Work remains paralysed in Govt offices, Sectt
Patients desert GMC, other hospitals

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 21: Work in all State Government offices, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Civil Secretariat, seat of the Government, remained paralysed for second consecutive day today in response to four-day ‘Kam Chor’ hartal call given by the Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) in support of employees’ demands.

The worst affected areas due to employees’ strike were Government-run hospitals including Medical College and its associated hospitals and peripheral hospitals where no routine surgery or Outdoor Patients Department (OPDs) could be run for second day.

Patients have started deserting the Wards in Medical College, SMGS and Chest Diseases (CD) hospitals in the absence of para-medical staff, which has gone on four-day strike alongwith the Government employees.

Medical College administration admitted that all routine operations remained suspended for second day. Same was the case with OPDs which couldn’t run due to non-availability of para-medical staff. Only emergency services were being carried out as they had been exempted from the purview of strike. The ICU and CCU were also being run smoothly.

Of a total of about 550 patients admitted in the Medical College on Monday morning when the strike began, over 300 had already left the Wards due to the strike.

Same was the position in SMGS hospital, which accommodates Gynecology and Pediatrics wing, where no routine operation was performed during the last two days. Only Labour Room was being made functional which has been exempted from the strike, hospital sources said.

Medical College sources said the situation could deteriorate if the employees went ahead with the strike. A number of patients, who turned up for medical examinations in the OPDs, were seen returning dejectedly from the hospital. Serious patients were, however, examined by the doctors in the emergency.

Working also remained crippled in the Civil Secretariat, seat of the Government during winter, as there was complete strike and employees refused to carry out any work. With drivers of State Motor Garages joining the strike, several Ministers and senior Government officers were seen coming to Secretariat in private or police vehicles. Some Ministers and officers even couldn’t make it to the Secretariat.

A massive three hour demonstration was held by the employees inside the Secretariat premises. The employees were shouting slogans against the State Government and in favour of their demands which include 15 per cent DA, release of arrears, 5th Pay Commission arrears, re-organisation of Civil Secretariat Employees cadre, maintainance of status quo in SRO 43, raising of retirement age from 58 to 60 and restoration of special pay besides a 16 point charter of demands already submitted to the Government.

The striking employees even didn’t attend the incoming telephone calls of Ministers and senior officers. Lift in the Secretariat wasn’t operated by the striking employees.

Rally in the Secretariat was addressed among others by Nazir Ahmed Mir, president Secretariat Employees Union and convenor of EJAC, Ghulam Mehdi, Mohammad Shaffi Khan, Ram Dass, Farooq Ahmed Loan, Surjeet Singh, Mohammad Rafiq, Nazir Ahmed Makdoomi, Ali Mohammad Rawat, Mir Abdul Rashid and A R Magray.

The leaders of EJAC also addressed massive rallies at Medical College, Nirman Bhawan, Sheep Husbandry Department, Jammu Development Authority (JDA) and Stationery & Printing offices. The employees’ leaders warned the State Government not to delay their genuine demands otherwise 3.56 lakhs employees would be forced for confrontation with the Government.

EJAC lists its demands which include payment of 15 per cent DA, release of 2nd installment of 5th Pay Commission report, regularisation of daily wagers, restoration of SRO 43, authentication of GP Fund Pass Books and implementation of all previous agreements.

EJAC leaders —Pardeep Kumar, Mohd Gafoor Dar, Lekh Raj Khajuria, Mohd Maqbool, Girdhari Lal Chandsa, Subash Chander, V R Baru, Satish Sharma and Anwar Beg appealed to the striking employees to maintain unity for making the ongoing agitation a complete success to force the Government to concede their demands.

The central committee of EJAC appealed to the employees of Jammu City to participate in massive rallies being organised on December 23 at various places including Old Secretariat, Agriculture complex, Medical College, JDA complex, Panama Chowk, DC office and Irrigation complex.

An EJAC handout said the strike was complete at all district, tehsil and block headquarters and working remained completely paralysed in all the Government offices. At all the places, employees took out rallies and held demonstrations in support of their demands.

Other EJAC leaders who addressed the rallies in different offices were Kamal Kishore Bhardwaj, Darshan Magotra, Gh Nabi Bhat, Purshotam Sharma, Sham Lal, Gurmeet Singh, Arun Moza, Ashok Kumar, Yash Paul, L N Mishra, Babu Ram, SKS Khalsa, Prem Singh, Sham Parsad Kesar, Sushil Sudan, K S Chohan, Tilak Raj, Swaran Kour, Mrs Doazi, Marks Gill, Rakesh Bhan, Amrik Singh, Joginder Singh, Rattan Singh, Chaman Lal Sangota, Dass Ram Kandley and Pardeep Sharma.

Meanwhile, Sampat Parkash and Shakti Gupta, president and general secretary of All J&K Low Paid Govt Employees Federation have congratulated the employees for their united action and asked the Government to give up adamant attitude and concede the demands of employees.

JAKEDA Non-Gazetted Employees Union president Gurdeep Singh has also supported the strike call. He said all employees of JAKEDA were on complete strike. Anil Gupta, press secretary, JDA Employees Union has fully supported the strike and called upon the employees to take the strike to logical conclusion. Mr Gupta warned the Government not to test the patience of employees any more and immediately concede their demands.

A handout of Rawi Tawi Irrigation Employees Association said the employees demonstrated in favour of their demands in the office complex. The employees were addressed by Mr Ram Kumar and Mr R R Parbhakar.

Ramban JAC president Mr A A Bali has supported the strike call of EJAC. He said the strike was complete in Ramban tehsil.

JAC of All Public Sector Employees held a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Suresh Sharma and demanded release of COLA in favour of public sector employees. Besides release of COLA, he also demanded time bound promotions, regularisation of daily wagers, enhancement of wages and pensionary benefits for public sector employees.

Other Associations which have supported the employees strike include J&K Non-Gazetted Horticulture Employees Union, Non-Gazetted Indian System of Medicines (Health) Employees Association, Judicial Employees Welfare Association, All J&K Class 4th Employees Union and Jammu Kashmir Accounts Employees Association.

Kargil relief package to cost Rs 35 crores
No civilian evacuation from LOC in J&K: Advani

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: The Minister for Home Affairs, Mr LK Advani, informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that none among the civilians residing in villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir was evacuated in the wake of heavy shelling by Pakistani forces during the last six months.

Mr Advani, however, admitted that about 3574 families from Kargil, 540 families from Leh and 20,000 families from Jammu got displaced due to cross-border shelling and firing during the Indo-Pakistan conflict in the Kargil sector.

The Home Minister said in reply to a question by Mr Amir Alam that the Jammu and Kashmir Government had informed the Home Ministry that 45 persons, including Army and BSF personnel, were killed during the last six months in the cross-border firing and shelling. He also admitted that some families had migrated from some of the affected villages in J&K on their own in the wake of heavy shelling by Pakistanis.

In his reply to a question by Mr Chinmayanand Swami, Mr Vidyasagar Rao, the Minister of State for Home, said that the J&K Government had formulated a relief package for the displaced persons from Kargil and other areas, which envisaged free ration at the rate of 9kg of foodgrains per person of displaced families per month, cash assistance at the rate of Rs 200 per member of displaced families per month, free kerosene oil at the rate of 10 litres per displaced family per month, ex-gratia relief for loss of life at the rate of Rs 1 lakh per death case and relief for immovable property damaged at the rate of 50 per cent of the loss assessed of the immovable property subject to a ceiling of Rs 1 lakh per case and Rs 200 per month as rental for such families who are not in a position to go back to their homes due to continuous shelling.

The J&K Government has estimated an expenditure of Rs 35 crores on the relief package till May 2000. According to Mr Vidyasagar Rao, the Government of India has, till November end, provided to the J&K Government an advance of Rs 17 crores. This includes Rs 15 crores from the National Defence Fund and Rs 2 crores from the security-related expenditure (SRE) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Mr Rao stated that steps had also been taken to give one-time relief for six months to displaced persons fron Kargil and Leh during the current winter season. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), he added, had released Rs 7.80 crores (at the rate of Rs 1.30 crores per month for six months) for the purpose. Thus, the Government of India till date had released Rs 24. 8 crores for the implementation of the relief package formulated by the J&K Government, he added.

"No", was Mr LK Advani’s reply when Mr Aditya Nath Yogi enquired if the Government proposed to give monthly pension to the widows of the persons killed in the terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Advani explained that the J&K Government had constituted a Rehabilitation Council in 1995 for rehabilitation of widows, orphans, handicapped and aged persons adversely affected by militancy. The Council is to have a corpus fund of Rs 20 crores, income from which is utilised for implementation of various welfare schemes.

According to Mr Advani, the corpus fund, at present, has Rs 8. 28 crores which include Rs 6 crores from the Government of India and Rs 1 crore from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Till date scholarships have been given to 2519 orphan children, marriage assistance to 50 widows and old age pension given to 596 old age persons and 24 rehabilitation camps held during which 2726 artificial limbs and appliances were distributed.

Mr Vidyasagar Rao said in reply to a question by Mr Dilip Kumar Mansukhlal Gandhi that the Government had received some inputs stating that militant outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen are having suicide squads. These squads, the Minister of State for Home stated, were being instigated to attack Indian security forces and VVIPs. The security forces, he added, had been asked to be fully vigilant by taking measures to provide better security around the camps and establishments and to be extra alert while on the move on foot or by vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir.

The J&K Government has informed the Centre that 112 civilians and 61 non-civilians were killed and 196 civilians and 11 non-civilians were injured due to firing by Pakistanis troops in Jammu and Kashmir during the last three years (up to October 1998). Giving this information in reply to a question by Mr Amir Alam and Mr Aditya Nath Yogi, Mr Rao said that payment of ex-gratia relief to victims of militant violence "is an on-going process" and given by the J&K Government as per the norms of the State administration. No record about recipients, Mr Rao added, was maintained by the Government of India.

Mr Rao’s reply also contained details of loss of property suffered as a result of extremist violence in Jammu and Kashmir — 1581 incidents between 1995 and October 1998 , and damage to 203 Government buildings, 227 educational institutions, 3092 private houses, 24 bridges and 681 shops.

The Government confirmed in the House that work of setting up fencing along Jammu’s International Border, started in 1995 at an estimated cost of Rs 71. 76 crores, was suspended due to persistent firing from Pakistani side. Mr Vidyasagar Rao informed Mr Vaidya Vishnu Datt Sharma that the material and equipment purchased for this purpose were used for the fencing work in Punjab and Rajasthan sectors and some of the material was transferred to BSF for their use.

Mr Rao informed Mr Sharma as well as Mr GJ Javiya, Mr Ratilal Kalidas Varma and Mr Chinmayanand Swami that the Government has now planned erection of an obstacle system along with Intruder Alarm System (IAS) for Jammu’s International Border. A decision to start this work, the Minister pointed out, would be taken at an appropriate time.

"No", was the reply from Mr ID Swami, Minister of State for Home, when Mr Samar Choudhury, enquired if the deployment of BSF on the Kashmir border was much more intensified than on the borders in the north-east region. Mr Swami explained that in Kashmir, on LoC, Army is mainly deployed. While the average distance of BSF border outposts on the International Border in Jammu region is 2 km, the distance between the BSF border posts in the north-east is 5.6 kms.

Financial position of many states in doldrums
Centre will introduce fiscal discipline: PM

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today cautioned the people to be prepared to "face hard decisions and fiscal and financial discipline" in the coming days.

Delivering the valedictory address of the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting here, Mr Vajpayee said as the financial position of many states was in doldrums, the Centre will introduce fiscal discipline during the budget session of Parliament. He however, added that even while taking hard decisions, interest of the common man will be taken care of.

Contrary to apprehensions expre-ssed in many quarters, the NDA Government had "completed lot of business" during the winter session. He wanted his MPs to generate public awareness about Government’s decisions and various bills passed by Parliament. Responding to members regarding formation of new states, Mr Vajpayee said the concerned states have been advised to summon special sessions of their assemblies to "respond to the President’s recomm-endation" in this regard.

Home Minister L K Advani informed the meeting that the Cabinet had already approved formation of Vananchal, Uttaranchal and Chhatis-garh states. The decision had been forwarded to the President. In turn the President has recommended to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh Governments to get the decision ratified by their respective assemblies.

The Prime Minister said his Government was moving in the right direction on economic policy. That is the reason why the main opposition in Parliament—the Congress—had extended support in the Rajya Sabha. He advised his members to be cautious while introducing private members’ bills. They should consult seniors to ensure that the interests of the NDA are not jeopardised before introducing any private bill.

Mr Vajpayee expressed "satisfac-tion" over the business transacted by the Government during this session.

Intervening in the deliberations, Home Minister LK Advani cautioned the members against accepting hospitality from private parties. Similarly, he said members should first go through any memorandum brought to them by private parties for signature and ensure that it falls in line with the party’s line of thinking.

Earlier, the Prime Minister paid rich tributes to party vice-president and former MP, Krishan Lal Sharma. The members stood in silence for a while as a mark of respect to the departed soul. (UNI)

Ready to face anything
Sharif rules out talks with army rulers

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21: Ruling out talks with the military Government that has harmed the democratic process in the country, deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that he is not afraid and ready to face anything.

We will not consider any formula nor will we send any team for talks with those responsible for acting against the elected Government and harming the democratic process in the country, Shaikh Rasheed, a top Pakistan Muslim League leader quoted Mr Sharif as saying.

Mr Sharif, his brother Shahbaz and five other accused are being tried by the military rulers on charges ranging from hijacking to high treason that carry a possible death sentence.

Mr Sharif was about to talk to reporters outside the Sindh High Court but his senior attorney, Ejaz Batalwi, asked him not to. Sir, please don’t. We have to honour the court commitment, Mr Batalwi said. The accused in the high profile case, as also the prosecution, have been barred by the court from making political statements.

The former premier, however, did talk to his party leaders during a break in proceedings. Besides Shaikh Rasheed, PML leaders Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Mian Ejaz Shafi and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi met Mr Sharif in the Anti-Terrorism Court complex.

Shaikh Rasheed said Mr Sharif had directed the party leaders not to hold talks with the military Government. I am still the elected Prime Minister. I stand by my earlier statement that action against my elected Government was not of the entire army, but was carried out by ‘1"4’ (Musharraf with four Generals), Shaikh Rashid quoted Mr Sharif as having told him.

I was dealing with the affairs at the top level, that’s why I have come to know a lot in this connection than others. I will prove what I am saying, when the time is ripe.

General Pervez Musharraf will have to take back all the steps he took on and after October 12 (the day the military took over after a bloodless coup). I am not afraid of what they want to do with me. I am ready to face anything.

What they have done on October 12 was the worst kind of tragedy for Pakistan. Unless these steps are revoked and the elected Government is restored, there is no possibility of talks with General Musharraf, the deposed Premier said. (UNI)

80-year-old NC activist critically injured
Woman, militant, 2 BSF soliders killed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 21: While as security forces have eliminated a Hizbul Mujahideen militant in an encounter at Bandipore, unidentified gunmen have shot dead a women at Safapora and also left an 80-year old National Conference (NC) activist critically injured in a daytime shoot-out at Bagat-e-Barzulla in the capital city today. In a different incident, a BSF soldier in inebriated condition has reportedly shot dead two his colleagues in Lolab valley of Kupwara district.

Official sources told EXCELSIOR that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 14 Bn, associated with Kilo Force, conducted a search operation at Mohalla Balhama of Arin, near Bandipore, in Baramulla district today. During the search operation an encounter took place between the militants and the security forces in which one local militant got killed. He was identified as Mohammad Shaban Mir alias Dolla S/o Khizar Mohammad Mir of the same village. One AK-56 rifle, one grenade launcher and six rifle grenades were claimed to have been recovered from the spot. Officials said that Dolla was a 'group commander' with Hizbul Mujahideen.

During the exchange of fire, a woman, namely Sara wife of Abdul Gaffar Wani of the same locality sustained a gunshot wound in her hand. Troops rushed her to their hospital at Bandipore where she was given the medical treatment.

Sources said that late last night, militants appeared at Pahlipora, in Safapora locality, and shot dead a woman, namely Kulsoom daughter of Ghulam Rasool Malik, reportedly with the allegation that she was an informer with the security forces.

This afternoon an unidentified hitman fired upon Abdul Aziz Allai

S/o Mohd Ramzan Allai of Mohalla Rawatpora, near Bagaat-e-Barzulla, in the capital city when he was coming out of a mosque after performing his afternoon prayers. The 80-year old civilian fell in a poll of blood and was later rushed to Bone & Joint Hospital, wherefrom doctors referred him to SKIMS Soura.

A Defence spokesman claimed that a brave young man of Ganasthan (Pattan) stole the AK-56 rifle with a grenade launcher from a couple of militants at that village during last night and later handed over the same to the Army camp at Palhalan. He also led the troops to the village who raided the militants' hide-out but they had already disappeared from there.

Reports available from Uri said that early this morning, Indian and Pakistani troops traded artillery shells in Nambal, Silikote and Tilwari localities near LoC. However, there was no damage from either side.

Meanwhile, official sources said that last evening, constable Manoj Shukla of 124 Bn BSF, camping at Gund-e-Jehangr, Lolab, opened fire on two of his colleagues who died on spot. They were identified as Ashok Kumar and Suresh Yadav. The erring soldier, who has been placed under suspension and detained for questioning, had reportedly consumed an over doze of liquor. They had begun a brawl on a trial issue.

Houses, shops, temple damaged
Devastating mid-night blaze in Poonch town

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Dec 21: A devastating fire broke out in City Chowk area of the town in the wee hours of this morning causing loss to property worth several lakhs of rupees but there was no casualty. Reasons behind the fire still remained mysterious.

Two houses suffered extensive damage in the fire while a place of worship also sustained minor damage.

Official reports said the fire would have taken more parts of the town under its grip had it not been controlled timely by the Fire Brigade personnel. Fire tenders reached the spot within five minutes after getting a report and launched a major fire fighting operation.

The fire started from a residential house on first floor and was fast spreading to adjoining houses, shops and a temple. A family had also been trapped in the house, which was rescued by the local people and fire fighting jawans.

The Fire men fought for more than one hours to control the sky-rocketing flames. Entire costlier goods including electronic items like television set and refrigerator were burnt in the fire. Reports said the effectiveness displayed by the firemen averted what could have been a major tragedy. Since the areas was congested, any delay in the operation would have resulted into the fire spreading to adjoining buildings.

Reason behind the fire remained a mystery. The power was off at 0130 hours when the fire spread and, as such, there was no chance of a short circuit. A possible sabotage was also not ruled out.

Local police have registered a case in the fire and started investigations. Exact loss in the property was being worked out.

Local people have appreciated the efforts of Fire Station Officer D S Sharma and his men Sukhdev Singh, Surjit Singh, Purshotam Lal and Munawar Hussain in timely controlling the fire.

Kashmiri kids off to Kanyakumari

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: A group of 40 children from Jammu and Kashmir are on a mission sponsored by Army and Indian Oil Corporation to discover their country in all its diversity.

The kids, many of whom have never ventured out of their villages, are travelling across the length and breadth of the country, visiting New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kanya-

kumari, thanks to a unique project started by the Army to introduce youngsters from the terrorism-ravaged state to their vast country in an attempt to bring them into the mainstream.

The children, 11 to 14 years of age, had probably never seen a train or ship, and could only dream or watch on TV what the rest of their country looks like. This tour will enable them see and understand their beautiful nation better, Colonel Sukhbir Singh, Commanding Officer of 525 Army Service Corps (ASC) Battalion, which is conducting the tour, told PTI.

The image of our Army and civil administration will get a fillip and set a chain reaction of goodwill. The amicable relations between the Army and local population will help favourably in our role in counter insurgency as the support of locals is necessary to combat terrorism, Col Singh said.

The team would visit important places in the capital including Rashtrapati Bhawan, Qutab Minar and Jama Masjid. Film Studios and Beaches in Mumbai, Elephanta Caves, National Defence Academy at Pune and Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari, Major Arun Malhotra, who is accompanying the children, said. (PTI)

BJP pursuing its agenda : Sonia

NEW DELHI, Dec 21: Congress president Sonia Gandhi today alleged that Ayodhya remained at the very heart of the BJP’s agenda and said Government’s introduction of the Women’s Reservation Bill on the last day of current Parliament session is a ruse to buy time to cover up widening cracks in the ruling coalition.

Addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Gandhi said the threat to secularism from BJP’s real agenda remained as looming and as menacing as ever as Ayodhya and other contentious issues remained a very much part of the party’s programme.

Gandhi said the Congress has succeeded in securing from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee a reiteration of NDA’s intention of keeping such issues on the backburner.

But, the tardiness and inadequacy of Prime Minister’s response to the UP Chief Minister’s statement reveals what it seeks to hide, namely, that all these contentious issues remain at the very heart of the BJP’s agenda and are being kept aside, if indeed they are being kept aside, only for reasons of temporary expediency’’, she said.

On the Women’s Reservation Bill, Gandhi, who is also the CPP chairperson, said that the party wanted the bill to be introduced in the House, discussed and passed.

We all know that mere introduction is not even a statement of intent. Indeed, it might be quite the opposite, a technique for disguising the real intent, Gandhi said adding that when she raised the issue in the Lok Sabha yesterday, Government would go no further than committing itself to its introduction.

She said that the proposed introduction of the Bill on virtually the last day of the current session, so as to postpone debate and discussion is but a ruse to buy time to cover up the widening cracks in the ruling coalition on this critical issue.

On the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), she recalled that Prime Minister had invited her last week to discuss the CTBT.

Stating that this was the first time a briefing was given to the party on the issue, she said since the matter is so complex it was not possible for us to give a response without reflecting on the issues raised.....’’

Noting that the winter session was a short but successful, she said it should be evident to the country that we really are a constructive opposition.

Accusing the BJP of doing a total turnabout on Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, Gandhi said that when in opposition that party had bitterly and aggressively attacked the measure.

The Bill, which has been passed in this session, is a good example of our consistency and the inconsistency of the NDA. (PTI)

Accept Kashmir as disputed: Pak

ISLAMABAD, Dec 21: Pakistan has rejected India’s assertion that Islamabad should take confidence building measures first before stalled bilateral talks could be resumed and said New Delhi has to accept the Kashmir dispute as a reality.

Accusing India of not being interested in resuming the talks, Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmed told reporters here yesterday, there has never been any trust between Pakistan and India. The trust had been shattered the day India sent its troops into Kashmir 50 years ago.

He said the Indo-Pak dialogue process, resumed in March 1997 after a gap of three years, is suspended for more than a year now as New Delhi rejected the military regime’s recent offer for unconditional talks resumption.

India had suggested that confidence between the two countries, shattered due to the Kargil intrusion, should be restored first and Pakistan should stop promoting cross-border terrorism in Kashmir. (PTI)

Singh calls for discipline in BJP

VARANASI, Dec 21: The newly appointed president of the Uttar Pradesh unit of BJP Om Prakash Singh today said his priority was to instil discipline in the party in the state and strengthen it at grassroots level which suffered an erosion due to infighting in the past one year.

Singh, who got the news of his new assignment this afternoon, told reporters here that BJP suffered a definite setback during the past one year following statements and counter statements of various state level leaders.

Indiscipline will not be tolerated in the party and my priority will be to instil a sense of discipline among partymen, Singh said.

To a question, he said the BJP state unit’s policies would be the same as that of the party at the national level.

In reply to another question, Singh, who was considered close to expelled BJP leader Kalyan Singh, said the Kalyan chapter is closed and my relationship with Kalyan Singh would be the same as with any other opposition party leader.

About his dual assignment, Singh who is also a minister in the UP Cabinet, said he would abide by the party’s policy in this regard. (PTI)

Valley children on ‘Aman Yatra’

JALANDHAR, Dec 20: A group of school children from Baramulla set on an ‘Aman Yatra’ to carry message of peace to the trouble-torned Kashmir valley, where sound of bullets and mortars still disturbs their lives.

The Indian Army, who sponsored the trip of the children, took them to the Vajra Library, computer training and equipment display room.

The children also visited the Punjab State War Memorial besides enjoying a Hindi movie during their overnight stay.

The children left for Kapurthala this morning to visit rail coach factory after paying obeisance at the Devi Talab temple in the city, an Army release said.

They would also visit the Golden Temple at Amritsar before leaving for Chandigarh via Ludhiana and Patiala. (UNI)

 

 

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