'India will defeat Pak sponsored terrorism'
Way out of Kashmir problem emerging, says Vajpayee

VADODARA, Dec 7: Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee today said a way out of the Kashmir problem was emerging as he vowed that India would defeat Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

"Kashmir Samasya Ko Hal Karne Ka Raasta Nikal Raha Hai (a way to solve Kashmir issue is emerging)," he said addressing his first election rally here.

Referring to the just-concluded Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Vajpayee said though Pakistan had warned that those casting ballots would face bullets, the people of the State displayed exemplary courage and participated in the polls.

"They (people) were not frightened. They braved bullets and took bullets but voted to demonstrate the value of votes," he said adding "if anybody wants to know the importance of votes, ask the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

Referring to his Independence Day address promising free and impartial elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister said "people had laughed at it, questioning how it was possible." "But we have done it," he said.

Vajpayee said "some people" in Jammu and Kashmir had been talking of "going out but we told them that they had no such place to go and nobody would keep them. There is no place for them except us (India). They have to live here only."

Referring to the terrorist attacks in Mombasa, Bali and Akshardham in Gujarat, he said people should be wary of the conspiracies hatched by terrorists.

"We have to be vigilant and alert," he advised the people and said that all problems would be met with determination.

Asking people to march ahead forgetting petty differences, he warned trouble-makers to be careful.

"None will be allowed to succeed and those who want to disturb peace in the country will bite the dust," he said.

Drawing from Hindu mythology, Prime Minister warned Pakistan that its attempts to disrupt India’s march forward would be thwarted by the country’s security forces in the way Ram and Lakshman used to slay demons.

"Our neighbour wants to create problems with support from outside. They want to disrupt our constructive Yagna (penance) of eliminating poverty, providing water to all and other developmental works," he told an election rally here.

Linking Islamabad’s actions to the disruption by demons of Yagnas conducted by Rishis and Munis (religious saints), Vajpayee said "like Ram and Lakshman, our security forces are dealing with each and every terrorist action".

The country, he said, was alert to terrorist activities whether they be in Moscow, Mombasa, Bali or Akashardham. (Agencies)

Mufti calls for generous donations
Proxy war affects all: Saxena

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: The Governor, Mr Girish Chandra Saxena, termed it as the "invisible enemy", when on Saturday he publicly deplored it for having been ruthless in Jammu and Kashmir.

The "invisible enemy", Mr Saxena said, had affected "every individual" in the State in recent years. "Our State is at a proxy war for the last many years, he stated, while inaugurating the Armed Forces Day at Raj Bhavan.

In his pointed reference to the counter-terrorism operations, the Governor lauded the role of Armed Forces, saying: "We are indebted to our soldiers who have been guarding our frontiers and national security in difficult and trying conditions without caring for their own comfort".

And as he made a passing reference to the "invisible enemy", Mr Saxena said: "Our gallant soldiers have laid down their lives and many others sustained serious injuries while defending our borders and carrying out operations against terrorists".

On the families of martyrs of Armed Forces, the Governor said: "It is our bounden duty to express solidarity with the bereaved families". He, at the same time, highlighted the need to promote welfare of serving and retired personnel of Armed Forces and their dependents. He appealed to the people of J&K to donate generously towards the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.

Mr Suchet Singh, secretary of Rajya Sainik Board, disclosed, on the occasion, that donations to the tune of Rs 7.34 lakhs were made during the last financial year as against donations of Rs 13 lakhs made towards the Fund during the previous year. As many as 2158 school-going children of ex-servicemen were provided scholarships, totalling Rs 4.91 lakhs, during the period. The Board also provided financial assistance of Rs 4.98 lakhs to war widows and ex-servicemen. In all, the number of beneficiaries was 2860.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Zila Sainik Welfare officers of Jammu, Samba and Kathua received medals for making maximum collections for the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. The function was also attended by the Financial Commissioner (Home), Mr SD Singh, Maj-Gen (retd) BN Dhar, Maj-Gen (retd) GS Jamwal, Mr RS Chib, Mr Gulchain Singh Charak and Col Prabu Singh.

In his message, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, reiterated that his Government was committed to implement schemes for the welfare of those who suffered in the service of the nation. "On this Day we get the opportunity to show our gratitude to serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and those who achieved martyrdom or disabled while guarding the territorial integrity of the country, particularly in the ongoing militancy", he said.

Mufti Sayeed added: "On this occasion, I convey my best wishes to all in the Armed Forces". He appealed to the general public to donate generously towards the J&K State Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.

Dr Sudhir S Bloeria, Chief Secretary, said, in his message, that Armed Forces "risk their lives for our safety". He noted with deep appreciation: "Our Armed Forces are not only guarding the frontiers but also engaged in counter insurgency operations. Even in peace time they render valuable service during natural calamities and other disasters".

Dr Bloeria’s appeal: "We must acknowledge our debt by contributing generously to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund that has been set up for the welfare of ex-servicemen and families of martyred defence personnel. This is an occasion to express our gratitude to the serving defence personnel, ex-servicemen and remember those who have sacrificed their lives for the defence of the country".

Land scam worth crores
Vigilance acquits ex-Minister, MLA under pressure

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Dec 7: In a fit case for the Accountability Commission, the Vigilance Organisation has acquitted two political leaders including a former Minister in the National Conference Government and a sitting MLA even after confirming the charges of Government land embezzlement worth several crores of rupees against them. The "premier investigating agency ", however, ordered action against ‘delinquent officers’ of the Revenue Department, who were also involved in the land scam.

The case was closed down by the Vigilance Organisation before the installation of PDP-Congress (I) coalition Government. This was done so even after a high level team of the Organisation that investigated the land scam had established a series of irregularities, committed by private persons and Revenue Department officers in the case, who had connived to encroach upon the Government land worth several crores of rupees at two places in Jammu district.

Reliable sources in the Vigilance Organisation admitted that a former Minister, who held several important portfolios in the National Conference Government and a sitting MLA, were prime accused in the land scam in which the State land was encroached upon on the name of a builder at Channi Kamalan and Dheeri areas on outskirts of Jammu City and sold off at huge cost after developing them into private colonies.

They said after investigations in the case were completed and it was ready for challan in the court of law, the Organisation was pressurised to acquit the former Minister as well as sitting MLA. Therefore, the Organisation recommended action against the Revenue Department officers involved in the case. The Revenue officers, who were indicted in the case, were the then Secretary, Additional Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Revenue Department and the then Legal Assistant to Revenue Minister. Besides former Minister and a sitting MLA, two women, who happened to be the relatives of the former Minister and a civilian Mohd Yaqub of Channi Kamalan were also indicted by the Organisation, which had recorded serious strictures against them in the final report prepared in the case.

Pressure on the Vigilance Organisation to hush up the case could be well gauged from summary report of the investigating team which said ‘though the acts of omission and commission of the accused constitute offences punishable under Section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act, it was deemed advisable to refer the matter for departmental action against the in-service accused officers/officials of the Revenue Department’.

By calling for action against the in-service officers, the Vigilance Organisation clearly acquitted the former Minister and sitting MLA and other private persons involved in the scam since most of them were connected with the previously ruling party—the National Conference.

During investigations of the case, the Vigilance Organisation came to know that a private builder had acquired land for development into colonies by way of purchase and obtaining power of attorney from the owners at Channi Kamalan and Dheeri. The proposed area of the builder, as per the revenue record, was 190 kanals and 15 marlas in the two localities. Out of this, the land measuring 67 kanals and 17 marlas was found purchased from Siraj-ud-Din and Mohd Yaqub where land measuring 61 kanals and nine marlas was encroached upon. Another 64 kanals and seven marlas of land in Barnai was also encroached upon by the same builder.

Investigations revealed that over 64 kanals land in Barnai, under the possession of the builder, was paddy and wheat growing, which couldn’t be converted for any other purpose without obtaining a prior sanction from the prescribed authority. However, in this case, the land was converted into residential plots in violation of Section 133 (a) of Land Revenue Act 1996 and Section 13 of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act. Moreover, no permission as envisaged under Section 10 of State Town Planning Act was found to have been obtained by the builder for raising colonies in the village.

According to sources, the investigations also revealed that a Minister in Farooq Government in connivance with the officers/officials of Revenue Department accorded sanction for alienation of land at Channi Kamalan in violation of Section 20 of Bid Landed Estates Abolition Act.

The Organisation had pointed out a series of administrative lapses in the sanction of land which included grant of permission by Revenue Secretariat officers even when the reports of Tehsildar and Assistant Commissioner, Jammu were not complete. Form-60 had not been filled in the prescribed manner. In the reports, some vital information was suppressed and wrongly stated. Application for alienation of land was processed without highlighting the cuttings/over writings.

The Revenue Secretariat did not bother to go into the legality or otherwise of the mutations by which Mohd Yaqub had been made as owner of the land. The land in question was acquired by Siraj-ud-Din under Bid Landed Estates Abolition Act, which couldn’t be alienated further as per Section 20 of the Act. However, the permission was accorded in violation of the said Act as also in contravention of J&K Agrarian Reforms Act and Town Planning Act.

Pak spy plane intrudes into Indian airspace

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Dec 7: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), known as a spy plane, violated Indian air space for more than eight minutes near the Line of Control (LoC) in Khari Karmara and Titrinote in Poonch sector late this evening.

Air intrusion by a Pak spy plane came close on the heels of fresh shelling and artillery firing in Balakote sector in Mendhar tehsil and Nowshera sector in Rajouri during past few days.

Confirming the intrusion, official sources said a UAV was first spotted hovering over the Indian skies in the forward Khari Karmara village in Digwar sector at 1815 hours today. Simultaneously, Pakistan army started heavy shelling and firing on Indian locations in a bid to divert the attention of the troops from air intrusion.

Later, the spy plane flew over Titrinote before flying back to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), the sources said.

At Titrinote, the UAV was fired upon with anti-air guns by the Indian army. However, the plane was not hit by the firing and flew back to PoK after flying over Indian airspace for about eight minutes, they added.

Firing and shelling from Pakistan side continued till 1930 hours and was effectively replied by the Indian side. No casualties were reported on this side in the firing.

Skirmishes between Indo-Pak troops on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts have recently resumed after a lull of about a couple of months. Two days back, Pakistan army had resorted to heavy shelling in Balakote sector in Mendhar tehsil. Prior to that, shelling and firing was reported in Nowshera sector in Rajouri district.

Sources said Pakistan army might be attempting to infiltrate the trained terrorists to this side in the garb of shelling and firing. In view of this, army have further intensified vigil along the LoC to check the infiltration attempts.

HM 'section commander' among 4 ultras killed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: Army today eliminated four terrorists including a ‘section commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in two separate encounters in Poonch and Doda districts today.

Defence sources said army personnel raided a hideout of the terrorists at village Rajada Bohriwala in Marhot area of Surankote tehsil in Poonch district this evening. The operation was carried out on a specific information that a group of terrorists had taken shelter in an abandoned dhok in the village with a view to carry out some killings tonight.

Troops challenged the terrorists and asked them to surrender but they opened heavy firing with AK-56 rifles. Firing was replied by the army soldiers. Exchange of firing continued for about one and a half hour in which three terrorists were killed. Sources said two other terrorists escaped during the encounter.

Army continued searches in Marhot forests to eliminate two absconding terrorists but they remained untraced.

Two AK rifles, one pistol, three AK magazines, one pistol magazine, 39 AK rounds and one wireless set were recovered from the slain terrorists. Army didn’t suffer any casualty in the operation, the sources said.

Another terrorist was eliminated by army in Padipura village in Doda district this afternoon. He has been identified as Mohd Shaffi Moulvi alias Hansa Farebi son of Ghulam Mohd R/o Wanipura, Doda. Hansa Farebi was a ‘section commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen.

One AK rifle, one 9 mm round, 29 AK rounds and some explosives material was recovered from the scene of encounter, the sources said.

Meanwhile, army and police today destroyed a hideout of the terrorists at Seri Top in Marmat area of Doda. Recoveries made from the hideout included one binocular, 150 pencil cells, one battery, one film roll, one pocket diary, 20 socks pairs, some photographs and dry fruits.

The terrorists were not present in the hideout when the raid was carried out.

SHIMLA, Dec 7: Himachal unit BJP president Jai Kishan Sharma today said he would take up with the party high command the outbursts of Union Rural Development Minister Shanta Kumar against the state party leadership.

Terming the airing of grievances by Shanta Kumar in public as "wrong", Sharma said the party had taken a strong note of his statements and would send its report to the high command after due deliberations for further action.

The statements had adversely affected the image of the party and the Government in the forthcoming Assembly elections, he said while talking to reporters at Una.

Shanta Kumar yesterday launched a frontal attack on his detractors in the State unit of the party and accused them of "hatching a conspiracy to finish my politcal existence".

Addressing a ‘Vijay Yatra’, organised by his supporters at Nurpur in Kangra district to celebrate the deferment of delimitation process in Himachal Pradesh, the minister alleged "the entire delimitation exercise was a conspiracy against Kangra district and aimed at harming me. Four officers were involved in preparation of the delimitation proposals which directly hit Kangra district." The persons behind the conspiracy should be exposed, he demanded.

The State BJP president said "the delimitation process was deferred by the Delimitation Commission and the State Government had no role in it. As such there was no question of victory or defeat which warranted celebrations."

Sharma said that issues raised by Shanta Kumar in his allegations and grievances were "raised before the PM and DPM earlier" and that it was "unfortunate" that the "settled issues were being raked up again."

Chief Minister P K Dhumal, on his part, said that Shanta Kumar should name the officers who, he thought, were associated with delimitation proposals and added that four officer whom he was "indirectly" referring to, were directly under the control of Delimitation Commission or the Election Commission and not under the State Government.

Replying to a question he said that the Government was waiting for nod from the Delimitation Commission for creation of new districts, which, he said, was deferred due to delimitation and the position had changed after the deferment of delimitation process.

Meanwhile, party spokespersons Ganesh Dutt and Randhir Sharma, in joint statement, said that BJP outrightly rejected the statements of the Rural Development Minister regarding delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the State and said that such statements from a leader of high stature like Shanta Kumar had created confusion among people.

The minister had not opposed delimitation when party general secretary Arun Jaitley had come to Shimla and had only talked about deferring the creation of districts but later changed his stance and demanded deferment of delimitation process.

The decision of the Delimitation Commission to defer the ongoing delimitation process was a welcome step which vindicated the Government stand that it was not working under the influence of the State Government, they said. (PTI)

PM charges Cong Govts with arriving at
agreements with Pak

JAMNAGAR, Dec 7: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today charged Congress Governments at the Centre in the past with arriving at agreements with Pakistan after giving up claims over Indian territory.

"When Congress was in power, it made pacts with Pakistan after giving up claims over our territory," he said while addressing an election meeting here during the first leg of his campaign in Gujarat.

Virtually ruling out talks with Pakistan till it stops sponsoring cross-border terrorism, he said "what can we talk. When we were talking in Lahore, they were hatching a conspiracy to attack India and stabbed us in the back".

Advising Gandhi to acquaint herself with modern history, Vajpayee said he failed to understand anyone doing politics at home on the issue of terrorism. (PTI)

CM expresses grief over fire incident

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Dec 7: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today expressed grief over the tragic fire incident in Baramulla district in which several houses were gutted.

In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister expressed sympathies with the affected families and directed the administration to provide all possible assistance and immediate relief to the fire sufferers.

Farooq condemns Lone's killing

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 7: Condemning the killing of slain Jammu and Kashmir Minister Mushtaq Ahmad Lone’s brother Ghulam Mohiuddin Lone by unidentified ultras, the opposition National Conference today said gun has no role in the present world.

Former Chief Minster and NC patron Farooq Abdullah, addressing mourners at Lone’s house, said the brutal killing took place in the fasting month of Ramzan. "Killing of innocents is against the teachings of Islam."

Gun has brought destruction and bloodshed in the State, Abdullah said. Time has proved that gun is no solution to the problems which can be resolved through talks.

He said the NC stood for return of peace, betterment and prosperity of all the three regions of the State.

Abdullah was accompanied by local MLAs Sharifuddin Shariq and Kiser Lone.

NC president and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah also condemned the killing of Lone.

Centre should prepare strategy to counter
terrorism: Manmohan

SURAT, Dec 7: Senior Congress leader Dr Manmohan Singh today said Centre should prepare a strategy in coordination with security wings and intelligence agencies to trace the hideouts of terrorist outfits, in order to stamp out the menace of terrorism.

‘The earlier Congress Governments at the Centre had tried to contain the menace as the situation warranted either in Punjab or Jammu and Kashmir during its four-decade long rule’, Singh told reporters here after undertaking campaign in the region.

Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi sacrificed their lives while countering terrorism, he said adding that BJP Government at the Centre was not serious about the problem.

After the communal flare-up in Gujarat, the state economy was in doldrums, Singh opined and said the cooperative banks scams has shattered the faith of depositors in the governance.

‘BJP should come out with a white paper for people’s welfare’, he said and criticised the disinvestment policy of the Centre. (PTI)

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