Mailbag

Sheikh and Cease-fire

Sir,

With reference to Dr D C Sharma's letter captioned, 'A deliberate ploy' published in your esteemed paper dated November 12, 1999 and other similar stories published in various papers from time to time in regard to Sheikh Abdullah's part in obtaining a Cease-Fire agreement between India and Pakistan in 1949, directly relevant is an account by the then emissary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to Kashmir, Maj Gen Hiralal Atal, given in the latter's book, Nehru's Emissary to Kashmir (October 1947), pages 146-147. Here is an extract :

'The war in Kashmir went on unabated, proving beyond any shadow of doubt Pakistan's aggression.

I naturally used to follow our progress or failure with great interest and eagerness. In this context it may be stated that it was under the command of Maj. Gen K S Thimmayya, who succeeded Maj. Gen. Kulwant Singh, that the position in the conflict was stabilised and the Indian Army got the upper hand and the enemy was pressed hard on all fronts. It was only a matter of time when we would have pushed the Pakistan Armyout of our territory.

While the situation in Kashmir was under control and to our advantage, we heard on the radio in the morning of December 31 that a 'Cease-Fire' had been agreed to by both countries-India and Pakistan-which amounted to presenting Pakistan with a New Year's gift on the platter.

This was evidently agreed to by our Prime Minister without even consulting the operational commanders in the field or Sheikh Abdullah who was very much an interested party. This was a staggering blow to all of them.

Within a couple of days, thereafter, Sheikh Abdullah blew into my house at Akbar Road, at breakfast time, and was fumming at the 'monstrosity' of cease-fire that had been committed without even consulting him as he put it and hinted that I was instrumental in giving effect to cessation of hostility. He was terribly agitated and annoyed. I gave him some breakfast and tried to calm him down and told him that I had no hand in the matter and the news of the Cease-Fire came as a surprise to me also. I suggested that he had better have it out with our Prime Minister. I presume he did after he had left our house.''

In the interest of fairness we owe it to ourselves to place on record all the evidence that is available with us on the subject.

Yours etc...
Teja Singh I.A.S. (Retd.)
Exchange Road
Jammu-Tawi.

A clarification

Sir,

This is in reference to the news item which appeared in your paper dated 15-11-1999 regarding 'Non-availability of Gynaecologist, Child Specialist, Eye and Skin specialists in Sub-District Hospital Kishtwar.

In this connection, it is stated that Dr Jai Lakshmi Bhat (DGO) has been posted against the post of B-grade Gynaecologist, Dr Rattan Singh Manhas, MD Paed who belong to Kishtwar area, has been posted against the post of B-grade Paediatrician and Dr Satish Kumar, (MDOpth), has been posted against the post of B-grade specialist in Opthalmology vide this office Order No:- 304-C of 1999 dated 25-8-1999, Order No:- 312-G of 1999 dated 31-8-1999 and Order No:- 134-G of 1999 dated 14-6-1999 respectively.

As regards the posting of skin specialist, there is no such post sanctioned for SDH Kishtwar, which otherwise does not qualify for sanction of the post as per the staffing pattern of the department.

Further regarding the news item 'Dharna' by public of Bhoond it may be mentioned here that two doctors stand posted at PHC Bhoond out of them one Dr Ravinder Kumar (Adhoc) Assistant Surgeon is working there. Chief Medical Officer, Kathua has already, been asked to depute another doctor at PHC Bhoond.

Yours etc...
Director Health Services
Jammu.

Conversions to Christianity

Sir,

Recently the Pope has called for stepping up conversion in Asia. This is a Declaration of War against Culture, Asian religions and Asian society in general, and Hinduism in particular.

The advent of Christianity in Europe, America, Australia and large parts of Africa and Pacific led to the systematic and complete elimination of the pre-Christian polytheistic religions and cultures.

Mass-conversion to Christianity seeks to destroy the soul of Asia, transplanting an un-needed philosophy. Asia does not need any lesson in religion or piety from anybody. Why should one religion try to eliminate other through mass-conversions? Clearly, the Pope seeks to achieve religious cleansing of Asia. This malicious approach is highly immoral and unethical. What makes the Pope think that his is the only true religion? This is self-righteousness and intolerance to the extreme. He may have the right to believe so, but he has no right to organize a concerted attack on other societies to destroy their very nature.

Mass religious conversions have caused political partitions of many nations. The Pope will cause political instability in Asia through mass-conversions. The worst thing about most of the Christian conversions in India is that they are influenced heavily by economic inducements.

Yours etc...
Dillip K Behera
2421 E Washington St.
#1-11, Bloomington
IL-61704
bdillip@hotmail.com

Time limit for trial

Sir,

Tracing the events of the cases hanging in courts for years together without any final judgement one is made to believe that to move towards the Hon'ble Court for seeking justice is to entangle oneself in complicacies very difficult to disentangle.

Delay and denial both carry and convey negation. With every delay in any discipline there is chaos, confusion, dishonesty and resentment. The immeasurable gap that we generally allow between crime and judgement can be fraught with risk. During this period the criminals are being compelled to change their statements, documents are tampered bringing impediments in processing of the case. This could be averted if time frame is chalked out for the disposal of the cases on the merits of the crime involved.

When we have the time limit in the execution of contracts why we cannot apply and enforce it in the final settlement of the cases.

Time is life, where there is no limit there is no hope. In short, our country needs a total revamp of legal system. A scientific and systematic exercise needs to be undertaken to ensure that wheel of justice moves steadily with the changing times without any delays, fault or pressure. The law must be in tune with such changes where time factor is considered supreme. It will not only uphold the dignity of man but will greatly relieve people and society from the scourage of delay. It will also help the courts in the expeditious disposal of the cases and claims.

Yours etc...
P. N. Sus
129, Suriya Vihar,
Talab Tillo, Bhori
Jammu.