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Acting CM,
DGP review situation Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Mar 3: Violation of police rules was said to be one of the reason behind the killings of 14 police constables and two Medical Assistants in an ambush by the militants at Gambhir Mugalan in Manjakote area yesterday. Meanwhile, acting Chief Minister Mohi-ud-Din Shah accompanied by DGP A K Suri and IGP Jammu Zone R V Raju visited Rajouri this afternoon to pay their last respects to deceased constables while a bandh was observed in the town today. Reliable sources said under police rules a TATA 407 was supposed to carry only seven constables in the militancy infested area so that cops could take positions in case of a militants’ attack. However, in this case, the matador was carrying as many as 28 persons—26 cops and two Medical Assistants—which was four times more than the prescribed strength. Due to this, the cops were trapped in the matador and couldn’t get even a remote chance to take positions in the over-crowded matador resulting into the highest ever fatalities of police in a single ambush across twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Moreover, the sources said, two escort vehicles of police were supposed to accompany the matador in the extremely militancy-infested belt on Manjakote to take on the militants in case of an eventuality. However, the matador hadn’t been provided with even a single escort vehicle in clear violation of official guidelines and provisions, which resulted into heavy casualties on police. "How one can expect 28 cops to take positions alongwith guns in a TATA 407 matador with a seating capacity of 13 or 14"? the sources asked. Meanwhile, acting Chief Minister, DGP and IGP visited District Police Lines and paid tributes to police martyrs. They laid wreaths on the bodies of jawans. The Chief Minister and DGP addressed the jawans at Rajouri and called upon them not to get demoralised with the killing and go ahead with their anti-militancy operations with renewed vigour. Suri said the welfare of martyr families will be taken care off. They also visited the district hospital and inquired the condition of injured persons. Acting CM and police officials later reviewed the situation in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch with senior civil and police officials. A police spokesman said the death toll in the ambush stayed at 16—14 cops and two Medical Assistants. Deceased cops have been identified as Tarlochan Singh, Liaquat Ali, Rajinder Singh, Mohd Afzal Dar, Faiz Ahmed, Farooq Ahmed Najar, Khurshid Ahmed, Rishi Kumar, Shabir Ahmed, Farid Ahmed, Subash Chander, Mohd Farooq and SPO Mubarak Hussain. Two Medical Department employees, killed in the ambush, included Mohd Zamir and Babu Ganesh. Bodies of cops and Medical employees were today sent to their houses after post-mortem. Some militants were also believed to be injured in the exchange of firing, the spokesman said. A bandh was today observed in Rajouri town as a mark of respect to the deceased jawans. Shops and business establishments remained closed during the day today. BJP district president Vibodh Gupta has condemned the killings of constables and stressed for more vigil on the part of security forces and police in their anti-militant operations. |
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SUNDAY SPECIAL From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Mar 3: The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, does not plan to react publicly, at least for the time being, vis-à-vis the criticism within the political class of Delhi against his two "beloved boys", Mr Brajesh Mishra and Mr NK Singh. Indeed, there are many functionaries in various Ministries as well who do not seem pleased with the unbridled freedom enjoyed by Mr Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Mr NK Singh, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for Economic Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Who cares for the disappointment of the critics of the two stalwarts? Both Mr Brajesh Mishra and Mr Singh enjoy Mr Vajpayee's full support and confidence. Hence, all the more reason for the two to call the shots. Intriguing, indeed, is the choice of operations employed by some disenchanted Ministerial colleagues of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. In private conversation, each of these disgruntled Ministers mustered courage to resent more-than-necessary authority wielded by Mr Brajesh Mishra and Mr NK Singh. But outwardly, every Minister has been found going about admiring the Mishra-Singh duo. The unexpected increase in the number of Groups of Ministers (GoMs) has not been appreciated by most of the Ministries. But none of the Ministers could have the courage to sit up and cry against this unusual phenomenon. Mr Vajpayee had no problem, no resistance from anyone as he announced the formation of almost 35 GoMs, one after another, so far. Interesting, indeed, is yet another phenomenon: Some disgruntled Ministries have started feeding certain media persons with reports that speak about the control of the PMO over the Groups of Ministers. The Cabinet sets up a GoM. But what has attracted attention is the report that a GoM functions at the behest of the PMO and not the Cabinet. The GoMs do not have adequate representation of NDA allies. And a media report recently highlighted the statement of an unidentified Ministerial colleague of Mr Vajpayee: "Apart from BJP Ministers, the only allies who are included are Mr George Fernandes of the Samata Party and Mr Suresh Prabhu and Mr Manohar Joshi of the Shiv Sena. The rest of us are not even consulted". If the report is to be believed, what makes the GoM unique is that it clears decisions despite objections from the Ministries concerned. The report, in fact, sought to highlight yet another untold story: "As a result, the bureaucracy has become an agency that often executes decisions that it had valid objections to". The Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, is known for his clout in the PMO. But a section of the Finance Ministry is not satisfied with the style of functioning of the PMO, particularly of the Mishra-Singh duo. A message was recently conveyed to Mr Yashwant Sinha, clearly informing him that his men in his Ministry would like any GoM to function at the behest of the Cabinet and not at the instance of the PMO. In fact, the message also carried a warning: "If this norm is not respected, it will only dilute the accountability of the Ministries to the Cabinet". Mr Brajesh Mishra and Mr NK Singh seemed to have been further strengthened with the establishment of the Strategic Management Group (SMG) and the Economic Advisory Committee (EAC). While the EAC was reportedly formed by Mr Mishra and Mr Singh, the stated idea of the SMG is to monitor the developments in key Ministries regarding the progress made on "issues of national importance". Animated whispers and animated discussions are there following the circulation of yet another report about the clout of some business houses to convene Cabinet meetings "at short notice and set up an audience with the Prime Minister". Interestingly, the report quoted a serving Secretary as saying: "It might be difficult for a Secretary in the Government to meet the Prime Minister but the doors are open for Dhirubhai Ambani. Everyone salutes him". |
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DUBAI, Mar 3: As many as 66 Indians have died so far of natural causes during this year’s Haj pilgrimage as nearly 1.2 lakh Muslims from India along with the devouts from all corners of the world began the five day ritual of Haj today. "Of the 66, one death occurred in a traffic accident in Makkah. The rest were from old age and natural causes," Zikrur Rehman, Counsellor, Indian Embassy Saudi Arabia told PTI from Makkah. "As a number of the faithful who come from India are old and infirm, deaths from natural causes are common every year" said Rehman. "Generally those who die are buried at the Jannat Al Maalla cemetery in the holy city of Makkah as it is the wish of every Muslim to be buried in the holy city" he said. A record number of 1.2 lakh Haj pilgrims have arrived in Makkah from India this year of which 72,000 have come through the Central Haj Committee and the rest through private tour operators. A 17-member Haj delegation led by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah is also participating in the pilgrimage. AP adds: The Haj chant of "here I am, oh almighty, here I am" reverberated across Makkah as pilgrims from around the world made their way to the plain of Mina, five kilometers north of this holy city. With temperatures hovering around 34 degrees celsius, Saudi authorities prepared to distribute millions of water bottles free of charge. The pilgrims will remain in a tent city at Mina overnight in prayer and reflection. The faithful believe the plain is the site of prophet Abr Aham’s intended sacrifice of his son to prove his faith in god, a legend common to Islam, Christianity and Judaism. At dawn Sunday, pilgrims will pray in Mina and resume their journey to Mount Arafat, where they must arrive before dusk. The arrival in Mount Arafat, a gentle hill 19 kilometers southwest of Makkah, marks the peak of the Haj and the day of Arafat is spent praying and in frequent recitation of "here I am, oh almighty, here I am." It is believed to symbolize the day of judgment, when Islam says every person will stand before god and answer for his deeds. Prophet Mohammed delivered his last sermon at Arafat in 632, three months before he died. It was during the sermon, Muslims believe, that the last passage of their holy book, the Koran, was revealed to Mohammed. The other rituals of the Haj will be performed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Pilgrims will throw stones at two pillars outside Makkah that symbolize the devil, then circle the Kaaba, a large cubic stone structure covered with a black cloth that is Islam’s most sacred site. Muslims around the world turn toward the Kaaba while praying. |
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Complete bandh observed Excelsior Correspondent LEH, Mar 3: Thousands of people in Leh today came out on the roads and held a peaceful march in protest against the action of Afghanistan’s radical ruling Taliban for smashing statues of Lord Budha in the country. Not only Buddhists but members of other communities including Muslims also joined the protest and expressed deep shock and concern over the most uncivilised and unwarranted action by the fundamentalist regime of Afghanistan. A complete bandh was observed in the mountain locked Himalayan town of Leh which is dominated by Buddhist community. Various political leaders, social activists, monks, intellectuals, women and children participated in the protest march. They condemned the destruction to thousands year old idols of ancient Buddhists history. They drew the attention of world communities towards this act and sought their immediate intervention. The march started from Petrol Pump on the outskirts of Leh town and after passing through main market and entire town it finally culminated at Polo Ground. Members of Ladakh Buddhists Association and Youth wing of the organisation also participated besides the members of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. Youth LBA wing president -Lopzang Nyantak, chairman—LAHDC Thupsten Chhewang and Riaz Ahmed Ladakh Merchants Association and others addressed the gathering at Polo Ground. They appreciated the stand taken by the Union Government and efforts of the Indian Prime Minister. They said that Indian Parliaments’ concern over the issue of highly sensitive nature is appreciated by people of Ladakh and said that it should be condemned by the world bodies. They also sought immediate intervention of United Nations Security Council. A resolution was also passed on the occasion which will be passed on to the President of India. The LBA members alleged that various statues in Ladakh which are even more than 1000 year old have not been properly preserved and there is a need of immediate attention by the Government of India. |
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ISLAMABAD, Mar 3: The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba today claimed responsibility for yesterday’s ambush in Rajouri that killed at least 16 policemen. A spokesman for the Lashkar said its guerillas carried out the attack in Rajouri district in Kashmir with comrades from three other groups — Hizbul Mujahideen, Hizb-e-Islami and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Police in Jammu, put the police death toll at 16. A Lashkar statement faxed to Reuters in Islamabad said 19 personnel of the Indian reserve police were killed in the biggest strike against security forces in Kashmir since India announced a unilateral ceasefire there in late November. The Lashkar statement quoted the group "supreme commander", Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, as saying the strike responded to alleged killings of detained people by the Indian Reserve Police. "The personnel involved in custodial killings will not be spared," Lakhvi said. "Ordinary policemen are not the target of the Mujahideen (guerrillas). Only special operations squads of police involved in repression and martyring innocent Kashmiris will be targeted." India’s suspension of offensive operations against militants in Kashmir began on November 28 and has been extended three times, most recently until the end of may. Most militant groups say the ceasefire is a ploy to gain international sympathy and vow to fight on. More than 30,000 people have been killed in separatist violence in India since 1990, authorities say. (REUTERS) |
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All houses, shops gutted Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: Entire remote village Khara, falling on Thathri-Gandoh road in Doda district, was burnt and reduced to ashes in a devastating fire early today rendered about 80-odd families completely homeless and causing loss of property worth several lakhs of rupees. Quoting preliminary investigations, an official spokesman ruled out sabotage and described reason behind the fire as ‘accidental. However, no human loss of life was reported in the fire. The spokesman said fire broke out in the village at about 0220 hours early today at village Khara, about 42 kms from Doda. The fire reportedly started from a shop and soon spread to all houses and shops, located close to each other, in the village. People rushed out of their houses in panic and managed to save themselves. However, their all household goods, furniture and other costlier items perished in the blaze. A message of fire was received at the district headquarters of Doda at 0330 hours and fire tenders were dispatched. However, by the time the fire fighting vehicles could reach the village, all houses and shops had been gutted. SSP Doda Ashkoor Ahmed Wani and Deputy Commissioner Doda Shalindra Kumar rushed to the village this morning to take stock of the situation and supervise relief operations. The spokesman said 25 quintals of ration at the rate of 25 kg per family and 200 blankets were distributed among the fire victims today. The Deputy Commissioner has recommended to the Government for a special package including provision of GSI sheets and timber for rehabilitation of fire victims, who have lost their all belongings. Cause of fire and total estimate of damaged property was being ascertained, the spokesman said but added that fire reportedly broke out due to a short-circuit. |
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Jagjivan Lal Marshaled out for breach of discipline Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 2: The Speaker Legislative Assembly, Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil was today left with no alternative but to order the marshaling out of the ruling National Conference (NC) member, Jagjivan Lal for breach of discipline in the House. This extreme step was taken by Mr Vakil when the second question of the day was being discussed in the House and the NC legislator passed some disparaging remarks against the opposition PDP member Abdul Rehman Veeri who was sitting near him. As soon as Abdul Rehman Veeri raised a supplementary to the question of Sheikh Mohammed Rafi of NC that crops in many parts of the Valley have been damaged due to unknown disease, Jagjivan Lal intrupted him saying that diesease has engulfed him."App ko bemari lagi hai". This was strongly objected by Mr Veeri who rebuffed the member and protested against his remarks. The heated exchanges took place between the two for minutes together. Taking serious view of Jagjivan Lal’s remarks, Speaker, Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil reprimanded the member for using unparliamentary language and breaching discipline in the House. Turning to the member he said "you have been very rude and misbehaved in the House" This irritated the member who said that he has not used any unparliamentary language and trooped into well of the House to stage a dharna in protest. On this, the Speaker Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil directed the member to behave and resume his seat. When the member defied the order of the chair, Mr Vakil called the marshal and asked him to take the erring member out of the House for disrupting the business and creating indiscipline. Later, on the persistant appeal of the opposition and some ruling party members, the Speaker allowed him to participate in the Zero Hour discussions. Earlier, replying the question Agriculture and Cooperative Minister, Ch Mohammed Ramzan informed the House that last year rice blast diesease caused damage to paddy crop in some parts of the Pulwama district. He said in order to avoid the re-occurrence of the disease, the Department of Agriculture has organised awareness campaign throughout Kashmir Division. The Minister said in this connection farmers training camps at grass- roots level have been organised. He said print and electronic media are also being used for this purpose. He said the Department of Agriculture is advising the farmers to sow the seeds only after treatment with recommended fungicides in the coming sowing season. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: Samba police have busted a gang of highway robbers by arresting three notorious criminals including an Agra gangster and recovered a large quantity of goods from their possession. Arrested highway robbers have been identified as Makhan Lal alias Makha son of Sardari Lal, Ram Rattan alias Bitti son of Mangat Ram, both residents of village Dadyal, Udhampur and Parkash Singh son of Arjun Singh of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, presently putting up in Udhampur. Goods worth over Rs 40,000 have so far been recovered from their possession while more recoveries were expected, police sources said, adding the arrests were made by a Samba police station party led by SHO S S Samyal from Nud area this afternoon. A sharp-edged weapon was recovered from their possession. |
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Advani praises ceasefire policy VRIMDAVAN (UP), Mar 3: Home Minister L K Advani today said the ceasefire policy being pursued by the Centre in Jammu and Kashmir had proved successful and ruled out charting out any alternative strategy. Skirting a direct reply on yesterday’s killing of policemen by terrorists at Rajouri, Advani told reporters here that security forces had "all the freedom" to deal with militants. He said even during the on-going ceasefire a number of terrorists had been killed and the security forces were directed to retaliate in self defence. Laying the foundation of Brij Health Care and Research Centre here, the Home Minister maintained that the ceasefire policy had proved successful besides creating a favourable atmosphere for India in the international fora and mounting of pressure on Pakistan to desist from aiding and abetting terrorists. He said Islamabad’s involvement in fomenting trouble in J and K was clearly proved in view of the imposition of ban on Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujhaideen by Britain. Although firing from across the border had stopped, there had been no positive response from Pakistan, he said. (PTI) |
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Amanullah Khan to apply for Indian visa ISLAMABAD, Mar 3: Amanullah Khan, chairman of Pakistan-based militant outfit Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) said that he alongwith several other Kashmiri leaders and activists has decided to apply for Indian visas to travel to Jammu to take part in a proposed conference on Kashmir later this month. The leaders currently living in Pakistan would apply for visas at the Indian High Commission here on March 5, Khan said. Khan told PTI that he has decided to apply for the visa after former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister G M Shah decided to go ahead with the conference to discuss a solution to Kashmir issue. He, however, was not sure whether he would be granted a visa. "It was up to the Indian Government to take decision," he said. About 87 Kashhmiri leaders including Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry have been invited to take part in the conference. (PTI) |
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SRINAGAR, Mar 3: At least 17 security personnel were injured, some of them seriously in a grenade blast at Kulgam in south Kashmir this evening. Official sources told UNI that militants hurled a hand grenade on security forces at Kulgam in south Kashmir district of Anantnag this evening. However, the grenade exploded on the road side causing injuries to 17 people. The injured were admitted to hospital. (UNI) |
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Gupta promoted, Bakaya goes to Education Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: The Government have ordered transfers and postings in the State administration: Mr Vijay Bakaya, Financial Commissioner (Revenue) has been transferred and posted as Principal Secretary to Government, Education Department vice Ms Sushma Choudhary who has gone on Central deputation; Mr S D Singh, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare Department has been transferred and posted as Financial Commissioner (Revenue) vice Mr Bakaya while Mr N R Gupta, Chairman, Bureau of Public Enterprises, has been promoted to the rank of Principal Secretary and posted as Principal Secretary to Government, Social Welfare Department vice Mr S D Singh; Mr Basharat Ahmad Dar, Director Technical Education has been transferred and posted as Special Secretary to Government, Technical Education; and Ms Masooda Yasin awaiting orders of posting has been posted as Director Technical Education vice Mr Basharat Ahmad Dar. |
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Government issues promotion orders of 3 SEs in R&B Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: The State Government has today issued the promotion and adjustment orders of three executive engineers of R&B as incharge superintending engineers in their own pay and grade. However, these officers will be entitled to charge allowance as admissible under rules, an official handout issued here today said. Among the promotee Executive Engineers include Mr A K Pandita, Executive Engineer, Housing Board, who has been posted as Superintending Engineer, Police Housing Corporation against an available vacancy. Mohammed Yousf Rather, Executive Engineer, R&B Budgam has been posted as Incharge Superintending Engineer, R&B Circle Anantnag, Pulwama against an available vacancy and Nazir Ahmed Reshi, Executive Engineer, Technical Officer to Chief Engineer R&B Srinagar has been posted as Incharge Superintending Engineer, Srinagar Development Authority against an available vacancy. The T A as admissible under rules has also been sanctioned in favour of these officers. |
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Ultra killed, arms haul in Doda Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 3: Army gunned down a hardcore militant in a fierce encounter at Gajot in Bhaderwah and recovered a large consignment of arms and explosives in general area of Gandoh in two separate incidents across Doda district. A Defence spokesman said an army column was attacked by militants south of Gajot village at 0400 hours today. The army column was on a routine night patrolling in the village. Troops were ambushed by the ultras and fired upon forcing them to retaliate. In the exchange of firing that followed, troops eliminated one militant while his associates fled away to a jungle. No casualty was reported on army side in the exchange of firing, which lasted about one hour. From the scene of encounter, army jawans recovered a self loading rifle, a Chinese grenades, two magazines and one Yeasu radio set. Body of the slain ultra has been recovered but not identified so far. It was believed to be that of a foreign mercenary. Meanwhile, another column of army busted a major cache in general area of Gandoh this morning. A hideout of the militants, erected under ground was unearthed and destroyed. The hideout measuring 20 ft X 10 feet had wooden paneling all around behind which arms and ammunition had been hidden by the militants. Recoveries made from the hideout included five AK magazines, 60 rounds, one Tarpaulin, six blankets, two jackets, 200 kg ration, plastic pipes, explosives and personal belongings of the militants. According to spokesman, a tip off about the hideout was given by local people. In Rajouri, troops thwarted an infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Pokhra area of Nowshera tehsil last night. Noticing suspicious movement and sound of an explosion, army soldiers became alert and opened heavy firing, the spokesman said and added that infiltrators fled back to Pakistan after army firing. Army personnel recovered four hand grenades, a Yeasu radio set, two pouches, six magazines, 176 rounds and Rs 1000 Indian currency during a routine search in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri this evening. |
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Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Mar 3: Militants chopped off the ears of two civilians at village Narala under the jurisdiction of Dharamshal police station here last night. Police said three militants entered into the houses of Sita Ram and Mori Ram and chopped off the ears of both of them with sharp-edged weapons. While fleeing, the militants snatched gun from a civilian Bodh Raj and fled away. |
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Youth involved in firing on DC Excise held Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Mar 3: Police today arrested a youth involved in firing on Deputy Commissioner Excise, Lakhanpur S M Rizvi in his office chamber at Lakhanpur. Accused has been identified as Arun Kumar son of Yog Raj, a resident of Lakhanpur. SSP Kathua Manohar Singh said Arun Kumar, an Excise agent had fired two shots in the office chamber of Rizvi few days back in view of alleged delay in excise clearance of his vehicle. Rizvi had a narrow escape in the shoot-out. Police said Arun Kumar, who happened to be son of an Excise Inspector Yog Raj, fled to Beas after the firing. A police party arrested accused from Sujanpur today. Police also arrested a Baazigar Harbans Lal R/o Chak Nathal, Rajbagh for murdering his wife Indro Devi after a minor dispute. He was arrested from Beas. |
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