Farooq, Azad, Soz, Bajwa to be elected unopposed to RS

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Union Minister, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz andPDP leader Trilok Singh Bajwa today filed their nomination papers for four Rajya Sabha seats of Jammu and Kashmir. As only four candidates have filed their papers for the same number of seats, these candidates are likely to be declared elected as unopposed on Monday.

Four seats to the Rajya Sabha from the State fell vacant after term of Azad, Mirza Abdul Rasheed, Sharif-din-Shariq and Kushak Thiksey ended.

Before filing of papers, a meeting of the political parties was held in which consensus emerged among all parties. It was decided to hold unanimous elections.

After meeting, Prof Bhim Singh, president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) announced on behalf of all the groups that they have decided to conduct unanimous elections. National Conference president Omar Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party vice-president and Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Beig, CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami were present when Prof Singh made the statement regarding unanimous elections.

Dr Abdullah’s candidature is backed by the ruling coalition that includes PDP, Congress, CPI-M and Panthers Party.

He was the first to file nomination papers at the office of Secretary, Legislative Assembly.

The veteran National Conference leader was followed by Azad, Trilok Singh Bajwa of Peoples Democratic Party and former Union Minister Saif-ud-Din Soz of Congress.

Scrutiny of nomination papers would be held on Nov 11.

After filing his nominations papers, Azad said "it was a historical decision by all coalition partners to give one seat to National Conference despite differences in points of view."

This would help all political parties to work together to solve the problems of people and bring permanent peace in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

"We hope NC will also back us on several important decisions of national importance," Azad said.

CPI-M leader Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami said the ruling coalition had taken a united decision to support Abdullah.

"The decision to back Farooq was taken by all, not Congress alone, as Farooq is a senior and experienced leader of the State," he said.

"We wanted a united voice in Rajya Sabha for raising the problems of the people and for this it was necessary to take NC along with us," Tarigami said.

PDP today sprang a surprise while announcing Trilok Singh Bajwa as candidate for the party. Mr Bajwa, a close associate of Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayed, is a prominent Jat leader.

Belonging to far-flung border village of Kang (Ranbir Singh Pura), Bajwa joined active politics as member of the Janta Dal in 1989. He served the party as block president. When Mufti Mohammed Sayed returned to Congress in 1996, he too joined the party. Mr Bajwa left Congress in 1999 when Mufti Mohammed Sayed floated PDP. He unsuccessfully contested 1999 Lok Sabha elections. He was party candidate for Suchetgarh Assembly seat in the recently held Assembly. Mr Bajwa is elected member of the Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee from R S Pura.

Talking to EXCELSIOR after filing of his nomination papers, he expressed his gratitude towards Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayed for reposing faith in him. "It is a befitting reply for those who have launched a malicious campaign that PDP is anti-Jammu", he said, adding, "my nomination is first step to give political representation to Jammu".

During the process of filing of nomination papers, NC president Omar Abdullah and PDP vice president Mehbooba Mufti were seen inter-acting with each other.

Al-Badr terrorist, 2 army soldiers killed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: A terrorist of Al-Badr outfit and two army jawans were killed while a Special Police Officer (SPO) was seriously injured in two separate encounters in Rajouri and Udhampur districts overnight.

In another incident, a civilian was injured in a mine blast in Samba sector today.

Official sources said army personnel launched a search operation at Bhati Mohalla in Saj area under Thanna Mandi police station’s jurisdiction in Rajouri district early this morning. Operation was launched after an information was received by the troops about presence of four terrorists in a hideout at Bhati Mohalla.

Observing movement of army soldiers, the terrorists opened heavy firing on them and deserted their hideout. Troops chased the fleeing ultras and engaged them in an encounter. In subsequent exchange of firing, army eliminated one terrorist while three others remained untraced, the sources said.

A SPO identified as Sarfaraz Majid was injured in the encounter. He has been shifted to the hospital.

Identity of the slain terrorist has been established as Shaheen. He was affiliated with Al-Badr outfit. One AK-56 rifle, three magazines, one radio set and one hand grenade were recovered from the scene of encounter.

Meanwhile, according to sources, two army soldiers were also killed in an encounter at Gulabgarh in Udhampur district last night in which three terrorists were eliminated by the troops.

The jawans were seriously injured in the day long encounter. However, they succumbed to their injuries before being airlifted to hospital. Identity of the deceased army jawans wasn’t disclosed by the Defence authorities.

Meanwhile, a civilian Janak Raj son of Babu Ram was injured in heavy firing by Pakistan army in forward village of Galar in Samba sector this morning. Injured has been shifted to Military Hospital, Satwari.

Decisive turning point in J&K : Sonia

MOUNT ABU, Nov 8: A "decisive turning point" had been reached in Jammu and Kashmir’s troubled history and an end to years of strife was in sight after the just-concluded Assembly elections in the State, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said today.

Opening her 30-minute speech at the fourth conclave of Congress Chief Ministers here, she said the people of the insurgency-hit State had reposed faith in electoral, secular and pluralistic democracy.

"I believe that we have reached a decisive turning point in Jammu and Kashmir," she said.

Ms Gandhi said the Congress-People’s Democratic Front (PDP) Government that had been formed in the State was facing "high expectations" from the people. They were yearning for a return to peace and harmony and the entire world was watching developments there, she said.

"We have a Common Minimum Programme to guide the coalition there and we are determined to ensure that this agenda is implemented in letter and spirit to secure a new future for the people of the State," she said.

"With sensitive and humane governance, with purposeful and decisive governance, we will be able to end the tragic cycle of violence that has wrought such great havoc in all regions of the state," she added.

Meanwhile, Congress today initiated an exercise to finalise the strategy to come to power at the Centre and in States where it is in opposition with a call by its president Sonia Gandhi to consolidate the party’s position to "oust" the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Inaugurating the fourth conclave of the Congress Chief Ministers here, she said during the past three years, the country had seen "hollow claims" being made by the NDA. The NDA had nothing to show on record and had comprehensively failed on all fronts, she claimed.

The country was, therefore, looking to the Congress to revive its economic growth, foster social peace and enhance its standing in the comity of nations, she said.

The Congress is being looked upon by the people to provide the Government at the Centre and in States. The party could govern with an administration which would be responsive to people’s needs and aspirations, she said.

In Gujarat, Ms Gandhi said the party was fighting the forces which did not hesitate to stoop to any level to poison the society with communal frenzy. The party’s objective in the State in the coming elections would be to provide a Government which would endeavour to remove bigotry and restore economic progress. (UNI)

Govt seeks recall of 30 IAS officers from Centre

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: The State Government has requested to the Centre Government for return of 30 IAS officers of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, presently on deputation to the Centre. In turn, the Government planned to send other State cadre officers on the deputation.

"The new State Government has asked the Centre to keep services of the officers on deputation at the disposal of State as early as possible", authoritative sources said.

Of 30 officers, the four year tenure of deputation of three officers has already expired. They are Samuel Verghese, Controller, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruanmapuram, whose term of deputation ended on March 9,2002, Sudhanshu Panday, Special Assistant to Minister of State for External Affairs, whose term ended on October 20, 2002, Umang Narula, Deputy Secretary, Department of Culture, New Delhi, whose deputation ended on August 19, 2002.

Other officers, whose term of deputation was about to end shortly, included S S Sahni, presently posted for Participatory Research In Asia (pria), New Delhi, whose deputation will end on January 31, 2003 and S L Bhat, Joint Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, whose term end in January 2003. Madhav Lal, Member (Administration, Planning & IT), National Highway Authority of India, New Delhi, P G Dhar Chakraborthy, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Women & Child, New Delhi and Brij Raj Sharma, Private Secretary to Minister of State for Human Resources Development, whose term expires in July 2003.

A K Mehta, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Sandeep Kumar Nayak, Deputy Director LBSNAA Mussoorie will complete their deputations on April 28, 2003 and November 25, 2003 respectively. Term of L D Jha, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment end in June, 2003.

Other officers, whose recall has been demanded by the State Government from the Centre, are Wajahat Habibullah, an IAS officer of 1968 cadre and presently posted as Director LBSNAA Mussoorie, whose term of deputation end in August, 2004, Dr Sudhir Singh Bloeria, Director General Enforcement, New Delhi, whose term ends in August 2006, C Phunsog, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests and Sushma Chowdhary, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests, whose deputation is valid upto February 2005.

S B Mathur, an IAS officer of 1971 batch and posted as Director General, Appeal Ex-Post Promotion Council and S V Bhave Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resources Development were on deputation with Centre till September 2006 and May 2004. Deputation of S Maria Desalphine, Chairman, Rubber Board in Ministry of Commerce and Industries is on deputation till July 2005 while S S Kapoor, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industries is on deputation till September 2004.

Deputation of Pankaj Jain, Joint Secretary, Department of Urban Employment and Poverty Alleviation, expires in December 2006 while deputation of A K Angurana, Deputy Director, Council of Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology ends in December 2004. K B Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer, Uttar Pardesh has his term of deputation till September 2003 while B B Vyas, Assistant Resident Representative with UNDP, New Delhi has his term upto March 2004. Deputation of R K Gupta, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Homes Affairs is to end on May 2, 2004 while deputation of P K Tripathi, Director, Ministry of Power will end on April 18, 2005.

Najamus Saqib, Senior Regional Manager, Food Corporation of India, Jammu is on deputation with the Centre till February 2005, R K Goyal till March 2006, Santmanu till October 2006, Shaleen Kabra till August 2006 and Bipul Pathak till December 2005.

No regard for Friday prayers, holy month of Ramazan
Striking on mosques, militants kill 3 in Friday prayers

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 8: While as the well-wishers of militants in administration and politics are levelling ground for yet another "Ramazan ceasefire", militants have begun to strike on their targets in mosques. On occasion of the first Friday of the holy month of Ramazan, militants today gunned down three Kashmiri Muslims while performing their afternoon prayers at two different mosques in Anantnag and Kupwara. In Anantnag, however, angry people overpowered and disarmed the assailant, thrashed him mercilessly and handed him over to Police.

Like hundreds of devout Muslims, SPO Javed Ahmed Walow S/o Abdul Karim Walow of Poshwara (Anantnag) was performing his Friday prayers at a mosque near KMDA Bus Stand, at Anantnag. Since the mosque interior was packed to capacity, Javed and over a hundred others had formed the ranks for the Friday prayers on the metalled road outside the mosque. Suddenly, an unidentified young man whipped out his 9 mm pistol and fired three shots on Javed, who seemed to be his target. He fell in a pool of blood and died on spot.

Even as the shootout spread panic among the people busy in prayers, Constable Qamar-uz-Zaman of Anantnag Police, who was also in the prayers, mustered courage and pounced upon the gunman. He struggled hard to escape but two more Police personnel came to the constable’s help and overpowered the gunman. Suddenly a large number of people snatched away the gunman from the clutches of the three Policemen and thrashed him to the extent that he fell unconscious.

When Police attempted to rescue the assailant, angry people attacked even the Police. In the scuffle, three Police personnel, including Dy SP Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Andrabi, sustained injuries. Finally, Police managed to take the unconscious militant in custody. He was admitted at District Hospital of Anantnag where he was in coma even at midnight. Residents of Anantnag and a number of counter-insurgent Ikhwanis gathered at the hospital to identify the captured militant. However, nobody had identified him till late tonight. According to a wireless intercept, he was some Zahid of Jaish-e-Mohammad outfit.

According to reports, Javed Ahmed Walow was a former counter-insurgent who had lately been engaged as an SPO.

In a similar incident, an unidentified gunman appeared at Wawoora village in Lolab valley of Kupwara district and assimilated in the crowd of the people performing Friday afternoon prayers at the local mosque. While the people were in the thick of prayers, the gunman fired upon SPO Mushtaq Ahmed Beig of the same village, who was also in the prayers. Beig and another civilian sustained critical injuries and were rushed to hospital. However, a Class 12th student, Raja Kaleemulla of the same village, who was also performing the prayers, died on spot. Later, the assailant’s real target, SPO Mushtaq Ahmed Beig, too succumbed to injuries.

According to eye-witnesses, some people chased away the militant but he fired some shots and escaped alongwith two more of his associates. Mushtaq Ahmed Beig was a surrendered militant who had been engaged as an SPO.

Authorities believe that a host of militant-friendly measures by the PDP-led coalition Government has brought about a degree of relief in the common people but the same has simultaneously emboldened the militants who are now striking at will. In the last 13 years of insurgency, militants had been killing people while returning from mosques after performing prayers. This is for the first time that militants have had temerity to strike on the people performing prayers inside mosques. The twin incidents came on day two of the holy month of Ramazan. This is also for the first time that common people have captured an armed killer and almost lynched him to death at a mosque.

Corruption in judiciary can be fought with strong CJs: CJI

NEW DELHI, Nov 8: Conceding that corruption has dented judiciary’s image to some extent, the new Chief Justice of India (CJI) G B Pattanaik today said slackness on the part of Chief Justices of High Courts, who supervise functioning of subordinate judiciary, was the reason behind the menace.

"It is the slackness of the Chief Justices concerned which is the main cause. Therefore the antidote is to have strong Chief Justices in every High Court to manage the system as the entire judicial administration of every state depends upon him," Justice Pattnaik, who took oath of office this morning said.

During the wide-ranging interview, the CJI talked on problems of indiscipline in the bar, the image of judiciary, selection of judges only through collegium and not by National Judicial Commission (NJC) and making truth a defence in contempt proceedings.

He said though the image of the judiciary had been tarnished by aberrations here and there, the trust of citizens in the system still continues: "I personally believe that the trust an Indian citizen has in the system continues even though delay in dispensation of justice is a great source of anxiety."

Justice Pattanaik said "the basic idea that judiciary is the watch dog of democracy is being fully implemented as is apparent from the recent controversy between the Chief Election Commission and the Executive Government."

On the appointment of judges to higher judiciary, the new Chief Justice completely rejected the Government’s proposal to put in place a National Judicial Commission describing the same as an "unworkable concept".

"I am firmly of the view that NJC will not be able to function well. To have a meeting of the Commission with the Prime Minister, Home Minister and others along with the CJI and other senior judges will itself be difficult," he said adding the present system of selection by a collegium of senior judges headed by the CJI was working well.

"The system of selection of judges through collegium is functioning well and even at times when the President is of the opinion that the selection has not been proper, the proposal is returned and the collegium reconsiders its decision," he said.

The advantage of a decision by the collegium is that five judges of the Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, discuss the candidate after receiving information about him from various sources, Justice Pattanaik said.

Asked whether enormous powers had been conferred on the courts under contempt jurisidiction, the CJI said it was not correct to say that enormous powers have been conferred on the courts in this regard. "Usually, no court likes to punish anybody for contempt unless the court feels that the allegations are intended to malign the system," he added. Justice Pattanaik said personal criticism of any judge was usually ignored and the courts never exercised contempt jurisidiction for such criticism.

He said "the power is there for protecting the majesty of rule of law and as such in my view the power should be there."

Asked whether truth should be made a defence in contempt proceedings, he said so far as the present position of law was concerned truth in a contempt was no defence.

"But that can be certainly be amended by a suitable legislation. The only problem in that case would be the judge concerned also should have a right to establish that what is alleged as truth is not really the truth but a falsehood," the CJI said.

Expressing serious concern over the fast deteriorating discipline in the bar, he said "if I think of 1962 when I joined the bar and the discipline that was prevalent then and I compare it with the bar today, I must say that there has been total chaos."

Every Bar Association today expresses the wishes of the youngsters who might not be the majority voice, he said adding "this has happened because the relationship between the senior and junior advocates these days is not cordial.

"Over ambition and overnight dreams of junior members and lack of sympathy and affection of senior members are responsible for this state of affairs," the CJI said.

Lamenting erosion of moral values, Justice Pattanaik said "unless we change our behaviour and moral character, it would not be possible for the country to develop and for this the responsibility is more on the senior members than on the youngsters." (PTI)

Khandey to hold charge of 3 Departments

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: The State Government has ordered that Principal Secretary to Government Iqbal Khandey will hold the charge of Commissioner/Secretary Hospitality and Protocol, Civil Aviation and Information Department.

An order to this effect was issued today.

JK Govt releases two militants

SRINAGAR, Nov 8 : Amid speculation that some Hurriyat leaders may be released from jails, the new Jammu and Kashmir Government has released two militants who have been languishing in prisons for over 10 years.

The JKLF commander Nazir Ahmad Sheikh alias Gul Danter and Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Mohammad Ayub were set free by a court on bail yesterday, a few days after another JKLF commandar Showkat Ahmad Bakshi, was granted bail. He was in jail for 13 years. All of them were facing militancy related charges.

Sources said the Government was also considering releasing Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammad Yasin Malik and Sheikh Abdul Aziz. Malik is stated to be ill. The sources said that the State Government was following a policy not to re-arrest the militants who have been released on bail.

In the past the detenues used to be re-arrested despite being released on bail.

The release of Bakshi, Nazir and Ayub marked the departure from the previous Government’s policy on detainees. All the three were previously re-arrested several times on different charges despite being granted bail by courts.

A Home Department official said the Police arrests the persons only when cases are registered against them and none can be re-arrested without any charges. If someone has been released, there must have been no cases against him, he said. (PTI)

Militants' release will make terrorism linger: Gill

CHENNAI, Nov 8: Former supercop K P S Gill, who is credited with stamping out militancy in Punjab, today cautioned Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed against the move to release militants saying it would make terrorism linger on in the State for another 20 years.

"The move could result in continuance of terrorism in that State for another 20 years," warned Gill, the former DGP of Punjab, while addressing a seminar here on terrorism.

Gill’s comments came a day after a former JKLF commander Nazir Ahmad Sheikh and top militant of Hizbul Mujahideen Ayub Dar were released on bail by a Srinagar court after being lodged in different jails for 12 years. A few days ago, JKLF commander Showkat Ahmad Bakshi, accused in the abduction of CM’s daughter Rubiya Sayeed, was released after 13 years.

Gill also said that India must combat terrorism on its own strength without depending on others.

He also said that Al-Qaeda and other terror outfits have made Kashmir a test base to carry out subversive activities. (PTI)

4 DSPs transferred

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 8: Director General of Police (DGP) A K Suri today ordered transfers and postings of four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs).

Sardar Khan DySP Reasi has been transferred and posted as DySP Bari Barahamana in place of Ms Savita Rani, who has been shifted to 14th battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP), police sources said.

Dr Chering Dorjey, IPS, DySP Uri will replace Sardar Khan as DySP Reasi while A Khandey, Staff Officer (SO) to DIG Baramulla will replace Dr Dorjey as DySP Uri.

Leh road closed

SRINAGAR, Nov 8: Leh and Kargil districts will remain cut off from the rest of country for six winter months following the closure of 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway from today.

A senior traffic police official said no vehicle will be allowed to ply on the highway from tomorrow.

The highway from Sonamarg to Drass receives about ten to 20 feet of snowfall during winter months.

Officials said though there was no snowfall on the highway sofar but authorities did not want to take any risk by allowing traffic.

More than 100 people died on the highway in the late ninetees when more than 30 vehicles were caught in sudden and heavy snowfall.

The authorities have stocked essential commodities in Kargil and Leh districts for the winter months.

Meanwhile, Imam Khomani Trust general secretary Asgar Kabalyaee has demanded a tunnel be constructed at Zojila Pass to keep the Srinagar- Leh highway open throughout the year.

He criticised the Centre for sanctioning Rs 60 crore for a tunnel on Manali-Leh route which remains closed for most part of the year. (UNI)

Laden is alive

PARIS, Nov 8: Osama bin Laden is alive, the head of the international law enforcement agency Interpol told a French newspaper.

In an interview published in today’s edition of Le Figaro, Ronald Noble said, "unless someone proves the opposite to me, I will consider Osama bin Laden as a fugitive and quite alive."

Noble, the first American secretary-general of Interpol, also said that bin Laden’s wealth has not been exaggerated, and that it has not diminished since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, for which he claimed responsibility.

"(His fortune) fluctuates between 280 and 300 million dollars," Noble said. "Much of it circulates in cash in various countries, which I will not name."

Noble warned that many intelligence services agree that bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda terrorist network was preparing "a wide-ranging terrorist operation, simultaneous attacks that will target not only the United States, but several countries at the same time".

Noting the recent terrorist operations in Moscow and Bali, Noble cautioned that the risk of such attacks "remains global".

"No country should feel safe," he said. "These terrorist strike where they want, when they want. Neither Canada, nor Africa, nor Australia can be considered safe zones." (DPA)

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