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20 parties
called for first round of negotiations NEW DELHI, Apr 15: The dialogue process on Kashmir began today, with the Centre’s negotiator, Mr K C Pant, holding indepth talks with octogenarian leader Syed Mir Qasim and sending out formal invitations to leaders of the Hurriyat Conference and 20-odd political groups to evolve a common approach on the resolution of the issue. Mr Pant held one-to-one meeting with the former Chief Minister, who was briefly involved in bringing various separatist groups to the negotiating table late last year but could not play any major role due to ill-health and lack of response from the political entities. The frail-looking Qasim, during whose tenure prominent Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone was a minister and hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani was a legislator, had made some initial moves to probe the mind of separatist groups some time back without achieving the desired success. Addressing a press conference, Mr Pant said he was ready to discuss all issues with the Hurriyat, including their proposed visit to Pakistan for talks with the military regime and militant groups. But he made it abundantly clear that there was no scope of talking to Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-Mohammed which were responsible for spreading terror in the Valley. However, doors were not closed for Kashmiri organisations, currently engaged in militancy in the State but desirous of peace. This was indication for involving Hizbul Mujahideen, an indigenous militant group, in the talks in the future. In the first round of talks, Mr Pant will cover mainly nationalist parties, besides some separatist groups like Peoples Front of Shabir Shah. Asked about the agenda for the talks, he said it was unconditional. He was confident that the Hurriyat and other separatist groups would respond positively to the invitation. A meeting of the Executive Council of the 23-party conglomerate was expected to take a favourable decision in this regard. The Hurriyat meeting, which had been scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed by a few days due to the death of the daughter of Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Mr Pant said the talks were a serious effort and it should not be trivialised. "I don’t see any reason for the Hurriyat to say no to talks. Those who aspire for peace in the State should respond positively." Asked whether Hurriyat leaders would be allowed to go to Pakistan to meet the military regime and militant groups there, Mr Pant said he was ready to discuss the issue with them. "I would like to know their (APHC) reason for going to Pakistan. Let them convince me." He said the whole attempt was aimed at inviting the Hurriyat and involving them in the peace process to bring about peace in the State. In the first round of talks, Mr Pant will meet the leaders of the National Conference, the Congress, the BJP, the BSP, Left Parties, Peoples Democratic Party, Panthers’ Party, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Council, Imam Khomeini Trust of Kargil, Awami League and Awami Conference, Islamia group and others. Mr G M Shah, former Chief Minister and president of the Awami National Conference, has also been invited. In his letter to the political parties, Mr Pant said in order to find permanent peace in the State it was the responsibility of "all of us who are genuinely interested in ending the strife and suffering of the people" to join the talks. "I take this opportunity to invite you for a discussion. I am asking my office to contact you to fix a mutually convenient date and time for a meeting." Mr Pant said he had been closely associated with Kashmir during Mrs Indira Gandhi’s regime. The 12 years of militancy had played havoc with the economy, infrastructure and lives of the people. Tourism had been totally ruined and people continued to suffer. There was need for a sincere effort to resolve the problem. "It was for this reason that the Government had decided to embark upon a political dialogue with all sections of the people, including those who were currently outside. It was our desire to restore peace and normalcy in the State and people should come forward to participate in the dialogue," he said. He said the APHC had all along taken the position that the talks should be unconditional and the Government responded positively. "It is for APHC to consider whether it would not be inconsistent for them to set conditions for the dialogue." On his brief discussion with Mr Mir Qasim, he said he was a respectable leader who had played a very important role in the State politics. Mr Pant confirmed that Nationalist Congress Party leader, Sharad Pawar, who met Kashmiri leaders during his several visits to the State, briefed him (Pant) about the talks. (UNI) |
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‘Invitation to peace
talks is open to all groups’ Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 15: Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah has said the invitation for talks by the Centre was open to every one and the Hurriyat Conference would boycott the peace process only at its own peril. "The APHC would be eliminated if it does not join the talks", Dr Abdullah told media persons at the inauguration of a water reservoir and pump house on the Doodhganga water supply scheme here today. He said the Centre has invited all Kashmiri groups for talks including the Hurriyat Conference and if APHC chose to remain away from the process it would be isolated as in 1996 elections. Asked about the situation in the State, he said good developments were taking place and referred to the nomination by the Centre of the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commissioner, Mr K C Pant for holding talks with various groups in Kashmir to resolve the present turmoil. He hoped that all groups and political parties would join the talks to find a way out of the current different situation. He said his party would meet Mr Pant and put forward its point of view but did not elaborate on the demand it would be making. "It would be decided by the party", he replied when a reporter asked him to say about his demand. In reply to a question on Fidayeen attacks, he said despite these incidents the situation was better than before "These people", he said, have been here for many years now and efforts were on to hunt them". He declined to specify the strategy for dealing with this situation but said that a strategy is always there. He said Pakistan by silencing her guns on the border had accepted the unilateral cease-fire but sending of armed men also would have to be stopped by her to let the peace a chance here. "Border is much better but the tran border terrorism has to be stopped by Pakistan", he said. The Chief Minister set at rest speculations about Mr Sharad Pawar's recent visit to the Valley and said he had come here on a boliday with his family including his daughter and grand daughter. He said the visit would help in sending a good signal to intending tourists who might have second thoughts about the security situation in the Valley. He said this would convey that the situation in Kashmir was not as bad as painted by the press. Dr Abdullah expressed his dismay over insufficient finances provided by the Centre saying against the plan size of Rs 1750 crore last year, the State was provided only Rs 1050 crore. He said the State needs liberal funding for reconstruction and development work. "Roads, bridges, schools and health centres have to be built for which we neet a lot of money", he said and hoped the Centre would realise this and provide enough funds. Later, addressing a public meeting at Kralpora, the site of the inaugurated water reservoir, the Chief Minister said despite impediments and consraints, the development process was on. He said the reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure was a gigantic tast that was being carried out with commitment. He referred to the scarcity of water following continuous drought like situation and appealed people to make judicious use of water and power. He said time was not far away when battles would be fought among nations over water rather than territory. The Chief Minister asked people to pay for the services provided to them by the Government. He said the State's annual power bill on import of electricity was a whopping Rs 1000 crore against which the revenue was only Rs 300 crore. He said if the State was not in a position to clear its outstanding the northern grid would snap electric supply. He said apart from the huge annual power bill, the State owes Rs 600 crore to the northern grid on account of earlier outstanding. He said unless people help themselves nobody would help them out of the present situation. Dr Abdullah asked people not to pay any heed to those who were misleading them in the name of the so called Azadi. He said Kashmir would neither attain freedom nor become a part of Pakistan. "We have to fight for out rights within India", he said. Speaking on the occasion, the Works Minister, Mr Ali Muhammad Sagar said some elements were out to vitiate the atmosphere and put the masses to inconvenience and trouble. He said whatever be the difficulties the development works would go on. The vested interests that do not want peace and prosperity to return would have to ultimately eat a humble pie, he said adding that the yearning for peace among people was becoming more and more pronounced. Mr Sagar asked people to monitor the development works and ensure that quality material was used in construction works. He said the Government was doing its best to provide succor to people but it was also their duty to see that things were done in good faith. He assured the local people that their problems would be looked into and solved. The Minister said the Kralpora Bridge whose foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister today was a long pending demand of the people. He said the bridge would cost Rs 1.5 crore and would be ready by December 5 this year. He said the under construction Rs 1.5 crore Kanidar Water Supply Sheme would be completed this year. |
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Delhi alerts security
forces From B L Kak JAMMU, Apr 15: The Union Home Ministry has called for tough action against anti-India subversives and terrorists who are under "fresh" orders from across the border to engineer exodus of the members of a particular community from some areas in the sensitive districts of Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur in the Jammu region. Official instructions, in this regard, have come at a time when Government sleuths came across evidence in the beginning of this week vis-a-vis the plan to trigger menacing terrorist violence, which can result in the exodus of members of Hindu community from some areas of the Jammu province, particularly the Doda region. One of the classified intelligence inputs made available in Naushera sector has revealed that the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen have been directed to increase the level of anti-India violence by resorting to firing and use of highly improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against India security forces and J&K Police personnel in the State. A top Government source told EXCELSIOR that considering the fact that Pakistan-aided jihadi elements had planned to intensify attacks on the Indian Army and paramilitary personnel as well as their camps and vital defence installations, the J&K administration as well as security forces plus intelligence agencies across the State "have been told in unmistakable terms that containment of insurgency is the first task". Why does the Kashmir policy tend most of the time to be groping for a way around the problem? The Government source replied: "Our policy is to ensure that the peace process initiated in November last is not derailed or misused. It is not ad hoc in nature at all". According to the source, even as the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Home Minister, Mr L K Advani, have appreciated the J&K Chief Minister’s initiative to revitalise the State police force, Dr Farooq Abdullah has been told by both of them that the National Conference Government has to act more vigorously and in "far greater systematic manner than till now" for ensuring a significant reduction in levels of militancy, intensifying the measures already taken and improving upon them using more sophisticated means for this purpose. The source divulged that the Centre was studying Dr Farooq’s proposal seeking foreign investment in Jammu and Kashmir. The source also divulged that Mr Vajpayee and Mr Advani had a basis when they recently told the J&K Chief Minister that primacy had to be given to the economic transformation of the State. This would help remove quite a few grievances relating to educated unemployment and jobs for youth and bring down levels of alienation. At a time when traditional eclectic Islam in the Valley seems to have received a heavy battering from fundamentalist pro-Pakistan elements, the Government of India’s message to the J&K Government calling for its attention to the dangers to the Kashmiri way of life assumes significance. In fact, the Union Home Minister wants the J&K administration, particularly the Chief Minister, to ensure that ultra-orthodox pro-Taliban forces failed to impose their diktat, through Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, over local lifestyles, dress codes etc. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 15: Fourty persons including five children of a marriage party were injured, two of them critically, when a bus in which they were travelling fell into Ranbir canal at Baba-Da-Talab this afternoon. According to police, the ill-fated bus bearing registration number JKU-7660 carrying 40 persons of a marriage party was on its way from Dhangu Chowk, Pathankot to Akhnoor when it met with accident at Baba-Da-Talab under the jurisdiction of Kanachak police station. The driver of the vehicle, according to eye-witnesses, in an attempt to save his speeding vehicle from being collided with the Army vehicle coming from the opposite direction lost control over the steering resulting into bus collided with a stationary truck bearing registration number JK02F-5882. After the collision both the truck and bus fell into the Ranbir canal causing grievous injuries to all the passengers including driver of the bus. Getting the report of accident, a police party from Kanachak police station rushed to the spot and started rescue operation with the help of villagers. All the injured were brought out of the vehicle and shifted to Government Medical College Hospital where condition of two of them was stated to be critical. The injured have been identified as Ladu Ram of Mukerian, Raju, wife of Baldev, Prem Chand, Ratna Devi, wife of Gian Chand, Raj Kumari, daughter of Bachan Lal, Rajni, daughter of Tarsem Lal, Pawan Kumar, son of Sain Dass, Soma Devi, daughter of Bachan Lal, Ashok, son of Sham Lal, Kanta Devi, wife of Ashok Kumar, Ekta, wife of Sham Lal, Bachan Lal, son of Parshotam Lal, Rani Devi, Bimla Devi, wife of Om Parkash, Joginder Pal, son of Tej Ram, Shama Devi, wife of Baldev Raj, Baldev, son of Shanker Dass, Raj Kumar, son of Bishamber Dass, Kanta Devi, wife of Garu Ram, Jyoti Devi, wife of Kashmiri Lal, Tarsem Lal, son of Thoru Ram, all the residents of Pathankote and Kamlesh Kumari, wife of Babu Ram of Muthi, Jammu. The condition of Prem Chand of Pathankote and Kamlesh Kumari of Muthi, Jammu was stated to be critical till reports last came in. |
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Kashmir peace process on right track: Advani ON BOARD SPECIAL BSF AIRCRAFT, Apr 15: Asserting that the Jammu and Kashmir peace process was on the "right track," the Centre today said it was for Hurriyat Conference to respond to the Government’s invitation for talks. "Hurriyat Conference will also be invited. It is upto them to decide how to respond," Union Home Minister L K Advani told reporters while returning from Ravapar in Gujarat after inaugurating a newly-constructed village. Asked about rejection of talks offer by various militant groups, he said "I don’t comment on "ad hoc things. After all, they are also having discussions," he said. Terming as a significant development naming of K C Pant as the principal interlocutor to hold talks with various political and other groups in J and K, Advani said all sections of the State, including Congress, National Conference, Kashmiri Pandits and representatives of Ladakh and Jammu would be invited to talks. Advani said two other significant developments after the announcement of peace initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir were the statement of UN secretary general Kofi Annan rejecting implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir and Indian Government’s decision to go ahead with fencing of International Border in Jammu and Kashmir. "Government even while pursuing the path of peace, is very much concerned about security," the Home Minister said adding the international opinion had significantly altered post-Kargil. Referring to the recent US visit by External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Advani said although "I have had no occasion to discuss with him in detail about the talks in Washington, he briefly told me these were very satisfactory." On border fencing, he said despite Pakistan’s protest, the Government decided to resume fencing on 200 km stretch of international border from Jammu to Kathua which "we had been considering since coming to power." He said since the fencing along the border in Punjab and Rajasthan had been helpful in checking infiltration and smuggling, similar results are expected in Jammu and Kashmir. On the possibility of another extension to ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security when the time comes. (PTI) |
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HM ‘commander’
shot dead Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Apr 15: The Border Security Force (BSF) suffered a major setback in its anti-militancy operations when it lost three BSF jawans while three others got seriously injured in an ambush laid by the militants at Thapral Top in Mahore tehsil this evening. A Hizbul Mujahideen ‘commander’ was also killed in the retaliatory firing by BSF. Official reports reaching here said that a patrol party of BSF was ambushed by a big group of militants, numbering between eight to 10, from atop a hill in Thapral Top this evening. The security jawans were carrying out a routine patrolling in the area when the militants resorted to indiscriminate firing and launched grenade attacks on them. As the militants had taken advantageous positions on the hills, the succeeded in causing serious bullet injuries to six jawans. Despite being injured, the jawans fired back and eliminated a ‘commander’ of the group, who was leading the militants. Additional force of BSF rushed to the spot immediately. However, by then, three injured BSF jawans had succumbed to their wounds. Three other injured jawans were airlifted to Udhampur and admitted in the Command Hospital. Their condition was also stated to be critical. The slain militant has been identified as Hafiz Syed alias Gul Abbas, hailing from Lahore in Pakistan. He was a hardcore militant of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and was commanding the group, which attacked BSF patrol party. One AK-56 rifle with three magazines and 31 rounds, one wireless set and a hand grenade were recovered from the possession of Gul Abbas. Other militants managed to escape from the encounter site. Three deceased BSF jawans have been identified as Havildar Mohan Jha, and constables Rajinder Parsad and Sita Ram. Their bodies will be flown to their native towns tomorrow morning. BSF have cordoned off Thapral Top from all four sides and launched a massive operation to kill the militants involved in laying ambush. Our Rajouri correspondent adds: A civilian and an army jawan were injured in an encounter with the militants at village Khablan under the jurisdiction of Thanna Mandi police station this afternoon. The injured civilian has been identified as Mohd Din. He was trapped in the exchange of firing between army and militants and got injured. He has been hospitalised. After about an hour long gun-fight, the militants managed to escape. Troops were trying to chase and eliminate the militants. In another incident, a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member fired a shot in air in village Jamola near Rajouri this morning. No one was injured in the shoot-out. |
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Big success by STF Doda,
RR Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 15: Four hitmen of Azhar Masood’s Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit including a ‘district commander’ Hamid Kishtwari were killed in an encounter with Special Task Force (STF) and Rashtriya Rifles in remote area of Warwan, ahead of Marwah, in Kishtwar tehsil of Doda district this morning. Three militants of the same group had been shot dead by the same forces few days back in Marwah area. The four militants killed today had managed to escape from Marwah encounter and took shelter in Warwan forests. SSP Doda Ashkoor Wani, when contacted, told EXCELSIOR on telephone from Doda that jawans of STF with the back-up of 11 Rashtriya Rifles were continuing searches in Warwan, the last village of Doda bordering Zanskar in Ladakh, following reports that four militants, who had escaped during an encounter in Marwah three days back, had fled to Warwan and taken shelter there in a forest area. STF and army jawans continued massive searches in Warwan for the last two days and finally succeeded in locating the militants in one of the dense forest, Security personnel asked the militants to lay down their arms and surrender. However, two militants started running in an opposite direction while two other opened firing on police and army soldiers, who fired back in self defence. A fierce exchange of gun-fighting ensued between the two sides at about 0700 hours today and continued for four hours. STF and Rashtriya Rifles jawans succeeded in eliminating all four dreaded militants. One STF jawan sustained minor injuries in the operation. His condition was stated to be ‘out of danger’. Official sources said bodies of all four slain militants have been recovered from the scene of encounter. One of them was later identified as Hamid Kishtwari, a ‘district commander’ of Jaish-e-Mohammed. Identity of Kishtwari’s three associates couldn’t be established as they were not carrying any identity card with them. All of them were foreign mercenaries, hailing from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Four AK-56 rifles, 25 magazines, 340 rounds, two wireless sets, 22 grenades, explosive devices and other ammunition were recovered from the possession of killed militants. Sources said with the elimination of four militants, all seven militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed group who were active in Warwan and Marwah, have been killed. With their killings, the people of remote villages have heaved a sigh of relief. Infact, the sources said, these were the local people who had tipped off army and police regarding presence of the militants in their areas. The militants used to harass civilians by forcing them to prepare food for them daily. Besides, the foreign mercenaries also used to harass the young girls. |
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SSP holds talks as bandh enters 9th day Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Apr 15: SSP Udhampur Deepak Kumar left for tense Basantgarh town this morning where an indefinite bandh and dharna entered into ninth day today in protest against alleged atrocities on people by police personnel of a special mobile party during a search operation. People of Basantgarh had been from the very first day of agitation demanding a visit to the town by a senior police officer like DIG Udhampur-Doda range Sheikh Owais Ahmed and SSP Udhampur Deepak Kumar. Reports reaching here said the SSP reached Basantgarh late this evening and had talks with representatives of the people, who had formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC), which was spearheading the agitation. However, details of the talks couldn’t be gathered till late tonight. Negotiations were expected to resume tomorrow morning in which the dead-lock was expected to be broken. Meanwhile, shops remained closed in Basantgarh for ninth straight day today. An indefinite dharna also continued in the town, which was joined by women and children. As already reported, a special mobile cell of police had resorted to beating-up of local people of both communities including women and children while carrying out searches. Since then, the people had been observing a complete bandh in Basantgarh demanding stern action against erring police personnel. However, no senior police officers visited the town for nine days forcing the people to prolong their agitation. Meanwhile, a bandh was also observed in Majouri village for third day today demanding upgradation of middle school upto 9th class. There was no response to people’s agitation by the administration. |
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Vajpayee says he will speak to Sonia again LUCKNOW, Apr 15: A day after Congress boycotted the all-party meeting called to resolve the impasse in Parliament over Tehelka issue, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said he would speak to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to ensure smooth functioning of the house when its budget session resumes tomorrow Addressing a press conference at Raj Bhawan here, Vajpayee, appearing conciliatory, said no probe has been ordered into the charges levelled by Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy against Gandhi and her family-members but had, at the same time, a tough message for Congress saying the Bofors case was progressing and that party may be in the dock. Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Madhavrao Scindia termed as "unsatisfactory" the explanation given by the Prime Minister that Government had not ordered any CBI probe into Swamy’s charges. "No CBI probe has been ordered into Swamy’s charges against Sonia Gandhi and only preliminary inquiries are being made to establish whether there is any need to have it probed by CBI," he said. Vajpayee said he had spoken to Gandhi when he was in Tehran recently and "I will speak to her again and try to persuade her to help run Parliament smoothly". The Congress president, in her capacity of leader of the opposition, can help in ensuring smooth proceedings in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister said. Vajpayee said the case relating to kickbacks in Bofors gun deal was progressing and Congress "may find itself in the docks". "Bofors case Pragati Par Hai Aur Congress Party Kathghare Mein Khari Ho Sakti Hai (Bofors’ case is in progress and Congress may find itself in the docks)," he said. Seeking to signal that Government was not forcing the pace of Bofors case to counter Tehelka expose, the Prime Minister said "we are not doing anything from our side but it is just a coincidence that some corruption cases have started progressing." Earlier, addressing an NDA-sponsored Kisan Rally here, Vajpayee said Congress and other opposition parties were not prepared to debate in Parliament the Tehelka expose and "their threat of a direct fight with the Government will create chaos and anarchy in the country." This would start a wrong trend, he said, adding "if BJP adopts similar tactics in Congress-ruled states where it is the main opposition party, what would Congress do?" Attacking the Congress for resorting to "undemocratic means" to topple his Government, Vajpayee dared the opposition to bring a no-confidence motion and said if his Government failed to prove majority on the floor of the House, it would quit as it had done in the past when it lost by only one vote. Stating that corruption was a serious issue that needed to be addressed, he said Congress, unlike BJP, was not in favour of bringing the Prime Minister under the purview of Lok Pal Bill. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 15: All India Congress (I) Committee general secretary Mrs Mohsina Kidwai is arriving here tomorrow morning on her first visit to the State after taking over the charge of party affairs in Jammu and Kashmir. Mrs Kidwai will be accompanied by PCC (I) president Mohd Shaffi Qureshi. |
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‘Centre
should have initiated talks on BHOPAL, Apr 15: The Centre should have initiated the process of dialogue immediately after announcing ceasefire in Kashmir three months back, according to former Sadar-e-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Karan Singh. "Initiating talks at this stage does not have any relevance," Dr Singh, now a Congress MP, said. Asked to outline a solution to the vexed problem, he said "the problem is very grave and requires to be ameliorated," he, however, refused to elaborate further. Dr Singh conceded that the situation in Kashmir had become grave and complicated over the last 12 years. "The escalation in violence in Kashmir , after Rajiv Gandhi was removed from power, has continued unabated." He also expressing concern over the corruption in the country called for a revolution. "This revolution should not be violent but in tune with the Indian society". (UNI) |
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Netaji died in Russian cell, says Bodyguard VIJAYAWADA, Apr 14: The bodyguard of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Shobharam Dokas, today claimed that the great patriot had died in a Russian Cell and not in an air crash as has been talked about. Dokas, who was here to attend the All India Freedom Fighers National General Council, told reporters that "Netaji is not alive. Even if he is alive, his age would be 104 and chances for his survival are very rare." "Bose, who recruited Indian Prisoners of War in the Azad Hind Sena, was a great leader, who believed in sacrificing everything for the freedom of the nation," Dokas said. He said "during the course of freedom struggle, he left from Bangkok to Russia via Mangolia and was later went missing. Though I was his bodyguard, due to certain reasons I could not accompany him as I was made incharge of an area during the freedom struggle." "We, as freedom fighters, are vexed with the present murky politics. Corruption has raised its head in every sphere. We have decided to create awareness among the people about the present political, economic and social scenario," he added.(PTI) |
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TC should n’t have pulled out of NDA: Panja KOLKATA, Apr 14: Trinamool Congress (TC) MP Ranjit Kumar Panja today said the TC-BJP alliance would have had a smooth sailing in the coming West Bengal Assembly polls had TC persisted with the NDA. Describing the decision of TC chief Mamata Banerjee to pull out of the NDA as ‘abrupt’, Panja said it would now be ‘difficult’ to convince voters of the new TC-Congress alliance in the elections. "As we had been opposing the Congress all along it may be difficult for us to convince the ordinary voters, if not the enlightened ones, about the alliance," he told PTI here. Panja said he also had reservations about selection of party candidates for the coming polls in his Barasat Lok Sabha constituency. "I had indicated my preferences, based on the prospects of each nominee. But in most seats those ranked lower in the order have been given tickets". However, Panja scotched speculation about his joining the BJP, saying "such theories have no substance".. Panja, a noted dermatologist who had been elected twice consecutively from the north 24 Pargans, constituency, said "I am not out and out a politician. If I have ideological differences with my party, I have the option of quitting politics’’. However, Panja hastened to add that in such a scenario he would first hold discussions with Banerjee. Meanwhile, the Left Front today alleged that Trinamool Congress (TC) was still keeping its contact with the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and was keeping its option open. "Even though two of the TC Ministers have tendered their resignation from the NDA Government, the party has not yet informed the President if they had withdrawn their support to NDA," State CPI(M) secretary Anil Biswas told reporters here. Biswas said Trinamool Congress had not written to the President any letter in this regard as it wanted to keep their options open to take a step suitable to them after the assembly elections in West Bengal was over. He further alleged that TC is taking funds from corporates and business houses for electioneering. "The way Trinamool has embarked on huge spending on cutouts and posters is quite amazing," he said. "We would like to know from them the sources of their funds. Where from are they getting such huge funds to spend on cutout and banners?" Biswas said. Explaining CPI(M)’s position, Biswas said, "our members contribute to party fund and even now a fund collection drive was going on. Only last week we had organised a mass collection drive in districts and more such drives would be undertaken before the coming elections." The Left Front today released a joint appeal by Jyoti Basu, the WB Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya, and leaders of other front constituents, asking the electorate to vote for the front candidates in the assembly election in the State. (PTI) |
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MALDA, Apr 14 : Veteran Congress leader A B A Ghani Khan Chowdhury today reiterated his stand that his party would never concede the two contentious seats of Englishbazar and and Harishchandrapur to its new poll ally Trinamool Congress. Ruling out any such concession to the Trinamool, the MP from Malda told newsmen that Gautam Chakraborty would be fielded as his party’s nominee from Englishbazar and Mostaq Alam from Harishchandrapur. The Trinamool Congress, which released its list of contestants yesterday, has claimed that it would put up its candidates from both the seats falling within Chaudhary’s native Malda district, but has not announced the names of party candidates so far. Chowdhury, however, struck a conciliatory tone on old Malda, saying discussions were being held with the party high command on the Trinamool’s request for the seat. The senior Congress leader refused to attach any importance to the Congress Bachao Committee floated by three dissident party MLAs, and claimed that they did not have the ability to weaken the party.(PTI) |
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