Sonia, 4 Union Ministers visit temples
About 3000 hard-core terrorists in J&K: Swami

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Nov 25: Four Union Ministers and AICC president and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Mrs Sonia Gandhi today visited famous Raghunath Temple, which was attacked by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists last evening killing 13 and wounding 52 others.

The Mandir premises were visited by the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, Minister of State for Defence, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, Minister of State for Home, Mr ID Swami, and Minister of State for External Affairs, and president of the National Conference, Mr Omar Abdullah.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed and Governor Mr Girish Chander Saxena were the first to visit the shrine at around 0830 hours today. They were followed by Mr I D Swami along with Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Mrs Sonia Gandhi alongwith AICC general secretary Ms Ambika Soni and PCC president Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mr Omar Abdullah and Mr George Fernandes.

All were briefed on the incident by Director General of Police (DGP) Mr A K Suri, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Mr P L Gupta and priests of the temple, who witnessed the most barbaric, inhuman and heart rendering terrorist attack last evening.

The Defence Minister, after visiting the shrine, refused to talk to the waiting media-persons. But on the repeated requests of the latter, he in his brief address termed the attack as horrendous, aimed at fanning communal trouble in this part of the State.

The media-persons continued to pose questions to Defence Minister but the latter left for Shiva Temple at Panjbakhtar Road by saying "this is all what I have to say". At Panjbakhtar Road temple, the Defence Minister was given an account of the fidayeen attack by the DGP.

Talking to reporters inside Raghunath Temple complex, Mrs Sonia Gandhi rejected as misconception a notion that the coalition Government in this State was going soft on militants.

"The State Government has released the terrorists by receiving clearance from the central intelligence agencies and it is disinformation campaign that State Government is releasing the militants unilaterally", she said.

Terming the attack as inhuman and barbaric, she highlighted the tremendous challenges being faced by security forces and said that the terrorist attacks at Kaluchak Army Camp, Rajiv Nagar and twice at Raghunath Temple had repeatedly made "us aware of the tremendous challenges we have been facing".

"My party was with the Central and the State Governments in the fight against terrorism", she mentioned, adding "I have always maintained that in the fight against terrorism, we are one with the whichever Government either at the Centre or in this State".

In reply to a question, she angrily shot back "don’t dare accuse Congress party of being soft on terrorism. I have lost two members of my family at the hands of terrorists".

Minister of State for External Affairs Mr Omar Abdullah told reporters that a high-level enquiry should be instituted to look into the security lapses which resulted in such a horrifying attack.

"Enquiry is a must as this temple was attacked for the second time that too in less than a year despite the fact that after first attack the security ring of the temple was strengthened", he said, adding "no doubt the incident was the outcome of the `healing touch’ of the Mufti Government".

Mr Abdullah further said that ‘healing touch is required for the people of State, and not to the terrorists’. He added that due to this healing touch the confidence level of the militants has increased, the outcome of which can be seen in this temple. "I am not denying that such incidents didn’t take place in our regime but we never demoralised the security forces at any cost", he said in reply to a querry.

Saying that healing touch should be aimed to better the lives of the people of the State, the Union Minister said "I have been in this State since the conclusion of the elections and I received a number of reports that morale of not only of State Police but also of central agencies like CRPF and BSF has adversely been affected", adding "it has to be checked".

"Jammu and Kashmir is not free from terrorism as yet and steps should be towards bringing normalcy and not for aggravating the situation in any way", he said while apprehending that anyone of the 20 militants released by the ruling coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir recently could be the attackers, who stormed into the historic Raghunath Temple.

Saying that elections in any way cannot bring an end to violence, he added, both elections and end of violence cannot be linked as elections are meant only to solve local issues. "The dialogue either with militants or Pakistan is the prerogative of the Central Government and let’s see what steps Central Government initiates in this regard", he said and warned some political parties for trying to communalise the situation.

Talking to reporters, Mr I D Swami, along with Prof Chaman Lal Gupta denied that security lapses were behind the second attack on famous Raghunath temple. "No country in the world has come up with a flawless device to fight Fidayeen", he said while saying that it is difficult to stop a person, who has come with a mindset of do-or-die.

"Whether it is a question of Akshardham or Raghunath temple every time our security forces have not allowed the terrorists to live or escape which shows that there are no security lapses", Mr Swami said and added that to inflict maximum casualties is the purpose of Fidayeen and to prevent them and not to allow them to escape is security forces’ job which they are doing excellently. He didn’t hesitate in saying that there has been intelligence failures to some extent.

In reply to a question about the release of militants by coalition Government in the State, he said "State Government don’t require assent as law and order is its subject but when there is a question of national security Central Government has to intervene", adding "even Prime Minister resented the move".

"Nodoubt the release of terrorists has adversally affected the situation in the State yet we should not start blaming each other at the present juncture", he said. "I praise the maturity of the people of the State who defeated the designs of the terrorists of creating communal tension", he said.

"Sudden surge has been witnessed in violence and with most conservative assessment I can say that around 3,000 hard-core militants are in this State and keeping in mind this we should not take those steps which will harm national security", he said.

Expressing shock over the outrageous act of terror, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that those involved in the heinous crime would not be spared. "I had instructed the police and security forces to deal with such elements with a firm hand", he said while talking to the reporters and assured the masses that such activities would not be pardoned. He termed the attack as an attempt to subvert the peace process.

Later Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister visited the Government Medical College and Hospital and inquired about the health of injured.

The Chief Minister assured the injured of full medical assistance and asked the Medical College Principal to ensure that all possible treatment was given to the wounded. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and sympathies to those injured in the attack.

Talking to reporters after his visit to the hospital, Mr Sayeed dismissed accusations that the kith and kin of militants were being given Government jobs on compassionate grounds. "It is a mischievous misinformation campaign," he said.

Instead, Mr Sayeed said, it were the next of kin of those killed by militants in the early 1990s who were being given Government jobs on compassionate grounds.

Anti-militancy operations intensified
Mufti blames Pak for continuing terror

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today charged Pakistan for continuing its policy of cross border terrorism and unleashing terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement on the last evenings terror attacks on Raghunath temple in Jammu in the legislative assembly this morning, the Chief Minister said the operations against militants have already been intensified by a decision at recent combined meeting of the Unified Headquarter and action is being taken against the over ground apparatus of militants.

Assuring that measures have been discussed to further intensify action against militants, the Chief Minister said the foreign mercenaries are in the forefront in most of the terrorist actions.

He attributed the brief lull for a few weeks in cross border terrorism after the recent assembly elections in the state as Pakistan was engaged in its own elections and consequent problems in the Government formation.

Mufti Sayeed said militants have been endeavouring to step up fidayeen and criminal attacks during the holy month of Ramzan. He referred to the four year long history of fidayeen attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and said that Pakistan’s strategy of fidayeen attacks always received fillip during the holy month of Ramzan. During past three successive years, militants in the Valley carried nine suicidal attacks during this month, of which seven attacks were carried by LeT and one each by HUM and JUM outfits.

Mr Sayeed said that this year too, LeT outfit made its intentions known by carrying out a fidayeen attack on RR camp at Sopore on November 4 and vowed to step up terrorist attacks during Ramzan. This incident was followed by suicidal attack on the CRPF camp at Pamposh hotel in Srinagar on November 22 in which seven CRPF personnel were killed. Two terrorists were also killed in the ensuing encounter. On November 23, he said, terrorists detonated an IED at Lower Munda (Qazigund) on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, where civilian vehicles carrying families of army personnel were on way. In this attack nine persons, five armymen, two women and two children got killed while 24 armymen sustained injuries.

Continuing with their evil designs, Pakistan again struck at Raghunath Mandir complex last evening, he said, adding that earlier in March this year, the terrorists had carried out similar attack in which 8 persons including three terrorists were killed.

He informed the assembly that the operations at Rupay Wala Mandir, a few hundred meters away from the Raghunath Mandir, culminated at 10 in the morning with the killing of the militant. One AK rifle and three hand grenades were recovered from him. The operation at Ragunath temple ended last evening; he said adding that both of them are reported to be foreign mercenaries. He said the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has claimed the responsibility for the barbaric incidents that claimed 13 persons and left many injured.

Giving the account of the terror attack, the Chief Minister said two militants appeared at Raghunath Mandir Chowk, one of them forcing his entry into the temple complex and hurled grenades that created panic in the area. People started running helter skelter. Taking advantage of the situation, he said the terrorist mingled with the crowd and entered Raghunath Mandir. When confronted by a CRPF constable, the militant opened indiscriminate firing killing him on the spot and causing causalities to number of others including civilians. The CRPF personnel guarding the temple laid a cordon to prevent the escape of the militant.

At the same time, the second militant in the melee escaped towards Panjbakhter Road, opened fire and lobbed grenades, the Chief Minister said adding that the place is located just few hundred meters away from the Raghunath Mandir where another temple called Rupay Wala Mandir is located. The militant fired from a congested area adjoining Shiv Mandir, Panjbakhter Road. The police and the security forces conrdoned the whole area and during the operation the militant was killed, he added.

The Chief Minister said that 13 persons including a policeman and a CRPF jawan and two militants were killed while 52 persons sustained injuries who were shifted to various hospitals.

Mufti Sayeed recalled that at the time of earlier attack on the Raghunath Mandir in March this year, the complex was guarded by 2/8 guard of SSB besides local police for frisking etc, which was subsequently replaced by one platoon of CRPF. The security was further augmented by deploying one section each of CRPF at Raghunath Chowk and Hari Market, the entry points of the temple. In addition, local police are also deployed at various checkpoints in and around the temple.

The Chief Minister listed the attacks by militants and said that Jammu witnessed a spate of violent incidents including several fidayeen attacks. On August 7 last year, in a suicidal attack at Jammu railway station, 11 civilians were killed and 36 injured. Two militants also died in the retaliatory action. In another, fidayeen attack at Raghunath temple on March 30 this year, 10 persons, including eight civilians and two militants, were killed and 27 injured. In another attempted planned attack on Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, five terrorists were killed thereby preventing a major catastrophe. On May 14 this year, 34 persons were killed and 49 injured in a fidayeen attack on army complex at Kaluchak which was followed by another gruesome incident at Qasim/Rajiv Nagar on July 13, which claimed 28 lives and left 27 injured.

Mufti Sayeed also referred to his visit alongwith the Governor, the Deputy Chief Minister and senior officers to the encounter site and hospital this morning and the meeting held with senior police officers last evening to review the situation. He said that he would be meeting the prominent citizens to seek cooperation of the people in fighting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Fidayeens seem free despite presence of
counter-insurgency grid

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Chasing shawdows in the town of temples! This, obviously, epitomises the situation, as it started unfolding itself since the first deadly terrorist attack on the historic Raghunath Mandir in the heart of the State’s winter capital, Jammu, on March 31 last.

The counter-insurgency grid witnessed a spectacular boost in terms of availability of additional forces as well as sophisticated weaponry between the March 31 episode and the fidayeen (suicide squads) attack on the same temple after the sundown on November 24. Naturally, both the pilgrim and the pedestrian seemed somewhat satisfied on the unprecedented security cover provided to the city’s most important place of worship (Raghunath Mandir).

And if the average shopkeeper and trader in the vicinity of Raghunath Mandir had found himself on the debris of doubts soon after the March 31 fidayeen strike, the enormous security bundobust, which had immediately followed, did create a sense of re-assuring effect in the area and elsewhere.

Was all this a myth, which suddenly got exploded with the deadlier attack on the temple premises on November 24? How did the fidayeen,who, according to the State’s Director-General of Police, Mr AK Suri, belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), sneak into the Raghunath Mandir and Panjbakhtar temple?

And more questions require to be answered: Can the attackers, or fidayeen, who, according to the Minister of State for Defence, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, are sponsored by Pakistan, act without the support or guidance of the local or locals? Can the fidayeen, who have been on the prowl for quite some time, carry out their deadlier acts without having spent a day or two in the area or locality where their taget is located? Did money change hands prior to the Nov.24 terrorist assault?

There is no denying that different cadres of our security forces, police and intelligence machinery have, all these years, played a significant role while dealing with ultras on the border and in the hinterland. But they cannot escape equally important question: Were they, particularly the police and intelligence sleuths, enjoying the sunset scene in western skies on November 24, when the fidayeen experienced little difficulty as they stormed into the premises of the two places of worship? Was it an intelligence failure?

If the pro-India politicians belonging to different parties, dayin and day out, wanted the powers-that-be in Srinagar and Jammu to leave no stone unturned to root out the menace of militancy and terrorism, what has been their contribution in this regard all these years? Have they, individually or collectively, come up to the expectations of the civilian population, particularly the ones adversely affected by the ‘sword of militant Islam’?

‘Truth is always bitter’, goes the adage. In plain language, the average politician, particularly from Jammu, did not prevent himself from politicizing even the trivial issues, simply to satisfy his ego or to try to project himself as a person of consequence, and, hence, conversant with the ebb and flow of the State’s politics.

How many of these politicians or the representatives of the people really engage themselves in the task of ensuring politics-free mechanism against the ultras, local and foreign? More often than not, wrong, or contradictory, signals were sent out.

In the process, Jammu gradually emerged as the loser for no fault of its bona fide residents. The State Government’s decision to bring the city of Jammu under curfew, soon after the fidayeen strikes, can, in no way, be dubbed unwise or hasty, considering the potential for trouble on communal lines.

The credit for the crisis management operations in and around the Raghunath Mandir goes to the available law and order machinery, including the CRPF commandos. But the part played by a number of locals of Jammu, on the occasion, was strikingly laudable. This fact was reckoned by the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, during his visit the affected site.

The Mufti made it public that Mr Vishal Kumar of Janipura, a BCA student, had performed praiseworthy act while trying to block the terrorist’s entry into the Raghunath Mandir. Mr Vishal, however, failed to do so, after he was hit by the armed ultra’s bullet. Mr Vishal is in hospital with injuries.

Today, this student played a role with no semblance of politics or communal feeling attached to it. Tomorrow may be different altogether for Jammu. In other words, if the Jammuites have so far contained themselves despite grave provocations from politicalized criminals and communalists, it does not suggest that Jammu will endure these and other forms of provocations for long.

Accountability Bill a witch-hunting: Oppn
Cong-PDP, NC clash on corruption

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Cong-PDP coalition members today had heated exchanges with the Opposition National Conference MLAs on the charges of corruption during over two and a half hours debate on Accountability Commission Bill in the Legislative Assembly. While ruling coalition MLAs charged NC with resorting to large scale ‘corrupt practices’ during six years rule, the NC legislators alleged that the Commission was being constituted for sole purpose of ‘vindictiveness’ towards the previous Government and demanded that it should be referred to a Select Committee.

The debate remained inconclusive and will be resumed tomorrow.

NC MLA from Anantnag, Dr Mehboob Beg wanted to know that why time period for the proposed Accountability Commission has been confined to last seven years. "Why you are confining the Bill to seven years and not to 50 years as there had been many scandals in the State"? he asked.

Referring to the procedure to be adopted for selection of the Commission’s Chairman, Beg observed that if there were doubts on credibility of head of the Commission the entire issue of tackling the menace of corruption will be rendered irrelevant. The Chairman should be of unimpeachable integrity, he said.

"What are your intentions behind limiting the scope of Commission to last seven years? Whether the purpose of the Bill limited to revenge with the previous Government"? asked NC MLA from Kupwara, Saifullah Mir, who had moved an amendment to the Bill seeking that the Bill should be referred to the Select Committee as it appeared to have been introduced hurriedly.

Another NC member Ali Mohd Sagar said no one can dispute spirit of the Bill but added that its sole purpose appeared to settled ‘political vendetta’ and ‘victimisation’. "If the Commission had to be given a retrospective effect, why the period has been limited to seven years, why not 50 years"? he asked, adding the Commission was being set up to victimise one party only.

Quoting a clause of the Bill, he pointed out that the issues pertaining to security of State and public order would not be inquired by the Commission. This virtually meant that the Chief Minister was being exonerated by the Commission, he claimed.

Sagar alleged that some persons had minted crores of rupees in the State. "Some inter-border smugglers, who didn’t have a house to live-in, today possessed property worth crores", he said without naming anyone and advised the ruling party that they shouldn’t target a selective party on the name of fighting corruption. Saying that some Sections of the Bill reflected double standards, he asked :"why in some cases the permission in a corruption case will be taken from the Governor and in other cases from the Speaker"?

Lone BSP MLA in Assembly, Manjeet Singh alleged that there was corruption even in the anti-corruption bodies. Without naming anyone, Manjeet said that a politician, who had taken a loan of Rs 25,000 to run a poultry farm, today had assets worth several crores. "From where this huge property came"? he asked and said ‘fate of this Commission shouldn’t be like the previous law’.

Jugal Kishore (Congres-I) alleged that people of the State had suffered a lost due to corruption in all Departments during last few years. He hoped that people will get relief with the establishment of Accountability Commission.

Mohd Sharief Niaz (Congress-I) said it was the result of corruption that a list of Sub Inspectors (SIs) was changed from State cadre to divisional cadre. Lal Singh (Cong) asserted that the corrupt officers were frustrated due to introduction of Accountability Commission. He alleged that the NC was not interested in removing corruption in the State.

Ashwani Sharma (JSM) said the Commission should be headed by the persons, who don’t succumbed to the political pressure. He said the people had to pay bribe even to get relief. Jugal Kishore (BJP) also lauded the bill.

Dillawar Mir (NC) described the Bill as an ‘important peace of legislation’ but wondered that why scope of the Commission was confined to seven and not 15 or 20 years? He described the Congress Party as a ‘natkhat dulhan’ saying they took all benefits during GM Shah Government and still blamed the then cabinet.

Mir said certain people had acquired properties worth crores of rupees and demanded an inquiry against them. Echoing the demand made by some of his party legislators that the Bill should be referred to the Select Committee, he said if name of the Commission’s Chairman was recommended by Law Minister, he couldn’t do justice with the Commission.

Mian Altaf (NC) said his party was not afraid of the Commission and would rather welcome it. Qazi Afzal (PDP) said such a Bill was need of the house. According to him, most of the irregularities were committed during last six years and, as such, the time-frame of the Commission has been rightly fixed to past seven years.

Ghulam Mohd Saroori (Cong) said the previous Government had looted the people for six years. He cited that ration of Below Poverty Lines (BPL) quota was used in Thathri for the election purposes. Abdul Rehman Veeri (PDP) said that earlier it was only the commonman, who used to be booked on the corruption charges. However, with the setting up of Accountability Commission, the Chief Minister, Minister and legislators will also become accountable, he noted.

Ajay Sadhotra (NC) said the Bill indicated ‘witch-hunting’. Sharief-ud-Din Shariq (NC) welcomed the Bill but said it had been introduced hurriedly and should be referred to the Select Committee as otherwise it wouldn’t serve the purpose. Shariq said he wouldn’t claim that NC’s Government during last six years was free of corruption and demanded that scope of the Commission should be widened as Advisors had also looted crores during Governor’s rule in the State. He alleged that Government land worth crores of rupees has also been encroached by some persons.

Ruling-Opposition members trade charges on terror strikes
NC MLAs disrupt proceedings, stage walk-out

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Playing the role of Opposition after about two decades, the National Conference today disrupted proceedings in the Legislative Assembly for more than an hour after two adjournment motions, moved by the party MLAs demanding suspension of the House business to discuss three terror attacks in Jammu and Srinagar in as many days, were rejected by Speaker Tara Chand.

After indulging in protests from their benches and later trooping into well of the House, 26 NC MLAs staged a walk-out in the Assembly saying the spurt in militancy was result of ‘wrong policies’ being adopted by the Mufti Sayeed Government. Besides National Conference, two MLAs of BJP and Jammu State Morcha (JSM) also protested against Raghunath Bazar attack in the House and said the recent release of the detenues by new Government has boosted morale of the terrorists.

As soon as the Legislative Assembly assembled at 0935 hours today and Speaker Tara Chand took his seat almost all NC members barring NC Legislature Party leader Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Shah, who couldn’t stand due to illness, were on their feet blaming the State Government for stepped-up militancy in the State. Former Works Minister Ali Mohd Sagar and his party’s legislator from Kupwara Saifullah Mir said about 50 people have been killed in three attacks by the terrorists in three days in Jammu and Srinagar. They added that the Government was acting a ‘mute spectator’ to the violence.

Meanwhile, Speaker announced that he was rejecting the adjournment motions moved by Ali Mohd Sagar and NC’s deputy leader in the House, Ajay Sadhotra as they don’t prescribed the Legislature rules. " Sagar has clubbed two issues in the adjournment motion, which was received only half an hours before the House was scheduled to assembly", Tara Chand pointed out and said :"as per ruled only one issue could be raised through an adjournment motion, which had to be delivered to him as well as the concerned Minister an hour before the House timing". Similarly, he said, the motion of Ajay Sadhotra was received only 15 minutes before the start of the Assembly proceedings.

The Speaker’s ruling, which forced Sagar to cast some aspersions against the Chair, provoked the previously ruling party members, who said the adjournment motion were in order and the Speaker should have admitted them even if he had to relax certain rules. The NC MLAs, who were also joined by Deputy Speaker Mohd Akbar Lone, refused to take their seats despite repeated appeals made by the Speaker, who assured the agitated Opposition members that he would give them time to speak but let the Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed first make a statement on the incident.

"I’ll give you time to speak on the incidents but you must allow the Chief Minister to make a statement on the incident", Tara Chand said but his all appeals failed to have any impact as NC MLAs insisted that the adjournment motions should be admitted and only then they would allow the Chief Minister to make a statement followed by debate.

As the NC MLAs refused to relent, the treasury benches, represented by PDP and Congress (I) (the two coalition partners) also stood up from their seats and started shouting towards the Opposition benches. "Yeh Militancy Aapki Den Hai. Yeh Nayi Sarkar Ko Virasat Mein Mili Hai. Aapko Koyi Hak Naheen Hai Bolne Ka (this militancy is your creation. This is your liability to the new Government. You have no right to speak on the subject)", the Congress members—Raman Bhalla, Lal Singh, Jugal Kishore and Girdhari Lal shouted in chorus.

A number of PDP members including party’s second time legislator Abdul Rehman Veeri also passed some remarks on the NC members but his voice was lost in the din as the NC members started shouting slogans like ‘Adjournment Motion Admit Karo, Adjournment Motion Par Bahas Karo’. Another PDP member reminded the NC that even the Assembly had been targeted by the terrorists during their Government. These slogans were followed with ‘Katleaam Ho Raha Hai Logon Ka, Aur Yeh Sarkar Tamasha Dekh Rahi Hai. Congress Ke Log Taaliyan Baja Rahe Hein (people are being butchered and this Government is doing nothing. Congress people are clapping)", the NC members—Sagar, Saifullah Mir, Rashpal Singh and Javed Rana remarked.

NC leader Ali Mohd Sagar charged the Chair with taking directions from the Chief Minister and not doing justice to the Opposition. "You are behaving like a Marshal. You have not given sufficient reasons for rejecting my adjournment motion", Sagar alleged but the Speaker said he had given the reasons. Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed remained silent during the protests while his deputy Mangat Ram Sharma and senior Congress leader Madan Lal Sharma made unsuccessful attempt to persuade the Opposition members to take their seats and allow the House to function smoothly.

Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig and Education Minister Harshdev Singh, cited some rules of the Legislature and assured the Opposition benches that they could debate the incidents after the Chief Minister made a statement. However, the NC members were adamant that the debate should be held under their adjournment motion but their demand was outrightly rejected by the Chair, who said he had already given his ruling and rejected the adjournment motions.

Former Finance Minister and NC MLA, A R Rather appealed to the Speaker not to go into the technicalities and admit the adjournment motion saying the rules can be relaxed keeping in view the important and sensitivity of the incidents. "This House is supreme and the Chair could take any decision. Debate was a must as firing was still going on in the City and entire House was concerned", Rather said but the Chair didn’t relent.

Leader of the House and Deputy Chief Minister Pt Mangat Ram Sharma wanted to make a point but was not allowed by the slogan shouting NC members to speak. An appeal by Jammu Kashmir Democratic People’s Forum (JKDFP) Legislature Party leader Mohd Yusuf Tarigami that a two minute silence should be observed first for peace to those killed in the violence first before any debate was also not heard by the Opposition.

In the meantime, the Speaker went ahead with a brief debate on the incidents and named BJP MLA from Nagrota, Jugal Kishore to speak. However, the brief speeches of all the members were repeatedly disrupted by the NC legislators. Again, Law Minister told the protesting members that their motion virtually stood admitted as the Speaker had allowed a debate but the NC MLAs wanted that their motion should be admitted openly.

At about 1045 hours—about an hour and ten minutes protest—26 National Conference MLAs trooped into well of the House and raised slogans ‘Katle Aam Bandh Karo’, ‘Motion Par Bahas Karo’. After two minutes sloganeering in from of the Speaker’s Chair, the NC MLAs staged a walk out. While walking-out of the House, NC MLA from Mendhar and prominent Gujjar leader, Javed Rana pointed his finger towards the Congress benches and remarked ‘Jammu Ki Lashon Ke Vyapari Kayon Chup Hein (why the traders of the dead bodies of Jammu people are silent?)’.

NC has a total of 28 MLAs. Of them, Deputy Speaker Mohd Akbar Lone and NC Legislature Party leader Mohi-ud-Din Shah, who finds it hard to walk without support, didn’t walk-out.

After NC legislators’ walk-out, BJP MLA Jugal Kishore and JSM legislator from Bishnah Ashwani Sharma marched into well of the House and started shouting slogans against the State Government and Pakistan. After about three minutes protest in the well, the two MLAs returned to their seats.

Speaking on the brief debate on the incidents allowed by Tara Chand, JKDPF Legislature Party leader and CPM MLA from Kulgam, Mohd Yusuf Tarigami told the Opposition benches that they were living in fool’s paradise if they think that they would be able to get ‘political mileage’ out of the human tragedy. "Tarigami Aaj Bhi Wohi Hai, Woh Badla Naheen Hai, Aur Naan Hi Kabhi Badlega (Tarigami is the same and will never change his stance)", he rebuffed a NC legislator, who had remarked that ‘Tarigami Badal Gaya Hai (Tarigami has changed)’.

Congress (I) MLA from Akhnoor, Madan Lal Sharma wanted to know ‘was it the first incident of its kind that NC members were raising such a uproar’? Hundreds of such incidents have taken place during NC regime, he pointed out and asked the State Government to take stern action against the terrorists.

Another Congress member Taj Mohi-ud-Din also charged the NC with playing politics on such a serious incident. He said hundreds of people were killed during six year rule of the NC Government. "Sharam Aani Chahiye Aapko (you should feel ashamed)", Taj said pointing towards the NC benches.

Lal Singh, a second time Cong MLA from Basohli, alleged that none of the NC MLA bothered to visit the site of yesterday’s attack and the hospital to inquire condition of the injured. "Sari Aag Inhonen Lagayee Hai. Aur Ab Yeh Jammu Ke Thekedaar Ban Rahe Hein. Zanaza Nikal Chuka Hai Aapka (This militancy is your creation and now you are becoming champion of Jammu region. You faced debacle in the polls)", Lal remarked.

Raman Bhalla, fire brand Cong MLA from Gandhi Nagar said the incident was condemnable but the people must know that such incidents were creation of the previous NC Government. "Rajiv Nagar, Kaluchak and other such incidents were creation of the NC", Bhalla said, adding the City of temple was converted into the City of terrorists and liquor by the previous Government.

Bhalla asked the State Government to take effective steps against the militancy.

Congress (I) MLA from Jammu City, Yogesh Sawhney said yesterday’s strike at Ragunath temple was result of ‘wrong policies’ of the previous Government. He appealed to the Government to take effective measures to ensure that such incidents didn’t recur in future.

Panthers Party MLA, Balwant Singh Mankotia condemned incident and said NC's follies during last six years were responsible for it. He said it was NC which had encouraged the militancy.

Independent MLA from Kathua, Babu Singh said the militancy was going on for last 14 years and till basic roots of the problems were addressed by the Government, the issue of terrorism can’t be resolved.

Beoloria is new CS

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: The State Government is understood to have decided to appoint Mr S S Beoloria as new Chief Secretary of the State in place of Mr I S Malhi, whose extended one month term was due to expire on November 30.

According to authoritative sources, a request from the State Government to the Centre was sent today that services of Mr Beoloria, who is on deputation with the Government of India, be placed at disposal of the State Government for appointment as Chief Secretary.

Mr Beoloria is presently posted as Director Enforcement in Finance Ministry. He was recently given the rank of Secretary to Government of India.

Services of Teja Singh terminated

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: The State Government today terminated the services of Mr Teja Singh, Chairman, Regional Autonomy Committee.

During past few days, the Government had terminated services of four officers.

3 ultras, STF cop, civilian killed

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 25: Three terrorists, a STF constable and a civilian were killed while another ultra was apprehended by security forces in separate incidents today.

Three terrorists were shot dead by army and police at village Kundan in Khari area of Banihal tehsil in Doda district this afternoon, official sources said. A STF constable Des Raj also lost his life in the exchange of firing.

Slain terrorists have been identified as Sher Khan, Ilyas Bhai and Umed Bhai, all Pakistanis. Three AK rifles, nine magazines and one wireless set were recovered from them.

Sher Khan was stated to be the ‘divisional commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

A civilian Mohd Ramzan son of Abdul Gafoor was shot dead by the terrorists in his house at village Junjari Dehda in Gool area of Udhampur district.

Security forces apprehended a terrorist Mohd Rafiq alias Abu Zaar son of Abdul Rehman in Dachan area of Kishtwar in Doda district.

Amnesty welcomes JK Govt’s human rights programme

LONDON, Nov 25: Amnesty International, the global human rights watchbody, today hailed the decision of the Jammu and Kashmir Government to implement a comprehensive human rights programme.

"We hope that the commitments made throughout the election campaign and in the common minimum programme will be fully implemented at all levels of the state," it said in an open letter to the State Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Under the programme, authorities will review existing security laws and cases of detainees held without trial for a long time and will not implement POTA in the state. The common minimum programme for governance, agreed by the coalition partners, including People’s Democratic Party, Congress and Panthers Party, also promises to investigate all earlier custodial killings and punish the guilty.

"We have been gravely concerned for a long time about the high level of human rights violations in the state... The commitment to ... Seriously address human rights violations is welcomed by amnesty international," the organisation said.

The organisation also appealed to militant groups operating in the state to cease committing human rights abuses, including the target of civilians, according to a press release here.

Noting the commitments of the new Government in restoring the rule of law and guarantee of enjoyment of the full range of human rights to every one, it said "we hope that a new era of openness will begin, in which national and international human rights organisations can freely exchange views with the new administration."

It called upon the newly elected MLAs to commit the Assembly towards protection and promotion of human rights. (PTI)

CPM says no to Tarigami joining coalition Govt

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: Ignoring repeated appeals from various sections, CPM has decided that it would not be participating in the Mufti Sayeed-led Government in Jammu and Kashmir.

This was decided during the meetings of the party polit bureau and central committee recently after a day-long debate over whether CPM state secretary Mohammed Yosuf Tarigami should participate in the Sayeed’s coalition Government, party sources said.

They said that senior leaders of the polit bureau were in favour of his joining the coalition Government and were of the opinion that he could do a better job in nursing the wounds of the people.

However, some of the representatives opined that by taking a decision in favour of joining the Government, the CPM would be deviating from its resolution adopted during the time when CPM veteran Jyoti Basu was denied an opportunity to head the Central Government.

Those who opposed the CPM’s participation in the Jammu and Kashmir Government were also of the view that their representatives could perform a better "watch dog" role while staying out of the Government.

It may be mentioned that Sayeed had spoken to senior CPM leaders in favour of Tarigami’s joining the State Government. Besides, the Chief Minister, State Congress chief Ghulam Nabi Azad had also spoken on behalf of Congress president Sonia Gandhi for allowing Tarigami to join the coalition Government.

However, the central committee of the CPM decided that "to facilitate the implementation of the Common Minimum Programme, the party should be represented in the coordination committee to be set up," CPM leader and general secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet said. (PTI)

Fernandes in Srinagar

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 25: Defence Minister George Fernandes reached here late tonight on an unscheduled visit. After landing at Srinagar Airport at 2200 hours, he went straightaway to headquarters of Army's 15 Corps for an interaction with the Corps Commander and other senior Army officials.

Defence sources told EXCELSIOR that after his Jammu visit earlier today, Fernandes thought it important to discuss the latest obtaining security scenario with the heads of armed forces in Srinagar. He is understood to have discussed the same with the defence authorities in Jammu today.

In the wake of the last three days' militant strikes, fresh guidelines of counter-insurgency operations are being devised and communicated to security forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Informed sources said that contrary to the coalition Government's refrain of `healing touch', there was total emphasis on proactive operations in the fresh guidelines.

As regards destroying of the militants' overground structure, which was referred to by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in the State Assembly today, the responsibility is being given to the J&K Police. However, Police as well as the security forces are being asked to ensure that no inconvenience was caused to innocent civilians. Sources said that no more detained militants or separatist political leaders were being released.

Udhampur-Baramulla rail line approved

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: The Government tonight approved the construction of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail line by Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) and Indian Railway Construction Company Ltd (IRCON) on cost plus ten per cent basis.

The KRCL will lay the track on 90 km route and IRCON will construct 44 km of the line. The work, already in progress, will be expedited and completed by August 15, 2007, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) presided over by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee decided.

The project is expected to provide the requisite infrastructure for the development of Jammu and Kashmir and promote national integration.

IRCON and KRCL will engage Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) for survey, geo-technical investigations and design. Both KRCL and IRCON will award contracts for various works to firms having sound financial and technical capabilities. (UNI)

2 shopkeepers killed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR: Nov 25: Two shopkeepers were killed by militants across the Kashmir Valley, a police spokesman said today.

A shopkeeper, Abdul Rashid Bhat was killed by unidentified militants inside his shop at Ari-Guttan in Kulgam area of Anantnag district this afternoon, the spokesman said.

Ultras shot dead another shopkeeper Bashir Ahmad Mir at Pinglana in Pulwama district today, he said. Three masked men carrying a bomb like device intruded into the house of one, Gulzar Ahmad Malik at Pahalgam in Anantnag district last night and demanded Rs.50,000. However, the inmates overpowered one of them and handed him over to police, the spokesman said, adding the search for two of his associates has been launched.

Curfew lifted, institutions to remain closed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Authorities tonight lifted curfew, clamped within municipal limits of the City early today, but ordered that all educational institutions in Jammu would remain closed tomorrow.

Curfew was lifted at 2300 hours tonight, official sources said. No untoward incident was reported from any party of the City during curfew today.

However, the sources said, all educational institutions including Jammu University will remain closed tomorrow. Curfew was clamped in the municipal limits early today following last night attacks by the terrorists at Raghunath and Panjbakhtar temples.

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