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PM urged
to start unconditional talks on Kashmir Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Head of the PDP-led coalition Government, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, today asked the Jammu & Kashmir Police to continue counter-insurgency operations but made it clear that the state Police force would have to show total professionalism in its drive against militants. Even as the new Chief Minister reiterated that the infamous Special Operations Group (SOG) would be assimilated into Police, he asserted that he would himself function as the Chairman of the Unified Headquarters— the counter-insurgency machinery of the State and the Central Governments in Jammu & Kashmir. A day after his taking oath of office, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed dispelled the impression that demobilisation of the SOG would demoralise the state Police force in its drive against militants. He was addressing his maiden Press conference as Chief Minister after taking his first Cabinet meeting at the Civil Secretariat here today. Of the J&K Police, Mufti said categorically that it should step up its campaign against militants but ensure complete transparency and professionalism in such operations. He made it clear that killing people in custody or fake encounters would not be tolerated. Mufti said that security forces too would continue their counter-insurgency operations and, in keeping with the existing system, he would function as the Chairman of the Unified Headquarters. Mufti said that Police and security forces would have to "reform themselves" in conducting militants and dealing with the innocent civilians. He said that when he was the Union Home Minister, security forces used to commit "some excesses" on the civilian population. But, he took all necessary measures to redress the peoples’ grievances and make the armed forces accountable. As for pushing a dialogue on the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan, Mufti said that the first and foremost priority of his Government would be "to douse the flames within". "We have to reduce the alienation among the people and bring them relief", he said. Mufti reminded that even the Government of India’s stand was to initiate talks with Pakistan "for getting our territories back" from that country. Commenting on yesterday’s series of militant attacks in the capital city, Mufti said that militants would continue such "small incidents" to divert the Government’s attention from its developmental programme. He asserted that such incidents could not dent the Government’s resolve to restore peace in the State. Mufti claimed that, inspite of these incidents, there was an overwhelming sense of relaxation in the general atmosphere prevailing in the State after PDP-led Government’s taking over. Even as the Chief Minister said that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) would cease to be in force as per the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition Government, he clarified that Public Safety Act (PSA)—law that empowers the Government to detain anybody without proving charges—would be used "strictly for the public safety". He said that cases of all people detained under POTA would be reviewed and re-examined. Mufti did not endorse the National Conference government’s way of "imposing solutions" and clarified that things could not be thrust upon the people. "We have to initiate a dialogue with all sections of opinion, with the representatives of all religions and regions and see what comes out by consensus", he said. He added that, in a meeting recently, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister had assured him the best of their cooperation in mitigating the suffering of the Kashmiri people. He indicated that a political and economic package for Jammu & Kashmir was on the cards. According to him, senior Congress leader and the former Union Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh would help his Government in settling the matters relating to economy and resources. He said that his Government would assiduously pursue the issue of seeking a major employment package for recruitment of J&K youth in Central Government departments and undertakings. Mufti said that his Government would ensure responsive administration to the people. He said that there were a many men of good integrity in the administration. "There would be no compromise on honesty and accountability of officials", he clarified while indicating stringent action against the corrupt and callous officials. As for the displaced population, Mufti asserted that his Government would take all possible measures for the return of migrants to Kashmir valley. He said that certain incentives would be introduced to encourage those who were interested in returning to the Valley. "But, this all is not possible in one day. It’ll take us time to get back one hundred thousand migrants", he argued. Regarding the winter curtailment of electricity, Mufti said that his Cabinet had decided to reduce the daily cut from the existing nine hours to just four-and-a-half hours. Mufti disclosed that the joint session of the state legislature would begin in Jammu from November 21. He is likely to seek a vote of confidence for his coalition Government in the same session. He said that swearing in of MLAs would begin from November 18. Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, and senior PDP Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig, besides Chief Secretary I S Malhi, were present at the Chief Minister’s Press conference. Seeking full cooperation from the Centre in restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir, Sayeed urged Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to start an unconditional dialogue with all sections of the people to resolve the Kashmir problem. Sayeed said his Goverment was committed to remove alienation of the people in all three regions of the State and that political prisoners would be released soon. "We can remove the alienation of the people but they (Centre) should rise above party lines and initiate a dialogue process. The Prime Minister has already taken steps in this direction and we want an unconditional dialogue with all sections of the people of the State," he said. Stating that the verdict given by the people from all the three regions of the State was for "a definite and positive change", he hoped the Centre would "walk an extra mile to consolidate the gains made by successful conduct of the Assembly polls". "We earnestly hope that the assurance made by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani to extend full support to our Government shall be honoured in letter and spirit and in the national interest," Sayeed, who is heading the multi-party coaltion Government in which Congress is a major partner, said. On the autonomy issue, the Chief Minister said "negotiations will be a futile exercise if the outcome has already been decided. "If the talks are for changing the nomenclature of the Chief Minister and the Governor to Prime Minister and Sadr-e-Riyasat or non-implementation of Article 356, then these are not going to bear fruits." Sayeed said "negotiations should not be limited and whatever emerges from dialogue should be implemented. We have discussed the issue with our coalition partners during the four or five rounds of talks." In a veiled attack on the previous National Conference Government, Sayeed said his Government had a daunting task to revive hopes of the people betrayed by "double talk, corruption and nepotism". The Chief Minister said his Government would look after militancy-hit people including the kith and kin of slain or arrested militants. "We will rehabilitate them and bear expenses for education of their children." In his first policy announcement, he said the Cabinet had decided to reduce the power cut from existing nine hours to four-and-a-half hour. He said, the Cabinet in its first meeting today adopted the Common Minimum Programme chalked out by the coalition partners and decided to form short term economic package for the immediate relief of the people of the State. "The Government adopted the Common Minimum Programme as a road map and the guiding principle for the governance in the State", Sayeed said. Terming the formation of the coalition Government in the State as "an act of great hope and even a greater challenge", Sayeed said the constituents of the coalition Government have displayed sagacity and wisdom in formulating and adopting a Common Minimum Programme. The CMP seeks to reconcile the interest of the nation with the legitimate aspirations of the people of the State and is aimed at bringing peace and prosperity to the State, he said. "It needs to be realised and practised on the ground and great word must become a true deed", he said. Complimenting the Election Commission and the people of the State, Sayeed said the formation of the new Government was made possible because of the "laudable, historical and hitherto unknown conduct of fair elections". The Chief Minister also praised the people for coming out to vote amid the fear of gun and apprehensions of the ultimate peril to their lives and properties. Sayeed had a special word for people of Jammu who, he said, decisively and clearly rejected those elements who espoused the cause of dividing the State. He said the coalition Government will make the Government even more broad-based by co-opting the other groups of MLAs who have extended their unconditional support to the Government. Sayeed said their cooperation and services would be utilized in the larger interests of the State by providing a stable and truly representative Government. |
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No compromise with demand
for UT status By Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Nov 3: Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF) leader and Minister of State for Public Works Department (PWD) Nawang Rigzin said today that the support of two LUTF MLAs to Mufti Sayeed led coalition Government was ‘conditional’. "Our support to the new State Government was based on three conditions—to strengthen the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), to look into reasons behind the demand for Union Territory (UT) status in Ladakh and ensure equitable development of Ladakh region", Rigzin told EXCELSIOR in an exclusive and first interview after taking oath as a Minister of State yesterday. "And if the Government didn’t do that (fulfill out charter of just three demands), we wouldn’t hesitate even for a minute to withdraw our crucial support to the Government", he warned. It may be recalled that all political parties in Ladakh including National Conference, Congress (I) and BJP had wound up their parties and formed LUTF on the eve of Assembly elections in the State. Two Ministers in the NC Government and a member of Rajya Sabha had also resigned to join the Front. Later, two candidates—Nawang Rigzin and Sonam Wangchok Norboo — nominated by the LUTF from Leh and Nubra constituencies had been elected unopposed to the Assembly. Nawang Rigzin explained that the LUTF changed its previous stand of staying neutral and extended support to PDP-Congress (I) coalition Government after observing that leadership of the two parties were making a ‘sincere and honest effort’ to solve ‘immediate problems’ of all three regions. "Appointment of a Jammu leader (Mangat Ram Sharma) as Deputy Chief Minister of the State and induction of a Minister each from Leh and Kargil in the first Ministry itself was a significant decision", he pointed out. Declaring that LUTF still stands for the grant of UT status to Ladakh, Rigzin, however, said that this demand was part of a long term strategy adopted by the Front. "As and when a ‘lasting and honourable solution’ to the Kashmir problem is reached, we are bound to get the UT status", he averred. According to him, Jammu and Kashmir regions should be made two separate States with a quantum of autonomy to later while Ladakh should be made a Union Territory. "This could be the most practical and lasting solution to the problems of all three regions of the State", Rigzin said but clarified that he was not speaking language of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). However, he hastened to add that the demand of Union Territory status could take sometime to fulfill. "The demand was not going to be met in just one or two years but could be linked to a permanent solution to Kashmir problem". Under ‘short term plan’, the LUTF wants alienation among the people of all three regions to end, he said, adding ‘the Government should ensure equitable development opportunities in all three regions and address genuine grievances of the people’. Blasting the National Conference, Rigzin said the erstwhile ruling party did all but short of strangulating the Ladakhis physically during its 55 years rule in the State particularly during its last six years of governance. "It (the National Conference) made all efforts to sabotage the working of LAHDC by rendering it ineffective but it had to bow before pressure of the Ladakhis", he asserted but expressed satisfaction that "people of Ladakh saw through game of the NC and gave 21 out of 25 seats in LAHDC to us". Saying that a number of powers had been vested with the LAHDC when it was established under a Union Home Ministry decision in 1994, Nawang lamented that the outgoing National Conference Government didn’t make the necessary rules to implement these powers. Instead, he regretted, the Government tried to erode the LAHDC’s sanctity by making attempts to curtail it powers. "NC Government’s ‘wrong doings’ were one among the several reasons which prompting the Ladakhis to float LUTF", he said. |
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Police officer attacked, 5 killed 3 intruders shot dead on LoC SRINAGAR, Nov. 3: Army today foiled an infiltration bid by militants when they shot dead three Pakistani intruders near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara sector of north Kashmir, a Defence spokesman said. The infiltrators opened fire on security forces, who asked the armed militants to surrender soon after they entered Indian territory in Gagloosa area. In retaliatory action by army, three militants were killed, he said. An AK assault rifle, three magazines, 780 rounds, a pistol along with its magazine, a rocket projectile gun with 12 rockets, three ruck sacks, seven handgrenades and 15 UBGL grenades from their possession, he said. The operation to track down any other members of the militant group was continuing, he added. Meanwhile, a police officer escaped unhurt in a militant attack, while five persons, including two security personnal and two militants were killed and three securitymen injured in separate incidents in Kashmir valley since last night, a police spokesman said today. Militants opened fire on office-cum-residence of Sub-Divisional Police Officer, B K Rath at Chrar-e-Sharief in Badgam district of central Kashmir last night. The guards of the officer retaliated but there was no report of any casualty on the either side, the spokesman said, adding militants escaped leaving behind an AK magazine and six rounds which were seized. A security jawan was killed when militant opened fire on a search party at Bhatoo in Bandipora area of Baramulla district today, the spokesman said. He said three more securitymen were injured in an ambush by militants at Chaklipora-Utersoo in Anantnag district last night. He said body of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Showkat Ahmad Dar alias Gowhar Yousuf was recovered by police from Akoora in Anantnag district today. A Pakistani militant belonging to Al-Badr outfit, Khalid Gul was killed in an encounter with security forces at Kandi in Kupwara district of north Kashmir yesterday. The spokesman said constable Mumtaz Ahmad, who was injured in a militant attack at Bohrikadal in Downtown Srinagar last night, succumbed to his wounds today. Mumtaz, deployed at police division Urdu Bazzar, was fired upon by militants from point blank range injuring him seriously. Body of one, Ghulam Hassan Ahanger was fished out by police from Gajoora Nallah in Badgam district of central Kashmir today. Hassan, a Government teacher, had been abducted and later killed by militants, the spokesman said. (PTI) |
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‘No question of
adopting soft attitude towards terrorists’ Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 3: Admitting that discrimination has been meted out to Jammu region in different spheres of life, Deputy Chief Minister, Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma today asserted that new coalition Government led by Mufti Mohammed Sayed will remove disparity with all the three regions of the State. Addressing his first press conference after his induction as Deputy Chief Minister in the Congress-PDP Government, Mr Sharma said that new Government was committed for the equal development of all the three regions. "Our Government shall make efforts to ensure that all the three regions of the State-Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh receive an equitable share of resources available for the development", he said, while pointing towards Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of coalition Government, adding, "Government will set up a State Financial Commission with a statuary status for this purpose and the efforts will be to ensure that the backlog of development and employment at the regional and district levels is made good within a specified time frame". Deputy Chief Minister admitted that a small section of people was not satisfied with decision of the Congress to hand-over Chief Ministership to Mufti. He, however, expressed confidence that Congress leaders and Ministers with their sincerity and hardwork will fulfill the aspirations of the people of Jammu region. "People have expressed faith in Congress and we will work with dedication to come up to their expectations ", he said. Stoutly refuting, what he called, malicious campaign launched by some groups that Congress has betrayed people of Jammu region, Mr Sharma said that 23 out of 33 points in the CMP were from Congress manifesto. "Implementation of Wazir Commission Report and constitution of Delimitation Commission are on our top agenda", he said. Replying to a question, he dismissed apprehensions that the new coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir would be soft towards militants and said that terrorism will be treated with iron hand. "Our party president Mrs Sonia Gandhi has already made it clear that new coalition Government will crush militancy and question of adopting soft attitude towards terrorists does not arise", he pointed. Regarding disbanding of Special Operation Group (SOG), he said that the steps being taken by the Government regarding merging of SOG with local police and releasing of political prisoners, would by no means affect the situation in the State. "We will not release all terrorists lodged in different jails. We have promised to release political prisoners not terrorists", he clarified, adding, "proper examinations and screening will be done after taking any final decision on releasing any person". Asked whether the coalition Government will be able to provide a stable Government, he said "the coalition will provide a stable Government to the people." ``We are supporting this Government with sincerity and Mufti Mohammed Sayed has also assured us of similar type of support’’, he said. ``Both PDP and Congress are serious in providing stable Government to inhabitants of this violence plagued State ‘’, he said and hoped that this Government will complete its full term. On the share of Congress in the Ministry and induction of new Minister from Congress quota, Mr Sharma said " AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and PCC chief Ghulam Nabi Azad have to take decision on it’’. Listing priorities of the new Government, Deputy Chief Minister announced elections for Jammu Municipal Corporations and other committees will be held very shortly while as irregular colonies in the City and out-skirts will be regularised. Earlier a rousing reception was accorded to Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma on reaching City of Temples after his induction as Deputy Chief Minister in the Mufti Mohammed Sayed led Cong-PDP coalition. Thousands of Congress workers gathered out-side Jammu Airport to receive their leader. As Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma emerged out of air-port, enthusiastic workers resorted to beating of drums and raising slogans in his favour. Profusely garlanded, Mangat Ram along with two Congress MLAs Raman Bhalla and Ch Gharu Ram were taken in an open jeep. All the way from Air-Port to Congress Headquarters at Residency Road, people were seen standing on the road sides to welcome their leaders. At Satwari Chowk and Gandhi Nagar, a large number of Congress workers gathered to receive Pt Mangat Ram Sharma and local MLA Raman Bhalla. SRTC employees also accorded rousing reception of Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma besides other social and traders associations. Congress headquarters was thronged with large number of workers. Deputy Chief Minister addressed the party workers there. |
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Major strike averted; 2 LeT militants killed NEW DELHI, Nov 3: A major terrorist strike in the Capital on the eve of Diwali was averted tonight when the police killed two terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba in a posh South Delhi Shopping Plaza teeming with thousands of shoppers none of whom was miraculously hurt. Acting on advance intelligence inputs that Lashkar militants would strike, a special team of Delhi Police was waiting in the basement of the capital’s best-known shopping centre Ansar Plaza when the two terrorists drove into the underground parking lot in a white Maruti 800 shortly after after 7 pm, Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Neeraj Kumar said. The terrorists attempted to go up the staircase leading to the floors where hundreds of shops were located but were stopped by the police. The heavily-armed militants then started firing at the police party which engaged them in an encounter lasting 15 minutes killing both the terrorists, Kumar said adding both the ultras belonged to LeT. A Russian-made AK-56 rifle, two pistols, two loaded rifle, an equal number of Chinese-made pistol magazines and a map of Delhi with markets marked on it were recovered from bodies of the slain militants. Police sources said a policeman was injured in the gunbattle. Neeraj Kumar said "we had information of a Diwali eve strike in some congested market place. We had specific information that it would be carried out either at South Extension or Ansal Plaza," he said, adding around 20-25 commandos in plain clothes were deployed to nab the terrorists. The militants opened fire when the police personnel asked them questions. The special team of Delhi Police had laid a trap following intelligence inputs that terrorists would strike by taking hostages and killing people on the lines of the attack on Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar on September 24. The entire area has been cordoned of and police were looking for possible accomplices who may have escaped. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Ashok Chand said police had laid trap at several places following information about the terrorist strikes. While police beefed up security in the area, business continued as usual minutes after the encounter. Neeraj Kumar said it was possibly an attempt by the terrorists to launch a suicide attack. He said they chose the eve of an important festival as a large number of people were present in the Shopping Plaza. Chand said "we feel they (the terrorists) plan to strike again as Delhi is a high-security centre where terrorists are always working on different modules of attack." He said no arrest has yet been made in connection with the incident. Asked if any note was found on the bodies of the slain militants, he said "we have not yet completed the search of their bodies." (PTI) |
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Charges cooked up: SP LUCKNOW, Nov 3: Encouraged by chinks in BJP dissidents camp in Uttar Pradesh, the Mayawati Government today arrested two independent MLAs Raghuraj Pratap Singh and Dhananjay Singh on charges of threatening BJP MLA Puran Singh Bundela at gun point for breaking ranks of his rebel party legislators. In a pre-dawn swoop, police arrested Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya and Dhananjay Singh hours after Bundela lodged an FIR accusing them of threatening him with dire consequences if he did not return to dissidents’ fold, Senior Superintendent of Police Anil Agarwal said. Chief Minister Mayawati told reporters in Saharanpur that they were arrested for threatening Bundela at gun point after he met Governor Vishnukant Shastri and expressed support to the BSP-BJP coalition Government. "He (Bundela) escaped from their (MLAs) clutches and lodged a complaint with Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow," she said. Denying the charge, Raja Bhaiya told PTI by telephone from Cantonment Police Station that Bundela was a "respected" legislator and he could not even think of threatening him. He accused Mayawati Government of "persecuting" dissident legislators and said the ruling coalition was resorting to such tactics to save itself from imminent collapse. In a relief to BJP, chinks appeared today in the rebels camp as two more dissidents Shiv Kant Ojha and Awadhpal Singh Yadav affirmed faith in the state leadership and ruled out quitting the party. Bundela said Dhananjay Singh threatened him with dire consequences if he left dissidents’ rank and expressed his loyalty to state BJP leadership. He alleged both Dhananjay Singh and Raja Bhaiya later came to his house and threatened him again. Bundela, one of the dissident BJP MLAs who met Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri and demanded convening of special session of Assembly for trial of strength, yesterday met Katiyar and reaffirmed his faith in the BJP leadership. In a relief to BJP, chinks appeared today in the rebels camp as two more dissidents Shiv Kant Ojha and Awadhpal Singh Yadav affirmed faith in the state leadership and ruled out quitting the party. Ojha and Yadav said they favoured resolving the matter within the party forum and "there is no question of leaving the party." Bundela, who along with another rebel legislator Ravindra Singh Pundir, held talks with BJP high command pointman Kushabhau Thakre, had said he had full faith in the party leadership. Meanwhile, dissident BJP legislators, led by suspended veteran leader Ganga Bhakt Singh, today met Governor Vishnu Kant Shastri to protest arrest of two independent MLAs Raja Bhaiya and Dhananjay Singh. Ganga Bhakt Singh, however, sent mixed signals. On one hand, he told reporters later that rebels were "still soldiers" of BJP and were raising voice only against victimisation of dissidents. He said there was no question of proximity to Samajwadi Party, for which he was suspended, and "if SP is saying so it is that party’s misconception." However, when asked about the charges levelled by Bundela, Singh claimed the BJP MLA was coerced into lodging the FIR against the two. "Bundela was with us till yesterday," he said. Singh warned if the intimidatory tactics of the Mayawati Government continued they would be forced to take a decisive action. (PTI) |
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India lost two chances to resolve Kashmir : Manekshaw NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Bangladesh war hero, Field Marshal Shfj Manekshaw has said that India twice lost a chance to resolve the Kashmir issue during Ayub Khan’s regime and allowed the problem to grow "big." Expressing regrets that nobody either in India or Pakistan had been strong enough to solve the issue, Manekshaw claimed that way back an option had come up when Pakistani military ruler Ayub Khan had proposed to late Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that as both of them were unquestionable leaders in their respective countries, they could move forward a solution of the Kashmir issue. "Ayub Khan, President of Pakistan, who, though senior to me, was a friend," Manekshaw told newsmen at the sidelines of a Kargil war book release. "I saw Nehru, I told him, I can do what I like in Pakistan and nobody dare say anything and Panditji, you can commit murder in India and everybody will say wah! wah! so, can we sort it out," the former Army Chief quoted the Pakistani strongman as having told him. "But Panditji said, ‘you have no right to be in Kashmir. Kashmir belongs to us," Manekshaw said Ayub Khan had told him adding "so it could have been done then". He said the second opportunity to solve Kashmir issue came after the 1971 war, when the then Pakistani Prime Minister Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto, after promising to cooperate on resolving the issue to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, got away with only seeking time for it. Bhutto told Gandhi, ‘I have just taken over from Yahya Khan. If I do anything now, they will throw me out. Give me a chance, I promise you, everything will be ok.’(PTI) |
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Sharma gets Industries, Beig Finance Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed today allotted portfolios to his council of ministers that took oath of office here yesterday. According to an order issued here this afternoon, the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma will look after the departments of Industries and Commerce and Transport. Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beig will be the Minister for Finance and Planning and Development. He will also hold additional charge of Law and Parliamentary Affairs. Pirzada Muhammad Syed has been assigned the department of Rural Development. Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir will be the Minister for Housing and Urban Development with additional charge of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation. Mr. Mula Ram is the Minister for Social Welfare while Mr. Harsh Dev Singh gets School Education. The Ministers of State, Mr. Nawang Rigzin and Haji Nisar Ali get Public Works and Rural Development, respectively. All other departments shall remain under the charge of the Chief Minister. |
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Pakistan elections manipulated:Imran DUBAI, Nov 3 : Cricketer-turned politican Imran Khan has charged that the recently concluded election in Pakistan were manipulated and advocated the need for a strong Election Commissioner to monitor the poll process. " What Pakistan needs is a powerful and independent Election Commission like India’s and what Kashmir needs is the voice of Kashmiri people uninhibited by any coercion to come through. So there is a big difference between the elections in Kashmir and Pakistan," Khan said, when asked to compare the elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. Khan, who was elected in the recent Parliament election, said the two were entirely different as Kashmir had a huge presence of Army and security forces and the elections in Pakistan were "manipulated" as usual. What is happening in Pakistan is a struggle for democracy, a struggle for greater voice in running our own affairs", he said. On the Kashmir issue, Khan said, "I think for both India and Pakistan, we need strong leadership to solve the Kashmir problem as it is damaging both of us and keeping us behind. It is not allowing the sort of progress and investments that should be taking place in both the countries." Whenever there is tension, it scares away the investors. More than anything it is disastrous for that part of the world which houses most of the poor of the world," he was quoted by the Khaleej Times as saying. Imran felt that despite the elections, the situation was still fluid and unstable in Pakistan. He was however, optimistic that the opposition would be in a position to play its role in the new Parliament, ensuring free debate and discussion on the issues of the people. (PTI) |
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Slain terrorists seem to be Pakistanis: Advani NEW DELHI, Nov 3: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani tonight said the two terrorists killed in an encounter with police in a busy South Delhi Shopping Mall seemed to be Pakistanis and were planning to carry out the strike at the behest of Pakistan to trigger off communal violence. "We are awaiting the full report. From whatever information we have, it seems both of them were Pakistanis," Advani told `Aaj Tak’ when asked whether the nationality of the terrorists has been established. "We have had intelligence inputs in the past few days that the terrorists have been told by their masters to choose days and places which would spark off communal violence," he said, adding the terrorists chose Deepawali-eve for the attack to send a message that would create communal tension in the country. The Deputy Prime Minister said India had specific information that there was no change in Pakistan’s intentions of sponsoring terrorism in India despite international pressure on Islamabad. "It becomes clear from the messages, intercepts and infiltration in the last few days," he said. Asked about the international pressure on India to resume talks with Pakistan, Advani said "irrespective of today’s incident, it is our stand that we will talk to them only when we get a clear indication they have abandoned the path of terrorism." He said the motive of the terrorists behind killing innocent people or exploding bombs in public places was to "create fear and terror" among the people. (PTI) |
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President, PM greet people on Diwali NEW DELHI, Nov 3: President A P J Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today greeted the people on Diwali and hoped the festival of lights forges stronger ties between various communities and ushers in prosperity, peace and happiness. "This festival, which represents the victory of light over darkness, should serve as a catalyst for unity and for forging stronger ties between various communities in the country," the President said in a message. "Diwali is a great occasion to share happiness with all by giving to the needy and removing the pain of others. May this festival bring joy, happiness and health to our citizens," he said. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in a message, said "may the festival of lights remove darkness from the life of the people and usher in prosperity, peace and happiness". (PTI) |
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