HM says there will be no march to Muzaffarabad
Amarnath yatra will continue as before: Patil

Excelsior/Rakesh
Defying curfew, inhabitants of Nai Basti holding demonstration on Sunday evening.

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, today asserted that transportation of goods and commuters on Jammu-Srinagar highway would be ensured at any cost and nobody would be allowed to disrupt operation of traffic on the 300-Km lifeline to the Kashmir valley. Patil also suggested that there would be no march of Kashmiri fruit merchants and leaders to Muzaffarabad from Srinagar on August 11th as called by some associations of the local traders and both factions of the separatist Hurriyat Conference.

After a marathon meeting with Kashmiri politicians and before concluding his 2-day visit to the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, Shivraj Patil made it clear at a crowded news conference that the Governor’s administration, with complete support of the Centre, would ensure smooth operation of goods and passenger traffic on the 300-Km Jammu-Srinagar highway. "Law will be enforced effectively in entire State and the road will remain open for transportation of perishable and non-perishable goods at any cost", Patil said. He added that two-way traffic of fuel and other essential supplies would flow on the highway without any disruption.

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Armymen stand guard to prevent protesters from breaking blockade of barbed wire at Janipur on Sunday.

Patil said that Army had taken over the responsibility of ensuring uninterrupted traffic on the highway. "Army has given us assurance that the road would remain through for the traffic and nobody would be allowed to cause any kind of disruption", Patil said and claimed that nearly a hundred trucks were already plying on the highway every day inspite of curfew, shutdown and demonstrations in Jammu. He assured the Kashmiri fruit growers and traders that their perishable fruit would not fall rotten as the State and the Central Governments would leave no stone unturned to ensure that it reached its destinations all over the country.

The visiting Home Minister said that Government would facilitate transportation of huge quantities of perishable fruit in protected convoys. "If there’s still some damage, we’ll assess the loss and pay full compensation on the pattern of relief provided to other States in case of such circumstances", Patil said and made it clear that compensation from the Centre would be over and above the relief and compensation provided by the State Government. He said that Government would also arrange purchasing of bulk quantities of fresh fruit from growers and local traders. The fruit thus procured, according to him, would be supplied to students, Police and armed forces.

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Women resorting to sloganeering during protest demonstration at Rehari Chungi on Sunday.

Asked for his reaction to the "Muzaffarabad Chalo" call of Kashmiri fruit traders—supported by both factions of the Hurriyat Conference (and after his departure also by Mehbooba Mufti’s People’s Democratic Party)—Patil wished nothing was done to undermine Government’s efforts to restore trust and tranquility between people of two regions and religions in the State. He said he was confident that the Kashmiri fruit traders would not fall in any trap.

"If it happens, it will benefit none. We’ll do whatever necessary (to fail tomorrow’s march to Muzaffarabad). It should not be done and it will not be done", Home Minister asserted. Supported by both factions of the Hurriyat—and now by PDP too—Kashmiri traders’ call of forcing a march of fruit-laden trucks from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, through LoC in Uri, had come last week when they began alleging that the Valley was being subjected to "economic blockade" by way of harassing drivers and damaging their vehicles on the highway in Jammu.

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40 youth shaved off their heads in Bishnah as a mark of protest against delay in restoration of land to SASB. They also took out a rally in the town.

Hurriyat leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shabir Shah—with the latest addition of PDP’s Mehbooba Mufti—have been calling for "opening of alternative trade routes for fruit traders". Notwithstanding official claims and data establishing a level of traffic on the highway, these politicians have been blaming "economic blockade" for projection of their brand new demand. While Ms Mufti was part of the 18-member all-party delegation from New Delhi and traveled back to the Union capital among Patil’s entourage, a number of separatist leaders have already been placed under home detention so as to prevent them from leading the march on Monday.

Patil refused to make a frontal comment when mediapersons pointed out to him that even a Minister from Punjab had reached the gateway of J&K State the other day to enforce the Valley’s "economic blockade". "Chief Minister of Punjab has given us assurance that nobody would be allowed to cause any kind of disruption to the vehicles coming from and going to J&K", he said. Patil also disclosed that Kashmir-based traders were now being permitted to directly buy medicines in New Delhi rather than lifting the same from whole-salers in Jammu.

Excelsior/Pawan
Armyman checking curfew pass of a pedestrian at Udhampur town on Sunday.

Flanked at the news conference by almost all members of the all-party delegation from the Centre, Home Minister said that leaders of different political parties were on two-day visit of Jammu & Kashmir for the purpose of making an assessment of the present situation and finding a right solution to the problem created by allotment of land in favour of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and its subsequent cancellation by the State Government. He said that an all-party meeting, presided over by Prime Minister earlier in New Delhi, had unanimously decided to send a delegation of leaders of different political parties for the SASB conflict resolution to Jammu & Kashmir.

Patil said that the delegation, led by him, had held detailed interaction with leaders of different political parties and organizations first in Jammu on Saturday and now here today. He revealed that different suggestions and solutions had poured in from these leaders. According to him, some of these suggestion were subjected to discussion during his tour while a few others would be thoroughly discussed with the State and the Central Governments. He said he was confident that such a solution to the problem would be churned out which would be equally acceptable to the people of both regions of Kashmir and Jammu. Patil was supposed to submit a detailed report of his visit to Prime Minister in New Delhi this evening.

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People taking our massive protest rally in Udhampur on Sunday.

Home Minister asserted that Amarnath Yatra would continue as before the current crisis. He said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had made it clear that the pilgrimage would continue like it did in the past. Patil said it was highly reassuring that 99% of the people, both in Jammu and Kashmir, were strongly in favour of maintaining the centuries old tradition of communal harmony and brotherhood. "I’m sure we won’t be facing any big difficulty (in finding a resolution to the SASB land crisis)", Patil said. He sought support from media and civil society and asserted that journalists would have to shoulder a far greater responsibility in defusing the crisis with their positive reporting.

He pleaded that details were still being collected and would be later on shared with Press when reporters demanded to know how many houses had been torched and what was the quantum of damage besides relief provided to victims of the current riots. He asserted that a regional and communal divide would be prevented and failed at all costs.

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Former MLA Bishnah Ashwani Kumar leading protesters at Kattal Bishna on Sunday.

Patil declined to make comment when journalists sought his attention to the BJP leader L K Advani’s declaration of making the SASB controversy as a national issue. He said that Mr Advani’s senior party colleague Arun Jaitly was in the all-party delegation and witnessing the whole situation for himself. "Let me assure you that there is total unanimity over preventing any kind of communal divide at local, State and national level", Patil said. He also refused to react to the VHP leader Praveen Togadia’s threat of a nationwide economic blockade to Kashmir.

Members of the all-party delegation, who were present at the Home Minister’s news conference at SKICC, included Union Ministers Saif-ud-din Soz, Raghuvansh Prasad and Sri Prakash Jaiswal, former Governor and senior Congress leader Mohsina Qidwai, former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, BJP leader Arun Jaitley, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh. Governor N N Vohra, J&K Chief Secretary S S Kapur, DGP Kuldeep Khoda and a host of senior civil, Police and armed forces officials were also present.

Excelsior/Madan
People demonstrating at Kathua town for restoration of land to SASB and recall of Governor NN Vohra on Sunday

At SKICC again, Patil and his delegation earlier held a three-and-a-half-hour meeting with Kashmiri leaders representing different political parties. The National Conference delegation comprised patron Dr Farooq Abdullah, Abdul Rahim Rather, Mohammad Shafi Uri, Mohammad Yusuf Taing, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Dr Mehboob Beg and Mubarak Gul. PDP delegation, led by president of the party Mehbooba Mufti, included former Ministers Abdul Aziz Zargar and Dilawar Mir besides MLC and general secretary Nizam-ud-din Bhat.

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People queing up to withdraw cash from JK Bank's ATM on Gandhi Nagar on Sunday.

JKPCC chief and Union Minister Saif-ud-din Soz, former Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former JKPCC chief and Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Rasool Kar, Peerzada Sayeed and Mohammad Muzaffar Parray constituted the Congress party’s delegation. J&K Democratic Party leaders, Ghulam Hassan Mir and G M Bawan and CPI leader Abdul Rehman Tukroo also participated in the meeting. NC’s Abdul Rahim Rather, PDP’s Abdul Aziz Zargar, Congress party’s Muzaffar Parray and JKDP’s Ghulam Hassan Mir spoke on behalf of their respective parties, dwelt at length on the current situation in the State and projected a host of suggestions, confidence building measures and solutions.

Patil later held a separate meeting with senior Government functionaries who briefed him on the situation. Later at 1600 hours, Patil and all members of his delegation returned to New Delhi in a special plane.

Huge rallies all over, youth’s bid to end life
Curfew relaxed but shops remain shut, life paralysed

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Aug 10: Curfew was lifted in Kathua district and Poonch town today while it was relaxed in Jammu and Samba districts besides Udhampur and Rajouri towns for varying period even as there was no let up in massive demonstrations by the people in most parts of the region defying curfew restrictions. In a novel way of protest, 40 youths of village Laswara in Bishnah town today shaved off their heads.

The agitation, spearheaded by Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS) demanding restoration of 800 kanals land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), today entered into 42nd day while the bandh continued for 19th consecutive day even during curfew relaxation period. A youth made an abortive attempt to end his life by consuming poison in his house at RS Pura town in support of the agitation. Chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’, the youth took a round of the town on his bike before he fell down and was admitted to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital where he was responding to the treatment.

After no relaxation was given in curfew yesterday in Jammu and Samba districts and Udhampur town in view of an all party delegation’s visit to Jammu, authorities today relaxed curfew in entire Jammu district from 5 am to 12 noon and 5 pm to 7 pm while in Samba curfew was relaxed from 5 am to 10 am. Curfew has completely been lifted from entire Kathua district and Poonch town while in Rajouri town it was relaxed for two hours in the morning from 7 am and four hours in the evening from 4 pm. However, in Udhampur town, authorities delayed usual curfew relaxation of three hours from 7 am onwards to 11 am onwards in view of the movement of trucks convoy carrying supplies to Kashmir valley on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.

Barring rallies taken out by the people both during curfew and relaxation period, the day generally passed off peacefully.

In Patoli Brahamana area along Jammu-Akhnoor road, a large number of people including women forced their way on main road, cut two large trees and put them on the road while shouting religious and anti-Government slogans. Police used mild lathicharge to disperse the women who refused to leave the main road despite warnings by Army and police. Six persons including two women were injured in the canecharge.

In Moti Bazaar area of the Old City, a large number of people including women and children gathered from different localities and took out a mock funeral procession of Governor N N Vohra in the City before setting it on fire. The rallyists dispersed peacefully. In other areas of the Old City, people took out rallies shouting slogans against Vohra, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.

New Plot, Janipura, Rehari Colony, Bakshi Nagar, Shakti Nagar, Shiv Nagar, Canal Road, Talab Tillo, Gandhi Nagar, Gangyal, Nai Basti and Digiana were other localities among others where people marched in large number chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’.

People held protest demonstrations after taking out rallies at Muthi, Domana, Dream Land City, Bawe Talab, Roop Nagar, Durga Nagar and adjoining localities. Swami Gangu Ji Maharaj addressed a huge rally at Patoli Brahamana and called upon the people to continue their struggle in a peaceful manner till land is restored to Amarnath Shrine Board. In the evening, people from Patta also took out a huge rally and broke several cordons of security forces before returning.

A police constable Raman Kumar S/o Pawan Chand, who had come to his house at Mishriwalla was beaten up by security forces when he was fetching water in a bucket. His arm was fractured. Later, the people accompanied by a sarpanch lodged a report against security forces at Kanachak police station.

In Laswara village of Bishnah, 40 youths, mostly the activists of BJP, ABVP and Bajrang Dal got their heads shaved to protest the Government decision to take back land from the SASB. A large number of people led by former MLA Bishnah, Ashwani Sharma took out a rally on tractor and trolleys in Nandpur in support of the ongoing agitation.

While curfew relaxation period in Jourian, where mob had burnt a police post and several Government offices, passed off peacefully, in Akhnoor, Khour and Pallanwalla towns, people took out processions in the presence of Army and para-military.

In Samba town, a huge rally comprising a large number of women managed to breach fencing and reached the National Highway where they held a demonstration for more than 40 minutes. Later, the protesters marched towards New Bus Stand in Samba town where two youths were killed and several others injured in police firing and held a prayer offering tributes to the deceased.

The people dispersed peacefully.

Reports said a 35 year old youth, Anil Kumar Bali son of Veer Bhan R/o Ward No. 7 in RS Pura town consumed poisonous substance in his house in a bid to end his life. He told his mother that she shouldn’t worry if she lost her one out of three sons.

The youth then started his bike, took a round of the town for few minutes chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ and ‘Leke Rahenge, Leke Rahenge, Bhole Bawa Ki Jagah Wapis Leke Rahenge’ before he fell down. A large number of youths rushed to the spot and shifted the youth to Sub District Hospital, RS Pura from where he was referred to GMC Jammu.

The youth was examined by senior Gastro-entrologist and Prof Medicines Dr Bharat Bushan Gupta. His stomach was washed and he was admitted in Mini ICU of the hospital.

GMC Medical Superintendent Dr Romesh Gupta said the youth was responding to the treatment. He was detected as a case of Organo Phosphorous.

It may be mentioned here that a youth Kuldeep Dogra had ended his life after consuming poison 19 days back at Sangarsh Samiti’s dharna venue at Parade Ground giving a fresh impetus to the agitation and most parts of Jammu region were observing bandh since then. Another civilian had tried to end his life at Samiti’s dharna venue at Samba few days later but was saved by timely action of the doctors.

Soon after the report of a youth having consumed poison for restoration of Bhole Baba’s land spread, people gathered in RS Pura town from several surrounding localities and marched in a procession chanting ‘Bum Bum Bhole’, ‘NN Vohra Hai Hai’ and ‘Omar, Mehbooba Hai Hai’.

People from different villages reached Vijaypur town in Samba district in the form of a procession but dispersed after holding a peaceful demonstration. People from Kamore and Kaiso villages marched towards the highway in tractors and trolleys but were stopped at Chak Salathia from where they started a march on foot. They reached near the highway and returned after burning the effigy of the Government and police and holding a protest for half an hour.

Women from Jalu Chak and Railway Road also marched to Vijapur beating coonch shells and ‘thalies’ and holding a ‘kirtan’. In Bari Brahamana town, five youths went on a 72 hour hunger strike. They include Akshay Gupta, Sanjeev Sharma, Sanjeev Gupta, Jeevan Sharma and Manav Singh. People in Bari Brahamana also distributed free ration among the poor people.

In Udhampur town, authorities today delayed usual curfew relaxation of three hours from 7 am to 11 am as convoy of trucks to Srinagar were being cleared in the morning. Curfew was relaxed at 11 am upto 2 p.m.

In the afternoon and evening, people defied curfew and took out rallies from Railway Station, Chabutra Bazaar, Adarsh Colony, Housing Colony, Ghari Malar and Chak Chopra Shop and shouting religious and anti-Government slogans tried to march towards the National Highway. However, they were stopped by Army and police and asked to return. The people held a demonstration and burnt the effigies of Vohra and Kashmiri leaders before dispersing.

In Chenani town of Udhampur district, SwamiMahavir Puri addressed a huge rally and called upon the people not to give up their struggle till their goal is achieved. He also took a pledge from the people that they will go ahead with the agitation. After the rally, the Swami and people tried to march towards Jammu-Srinagar national highway but were prevented by Army and police.

Ramnagar, Majalata, Tikri and Rhembal towns of Udhampur observed a complete bandh for 19th day today. People continued to take out daily rallies in the towns.

Authorities today completely lifted curfew in Kathua district after three days following improvement in situation. However, even after curfew was lifted, shops and other business establishments remained closed in most parts of the district in support of the agitation.

People took out processions from Main Chowk, City Chowk to Kali Bari but were prevented from reaching the National Highway. In Palli Morh, a large number of people marched to the Highway on tractors and trolleys carrying the photograph of Narinder Sharma, who was killed in Army firing at the same place few days back while being part of a protest, and paid tributes to him. They returned peacefully.

Again in the evening, people including women took out a huge rally in Kathua town and marched through entire City shouting religious slogans for more than two hours. They dispersed peacefully.

Basohli, Billawar, Bani, Hiranagar, Rajbagh, Dayala Chak, Ramkot and Nagrota towns in Kathua district also remained closed despite lifting of curfew.

Reasi town too observed a complete bandh for 19th day today. Jyotipuram, Talwara and other surrounding areas of Reasi town also observed a bandh. People took out a procession in the town, which was joined by people from several adjacent rural areas.

Katra town of Reasi district, which serves as base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, observed a complete bandh for ninth day today. In the evening, people and shopkeepers including women took out a rally in the town.

In Rajouri town, authorities today relaxed curfew from 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 8 pm. The relaxation period passed off peacefully. However, BJP activists led by BJP leader Vibodh Gupta took out a rally in the town from Sanatan Dharam Sabha shouting slogans like ‘Bum Bum Bhole’ and ‘Vohra Go Back’ during relaxation period in the evening. They dispersed peacefully.

Curfew was imposed in Rajouri eight days back after youths of majority community had damaged some shops and business establishments of minority community in the town protesting against thrashing of two majority community youths by the minorities at Sunderbani and Rajouri towns.

Other towns of Rajouri district including Sunderbani, Nowshera and Kalakot observed a complete bandh.

Authorities today lifted curfew in Poonch town after both communities gave an assurance that they will not resort to violence. Curfew was clamped in Poonch town on Friday morning after Thursday evening’s incidents of stoning and protests in which a shop, Telecom and Post Offices were damaged by the mob.

Shops and business establishments of minorities, however, remained closed in Poonch town despite lifting of curfew restrictions. In the evening, minorities in large number comprising women and children took out a procession from Gita Bhawan to Parade Ground amid tight security arrangements. Chanting‘Bum Bum Bhole’, the people burnt effigies of Vohra, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti before dispersing.

No untoward incident was reported during the procession, reports said.

Meanwhile, despite curfew relaxation for a larger period today, all shops, business establishments, educational institutions and majority of Government offices remained closed for 19th consecutive day today. However, in some areas, the people allowed shopkeepers dealing in the business of essential commodities like ration, milk and vegetables etc to keep their shops open for an hour to facilitate the people to purchase the items. The shopkeepers later voluntarily downed their shutters.

In Pacca Dunga, people burnt kites in a small shop which was found open in Jammu City.

Every kind of commercial transport including passenger buses, three-wheelers, tempo travellers and medium vehicles remained off the roads for 19th successive day today on Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar national highways and Jammu-Rajouri road. Very few private vehicles could be seen plying on the highways and other major roads in view of curfew restrictions and the bandh.

Troops remained deployed in all sensitive areas of Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Rajouri districts besides the National Highway from Pathankot to Banihal and railway tracks from Lakhanpur to Jammu to ensure smooth movement of train traffic and trucks carrying supplies of essential commodities to Kashmir.

Troops also remained deployed in the City, towns, semi-urban and even rural areas. They kept the streets and roads leading to highways and major roads fenced except for the period of curfew relaxation.

At several places across the region, people distributed free ration and other essential commodities among the poor people, who had been hit hard by the strike.

Setback to Kashmir rail link project

NEW DELHI, Aug 10: Exploring a new alignment in the Katra-Qazigund section, the Rail Ministry has decided to suspend the ongoing construction work on a 70-km stretch in the Kashmir rail link project.

In a letter written to the Konkan Railway, the executing agency of the 70-km line, Ministry has asked that all work be stopped except for the construction of a main road in the segment till further order.

KR Managing Director Anurag Mishra confirmed receiving a written order to this effect. "We have received a communication from the concerned authorities to stop the construction work barring main road work till further order."

The Ministry has suggested examination of an alternative alignment between Katra and Dharam in the Katra-Qazigund section as the current one is found to be too problematic.

"We have taken a pause to reappraise the alignment. This has been done to avoid wastage of money and resources on the project," Railway Board Member (Engineering) SK Vij said.

Hinting at a fresh geological survey of the area to decide the future course of action, Vij said, "the existing alignment is causing so much problem and in any case very little progress has been done since the commencement of the work in the last four-and-half years."

The earlier survey of the 70 km-long Rs 6,800 crore project was found to be inadequate. The work could not progress much due to repeated collapse of tunnels while cutting the mountains for the rail route.

The project is vital for Jammu and Kashmir as it is expected to boost the development and economy of the State.

The Katra-Qazigund segment is part of the 292-km long Kashmir rail link project estimated to cost about Rs 11,000 crore.

However, barring this segment, work on rest of the section of this important national project will continue on the Udhampur-Katra-Qazigund-Baramulla rail line.

The 70-km stretch between Katra and Dharam in the Katra-Qazigund segment is the most difficult terrain of the project, consisting of largely steep slopes intersected by a number of rivers. Besides geological challenges, climatic condition is also severe in the area.

Work was believed to be commissioned without a proper geological survey of the area.

"It was not a full-fledged survey in that Himalayan region because many locations were not approachable," said a senior official in the Ministry adding, "It caused major problems during the execution of the work."

While the issue has to be examined afresh, the suspension of the work will result in further delay in completing the project.

Completion of this project will expand transport facilities to the State and provide an all-weather means of transport in an area. (PTI)

RDX seized in Surinsar forest

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 10: Troops of 194 Medium Regiment today recovered 3.6 kg RDX from Korha Kupar forests in Surinsar area under the jurisdiction of Majalata police station in Udhampur district.

On a specific information, Army and police conducted a joint search operation in the forests at 7.10 am today and recovered the deadly RDX, Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Col S D Goswami said.

He added that a major tragedy has been averted with timely recovery of RDX.

Possibility of the militants having dumped RDX in the forests to use it on or before the Independence Day is not ruled out, official sources said.

Differences in all-party delegation

NEW DELHI, Aug 10: Differences today cropped up in the all-party delegation that visited Jammu and Kashmir with National Conference disapproving the nationwide agitation called by the BJP on the Amarnath issue, and the saffron party blaming the Government for delay in holding the talks.

After a two-day visit to the strife-torn State, the delegation led by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil returned here this evening.

Patil, however, exuded confidence that solution would be found out after considering all the suggestions made at the meeting over the past two days.

To a question, the Home Minister said that he would brief Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at whose initiative the delegation visited the State, on the outcome of the talks.

At the hurriedly convened press conference at the Delhi airport, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said in presence of other leaders that BJP’s plan to hold the nationwide agitation might escalate the trouble.

"The agitation can add fuel to fire. I appeal to the BJP to stop its agaitational programme," Abdullah said.

Jaitley on his part earlier said that talks would have been held long before. He felt that if exercise of having talks continue, then a solution to the row would be found.

The Home Minister in his opening remarks said, "the situation was improving and blockades have been removed. The road from Valley to Jammu and to Punjab has been cleared, he said and promised compensation to the victims of the ongoing agitation.

To a question on the sanctity of the delegation sans leaders from the Valley, Patil said some leaders withdrew themselves on a demand made by Shri Amarnath Sangarsh Samiti that it would not sit for talks till Saifuddin Soz (Congress), Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) and Farooq Abdullah (National Conference) were present.

Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad cautioned against some separatist group trying to misuse the situation by threatening to cross the LoC and counter the economic blockade.

CPI leader D Raja was "optimistic" of a solution and Union Minister A Raja described the talks as "fruitful and positive".

Earlier in Srinagar, Patil told a press conference that communal harmony will not be allowed to be disturbed, and the land row will be resolved in a manner that its does not hurt either people of Jammu or Kashmir regions. (PTI)

No mobile signal in border areas

NEW DELHI, Aug 10: Stepping up security across the border, the Government has asked mobile companies to install equipment to neutralise radio signals emanating from mobile phones in these areas.

Earlier, the ‘No Service Zone’ was 500 metres along the border where there would be no wireless service. Now, DoT has asked operators to install suitable technical infrastructure so that radio signals emanating from base stations or cell sites fade out while nearing or about to cross international border.

Government sources said with increasing number of signal breach incidences being reported by the VTM unit, the Government has now asked the Telephone Co’s to ensure that mobile phone services "should be as far from the border as feasible".

The spillover of signals from Indian mobile phones across the international border is facilitating communication between the terrorists. The service providers have failed to ensure that the signal is rendered unusable within 500 metres of the border, feel security agencies.

With this, the situation has gone back to the earlier period when the Government had for the first time relaxed security norms to allow provision of mobile phone services on national boundaries.

DoT has also asked for installation of base station, cell sites or radio transmitters in or near the buffer zone of 10 km along the trouble-prone areas, line of control (LoC), line of actual control (LaC), Akhnoor and Pathankot areas in Jammu & Kashmir to be taken up only after prior approval of the local Army authorities and intimation to the licensor. (PTI)

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Leaders hopeful of solution
Govt playing politics: Jaitley

SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Political leaders, who attended the all-party meeting here on the Amarnath land row, today expressed optimism on finding a solution to the vexed problem as the BJP accused the Centre of playing politics on the issue.

"The Government is playing politics on the issue. If it wants, the resolution of the problem is very simple," BJP leader Arun Jaitley told reporters here.

Emerging out of nearly three-hour-long meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, he, however, refused to elaborate what would be the possible solution.

"Whatever we have to say in this regard will be given in writing to the Government," Jaitley said.

Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz, who is also Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief, said the suggestions at the meeting had thrown up new opportunities for talks.

"Various suggestions have been put forth at the meeting. These will give fillip to the dialogue process," he said.

Asserting that there was no economic blockade of Kashmir, Soz said there had been some attacks on trucks carrying goods to and from the Valley but such incidents would be curbed firmly.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said a solution could be found through dialogue, but the economic blockade of the Valley must end.

"It is not that we (Kashmiris) do not want to give land or they (Jammuites) want to take the land .. We have to find a solution and that can be found through talks," Abdullah said.

He said economic blockade of the Valley must end as it was creating a lot of problems for people.

CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury said the prime concern of all political parties was unity and integrity of India which was not negotiable.

He said the land row had acquired serious proportions and there was need for collective efforts to resolve the issue.

"The issue needs to be resolved. We are going back. We will submit a report... We believe there is a solution (to the problem)," Yechury said.

He said vested interests were exploiting the situation to derive political mileage and appealed to people not to fall prey to their designs.

"There are vested interests trying to communalise the situation and our efforts will be to counter these forces," the CPM leader said.

CPI’s D Raja said "there have been certain suggestions which have to be looked into."

SP general secretary Amar Singh said a controversy had been created out of nothing by vested interests for petty electoral gains.

"This is not an issue ... Some vested interests are playing politics with an eye on election," he said. (PTI)

Day curfew may go, schools to open

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Aug 10: Day curfew is likely to be lifted in entire Jammu district tomorrow as authorities today ordered opening of all schools from Monday.

Though there was no usual announcement of curfew relaxation timings for tomorrow, District Magistrate Dr Mandeep K Bhandari told the Excelsior that it would be enough as the administration has ordered opening of the schools from tomorrow following improvement in situation.

Official sources dropped enough hints that day curfew might be lifted tomorrow. However, they said a final decision about exact timing of the curfew relaxation period will be announced by the administration at 5 am tomorrow.

According to sources, the authorities wanted to open the schools from tomorrow as only four days were left for Independence Day preparations.

A number of teachers, however, rang up the Excelsior describing the administration’s decision to open schools from tomorrow as "unjustified" on the ground that it won’t be possible for them to reach the schools in the absence of conveyance due to the strike.

No one can question allotment of land in Amarnath: Advani

NEW DELHI, Aug 10: In a veiled attack on some Kashmiri leaders, senior BJP leader L K Advani today said no one can question allotment of land for Amarnath pilgrims in the Valley declaring that "every Indian has the right on every inch of land" in the country and nobody can resist it.

Advani also said those opposing allotment of the land in Kashmir are challenging the Constitutional fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country.

Criticising the forces opposed to the allotment of land Advani said, "they say how can you give land to outsiders in Kashmir... Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and whoever raises questions about this issue will have to pay for it."

He was speaking at a function to release the special issue of a children’s magazine dedicated to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"This is not a question of Amarnath only or of a shrine. They are saying it is okay that you have allotted land for Vaishno Devi in Jammu but how can you allot land in Kashmir," said BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate.

"And if somebody tries to resist that means he or she is challenging the Constitutional fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Therefore, we will oppose their move with all our might and we will win," said Advani in an apparent reference to the campaign by opponents of land transfer.

Comparing the present agitation in Jammu over the Amarnath issue to the protest launched by Jana Sangh ideologue Shyama Prasad Mukherjee 55 years ago for cancelling the "visa" system for those visiting Jammu and Kashmir, BJP leader L K Advani today said "we have turned a full circle".

"Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had promised the people during that agitation that he would either get the permit system abolished or sacrifice his life ... Today (after the Amarnath agitation) we seem to have turned a full circle," Advani said. (PTI)

JKLF chief ends fast-unto-death

SRINAGAR, Aug 10: Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Mohammad Yaseen Malik today ended his six-day-long fast unto death following a message from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting him to end the fast.

Malik, who had refused to cooperate with doctors and even declined to take medicines orally, took a glass of juice from the mother of one of the youth, Asif Mehraj, who was killed in police action while protesting against the economic blockade of the Valley at Maisuma on Monday, in presence of the Divisional Commissioner and Kashmir police chief.

"I take the word of the Prime Minister seriously. I don’t doubt the credentials of the Prime Minister who is a very good human being. I am hopeful that his words would be translated into practice," Malik said after breaking his fast.

Malik, who was admitted in Soura Medical Institute on Thursday after his condition deteriorated, ended his fast around 4.30 pm when Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Masud Samoon and Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, S M Sahai visited him and read out the Prime Minister’s message.

"We will monitor the situation for a month and take necessary action if the Government promise is not kept," he said. (PTI)

Musharraf under pressure to quit

ISLAMABAD, Aug 10: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today faced mounting pressure from friends and foes to quit as the ruling coalition prepared a "comprehensive and solid" chargesheet to nail him down in an impeachment motion to be brought in the National Assembly session starting tomorrow.

Firing a fresh salvo against the beleaguered former General, ruling PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari accused Musharraf, who has often targeted the country’s politicians for indulging in corruption," of misappropriation of USD 700 million of anti-terror aid provided by the US.

"Our grand old Musharraf has not been passing on all the 1 billion dollar a year that the Americans have been giving for the Armed Forces.... We’re talking about 700 million dollars a year missing. The rest has been taken by `Mush’ for some scheme or other and we’ve got to find it," 54-year-old Zardari told the `The Sunday Times’. Cracks have already appeared in Musharraf’s main ally PML(Q) with MP Sardar Bahadur Khan Sihar advising the President to gracefully quit and claiming to have "support" of a dozen MPs and a couple of Senators. Four Independent FATA Senators have also asked Musharraf to quit and pledged to support the impeachment motion.

"We will prepare a comprehensive and solid chargesheet that Musharraf will not be able to fight it....It is very necessary that he resigns himself, otherwise the impeachment will start," Law Minister Farooq Naek said after the ruling coalition met to draw a battle plan to end Musharraf’s nine-year reign.

The 342-member Lower House will meet at 5 pm tomorrow for the session that is expected to decide the fate of the 64-year-old Musharraf who has vowed not to quit and also ruled out dissolving the House to overcome the crisis facing him.

While there have been questions as to whether the coalition had the numbers in the two Houses— the National Assembly and the Senate, PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari said he was "110 per cent sure of the success of impeachment motion.’’

"We had already completed the numbers game before launching such a vital move," Zardari said. The Assembly has a strength of 442, and the motion will have to be passed by a two-thirds majority or 295 members.

Anti-Musharraf parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami and some Balochistan-based Nationalist Parties currently sitting in Opposition benches in the Senate, have a total of 274 members 235 in the National Assembly and 39 in the Senate which is short of the magic number

The chargesheet to be tabled in Parliament will charge Musharraf with violation of Constitution and misconduct, including the latest allegation levelled by Zardari.

The US, which had protected Musharraf against the onslaught of the PPP-led Government which came to power after the Feb 18 elections, bluntly telling the ruling coalition that it should concentrate on other important tasks rather than the President’s ouster, has so far not taken sides and termed the impeachment move as an "internal matter".

The PPP leader, who had refrained from openly confronting Musharraf till now despite pressure from ally Nawaz Sharif’s PML(N), said he had advised the President through a "common friend" to resign two months ago but he did not pay heed.

"Through a common friend, General Durrani, I had advised President Musharraf to resign two months back. But the President gave no reply," Zardari said.

A defiant Musharraf has, however, dug in, choosing to stay mum with ally PML(Q) and the army too reportedly asking him not to take any drastic step like dissolving the House.

"Enough is enough. Now is the right time for Mr Musharraf to quit," PML(Q) lawmaker Sihar was quoted as saying by the news.

Sihar said that he had advised Musharraf that he should avail the opportunity of "a safe exit" provided by Zardari and step down in the larger interests of the nation and stability of democracy, as the country could not sustain any more conflict.

Former Federal Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, one of Musharraf’s steadfast allies, said the President should step down as the ruling coalition would win the "numbers game" if an impeachment motion is moved in Parliament and the army would not support any move to dissolve the House.

Senior PML-N leader Ishaq Dar said from tomorrow onwards, the Provincial Assemblies of Punjab, North West Frontier Province, Sindh and Balochistan will pass resolutions asking Musharraf to seek a vote of confidence in Parliament.

Once this process is completed, the impeachment proceedings will get underway in the National Assembly or Lower House of Parliament, he said.

Observers believe the 27 Independent members in both houses of Parliament, particularly those from tribal areas, will play a crucial role.

A joint meeting of the PPP and PML-N has been summoned tomorrow to discuss matters related to the impeachment motion, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said.

She said the coalition had done "comprehensive planning and concrete homework" while preparing the chargesheet against Musharraf. "We want to avoid any ambiguity and misunderstanding over the issues."(PTI)