 |
New Govt likely to be installed by October 28 Excelsior team NEW DELHI, Oct. 24: All eyes are focused on what Kashmir-watchers have termed as "most crucial" phase of the negotiations between the ‘nationalist’ party, Congress, and ‘regional’ outfit, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over the formation of new Government in Jammu and Kashmir. This phase, slated for tomorrow will involve the supremo of the ‘nationalist’ organisation, Ms Sonia Gandhi, and esprit de corps of the none-too-old ‘regional’ outfit, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. Their agenda is no longer a guarded secret. It is, precisely, in response to the PDP leadership’s plea for reopening of the negotiations that Ms Sonia Gandhi opted for another—perhaps, final—round of parleys with the Mufti to clear hurdles for Government formation. According to highly-placed sources in the AICC (All India Congress Committee), which started after the declaration of full and final Assembly polls on October 10, the J&K PCC chief and leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP), Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, appeared ahead of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed by the time the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, convened by Ms Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday night, sent out signals vis-a-vis the party proceeding forward on the route to Government formation in Srinagar without the PDP. These signals, sources explained, were also the product of the outright rejection by the PDP leadership of the proposals put forward on behalf of the Congress by Ms Sonia Gandhi’s emissary, Dr Manmohan Singh. That the political class as well as media circles in the Union capital have attached more-than-necessary importance to the developing situation in J&K, particularly since the imposition of Governor’s rule in the State, was, once again, borne out on Thursday, when Dr Manmohan Singh was confronted with the million-dollar question: What next? Understandably would have been the search by most of the reporters for an answer to this question if the venue were either the AICC headquarters or 10 Janpath, abode of Ms Sonia Gandhi.But since the Government formation in J&K has become a burning issue, mediapersons, particularly the ones covering the Kashmir beat, seem to have the right to get copies they want at any time and at any place. Dr Manmohan Singh had gone to attend a seminar on Indian economy. He could not escape the attention of inquisitive scribes there as well. He had to tell them on the sidelines of the seminar that he had little to dole out here and now after all that he had stated on the issue on Wednesday. But he was forced to pour out something vis-a-vis the shape of events to come in J&K. Dr Singh prefaced his brief statement by saying: "PDP leader, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, will be coming here tomorrow. We will pick up the threads where I left". A pointed question: Has a new formula been evolved to end the ongoing deadlock? Dr Manmohan Singh’s reply: "I am always optimistic. One has to be optimistic while dealing with the problems of the country at large". Dr Singh dismissed the claim that the Friday meeting with Mufti Sayeed could be viewed as a "climb down", saying firmly: "I don’t like these words whether we will climb up or climb down. We will resume the threads where I left". Even as the AICC supremo continued to be keen on ensuring PDP's participation in a coalition Government, the CWC would avoid offering proposals, in addition to the ones already offered by Dr Manmohan Singh to Mufti Sayeed. These suggestions spelt out were: (a) Deputy Chief Minister’s post to Ms Mehbooba Mufti, (b) Mufti Sayeed to operate as chairman of coordination committee, (c) Home and Finance portfolios to the PDP in proposed coalition, and (d) holding of Chief Minister’s post by rotation for a period of 3 years. Delhi’s political class does attach importance to Kashmir’s senior political leader, Mufti Sayeed. But it is generally felt that a regional outfit, such as People’s Democratic Party, will have more reservations than that of a nationalist party, such as Congress, while dealing with Islamist fundamentalists, militants and terrorists who continue to call the shots in the troubled State. |
|
‘No compromise
on party agenda’ ANANTNAG, Oct 24 : People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today expressed the hope that the deadlock on the Government formation in Jammu and Kashmir will be resolved during his talks with Congress president Sonia Gandhi tomorrow in New Delhi. "I am hopeful that my talks with Ms Gandhi will be fruitful and a coalition Government will be formed in the State in the next few days," Mr Sayeed said at a public meeting here. He said the people of the State have voted for opposition parties and given a fractured verdict in which a coalition Government becomes inevitable. "I want the wishes of the people to be respected as voice of people is the voice of God...I am having a flexible way of working and hope that a coalition with the Congress will fructify," Mr Sayeed said. The PDP chief said all the issues had been discussed with the Congress President and her senior party colleagues in the series of talks held on the Government formation in the State. Mr Sayeed said his party will not compromise with its agenda and would make all efforts to fulfill its poll promises. Mr Sayeed said his party will disband the State Task Force (STF) and repeal POTA as promised in the manifesto. "There is no going back on these," he asserted. He lauded the role of the Congress and said it was a wise decision not to implement POTA in the Congress-ruled States. The PDP chief said he would urge the Centre to hold talks with the separatist elements and the elected representatives to find an amicable and lasting solution to the Kashmir problem. "I want peace to return to the State with honour and dignity...I will appeal to the militants to enter into a dialogue process so that normalcy returns," he added. Earlier addressing the rally, party’s vice president Mehbooba Mufti, who began her political career from this district, said "PDP is not running after the chair but the chair is running after us". "I ask the people of the State to have patience as it will pay in the long run", she said. Both reiterated their pledge of providing rehabilitation to all those families, whose bread earner had turned towards militancy. The duo also sought an immediate end to "harassment" of the people from the Valley by the security forces within as well as outside the State. They also appealed for restoration of dignity of the State with full honour. Mr Sayeed also introduced 15 of its 16 MLAs to the public. Senior vice president Muzzaffar Hussain Beig was not, however, present at the rally. On the occasion, Ms Mehbooba Mufti said her party will not dilute its manifesto at any cost and work for the welfare of the people. Earlier the Political Affairs Committee of the PDP met at Srinagar this morning to formulate its stand on the Government formation in the State ahead of the crucial talks with the Congress leaders. The meeting was chaired by Mr Sayeed and attended among others by Ms Mufti and Muzzaffar Hussain Beig. (AGENCIES) |
|
7 houses, mosque
damaged in Pak shelling on Gurez Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 24: While as three militants, two Army personnel and a civilian have died in different militancy-related incidents in Kashmir valley since last evening, seven residential houses and a mosque have got damaged in Pakistani troops’ shelling in Gurez. Informed sources in north Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 29th Bn stopped a Maruti van, JK01D-3761, on Chaksari-Pattan road, late last evening. Its driver and an unidentified person jumped out and managed to escape. Two militants travelling in the van opened gunfire, causing injuries to three Army personnel. Later, one of them, namely Mohammad Subhan of the nearby Chaksari village, succumbed at hospital. In retaliation, troops eliminated both the militants. Two AK-56 rifles and four hand grenades were recovered from the possession of the slain militants. Both of them were unidentified, though residents insisted one was a local militant and another a Pakistani national. Troops of BSF 77 Bn and 2 Para of Army had an exchange of gunfire with militants at Kharpora, Larnoo, in Kokernag area of Anantnag district. One militant died and others managed to escape. He was identified as Abdullah Gowhar alias Abu Usman of Lashkar-e-Toiba. Late last evening, unidentified gunman kidnapped a shopkeeper, namely Ghulam Mohammad Ganai S/o Abdur Rehman Ganai at Danis, in Beerwah. His beheaded body was recovered in the morning from the same locality. It appeared that his head had been brutally severed with a saw. Reports said that a militant outfit’s name was found inscribed on the body. Earlier, gunmen had fired upon him on May 15th this year. That time he had escaped with minor injuries. Here in the capital city, militants fired upon an Army formation near Chhanamohalla, Chhatttabal today. One Subedar and a contractor sustained injuries. Unconfirmed reports later said that the injured Subedar succumbed at hospital. Reports from north Kashmir added that Pakistani troops used heavy gunfire over Badwan village, near LoC, in Gurez sector, this forenoon. Indian troops retaliated and the exchange of shelling continued for seven hours of the day. Seven residential houses and a village mosque were damaged in the shelling. However, till late this evening, there were no reports of loss of life. |
|
Terrorists strike in Bani Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Oct 24: A group of terrorists last night struck at hilly village of Damaal in Bani tehsil last night and shot at a woman, causing her serious injuries. However, the terrorists failed in their plan to kidnap the local Village Defence Committee (VDC) members and disarm them. Injured woman has been identified as Fatima wife of Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Damaal. In view of her critical condition, she was referred to Jammu and admitted in the Medical College hospital. SP Kathua Amzad Pervez Mirza told EXCELSIOR that a group of four to five terrorists knocked at the house of Ghulam Rasool at mid-night last night and asked him to accompany them to the house of a local VDC member Mohd Sharief. Sensing plot of the terrorists, Mirza said, Ghulam Rasool refused to open the main door of his house and asked the terrorists to return. However, the terrorists continued to give knocks at the door. As Fatima peeped in from a window to know the number of the terrorists, one of the ultras opened firing causing her a deep bullet wound. Hearing sound of the gun shot, a number of local people came out of their houses forcing the terrorists to escape. In the meantime, the VDC members also came out but by then the terrorists had managed to escape towards a surrounding forest area. Injured woman was shifted to the sub district hospital of Bani where she was given first aid and later referred to Jammu. The SP Kathua said the terrorists, infact, had planned to kidnap or kill the VDC members and snatch their weaponry. But, the high presence of mind shown by Ghulam Rasool and his family members averted what could have been a major terrorists strike, he added. Security forces and local police were rushed to village Damaal this morning. They have started a massive search operation in Damaal forests to eliminate the terrorists. A contact with the terrorists hadn’t been established so far. Police investigations, based on the statements of local villagers especially Ghulam Rasool and his injured wife Fatima revealed that most of the terrorists were foreign mercenaries. Police said the terrorists of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen outfits were active in the upper reaches of Bani, where they had erected some hideouts. Our Jammu correspondent adds: A civilian Mohd Rafiq son of Lakhia Bakerwal R/o Chilad, Gool was injured in an encounter between the terrorists and army personnel at Seel Dhar. Injured civilian was today sent to Jammu and admitted in the Medical College hospital due to his serious condition. Meanwhile, fire broke out in a room of Government Girls High School, Mandi in Poonch district last night under mysterious circumstances. Some dead stock of furniture kept in the school were gutted, official reports said. Reasons behind the fire couldn’t be ascertained. Police have registered a case for investigations. |
|
Chechen rebels hold
800 captive in theatre MOSCOW, Oct 24: Heavily armed Chechen rebels holding nearly 800 people hostage in a theatre here shot dead a woman captive tonight even as negotiations continued to end the siege, condemned as a "major terrorist act" by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Itar Tass newsgency said the gunmen shot dead a woman hostage and have refused to release more hostages till their demands of a complete halt on military operations in Chechnya and total pull out of Russian troops were met. "This is the largest hostage taking not only in Russia but also abroad," said Putin, who cancelled his foreign trips to deal with the situation. About 40 rebels, including women, armed with automatic weapons, grenades, belts with explosives attached, mines and canisters with gasoline, stormed the theatre during a popular musical show last night taking the audience, including 62 foreigners hostage. There were no Indians among the audience. Among the hostages were Americans, Britons, Dutch and Germans. A pro-rebel website said that the guerrillas had given a seven-day deadline to Russia to fulfil their demands failing which they would blow up the building. The rebels overnight released 180 hostages, including 24 children and two pregnant women. Five more were released this afternoon shortly after four mediators holding white flags entered the building and began talks to end the stand-off. Terming it as a "major" terrorist act in the world, Putin blamed international terrorist centres and said they were also involved in the Oct 12 Bali blasts that left nearly 200 people dead. "The initial information released by representatives of terrorists after taking hostages in Moscow came from abroad. This once again confirms that this terrorist act was planned in one of the foreign terrorist centres." He said the main objective of the security services is to liberate the hostages while at the same time guaranteeing maximum security for them. Irina Khakamada, a senior lawmaker and one of the leaders of the union of right forces Liberal Party, met with the hostage-takers earlier in the day. Khakamada told reporters that the hostage-takers said they were ready to let in foreign doctors to treat some of the hostages who were in bad condition. Iosif Kobzon, a popular singer and lawmaker who went inside the building with Khakamada, said one of the attackers told him that they were ready to release 50 hostages in exchange for the Moscow-appointed head of Chechnya’s administration, Akhmad Kadyrov, Interfax said. Kobzon said the hostage-takers reaffirmed their original demand to stop the war in Chechnya. (PTI) |
|
|
NEW DELHI, Oct 24: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today called for global ostracism of Pakistan for Islamabad’s support to international terrorism which he said is the greatest threat to humanity and free world. "Any country which supports terrorism is against humanity and democracy and should be ostracised by the international community," Mr Advani said addressing officers and jawans of Indo-Tibetan border police on the 41st raising day of the force. In an obvious reference to the Pervez Musharraf regime, the Home Minister said terrorism does not affect countries under military rule. "Though some States might come under international pressure to take some steps, but they can never be committed to fight terrorism," the minister said in a sarcastic remark on Pakistan’s support to US-led war against terrorism. He said unlike China which despite a running border dispute is trying to expand cooperation in other fields, the other neighbour has continued with its proxy war against India for more than two decades. "For the last 40 years, there has been a dispute between India and China over the boundary, but no war. Some incidents take place at times, but the two countries have tried to expand relations in other areas in a spirit of healthy competition," he said recalling his first association with ITBP when he visited Ladakh as a journalist after the force was raised in the wake of the 1962 Sino-Indian war. Mr Advani said events of September 11, 2001 in the United States made the international community realise that India’s persistent campaign against terrorism was not guided by any self-interest. He described last month’s attack on Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, blamed on Pakistan-based terrorists, as a conspiracy to put Gujarat back in the cauldron of communal conflict. Expressing the Government’s resolve to help the familites of soldiers who protected the country’s territorial integrity, Mr Advani announced Rs one crore from the Home Ministry for the welfare of ITBP personnel. He awarded 26 personnel of the force with President’s medals for gallantry, distinguished service and meritorious service after taking salute of an impressive parade by various field formations which guard the 2115-km long Himalayan borders with China, stretching from Karakoram in the west to Lipulekh in the tri-junction of India, Nepal and China border. ITBP Director General S C Chaube said the force had adopted 32 remote border villages for one year under the border area development scheme and basic amenities like drinking water, education, adult education and vocational training were being provided. He said ITBP has been designated as the nodal agency by the Government for disaster management in the Himalayan region. (UNI) |
|
It's truce: RSS leadership breaks bread with Vajpayee NEW DELHI, Oct 24: Top RSS leaders tonight broke bread with the Prime Minister and other BJP brass in the backdrop of strident attacks by Sangh Parivar outfits against the Government and Atal Bihari Vajpayee and agreed on a truce against public criticism on issues including disinvestment. Emerging from a two-and-a-half-hour dinner meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence, BJP president Venkaiah Naidu told reporters "we agreed to understand and respect each other’s views." Maintaining that no specific issues, organisations or individuals were discussed, he said in reply to a question that BJP would hold parleys with all nationalist organisations. Asked whether the meeting would put an end to direct personal attacks against Government leaders, he said, "it is understood." Expressing satisfaction over the meeting, RSS joint general secretary in charge of BJP Madan Dass Devi seemed to suggest that truce would hold good for a long time. The meeting, held in the backdrop of VHP’s attack on Vajpayee’s handling of terrorism and on his National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra, was attended by Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Naidu, RSS chief K S Sudarshan, RSS Joint General Secretaries H V Seshadri and Madan Das Devi. "lambe samay ke liye kaam ho gaya hai," (the work has been settled for a long time)," Devi said adding the parleys were "fruitful". Asked whether the RSS leaders aired their sharp differences with the Government on economic issues including the controversial disinvestment programme, he said "all issues were discussed and the government will be holding discussions on those issues." Naidu said the talks were held in a conducive atmosphere and matters of mutual and national interests including national security, cross-border terrorism, infiltration and a wide gamut of issues of public relevance were discussed. Seeking to downplay differences between the Government and the sangh parivar organisations, he said differences were natural in a democracy. He said similar meetings would be held in future also "as and when necessary". This was the first meeting Vajpayee had after he cancelled several engagements earlier this week on his return from Lucknow due to "sore throat". Advani did not stay back for the dinner with the RSS leaders. The RSS and its front organisations such as Swadeshi Jagran Manch and Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh had been highly critical of government’s economic policies including free flow of foreign direct investment and disinvestment in strategic sectors such as oil. The outfits had even been demanding removal of key functionaries including Planning Commission member N K Singh. VHP president Ashok Singhal’s attack on Vajpayee last month on the Ayodhya issue and Government’s "failure" to combat terrorism had led to acrimonious exchange of words between the BJP and the outfit. Earlier this week, Singhal charged Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra with creating a gulf between the Prime Minister and the organisation and demanded the disbanding of the PMO. (PTI) |
|
Al-Omar warns Mufti against joining Govt MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 24: A top commander of a Pakistan-based militant outfit today warned PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed against joining the new Government in Jammu and Kashmir. Al-Omar Mujahideen commander Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, one of the three militants released by India in the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane in 1999, said Sayeed had "used the name of fighters to muster public support". "Mufti Sayeed will have to face the music, if his party continues attempts to muster support by using the name of the Mujahideen," Zargar said in a statement here. "The statements of Mufti Sayeed that his party supports the Mujahideen are pack of lies and part of propaganda to gain the sympathies of the people of Kashmir," Zargar said. Zargar said Al-Omar rebels would "take forceful action" against the PDP if it joined Congress in the Government in the State. (AFP) |
|
Niaz offers to vacate seat for Azad JAMMU, Oct 24: Congress MLA Mohammed Sharief Niaz today offered to vacate his seat in favour of his cousin and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad. Mr Niaz said this evening that he had offered to vacate his seat, if Mr Azad become the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Niaz was elected from Bhaderwah Assembly segment in a multi cornered contest by defeating BJP state president party Daya Krishan Kotwal, State Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Sheikh Abdul Rehman and former Advocate General and National Conference (NC) candidate M A Goni. (UNI) |
|
NC to hold organisational elections next year SRINAGAR, Oct 24: Stung by defeat in the just concluded Assembly elections, National Conference today decided to hold its organisational elections next year. The decision was taken at an important working committee meeting of Kashmir province by NC, chaired by its president Omar Abdullah and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, who was a special invitee to the meeting. The meeting deliberated upon the recent debacle of the party in the elections which saw its strength reduced to almost half as compared to 1996 Assembly elections. In his speech, Abdullah asked the NC workers to interact with the public and help them in their despair. Advocating for a self-introspection, Abdullah asked the workers to commit themselves for the betterment of the people and strengthen the party at the grass root level. In his presidential address, Omar said he would give top priority to revamping the party at its lowest level and added that a mass interaction programme with the people would be launched soon. The meeting was attended by several senior leaders of the party including Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah, Ali Mohammed Sagar and Mustafa Kamal.(PTI) |
|
Differences in Hurriyat over trips to Delhi SRINAGAR, Oct 24: The ongoing political uncertainity in Jammu and Kashmir has cast its shadow over the separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, with a section of the constituents viewing as unwanted trips undertaken by senior leaders of the conglomerate to Delhi. The bickerings surfaced this afternoon when Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat announced that he was leaving for Delhi for some important meeting. Bhat was confronted by several activists of other parties in the amalgam but the Hurriyat chairman reportedly stated that his trip to the national capital was unavoidable. Sources close to Bhat said he had been summoned by Pakistan High Commission for an important meeting. Meanwhile, rift between Hurriyat and JKLF came to fore when the amalgam sought to distance itself from the criticism made by JKLF against former chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq for stating that Kashmir Committee headed by Ram Jethmalani should be allowed to go to Pakistan for finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir imbroglio. Kashmir Committee or any country or individual has no right to represent Kashmiris, JKLF had said in a statement yesterday while reacting to Farooq’s statement that Kashmir Committee should send its delegation to Pakistan for holding talks with the Government there. However, a Hurriyat statement today said that stand on the sending a delegation by Kashmir Committee was endorsed by the executive committee of the amalgam. The statement has irked the JKLF which has called an emergency meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation. (PTI) |
|
Congress will emerge strong in UP: Sonia MORADABAD, Oct 24: Buoyed by the party’s success in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today said the Congress’ fortunes would soon change in Uttar Pradesh too as the people were "fed up with the misrule" of the Centre and State Governments. "I thank the people of Jammu and Kashmir for supporting the Congress in the State, I am confident that Uttar Pradesh would also follow suit as people are fed up of the misrule of the present Governments in centre and state," Gandhi said addressing senior party workers here. Attacking the NDA Government, Gandhi said "they just want to remain in power and the issues like poverty and corruption were of no concern to them’". "The central and the BSP-BJP Government in Uttar Pradesh had no right to continue in office", she said. Stating that she had "full faith in the people of the country", the Congress president said that "if the situation could change in Jammu and Kashmir, it could also change in Uttar Pradesh". Senior Congress leaders Motilal Vora, Mohsina Kidwai, Subodh Kant Sahai and UPCC president Arun Kumar Singh were also present at the meeting. (PTI) |
|
Governor's Secretariat closes on Oct 28 Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct. 24: The Governor’s Secretariat will close at Srinagar on October 22 (F.N) for move to Jammu for the winter months. In a circular issued by the Raj Bhawan it has been stated that all communications meant for the Governor and his staff, which can not reach Raj Bhawan, Srinagar before 28th of October should be addressed to Raj Bhawan Jammu till further intimation. |
|
|
|
| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports | |