‘Kashmir is inseparable and there can be no compromise’
Let there be another war with Pak: Farooq
*CM blasts BJP for objecting to Sher-i-Kashmir’s name

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 21: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today firmly declared that Kashmir is a inseparable part of India and India shouldn’t hesitate from fighting a fifth war with Pakistan if the situation warrants.

Talking to newsmen after inaugurating second bridge on river Tawi at Gujjar Nagar this morning, Dr Abdullah thundered :"we have fought four wars with Pakistan in 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999 (Kargil). How does it matter. We have suffered for so many years. We faced four battles. If there is another battle, so what? Kashmir is inseparable".

Referring to last night’s remarks by Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musshrraf made at a press conference in Islamabad that Kashmir remains a core issue for Pakistan, he said :"I think if he (Musharraf) thinks that India will give away Kashmir to him, he is not living in the real world".

"Kashmir can’t be given. No Indian Prime Minister can compromise on Kashmir. Lot of blood has spilled on our soil and no Indian citizen can accept Kashmir going away", the Chief Minister said.

Asked that whether Pakistan will accept his stand, Farooq said "it doesn’t matter. One day they will have to accept this position".

"Both countries have divergent views on Kashmir. There appears to be no meeting point on the issue and the conflict might continue", he added.

Addressing the gathering at inaugural ceremony of the bridge, the Chief Minister observed that some elements in Pakistan too want friendship with India. "I was told by a Pakistani journalist in New Delhi, who had come to cover the Indo-Pak summit, that there was a large section in Pakistan which stood for peace with India".

Lauding the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) announced by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, he said the proposed re-opening of Uri and Suchetgarh roads will promote people-to-people ties. "The people-to-people contacts will help the people of other side to know how democratic our system was. Similarly, people on this side will realise the dictatorship on other side", he asserted.

Referring to today’s bandh in Jammu called by the BJP to protest the naming of new bridge on Tawi as Sher-i-Kashmir bridge, Farooq launched a frontal attack on state unit of the BJP and warned it to refrain from ‘communal activities’.

"Those protesting the naming of bridge after Sher-i-Kashmir should know that it was due to him (Sheikh Abdullah) that Jammu and Kashmir was today a part of India. Had the Sher-i-Kashmir agreed to Jinnah’s request, J&K would have been a part of Pakistan", the Chief Minister said.

Strongly denouncing the state unit of BJP, he asked ‘if they can’t tolerate the Sher-i-Kashmir, how will they tolerate Farooq Abdullah or Muslims’? Jammu and Kashmir don’t belong to any community or religion. It belongs to all, he asserted.

"National Conference has given more sacrifices in the State than any other party. A large number of NC leaders and activists have been killed by the militants", he said and appealed to the BJP’s state unit not to spread communalism.

He referred to a question asked by a Pakistani from him while on a TV panel during the summit talks, seeking veracity of the media reports fed to them that Islam is in danger in Jammu and Kashmir. The questioner especially referred to the films shown on Pak TV in which it was painted that there is no religious freedom for muslims in the State. Dr Abdullah said that he told him that it is not the Islam which is in danger but people of the State who are in danger from the Pak guns.

He said the truth is that "we have much larger number of faithfuls who offer five time prayers in numerous mosques all over the State than any of the Islamic countries of the world." He said if borders are opened as suggested by the Prime Minister, exchange of people from both sides will unravel the truth leading to correct appreciation of the situation of J&K leaving no room for propaganda.

The Chief Minister said that people of Jammu and Kashmir are yearning for peace. "Summit or no summit we want peace". This, he said, was made clear by him to Pakistan President when he met him at Prime Minister’s lunch during the summit. I told him in clear terms that people of Kashmir want peace and nothing else. They want to get rid of the gun", he said and added that God will definitely open the vistas of peace one day and we will again live happily here.

Dr Abdullah said during the recent summit, a 80 year old Pakistani journalist told him before many Pakistanis at Prime Minister‘s lunch during summit that even after 50 years that there was no electricity, drinking water, roads or even a college available in his area in Pakistan. Most of the people there want peace and development. The Chief Minister said on the contrary, the State has registered a significant development during the last 50 years.

Advising his political critics to shut the doors of hatred, Dr. Abdullah said that essence of every religion is to promote love, compassion and brotherhood. He quoted Geeta and Quran and said that no religion preaches hatred.

Referring to the development scenario, Dr. Abdullah said the Government have done a great deal on development front but still more needs to be done. He said the government contemplates to construct one more bridge over river Tawi. There is a proposal to create an artificial lake at the river Tawi as envisioned by Sher-i-Kashmir to provide a place for aquatic activities for Jammuites. He referred to the ambitious Rs. 400 crore Jammu Water Supply project awaiting for foreign funding. He said that the Prime Minister is visiting Japan in November and he will be requesting him to take up this project with Japan Government for financial assistance. He said that Jammu city is expanding at a faster rate. With this in view, we have to plan projects in advance so as to meet the future demands of drinking water, irrigation, roads and bridges, etc., he added.

The Chief Minister announced that a shopping complex will be constructed where shopkeepers to be uprooted will be rehabilitated. He said nobody will be uprooted without prior rehabilitation.

The Works Minister, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar in his address said that inauguration of the bridge today has made the dream of people of Jammu true. People of Jammu had been longing for the construction of this bridge started in 1992 but was abandoned by the alloted firm. But the present government took it up again and asked JKPCC to take up construction work. Mr. Sagar said the government have given new orientation to its development policy by involving people’s representatives in the process. Projects are formulated with their consultation. Even our political opponents, he said, admit that despite unfavourable circumstances, the present government has done a lot of development work. In Jammu division, he said, the shortage of drinking water has been overcome to a great extent. At present drinking water is provided for more than one and a half hour daily as against just half an hour before. The Government, he said, is making every effort to further improve the drinking water supply in the State.

Mr. Sagar said that in Jammu 500 tube wells and hand pumps have been installed for augmenting drinking water supply. During 12 year long militancy, Mr. Sagar said 157 major bridges had been damaged. The JKPCC, he said, constructed 58 major bridges and 104 minor bridges. This year, he said the Corporation will be completing the construction of 19 bridges. He asked the people to extend their full cooperation in the speedy implementation of the developmental projects.

Mr. Sagar said that in the roads sector, the NABARD has allocated Rs. 150 crore. In the Irrigation sector, he said, numerous steps have been taken. It is because of these measures that the dry spell had little effect on the Rabi crops in Kathua and Jammu districts.

Mr. Sagar regretted controversy being raised by some people on naming of the bridge after Sheikh Sahib. He said it was Sheikh Sahib who had conceived the project for the people of Jammu. He said many people of Jammu had approached him to name the bridge after Sheikh Sahib as a tribute to the great leader whose contribution for the welfare of the State in general and Jammu in particular are well known. He said the huge gathering present at the function today proves without doubt that people have not liked un-necessary controversy sought to be some critics of the government.

The Principal Secretary to Government, Works, Mr. B.R. Kundal, in his welcome address said that the third bridge on the river Tawi is under construction and expected to be completed next year. He also gave a resume of activities in roads and bridges sector going on in the State. He said the bridge has been completed mainly due to the personal interest taken by the Chief Minister and Works Minister. Special funds were arranged for this project. He said that projects worth Rs. 700 crore are being taken up with the NABARD assistance in Ladakh region for the first time. Of this amount, the NABARD has sanctioned Rs. 350 crores.

Later, the Chief Minister presented mementos to Mr. Rachpal Singh, SE (retd), Mr. Alok Mengi, AEE from PWD, Mr. K.C. Kapahi, Executive Engineer and Mr. Pawan Gupta, AE from JKPCC for their outstanding services in the completion of this bridge.

Near total bandh in City
Several injured in police action on protesters

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 21: Over 35 persons were injured, two of them seriously, when police resorted to lathicharge and teargassing at Bagh-e-Bahu to thwart the march of BJP workers to second bridge on river Tawi to re-name it as Bahu bridge instead of Sher-i-Kashmir bridge.

A near total bandh was observed in the City and outskirts in response to a call given by the BJP to protest the naming of bridge as Sher-i-Kashmir bridge. Barring incidents of violence at Bagh-e-Bahu, the bandh passed off peacefully.

At About 1100 hours today, a number of BJP workers and activists of a local Bagh-e-Bahu committee gathered near the bridge and tried to stop some officers travelling in VIP cars, who were returning after attending the inauguration of bridge.

Agitated youths tried to gheroe the cars. Shouting slogans against the Government, the youths attempted to break police cordon and move towards the bridge to re-name it.

Police personnel opened lathicharge on the mob and then resorted to heavy tear-gas shelling. Mob replied with stone-pelting. A clash between people and police continued for more than two hours. Several teargas shells, fired by police, fell in the houses of local people.

Mohd Yusuf Wani, an office bearer of Bagh-e-Bahu Sudhar Sabha, was thrashed and mercilessly beaten-up by the cops causing him severe injuries all over the body. Another youth Raju Charak of Bahu Fort was also seriously injured in cane-charge by police. A shell also burst close to Charak.

Ding Dong battle between police and protesters continued till late this afternoon. Later, police also took the help of para-military to tackle the mob and control the situation.

More than 35 protesters were injured during the clashes. Six of them including Mohd Yusuf Wani and Raju Charak were admitted to Medical College hospital. Four police constables also sustained injuries in stone pelting by the mob.

Local people said a number of shells, fired by police, landed inside the houses of local people forcing them to lock themselves inside. Some of the people retaliated from their houses by pelting stones on cops.

While Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah was inaugurating the bridge, mob in Bagh-e-Bahu continued to shout slogans against Farooq.

Meanwhile, a near complete bandh was observed in Jammu City and outskirts in response to a bandh called by the BJP and supported by Jammu Mukti Morcha and some other organisations against naming of second bridge over Tawi river as Sher-i-Kashmir bridge.

Bandh was spontaneous. Bandh organisors didn’t have to make much efforts to enforce bandh as shopkeepers didn’t turn up to open their business establishments. Shops even in interior areas and outskirts also remained closed.

All kind of commercial transport including matadors and three-wheelers remained off the roads. Only two-wheelers and cars were seen plying on the roads. Educational institutions and Banks also remained closed while State and Central Government offices functioned with very thin attendance.

Meanwhile, the state unit of BJP today announced that it will shortly re-named the bridge as Bahu bridge.

Addressing a press conference, BJP president Daya Krishan Kotwal and BJP MP from Jammu-Poonch Vaid Vishnu Dutt strongly criticised National Conference Government’s attempt aimed to ensuring Kashmiri dominance over Jammu region.

"There are many bridges on the name of Sher-i-Kashmir in Kashmir valley. The Jammu bridge should be named as Bahu bridge", they said and announced that they will shortly perform the re-naming ceremony of the bridge.

Kotwal and Dutt strongly condemned police lathicharge and teargassing on peacefully protesting BJP workers. "Police brutalities reminded us of 1952 excesses", they said.

They complimented the people for observing a complete bandh in Jammu to protest the Government decision.

Conglomerate has lost legitimacy: JKMM
Hurriyat misappropriated Rs 80 cr

NEW DELHI, July 21: Jammu and Kashmir Muttahida Mahaz (JKMM), a six-party alliance, today accused Hurriyat Conference of "misappropriating" Rs 80 crore donated by overseas Kashmiris for humanitarian works.

JKMM chairman Mir Khursheed claimed that the money had been transferred to the Hurriyat through him for "upkeep of basic needs like education and health care of Kashmiris in view of a failed Government in the State."

"I collected the money for six years from 1990 while in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and sent it to the Hurriyat in the hope that it will be spent for the betterment of masses. But they have seemingly used it for personal political aspirations," Khursheed, a self-confessed secessionist, told reporters here.

Stating that Hurriyat had failed as a platform and no more represented the Kashmiri masses, he said "I had supported the Hurriyat for six years. They have been harping on accession to Pakistan but have done nothing for the Kashmiris."

Khursheed, who floated the alliance recently, said the need for the move was felt "as the last 13 years of bloodshed had yielded nothing besides highlighting the Kashmir dispute and that people of the State were yearning for peace".

He said Hurriyat Conference was "deeply divided" and claimed that its seven constituents would switch over to his alliance "very soon".

Khursheed also attacked the State Government, saying it ceased to exist as "its head (Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah) spends more time out of State than in it".

Lauding the initiative of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in bringing peace to Jammu and Kashmir including an offer of opening up of Uri road to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and release of Pakistani detenues in Indian jails, Khursheed said these steps need to be reciprocated by Islamabad.

He refused to accept Agra summit as a failure. "It is a good beginning and we hope that the dialogue process will continue in good faith."

Khursheed said "there is no point going back in history to look for a solution to Kashmir issue".

"We cannot keep looking back (UN resolutions, Simla agreement and Lahore declaration). We have to start afresh as Kashmir has turned into a far more complex issue," he said.

He said the alliance will make all efforts to bring back Kashmiri migrants but added that it would take time as "conditions in the State were not conducive."

He accused Hurriyat Conference of pursuing their vested interest in the name of the Kashmir issue and said the separatist conglomerate had lost its legitimacy."The All Party Hurriyat Conference has simply become ineffective, directionless with no idea to achieve ‘what’ for the Kashmiris," Khursheed told to a questioner.

He said that the launch of JKMM as a people’s platform against the APHC was formally announced at a press conference in Srinagar on July 10.

Khursheed, who had fled to Muzaffarabad in PoK in 1990 and set up voice of freedom, a media organisation, and a lawyer by profession, said that little could be expected from the Hurriyat which has almost wasted a year now on issues like traveling down to Pakistan and joining General Pervez Musharraf over a cup of tea. Unfortunately, they never talked about the common issues of the Kashmiri society, forgetting the fact that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have bestowed their everything on the APHC leadership.’’ He said a "group of seven persons" (Hurriyat leadership) had always been trying to raise the Kashmir issue but least for the Kashmiris and much more for their own ‘vested interests."

Asked about the JKMM’s political agenda, Khursheed said his ultimate objective was ‘freedom" for the Kashmiri people, but it had to be realised through peaceful means. "There are limits to militancy," he held. "Gradually we will win the confidence of the militants, including Salahuddin, as they are a part of Kashmir."

While asserting that Kashmir is a ‘flashpoint’ and a "core issue’ in bilateral relations, Khursheed contended that the issue could not be solved unless the problems of the "oppressed and suppressed" people of the State were solved.

"I am of the firm opinion that only through peaceful means the Kashmiriyat can be restored which will ultimately become a sound base for the permanent solution of the Kashmir tangle."

He said six outfits have so far joined the JKUF, these are J and K Tehreeki Hasooli Aman, J and K Political Front, J and K Republican Party, J and K Omamia Conference, J and K Muslim Salvation Movement and J and K Tehreeki Rai-Shumari. "This is only the beginning and further more is going to happen," he held. (AGENCIES)

Cop’s brother, former militant gunned down

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, July 21: Militants gunned down a police constable’s brother and a surrendered militant in Doda and triggered an IED explosion in a shop in Gool early today. A police picket also came under heavy firing from the militants in Mahore tehsil.

Official sources said two militants gunned down Farid Ahmed son of Abdul Aziz at his house in village Seerigam in Neel area of Banihal early this morning. Farid’s brother was a police constable.

During the past few days, the militants have started targeting the families of police constables in Banihal tehsil. Recently, they had torched four houses of police constables and Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Banihal.

Militants kidnapped and killed a surrendered militant Mohd Saleem son of Mohd Sharif, a resident of village Jaggan in Bhaderwah tehsil of Doda district.

Sources said Mohd Saleem was kidnapped by the militants on Thursday night from his house. His dead body with bullet injuries and marks of torture was recovered from a forest area this morning.

Police recovered the body and handed it over to family members after post-mortem.

Meanwhile, a powerful IED explosion occurred in the shop of Punjabu Singh in Gool area this morning. Shop was extensively damaged in the explosion but there was no casualty.

Sources said the IED appeared to have been planted by the militants during the night. A police party reached the site of explosion for investigations.

Meanwhile, a group of militants opened firing on Jandli Zudda picket of Special Task Force (STF) in Mahore tehsil late last night. STF jawans retaliated from their picket.

Exchange of firing continued for about an hour but there was no report of any casualty on either side, the sources said. Militants managed to escape.

Intruder killed in Pallanwalla
Major, 4 jawans hurt in Pak army attack

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 21: Pakistan army, in a bid to give covering fire to three infiltrators, attacked an army post in an advance area of Pallanwalla sector in Akhnoor sector this morning. Exchange of fighting led to the killing of a militant and injuries to a Major and four army jawans.

Official sources said troops noticed three infiltrators moving towards Indian territory at 0630 hours today. As troops challenged the intruders and asked them to surrender, Pakistan army from across the border opened firing on a forward Indian picket.

Indian side effectively retaliated and gunned down one militant. An Army Major Gourav of Dogra Regiment and four jawans were injured in Pakistani firing. They have been hospitalised.

Taking cover of Pakistani firing, two other intruders fled back to Pakistan.

Body of the slain intruder has been recovered by army but not identified immediately. He was suspected to be a Pakistani. One AK-56 rifle, one UBGL, 78 AK rounds, five magazines and five grenades were recovered from his possession.

Yesterday, Pakistan army had attacked forward Indian posts in Mendhar sector killing three security personnel. Retaliatory firing by army had resulted into three to five casualties of the enemy.

A Border Security Force (BSF) head constable Mohan Lal was also injured in Pakistani firing at Alpha Machail post in Akhnoor sector last night. He was evacuated from the firing site by BSF jawans and admitted to hospital.

Other posts on the International Border, where both sides exchange firing today, included Chenaz, Jabowal, Kot Kuba, Pital Post, Budhwar, SH Way, Mehta Post, Zero Point, Kathmarian, Korotana, Gharana, Gharani, Nawa Pind, Joura Farm, Gallar, Faqir Chak, Suchetgarh, Kullian, Narayanpur, Khandral, Fathwal, Old and New Kanachak and Regal.

No casualty or damage was reported on Indian side from these posts.

Militants to be dealt with firmly: Advani

NEW DELHI, July 21: Home Minister L K Advani today said the threats of militant outfits from Pakistan, about continuation of their violent activities in Jammu and Kashmir, would be dealt with firmly, even as he directed Minister of State for Home I D Swami to visit Sheshnag tomorrow for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation following the death of at least 13 Amarnath pilgrims in two explosions.

Government has taken "due note of the threats by militant outfits in Pakistan and vigilance is being maintained. They will be dealt with firmly," Advani told reporters.

The team, which would also include special secretary (J and K Affairs) A K Bhandari, is likely to discuss re-arrangement of the security network along the Amarnath Yatra route, Home Ministry officials said, adding the team members would hold discussions with officials of the Unified Command, comprising the Army, BSF, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir police and other agencies.

The Home Minister decided to send Swami after he received details of the killings and discussed the matter with top officials, they said.

In the first attack on Amarnath Yatra this year, 13 people, including six pilgrims, were killed as suspected militants set off two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and clashed with security forces at Sheshnag, just 19 kms away from the holy cave shrine in South Kashmir. (PTI)

Agencies report creates confusion

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 21: A lot of confusion was created here by a UNI report, which was also carried by electronic media, that two soldiers including a JCO were killed and 13 others were injured in a fidayeen attack on army convoy along yatra route at Neepora, Qazigund last evening.

The incident had, infact, occurred at Neepora, Qazigund over 15 days back.

Reliable sources said it seems that a defence spokesman has erred and picked up an old page from his file to give the report, which was covered by local newspapers today and circulated by UNI. The report was also telecast by electronic media.

According to the UNI report, a Defence Ministry spokesman told UNI that militants attacked an army convoy on yatra route at Khanabal, Anantnag, about 52 kms from Srinagar last evening.. Security forces retaliated,

In the encounter, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and a soldier was killed and 13 civilians were injured, the UNI report said.

Ajit being inducted in Cabinet today

NEW DELHI, July 21: Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Ajit Singh will be inducted into the Union Cabinet tomorrow, a day ahead of the start of the monsoon session of Parliament.

The swearing-in ceremony will be held at 1800 hrs at Rashtrapati Bhavan, sources said. There are no indications of anyone else being inducted into the ministry at the moment.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee called on President K R Narayanan earlier in the day and is believed to have informed him about his move to expand the Cabinet.

Singh’s induction comes amidst BJP’s plans to tie up with RLD for the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh slated early next year. It also comes amidst reports of reservation expressed by Haryana Chief Minister and Singh’s Jat rival Om Prakash Chautala. The RLD has two MPs in the Lok Sabha.

Son of late Chaudhary Charan Singh, Ajit Singh represents Baghpat constituency in western UP.

He had been minister at the Centre twice in the past, will re-enter the Cabinet after a gap of over five years. (PTI)

Musharraf pursuing commando concept of diplomacy

NEW DELHI, July 21: A day after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s blunt talk on Kashmir, official sources here asserted that India would not be pressurised into taking decisions by unifocal and brazen commando concept of diplomacy being pursued by the military ruler.

They said it was now abundantly clear that Musharraf, in his engagement with India, had worked on his twin objective of making Kashmir central to the normalisation of Indo-Pak relations while simultaneously seeking to consolidate his uncertain future.

Reacting to yet another Kashmir centric media conference of Gen Musharraf in Islamabad last night, the sources said his commando concept of diplomacy appeared completely different from all established international diplomatic norms and might take some time for either sides to understand and move forward on substantive issues.

Musharraf went about debunking Simla and Lahore agreements signed by the leaders of the two countries but at the same time placed more faith on an unsigned draft declaration of Agra which caused considerable disquiet in the Indian camp, they said.

Even in the draft, Musharraf had picked particular sections which were not agreed to by the Indian side and sought to make it obligatory for New Delhi to accept it in order to prove its sincerity. This appears to be his commando style, the sources contended.

The sources said the Pakistan military ruler’s yet another style appeared to be to carry on with the unifocal mono-dialogue on Kashmir even during one-to-one meetings with Prime Minister A B Vajpayee and then declare to the media later as the chief subject of engagement of summit while conveniently omitting the views as well as the interest of the other side on the same issue.

They said officials of the Indian delegation also took note of the continuous efforts on the part of the Pakistan delegation to overstep the bounds of normal diplomatic behaviour to score points.

They made it clear that despite all this India would not be pressured into making decisions on issues like Kashmir in a hurry, but at the same it would continue its engagement with Musahrraf even though there were signs of him making the same Kashmir issue central issue to his political future. (PTI)

Top ultra held in Sunderbani

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 21: A hardcore Pakistan-trained militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was arrested today by Sunderbani police from a hideout in a forest area.

Arrested militant has been identified as Mohd Shafal son of Shabir Ahmed of Sunderbani.

A police party led by SHO Sunderbani Inspector Rajinder Sharma under the supervision of SP Rajouri Rajesh Kumar had to trek in the forest area for two days to identify the militant’s hideout. He was finally arrested this morning and was brought to Sunderbani for sustained interrogation.

Official sources said Shafal was a hardcore militant of Lashkar outfit involved in a series of activities. From his possession, police recovered five hand grenades, two UBGL shells, three magazines and 32 rounds of AK.

Militant’s arrest was stated to be a prize catch by police.

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