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Blast near
shrine; CRPF Insp, jawan killed Excelsior Team SRINAGAR, June 12:The 36-hour long siege by the security forces of the mosque at Shangus in Anantnag district ended this morning after security forces killed all the six militants. The incident at Shangus was second of its kind. Earlier three militants had taken refuge in a mosque at Shopian in south Kashmir district of Pulwama after killing two security men. The security forces, which had killed three of the six militants by yesterday afternoon, brought in sharp shooters last night and used teargas to flush out the remaining militants from Shangus mosque. Two militants made a desperate attempt to break the security force cordon under the cover of heavy fire but were killed. A security man lost his life and two others were injured in the entire operation while a civilian received splinter wounds when militants hurled a hand grenade last evening. An official statement said that part of the mosque was damaged in the blast in the ‘hamam’. Security forces have started repair work of the mosque and mediapersons will be allowed in the area only after the damaged portion was repaired. An official spokesman said the operation took so long because of the restraint shown by the security forces. Siege of the mosque at Shangus began on Sunday evening when militants took refuge in it after a brief encounter with the security forces which had launched a cordon and search operation in the area on a tip-off. In that encounter a counter-insurgent was killed. The security forces had cordoned off the area and killed three of the six militants holed inside the mosque by Monday afternoon. The firing from the mosque stopped in the evening but again resumed when the security men tried to close-in. The militants also used grenades. Residents of the area said security forces occupied about 25 houses around the mosque for the operation, and water and electricity supply to the mosque was cut. Senior police, civil and security official were camping there to monitor the operation. National Security Guards were also on the stand-by. Meanwhile, a National Conference legislator Sadiq Ali and his family members had a narrow escape when militants hurled a grenade towards his Hassan Abad house in the downtown area late last night. In other militancy related incidents across Jammu and Kashmir, eight militants, mostly foreigners and a jawan were among ten people killed while two militants surrendered during the past 24 hours. "At midnight, there was a loud explosion outside the main wall of our House, in which a private vehicle and a three-wheeler were damaged," Mr Ali told Excelsior. "I and my family members escaped unhurt," he added. Police said unidentified militants hurled a grenade towards Mr Ali’s house which missed the intended target and exploded outside the boundary wall. This was the second attack on the life of Mr Ali since he became MLA. Two years back, a similar attack was made on his life by militants. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Abdul Ahad Vakil has condemned grenade attack on Mr Ali’s house. Mr Vakil stressed the need for ensuing security of all legislators and other civilians. An official spokesman said wall of a shrine "Char Yar"at Pampore, about 15 km from here was damaged in a blast late last night. Police guards posted there also fired some rounds. No one was injured in the incident. The spokesman said a militant was killed in an encounter at Dolipora in the frontier district of Kupwara early this morning while a body was recovered from Kupwara town today. A counter-insurgent was shot and wounded by militants at Kokernag today while two ultras surrendered along with their arms and ammunition before security forces at Kachhama in north Kashmir last night. Army unearthed an arms dump and recovered 87 kgs of explosives and a large quantity of rockets and grenades in Machil sector of frontier district of Kupwara in north Kashmir today, a defence spokesman said. Besides 87 kgs of explosives, the seizure included five rockets, 18 rocket boosters, 27 rifle grenades and ten automatic grenade launchers which were dumped by militants near the Line of Control at Gali Wali Bahak after smuggling the material from across the border, he said. Two CRPF personnel, including an Inspector, and a member of a suicide squad of LeT were killed and three policemen, one of them an officer, were injured in an encounter that ensued when militants attacked a police camp in Shopian town of south Kashmir, the spokesman said. He said a militant of LeT forced his entry into the SOG camp at Gagren-Shopian also manned by personnel of CRPF last night. The Fidayeen identified as Abu Talha alias Bilal engaged the policemen in an eight-hour-long encounter killing Inspector H L Gupta and constable Anand Solanki of CRPF and left three SOG personnel, including a Sub-Inspector, injured. One civilian was also injured in the gunfight. Bodies of both the CRPF men were brought to Srinagar, where senior State police officers joined CRPF officials to lay wreaths on their bodies. Later, they were flown to their home towns. Inspector Gupta belonged to Gorakpur in UP and constable Solanki to Maharashtra, In another attack, militants threw a bomb into the house of NC block president Ghulam Nabi Mir in Pampore town of Pulwama district this morning, injuring his wife. Mir was not in the house at the time of the attack. His house was damaged in the attack, he said. A foreign militant was killed in an operation by security forces at Dbolipora-Vilgam near Farkian |
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Excelsior Correspondent MUMBAI, June 12: It will be perhaps for the first time that a book authored by Jammu and Kashmir writer gets an international launch. Ilmi Majlis— a leading London based literary organisation has extended an invitation to Squadron leader Anil Sehgal to be present when his book " Ali Sardar Jafri: The Youthful Boatman of Joy" is launched on August 13, 2001 at Nehru Centre, London. The book release ceremony is likely to be followed by a live concert of selection from Sardar Jafri’s poetry by Seema Anil Sehgal, a renowned ghazal exponent from Jammu and Kashmir, currently based in Mumbai. Sultana Jafri, wife of the late poet, has been invited to the ceremony as the chief guest. This book on Sardar Jafri will apprise the readers about the poetry and personality of one of the tallest poets of Urdu in 20th century. It also traces the history and importance of the progressive writers’ movement that shook the literary world in late thirties, informed Mr Sehgal the author of the book. |
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Hurriyat against militants’ using mosques for shelter SRINAGAR, June 12: Two days after temporarily suspending its agitation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Hurriyat Conference in another significant development asked militants not to misuse mosques as sancturies and endorsed Pakistani ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf call to "Jehadi" groups to stop anti-India propaganda. Terming use of mosques by militants as an act of desecration, the umbrella organisation of 23 separatist groups also asked the Army to respect the sentiments of the people and not to cause destruction to places of worships while dealing with militants taking refuge there. "Militants should not bring religious places, including mosques, in the ambit of their activities as it amounts to desecration of the place of worship," senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone, told reporters here. Lone claimed that the Army demolished a mosque in Shangus in Anantnag district during its operation to flush out militants holed in there since Sunday night. However, a defence spokesman said the security forces exercised maximum restraint and only some portion of the mosque’s annexe was damaged in the fierce exchange of fire. Asked about Pakistani military ruler’s call to Jehadi groups to stop anti-India propaganda, Lone said "we extend full support to the call of Gen Musharraf and second his statement word by word." To a question on Hurriyat’s decision to suspend its agitational activities, Lone said there are "elements within the Central and the State Government which are inimical to peace process and would try to create a situation which might provoke the Hurriyat to react and in the process derail the proposed Indo-Pak summit." "But Hurriyat will not fall in the trap of these elements and that is why we have stopped agitational programmes for the time being," he said, adding "Hurriyat does not want to act in a way which would create bad blood", Lone, however, said normal activities of Hurriyat as regards to "freedom movement" would continue unhindered. Stressing that no solution to the Kashmir issue could be firmed up without involvement of the people of the State, the Hurriyat leader, however, said he did not insist for inclusion of Kashmiris in the proposed summit meeting as "modalities" for such a move could be "worked out". "It will be a big tragedy if New Delhi and Islamabad discuss the Kashmir issue and keep the Kashmiris away from the talks," he said. Asked whether there was a possibility of the Hurriyat leaders meeting Gen Musharraf when he visits New Delhi, Lone said "though it is a god-given opportunity, the Government of India will not allow such a meeting." He referred to External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh ruling out such a possibility and said "by not allowing Musharraf-Hurriyat meeting, New Delhi is showing disrespect to its honoured guest as it is the prerogative of the visiting dignitary to decide whom he wants to meet." To a question on whether Hurriyat had any information from Pakistan that Gen Musharraf wants to meet them, Lone said "to be honest we have no contact with Pakistan." (PTI) |
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Fear psychosis grips border people From Dinesh Manhotra KORO-TANA (Indo-Pak Border), June 12: Sounds of ammunition poundered by the Pakistani soldiers, sometimes with ferocious or with low intensity, repeatedly pierce through the ominous atmosphere, gripped with melancholy and fear along International Borders, particularly in R S Pura sector. Tucked in muddy environs, this border hamlet wore a deserted look as almost all inhabitants of this village have virtually locked themselves in their homes due to the fear of death which looms large in the border belt in the form of Pakistani bullets. "To become victims of Pakistani bullet is a routine affair as no one knows from where and when Pakistani bullet will come. People prefer to remain in-doors to save their lives", said Bua Ditta who was among three odd ‘brave’ inhabitants sitting in a shop discussing the situation. "One can not be even safe in house", he said while narrating an example of Suman Bala of village Abdullian, who was hit by bullet while sitting in her house. For the last four days Gurg Post of Pakistani Rangers has become active. Rangers have fitted UMG, Pika and BMG guns through which they have been targeting Indian villages. Villages namely Abdullian, Chandu Chak, Kora Tana, Vidhipur, Suchetgarh, Gulabgarh, Gulabgarh Basti, Gharna and Raipur are worst affected due to unprovoked Pakistani firing. Activities in these villages have virtually came to stand-still. After maintaining silence for more than six months, Pakistani guns have been again booming, this time with ferocious intensity. Pakistani soldiers have been targeting Indian villages from border posts namely Gurg, Malana, Nandpur, Banote, Kunjpur, Surgpur, Chumbian, Chota Chak, Ghulabgarh, Barkpur and Nabapind. Located just near International Border hectic activities of Pakistani soldiers can be watched in these posts even with naked eyes. Fear psychosis grips border residents as Pakistani solders have intensified their activities. Some Pakistani solders reach near Ditch-cum-Bandh. Living in neck-deep miseries residents of this border belt had reprieve for quite some time during six months long unilateral cease-fire but Pakistani Rangers have been poundering ammunition for the last 15 days without any provocation. "It is all without any provocation or reason", said a resident while pointing towards sounds of Pakistan firing. He informed that Pakistani soldiers have intensified firing for the last one week. Staring morosely towards sky, Tilak Raj, a landless labourer of village Abdullian is virtually at the verge of starvation as he has been rendered jobless for the last 10 days. "Usually these days are hectic for us but this year I have no job", the poor villager said. "Neither I can leave my native place nor can I earn livelihood here. We are hoping against hope ", he said while highlighting conditions of his family. Tilak Raj is not an isolated case there are number of families of landless labourers which have been facing hardships. "Cultivation has become impossible due to Pakistani firing so we are not finding any jobs these days", said Gur-Parshad another villager. Located at just stone’s throwing distance from International Border, miseries of the inhabitants of border villages are indescribable. "We are not only facing Pakistani bullets but we are also victim of apathetic and indifferent attitude of the authorities ", complained a resident, adding, "authorities attitude has further compounded our woes". Residents of border areas of R S Pura sector have been bearing brunt of the Pakistani unprovoked firing but authorities have not made arrangements to provide some relief to these people. "We have become sandwich between Pakistani Rangers and our own authorities ", said a resident while highlighting miseries of the masses. |
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RBI approves 40 pc
dividend Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, June 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited has nominated three top finance luminaries, Dr A M Khusro, Mr G P Gupta and Mr Vipan Malik, on the Board of J&K Bank from June 11, 2001. Dr A M Khusro, recipient of Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany way back in 1992 and holding Degree of LLD (Honoris Causa) from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom and a Degree of D Litt (Honoris Causa) from Gurbarga University, has been chairman, 11th Finance Commission, besides being chairman, Aga Khan Foundation (India), President, Federation of Indo-German Societies and Chairman, Institute of Economic Growth. Mr G P Gupta has been chairman, IDBI, besides being Chairman of reputed Institutions such as UTI, SIDBI, NSE, Member LIC, GIC and Director of various well known Companies like Export Import Bank of India, Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited, Indian Airlines Limited, DFHI, Director, Securities Trading Corporation of India Limited etc. Mr Vipin Malik, Chartered Accountant by profession, has been on the Board of various Banks and FIS, notable amongst those being Reserve Bank of India, Unit Trust of India Investment Advisory Services, Industrial Finance Corporation of India and the Canara Bank. Meanwhile the Reserve Bank of India has granted approval to the Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited for payment of 40 percent dividend (free of tax in the hands of shareholders) to its shareholders for the year ended March 31, 2001 as recommended by the Board and approved by the Shareholders in the Annual General Meeting held yesterday. |
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Live grenades recovered Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 12: A young girl has been arrested by Poonch police for her active involvement in Pakistan-sponsored militancy. Her associate in Hizbul Mujahideen has also been taken into custody by police. A total of eight grenades have been recovered from their possession. Poonch Police sources were tight-lipped over the arrests on the ground that some more associates of the arrested girl were being searched. However, reports reaching here said 25 year old Ashia Begum was arrested by a Poonch police party from her house on the outskirts of Poonch town last evening after a confirmed information was received regarding her involvement in the militancy. Ashia’s links with the militants were unearthed by a high level police team, which was investigating last month’s grenade attack on Baba Bhairon temple in the heart of Poonch town. Grenade had missed the intended target and fell close to a Co-operative Bank building causing minor damage to it. Ashia’s associate in the militancy identified as Maqsood Ahmed has also been arrested by police. He too was a local youth of Poonch and a religious preacher. Reports said a total of eight live grenades have so far been recovered from the possession of Ashia and Maqsood. Maqsood was reported to have thrown the grenade on Bhairon temple with the backing of Ashia. Both of them has escaped after lobbying the grenade. Reports said Ashia and Maqsood, during their sustained questioning by police, have named a top Hizbul Mujahideen militant of Poonch, who motivated them to join the ranks of militancy. Grenades were also given to the duo by Hizbul militant. This militant, whose identity couldn’t be ascertained immediately, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Sabjian last week, the reports said. Preliminary inquiries carried out by police revealed that Ashia and Maqsood were active in militancy for the last more than one and a half year. Maqsood was also a religious preacher. Besides, Bhairon temple grenade attack, their involvement also figured in a couple of other militancy related incidents. Reports said sustained interrogation of Ashia and Maqsood was going on and some more clues were expected of them. Their arrest was likely to work out a series of militancy related incidents across Poonch. This was for the first time that a woman has been arrested on the charges of being a militant in Poonch district. Arrest of a young girl and a religious preachers for their militant links has sent a shock wave in the border district. Police said both were arrested after secret inquiries confirmed that they were involved in the militancy. |
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Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, June 12: The Border Security Force (BSF), under the command of Romeo Force, gunned down three militants including two foreign mercenaries in general area of Mohagla in Kalakot tehsil this morning. A BSF jawan sacrificed his life in a separate operation on the Line of Control (LoC) in Loran area of Poonch district while police arrested two Pakistani nationals from Naika Panjgrain. Official sources said an operation was launched by the BSF soldiers in Mohagla village under the jurisdiction of Dharamshal police station in Kalakot tehsil at 0200 hours after a patrol party noticed suspicious movement near their ambush site. Security personnel retaliated after being fired upon by the militants. In the resulting encounter, all three militants were shot dead by BSF jawans of 164 battalion. No casualty was reported on BSF side in the exchange of gun-fighting that lasted nearly two hours. Bodies of slain militants were recovered from the encounter site this morning and have been identified as Khalid Bashir son of Bashir Mohd, a resident of Nathhaki, Lahore and Khalid Zahid of Islamabad, both mercenaries affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. The third militant was identified as Rustam son of Abdul Gaffar, who hailed from Mahore tehsil of Udhampur district. Three AK-56 rifles, nine AK magazines, 82 rounds, four pouches and some incriminating documents were recovered from the possession of slain militants, the sources said. They added that the operation was supervised by Commandant Zorawar Singh under the command of DIG BSF G S Shekhawat. Meanwhile, a BSF jawan was killed in an encounter with the militants in Loran area on the LoC in Poonch sector last night. Identified as Parmar Sur Singh of 28 battalion BSF, the jawan was killed after successfully thwarting an infiltration attempt by a group of eight militants on the LoC alongwith his colleagues. Parmar hailed from Mehsana, Gujarat. His body was sent to his native town of Malpura this afternoon after floral tributes by senior BSF officers at Paloura Campus in Jammu where among other Mr Vijay Raman, IG BSF laid wreath on behalf of DG BSF. In another incident, security forces arrested two Pakistani nationals from forward village of Naika Panjgrain in Gambhir sector late last night. They have been identified as Haji Mohd Sharief, 70, son of Fateh Mohd and Salla Mohd son of Noor Alam, both residents of village Zareen in Kotli area of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Arrested civilians were handed over to local police by security officials. Civilians told police that they were searching their missing cattle when they inadvertently crossed over to Indian side. No recovery was made from their possession. |
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‘Farooq in London to
silence detractors’ NEW DELHI, June 12: Minister of State For Commerce And Industries Omar Abdullah has challenged the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to prove its representative character by participating in the coming elections in Jammu and Kashmir. "Their claims of being the true representatives of the people of the State have not been tested so far...Let them prove it," Mr Abdullah told UNI at a book release function here last night. On the separatist alliance’s decision to temporarily suspend its general strike programmes in the strife-torn State in view of the coming India-Pakistan Summit, he said the amalgam was trying to find its feet after the centre’s latest move to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue. Even the Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi had indicated that the Hurriyat leaders would not be granted an audience with Chief Executive General Musharraf when he visits India in July for the summit meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Minister said adding the decision showed that Islamabad wanted that the peace talks should not fail. He said the Hurriyat leaders were now finding themselves rudderless. They have done nothing for the people. "In fact, they are responsible for bringing miseries to the people of the State," he added. About the outcome of talks, Mr Abdullah said, "Let the negotiations start first. One can only be optimistic. The outstanding issues between the two countries cannot be resolved in one meeting only. The dialogue is a beginning of a long process". The negotiations could be termed as successful if the two leaders come out with a joint declaration and with an intention to meet again, he added. Welcoming Gen Musharraf’s advice to Islamic Clergy in his country to stop making irresponsible statements against India, the minister said the military ruler does not want Pakistan to be a Pariah or a terrorist state equated with Libya or Afghanistan. "One can realise the Direction Gen Musharraf intends to take Pakistan," he added. Describing as baseless the APHC’s accusation that the Charar-e-Sharief incident was the handiwork of the State police, Mr Abdullah said the conglomerate need to be reminded that militants also came dressed in police uniforms and army fatigues in their operations. "An inquiry has been ordered into the incident and the truth will be made public soon," he added. Four women worshipers were killed and more than 60 injured when unidentified persons triggered a grenade blast in the shrine of Sheikh Noorud-din Noorani at Charar-e-sharief in Badgam district on June 8. "Even I was attacked in Kashmir recently," the Minister said. Mr Abdullah escaped unhurt in a militant attack on a school in Srinagar where he had gone to inaugurate lab facilities. Many girls were injured in the mortar attack. Omar said that Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah could be holidaying in London to silence his detractors who have accused him on several occasions of sabotaging peace efforts. "He is on a month-long vacation in London to prove his critics wrong," the junior Abdullah said. He said Dr Abdullah has many a time been accused of sabotaging peace process in the State. The Chief Minister’s holidaying in London at a time when efforts to find a permanent solution to the Kashmir imbroglio were gaining momentum has drawn criticism from several quarters. Earlier, leaders of various separatist and political groups had charged Dr Abdullah with pressurising the Centre to call off six-month-long unilateral cease-fire in the state. Dr Abdullah had on several occasions said the truce had not led to any perceptible change on the ground in the State. On May 23, the Centre decided to withdraw cease-fire in the State and invited Pakistan Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf to India for talks with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. (UNI) |
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India, Russia test fire ‘PJ-10’ missile successfully BALASORE, June 12: India and Russia today successfully test fired a jointly developed new ‘supersonic cruise’ missile with a strike range of 280 kms from the Interim Test Range (ITR) at Orissa Chandipur-on-sea in a move to "enhance the effectiveness" of the armed forces of the two countries. The 6.9 metre long missile, ‘PJ-10’, is capable of being launched from a variety of platforms—mobile launchers, ships, submarines and aircraft. "Its high-effectiveness can defeat most of the modern ship defence systems," a Defence Ministry spokesman said. First of its kind in the world, "this most advanced missile is an oustanding example of India-Russia joint endeavour," he said after its launch at 1015 hours by Defence scientists of the two countries. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is convalescing from his right knee replacement surgery in Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital, congratulated Indian and Russian scientists for "this spectacular joint achievement". Defence Minister Jaswant Singh, who witnessed the launch, said it "is a landmark in technology partnership between the two countries which has laid a strong foundation for many other joint ventures too". The missile, using Russian-made propulsion system and Indian guidance technology, had a perfect vertical lift off from a specially designed launcher. It is capable of carrying multiple warheads and can hit a target of 280 km away within 300 seconds, official said. In his message from Mumbai, Vajpayee said "the development of this versatile missile is a demonstration of the expanding frontiers of technological achievement. It is also a symbol of the close partnership between India and Russia in scientific and techonological process. "Even as we develop the most advanced missile technologies, we will continue to preach the doctrine of universal peace," the Prime Minister said, adding that "in the conviction that strength deters war, our objective is to develop such weapons as truly weapons of peace". The officials said the missile, which is expected to be ready for regular production and marketing within two years, was totally guided by an on-board computer and used both liquid as well as solid propellants in its two stage system. They said that Indian and Russian scientists had "pooled in their technology strengths" through the joint venture called "Brahmos". The venture was established in India through an inter-governmental agreement signed in February 1998 by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s state unitary enterprise NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM). They said the total design, development, production and future marketing of the missile would be the responsibility of "Brahmos". "The current flight test is the first in the series of such tests planned to demonstrate the capability of the system to potential customers. The missile will be ready for regular production and marketing within two years," they said. (PTI) |
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Kashmir a complex pol issue: Hurriyat NEW DELHI, June 12: Hurriyat Conference today said Kashmir was a "complex" and "political" issue which had acquired religious dimension and its solution could be found only by involving Kashmiris in talks. "Kashmir issue is not a territorial dispute," senior Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told Aaj Tak, adding "bilateralism has failed so far" and India and Pakistan should start a process to include Kashmiris in talks. He said religious sentiments had come to be associated with the "basically political" issue as there was a perception that militancy was found in only Muslim-majority areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to the coming Indo-Pak summit, he said he was not insisting on the inclusion of Kashmiris right now but they could be involved in a parallel political initiative. Mirwaiz Farooq said Hurriyat was not averse to talks with the Centre had no conditions but ground realities had to be kept in mind. He said the Hurriyat would like to talk to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani military ruler Gen Parvez Musharraf but the modalities could be worked out. Referring to Hurriyat’s refusal to meet Centre’s interlocutor K C Pant, he said the conglomerate of 23 separatist groups was not averse to talks but "his (Pant’s) agenda was not clear and had no mandate to solve the Kashmir issue." Pant’s "approach was not sincere and right as he invited everybody for talks, including those who have no role," Mirwaiz Farooq said, adding preference should have been given to those who consider Kashmir a dispute. On Pant’s letter, Mirwaiz Farooq said it spoke nothing about resolution of the Kashmir issue but only about restoration of peace in the State. "We would have responded positively if resolution of the Kashmir issue had been the agenda," he said. Stating that the Government of India’s approach had been "rigid so far", he welcomed Vajpayee’s initiative to invite Musharraf for talks and said chances of the resolution had brightened. Expressing opposition to any move to divide Jammu and Kashmir on religious basis, he said such a move would foment communal tension. Hurriyat’s stand has been that everybody, including Muslims, Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs, Ladakhis had equal rights in the State, he said. He said the nature of militancy had changed after 1996 and a communication gap had occurred between the Hurriyat and militant groups. "It is in this context that we had proposed to visit Pakistan to talk to militant groups and create an atmosphere so that these outfits cooperated with the Hurriyat as it is essential," he said. (PTI) |
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Cheat arrested for selling duplicate gold Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, June 12: Bari Barahmana police have arrested a cheat Tarsem Lal son of Bachan Lal, a resident of Kalah, Sowankha in Vijaypur from Punjab. He was evading arrest for the last one year. Police said Tarsem Lal and Amar Nath of Bari Barahamana had taken an amount of Rs 65,000 from Pritam Chand of Bishnah in lieu of four gold biscuits. By the time, Pritam came to know that gold biscuits were duplicate, the duo had managed to escape. While Amar Nath was arrested by police within few days of the incident, Tarsem Lal was absconding and was arrested today. Arrest was made by a Bari Barahamana police station party headed by SHO Mohd Rafiq under the supervision of SP South J L Sharma. |
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Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, June 12: Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) supremo, Mr Shabir Ahmed Shah today warned that trifurcation slogan will have serious repercussions for the India and it will send a wrong signal in the other parts of the country. Addressing a public meeting here this afternoon, the DFP chief said his Party opposes the trifurcation tooth and nail as besides dividing the State such a move will eco the feelings of disintegration in the other states of the country also. He while appealing all the political parties to make ground smooth for talks said the tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and representatives of the people from J&K is the only solution to the vexed Kashmir problem. Referring to the next month’s Vajpayee, Musharaf summit, he said if the talks succeed the normalcy will automatically return to Kashmir valley and both Mr Vajpayee and General Musharraf will attain the fame of Mahatma Gandhi and Ali Mohammed Jinah in the Sub Continent. The DFP leader said the Kashmir is political issue and it should be settled politically while opposing laying any preconditions for the dialogue. He said 1.50 lakh people have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir since the militancy gripped the State in 1989 and we have to stop this blood bath. Mr Shabir Ahmed Shah made it categorical that he is not in race for Chief Ministership and termed the statements by some political parties in this regard as speculations only. He said I am working for holding a dialogue with Centre to settle the present imbroglio. He was of the view that if both India and Pakistan will adopt a positive attitude on Kashmir, the two neighboring countries will unite some day like the two Germanys. He said the Kashmir problem is due to the wrong handling of the situation by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Union Home Ministry. Making a strong dig at the State Government he said it does not have any positive approach on resolving the Kashmir issue and the NC Government is not favouring the talks. DFP chief said the elections is the need of the time and if held All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has to participate in it. Showering praises on Prime Minister, he said Mr Vajpayee gave a positive response on Kashmir problem and making ground smooth for Indo-Pak dialogue is due to his efforts. Giving equal credit to Chief Executive of Pakistan , he said Gen Musharraf is the first Pak ruler who also responded the India’s offer positively and showed a change in his attitude. Among others who addressed the meeting include Messrs K D Singh of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Organisation, Babu Singh of Democratic Movement and Karan Singh Andotra. |
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Communication sets, explosives seized from mosque NEW DELHI, June 12: The National Security Guard (NSG), whose commandos’ ended the 48-hour battle with militants holed up in a mosque in south Kashmir today, said a lot of explosive materials and radio communication sets were recovered from inside the place of worship. NSG Director General Nikhil Kumar told PTI that security personnel were forced to take the stern measure to signal to other militant outfits that India would not tolerate the misuse of religious places. Expressing happiness over the "smooth" operation, Kumar said "we were tasked to end the misuse of the religious place keeping in view of the sanctity of the mosque. We have done it brilliantly." Kumar maintained that only six militants were killed in the action. The NSG commandos landed at the nearest airport in Anantnag district at 1800 hours and launched the operation at 0430 hours, sources said. (PTI) |
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Farooq deplores desecration of mosque by militants SRINAGAR, June 12: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today condemned the desecration of Shangus mosque in Anantnag by militants, saying that use of religious places in a sacrilege manner could never be permitted. The Chief Minister, who remained in constant touch with the senior civil and police authorities on the incident from London, where he is holidaying, said such a gross violation of sanctity of a place of worship was highly deplorable and such tendencies must be curbed with the support of the people, an official release said here. "Militants’ action clearly demonstrates their scant regard for religion and religious places", he said, adding this seems to be a "part of militants design to further their sinister agenda". The Chief Minister has instructed the authorities to take all possible steps for preventing the misuse of mosques and ensure their sanctity. Meanwhile, acting Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah expressed deep concern and sorrow over the unpleasant incident that has emerged out of the militants taking shelter in the mosque. Shah, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, while condemning the militant’s act said that their action not only discredits the religious places but also infringes the basic principles of religions. He directed the authorities to take urgent measures for repairing the loss, if any, caused to the mosque. (PTI) |
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Mahore tense as people refuse to bury infant Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, June 12: Tension gripped Mahore town following refusal by people to bury the dead body of a 10 month boy Shaffi, who was killed in police firing about six days back. A large number of people from several villages have gathered in Mahore and were holding protests demanding registration of a murder case against police. Reports reaching the district headquarters said that infant Shaffi sustained a gun shot in the shoulders of her mother and died instantly about six days back. Later, police said that boy was killed in cross-firing between militants and security forces in which three militants were also killed. Local people disputed the official version on the ground that militants were killed in Shajru while the boy was killed in Mahore and that too in the shoulders of her mother. For the last six days, people were holding demonstrations in Mahore and have refused to take the dead body of infant from the hospital. A number of people from different villages were camping in Mahore demanding that a murder case should be registered against police. No senior officer visited Mahore for six days, aggravating the situation. However, Additional DC Udhampur Mr J K Sawhney left for Mahore this afternoon. |
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