Efforts on to make J&K as Cyber-State
Special Industrial package for J&K soon: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: The Union Minister of State for Industry and Commerce Mr Omar Abdullah today said that a special industrial package on the pattern of the North-Eastern states would be given to the Jammu and Kashmir state soon.

Addressing a mammoth gathering at the Zanana Park and a function organised by Bari Brahmana Industries Association here this afternoon, Mr Omar said that Central Government has agreed to extend this special package to the militancy-affected state. He hoped that special package will be announced by next month.

Referring to financial crunch in the J&K state, Mr Omar said he was well aware of the problems of the state and is committed to do whatever possible for the welfare of the state while sitting in the Union Ministry.

He said the matter has been taken up with the Central Government forcefully this time and a special committee has been constituted by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee to look into the matter. By the end of this year, the issue of financial crisis in J&K would be resolved , he added.

Reiterating his resolve to develop industry in the otherwise, backward state, the Union Minister said that he plans to ensure better industrial growth in the J&K, especially intends to promote leather industry. For this purpose, he has managed to get two seats reserved for Industrial Engineering at Chennai for the candidates from J&K every year. He said that by getting training in leather industry from outside the state, our youth would be able to set up their own units in the state. It will also generate employment opportunities for the other unemployed youth and girls of the state, he maintained.

Giving emphasis on the promotion of computer technology in J&K, the Union Minister said that Rs 8 cr have been sanctioned by the Centre for the Software computer project to the state. In order to give boost to the marketing in the state, an industrial Export and Import Centre would also be set up at Jammu.

He referred to the shattered economy of the state and maintained that industry was the backbone of any socio-economic structure. He assured to promote small scale and cottage industry in the state and maintained that most of the big industrialists prefer to raise new industries in the states like UP, Delhi, Harayana, Punjab etc and hesitate to set up units in J&K.

" There is strong need to change the existing industrial norms and the unhealthy industrial environment. I plan to moot some suggestions for the State Government to attract the NRIs and the big industrial houses to set up their units in the state," Mr Omar maintained.

Pak offer of talks just an eye-wash
No fresh accord with Pak: PM

LUCKNOW, Nov 25: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today ruled out any fresh accord with Islamabad and said that cross-border terrorism in the Kashmir valley had increased since the coup in Pakistan and it created doubts about the military regime’s willingness to have any meaningful dialogue with India.

The Kargil intrusion was in clear violation of the Simla Accord and the Lahore Declaration and created a crisis of confidence for India. If Islamabad really wanted bilateral talks to resume, it must reaffirm its commitment to the two accords, he told reporters at Raj Bhavan here.

Ruling out any fresh accord with the new regime, Vajpayee said we do not believe in entering into new agreements and keep on ignoring the existing ones.

If Pakistan is really interested in fruitful and friendly dialogue with India, it would have to create a conducive atmosphere by adhering to the Simla Accord and Lahore Declaration, he said charging Islamabad with carrying on a false propaganda that India was not interested in resuming talks.

Vajpayee said the new military regime in Pakistan’s offer of talks with India was just a sham for the world community and peace talks can not take place without taking into consideration the Shimla Accord and the Lahore Declaration.

Talking to newspersons at Rajbhawan here, Mr Vajpayee said he does not think the military regime of Pakistan is keen on maintaining good relations with our country.

He said "it was not possible that you go on making new pacts ignoring the earlier ones." And the onus of proving their good intentions lies with Pakistan, specially after the Kargil attack.

The Prime Minister said there was a deplorable disinformation campaign that India was not in favour of talks with Pakistan.

India had initiated peace talks with Pakistan but the process was discontinued due to the Kargil conflict, Mr Vajpayee pointed out. "We always respond to positive initiative in this regard but Pakistan has to ensure they are willing to respect the ‘Simla Pact’ and ‘Lahore Declaration’," he said.

The Prime Minister said the Government was aware of the problems with regard to cross-border terrorism and it was planning a strategy to counter it. When his attention was drawn to the reported statement of Union Home Minister L K Advani that India would rebuff the terrorist activities of Pakistan by counter terrorism, the Prime Minister said the statement of Mr Advani was distorted.

In reply to another question, Mr Vajpayee said efforts were on to convince the US to declare Pakistan as a "terrorist State". Asked about his efforts to save deposed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from a possible death sentence, Mr Vajpayee said he had joined the global community to mount pressure on the military regime.

"I know my sole efforts or efforts of my country as a whole might add to the woes of Mr Sharif. That is why we have joined others to prepare a consensus in favour of the deposed Pakistan Premier", he reasoned.

The Prime Minister said he had conveyed this to Mr Sharif’s son, who had telephoned him asking for his support. He also made it clear that this was the reason India had not initiated the Pakistan issue at the Commonwealth summit.

When asked about Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s demand to pardon Nalini, one of the main accused in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, Mr Vajpayee said the issue had not yet come up for discussion at the Government level. When he was reminded that the President had already sent the matter to it, he said "the decision in this regard would be taken by the Union Cabinet".

He said the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief in Uttar Pradesh would be appointed very soon.

Talking to newsmen at the Amausi Airport here on his arrival on a day long visit to his parliamentary constituency, Mr Vajpayee, however, did not specify the time limit for appointment of the State party chief. In reply to a question, he said the party leadership would make every effort to strengthen the party organisation in the State.

On relations with Pakistan in view of the changing political scenario in the neighbouring country, he said, "India is keeping a close watch over the activities in Pakistan".

"We only react according to the stand of Pakistan", he added.

The Prime Minister was on his first visit to the State Capital after being elected to the Lok Sabha from Lucknow for the fourth consecutive term. He was scheduled to attend several functions before returning to Delhi late in the evening.

Mr Vajpayee said some more corrective measures could be taken to strengthen the party organisation in the State apart from the appointment of the party chief.

In reply to a specific question whether it meant some persons would be removed, he said "some may be removed, some may be inducted". The party was in the process of finding out the reasons behind the debacle in the LS elections in UP and the final analysis would be indicative of the things to come, he said.

"Everyone, including myself as the Lok Sabha member from Lucknow, was responsible for the party ‘s performance in the election", he admitted.

He denied that he was personally responsible for the removal of Mr Kalyan Singh and said it was a collective decision of the party leadership. Moreover, Mr Kalyan Singh had owned up responsibility for the party’s drubbing in the polls, Mr Vajpayee pointed out.

When a reporter pointed out that the State party chief Rajnath Singh had also owned the responsibility for the party’s poor showing in the last elections but he was rewarded with a berth in the Union Cabinet, the Prime Minister shot back" Mr Kalyan Singh was offered a ministerial post much before but he rejected it".

Mr Vajpayee parried a question if Mr Singh could be offered the post of State party chief, but said "we would see how his services can be utilised."

The Prime Minister also played down the absence of Mr Kalyan Singh during his visit, saying he had some urgent work elsewhere. He also denied that he did not visit the State Capital as long as Mr Singh was in the saddle, saying there was nothing personal between him and the former UP Chief Minister.

When his attention was drawn towards the statement of Mr Kalyan Singh that the reasons behind the reduced victory margin of the Prime Minister should also be probed,he said "the analysis of the results of entire State would include my constituency also" (Agencies)

Musharraf preparing for another adventure
More suicidal attacks likely on Indian troops in J&K

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: Pakistan’s military ruler has no plans to disown anti-India terrorist outfits operating from Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Government of India, a Ministerial source said on Monday, had strong reasons to be concerned, considering the tacit support from Gen Parvez Musharraf to the dreaded terrorist organisation, Lashkar-e-Toiba, even after New Delhi’s protest against the organisation’s threat that its men can, if they wished to, attack the Indian Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi.

Gen Musharraf, the Ministerial source said, had chosen to renew his offer to India for "peace talks" with Pakistan on the one hand and, on the other hand, to be friendly with anti-India terrorist and militant organisations. Developments in Pakistan, since the military takeover, had been causing concern to the policy makers in New Delhi. The Ministerial source said that the foremost among them was that the authorities in Islamabad had been found unwilling to act even after New Delhi’s repeated messages calling for effective steps to stop cross-border terrorism.

Lashkar-e-Toiba is one of the biggest outfits that recruits mercenaries in Pakistan, and is patronised by the Pakistani Armed Forces. Gen Musharraf’s unwillingness to prevent fiery anti-India speeches by the Lashkar leaders has been interpreted in Delhi as the Pak Army’s approval of all that the terrorist organisation wanted in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere in India.

According to latest classified intelligence inputs, suicidal attacks on Indian military establishments in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-aided ultras is likely to rise in the near future. The Ministries and Defence and Home have received information that the Pakistani ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) has roped in highly experienced mercenaries from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan for leading suicidal operations in J&K.

Why is New Delhi hesitant to accept Gen Musharraf’s offer of talks on bilateral issues between Pakistan and India ? An answer to this question is not far to seek. Mandarins in Delhi’s South Block and North Block are of the view: Present Pakistani ruler is the man who conceived, planned and executed the Kargil operation. The man’s statements for normalisation of relations with India is difficult to accept for anyone in Delhi. Gen Parvez Musharraf has not done anything concrete to win the confidence of New Delhi.

In fact, Gen Musharraf has been accused of trying to dodge the issues of terrorist training camps by the ISI in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and cross-border terrorism. Gen Musharraf’s unwillingness to oblige New Delhi by acting positively on these two issues has been interpreted as the "emerging indications" about the Pak military machine’s intention to prepare for another Kargil-like adventure elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir.

Gen Musharraf’s reported decision not to proceed against anti-India militant and terrorist organisations in the given circumstances is not without meaning. Any such action, Pakistan-watchers explain, would automatically split the Pak Armed Forces vertically. Mr Sreedhar, senior research associate at Delhi’s Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, has stated in his latest report: "From time to time, there were assessments in the media that the process of Islamisation of the Pakistani Armed Forces is on, and many of them believe that going back to Islam is the only way out of the rot that had crept into the body politic".

Most of the militant outfits, aided and abetted by the Pak Armed Forces, have, of late, been publicly pronouncing that democracy is against Islam. These statements are being made to mobilise public opinion against the return to civilian rule, and for continuance of military rule in Pakistan.

Answering a question, the Ministerial source told EXCELSIOR that there was evidence about preparations being made by the ISI to make certain areas in Srinagar, Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch and Rajouri, besides Doda region, the main epicentres of renewed violence. He declined to comment on the controversy over the number of militants and foreign mercenaries operating with Jammu and Kashmir. Civilian agencies put the figure at around 4,000, while the Army contends that the figure is less than 2,000. "There is no denying that Pakistan’s efforts to push into Indian territory more and more militants and mercenaries are continuing", the Ministerial source said.

A group of Government sleuths has, significantly, cautioned power corridors in New Delhi against playing down or minimising the significance of the present intensification of violence in Jammu and Kashmir. According to these sleuths, there is a new gameplan in the offing, and recent incidents are like pieces on the chequer board. Indeed, a pointed reference has been made to the recent observation of former ISI chief, Lt Gen Javed Nasir, that with their improved striking capacity the militants could prolong the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir, and that the war of attrition could finally wear down the will and morale of Indian troops.

If the assessment report of this group of sleuths is any guide, mercenaries from as many as 14 countries have been identified in Jammu and Kashmir. The report says that it is possible that representatives from some more nations are also present among them. Majority of foreign recruits are from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan and some areas of West Asia. Significantly, Bangladeshis and Burmese are also present in sizeable numbers.

5156 relief cases for damaged property sanctioned
Govt reviews migrant's problems

Excelior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov. 25: A high level meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly here today and took several decisions for tackling the problems being faced by the migrants putting up in various camps in Jammu region.

The meeting was informed that out 5870 relief cases of damage to houses and other immovable property of migrants in the Kashmir valley, 5156 cases have been sanctioned for grant of ex-gratia relief of Rs 37.90 crore. The disbursement has been made in full except for Rs 3.30 crore. Efforts will be made to make the payment of this un-paid amount shortly.

The list of remaining 714 relief cases will be publicised by the Relief Commissioner and the interested parties will be asked to lodge their claims with in a period of 30 days so that these cases are also settled once and for all.

The Revenue Department will make out a case for the Government of India for making available funds for providing medicines and other medical facilities to the migrants in the camps.

Regarding providing medical assistance to those of the migrants suffering from various ailments and have no source of income, it was decided that they can send such requests to the State Medical Assistance Committee through the Advisor to Chief Minister on Minorities or Relief Commissioner.

With a view to provide employment opportunities to the migrant youth, a special recruitment drive will also be launched in the camps shortly to recruit them in police.

The Chief Secretary stressed for early completion of public health engineering and electricity schemes which have been taken up in migrant camps. He directed that repair of tenements with leaking roofs be taken up on priority. He said that a survey of all the tenements should be conducted and wherever replacements or repairs are required these should be done at the earliest.

The Relief Commissioner was directed to undertake repair work of the ceramics building at Kathua immediately in which the Kashmiri migrants are putting up.

Mr Jaitly emphasised that a scheme should also be formulated for constructing multi-storey buildings having 2-room sets with kitchen facilities for migrants at a piece of land identified in Purkhoo camp. The estimates for the purpose be got prepared from the Housing Board, he added.

The Chief Secretary asked the Planning Department to release the balance amount of Rs 1.12 crore to Revenue Department for completion of drainage system in the migrant camps.

The meeting among others was attended by the Advisor to Chief Minister on Minorities, Prof Satish Raina, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr Ajit Kumar, Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dr S S Bloeria, Principal Secretary, Home Mr C Phunsog, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mr B S Jaswal, Commissioner/Secretary, Revenue, Mr Mushtaq Ahmad, Commissioner/Secretary, School Education Mr P L Raina and Relief Commissioner, Mr Pritpal Singh Betab.

Fierce encounter in Banihal
CRPF jawan mysteriously missing from camp

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 25: A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was mysteriously missing from his camp of Alfa Company, deployed in Banihal in Doda district. However, the arms and ammunition allotted to the jawan, were intact.

The possibility of kidnapping hasn’t been completely ruled out.

Official sources here said the jawan identified as Abdul Majid son of Ghulam Rasool, a resident of Badgam district in Kashmir valley, was posted with Alfa Company in militancy-infested Banihal tehsil. He mysteriously disappeared from the camp, which was detected last evening.

Sources said he had gone out of the camp for a stroll but didn’t return. The CRPF personnel have brought the matter to the notice of senior officers and lodged a report of missing with Banihal police station.

Police parties, assisted by security forces, carried out searches at several places today but couldn’t locate the whereabout of the CRPF jawan. Efforts continued to trace him, the sources said.

Meanwhile, a fierce encounter was today going on between 20 Rashtriya Rifles and militants at Batta area of Banihal.

Sources said jawans of 20 RR, assisted by para-military and Special Task Force (STF) personnel, launched an operation in the upper reaches of village Bata in Banihal, after developing an information about the presence of militants.

Atleast three militants were spotted by the troops, moving on the hills and were challenged. Militants opened firing, which was retaliated by the troops. The exchange of firing continued till late this evening but the militants managed to escape. Troops continued operation to track down the militants.

Pilgrim raped at Roop Nagar; accused held

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: A minor pilgrim of Jhiri Mela was kidnapped and gang raped by three Gujjars on the outskirts of Roop Nagar last evening. One of the accused has been arrested by the police.

The victim has been identified as 14-year old Neema, a resident of Mareen village of Hiranagar tehsil in Kathua district.

Sources said Neema alongwith her nephew Kuldeep Kumar alias Kala had come to witness Jhiri fair in a passenger bus from Hiranagar. As the bus had a halt near Roop Nagar, they boarded off by mistake. They asked a Gujjar youth about the location of Jhiri fair.

The Gujjar youth misguided them and took them to an isolated area on the outskirts of Roop Nagar. He beat-up Kuldeep Kumar and raped Neema. Two more Gujjar youths later raped the girl. The accused fled from the spot after rape.

Sources said Neema and Kuldeep Kumar travelled to Janipura police station and lodged a report. Instead of arresting the accused, Janipura police put Kuldeep Kumar behind the bars and later shifted him to Bakshi Nagar police station lock-up. The girl was sent to Medical College hospital for medical examination, the report of which was awaited.

A Bakshi Nagar police station party under the supervision of Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Mr M H Malik swung into action and succeeded in apprehending one of the Gujjar youth involved in the rape. He has confessed the crime. Police have registered a case against him for further investigations. Efforts were on to identify two absconding accused.

Meanwhile, former Bajrang Dal president, Mr Surinder Sharma has demanded an inquiry against police as to why Kuldeep Kumar, the nephew of the girl, was arrested without any reason.

Kalam appointed Scientific Advisor

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: Bharat Ratna awardee and a leading architect of India’s nuclear and missile programmes A P J Abdul Kalam was today appointed Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government in the rank of a Cabinet Minister.

68-year-old Kalam, who was Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, will in his new capacity advise the Government on overall scientific developments, scientific and technical policy in different sectors as also on matters relating to achieving technological self-reliance and foreign collaboration, an official spokesman said.

Kalam, who was last year conferred Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour in the country, has taken the indigenous missile programme to great heights and played a significant role in the development of Satellite Launch Vehicle III which injected the Rohini satellite into orbit. He was also a key player behind the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in May last year.

Expressing delight over his appointment, Kalam described his new assignment as a new mission full of challenges and said I always like challenges.

The top scientist said the partnership of multiple institutions will be the prime focus of this mission.

Complimenting Kalam, Defence Minister George Fernandes said it will be more challenging and the nation as a whole will benefit from his immense knowledge, experience and expertise.

Born on October 15, 1931, Kalam, who has been heading Defence Research and Development Organi-

sation, specialised in aeronautical engineering from Madras Institute of Technology and joined DRDO in 1958.

He shifted to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1963 and worked for the SLV III programme. Kalam rejoined DRDO in 1982 which has been spearheading India’s indigenous missile programme comprising Agni’ (ballistic), Prithvi’ (surface-to-surface), Trishul’ and Akash’ (surface-to-air) and Nag’ (anti-tank) missiles.

As Director of Hyderabad-based Defence Research Laboratory, Kalam had conceived the integrated guided missile development programme.

He was also a key player behind the five nuclear tests conducted in Pokhran in May last year.

Recipient of several doctoral degrees by well-known universities and international awards, Kalam was honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1981 and Padma Vibhushan in 1990. Currently vice president of Aeronautical Society of India, he is a fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering. (PTI)

Father’s advice to rising son

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: The Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today asked his son, Omar Abdullah to help J&K state in all fields being in the Union Ministry and spare more time for his home state.

In his brief address to the public in favour of his newly inducted son as MOS Industries and Commerce, Dr Abdullah advised young Omar to spare more time for his state and to work hard. " You must visit all the districts here and listen to the problems of the people ", Dr Abdullah suggested his son adding that he was growing old day by day and had not much strength to continue with the same pace for long.

" We have lot of hopes from you being in the Union Ministry and we hope you will realise your responsibility. Besides Industries and Commerce, you must help your state in other fields," Dr Abdullah added.

The Chief Minister said that people of the state were poor and unemployed. Militancy has shattered the economy of the state and there was immediate need of the special attention of the Centre towards the problems of the state. He hoped that Omar will be able to fight for the development and the welfare of the state. He assured full cooperation and support to the young minister from the state NC camp.

Civilian shot dead in Darhal

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov 25: A civilian was shot dead by the militants at his residence in village Leeran Top in Darhal area last night.

He has been identified as Mohd Bashir son of Misri.

Sources said four militants stormed the house of Mohd Bashir at 2235 hours last night and gunned him down. Militants escaped.

Meanwhile, a group of militants was spotted by an army patrol of 2 Sikh at Kalar area of Chingus in Kalakote tehsil last night. Troops challenged the militants and an encounter took place. However, militants fled towards forests leaving behind four rifles, 10 grenades and two bags.

Troops continued to chase the militants.

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