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15 structures gutted in Nowhatta; 2 cops killed Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 8: Fifteen structures were reduced to ashes and 20 others were partially damaged in a devastating blaze at Nowhatta in downtown area last night. The blaze was triggered by a powerful IED (fitted with a gas cylinder) explosion late last night. Official sources said 10 houses and five shops were completely destroyed in the fire while 20 shops were partially damaged. A camp of Border Security Force (BSF) 63 battalion, which was adjacent to the fire site, was also destroyed. A Masjid also suffered damage in two hour long fire. A spokesman of Al Umar Mujahideen claimed responsibility (on telephone) of the incident. He said his organisation was responsible for burning of structures and damage to BSF camp. Today afternoon, militants lobbed two grenades in the same area where local people had gathered causing injuries to two BSF and a CRPF jawan. Militants gunned down Ishaq Mir son of Ghulam Hassan Mir at Magam on Srinagar-Kupwara road. Ishaq Mir was nephew of former Congress (I) MP Ghulam Mohd Mir Badami. Militants attacked police constable Bashir Ahmed at Madeena Chowk, Gawkadal and shot him dead. They also snatched his carbine. Cop was a resident of Brenwar, Chadoora in Badgam and was posted at Maisuma police station. Another constable Ghulam Mohd was gunned down at Nehru Park, Dal Gate. The cop died but didn’t allow his carbine to be snatched by the militants. The cop was positioned for protection of Eid revelers at Nehru Park near Dal Gate. Militants attacked an army convoy at Malpora on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway forcing jawans to return the fire in which an ultra was killed. Six security force personnel were injured, two of them seriously, in a grenade attack by militants at Barzulla this afternoon. The attack took place when senior police officers were inspecting the damage caused by a powerful blast in the area yesterday. A CRPF jawan was injured when militants hurled a grenade at a security picket in downtown Srinagar today, the spokesman said. Militants fired rifle grenades at a security camp at Seer village in Baramulla district injuring a counter-insurgent. The spokesman said militants shot at and critically wounded a person in Shopian area of Pulwama district. A militant identified as Cobra was shot dead by army in Pattan. |
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Hizbul ultras behind
massacre Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Mar 8: Militants massacred three members of a family in their house at village Harok in SumbarRamban tehsil in Doda district last mid-night. Ghulam Rasool, a newly recruited militant of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Billoo Group was stated to be responsible for the killings. Official reports said three to four militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit attacked the house of Tej Ram, 60, at village Harok late last night. They inquired from local people about the house of Tej Ram and opened indiscriminate firing after storming inside. Three family members were killed instantly in the militants’ firing. After massacre, the ultras escaped to an adjoining forest area and disappeared. Deceased have been identified as Tej Ram, his daughter-in-law Shammi, 25 and son Amar Singh alias Fillu, 35. A team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), whose one of the post was just a couple of kms away from the site of carnage, reached the house and combed the area. Security forces and local police also reached the spot and launched searches to track down the militants responsible for the killings. A team led by SDPO Banihal Rupinder Chalotra was also camping at the spot. Preliminary investigations revealed the hand of a newly recruited militant Ghulam Rasool of Sangaldan and his associates behind the killings. Rasool had recently affiliated himself with Billoo Gujjar group of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. Sources said Amar Singh alias Fillu, one of the deceased, had stood witness against Ghulam Rasool in a Court, which resulted into sentence of two years to him. Rasool recently came out of the jail after serving his sentence and joined hands with Billoo Gujjar group of militants to kill Amar Singh and his parents. Sources confirmed that Ghulam Rasool was absconding from his house eversince he was freed from the jail and Intelligence agencies confirmed his association with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. Meanwhile, a complete bandh was observed in Ramban today against the killing of Sarpanch and three civilians. Call for bandh had been given by BJP general secretary Om Parkash Gupta. Bodies of three family members were cremated this evening at village Harok after post-mortem was conducted on spot by a doctor. Local police have registered a case in the killing and started investigations. However, no arrest has been made so far in this connection. Killings of three innocent family members created tension in the village with people protesting against lack of proper security arrangements leading to the massacre. They demanded setting up of a security picket in the area. Only last night, militants had gunned down a newly elected Sarpanch Ghulam Rasool Gujjar at Maitra, Ramban. The Sarpanch was also buried this afternoon in the presence of senior police officers. |
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Decline in attempts at
infiltration after cease-fire, NEW DELHI, Mar 8: Defence Minister George Fernandes today claimed that there was a marked decline in attempts at infiltration from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir after the declaration of the ceasefire and denied reports of any difference of opinion between the Army and the Government on its extension. Responding to members, the minister said the army had foiled two attempts made by militants to enter the Valley this morning. Giving details of the morning attempts to enter the Valley at two points, the minister said at one place three terrorists were killed while the Army also lost its two jawans. At another point, the firing was going on, when he left his office for Parliament, the minister added. Mr Fernandes said that terrorists made only 15 attempts since the announcement of ceasefire while around 54 attempts were made during three months before November 27. Mr Fernandes said according to an assessment, the number of terrorists in the State were between 2,000 and 2,500. Another 2,000 militants were waiting at the camps based in Pakistan to enter India. However, the vigilant Army would ensure that no militants enter the country, he asserted. The minister said that terrorist attacks on the security forces have been on on-going feature of the proxy war in J and K and the insurgency situation. "While there has been no significant increase in such attacks on the Army and other security forces in J and K, there has been perceptible decline in the causalities suffered by Army and security forces during the last three months," Mr Fernandes said. The number of civilians killed during the last three months was 185 while the number of Army personnel killed between December, 2000 and and February, 2001 was 43 as against 100 between September-November, 2000, he added. He said during the period of non-initiation of combat operations (ceasefire period) in Kashmir, the security forces have been carrying out operations for ensuring security of their posts/ personnel, lines of communication, civilians and public/private properties. Mr Fernandes said terrorists disrupting law and order continue to be targeted by security forces and since the announcement of cease-fire in November, 191 terrorists have been eliminated by the security forces. He said that all decisions taken by the Centre including extending the ceasefire were finalised after consultations with the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister. On the question of Pakistan’s stand, the minister said it was regretted that there was no significant change in the stand of Pakistan on the issue of promoting cross border terrorism. The minister said that in Assam, 285 terrorists were killed during operations launched by security forces in the year 2000. Around 1,265 terrorists were apprehended and 1690 terrorists surrendered during the period. He said 64 terrorists were killed, 165 terrorists surrendered and 261 terrorists have been apprehended in 2001 so far. The security forces continue to be in control of the situation both in J and K and Assam, notwithstanding the incidents of violence against them by desperate elements, who wish to derail the peace process in the State, he added. (UNI) |
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Amanullah Khan, 25 others apply for Indian visa NEW DELHI, Mar 8: Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Amanullah Khan is among the first batch of 26 people, who have applied for visa to India to participate in a two-day seminar. "Khan is among the first 26 people who have applied for visa to participate in the two day conference beginning on March 17," senior ANC leader and co-ordinator of the conference Muzzafar Shah told PTI here today. He said all the leaders had applied at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad yesterday. Khan is a proclaimed offender as per the law here and it is unlikely that he would be granted visa. The two day seminar "In Search of Peace and Solution" is being organised by Awami National Conference (ANC) at Jammu from March 17. Besides Khan, other prominent leaders, who applied for visa included president of Jammu and Kashmir National Liberation Front (JKNLF) and son of founding father of JKLF, Showkat Maqbool Bhat, Shah said. An application was filed on his behalf as he is presently lodged in jail by authorities in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. Other leaders include former JKNLF president G M Mir, Anwar Khan (JKNLF) and president of Balwaristan National Front (Gilgit) Nawaz Khan Nazish, Shah said. Founder of Jammu and Kashmir Plebscite Front, from which Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah later formed National Conference, Abdul Khaliq Ansari has also applied for visa. Expressing hope that the seminar would be able to bring a solution to the Kashmir issue, Shah said "more people are applying for visa." Meanwhile, informed sources said these people were unlikely to be granted visa as they were involved in anti-India campaign in one way or the other. According to Shah, the first batch of applicants also included heads of eight political parties in PoK and Gilgit and Baltistan. He said ANC had written letters to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and military ruler of Pakistan Gen Pervez Musharraf to facilitate people from both sides of Line of Control in Kashmir to attend the peace conference. "We are trying to clear all hurdles to make the peace seminar a great success so that the long standing dispute of Kashmir is resolved once for all," Shah said. The letter, written by the politically estranged brother-in-law of Farooq Abdullah, G M Shah said "I am sure that the Government will take a liberal view...And facilitate participation of political and intellectual personalities from the Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir." The meeting is likely to be attended by several political groups of Kashmir including Hurriyat Conference and Pandit groups and former Saddar-e-Riyasat Karan Singh, he said. The international figures include Eric Evbury and Mansoor Ijaz, Shah said. (PTI) |
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Pak strongly defends
Geelani From B L Kak NEW DELHI, Mar 8: A stern warning has been administered to the leadership of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to desist from attempts, overt and covert, to help Indian ‘players’ outwit the "freedom fighters" in Kashmir. The warning has originated from Pakistan. The warning has followed hectic rounds of unpublished meetings by senior Pakistani politicians, religious leaders and the ISI’s ‘think-tank’ with a set of fire-brand representatives of militant and terrorist groups engaged in the Kashmir operations against India. According to intelligence reports, the Srinagar-based ‘patriot’ of Pakistan, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, set the ball rolling after his several messages to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. Mr Geelani’s messages, while portraying a dismal picture of some of the leaders of the Hurriyat Conference, reportedly warned that Pakistan’s case would get weakened if "power-hungry men within the Hurriyat Conference" were not immediately given a lesson or two on the relevance and need of jihad in Kashmir. One of the messages, purported to have been dashed off to Pakistan by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, described as "highly provocative and anti-freedom struggle" the new line adopted by the majority of the Hurriyat’s executive committee members-an obvious reference to Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mr Abdul Ghani Lone and Mr Yasin Malik. Syed Ali Shah Geelani is the sole member of the Hurriyat executive committee, who is hostile to peace process in Jammu and Kashmir. The Hurriyat chairman, Prof Bhat and other members of the executive committee have hailed Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s peace initiatives in Kashmir. But the situation seems to have acquired a new complexion after the February 22 attempt on Prof Bhat’s life. A day later, on February 23, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who is also a member of the Hurriyat team already constituted for a visit to Pakistan, stated in Baramulla that the Hurriyat did not need to go to Pakistan. He wanted Parliament to "pass a resolution accepting the disputed status of Kashmir, in the same manner it resolved that Kashmir was an integral part of India". And his argument in support of the new demand: "This will enable us to ask the mujahideen right from here to stop their activities". According to Kashmir-watchers, Mr Geelani, enjoying trust and confidence of Pakistan’s powerful fundamentalist lobby, can survive politically even without getting himself associated with the conglomerate, known as Hurriyat Conference. This may not be possible for other Hurriyat leaders. Practically speaking, the survival of the Hurriyat Conference hinges on Pakistan’s moral and material aid. It is, obviously, in this context that Pakistan has chosen to warn the Hurriyat leaders of unpleasant repercussions if they avoided supporting all categories of jihadis , openly and secretly. Apart from the ‘well-done’ message he has received from across the border on more than one occasion in recent weeks, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, according to intelligence reports, has also been assured by the ISI-aided Hizbul Mujahideen and Jamaat-e-Islami of Pakistan that the Hurriyat centrist leaders led by Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat cannot go scot-free if found unwilling to give up pro-Delhi tactics. Mr Geelani’s new confidence is also based on the outcome of events on the ground. Ever since the February 16 killing of five unarmed protestors who were blocking the national highway at Haigam to protest an alleged custodial death, the Valley has witnessed a series of violent mass demonstration. Significantly, some Government sleuths have confirmed that the mass protests have served to undermine the Hurriyat centrists and strengthen elements allied to Mr Geelani. These sleuths have already informed the Government of India that after the unsuccessful attack on the Srinagar airport by the Lashkar-e-Toiba on January 16, more than 5,000 people came out to condemn the killing of the terrorists responsible. This was the first time that Kashmir has seen protests against the killing of Pakistani nationals. Happily for the pro-Pakistan ‘patriots’ in Kashmir, the favoured slogan at subsequent protests was ‘Lashkar-e-Toiba aagay badho, hum tumhare saath hain’ (Forge ahead, Lashkar-e-Toiba, we are with you). The message sent out recently by Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mr Moinuddin Haider, has created a re-assuring effect among the pro-Pak ‘patriots’ in the Valley. Mr Haider, who was for severe measures against jihadis seen displaying arms and collecting funds for the jihad in Jammu and Kashmir, had to be forced to announce subsequently that Pakistan remained committed to the jihad in Kashmir and that it only opposed violence on its own soil. |
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VDC member killed in Doda Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Mar 8: Death toll in last night’s encounter at Falli Kalali in Behram Gala area of Surankote tehsil in Poonch district today rose to seven with two more militants and an army jawan getting killed in the fresh battle this morning. With this, a total of five foreign mercenaries including a hardcore ultra of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit and two army jawans have been killed in the encounter since overnight and two soldiers were injured. Operation was continuing. Official sources said troops resumed the operation in forests of Falli Kalali this morning after killing three militants last night and losing an army soldier. Re-enforcement of army was also rushed to the spot to intensify searches. A contact was again established with the militants at about 1000 hours today. Troops asked the militants to surrender but they opened heavy firing, which was replied. In the resultant encounter that lasted a couple of hours, troops eliminated two dreaded ultras. Another army jawan sacrificed his life in the encounter while two others were injured. The injured were evacuated from the firing site and shifted to a hospital where their condition was stated to be stable. Bodies of all five ultras killed in the operation since last evening have been recovered from the encounter site and two of them were identified as Sohaib Malik, a hitman of Azhar Masood’s Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit and Saji Baba, an activist of Tehreek-ul-Jehad Islami, both hailing from Pakistan. Identity of three other ultras couldn’t be carried out immediately as they were not carrying any identity card with them. However, they too were suspected to be Pakistanis affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit. Deceased army jawans included Havildar Krishna Beeku Patel and Nail Bhat Sudhakar Namdev. The injured jawans were identified as Rifleman Rattan Lal and Sepoy Babar Rajesh Dullu. Four AK rifles and a pistol besides other arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from the spot. Sources said more recoveries were expected from the area as operation was still on. Army personnel were hunting three or four more militants, who had taken shelter in the dense forests of Kalali. A search operation for absconding ultras was expected to be resumed tomorrow morning. Our Doda correspondent adds: Militants opened heavy firing on the house of a Village Defence Committee (VDC) member Charu Ram at village Atha Kandwara under the jurisdiction of Kishtwar police station in Doda district last night. The VDC member retaliated but couldn’t match the strength of militants, numbering four. Charu Ram died while fighting with the militants. Two other family members of Charu Ram were injured in the militants’ firing. They have been identified as Bimla Devi and Kaushalaya Devi. The injured were hospitalised. In the morning, security forces and police teams reached the spot and carried out searches for the militants but they remained untraced. |
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No meeting between militants, Islamic groups in Saudi NEW DELHI, Mar 8: Government today said that no meeting had taken place between Kashmir militants and Islamic organisations of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia for the past few months. This was stated by the Minister of State for External Affairs Ajit Panja in the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. On the growing activities of anti-Indian militant groups in the United Kingdom, Panja said New Delhi has on a continuing basis "sensitised" London on concerns regarding activities of organisations which had indulged in terrorism here and were in some form represented in Britain. Describing the British response as "encouraging", Panja told the House that UK had included terrorist groups such as Harkat Ul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, International Sikh Youth Federation, Babbar Khalsa and LTTE in the first draft list of oganisations to be proscribed under the new British Terrorism Act. Panja quoted the British Home Secretary Jack Straw as having stated that "UK has no intention of becoming a base for terrorists and their supporters, nor to see it flourish abroad and we will take every legal action at our disposal to prevent this". On whether, the Government had taken up the issue of cross border terrorism with senior Chinese leader Li Peng during his recent visit to India, Panja said New Delhi’s concerns had been conveyed to Peng who had said that Beijing condemned international terrorism in all forms. The minister said during the visit India had conveyed to China that the process of clarification of the Line of Actual Control between the two countries should be expedited. Panja said modalities for this would be discussed in the mechanism already set up for the purpose. The minister also told the House that Government had been receiving reports that extremists of North-East were operating from some foreign countries including Bangladesh and the Philippines, He said while, there was an institutional mechanism with the Bangladesh Government to address the problem of cross border terrorism, similar arrangement with Philippines was lacking. Panja said Dhaka had assured New Delhi that it would not allow undesirable elements to use their territory for activities prejudicial to India. On Indo-US cooperation on terrorism, the minister said the two countries were now sharing information, coordinating action through a joint working group on counter-terrorism. (PTI) |
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Hurriyat has no intention to play mediator: Umar SRINAGAR, Mar 8: A day after the Centre ruled out any mediatory role for the Hurriyat Conference between India and Pakistan, the conglomerate of separatist groups today said it represented people of Kashmir, a primary party, and had no intention to act as mediator. "People of Kashmir are the primary party to the Kashmir issue like India and Pakistan and we have no intention or interest to play the role of a mediator," senior Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told PTI here. He added that the proposed Pakistan visit by a Hurriyat delegation was to carry forward the peace process. The Hurriyat leadership would meet shortly to "discuss and react" to the statement by Union Home Minister L K Advani ruling out any mediatory role for the separatist conglomerate, another Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone said. Stating that the Centre should "admit and accept people of Kashmir as a party to the issue in accordance with the historical facts," the Mirwaiz said it should "initiate sincere and positive steps aimed at resolving the issue." Reacting to Advani’s remark that the Centre proposed to hold talks with all parties, including the Hurriyat, he said the "Hurriyat will not share the platform with pro-India parties like the ruling National Conference and Congress as they have no problem with the Centre. "If there is any problem it is between the pro-movement parties like Hurriyat and talks should be held with the leadership of the Hurriyat which is the representative body of the people of Kashmir." Stating that the Hurriyat was not against "sincere and positive and result-oriented talks" for resolution of the Kashmir issue, the Mirwaiz accused the Central leaders of creating confusion by issuing contradictory statements. Referring to the ceasefire, the former Hurriyat chairman said it "does not exist on the ground in Kashmir as innocent civilians are being killed in fake encounters, custodial killings have risen alarmingly." (PTI) |
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NEW DELHI, Mar 8: The National Conference today feared an upswing in terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, saying the latest extension of cease-fire had provided an opportunity to militants to cross over to Pakistan and return after receiving arms training and also bring in sophisticated arms and ammunition. Participating in the debate on the President’s address, Mirza Abdul Rashid, National Conference member from J and K, said in the Rajya Sabha that the only thing the latest cease-fire extension had done was that borders had fallen silent. This had, however, provided an opportunity to militants to cross over to Pakistan for arms training and return after sometime alongwith sophisticated arms and ammunition. This had also provided an opportunity to militants to reorganise and consolidate and store arms and ammunition. All this could well be judged by the increasing attacks on and killings of security personnel. Earlier, security personnel had an upper hand on militants but now the situation was reverse. While the earlier two cease-fire extensions were widely welcomed by the people, the third had not produced the desired results. He, however, praised the Prime Minister for his "foresightedness." Mr Rashid opposed the suggestion for trifurcation of the State saying it would have a snowballing effect. "Trifurcation is not the solution. It (Kashmir) is a political problem which should have a political solution." While supporting the motion, he said the cease-fire was not enough and the Government should revive the autonomy proposal given by the State Government. The Centre should not have rejected and ignored the autonomy committee report. It would at least restore some confidence among the people. He also expressed regret over the blackout of anti-Pakistan and anti-militant demonstrations by the media. The cease-fire offer in itself was not enough. It should be accompanied by some employment opportunities to nearly one million unemployed youth of the State, he added. (UNI) |
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NEW DELHI, Mar 8: The bachelor Prime Minister had a date with over 300 women today. For Atal Bihari Vajpayee the International Women’s Day brought him face to face with women from all walks of life. His all-women guest list ranged from first lady Usha Narayanan, leader of opposition Sonia Gandhi, women Cabinet colleauges, politicians, MPs, activists, artistes, Defence personnel, social workers and journalists. The Prime Minister spent an hour-and-a-half over tea with his guests in the sprawling lush lawns of his official residence at Race Course. A relaxed Vajpayee played the perfect host as he greeted, chatted, laughed, listened and posed for photographs. Among those present were Suman Krishan Kant, the Vice President’s wife, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit, first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi, beautician Shahnaz Hussain, classical dance exponents Swapna Sundari, Vyjayanthimala Bali and Sonal Man Singh, media personalities Shobhana Bharatia, Mrinal Pande and leading women activists like Mohini Giri and Ranjana Kumari. To the activists of the controversial Women’s Reservation Bill, he said "Umeed Mat Chodiye (don’t give up hope)" and assured them that it would be taken up during the current session of Parliament. Happy about the assurance, the women pleaded that the Bill be taken up soon. Some of the women shouted across to him as he greeted them "a very happy women’s international day to you". (PTI) |
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CHAMBA, Mar 8: Security forces in this distrct of Himachal Pradesh bordering Jammu and Kashmir are on high alert in the wake of light spell of snowfall on the high altitudes and frequent attacks by the ultras on the J and K side. District Police Chief Sanjay Kundu, who surveyed the border areas from Kalaban-Satrundi to Langera, said the pickets of the police forces camping on the Alpine check points were maintaining constant vigil to monitor the movement of militants. Watch was being kept on the strangers and infiltrators by the jawans of the security forces on the check-points set up on the entry points along the border here. Some locals have been recruited as police constables to create a sense of security among the people of this district. The feeling of security,he added, had revived the tourist influx to this exquisite hill station. (UNI) |
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20 officers inducted into IPS after 6 yrs Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 8: After a gap of six years, 20 senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police were today inducted into Indian Police Service (IPS) by President of India. The inductions into IPS, pending for the last six years, were made possible due to personal efforts made by Director General of Police (DGP) A K Suri. The inductions came as a morale booster for the police officers, who were eagerly awaiting the Presidential order for the past quite sometime. The officers inducted into IPS by a Presidential notification, which reached here late this evening, included V K Ghai, SP CID (CI) Jammu, Ajit Singh, SP Security Civil Secretariat, H L Fotedar, Staff Officer to IGP Jammu, Gulzar Singh Slathia, SP CID Batote, Mohd Suleman Slaria, SP Traffic Jammu, Sunil Sharma, SSP Vigilance (Central) Jammu, Abdul Suban Lone, SSP Security, J&K and Kamal Saini, SSP Commandant IRP 3rd battalion. Other inducted officers included P R Manhas, SSP SSG J&K, Alok Puri, SP Security Raj Bhawan, Muneer Khan, SP Anantnag, Abdul Qayoom Manhas, SP Baramulla, Manju Rashid, SP Police Training Centre, Vijaypur, Rajiv Kotwal, SP Security Jammu, Chowdhary Chirag Din, SSP Security 4th battalion, Rouf-ul-Hassan, AIG T&I, Bashir Ahmed Malla, SSP Vigilance Kashmir, T Pungchok, Vice Principal, Police Training Centre, Udhampur, Sayed Ahmed, SP CID (SB) Kashmir and Yogender Koul. Sources said some police officers have gone up in the seniority. |
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Chairman Legislative Council election on 12th March Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 8: The election of the Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council will take place on 12th March at 10 a.m. in the House. J&K Governor Mr Girish Chandra Saxena has fixed this date for the election. The term of Mr Abdul Rashid Dar, who is the present Chairman of the Council, is expiring today. He has already been elected to the Council. The Deputy Chairman, Legislative Council, Mr Chuni Lal Khajuria will administer oath of office as member of the legislative council to Mr Dar on 10th March at 10 a.m. The other seven members elected to the Council, are likely to take oath on 17th March as they are elected to the seats which will fall vacant on 17th March. Mr Dar has been elected on a seat which will fall vacant on 9th March. According to the notification issued by the Deputy Secretary, Legislative Council all members of the legislative council have been requested to attend the meeting of the legislative council at 10 a.m. on 12th March to elect the new chairman of the council. Under the Sub Rule 2 of Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business of the House, any member can give notice in writing to the Secretary of the Council at any time before noon on the day proceeding the date fixed for election of Chairman, indicating the name proposed for the post which should be seconded by another member. The notice shall be accompanied by a statement of the member whose name is proposed in a notice that he is willing to serve as chairman, if elected. |
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