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Civilian
kidnapped, killed Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Oct 2: Troops gunned down three foreign mercenaries—two in Sabjian belt of Poonch and one in Kandi area of Rajouri—in two separate encounters in the two border districts today. A large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered after both the gun-battles. Militants also gunned down a civilian here last night. A Defence spokesman here said the soldiers of Poonch Brigade sighted a group of six foreign mercenaries sneaking into Indian territory from the Line of Control (LoC) in Kobra area of Sabjian in Poonch district early this morning. Troops challenged the militants when they reached within the firing range of Indian army . A fierce gun-battle ensued between both the sides which continued for more than two and a half hour. During the fierce fighting, army jawans shot dead two militants. After the killings of two militants, their four associates fled back to Pakistan leaving behind the dead bodies and a large quantity of arms and ammunition, which were being smuggled to Indian territory from Pakistan. There was no report of any casualty on Indian side in the encounter. Identity of the militants hasn’t been carried out as no documents or identity cards were recovered from their possession. However, both the slain militants were believed to be foreign mercenaries (Pakistanis). A huge quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered from their possession the exact details of which was being worked out. Four militants, who managed to escape back to Pakistan during the gun-battle, were also Pakistani nationals. All of them were being pushed into this side of the LoC to indulge in civilian killings, the spokesman said. Another encounter took place between army and militants at Madugul in Kandi belt of Rajouri district late last night. After an hour long encounter, army gunned down one militant while others escaped in the dense forests. A police party also reached the site of encounter, a police spokesman said, adding the searches continued to apprehend the absconding militants. Searches have been intensified in the forest area of Madugul to track down the absconding militants but no success had been made so far. Identity of the slain militant hasn’t been established but he was stated to be a local trained militant. Militants gunned down a civilian in captivity at village Nabna in Poonch tehsil last night. The victim has been identified as Irshad Ahmed son of Allah Din, a resident of Seri Chuhana. Police said two militants attacked the house of Irshad Ahmed and kidnapped him. They whisked away the kidnapped civilian to a hideout and shot him dead. Militants escaped after the killing. Police reached the spot after getting a tip off and removed the body to hospital. Militants involved in the killing haven’t been identified so far. |
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Two
ultras among 3 killed SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Militants attacked two police stations, while three people, two of them militants, were killed and another person injured in separate incidents in Kashmir valley since last evening, an official spokesman said. Security forces averted a tragedy with timely detection of two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and arrested five suspected ultras in the Valley during the period. Panic gripped Soura area on the outskirts of Srinagar when militants fired two rifle grenades inside the local police station today. The grenades exploded in the police station complex but no one was hurt, official sources said, adding the police retaliated to the attack. In another incident, militants also fired at Pattan police station in Baramulla district last night which was returned by the police. The spokesman said a foreign mercenary was shot dead by militants in an encounter at Kadi Behak in Kalaroos area of frontier district of Kupwara last night. Body of an unidentified person was fished out from Dal lake near Nishat on the outskirts of Srinagar today. Police have apprehended two suspects, Mohammad Sultan Dar and Javid Ahmad Nengroo, in Pulwama district. In separate operations, three militants were apprehended by the Special Operations Group of the police from Srinagar last night. Two IEDs, two pencil bombs, two detonators and some ammunition were recovered from them, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, residents of Jawahar Nagar area held a protest demonstration against arrest of six youth by the security forces. They alleged that the youth were picked up on ‘false charges’ and had no connection with militancy. (PTI) |
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Kargil intrusion a Pak blunder: Amanullah SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Amanullah Khan has termed Pakistan’s Kargil intrusion a blunder and said it had harmed the cause of Kashmir at the international level. Pakistan’s dream that Jammu and Kashmir would fall into its lap sooner or later is wishful thinking, and its Kargil blunder has blown away whatever little chances there were of this happening, Khan has said in an open letter. The letter, obtained by PTI here, is addressed to journalists, intellectuals, politicians and the Governments of India, Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Castigating Pakistan for its mishandling of the Kargil issue at home and abroad, Khan said it is in its national interest that the Kashmir issue is solved peacefully, cordially, equitably (without harming the legitimate interests of India and Pakistan) and on the basis of the Kashmiri people’s aspirations. Khan also criticised Kashmiri leaders in the letter, saying, by acting as instruments in the hands of India and Pakistan, Kashmiri leaders... Have created an impression at the international level that Kashmiris are just yes men of India and Pakistan. Khan suggested an International Kashmir Committee comprising representatives of the UN Secretary General, the P-5 countries, Germany, Japan, the Organisation of Islamic Countries and Non-Aligned Movement to resolve the Kashmir issue. The proposed panel which should be set up by the UN Secretary General or the Security Council should work to reunite the divided Jammu and Kashmir in five peaceful phases in consultation and cooperation with India, Pakistan and Kashmiri political parties after withdrawal of all foreign forces and armed militants from the state. It will then make it a fully independent state for 15 years with a democratic, federal and secular system of Government, the letter says. By a UN-supervised referendum at the end of the 15-year period, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will decide whether to remain independent or become a part of India or Pakistan. That verdict should be accepted by all concerned as the final settlement of the Kashmir issue, the letter says. JKLF plans to cross the Line of Control on October 4 to protest an alleged move to convert it into an international boundary between India and Pakistan. (PTI) EC orders detention of Ministers if orders defied PATNA, Oct 2 : Election Commission today ordered detention of Ministers, MLAs or other political leaders if they defied its directive banning their movement in constituencies particularly in Madhepura while shoot-at-sight orders have been issued against booth grabbers in the 12 seats going to poll tomorrow. The District Magistrate-cum-Returning Officer of Madhepura Lian Kunga told reporters in Madhepura that restrictions were being enforced from 1800 hours today on the movement of outsiders including ministers and MLAs and warned that they would be arrested if they violated the order. Kunga said the decision was taken to ensure that voters could exercise their franchise "feerlessly". Chief Electoral Officer (Bihar), A K Basu told reporters at Patna that instructions were issued to the Returning Officers of all constituencies particlarly Madhepura to ensure that outsiders including ministers and MLAs "gracefully" leave the the constituencies. "If the Ministers or MLAs are found involved in any other political activity than voting, the district administration will have no choice but to detain them", Basu said. Basu said Madhepura District president of RJD and a party polling agent were taken into custody on the charges of printing of "dummy ballots". He said two campaign vehicles one each of RJD and JD (U) were seized and seven people arrested in Madhepura for violating the model code of conduct. He said most of the 1552 booths in Madhepura would be covered by the Central Para-Military Force (CPMF). Basu said the number of CPMF was also increased from 14 companies to 21 to effectively man the sensitive booths in Madhepura. Four observers, V Dhumal, T S Shreedhar, T Radha and Vijay Bhushan were camping in Madhepura, he said.(PTI) |
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SHO Gharota injured
in accident Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 2: A young boy and a girl committed suicide by consuming some poisonous drug at their residence while SHO Gharota police station sustained critical injuries in a road accident. Besides, two young house-wives sustained serious burn injuries in separate incidents. According to police reports, a teen-aged girl and boy committed suicide by consuming some poisonous drug at their residences in two separate incidents. Identified as Nishi daughter of Chuni Lal of Kahna Chak and Sukhdev Singh son of Rash Paul of Domana, both were shifted to Government Medical College Hospital when spotted unconscious by family members. Doctors attending on them immediately washed their stomach but they could not fight for their lives and died. The cause behind the extreme step is yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, Station House Officer (SHO), Gharota Mr A K Manhas sustained critical injuries when his scooter was hit by speeding unidentified Maruti car at Trikuta Nagar here this afternoon. The driver of car, reported to be a woman, fled away from the spot leaving behind the victim bleeding profusely. The SHO was later shifted to Police Hospital, Gandhi Nagar by some locals where his condition was stated to be critical till the last reports came in. Police have registered a case in this connection and started investigation to nab the absconding driver. Two young house-wives identified as Pinky Rani wife of Simar Singh of Kathua and Sushita wife of Balak Ram of Reasi sustained critical burn injuries in separate incidents when their clothes reportedly caught fire while cooking at home. They were immediately shifted to local hospitals where doctors referred them to GMC Hospital in view of their deteriorating condition. Doctors attending them at Medical College stated their condition as critical as they have received more than 85 percent burn injuries. Police have registered cases in this connection and further investigations were on to ascertain the real cause behind these incidents. |
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Electioneering ends
in Anantnag Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Winding up electioneering in Anantnag parlia-mentry constitutency, Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today made a fervent appeal to the people to foil the designs of disruptive elements who are aiding and abetting violence in Jammu and Kashmir. "There are lot many difficulties ahead of us. But, with your cooperation we are confident to brave all these to usher the State to pece, progress and prosperity", Dr Farooq asserted while addressing big election rallies at Muran and Shopian. He said his Government will not allow innocent people becoming the target of guns and added that stern action would be taken against elements inimical to peace. Dr Abdullah lashed out at those exploiting the religious sentiments of people and misleading youth on the so called slogan of Azadi. He said the leaders of Hurriyat Conference too have realised that they are not going to change the ground reality in Kashmir and that is why they now talk about 'political struggle' instead of so called Jehad and direct their venom against Pakistan. They are now looking towards New Delhi, he added. The Chief Minister wondered over the utterances of some political leaders about situation in Jammu and Kashmir and said that it is because of the efforts of the Government that various political parties are carrying on electioneering in length and breadth of the State and people are moving around freely. Asking people to get ready for the Panchayati elections, the National Conference president reiterated his commitment to decentralise powers. Panchayats, he said, would be solely resonsible for the development of rural areas and monitoring functioning of Government machinery like hospitals, schools etc in their jurisdiction. He appealed to women to take part in Panchayati elections in a big way. Even if they are not elected adequately, they will be nominated to have at least two women Panches in a Panchayat, he said. Dr Abdullah again advocated friendship between India and Pakistan saying that good relations between the two neighbours are in the best interests of the people of the region. He prayed for normalcy and said peace is imperative for faster development and prosperity of a tourist State like Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to local problems, the Chief Minister spelled out the measures being taken for providing drinking water, improving roads and streamlining the functioning of various sectors like health, education etc. He gave a brief resume of the financial situation prevailing in the State and said despite constraints 'we are marching ahead towards development and progress.' Dr Farooq sought co-operation of the people in eradicating corruption and said unless people extend full support to the Government this menace cannot be wiped out. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his party's commitment to greater autonomy within Constitution and asked people to choose right persons for Parliament who can forcefully plead this vital issue in country's supreme democratic forum. He sought people's massive support to National Conference and urged them to come out in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Speaking on the occasion the senior National Conference leader, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar lashed out at those who perpetuated violence in the name of religion and so called Jehad. He said the people were subjected to humiliation and harassment during the years of turmoil and added that the State witnessed colossal damages and destruction. Mr Sagar enumerated the success achieved during the three years of Dr Farooq Abdullah Government and said tourism has been revived, education set up brought on rails and massive recruitment made. He sought people's support in development effort and eradicating corruption. Mr Sagar said the Government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah is endeavouring for restoring complete normalcy and peace in the State. "We won't allow Kashmir to become Afghanistan", he said. The National Conference candidate for Anantnag Parliamentary constituency, Mr Ali Mohammad Naik, while addressing the election rallies, exuded confidence in the trust of people in National Conference and said the adversaries frightened of its mass base were levelling baseless charges of rigging. In fact those levelling such senseless allegations have themselves indulged in such tactics in the past as a result of which people had lost faith in democratic process. Decrying threats issued by the anti-election elements, Mr Naik said that they too have fought polls in the past and swore by the Constitution. He hoped that undeterred by threats and intimidation, people would come out in big numbers to cast their votes. Criticising Mufti Mohammad Syeed for his political gimmickry, he said that the former Home Minister has ultimately realised the importance of a regional party. He said there could be no parallel to National Conference, which has a track record of sacrifice and public service and which reflects the urges and aspiration of the people of all the three regions of the State. He said Mufti Mohammad Syeed, during his brief tenure as Home Minister, initiated anti people measures in Kashmir which resulted in the death of many innocent civilians in early 90s. Mr Naik also gave resume of measures taken to rebuild militancy damaged infrastructure and other development works. |
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Bi-polar system advocated NEW DELHI, Oct 2: Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani today advocated a bi-polar system which will be good for survival of a coalition system in the country. Addressing a press conference here on the eve of the final round of elections for the 13th Lok Sabha, Mr Advani, who is also chairman of the campaign committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said bi-polar polity was good for democracy even though the country still follows the multi-party system. If there are no quarrels on leadership and the common agenda, the coalition system will function very well. We have institutionalised alliance in the form of NDA,’’ he noted. He said the Congress was free to accept dynasty as their leader. But the country cannot accept dynastic leadership. It is dynastic leadership (Sonia) versus democratic leadership (Vajpayee), which has been thrown open by the NDA. The two leaders symbolise this, he said. Based on his experience from the extensive tour undertaken across the country, Mr Advani said the Third Front may not score as much as they did in the last elections. In the last ten years, the Congress is on decline while the BJP acceded, he said emphatically. "We will get necessary mandate. The country will be led to 21st century by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he added. He said the BJP’s campaign was based on three ‘P’s— Prime Ministerial candidate Atal Bihari Vajpayee, performance in Government-the record of 18 months of our rule and programme for governance-NDA’s agenda for a proud, prosperous India. In addition, the comprehensive agenda drawn up before the polls to get a positive mandate. Mr Advani said this election stands out for two things—one that an incumbent Prime Minister is getting renewed mandate after 1971 with a technical incumbency of 1984. Secondly, the people have rejected lock, stock and barrel the Congress ‘ attempts to hurl allegations at the Prime Minister. All efforts of the Congress to malign Mr Vajpayee and his Government have failed to elicit any popular support, he said. Asserting that he does not under estimate the role of the Congress, the BJP leader said the deliriously negative campaign of the Congress could have been ignored but for the viciousness and the damaging impact of its contents. The Congress sought to supply the image of individuals and institutions without a shred of concern for the truth and national interest. Mr Advani lashed out at the Congress for maligning the army. The army’s integrity was questioned on the basis of forged ‘documents’ and spurious ‘letters’ and questions raised about India’s military victory in Kargil, he said with anguish. The way the Congress had hurled vilest allegations at the Vajpayee Government revealed bankruptcy of ideas and political decency, he said. The Congress’ hate campaign has been matched word for word by the Marxists in West Bengal. Comrade Jyoti Basu has not hesitated to use abusive language against the BJP and Trinamul Congress leaders, he pointed out. In this context, Mr Advani dismissed as ‘cock and bull story’ the Marxist leader’s allegation that he had links with Nathuram Godse. I pity for him. At this stage of life, as the Jyoti Basu’s party is becoming irrelevant, it seems to have upset his balance, the BJP leader added. Mr Advani said under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership, there is a real challenge to the Marxist hegemony in East Bengal. I can understand their getting perturbed, he added. Referring to cross border terrorism prompted by states, he regretted that the Congress was silent on this issue, even in Jammu and Kashmir. To counter this terrorism, Mr Advani said his Government has adopted two pronged strategy. One was at international arena to mobilise opinion in India’s favour. The External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh’s speech at the United Nations is a beginning in this direction, he pointed out. And said on the home front, steps are being strengthened to deal with arms intrusion. (UNI) |
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GUWAHATI, Oct 2: Outlawed ULFA and Bodo militants today struck in a big way on the eve of Lok Sabha elections in Assam killing 11 people, including a ruling AGP leader and four CRPF personnel even as security personnel shot dead two ULFA insurgents. Eight people, including four CRPF personnel and two police constables, were killed and four others injured when ULFA militants exploded an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Tinsukia district, official sources said here. The IED, which was kept under a culvert near Kathalguri, exploded as the CRPF vehicle was passing the area en route Dibrujan after checking some polling stations in Bordumgsa. In another incident, nine CRPF personnel were injured, five of them seriously, when ULFA militants exploded a bomb in a polling booth at Ghograpara in Nalbari district. The booth was completely damaged. Bodo militants damaged a polling station at Kachugaon under Gossaigaon sub-division of Kokrajhar district. ULFA militants killed local AGP leader, Kamal Nath, who was also the former president of the party’s Sutargaon unit in Nagaon district. Security personnel killed two ULFA militants after they were attacked by them at Akaya village in Barpeta district. A country-made .303 revolver and three rounds of ammunition were recovered from them, the sources said. Two ULFA militants were nabbed in Kamrup district and recovered a .32 revolver along with five rounds of ammunition from them, official sources said. The banned ULFA has meanwhile asked voters to abstain from tomorrow’s poll, saying it is a "futile exercise". Pamphlets, purportedly issued by the ULFA, urging voters to stay away from polling booths, are being distributed door to door mostly in the rural areas. In a recent issue of its mouthpiece Swadhinata the ULFA had threatened a bloodbath during the election process and stepped up its activities resulting in the killing of the BJP’s Dhubri candidate, Dr Pannalal Oswal, and the abortive attack on the state’s Revenue Minister, Dr Zoii Nath Sarma, and four others. (PTI) |
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HC stops construction of Srinagar Golf Course Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 2: Mr Justice O P Sharma of the State High Court has ordered stopping of the construction work on the proposed Golf Course in Srinagar. This court direction was passed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Wild Life Projection Society of India, New Delhi against the construction of the Golf Course on the earmarked land of City Forests in Srinagar National Park. While passing the order, Mr Justice Sharma directed the Chief Engineer, Projects Srinagar and others that they shall not use the cement and other building material in the construction of the Golf Course either for the construction of the path-way or for any other purpose till further hearing of the matter. Meanwhile, the petitioners filed additional affidavit indicating that the construction of the Golf Course was in progress and supplemented the affidavit by the newspaper cuttings indicating that some cement work was also being undertaken and the building material dumped for the construction of the pathway at the Golf Course. In the counter, the respondents made an admission that the Government has already approached Indian Board of Wild-life Protection for de-notification of part of the State Forest National Park, Srinagar. Mr Justice Sharma observed that if that be so, it is really then pending for further orders. Till then , the respondents shall not use the construction materiel, the court held. Advocate Raj Panjwani appeared for the petitioner, while’s Advocate S K Anand and K L Sharma appeared for the respondents in this PIL. |
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ISLAMABAD, Oct 2 : In a sudden development, Pakistan’s Naval Chief Admiral Fasih Bukhari resigned today apparently for not being considered for the crucial post of Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC). Admiral Bukhari, who had only seven months left for his three-year tenure as the Naval Chief, met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today and handed over his resignation while expressing his intention of taking premature retirement, an official release said. The Prime Minister accepted the request of Admiral Bukhari, the release said. Sharif appointed Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Aziz Mirza, senior-most officer in Navy after Admiral Bukhari, as the new Navy Chief while upgrading him to the rank of Admiral, the release said. Admiral Bukhari’s resignation comes only three days after the Prime Minister not only regularised the posting of Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf as Chairman of JCSC but also extended his term by one-and-a-half years. Gen Musharraf had earlier been made acting Chairman of JCSC and it was believed that Admiral Bukhari, who was one and a half years senior to Gen Musharraf, would be made permanent Chairman of JCSC after he retired as Navy Chief next April. Sharif, through an official announcement on September 29, had appointed Gen Musharraf as Chairman of JCSC till October 2001 when he retires as the Army Chief. This was widely dubbed as a conciliatory move by the Government to avoid any confrontation with the powerful Army amidst fears of a coup.(PTI) BJP for judicial probe into Akhnoor firing NEW DELHI, Oct 2: BJP vice president Krishan Lal Sharma today sought a judicial inquiry into the police firing near Jammu on September 27 and asked for immediate implementation of assurances given by Special Home Secretary to restore the original relief package to the people of the area. In a report to party president Kushabhau Thakre, Sharma urged that Rs 1.50 lakh be released from the party office for payment to the families of the victims. Sharma, who had visited the spot on September 28, said he was convinced that the firing was a "glaring case of administrative mishandling of the situation by the officers on the spot." He claimed that had the District Magistrate responded positively to the suggestions given by local BJP leaders, the situation could have been averted. (PTI) |
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