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Vajpayee, Musharraf likely to hold summit meet in early July NEW DELHI, May 26: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistan’s military ruler Pervez Musharraf are likely to hold their summit meeting here in early July even as Islamabad expressed satisfaction over the tone and tenor of Vajpayee’s invitation saying it did not contain any "irritants". The possibility of an early meeting between the two leaders is being ruled out as the Prime Minister would be undergoing knee surgery on June seven and he might take a couple of weeks to recuperate. In view of this, the summit, the first between the heads of Government of the two countries after the Kargil conflict, would in all probability take place in early July, highly placed sources here today said. Musharraf received Vajpayee’s formal invitation yesterday to visit India with his wife Sabah. Immediately after the letter was handed over to Pakistan Foreign Secretary Inamul Haq by India’s acting High Commissioner Sudhir Vyas in Islamabad Musharraf met senior officials and advisors and discussed it. He directed the officials to initiate consultations with hardline religious and ‘Jihadi’ groups, opposed to his holding talks with India, on issues that could be taken up during the summit. A highly placed Pakistani official told PTI Islamabad correspondent K J M Varma that Pakistan was very much satisfied with the way Vajpayee’s invitation letter was drafted "as it has no painful references or irritants." He was obviously referring to absence of any reference to contentious issues like Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism in the invitation. A spokesman of the Pakistan Information Ministry had said last night that a reply to the letter was being drafted at the highest level and it would be delivered to India in two or three days. He said the Pakistan Government accorded top priority to the Indian initiative as Musharraf himself presided over the meeting of senior officials and advisors to scrutinise the contents of the letter and prepare a "fitting and appropriate" response at the earliest. Besides drafting the response, Musharraf also instructed his senior officials to begin consultations with leaders of various religious parties, militant groups as well as ‘centre-right’ intellectuals and senior journalists about the broad agenda that could form part of the framework of his talks with Vajpayee, the official said. The format of the consultations is, however, yet to be decided, he said adding the "structure of the consultations could be formal or informal." The decision to initiate consultations with the various shades of opinions, including the Jihadi groups which were doggedly opposed to the talks, was considered to be significant as Musharraf wanted to create a broad consensus for his first ever summit with Vajpayee. Religious parties like Jamat-e-Islami have already welcomed the Indian invitation for talks. Asked about the nature of the response being contemplated by Pakistan to Vajpayee’s letter, the official said its tone had already been set with Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar stating on Thursday that Islamabad would respond with in a "positive spirit." "There is no change in that perception," he added. It was still not clear whether officials would discuss the issue with mainstream political parties, which reacted favourably to the invitation. However, almost all militant groups, including the Lashker-e-Toiba, have expressed firm opposition to Musharraf visiting India saying the invitation was a "trap" and Pakistan should not enter it. (PTI) |
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Farooq hopes Musharraf to visit India with an open mind Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today hoped that Pakistan Chief Executive General Parvez Musharraf will visit India with an open mind and co-operate in resolving issues between the two countries. Addressing the inaugural session of the 5th National Convention of All India Colleges and Universities Employees at the University campus here this morning, the Chief Minister said that peace is imperative for the prosperity of the region. Though a solution to the problems is not possible in a solitary meeting yet the process needs to be continued. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir yearn for peace and normalcy and pray for the success of the process initiated by the Prime Minister. He, however, cautioned that initiation of peace process does not mean an abrupt end to militancy that may hover over the State for some time. ‘We will not relent in our war against terrorism’, he said. Dr Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir is faced with a grave challenge posed by Pakistan and the people are giving many sacrifices everyday to uphold the integrity and unity of the nation. While Islamabad is pursuing with its nefarious and illogical agenda of Kashmir becoming Pakistan, the people of the State have resolved to live and die as Indians, he declared, saying that though a Muslim majority State, the majority community are Indian Muslims, who have taken a conscious decision of living as integral part of this great nation. The CM said that some elements were singing tunes of Pakistan as they got funds from abroad. Having vested interest in flaring up of violence in the State, they visit Pak embassy in New Delhi to get brief. He said that innocent citizens and his party workers are killed everyday but this has not deterred the people to foil the enemy design with their full might. ‘In our fight against militancy, we look for whole-hearted support of the compatriots’, he said, adding that Pakistan will never succeed in pressurizing people against their wishes. ‘We will rather die than to bow’, he said. Dr Abdullah said the State is passing through a very difficult phase and earnest endeavours are underway to rebuild it with all available resources. The State lacks industry that has added to unemployment. Tourism being the mainstay of economy, it has received a setback due to militancy. A very grim picture is being painted outside the Valley about the security scenario, he said and made a passionate appeal to the countrymen to make Kashmir their destination for spending vacations. ‘Come and see for yourself the changing scenario and witness the nature’s rich beauty and bounty on this paradise on earth’, he said and invited the delegates to visit the Valley. After touring Kashmir, they can take a message to rest of the country for visiting the Valley, he hoped. The Chief Minister said Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine has sustained the State’s economy all these years and hoped the pilgrim tourism will get boost with large number of people thronging from all over the country. He said the State Government has approached the Centre to take up the issue regarding opening of Ladakh route from Manali for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage. This will not only make the Mansarovar yatra smoother but will also give fillip to local economy. Favouring University Grants Commission (UGC) pay scales for the college and university employees in the country, the Chief Minister hoped that the Union Ministry for Human Resources Development would consider it and take earnest measures in its implementation. About academic scenario in the State, he said that the dearth of colleges has put additional pressure on the colleges in urban areas as a large chunk of students remain on wait list for admissions. Referring to various challenges confronted to the nation, Dr Abdullah said that desired results of population control have not been achieved, which has retarded the growth of the nation. He said even after over half a century of independence, many remote areas and villages lack basic services like drinking water, roads and dispensaries. The nation has to address itself to the big question of resource crunch, he said, adding that stress should be on the development of human beings rather than lop-sided development. He urged upon the people to contribute their share in nation building and strive for better tomorrow. ‘We have a vision of glorious India for posterity where there is no difference on caste or colour’, he said. Dr Abdullah decried vote politics and said that exploiting religious sentiments is not a good omen for the country. He also pleaded for women rights and hoped that they will get due share in decision making. Regretting over the tendencies of creating doubts in public mind, the Chief Minister regretted over some reports appearing in a section of press about the deliberations of recent cabinet meeting and his ‘absence’ at the Airport during the visit of the Home Minister and the Defence Minister. He said he could not receive the ministers owing to his injury and described the report on cabinet meeting totally baseless. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Prof Chaman Lal Gupta said that India wants to live in peace with the neighbouring country. The invitation to General Parvez Musharraf by the Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee is step to herald a new chapter of cooperation in the region, he said. Prof Gupta said the unilateral cease-fire announced by the Centre was aimed at putting a halt to bloodshed but unfortunately elements inimical to peace did not reciprocate positively. He referred to various carnages and massacre of innocent people and said that the people of the State long for peace and normalcy. ‘We want development and progress, as many parts of the country and the State lack basic facilities of life’, he said. The Union Minister said that India couldn’t be pressurized or dictated by any power in the world. The country does not lack in potential that is amply proved by the presence of professionals and technocrats in various countries, he added. Describing universities and colleges as temples of learning, the Minister supported the demand for UGC scales for the employees and said that he will take it up with the Union Minister for Human Resources Development. He said the teaching staff, non-teaching staff and the students were all important components of a university and have to work in harmony. The Minister for Employment, Labour and Sports, S Harbans Singh supported the demand of non-teaching staff and hoped that a decision would be taken to grant UGC pay scales to them. The rights of the non-teaching staff should be taken well care of, he said. The Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof R R Sharma supported the demand for UGC scales for non-teaching staff and said that assured career advancement schemes is a major step towards satiating the urges of the staff. Prof Sharma said the universities enjoy a place of honour in the society and it is incumbent upon the staff of universities to uphold this important position. The President of the All India University Employees Federation, Mr R B Singh also spoke on the occasion and said that the demand of about four lakh employees should be favourably conceded. Other office bearers of the Federation and All India University Kramchari Association also spoke on the occasion. The Convention has jointly been organised by the Federation and the Association. The Chief Minister, the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation were among the dignitaries who lighted the traditional lamp. Mementos were also presented to them. A group of university students presented Saraswti vandna on the occasion. |
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Third option in Kashmir not workable: Qazi ISLAMABAD, May 26: Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Ashraf Jehangir Qazi has said the third option of granting independence to Kashmir, other than the proposals for its accession to India or Pakistan, is not "workable" as it is not part of the United Nations resolutions on Kashmir. "Pakistan’s stand on the Kashmir dispute is still based on the UN resolutions. For Pakistan, the UN resolutions are still valid and if all the parties agree to any third option of independent Kashmir, this option would have to be made part of the UN resolutions," Urdu newspaper Jang today quoted him as saying. It may be recalled that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan had, during his visit to Pakistan earlier this year, said the UN resolutions on Kashmir were no more relevant and India and Pakistan should settle the issue in accordance with the spirit of the Simla Accord and the Lahore Declaration. Qazi said "our stand is clear that Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir, particularly the APHC, are the three main parties of the Kashmir dispute. "Pakistan wants the Kashmir issue to be resolved in accordance with the UN resolutions as these resolutions are still valid," he said. Citing the sixth and seventh clauses of the UN charter, Qazi said any of its resolutions could be made redundant only after it was implemented or replaced by another resolution on the matter. He said the third option was being discussed and questions were being asked whether Pakistan supported it. "We say that the option of independence is not included in the UN resolutions and if all the parties agree, this option will have to be included and it will become workable only after that. But, presently, all these are assumptions," he added. Qazi’s statement comes in the wake of apprehensions of some political leaders in Kashmir that after vehemently supporting tripartite talks which included the Kashmiri leadership, Pakistan has settled for direct talks with India following Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s invitation to military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf. (PTI) |
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Four vehicles collide Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, May 26: In a major accident involving four vehicles, three persons including an infant were killed and five others were injured, two of them seriously, at village Saiswan in Chadwal area under the jurisdiction of Chadwal police station on Jammu-Pathankot national highway late last night. The accident occurred due to negligence of local police and Traffic Police officials, who failed to clear two collided vehicles from the highway leading to two more vehicles crashing into parked vehicles. Official reports said a truck No. 6353 JK08 on way from Jammu to Lakhanpur collided head on with a trolley No. 6480 HR46, coming from an opposite direction in Saiswan at 2230 hours last night. Driver of the truck and conductor of the trolley died on the spot in deadly collision. Reports said even half an hour after the accident, no police or Traffic Police official bothered to visit the spot to clear collided vehicles from the busy highway. As a result a Maruti car No. 0179 PB036 on way from Punjab to Katra crashed into the collided vehicles as driver couldn’t spot the accident site in view of darkness. The Maruti car was badly damaged in the accident and resulted into the death of an infant and injuries to four others. As this was not all, another truck No PB23 2288 too couldn’t spot the scene of accident and over-ran a police constable, who had alone reached the spot about an hour later. The constable identified as Devanand, posted in Chadwal police post was seriously injured in the mishap. In the mid-night, a police party reached the spot and shifted victims to district hospital here where three of them were declared as dead. Five injured were referred to Medical College hospital in Jammu. Deceased have been identified as a 10 month old boy Kashish son of Ravinder Kumar, a resident of Muktsar, Haryana, who was travelling in Maruti car, Som Raj of Hiranagar, who was driving truck and Satish Kumar of Ambala, Haryana, who was conductor of the trolley. Five injured were identified as Devanand son of Bishan Dass, a resident of Kathua, a police constable, Jagdish Raj son of Tara Chand of Bhatinda, Punjab, Ravinder Kumar, 24, son of Kuldeep Kumar of Punjab, Vikas Kumar S/o Tarsem Kumar R/o Punjab and Sunil Kumar, 22, S/o Harsh Kumar R/o New Delhi. Local people and shopkeepers said a message was flashed to Traffic Police soon after the accident but Traffic officials, who remain busy with the checking of Video coach buses to serve their own purpose, visited the spot only this morning. Damaged vehicle hadn’t been removed from the road till this afternoon, which resulted into slow movement of traffic in Saiswan. There was strong resentment among local people against police and Traffic Police negligence which claimed the life of a 10 month old boy, who died after the Maruti car rammed into collided vehicles. "Had the cops raised obstructions after the first accident, the accidents involving Maruti car and a truck could have been easily averted", they said. People demanded that all police and Traffic officials, whose negligence resulted into the tragedy, should be taken to task. They demanded registration of a murder case against the accused. Meanwhile, dead bodies of three victims were today handed over to their family members after post-mortem in Kathua and Jammu hospitals. A case in the accident has been registered at Rajbagh police station for further investigations. |
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Search operation on Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, May 26: Three militants were reportedly spotted by local people in border village of Alla in Arnia area late last night after which a massive search and cordon operation was launched by different security agencies. Reports said a STD PCO owner told Arnia police station officials at about 2200 hours last night that he noticed three militants moving in a field in Alla village, located close to Indo-Pak border. Immediately after getting a report, an Arnia police station party led by SHO Inspector Zahid Wani launched searches in Alla. Army, BSF, CRPF and SOG teams also rushed to spot and carried out a joint search operation in Alla and surrounding villages. Reports said the operation continued throughout the last night but the militants were not spotted. The PCO owner told police that he saw three militants in the field. All three were carrying rifles and bags with them. They had covered the rifles with blankets. Police said the possibility of militants movement couldn’t be completely ruled out as Arnia and RS Pura sectors were being increasingly used by Pakistan for infiltration of trained ultras. Recoveries of two arms and explosives consignments in Arnia recently were also an indication of infiltration of the militants from this particular route. Searches were still on in the area. Movement of the militants had also been noticed recently in Badyal Barahamana and other villages of RS Pura. Official sources admitted that Pakistan army was trying to push militants from all possible routes on the International Border from Kathua to Akhnoor sector. Security forces and police were trying to check the infiltration to the best possible extent but sources confessed that it wasn’t possible to completely plug the infiltration routes. |
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Explosives seized in
Budhal Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, May 26: Militants gunned down a civilian and kidnapped three others in separate incidents while troops eliminated an ultra in Dandidhar hills across the district overnight. Army recovered a huge quantity of explosives from a hideout in Budhal. Militants struck in Sangiot village last night and kidnapped Wazir Mohd son of Nawab Ali from his house. They took the civilian to a forest area of Sangiot and shot him dead. Militants threw the bullet-riddled body of Wazir Mohd near his house and escaped. Reason behind the killing couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Meanwhile, a group of nine militants struck in village Dalyot in Kalakot tehsil last mid-night and kidnapped two youths —Mohd Zubair son of Mohd Abdullah and Mohd Akbar son of Gafoor Bhat. Militants whisked away the youths to adjoining village of Bairagove from where they kidnapped another youth identified as Abdul Aziz. Sources said after trekking some distance, the militants released Mohd Zubair and Mohd Akbar but took away Abdul Aziz with them in a forest area. Released youths reached their houses safely. Whereabouts of Abdul Aziz couldn’t be ascertained immediately. Local police was investigating the case. Efforts were on to get Aziz rescued. Army and police today gunned down a militant at Pattan in Dandidhar area after an hour long encounter. Slain militant has been identified as Ali Shan alias Abu Abada, a foreign mercenary. One AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 100 rounds, one wireless set and two hand grenades were recovered from the encounter site. Meanwhile, Army troops in Budhal tehsil dealt a vital blow to militants by busting a huge cache of sophisticated weapons. One 82 mm mortar, 82 mm and 60 mm mortar bombs, grenades and a large quantity of ammunition were recovered from a well concealed hideout. In a swift and well coordinated operation, Army troops recovered a big haul of arms and ammunition of foreign militants from a well concealed cache, which was located on high reaches of jungle with a very difficult approach. Besides an array of sophisticated weapons the cache contained a lethal 82 mm mortar and a large No. of 82mm and 60mm mortar bombs and other sophisticated arms and ammunition. This lethal weapon system is capable of completely destroying targets with pinpoint accuracy upto 5 km with devastating effect and has a rate of fire of 15 to 25 bombs per minutes. Recovery of this weapon system has averted a major disaster. One bomb of this mortar can completely pulverise an area in radius of about 150 meters. "Had the weapon been used it would have resulted in half the village been completely wiped off, rendering a large number of people dead, a large number lying seriously wounded and many more homeless. Besides this, it can be used with a deadly effect from well concealed hide outs, reverse slopes, gorges and deep river beds", a Defence spokesman said. The find is a major success for the Army operating in Budhal as it is the first recovery of such lethal weapon system in this area. This is the third such weapon system which has been recovered from the Jammu region. This resulted due to a tip off by the locals who reported movement of some foreign terrorist in the area and who had been harassing the villagers for past few days. Massive search operations have been launched to nab the group of foreign terrorists reported by the civilians. |
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Musharraf should visit India: Omar NEW DELHI, May 26: Former All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq today urged Pakistan Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf to accept India’s invitation for talks on Kashmir, saying the move could be seen as a beginning towards the settlement of the long-standing Kashmir problem. "Gen Musharraf should accept Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s invitation and start the dialogue process," Mr Farooq told UNI here. However, the Kashmiri separatist leader said that for a permanent settlement of the Kashmir imbroglio, the third and the most important party - the people of Jammu and Kashmir - have to be involved in the negotiations. "Sincere efforts by all the three parties - India, Pakistan and the people of the State - could help restore peace in the troubled-State," he added. He said that if Gen Musharraf came to India, the APHC would try its best to impress upon both countries the need to pursue the path of friendship and peace. "We would like to encourage them to continue their efforts for resolution of the problem," Mr Farooq said. "All the Kashmiris want now is to be allowed to live in peace. We also want the people of both countries to live in friendship and peace. It is unfortunate that because of Kashmir, two nations that share the same history and culture are at loggerheads," the Mirwaiz said. The Kashmiri religious leader said, " Let us hope and pray that good sense will prevail on both nations and they will try to resolve the problem once and for all, so that a new era of peace and economic prosperity is started in this region. "The APHC is united on this issue. And we will continue with our peaceful efforts for resolution of the Kashmir issue," he added. Asked about his meeting with Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Mr Farooq said the diplomat was told about the Hurriyat’s stand on the issue of talks between the two countries. Meanwhile, the crucial APHC executive committee will meet next week in Srinagar to discuss the Centre’s move to invite Gen Musharraf to New Delhi for talks on Kashmir.(UNI) |
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Vajpayee, Advani, Farooq’s security increased From B L Kak NEW DELHI, May 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has been cautioned against a "possible" attack on him by the ISI-backed ultras. Following the receipt of information with regard to the plan of the fidayeen (suicide squads) to eliminate top pro-India Muslim leaders, particularly Dr Farooq Abdullah, the Government of India has called for steps to strengthen the available security cover to the J&K Chief Minister. In fact, a message has been sent by the Union Home Ministry to the J&K Chief Minister, persuading him to be extra cautious during his public engagements. Similar messages have gone to other VIPs, including the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Home Minister, Mr LK Advani. A top Government source told EXCELSIOR that the question of ensuring adequate safety and security of the VIPs had assumed tremendous importance in the context of the reports that anti-India subversives and fidayeen wanted to eliminate leading figures in Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir. Alarming, indeed, are the revelations that grenade launchers will be used by suicide squads to carry out long-range hits and that pro-India Muslim leaders and politicians in Kashmir will not be permitted to be active on the scene. These revelations, obviously, promoted almost all central police organisations to discuss the question of further improvements in the security apparatus for the VIPs. This apart, the Union Home Secretary, Mr Kamal Pande, also held a meeting to review the security cordons around the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and other potential targets, including the J&K Chief Minister. Panic buttons have been pressed in the Special Protection Group (SPG) National Security Guard (NSG) and other organisations following the revelation that armed militants had come as close as the headquarters of the major central police organisstions at CGO complex earlier this month and only good fortune prevented a major hit so far. While the SPG cover is specifically meant for the Prime Minister and former Prime Ministers and their families, the NSG commandos are responsible for the protection of other VIPs, including Mr LK Advani and Dr Farooq Abdullah. EXCELSIOR was officially told that the security personnel assigned the task of protecting the VIPs like Mr Vajpayee, Mr Advani and Dr Farooq had been alerted. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has, in consultations with other security agencies, decided that the manual cover range around Mr Vajpayee’s residence and the area through which he travels would have to be increased with immediate effect. This would include the South Block. No one has been authorised to reveal just how much the manual cover radius was being increased to. A quick study is being made on the usual parabola range of projectiles launched from a launcher that are normally used. Meanwhile, central police organisations have their own worries in view of the discovery of the grenade launchers. If a couple of recent radio intercepts were any guide, additional supplies of grenade launchers for the militants and jihadis in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in the country could be expected in the coming days and weeks. |
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3 officials found guilty in Tehelka NEW DELHI, May 26: The one-man Defence Ministry probe conducted by Chief Vigilance Officer R P Bagai has prima facie found three civilian officials H C Pant, Narendra Singh and P Sasi guilty of corruption and misconduct in the Tehelka expose on corruption in defence deals. The Bagai inquiry committee submitted its report to the Defence Minister Jaswant Singh on Wednesday for further action, highly placed sources in Defence Ministry said. The three officers Pant, an officer of Deputy Secretary rank and at present posted as staff officer in the Ordnance Factory Board, Narendra Singh, Assistant Financial Adviser in the ministry and Sasi, an assistant in the Army headquarters, are already under suspension. A Defence Ministry spokesman confirmed that the committee had submitted its report but refused to divulge the findings saying the report would now be scrutinised by the minister before initiating action. Asked whether the former Additional Secretary in the Ministry L N Mehta, who also figured in the Tehelka tapes, had been indicted by the committee, the spokesman said he was not aware of the findings of the committee. Mehta, a senior Haryana cadre IAS officer, since has been transferred as an adviser in the Planning Commission. The private portal, in its expose, had videotaped Pant receiving bribes of Rs 50,000 in three instalments, Sasi getting Rs 20,000 and Narendra Singh Rs 10,000. The Bagai committee was set up on March 22 to probe the role of civilian officials in the expose and was also asked to submit a report on any shortcomings in the armament procurement procedures. The committee sought an extension for a month in April. A parallel three-member Army court of inquiry which probed the involvement of senior serving Army officers has already submitted its report to the Western Army Commander Lt Gen Surjit Singh. (PTI) |
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CEC parries all questions on Jaya HYDERABAD, May 26: Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill today parried all questions regarding the rejection of nomination papers of AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha. Addressing a press conference at the Raj Bhavan guest house during his farewell visit to the city, Mr Gill, who lays down office next month-end, said the role, the constitution had assigned to the commission was to conduct elections, and now that the election process had been completed in five states, it was for "the people to discuss". He said there were other "appropriate people in another constitutional area for inviting someone to form a Government after elections". Personally, he did not wish to comment on the issue, he added. To a question whether there was any ambiguity in the law, he said he did not want to comment at this stage. Asked about the allegations made against him by Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee after the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Mr Gill said her comments were a "lady’s privilege". "India is a vibrant democracy having 620 million voters (equal to the population of the US and western Europe). All political players were in great stress during the elections and they have every right to comment on the actions of the Commission", he said. When pointed out that Ms Banerjee’s comments were of a personal nature, Mr Gill said "it is all right I know Ms Banerjee and I take her comments in my stride". Mr Gill said he had suggested to the previous Governments about the need to strengthen and simplify the relevant sections under which nominations were rejected and make them easy to implement. He said during his tenure he had held a number of all-party meetings on different aspects of the elections. Stating that all the Commission’s decisions were taken collectively, he said the three-member panel had now "settled" and was working well. "That is why I did not have a single sleepless night during my long tenure as cec", he added. On whether he had ever entertained trying his luck at the hustings, Mr Gill said "I just want to be citizen gill". He said he was happy that Prime Minister A B Vajpayee had taken a timely and right decision regarding his successor. Mr Gill expressed his gratitude to the about 50 lakh personnel involved in conducting the recent elections. (UNI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, May 26: Even as no armed clash was reported between militants and security forces from anywhere in Kashmir valley today, unidentified gunmen have left three civilians dead and two wounded. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that militants hurled a hand grenade towards an Army convoy at Pampore, at 1645 hours this evening. It fell short of the intended target and exploded on road, causing grievous injuries to a horsecart driver, namely Ghulam Rasool Khanday S/o Ghulam Nabi Khanday R/o Drangbal. While being rushed to a hospital, he breathed his last. This evening at 1800 hours, four unidentified gunmen shot dead Mohammad Maqbool Lone S/O Ghulam Mohammad Lone of Chhan Kitar, Tral, at Chawan Kellar, in Pulwama district. A chit recovered from his possession, said that he had been killed by militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad. However, no militant claimed responsibility of the murder. Reports from Sopore said that this morning, unidentified gunmen shot dead Mushtaq Ahmed Dar S/o Ali Mohammad Dar R/o Amargarh Sopore in an apple orchard at Lalad, in Sopore area. He was reportedly an employee of the Irrigation Department. Here in the capital city, militants hurled a grenade towards SSB guard, in front of Government Press at Maulana Azad Road. A number of people had gathered at the spot for participating in an auction. The grenade exploded, causing splinter injuries to two civilians, namely Ravi Kumar and Ashwani Kumar. |
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India can’t ignore Hurriyat: Lone NEW DELHI, May 26: Senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone today said the Vajpayee Government would not be able to solve the Kashmir problem by isolating the All Party Hurriyat Conference. In an interview to Doordarshan News channel s ‘Zero Hour’, to be telecast tomorrow, Mr Lone said the Hurriyat could play a significant role in the Kashmir peace process and the Centre could not ignore its existence. The Hurriyat was all the more relevant after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee s invitation to Pakistan s military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, he said adding that the Hurriyat had been trying to impress upon both countries that the people of Kashmir mattered. "The present situation belongs to us. If India and Pakistan are going to discuss things they will have to take note of the people of Kashmir. So we are a party," he added. Mr Lone described Mr Vajpayee s invitation to General Musharraf by as a "very good step" and welcome development since both India and Pakistan were in a tight spot. "They are neither in a position to go forward nor backward. Now some sort of beginning has been made and that will help in easing the situation." Mr Lone also disclosed that he had been interacting with General Musharraf on the peace process. He had urged the General to "go two steps forward with a counter-peace initiative if Mr Vajpayee comes one step forward." On its part, the Hurriyat would support it, he said. "Since we (the people of Kashmir) are on the receiving end, we will do all that is possible. India and Pakistan should come closer so that the dispute is resolved." "If you take individually Hurriyat leadership, they may not be that much great, but when put together as one unit, the people of Kashmir entirely trust them, and there is no other alternative to them. So if Hurriyat is taken seriously, it can greatly help in dispute resolution," he added. He also described the ceasefire as a "sham" used for propaganda at the international level. (UNI) |
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MUMBAI, May 26: An FIR has been filed against former City Police Commissioner R D Tyagi and 16 others in connection with a police firing that claimed nine lives during 1993 Mumbai riots after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. The FIR was filed by the Special Task Force (STF), appointed by the present Democratic Front Government, under Section 302 IPC (murder) and allied sections last everning, police sources here said. The State Government constituted the STF with K P Raghuvanshi as its chief for the implementation of Sri Krishna Commission report which was earlier rejected by the Sena-BJP alliance Government. The Commission report had referred to the firing incident in Suleman bakery in which nine people were killed. The report quoted Tyagi, who was the then Joint Commissioner of Police (crime) and heading a Special Operation Squad, as claiming that he ordered the firing in self defence since those inside the bakery were armed with sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifles. The Sri Krishna Commission, which probed the communal riots of 1992-93 and the subsequent serial bomb blasts of March 1993 in the aftermath of demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, had indicted the Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray among others. (PTI) |
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