Rs 60,000 spent on medicare of monkey’s victims
‘Romeo’ apprehended at last

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 16: Security personnel of SMGS Hospital at last succeeded in apprehending ‘Romeo monkey’, who has been creating panic in the hospital for the last about four months.

After four months long struggle, one of the securitymen of the SMGS Hospital today brought an end to panic of ‘Romeo monkey’ which has a record of biting more than 100 persons mostly nurses and children. The monkey seems to have grudge with females and children and maximum number of its victims were nurses of the hospital, female attendants and their children.

The ‘jungle raj’ of ‘Romeo monkey’ started four months back and at that time it used to bite three to four persons after four or five days but after sometime monkey started regularly biting females and children mostly nurses of the SMGS Hospital. The time of monkey’s operation was either in the morning or in evening and during afternoon time it remained missing.

A senior officer of the SMGS Hospital said that due to panic of the ‘Romeo monkey’, none of the occupants of the staff quarters dared to send their children or female members outside in morning and evening hours and added that two members of each family staying in the staff quarters have fallen victim to said monkey".

Even the staff members of the hospital, mostly females, had warned the hospital authorities of agitation if they failed to apprehend the monkey. "Due to the said monkey we have to bear the expenditure of around Rs 60,000 for the medicare of staff bitten by the monkey", Deputy Superintendent of the SMGS Hospital Dr Mohan Singh informed and said that "sometime attendants of the patients, who fall victim at the hands of monkey complain me at mid-night on phone".

After the situation went out of control the hospital authorities were forced to take action and they firstly contacted Wildlife Department. "Earlier, our repeated pleas to senior authorities of Wildlife Department fell on deaf ears as they (wildlife authorities) ignored our pleas", Dr Singh alleged and said that after senior authorities of SMGS personally met officers of Wildlife Department, they sent their team to capture `Romeo monkey’ but all in vain.

"We even approached Deputy Commissioner, Jammu but he refused to give permission regarding killing of money keeping in view sentiments of Hindu community", he said, adding "DC asked us to prepare any plan immediately to capture the monkey".

One of the security personnel of the SMGS Hospital Kirpal Singh, who happened to be a retired Army personnel, suggested a plan and took personal interest in apprehending the monkey. "We assured Kirpal Singh to give some monetary benefit and asked him to stay in hospital round the clock", Dr Singh further said, adding "yesterday Kirpal Singh got prepared a cage and placed the same on the spot where monkey used to come for eating".

Today morning, Kirpal Singh alongwith other security personnel succeeded in apprehending the monkey. "After the news of capture of monkey spread all the staff members of the hospital particularly nurses heaved a sigh of relief", Dr Singh said, adding "presently monkey has been kept in cage in hospital".

When asked, Dr Singh said that they were pleading the authorities of Wildlife Department to set free the monkey in some far-off place so that it could not come back. But Wildlife authorities were insisting on setting the monkey free after keeping it in cage for about two months. "We have decided to leave the monkey at Nandni keeping in view the apprehension of its coming back to hospital", Dr Singh disclosed.

3 civilians among 8 dead in Valley
5 militants killed in Beerwah

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: While as fierce exchange of gunfire occurred between militants and security forces at Bagatpora outskirts of Handwara this evening, in a massive combing operation, security forces today eliminated five militants, believed to be Pakistani nationals, in Magam-Beerwah belt of Budgam district. Militants have killed three civilians at different places in Kashmir valley since last evening.

According to official sources, Police and security forces launched a massive combing operation in Magam-Beerwah belt of Budgam district after receiving repeated inputs that several groups of armed militants have been making daytime movement in a number of villages. Budgam Police, SOG Baramulla, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 02 Bn, RR 29 Bn, RR 34 Bn, RR 35 Bn and BSF 194 Bn fanned out in over a dozen villages and did not allow any civilian movement. Cherhar, Razwen, Mulshulla, Hanji Lawaypora, Mirpore, Wuhangam, Malpora, Watalpora and other villages of Rathsun area were subjected to a thorough search operation which continued for several hours.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR that troops of RR 34 Bn swooped on a militant hideout at Wuhangam but all the four militants, who were present in the village, had already left. Later in the day, troops noticed movement of two groups of militants in open area at Mulshulla and Hanji Lawaypora. Militants made unsuccessful attempts to escape but were engaged in gunbattles and killed. While as one militant died at Mulshulla, four more got killed at Hanji Lawaypora. Five AK-56 rifles, 5 grenades, one pistol, one binocular, one wireless set and two diaries were recovered from their possession. There was no civilian casualty. Sources claimed that troops did not suffer any damage.

On the basis of the documents recovered, Police claimed that all the five militants killed in the operation were Pakistani cadres of Jaish-e-Mohammad, Al-Badar and Lashkar-e-Toiba. Police sources identified the Jaish militants as Tayyab, Farhan and Saajid while as the one Al-Badar militant was identified as Payyam. However, a Defence spokesman identified them as Sajid of Doda, Farhan, Talib (of Jaish) and Mohammad Yusuf of Al-Badar.

Sources in north Kashmir said that this evening militants and security forces clashed at a formation of RR 21 Bn at Bagatpora outskirts of Handwara town. Both sides locked horns with heavy gunfire on each other at Bajrang Post but it could not be ascertained immediately whether there was any casualty. Exchange of fire continued for about an hour.

Reports from south Kashmir said that militants gunned down a civilian, namely Ashoor Wagay S/o Rishi Wagay at Baghbal, Damhal Hanjipora, in Kulgam area during last night.

Last evening again, militants intruded into the house of Bashir Ahmed Dar S/o Mohammad Ismail Dar at Nayidyar Rainawari in the capital city and shot dead a former militant, Manzoor Ahmed Ganai S/o Nizam-ud-din Ganai of Narsingh Naar, Kokernag.

Last evening, militants had also ambushed and shot dead a militant-turned-tailor, Mohammad Ashraf Khan S/o Ghulam Ahmed Khan R/o Laman Takiya, Chewa, at Nagmulla in Safapora area.

Last evening, unidentified persons lobbed a hand grenade towards the house of one Ghulam Nabi Parray S/o Mohammad Ramzan Parray at Parraypora in Bagat Barzulla area of the capital city, causing minor damage to the house. Parray is reportedly Chairman of Salfia School and SSM College which has remained in news for an internecine rift between two academic functionaries.

Reports from north Kashmir said that two Army personnel sustained injuries when their vehicle ran over a landmine at Guhalta in Uri sector, close to LoC.

Credible evidence of top Laden aide killed
Mullah agrees to leave Kandahar within 24 hrs

ISLAMABAD, Nov 16: Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar has agreed to leave Kandahar withing 24 hours, Afghan Islamic Press reports.

An AFP report quoting Pakistan-based AIP said Omar’s order was given after consultations lasting several days with other Taliban military commanders and close associates.

Kandahar has been heavily bombed by US warplanes since air strikes started on October 7.

Omar has agreed to leave Kandahar and turn the city over to two local Pashtun leaders, AIP said.

Under the deal, control of the city will pass to Mullah Naqibullah and Haji Basher, two former commanders of Afghan resistance forces in the war against Soviet invaders who are not members of the Taliban.

Bashar is close to Yunus Khalis, a Pashtun leader who took over the northeastern city of Jalalabad this week.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Atef, a top deputy of Osama bin Laden accused of helping plan the Sept 11 terror attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Centre is believed to have been killed by a US airstrike in the last two days, US officials said today in Washington.

"This guy was bin Laden’s military specialist since the early 1990s, widely thought to be bin Laden’s successor in the event of his death," said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The airstrike took place near Kabul, the Afghan capital, said the official, who added US Intelligence has credible evidence Atef was killed. But another official said Atef’s body has not been located.

Atef, an Egyptian, has been indicted for involvement in the US embassy bombings in Africa in 1998.

The death of bin Laden’s operational planner is expected to hurt the ability of the Al-Qaeda network to launch terrorist attacks. The group’s members are being pursued in Afghanistan by US special forces and rebels opposed to the Taliban regime.

Earlier this year, Atef’s daughter married bin Laden’s son. TV footage of the wedding was broadcast on an Arab satellite station in January.

The focus of the US campaign in Afghanistan has shifted more toward tracking down bin Laden and Al-Qaeda leaders, who are thought to be hiding in southern Afghanistan where the Taliban still retain some control. Along with spiritual advisor Aymanal-Zawahiri, Atef was said to be one of bin Laden’s top two lieutenants.

Pentagon officials have said some senior Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders have been killed in recent days, but have offered no names.

The State Department was offering a 5 million dollar reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of Atef.

In October 1999, the FBI charged Atef and other Al-Qaeda members in a conspiracy to murder US nationals. The indictment pointed to the Aug 7, 1998, bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania as being part of the conspiracy.

Atef, who is also known as Sobhi-al-Sitta and Abu Hafas el-Masry, is believed to be a former Egyptian police officer. His affiliation with bin Laden dates back to the early 1980s, when he helped bin Laden recruit fighters for the Afghan war with the Soviet Union.

He later helped establish Al-Qaeda and took charge of its security. He was principally responsible for operational planning and terrorist training for Al-Qaeda members.

The British Government says Atef traveled to Somalia several times in 1992 and 1993 to organise violence against US and UN troops then stationed in that African nation. On each occasion he reported back to bin Laden, who was based at the time in Khartoum, Sudan.

Atef was the commander of the military wing of the international front for fighting jews and crusades, which was formed by the 1998 merger of bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda group with Islamic Jihad of Egypt and two Pakistani militant groups and a Bangladesh unit.

Meanwhile, ignoring appeals from the Islamic world to cease bombing Afghanistan in the holy month of Ramzan, which began today, US war planes pounded the Taliban bastion of Kandahar destroying the militia’s foreign ministry building and a mosque even as American and British troops landed in the war-torn country.

Fighting raged around the northern city of Kunduz where several thousand militiamen and Al Qaeda fighters were holding out against opposition forces’ onslaught and US airstrikes.

Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported that heavy US bombing of Kandahar last night and today destroyed Taliban foreign ministry building and a mosque in the eastern part of the city.

It claimed 11 civilians were killed and 25 injured in US bombing.

Reports reaching here said the Taliban were digging in and building new defensive positions to defend Kandahar, the base of the militia supremo Mullah Mohammad Omar.

Northern Alliance forces have laid a siege to the northern city of Kunduz and were engaged in fierce fighting with an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 foreigners, mostly Arabs and Pakistanis, loyal to Osama bin Laden.

Six British C-130 aircraft and two from the US landed at Bagram airport for the first time after opposition forces captured Kabul earlier this week, carrying 160 soldiers including Britain’s 100 elite Royal marines.

The French Defence Ministry also announced that a group of 60 troops would leave for Uzbekistan en route to northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif to establish a base for coalition humanitarian operations.

Northern Alliance, which took over Kabul without a fight earlier this week, said there have also been popular uprisings in the eastern provinces of Laghman, Logar, Kunar and Nangahar and that the Taliban have abadnoned the central province of Uruzgan.

Taliban have withdrawn from the eastern city of Jalalabad, said to be the hub of Al Qaeda’s terrorist training.

US special forces have begun searching potential weapons of mass destruction sites in Afghanistan, but so far have made no substantial finds, the commander of the US military campaign said.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld also said yesterday they were checking a report by a journalist of ‘The Times’ daily who said he stumbled on a trove of partly burnt documents with detailed designs of missiles, bombs and nuclear weapons in a hastily abandoned safehouse in Kabul.

"We saw it. We’re checking it," Rumsfeld told reporters in Washington with army General Tommy Franks, the commander of the US campaign in Afghanistan.

Franks said a list of potential weapons of mass destruction sites have been drawn up from all the US intelligence feeds over the last two or three months.

"Now we are about the business of checking those sites out as they fall under our control," he said. "We have no substantial findings at this point."

US officials said Northern Alliance forces in Kabul had captured some senior Al Qaeda and Taliban leaders but bin Laden or Omar were not among them. They said the US would be extremely interested in any intelligent information that can lead to Laden’s whereabouts.

US air raids earlier this week on Kabul and Kandahar killed several Al Qaeda and Taliban leaders, US officials said.

According to them, 50 to 60 per cent of Afghanistan is now under some form of opposition control but Taliban remained a credible fighting force.

Even as Pakistan began deploying 1,000 extra troops along a sensitive stretch of its border with Afghanistan, reports from Peshawar said fighters from Taliban army beaten in Afghanistan are taking refuge in tribal zones across the border in Pakistan, taking more than their guns.

Abdul Samad Momand, one of the opposition commanders who took part in the seizing of four provinces in eastern Afghanistan from the Taliban, said that supporters of the ousted Taliban regime had managed to cross the frontier.

He accused the Governor of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan of taking refuge in Pakistan with money from the local State Bank.

Pakistan moved to deploy the extra troops along the border amid fears that Taliban fighters might try to sneak into the country.

The reinforcements will be backed by six tanks sent yesterday to the area around Chaman — the main border crossing close to the southwestern city of Quetta. (Agencies)

SHO survives, two PSOs hurt
Deserter SPO killed in encounter with police

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 16: A Special Police Officer (SPO), who deserted his post in Supwal on Tuesday and gunned down his sister-in-law (bhabhi) the next day at Bari Barahamana, was killed in an encounter with police at village Badhwal under the jurisdiction of Vijaypur police station this morning.

Kuldeep Raj son of Lekhi Ram, a resident of Badhwal, Vijaypur was reportedly planning to eliminate his brother Dalip Kumar (husband of slain woman Rita Devi) and Incharge police post Supwal besides two others but was killed in a swift operation by Vijaypur police at 0800 hours today.

Police said they got a tip off that accused SPO Kuldeep Kumar was hiding in a forest area of Badhwal alongwith his service weapon SLR, with which he had escaped from Supwal on Tuesday night. A police party from Vijaypur police station led by SHO Inspector Kamaljit Singh rushed to Badhwal and laid a cordon.

Observing the movement of police, Kuldeep Kumar took position in an abandoned hut of Gujjars and opened firing on the cops with his SLR. Two Personal Security Officers (PSOs) of Kamaljit Singh were injured in the firing. The SHO had a narrow escape in the shoot-out.

Police jawans retaliated killing Kuldeep Kumar.

The injured PSOs identified as Purshotam Kumar and Amandeep Singh has been admitted to Medical College hospital. Their condition was stated to be stable. The operation starting 0700 hours lasted for an hour.

The sources said the SPO was given several chances to surrender but he ignored all appeals and insisted that his mission was still ‘incomplete. They quoted the SPO as saying that he had to kill four more persons including his brother Dalip Kumar, Incharge police post Supwal and two others.

A SLR with three magazines, used by Kuldeep Kumar in killing his bhabhi on the occasion of Diwali festival and subsequent encounter with police, was recovered from his possession.

Body of Kuldeep Kumar, 21, was sent to Medical College hospital for post-mortem and later handed over to his family.

It may be reported that Kuldeep Kumar had deserted the place of his posting in a naka at Supwal on Tuesday night alongwith his service weapon. On Wednesday morning, he gunned down his ‘bhabhi’ Rita Devi wife of Dalip Kumar inside a residential quarter at Rama Krishna Flour Mill in Bari Barahamana.

He was absconding since then.

Police said the reasons behind SPO taking such an extreme step were being ascertained. However, his relatives told police that both brothers Kuldip Kumar and Dalip Kumar were not in good terms.

Investigations were being carried out in the case.

Northern Alliance rejects Pak formula

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: With the unceremonious ouster of the Taliban from Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Northern Alliance has hardened its attitude towards supporters and allies of the Taliban.

Taking advantage of the support from several countries, the Northern Alliance has turned down Pakistan President and military ruler, Gen. Parvez Musharraf’s formula favouring deployment of UN or any other peacekeeping forces in Afghanistan.

A message, in this connection, became loud and clear when Northern Alliance Ambassador to India, Mr Masood Khalili, explained in New Delhi that considering the fact that there was no political vacuum in Afghanistan, the question of having UN forces in his country did not arise.

Arguing that President, Mr Burhanuddin Rabbani, has duly been recognised by the United Nations, Mr Masood Khalili said in a media interview: "There is no need for United Nations or any other peacekeeping forces in Kabul as our forces are already there". Even as Mr Khalili pointed out that his country was open to "all kinds of proposals", he declared that there was no need for outside presence in Afghanistan.

While reiterating his stout opposition to Gen. Musharraf’s proposal about posting peacekeeping forces from Muslim countries, Mr Masood Khalili remarked: "God knows what will happen if the UN peacekeeping forces are there". In fact, Northern Alliance’s strong reservations vis-à-vis Pak President’s role were illustrated by Mr Khalili’s cryptic comment: "We are suspicious of anything coming from Gen. Musharraf".

Voicing bitter opposition against Islamabad, Mr Khalili, who is considered to be a key figure in the Northern Alliance, also reiterated that Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) had created the Taliban and had created chaos for the people of Afghanistan. Mr Khalili, while expressing dissatisfaction over Pakistan’s "lies", remarked: "That country is dangerous".

Exuding confidence that Northern Alliance forces would remain in Kabul until the security situation "is good", Mr Khalili pointed out that the immediate military tasks before the opposition forces were to set up security belts for Kabul to ensure that the Taliban were not able to infiltrate from the east and the south, and to prevent them from re-grouping. He divulged that there was no immediate plan to attack Taliban bases in the south. "We want to wait for natural uprisings of the Pashtuns against the Taliban", he said.

Even as Mr Khalili made a pointed reference to the "full support" for the Northern Alliance from Iran, India and Russia, he let it be known that it was for the people to decide their future. Mr Khalili was not particularly enamoured of deposed King Zahir Shah. In fact, Mr Khalili pointed out that King Zahir Shah "is too old" to play an effective role and could at best be a "symbolic personality".

Meanwhile, at a time when the six-plus-two group tackling the Afghan crisis had shot into prominence, the UN special envoy for Afghanistan, Mr Lakhdar Brahimi, injected a new element into the situation by his suggestion to revive the Group of 21 nations to help chart the future strategy for the conflict-stricken region. He, obviously, wanted the Group of 21 to replace the more narrowly focused six-plus-two group.

The six-plus-two group comprises Afghanistan’s six neighbours, namely, Pakistan, China, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, besides Russia and the USA. Mr Brahimi had recently described the group as "useless".

At a time when voices had been raised in support of India’s participation in any exercise aimed at charting the future strategy and set-up for Afghanistan, the suggestion to revive the Group of 21 nations assumed significance. The Group of 21 consists of India, Pakistan, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Britain, the US and Uzbekistan.

Cong(I) CMs oppose POTO

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: The battle between Congress and Government on the issue of POTO hotted up tonight with a meeting of Congress Chief Ministers coming out strongly against the controversial legislation and expressing readiness to review similar legislations in the states.

The nearly three-hour meeting, convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, heard the Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Karnataka saying they were open to suggestions for any changes in the "harsh features" of similar laws enacted by them to tackle organised crime in the two states.

"Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) is anti-democratic, suffers from serious legal infirmities and is liable to abuse", the meeting said in a resolution strongly opposing the measure.

The meeting was held a day before a conference of the Chief Ministers convened by the Prime Minister to ascertain the views of the states on POTO and some other matters. It came just two days before the Winter session of Parliament where the controversial legislation is sought to be brought by Government for approval. The resolution sought to blame the Government for promulgating the POTO ordinance "without consulting political parties and in the absence of any urgency".

Besides, it pointed out that the Government had committed itself at the Chief Minister’s conference held in August, 2000 to a larger consultative process with political parties evolving a consensus for enacting a legislation to effectively deal with terrorism.

Stating that combating terrorism was the need of the hour, the party, however, said a larger consultative process involving all political parties was necessary to put in place an appropriate legislation.

Briefing reporters, party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy suggested that amendments in the controversial legislation would not help as "it is much too flawed to be reformed". "It is thrust upon the country in a politically motivated way. It is much too flawed to be reformed", he added. Reddy said Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh told the meeting that so far the State Government had not received any complaints about misuse of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MOCCA). "If there are difficulties, he will take a view in consultation with coalition partners", Deshmukh said.

Echoing similar feelings, Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna said the concerned law in the State was enacted in the wake of the Veerappan episode. "We will have an open mind in regard to suggestions dealing with harsh features", Krishna said.

The Congress spokesman faulted POTO for being "too loose and sweeping" definition of terrorism to lend it any credibility.

He also denied any divergence of opinion among the Chief Ministers of party-ruled states.

Beside the Chief Ministers, the meeting, presided over by Gandhi, was attended by AICC general secretaries Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, deputy leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Shiv Raj Patil, senior party leader N D Tiwari, Pranab Mukherjee, H R Bhardwaj and Kapil Sibal. (PTI)

80 killed in Jammu were south Kashmir teenagers?
High alert to foil Osama infiltration

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Security forces all along the Line of Control (LoC) have been put on high alert to prevent any possible attempts by Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda lieutenants to infiltrate into Kashmir valley.

According to highly-placed official sources, Osama’s patrons in Pakistan’s ISI may facilitate the world’s most wanted guerrilla chief’s safe exit from Kandahar. There were, in fact, reports that the Al-Qaeda supremo had already arrived in Pakistan. Since Osama’s presence in Pakistan would land that country in trouble, militancy torn Kashmir could emerge as the only guerrilla haven to accommodate Al-Qaeda. In that case, Pakistan would not only escape the brunt of the world opinion for sheltering the alleged architect of the September 11 terrorist attacks in America, but it would also rejuvenate guerrilla warfare in Kashmir.

Sources disclosed to EXCELSIOR that immediately after reports of Osama’s reaching Pakistan, a state of high alert was ordered on the entire LoC. Area from Machhil sector to Bugna in Keran sector and Nowshera sector in Rajouri-Poonch belt has been assessed as the most probable infiltration route.

Meanwhile, pall of gloom has descended in several south Kashmir localities in Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag after receiving reports that "80 militants" ,claimed to have been killed by security forces in Poonch and Rajouri on LoC during last three weeks, were all teenagers of these areas. Almost all of them in the age group of 14 to 19 years, had been reported as "missing" by parents. It has now become clear that they had been indoctrinated by functionaries of two Pakistan-based organisations and were being taken to PoK for subversive training when they fell in the trap of security forces in Jammu division. Parents allege that all of them have been captured and eliminated in custody as "infiltrating militants".

Reports from Jammu said that only 13 of the teenagers escaped death as they had been arrested by Police at two different places.

Rather for restoration of J&K’s autonomy

Excelsior Correspondent

New Delhi, Nov 16: Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather has strongly pleaded for restoration of autonomy to the State as guaranteed under Article 370 of the Constitution of India. Mr. Rather was speaking in the 7th meeting of the Inter-State Council held at New Delhi today.

He said Parliament should have power to make laws for the State only in respect of those matters in the Union list which correspond to the matters specified in the instrument of Accession. The State had acceded to the Indian Union only in respect of three subjects viz Defence, External Affairs and Communication. Parliament could, therefore legislate for the State only on matters which fall under these subjects or which are ancillary thereto, he added.

The Minister said that it was left to the Constitutent Assembly of the State to determine as to what additional powers would it confer on the Union. Since the Constituent Assembly has since met and dispersed no further provision of the Indian Constitution could be extended to the State with the concurrence of the State Government. The concurring power of the State Government was purely an interim arrangement and lapsed on the day the Constituent Assembly of the State met. He pleaded that the Constitution (Application to J&K) orders issued after dispersal of the Constituent Assembly should be withdrawn and autonomy as guaranteed by the founding fathers of the Constitution restored in its pristine form.

Regarding the mode of appointment of the Governors, Mr. Rather said that it should be an elected office. He said that the Government of India had agreed in the Delhi Agreement of 1952 that the State of J&K should have an elected Head of the State. Accordingly, the State had an elected Sadar-e-Riyasat right upto 1965 when the constitution of the State was amended and the institution of Governor introduced in place of Sadar-e-Riyasat. He argued that status-quo ante 1965 be restored in this regard.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee and attended among others by Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani,. Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, Human Resource Development Minister, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Law Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley and Chief Ministers of various States. Apart from the Finance Minister, Mr. Rather, the State Government was represented by the Law Minister, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, State Resident Commissioner, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and Law Secretary Mr. Akhtar Kochak.

Robbers strike in Minister’s house

MUMBAI, Nov 16: Gold ornaments, Rs 20,000 cash and other valuables including a video camera were stolen by robbers from the residence of Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik here last night.

Some unidentified miscreants broke into the Jaiprakashnagar residence of Naik in suburban Goregaon last night and decamped with the booty, investigating officer Hemant Gosavi told PTI today.

The burglars also took away mementoes and artefacts, Gosavi said.

Naik’s family members were away in New Delhi to celebrate Diwali when the robbers barged into the BJP leader’s house.

The Union Minister’s daughter Vishakha Kulkarni has rushed to the metropolis following the incident.

Police have launched a manhunt to nab the culprits.

Few years ago, during Naik’s tenure as an MP, his Ashoka Road residence in Delhi was burgled. (PTI)

Unified Hqrs review situation

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 16: Unified Headquarters that met here under the chairmanship of GOC Hq 16 Corps Lt Gen JBS Yadava, discussed the overall security scenario in Jammu province.

The meeting observed that with the shifting of Darbar to Jammu and terrorists trying to make their presence felt, possibility of attacks cannot be ruled out. Besides, the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) could now focus on Jammu, it was apprehended.

The meeting stressed the need for greater functional coordination between various wings of the security forces working in the region. It was further stressed that no efforts be spared to thwart all such designs of the enemy.

The meeting was among others attended by Principal Secretary Home Mr C Phunsog, Director General Police A K Suri, IG Police , Mr R V Raju, IG BSF, Mr Vijay Raman, IG CRPF, Mr S C Kukreja, IG Crime and Railways, Mr Masood Choudhary and Divisional Commissioner, Mr Anil Goswami.

India’s entry embarrasses Pak

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: India’s inclusion in the Group of 21 countries set up by the United Nations to finalise strategy and policy on Afghanistan is a great embarrassment to Pakistan which made every attempt to block New Delhi’s entry into it.

India’s special envoy on Afghanistan S K Lambah has already reached New York to take part in the meeting which will finalise a broad framework on the future set-up of the war-ravaged Afghanistan.

Pakistan tried its best to prevent India’s entry into the group, but their pleas were rejected by the UN because of the prominent position of India in the international arena.

Meanwhile, India today said it wanted a broad-based, multi-ethnic Government in Afghanistan to replace the Talibans.

"We are looking forward to a broad-based and multi-ethnic Government which looks at the interests of minorities and women," a Foreign office spokesperson said.

"We all have to look at what the Afghan people want. We are approaching this with an open mind. This is really not a juncture for us to pre-empt or stake out a specific position," he added. (UNI)

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