Shah’s representatives arrive with letter for Musharraf

NEW DELHI, May 20: Braving threats of some militant organisations, senior secessionist leader Shabir Shah’s two representatives arrived here today to hand over a letter for Pakistani Military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf seeking his co-operation in the peace move to solve the Kashmir issue.

The move of sending the two representatives — Maulana Abdullah Tari, secretary general of Shah-led Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) and Saleem Geelani, spokesman — is seen as an effort by Shah to woo Pakistan’s support to the stand taken by him on New Delhi’s offer for talks.

The two-member team would be handing over the letter to Pakistani High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi tomorrow besides holding a discussion on the present situation in Kahsmir.

"We have a clear stand that we want a solution to the Kashmir issue and for that we will have to carry along all the parties to the dispute," Geelani said.

Stating that Pakistan was "undoubtedly" a party to the dispute and in the wake of New Delhi also accepting that it was not averse to involve Islamabad in the parleys, Geelani said "our party president wants to keep everything transparent and we have written a letter to Gen Musharraf seeking his cooperation in the proposed parleys on the dispute".

Refusing to divulge the contents of the letter, Geelani said "it broadly is seeking Islamabad’s continued positive response and contribution in the restoration of peace and stability in the sub-continent."

Militant outfits including Al-Umer Mujahideen have threatened to kill both of them and recently a grenade was also lobbed at Tari’s residence.

The party is hoping that the move would ease pressures on it and the militant outfits would be tamed, party sources said.

All three parties to the Kashmir issue — India, Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir — should come forward and contribute to the restoration of peace and stability in the region as "bottlenecks" have been removed, Geelani said.

Asked to elaborate on the bottlenecks that were to be removed, he said "New Delhi no longer considers Kashmir issue a law and order problem but a dispute."

Referring to the response of Centre’s interlocutor on Kashmir K C Pant to the clarifications sought by Shah, Geelani said "the reply was not disappointing."

"But dissapointment should not mean that we are convinced. It is a long way to go," he added.

Referring to the resignation of JKDFP leader Hakeem Abdul Rashid, who had refused to be part of a three-member team nominated by JKDFP leader Shabir Shah to hand over a letter to Pant earlier this month, Geelani said "this a party where people come and go the show must go on."

Rashid, JKDFP publicity secretary, had said that he had "revolted" against Shah on the call of his conscience following latter’s "inclination" to enter into bilateral talks with New Delhi on the Kashmir issue. (PTI)

Refused shelter, ultras torch houses in Rajouri

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, May 20: A big group of Hizbul Mujahideen militants struck in Kandi area last night and torched two houses when house inmates refused to give shelter to them. Militants also looted cash and jewellery from the houses.

Defence sources said a group of six to eight militants, belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen group, entered into the house of Mohd Azam at village Gur Sarkari in Kandi area of this district at 2200 hours last night. Militants asked Mohd Azam to arrange food and shelter for them.

However, Mohd Azam and his family outrightly refused to oblige the militants.

Furiated over Azam and his family’s denial of support, the militants dragged all family members out and beat them up. They looted Rs 8000 cash and jewellery worth Rs 15,000 from the house and set it on fire.

Seeing the house of Mohd Azam on fire, his uncle, who was also living in the same village, came to his help. The militants also set ablaze the house of Azam’s uncle after looting cash and jewellery.

Four cattle and a horse were roasted alive in the fire in two houses, sources said, adding the militants escaped after torching houses and rendering two families shelterless.

Security forces and police parties visited village Gur Sarkari this morning to assess the situation and damage caused in fire. A search operation has been launched in Gur Sarkari forests to eliminate Hizbul Mujahideen militants but they couldn’t be traced.

Local people of Gur Sarkari gathered in the village today and resented burning of two houses by Pakistan-sponsored militants. Some of them also shouted slogans against Hizbul Mujahideen militants and Pakistan for rendering poor and innocent people houseless.

‘Bomb’ arrested from Samba

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: Varinder Singh Chib alias Bomb, who was wanted to police in a shoot-out at Shakti Nagar in which Brahamajot Singh alias Seetu and an Advocate Mohinder Singh were injured on March 19 evening, has been arrested by police.

Bomb, a student of GGM Science College, was arrested from a Mandi of Samba early this morning, SP City (North) Sheetal Singh said. Arrest was made by a Bakshi Nagar police party led by SDPO Bhupinder Singh and SHO Maggar Singh.

Bomb son of Kuldeep Singh Chib and Arun Kumar alias Anil Kumar alias Sethu son of Vaishno Dass, both residents of Gali Malhotran, had intercepted a Maruti Zen car No. 2990 JK02M at Shakti Nagar on March 19 evening.

Sethu had opened firing with a .32 bore pistol targeting Seetu. Alongwith Seetu, his Advocate Mohinder Singh of Talab Tillo was also seriously injured in the shoot-out. Rajesh Kumar and Baldev Singh, also travelling in the same car, had survived the shoot-out.

Sethu was still at large, police said, adding efforts were on to nab him.

According to police, only Bomb and Sethu were involved in firing. There was no fact in Seetu and his associates statement in which they had named three more youths involved in firing. Among three, they had also named Vipan Kumar alias Bhoot of Shakti Nagar.

Police said the name of three other suspects had been given by Seetu as they belonged to his rival group. Interrogation of Bomb by Bakshi Nagar police revealed that he and Sethu were beaten-up by Seetu and his associates at a petrol pump along Canal road about 15 minutes before the assault.

To take revenge of the assault, Bomb and Sethu took another route and intercepted Seetu’s car at Shakti Nagar. While Bomb kept the scooter on, Sethu opened firing with a .32 bore pistol causing serious injuries to Seetu and Mohinder Singh.

Both had escaped from the spot.

Police said the weapon of offence was lying with Sethu, who was being hunted by police.

An attempt to murder case had already been registered against Bomb and Sethu at Bakshi Nagar police station.

Meanwhile, Bakshi Nagar police have also arrested another suspect identified as Titu for his involvement in a day-light shoot-out at a chemist shop in Bakshi Nagar last year in which miscreant and a civilian were killed.

The attack was aimed at Pardeep Mahendru and Sanjay Kumar alias Bakra. Both of them had survived the attack and in retaliation gunned down one of the assailant, police said.

A sharp-edged weapon (khokhri) was recovered from Titu’s possession against whom a warrant under Section 512 had been issued by a court.

NC stands for peace: Rather
Hurriyat has no base: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 20: Union Minister for Industries and Commerce Mr Omar Abdullah today questioned the representative character of Hurriyat, saying that aligning it with the people of Jammu and Kashmir is wrong.

Inaugurating the 428th branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank at Gund Kangan this morning, the Union Minister said the Hurriyat might have little influence in certain pockets but it does not represent the people of the State. ‘New Delhi and the world must appreciate this reality’, he said.

He said the National Conference is a mass-based party that has withstood the test of times and satiated the urges and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the NC Government has taken many steps in the past five years to mitigate the problems of the State and is credited with numerous achievements. Those who oppose NC should go by the track record and achievements of the party, he added.

Mr Abdullah, while responding to the local problems, urged youth to set up income generating units under various self-employment schemes by availing of credit facilities from banks and financial institutions.

For providing work to local people during the ensuing Amarnath yatra, the Union Minister said that he would be taking up this issue with the Governor, Mr Girish Chandra Saxena who is the Chairperson of the Amarnath Shrine Board. He said he would also request the police chief to consider the recruitment of local youth into the force.

Mr Abdullah said that the memorandum presented by the people would be examined at appropriate level and earnest measures taken to mitigate the problems of the people. He said the services like fire station; bank and facilities at the local hospital would go a long way in providing various amenities to the people.

Speaking on the occasion, the Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather said the Jammu and Kashmir Bank has emerged as a premier bank that is serving the entire nation with its branches in big and small cities of the country.

Mr Rather said the bank is playing a pivotal role in shaping the economy and ensuring faster progress of the State and hoped that the youth would benefit from it and start income generating ventures. He advised them to make proper use of the credit as otherwise it will turn to be a big liability. For this, timely repayment is necessary, he said and added that the location of the bank at Gund-the centre between Kangan and Sonamarg, will go a long way in meeting the requirements of the people of the area.

Referring to the efforts being made for heralding peace in Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister said that National Conference will co-operate with all those parties who have deep longing for steering the State to normalcy and peace. He hoped that New Delhi will fulfill the commitments made to the people of the State from time to time and said this is necessary to satiate their urges and aspirations.

Mr Rather appreciated the dynamism of Mr Abdullah and Mian Altaf, saying they have been relentlessly working for the progress and welfare of the people.

The Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mian Altaf Ahmed also spoke on the occasion. He said the National Conference Government is committed to provide basic amenities to the people.

Hoping that the Kangan power project would be commissioned soon, the Minister called for taking up of yet another power project at Sonamarg, survey for which has been completed. He also hoped that Baltal route would be used for Amarnath Yatra in a big way, which will generate employment to the local people.

Earlier, Mr Omar Abdullah also inaugurated the fire station and X-ray plant in the local hospital. He went round various sections of the hospital and inspected the dental chair and other facilities.

The Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Bank Limited, Mr Mohammad Yousf Khan was present at the inauguration of the bank branch.

Bid to defuse BJP-Samata crisis
Vajpayee meets Fernandes

NEW DELHI, May 20: A day after Samata Party threatened to reconsider its participation in the NDA Government at the Centre on the Manipur leadership issue, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today had a meeting with senior Samata leader George Fernandes in a bid to defuse the crisis.

During his hour-long talks Vajpayee assured Fernandes who is also NDA convenor, that he would try to solve the problem, Samata Party spokesman Shambhu Srivastava told PTI after the meeting.

He said the Prime Minister had called Fernandes to discuss the Manipur situation and during his talks, the Samata Party leader apprised Vajpayee of the latest political scenario in the State.

Commenting on the statement of BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy in Mussourie that his party would support the Samata led Government during confidence vote tomorrow, Srivastava said the statement "has not yet altered the situation on the ground".

He alleged 25 of the 26 BJP MLAs were still under lock and key at the official bungalow of Speaker S Dhananjay Singh and "even their wives and children are not being allowed to meet them".

"It is not understood why the BJP members feel the need to remain confined to the Speaker’s residence when the party intends to vote in support of the trust motion," he said.

Similarly, he said, a three-line whip has not been issued to BJP MLAs despite the formal request of Fernandes to the BJP chief yesterday. "Issuing a three-line whip is normal and necessary procedure in the case of a trust motion," he said. Srivastava said it was "unfortunate" that the general assurances of support from the central BJP leadership had not been translated on the ground during the last ten days "and till this point".

He said Samata Party will go ahead with its emergency national executive council meeting here tomorrow to reconsider its participation in the Vajpayee Government.

A high-level Samata Party delegation led by Fernandes and former party chief Jaya Jaitley had met Krishnamurthy here in the wake of the Manipur crisis.

During the meeting, the BJP leadership assured the Samata delegation that BJP would not dislodge the Koijam Ministry. It would rather support the Samata Party-led People’s Front Government there during the vote of confidence.

However, the Samata Party was not convinced over the assurance and at another round of meeting with BJP leaders yesterday, the party demanded that a three-line whip be issued.

Meanwhile, in a statement from Imphal, MLAs belonging to parties including BJP, NCP and Federal Party of Manipur claimed that Koijam has ceased to command majority in the legislature groups of the People’s Front "because of his failure in every front of governance and administration".

They alleged that the Chief Minister campaigned for removal of the Speaker and dropped six BJP Ministers by bringing false charges against them.

They also accused Koijam of pressurising BJP leadership through Fernandes by threatening that Samata Party will withdraw support from the BJP Government in Jharkhand. (PTI)

People block highway
MLA’s brother beaten-up by mob; two held

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, May 20: Tension gripped the town last night following arrest of two persons by police for allegedly beating-up Basohli MLA Lal Singh’s brother Mohan Singh at Kali Bari. Jammu-Pathankot national highway remained blocked throughout last night in protest against the arrests.

Reports said troubled erupted in Kali Bari when Mohan Singh, a contractor intervened into the scuffle of a tea stall owner Jagdish Raj and a PCO owner Rajesh Kumar last evening. A number of local youths gathered on spot and caught hold of Mohan Singh.

They allegedly gave a sound thrashing to Singh and forced him to flee from the spot, reports said.

They said an injured MLA’s brother left for his house. Few minutes later, MLA Lal Singh reached Kali Bari alongwith a police party which allegedly beat-up the youths involved in assault on Mohan Singh and arrested two of them.

Arrested youths identified as Rishi Kumar and Ricky Kumar were sent to Kathua police station.

Local people resented the arrest of two boys and held a demonstration at Kali Bari. At about 2130 hours they marched to Jammu-Pathankote national highway and disrupted vehicular movement. Mob was shouting slogans against Congress (I) MLA and Kathua police and demanding immediate release of arrested youths.

DySP (Headquarters) Kathua M H Malik rushed to spot and held talks with agitated people. He said the youths had been arrested for beating-up a contractor. However, mob refused to relent and insisted on release of youths as a pre-condition to lift highway blockade.

Reports said both the boys were released at about 0300 hours today on personal bonds after which people called off their protest.

While people alleged that Basohli MLA Lal Singh had accompanied police to Kali Bari when the boys were arrested, police denied the allegations.

Pak using Chinese UAVs for mapping infiltration routes

JAMMU, May 20: Pakistan has been frequently using Chinese origin ‘Unmanned Ariel Vehicles’ (UAVs) for mapping of infiltration routes and the security set up along International Border (IB) in Jammu sector for the past six months, according to top defence sources here.

During the last six months over 35 Pakistani UAVs have been observed in different areas along IB in Jammu sector mapping Indian defence locations and infiltration routes, the sources told PTI.

Those UAVs which have been seen along IB include ASN-105 ALFA and ASN-206, which Pakistan had procured from China, the sources said.

ASN-105 ALFA, which can take pictures from a height of about 3000 meters, has been used by Pak Army for last several years, the sources said, adding that now, new more sophisticated UAVs like 206 having a capacity of taking pictures from a height of 5000 to 6000 meters been inducted in Pak survelliance setup.

The sources said that there has been a thrust on ib during the last six months to infiltrate more and more mercenaries in order to spread the arch of militancy to Hindu dominated Jammu and Kathua districts.

The UAVs been used by Pakistan to discover new infiltration routes including dried river beds, bushy terrains and crop fields, belts or places traditionally used by agencies across the border to push in armed mercenaries into Jammu areas.

However, alert security personnel assisted by border dewellers have been able to eliminate 41 heavily armed militants in 23 unsuccessful attempts to enter into Jammu and Kathua districts, the sources said. (PTI)

Centre compromising with security: VHP

BHUBANESWAR, May 20: Senior International Vice President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Acharya Giriraj Kishore, today accused the Vajpayee Government of compromising with the security of the country.

The Government has "failed" to curb the activities of ISI sponsored militant groups and was "unable" to take the desired action against the terrorists because of its "political compulsions", he alleged at a news conference here.

Asked if the BJP was compromising with national security to continue in power, the Acharya said "they were bound to do that to remain in power".

It is not a BJP Government, but a Government of National Democratic Alliance of so many parties, he said adding in the past when some actions were initiated to deport infiltrators, curb infiltrations into West Bengal and Assam and enforce ban on cow slaughters, some NDA partners started shouting and levelled allegations of saffronisation.

The Government "did not" have any option in this regard, he said adding ``should we opt for Mulayam Singh Yadav or Jyoti Basu"?

However, Kishore said VHP was more interested in the security of the nation than the continuance of BJP-led NDA Government. "If the Government failed to deliver the goods, let it go", he said.

Commenting on the Tehelka expose, the VHP leader while lauding the efforts of journalists, said "the press should also consider as to whether because of this expose, the country’s security was being compromised".

While the guilty should be punished, care should be taken to ensure that it did not affect the morale of the armed forces, he said.

While stating that he was not the spokesman for the Government, the VHP leader, however, expressed his opposition to any further extension of ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

A ceasefire was normally effected only between two countries and not with terrorists, he said adding that the last six months’ceasefire in the State had "pushed it six years backwards".

Replying to a question as to whether VHP favoured attack on training camps for terrorists including those inside Pakistan, Kishore said Israel is our ideal in this respect.

Alleging that activities of certain Christian organisations and ISI were on the rise in north-eastern region, he referred to a reply given in Parliament on December 10, 1996 in which the Government had admitted to continuance of militant activities in the states like Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh and the terrorists procuring sophisticated arms and equipment with funds provided by foreign churches.

The Government should come out with a white paper on investigations carried out in this regard, he said.

Reiterating VHP’s demand for a total ban on conversions, Kishore said the Centre should enact a central legislation banning proselytisation.

Stating that the terrorist activities had assumed serious proportions during the last few years, he said it had cost the country about Rs. 65,000 crore. Today even places like Red Fort, South Block and Sena Bhawan were not safe, he added. (PTI)

Pak officials meet today to discuss Kashmir

ISLAMABAD, May 20: Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) would meet tomorrow to discuss among others the situation in Kashmir in the light of JKDFP president Shabir Shah’s inclination to talk to the Indian Government and his request to Islamabad to contribute to the peace process in the sub-continent.

The meeting, to be held at the Army headquarters at Rawalpindi near here, would be presided over by military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf and would be attended by chiefs of Navy, airforce and other top military and intelligence officials.

Asked whether Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party president’s request to Gen. Musharraf for his support to the new initiative will figure in tomorrows meeting, his press secretary and spokesman of the Inter Services Press Relations, (ISPR) Maj Gen Rashid Querishi said that the agenda for JCSC meeting has been decided much in advance.

However, Kashmir issue, which is in the forefront of Pakistan security could always figure in any high level security review meetings, he told PTI here.

But Gen. Qureshi declined to comment on Shah’s letter written to Gen. Musharraf on the ongoing peace process saying "let me read the reports(on the letter) before I react to it."

Besides the Kashmir situation, the JCSC meeting is also expected to discuss the recent Indian military exercises, impact of just concluded Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji’s visit and India’s support to the US National Missile Defence (NMD) and Pakistan’s opposition to it.

The meeting will also take stock of developments unfolding in the region with reference to the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) besides discussing operational matters. (PTI)

Cong dissidents demand ouster of JKPCC chief

SRINAGAR, May 20: Fissures in Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) came to the fore as dissidents headed by former PCC chief G R Kar today formally demanded change in the leadership of the state unit to revive the organisation and get rid of factionalism.

The dissidents passed a resolution at a meeting here, expressing full faith in the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and demanded election of JKPCC chief without any further delay to give new lease of life to the party in the State, a spokesman of the dissidents told reporters.

The spokesman claimed that a memorandum, signed by 106 PCC members including two sitting MLAs’, to replace Mohammad Shafi Qureshi as PCC president had been submitted to the Congress president.

The meeting was also attended by former MP, Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma, former minister and senior vice president JKPCC Peerzada Mohammad Syed, former general secretary Taj Mohiuddin, Lakshmi Dutta, general secretary and AICC member, Mohammad Yousuf Mantoo. (PTI)

Cease-fire shifts focus from Kashmir to terrorism

MUSSOORIE, May 20: BJP today said the unilateral move by Government of India to implement the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir has shifted international focus from Kashmir to terrorism.

"Due to India’s initiative, the focus has shifted from Kashmir to terrorism. Today, the world is divided into pro-terrorist and anti-terrorist camps," BJP general secretary Narendra Modi told reporters here.

The terrorists have lost their ground as a result of the ceasefire and were now forced to talk.

He, however, said it was for the Government to take a decision taking into account all aspects.

Modi also urged the Government to draw up a strategy to ensure the safety and security of the Amarnath pilgrims. (PTI)

KLF terrorists arrested

LUDHIANA, May 20: The local police today claimed that it had arrested two wanted terrorists of the Khalistan Liberation Force from here on Thursday.

The duo was arrested while trying to snatch a car of a resident who was shot dead when he refused to oblige.

"The two terrorists of the KLF, Jasbir Singh alias Jassa and Davinder Pal Singh shot dead one Parminder Singh Bedi when he refused to part with his car. He was shot in his head and he died on the spot," the district police chief Kuldeep Singh while addressing a press conference said here today.

A police party which was passing through the area heard firing of a shot and rushed to the spot.

The SSP said that on initial interrogation, the duo did not reveal their true identity. He said that Jassa assumed a fake name Mandeep Singh Jat of village Gill in this district. "When police remand for him was sought, he revealed that he was a terrorist of the KLF, who hailed from Maluke near Malerkotla."

Mr Kuldeep Singh said that eight criminal cases, including murder, are registered against Jassa. "He has been absconding from the Nabha jail since August 21 last year." His other accomplice, Davinder Pal Singh of the KLF and hailing from Padampur in Sriganganagar in Rajasthan, was also wanted in seven criminal cases, the police officer said.

The SSP said the duo carried out orders at the behest of England-based KLF members, Gurnam Singh and Sandeep Singh. "They remote-control their operations here which includes committing crimes, murders and other acts of violence and terror. Jassa had recently received money from his patrons for purchasing of arms."

The duo were planning to visit England when they were caught. He said that they had contacted a Delhi-based travel agent who was supposed to facilitate their travel on forged documents. "Both of them had paid Rs three lakh each to him. Having fallen short by a couple of lakhs they were planning to commit robbery or kidnapping to raise the sum."

Recently, Jassa had abducted a NRI in August 1999 and demanded Rs 15 lakh from him for his release. "The money was paid to their links abroad through hawala channel and the NRI was later released. Jassa was arrested by Jalandhar Police the same year for possessing RDX," the SSP added. (UNI)

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