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Jawan, SOG
cop, civilian also killed Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Apr 16: Army and police today carried out three successful operations in Thanna Mandi, Budhal and Nowshera eliminating as many as 14 dreaded militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). An army jawan, a Special Operations Group (SOG) constable and a civilian were also killed in the two operations. While 10 militants were gunned down by army, BSF, SOG and police in a joint operation at village Morha in Ghai Chopatta area of Dudasanwalla, two militants were killed in another operation in Keri area of Budhal. Two ultras were killed on LoC in Nowshera when troops foiled an intrusion attempt. DIG Rajouri-Poonch range Ram Lubaya told EXCELSIOR tonight that security personnel of different forces swung into action after being fired upon by the militants from inside a house, which they had been using as a hideout in Morha village at 1100 hours today. Security jawans returned the firing. In the initial exchange of firing, one SOG constable identified as Abdul Majid Magray, a resident of Doda was killed while fighting bravely with Pakistan-backed foreign mercenaries. A Special Police Officer (SPO) Gul Feroz was seriously injured. With re-enforcement of army and police reaching the spot, a major counter offensive was launched against the militants. At about 1700 hours today, the jawans succeeded in killing all 10 militants inside their hideouts, the DIG said. Meanwhile, a handout issued by a Defence spokesman confirmed the death of only one militant in the operation. The hideout, which was being used by the militants for the last one month for taking shelter, was blasted and totally destroyed in the operation. Most of the militants were roasted alive inside the hideout as they couldn’t get a chance to come out, the DIG said. Security forces were making efforts to recover dead bodies of the militants from inside the hideout. Most of them were believed to be the foreign mercenaries of Pakistan-sponsored Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. A huge quantity of weaponry has been recovered from the encounter site, the exact details of which were being worked out. A number of heavy fire arms were burnt in the hideout, which caught fire during the operation, the DIG said. Another successful operation was carried out by army and police in Keri area this evening in which two hardcore militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit were killed. Army or police didn’t suffer any casualty in the operation. Both slain militants were foreign mercenaries and have been identified as Mohd Sahil alias Sher Khan and Mohd Farooq Khan alias Al Majid. Two AK-47 rifles, one wireless set, three magazines and 180 rounds besides letter heads of Jaish-e-Mohammed were recovered from their possession, the DIG said. Another encounter started between army and militants in Khablan area of Thanna Mandi late last night. The operation was later also joined by police. An army jawan Lance Naik Vinod Kumar and a civilian Mohd Din were killed in the operation. Mohd Din was trapped in the exchange of firing between militants and security forces and got seriously injured. He died while being referred to Medical College hospital in Jammu. Details of the encounter were awaited as troops were still engaged in the battle. A number of militants had been trapped in the gun-battle and efforts were on to eliminate them, official sources said. Meanwhile, two JeM militants were gunned down by troops in Nowshera sector today when they were trying to enter into Indian territory from PoK. Other militants in the group fled back to Pakistan. Four RPG rockets, four hand grenades, one pistol and 8 rounds were recovered from the spot. One of the slain ultra has been identified as Mohd Naseem of Pakistan. Killing of 14 Lashkar and Jaish cadres in two operations in a single day was a big setback to the militants, the sources said. |
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Stern warning to Lashkar
outfit Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 16: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today welcomed the beginning of talks on Kashmir by Centre’s mediator K C Pant and hoped that process of dialogue will be taken to logical conclusion. Talking to media persons on the sidelines of Sarpanchs and Panchs one day convention, organised by Rural Development Department, at MA stadium this morning, Dr Abdullah referring to Hurriyat Conference’s ‘no’ to participation in the talks, said :"the caravan for peace has started. Those who join it are welcome. And, those who don’t join it will be left behind". Regarding talks with Pakistan, he said ‘this issue concerns the Government of India only. Our only concern is the involvement of Kashmiri people in talks with Centre Government’s chief percolator K C Pant’. He, however, said that the first phase of talks will cover the leaders of various groups in J&K only while in the second phase, the Centre may think of talking to Pakistan. But, he hastened to add that India should talk to Pakistan only when there is discernible decline in trans-border terrorism. "No body can force New Delhi for talks with Islamabad", he asserted. The Chief Minister lambasted Hurriyat Conference for insisting on a visit to Pakistan before entering into negotiations with the Centre. "Kishti Chal Pari Hai, Jo Ismein Baithainge Woh Paar Ho Jaayenge, Jo Naheen Baithenge Woh Doobh Jaayenge", he said advising all Kashmiri groups to come forward and extend the hand of friendship to Centre’s bold initiative of dialogue. He said the Hurriyat Conference was losing a window of opportunity and will repent. On National Conference response to the talks, Dr Abdullah, who was also president of the party, quipped: "the NC will play its important role in the process. Earlier, addressing gathering of Sarpanchs and Panchs drawn from Jammu and Kathua district amidst heavy downpour, the Chief Minister declared that Jammu and Kashmir can never become Pakistan or can be given the so-called ‘azadi’. He criticised the Hurriyat Conference leaders for misleading the people. Warning Pakistan-sponsored militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) to desist from anti-Indian activities, Dr Farooq Abdullah said the Government will not spare such killers and will deal with them sternly wherever they are found. He ridiculed the talk of ‘azadi’ and said ‘if Pakistan was so concerned about the people of Jammu and Kashmir why did it stop implementation of our ambitious navigation lock at Wullar in the Valley, ‘which would have generated considerable electricity to the relief of our people’. But, he said, Pakistan was never sincere to Kashmiris and was only making the people of J&K cannon fodder. The Chief Minister made a special mention of the killing of political leaders and workers and said ‘it was duty of the Government to take care of their families. After all, they have laid down their lives for India and their families will not be left uncared by us’. Dr Abdullah urged the people especially the newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs of border area to be vigilant against Pakistan’s nefarious designs and asked them to extend help to security forces in preventing infiltration from across the border. He said fencing of the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir had started and it will take sometime to complete it. He sought co-operation of people in dealing with militancy. "It was a wrong perception that protection of border and safe-guarding the solidarity of the country is the sole responsibility of army", he said. Turning towards the newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs, the Chief Minister said the Government was committed towards decentralisation of powers at grass root level. Holding of Panchayat elections after a gap of over two decades pointed out the Government’s intentions to restore powers at Panchayat level, he asserted. "All Ministers will be directed to take Sarpanchs and Panchs alongwith them when-ever they tour the rural areas. The Ministers will also be advised to meet Sarpanchs and Panchs frequently to elicit their opinion on development works and other issues", he said. Dr Abdullah called upon the Panchayat members to face militants’ threats bravely and don’t get afraid of them. "Life and death is in the hands of God. Those who are afraid of death, don’t believe in Allah", he said. Promising more powers to Panchayats, he said the Government will organise of training camps for Sarpanchs and Panchs to apprise them of their powers ‘so that they perform well’. Dr Abdullah said that his Government would empower the Panchayats with necessary authority and funds to make the Panchayati Raj system effective and result oriented in J&K. He said that completing the elections for Panchayats after a gap of 23 year was a significant land mark in democratization of grass-root level institutions. He said making Panchayats fully representative and vibrant institutions has, in fact, empowered the people in villages, casting greater responsibility and involvement on them in managing the affairs of the villages. It is harbinger for peace, he added. He said his Government is ready even promulgate ordinance to amend the Panchayati Raj Act to strengthen these institutions and make these effective instrument of rural change. He said during recent budget session some legislators had suggested changes in the Act to make the Panchayati Raj system more efficient and meaningful in the State. He said all those suggestions will be examined and, if necessary, the Governor will be approached for promulgating ordinance to effect changes in the Act. The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of Panchayat polls in the State and said our elections are almost a contrast to what we see of Bihar on TV every day. Referring to the role of panchayats in development process, Dr Abdullah said that adequate money would be provided for making their functioning more meaningful. He said despite financial constraints, the Government will have to arrange money for panchayats as they have to play a vital role in expediting rural development. He said that they have to construct roads, dispensaries, Panchayat ghars and other rural development works. He said he would empower Panchayats in such a way that bureaucracy would become subservient to these democratic institutions. This, he said, is only possible if newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs conduct themselves with integrity and sincerity for the welfare of the people who have given mandate to them. Honest members with far-sightedness can make all the difference in the villages in next five years. Dr Abdullah said that this time the Government will nominate women on these Panchayats which do not have their adequate representation. There will be no political consideration in these nominations. The Government will nominate only those women who are articulate and have interest in development and welfare programmes. He said in the next election after five years no such nominations will be made and women's reservation would be provided for elections. Similar representations will be given to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in Panchayats. In fact, Panchayats are nurseries for legislative assemblies and there is no clash in the role between these two classes of public representatives. He, however, stressed the need for harmonious relations between them and said they have to join hands for removing poverty and backwardness. The Chief Minister said that since Panchayats have come into existence in the present form after 23 years, there is a greater need for impartinng training to newly elected panchs and sarpanches so that they are aware of their role, rights and duties. He said his Government will provide all necessary inputs for the smooth functioning of these institutions. He said he will ask his ministerial colleagues to meet and interact with them whenever they visit rural areas and deliberate on the problems of the people. Dr Abdullah said he has entrusted this important portfolio to Mr Sadhotra as he is very energetic and will be able to provide necessary assistance of support to these institutions. Earlier, the Minister for Panchayat and Rural Development, Mr Ajay Sadhotra, in his welcome address, said that 4322 sarpanchs and panchs are participating in today's conference and would be imparted training about the functions of Panchayats under the Panchayat Act. He said there will be devolution of power and empowerment of people to make these institutions stronger. He said Panchayati Raj department has chalked out a detailed programme to impart training to newly elected panchs and sarpanchs and necessary support will be given for their smooth conduct. Mr Sadhotra said Panchayats will be involved in the implementation of rural development schemes. The plans for these schemes will be prepared by these Panchayats and sufficient funds allotted for implementing these schemes in villages. He said rural employment schemes involving Rs 60 crore will be implemented through Panchayats. Mr Sadhotra complimented Sarpanchs and Panchs on their elections and hoped that they will have no stone unturned in stepping up the pace of development and bring about much needed socio-economic rural change. |
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Talks to resolve Kashmir issue not effective : Surjeet NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet today said the Centre’s initiative to resolve the Kashmir problem would not bring the desired results as it lacked "concrete" proposals. "The basic question is who is talking to whom and on what basis," he said in an obvious reference to the Centre’s nominee K C Pant holding first round of talks with senior Kashmiri leader and former Chief Minister Mir Qasim. The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission said here yesterday that the Hurriyat Conference, the People’s Front and 20 other political parties have been formally invited for a dialogue to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue, and ruled out involving Pakistan-based militants in the peace process. The past experience showed that all such efforts in absence of a "clear cut strategy" brought no results, Mr Surjeet said adding the whole exercise seemed to be a part of the ‘bigger game plan’ to invite the United States’ mediation on the Kashmir issue. He said the Vajpayee Government must keep in mind that Kashmir is an integral part of India and no third party mediation was accetable while the Article 370 was a fait accompli. On Sangh Parivar’s ultimatum to the NDA Government to clear obstacles by March next year for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Mr Surjeet said the move was to intimidate the Vajpayee Government and implied that courts and negotiations do not matter. The Sangh Parivar was pursuing its set agenda of constructing the temple after a resolution was passed in the Dharam Sansad at Allahabad Kumbh Mela, Mr Surjeet said adding the move was frought with dangers of igniting communal passions. The veteran Communist leader said the opposition would not allow Mr Vajpayee to wriggle out of the Tehelka issue by his manoeuvring a majority in the Lok Sabha when his party president and others had been shown taking money on video tapes. The Prime Minister had challenged the opposition yesterday to bring a no-confidence motion against the NDA Government and defeat it on the floor of the Lok Sabha instead of demanding his resignation on the Tehelka issue. "The opposition will participate in the debate on the issue inside Parliament but not give up its demand for the ouster of the Vajpayee Government in view of the Tehelka revelations," he said. Forward Bloc vice president comrade D D Shastri said the Centre’s initiative on Kashmir could not carry conviction until the Hurriyat Conference and the militant groups joined the dialogue. Mr Shastri said the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s ultimatum was part of the "calculated gameplan" of the Sangh Parivar to keep the non-BJP allies in the NDA under pressure especially at a time when the possiblities of their leaving the coalition was high in the wake of the Tehelka expose. (UNI) |
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Call for Indo-Pak
parleys NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Senior Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Shah today said he was prepared for any meaningful talks with the Centre, but Government should simultaneously engage in dialogue with Pakistan so that the entire process could be fine tuned to achieve a breakthrough on the Kashmir issue. "We will hold talks with K C Pant provided Government is not intending to make a mess of it by roping in every party or group to the negotiating table," Shah, president of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP), told PTI here. Shah said it was high time the Government showed its sincerity and talked to "actual leaders who opposed Kashmir’s accession" rather than talking to parties like Congress and National Conference. Reacting to talks between Pant and Mir Qasim yesterday, Shah said "no doubt Qasim could give a thorough briefing to Pant on Kashmir, but at the end of it he has to talk to us." Shah, who was credited with encouraging the influence of Hurriyat Conference in the early years, said "another issue is that India should hold talks with Pakistan." Commenting on India’s condition that Islamabad should first stop cross-border terrorism before any dialogue process began, Shah said "big men should have big hearts and when Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee undertook Lahore bus trip, this process was on even at that time. Centre should give up its rigid stand and engage in meaningful talks with its neighbour." Shah, who was named as the "Nelson Mandela of Kashmir" by the Amnesty International, said the Centre should understand the language of Pakistani military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf, who has expressed his willingness to talk. "I am not stressing for tripartite talks but a consensus needs to be evolved between India, Pakistan and people of the State, in a bid to find solution to the problem which has been dogging the peace efforts in the entire South Asia," he said. Referring to small parties and groups in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said it was for the Hurriyat or his party to negotiate with them. "Afterall, they are our baby and we will ensure that whosoever represents Kashmir at the negotiatiing table will do so with a consensus," he said. Stressing the need for holding talks with militant groups based in Pakistan, Shah said "they also need to be taken into confidence." The senior Kashmir leader maintained that all these were necessary elements to broker peace in Kashmir. Stating that his party had no problems if the Centre decided to hold talks with Hurriyat Conference, Shah, who later parted company with the conglomerate, said "I am interested in eating mangoes (peace in Kashmir), how it comes is not my problem." About Hurriyat Conference, Shah said "they have not still learnt to broad-base their conglomerate to reach out to Jammu and Ladakh. I brought them to Delhi and from there they have moved no where." In a veiled advice to Hurriyat, Shah said "we cannot ignore Kashmiri Pundits, Dogras of Jammu and Buddhist of Ladakh which everybody should understand." (PTI) |
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Govt rejects demand for inquiry into land deals of CJI NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Centre today rejected the demand by former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan for a probe into acquisition of immoveable property by Chief Justice of India A A Anand and his relatives. Terming that such an inquiry would be "subversive of judicial independence", Law Minister Arun Jaitley today wrote to Bhushan saying all the allegations made by him (Bhushan) had earlier been looked into and adjudicated by the courts. Bhushan had demanded an inquiry referring several court documents in this regard to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on March 13. However, he made those documents public on the ground that the Prime Minister did not respond. Referring to Bhushan’s letter to the Prime Minister, Jaitley said "the subject matter of the issues raised in your letter relates to judicial orders and judicial proceedings." "These matters have been looked into on the judicial side by the Supreme Court when it dismissed two writ petitions filed in 1988 seeking transfer of Justice Anand, the then Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court," the Law Minister said. Meanwhile, Law Ministry sources said even in 1988, the issue of allotment of land to Justice Anand by the Jammu and Kashmir Government was raised by Prof Madhu Dandavate. The then Law Minister B Shankaranand had written to Dandavate saying a plot of land measuring one kanal was allotted to Justice Anand by the State Government in Gandhinagar in 1988 on normal terms. The allotment was not made out of the way but "strictly in line with the past practice and convention, and that the allotment of plots in Gandhinagar, Jammu, has always been done only at the reserved price", Shankaranand’s letter said. Referring to the questions raised by Bhushan pertaining to lands of Justice Anand’s wife and mother-in-law, Jaitley in his letter said the courts of Madhya Pradesh, including the State High Court, had also examined in detail these issues. "The request that the executive should re-examine the matter would be subversive of judicial independence and the government cannot accede to your (Bhushan’s) request" for a probe into the allegations, the Law Minister said. Bhushan on Saturday had demanded an inquiry into certain allegations made against Justice Anand by certain magazines involving immoveable property. Bhushan, a senior advocate, held a press conference where he released copies of letters sent by him to Vajpayee and all judges of the Apex Court along with court documents dating back several years before justice Anand became the CJI. The former Law Minister said after the allegations appeared in print media, the authorities have made no inquiry to determine the falsity or correctness of these allegations. (PTI) |
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Farooq is a
‘crucial’ factor From B L Kak JAMMU, April 16: Syed Mir Qasim, veteran Kashmiri leader and former Chief Minister, has warned that prevailing tension and bitterness in the opposition camp in Kashmir won’t show signs of abatement, if the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) delegation was not allowed to visit Pakistan. This warning surfaced in the course of Mr Qasim’s formal meeting with the Centre’s principal negotiator, Mr K C Pant, in New Delhi on Sunday. Giving this information to EXCELSIOR, a close source to Mr Pant divulged that Mr Qasim, in his "free and frank" discussions with Mr Pant, voiced "a bit of anger and a bit of surprise " at what the Kashmiri leader termed as "irrelevant and unnecessary" unwillingness of the Government to permit the Hurriyat team to visit Pakistan. As the discussions between the two progressed, Mr Qasim, the source also divulged, deemed it necessary to apprise Mr Pant of his assessment of various important leaders and political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. These leaders also included prominent men of the Hurriyat Conference. Mr Pant, who had called for Mr Qasim’s views on the demand of the Hurriyat for New Delhi’s permission to its delegation to visit Pakistan, was told by Kashmir’s former Chief Minister that a "hurricane will not lash India" if the Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former chairman of the APHC, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was permitted to visit Pakistan. According to the sources, Mr Pant, who prefaced his consultations with Mr Qasim by making "anxious" queries vis-a-vis his state of health, was prompted to change the topic when he was told by the Kashmir leader that the health of Jammu and Kashmir required immediate, effective "remedial" measures. Another important disclosure: Before the meeting concluded, Mr Pant, who is known for being publicity shy, had planned to keep himself away from the media-persons. Mr Pant had to change his mind, after he was told by Mr Qasim that he will give out "something, if not the whole lot of details we took up for discussions", to news persons. Third disclosure: Mr Pant, who had, on the eve of his meeting with Mr Qasim, prepared his list of the people and parties he would interact with as days roll by, had to effect a few changes in it—precisely, in the form of inclusion of more names— after he (Mr Qasim) took up for discussion the modus operandi of the set of secessionist leaders. Syed Mir Qasim, who is also known for his personal equation with Mr K C Pant, was also prompted to give his version or opinion on the situation in J&K since the enforcement of New Delhi’s cease-fire in November last, on the functioning of the State Government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah, and, on "potency", if any, of pro-India formation and elements. While apprising Mr Pant of his assessment of all these and other matters, Mr Qasim was reported to have told him that despite emergence on the scene of many a critic of the National Conference Government, Dr Farooq Abdullah is a "crucial factor", requiring dexterous handling. |
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Two pilgrims killed, 7 injured in mishap Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 16: Two Vaishno Devi pilgrims were killed and seven others including three minor children injured in a collision between a Maruti 207 van and tipper at Sarore on Jammu-Pathankote National Highway at around 1430 hours today. According to police, the Maruti van bearing registration number DID-2473 and carrying nine Vaishno Devi pilgrims was on its way from Katra to Punjab when it collided head-on with a speeding tipper bearing number JK02H-9221 which was coming from the opposite direction at Sarore under the jurisdiction of Bari Brahamana police station. The tipper driver immediately fled away from the spot of accident leaving behind the victims bleeding profusely. Getting the report of accident, a police party from Bari Brahamana police station rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. All the injured were shifted to Government Medical College Hospital where doctors pronounced two of them as brought dead. The condition of all the injured was stated to be critical till reports last came in. The deceased have been identified as Santosh Devi, wife of Banarsi Das of Amritsar and Baldev Singh, son of Pritam Singh of Jatwal. The injured have been identified as Raman, son of Sohan Lal of Gurdaspur, his wife Sushma Sharma and two sons Arun and Reshab, Rakesh Kumar, son of Banarsi Dass, his wife Sushri Devi and son Rahul, all the residents of Amritsar. Police have registered a case under Section 279, 337 and 304 A RPC against the erring tipper driver and a hunt was on to nab him. But no arrest was made till last this evening. The tipper was seized by the police. |
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NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Expressing "grave concern" over growing leakage of public funds, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today vowed to fight corruption saying it was the biggest enemy of development. "Corruption is the biggest enemy of development. I wish to emphasise our Government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring probity in administration and in public life," Vajpayee said inaugurating the 21st conference of Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Though substantial resources are allocated for social sectors to remove regional imbalances, he said, leakage of funds at implementation level were hampering the developmental process. Vajpayee’s observation assumes significance in the face of arrests of senior Customs officials including Chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs B.P. Verma over corruption charges and tehelka expose. Vajpayee said CAG had an important role to play in maintaining transparency and accountability as people’s expectations from the Government were on the rise, necessitating proper use of scarce public resources to produce desired results. With the onset of economic reforms, "the need for accountability has increased and not decreased," he added. He also expressed Government’s commitment to greater fiscal responsibility and said it was determined to contain public debt and budgetary deficits. On privatisation of Public Sector Undertakings, Vajpayee said this had brought about a new situation "an issue that needs debate is the nature of accountability mechanism to be established for companies transferred to private management but where Government continues to have a substantial financial stake," he said. He said while some control might be necessary in such cases, it should not act as detriment to the entrepreneurial initiative of the management. "You (CAG) will need to devise appropriate norms and methods to audit the regulatory authorities, where these audits are entrusted to you," he said. Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha who also spoke on the occasion, said with the process of privatisation gathering momentum, the transfer of assets would come under the ambit of CAG. Another feature of reforms is the greater reliance on independent regulatory authorities instead of direct intervention by Government, Vajpayee said, adding while the effectiveness of these regulatory authorities requires independence in their functioning, their accountability to the legislative needs to be ensured. The Prime Minister said the Comptroller and Auditor General of India had an important role in strengthening the accounting system of lakhs of panchayats and thousand of urban bodies and in conducting their audit. "I am sure you (department) will devise an effective plan to do this". In the wake of the 11th Finance Commission making extensive recommendations on increasing financial resources of Panchayat Raj institutions and urban local bodies, the CAG had an important role to play in this regard, he said. Noting that the Public Accounts Committee does not have the time to examine the reports of every ministry and department provided by the CAG and instead choose only a few ministries for examination, he said this system was not desirable. "One way to remedy this defect is that the CAGs report of every ministry be sent to the Parliamentary standing committee for a preliminary scrutiny," he said. This will have the advantage of ensuring that every ministry’s CAG report is examined "and that too by those who have some understanding of the workings of that ministry" Vajpayee said.(PTI) |
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Hurriyat urged for positive response SRINAGAR, Apr 16: The Hurriyat Conference today announced that its key-decision making forum, the Executive Committee, will meet in a day or two to formulate its response to the Centre’s invitation for dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue. Hurriyat chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat told PTI that though a formal invitation from Centre’s Chief Interlocutor K C Pant was yet to reach the apex body of separatist outfits, the Executive is likely to meet in a day or two. He reiterated Hurriyat’s demand to involve Pakistan in the talks to resolve the Kashmir issue. Asked specifically about the unconditional talks offer by Pant, Bhat said "yes, we have been demanding unconditional talks. They should revolve round Islamabad, Delhi and Srinagar." In a veiled attack on the Centre’s decision to broadbase the talks, he said efforts aimed at involving a crowd would be "fruitless’’. However, he said Hurriyat cannot object to Pant’s talking to anybody. "Let them try if they can resolve this issue and buy peace. We will see and know how things proceed," he added. Meanwhile, two Canadian officials met Bhat today. "We briefed them about the genesis of the Kashmir issue and its possible solution," the Hurriyat leader said. He said the "real political facts" about the issue were presented before the officials. "We told David Edwards, incharge, Political and Security Affairs South Asia Division, and Delhi-based First Secretary (Political Affairs) of Canadian High Commission James J Carrickk that it (Kashmir issue) is not an internal problem or a mere law and order issue but a problem between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris."(PTI) |
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PM makes light of Pak propaganda NEW DELHI, Apr 16: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has made light of Pakistan’s move to embarrass him during last week’s visit to Iran by bringing out supplements in Iranian dailies carrying anti-India propaganda by Pakistani leaders. "Yes, I saw the celebration in the newspapers," Vajpayee told "Worldview India" programme on Doordarshan. Coinciding with Vajpayee’s four-day visit, special supplements were brought out by Pakistan Commissioner in Teheran on Pakistan Day celebrations, 20 days after the event on March 23, with propaganda on Jammu and Kashmir. The supplements running into eight pages showed parts of Jammu and Kashmir as tourist destinations in Pakistan, a move Islamabad makes now and then to get international recognition of the area under the State. New Delhi has been dismissive of such attempts by Pakistan to internationalise the Kashmir issue and garner global support for its cause. The pull-outs were published in English newspapers "Iran News" and "Teheran Times". Declaring that Teheran was critical of Pakistan for supporting the Taliban regime in Kabul, Vajpayee said India and Iran have decided to take effective steps to bring about normalcy in Afghanistan. "The two countries have also decided to increase international pressure (on Taliban) and have criticised Pakistan for its support to Taliban," Vajpayee said. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 17: The Home Department today ordered promotions of three Inspectors as Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs) in their own pay and grade and purely as a stop gap arrangement. The promoted officers included Sudershan Kumar (No 162/NGO), Hamidullah (No 3057/NGO) and Satpal (No 163/NGO-SC). |
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12 pistols recovered in RS Pura Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 16: The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of CID have recovered 12 Chinese made pistol mousers alongwith 125 rounds from village Kullian, about four kms short of the International Border in RS Pura sector. Recovery also included 24 pistol magazines and four cleaning rods, a police hand-out said. It said IGP CID Kuldeep Khoda today showed the consignment recovered by CI sleuths to DIG A K Suri. The DGP lauded the working of Intelligence sleuths and exhorted them to be more vigilant and resourceful. |
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