Taliban's conditional offer to surrender Kunduz

ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: Taliban forces holed up in the besieged northern town of Kunduz today offered conditional surrender even as US war planes continued pounding Taliban frontlines in north, east and south of Afghanistan amid intensive efforts to set up an interim Government in the country.

In the Taliban southern stronghold Kandahar, the militia appeared to be still in control amidst reports that Pashtun tribal leaders were trying to negotiate a peaceful handover of the city.

At least 37 people were killed and several wounded in Shamshad town of Nangarhar province in US strikes overnight and today, Afghan Islamic Press said.

With Kunduz remaining surrounded by Northern Alliance forces and facing continued US bombing raids, Taliban Commander Mullah Dadullah told BBC that his forces which included Pakistani and Arab fighters were prepared to leave the city but only if they were guaranteed safe passage.

Another militia commander Mullah Fazil said "we have authorised the Governor of the province to take necessary steps in this respect but made it clear that Taliban would under no circumstances surrender to rival Northern Alliance.

"We don’t trust them," Pakistani daily `Dawn’ quoted him as saying by satellite phone from Kunduz.

Fazil also claimed that more than 1,000 have been killed by US strikes around Kunduz over the weekend. The international drive to set up an interim administration gained momentum with the arrival in Kabul of a Russian delegation and discussions in Uzbekistan between US envoy James Dobbins and Northern Alliance Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah.

The prospect of an inter-Afghan forum was given a boost after Northern Alliance relented in its demand that the talks should only take place in Afghan capital Kabul.

UN special envoy to Afghanistan Fransesc Vendrell who is in Kabul holding talks with Northern Alliance leaders including former president Burhanuddin Rabbani said he was hopeful an agreement could now be reached on a future Afghan Government.

"One reason why I am optimistic this time is that not only are we learning from past experiences but also the international community is fully committed to provide rehabilitation and reconstruction," Guardian newspaper quoted him as saying in Kabul.

Vendrell sought Pashtun support for a post-Taliban coalition in Afghanistan as the Tajik-dominated Northern Alliance agreed for an all-party summit in a neutral country possibly later this week.

Former Afghan King Mohammad Zahir Shah welcomed Northern Alliance decision to participate in the meeting on power-sharing arrangements.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher held talks in Islamabad with Pakistan counterpart on plans for formation of a broad-based Government.

Iran reopened its consulate in the Afghan city of Herat, closed since May four because of attacks by Taliban. (PTI)

Medical College, other hospitals virtually privatised
Govt shuts GMC doors for poor, slaps
massive surgery charges

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Nov 19: The State Government has virtually ordered privatisation of Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and associated hospitals by introducing massive charges on all surgeries and tests with immediate effect creating a turmoil among the patients.

"The charges levied for the surgeries are very nearly equal to the fee being taken by the private hospitals of Jammu. The introduction of hefty charges in one go will mean curtains for poor patients of the region in Government hospitals", a senior doctor remarked.

A notification to this effect numbered 783/HME of 2001 reached Medical College hospital yesterday. It was signed by Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education and had the approval of State cabinet, official sources said. Immediately after receipt of the notice, Medical College authorities ordered enforcement of the Government order and issued necessary directions to all concerned officials.

According to the order, the lung surgery (labectomy, pneumonectomy, decortication and hydatid lung), which used to be conducted free of cost hitherto, will now cast Rs 5000 to a patient in Medical Colleges of the State.

Similarly, Chest Wall Resection, Esophageal, Diaph and Mediastimal tumour surgeries will also cost Rs 5000 each. In addition to this, the patients will have to bear the expenses of all consumable items required for the surgeries, the order said.

More harsh are the rates slapped on the patients of Cardio thorapic and vascular surgery. CABG + IABP cardiac surgery will cost Rs 45,000 in Medical College. The amount is short by just few thousands of rupees from a best cardiac hospital in New Delhi, a doctor said.

Asc and Ao replacement and Complex Cong Anomalies/repair will cost Rs 25,000 each while CABG + valve treatment and CABG will cost Rs 22,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively. Rs 20,000 will be charged for Fontan’s operation while Rs 15,000 will be levied for TOF repair. VSD repair will cost Rs 12,000 to a patient while ASD repair and Atrial Septostomy will cost Rs 10,000 each.

Charges fixed for other Cardiac surgeries included Rs 12,000 for Single Valve Replacement, Rs 15,000 for Double Valve Replacement, Rs 10,000 for Coarc Ao repair, Rs 6,000 for B T Shunt and Rs 5,000 each for CMV, PDA Ligation and Pericardiectomy.

In Vascular surgery, By-pass grafts will cost Rs 15,000, Ao.Aneurysm repair Rs 1,000 and Embolectomy and Peripheral Vas. Surgery Rs 4,000 each.

"With imposition of these charges, there will be a very little difference left in the rates of Government and private hospitals especially in Thoracic surgeries", an official in the Medical College asserted.

Doctors in the hospital admitted that this will put a massive burden on the patients. Majority of the people coming to Medical College hospital for treatment belonged to middle or lower classes of society and it may not be possible for them to pay such a hefty amount for the surgeries, they asserted.

Authorities in Medical College and its associated hospitals anticipated a backlash from the patients and other people of Jammu. "We expect trouble in the next few days when we start imposing charges on the patients. Already there was a turmoil among patients, who have been told of the levies imposed on their treatment by the State Government", they said.

Insiders in the Medical College were of the view that charges of the surgeries were, infact, suggested to the Government by some doctors. "It was virtually a ploy of some doctors to encourage their private practice. With rates of operations almost similar in Government and private hospitals, the people will definitely prefer the latter due to more convenient atmosphere and sympathetic staff", they opined.

Moreover, they pointed out, it might not be feasible for the patients coming in from far flung villages of Udhampur, Doda and other districts to pay an amount ranging between Rs 10,000 to Rs 45,000 for the surgeries.

Authorities noted with concern that no provision has been kept in the Government order to waive off the charges in exceptional cases like poorest of the poor patients. "Can we expect a labourer to pay Rs 45,000 for CABG + IABP surgery in Cardio or Rs 5,000 for a lung surgery"? they asked and asserted ‘the order clearly means that Government has shut down the doors of Government hospitals for poor people’.

In Cardiology section, the Government has slapped charges of Rs 10,000 each for Directional Atherectomy, Rotablition and Coronary Angiography while a levy of Rs 5,000 each has been imposed for Mitral Pulmonary and Aortic Balloon Valotomy, Coarct Angioplasty, Balloon Septostomy and dual chamber Pacemaker Plantation. Single Chamber Pacemaker Plantion will cost Rs 3,000. Pacemaker Plantation was earlier being carried out free in Medical College.

Electrophysiological Studies, Cardiac Cath (Rt. and Lt. Heart) and Coronary Angiography will cost Rs 3,000 each. The Government have also increased the charges of Treadmil Exercise Test (TET) from Rs 50 to Rs 300, Echocardiography from Rs 50 to Rs 200 and ECG from Rs 15 to Rs 30.

Plain MRI will cost Rs 2500 in Medical College while plain MRI with contract will cost Rs 5000 to adults and Rs 4000 to children. Additional clinical studies like MRA and MRS will cost an extra of Rs 1200. According to a Radiologist, the rates were less by just Rs 1000 of private hospital charges.

For Spiral CT Scan, the Government have fixed Rs 900 for CT head (Plain), Rs 1300 for CT head (plain with contrast), Rs 1500 for CT abdomen/spine and Rs 500 for additional clinical studies like virtual endoscopy, MIP 3D, CT Angio.

However, in MRI and CT Scan investigations, the Government have kept a provision of free tests for patients of road accidents, unknown/unconscious, patients without any attendant, poor, bullet and blast injury cases.

The Government have also sanctioned creating of a ‘Revolving Fund in the Hospitals’ to which 75 per cent of rates, thus charged following implementation of the order, will be credited for running and maintainance of the sophisticated machinery and equipments.

The balance 25 per cent of the rates will be credited to the Government.

No leniency towards terrorism: PM

NEW DELHI, Nov 19: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said the right of the community to security should override the freedom of operation of the terrorist, whatever his excuse.

Speaking at the presentation of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace and Development to UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mary Robinson, by President K R Narayanan here, he said India had lost tens of thousands of lives to bigotry and extremism in the last two decades.

"Unfortunately, it took the additional calamity of September 11 to convince the world that leniency towards terrorism anywhere threatens the liberty, security, progress and prosperity of societies everywhere," Vajpayee said, adding "never again should we put the safety of any society at risk by giving terrorists any quarter. The right of the community to security should override the freedom of operation of the terrorist, whatever his excuse."

The speech assumes significance in the context of the Government’s move to enact the controversial POTO which has come for severe criticism from opposition parties which have expressed apprehensions that it was "too harsh" and would be "misused".

Recalling the "brutal human rights atrocity" of September 11 attack in New York and Washington, the Prime Minister said "the free world has rejected this pernicious message, and has rightly launched a campaign against its messengers. It will be a long and difficult campaign, requiring close cooperation and determined political will of the international community, to destroy elaborate networks which have been built, supported and encouraged by some countries".

Recalling the September 11 episode, Vajpayee said the perpetrators of these barbaric acts exploited the openness of a free, multicultural society to deliver a message of hate, bigotry and extremism.

Turning to Afghanistan, he said the establishment of a stable, democratic and secular regime in that country would be the most fitting reply to the terrorists who conceived and masterminded destruction from the soil of that country.

"It would further the noble cause of international peace and development, which we recognise through the Indira Gandhi prize," he said.

The Prime Minister said India’s pledging 100 million dollars towards rehabilitation and reconstruction effort in post-conflict Afghanistan was only a beginning and "massive external funding will be required."

Vajpayee said the international community was also today staring at a monumental task of humanitarian assistance.

"As a war-ravaged Afghanistan eventually limps back to normalcy, the restoration of infrastructure and the provision of basic amenities in the country will become urgent tasks," he said.

The Prime Minister said the four million Afghan refugees, who have fled their country over the past two decades, should be encouraged to return with some guarantee of physical and economic security.

"Otherwise, the economic strains and social tensions of a continuing refugee situation can create fresh political instability in the region," he said. (PTI)

Delhi alerts security forces in J&K
Intercepts reveal dangerous gameplan

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Nov 19: The Government of India has called for a "greater vigil" by the police and border guards in Jammu and Kashmir and "appropriate" measures by all security and intelligence agencies against infiltration of foreign militants into the Indian territory from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.

A similar directive has been sent to some other States, particularly Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. The Centre’s call for the intensification of anti-infiltration measures has, obviously, been the outcome of the radio intercepts, in the past three days, that clearly suggest the involvement of Pakistani agencies, particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in efforts to ensure large-scale infiltration of foreign militants into India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir.

Some "frightening" expressions used in the intercepted messages have led the Government to highlight the need to ensure long-range patrolling in vulnerable areas along the Line of Control, particularly in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu region.

And that the new gameplan can be dangerous has been explained by one of the radio intercepts. It revealed in unmistakable terms: "Hum nayee fauj Bharati samraj kay khilaaf bhaij rahe hein. Yeh fauj Afghanistan say rawaana ho chuki hai (we are sending a new army to fight Indian imperialism. This army has started its march from Afghanistan)".

The story of radio intercepts was briefly revealed to EXCELSIOR at a time when a set of intelligence inputs, received by the Government of India, had revealed that the well-knit anti-India lobby in Pakistan wanted to push foreign militants into the Indian territory not only through the LoC in J&K but also via the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan and Gujarat, Indo-Bangladesh border and Indo-Nepal border.

These militants could be Taliban and Arabs, who, after the capture of Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, by the Northern Alliance troops, have started going to spread out in droves, with weapons, to all neighbouring regions. Incidentally, a well-known Pakistani publication, The News, has warned: "Governments around Afghanistan have to gear up to this threat as it may take any shape, any dimension and any intensity".

As the Taliban militia are under tremendous pressure to quit major parts of Afghanistan, a question which has engaged the attention of various security organisations in India is: Where will these armed fighters go? A Majority of them, as is generally felt, will like to sneak into Pakistan.

And Pakistan will not hesitate to encourage many of them to sneak into the Indian territory through different routes. Significantly, the Pakistani publication has stated in its editorial: "The raw students who left the madrassas in Pakistan five years ago are no longer immature, misguided children. They are now trained fighters who will roam around as headless chickens, an impression Mullah Omar himself conveyed in his desperate last message. Those who created the Taliban must now learn some hard lessons of such misadventures and prepare to ‘welcome’ these chickens, coming home to roost".

According to intelligence specialists, Islamabad-the ISI, to be precise-will not allow the new army of Taliban and Arabs to stay put in Pakistan after the complete rout of Taliban in Afghanistan. Steps, these specialists point out, are already afoot to engineer infiltration of most of these foreign fighters into India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir and Muslim-majority pockets in the country’s northeastern region.

The ISI is already known to be molly-coddling the radical Islamist parties in Pakistan as well as in Jammu and Kashmir. It is, in this context, that steps have been favoured to tone up the striking skills of local mujahideen in J&K by pushing fresh batches of foreign militants into the Indian territory from across the LoC.

Over 160 local youths kidnapped at gun point
Concept of ‘Jehad’ exposed

By Dinesh Manhotra

JAMMU, Nov 19: Even as the concept of ‘Jehad’ is very much exposed before Kashmiri masses, the pan-Islamic terrorist groups have now intensified forcible recruitment of local youth to characterize on-going blood-shed as local movement. For the last one month foreign mercenaries, active in the Kashmir valley and Doda district, have reportedly kidnapped more than 160 local youth and took them to the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to train them in subversive activities.

Highly placed defence sources said "for the last three months not even a single local youth has joined rank and file of terrorist out-fits voluntarily but forcible recruitment has been going on unabated".

Atrocities committed by the foreign terrorists on the innocent people, including women and children, have forced the local youth to rethink about their role in committing these heinous acts, which have been dubbed as ‘Jehad’ by pan-Islamic groups. Defence sources said that Pakistan’s decision to ditch Muslim Taliban to offer support to United States of America (USA) has been viewed as back-stabbing by the general masses. People have to some extent realized that Jehad is nothing but a gimmick of Pakistan to exploit local Muslim youth in the name of Islam. Pointing towards the interrogation report of some terrorists, who had joined Jehad to fight for Islam, defence sources said that after Pakistan’s support to USA, terrorists have now realized that national interests were important than religion for Pakistan.

"There is a thinking among terrorists that if Pakistan, the so-called leader of Muslim nations, can back-stab the cause of Islam for its own national interest why they should unnecessarily sacrifice their own lives", sources said.

Sources said that disenchantment was high among local youth and they were steadily and consciously side-lining terrorism but Afghanistan episode has given then a chance to openly oppose the concept of Jehad. "Anger and resentment among local youth can be gauged from the fact that for the last two months a good number of Kashmiri youth have attended recruitment rallies organised by the various security forces", the sources said and added that foreign mercenaries have changed their strategy following refusal of the local youth to join terrorist out-fits.

"Terrorists are not only kidnapping youth on gun point but they even are threatening families of the kidnapped youth not to lodge complaints with police regarding missings of their children", sources said.

Sources further said that it was part of the pan-Islamic groups’ strategy to intensify forcible recruitment of local youth. "Though recruitment on gun point started very much with the commencement of militancy in the State but it has been intensified during the last two months", sources said.

Narrating stories of 7 Kashmiri youth who were rescued by the Army from the clutches of the militants, defence sources said that these seven youth, including two engineering students, were kidnapped on gun point while they were returning from their educational institutions. Bilal Ahmed Parrey and Shaffi-ul-Islam, engineering students, were kidnapped and taken to different places but they were rescued by the Army from the clutches of terrorists while they were being taken to PoK. These rescued youth told Army that militants had threatened to kill their family members in case they refused to accompany them.

Defence sources made a startling disclosure that some local Kashmiri leaders have been involved by the pan-Islamic groups for their cooperation in the forcible recruitment. These local leaders have been assigned the task to exploit religious sentiment of the people in general and youth in particular.

Sources disclosed the name of the prominent Hurriyat leader, who according to them, has been helping pan-Islamic groups to pick local youth on gun points. This Hurriyat leader, sources said, has also been assigned the task to warn parents of kidnapped youth of dire consequences if they dared to lodge report with police.

It is worthwhile to mention here that on the one hand some Kashmiri leaders have been motivating youth to join Jehad, on the other hand they have been raising hue and cry over the killings of those who were trying to cross over to Pakistan. There is wide spread resentment among parents, whose children have been kidnapped by the terrorists.

Taking strong exception to the statement of a Kashmiri leader who has levelled serious allegation on forces for allegedly killing unarmed Kashmiri boys near Line of Control (LoC) defence sources said that these terrorists were going to cross LoC for training. Sources admitted that some of them were forcibly kidnapped but majority of them were motivated to join Jehad by none else than those who have been levelling allegation on Army. "If they were innocent what they were doing at LoC", sources asked and shifted all blames on Kashmiri leaders for motivating/forcing the youth to join terrorism.

Killing of more than 70 Kashmiri youth on LoC has sent a shock wave among Kashmiri masses. Instead of buying arguments of their leaders, people have started thinking that youth were becoming victims of the nefarious designs of those leaders who have been earning lot in the name of Jehad.

World's highest airfield at Leh becomes operational

LEH, Nov 19: The world’s highest airfield here has become operational for the Indian Air Forces frontline fighters MiG-29’s with the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command Air Marshal Vinod Bhatia declaring it would give New Delhi a "far greater reach towards Central Asia".

Bhatia, speaking to a visiting group of newsmen in the backdrop of four MiG-29’s codenamed fulcrum by NATO, performing live battle manoeuvres said the air forces most lethal air superiority fighters becoming operational at Leh would mean,"we are closer to threats to the security of the country".

For the first time, the AOC-in-C of Western Air Command said the IAF had been successful in making fighters operational from Leh, having failed earlier with fighters like MiG-21 and Jaguar deep penetrations strike aircraft.

Air force experts said making fighters that too frontline warplanes like MiG-29 operational from Leh was significant as the airbase flying distance wise was just 660 kms embattled Afghan capital of Kabul, 1080 kms from Kirghistan capital of alamaty, 445 km from Pakistani capital Islamabad and also near to Chinese mainland towns including capital Beijing. Labelling as "significant", Leh airfield becoming operational to the MiG-29s, Bhatia said it was important because of the "proximity of the base to threats facing the country."

He said though IAF had stationed MiG-29S at Leh since 1998, it was only now that they had become operational from the base.

Bhatia said though other fighter aircraft like MiG-21 and Jaguars were using the Leh airbase it had been difficult to operationalise these fighter aircraft from the area, "MiG-21 and Jaguars would also continue to operate in spells from the base", he added.

Air Force officials cited the downslide in the runway and its short take-off and landing, as factors which had hampered the airbase becoming operational for MiG-21 and Jaguars.

"The short take off and landing of the MiG-29 fighters is ideally suited for operation from Leh", they said.

Four MiG-29s put up a breath-taking live battle manoeuvres for a distinguished audience which included Defence Minister George Fernandes and senior Army and Air Force officers. (PTI)

3 injured in IED blast
Two terrorists killed, 3 escape in Arnia

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 19: Two Pakistani terrorists were eliminated on the bank of Aik Nullah in village Trewa in Arnia during the intervening night of November 18 and 19 whileas three other terrorists escaped under the cover of darkness.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that on the intervening night of November 18 and 19, one Mohinder Singh, son of Babu Ram of village Trewa gave information to Border Police Post Trewa about the presence of two terrorists in the village.

The Incharge of BPP Trewa immediately informed SHO Arnia Police Station and immediately the area was cordoned off and police succeeded in apprehending two militants. The terrorists could not get any chance to open fire on the police personnel and were apprehended along with annunation.

One AK 56 Rifle alongwith two magazines were recovered from their possession. During their sustained interrogation, the nabbed terrorists revealed their names as Hasham alias Arfan, son of Ghulam Ali and Mushtaq alias Jengi, son of Lal Hussain of Sialkote, Pakistan affiliated with Islamic Front outfit.

The terrorists had infiltrated into this side to carry out selective killings in Jammu city and its suburbs. The apprehended terrorists during interrogation also disclosed that three more terrorists have crossed over International Border and were hiding in the bank of Aik Nullah.

Getting this information, police contingent took these terrorists along with them for identification of the area and arrest of hiding terrorists. As soon as the police party reached the spot, the hiding terrorists opened heavy firing and lobbed grenades on the police party.

The Police party effectively retaliated but in the process of retaliation both the apprehended terrorists managed their escape. Whole of the area was cordoned off and search was carried out. The bodies of the escaped terrorists who were killed in firing were recovered by the police.

From the area, 2 magazines, 2 IEDs, 2 bayonet of AK 47, 2 grenades, 2 time pencils, 70 cartridges were recovered. However, the hiding terrorists managed their escape under the cover of darkness.

Meanwhile, three persons were injured in IED blast at N S Pura in Pargwal this morning. All the injured persons were travelling in truck bearing registration number JKR-1295 from Sua Number One to Pargwal and as soon as truck reached N S Pura the explosion took place and all the passengers sustained injuries.

Getting the report of IED blast, border police and BSF rushed to the spot and carried out proper search of the road but no other IED was detected.

The injured were rushed to hospital and they have been identified as Darshan Lal, son of Girdhari Lal, Suresh Kumar, son of Jeet Lal and Sham Singh, son of Purnila Singh, all the residents of Pargwal.

During the intervening night of November 18 and 19, Pakistani rangers resorted to heavy firing on Indian positions at Border Out Posts of Suchetgarh, Kullian, Bangallar, Kandral, S M Pura, Chamblyal, Naryanpur, Fatwal, Sangral, Magral, Khurd, Kathmarian, Abdullian, Garana, Nowa Pind, Old Kanachak, New Kanachak, Gole Pattan and Gajjansoo, Dulma Chak, Ragal, Chachwal, Challaria and Khour.

The jawans of Border Security Force (BSF) effectively retaliated. No loss of life or property was reported.

Maneka taken aback by PM's decision

NEW DELHI, Nov 19: Maneka Gandhi, who was divested of the culture portfolio, today said she was "taken aback" by the Prime Minister’s decision and hinted that her move for investigation into some cultural organisations with which Congress president Sonia Gandhi is associated could have angered her.

Refusing to directly pin the blame on the reasons for her removal with a plain "I don’t know", she told TV channels that crores of rupees were being "wasted" by some of these institutions and it was her job "not to needle but to dig for truth.

"They (an apparent reference to Sonia Gandhi) are in the opposition...But I don’t understand how their being needled should worry our Government," she said.

Maneka said the institutions belonged to the country and it was not an individual’s money involved in it. "I had started investigations and she (Sonia) may not have liked it."

Maneka said she only wanted to ensure that funds given to these institutions, whether headed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi or others, were properly utilised.

Precisely for this reason, she had begun investigations and putting intellectuals in these bodies, she said, adding these included Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Nehru Memorial Trust and Nehru Memorial Library.

Nobody dared touch these bodies for years and she wanted to find out the proper use of the funds, Maneka said, adding that whether in the Environment Ministry or this ministry, she always worked with honesty.

She, said that it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister to change the portfolios of ministers.

Asked whether the Prime Minister told her that she had taken her job "too seriously" in the Culture Ministry, Maneka said, "I cannot comment on that. What took place between me and the Prime Minister has to remain confidential."

About her new portfolio of statistics and programme implementation, she said "it does not have any staff, it does not have any money. Programme implementation and statistics does not even have an office. It never existed as a ministry. Though it has a secretary, it has always been an appendage of a main ministry.

"I have no idea where to go and what to do," she said.

Asked whether there was any "deal" between Sonia Gandhi and the NDA Government on POTO, Maneka Gandhi said that it was a political question and she was not aware of anything on that. (PTI)

Two DySPs suspended for cowardice

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 19: Two probationary DySPs were today placed under suspension by Director General of Police (DGP) Mr A K Suri for cowardice and misconduct of duty.

Probationary DySPs Sameer Rekhi and Mohammad Yasin Kichloo were on duty alongwith DySP Devinder Singh, who was killed in an IED blast in Basohli on October 27 evening. After the blasts, both DySPs, instead of proceeding to the spot, ran away in a private matador and have not reported back to duty so far, an official release issued here this evening said.

Accordingly, the release said, both DySPs have been placed under suspension for de-reliction of duty, misconduct, cowardice and unauthorised absence.

Ladakhis hold rally for UT

LEH, Nov 19: Thousands of Ladakhis today held a rally here demanding carving out of Ladakh province from Jammu and Kashmir as a separate Union Territory to end "colonial rule of Kashmir" over them.

Addressing the rally, organised by Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), its President Tsering Samphel said reorganisation of the State was the "only lasting solution" to the Kashmir problem.

He alleged that Ladakhis had throughout been "discriminated against in all developmental works purely on the grounds that we belong to a miniscule and distinct religious, ethical and cultural background".

"From the very outset, Ladakh’s political merger with Jammu and Kashmir did not form any natural cohesion and proved to be a folly throughout," Samphel said.

He alleged that over the years, "the successive Governments of the State have adopted a policy of discrimination and subversion towards the (Ladakh) region with the sole objective of stifling its people and marginalising its historical, religious and cultural identity."

Samphel regretted that Ladakh’s problems had never been analysed from a "nationalistic and political perspective".

He demanded an administration in Ladakh to be controlled directly by the Central Government. (PTI)

Laden still in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Nov 19: The United States has no reason to believe that Osama bin Laden has left Afghanistan, Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke said today.

"We don’t have reason to believe, or suspect that he is out of the country," she said.

Clarke said US forces continued to "tighten the noose" around wanted terror suspect bin Laden, believed to be behind the September 11 attacks in the US that left some 4,500 dead.

The Sunday Times of London, quoting defence sources, reported that British and US special forces had cornered the Saudi-born millionaire in an 80-sq km area southeast of Kandahar .

The spokeswoman declined to confirm the report, saying "either you have him or you don’t."

But while reports and rumors of bin Laden’s clandestine departure from Afghanistan continue, Washington says it is confident the world’s most wanted man will be caught.

"As more and more of the country is released from Taliban domination, he has fewer and fewer places in which to hide," Secretary of State Colin Powell told ABC television yesterday. "We’re going to get him out of his hole sooner or later, but we’ll get him." (AFP)

Centre open to changes in POTO

NEW DELHI, Nov 19: Government tonight indicated it was open to considering amendments to the controversial anti-terrorism ordinance and was not in a hurry to push through the legislation even after the NDA backed it on the ordinance while asking the Centre to take care of the misgivings.

After a two-hour meeting, the ruling coalition adopted a resolution "unanimously" supporting the Government that the Prevention of Terrorism Prdinance (POTO) was "very necessary in the prevailing extraordinary circumstances".

But, it said, at the same time Government should take neccessary steps to remove any apprehensions that it can be misused against the press, political opponents and any specific community, NDA convenor George Fernandes told reporters here.

At the meeting, leaders belonging to allies like DMK and National Conference expressed apprehensions about possible misuse by narrating their experiences under the defunct TADA and MISA.

In a related development showing signs that the Government was not in a hurry, NDA sources said an all-party meeting to discuss the measure would be held only after the Home Ministry’s consultative committee considers the bill on November 23.

The sources also indicated that the Government was open to suggestions for amendments to POTO. (PTI)

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