Probe ordered into Chrar-e-Sharif blast
Militant, woman killed in Pattan

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, June 9: Even as the State Government today ordered an inquiry into Friday’s blast, in which 4 devotees got killed and 60 wounded at Sheikh-ul-Aalam’s shrine, Chrar-e-Sharif township in Budgam district observed a shutdown amid anti-Police demonstrations today. Meanwhile, one militant and a woman died in an encounter between militants and security forces in Pattan while as two more militants got killed in another encounter in Tangdaar border village today.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Khursheed Ahmed Ganai, today issued an order asking the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam, Rohit Kansal, to conduct a thorough inquiry into yesterday’s blast at Chrar-e-Sharif. Four women had died and 60 more devotees injured in a grenade explosion at the famous Rishi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorai’s shrine on Friday afternoon. Evereybody from separatist and mainstream politicians to militants and Police has condemned the blast. While as the separatist camp, militants and even the residents of Chrar are holding the Police responsible for the blast, Government functionaries are putting the blame on militants, saying that the latter were nervous over the forthcoming India-Pakistan summit.

Chrar township observed a shutdown in protest against the blast today as about 200 people came out on streets, burnt rubber tyres, put up demonstrations against Police and demanded judicial inquiry into the gory incident. All shops, Government offices and educational institutions remained closed for the day.

A number of separatist and mainstream politicians, including Ms Mehbooba Mufti of PDP, visited the tense township and knew from the local people how a number of devotees had become victims in the blast.

Bijbehara township, in south Kashmir, also remained tense as hundreds of civilians came out on streets while alleging that a resident of Jablipora village, namely Showkat Ahmed Bhat, had been fired upon and killed by security forces, during last night, without any reason. They maintained that Bhat was an innocent civilians who had been killed by security forces "misled by an informer".

Official sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that this evening a chance encounter took place between a patrol of Rashtriya Rifles 2 Bn and a group of three militants at Golipora, near Nawlari village, in Pattan-Magam belt of Baramulla district. One unidentified militant got killed and his AK-56 rifle was recovered from the spot. In exchange of gunfire, a woman, namely Naseema D/o Abdul Ahad Bhat R/o Zangam, sustained gunshot wounds. She was rushed to hospital where she succumbed to injuries. The encounter was in progress as two more militants of the group were believed trapped. Troops of RR 29 Bn and SOG Pattan also reached the spot late this evening to participate in the operation.

Reports from Kupwara said that two unidentified foreign militants died in an encounter with security forces at Manju Tangdaar, near LoC, in north Kashmir today. One Pika gun, four grenades and one pistol were claimed to have been recovered from the site of encounter.

Security forces and Police spotted and later neutralised an IED at Nathipora, on Sopore-Kupwara road today.

Perceptible positive change in Musharraf's stand: Advani

SHIMLA, June 9: Union Home Minister L K Advani today said Pakistan military ruler General Pervez Musharraf’s reiteration of commitment to Shimla and Lahore Agreements was a clear indication of change in Islamabad’s attitude after the Kargil conflict.

"Till recently Gen Musharraf was criticising the Lahore agreement and did not talk at all about Shimla agreement but now there has a been a perceptible positive change in his stand," he told reporters.

Advani clarified that his earlier remarks that he would not like to create false optimism were misquoted and asserted it was a major initiative in the process of normalisation of relations started through Lahore Declaration.

Sounding a note of optimism that the Vajpayee-Musharraf summit in July would yield some result but problems which were defying solution for the past 50 years could not have "quick fix" solutions and even if the talks made little progress, it would be a positive step.

The Home Minister did not agree with the view that the Kashmir issue had been internationalised and emphatically said that "India has succeeded in internationalising the cross border terrorism and isolating Pakistan in the world community".

He said "earlier Kashmir was attracting international focus because of some incidents of violence by militants but today it is in focus because of cross border terrorism which is a major achievement of the Government".

The Home Minister said the Government had taken a stand that it would not talk to Pakistan till it made serious efforts to create a congenial atmosphere and added that the decision to invite Islamabad for talks was taken after some perceptible change was observed in its attitude.

He said the manner in which Gen Musharraf had snubbed the Muslim clergy was also a positive sign and the reaction of Lashkar-e-Toiba also indicated its concern about the summit.

He said the security forces had resumed the pro-active stance against militants in Jammu and Kashmir and its positive results were clearly visible.

Advani said Hurriyat was a part of Indian people and the Government wanted to consult all concerned including National Conference, BJP, Congress, Kashmiri Pandits and people of Jammu and Laddakh and the decision to release the Hurriyat leaders from jail was meant to enable them to talk to Government and other concerned.

Replying to a question about the demand of the DMK president M Karunanidhi for recalling the Tamil Nadu Governor, Advani said that the matter was in the court.

Advani said the Cabinet Committee on Security, while deciding not to extend "non-initiation of combat operations" after reviewing the overall situation, had also called for direct talks with Pakistan.(PTI)

JKLF flays rejecting of nominations

ISLAMABAD, June 9: The Amanullah faction of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front has said that rejection of nominations of its candidates for forthcoming legislative Assembly polls in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) after JKLF refused to sign declaration accepting Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan has made mockery of Islamabad’s commitment to the right of self determination of Kashmiri people.

"The nomination papers of the JKLF candidates have been rejected because they had declared that they believed in independence of `Jammu and Kashmir State’ instead of declaring that they believed in the state’s accession to Pakistan," JKLF (Amanullah) chief Amanullah Khan said at a press conference here.

"This is a gross violation of human and democratic rights of Kashmiris and contrary of Pakistan’s declared stand on Kashmir issue. It is unfortunate that Pakistan’s deeds are so different from her oft repearis wishes and aspirations", he said.

JKLF had filed 31 nominations for the 48-member PoK Assembly for which the elections would be held on July 5. Their nominations were rejected on Thursday on the ground that they failed to sign a declaration accepting Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan.

Khan, who stayed put in Pakistan after he was deported from Britain in 1988 for his alleged violent activities advocates complete independence for Kashmir from the rule of India and Pakistan.

This was first time that his party, which was banned in India, contested the polls in PoK and also this was the first time that a Pakistan based political party raised such an objection to the accession clause, which has been introduced by Pakistan Government in 1971.

Khan said not only the authorities rejected their nominations but also launched a crackdown on the JKLF partymen all over PoK. He alleged that a number of his partymen was beaten up as well as arrested for taking out rallies to protest the rejection of the nominations.

Amanullah Khan also reiterated his stand that the forthcoming summit between India and Pakistan would not solve the Kashmir problem .

"Bilateral talks on Kashmir issue has no use. Such talks have not made any impact in the past", he said adding Kashmiris should be involved in any quest for solution to the Kashmiri issue.

He said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee appeared serious in resolving the issue but he was surrounded by ‘hawks’ who prevented a meaningful dialogue on Kashmir.

Khan also extended full support to Islamic militant groups, who conducted ‘jihadi’ operations in Kashmir. Stating jihad was a freedom struggle, he said operations by Islamic militant groups and the talks to resolve Kashmir issue could be conducted simultaneously. (PTI)

Pak commanders endorse Musharraf's visit

ISLAMABAD, June 9: Top commanders of Pakistan’s military establishment have endorsed General Pervez Musharraf’s forthcoming visit to India with "an open mind".

"The Corps Commanders supported the Chief Executive for entering into the process of dialogue with India and expressed their views on issues of national security with particular reference to the Kashmir dispute," official sources were quoted as saying by the Pakistani newspaper `The Nation’ today.

The daily quoted the sources as saying "there will be no structured agenda for the summit. The Chief Executive is ready to discuss any issue with an open mind."

However, Kashmir issue would be the focus of talks between General Musharraf and Prime Minister Vajpayee, the daily said.

The conference at Army Headquarters, attended by all 12 Corps Commanders, was called to discuss Pakistan’s response to Vajpayee’s invitation to Musharraf to visit New Delhi to discuss contentious issues.

India’s decision to call off ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir also came up for discussions at the conference, the paper said.

An official statement yesterday said the meeting reviewed the prevailing geo-strategic environment in the region, and situation along the international borders, working boundary and the Line of Control (LoC). (PTI)

6 fake appointments against 3 vacancies
W&M flouts Govt ban on recruitment

From Aijaz Hussain

SRINAGAR, June 9: Inspite of cabinet ban on Class-IV appointments in all Government departments, officials in this trouble torn State have flouted the decision, recruiting hundreds of incumbents illegally. Not only little regard has been shown to clear-cut directions of the judiciary but set recruitment rules and regulations have been equally thrown to winds, particularly during last three years.

Department of Weights and Measures (W&M) is one such department where gross irregularities have surfaced. As per the rules, Deputy Controller W&M has no authority to make fresh appointments. But brazenly violating the laws, Deputy Controller W&M, Kashmir has issued appointment orders vide No WM/Esstt/551-55, dated 08-07-2000 and appointed his favourties against the clear vacancies of watchmen and orderly.

The said order, copies of which are available with EXCELSIOR, is in sheer violation to the DPC deliberations and the points made in it have been cleverly camouflaged to pave way for the nepotism practice of backdoor appointment.

Pursuant to the DPC recommendation, orderly Peer Nissar Ahmed and Watchman Mohammed Ibrahim Sofi and Maraj-ud-Din were promoted as Manual Assistant Grade-II. DPC had specifically authorised Deputy Controllers of Kashmir and Jammu to make "internal arrangement" to make up for deficiencies in staff.

However, without any competence, Deputy Controller W&M, Srinagar picked up three favourties clandestinely and appointed them against the resultant vacancies of Class IV in his office. While as one Zahida Noor was appointed as orderly, Shabir Ahmed Dar and Parvaiz Ahmed were appointed as watchman without any notification, interviews and even authority.

Endorsing Deputy Controller, W&M, Srinagar, on September 13, 2000 vide No PS/PS/87/2000, Deputy Commissioner (Central) Financial Commissioner’s office, Srinagar, conveyed confirmation of the three appointments made by him. He also sent a ‘note’ to the Controller W&M which is without date and dispatch number and reads as "placed on CF side are two orders issued by Deputy Controller W&M, Srinagar, regarding adjustment of watchman and orderly. He has requested this office to confirm the action taken by him Vide No WM/Esstt/551-55, dated 08-09-2000. Since Deputy Controller Srinagar has taken this action at our behest, we may, if approved, convey him a formal approval"

The whole drama entered a new phase when Deputy Controller W&M, Srinagar acting on directions from the Controller W&M, cancelled the appointments from the date of their issue, Vide No WM/Esstt/380-87, dated 16-09-2000. So, within, three days, confirmation as well as cancellation is accorded to the appointees.

W&M sources revealed that one beneficiary is a close relative of DC (Central). He saved his relative’s ill-gotten job by fraudulently issuing an attachment order No 64 of 2000 even after the cancellation of appointment orders, giving it a date of 04-09-2000. Insiders say that the endorsement was put in a back date.

In the meantime, DPC meeting was held on December 15, 2000. Under para 19, it was decided that Deputy Controllers must ensure the resultant vacancies of Class IV, posts created due to departmental promotions, are kept vacant.

Despite clear-cut directions of DPC meeting, in which Deputy Controller W&M, Srinagar and other members participated, three more persons namely Mohammed Maqbool, Shabir Ahmed and Latief Ahmed were recruited by a mere word of mouth as no formal information or confirmation was supplementing it. DC (Central) wrote to the Treasury Officer, Additional Treasury, Tankipora Srinagar, vice No WM/Esstt/ 187/2001, dated 29-05-2001, that no salary bill of the fraudulently appointed persons be drawn.

Sources revealed that Treasurey Officer Tankipora allegedly took Rs 5000 as a ‘gift token’ for releasing the salaries of these appointees without checking their appointment orders, which is mandatory as per the instructions issued by the Department of Finance, vide No FD/VII/Budget/2001-2002, dated 13-06-2000.

The surreptitious practice adopted by some officials has become hallmark of Government departments in this State. Inspite of Cabinet ban and restrictions from the judiciary, hundreds of incumbents have been recruited in various departments in the State while the genuine cases have been pushed to wall and are getting dust in various departments.

PDP promises free electricity to farmers
Mufti cautions against WTO implications

Excelsior Correspondent

R S PURA, June 7: Cautioning farmers against dangerous implications of World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mufti Mohammed Sayed today criticised National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government for signing, what he termed, anti-farmer agreement.

"WTO agreement not only affects our indigenous industry but it will ruin our economy which largely depends upon agriculture", Mufti warned while addressing a mammoth Kissan rally in this border town. "Our agriculture production has been increasing after every passing year but Government agencies can not purchase from farmers due to WTO agreement ", he informed and regretted that farmers have to adopt agitational path to force the Government to purchase their production.

"It is regrettable that farmers are forced to start agitation for selling their produce", PDP chief said while narrating example of Punjab where farmers had to launch state wide agitation to force the authorities to purchase potatoes. He informed the farmers that due to WTO agreement Indian Government has to import agricultural products from some others countries despite being the fact that our farmers have been producing these products in surplus.

"Developed countries have been flooding India with their agricultural products including food-grains but our own farmers have to start agitation to sell their products in their own country", he lamented and said that it was all due to signing of WTO agreement that farmers have been facing hardship. "WTO is nothing but a conspiracy of imperialist forces to ruin our agricultural based economy", he cautioned but asserted that PDP will leave no stone unturned to solve woes of the farmers.

Highlighting miseries of peasantry, Mufti said that his party would formulate comprehensive policies and programmes for the betterment and upliftment of rural people in general and farmers and landless peasants in particular. "Socio-economic policies of the PDP will be guided by the interests of the rural people in general and farmers in particular", he said and promised to provide free electricity to farmers if PDP came to power.

Disclosing economic policies of the PDP, Mufti also promised to provide unemployment allowance to all educated unemployed of the State. "Like National Conference we can not promise Government jobs to all educated youth but we will provide job to atleast one member of each family", he assured and added that unemployment allowance will be given to all educated unemployed youth.

"Unemployment is one of the major problem confronting this violence plagued State. We will have to take some concrete steps to solve this problem", he said and urged the Central Government to reserve some seats for J&K youth in Central services.

Criticising State Government for, what he alleged, maintaining criminal silence over miseries of the people, he exhorted the people to uproot corrupt NC regime in the forthcoming Assembly elections. "We are not for power but we want to change future of the people of the State", he said and shifted all blames on ruling National Conference for the prevailing situation in the State.

Addressing the Kissan rally, Mr Trilok Singh Bajwa strongly condemned both BJP and NC for discriminating with farmers and rural masses. He said that huge funds have been allotted by the Centre for the upliftment of rural and backward areas but the NC touts have siphoned off these funds. He exhorted the people of R S Pura to give a befitting reply to NC in the coming Assembly elections.

Highlighting woes of the farmers, Mr Bajwa demanded that ban on the sale of Basmati outside the State should be lifted. He also demanded free electricity supply for pumpsets and Toka machines. Mr Bajwa also demanded immediate installation of water pumps and tubewells for farming community to ensure regular supply of water. He also criticised the State Government for not waiving off loans upto Rs 50,000 of the farmers.

General secretary of PDP, Mr Ved Mahajan in his address, lambasted the State Government for its failure to mitigate woes of the masses. "Inhabitants of this violence plagued state are groaning with pain and hunger but our Chief Minister is more particular about developing Golf grounds" he regretted and assured the people that PDP would continue to raise its voice against misdeeds of NC and highlight the grievances of masses, generally poor and downtrodden.

Mr Mahajan cautioned the people against nefarious designs of National Conference, who according to him, were trying to divide people on communal and regional lines.

District president of the PDP, Mr Baldev Slathia while speaking on the occasion said that PDP was committed to the equal development of all the three regions of the State. He urged the people to come forward and join PDP to strengthen hands of Mufti Mohammed Sayed.

Mr Surinder Singh, secretary PDP in his address criticised the NC Govt for adopting casual approach towards woes of masses. He said that time has riped to throw out corrupt NC Govt.

Mr Ashok Sharma, vice-president of the youth wing of Mrs Surjeet Kour and other leaders also addressed the rally.

Despite heavy down pours large number of farmers from border villages of R S Pura and other localities attended the rally. Residents of this border town accorded rousing reception to Mufti who had been MLA from this constituency during eighties. Residents recalled services rendered by former Union Home Minister to this town.

Top HM ultraTariq Mattoo shot in Doda

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, June 9: A militant was killed and a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member was seriously injured in two encounters in Doda district today.

A militant identified as Tariq Mattoo R/o Suti, an ‘area commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen was shot dead by Rashtriya Rifles and STF Doda in Dessa area of Kishtwar tehsil this morning. Mattoo was involved in atleast 15 killings and was active in militancy since 1992.

One AK rifle and ammunition was recovered from his possession.

A VDC member Des Raj was critically wounded in an encounter with the militants at Akar Hind village in Kuntwara area of Kishtwar. He has been hospitalised. Militants managed to escape.

Two civilians injured in Pak firing

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 9: Pakistan army stepped-up firing on the international Border in RS Pura, Samba and Ramgarh sub sectors overnight causing injuries to two civilians including a teen-aged boy.

Rishabh Kumar alias Rishu, 14, son of Madan Lal was hit by a bullet in his house at village Jabowal in RS Pura sector at 0915 hours today. He was rushed to Medical College hospital.

Another civilian Sohan Singh, 32, was injured in Pak firing at Avtal Qadla in Ramgarh sector last night.

Indian side effectively replied the firing at all the places.

Pant briefs Cong leaders

NEW DELHI, June 9: Centre’s interlocutor K C Pant today briefed a high-level delegation of the main opposition Congress on his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir and talks he had with various groups and individuals.

"I have briefed two members of Congress on the divergent opinions that have come up during my meeting with various groups and individuals in the State," Pant told reporters after a one-hour meeting with senior Congress leaders Pranab Mukherjee and Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Asked about his reaction to the meeting, Mukherjee said "overall impact of Pant’s interaction is on a positive side."

Asked whether there was any shift in Congress policy vis-a-vis Kashmir, Mukherjee said "there is only one policy of political parties in the country and that is restoration of peace in the State."

To a question about Hurriyat Conference’s absence from the parleys during Pant’s visit to the State, Mukherjee said "the entire issue has to be seen in totality. When you hold talks there will be some successes and some failures but when you see the issue in its entirety, the overall impact has been on positive side."

Congress president Sonia Gandhi had deputed CWC member Mukherjee and AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad to hold talks with Pant after the Centre’s interlocutor had asked all the political parties to participate in the discussions on Kashmir.

After making an assessment of the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Centre’s interlocutor K C Pant has begun the process of meeting representatives of all national political parties.

Pant, during the second phase of his interaction, will be meeting representatives from other parties including BJP and Left Parties, official sources said.

Pant said he had no difference of perception with the Congress as "everybody has a genuine concern for peace in the State."

Asked whether there was any deadline for him, the Centre’s interlocutor said "though there is no deadline, I am of the opinion that peace has to be restored in the State as early as possible." (PTI)

PM cheerful

MUMBAI, June 9: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who underwent a successful knee joint replacement surgery on Thursday, was cheerful and in good spirits today with his physiotherapy sessions expected to start this evening.

Vajpayee, who is recuperating in Breach Candy hospital here, had a south Indian breakfast of idli and sambhar followed by lunch of chapatis, vegetables, rice and daal, hospital and official sources said.

No visitor has so far been allowed to meet Vajpayee, even as "get well" messages and cards were pouring in from Governors, Chief Ministers as also spiritual leaders, they said.

RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav telephoned Vajpayee to wish him a speedy recovery.

The Prime Minister sent a get-well message to renowned Pakistani Ghazal Singer Mehdi Hasan who is recovering from a stroke, they added.(PTI)

No need for JD-U to continue in NDA: Hegde

BANGALORE, June 9: Former Union Minister and senior Janata Dal (United) leader Ramakrishna Hegde today said there was no necessity for the party to continue in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.

"There is no need for the party to continue in the NDA now, but snapping ties is not easy", he said, while addressing the party leaders from different districts here.

The State JD (U) was clear that the party should walk out of the NDA. However, the decision was left to party president Sharad Yadav, who is the Union Civil Aviation Minister, he added.

The statement assumes significance in the wake of efforts for the merger of the JD (U) and JD (Secular) in the State and the latter insisting that the JD (U) sever ties with the "communal" BJP and have no truck with the Congress as per the resolution adopted two years ago.

Mr Hegde, who has been keeping a low profile, was critical of the functioning of the Vajpayee Government. There was stagnation. However, its image had boosted with the decision for ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir and by inviting Pakistan Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf for a dialogue on the Kashmir issue.

Mr Hegde said it was a mistake going to the Assembly polls in alliance with the BJP in the State. "They backstabbed the JD (U) by not cooperating. We should never have any truck with the BJP", he added.

On the efforts being made for the merger of the two factions, he said he was never opposed to it. However, the leaders had to be cautious while working out the modalities and ensure that the JD (U) emerged stronger.

Party sources said that Mr Hegde was not averse to meeting former Prime Minister and JD (S) president H D Deve Gowda in connection with the merger. "We want the two leaders to come together and iron out the differences", they added.

State JD (U) president C Byre Gowda said the decision to walk out of the NDA was left to the central leaders. However, he wanted the party to snap ties with the NDA.(UNI)

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