Kashmir Committee fails to secure Hurriyat’s participation in polls

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Aug 18: Having failed to rope in Kashmir’s separatist leaders for their participation in the upcoming Assembly elections, New Delhi’s unofficial interlocutor and head of the so-called ‘Kashmir Committee’, Mr Ram Jethmalani, returned to the Union capital empty handed today. He claimed that many separatist groups had agreed to take part in the elections but mentioned the names of just a few non-entities. Jethmalani claimed that the chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Shabir Shah, would also announce his participation in the elections in the next two days, in New Delhi. Shah denied it strongly to EXCELSIOR and asserted that he was not going to make any such statement.. ...........more

Militant, civilian among 3 killed in Valley
BSF officer killed in ‘crossfiring’

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Aug 18: A BSF Dy Commandant’s killing in Kupwara district has created controversy between the paramilitary and military force as he did not die of militants’ bullet. Meanwhile, one civilian is reported to have got killed in the same area and a "dy district commander" of Hizbul Mujahideen has been eliminated by security forces in the capital here today...........more

EC hailed for postponing polls in Gujarat
Azad assures political reservation to Gujjars

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 18: "Political reservation will be provided to 25 lakh Gujjars and Bakerwals in Jammu and Kashmir as is being given to Scheduled Castes in the State if Congress party emerged victorious in the forthcoming Assembly election and formed Government in the State", said Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad Pradesh Congress Committee chief while addressing one day Gujjar and Bakerwal convention here today..............more

Centre in no mood to accept EC decision
Cabinet decides on invoking Presidential power to consult SC

NEW DELHI, Aug 18: Clearly not in a mood to accept the Election Commission’s decision on Gujarat polls, the Union Cabinet today decided to make a Presidential reference to seek Supreme Court’s opinion on whether the commission could recommend imposition of Central rule in a State where it feels polls cannot be held. .........more

Hizbul ‘area commander’ surrenders in Ramban

Excelsior Correspondent

RAMBAN, Aug 18: A hardcore Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist today surrendered before police at Ukhral near here. However, a police party, which was shifting the terrorist to Ramban, was fired upon by the ultras enroute causing injuries to two constables............more

End discrimination against Jammu: BJP

RAIPUR, Aug 18: Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Rajnath Singh today said that his party was keen to bring an end to discrimination against Jammu and Ladakh regions of Jammu and Kashmir. .............more

Noose around Thakur tightened

NEW DELHI, Aug 18: Tightening the noose around London-based Kashmiri separatist leader Ayub Thakur, India has given his telephonic conversation transcript with militants in Jammu and Kashmir including that with the firebrand woman militant Ayisa Indrabi to the British authorities. ........more

Labana community to be given tribal status ....

Dhumal to lead BJP in Himachal Assembly polls......