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PM woos
angry Imam against ‘jihadis’ From B L Kak NEW DELHI, May 5: The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, has managed-indeed, in sheer secrecy-to woo the Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, although the process in this regard took more than six weeks. Syed Ahmed Bukhari, after his ‘coronation’ as the Shahi Imam, had played a key role while convincing several Kashmiri opposition leaders, particularly the ones belonging to the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), that ‘peace’ talks with the Government of India will eventually lead to security and stability and safety of the average Kashmiri. In fact, the Shahi Imam acted as the Government’s interlocutor for Kashmir. The Prime Minister was satisfied with the role the Shahi Imam played while strongly defending New Delhi’s unilateral cease-fire experiment and persuading the Pakistan-based leaders of the Hizbul Mujahideen to support the Government of India’s peace offensive in Kashmir. However, Syed Ahmed Bukhari was forced to snap his relations with the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) after the eruption of a serious controversy over the Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid issue leading to irritations between Muslims and Hindutva organisations. The Shahi Imam, who had, by that time, established links with several Muslim opposition leaders in Kashmir, suddenly withdrew himself from the scene. Mr Vajpayee was, in fact, informed by the Shahi Imam that his (Mr Vajpayee’s) "lenient" attitude towards the Hindu fundamentalists had forced him (Shahi Imam) to disassociate himself from the task of building bridges with Muslim opposition leaders of Kashmir. Significantly, Mr Vajpayee chose to keep the ‘link’ with Delhi’s Jama Masjid alive with the help of a team of Muslim leaders. These Muslim leaders, apparently at the behest of Mr Vajpayee, intensified their behind-the-scene activity to woo back the displeased Shahi Imam. True, the exercise took more than six weeks. But the ‘positive’ outcome became too evident to be missed on Friday (May 4) when Syed Ahmed Bukhari suddenly re-surfaced on the scene with his message to the dreaded jihadi outfit, Lashkar-e-Toiba, in support of India in Kashmir. The Lashkar-e-Toiba which, according to the Government, is waging a religious war against India and working for the dismemberment of the country, was told by Syed Ahmed Bukhari that integrity and unity of "our country" was not negotiable. The Shahi Imam’s message came at a time when he had agreed to act, again, as a source of moderation and as a source to help the Government bring to the negotiating table "unwilling" Muslim leaders of Kashmir. Will the Shahi Imam succeed at a time when the stalwarts of Kashmir’s Hurriyat Conference have buckled under threats from the militants and rejected the Government’s offer of talks? When the Centre sought to highlight a couple of pre-conditions for meaningful talks with the Kashmiri militant outfits and leaders, the Hurriyat Conference raised a hue and cry and insisted on the demand for unconditional talks. And when, with the appointment of Mr KC Pant as the chief negotiator, the Government just did not talk of any pre-conditions, the Hurriyat Conference again raised a hue and cry-this time insisting on the relevance of the APHC’s demand for talks with Islamabad and leaders of militant outfits in PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) before the dialogue with Mr Pant. The Hurriyat chairman, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, obviously, was not speaking the truth when he claimed that he and others in the APHC had not buckled under threats from the militants while announcing the Hurriyat’s unwillingness to accept India’s offer of talks. Prof Bhat himself had received threats on more than one occasion. And threats had also been issued to the moderates like Maulvi Umar Farooq and Mr Abdul Ghani Lone. The Hurriyat leadership may have been compelled to speak the language of Pakistan-backed jihadis vis-à-vis- India’s peace initiatives in Kashmir. But the Government of India cannot be compelled to accept the falsehood being spread about the Hurriyat being the "sole representative" of the people of Kashmir. The Government of India, it can be said without any fear of contradiction, has bungled in Kashmir on more than one occasion so far. But the Government cannot be faulted for its assessment that the APHC cannot claim to represent even half of the present human population in Jammu and Kashmir. Why then criticise New Delhi for favouring talks with every political group and every ethnic entity? |
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Sarpanch held for
beating-up cops Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, May 5: The Border Security Force (BSF) gunned down a Jaish-e-Mohammed militant in Koteranka area of Kandi this morning while police arrested a Sarpanch for attacking constables in Manjakot police station and trying to rescue his detained supporters. BSF sources said a patrol party of security forces noticed movement of two militants in Koteranka area of Kandi and asked them to surrender. But, the militants fled towards an adjoining forest area and took cover behind a cluster of trees. Exchange of firing between BSF jawans and militants lasted about 15 minutes in which one ultra was killed. His associate fled from the encounter site and disappeared in dense forests. There were reports that absconding militant had been injured in exchange of gun-fight. He remained untraced even after a search operation launched for him by the troops. No casualty was reported on BSF side in the encounter, sources said, adding body of militant has been picked-up from the forests but not identified so far. One AK-47 rifle recovered from him had the writing of Jaish-e-Mohammed on its sting, which indicated his affiliation with Masood Azhar’s outfit. Slain ultra was an expert of fabricating and planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Meanwhile, a Sarpanch identified as Tasadaq was arrested by Manjakot police last night after he beat-up police constables inside the police station and tried to set his arrested supporters free from lock-up. Police sources said the Sarpanch attacked police station after some of his supporters were detained by police for their alleged involvement in kidnapping of a young girl Shahnaz by a middle-aged man Mohd Akram. A furiated Tasadaq started beating the cops when they refused to release his supporters. Later, Tasadaq was also taken into custody and put behind the bars. A case has also been registered against him for further investigations. Police said preliminary investigations revealed that Shahnaz had been kidnapped by Mohd Akram with the blessings of arrested Sarpanch. Police continued searches to trace Shahnaz and arrest Mohd Akram. However, a breakthrough remained elusive. According to police, Shahnaz had been abducted by Mohd Akram about a week back. Local people had been protesting against young and poor Shahnaz’s kidnapping by 45 year old married man. Meanwhile, Pakistan army continued heavy firing on the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera and Sunderbani sectors over night. Indian side returned firing at all places. Heavy exchange of firing was reported from Kalsian and Kalaal posts of Nowshera sector. But, no casualty was reported on Indian side in Pakistan firing. Casualties on the other side couldn’t be ascertained. |
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Goes under-ground Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, May 5: A female police constable went under-ground this evening after stabbing her husband thrice in her house in Krishna Colony locality in the heart of town. Poonam Kumari, a police constable was having strained relations with her husband Anil Kumar. The couple used to clash frequently on minor domestic problems, neighbours told police, which visited the spot after the stabbing incident. This evening, the couple clashed again. Altercation took the shape of heated exchanged after which Poonam Kumari took out a sharp-edged weapon from the kitchen and inflicted three stab wounds on her husband. Police said Anil Kumar survived two stab attempts but suffered a deep wound on his right thigh in the third bid by her wife. Leaving her victim in lurch, the woman fled from the house and went into hiding. Anil Kumar was rushed to the district hospital by other family members where he was given first-aid. He was discharged by doctors late tonight. His condition was stated to be improving. A police party from Kathua police station visited the house but couldn’t trace the missing constable. Police have registered a case against her at Kathua police station and was carrying out searches in the houses of her relatives to arrest her. Police said a sharp-edged knife, used in the offence, has been recovered by police. Statement of the victim has also been recorded by police. |
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Fed up with militancy, people look towards army Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, May 5: Fed up with over 11 year long gun culture which has wreaked a havoc in the State, the people in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have developed a hatred for the militants and their mentors from across the border. According to sources, the people have developed such a hatred for the militancy in this border belt now that without caring for their own lives they openly pass on information to security forces about the militants hide-outs. Recently after the gunning down of 11 militants hundreds of the local people assembled at Surankote when their dead bodies were brought to Police Station to commend the security forces action. They assured full cooperation to them. The locals also met the Maj Gen (GOC), Richard Khare of Romeo Force who had also visited the area on the occasion. They congratulated him and the jawans of the security forces for their valiant action. They assured him all cooperation from the civilians side in weeding out the militancy from the area which had turned their land into a hell. According to informed sources the people did not show any hesitation in telling the Maj Gen that they have seen through the game plan of Pakistan which is only interested in their large scale destruction. "We are scared of militancy, as our children who should have been in schools and colleges have been forced to take to arms by the Pakistan for its vested interests," the people were heard telling Maj Gen Khare. The past 11 years were the darkest period of our history as hundreds of people have lost their lives while large many women became widows and hundreds of children orphans, this is what the people disclosed before the Army authorities on the occasion who resolved to unmask ISI for its gameplan. The sources said the people have now a changed notion about security forces against whom a venom has been spit by the Pak militants and ISI agents by launching a misinformation campaign in past. But after seeing the human face of the Indian army who undertook many welfare measures in the far-flung areas of the twin districts besides combating militancy, the people consider the security forces their saviors and the militants as worst enemies. When Maj Gen Richard Khare was contacted he disclosed that our role is not confined to fighting militancy only but we are here to wipe the tears of the people who have suffered a lot during the 11 year long turmoil. He said taking this challenge the army has undertaken many developmental measures in the border districts to lick the scars of the masses hit by terrorism. Giving details of some of the welfare projects undertaken he said Army is going to convert the Palma village situated at a distance of five kilometers from here into a Model Town. The work on this Project is going on in full swing, he said, adding it will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 80 lakh. The town which has been provided with vocational training centre, computer rooms , Primary School, community hall, shopping complex and dispensary will be handed over to civilian authorities after two months. He said more two such model towns will be set up at Surankote in Poonch and Thanamandi in Rajouri. In addition to it Maj Gen Khare said the army constructed roads from Mandir Galla, Parori Gujran to Darhal. Earlier the people had to cover a distance of 40 kilometers which we decreased to 18 kilometers, he added. Giving further details he said Army constructed a four kilometre road from Dodaj to Madan, 14 kilometre road from Darhal to Katlarmal which is now being linked to Thanamandi. Besides the work on another road from Darhal to Kohriwali via Pargal will be taken up in hand soon, he added. He said baffled with Army’s role the militants tried in vain to hamper our activities. An IED blast was caused at Lasana road by the militants recently damaging a dozer which was on work there, he said adding, a portion of local bridge was also damaged in the attack. Not only this but the army also provided science laboratories to the boys and girls Higher Secondary schools of Skote, constructed water supply schemes for 12 villages and provided furniture to 20 schools, the Maj Gen said, adding the welfare schemes has brought a discernible change in the twin districts as this created the business and employment avenues for the people. He said during the cease fire period, 125 militants and 20 civilians were killed. Though army respected the unilateral cease-fire declared by the Government but foreign militants violated it forcing our jawans to retaliate. Rejecting the charges that army is involved in human rights violations, he said no force in the world can work in such difficult conditions as our forces are doing. Our forces take utmost restraint that no civilian should get killed when militants attacking from hide outs take refuge in the houses of local people. |
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Economic Law Commission in offing, says Sinha NEW DELHI, May 5: The Government is "seriously considering" setting up of an Economic Law Commission to have a fresh look at the entire gamut of existing economic legislation, taking into account the amendments and future perspectives arising from liberalisation and globalisation of the Indian economy, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha said today. "There is need for looking at the entire set of economic legislation to deal with the situation today and tomorrow," Mr Sinha said in his inaugural address at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Income Tax Settlement Commission. This could effectively be done by the proposed commission in the light of similar experiments in other countries which had resulted in better tax compliance and economic management. Mr Sinha said the Government would soon come out with a new, holistic Income Tax act to replace the existing one "which is a patchwork of repeated amendments." It would be a "cleaner copy of the act." Stating that accumulated direct tax arrears totalled a staggering Rs 50,000 crore, the Finance Minister said most of it "is non-realisable." There was need for writing it off but no single official or any Finance Minister would have the courage to go ahead with the task. Whenever the Government imposed a tax surcharge, as was in the case of Gujarat earthquake, there have been critical reports which suggested that efforts should have been made to realise the arrears without placing additional burden on the tax payer, Mr Sinha said. There was also need for further broadbasing the tax net despite the doubling of the number of assesses in the last few years. However, "as long as we have large segments of the population enjoying exemption for some reason or the other" it would not be possible to ensure this. Citing an example, he said such exemptions were being availed of by zero-tax paying companies. In view of the prevailing moderate tax rates comparable to rates anywhere in the world, "there is need to look at all the exemptions and perhaps take a more detailed view of these exemptions than we have done in the past." Commending the role of the Settlement Commission, he said the idea was mooted by the Wanchoo Committee. The commission had not leaned on the revenue side and had prevented litigation in a number of cases. Referring to the fact that about 3,500 amendments had been made so far to the Income Tax Act 1962 at an average of 100 each year, Mr Sinha said that he himself was responsible for about 300 amendments. Several of these were due to mistakes in drafting the amendments. Supreme Court Judge, Mr Justice B N Kirpal, who was the chief guest at the function, said income tax was introduced as a temporary measure but had become permanent. Evasion of tax had become a fine art. Tax planning was a disguised expression for tax avoidance. (UNI) |
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NEW DELHI, May 5: Delhi Police frustrated an attempt by Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front (JKIF) to carry out subversive activities in the national capital by arresting one of its militant, who was responsible for planting a crude bomb in the busy Connaught Place market on May two, along with RDX and some arms and ammunition. Acting on a tip-off, Delhi Police’s special cell arrested the militant identified as Azad Ahmed Qureshi from a guest house in Jama Masjid area in the walled city last evening, Special Commissioner (Intelligence) S Ramakrishnan told reporters here. Panic spread in Connaught Place on Wednesday evening when a one-kg charcoal device with a timer attached to it was found in a garbage bin. He said Delhi Police on a tip off from central intelligence agencies mounted surveillance on a guest house where two Kashmiri youths had checked in but did not return to it on May two. Last evening police spotted Qureshi returning to the guest house carrying a bag and arrested him. A prefabricated IED consisting RDX, timer pencil, rivets weighing one kg, two hand grenades, one pistol along with two magazines and 14 live cartridges were seized from him. Qureshi, who was questioned by intelligence agencies, said he was assigned the task of planting the bomb by JKLF chief Bilal Beig which did for the lure of money. Qureshi said he had crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir with the help of a conduit of Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islamia (HUJI) whom he met in Himachal Pradesh, Ramakrishnan said. The Special Commissioner said later Qureshi along with another militant of Islamic Front, Fayaz, crossed over to India with instructions to carry out series of blasts in the national capital. Qureshi told the interrogators that Beig was under tremendous pressure from Pakistan’s ISI to carry out subversive activities in the country. The militant said he and Fayaz had been promised Rs one lakh each for carrying out blasts in the national capital, Ramakrishnan said. The senior police official said Jammu and Kashmir Police has been asked to trace Fayaz, who according to Qureshi was in the State. Islamic Front was responsible for carrying out a deadly explosion in Lajpat Nagar area of the Capital in 90s which claimed a number of lives. Qureshi was later produced before a metropolitan Magistrate and remanded to police custody till May 11. (PTI) |
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NC activist, militant killed in Valley Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 5: A 55-year-old activist of the ruling National Conference and a Pakistani militant have died in two different incidents of violence across Kashmir valley since last evening. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that late last night, militants gunned down a 55-year-old activist of the ruling NC at Wurpach village, in the Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah’s Assembly constituency. He has been identified as Ali Mohammad Dar S/o Abdur Rehman Dar. One rifle grenade was recovered from the spot of shootout. Reports from south Kashmir said that during last night militants and security forces had an encounter at Yamoodas Shalipora in Kokernag area. One Pakistani militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba, namely Mohammad Yusuf Dolone alias Abu Khalid S/o Mohammad Ashraf R/o Faisalabad, Pakistan, got killed. At 0130 hours during last night, an IED blast occurred on Srinagar-Baramulla highway near Pattan, close to the residence and orchard of IGP Satnam Singh. Officials said that windowpanes of three houses were shattered. They insisted that there was an error of 12 hours in the timer as the militants would have liked to cause the blast at 1.30 p.m during daytime. Late last night, militants launched a rifle grenade attack, followed by firing, on a camp of SOG and security forces at Baghat-e-Kanipora in southern outskirts of the capital city. Troops retaliated and the militants were forced to retreat without causing any damage. Militants also attacked a camp of BSF at Magam during last night. Troops retaliated fire and there was no damage. |
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Two killed, 5 hurt in Ramban accident Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, May 5: Two persons and 28 cattle were killed and five others were seriously injured when a truck rolled down into a gorge at Magarkot near Ramban on Jammu-Srinagar national highway this afternoon. The truck No. 7913 JKS was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar carrying a Gujjar family and their cattle. The vehicle skidded off the road and rolled down about 50 feet deep into the nullah at 1430 hours killing two persons on spot and wounding five others. Five cattle being shifted by Gujjar family from Jammu to Srinagar were also killed in the accident. A police party from Ramban police station reached the site of accident and shifted the victims to sub district hospital. Two of them were pronounced dead in the hospital. They have been identified as Nazir Ahmed son of Nadir Hussain and Noorani Ahmed son of Hamid Ali, both residents of Qazigund in Anantnag district of Kashmir. Five critically wounded persons included Farooq Ahmed, Azmat Ali, Mushtaq Ali, Phoolan Begum and Indresh Kumar, conductor of the truck. Their condition was stated to be serious and they were being referred to Srinagar hospital. All 28 cattle of Gujjar family, which they were shifting to Srinagar from Jammu, died in the accident. Police sources said the accident occurred due to rash driving. Driver couldn’t control the truck at a curve. As a result, the vehicle rolled down into the nullah. Ramban police have registered a case in the truck accident for investigations. Ill-fated truck was extricated out of the nullah and seized by police. |
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Court issues NBW against Yasin Malik NEW DELHI, May 5: A Delhi court has issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yaseen Malik in a 1992 Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) case. Earlier this week, designated judge V K Jain rejected Malik’s application seeking exemption from appearing in court, and directed him to appear before it on May 31. Malik is presently undergoing treatment in the United States and will shortly return to abide by the court order, his lawyer R M Tufail told UNI today. Yaseen has been suffering from various ailments for several years now, and has undergone operations at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi. During his detention in Jodhpur, Malik developed heart and renal problems. As recommended by experts and consultants at Batra Hospital here, he went to the US for treatment, Mr Tufail added. Malik got a passport to enable him to seek treatment in the US only in October last year, after the Prime Minister intervened. One of the JKLF’s four area commanders, Malik teamed up with Javed Mir, another commander, to float a political outfit after laying down arms. He was arrested under the TADA in 1990 and remained in custody till 1996, when he was released on bail, following a Supreme Court order. (UNI) |
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Fardeen Khan, 2 others arrested MUMBAI, May 5: In a shocking development in bollywood, upcoming actor Fardeen Khan, son of noted film-maker Feroze Khan, was arrested along with two drug traffickers tonight on the charge of possessing 9 grams of cocaine. They were held at 9.30 PM for offences under Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act after intensive day-long grilling. The trio would be produced before a holiday magistrate tomorrow, NCB zonal director, Ajay Ubale told reporters. The actor has confessed taking the drug regularly, Ubale said. NCB had laid a trap early in the day at Juhu Vile Parle development scheme. Fardeen came in a silver-coloured Opel Astra and was to withdraw money from the ATM counter of HSBC Bank in the area. At the same time, a drug peddler, who arrived on the scene in a taxi got into the actor’s vehicle to strike a deal. The NCB sleuths swooped on the duo and subsequently nabbed the main supplier of the drug. Ubale, however, refused to divulge their identities saying that it would hamper the probe at this stage. (PTI) |
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Lover identified as missing army jawan Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 5: Identity of the young man, found dead alongwith a woman body at Beli Charana, under the jurisdiction of Satwari Police Station, has been established today. Namely Krishan Kumar of Rohtak in Haryana, the deceased was an armyman posted at Amritsar Unit. He was reportedly missing from his duty without any intimation to his seniors since January 20 last, said the police. According to SHO Satwari, Inspector Ram Singh Charak, police has flashed a message to the Amritsar Army Unit regarding the recovery of Krishan Kumar’s body. However, Police has yet failed to establish identity of the woman, found dead alongwith Krishan Kumar. As per police, she was reportedly spotted by some Chatha people in their locality, few day ago. It may be recalled that yesterday morning some passers-by spotted the bodies of a man and woman at Beli Charana. From near the bodies, bottle of ammonium phosphate was also recovered which indicated that both were lovers and had committed suicide by consuming the poison. Meanwhile, a man was knocked to death by a speeding truck at Chatha this morning. His identity was established as Chet Ram of Basohli. He reportedly died on the spot. Driver of the truck managed to flee away after the incident. Police has registered a case in this connection and a hunt was on to nab the absconding driver. But no arrest was made till reports last came in. In another road accident, three persons were injured, one of them critically, when their scooter collided with a tractor at Amb Gharota this evening. All the three injured were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital by some passers-by where condition of one of them was stated to be critical. The injured have been identified as Ram Chand, Parkash Kumar, both the residents of Samba and Arjun Singh of Akhnoor. |
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Court directive for Hashim’s check-up SRINAGAR, May 5 : Sessions Court today asked the State Government to send the detained president of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party (JKDLP), Hashim Qureshi, to Delhi for a medical check-up. "The Government is given five days time to take the ailing Qureshi to All India Institute of Medical Science, Delhi for necessary tests and treatment," the Sessions Judge said in his order after Qureshi was produced in the court. Qureshi was examined at Soura Medical Institute here after he complained of heart and teeth ailments and the doctors who attended on him informed the Court that he needs some important tests which could be conducted in AIIMS. Qureshi hijacked an Indian Airlines Plane to Pakistan in 1971 and later blasted it after releasing all hostages. He is currently under judicial custody and is facing various charges of robbery, wrongful confinement and kidnaping.(PTI) |
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Al Fatah opposes Kashmir talks Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 5: Al Fatah Force Jammu and Kashmir has urged all ‘Mujahideen’ to restrengthen their ranks to continue the armed struggle till India accepts the right of Kashmiris to freedom and self-determination. In a statement which was faxed this evening to media, Rashid Jemal, the chief spokesman of Al Fatah Force Jammu and Kashmir has expressed his strong reaction over fresh military manoeuvring by India in Kashmir, intensification of human rights abuses in J&K and continues refusal to talk with Pakistan and Kashmiris. He urged the ‘Mujahideen’ to strengthen their ranks to continue the armed struggle till India accepts the right of Kashmiris to freedom and self-determination. The spokesman said that AF will further step up its activities against the ‘occupational forces’ of India in Kashmir. On the question of talks with India, the spokesman said that the Indian offer to Kashmiris was a mere gimmick, without sincerity. Because the talks could not be meaningful as long as India was negative on a similar offer by Pakistan and was not ready to hold tripartite dialogue with the concerned parties, the spokesman added. He said that the Indian gimmick would not befool Kashmiris. The freedom fighters are vigilant and firm on their stand to make armed struggle more effective and fruitful. |
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JAIPUR, May 5 : As many as 13,000 Satellite telephones would be provided in the northeast by the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) by the next year-end. The Satellite telephone services would also be offered in Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir shortly , BSNL Chairman and Managing Director DPS Seth told mediapersons here today. Pointing out that at present connection cost of this system comes to around Rs 2.50 lakh while operation cost is Rs 80-85 per minute, he said BSNL was trying to come out with the cheapest method of its operation.(UNI) |
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