Daily Excelsior.........State

Pak is nerve centre of Al-Qaeda, says Naqvi

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 3: Bhartiya Janata Party national general secretary and party spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said USA should ensure that financial assistance provided by it to Pakistan to neutralize terrorists network there was not diverted to stoke militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP leader who was addressing election meetings at Shatru, Goha and Gandoh in militancy infested Doda district, said it was absolutely necessary to ascertain whether the help given by USA to Pakistan to shut down breeding militancy was not used to further give a fighting punch to terrorism in Kashmir.

He said Pakistan is the nerve centre of Al-Qaeda activities and the world community must understand that its fight against terrorism cannot succeed unless its main sponsor Pakistan is forced to fall in line to make sincere efforts to stop cross border terrorism.

Without naming NC, Naqvi said that some parties and their leaders are so power crazy that they cannot remain without. They get nervous whenever they feel that they were losing their hold on the levers of powers.

Referring to NC’s threat to walk out of NDA, he said it is for the NC leadership whether it wants to remain in NDA or not. He said BJP is neither perturbed over NC’s decision not is it prepared to sacrifice the interests of Jammu and Ladakh to appease anybody.

He said the main priority before the State is stamping out terrorism, bring the State into national mainstream and speeding up developmental activities. For this the State needs a Chief Minister who is genuinely interested in speedy development and has a strong political will to curb militancy with a firm hand.

Need to treat trauma alongwith physical injuries
Terror attack victims can develop PTSD problems, need proper help: Experts

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Oct 3: The ordeal is not yet over for those who survived the terrorists’ attack at Hiranagar Chowk and Manda because even after fully repurcating from their physical injuries, they would continue to confront with the horrifying images which cannot be easily forgotten.

Their physical injuries can disappear with the passage of time but the trauma of having gone through the heart rendering tragedies will get removed only with the passage of time and needs proper psychiatric approach.

The renowned psychiatrists are of the opinion that survivors and family members of deceased need professional help to cope with the aftermath of the incident which can haunt person throughout life due to lack of proper guidance and treatment.

"Such victims usually suffer from well-known psycho-socio problem called Post-Trauma Stress Disorders (PTSDs) which is associated with tragedies of magnitudes like at Hiranagar Chowk and at Manda", a renowned psychiatrist Dr Jagdish Thappa said.

In developed countries, treating trauma is taken as seriously as treating physical injuries, Dr Thappa disclosed but regretted that in militancy-infested Jammu and Kashmir where rate of people confronting with traumatic experience is much more than people suffering physical injuries the authorities have not made any sort of arrangements to provide psychiatric assistance to such people.

The lack of professional approach towards the people passing through such traumatic experiences result into large number of people losing their mental balance. In the absence of any sort of psychiatric help, only small chunk of the traumatic patients are coming forward on their own but large number of such people due to some personnel reasons lack proper assistance to overcome traumatic experience.

"Stress, trauma and anguish are something that everybody, directly or indirectly, associated with the incident will obviously experience", renowned psychiatrist said and is of the opinion that those who suffer to the extent of bottling these feelings inside need immediate professional help.

The psychiatrists feel that Government should appoint trained counsellors to lend an ear to the experience of the survivors and encourage them to speak about what they went through as presently only physical injuries are being taken care of by the doctors in general hospitals.

"Many people feel that talking about any such incident will lead more fear and anxiety. But this is not true", they feel and made it clear that people should be aware of the symptoms that indicate the need for counseling.

Some of the symptoms of PSTD are neurotic depression, palpitation, invariability, apprehensions, fear from crowd, sadness, sleep disorders, reoccurring images of the incident site, sweating, hyper vigilance and loss of appetite, Dr Thappa said and added that after rehabilitation people who have passed through such experiences need continuous psychiatrists’ suggestions failing which they can lose their mental balance.

Over 200 poll officials to be airdropped in Doda district

SRINAGAR, Oct 3: More than 200 polling officials from Uttar Pradesh will be airdropped in several far-flung and inaccessible areas of militant-stronghold Doda district for conducting polls in the final and last phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections on October 8.

These officials are among the 900 polling officials from outside the state who will assist the local authorities in smooth conduct of the polls.

Chief Electoral Officer Pramod Jain has sought the Election Commission’s approval for airdropping the personnel with required polling material in Ramban, Doda, Bhaderwah, Banihal and Kishtwar constituencies well in advance, official sources said today.

The airdropping has been necessitated to prevent the militant attacks on the polling parties and also set up booths at the nearest possible locations for the villagers of the mountainous district.

The poll personnel with relevant material would be lifted back to the district headquarters after the polling.

The Government has already hired helicopters for airdropping the poll personnel.

Heavy deployment of security forces is already in place to ensure violence-free polls in the Doda district, which has witnessed a spurt in the militant attacks after the election process was set in motion.

Meanwhile, 70 poll officials have also been placed at the disposal of the Returning Officer of the Lolab constituency in the frontier district of Kupwara, where the elections will be held on October 8.

The polls in the Lolab constituency were countermanded following killing of state Law Minister Mushtaq Ahmed Lone by unidentified gunmen, a few days before the first phase of elections.

The second batch of 800 of 3,000 polling officials today left here for Uttar Pradesh in four Indian Air Force (IAF) flights. They were directly flown to the Hindon airbase near Ghaziabad in UP.

Yesterday, 600 poll officials left here for their home state.

The IAF will operate four flights tomorrow.

The polling officials were brought to the state after several political parties expressed apprehension that the officials from the state will help the ruling National Conference in the elections.

The officials were paid Rs 10,000 each in addition to boarding and lodging during their stay in the Valley.

An insurance cover of Rs ten lakh was also provided to them.

The Election Commission had made adequate security arrangements for them. They were provided with bullet proof jackets and helmets on the polling day. (UNI)

Additional power curtailment in Jammu province

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Oct 3 : The Power Development Department has enforced additional power curtailment in Jammu province with immediate effect.

According to the Chief Engineer Electric Maintenance (R&E) Jammu, Mr. S.C.Sharma, the revised daily curtailment shall be for eight hours instead of earlier six hours. The curtailment shall start from 5.30 A.M. and close at 9.30 P.M. There will be two groups and six time slots. There will be a cut of four hours in the morning, two and a half hour in the afternoon and one and half hour in the evening.

The additional power cut has been made in view of the fall in generation due to reduced discharge in rivers and the consequent availability of power from Northern region.

The telephone numbers for complaint in Old City, Rehari, Ambphalla will be 543398 and 546897. For Talab Tillo, Bakshinagar, Marh will be 554147,504989 while for Janipur, Bantalab, Roopnagar 530368 and Gandhi Nagar, Satwari, Trikutanagar will be 430180 and 430776.

Army imparts pre-recruitment training to youth in Kargil

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 3: A noble cause to impart training and then provide employment that too free of cost undertaken by the Army authorities has earned praises during the recruitment rally organized at Kargil.

To generate and provide employment to the youth of the far flung border areas of Ladakh region, the Army authorities of a Mountain Division had started imparting pre-recruitment training at a number of places within its jurisdiction. The would-be recruits were provided with free boarding and lodging facilities. The instructors from within the organization were posted in and pre-recruitment training was imparted in a systematic way.

On conclusion of this preparatory training, a recruitment rally was organized at Kargil on September 20. The youth from Leh, Kargil, Zanskar, Karu, Tangtse, Mulbek and Budhkharbu areas came in large numbers to be recruited in the Army. The recruitment was for Soldier General Duty and Tradesmen.

Addressing the candidates, Maj Gen DH Sumanwar, GOC of a Mountain Division said, "We will continue our efforts so as to provide employment to the youth of far flung areas and many more such rallies will be organized in this sector". The response has been over-whelming.

Local elders have thanked the Army for this gesture and have also requested that such rallies should be held regularly in such remote and backward areas where employment opportunities are almost non-existent.

Army organises free Med camp at Potha

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 3: In its pursuit to extend the good-will to masses of the rural areas in Tehsil Surankote, District Poonch, Indian Army organized a goodwill medical camp under the aegis of Headquarters 6 Sector, Rashtriya Rifles, by 16 Rashtriya Rifles (Sikh) at Model Village Potha.

The camp was inaugurated at 10000 hours by Minister of Social Welfare Syed Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari. Many important Government functionaries attended the camp and paid glowing tributes to the Army’s yeoman services.

The camp was conducted to achieve twin objectives viz to provide free medical check up by specialists alongwith free medicine and also provide an opportunity for the villagers to interact with military and civil administration officials.

Interaction provided an opportunity to locals to project their grievances and requirements of basic infrastructure in the area which could improve their standard of living.

Approximately 5000 people including ladies and children attended the camp. They belonged to Potha, Sanai, Surankot, Sanai Gali, Garsai, Pathantir, Panjpir, Samote Gali, Parat, Sangla, Gonthal, Dundak, Luthung, Mohra Barchai, Lassana, Phagla, Jammu Shid, Marhot, Malhan, Maidana and Seri Khwaja.

Awareness of national concerns like small pox, polio, Malaria, Leprosy and prevention against AIDS and Anthrax was also disseminated to the participants in the camp. Free meal was also provided to the villagers as a goodwill gesture.

Homage paid to BSF personnel

SRINAGAR, Oct 3: The mood was sombre and anger was writ large on the faces of BSF personnel as homage were paid today to their five colleagues slain in a militant attack in south Kashmir yesterday.

BSF personnel reversed their guns and played the last post as Jammu and Kashmir Governor G C Saxena placed a floral wreath on the bodies of the five BSF men in presence of a host senior officers, including the Inspector General G S Gill and several Deputy Inspector Generals.

Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police A K Suri and Inspector General of Police (Kashmir) K Rajindra also placed wreaths on the bodies of the BSF men who were killed in an improvised explosive device blast in Tral yesterday while they were clearing the way for a polling party returning with polling material.

Four polling officers from Uttar Pradesh, who were being escorted by the slain BSF men, were also present at the ceremony. The attack was intended at us but the BSF personnel took the brunt of it, said one of them refusing to be identified.

We have seen how bad conditions the security forces are working in here to keep the Indian flag flying, the Muslim employee of the UP Education Department said pleading with the senior BSF officials to provide them better living and logistical conditions.

They also pointed out that all BSF personnel did not have bullet-proof vests.

BSF IG Gill said a decision has been taken to keep extra bullet-proof vests at the Home Ministry for use of the personnel going to other places.(PTI)

‘State Govt not interested in strengthening VDCs’
Prof Gupta dubs Congress, NC as communal

Excelsior Correspondent

DODA, Oct 3: The Union Minister of State for Defence and BJP leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta today dubbed National Conference and Congress as communal and said that these parties were solely responsible for nursing, sustaining and abetting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing election meetings at Goha, Gandoh, Chatroo and other places in the far flung areas of Doda district, Prof Gupta said that though both the parties swear by secularism but their actions were actually communal, discriminatory and Valley centric. "Their secular pretension is just a facade, which they successfully used to deprive the people of Jammu and Ladakh for their share in all walks of life", he said, adding, "unlike these parties BJP symbolizes finest values of nationalism and equal respect for all religion.

Prof Gupta said that NC’s ambiguous and ambivalent stand on several issues governing Centre-State relations has kept the illusion of separation alive in the Valley. He said that this illusion has served as a fertile breeding ground for terrorism to grow.

He alleged that NC, instead of taking an initiative to curb the militancy, was hampering efforts to control it. "The case in point is the total lack of interest in setting up new VDCs in areas like Doda. On the other hand it is making them ineffective by withholding funds and equipments", he said.

Prof Gupta regretted that over 50 percent of VDCs members have not received honorarium of Rs 1800 for the last 6 t0 7 years, although the security related financial assistance from the Centre has risen to Rs 500 crores from Rs 114 crores few years ago. The State Government is also dragging its feet in giving sophisticated weapons to these committees which have effectively met the threat of militants in far flung and inaccessible areas, he said.

Prof Gupta said that BJP will raise the honorariums of VDCs members from Rs 1800 to 2500 and provide one sophisticated weapon to each Committee. He said that Congress which claims to be a national party was also not interested in setting of VDCs fearing that this might annoy the militants and fundamentalists.

KGNM Trust undertakes project for Chhamb displaced people

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 3: Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, Jammu, has taken a project on Humanitarian Assistance to the displaced persons of Pallanwala residing at Devipur camp with the broad objectives, upliftment of women, child care, health and hygiene sanitation and remedial education in respect of school going children, drop outs and women recreational work.

As per a release the project was taken in hand on August 28, initially for a period of three months which was inaugurated by Mrs Shakuntla Sohag, representative of OXFAM. From August 28 to September 30 various resource persons delivered lectures. Mrs Nirmal Kamal delivered lecture on women empowerment. Team of Directorate of Health Services headed by Dr K D Sharma, DHO, Dr H K Badyal BMO Akhnoor assisted by Danesh Gupta, showed documentary on health and sanitation to the audience. Both doctors delivered lectures on health and hygiene and sanitation. Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated with gaiety at Devipur.

In the above programme over 500 women men and children participated. Major role was played the women. Children organised a colourful programme with a motto of Promotion of Education. Mrs Lalita Nagar, Pratinidhi of the Trust thanked the audience and the artists. Miss Simmi Sumbria, co-ordinator of the project also spoke.

Nirankari Mandal holds spiritual congregation

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 3: Sant Nirankari Mandal Udhampur organised a spiritual congregation at village Lansi.

This spiritual congregation was attended by thousands of the Sant Nirankari Mission drawn from all parts of the district.

The Satsangh was addressed by Mr J M Chowdhary, zonal incharge Sant Nirankari Mandal, J&K Zone. He emphasised the need for having spiritual way of life which was essential for the unity, love and peace for mankind. He stressed on the need of maintaining universal brotherhood among the mankind.

He also highlighted aspects of Yoga and said that physical Yoga keep body fit. He also highlighted various characteristics of Yoga.

Unique exhibition was also held which highlighted the past history and main work set up of the Mission worked by Mr Kishore Ji and Ram Krishan Ji.

Mr Amrit Lal, Purmukh Udhampur branch thanked the respected saints including Dr Charak, Shiv Ram, Raj Meet, Dr Vinod and Vikrant for their thought provoking speeches.

It’s all cool in Lolab constituency after Lone's assassination

LOLAB (NORTH KASHMIR) Oct 3: As the campaigning for the fourth and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections enters the final stage, the Lolab constituency in the frontier district of Kupwara remains untouched by the poll fever after the assassination of Jammu and Kashmir Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mushtaq Ahmad Lone who was seeking re-election from there.

The election in the constituency, which was scheduled to be held in the first phase on September 16 was countermanded after the death of Mr Lone, four days before the polls.

Later, a fresh notification was issued for holding polls alongwith six Assembly constituencies of Doda district in the fourth and final phase of elections on October six.

The NC fielded Qaisar Ahmad Lone, nephew of slain leader to gain sympathy votes.

Mr Lone, who was seeking re-election from the constituency on the ruling national conference ticket, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen at Tekipora when he was addressing an election meeting on September eleven.

Though there are eleven candidates in the fray, the main contest will be between Abdul Haq Khan, an alleged proxy candidate of the People’s Conference (PC), a constituent of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC).

However, the People’s Conference has denied that Haq is a member of the party.

The major areas of the constituency, including Machil and Kamadkadi, fall within the Pakistani range of shelling.

The constituency, including the main Lolab town, presents an entirely different look—unaffected by the Hullabaloo of electioneering with no rallies or even posters and buntings after the assassination of Mr Lone.

People have remained totally dissociated with the process there, busy in their daily routine. However, they were found talking about the next Government and election in the constituency.

There was hectic electioneering before the assassination of Mr Lone, said Ghulam Rasool Khan a shopkeeper in main Lolab Chowk.

Everyday election meetings were being held by the NC and independent candidate Abdul Haq Khan besides others before September eleven. However, things changed after that and hardly any election meeting was organised by contesting candidates, he said.

This correspondent hardly saw any buntings or flags of contesting candidates. However, some posters appealing to voters to cast their ballots in their favour could be seen at places where security forces were present.

Another shopkeeper Abdul Rashid, said. "We saw only campaign vehicle of an independent candidate Khazir Mohammad moving around in the constituency," particularly at Cherkote area, with Khazir appealing to people through public address system to vote for him. The ruling NC, however, could organise an election meeting at Machil, close to the Line of Control recently, but with comparatively thin attendance.

"When they cannot protect their own minister, how can they protect an ordinary person like me," Rashid said, "why should we risk our lives for nothing."

Ghulam Mohiuddin said participating in election meetings meant inviting trouble as the constituency was militancy infested since it was close to border.

Asked if the people would vote on October eight, he said nothing can be said. "However, low voter turn out means walk over to ruling party candidate."

"The NC is an organised political party and they have dedicated workers since the time of late Sheikh Sahib who will vote even if it means death," he said.

He said nobody could predict who would emerge the winner, but one thing was clear that things would not be so easy for the NC this time.

Mr Haq was very close to PC assassinated leader Abdul Gani Lone before the militancy erupted in the Valley.

Mr Haq said because of security reasons they had now started door-to-door campaigning to educate voters about the importance of casting their ballots. Most of his leaders were not given any security by the authorities even after direction by the Election Commission, he complained.

Mr Haq alleged that local police and revenue officials were actively working for the ruling NC candidate. "They were harassing my workers," he said.

He said they had sent a number of teams to different areas of the constituency who were meeting people and appealing them to take part in the elections in large numbers.

However, the NC, which has dedicated workers, are also banking on the sympathy votes following the assassination of Lone, the uncle of Qaisar Ahmad fielded by the party, truck driver Abdul Rashid said.

Slain NC leader Mushtaq Ahmad Lone was the first who represented this constituency after it was formed. It became the fifth constituency of Kupwara district.

In the last elections, Lone had polled 9734 votes, while Janata Dal candidate came second with 7367 votes. The Congress polled 5318 votes.

The authorities have set up 88 polling stations across the constituency for the 62,037, voters, including 27,505 women.

There are also 742 Kashmiri migrant voters in the constituency who are eligible to cast their ballots in eleven polling booths set up by authorities in Delhi, Jammu and Udhampur.

Almost all the polling booths had been declared hyper sensitive and sensitive because of high degree of threat perception, officials said.

"We have made adequate alternative arrangements for the polling in case of shelling from across the border in Machil sector," one of the official said.

The officials said there were some places which came under the direct fire of Pakistani troops. But they had taken care of it and were ready to meet any eventuality.

This correspondent was told that majority of people in Kamadkadi, another border area had either crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir in the past or had migrated to relatively safer places because of Pakistan shelling. (UNI)

NC will return to power: Kichloo

Excelsior Correspondent

KISHTWAR, Oct 3: Expressing optimism that National Conference (NC) will return to power with thumping majority, the Party candidate from Kishtwar Assembly Segment, Mr Sajjad Hussain Kichloo today made a scathing attack on Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for launching a misinformation campaign campaign against his Party.

Addressing series of election meetings in the adjoining localities, he said those conspiring to defame the NC in the ensuing elections will get a befitting reply after being rejected by the people.

He blamed the Congress, BJP and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for launching a defamation campaign against the NC. Before criticizing us, they should see towards themselves, he added.

He said the Congress and BJP are the two faces of the same coin whose policies are similar. These two parties are befooling the people for their vested interests, he alleged.

Addressing another meeting of the Party workers Mr Shabir Ahmed Kamal, district secretary said Mr Kichloo is the only deserving candidate who can work for the welfare of the people and development of the area.

He said Mr Kichloo has worked in the circumstances when all other leaders were hiding themselves to save their lives. He urged the Party workers to remain united and strengthen the hands of Mr Sajjad Kichloo and Party chief Mr Omar Abdullah.

Supplies suspended, oil tank owners go on strike

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 3: The members of Petrol Tank Owners Association have gone on indefinite strike in protest against the recent decisions of the Indian Oil Corporation which effect them badly.

The Association members headed by Capt Mohan Singh, chairman of the Association and Mr Anan Sharma—general secretary have warned the authorities to disrupt the supplies and continue their hunger strike till their genuine demands are met.

Capt Singh pointed out that the 15-year age limit for tankers as imposed by the Oil Company is highly objectionable. The J&K Government has not even passed such legislation or any order for the age limit of tank lorries. The Oil companies by imposing such order have surpassed the jurisdiction of the State Government.

They pointed out that the tender floated in August has lost its credibility, validity and sanctity and the Companies must go for fresh tender to establish the rule of law and sanctity of the procedure. The strength of the fleet as per the existing tender should continue on same terms and conditions and the existing work order be extended for another three months on the same terms and conditions and on the existing rates.

The association has already sent a memorandum in this connection to the General Manager, IOC Ltd Chandigarh, Dy GM, Chief Operational Manager, Senior Regional Manager, HPC Jammu, Territory Manager , BPC Limited Jammu and IBP Co. at Chandigarh.

Three charged for allowing copying in examination

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 3: Special Judge Anti-Corruption, Mr R K Magotra has framed charges of corruption against Charan Dass, lecturer, Prem Kumar, teacher and Purshotam Lal Sharma , a private teachers who had been engaged as Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent and Supervisor respectively by State Board of School Education for Centre No 135 Luthra Public School Talab Tillo Jammu for bi-annual examination of 12th class in 2001.

The trio were charged with demanding and accepting rupees 9,000 as bribe money from the complainant student examinee and court has directed prosecution to produce evidence on the next date of hearing.

While framing charges against the accused persons who were booked by Vigilance Organization in a trap case, the Special Judge Anti- corruption said that the accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy with the accused Purshotam Lal Sharma, engaged as Supervisor to obtain illegal gratification from the examinees as motive and reward for allowing them copying in the examination and in furtherance of this criminal conspiracy, Superintendent had demanded and obtained Rs 4500 from the complainant Sandeep Kumar Gupta of Rehari and an amount of rupees 4500 on October 8, 2001 through accused Purshotam Lal, allowing copying in the examination.

Based on a complaint, Vigilance Organization laid a trap and recovered the second installment of Rs 4500 paid on October 8. All the three accused were booked and challan presented against them.

NC may benefit from Hurriyat boycott call, says Tarigami

SRINAGAR, Oct 3: Coming down heavily on the Hurriyat Conference for its anti-election campaign, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Communist Party of India (M) today said the boycott call had "overtly or covertly" helped the ruling National Conference (NC) in the first three phases of polling.

"The Hurriyat Conference has always played a negative role in the elections. Their boycott call has overtly or covertly helped the ruling party in the elections," CPI (M) state unit chief Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami told UNI here.

He said the 23-party separatist conglomerate should have desisted from giving any boycott call and left it to the people to make their own choice.

"The boycott campaign has favoured the NC as it knew very well that if the people come out in large numbers they will vote against the ruling party," Mr Tarigami claimed.

The CPI (M) leader also ruled out being party to any alliance in which the BJP would be a partner. "There is no question of being part of any alliance with the BJP being one of the partners."

However, Mr Tarigami said his party was ready to support any pro-people alliance. "We will support any party having secular credentials and which will work for the welfare of the people... But that support will be issue-based."

He said his party will make all out efforts to convince the concerned parties to resolve the Kashmir issue so that peace could be restored in the state. "We will definitely make contributions to the peace process."

Expressing satisfaction over the conduct of polls in the first three phases of elections in the state, Mr Tarigami said the Election Commission (EC) had been successful in ensuring transparency in conducting polls. (UNI)

Bar Asso condemns killings of DySP

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Oct 3: Bar Association Kathua in a meeting here today under the presidentship of Mr Rajinder Sharma advocate mourned the killing of Mr Jagtar Singh, DySP who was killed in an encounter with terrorists today.

As per a release, the meeting also strongly condemned the killing of auto drivers, civilians and Vaishno Devi pilgrims at Hiranagar and Jammu.

The Bar members viewed these attack as an eye opener and a clear challenge to the security forces, politicians and general public. It said the second casualty of Dy SP in Kathua itself speaks volumes about infiltration of terrorists in Kathua district.

The meeting said it is very strange that inspite of the fact that troops are deployed on the border the terrorists are pouring inside the state.

The Association urged the Government to remain vigilant and adopt the offensive measures to track down the terrorists. It also stressed on modernizing of the entire police force in the state so that such incidents are not repeated again.

The members also observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls and it prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured police constables who are under treatment in the hospital.

Cong will be voted to power in J&K; says Punjab Minister

Excelsior Correspondent

BHADARWAH, Oct 3: Mr R C Dogra, Health Minister from Punjab today predicted that Congress will be voted to power in Jammu and Kashmir state in the ensuing elections.

Addressing series of public meetings in Sartingal, Bheja in Athkhar area he assured the masses that after taking over the reigns of the state, Congress will give priority to restoration of peace in militancy ravaged state.

He said the Congress will also ensure the speedy development of the backward areas of Bhadarwah.

He said that the Bhadarwah, Basohli and Bhadarwah, Chamba roads which are under construction at present were taken up in hand by Congress Party.

He alleged that during the decades long NC rule nothing concrete has been done to solve the problems of the people of this sensitive state. He blamed the NC for fomenting communal trouble in the state after joining hands with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He appealed the people to reject both NC and BJP at hustings and vote in favour of Congress candidate Mr Mohammed Sharief Niaz in the ensuing elections.

The Punjab Minister was accompanied by Messrs Ghanshyam Manhas, Din Mohammed Mir and Abdul Hafiz.

Women take lead in defying militant threats

REASI, (Jammu) Oct 3: From centenarian Ram Pyari to first time voter Nidhi, women took the lead in defying militant threats and vote out violence in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.

Though terrorists struck at a highway in the Hiranagar constituency of Kathua district just 30 minutes before polling was to begin, women stood in queues for hours, even argued with officials to cast their ballot.

In Udhampur and Kathua districts as many as 51-52 per cent of the voters were women in the third round of the elections. The female turnout was high in the earlier phases of the elections also.

In Gram polling station of Basoli constituency, 105-year-old Ram Pyari appealed for an end to violence. "Please stop this bloodshed. Young lives should not be lost like this," the frail woman pleaded as she waited to vote.

Her 45-year-old grandson assisted Ram Pyari to walk up to the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).

Outside another polling booth, 18-year-old Nidhi Sharma was seen arguing with Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pramod Mishra why her name was missing from the voter’s list even though the Election Commission had issued her a card.

"Pakistan can create all the disturbance it wants to, but we will vote," said 45-year-old Parvathi Devi in the border village of Chhame Chak of Hiranagar constituency where eight people were killed in the militant strike that morning.

"How can we allow the militants to control our lives? we have voted, and if required, women will take a lead," said 35-year old Maya. Ram Pyari said she hoped the situation would change. "It is difficult to comprehend why people are being killed," she lamented.

All the eleven constituencies of the Kathua and Udhampur districts witnessed a high turnout of women.

"We finished our daily chores early today to vote. We have been standing here for the past two hours. We will leave only after voting. We want the democratic process to win," said Radha Sharma in the Hiranagar constituency.

At some stations, women were seen arguing with poll officials demanding to know why their names were missing from the voters lists.

"I have a voter identity card and my name is not in the list. How is it possible?" said an agitated Sonika Sharma, a first time voter.

"If we don’t vote, the militants will win and we will not let that happen," said 80-year-old Glal Bibi, who was propped on crutches as she awaited her turn to vote.

Even newly-weds were seen at village polling stations. Bright red bangles sparkling in the Sun, Sonika, Priya and Deepti —three newly married women — were drawing all the attention at the Gram village polling station.

"They’ve come for an outing, not because they want to vote," said an elderly woman, causing a titter in the queue at the booth.

"I finished my work early today so that I could come here," said Sonika.

Sonika and Deepti were both voting for the first time. (UNI)

Educated unemployed youth constitute body

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Oct 3: Educated Unemployed Youth in a meeting here today discussed their various problems. They also constituted a body under the name Educated Unemployed Youth Federation for the Rajouri district.

As per a release, a resolution was also unanimously adopted on the occasion highlighting the need and aim of proposed organization. It said that the youth community is living under great stress and strain due to increasing unemployment and wrong policies of the Government.

The members through this resolution also called upon the Government to work out special schemes for eradication of unemployment from the Society.

The members agreed that the organization will highlight the issues and problems of the youth community.

The meeting said it would also take up the matter with the concerned authorities.

The meeting also constituted an eleven member body with Mr Shafqat Wani as its chairman. Mr Mohammed Farooq Khan was elected as president and Tanveer Wani as general secretary. The other office bearers include Sonu Qazi as vice chairman, Anjum Mirza as vice president, Asif Bhat as chief organizer and Masood Choudhary as joint secretary. Rogan Bhatti, Nissad Khan, Sartaj Alam, Raju and Javed Mirza were elected as advisors.

Congress intensifies campaign in Bhaderwah

Excelsior Correspondent

BHADERWAH, Oct 3: Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad along with senior leaders of the party addressed series of public meetings at Malhoti and Chinta areas in favour of party candidate, Mohammed Sharief Niaz.

Mr Azad was accompanied by Abdul Gani Vakil, PCC general secretary from Kashmir Valley and local leaders of the party including Naresh Kumar, Navin Kotwal, Shabir Ahmed Khan, Abdul Qayoom Khan, Mehraj Din and Shiv Kumar.

While addressing the public meetings, Mr Azad assured the people that Congress, if voted to power, will solve problems of the people. He said that both Centre and State Government have failed to contain militancy. He said that it was all due to the wrong policies of NC and NDA governments that militancy has been spreading otherwise peaceful areas. Mr Azad also addressed gatherings on intellectuals at Bhaderwah town and assured the people that Congress will formulate a comprehensive policy for the development of the area.

Mr Niaz, in his address, assured the people that he will, if elected, serve them with sincerity and dedication.

Zila Sainik Welfare Officer visits Keri, Rabta

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 3: Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, Jammu accompanied by his staff members visited Keri and Rabta and addressed the meeting of Ex-Servicemen and war widows there.

As per a release, he also distributed sewing machines to Mrs Gian Devi, widow of Lance Naik Dharam Singh. He also paid Rs 2,500 to Mrs Rani Devi, widow of Chain Singh for her daughter’s marriage.

On the occasion, Mr Joginder Singh, Sarpanch, Jandial and Sain Khan, Sarpanch Keri Rabta also came forward in helping out the Ex-servicemen and the widows.

Col. Karan Singh apprised the Ex-Servicemen and widows about the various welfare schemes of Central and State Government. He advised all the ex-servicemen to get themselves enrolled so that the widows do not suffer after the demise of their husband.

He also briefed them about the medical benefits as provided by the Government to the members of retired defence personnel who are member of Army Group Insurance Fund.

Col Singh visited the house of Late Gdr Jagdeep Singh, in village Keri who laid down his life for the nation on September 24, this year at Pattan while fighting terrorists.

He also visited the family of late Hav. Madan Lal a Kargil war hero who laid down his life for the nation on July 5, 1999 while fighting the enemy.

Ex-servicemen rally held at Udhampur

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 3: Ex-servicemen rally was held at Zila Sainik Welfare office, here yesterday under the aegis of Director, Sainik Welfare Department, Brig Suchet Singh Zila Sainik Welfare Officer, Lt Col M S Jamwal (retd) welcomed the ex-servicemen and briefed them about the various welfare schemes. Various problems facing the ex-servicemen in the Udhampur district were also discussed in the rally.

The Director, Sainik Welfare, in his speech highlighted the welfare schemes launched by the Central and the State Government for the ex-servicemen in Jammu and Kashmir.

He asked the ex-servicemen to take up self-employment schemes like SIMFEX I, II III or National Equality scheme for which maximum assistance for getting the loans sanctioned would be provided by the Sainik Board, he stated.

He also asked the ex-servicemen that in case they find any ANE or any untoward incident happening in their areas they should inform the nearest police chowki or Army post or civil administration without discussing their identity. On the occasion, cash relief was paid to the widows.

A large number of ex-servicemen and war widows attended the rally.

Congress predicts humiliating defeat for NC

SRINAGAR, Oct 3: Predicting a humiliating defeat for the National Conference (NC) at the hustings, senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz today said the ruling party would have to pay a heavy price for its alliance with communal and divisive forces.

The former Union Environment Minister, whose crucial vote in favour of the no-confidence motion brought down the Vajpayee Government in 1999, said the NC leaders indulged in rampant corruption and did nothing to mitigate the sufferings of the people in the strife-torn State.

"Instead of opposing the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was the first to use it against innocent people when it was yet to be enacted," Prof Soz told UNI here.

The NC also adopted a discreet silence on the Gujarat issue which the Congress had highlighted at all fora, Prof Soz said.

He expressed confidence that his party would perform better in the ongoing elections to the 87-member State Assembly as the people had realised that only Congress chief Sonia Gandhi could rescue the country from turmoil.

Prof Soz said Mrs Gandhi was the first senior political leader in the country to oppose POTA as she feared that it would be "indiscriminately used against minorities and weaker sections of the society."

He said the Congress had promised autonomy on the basis of the 1975 Indira-Sheikh accord and expressed the willingness to open all channels of negotiations with the separatist and other elements for restoring peace in the state.

"People have realised that the Congress is the only party which will make all out efforts to redress their grievances," Prof Soz observed.

The Congress leader expressed satisfaction over the smooth conduct of the first three phases of elections in the State.

"Despite the ruling party using all means to rig the polls, the Election Commission has been able to conduct polls in a transparent manner," he said. (UNI)