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‘Police
was part & parcel of plan’ NEW DELHI, Nov 7: Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh today revealed that there was an attempt to sabotage free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir by "a few people basically in the police" which would have helped former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. He also disclosed that there were plans to release surrendered militants who would have infiltrated the electorate to influence the results and deploy Army in road clearance and checking operations to "divert" their attention. The CEC, however, said he was not sure whether the Chief Minister was aware of the plans to sabotage the polls. He was participating in the "court martial" programme on Sab TV anchored by Karan Thapar. Asked about how the Commission made the elections in the State successful, Lyngdoh said that all the time the Commission had to "outwit people" which was a challenging task. "At one stage, there was a plan to release all ex-militants who had surrendered so that they could infiltrate the electorate. But we nipped it in the bud. Our chaps identified all the militants, got all their details and firmly immure them," he said. Asked what would have been the effect if the plan was not detected, Lyngdoh said that there would not have been normal results. To a specific question whether he meant there was an attempt to sabotage free and fair elections, he said "there was". Asked whether the entire State Government was involved in it, he said "not everybody in the State Government. There were a few people basically in the police". Asked whether Abdullah knew about it, Lyngdoh said "they were doing things which could have helped him". But when specifically asked whether Abdullah was in the know of it, he said "I would not know." Questioned whether he would exonerate Abdullah, the CEC said "well if you know you would not exonerate him. Would you?" "At one stage there was also an attempt to make us believe that the road opening party should be from the army which would have been a diversion to engage the army in one direction and leave the field open for people to do mischief. It was also nipped in the bud. These were crucial moments,"he said. Asked if he was suggesting that entire administration was involved in it, Lyngdoh said "I would not say the State administration. Some people. There were a few people who mattered". Asked by senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar whether there was help from separatist groups to many candidates in the polls, he said he would not like to get into it. "It was a very complex situation. There were lots of people from inside who did it." He had a word of praise for the Chief Secretary I S Malhi who was "absolutely superb". If he was not there, it would not have been possible to conduct a successful election. To a question, he said that the Governor was not informed about the goings on. (PTI) |
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Azad for high level probe into CEC’s disclosures Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: PCC (I) president Ghulam Nabi Azad tonight demanded a high level inquiry by a sitting Supreme Court or a High Court Judge into an attempt by a section of Jammu and Kashmir Police to sabotage just concluded Assembly elections in the State and rig them in favour of National Conference. Reacting to the statement of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) J M Lyngdoh, made in an interview to Sab TV, Azad said :"any conspiracy orchestrated by an individual or a section of administration would have altered situation in the State and had national and international ramifications as entire world was watching the J&K’s Assembly election". "Whosoever big person involved in the conspiracy should be exposed and action must be taken against him by holding a high level inquiry into the reports either by a Supreme Court or a High Court Judge", he said. Asserting that the Assembly elections were being watched very closely and eagerly not only by the nation but entire world including United States and England, Azad pointed out that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had twice made an announcement from ramparts of Red Fort that elections in J&K would be free and fair. Further, President of India too had assured a free and fair poll in the State in his address to the joint session of Parliament. "And even after President and Prime Minister’s declaration for impartial elections, a mischief was orchestrated to sabotage the polls as per Lyngdoh, whose credentials are above board and he can be termed as Chief Election Commissioner of the century", Azad said, adding ‘it was, however, a different issue that whether these persons succeeded in their nefarious plot or not.’ "If anyone had intended to rig the polls, it was a very very grave issue and must be uncovered", he asserted. |
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Ministry formation
incomplete, no discrepancies in portfolios By Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Nov 7: Pradesh Congress (I) president Ghulam Nabi Azad said today that the Co-ordination Committee to monitor working of Cong (I)-PDP coalition Government in the State would be constituted very soon. He indicated that the Committee would be set up on ‘Kerala pattern’, where five parties coalition Government under the banner of United Democratic Front (UDF) led by senior Congress (I) leader A K Antony was working effectively. In an interview to EXCELSIOR today, Azad, who was widely tipped to head the Co-ordination Committee, declined to comment on a question that whether he would head the Committee if asked by the Congress (I) high command. However, he said, in Kerala the heads of all five political parties had been incorporated in the Committee, which was headed by leader of the largest political party. In Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress (I) with 20 seats in the Assembly was largest partner in the coalition Government. Moreover, as per the Government sharing formula reached among the senior leaders of the Congress and PDP in New Delhi, the post of Co-ordination Committee’s Chairman had gone to the former. Saying that the Co-ordination Committee is being set up shortly, Azad, who led the Congress (I) to an unprecedented success in the recently held Assembly election, disclosed that the Committee would discuss all important issues in its meeting which would subsequently be taken up by the State Government for implementation. The PCC (I) president hinted that leader of all coalition partners including the Congress (I), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Panthers Party, Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF) and some independents would be incorporated in the Co-ordination Committee. "Experiment of the Co-ordination Committee was going on very well in Kerala and there was no reason that it wouldn’t succeed in Jammu and Kashmir", Azad, who had been Incharge of Kerala during his tenure as AICC (I) general secretary, said on future of the Committee. He, however, admitted that it would be a ‘new experience’ for the leadership in J&K since such a Committee hadn’t been set up earlier. Describing as ‘good beginning’ the first six days of Mufti Sayeed led coalition Government in the State, the PCC (I) president said he will give six months to new Government to show performance before commenting on its working. The Government will take a fortnight to one month to settle down, he pointed out. He said the Government has taken off well and hoped that it would take care of the aspirations of all three regions in respect of development and other major issues. When asked about the reported resentment among the people over distribution of not so important portfolios to three Ministers of Jammu, Azad said the exercise of Ministry formation hadn’t been completed so far. "Real exercise of Ministry formation would take place after the Assembly session later this month", the PCC (I) chief disclosed and assured the Jammuites as well as Congress (I) leaders there would be no shortcomings or discrepancies in the distribution of portfolios. Infact, there would be no discrimination with any region or any coalition partner, he declared. It may be recalled that internally all three Ministers of Jammu were feeling discriminated in the matter of portfolios’ allotment but none of them have voiced their grievance publicly. Resentment was high among veteran Dalit leader of the Congress (I) Mula Ram and Panthers Party legislator Harshdev Singh, who had been allotted Social Welfare and School Education Departments. Replying to a question on former Union Law Minister and BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley’s statement that Mufti Sayeed Government has no legal authority to review anti-terrorism law (POTA), a main demand in Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition Government, Azad said: "it was upto the State Government to decide about legal formalities of such a decision". But, he said, there was no need to repeal POTA. "What we have promised in the CMP was that POTA wouldn’t be used in the State. And, infact, this was the case with several Congress ruled States, which had refused to implement POTA. Azad said this was ‘last opportunity’ for the militants and all other separatist outfits including All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) to see ground realities and come forward for talks with both State and Centre Governments. "No State Government can go beyond what our coalition had promised to them. If these organisations are interested in development of the State and future of the Kashmiris’ families, they should fall in line and say a good-by to the gun culture", he observed and said :"the struggle in Palestine, Israel and other countries was an example that gun was no solution to any problem in the world". He invited ‘people with a voice of dissent’ to come forward for talks and hoped that Pakistan would also see the reasons and stop encouraging militancy in the State. He said the Government of India also has a major role in the talks and the State Government can only assist them. "A final solution to Kashmir problem can be arrived at only through talks", he added. On the role of foreign mercenaries, Azad said :"if the local militants stop supporting them, they would have no option but to go back. The mercenaries thrive on support of the local militants only". Describing corruption as main electoral plank of the Congress (I), he declared that the new coalition Government would launch a vigorous drive against the menace. "Corruption of previous years would also be covered under the drive". Regarding Congress election manifesto of setting up Regional Councils, he said the manifesto drafting committee of the party was not aware that the District Development Boards already exist in the State. "There Boards have more powers than a Regional Council could have", he asserted. On the question of ‘regional imbalances’, the Congress (I) leader said ‘every region felt that it had been discriminated. We will have to remove this feeling among the people of all three regions’. Azad said the Government would set up a Financial Commission with statutory status to define backlog of employment, development and allocation of funds. And discrepancy found by the Commission would be removed, he assured. He said the Government would examine report of Wazir Commission. |
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Two brother SPOs shot dead in Billawar Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 7: Terrorists struck at village Deol near Phinter in Billawar tehsil in early hours of this morning killing two Special Police Officers (SPOs), both of whom were brothers and were previously associated with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. The victims have been identified as Ishrat Qamar, 28 and Ashraf Qamar, 32, sons of Qamar Din and residents of Deol. Police sources said three terrorists in army uniform came to the house of the SPOs at 0330 hours today and called them out. Posing themselves as police personnel, the terrorists asked the SPOs to accompany them to a search operation. After walking about 100 meters from the house, the terrorists shot dead both brothers and escaped. A total of eight rounds were fired by one of the ultras with an AK-47 rifle to kill the SPOs, the sources said. A police party from Billawar police station reached Deol immediately after getting a report of the killings and cordoned off the village. A search operation was immediately launched in Deol forests but the terrorists remained untraced. Bodies of the slain SPOs were shifted to the sub district hospital in Billawar and were handed over to their family in the afternoon after post-mortem. The brothers were laid to rest in the evening. According to sources, Ishrat Qamar and Ashraf Qamar were earlier affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. They remained active as terrorists for about one and a half year before they were persuaded by the then SHO Billawar Dalip Singh to lay down their arms. Both of them had surrendered before senior police officers in the District Police Lines (DPL) Kathua in May 1997. They had handed over a large quantity of arms and ammunition at the time of surrender including one sniper rifle and one AK rifle. Later, the brothers were recruited as SPOs as a part of the rehabilitation programme. However, in view of serious threat to the duo from Hizbul Mujahideen for shunning the path of militancy, they had shifted from their native village in Malhar to Deol near Phinter. This was done after the terrorists gunned down their father Qamar Din in 1999. According to sources, the SPOs had attended to their duties at Phinter last night and left for their house around 2200 hours. Meanwhile, police have suspected the hand of Hizbul Mujahideen’s Shakeel Ansari group behind the killings, which today sparked off tension in Phinter and Billawar. To protest the killings, a number of local people marched to Phinter this morning and disrupted vehicular movement on Dhar road. However, the road blockade was lifted by the mob following intervention of the senior police officers. Police have registered a case in the killings and was making efforts to identity and apprehend the killers. |
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Treat ISI at par with Al-Qaeda, Taliban: Advani BHIWANI, HARYANA, Nov 7: Cautioning against terrorist attacks of the September 11 magnitude, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today asked the international community to treat Pakistan’s ISI on a par with Al Qaeda and Taliban and forget their own national interests while dealing with the issue of global terrorism. Addressing officers and jawans of Haryana Police at the inauguration of the 51st All India Police Games here, Mr Advani said, "I want to tell the international community that if you consider Taliban and Al Qaeda as the source of terrorism in the world, you must also consider the ISI as another source of terrorism." He said that no country should support terrorism, irrespective of its individual foreign policies, anywhere and in any form. "Ignoring ISI can prove dangerous. I am saying this because we have faced that (the danger). The world must realise that terrorism knows no boundaries and can endanger the entire humanity." quoting from a book ‘Breakdown’, written by a correspondent of the Washington Post, Mr Advani said the US had been warned before September 11 that if Taliban and Al Qaeda activities were not curbed, anything could happen. The US did not believe India when it told the international community about the dangers of terrorism as their main interest was national. However, after the September 11 attack, the US understood the message but by then the damage had been done. He asserted that India had been combating terrorism for the past two decades and would defeat it on its own. "It is our problem and we will defeat it on our own," he added. Mr Advani said that in 1971, Pakistan attacked India with the intention of taking away Kashmir but instead, lost Bangladesh and had its 93,000 soldiers taken prisoner. After the 1971 war, the then Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto "came running" to Mrs Indira Gandhi asking for the release of the prisoners and promising not to wage a war against India again. However, he did not start a direct war but resorted to a proxy war which has been going on for two decades now, Mr Advani added. He said earlier, the nation’s security was the responsibility of the armed forces alone. But after the start of the proxy war by Pakistan, all security agencies including the police, para military forces and the army had to safeguard national security. When terrorism was at its peak in Punjab, nobody could think that the State would be normal again. But things changed, he said and asserted that similarly in Kashmir too, terrorism would be defeated. Keeping those tasks in view, the Centre had increased the allocation for police modernisation from Rs 200 crore annually to Rs 1,000 crore with an equal amount as the State’s contribution, Mr Advani said. Referring to a suggestion about raising India Reserve Battalions (IRBs), Mr Advani said a State Government would have to make its own recruitment as Central paramilitary forces were stretched on various duties in many parts of the country. He said it was important to keep the police forces happy and satisfied so that they were able to perform their duties well. Expressing happiness over the award-winning performances by Indian sportspersons in various international meets, as against dismal performances previously, Mr Advani said interest would have to be developed at school level. As long as there was no interest in sports at educational institutions, success could not be achieved. Mr Advani also presented shields and cash awards to the 14 winners of medals from Haryana at the recent Busan Asian Games. (UNI) |
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Deployment of troops on
border achieved BHUBANESWAR, Nov 7: Chief of Army Staff General S Padmanabhan today said he had favoured the pull back of the Army as the purpose for which it had been deployed was substantially achieved. The General, who arrived here to oversee the Army locations in the State, told newsmen that he was quite happy that during the deployment of the Army in the border areas he could undertake the whole exercise. "Our strength was clearly shown to the enemy and the message that we are strong enough has been conveyed, " the Army Chief said and quipped, "I am pulling them back for a better purpose." General Padmanabhan said the December 13 incident demanded that the nation rise to the occasion as Pakistan was identified to be behind the incident and so the defence force was mobilised. It was a situation where anything was possible. He said the January 12 statement of the ruler of that country was a clear admission of the culpality of that country. It amounted to say that we committed a mistake and it will not happen again, the Army Chief remarked. Gen Padmanabhan opined that the Army should not be asked to do too many internal jobs. No Army wanted to deal with its own people, he remarked. He, however, said a full division of the Army would be deployed in Gujarat, but made it clear that it had nothing to do with the State Assembly election there. The Army Chief suggested that the border areas should be better looked after as these pockets needed security and the people residing there should not feel that they were being neglected He said the people on the borders had a feeling that their voice was not being heard, adding that the elected representatives of the area should try to concentrate more on the infrastructure development like road and electricity. To a question, Gen Padmanabhan said he favoured a guaranteed 3 per cent of the GDP be earmarked for the Army for the next 10 to 15 years. (UNI) |
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LONDON, Nov 7: Britain has asked Pakistan to "take firm action" against terrorists seeking to use that country as a safe haven and put an end to militants crossing over to Jammu and Kashmir. "We have made clear that the international community will expect Pakistan to take firm action against any terrorists seeking to use that country as a safe haven," Parliamentary Under Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Baroness Amos, said in the House of Commons replying to a question on steps taken to close terrorist training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "We have welcomed the steps that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has taken so far to clamp down on terrorist and extremist groups in Pakistan. We shall urge him to continue in that vital task," she said yesterday. Answering a separate question on the killings of 800 people by terrorists’ violence in Jammu and Kashmir since the Assembly polls were announced, Mike O’Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, said "we now need to ensure that there is an end to terrorism and a beginning of a process of greater contact between the two countries. "In due course, I hope that it will be possible to hold discussions that will lead to a peaceful settlement of the disputes, including those in relation to Kashmir." Sharing the members’ concern about cross-border infiltration, O’Brien said Britain has raised the matter regularly with Pakistan Government, including during the visit of Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to Islamabad on July 19 and 20 and when he met his Pakistani counterpart on Sept 16 in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. "The Pakistani Government has assured us that President Musharraf’s pledge that there will be no further movement across the Line of Control still stands, and that the Pakistani Army is doing all it can to stop infiltration. We are ensuring that the Pakistani Government are aware of our continued concern and we are working with them in order to try to ensure that those promises are indeed kept," he said. During the discussions in the House, the Indian Election Commission came in for high praise for its efforts to hold free and fair elections in Jammu and Kashmir. "The elections in Jammu and Kashmir were marred by high levels of violence and intimidation, which we unreservedly condemn. Despite that, the Indian Election Commission has made strenuous efforts to deliver free and fair elections," O’Brien said. He said many Kashmiris chose to participate in the elections and hoped that the polls would be a step in a broader process that would bring peace to the region. (PTI) |
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We will storm back to power
soon: Farooq Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah today asserted that his party will return to power very soon. He disclosed that he will file his nomination papers as Rajya Sabha candidate tomorrow. During an informal chat with media-persons at Jammu Airport, Dr Farooq Abdullah, who arrived today in the City of temples from Srinagar, said, "we are fighters and will storm back to power very soon". "National Conference is a movement which has roots in every nook and corner of Jammu and Kashmir ", a visibly relaxed Farooq Abdullah said and exuded confidence that his party will again assume power in the State. Replying to a question regarding beginning of the one week old PDP-Congress coalition Government headed by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, he said, "it is too early to comment on the Government’s functioning". "Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress have promised so many things to the people during their election campaign", he recalled, adding, "we are going to watch how this coalition will fulfill these promises". "Besides opposing anti-people policies of the State Government, as opposition, we will also see how this Government will perform", he said. Former Chief Minister disclosed that he will file his nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha seat as National Conference candidate. "I will file my papers tomorrow", he said and refused to disclose whether he will join the Union Government or not. "The NC leadership has only directed me to file nominations papers as candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat. We have not taken any decision to join the Central Ministry so far", he said. Replying to a query whether he will hold discussions with the Congress, Panthers Party or independents, Dr Abdullah clarified, "I have come here not to chalk out strategy for Rajya Sabha elections but to keep my house in order", he said. When his attention was drawn towards decision of the coalition Government to disband Special Operation Group (SOG) and repealing of Prevention of Terrorist Act (POTA), Dr Abdullah said, "it is better to talk with Mufti Sahib on this issue. He (Mufti) has taken these decision and only he can give reply to your queries". Earlier a rousing reception was accorded to former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah on his arrival at the Airport today. Thousands of National Conference activists gathered at Jammu Airport to receive their leader. Much before the arrival of Farooq Abdullah, a large number of NC workers along with senior leaders thronged the Airport with NC flags and banners in their hands. ‘Uncha Rahey Ga Hal Ka Jhandha’ (the flag of hal (NC symbol) will always fly high) repeatedly rented the air. As Farooq Abdullah along with his National Conference president Omar Abdullah emerged out of the Airport, the enthusiastic workers resorted to shouting of slogans in their favour. "Farooq Hamari Jaan Hai, Omar Hamari Shan Hai (Farooq is our life and Omar is our honour) rented the air as workers shouted deafening slogans in favour of father-son duo. From Jammu Airport, Farooq Abdullah straightway drove to his residence at Bhithandi, where he addressed a meeting of the prominent workers, who had reached there to receive him. Dr Abdullah asked the party workers to remain in touch with the masses and highlight their problems. He further exhorted the party workers to reach the grass root level to revive the party. |
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Khandey posted as Principal Secretary to CM Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: The State Government today ordered appointment of Mohd Iqbal Khandey, Chairman, Subordinate Services Recruitment Board (SSRB) as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed. An order to this effect was issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) today. Khandey, a senior IAS officer, is known for his honesty and integrity. His appointment has been widely hailed not only by the bureaucrats but by the general public also. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Chairman of Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council Thupstan Chhewang today said he has resigned from the post as he wanted to devote more time to strengthen the newly formed Ladakh Union Territory Front which has bagged two seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, to persue Union Territory status for Leh. "I have sent my resignation to the Chief Executive Councillor of Leh yesterday for being forwarded to the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary of the State Government’, Chhewang said on phone from Leh. He was critical of the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed led coalition Government for including one of the two front MLAs, who were elected unopposed to the State Assembly, as a Minister of State. By denying a cabinet berth, LUTF has been sidelined in decision making, he said and added that the front had decided to back the present Government after Pradesh Congress president Ghulam Nabi Azad indicated he would support our demand. Chhewang said he would hold talks with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Azad in Jammu on Saturday. |
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Cong nominates Soz for RS poll Excelsior Correspondent NEW DELHI, Nov 7: The Congress (I) high command is understood to have cleared the name of former Union Minister Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz as its second candidate for the election to four Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir, scheduled to be held on November 18. J&K PCC (I) president Ghulam Nabi Azad’s name was yesterday cleared by the Congress (I) high command for Rajya Sabha election. Tomorrow is last date for filing the nomination papers. Former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah will also file his nomination papers for Rajya Sabha election tomorrow. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: Security forces today eliminated three hardcore terrorists in a day long encounter in Gulabgarh area of Udhampur district. Defence sources said all three terrorists were killed after a fierce exchange of gun fighting that lasted more than 12 hours. So far, security forces have recovered one AK rifle and some ammunition from the encounter site but more recoveries were expected during the searches tomorrow morning. Identity of the slain terrorists hadn’t been established so far. Meanwhile, army today busted a hideout of the terrorists in Surankote area of Poonch district. Recoveries made from the hideout included one AK rifle, four magazines, 315 rounds, one pistol with one magazine, 12 hand grenades, five kg explosives, eight detonators and one radio set. Army also detected and defused an IED in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri today. The IED weighed 12 kg. |
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Civilian, militant killed in Valley Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Nov 7: While as security forces today eliminated a local militant in Shopian area, one more civilian, who was among the 13 injured in a grenade blast at Anantnag yesterday, has succumbed to injuries. Official sources said that security forces eliminated an unidentified militant of Hizbul Mujahideen in an encounter at Pursoo village in Shopian area. One AK-56 rifle has been recovered from his possession. Meanwhile, a critically injured civilian, namely Abdur Rasheed Sarwal of Nambal (Mattan) Anantnag today breathed his last at SMHS Hospital. He was among the 13 civilians who had sustained multiple splinter injuries in a grenade attack of militants on security forces at Achhabal Adda, Anantnag, on Wednesday. Yesterday evening one civilian had succumbed to injuries. Reports from south Kashmir added that a housewife, Hafeeza Begum W/o Ghulam Mohammad Bhat R/o Gandipora, Qazigund, committed suicide by consuming a poisonous substances early this morning. She was mother of three children. Driver of a sawmill, Nazir Ahmed S/o Ali Mohammad R/o Qoil Muqam, Bandipore, got killed when his clothes got entangled in a machine at Doabgah, Sopore, this evening. |
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Administrative shake-up after Nov 25 Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 7: A major shake-up in the State bureaucracy including both civil and police administration will take place after November 25. This was disclosed here today by authoritative sources. |
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