Mercenaries under pressure to scuttle peace process
Military exercise begins in Mukerian

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: A full-fledged military exercise is being conducted by Nagrota Corps of army at Dasuha near Mukerian in Punjab as a part of ‘Pooran Vijay’ operation. Air Force and ground troops were involved in the exercise.

Addressing a press conference at 16 Corps headquarters in Nagrota this morning, Chief of Staff Maj Gen H S Kanwar described the military exercise as ‘a routine army training’ in which all sophisticated and latest equipments were being used.

"The exercise was already going on. We will take mediamen to witness the exercise on May 16", he said, adding ‘the air operations were also part of the exercise’.

Asked why Nagrota Corps selected Dasuha, about 150 kms from here, for exercise, Maj Gen Kanwar :"it depends on terrain and harvesting season besides free movement of tanks". All other formalities for the exercise have also been completed, he remarked.

He said Pakistan was informed well in advance about the military exercises. "This is a normal part of training. Each country informs the other when it carries out military exercises", he asserted.

The Chief of Staff, Nagrota Corps said there had been no ‘unusual movement’ on Line of Control (LoC) or International Border (IB) in Jammu sector. ‘No unnecessary movement has been witnessed on the other side of border’, he quipped.

Maj Gen Kanwar said army was fully geared to meet with any eventuality arising out of suicide squads threat on army installations by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. "All possible security measures have been taken to thwart suicide attacks", he said, adding ‘troops were committed not to allow suicide squads to go alive after an attack’.

Denying that army have deployed additional troops in their camps to meet the threat of suicide attacks, the Chief of Staff, said "army have only taken preventive measures and maintaining extra alertness and no additional manpower has been deployed".

"Main aim of Pakistan behind suicide attacks was to ensure that security forces remained engaged in anti-militancy operations as proxy war suits them well", Maj Gen Kanwar said.

According to him, our adversary (Pakistan) knows it very well that he can’t defeat India in a direct war. "It’s a foregone conclusion that Pakistan will be defeated in direct war. That’s why, they have been indulging in proxy war, which is a low cost affair", he maintained.

Regarding fencing work on IB, the army officer said ‘it will be completed at any cost’. The Border Security Force (BSF) don’t work in isolation. It was under operational control of army. Army and BSF will act jointly to complete the fencing work, he added.

Asserting that level of firing has come down from ‘couple of lakh rounds’ to ‘couple of hundred rounds’ on both LoC and IB after the cease-fire, he, however, said there was no let up in the infiltration of trained militants from across the border. Pakistan, he said, wants to maintain a particular level of strength of the militants. When militants suffered casualties at the hands of security forces, Pak tries to push the level of infiltration, he added.

Maj Gen Kanwar said that army was committed to its task of keeping situation under control and don’t allow the militants to establish their bases. "What we are expected to achieve, we are doing that".

He evaded a direct reply to a question that whether army would have faired better had there been no cease-fire. "It was difficult to answer this question", he quipped. According to him, army was not carrying out any search or cordon operation but only patrolling in militancy-infested areas to maintain confidence among civilians.

"We may have done better. But, keeping in view the national interests and objective, we have still done a good job", he said. He admitted that killings of civilians have increased during the cease-fire due to absence of offensive operations by army.

However, he said, there had been no increase in attacks on security forces. Mere firing from a distance of one kilometer didn’t mean that it was an attack on army camp, he added.

Foreign mercenaries were under tremendous pressure from Pakistan to do something spectacular to derail the peace process initiated by Centre Government, Maj Gen Kanwar said and added that army was fully prepared to tackle the menace of mercenaries.

He said a total of 236 militants have so far been killed this year and 70 per cent of them were foreign mercenaries. The General also lauded the role of State police especially Special Operations Group (SOG) and Special Task Force (STF) in anti-militancy operations.

Militancy in Punjab was eradicated only when local police came out openly against the militants, he pointed out. He said ‘very accurate information’ has been pouring in from police about militants’ hideouts. Besides, he said, local people were also coming forward and giving tips to security forces.

‘We are not criminal elements. We want power and water’
Kashmir traders threaten legal action against CM

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 9: Chief Minister's labelling the Kashmir business community as "criminal elements" has immediately created provocation in the summer capital as Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Ferderation (KTMF) has threated to go in for ‘legal action’. The KTMF today emphasised that it merely demanded better power and water for Kashmir valley and the same was no criminal activity.

"During the last five decades, it has become a politico-bureaucratic tradition to silence every voice in Kashmir with different labels. Some are labelled as terrorists, others as Pakistani agents and the rest are trained as criminals", said convenor of KTMF, Farooq Ahmed Shah, at a news conference here this afternoon. He objected to the Chief Minister's statements, made at Civil Secretariat on Tuesday, in which Dr Abdullah had described the Kashmir traders' community as "criminal elements".

Dr Abdullah had purportedly made the controversial remarks when newsmen had asked for his reaction to the KTMF-sponsored shutdown on occasion of the annual opening of Durbar Move offices in Srinagar on Tuesday.

"This Government does not believe in accountability. So, every genuine voice is being silenced with charges and labels", Shah said and emphasised that the traders' community wanted nothing more than relief to the common man. "We won't come out on streets to burn the vehicles. We are a civilised and responsible community", Shah said. He said that the traders' community was hurt by Dr Abdullah's uncharitable remarks and it had decided to move a court of law.

"Those living in cosy huts of Cheshma Shahi have no feel of the common man's problems. Bureaucrats improve the schedule of power supplies only when they return with Durbar. We don't demand less power to Jammu and more to Kashmir. We just want equal distribution of power and other things, said the KTMF convenor. He asked the Government to explain how men with such demands were "criminal elements". He question why Ladakh was exempted in taxes for the last 50 years and there was no such relief for other regions of the State.

Shah said that State Government itself had realised the anamoly in power distribution and the schedule of curtailment had been revised immediately after the traders' strike. "But till real question is that the Government should investigate as to why this anamoly existed till state", he asserted. He said that KTMF could not be browbeaten with threats and labels and that it would continue to raise the peoples' problems and grievances in a democratic and civilised manner.

Centre directs security forces to knock out militants

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, May 9: In a fresh directive to the police and other security agencies across the country, the Union Home Ministry has called for the intensification of vigil, coordination among all intelligence outfits, effective border management and close watch on anti-socials and anti-nationals.

The directive follows the announcement in Pakistan by the Lashkar-e-Toiba that it "is ready to hit India in a big way". The Lashkar’s declaration of virtual war with India, significantly, came at a time when the United States had refused to declare the outfit a terrorist organisation.

The US State Department was, of course, reported to have been in the possession of "enough" evidence vis-à-vis the Lashkar’s agenda in support of terrorism. But Washington chose not to oblige New Delhi by declaring the outfit a terrorist organisation.

Precisely, the US move was followed by equally significant move in Pakistan-holding of a training convention at Muridke by the Lashkar leadership. According to a report furnished to the Government of India, more than one lakh people attended the Lashkar convention.

Former Information Minister of Pakistan, Mr Mushahid Hussain, and Mr Ejaz-ul-Haq, son of Gen Zia-ul-Haq, were among the prominent invitees at the convention. The report, in fact, had a sensational piece of information: Well over 2,000 militants, including cavalry contingents, armed with sophisticated weapons, guarded the venue of the Lashkar-e-Toiba convention.

It was amid chanting of anti-India and pro-Pakistan slogans that the supremo of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, declared: "Our men, currently engaged in jihad, are ready to hit India in a big way. Our men have taken a vow to protect our great religion of Islam and all institutions of Islam in Kashmir against the onslaught of the Indian occupation forces. That day is not far off when our Muslim brothers and sisters in Kashmir will be free from the control of Indians dogs".

The Muridke convention also brought to the fore yet another disturbing signal: The Lashkar-e-Toiba cadres and supporters in Jammu and Kashmir "are under orders" to step up anti-India activities to scuttle the Indian Government’s peace moves.

Intelligence agencies have noted that India has been directly affected by the Lashkar’s hits on the security forces and they were hoping that a suitable reaction from the United States would have cautioned the organisation. And Lashkar’s declaration that it would be hitting India again clearly stemmed from its awareness that the US was not making any statement against it.

Indeed, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed’s message was loud and clear: "Our men are not afraid of death. They are determined to play havoc with the Indian forces. And they have vowed to continue suicide attacks to disintegrate India through armed struggle".

Saeed’s assertion: "Kashmir issue cannot be solved through talks. The offer of talks by the Indian Government is a deceit. We reject it. And will not tolerate those Muslim leaders who will talk to New Delhi, after the killing of thousands of innocent Muslims by Indian forces all these years".

The Lashkar-e-Toiba is also operating as many as 10 training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). In his wireless address to the convention, Abdul Makki, in charge of the Lashkar’s operations in the Kashmir valley, declared that militants would storm Indian Army camps. "We will remain steadfast in the battlefield and rest only after India is pushed out of Kashmir", he also declared.

Board to manage Amarnath yatra this year

Excelsior Correspondent

PAHALGAM, May 9: This year’s Amarnath Yatra beginning on July 4 would be first to be managed by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board which has been formed after the enactment of an Act by the State Legislature on the analogy of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The Yatra would spread about one month.

This information was given at high level meeting chaired by Governor Mr Girish Chander Saxena here on Tuesday who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board. The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, Chief Secretary Ashok Jaitely, Special Secretary, Union Home Ministry, Mr Ashok Bhandari, Joint Secretary, Union Home Ministry, Mr Shiv Basant, GoC In Corps Lt. Gen J R Mukherji, Principal Secretary, Home, Mr C Phunsog, Director General, Police, Mr A K Suri, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Mr Parvez Dewan, Inspectors General of Police from BSF, CRPF and J&K Police and senior civil and police officers were present in the meeting.

It was decided that the recently constituted Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board would be formally set up on May 20 with the appointment of its new members.

The meeting deliberated upon the arrangements for the ensuing yatra and discussed security measures for ensuring its smooth conduct. The registration of Yatris would start from middle of June. It was decided that no current registration of Yatris would be made at Jammu to check the influx of unregistered yatris and the consequent inconvenience caused to them.

However, the advance registration counter would function at Jammu like in other parts of the country. The advance registration will be made at New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Besides, four states have agreed to take the registration quota for enlisting the Yatris and for the first time the on-line registration will also be available to the intending pilgrims.

The another significant decision related to the regulation of the number of Yatris is that the ceiling of registration would be 3500 per day as recommended by the Mukherji Committee. To ensure risk free travel of yatris on the arduous track to the cave shrine and reduce the chances of casualties in case of inclement weather it was also decided that no body will be allowed to proceed towards the holy cave beyond this number on a given day.

The meeting decided against allowing setting up of Langars in Pahalgam town which is not the part of the yatra. However, there would be no ban on Langars onwards Chandanwari to Holy Cave. These Langars have to be registered with Director of Tourism, Kashmir. The Base Camp instead of Pahalgam will be now shifted to Nunwan ahead of Pahalgam town and basic infrastructure will be raised at this place for the convenience of pilgrims. In Jammu the yatris Camp will be now set up at Nagrota.

It has been also decided that an awareness campaign will be launched from the print and electronic media, through which the intending pilgrims would be informed about the do’s and don’ts with regard to yatra. The paid advertisements would be published in national and regional newspapers of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor Mr G C Saxena expressed the hope that with the setting up of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, the yatra would be a more pleasant experience for pilgrims this year onwards. He, however, complimented the State administration for excellent arrangements for the yatra over the years. He said since the number of Yatris was increasing manifold , their expectations also soared and the Board would try to meet them. He said public facilities like shelters , toilets and canteens would be made available on the track enroute the Cave Shrine.

Mr Saxena stressed on the need for a vigorous publicity campaign to discourage influx of unregistered yatris. He said to begin with the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board would be taking up the management of the yatris directly from Sangam to Holy Cave. He said the NGOs cooperation would be sought for providing facilities along the track.

Addressing the meeting the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah said the constitution of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board would go a long way in improving the facilities for yatris along the pilgrim route. He hoped the yatris would start noticing improvements from this year itself.

He said the need for Shrine Board on the analogy of Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board was felt for some time now and accordingly, the Government constituted it.

Dr Abdullah called for proper upkeep of the track to the cave and instructed the concerned agencies to ensure timely repairs wherever required. He said the improvement of the route would be entrusted to the Boarder Roads Organisation which has the required machinery to undertake the job.

The Chief Minister later personally drove the Governor to Nunwan and showed him the site for the proposed base camp for the Yatra.

Valley gets 4 hours respite from power curtailments

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 9: The Kashmir valley gets a four-hour respite in power curtailment from tomorrow. Instead of present 12 hours, the Valley will get 16 hours power supply daily.

Announcing revised power curtailment schedule for the Valley at a press conference here today, the Minister for Power Mr S S Slathia said that as per the revised programme there will be no curtailment between 4 am to 6 am and 10 am to 12 mid night. The power supply will remain off thrice a week between 12 midnight to 4 am and once a week from 6 am to 9 am and twice a week from 7 pm to 10 pm on rotational basis.

The Minister said as a result of this relief the State will have to overdraw additional 175 MW from Northern Grid. He said possibility is also being explored to import 100 MW of power from Rajasthan which would help further to reduce the existing power curtailment.

Refuting allegation of discrimination with Kashmir valley in respect of power supply, the Minister said that 55 of the available power is being supplied to Kashmir valley and only 45 percent to Jammu division. He said against the requirement of 1359 MW of power only 650 MW is available from all resources which include 430 MW entitlement from Northern Grid. He said the State was drawing 150 to 180 MW additional power from the Northern Grid to meet the growing demand of the people.

Mr Slathia said that the State was procuring the power at the rate of Rs 3.50 per unit and supplying it to the consumer at the rate of Rs 1.35 which is cheapest in the country. The Government, he said, was providing a subsidy of Rs 650 crore annually to the power consumer in the State. He said revised curtailment will be further reviewed as soon as the situation improves and people co-operate and make judicious use of power and desist from misuse of power particularly at peak hours. He said as many as 70,000 illegal electric connections have been legalised during the last few months enabling the State to increase revenue.

He said all the workshop in the State will be further strengthened to ensure immediate repairs of damaged transformers. He said the capacity of existing transformers will be increased to accommodate the load in particular area. This, he said, would minimise the chances to accommodate frequent damages of transformers due to over loading.

Replying to a question, the Minister said that security forces have also been asked to make payments of their electric bills.

Regarding complaints of repairing transformers through public collection, the Minister said that in case any such complaint is received in future serious action will be taken against the concerned engineer. He clarified that it was the duty of the department to get the damaged transformers repaired at their respective workshops on Government expenses at an earliest.

Mr Slathia said that practice of issuing bills at the fag end of the year to the consumer have been stopped forthwith. He issued strict instructions to all the engineers that electric bills should be issued to the consumers on monthly basis to enable them to deposit the payments at the respective banks in time.

Referring to the damages caused to the power distribution system due to storm which struck in the Valley last evening resulting disruption in power supply, the Minister said that 80 percent damages will be restored by this evening while the entire system will be made operational by tomorrow evening.

Mr Slathia said revenue collection from power sector in the State has been of the order of Rs 189 crore last year of which Rs 124 crore has been realised from Jammu division alone.

The Minister sought the cooperation from the media in presenting the correct picture of the present power situation besides creating awareness among the people about economical and judicious use of power timely payment of electric bills and avoiding using electric gadgets during the peak hours. He said this schedule will be further reviewed as and when power position improves.

The Minister of State for Power, Mr Qamar Ali Akhoon, Principal Secretary PDD, Mr Ajit Singh, Development Commissioner Power Mr Vinod Sharma, Chief Engineers, PDD and other senior officers of the Department were also present on the occasion.

Two civilians killed
Militants chop off former SPO’s ears

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, May 9: Militants chopped off ears of a former Special Police Officer (SPO) and gunned down two civilians in separate incidents across Poonch and Rajouri districts.

Official sources said two militants entered into the house of a former SPO Kalu Khan son of Mohd Sadiq in village Bagot near Kasblari in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district last night. While one militant caught hold of Kalu Khan, his associate chopped off his ears with a sharp-edged weapon.

Both militants later escaped from the house. Seriously injured Kalu Khan was shifted to Mendhar hospital by his family members, sources said, adding his condition was serious.

Kalu Khan had been engaged as SPO with police but he had resigned from the post about two years back. Militants, however, suspected that Kalu was still working for police or security forces.

Mendhar police and security forces were searching for the militants involved in chopping off SPO’s ears. Both ultras were stated to be local activists of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

Troops recovered an unidentified bullet-riddled body of a civilian from Degla forest area under the jurisdiction of Surankot police station this morning.

As the decomposed body couldn’t be identified, troops handed over the body to civilians for performing last rites. The victim appeared to have been kidnapped and killed by the militants.

Another civilian was found dead in Behram Gala area last night. His identity too couldn’t be established by security forces. Body was later shifted to a local hospital for identification.

This morning at about 0930 hours, security forces opened firing after observing suspicious movement in Topa area of Darhal. In the shoot-out, a civilian Gulab Din R/o Dodaj, who was grazing his cattle, got injured. He has been shifted to district hospital of Rajouri in view of his serious condition.

PM asks Opposition to prove majority

LONI (UTTAR PRADESH), May 9: Accusing the opposition of making "repeated attempts" to dislodge his Government, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee asked his opponents to prove their numbers in Lok Sabha and virtually asserted results of tomorrow’s Assembly elections may have no impact on his Government.

"Jo Harenge Harenge, Jo Jitenge Jitenge. Desh Ka Kam Chalna Chahiye (nation building should continue irrespective of who wins or loses)," he said after dedicating 1230 km-long Jamnagar-Loni LPG pipeline system here on the outskirts of Delhi.

Challenging his detractors to prove their majority in Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister said "you bring numbers, we will move out" and in a satirical tone added, "now we cannot help you in this endeavour".

"We did bow out of office when the margin was only one vote ..... Everybody said we will not come back, but we did," Vajpayee said in his inimitable style often rendering an impressive crowd to peels of laughter.

Prime Minister said that in his long over four-decades career, mostly in opposition, he has never sabotaged Parliament proceedings by placing the demand for the Government’s resignation.

Vajpayee said in order to make the country a self-reliant and strong, there was need for consensus in dealing with issues like population control and health care.

The Prime Minister said even in fighting the problem of corruption, there was need for "people’s cooperation".

"Corruption will not be tolerated and those who are to go jail would definitely land up there," Vajpayee said adding "some of them have gone and new people would go".

However, in the same breath he said his Government would not adopt a vindictive approach towards anyone.

Asserting that the country had grown stronger in last three years, he said some sections had blown up the recent skirmishes along Bangladesh border out of proportion.

"Chhoti Si Ghatna Thi .... Til Ka Tad Banaya Gaya (it was a small incident, they blew it up out of proportion)," he said.

Vajpayee said India favoured friendly relations in the comity of nations "not excluding Pakistan".

Reiterating his oft repeated line that one could choose his friends but not neighbours, Vajpayee said one had to always maintain cordial relations with the neighbours.

"Sabke Sath Dosti Karenge, Aapko Bhi Nahin Chhorenge (we will befriend everyone and will not leave you either), he said referring to Pakistan.

It was with this spirit that he had gone to Lahore, Prime Minister said, however, lamenting that "all the sweetness has been turned sour as they (Islamabad) reciprocated with Kargil".

Prime Minister said his Government was for "friendship" with Pakistan but it should be based on "justice".

Charging the opposition parties with attempting to give an impression that the country had fallen backward in recent times, Vajpayee said it was erroneous and his rivals were only resorting to disinformation campaign.

He said contrary to the opposition charge that unemployment has increased, it has rather declined.

"Today India is more strong and secured," he said, however, adding that like several other countries India also was facing economic problems. "But the country has the resilience to withstand all that".

Prime Minister said crucial problems like largescale population growth needed to be tackled in a consensus manner and asserted that his Government was against taking hard measures to implement family planning norms as was done during the emergency.

"But Government will cooperate with anyone who is convinced about the importance of family planning," he said. (PTI)

Army to shift civilians from forward areas

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Army have decided to shift civilian population of some villages, located very close to Line of Control (LoC) in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in view of firing by enemy troops.

Kirni in Poonch sector has been selected as the first village, whose population will be shifted to safer areas, Chief of Staff, 16 Corps, Maj Gen H S Kanwar told newsmen today.

He said a place to rehabilitate the population will be decided by civil administration. "On our part, we have written to the administration to shift population of Kirni, which has been sandwiched between Indo-Pak firing", he added.

Gen Kanwar said after Kirni, few more villages would be shifted for which the Government has been urged to provide suitable rehabilitation.

This will be for the first time that civil population of forward villages would be shifted to civil areas by the administration itself.

Replying to a question on migrants, he said the day was not far when they will return to their houses. "Our efforts were aimed at restoring peace so that migrants could return to their houses".

Gen Kanwar said Pakistan army have set up few new launching pads for the militants in Muzafarrabad, Samani, Zaffarwal and Sialkot areas. However, he said, for Pakistan every army post was a launching pad to push militants into Indian Indian territory.

The Chief of Staff also ruled out any sabotage behind Pathankot ammunition depot fire. Exact cause behind the fire was being ascertained but chance of sabotage were very very remote, he asserted.

The General advised media not to use word ‘fidayeen’ for suicide squads. He also wanted media not to write the name of army units involved in operations saying ‘it helps our enemy’.

Farooq hints at early elections

SRINAGAR, May 9: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has hinted that assembly elections in the State could be advanced.

Elections in the State could be held soon, Dr Abdullah said while talking to local station of Doordarshan here last evening.

Not specifying any date, the Chief Minister, however, asked his political opponents to be ready for testing their popularity.

He asked the opposition to be ready for the polls and not complain of being kept in the dark about it.

"My Government conducted Panchayat elections in the State, including in the Kashmir valley, even as almost everyone was skeptical about it and doubted whether we could do it.

"We did it and let me tell my people that I am going to hold assembly elections in the same manner," he said.

Earlier, addressing a function, Dr Abdullah indicated that there could be reservation of seats for women in the assembly, saying a bold step towards women empowerment had already been taken by granting them 33 per cent share in the Panchayats.

"Notwithstanding pressures from various quarters, some seats for women would have to be considered," he said. (UNI)

Hostage killed near Reasi

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, May 9: A civilian was kidnapped and killed by the militants in Barni village of Reasi tehsil last night. He has been identified as Ravi Dass R/o Barni.

Police said Ravi Dass was kidnapped by two gun-wielding militants on Monday night. His body was recovered from a field this morning.

Local police have registered a case in the killing for further investigations.

Explosives seized in Bari Brahmana

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 9: Bari Barahamana police today recovered explosive devices from village Main Gurha in Smailpur area. Explosives had been concealed in a polythene bag.

Police said the bag was noticed by civilians, who informed police.

Recovery made from the bag included two HE 36 grenades, three fuse grenades, two electric detonators, two non electric detonators and three fire boosters.

Farooq visits Rajouri, Poonch

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 9: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today visited Rajouri to review development activities and security scenario in border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

He wad accompanied by the Special Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs Mr Ashok Bhandari and Engineer-in-Chief Prasar Bharti Mr B K De.

They reviewed the measures to be taken for improving the reach of Prasar Bharti in the border belts of these districts.

The Centre has agreed to strengthen the television network in the area, enabling beaming of locally produced programmes in Pahari, Dogri, and other local languages.

Later, the Chief Minister alongwith Mr De visited Samba and discussed measures for sorting out difficulties faced by the Prasar Bharti in developing its network in the area.

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Mr Anil Goswami also accompanied the Chief Minister.

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