India, Pakistan observing restraint over Kashmir: Report

WASHINGTON, Oct 15: A flare-up over Kashmir issue is unlikely at present as the United States was pressuring India and Pakistan to observe restraint, according to the latest South Asia situation report by a leading geopolitical analytical firm.

While the overall situation points to a continued — Albeit Tenuous — peace along the India-Pakistan border, the ability of both sides to prevent a major escalation of militant attacks, or at least the ability to mitigate their own responses to such actions, remains essential to avoiding another escalation of tensions between South Asia’s nuclear neighbours, the report by strategic forecasting (Stratfor) said.

Pakistan’s test flight of its Shaheen-1 medium-range ballistic missile on October 8, just two days before the first Parliamentary elections since the 1999 coup that brought President Pervez Musharraf to power and the conclusion of a month-long election process in Kashmir "played into Pakistan’s decision to test the missile at this time," the report said. But despite both sides stepping up their rhetoric, the chances for another major clash along the border are low. Islamabad and New Delhi are under pressure from Washington to refrain from allowing the situation to escalate, and right now it is in the interests of neither New Delhi nor Islamabad to Push too far, it added.

Neither Washington not China, Pakistan’s traditional ally, wants to see tensions rise again between India and Pakistan, the report said.

"The United States has enough to worry about with Iraq and the ongoing hunt for Al Qaeda a flare-up along the Indo-Pakistani border would throw other US plans into jeopardy." "Also, Washington would discourage the application of the pre-emptive policed to countries that possess nuclear weapons. For its part, China is trying to expand its political and economic influence while it is nominally allied with the United States in the war on terrorism, and heightened India-Pakistan tensions would undermine Chinese discussions with New Delhi." Moreover, neither Islamabad nor New Delhi has much to gain from maintaining a sense of heightened tensions, which was not the case earlier this year, the report said. (UNI)

Irate villagers block Akhnoor road

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 15: The traffic was disrupted for over two hours on busy Jammu, Akhnoor road after the irate residents of Darmal, Gurrah Keran, Anuradha Puram, Deena Nagar and Barnai blocked the road at Barnai this morning.

The protestants shouting slogans against the PHE Department and the administration did not allow any vehicle to move. Even the repeated pleas of SDPO Akhnoor, Mr P P Singh and SHO Damana, Jagdev Singh who reached the spot within minutes failed to yield results as the agitated people refused to lift the blockade. They were demanding immediate restoration of water supply in the area which has been affected for over a week now due to breakdown of Barnai tube well.

They also demanded that the PHE authorities should visit the spot and give a assurance to the agitating people failing which the road block will continue. Later on the intervention of SDPO Akhnoor, the SE PHE and Executive Engineer came to the spot and assured the agitating villagers that the water supply will be restored by tomorrow. On this assurance the road blockade was lifted. The PHE officers also assured the people that water tankers will be pressed in to service in the affected areas till the piped water supply is restored. In order to find out the permanent solution to the drinking water problem in the area, the PHE officers also announced that the localities of Barnai, Darmal and other surrounding villages will be connected with the newly constructed tube well at Patoli within a week as the tube well at Barnai has become totally defunct.

Lakhotra inaugurates 2 hand pumps

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 15: Former MLA of National Conference from Raipur Domana Mr Sat Paul Lakhotra today inaugurated two hand pumps at Patoli Brahamana Satya Naraian Mandir and Mohalla Bhagta amidst applause and cheerful atmosphere.

While inaugurating the two hand pumps and dedicating the same to general public, Mr Lakhotra said that funds for the purpose were utilised from MLA Development Fund, which ought to have been spent prior to the elections. However, it was a welcome gesture that water for drinking purpose was being made available to the general public.

Among others who attended the function was Mr Bishamber Dass, leader of Samajwadi Party, who also praised Mr Lakhotra for accomplishing this public utility work.

All the prominent citizens of the area were also present on the occasion and they recognised Mr Lakhotra as their leader from Raipur Domana constituency.

Messrs Subash Sharma, Rajesh Kumar, Madan Lal, Ashok Kumar Gupta, Omkar Chand, Ram Chand, Trilok Mottan and Raj Kumar were also present there.

Kashmir elections ‘free and fair’, says Russia

MOSCOW, Oct 15: Describing the Jammu and Kashmir election as "free and fair" Russia has said the successful election showed that its people wanted the state to return to normalcy.

"We regard the very fact of the elections as evidence of the striving by New Delhi and the people of Jammu and Kashmir to return the situation in the state to a normal track," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement yesterday.

It said the long-standing democratic traditions of India, and the well-oiled mechanisms determined the free and fair character of the election process in the state.

Despite the attempts by extremist elements to intimidate Kashmiris, they did not succeed in preventing the vote, it said.

"We express hope that after the successful elections and the formation of a coalition Government, new possibilities will open up for the earliest possible normalisation of the situation in the state," it said. (UNI)

Jainco Automobiles conducts lucky draw

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 15: Jainco Automobiles J&K P Ltd, an authorized sale spare and service dealer conducted a lucky draw for first time in Jammu to select the winner of Honda Genset under its weekly collection scheme.

As per a release, the scheme is to conduct weekly for 50 weeks wherein the first 20, 40, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50th weeks draw, Honda Genset receiving customers need not continue the payment.

The scheme generated very enthusiastic response and many people have vinced keen desire to participate in future schemes. The draw was conducted by Mr Ravi Tandon of Honda Siel Power Products Ltd in presence of Mr Pardeep Jain Managing Director Jainco Automobiles J&K P Ltd and other distinguished guests. The first draw was won by Dr H N Bhat of Miran Sahib who was given a Honda Gen Set for Rs 390 only.

TAAJ congrats winners of Navratra festival

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 15: A meeting of the Travel Agents Association of Jammu (TAAJ) held under the chairmanship of Capt Anil Gour, its president, congratulated Riyaz Ahmed, Gopal Krishan and Naveen Punjabi the winners of TAAJ Trophies for the first, second and third positions in the All India Bhaint Singing competition.

As per a release these trophies are awarded every year by TAAJ to the winners of the competition since the inception of Navratra festival and shall continue in the years to come. The TAAJ members were also appreciative of the gesture of Mr Ganesh Jain, managing Director, Venus Records and Tapes for making an audio cassette and thus giving an opportunity to Riyaz Ahmed of Jaganu to win the first prize start career in singing.

The members hailed the just concluded navratra Festival in Jammu and Katra by the J&K Government, Tourism Department and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The members of TAAJ who included Rajinder Kotwal, vice president, Jitender Koul, secretary, Pritam Singh, joint secretary, A K Mirza, past president and P S Jaiswal, member executive council were unanimous in their appreciation for Mr M K Dwivedi, Chairman, Navratra Festival Committee for ensuring that entire 9 days of celebrations were carried out in full gaiety and gusto and no untoward incident was allowed to happen.

The members were of the view that Festival should be held twice a year as Navratras also fall twice a year thus making Jammu and Katra Navratra Capitals of the country.

Sharma conveys gratitude to people of Nowshera

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 15: Mr R S Sharma, out-going MLA from Nowshera constituency addressed party workers’ rallies at Nowshera and Sunderbani where he conveyed his gratitude to the electorates who cast their votes in his favour.

As per a release the functionaries of district and block committees of Nowshera and Sunderbani highlighted the achievements of Mr Sharma during his tenure which had been a record. All assured Mr Sharma of their continued faith in his leadership.

Debating upon the post poll scenario, the speakers expressed their anguish over the activities of certain elements who played community card to rouse inter community passions which became the cause of his debacle.

In his address Mr Sharma thanked the audience for the love and affection they demonstrated. Mr Sharma assured them that he shall carry on to work whole heartedly for the development of the constituency and that the election debacle will in no way deter him to utilize his services for the upliftment of the poor.

Mr Sharma expressed shock over factionalism within the party that unexpectedly played its part. Mr Sharma expressed happiness over progress and development achieved during his tenure which had not been possible for the last 50 years.

He wished prosperity also who did not cast their vote in his favour for the reasons best known to them and hoped that they shall always consider progress and development of the constituency rising above the concept of inter community passions.

Sikh bodies’ concern over GPB functioning

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 15: A meeting of various Sikh organizations was held under the chairmanship of S Santosh Singh, president Chief Khalsa Darbar in which strong resentment was expressed over the functioning of Gurdwara Parbandhak Board, Jammu and Kashmir.

As per a release it was stated that a number of cases of different Gurdwaras are subjudice in the court of law because of inefficient administration of Gurdwara Parbandhak Board and a lot of money was wasted on these litigations.

The meeting held that it was unfortunate that the GPB could not convene even a single meeting of the Board because never a two-third majority of the members were present in the meeting which affected a lot on the management of the Board.

The speakers stated that as the Gurdwara Act’s time period has expired in September 2002, the Gurdwara Parbandhak Board should issue a white paper of their activities and achievements during this five year time period for the information of Sikh Sangat.

It was unanimously decided that S Charanjit Singh Khalsa will be the president of Gurdwara Sudhar Movement, who is an Amritdhari personality and is in know of entire Sikh history. He has been requested to choose one member from each district who should also be Amritdhari, so as to form a complete committee to look after the Sudhar movement of Gurdwaras of the State and will also spread Sikhism in every nook and corner of the State.

Moreover Mr Khalsa will also prepare a special programme in connection with the celebration of 400th Prakash Diwas of Guru Granth Sahib in every Gurdwara of the State.

Jamiat activists hold ‘dharna’ outside PM residence

NEW DELHI, Oct 15: In a surprising lapse of security, activists of the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind managed to hold a "dharna" outside the high-security residence of the Prime Minister at Race Course Road here today before submitting a memorandum urging him to ban the RSS, the Bajrang Dal and the VHP.

The Jamiat activists, who had launched a 13-day "Mulk-o-Millat Bachao" (save the country) agitation on October two, went to the 7, Race Course Residence of the Prime Minister this morning to submit a memorandum to him on the last day of their stir.

Hundreds of Jamiat activists squatted in the high-security area even as an eight-member delegation went inside 7, Race Course Road to submit the memorandum to Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Vijay Goel.

With the local police caught off guard, senior police officers rushed to the spot to prevent any untoward incident.

However, as the demonstrators were sitting peacefully, the police did not use force to disperse them and only a few activists got pushed around as police cleared the area, Jamiat sources said.

No senior police official was available immediately for comment.

In its memorandum to the Prime Minister, the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind urged Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to ban the RSS, Bajrang Dal and the VHP, blaming these right-wing groups for promoting hatred and malicious propaganda against the 200 million-strong Muslim community in the country.

"The RSS, Bajrang Dal and the VHP are the real agents of ISI and CIA. They act as traitors to the country, by fanning communalism that weakens the country. It is necessary to ban them," said a memorandum submitted by the Jamiat to Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Vijay Goel here.

The activists of the Jamiat also courted arrest at Nizamuddin on the last day of their fortnight-long "Jail Bharo" agitation.

Addressing the demonstrators, Jamiat general secretary Maulana Mahmood As’ad Madani said Muslims were one of the pillars of the country. If this pillar remained weak, poltically, educationally and economically, the country cannot be strong.

Referring to the "disgraceful chapter of Gujarat", the Maulana called upon the Congress to play an active role in ensuring that this is not repeated. The states ruled by the Congress should take the lead in providing reservation to Muslims in every walk of life and taking exemplary action to check riots whenever these break out, he added.

The Jamiat had launched its "Mulk-o-Millat Bachao" (save country and faith) agitation on October two in support of 13 demands, including the ban on ‘Sangh Parivar’ associations, legislation for compensation to riot victims and amendment of ART. 341 of the Constitution for proportional representation to Muslims in every walk of life. (UNI)