Another negligent death in Rajouri
People attack Supdt, DC’s office

Excelsior Correspondent

RAJOURI, Oct 18: Tension gripped the town this morning and people from town, Budhal and Jawahar Nagar held a demonstration here in protest against the negligent death of a teen-aged girl due to negligence of a doctor. They were demanding registration of a murder case against the accused doctor and his dismissal from the services.

The protestants pacified only after Deputy Commissioner ordered a high level inquiry against the doctor identified as Chowdhary Rashid, a Physician posted in the district hospital and assured that he will take up the issue with Director Health for removing such a negligent doctor from the services.

Reports said that a teen-aged girl Sandesh Devi daughter of Kirpal Singh, a resident of Badal village in Budhal tehsil was brought to the district hospital at about 2140 hours last night after a snake-bite. Medical Officer Dr Rajesh, Assistant Surgeon after examining the patient called Physician Dr Chowdhary Rashid, who was on duty, for specialised treatment.

However, Dr Rashid didn’t turn up. Dr Rajesh as well as family members of the girl sent a series of messages to Dr Rashid for treatment of the girl but he outrightly refused to turn up.

The doctor on duty then sent message to another Physician Dr Inderjeet Singh, who reached the hospital immediately and started treatment of the girl. However, due to gap of about three hours, the poison had spread in the girl’s body. She breathed her last at about 0400 hours.

In the morning, a large number of people drawn from Budhal, Jawahar Nagar and Rajouri town led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) City president Mr Yogesh Sharma stormed into the office of Medical Superintendent in the district hospital and held a massive protest shouting slogans against Dr Rashid.

The protestants demanded that Dr Rashid should be arrested immediately and a murder case should be registered against him for causing the negligent death of a teen-aged girl by not turning up in the hospital. The mob also started looking for Dr Rashid but the latter fled from the hospital.

The agitated people, after failing to get an appropriate response from the Superintendent, marched to the office of Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri Mr B A Runyal. The Deputy Commissioner immediately ordered a high level inquiry against Dr Rashid and assured mob that stern action will be taken against the doctor for causing untimely death of a girl.

The inquiry committee will be headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri which will submit its report within a week’s time.

Meanwhile, Mr Shafiq Mir, ex president of the College, Mr Vibodh Gupta, Mr Sham Sood, Mr Meghraj Bali and Mr Kuldeep Bazaz, BJP and Mr Kamal Bakshi, Congress (I) have strongly condemned the killing of girl due to doctor’s negligence and demanded doctor’s dismissal from the services. They warned that if inquiry committee fails to do justice with the family of girl, the people will be forced to take to streets.

Trained militant nabbed with arms in Poonch
UP youths too join militancy

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 18: Minority community youths from Uttar Pardesh have also joined Kashmiri militants and foreign mercenaries in so-called ‘jehad’ in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

This disclosure surfaced during arrest of a youth from Muradabad district of Uttar Pardesh, who was a Pakistan-trained militant and had infiltrated into Indian territory few days back after arms training.

The militant, who was arrested by Poonch Brigade late last night, has been identified as Manzoor Hussain, about 25 and hailed from Muradabad. He had brought a large quantity of arms and ammunition with him from across the border.

Defence sources said the army jawans of Poonch Brigade had launched a search operation in forward village of Khet in Sabjian area of this district last night after getting a tip off about militants’ infiltration from across the border.

A lone militant was sighted by the troops while moving towards Indian area of the Line of Control (LoC). The militant tried to escape by opening firing on the army column, which retaliated. After half an hour long exchange of firing, troops captured the militant alive from the encounter site.

From his possession, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with four magazines and 118 rounds, one pistol, one radio set, four pistol magazines, 40 pistol rounds, two hand grenades, six rifle grenades and Rs 13,900 in Indian currency.

The militant was subjected to sustained interrogation during which he disclosed his identity. Sources said the militant has also made some sensational disclosures about the participation of minority community youths from Uttar Pardesh in militancy in Jammu and Kashmir state.

He reportedly disclosed that a number of UP youths had been wooed by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agents and were undergoing arms training in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) training camps. Roughly, the number of UP youths being trained in militancy by the ISI was stated to be around 80. They hailed from different districts of Uttar Pardesh.

This was for the second time that an Uttar Pardesh youth had figured in militancy in the Poonch district. Last year, another Uttar Pardesh youth, who was a commander of Lashker-e-Toiba outfit, was shot dead by the troops and police in Surankote town of the same district.

Sources said the induction of UP youths in the militancy indicates that ISI has failed to mobilise Kashmiri youths to join the militants ranks. The local youths of Jammu and Kashmir were feeling disenchanted with the militancy especially with the Pakistan’s ISI as the latter had failed to fulfill the promises made with them.

Further interrogation of the youth was going on and some more clues were expected of him. Troops and police were also trying to verify other contacts of the arrested militant in Jammu.

Four militants sighted near track
Rail traffic suspended for 4 hrs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 18: Train traffic on Jammu-Pathankote railway section remained suspended for about four hours late last night following movement of four suspected militants along railway track at Seri near Raya Morh in Vijaypur town.

Railway authorities and police sounded an alert and ordered suspension of traffic immediately at 2200 hours after getting a telephonic message from local people that four mysterious persons had been sighted along the railway track.

Anticipating that militants might have planted some explosive devices on the track all outgoing and incoming trains to Jammu railway station were stopped. Railways officials including Divisional Traffic Manager Mr T C Bhardwaj, DySP Railways Mr Ashok Sharma, SHO Mr Tejinder Singh and Railways Protection Force (RPF) Inspector Mr Chaturvedi rushed to the spot alongwith anti-sabotage teams.

Railways and police personnel cordoned off the entire railway track in Vijaypur and conducted thorough searches, official sources said, adding similar searches were also conducted all along the track from Jammu to Kathua.

After over four hours long searches till 0200 hours, the operation was called off as the officials were satisfied that no explosive device had been planted on the track. The track was also found intact.

The traffic was restored on the track at 0200 hours. New-Delhi bound Shalimar Express, which had left Jammu when the news of suspected sabotage was received, was held up at Bari Barahamana for more than four hours and was allowed to proceed after a green signal was given by the Railways authorities.

Similarly, Pune bound Jehlum Expressed and Jammu Tawi-Amritsar train also left Jammu with delay ranging between four to five hours. The incoming Malwa Express, which was stranded at Samba, reached Jammu station at 0300 hours.

Normal train traffic was restored by this morning.

Sources said there was a possibility that militants might have been sighted by the people moving near railway track with the purpose of planting explosive device on the track to blow up either Shalimar Express or Malwa Express. However, the militants couldn’t succeed due to local people’s movement in the villages and patrolling by the Railway guards.

Railways police have informed Vijaypur and Samba police about the suspected movement of the militants on the track. Border police was carrying out searches for the suspects but no arrest has been made so far. Night patrolling along the track has been intensified, the sources added.

US for early resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue

ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: The United States today expressed the hope that the Indo-Pak bilateral dialogue process would resume very soon despite a military regime in Islamabad and said it would like to see an offer of troops withdrawal from the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistan.

We have our interest in return of Indo-Pak dialogue ... We will very much like to see the dialogue get moving as soon as possible, US Ambassador to Pakistan William B Milam told reporters here.

Army ruler General Pervez Musharraf is very open to resuming dialogue with India, Milam, one of the first Western envoys to call on him barely days after the Nawaz Sharif Government was overthrown on October 12, said.

Appreciating Gen Musharraf’s gesture of withdrawing troops from the International Border with India by terming it as a good faith gesture, he said the US would like to see a similar offer made on withdrawal from the LoC too.

The US Ambassador did not agree with the view that the regional security situation had worsened after the Army takeover in Pakistan and also dismissed the notion that the Islamabad’s Army was solely responsible for the recent Kargil crisis.

Asked how did he foresee resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue considering the Indian view about Pakistani Army’s role in the Kargil crisis, Milam said it was not the sole responsibility of the Army.

Yes, of course, it was an Army operation, so Gen Musharraf obviously had a part in that decision.

But don’t kid yourself, the operation was agreed to by the civilian Government, he said.

I hope this impression doesn’t get in the way of resuming Indo-Pak dialogue, he said referring to the view that the Nawaz Sharif Government was unaware of the plans on Kargil. (PTI)

QMC for ceasefire in Kashmir valley

SRINAGAR, Oct 18: Jammu and Kashmir Quami Mushawarati Council (QMC), an alliance of some "pro-independence organisations" formed today, called for a "ceasefire" between Kashmiri militants and security forces and initiation of "serious dialogue" between India and Pakistan to settle the Kashmir issue.

QMC took shape with former Chief Minister and Awami National Conference president G M Shah and patron of Mahaz-e-Azadi, Mohammad Azam Inquilabi, joining hands.

Addressing a press conference here, the two leaders said gun cannot solve the Kashmir problem.

"Gun has highlighted the Kashmir issue and it is because of this that Kashmir is a flashpoint in South Asia, but at the same time it is a historic fact that gun is no solution to the issue", they said adding they were of the opinion that there should be ceasefire from both sides (militants as well as from the troops) to pave the way for dialogue.

Refuting the charge that QMC was formed as a parallel to Hurriyat Conference, alliance chairman Azam Inquilabi said "this is an alliance of pro-independence organisations, which demands withdrawal of forces by India and Pakistan from Jammu and Kashmir to allow the people to determine their future".

Commenting on the developments in Pakistan, Inquilabi said "Kashmir issue suffered a temporary setback" because of the military coup in Pakistan, but added that even Army rulers offered India dialogue.

"The two countries should go in for a serious dialogue and settle the Kashmir issue as per the wishes and aspirations of the people of the State", he said. (PTI)

Pakistan suspended from Commonwealth after coup

LONDON, Oct 18: Pakistan was today suspended from the Commonwealth after last week’s military coup, Commonwealth Ministers said.

Ministers from the eight-nation Commonwealth Ministerial action group took the decision at a meeting in London, saying the suspension would be effective "forthwith" and would remain "pending the restoration of democracy in the country." In a statement released at the end of talks in London the eight-nation Commonwealth Ministerial action group said it "unanimously condemned the unconstitutional overthrow of the democratically elected Government of Pakistan".

"The group has decided therefore that the Pakistan military regime should forthwith be suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth including the forthcoming Commonwealth heads of Government meeting pending the restoration of democracy in the country," it said.

The Commonweath leaders called upon the military regime in Islamabad to announce immediately a time frame for the restoration of democracy.

The group agreed to send a mission to meet with the Pakistani regime consisting of Ministers from Canada, Barbados, Ghana and Malaysia. (REUTERS)

Telecom, road, railway netowrks affected
Cyclone sweeps Orissa; 16 killed

BHUBANESWAR, Oct 18: At least 16 people were killed and telecommunication, road and railway networks were badly affected in Orissa as a severe cyclone swept through the state’s coastal areas early today leaving a trail of devastation.

The State Government has requistioned the services of Air Force for air dropping of food packets in marooned pockets from tomorrow morning.

Berhampur city in Ganjam district accounted for ten deaths while two died in Gopalpur in the same district.

Two deaths each were reported from Puri and Khurda districts.

Most of the deaths were caused by house collapses and uprooting of trees, Chief Minister Giridhar Gamang told newspersons here.

He said the toll could go up further as the exact magnitude of the devastation was yet to be known.

The cyclone, which hit the coast twice, once shortly before midnight for about 45 minutes, and again after a brief lull for an hour, left behind a trail of collapsed or damaged houses, uprooted trees and broken electricity pylons, mainly in the southern coast.

Seven huge electricity pylons collapsed under impact of the storm plunging the entire Ganjam district into darkness.

All communication networks, including police wireless system, went inoperative due to heavy rains.

Railway services were also badly hit with most trains running several hours behind schedule.

Chief Secretary S B Mishra told newspersons that the State Government had pressed into service jawans of the territorial army and trainees of a defence installation near Gopalpur for rescue and relief operations.

If necessary, services of the army would also be requisitioned, he added.

Thirty villages close to Gopalpur port bore the brunt of the cyclone with most of houses collapsing there, Gamang said.

The road communication between Bhubaneswar and Berhampur remained cut-off since last night as huge uprooted trees blocked the NH-5 at several places while waters of the Rushikulya flooded the highway between Chatrapur and Berhampur.

Damage reports were received from several other coastal districts including Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri, Jajpur, Khurda, Bhadrak and Balasore.

Apart from large scale damage to houses and property, standing crops in vast areas were damaged in the storm.

The State Government released Rs 10 crore from the state calamity relief fund and Chief Minister released Rs 25 lakh from his own relief fund to undertake immediate restoration and relief measures.

Seven days’ emergent relief was being provided to the affected people, said the Chief Minister, who made an aerial survey of the worst-affected Ganjam district.

He said ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 would be paid to the next of kin of those killed in the cyclone and Rs 10,000 to the seriously injured persons. Besides, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 would be paid to those whose houses either fully or partially collapsed.

Gamang said he had apprised Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee about the severity of the damages and requested him to visit the area and depute a central team to assess the devastation.

As areas around Berhampur city completely submerged by the over-flowing Rushikulya river and rain waters, Gamang’s helicopter could not land there.

Gamang said Ganjam district was now facing the twin calamity of cyclone and flood as the Rushikulya, in spate following heavy rains in the upper catchment area, crossed its danger mark and was flowing at 16.85 metres.

Teams of senior officials from different departments were being deputed to the worst-hit Ganjam district to supervise rescue, relief and restoration work.

"Our objective is to ensure power supply atleast to the Medical college hospital and the water supply installation in Berhampur first", he said.

Six trucks of dry food and one truck-load of polythene sheets were despatched to the district which would reach the area after the nh was cleared, Gamang said. (PTI)

Company’s office attacked
Transporters’ feud takes serious turn

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 18: The ongoing feud between two factions of transporters took a new turn today when Narinder Singh Raina group attacked the office of a transport company and forcibly tried to disrupt the supply of goods to Kashmir valley and other areas.

Reports said Narinder Singh Raina, who styles himself as president of the Transporters’ Association, accomp-

anied by his associates including some miscreants attacked the office of Tara Transport Company this morning where truck were being loaded for Government supply in Srinagar.

The Raina faction ransacked the office, beat-up the employees and truck operators and tried to disrupt the supply. In the meantime, a police party reached the spot and chased the miscreants. Police restored the supply after its arrival.

However, Raina group, which has given a strike call demanding hike in freight rates, then reached Bari Barahamana in a truck and stopped the plying trucks. They mercilessly beat-up a truck operator, who was on way from New Delhi to Srinagar, rendering him unconscious.

However, a Bari Barahamana police station party led by the SHO reached the spot and arrested five miscreants involved in attack on the innocent driver. A case has also been registered against them.

Meanwhile, Chowdhary Darshan Singh, president Jammu and Kashmir Motor Transport Companies Asso-

ciation (JKMTCA) has criticised the police for not taking action against Rana group which was holding the truckers to ransom and forcing their decision on the innocent truck operators.

In a statement, Mr Darshan Singh lamented the police attitude. He said it was duty of the police to provide protection to truck drivers who want to carry on with their work.

Another rifle grenade attack near Sectt
Major breakthrough in Sectt blasts

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 18: Even as police have got a major breakthrough in the rifle grenade attack of militants on Civil Secretariat last month, militants today launched yet another attack which again seemed to be aimed at the 6-storeyed concrete building. Meanwhile, police have recovered the dead body of a civilian in Ganderbal area.

Informed sources disclosed to EXCELSIOR that Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu & Kashmir Police, Budgam and District Police Srinagar achieved a major breakthrough in the rifle grenade attack on Civil Secretariat in which three persons had got killed and four others injured during last month. The white colour Maruti van, Omni--which, according to officials, had been used in launching the attack -- has been seized while as three underground saboteurs have been apprehended.

Prime accused Parvez Ahmed Dar alias Khalid Saifullah is said to be among the three persons apprehended by police on the basis of specific information during the investigation of the case. He, according to sources, happens to the "deputy chief" of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Sources said that the detained militants had, namely Parvez Dar, Omar, Parvez and Sajad spilled beans during sustained interrogation and revealed in detail how the rifle grenade on Civil Secretariat had been launched in broad daylight. Parvez Dar, detained at Police Station Shergarhi, was reportedly carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head as he was involved in over a dozen grenade attacks and murder cases, all in the capital city.

In a series of raids, police seized the van used in the attack and also recovered five AK-56 rifles, two grenade-launching rifles, five rifle grenades and over two dozen magazines. In yet another series of raids, Police rounded up two close associates of the top-wanted militants Kaka Maulvi and Javed Maulvi and recovered from them one AK-56 rifle and a pistol.

During the last two months, militants have carried out atleast four rifle grenade attacks on Civil Secretariat and military formations in the capital city. However, the most successful and equally surprising has been the daytime attack on Civil Secretariat which left three CRPF and JKP personnel killed and four others wounded. That time militants had fired six rifle grenades on the Secretariat which fell in the premises.

Meanwhile, in the forenoon today, militants fired two rifle grenades possibly from a high-rise building in Batmaloo area. It seemed to be an attack aimed at the 6-storey Secretariat building. However, both the grenades missed the intended target and hit a tree between Secretariat and Exhibition Complex. There was no damage. BSF has a couple of bunkers yards away from the Exhibition main entrance.

Official sources said that police recovered the dead body of the counter-insurgent Ikhwan member and Army source. Abdul Rashid Baba S/o Ali Mohammad Baba resident of Arch Ganderbal, who seemed to have been shot at and hanged to death.

Meanwhile, Anantnag District Police and SOG have apprehended four militant functionaries allegedly involved in dozens of subversive activities. They were identified as Rafeeq Ahmed Dar and Javed Ahmed of Sidkipora, Shaban Bhat of Baderpora and Gulzar Ahmed alias Vikas. Two of them were employees of JKAP 12 Bn and R&B Department. Sources said that the detained persons were responsible for over a dozen IED and grenade attacks in south Kashmir.

Official sources today clarified that troops of RR 12 Bn had killed Harkat-ul-Mujahideen militant Bilal alias Abu Jindal of Pakistan at Bhat Mohalla of Safapora last evening.

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