Opposition hunt for joint nominee
NDA fields Shekhawat for VP poll

NEW DELHI, July 17 : Ignoring calls for consensus, the NDA today fielded BJP veteran from Rajasthan Bhairon Singh Shekhawat as its Vice Presidential candidate setting the stage for a contest with opposition looking for a common choice in next month’s election.

Shekhawat, having long association with RSS, will file his nomination papers tomorrow for the poll slated for August 12. Incumbent Vice President Krishan Kant demits on Aug 20.

The name of 79-year-old Shekhawat, thrice Chief Minister of Rajasthan, for the Vice Presidential race was finalised by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was authorised by NDA on Sunday, alliance convenor George Fernandes told reporters.

He said barring Congress, most political parties in both houses of Parliament had conveyed to Vajpayee their support to Shekhawat but Samajwadi Party is yet to make up its mind.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who was contacted by Vajpayee yesterday on telephone to seek her Party’s support for Shekhawat, conveyed her regret to the Prime Minister saying she would like to see a contest, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan, also present at the press meet, said.

In fact, shortly after NDA named Shekhawat as its choice, Congress said it would come out with a common candidate after consulting other opposition parties.

The decision by NDA, which enjoys an edge in the electoral college for Vice Presidential poll, for a showdown with the opposition was announced after support was assured by non-NDA Party AIADMK whose supremo Jayalalithaa conveyed it to Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani over telephone.

On the NDA’s combined strength in both houses, Mahajan said while in Lok Sabha the ruling alliance had a comfortable majority of more than 110, it was short by about 25 in the Rajya Sabha. "Therefore, this gives NDA a lead of about 85 votes."

As efforts were on for a common opposition candidate, Vajpayee spoke to SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and sought his Party’s support for Shekhawat. But the SP leader said he favoured a consensus.

In a related development, SP stayed from a meeting of non-Congress opposition parties at the residence of CPI(M) leader Somnath Chatterjee which was primarily called to discuss floor coordination.

The NCP said it would support the opposition candidate if NDA fails to put up a consensus nominee and fields a person with RSS background. (PTI)

Sena, VHP protest massacre; seek Farooq's dismissal

NEW DELHI, July 17: The Shiv Sena and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad today demanded the immediate dismissal of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah for his "total failure" to prevent incidents like Rajiv Nagar massacre in Jammu in which 28 people were gunned down by Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists and as many injured.

The two outfits held protest demonstrations near Parliament this morning and urged Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani to urgently intervene in the matter and take some strong steps to stop Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the State.

"What are you (Mr Vajpayee/Mr Advani) waiting for? when will your limit of patience end? if no immediate action is taken, we will witness some even bigger terrorist actions in future," shouted Shiv Sena (North) president Jai Bhagwan Goel.

The Shiv Sena activists raised anti-Pakistan, anti-Farooq Abdullah and anti-terrorism slogans and burnt the effigy of Dr Abdullah and General Pervez Musharraf.

He told reporters after the demonstration that a memorandum would be submitted to Mr Advani later urging him to immediately dismiss the National Conference Government in Jammu and Kashmir, for misleading the nation by making false promises of controlling terrorism. "The fact is that Dr Abdullah has indirectly been promoting militancy in the State."

Mr Goel demanded that besides dismissing the Dr Abdullah Government, the Government should hand over the entire State to the Army and destroy the terrorist camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

He urged the Government to ensure proper security facility for the annual Amarnath Yatra, beginning July 22. "Strong security needs to be provided and strict vigil requires to be maintained during the yatra if we want to prevent a terrorist attack from taking place," he added. Both the Shiv Sena and the VHP demanded the arrest of Dr Abdullah and his son Union Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) for abetting and promoting terrorism in the State.

The VHP said terrorists in the State were trying to create a fear psychosis among the Hindus living there. "Systematic attacks have been mounted against Hindus in Kashmir as well as Jammu and this was done with the sole aim to create a sense of insecurity among them so that they leave the state," it said in a memorandum to President K R Narayanan.

It blamed Dr Abdullah of hobnobbing with Pakistan and trying to turn a Nelson’s eye towards terrorist incidents like the recent one on one pretext or the other.

"The state administration is just a mute spectator to incidents of terrorism and it is time that the State is handed over to the army," the memorandum said.

The memorandum has been signed by VHP leaders B L Sharma ‘Prem Singh Sher’, Navalkishore Das, Om Prakash Singhal, Banarasi Lal Taneja, Rajendra Prasad, Rashtra Prakash and Satyendra Mohan.

They said Dr Abdullah and his son are talking about autonomy for the State, which was raised by late Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah in 1953.

The memorandum demanded withdrawal of Article 370 (granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir) and imposition of President rule in the State for providing proper security for Hindus. (UNI)

G-20 nations mull action plan to check terrorist funding

NEW DELHI, July 17: India today said it has set up a financial intelligence unit as part of the efforts to fulfil United Nations resolution and G-20 action plan to check the menace of terror funding.

The unit, to be headed by Revenue Secretary, will coordinate among various intelligence units of the country and international organisations to close in the gaps in information flow regarding financing of terrorism.

The issue was one of the major items discussed in the two-day G-20 deputies meeting, which was chaired by India’s economic affairs secretary C M Vasudev.

Briefing reporters on the outcome of the meeting, Vasudev said the action plan on terrorist financing would be one of the main items in the agenda of the G-20 ministerial meeting to be held in New Delhi in November this year.

Combating terror funding was difficult as it was carried out through "irregular" channels like narcotics, hawala and pseudonym bank accounts, Additional Secretary in charge of World Bank and IMF, Adarsh Kishore said.

The G-20 meeting also discussed the world’s economic outlook and measures to remove barriers to globalisation, including trade and investment, Vasudev said.

He said the G-20 nations also took up the issue of restructuring of debt of crisis-hit nations, promotion of private investments and hiking of bilateral and multi-lateral assistance to developing nations.

The G-20 nations also discussed standards and codes for financial sector regulation and corporate governance, he added.

Elaborating on the action plan, Kishore said the G-20 would monitor the progress and ensure that the member nations frame laws to combat terrorism before the November meeting.

The Governments would also ask banks to strictly enforce the norm of "know-thy-customers" so that transactions made by terrorist outfits could be traced, he said.

Apart from the terror-funding, Vasudev said the meeting discussed ways to extend the benefits of globalisation to the emerging economies as also measures to address the instability caused by the transformation.

Developed nations need to remove barriers that was created in the way of the globalisation process of developing nations, the G-20 deputies’ chairman said.

The developed nations also committed themselves to significantly step up aid to developing nations, as part of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reducing poverty by half, ensuring education for all, safe drinking water and higher nutrition levels and other social objectives by 2015, Vasudev said. (PTI)

3 killed, 9 injured in blast at Ikhwan camp
Soldier, 3 militants killed; Col injured

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 17: A Commanding Officer of Rashtriya Rifles got critically injured and three militants and a soldier died in a fierce clash between militants and security forces near Sopore, in north Kashmir, this evening. Early this morning, three surrendered militants were blown into pieces and nine others sustained injuries when Hizbul Mujahideen caused a powerful mineblast at an Ikhwan camp in Anantnag district.

Informed sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that a group of three militants was spotted in an apple orchard at Shivbagh-Allaibagh, in Tarzoo locality of Sopore, this evening. As the specific information reached a camp of Rashtriya Rifles 22 Bn, troops swooped on the orchard and engaged the militants in a fierce gunbattle. Two militants died on spot. After some time, when the Commanding Officer Col A C Joshi was in radio conversation with senior Army officials, one of the militants in hiding lobbed a grenade and also fired bursts of AK-56 gunfire. While as the radio operator, Lance Naik Jatendra Kumar, died on spot, the Colonel sustained critical injuries. In quick reaction, the third militant was killed.

An injured Col Atul Joshi was airlifted and rushed to the military hospital at Corps Headquarters. Late this evening, Army doctors described him as "out of danger".

Sopore-Kandi belt has been a Hizbul Mujahideen bastion. However, the identity of the militants killed could not be ascertained immediately. Unconfirmed reports said that two of them had been identified as Mohammad Amin Shah of Kreeri and Ghulam Rasool Malla.

One more unidentified militant has been eliminated by troops of RR 18 Bn at Kaunsar Gali in Dardpora Lolab, in Kupwara district today.

Reports from Baramulla added that unidentified gunmen shot dead a 16-year-old boy on Pattan Nihalpora Road this evening. His dead body was unidentified at Sub District Hospital of Pattan till late tonight.

Reports from south Kashmir said that unidentified gunmen shot dead one Gareeb Singh S/o Kharak Singh R/o Naner Nadoora (Tral) at Nadoora Khan this evening. He was reportedly an ex-serviceman.

3 Ikhwanis blown up

In a major development near a camp of surrendered militants at Aishmuqam, in Anantnag district, Hizbul Mujahideen operatives have caused a powerful mineblast, killing three Ikhwanis. Informed sources in south Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that the IED had been laid by two surrendered militants of Hizbul Mujahideen—Munnawar Shah S/o Ayub Shah R/o Sallar Sheikhpora and Hanief Qureshi S/o Abdur Raheem R/o Hapatnaar—before deserting the camp early this morning. They had strategically laid down arms and stayed at the camp, in close vicinity of the company headquarters of RR 3 Bn, two months ago.

Sources said that the deafening blast shook the whole Aishmuqam area situated on Amarnath Yatra route. Three counter-insurgent Ikhwanis, who were blown into pieces, have been identified as Mohammad Ayub Khan alias Sher Khan, Bilal Khan S/o Ghulam Mohammad Khan, residents of Hapatnaar and Gafoor Khan of Sallar, Pahalgam.

Nine Ikhwanis and their family members, including a housewife and two of her daughters, sustained injuries in the explosion. They were rushed to hospital.

Meanwhile, militants attacked the house of ruling National Conference Member of Parliament Ali Mohammad Naik at Tral in Pulwama last night while three counter-insurgents were killed and eight others wounded in a bomb blast in their camp at Ashmuqam in south Kashmir today.

Elsewhere in the State, three militants were killed and eight Al-Umar activists nabbed while one person was abducted during the past 24 hours.

An official spokesman said militants hurled a hand grenade towards Mr Naik’s house. However, it exploded in the compound damaging the window-panes of the house.

No one was injured, he said, adding security guards posted there also retaliated but the militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested eight militants of the pro-Pakistan Al-Umar Mujahideen who were planning to carry out attacks during the coming elections in the State.

The arrests came after a night-long BSF-SOG joint operation. A BSF spokesperson said troops of the 61 battalion and the SOG, Srinagar, on a tip off, carried out a night raid at Baba Demb, Khanyar in the down town and arrested eight Pakistan trained militants from an abandoned house. They also seized deadly RDX, rocket, mines and bombs from them.

He said pursuant to the lead provided by the militants arrested last month after busting of the hawala racket, the security forces zeroed in on the militants who were involved in a number of selective killing and grenade attacks in and around the city.

The spokesperson said the militants were holding a meeting when the raid was carried out and were caught unawares. They surrendered without any resistance.

The militants were involved in several killings, frequently targetting political activists and workers of the National Conference.

He said the arms seized included one AK rifle along with a magazine and 24 rounds, two Chinese pistols with two magazines and 7 rounds, one UBGL, one wireless set, about 7 kg RDX, 15 detonators, six remote control devices, three anti-personnel mines, three rockets, four pencil bombs, two stick grenades and two rocket boosters. Two of the arrested Al-Umar terrorists have been identified as commanders Abdul Ahad Waza and Showkat, who were allegedly behind the recent killing of several political activists.

The ISI, which was backing this group through its founder Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar alias Latrum, had assigned the group to boost militant activities on the eve of forthcoming Assembly elections in the State, the sources said.

He said the security forces gunned down two militants at Chamb Kalan while another was killed at Kounsar Gali in the frontier district of Kupwara last night. Large cache of arms and ammunition were seized from the possession of the slain militants. The said group was involved in various subversive activities including grenade attacks on Democratic Freedom Party Office at Rajbagh, Srinagar Doordarshan Kendra and Lal Chowk in the recent past, the sources added.

One soldier was injured in a militant firing at Papachan Bandipora last night while militants abducted one Mohammad Ashraf from his Khanatar house last night.

Governor's rule must for fair polls: PCC to Sonia

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 17: Senior functionaries of the Jammu and KashmirPradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) have told party president Sonia Gandhi that "free and fair elections" in the State promised by the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre is impossible without imposition of Governor’s rule in the State.

At a high-level meeting of the party at the Jammu airport here this evening, the functionaries told Ms Gandhi that the state machinery, at the disposal of the National Conference(NC) Government customarily indulge in rigging during the elections and might do the same this time also, PCC sources said here.

Among the leaders who met Ms Gandhi were former JKPCC president Chaudhury Mohammad Aslam, senior vice-president Mangat Ram Sharma, general secretary Sardar Parduman Singh and Mr Kundal.

The Congress president was on a day-long visit to Jammu followingthe July 13 carnage at Rajeev Nagar. All India Congress Committee general secretary Ambika Soni accompanied her.

Claiming that the people were gradually veering towards, the Congress as they were frustrated with the ruling NC, the party functionaries said it was time the party ensured that comingAssembly elections were truly free and fair for which imposition of Governor’s rule is indispensable.

They also said the electoral list for the coming elections would be based on the one which was prepared in 1988 and the same has not been updated. Moreover, the present list is illegible and the names of those who have died have not been deleted from the list while new voters have not been enlisted, they informed.

The functionaries informed Ms Gandhi that voters in Jammu and Kashmir have been asked to prepare photo identity cards at their cost, while in the rest of the country, the Election Commission prepared the same. Consequently, the people have not shown any interest in the exercise which is destined to fail as about 80 per cent of the electorate have not even applied for identity cards, sources said.

Finally they urged her to deal sternly with any attempt of ‘leg pulling’ within the party, the spokesman added.

Wheat rates inquiry will reveal extent of loss: CM

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 17: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said that the alleged disparity in wheat grinding rates would be got investigated and the losses incurred to the State exchequer ascertained within a month.

Making a statement in the legislative assembly this morning, the Chief Minister said the issue was discussed threadbare in the cabinet meeting last evening and decision taken to hold investigation into the matter by the Inspector General, Crimes and Railways.

Reading out the statement, the CM said the contracts for grinding of PDS wheat into atta are finalized every year by the Directorates of Food and Supplies, Jammu/Kashmir, in respect of area of operation under their respective administrative control. Upto the year 1996-97, grinding rates in both the divisions were uniform. However, during 1997-98 the grinding rates of wheat in Kashmir division were Rs. 14.50 per quintal and Jammu rates were Rs. 14.95 per quintal. In the year 1998-99 the grinding rates as fixed by the Director Food and Supplies Kashmir were Rs. 16 per quintal, whereas in Jammu the rates were Rs. 17.70 per quintal. Strangely for the subsequent years, i.e. 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, the grinding rates were Rs. 16 per quintal in Kashmir division and Rs. 4 and Rs. 2.50 per quintal in Jammu division.

After the expiry of the grinding contract in the year 2001-2002, the Directorate of Food and Supplies Kashmir again floated NIT vide DFSK/ADMN/GS-37 (Gen) 2002 dated 8.5.2002 for grinding of PDS wheat into atta in Kashmir division for the year 2002-2003. In response to this NIT, 20 Roller Flour Mills of Jammu and Kashmir offered their rates ranging between Rs. 41 per quintal to Rs. 41.59 per quintal. Eventually, one firm M/S Kash Ind Roller Flour Mill, Narwal Jammu offered the grinding rates of Rs. 16.50 per quintal for grinding of PDS wheat of Kashmir division. The lowest tendered rates of Rs. 16.50 per quintal offered by M/S Kash Ind Roller Flour Mill, Narwal Jammu was subsequently negotiated by the Director Food and Supplies Kashmir and consequently rate of Rs. 16 per quintal for grinding of PDS wheat was agreed to for the year 2002-2002. However, the other RFM owners who also offered the rates of Rs. 16 per quintal at late stage were also supplied wheat for grinding at the said negotiated rate of Rs. 16 per quintal. For the year 2002-2003, rates in respect of Jammu could not be finalized due to directions of Hon’ble High Court, but, pending fixation of rate contract for the current year, the Director Food and Supplies, Jammu is getting the grinding job done at the last year’s grinding rates of Rs. 2.50 per quintal upto this time.

In order to ascertain the losses to the State Exchequer on this account, the Inspector General of Crime and Railways has been directed to investigate the matter and furnish the report within four weeks time. ‘The findings of the investigation shall be shared with the Members of this august House’, he added.

Farooq hails Advani's statement

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 17 : Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today hailed the statement of Deputy Prime Minister Mr L K Advani in Lok Sabha, describing Jammu and Kashmir as a special State needing special dispensation.

‘Der Aayad Durasat Aayad (Better later than never)’, said the Chief Minister while intervening during the discussions on a private member’s resolution in legislative assembly this afternoon.

Dr Abdullah said that trust and mutual confidence is imperative for harmony between various sections of the society, adding ‘ please don’t look at us with suspicion’. ‘We are not like Hurriyat people who are for Pakistan, we are Indians and remain so ever’, he asserted.

The Chief Minister said that unity and integrity of the State should be dear to all. He said he has never thought of discrimination with any region, least Jammu as he always felt himself accountable before the God. Overwhelmed by the warmth and affection bestowed on him by Jammuites, he said that he will always remain grateful to the people.

The CM said the seed of suspicion give birth to misunderstanding and referred to the sad demise of Mr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, blame for which was unfortunately laid on Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. He gave the account of that fateful night and said that he received a call from the then Health Minister Mr Shyam Lal Saraf, who wanted to speak to Sheikh Sahib. He informed about the sad news to Sheikh Sahib when connected on the line, he said, maintaining that truth ultimately prevails. He also referred to the arrest of Sheikh Sahib, his trial for five years and withdrawal of the case and said the seeds of suspicion had a fall out for many many years.

He also referred to the appointment of a particular person as Governor of the State in 1990, ignoring his counsel against the move.

POTA court extends Yasin Malik's remand

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 17: Presiding Officer POTA Court, Mr PN Razdan, today extended the remand of Yasin Malik, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front supremo, upto July 20, 2002.

The remand was extended on the request of Crime Branch entrusted with the case. The remand of Mushtaq Ahmad Mir and Ms Shamima, who were arrested with one lakh US dollars, was also extended upto July 20. Malik, Dar and Shamima were all present in the court today.

Superintendent Kot Bhalwal Jail, in his written application before the court submitted that on the report of Medical Officer, Malik was examined by the doctors in Government Medical College Jammu and suggested renal scan which is not available here. The Jail Superintendent prayed for this scan at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

The Court, on this plea, directed the prosecution to ask the investigating agency to provide medical facilities to the detenue Yasin Malik.

Malik was arrested on March 25, 2002 and booked under POTA on the disclosures of Dar and Shamima that they had got one lakh US dollars from Kathmandu for JKLF supremo. Both Dar and Shamima were arrested near Kud, on their way to Srinagar on March 24 last.

It may be mentioned here that Late Abdul Gani Lone, president People’s Conference had filed a petition in the State High Court in which the Court, on April 2 last had directed the respondents to constitute a Medical Board. Earlier, CJM Jammu had also directed that Malik be provided medical facilities.

LC passes resolution condemning trifurcation

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, July 17: The Legislative Council today unanimously passed a resolution condemning the proposed trifurcation of the State voiced by some rightist organizations.

Speaking on the resolution, the Revenue Minister Mr. Abdul Qayoom said that the move is a international conspiracy to cause a division among the people of the State on the basis of religion and region. He said that the people have acceded to the Union of India on the basis of the ideological unanimity of secularism, rather than Pakistan, which was based on religion.

Mr Qayoom said that we should always plead for unification rather than division. He asked the people of the State to unitedly fight the forces propagating the division of the State. He said that the people of the State had already rejected the two-nation theory by their accession with the Union of India. He said that stability of the nation lies in secularism rather than fundamentalism. India is known for it is unity in diversity, he added.

The resolution was moved by Mr. B.L. Bhat and Mr. M.Y. Taing.

Mr. A.R. Tukroo, Prof. Y.R. Malhotra, Dr. Naseer Ahmad Shah, General G.S. Jamwal, Mr. Qari Mohammad Aziz and Shamima Ferdous also spoke on the resolution.

Speaker reprimands JK Govt for not honouring SHRC

SRINAGAR, July 17: Reprimanding the State Government for not implementing the recommendations of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Ahad Vakil today said the Commission should be closed if the authorities do not honour them.

"Why the recommendations of the State and the Central Human Rights Commissions were not being implemented by the authorities...I direct the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to make a statement on the issue in the House tomorrow after the question hour," Mr Vakil said while intervening on a question raised by Mir Saifullah of the ruling party during the zero hour.

He also directed the minister to identify the officials who have not implemented the recommendations of the Commission.

However, on finding that the minister was not present in the House, the Speaker asked Housing and Urban Development Minister Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah to come with a statement on the issue in the House tomorrow. The House wanted to know the reasons for recommendations not being implemented by the authorities, he added.

Mr Vakil said the SHRC was formed by the Government so that the affected people could get justice. "When its recommendations are not being implemented what is the use of the Commission."

"I want to know from the Government whether they are serious about the Commission or it should be winded up...It has become a mockery otherwise," he said.

Earlier, a National Conference member raising the issue during the zero hour the NHRC and the SHRC recommendations were not being honoured by the State Government.

The Commissions have given recommendations in hundreds of cases but no action was taken by the State Government so far, he added.

He said in Baramulla one Mohammad Amin Shah, his wife and mother were killed three years back and their family members were yet to get any relief. Similarly no compensation was paid to the family members of a photo-journalist Mehraj Uddin Hafiz, Ashiq Hussain and others despite recommendation by the SHRC, he added. (UNI)

Jaitley to shortly begin talks with J&K Govt, parties

NEW DELHI, July 17: BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley is expected to "shortly" begin consultations with Jammu and Kashmir Government and political parties in the State on the issue of devolution of greater powers, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said tonight.

"They (consultations) are expected to start shortly," he told reporters.

Jaitley, who was officially nominated for the parleys yesterday, had a 90-minute meeting with Advani here.

Official sources said that either Jaitley would go to the State or representatives of the J and K Government and parties could meet him here. (PTI)

ISI trying to spread militancy in Leh, Kargil

NEW DELHI, July 17: The Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to counter ISI activities in the country even as the Pakistani intelligence agency has been trying to spread militancy in Leh and Kargil areas of Ladakh region, area hitherto untouched by terrorism.

The multi-pronged approach includes strengthening of border management, galvanising the intelligence machinery, neutralising ISI plans by intelligence-based operations, setting up security outposts in vulnerable areas and upgradation of police and security forces by equipping them with advanced weapons and communication systems.

Minister of State for Home Vidyasagar Rao told the House in a written reply that the Centre had sensitising State Governments about the threat perception and activities of the ISI.

Periodic coordination meetings are held with State Governments for sharing inputs from various quarters as well as for devising strategies to counter such activities. Various security agencies have also been working together to check ISI activities.

A drive has been launched to squeeze financial channels of terrorists and many Hawala groups have been busted. As a result, a number of Pakistan-backed modules have been neutralised.

The Minister said that at the diplomatic level too, the Government had used every opportunity to apprise the international community about Pakistan’s support and sponsorship of cross-border terrorism against India.

The international community had widely supported India’s stand that there could be no justification for terrorism, which must be eradicated wherever it existed, the Minister added. (UNI)

RSS-BJP talks on Jammu today

NEW DELHI, July 17: Top RSS leaders will meet the BJP top brass led by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani here tomorrow to discuss their demands for trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, including Statehood to Jammu.

RSS joint general secretary, in-charge of BJP Madan Das Devi, chairman of the newly-formed RSS-backed Jammu State Morcha Shrikumar, senior RSS leaders from the State Indresh and Jammu and Kashmir Nationalist Front chief Tilak Raj Sharma would be representing the Sangh in the interaction with Advani and BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu, Sangh sources told PTI.

Centre’s new emissary on Kashmir and BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley is also likely to attend the meeting, they said.

The meeting comes close on the heels of Jaitley being assigned the new task and RSS floating the Jammu State Morcha, an amalgam of 19 organisations, to spearhead the agitation for Statehood to Jammu.

While the RSS at its recent national executive at Kurkhshetra had demanded trifurcation of the State with Statehood to Jammu and Union Territory status to Ladakh, both Advani and Naidu have rejected the same.

However, in an interview to a TV channel, Naidu had proposed a dialogue with the RSS to arrive at a "broad consensus" on key issues. (PTI)

Jawan killed in Prankote

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 17: An army jawan was killed in an encounter at Prankote in upper reaches of Reasi in Udhampur district today.

Reports said the jawan was killed after two hours fighting with the terrorists in Prankote hills, bordering Budhal area of Rajouri early today. Identity of deceased jawan hasn’t been ascertained so far.

The terrorists managed to escape, the reports said.

India rejects US contention

NEW DELHI, July 17: India today rejected US contention that there has been a "significant decline" in infiltration of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and said it would convey its concerns on cross-border terrorism during US Secretary of State Colin Powell’s visit here later this month.

"It is true that the perception of the United States is that there has been a significant decline in infiltration from Pakistan into India in the past few months. But this is not the perception that we share," External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said in the Lok Sabha during question hour.

"What is being said by the Pakistan President is conveyed to us by the US. We have taken note of it. But it doesn’t mean that we fully share the views expressed by Pakistan or the US," Sinha said.

He asserted that India was not working under any pressure from any international quarter and will fight its own battle against terrorism.

Replying to a question by Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, Sinha quoted Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani as having told the House yesterday that India would fight its own battle against terrorism on its own strength and without any outside support. (PTI)

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