Atmosphere of trust necessary for Indo-Pak talks: PM

NEW DELHI, Nov 1: Recalling the betrayal in Kargil, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said it was imperative that an atmosphere of trust is created before India could hold any dialogue with Pakistan.

"Today, nations of the world are putting pressure that we hold talks (with Pakistan). But we want to say that for holding such discussions, an atmosphere of trust should be created first. You should have faith in the other party. Intentions should not be doubted," the Prime Minister said while inaugurating a housing complex for Kargil martyrs here.

"Only then can a dialogue succeed and the crisis resolved," he said.

Stating that the Kargil war reminded him of two things -matryrdom and betrayal, the Prime Minister said when he undertook the Lahore bus trip, "our neighbour chose a spot (to attack) that was comparatively not very secure".

"Peace talks in Lahore and war in Kargil. This was betrayal," Vajpayee asserted.

He said "we want to live in peace with neighbours with a sense of brotherhood. And that is why, I went to Lahore.

"But what did I get (out of the Lahore trip) and what did India get," the Prime Minister said.

He inaugurated the ‘Veer Awas Housing Complex" for Kargil heroes at the Dwarka sub-city here. Defence Minister George Fernandes was also present on the occasion.

Referring to the housing problem in the country, Vajpayee said a number of steps had been taken to build 20 lakh houses every year. "We need many sub-cities like Dwarka," he said adding that the country required crores of houses.

He said housing activities led to employment generation and also gave a boost to the economy.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to announce the Labour Ministry’s decision to build one crore houses in cooperation with the Urban Development Ministry for workers under the ‘Shramik Awaas Yojana’.

Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma, who was also present at the function, said the housing project was a ‘Diwali gift’ from the Prime Minister.

The Defence Minister in his address said steps have been initiated to set up 300 medical service units for defence personnel across the country at a cost of Rs 250 crore. Thereafter, Rs 500 crore would be required annually to run them, he said.

Fernandes also referred to shortage of houses for defence personnel and said against a requirement of four lakh houses, there was only one lakh at present. "The Prime Minister has given an assurance that three lakh additional houses will be built at a cost of Rs 16,000 crore in the next three years," he said.

Urban Development Minister Anant Kumar lauded the Prime Minister’s efforts to usher in a "brown revolution", that is, a spate of construction of houses in the country.

Delhi’s Lt Governor Vijai Kapoor, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen N C Vij were among others present on the occasion. (PTI)

New separatist amalgam floated to replace
Hurriyat in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Nov 1 : In a move to challenge Jammu and Kashmir’s main apex body of separatist groups, a cluster of political, militant and non-governmental organisations are planning to come together and form a new amalgam.

Accusing Hurriyat Conference of failing to represent aspirations of Kashmiri people, Nissar Ahmad Sabzawari, chairman of the Muawan Foundation, a constituent of the yet to be named grouping, told reporters here that "we are waiting for some of the militant outfits to come out in the open in the next three-four days."

"Hurriyat Conference has failed to represent the aspirations of the Kashmiri people when they decided not to run an anti-election campaign in the just-concluded polls," he said.

He said several political and militant outfits have decided to join the new amalgam which would be named very soon.

Jaish-e-Mohammad and Al-Jehad will be joining the amalgam and its leaders presented before the media very soon, Sabzawari said.

On the promise of Chief Minister-designate Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to merge the special operations group with regular police force and not to implement POTA, Sabzawari said if acted upon, it will be welcome.

But all these decisions do not constitute a solution to the Kashmir problem which has to be resolved through a dialogue between India, Pakistan and Kashmiris, he said.

Asked how would the Kashmir issue be resolved with no sign of a dialogue between Delhi and Islamabad, he said both the sides have to climb down a bit to reach a lasting settlement. Asked about the timing of launching the amalgam, Sabzawari said "we did not want to launch the organisation on the eve of elections."

"We are not interested in any elections as they have never produced and will never produce a solution to the basic issue of Kashmir," he said.

He said during his discussions with leaders of other outfits he tried impress on them that the role of the gun was over and now was the time for talks.

"The gun has done its job. The whole world knows that there is problem called Kashmir which needs to be resolved," Sabzawari said.

Though Sabzawari named some of the lesser known outfits as constituents of the amalgam, he said a detailed list would be released after all the members decided on the name of the conglomerate. (PTI)

Two girls, NC activist among 5 killed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 1: While as unidentified gunmen have eliminated three civilians, including a National Conference (NC) activist, in Kashmir valley since last evening, two young girls have died when an explosive device went off in Karnah sector.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR that at 1115 hours today, an unidentified gunman appeared at the shop of one butcher, Ghulam Nabi Hatam S/o Mohammad Sidiq at Budgeer locality in downtown here and fired upon him several shots. With critical injuries, he was rushed to SKIMS, Soura, where he succumbed to injuries. He was reportedly an NC activist.

Reports from Budgam said that, during last night, gunmen kidnapped three civilians from the twin villages of Gojra and Beekam Nar. After physical torture, two residents of Beekam Nar were let off while as the 23-year-old resident of Gojra was killed. His identification was not available immediately. According to reports, the slain young man was an associate of a Sikh boy who had earlier been shot dead by militants at Dalwan.

Unidentified gunmen intruded into the house of one Bashir Ahmed Bhat at Shangus in Anantnag district during last night and kidnapped his daughter, Hinna. After physical torture, she was shot dead in a nearby locality. According to some reports, militants had been suspecting her as an informer of security forces.

Reports from Kupwara said that two young girls lifted an exploded shell in Karnah, close to LoC, and began fiddling with it. It exploded, killing both the girls on spot. They were identified as 12-year-old Maroofa and 10-year-old Rifat.

Reports said that Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged heavy gunfire in Titwal area of Karna sector this morning. Reports of similar shelling were also received from Keran where two residential houses got damaged.

Shabir Shah seeks Pak Kashmir Committee's visit to India

NEW DELHI, Nov 1: Senior separatist Kashmiri leader Shabir Shah has asked the Central Government to allow Pakistani Kashmir Committee (PKC) to visit India ahead of the SAARC summit in Islamabad as a "goodwill gesture to break the deadlock" over the Kashmir issue.

Shah, who met Kashmir Committee chairman Ram Jethmalani here, asked him to bring "concrete proposals" with regard to resolution of the Kashmir issue during its proposed visit to Kashmir in the coming days.

"The Government of India should allow Pakistani Kashmir Committee to visit Delhi as a goodwill gesture before the SAARC summit in Islamabad in January," the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) president told PTI.

"There is no other alternative to holding of trilateral talks involving India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir to resolve the Kashmir issue," Shah said adding "some day all the three parties have to sit on a negotiating table and it is better if it happens soon."

He, after meeting Jethmalani, had held talks with PKC leader Sardar Abdul Qayoom to discuss possibilities of resolving the vexed problem "because of which a danger is lurking over the entire sub-continent."

He said he had told Jethmalani to "bring concrete proposals when he comes to Kashmir. We will also give our proposals so that there is forward movement for resolution of the issue."

On the recently-held elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, he said these could "at best meet the administrative needs and not resolve the core problem."

"These polls have no meaning as far as resolution of the Kashmir issue is concerned," Shah said pointing out that none of the separatist leaders had contested the elections.

Insisting that he was not against democratic process, he, however, opposed linking of the just-concluded polls with the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Shah criticised the Centre over its Kashmir policy, saying "it is indulging in ad-hocism and has no vision".

The Government must give up its "hardline" attitude, he said adding New Delhi has to talk to Pakistan and Kashmiris as the issue can be settled only through dialogue.

"The Central Government lacks vision and has no programme for settling the Kashmir issue," the JKDFP leader said adding he had a bitter experience as the people of the State have been betrayed time and again.

On the prospects of his having talks with the Centre, Shah dismissed such a possibility till the Centre displayed some sincere programme for resolution of the Kashmir issue.

"The Government does not have the guts to talk. They already backed out thrice," he charged and alleged that "by refusing to hold talks with separatists, the Centre is giving an impression that it wants the issue to be solved through the gun."

However, he would continue to hold discussions with the Kashmir Committee headed by Ram Jethmalani, Shah said.

Shah has already held three rounds of formal discussions with the Kashmir Committee which later wanted the Government to hold talks with the separatist leader.(PTI)

SP stakes claim to form new Govt without Cong support
BJP top brass to resolve MLAs' grievances

NEW DELHI, Nov 1 : Softening its stand towards dissident Party legislators in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP top brass led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee tonight said their grievances would be heard by senior leaders and resolved to the "extent possible", even as Samajwadi Party staked claim for alternate Government formation and Congress making it clear that it will not lend any kind of support to any party in toppling Mayawati Government.

The Party’s Central Election Committee, which met here tonight and took stock of the present political situation and recent developments in the State, stressed on the need for "maintaining the stability of the BJP-BSP Coalition Government and keeping up the Party’s image and discipline".

Briefing reporters, Party president Vankaiah Naidu said the meeting expressed confidence that "we would be able to resolve the situation."

He said senior Party leaders Rajnath Singh, Kushabhau Thakre and Kalraj Mishra have been entrusted with resolving the issue and the situation was being "continuously monitored" by the Central leadership.

He, however, said there was no proposal for a meeeting between the dissidents and Vajpayee.

"No one has withdrawn support. Some people have some grievances against the Government . We are confident we will be able to convince them," he said.

Asked whether any disciplinary action would be taken against the dissidents, he said "media reports suggest that those legislators have not withdrawn support. We are awaiting clarification and appropriate action would be taken."

Asked about possible "actions", he said there were "different possibilities", including their disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law.

Meanwhile, Congress today clarified that it would not lend support to the toppling of the Mayawati Government in Uttar Pradesh but would vote against her regime once the Governor summoned the special session of the Legislative Assembly.

Describing the situation in the State as "fluid", senior Congress leader Motilal Vora indicated that the time was not ripe for the party to act. The Congress would welcome it if Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri summoned the special session of the Assembly so that the present Government could prove its majority, party spokesperson Anand Sharma said but it is not forthcoming like the CPI(M) in demanding the session.

That the Congress was yet to make up its mind regarding joining the SP bandwagon was clear, when CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet today publicly asked the Congress to stop dithering and act in support of the Samajwadi Party. Talking to newspersons, Mr Surjeet, who met Congress president Sonia Gandhi along with SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav earlier this week indicated that the Congress did not give any commitment of support. He quoted Mrs Gandhi as having told them that the Congress would not be a party to the toppling bid.

Congress sources said it was premature for the party to spell out its stand when the State Governor had not made up his mind on convening a special session of the Assembly. There was also the possibility that the Governor, acting under pressure from the Centre dissolved the Assembly to prevent the SP from forming the next Government.

But pressure was building up in the Congress that the party should demand a special session of the Assembly and seek dismissal of the Government.

Meanwhile, in the continuing twists and turns in the political drama in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party and its allies today staked claim to form an alternative Government on the basis of support of 204 MLAs, but the BJP dissidents denied they were part of the move.

However, there was no official word from the Raj Bhawan on the SP’s claim that it had the support of 204 MLAs. The Raj Bhawan had last night said the 12 dissident BJP MLAs at their meeting with Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri did not speak about withdrawal of support to the BSP-BJP coalition ministry.

Even as SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav said he was confident of Congress support in removing BJP from power, the national party continued to be cautious saying it would welcome a special session of the State Assembly for a trial of strength of BSP-BJP coalition Government in the State.

A delegation of MLAs of Samajwadi Party and supporting parties led by SP general secretary Amar Singh met Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri and told him that Mayawati Ministry has been reduced to a "minority" following withdrawal of support by 12 BJP MLAs yesterday and demanded its dismissal.

Submitting a list of 204 MLAs, two more than the half-way mark in a House of 403, the delegation urged the Governor to invite Mulayam Singh Yadav to form Government.

The Samajwadi on its own has 143 MLAs and together with its allies and other small parties claimed the support of 204 in the 403-member House.

Amar Singh told reporters that the list did not contain names of Congress MLAs but had BJP rebels in it. He, however, did not disclose their names.

But prominent BJP dissident leader Ganga Bhakt Singh said the dissidents were not part of SP’s efforts to form an alternative Government. "No, not yet. We have had no discussion on this issue."

Amar Singh said the list also contains names of MLAs from Rashtriya Kranti Party led by former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, Apna Dal and CPM besides the independents.

Mulayam Singh Yadav told reporters in Patna that CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh Surjeet was in touch with Congress High Command to secure its support for forming an alternative Government in UP.

But Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said in New Delhi that Congress was averse to horse-trading and securing defections.

About Yadav’s reported remark that Congress has assured support to SP, he said "it is premature to make any comment either way."

The BJP leadership, meanwhile, blew hot and cold towards the Party dissidents warning it can recommend their disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law even as hoping for an "amicable and honourable" settlement would be found. "We are considering all options including recommendation of disqualification of those going against the Party’s programmes and policies as provided in the anti-defection law," BJP spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters in Delhi.

Asked why the Party was not taking any action against the MLAs who had met the Governor and reportedly withdrawn support to the Government, he said senior leaders were talking to the rebels and the Party High Command was "satisfied" with it.

Earlier, BJP president Venkaiah Naidu said efforts were on for an "honourable and amicable" settlement.

UP BJP president Vinay Katiyar several Party MLAs who had met the Governor last night are "in touch" with party leadership because "BJP is still like a home for them and the State leadership is eagerly awaiting their return."

In a boost to beleaguered Chief Minister Mayawati, an independent MLA, Mukhtar Ansari, today pledged his support to the ruling BSP-BJPcoalition in Uttar Pradesh.

On the other hand, four MLAs, including an independent, asked the Governor to convene a special session of the Assembly and ask Mayawati Government to prove its majority to prevent a constitutional crisis.

In a joint letter to the Governor, Janata Party’s Sanjay Garg, Rashtriya Parivartan Dal’s Mehboob Ali, National Loktantrik Party’s Dinanath Kushwaha and the independent MLA Kaushal Kishore said "the present regime had been reduced to a minority following withdrawal of support to it by some ruling party legislators.

Meanwhile, rebel BJP Legislator Avadhpal Singh Yadav alleged police raided his house in Etah Town and picked up his uncle last night. (AGENCIES)

Pakistan's suspension from Commonwealth to continue

LONDON, Nov 1 : The Commonwealth today decided that Pakistan would remain suspended from the grouping because of "flawed’ elections in the country.

The decision to continue the suspension of Pakistan from Commonwealth was taken at a meeting of its Ministers’ Action Group (CMAG) meeting attended by ministers from eight member-countries including External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon told mediapersons here.

"Status quo as regards Pakistan’s suspension from the Councils of the Commonwealth would continue pending clarity and an assessment of the role and functioning of the democratic institutions in the country," McKinnon said.

McKinnon said "let us see when the Government (in Pakistan) is formed and the Prime Minister and the ministers appointed. It is too early to make any judgement."

The meeting said it "looked forward to early formation of a democratic Government with full executive powers and the establishment of elected legislatures with full constitutional and legislative authority."

The CMAG discussed the conclusions and recommendations of the report of the Commonwealth group of observers for the elections in Pakistan including its assessment that measures introduced in the period preceding the Oct 10 polls have had a limiting effect on the process of restoring democracy.

It asked the Pakistan Government to take necessary steps to implement the recommendations of the report relating to the institutional and procedural issues.

The group expressed concern over continued promulgation of new laws even after the elections which follow extra-constitutional measures introduced through the legal framework order,2002. (PTI)

Two women shot at by ultras

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 1: Two women were shot at and seriously injured by the terrorists at village Baddar in Rutan Dhar area of Doda district this afternoon.

Police said five members of Manohar Lal’s family were returning to their house after watching a street play Harishchander when two terrorists intercepted them at Dabbar and fired upon the women.

Two women identified as Sharda Devi and Shakuntla Devi, who happened to be wife and sister respectively of Manohar Lal, were injured in the firing. The terrorists escaped after the shoot-out.

Injured women were evacuated to the district hospital of Doda. Their condition was stated to be stable as they had sustained gun shots on their legs, police said.

No reasons could be ascertained behind the killing so far. Police was investigating the case.

Meanwhile, a BSP patrol party recovered a consignment of explosives and ammunition from village Bathoi in Latti area of Udhampur districts today. Seizure included two AK magazines, 66 rounds, two hand grenades, 950 grams explosive, one IED remote, one detonator, Rs 10 in Pak currency and a receipt book of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

HC Dy Registrar suspended in sex scandal

JAIPUR, Nov 1: A sex scandal has rocked judicial circles in Rajasthan with a Deputy Registrar of High Court suspended on the charge of seeking sexual favours for himself and a couple of judges from a woman litigant.

The Deputy Registrar Govind Kalwani, posted in Jodhpur, was served with suspension order by the court administration yesterday after the Anti-Corruption Bureau formally registered a case against him after a preliminary inquiry, official sources said.

The official has been accused of sexually propositioning a woman, who runs a beauty and health clinic in Jodhpur, for settling a case pending in High Court in which she is a party.

The owner of the clinic Sunita Malviya in a complaint accused Kalwani of having visited her clinic offering to get the case settled in her favour in return for sexual favour to him and two judges.

She charged that Kalwani named two High Court judges in this connection. He even made a call from her clinic purportedly to a judge in Jaipur, she said.

She produced an audio tape as evidence and cited as a witness Additional Divisional Commissioner, Jodhpur, Prabha Tak, to corroborate her charges against the Deputy Registrar of the High Court.

The matter was also raised before a division bench consisting of acting Chief Justice M R Calla and Justice Gyan Sudha Mishra yesterday by an advocate through a public interest litigation. (PTI)

Notification issued for Rajya Sabha poll

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 1: Authorities today issued a notification for four seats to Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir, the elections for which will be held on November 18.

Notification was issued by Secretary, J&K Assembly, who will function as Returning Officer for the elections.

As per the notification, the candidates or any of their proposers can submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officer till November 8. Scrutiny of the papers will be taken up the next day while the candidates can withdraw their papers on November 11.

In the event of elections, the polling will take place on November 18.

Cong has let down Jammu: Sangma

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 1: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has strongly opposed the choice of operations employed by the Congress party in Jammu and Kashmir in the course of bringing about an alliance with other political groups.

NCP general secretary and former Speaker of Lok Sabha, Mr PA Sangma, in fact, attacked the Congress party for having let down the people of Jammu region.

Addressing a news confernce here on Friday, Mr Sangma regretted that the Congress had "let down and betrayed" the people of Jammu by what he termed as "surrendering" the Chief Ministership to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

Mr Sangma justified his statement in support of the aspirations of the people of Jammu by making a pointed reference to the poll results. He said that the Congress party had secured votes in Jammu region on the promise that the region’s representative would be the Chief Minister.

ISI agent held

AMBALA, Nov 1: Acting on a tip off from CIA, police here today arrested a Pakistani ISI agent, who was sending information about the movements of Army and Air Force units based here to his masters in Pakistan.

Mohd Salim, a resident of Faislabad, was arrested while taking photographs of the Air Force Station in Ambala Cantonment, Inspector General of Police Alok Joshi told reporters here.

He said that police had been keeping a watch on Salim for the last two months after being tipped by CIA about his activities.

He was sending information about day-to-day movements of various Army and Air Force units based here, Joshi said.

A diary containing telephone numbers of cantonments in North India was recovered from Salim who was staying here for the last five months as Jagdish from Dehra Dun. The spy was working as a dyer here.

He said Salim had been sent to India from Pakistan via Kathmandu and Gorakhpur by ISI after training in spying for one year in Pakistan. The house of the ISI agent in Ambala city has been sealed, the IGP added.

Joshi said Salim used to communicate with his contacts in Pakistan via Dubai where he used to remain in touch on a mobile telephone number. He had developed a contact where his phone calls from Pakistan were received, he said. (PTI)

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