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Representation
to unrepresented areas: CM Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Three new Ministers of State were today inducted into the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers. They are Mr Khalid Najib Suharwardhy, Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Bukhari and Choudhry Mohammad Hussain. The Governor, Mr Girish Chandra Saxena administered them the oath of office and secrecy at a simple but impressive function at Raj Bhavan. The new ministers took their oath of office in Urdu. Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah was present at the ceremony. With this the number of ministers in Farooq Abdullah ministry has risen to 26. These include 14 cabinet ministers including the Chief Minister and 12 ministers of state. This is the fourth expansion in the Dr Abdullah ministry that came into power in October 1996. Among others, Chairman Legislative Council, Mr Abdul Rashid Dar, Speaker Legislative Council, Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil, ministers, legislators and senior officers were present at the swearing in ceremony. While Choudhry Mohammad Hussain has served the State as a minister in 80s, Mr Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy and Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Bukhari are the new entrants. Mr Suharwardhy represents Doda constituency, Mr Bukhari, Surankote and Mr Hussain Darhal constituency in Jammu region. Later, talking to media persons, the Chief Minister said that he has expanded the ministry to give representation to unrepresented districts of Rajouri and Poonch. In view of ailing health of Minister for Social Welfare Mr Bashir Ahmed Kitchloo, more representation has been given to Doda district. To a question about representation to Kashmiri Pandits, Dr Abdullah said that due representation will be given to them at an appropriate time. He made it clear that expansion of his ministry has nothing to do with declaration of Jammu districts as disturbed area. The new ministers have been inducted to ensure rapid development of these districts. On declaring six districts of Jammu as Disturbed Area, the Chief Minister said that he had to take this measure to strengthen the security forces to meet the challenge of Pakistan, which is changing its tactics every day. He said the neighbouring country is now targeting minorities and the situation demanded that the security forces are given more powers to deal with terrorism. ‘How can I leave innocent people in far flung areas at the mercy of terrorists’, he said, adding that forces had to be equipped with powers to deal with certain situations. He made it clear that these powers are not given to harass innocents but to protect them from the designs of terrorists. Replying to another question on unprecedented security bandobast, he said the security had to be beefed up every year as the neighbouring countries and their agents are hell bent on disrupting the national day functions. ‘We have to take every possible measure for the safety of the people and orderly conduct of celebrations’, he said. When asked about possibility of enactment of any legislation on the pattern of TADA to deal with the situation, the Chief Minister said that the State had to look into every gamut of situation and take steps accordingly. He, however, expressed ignorance about any move by the Home Ministry for enactment of TADA type legislation to deal with militancy. In reply to another question, the Chief Minister said that the entire autonomy report is before the centre, which has now shown a willingness to discuss it. Discontentment is brewing up in a major section of the Shia community which expected Aga Syed Mehmood’s elevation to the Cabinet. Aga Mehmood has been an MoS since March 26, 1987, when he was inducted as MoS Revenue by Dr Abdullah. His followers have been asking him questions as to how a junior minister like Sakeena Itoo had got two promotions in the last three years and he had been ignored every time. When Sakeena, Bashir Ahmed Nengroo and Ajay Sadhotra got independent charge of their portfolios in January this year, Aga was pressurised to the extent that he tendered his resignation. According to informed sources, Dr Abdullah refused to accept the Aga’s resignation and assured him elevation to the Cabinet rank after his return from London. Thereafter, Aga attended to his work after a pause of six weeks. He is said to be upset that all of his 1987 colleagues like Dr Mustafa Kamal, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan and even junior like Ali Mohammad Sagar and Harbans Singh have since been appointed as Cabinet Ministers but he has been "singled out to create a record as MoS". None of other potential candidates — Sadiq Ali, Mohammad Sayeed Akhoon, Mohammad Shafi Bhat, Dilawar Mir — was present at the oath-taking ceremony. Their absence is well speculative of resentment as all of them had been "waiting for a good news" for the last two years. Even, one-time counter-insurgent and now NC’s MLC Javed Shah had been staking his claim over a position of the Deputy Minister. Changing the status quo has ruffled a many feathers, as now onwards there is hardly any possibility of Cabinet reshuffle. By all indications, Dr Abdullah may like to go in for polls in April next year, though he told newsmen this evening that his Government would like to complete its 6-year term. |
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People asked to make
their voice for peace heard Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Governor Mr Girish Chander Saxena has called upon the people of the State to "come out more openly to make their voice for peace heard" and "work for eliminating the scourage of militancy to take the State forward on path of peace, progress and prosperity. In his I-Day message, the Governor asked the people to draw strength from their cherished traditions of communal harmony and composite culture and the tested value of democracy and secularism to take the State forward. He said that the people of the State are peace-loving and they yearn for restoration of order and normalcy so that they can again get on with the task of economic development which will generate more employment opportunities for the youth. Without naming Hurriyat leaders, the Governor said that "it is also time for some leaders who claim to be the only true representatives of the people, to better understand the ground realities and follow a pro-people agenda rather than serve another country’s agenda or their own ends. Any meaningful approach towards resolution of the problems we face, will need to take into account realistic parameters. The Governor, however, said that " no body should doubt India’s resolve, strength or stamina to continue resisting terrorism and violence until it is decisively crushed. We can and shall stay the course no matter how long it takes, but our effort shall always be to cut short the agony and suffering of the affected people. In our endeavours for peaceful resolution of problems and issues, the door of dialogue will be kept open". Advising people to see through the designs of the neighbouring country, the Governor reminded what he had said in 1990 that "militancy will not achieve anything but will only bring death, destruction and suffering to the people of the State". He said that the people have seen this happening. During the last few years, fundamentalist terrorist organization, based in and operating from Pakistan, have taken over control of the armed militancy and are carrying on cross-border terrorism as part of a proxy war. Mr Saxena said that these terrorists are committing most horrendous and barbaric crimes against humanity in the name of so-called ‘Jehad’ and thus bringing a bad name to a great religion. It is preposterous that some in the neighbouring country who claim to be giving them only moral, diplomatic and political support, explain away these large scale killings of innocent civilians as unavoidable in a, what they call, ‘freedom struggle’. Paying rich tributes to gallant security forces and policemen for fighting the externally backed terrorists the Governor said that they killed more than 1500 terrorists last year, while more than 1000 terrorists have already been killed in the current year. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to make the terrorists and their foreign masters realize that India shall never yield to terrorism and is fully determined to defeat all attempts to undermine its national security and territorial integrity. The Governor decried the orchestrated propaganda against the security forces and said they are following strict instructions to avoid harm, harassment or loss to innocent civilians and to respect the human rights of every citizen while carrying out operations. However, in the circumstances created by terrorists and the foreign agencies controlling them, despite sincere efforts of security forces to act with due restraint and care, there are occasional incidents in which civilians feel harassed or suffer loss of life or property. He appealed to the people not to be misled by the orchestrated and motivated propaganda against the security forces and police by the militants and their over-ground leaders which is generally based on incorrect or distorted accounts of events. People should not accept sweeping allegations of human right violations against the security forces and police as a whole on the basis of stray incidents of alleged over-reaction or wrong doing by some of their personnel. Mr Saxena, in his address also dwelt on Centre’s series of peace initiatives and said that although the Summit Meeting at Agra remained inconclusive, India’s efforts for peace will continue. All these initiatives were inspired by the commitment to peace and reconciliation and a sincere desire to move on without remaining a prisoner of the past. It will be a serious mistake on the part of our adversaries to interpret these initiative otherwise. Extending greetings on the occasion of the 54th Anniversary of Independence, the Governor said that our nation has made considerable progress since 1947 in the fields of economic development, social reforms and political evolution. Today, India is recognized internationally as a stable, peace-loving and strong country which is also fast emerging as a major economic power in the world. He said that Jammu and Kashmir too had been making steady progress after Independence in economic development and had shown remarkable achievements in the fields of land reforms, tourism, horticulture and manufacture of carpets, shawls and handicrafts. This march on the path of progress was seriously disrupted by the eruption of violent militancy which has been continuing during the last 12 years and has caused considerable loss of precious lives and large scale destruction of public and private property. People have suffered immense hardships due to the resultant dislocation of their normal life and economic activity. The greater part of the minority population in the Valley had to leave their hearths and homes because of the threat to their life and honour and have been living as migrants in distressful conditions for many years. "However, we have to fully complete the task of nation building and overcome some lingering problems like unsustainable growth of population, illiteracy and poverty among sizeable sections of our people and inadequate infrastructure to take care of our requirements of energy, water, transportation and communications," he added. |
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Innocent’s killings terrorism, not jehad: Farooq Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq has exhorted compatriots to meet with grit the challenges faced to the country, saying that preserving independence is more difficult than achieving it. Extending greetings to the people on the occasion of 55th Independence Day, Dr Abdullah said the country has witnessed many vicissitudes since 1947 and is now at the most crucial juncture of its history as the neighbouring country has thrust a situation that is not only a threat to the nation but to entire humanity. Jammu and Kashmir is reeling under terrorism unleashed by mercenaries sponsored by Pakistan for the past 12 years, he said, adding that innocent people are becoming fodder of the enemy’s canon day in and day out. ‘In the name of Jehad, they have been targeting innocents, dishonoring women’, he said, asking ‘Does Islam preach all this’. He said a new dimension of sprinkling acid on women has been added to militancy and vowed to fight those who indulge in such acts sternly. The Chief Minister said the enemy has adopted a new strategy to trample the accepted norms of a civilized society. Not only have they and their agents in the State been orchestrating a malicious propaganda, but also Pakistan is openly supporting terrorism for its ulterior motives. He warned them to stop mayhem and destruction, as Kashmir will never be allowed to become Afghanistan. Pakistan has been defeated in three wars besides Kargil misadventure and they are destined to meet the same fate in the ongoing proxy war, he declared. Referring to the Prime Minister’s peace initiative, Dr Abdullah said inviting President Parvez Musharraf, the author of Kargil conflict, was itself a bold step, as India believes in forging friendship with its neighbours. This should not be construed as a sign of weakness. India has capacity and capability to give a befitting reply to misdoings of Pakistan but it sincerely wants to usher into a new era of trust in the region, he said, advising Pakistan not to nurture even an iota of hope that they will ever get even an inch of Kashmir. He said lack of response on opening of Uri road is understandable as Pakistan does not want peoples on the two sides to see for themselves the realities of Jammu and Kashmir as it will nail its propaganda. The Chief Minister pointed to the recent spurt in militancy and said that six districts of the Jammu region had to be declared as disturbed area in view of inhuman acts perpetrated by ultras. These powers were necessary to enable security forces to take on militants with heavy hand. Grant of special powers does not amount to a license to the security forces but these are to be exercised judiciously. ‘We have to teach a lesson to the neighbour’, he said. Dr Abdullah cautioned people to be vigilant against the ugly game plan of the enemy and said that no country can ever bear the dirty tactics the neighbouring country is indulging in. The Chief Minister reiterated his resolve to seek restoration of eroded autonomy for J&K and said that a realization has dawned at the Centre that has expressed its willingness to talk on this vital issue. ‘We want to press our reasonable and justified demand in peaceful manner as we believe in ballot rather than bullet’, he said while expressing confidence that the urges and aspirations of the people would fructify soon. Recalling the sacrifices offered by enormous freedom fighters, the Chief Minister said that freedom dawned on the country 54 years ago this day after a long and non-violent freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi. The Father of the Nation inspired people of all faiths and regions to join the freedom struggle who made sacrifices to free the country from British rule and establish a democratic, secular and socialist order which has stood the test of time. ‘Today, the grateful nation salutes the countless freedom fighters who, through their supreme sacrifices made us to breathe in free and democratic environs’, he said. He said Jammu and Kashmir had too joined the freedom struggle by launching a parallel movement against the feudal and autocratic rule under the leadership of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Despite being predominantly a Muslim State, its leadership and the secular and valiant people rejected the illogical 2-nation theory and joined the great Indian nation on the basis of commonality of ideals and values based on the principles of democracy, secularism, socialism and brotherhood. He said it was the miracle of Independence that thousands of landless tillers overnight became owners of the land they used to cultivate for landlords. The Chief Minister said that his Government has launched a massive reconstruction programme during the past five years and a great deal of damaged infrastructure has been put back in place. Water supply in numerous areas has been augmented by commissioning several schemes and tube-wells, he added. He said the State has covered a long distance in providing drinking water and electricity to a large number of villages during this period though much more needs to be done to increase the level of satisfaction of the people. The challenges of development are enormous, he said, adding that many areas of the State have not yet got the benefits of planned development. There are areas, which need drinking water and power supply, road connectivity, etc. Lack of resources and situation created by militancy has retarded the pace of development. "However, with the help of liberal central assistance and people’s support, we are determined to accelerate our march on the path of progress", the Chief Minister said. Dr Abdullah hoped that peace and prosperity would dawn on the State soon. ‘Every one of us has to contribute to put an end to the darkest chapter of militancy and to Jammu and Kashmir once again the paradise on earth. God willing, we have to make succeed in our objective, one day, no matter how much sacrifices we have to make’ the Chief Minister said. |
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Major shake-up in
judiciary Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 14: The State Government has appointed 60 new Munsiffs after creating 43 posts of Munsiffs under the Fast Track Courts Scheme. The appointments have been made on the recommendation of the State High Court. With the appointment of 60 new Munsiffs, no post of the Subordinate judiciary has remained vacant, sources in the High Court told EXCELSIOR. The High Court has also ordered that all the courts including newly created courts will start functioning immediately. The new appointees have been directed to join the place of posting latest by August 18. Meanwhile, the State High Court has promoted three Munsiffs to the post of Sub-Judges. They include Ravinder Nath Wattal, Munsiff District Judicial Mobile Magistrate Doda and now posted as Sub-Judge Kulgam against the available vacant post. Parvez Hussain Kachroo, Munsiff Bandipora on his elevation has been posted as Sub Judge Kupwara. Similarly, Mohinder Kumar Sharma, District Mobile Magistrate Rajouri has been promoted and posted as (Sub Judge) Municipal Magistrate Srinagar. According to the sources in the High Court, the expansion in the judiciary has been made on the efforts of Chief Justice Dr B P Saraf. Earlier, 33 Munsiff were appointed. The High Court had also issued orders of appointments of 220 Junior Assistants in the Subordinate Judiciary and 65 Class-IV employee. Consequent upon the appointment of 60 new Munsiffs, some transfers and adjustments have been affected. Munsiff Chadoora Jeema Bashir has been transferred and posted as First Additional Munsiff Srinagar. R Gandhi, Munsiff Hiranagar on his transfer has been posted as Sub-Registrar Jammu. Munsiff Banihal, J S Jamwal has been now posted as Munsiff Hiranagar, while’s V S Bhou, District Mobile Magistrate Poonch has been transferred and posted as Munsiff against newly created post at High Court wing Jammu. Khalil Ahmad Choudhary, Munsiff Tangmarg has been shifted to a newly created post at Rajouri, while as Riaz-ul-Haq, Munsiff Tral has been transferred and posted as Munsiff Thanna Mandi. Chain Lal Bovoria, Munsiff Mendhar has been now posted as Additional Munsiff Samba against the newly created post. Sunit Gupta, Munsiff Billawar has been posted at newly created post of Munsiff Majalta. Munsiff Pulwama Masarat Shaheen has been posted at newly created post at Charar-e-Sharief, while’s R S Jasrotia, Mobile Magistrate Anantnag has been shifted and posted as Munsiff Sunderbani vice Zubair Raza who has been posted as Munsiff Nowshera against the newly created post. Munsiff Bani, Ashwani Sharma has been posted as District Mobile Magistrate Doda, while as Munsiff Kalakote R K Dubey has been posted at newly created Munsiff post at Mahanpur. Munsiff Magam, M A Choudhary has now been posted as District Mobile Magistrate Poonch, while as Kusum Lata Pandita, Munsiff Chenani will be now Munsiff Udhampur against a newly created post. Sarfaraz Shah, Munsiff Sumbal has now been posted as Munsiff Poonch. Munsiff Pampore, Masarat Roohi has been posted as Additional Munsiff Srinagar against the newly create post, while’s Balbir Lal, Munsiff Zanaskar has been posed against a newly created post at Jammu. He has been asked to report at High Court Jammu. Munsiff Ashimuqam, Mohd Raffi has been posted as Munsiff Anantnag, while’s Aijaz Khan, on his transfer from Hanjipora has been posted as Fourth Additional Munsiff Srinagar against the newly created post. Mohd Ashraf, Munsiff Tangdhar has been posted as Munsiff Kalakote, while’s Abdul Nasir has been transferred from Dooru to the newly created post of Munsiff Batote. Mohd Anwar Alnasir has been transferred from Ganderbal and posted as Munsiff Ramban against the newly created post. Surinder Singh has been shifted from Gool Gulabgarh and posted against the new post of Munsiff Kathua. The 60 new Munsiffs who have been appointed as Officiating and on adhoc basis have also been adjusted. Mohd Amin Mir has posted as Munsiff Shangus (New post), Ajay Kumar posted as Munsiff Katra, Sudhir Kumar as Munsiff Bhaderwah and Gowhar Majeed Dalal as Munsiff Ashimuqam. Vineet Parihar has been posted as Munsiff Doda, Meraj-ud-Din will be Mobile Magistrate Sopore, Manjeet Singh Manhas as Munsiff Kishtwar, while’s A M Dar has been posted as Munsiff Baramulla. Om Parkash has been posted as Munsiff Zanaskar, Som Lal will be Munsiff Reasi, Pradeep Kumar, Munsiff Gandoh and J A Geelani has been posted a Munsiff Kupwara. Om Parkash has been posted as Munsiff Billawar, Naushad Ahmad as Munsiff Ganderbal, Mohd Ashraf Bhat as Munsiff Kulgam, while’s Muzzaffar Sheikh has been posted as Munsiff Chadoora. Imtiyaz Lone has been posted as Munsiff Kangan, Umi Kulum as Munsiff Bani, Rifat Jaan as Munsiff Bijbehara and Namgyal Wangchuk will be Munsiff Nobra. G M Rather has been posted as Munsiff Shopian, M Altaf as Munsiff Vailoo, Jamwal Din as Munsiff Tangdhar, while’s Bandana Jamwal has been posted as Munsiff Chenani. Arti Mohan has been posted as Munsiff Training-cum- Leave Reserve Post at High Court Jammu, S R Rehman will be Munsiff Drass, Mohd Ayub as Munsiff Pulwama while’s M A Lone has been posted as Munsiff Handwara. Spaizes Angmo will be Munsiff Neyoma, MI Sheikh as Munsiff Sogam, Riyaz Ahmad, as Munsiff Buniyar while’s M N Khawaja has been posted as Munsiff Tragpora. Rifat Ara has been posted as Fifth Additional Munsiff Srinagar, Y Firdus as Munsiff Training-cum-Leave Reserve at High Court Srinagar and Manohar Lal has been adjusted as Munsiff Gool Gulabgarh. Manisha Kohli will be Additional Munsiff R S Pura. Farooq Butt has been posted as Munsiff Pattan, Thinles Angmo as Munsiff Paddam (Headquarters at Khalsi), Adnan Syed as Munsiff Mendhar and Rifat Khalida has been posted as Munsiff Badgam. Ab Hanan Kalwal has been posted as Munsiff Gurez, Iqbal Khan adjusted as Additional Mobile Magistrate Traffic Srinagar, Ram Singh Posted as Munsiff Mobile Magistrate Traffic Anantnag, while’s Ahsan Ullah Parvez has been posted as Munsiff Tangpora. Pritpal Singh has been posted as Munsiff Jammu vice Y P Kotwal who has been posted as Munsiff Samba against the newly created post. Manzoor Zargar has been posted a Munsiff Dooru, Madan Lal as Munsiff Mobile Magistrate Traffic Rajouri, Mohd Aslam as Munsiff Magam, Raj Singh as Munsiff Qazigund while’s Gulzar Ahmad has been posted as Munsiff Damhal. Malik Shabir has been posted as Munsiff Banihal, Khaid Shah as City Munsiff Srinagar, Showkat Khan as Munsiff Tral, while’s Manoj Parihar has been adjusted against the post of Training-cum-Leave Reserve at High Court Jammu wing. Imtiyaz Ahmad Bulla has been posted as Munsiff Bandipora, Javed Alam as Second Additional Munsiff Srinagar, Surjit Singh Bali as Munsiff Basholi and Mohd Yousuf Allie has been transferred as Munsiff Kangan and posted at Sumbal. |
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Pak flag installed at
Budshah Chowk Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Even as a Pakistani flag was installed at Budshah Chowk in uptwon by a group of youngsters, no major incident of violence was reported from anywhere on occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day today. One militant, one SPO and a civilian were reported killed in three different militancy-related incidents across Kashmir valley since last evening. Amid tight security arrangements in advance of the I-Day celebrations in Kashmir valley, particularly in the capital city, a group of four youth managed to install a green Pakistani flag in front of Fancy Fabrics, at Budshah Chowk, this afternoon. After the youngsters withdrew from the spot, teeming with Police and BSF personnel, a Policeman removed the flag. Reports from Pulwama and Kupwara districts said that Pakistani flags were hoisted at several places and armed militants conducted "ceremonial parades" at three villages in Lolab. However, officials dismissed all these reports as "rumours being spread by pro-militant elements" and claimed that neither any Pakistani flag was hoisted anywhere other than at Budshah Chowk nor had the militants conducted any parade in any part of Kashmir valley today. Contrary to speculations, apprehensions and the scare being spread by Doordarshan and Akashwani, there were no militant strikes anywhere in Kashmir valley today. Officials said that in one-odd incident, Police seized a 500 gram explosive device which had been planted by militants in a public lavatory near Biscoe School in Lalchowk area. Security forces and SOG eliminated an unidentified militant, believed to be a foreigner, in an encounter at Arin village in Bandipore. One civilian, namely Mohammad Maqbool Hanji S/o Ghulam Hassan of Bajibagh (Pampore) got killed in a minor exchange of fire between militants and security forces near Samboora, Pampore today. However, residents alleged that the civilian became the victim of the security forces’ over-reaction after some militants fired upon them from a distance. A woman, namely Zooni W/o Abdur Rasheed, sustained injuries in the "indiscriminate firing", they said. Official sources said that last evening, militants gunned down a counter-insurgent SPO, Ishaq Ahmed Parray of Drung Lassipora, Budgam, in a passenger bus at Batmaloo bus stand. Another commuter, Ghulam Nabi Mir of Humshipora, Beerwah, sustained injuries in the shootout. Parray, according to militants’ allegations, had helped SOG Budgam in killing a prominant militant of Hizbul Mujahideen, Mushtaq Parray, at the same spot last year. They were cousins. Later, Ishaq Parray had been appointed as an SPO by Budgam Police. His killing is apparently part of a drive launched by Hizbul Mujahideen militants to eliminate all counter-insurgents and anti-militancy individuals of Beerwah-Magam-Budgam belt on central Kashmir. Reports from Baramulla said that during last night, security forces torched a shopping complex after they were attacked by militants on Warpora-Sopore road. The complex gutted completely. Reports from Kulgam said that last evening, militants hurled a hand grenade towards the residential house of Ms Sakeen Itoo, Minister of State for Tourism, at Damhal Hanjipora. It failed to go off and was seized by Police. |
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14 junior docs, students
rusticated Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 14: In a sudden shift in their course of agitation, the striking medical students supported by junior doctors today came down from one point demand of removal of Principal Dr H L Goswami to 15 other demands even as authorities of Government Medical College today rusticated 14 medicos and police registered a case against 10 medicos at Bakshi Nagar Police Station. The students of Medical College and junior doctors, who have been on strike for the past 16 days, today in a sudden development changed their base of agitation from removal of Principal to 15 other demands. A delegation of striking medicos also called on Divisional Commissioner Mr Anil Goswami today and submitted a memorandum of 15 demands. The meeting was convened on the direction of Minister of State for Home Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, who yesterday asked the Divisional Commissioner and agitating students to break the dead-lock and reach to a solution. Both agitating students and Divisional Commissioner had detailed discussions over all 15 demands. Though only one demand, release of Tanveer Dar, was conceded by the Divisional Commissioner in the presence of IG Jammu Zone Mr R V Raju, yet the striking students and Divisional Commissioner will again meet on August 16. The agitating students have already made it clear that they will perform emergency duties till morning of August 16 and if their demands are not met by then, they will intensify their agitation by paralysing the emergency services. The demands which were mentioned in the memorandum submitted to the Divisional Commissioner included, impartial enquiry into the death of Arjun Singh by a retired High Court judge, separate post of Administrator and Dean, unconditional release of Tanveer Dar, withdrawal of FIRs and other cases against students and junior doctors, rescinding orders of rustication and other vindictive orders passed during the period of strike, compensation for the family of the deceased Arjun Singh and withdrawal of order of evacuation of hostels. Their other demands included formation of students association on the pattern of AIIMS, which will be taken into confidence on decisions regarding students’ matters, regularisation of the strike period of PG’s, Registrars, House-Surgeons, Interns and strike period be treated as on duty, separate funds and facilities for medicos for their treatment in case of any accident, fixing of academic and extra co-curricular calendar for whole year at start of term, evening rounds in wards by consultants as per opening of evening OPD, investigation into occupation of post of Registrars for more than three years by certain favoured persons, improvement in hostel conditions and Non-Practice Allowance (NPA) for periphery doctors. Meanwhile, hospital administration today rusticated 14 medicos including three Interns, two House-Surgeons, two Post-Graduates and seven students. According to order, Interns were rusticated for remaining part of their Internship, Post-Graduates and House-Surgeons have been expelled from College with directions to report back to their parent departments and students rusticated for a period of one year. The name of rusticated medicos included Dr Ashfaq Kohli, Sandeep Singh, Shipra Jalali, Tanveer Dar, Riaz Jan, Mohd Tariq, Pankaj Soodan, D P Singh, Vinod Kumar, Mohd Ashraf, Aiyaz Ahmed Malik, Varinder Kumar, Dushyant Choudhary and Des Raj. Hardening its stand against the striking medicos, Police have registered cases against 10 medicos at Bakshi Nagar Police Station and their arrest is expected any time. These cases have been registered for ransacking the office of Principal and damaging other property of College and misconduct with the senior authorities. |
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Two militants killed in
Nowshera Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 14: Pakistan army stepped-up firing all along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu region on the eve of Independence Day today causing injuries to three persons including a BSF Assistant Commandant. Two militants, who were sneaking into India side under the cover of firing, were gunned down by army in Nowshera sector. According to official sources, a heavy exchange of firing was reported from several forward posts on the border in Hiranagar, Samba, Ramgarh, Suchetgarh, RS Pura, Kanachak and Akhnoor sub sectors on the International Border while intense firing was reported from Nowshera and Sunderbani sectors on the LoC in Rajouri district early today. Bursts fired by Pak army hit a BSF picket in Jabowal area of RS Pura sector this morning wounding BSF Assistant Commandant A S John and a constable S S Bittal. Both of them were evacuated from the picket and shifted to a hospital. Condition of Bittal was stated to be serious. BSF jawans replied the firing. Some casualties were also reported on Pakistan side but exact details were not available. Sources said Pakistan army continued unprovoked and indiscriminate firing at over 20 Indian posts. Firing was retaliated by army and BSF at all the places. In Kanachak sector, a civilian Gajan Singh was injured in the firing. He was hit by a bullet, fired from across the border, in his house resulting into a deep wound to him. He has been hospitalised. Panic gripped the civilians, putting up in forward areas on the IB, as they anticipated more intense firing by Pakistan side during Independence Day celebrations tomorrow. Sources said Pakistan army also opened firing using heavy weapons on the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch district last night. At most of the places, the firing continued till late this morning. Under the garb of firing, Pak army pushed a group of three to four militants into Indian territory from Kalaal area of Nowshera sector in Rajouri district. Army spotted the infiltration attempt and opened firing on the militants killing two of them on the spot. Two others fled back to Pakistan. No casualty was reported on army side in the exchange of firing. While body of one slain militant has been recovered, the body of second ultra was lying on the LoC and couldn’t be lifted till this evening due to Pak firing. Two rifles and ammunition was lying in possession of the killed ultras. At other posts on the LoC, no loss of life or damage was reported on Indian side in the firing. Casualty, if any, on the other side couldn’t be ascertained. |
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Teachers were released on commander’s message Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Aug 14: Three Government teachers, kidnapped yesterday afternoon by the militants from Arai high school, were released by the kidnappers after getting instructions from a ‘commander’ whom they spoke on wireless set in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Statement of the released teachers—Kirpal Singh, Dwarka Nath Raina and Bashir Ahmed Tantray recorded by police after their release—revealed that the militants were four in number and all of them were Pakistanis. Militants released Tantray within 15 minutes of the kidnapping after asking him to read some religious lines of the majority community. They, however, took away two other teachers of minority community with them. Teachers said the militants made them to trek treacherous and hilly route for four and a half hours after the kidnapping. "From the discussion of the militants, it appeared that they were kept hostage in Boxer forest area", they added. According to them, the militants also took with them a local guide from a village where they had tea in a house during a 20-minute halt. All four militants were well built and were supporting heavy beard. On reaching Boxer forest area at about 1700 hours, one of the militants spoke to their ‘commander’, reportedly in PoK, on a wireless set and sought fresh instructions. Official sources said the militants were reportedly told by their PoK-based ‘commander’ that they have kidnapped ‘wrong persons’ and advised the ultras to release hostages immediately. Accordingly, both of them were freed by the militants in the forests. The militants later left the forests for an unidentified location. Teachers reached Mandi around 2100 hours. They were brought to Poonch town late last night. Sources said Poonch Police had also intercepted the message passed on by the militants to PoK and identified their hideout in the forests. Police was laying a cordon in the forests but by then the information of teachers’ release reached the local police station. Meanwhile, a civilian was killed in exchange of firing between militants and security forces at Ranga dhok in Gounthal area of Surankot this morning. He has been identified as Mohd Ayub son of Raj Mohammed, a local of Ranga dhok. Sources said he was trapped in cross-firing and got killed. No casualty was reported on security forces or militants side in the operation. Body of the civilian was handed over to his family members this afternoon by local police after post-mortem. |
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Ordinary people becoming impatient: President NEW DELHI, Aug 14: President K R Narayanan today told the nation that the ordinary people, whom Gandhiji called the "dumb millions" are becoming more and more articulate and impatient and it is imperative to maintain a balance between freedom and justice to meet their aspirations. In his address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, the President said this balance had so far enabled us to serve the poverty-stricken people in the face of "the tidal wave of globalisation". He said the country’s biggest achievement since independence has been "the patient building up of a democracy and of unity in the midst of all our bewildering diversities and overwhelming difficulties." "This achievement of unity and democracy has been hitched to an unprecedented experiment in social democracy, all our endeavours and our arms stretching constantly to human freedom and social justice", he said. "It is imperative that we should strive to maintain this balance between freedom and justice," he said adding "it is this essential and basic balance at the heart of our system that has enabled us to continue to serve our poverty-stricken people in the face of the tidal wave of globalisation that is sweeping the world today". Narayanan asked "the better off" among the people to ask themselves what they could do for others and the country as inheritors of "our great past and trustees of our future". He said the 54 years of independence despite all shortcomings and frustrations, had been perhaps the single longest period in the country’s long history when relative peace, progress and a sense of unity prevailed. "It is possible to find a hundred faults and failures, during the over 50 post-independence years, but the fact of our having made forward strides during this period has to be recognised, because it is then only we can build a better and brighter India", he said. Stressing that India was today a united nation, Narayanan pointed out that this unity had not been brought about by "blood and iron but by the softer and by the more enduring methods of tolerance and human approach, in short, through the gentle and genuine method of democracy". It was necessary to maintain a balance between this unity and democracy and justice for the ordinary people, he said. (PTI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 14: A militant and an army jawan were killed in two separate encounters across Doda and Rajouri districts today. Official sources said Rifleman Ganesh Chander was killed in an encounter with the militants at village Ganja in Gambhir area of Rajouri this morning. Rifleman Chander was part of an army patrol party which was fired upon by the militants. After half an hour long encounter, the militants escaped. Meanwhile, a dreaded militant Safdar Malik alias Janbaz was killed in an encounter with army in Chatru area of Kishtwar tehsil in Doda district early today. Janbaz was an activist of Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit and hailed from Zader village of Chatru. One rifle propelled grenade launcher with six grenades, three magazines and 69 rounds of AK and Rs 770 in cash were recovered from the possession of Janbaz. |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Aug 14: Police have apprehended Chairperson of pro-Pakistan Kashmir Mass Movement (KMM) Fareeda, commonly known as Behenji, from her residence in Aloochibagh. An official handout said that Fareeda was taken into custody in connection with a case registered against her for objectionabale anti-national utterances including giving a statement urging people of Kashmir to hoist Pakistani flags on Aug 14 and observe Aug 15 as a black day. A Hurriyat statement condemned Fareeda’s arrest and claimed that she had been arrested alongwith her son, Massarat Maqbool, by SOG and Police. It claimed that no family members or relatives were allowed to see her at Rambagh Women’s Police Station. The statement alleged that a large number of civilians had been apprehended by authorities on eve of Indian Independence Day. It asserted that the pro-freedom activists would not get demoralised by such "barbaric acts". |
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India committed to durable ties with Pak: PM NEW DELHI, Aug 14: In his first communication to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf after the Agra summit, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has conveyed that India is committed to establishing a relationship of durable peace, friendship and cooperation with Pakistan in accordance with the Simla agreement and the Lahore declaration. In a message extending good wishes on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day, Vajpayee said "our recent meetings in Agra have resumed the dialogue process between the two countries. "I look forward to continuing our bilateral interaction," Vajpayee said in his message to Musharraf. Asked why there had been no mention of India’s principal concern of cross border terrorism in the Prime Minister’s message, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said this was a message on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day and "should be read in that light". India’s concerns on the issue remain and would be taken up at the next meeting, she said. India has made it clear that Pakistan has to stop sponsoring cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for any improvement in bilateral relations. (PTI) |
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