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Plea to D C Anantnag

Sir,

My residential house at village Fateh Pora Tehsil Anantnag had been damaged by some miscreants on 13.10.1999. The case for Ex-gratia relief has been submitted through the Relief Commissioner Jammu vide FIR No. 337 of 1999. I have also sent so many reminders regarding this case. It has been reported that ex-gratia has been sanctioned to some persons whose cases have been submitted after my case. Now I wish to request through this esteemed paper to D C Anantnag to get my ex-gratia relief sanctioned at an earliest.

I hope that the D C Anantnag would be kind enough to take action on my case and expedite my ex-gratia relief to me.

Yours etc...
Prem Nath Pandit
58/2 Adarsh Nagar
Bantalab Jammu.

K P's Meet

Sir,

This refers to the news item "KP intellectuals response to talks etc." (DE. May 8, 2001). In each of the three meetings, the sponsor (s) assured the participants that because of the sensitivity of the subject, nothing would be released to the press. All the three sessions were held behind closed doors. Therefore it is the responsibility of the sponsor (s) to tell the community members why and how the deliberations were leaked to the press? The presence of a National Conference member in all the three sessions on the obvious invitation of the sponsor(s) prompts observers to suppose that interested quarters want to derive political mileage from this exercise. Sharp divergence of opinion still remaining unresolved, there is a long way to go before some basic and vital issues and addressed. The sponsors must confirm through a press release that they are not the "source" for the correspondent or wind up their shop before doing more damage.

Yours etc..
Dr. K N Pandita
Talab Tilloo Jammu

Rejection of peace talks

Sir,

The recent decision of Hurriyat Conference rejecting the centres offer for talks is very unfortunate and unwise. Hurriyat Conference seems to be a divided house, between the hardlines and the moderates. The hardliners are accepting dictation directly from ISI of Pakistan while as moderates are caught between the devil and deep sea. Although the moderates within the Hurriyat Conference have shown some flexibility many a time but are forced to bow before the hard-line militant organisations for the reasons best known to all.

The recent decision and some statements of Hurriyat leaders have exposed the Hurriyat Conference and its self styled leaders.

Who has created hurdles and made the situation complicated is none other than the hard liners Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Abdul Aziz Bhat of Hurriyat Conference. The Hurriyat Conference is posing itself as the sole representative group of the whole J&K State which is beyond truth. How can Hurriyat claim to be the representatives of unfortunate Kashmiri Pandits who were forced to leave the valley at the behest of Hurriyat leaders. Hurriyat leaders have been the silent spectators regarding the miseries faced by the pandits since 1989. Hence Kashmiri Pandits will never accept them as their representatives. Dogras of Jammu and Bodhs of Ladakh form at least 40 percent of the total population of the State. Hurriyat Conference has not footing among the Dogras and the Bodhs. How can Hurriyat claim to be their representative body? The regional aspirations of Ladakh and Jammu also require to be suitably accommodated.

As a matter of fact even in the Kashmir Valley the National Conference and the Congress parties have visible as well as hidden strong bases. Hurriyat Conference can not even claim to be the sole representative body of Kashmir Valley not to speak of Jammu and Ladkah regions.

Mr. Lone's remarks terming the invited groups as fish market is very unfortunate. Mr. Lone seems to have developed political imbalance. Various groups like Kashmiri Pandits, NC, Congress, BJP etc. have all democratically elected leaders while as Hurriyat leaders of 23 party amalgam are self styled leaders forced on the people by the militant organisations.

Yours etc...
Autar Krishen Razdan
Lale Da Bagh, Jammu.

Superstitions

Sir,

Superstitions betray human weakness, ignorance and fear of the unknown and mysterious. They are the irrational belief in things which remain inexplicable, mysterious and un raveled because of lack of sufficient light of knowledge and scientific temper.

Superstitions are on the decline because of spread of education, reasoning and scientific advancement, but even educated and advanced people have their superstitions. It has also been seen that while many old superstitions are dying the new ones are being born.

Primitive instincts, fears and beliefs present a fertile land for superstitions. Emotional instability, religious orthodoxy blind belief in irrational rituals, customs and practices make people an easy prey of the superstitions.

Superstitions are found throughout the world in one form or the other. There is only difference of degrees. They are more prevalent among illiterate, uneducated and scientifically less advanced people and societies.

Superstitions are being passed on from one generation to another through religious practices. No doubt they are gradually losing ground with the advancement of rationality, scientific approach to things and globalization of the world because of very fast means of communication and travel and yet superstitions may not be eradicated for a long time.

Belief in charms, supernatural powers, ghosts, evil sprits have their deep roots in superstitions. They are common among the people of all classes and climates. For example, the eclipse of the sun and moon, cries of certain birds, weeping of dogs, mewing of cats are still regarded as ominous in many communities all over the world. The fear of 13 is another example of our behind belief.

Yours etc...
S N Raina
Hari Nagar
Talab Tilloo
Jammu.