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Merger delayed is merger denied

Sir,

About two months ago, while I was in Istanbul, I came across a newspaper report published in your esteemed paper, saying that the two main factions of Panun Kashmir were closing their ranks in a bid to have once again a common political platform and fight in unison for securing a separate homeland for the Kashmiri Pandits who were pushed out of their native land in the armed terrorists for reasons which need no elaboration. It was a heartening piece of information.

But things are not as rosy as I had expected. On my arrival in Jammu a couple of days ago, I was dismayed to learn that the much desired unity of the P K groups is still hanging fire. This is unfortunate precisely because if there is division in our ranks, we will stand at a disadvantage. Pulling in different directions will be counter productive. Our resolve to fight for our right will lose its tenacity if we don't make united efforts.

I wonder why the leaders of PK are resorting to delaying tactics. Lack of will to fight unitedly has been our traditions, and a devastating tradition at that. We have not learnt any lesson from the recent debacle we have faced in recent history. We are in exile, facing tremendous hardships. If we don't learn to forget our differences now, when shall we? The leaders must shed off their egos and idiosyncrasies at this critical juncture when we are standing at cross roads and make efforts for conciliation. If they fight together they will win their goal and do great service to their community. Things are changing very vast and we are still dithering.

In the changing world scenario, demand for a separate homeland assumes greater significance. Our leaders should not allow the grass to grow under their feet, but join their hands to lend strength to the 'cry' for a separate homeland. There is not time to lose but time to take time by its forelock, put our heads and hearts together to achieve our target.

Yours etc...
Prof M L Raina
Jammu.

Release HRA & CCA

Sir,

The long pending demand regarding the release of HRA and CCA to the migrant employees stands agreed in principle by the Government of J&K State many times in its Apex Level Committees, Sub-cabinet committees and recently vide J&K State Cabinet's Decision No. 43/3 dated 20.2.2001.`

But it is very much strange and surprising that despite the above quoted references and decisions the J&K State Govt. is not serious about its own decisions and is making lame excuses on the pretext that the financial implication on the above said decision is 8.36 crores annually. But here I would like to clear it that the Financial implication for the said purpose is not 8.36 crores, but is hardly 1.2 crores approximately because of the fact that over 80 percent Deptts. employees are already drawing and getting this allowance wef 1.1.1992 which has wrongly been included in this amount even in the budget for the year 2001-2002 (Ref. Budget speech of Mr. Abdul Raheem Rather, Finance Minister) duly published in all the Dailies of the State which may kindly be deducted from this amount.

Therefore, keeping the above submissions in view we humbly request the J&K State Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah Finance Minister Mr. A R Rather, Advisor to Chief Minister on Minority Affairs Mr. Satish Raina, Chief Secretary Mr. Ashok Jaitly, Financial Commissioner (Finance) Mr. J A Khan Commissioner/Secretary General Administration Department Mr. R K Jerath and Principal Secretary to Govt. J&K Education Department Mr. Vijay Bakaya to kindly note the above quoted clarification and to be sympathetic by immediately taking up the matter in the next cabinet meeting so that one decade old problem, issue gets solved and the migrant employees get their due who are facing so many problems after migration to Jammu and some other parts of the country.

It is hoped that an early action is taken and justice paved to the suffering migrant employees who have left behind all their property at valley of Kashmir.

Yours etc...
Ashok Koul (Lalpuri)
Publicity Secretary
Migrant Teachers' Welfare
Association (J&K) Jammu.

Go alone !

Sir,

Terrorists attack WTC and Pentagon on 11 Sept piercing the ego of the only super power, President Bush declares war against those responsible for thousands of casualties and seeks global alliance for the fight against terrorism; US secretary of State Colin Powell warns" If you are not with us, then you are against us". US administration claims of sufficient evidence of Involvement of Osama bin Laden and his outfit AI Qaeda in the attacks but does not share it with others except Pakistan; Afghanistan refuses to hand over Laden; US wants defiant Taliban Govt to go. Powell declares the US led campaign against global terrorism also means war against terrorism in J&K and elsewhere; White House Chief of staff Andrew Card stresses Washington’s primary interest was in ridding the world of terrorists and their havens;. UN security Council passes the US sponsored resolution on terrorism demanding all States to crack down immediately on all sources of financial and logical support for terrorism; Pakistan without wasting time extends unstinted support and strategic facilities to the US in its campaign against Laden and Taliban.

India has been the victim of Pak sponsored terrorism in Kashmir for the last over 12 years, during which period thousands of people including women and children are killed. India pleaded with the US, the only super power to use her influence over Pakistan to stop the mayhem unleashed by her agents in Kashmir. India furnished evidence to the Pakistan's direct involvement in Kashmir militancy. The US intelligence agencies also on their own procured evidences to this effect. And on that basis Pakistan was kept on the watch list by senior Bush. US administration has ample evidence to the effect that Pakistan is the epicenter of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism. US also has evidence with her that Taliban is the creation of 151 and is the strategic ally of Pak Army and the ISI and use them for supporting Islamic cause in Kashmir, Chechnya, Tajikstan and elsewhere. Pakistan remained isolated at international level for spreading fundamentalism and religious extremism across the globe and was regarded as an international Pariah.

Now the US has joined hands with the same Pakistan for punishing Taliban and Laden and showered financial awards on her. This is a glaring Instance of opportunism of the US subordinating its principles. This opportunism cast doubts on the US vow to eradicate terrorism from the world. As a face saving Bush says that he has put Pakistan on noble that he would give it a chance to live upto its commitment to fight terrorism.

In this scenario India should not expect any US pressure on Pakistan to stop sponsoring militancy in Kashmir and disband training camps in Pakistan for Kashmiri militant. India has to fight her war against militancy alone. Vajpayee Government need not kneel before the US President and UK Premier who is acting as foreign minister of the Bush. Instead India should deal with the militancy decisively as envisaged in the UN security council resolution.

Yours etc...
J L Dhar
Shastrinagar,
Jammu.