Several fencing pillars damaged
9 blasts rock Gajansu; 3 IEDs defused
*Explosions occur close to a BSF picket

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 22: Making a mockery of security arrangements, Pakistan-backed militants struck about 100 yards away from a Border Security Force (BSF) post triggering nine powerful explosions at Beli Azmat in Gajansu area under the jurisdiction of Kanachak police station early this morning.

About 15 fencing pillars were blasted with IEDs. Three IEDs were detected alive in the area during a search operation and were safely blasted by security forces and police.

Militants strike in Gajansu came barely few hours after they struck in Kanachak attacking police station building with automatic weapons and mortars, indicating a spurt in militant activities in Jammu district.

Official sources said a big group of militants was reported to have infiltrated into Indian territory in forward village of Beli Azmat in Gajansu area last mid-night and tied 12 powerful IEDs with fencing pillars.

Militants tied IEDs with fencing pillars just about 100 yards away from a border outpost (BoP) of BSF, more than half a km inside the International Border and then reportedly escaped back to Pakistan.

Of 12, nine RDX filled IEDs exploded within a time span of about 25 minutes early today. Three other IEDs didn’t explode.

Serial explosions triggered panic in entire Gajansu area as sound of blasts was heard in several far off villages. Panic-stricken people didn’t move out of their houses till late this morning fearing movement of the militants.

BSF jawans came out of their camp after the blasts and sealed Beli Azmat village. Police parties from Jammu led by Additional SP Nissar Ahmed also rushed to the spot, cordoned off the area and launched massive searches.

Sources said three IEDs, tied with fencing pillars, hadn’t exploded. A Bomb Disposal Squad reached the village and safely blasted all three IEDs.

Over 15 fencing pillars were completely damaged in the explosions. Besides other fencing related material also suffered damage in the blasts, hampering border fencing work for a brief period.

Last week, the militants had blown up over 20 fencing pillars with IEDs in Ramgarh sector. Besides in several other forward villages, Pakistan army had been resorting to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing to stop fencing work.

Despite firing and explosions, fencing work on the borders was going on uninterruptedly. "Barring minor interruptions due to firing and blasts, fencing work was going on in full swing", official sources said, adding that work was being executed by the BSF.

Sources, however, admitted that militants successful operation in planting the IEDs was a ‘serious security lapse’ as a BSF BoP was just 100 yards away from the site of explosions. "It was almost certain that BSF jawans had been sleeping in their camp, which gave an easy access to the militants to infiltrate into Indian side, plant IEDs with pillars and then escape back to Pakistan", they said, adding ‘the entire operation couldn’t have been completed in less than two hours’.

Three incidents of militants movement since last evening in Kanachak area has spread panic among the people of border areas. As reported, the militants had on Monday morning attacked police station Kanachak with heavy fire arms but failed to cause any damage. Last night, the militants were spotted in Shame Chak area of Jhiri by a woman but remained untraced during searches launched by police.

Entire border population of Kanachak, Marh, Gajansu and surrounding villages was panicky following daring strike by the militants and failure of security forces to check them.

A visiting correspondent in Gajansu today saw fear looming large on people’s face. "This (the militants strike in border villages of Jammu) is something very surprising. This has never happened in the past. We feel no more safe", remarked Ram Kumar, a youth in Beli Azmat, who didn’t venture to work in his fields for the day today anticipating another strike by the militants.

"Earlier, we had to cope with Pakistani firing alone. Now, the movement of militants has also intensified", an old villager, Lochan Singh asserted. He had no hesitation in saying that security forces have failed to check the militant activities in border villages.

"They (the border villagers) have a reason to feel panicky. If militants can beat three tier security system on the border (army, BSF and police) and enter deep inside, plant bombs and escape back, it is nothing but a mockery of security system", an Intelligence officer, camping in Beli Azmat, remarked.

Meanwhile, majority of people in Shame Chak remained were worried over reported movement of three militants, as seen by a woman last night. Woman told villagers that she noticed three militants when she had gone to fields to attend nature’s call.

Army and police had launched a search operation in Shame Chak last night. Sources said the operation continued till early hours of today morning but the militants remained untraced.

Peace move can succeed only with Pak
involvement: Hurriyat

NEW DELHI, May 22: In an apparent easing of its "rigid" stand, Hurriyat Conference today said the peace move in Kashmir could move in a right direction if the Centre accepted that Pakistan was a party to the dispute and its involvement would be facilitated, even at a later stage.

"If the Centre accepts that it was not averse to involving Pakistan in the talks, then there is no problem," former chairman of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told PTI on his arrival here.

He said if any such communication was received from the Government, then the modalities of who would be talking to whom could be worked out later.

The Mirwaiz, who was accompanied by Qazi Ahahullah of Jamaat-e-Islami and Ghulam Rassol Dar Eidi (JKLF), said Hurriyat Conference had categorically said that bilateralism was not going to lead anywhere on Kashmir.

He said as far as a genuine process was concerned, India should loose no time in talking to Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"I had an opportunity to meet (Pakistani military ruler) General (Pervez) Musharraf who has shown inclination towards opening a dialogue with India on Kashmir issue," he said

The delegation would be meeting White House interns, who are in Capital, tomorrow besides holding discussion with some other diplomatic missions in the Capital.

Referring to the letter sent by the Centre’s interlocutor K C Pant to another seccessioinst leader Shabir Shah, a copy of which was also passed to the Hurriyat Conference by Shah, the Mirwaiz said "the executive committee of the Hurriyat has not met to delibetare on the letter."

However, he said a formal communication stating that New Delhi was not averse to involving Pakistan should be sent to the conglomerate.

When asked whether a similar letter sent to Shah could lead to an opening of already dead-locked Hurriyat-Centre talks, Farooq said "it is not the question of a letter. The Government should say it is sincere in resolving the dispute."

He said besides this militants were a "key element" in making any peace process a success. "We had proposed to go to Pakistan which has not been given a green signal by the Government," he said.

Referring to the statement of Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah calling for early polls, the Mirwaiz said "as far as elections are concerened, no polls have done any wonder to the problems in the state. We feel that only positive and sincere talks could solve the issue." (PTI)

NC pulled J&K out of mess: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 22: The Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Mr Omar Abdullah today said the National Conference Government has pulled the State out of the political and economic mess created by the militancy.

Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating water supply schemes at Zainakote and Suzeath, Mr Omar accused the National Conference’s detractors of resorting to baseless criticism of the Government. "Unfortunately our detractors have closed their eyes to the significant achievements recorded by the Government on the developmental front", he said and added that the condition of the State on political and economic fronts was very bad when NC came to power in 1996. "The clouds of death and destruction were looming large on the State. Bridges had been blasted, schools were torched and hospitals razed to rubbles," Mr Omar said adding that NC took the responsibility of rebuilding the State on its shoulders and today people themselves see what the Government has done for them. "Hundreds of bridges were restored and school and hospital buildings reconstructed by the Government during the past couple of years," he said. Road communication has been restored to almost all the villages, our children have again started going to schools and the patients now got better healthcare facilities, Mr Omar said. He said to eradicate unemployment from the State, the Government provided jobs to around 50,000 youth besides launching several attractive self-employment schemes. Mr Omar said for generating more employment opportunities peace is imperative as no development can take place without restoration of complete peace in the State. He said the industrialists from outside are hesitant to make investments in the State due to fear of violence, which has to be removed from their minds.

Mr Omar accused the Hurriyat Conference leaders of choking the State’s economy by resorting to frequent strikes. He asked them to join the electoral process to prove their so-called representative character. "As already stated by the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the Government will dissolve the Assembly if Hurriyat leaders are ready to participate in the elections," he said.

Mr Omar congratulated the PHE Department for its efforts to make available safe drinking water to every citizen of the State. He said efforts are also being made to revive the HMT Watch factory at Zainakote and the union heavy industry Minister, Mr Manohar Joshi will be visiting the State shortly for this purpose.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah said that restoration of greater autonomy to the State was the only solution to the Kashmir issue. He added that the National Conference was proud to have made the State’s accession with India, which is a true secular country. He said the Government of India should also fulfil its commitments made with the people of the State and this can be achieved only through granting them Autonomy.

Mr Shah said that NC is the real representative of the State’s people and the Hurriyat Conference claims of representing Kashmiris has no base. He said the Hurriyat leaders were making such claims only at the power of gun. "Let them put the gun on one side and then prove their representative character", he challenged them. Mr Shah added that the NC is committed to mitigate the sufferings of the people and time is not far away when the people will see their dreams becoming a reality.

Addressing the meeting Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar said that NC was making untiring efforts to provide a healing touch to the people who have been bruised by the militancy. "We know a lot needs to be done to heal their wounds completely, but we would feel happy if we can contribute a little on our part," he said.

Mr Sagar said despite facing bombs and bullets, the Government functionaries are in the field to provide basic amenities of life to the people. Mr Sagar said on one hand when the Government is trying to mitigate the sufferings of the people, the separatists were bent upon their destruction. He said NC is the only sympathizer of the State’s people and that is why conspiracies are being hatched against the party. He, however, said that such conspiracies will never deter the party from working for the political and economic betterment of the people. He said NC does not believe in revengeful politics and the party has always forgiven its detractors.

Mr Sagar also favoured restoration of greater autonomy to the State to fulfil the aspirations of its people. He said in the prevailing circumstances NC’s demand for restoration of greater autonomy was the only viable solution to come out of the present turmoil. He said by acceding to India Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah gave recognition and respect to its secularism while through Article 370, he maintained the State’s distinct identity.

Regarding the achievements recorded by the Government in the PHE sector the Minister said that 90 lakh gallons of potable water were added to the city supply last year while 25 lakh gallons were added this year. He said the Government has also taken up an ambitions plan for upgradation of Rangil Water Supply Schemes to further augment the potable water supply, he said besides a network of tube-wells is being provided in the State for exploration of ground water.

Several NC leaders besides the senior State Government functionaries were present on the occasion.

One killed in Reasi
Ultras rescue colleague from forces custody

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, May 22: Militants today rescued their one of associate from security forces custody after exchange of firing with troops at village Lambi Bari in Reasi tehsil of this district. However, another militant was shot dead by forces during the encounter.

Official sources said security forces had arrested a militant Khan Mohd Gujjar son of Allaudin Gujjar R/o Narkot few days back. He was subjected to interrogation during which he disclosed location of a hideout of his associates in Lambi Bari village of Reasi.

Sources said forces took the militant to identify hideout for apprehending his associates and effecting recovery of arms consignment.

Militants managed to notice security personnel and opened firing on them. Jawans fired back. Taking advantage of heavy exchange of firing, the arrested militant escaped from custody and joined his associates.

After an hour long cross-firing, security jawans gunned down one militant while others fled away alongwith Khan Mohd. No casualty was reported on forces side in the exchange of firing.

Identity of slain ultra hasn’t been established so far but he looked like a local militant. One AK rifle, three magazines, one pistol, a wireless set and two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered from the scene of encounter.

Sources said security forces continued searches in Lambi Bari and adjoining villages of Reasi to eliminate Khan Mohd, who escaped from their custody and his other associates. They remained untraced till this evening.

Few days back, police had killed a militant in Pouni Park area of Reasi. Two encounters in Reasi in less than a fortnight was an indication of intensified militants movement in the otherwise peaceful tehsil of Udhampur district, the sources said.

Another attack on DFP office
Letter delivered to Musharraf

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 22: Even as both the emissaries of the separatist Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) — Mohammad Abdullah Tari and Saleem Geelani — remained untraced, party president Shabir Shah today claimed that his letter was delivered on the Chief Executive of Pakistan Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Shabir Shah disclosed to EXCELSIOR that his letter, seeking Pakistan’s cooperation in the current political process initiated by Atal Behari Vajpayee Government, was delivered on Gen Musharraf today at 1120 hours. He, however, declined to divulge the contents of his letter and insisted that he would not disclose the medium through which it had reached the head of the Pakistan Government. He still clarified that the medium was personal and not a fax or e-mail.

Shah’s emissaries had left Srinagar for New Delhi with their specified task of sending a letter to Gen Musharraf through Pakistani High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi. But they remained untraced on Monday and Tuesday.

Shah maintained that he was optimistic of a positive response, equally from New Delhi and Islamabad. He said that his representative in Pakistan administered Kashmir, Mehmood Ahmed Sagar, met the president of Tehreek-e-Istiqlal Air Martial Rtd Asgar Khan while as he himself spoke to a number of "Azad Kashmir" leaders including Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan, Raja Zafarullah, Barrister Asif as also the former foreign minister of Pakistan Aga Shahi. He said that during the last few weeks, he and his associates interacted with a number of other leaders and intellectuals and sought their cooperation to the current political process.

Shah said that he also met erstwhile Al-Fatah leaders Ghulam Mohammad Naikoo, Fazal-ul-Haq Qureshi as also Dr Shafeeq-ur-Rehman and explained to them how a good beginning could be made on a positive note, in the direction of seeking the lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute.

Meanwhile, unidentified persons hurled a hand grenade on Rajbagh headquarters of Shabir Shah’s DFP. It exploded inside the unprotected premises but failed to cause any damage. An unknown outfit, Al-Nigahbaan, is said to have claimed responsibility. Earlier, the first grenade attack on the DFP headquarters took place within days of Shah’s positive response to the invitaion of talks from Government of India’s interlocuter K C Pant. Pant’s April 14th letter was replied by the DFP supremo on May 1st and Pant sent back some "clarifications" to Mr Shah on May 13th. Three militant outfits have issued serious threats to Mr Shah and warned him not to proceed with his version of the agenda of peace.

Encounters in Pattan, Bandipore, Handwara
3 militants, civilian killed in Pattan

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR May 22: While as three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and a civilian died in an armed clash between militants and security forces in Pattan area today, at least eleven civilians sustained splinter injuries when militants hurled a grenade on a vehicle of security forces at Kunzar, in Tangmarg.

Informed official sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that a fierce encounter took place between militants and troops of Rashtriya Rifles 29th Bn at Pakipora village, near Hyderbeg, in Pattan area early this morning. As troops and men of STF Pattan were in a nocturnal ambush, a group of militants walked into the village. As they were challenged to halt, militants opened fire and a gunbattle continued for over two hours. When it subsided in the forenoon, three local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen and a civilian were found killed. Three AK-56 rifles, one pistol, five grenades and a wireless set were recovered from the spot.

The militants killed in the encounter were identified as Abdul Hameed Pandit alias Shah Nawaz, radio code Idrees, S/o Abdur Rahim Pandit R/o Chak Sari Pattan (who had a fake identity card in the name of Javed Ahmed Wani S/o Ali Mohammad Wani R/o Wanigam Payeen, Kreeri), Fayaz Ahmed Marazi S/o Abdul Gani Marazi R/o Sultanpora Sumbal (who had a fake I-card in the name of Ali Mohammad Mir S/o Gh Qadir Mir) and Mushtaq Ahmed Malik S/o Mohammad Akbar Malik R/o Mugahama Tangmarg (who had a fake I-card in the name of Abdul Wahid S/o Mohammad Akbar R/o Muzaffarabad).

Sources said that the fourth person killed in the encounter was identified as Abdur Rasheed Rather R/o Ghulam Mohammad Rather R/o Pakipora, who seemed to have been taken with them by militants either as a guide or a courier. Officials at Baramulla insisted that he too was a militant. They said that Sepoy Harish Chander of RR 29 Bn sustained a gunshot wound in his thigh and he was recuperating at a hospital after surgery.

However, a Press release issued from Zonal Police headquarters described Abdur Rasheed Rather as a civilian and it claimed that a soldier also died in the encounter. Officials maintained that the soldier had a gunshot wound and he was stable at a hospital.

Reports from Tangmarg said that militants hurled a hand grenade towards a vehicle of security forces at Kunzar, on Srinagar-Gulmarg road. It fell short of the intended target and exploded on road, causing injuries to eleven civilians, including a number of students.

National Conference leader and Minister for Industries & Commerce, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, expressed his shock over the incident and said that such dastardly attempts of violence would do good to no one and the vested interests behind such nefarious plans would never succeed to build their political castles over the graveyards of innocent people killed in violence. Spilling the blood of innocent people for personal gains is a heinous crime against humanity, he said in a statement.

Reports from Bandipore said that troops of RR 14 Bn and men of SOG Bandipore launched a coming operation at Chak-e-Rishipora village on a tip off. During the search operation, militants opened fire and the security forces retaliated. Two residential houses were destroyed but it could not be ascetained whether the two holed up militants got killed or escaped. The operational was in progress at midnight.

Reports from Kupwara said that militants caused a landmine explosion, close to a company headquarters of RR 24 Bn at Chak-e-Sodal, Magam. Even as Army did not suffer any damage, it laid siege to the village and the adjacent village of Shahlal. Troops found two militants hiding at the palatial house of one Azam Khan and fired two rockets to destroy the same. He, however, managed the arrest of the two militants and they were taken into custody. They were identified as Hizbul Mujahideen’s "company commander" Ghulam Nabi Lone alias Dilawar alias Riyaz S/o Mohiuddin Lone R/o Neelipora and Ghulam Qadir Dar S/o Ghulam Mohammad Dar R/o Badarkul.

Two AK-56 rifles, 23 rifle grenades and a wireless set were recovered from their possession.

Reports from Tral said that militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad attacked a camp of security forces and SOG at Kahlil. Details were not available immediaely.

Hashim dismisses Hurriyat claim

NEW DELHI, May 22 : Founder of JKLF and hijacker of an Indian Airlines plane in 1971, Hashim Qureshi tonight dismissed the claims of Hurriyat Conference that the amalgam could influence the militant organisations operating from Pakistan.

"I dont think the Hurriyat Conference controls the militant organisations. They are controlled by Pakistan and cannot be influenced by the amalgam leadership," Qureshi, who is undergoing treatment at AIIMA, told PTI.

Qureshi, who later formed his own Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Front, said Hurriyat Conference was representing only 10 to 15 per cent of Kashmiri population.

He said majority of people in Kashmir wanted independence and not accession with Pakistan. (PTI)

Underworld-JK militants nexus exposed; 3 held

NEW DELHI, May 22: The Delhi Police has for the first time exposed an underworld-terrorist nexus in the country with the arrest of a member of the Chhota Shakeel gang and two Pakistan-based Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front (JKIF) terrorists on charges of conspiring to cause blasts in the capital, Mumbai and Punjab and ‘eliminating’ members of the Sangh Parivar.

Delhi Police Commissioner Ajai Raj Sharma told reporters that the police have also seized a huge quantity of explosives that include two kg of PETN, two radio-based detonating devices, two detonators, two nine-volt batteries, six 1.5 volt pencil cells and one digital Kenwood wireless set. Three mobile phone sets and a Maruti car were also seized from the three terrorists.

The Kenwood wireless set in a sophisticated device capable of blowing off four bombs in one go from anywhere within a 1.5 km radius, Mr Sharma said. The consignment seized from the terrorists which changing hands in the parking area of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in New Delhi yesterday was to cause series of explosions in Mumbai.

The three militants arrested by the special cell of the Delhi Police at around 2030 hrs last night have been identified as Gurvinder Jeet Singh Bhullar alias Tinku (21) who is working for Chhota Shakeel gang and JKIF militants Mohammad Asgar alias Ayub alias Pappu (38) and Abdul Jabbar.

The JKIF is headed by notorious terrorist Bilal Ahmed Beg, based in Islamabad. The outfit is already responsible for three blasts in the capital — at Lajpat Nagar, Connaught Place and Sadar Bazaar.

The police chief said Bhullar was tasked to set up a base in Punjab and induct recruits for running Chhota Shakeel’s operation in India. He had already motivated two youths to join the Shakeel gang after paying Rs 40,000 each. Bhullar was also told to identify certain BJP, Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal men in Punjab and Delhi who were active in increasing their party’s support base.

So far the terrorist had only been successful in identifying one Shiv Sena man in Tarn Taran in Punjab, Mr Sharma said while categorically ruling out the gang identifying any BJP men. He said, "no specific BJP leader identified. They were caught before they could made a hideout."

The blasts in Mumbai were planned by Chhota Shakeel in collusion with Bilal Ahmed Beg.

In an indirect reference to the general law and order situation in the capital, the police chief said, "we are facing an uphill taks because a lot of attempt is being made to cause blast in the capital. We are working overtime and due to our alertness we could catch the gang and avoid major destruction in Mumbai."

About the threat perception and security scenario in the capital, the Commissioner said, "we get information every second day (about possible terrorist attack and that’s how we are nabbing these terrorists. When we fail, a blast takes place."

He said police had received information about the visit of the terrorists in the capital and had sought the assistance of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

Bhullar’s brother Gurpreet alias Micky is a close associate of Chhota Shakeel who is based in Bangkok.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Ashok Chand, meanwhile, said Bhullar was sent by Chhota Shakeel last year to set up a base in Punjab and make recruits to targets members of Sangh Pariwar in the State and Delhi. To carry out his operations, he was getting supplies from Pakistan through JKIF.

The current consignment was meant to cause blasts in the commercial Capital. Police are now on the look out for the local contacts of the terrorists in Mumbai. The Mumbai Police has been informed about the gameplan. (UNI)

Imam in Pak on ‘Mission Kashmir’

ISLAMABAD, May 22: Imam of Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid Syed Ahmed Shah Bukhari has arrived in Lahore on a low key mission, reportedly initiated by Islamic clerics in India and Pakistan, to help resolve outstanding issues, including the Kashmir problem.

Media reports said today that soon after his arrival late last night, Imam Bukhari had a meeting with Governor of the Punjab province Mohammad Safdar during which he outlined the objectives of his visit.

‘The Nation’ quoted the Imam as saying that muslims of India and Pakistan enjoyed good relations, which should be utilised to pave the way for peace.

It quoted the Governor as telling Bukhari that peace cannot be established in the region without resolving the Kashmir issue and Pakistan is ready to hold purposeful dialogue with India to settle all differences.

The Imam is likely to meet military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar besides top officials of the Foreign Ministry, it said.

Commenting editorially on it, the daily said the visit was part of efforts to bring the Islamic clergy of the two sides to resolve thorny issues after the failure of Track-II diplomacy.

"One cannot interpet the visit by Syed Ahmad Bukhari, the Imam of the Delhi Jama Masjid, except as a move in this direction. The visit is being presented as a private affair but the fact that while in Pakistan the Imam is scheduled to meet Kashmiri leaders, Ulema and Government officials indicates there is more to it than meets eye," it said.

It also said a delegation of leaders of Pakistan’s Islamic religious parties intends to visit India next month. (PTI)

George rules out withdrawal of support

NEW DELHI, May 22: An oncoming crisis at the Centre over developments in Manipur appeared to have been averted following a meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and George Fernandes who ruled out his Samata Party pulling out of the NDA Government at least for now.

"We all have a stake in this Government. How can it (Manipur Development) affect the Government at the Centre. It cannot," Fernandes, whose party threatened to review its participation in the Vajpayee Government if BJP did not rein in its rebels in Imphal, told reporters.

Fernandes met Vajpayee a day after his party-led Government was defeated in Manipur assembly with BJP MLAs voting against the confidence motion.

"There will be more meetings in order to reach a conclusion and resolve the problem that we are at present facing," he said after the nearly two-hour luncheon meeting. Leaders from Manipur will also be present at a meeting of the two sides at the central level on May 28.

R K Dorendra Singh, leader of the BJP Legislature Party in Manipur, was today elected leader of the newly-formed Progressive Democratic Alliance (PDA) and his party leader Samuel Jendai said the PDA may stake claim to form the new Government but only after getting clearance from BJP central leadership.

Replying to questions whether President’s rule was being imposed on the State, Fernandes said no particular formula was discussed.

Asked whether Samata Party would pull out of the NDA, he shot back saying "Samata Party is still part of it".

During the "very frank" discussions he had with the Prime Minister, BJP president Jana Krishnamurthy was also present.

To a question about the BJP leaders in Manipur reportedly waiting for central clearance to form a new Government, Fernandes said "you should have asked the BJP. I understand the status quo remains".

Fernandes did not agree with the view that he was bargaining for more berths for his party in the Union Council of Ministers and said "there can be no other foolish act than this. This is the biggest lie".

He said all those party MPs who should have been in the Vajpayee Ministry were already in the NDA Government. "Why should we ask for more," he posed.

Asked if his continuing as NDA convenor compelled his party to remain in the Government, he said "no, it has nothing to do with what has happened between BJP and Samata Party".

Earlier, Jendai told PTI in Imphal that the PDA comprised BJP with 26 MLAs, MSCP (C) - 10, NCP - two, Federal Party of Manipur - two and Janata Dal (Loken) - one. (PTI)

Singh appointed IB Director

NEW DELHI, May 22: Government has appointed K P Singh as the new Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) to succeed Shyamal Dutta who retires this month-end, official sources said here.

The name of Singh, who is presently posted as the Special Director in the bureau, was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Appointments, the sources said.

Singh, a 1966 batch officer from Madhya Pradesh cadre, has a service of nearly three decades in the Bureau.

Dutta, who retires on May 31 after serving IB for three years, was a 1965 batch officer from West Bengal cadre, the sources added. (PTI)

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