Legislature's obituary reference on Gujarat
Reconstruction of quake-ravaged Gujarat
responsibility of every Indian: Farooq

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: Echoing the sentiments of Jammu and Kashmir legislature towards Gujarat victims, Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the reconstruction of quake-ravaged western State is the responsibility of every Indian and everyone should come forward to contribute towards it.

'This is the worst catastrophe of the history, surpassing all the previous disasters of Quitta, Kabul etc', Dr Farooq said while winding up the obituary reference in the opening sitting of the Legislative Assembly, which met here this morning after the address of the Governor to the joint sitting of the budget session.

The Chief Minister made a fervent appeal to the people to donate liberally in cash and kind for those falling preys to natural calamity and appreciated the dispatch of relief material from across the world. He estimated the loss to billions of rupees and said Gujarat, the prosperous State known as golden sparrow, is in shambles now. He acknowledged with gratitude that the people in Jammu and Kashmir were among the first to share the agony of Gujarat and contribute to mitigate sufferings of their brethren. Everybody came forward voluntarily to contribute his bit towards Gujarat people. These are the occasions when people irrespective of caste, creed or colour stand for sharing the agonies of fellow beings, he said.

He expressed his gratitude to legislators, officers, employees, students and the people for rising to the occasion and contributing whole-heartedly for their unfortunate brethren. He made a special mention of school-goers to raise funds for the victims. He said the State contributed Rs 10 crore towards PM's Relief Fund and dispatched blankets and woolens worth Rs one crore for the victims, he said and added: 'Still more is to be done'.

Natural calamity could struck anywhere, it could be even in Jammu and Kashmir that is falling in the vulnerable zone, he said, adding that the foremost response to react on such calamities is to come to the rescue of victims. Though the lives of thousands of people could not be brought back, but a little contribution could be of immense help to the survivors. In just 45 seconds, people in Gujarat, rich and poor were consigned into rubble, he added.

The Speaker Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil, on behalf of the house, expressed deep shock over the Gujarat killings in worst ever earthquake and said the people of the State are with their brethren at this hour of grief. He said Gujarat has witnessed colossal damages and every human being must rise to the occasion to help people in distress.

Describing the current session as very important, the Speaker sought co-operation of the members in upholding rules and ensuring smooth proceedings. He said the State is passing through a difficult phase and the people, irrespective of their party affiliations, should stand united and maintain discipline and decorum to foil machinations of the enemy. 'The enemy will try to advantage from any division within us', he added.

Those who participated in the obituary reference and expressed their sympathies with the people of Gujarat were Lala Shiv Charan Gupta, Mr Tara Chand, Mr Abdul Rehman Veeri, Mr Jagdish Raj Dhubey, Mr Mohammed Yousf Tarigami and Mr Mohammad Yousf Parrey. They expressed shock and grief over the killing of thousands of people in the earthquake and appealed for liberal donations.

Lala Shiv Charan Gupta said that more funds would be raised for the victims while Mr Jagdish Raj Dhubey complimented the State Government for being the first to come to the rescue of the unfortunate people. Mr Mohammad Yousf Tarigami said despite financial constraints the State Government contributed for the victims. Mr Mohammad Yousf Parrey, while expressing shock over the death and destruction in earthquake, also condemned brutal killings in the State by militants.

Later, the house observed silence in memory of those falling preys to the earthquake.

In Legislative Council, Mr Abdul Rashid Dar, Chairman made an obituary reference on the large-scale loss of life and property caused in Gujarat earthquake, killing of innocent Sikhs in Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar and Kot Chatwal massacre.

Shocked over the natural calamity, the chairman expressed solidarity with the sufferers in Gujarat. He also condemned the killing of six members of the Sikh community at Mehjoor Nagar and the gruesome massacre of 15 Bakerwals at Kot Chatwal and said Kashmir is passing through a difficult phase with militancy posing various challenges that needed to be faced with greater degree of caution. He called for evolving a comprehensive strategy to face the situation effectively and said that had proper planning and positive measures been taken in early nineties the migration of a particular community could not have taken place. In the present situation too, a greater caution is required to avoid such unforeseen happenings, he said.

Expressing grief over the Gujarat tragedy, Revenue Minister, Mr. Abdul Qayoom said the people of Jammu and Kashmir were with the sufferers of the earthquake in this moment of grief. He said whole country was united to help the people of Gujarat.

Condemning the innocent killings by the militants at Mehjoor Nagar, Srinagar and Kot Chatwal village in Rajouri, the Minister said the killers have no religion. He said the killings were aimed at derailing the pace process initiated by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee. He asked Pakistan to respond positively to the Prime Minister's initiative and stop blood letting in the State.

The Deputy Chairman, Mr. Harbans Singh hoped the majority community in the Valley would restore the confidence of their Sikh brethren, which has been shattered after the Mehjoor Nagar killings. He also condemned the gruesome Kot Chatwal massacre and expressed grief over the earthquake victims.

The house observed a two-minute silence for the earthquake sufferers of Gujarat and victims of Mehjoor Nagar and Kot Chatwal carnage.

Those who spoke on the obituary reference included Mr Bodh Raj Bali, Mr GN Shaheen, Mr Daya Kishan Kotwal, Mr Bhushan Lal Bhat, Haji Buland Khan, Mr Abdul Rehman Tukroo, Mr Chuni Lal Khajuria, Mr GS Jamwal and Mr Javed Shah.

Software Technology Park for Jammu shortly

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: A Software Technology Park will be set up in Jammu too shortly. This was disclosed by Mohammad Shafi Pandit, Principal Secretary, Industry and Commerce here today.

In an exclusive interview, Mr Pandit told EXCELSIOR that the proposed facility will be located at Export Promotion Industrial Park, Kartholi, 15 kms from Jammu and will be in place shortly. A structure for it is fast coming up, he added.

This will provide connectivity to entrepreneurs to prepare software and other facilities. It shall also provide Information Technology related enabled services, medical transcription facilities and also facilitating use of internet for education in schools.

This park will serve as catalyst for the development of IT industry apart from affording an entry to our entrepreneurs to the information Super-Highway

Mr Pandit also informed that the State Government has also approached the Central Government for establishing the community information centres at block level for coverage throughout the State.

It was announced recently by Information Technology Minister, Mr Pramodh Mahajan that the proposal was receiving due attention of the Government of India.

A Software Technology Park has already been established in Kashmir Valley. The total cost involved was Rs 6.12 crore.

While the state Government has contributed Rs 1.87 crore, the balance funded by the Centre. Rs 50 lakhs has been provided by IT Ministry while Rs 3.75 crore were allocated by the Commerce ministry from Critical Infrastructure Balance Scheme, Mr Pandit pointed out.

At Software Technology Park in the Valley, built-in area of 20,000 cft has been provided and it is proposed to set up 104 units. Of these 20 units will be within the Software Technology Park, the remaining will be located outside it.

The Principal Secretary disclosed that 158 persons have already applied and the work of short-listing is on. Some of them have started PAN registration which is essentially a pre-requisite for obtaining registration from the Director-General Foreign Trade. SIDCO also plans to start 1000 lines in eight week’s time, he added.

Some of the IT entrepreneurs from Jammu and Kashmir shall be participating in the India Software-2000 to be held in New Delhi on February 20-21 to give them exposure to this vital IT sector.

Wide-width Band with capacity of two MBPS is in position and it will be raised to 8 MBPS shortly.

The State is also set to go in for e-Governance for effective and efficient administration which is also responsive, transparent and accountable.

‘Army, police protecting accused’
Cong delegation visits Udhampur, seeks probe

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Feb 12: Congress delegation led by MLA Balbir Singh, which visited trouble-hit Udhampur town today has demanded immediate recovery of kidnapped girl and a probe into the whole episode leading to explosive situation in the town.

Mr Singh, led by his two colleagues— Ch. Lal Singh and Mr Dorjey, both MLAs rushed to the curfew bound town today to assess the situation. The Congress MLAs held meeting with the citizens of the town and also met the family members of the girl—Meenakshi to extend their sympathy and support. The family members and the residents of the area also narrated them yesterday’s incident of storming their houses by JKAP men in uniform and some in plain cloths and causing extensive damage to their belongings.

The citizens also narrated yesterday’s incident of lathicharge and held District Administration responsible for the entire episode. The locals alleged that yesterday’s revengeful attitude of police and Administration and totally exposed them and tells tale of their inefficiency and frustration. They said the information about the sex-racket had already given to police but it did not take timely action.

They also condemned role of some Army officers who based at Udhampur who had given protection to accused Aftab and Anoop Khajuria. It was disclosed that Anoop escorted by Army jawans and an officer (Captain) came to his house in the broad day light during curfew and took away some articles. The locals told them that the role of two Police Sub-Inspectors in making good escape of accused in police vehicle and the role of a few army officers confirm their connivance in this racket which was operating since long.

The legislators while condemning the incident and the role of both Army and Police demanded that DGP/ Northern Army Chief should take serious note of these allegations and an impartial inquiry should be ordered. They also demanded dismissal of police officers responsible for the act and immediate suspension and removal of Deputy Commissioner and district police chief.

Taking serious note of the mercilessly beating up of women peace marchers in Udhampur town by JKAP men and causing damage to the house-hold articles and over a dozen cars parked outside their houses and storming into the houses of public, the MLAs said that incidents are none less than the colonial rule. It also shows the mental sickness on the part of officers dealing with the situation.

Showing some teargass shells used by police with expiry date of 1999, the MLAs said that use of these shells by cops causing serious effect on peoples’ health and they will take up this issue with the WHO and other concerned agencies. Even they are prepared to move to the court.

They claimed that if the girl as assured by Police was not recovered by Tuesday, the State congress will lead the issue as the locals have lost faith on the BJP legislator from Udhampur —Shiv Charan Gupta, alleging that he was protecting —Vikram Singh Slathia district Gen Secy BJP besides other accused. Refuting Gupta’s claim that Vikram was not party leader or holding any post or connected with his Party, the citizens alleged that MLA was telling lie to save his position. He had publicly announced Vikram Slathia as general secretary in a function at udhampur where Prof Chaman Lal Gupta was also present.

Govt misleading people on Medical College admissions
State BJP asks Centre to review unilateral
ceasefire decision

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: State unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has urged the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to review his unilateral ceasefire decision in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of increased attacks by Pak militants on the innocent people.

The appeal was made by Dr Nirmal Singh Party spokesman, Mr Om Parkash Gupta its general secretary and Ch. Bashir Ahmed Naz, Ex MLA and BJP’s Poonch district president while addressing a joint press conference here today.

They said the PM had announced the unilateral ceasefire with a good gesture but Pakistan knows only the language of gun as instead of properly reciprocating the Centre’s announcement ISI intensified the killings of innocent people in the State.

India should not only withdraw the ceasefire but become offensive against the militants said Dr Nirmal Singh who strongly condemned the massacre of six Sikhs in Mehjoor Nagar area of Kashmir valley, attack on police Headquarters in Srinagar and torching alive of 15 members of nomadic Gujjars in Kot Chadwal in Rajouri district two days back.

Expressing his grief and shock over the killing of 15 nomadic gujjars in Rajouri by militants he wanted to know what sort of Jehad the militants are fighting this way?

He said Pakistan which is a barbarian state has taken the ceasefire as our weakness and hence we should deal with them accordingly.

Dr Singh while welcoming the reported move of Centre to provide the arms to Sikhs and other minorities in Kashmir for self defence, said this way the minorities can defend themselves from the militants.

He demanded like the other parts of Jammu region the VDCs be created in Kashmir Valley.

The BJP leader while assuring full support to the ongoing agitation started by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in protest against the admission of the students of Prime Medical College in the medical colleges of Jammu and Srinagar alleged that State Government was misleading the students by stating that it has recommended the Centre to cancel the admissions.

He said the Centre has no role to play in making these admissions as the Medical Council of India’s (MCI) letter written to State Government in this regard is self explanatory.

He while making a dig at State Government said the admissions have been made in violation of norms fixed by the MCI and the letter clearly said that the students should fulfill the minimum qualifications for admission to MBBS and BDS as prescribed by MCI.

Dr Singh however alleged that in State Government order there was no mention of MCI conditions and it granted the admission to the students despite the fact that they did not fulfill the conditions of MCI.

The BJP leader warned that till the admissions are not cancelled the Party will continue to disrupt the proceedings in State Assembly as it has done during the Governor’s address today.

He took the Government to task for power crisis saying the mismanagement on the part of the PDD is responsible for the prevailing crisis.

Criticising the JKAP he blamed them for atrocities on the innocent people in Udhampur district during present agitation, demanded immediate arrest of the main accused person and recovery of the kidnapped girl.

He said any body accused in this criminal act should be punished in accordance with the law of the land while responding to a question of BJP worker’s involvement in the crime.

Dr Nirmal Singh said Bikram Singh Salathia is a primary member of the Party but after this episode we have suspended him from the primary membership of the Party for his suspected involvement in the criminal case.

Accusing the district administration to be in league with the culprits, he demanded action against the erring policemen and transfer of Udhampur DC and SP.

He also said the Chief Minister should owe responsibility of what happened in Udhampur and resign on moral grounds.

Meanwhile, the State party president Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal and Ch Mohammed Sultan Khatana also strongly condemned the torching alive of 15 nomadic gujjars in Kot Chadwal in Rajouri by militants two days back.

Mr Kotwal while terming it an inhuman and barbaric act said that it is not known what sort of "Jehad" the militants are fighting this way.

He said Pakistan has been totally exposed by such inhuman and acts throughout the world and demanded that Government should strengthen the VDCs by providing sophisticated weapons to them.

Nari Jagran Manch condemns kidnapping

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: Nari Jagran Manch in a meeting here today held under the chairpersonship of Ms Sneh Bali condemned the police atrocities on women in Udhampur town.

In a statement the Manch has warned that in case the girl was not recovered within 24 hours and culprits nabbed it will launch agitation. It also demanded a CBI probe into the kidnapping. The meeting was attended by Ms Tara Wazir, Rashmi Sharma and Shashi Sharma.

In another statement the Amar Khashtri Rajput Sabha Samba has warned agitation in the town in case the kidnapped girl was not rescued within 24 hours.

Condemning the incident Maj Suraj Singh, Sham Singh Sambyal and Luck Sambyal also demanded a high level probe into kidnapping of the girl.

Panthers Party leader Mr Rajesh Kumar from Samba has also expressed his serious concern over the incident and demanded recovery of the kidnapped girl immediately.

Killings of 15 people in Budhal tehsil
Condemnation continue to pour in from different quarters

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: Condemnation continue to pour in on the brutal massacre of 15 members of 3 nomad families in Budhal tehsil.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee strongly condemned the dastardly and brutal killings of 15 members of 3 Bakerwal families including children and women in Budhal tehsil. The Rajouri District Congress Committee ctiticised the State Government for its utter failure to protect the lives of innocent people.

The PCC general secretary Thakur Hari Singh expressed deep shock and grief over the killings and described it as shameful act on the part of militants. He demanded adequate compensation for the victims’ families.

J&K Milachar Front in a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Mr S N Sapru strongly condemned the brutal killing of 15 innocent people by militants in Budhal.

The front members expressed symnpathies with the bereaved families and urged the people to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood at this juncture. The Front appealed the State as well as Central Government to provide adequate security to the people of the State to ensure protection from such killers.

Muslim Federation also condemned the killing of 15 members of 3 nomad families in Budhal tehsil and charged the Government of total failure in maintaing law and order. The Federation said that it is unfortunate that State and Central Government don’t take the killing of Muslims seriously and even discriminate with Muslim victims in relief measures.

Muslim Federation has given a bandh call on February 13 and urged all the political and social parties to support it.

The Vishav Hindu Parishad condemned the killing of innocent 15 members of 3 nomad families by the Pakistan sponsored militants and urged the Human Right Organisation to ask Pakistan military rulers to stop proxy war in the State.

Front for Trilateral Resolution of Jammu and Kashmir problem also condemned the barbaric killing of innocent people at Mahjoor Nagar and in Budhal tehsil and urged the Government to provide succour forthwith and security to the people.

The Front exhorted the people to maintain communal harmony at all costs so as to defeat the nefarious designs to divide them on communal lines.

Bar Association Samba in a meeting under the presidentship of Thakur Sukhdev Singh Sambyal condemned the massacre of 15 members of three families in Budhal area and described it as failure on the part of the Government to protect lives of its citizens. Regarding Jammu Bandh, the Samba Bar said the demands of the students were most genuine and should be met with at an earliest including restoration of uninterrupted power supply in the region.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Socialist Federation in a meeting under the chairmanship of S Binder Paul Singh Romy condemned the brutal killing of 15 members of a community and described it as a biggest crime against humanity. The meeting also flayed the Udhampur administration for having failed to recover the abducted girl and nab the alleged kidnappers.

Jammu Bar Association strongly condemned the massacre of 15 Bakerwals in Budhal tehsil and termed the killings as most inhuman and barbaric as even the children were not spared. Mr D S Sani, president of the Association urged the Government to provide arms to those people who have been living in the militancy affected areas.

Mr R S Sharma, senior Congress leader and MLA Kalakote expressed shock over the inhuman act of the militants who killed 15 innocent members of 3 nomad families.

He hoped that Central as well as State Governments would review the security arrangements and devise such measures which would frustrate the evil designs of the subversive elements bent upon to disturb the peace of the State.

The state unit of RSS condemned the brutal killings of 15 Gujjars in Budhal tehsil and called upon every nationalistic community of the State to remain vigilant against the Pakistan sponsored terrorist.

President of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Union Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed condemned the killing of 15 members of 3 nomad families. He held the State Government responsible for these killings and said that the day-to-day killings speak about the utter failure of the Farooq led State Government.

Mirza Rashid concerns over Poonch, Rajouri situation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: Rajya Sabha member, Mirza Abdul Rashid said that general law and order situation in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri was far from satisfaction.

In a statement issued here today, Mr Rashid said that security forces have been boldly fighting militancy but situation was far from satisfaction. He said that in these two districts main cause of unrest was unemployment among the educated youth. He said that number of graduates and post graduates youth have been looking for jobs.

Mirza Abdul Rashid also condemned grue some killing of fifteen Bakerwal including minor children at Kot Chalwal. He demanded that those involved in this grue some incident should be taken into task.He also demanded adequate compensation for family members of the deceased.

Rajya Sabha member also demanded installation of pickets of security forces of BSF and CRP in the far flung and backward areas.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today saluted the people of Kote Chadwal for their determination to fight militancy notwithstanding personal bereavement and agonies in the wake of brutal massacre of 15 people by mercenaries on Friday night.

Moved by the valour of an elderly bakerwal, with charred bodies of his close relation lying before him, the Chief Minister said that he expressed his resolve to stay put in the native village to fight the enemy.

Dr. Abdullah was speaking in the Legislative Assembly, which met after the Governor's address to joint sitting of the legislature. He said those braving the brunt of inhuman and barbaric act showed extreme courage to stand like a rock to face the situation. Quoting the elder Bakerwal, the Chief Minister said he told him and the Governor that he would be proud to live and die as Indian in his own village to defend the country rather abandoning it.

'I along with the Governor visited the carnage site yesterday and was dazed to see the heart rendering scene of charred bodies of unfortunate people including women and children lying in a row. He, however, praised the relation of some of the carnage-victims, who instead of crumbling with grief showed tremendous fortitude in assuring of remaining in the village like a rock to defeat Pakistan. They kept on asserting that they would remain there as guards of the nation, Dr Abdullah said while acknowledging the resilience and valour of the people living on the hills.

He described as horrendous the crimes against civilian population in Jammu and Kashmir by those claiming to be pursuing the path of Jehad and said he was overwhelmed by resilience of those facing the brunt.

'They inflict scars on humanity everyday in the state', the Chief Minister said.

He lashed out at Pakistan, without naming it, for perpetrating violence against humanity and said that the neighbouring country understands that India stands for peace but still fuels violence. He called for a bold front against the tactics of enemy and said 'the time is not far when our unity will force them to lay arms and flee'.

Steps to revive wool industry : Ch Ramzan

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 12: The Agriculture Minister, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan, called for effective coordination amongst the Departments of Industries and Commerce, Animal and Sheep Husbandry and Health in reviving the wool industry.

Chairing a high level meeting here to discuss the problems faced by wool breeders in the State, the Minister said that the Government will take long term as well as short term measures to improve the wool quality and to boost export. He stressed on setting up of "Mandis" or wool market in the State as has been done by Himachal Pradesh. Moreover, all the in-stock Government purchases especially those of Police and Health department should be made through the Wool Board, Government of J&K.

The Agriculture Minister also said that his ministry has also taken up the problems of wool breeders with the Union Minister for Textiles for sustainable development of wool industry at national as well as international fora.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mustafa Kamal stressed that all efforts would be made to revive Himalayan Wool Combers Ltd. He said that the State Government do not possess the adequate infrastructure like superior processing machines, dying facilities etc. which have resulted in the poor quality of wool when compared to international standards.

Lauding the role of State Government in providing the relief to the Gujarat earth quake victims, the Industries Minister informed that 30,000 blankets made of state produced wool were sent for the victims as part of relief programme.

The meeting took major policy decisions, the prominent amongst them include the formation of a committee on the study of future perspective of wool trade and its quality to be headed by the Director of Industries.

No Objection Certificate from Jammu and Kashmir Industries Ltd. and Handloom Development Corporation has been made mandatory for those who wish to procure wool from private purchasers.

The meeting attended by the Minister for Industries and Commerce, Dr Mustafa Kamal and Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Mr Mohammad Shafi Pandit, Financial Commissioner, Agriculture, Mr I S Malhi, Director Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Dr Mir and Director Industries.

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