anantnag district.

In case of 1000 kanals, the land owners are being paid rent regularly. However, payment for 8000 kanals of land occupied by the Rashtriya Rifles are yet to be made, he added.

He said immediately after the rifles was entrusted the job of anti-militancy operations in the south Kashmir, they occupied 8000 kanals of land at different places.

There was some dispute that who among the Defence Ministry and Home Ministry will pay the rent for the land. However, it was Defence Minister George Fernandes who agreed to pay the rent.

Mr Peer said now everything has been settled and the defence officer in Kashmir will have to release the payments in favour of land owners. (UNI)

Woman, 2 militants killed in Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Apr 10: While as security forces claimed to have killed two militants in Kupwara district, militants today gunned down the widow of a slain informer of security forces at Magam in Budgam district.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that two hitmen of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Mustafa Group appeared at Government Higher Secondary School Magam at 1510 hours this afternoon and showered bullets on a lady peon, Sakeena widow of Ghulam Ahmed Itoo alias Ama Kana. She fell in a pool of blood and died on spot. Both the militants escaped from the spot without any resistance from Police or security forces.

Sakeena was the widow of Ama Kana-brother of the 1990-model counter-insurgent Ghulam Mohammad Kana alias Moma Kana. Her husband had been beheaded by a Pakistani militant at the nearby village of Makahama in 1996 and later his head was found hanging against a tree at Nasrullapora village of Budgam.

Five persons including an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police, mostly known for association with security forces, have similarly been shot dead by militants at Magam town-situated on Srinagar-Gulmarg road-during the last three months. Militants have regained foothold in Magam area after five years and all the killings have been committed in broad day light.

Reports from Kupwara said that security forces killed one more militant, namelu Abu Syed Rehman, in last evening’s encounter at Dardpora while as yet another militant is claimed to have been killed at Duraswani Lolab.

Troops of BSF 54 Bn captured a militant alive while he was firing on the troops at Tarzoo Sopore. He got injured in the shootout but was captured alive, rushed to hospital by BSF and and treated by doctors at Sopore and SMHS Hospital. He has been identified as Manzoor Ahmed Rather alias Nisar S/o Abdus Samad, a Pakistan-trained militant of Hizbul Mujahideen. Two civilains have also been picked up and held for questioning.

Militants lobbed a hand grenade on a patrol of security forces at Nunar, Ganderbal today. It exploded without causing damage to the troops.

American made telescope seized

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Apr 10: An American made telescope was recovered by the Village Defence Committee (VDC) members after an encounter with the militants in Thathri area of Doda district this morning.

An encounter took place between VDC member and militants in Thathri early today. Militants fled away after about 30 minutes exchange of firing and left behind one American made telescope.

VDC members later handed over the telescope to local police.

Five pistols recovered, intruder shot

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: Sleuths of Counter Intelligence (CI) Jammu today recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition including five pistols from a border village of RS Pura sector while the Border Security Force (BSF) gunned down another intruder in Samba sector.

Reliable sources said a team of CI Jammu carried out searches in Kotli Shah Dulla village in RS Pura sector early this morning after developing an information that a consignment of arms and ammunition had been dumped there by Pakistani saboteurs.

Recovery was made from an isolated field. It included five imported pistols, their magazines and ammunition besides some explosive material. However, no arrest could be made immediately in connection with the recovery.

Meanwhile, the BSF jawans of 39 battalion gunned down another intruder in Majra post of Samba sector at 1015 hours today. Some Indian and Pakistani currency and a letter pad of Hizbul Mujahideen was recovered from his possession.

Identity of the intruder hasn’t been ascertained. Yesterday, BSF had shot dead one infiltrator in Jugnu Chak area of RS Pura sector.

Jihad Council rejects India’s talks offer

ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 : The United Jihad Council, a 15-member alliance of Pakistan based Kashmiri militant outfits, has rejected India’s offer to talk to Kashmiri groups, saying dialogue could be held only with the inclusion of Islamabad.

"New Delhi must not overlook the historical perspective of the Kashmir conflict that revolves around the three parties — India, Pakistan and Kashmiris," the Council, which met yesterday in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the leadership of Hizbul Mujahideen Chief Syed Salahuddin, said in a resolution.

"We are unanimous in rejection of India’s talks offer with Kashmiri fighters and Hurriyat Conference," the resolution, a copy of which was released here today, said.

It alleged India’s reluctance to hold tripartite talks clearly indicated that New Delhi did not want to resolve the issue and the offer of fresh talks with Kashmiris was "a ploy to deceive Kashmiris and the world."

It said the Indian Government’s offer coincided with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh’s visit to the US.

"The move aims at convincing the US that India sincerely wants a settlement of the Kashmir issue," even while the Indian security forces continued with "human rights violations" in Kashmir, it said.

The constituents of the Council also reiterated their resolve to retain their unity and prevent any Indian attempts to divide them. (PTI)

MiG 21 crashes in Gulmarg

NEW DELHI, Apr 10 : A MiG 21 combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force was today feared to have crashed near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and the fate of the pilot still not known, highly placed sources said here.

The aircraft was on a routine flight and lost control with radar control this afternoon and was last seen plunging to ground south of Gulmarg, the sources said.

Rescue and search parties have been sent to the area to find the fate of the lone pilot of the aircraft.

The MiG-21 took off from Srinagar Airport and was flyingover 13,000 feet high Toshi Maidan meadow, which the Air Force also uses as high altitude firing range.

The thickly forested area is very close to the Line of Control and as per the international norms Islamabad has been informed, the sources said.

According to reports from Srinagar, the aircraft was observed by the Army’s ground observation post plunging into the ground.

The aircraft crashed near an area which is a hot trail of infiltration by militants into India from Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Only recently there have been reports of the some of the mercenary groups having acquired shoulder firing surface-to-air missiles.(PTI)

Defence attaches visit J&K

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: The Defence Attaches of 23 countries arrived on a two day familiarisation visit here today. On arrival, they were accorded a warm welcome. Earlier, they visited Srinagar for two days.

The envoys would be meeting Lt Gen JBS Yadava, General Officer Commanding (GoC) Nagrota Corps and will be apprised of the prevalent situation. In addition to visiting the forward areas, the Defence Attaches would call on Governor, Mr GC Saxena and Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah.

They would also meet senior Defence and State Government Officials of Jammu and Kashmir.

CM bans permits

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 10: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today announced ban on fresh transport permits in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a joint meeting of senior officers and transporters here this afternoon, the Chief Minister also gave instructions for streamlining tax structure by removing the anomaly in entry fee of the State Motor Carriages into Punjab.

The Jammu and Kashmir Motor Transport Companies Association complained that the vehicles were being charged Rs. 2000 as entry fee in Punjab while J&K levied just Rs. 50 for entry in the State.

The Chief Minister assured the Association that points raised by it would be earnestly examined. He said permit for plying light motor cabs on various routes in the State had been granted for the comfort of traveling public.

Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah, Minister for Finance, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister for Transport and Information, Mr. Ajatshatru Singh, Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Jaitly, Financial Commissioner, Finance, Mr. J. A. Khan, Commissioner/Secretary, Transport, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad and Transport Commissioner, Mr. A. K. Mohanty were present in the meeting.

The President of the Association, Mr. T. S. Wazir projected the problems of transporters.

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