Daily Excelsior.........State

NC members protest against Minister’s charges
Govt not going to compromise with militants: Mir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: National Conference Legislators today strongly protested against the remarks of Minister of Revenue, Rehabilitation and Urban Development, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir who alleged that the previous Government was responsible for the present alienation among Kashmiris, as it had became an obstacle in the way of dialogue.

Replying to a motion in the Upper House on yesterday’s incident of firing in Raghunath Temple, the Minister outrightly refuted the charges that Coalition Government was going to make any compromise with militants or adopting the lenient approach towards them.

He said with "healing touch" we mean to redress the problems of the people which have compounded over the years and address the cesspool developed during this period.

He said the main purpose of "our policies is to create a congenial atmosphere for dialogue". This is the only reason that our Government has initiated such steps, he added.

The Minister said that allegations are made that the Fidayeen attacks took place as we released Yasin Malik which is not a fact. Was not Malik free during the NC rule so why to make the false allegations against the Government, he questioned?

He, however, expressed satisfaction over the support extended by opposition members in containing the situation saying the sentiments expressed by them show that "I am not alone in this task but have been encouraged with the cooperation extended by treasury members."

He said the Raghunath Temple attack was not an isolated incident but such attacks have taken place at different places in the country also and recently the Fidayeen attacked the Akshardam Temple in Gujarat.

Mr Mir also read the text of the Chief Minister’s statement in the House on the episode.

However , two NC members Bodh Raj Bali and Mohammed Aslam objected to the Minister’s outbursts saying the Government was politicising the issue.

While taking exception to the Minister’s remarks that previous NC Government was against the dialogue, they said this was not based on facts.

Earlier, Mr Aslam during his speech said that the attack on Raghunath Temple was unfortunate, as it was not the attack on the religious place of Hindus only, but Muslims of this state have been deeply stabbed by this action.

He, however, was of the opinion that "we should not hold the Government responsible for this dastardly act and provide every sort of cooperation to it in restoration of normalcy and peace in the State."

He complimented people of Jammu, who, he said, despite number of provocations, have been maintaining peace and brotherhood.

Sharing the members’ concern, Mr Ghulam Ahmed Sofi, (nominated) said this episode has rocked the entire nation. He however, did not agree with the NC members Bodh Raj Bali and others who said this was the result of the policies of coalition Government which took over recently.

"The State has been facing this situation for last 13 years and we can not expect that the situation which drifted in over the years will be changed by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed or Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir in 13 days, he said. It needs the cooperation of all parties including the National Conference which is in opposition for restoration of peace in the State", he added.

He said I have no difference of opinion with the members on the issue but to blame the new Government for the attack was not proper.

Turning tables on NC, he said for keeping the people in wrong impression that Sheikh Abdullah was an "angel", he said the facts are otherwise. "Had it been so, his Party would have not been humbled in Kashmir today", he maintained.

Holding the NC’s wrong policies responsible for the present mess, he said they should know what impact their lectures will have on public. Mr Mohammed Yousf Teng while condemning this dastardly act, said that it is not attack on community but all of us.

He said the Muslims were also killed in attack and it is a challenge to our perspective. He said the present Government, however, can not be absolved of its responsibility. This Government should study the situation as why the religious places are attacked. He appealed to all to work together for restoration of peace in the state.

Brij Mohan of NC while condemning the attack held the policies of new Government responsible for sudden influx in Fidayeen attacks. Their policies gave upper hand to terrorists and demoralized the security forces, he added.

He warned the Government that they can not restore peace by withdrawing POTA and releasing terrorists.

However, the CPI member, Mr Abdul Rehman Takroo had a different view point. He held Pakistan responsible for the attack saying the neighbour has openly announced recently that they will continue support the terrorism in J&K.

He said till Pakistan and India will not hold parlays, the peace can not be restored in the State.

He wanted to know why the cases were not proved during the last six years against the dreaded terrorists. Till these terrorists will not be unmasked before the public and people apprised of reality, peace will be a distant dream, he said.

The dastardly Fidayeen attack was also strongly condemned by Ram Paul, Deepender Kaur and Farida Mir.

Earlier a motion was moved by the Chairman of the House Mr Abdul Rashid Dar to condemn this dastardly and inhuman act. However, the chairman, Mr Abdul Rashid Dar did not allow Bodh Raj Bali of NC to move the adjournment motion on the issue saying that being a serious matter the House will adopt a discussion. Later he adjourned the House for the day after the Minister’s statment.

‘Hunger strike if demand not fulfilled within 2 months’
APDP asserts for commission to probe
‘enforced disappearances’

From Aijaz Hussain

SRINAGAR: Nov 25: Patron of the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), a non-governmental organization, Par-vez Imroz today demanded People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led coalition Government to appointment a commission with the mandate to investigate into "enforced disappearances" eversince militancy erupted in the State. He asserted that if the Government failed to address the issue within two months APDP would resort to hunger strike.

According to him, the strike would be supported by the different organizations campaigning against Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (EID) in different countries like Asia, Latin America and Europe.

Addressing a news conference here today, Pervez Imroz said that eversince its inception on August, 30, 1998 APDP has demanded for appointment of a commission under the Commissions of Enquiry Act to enquire into all the Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances (EID) taken place in the state since 1989.

"The only response the previous Government has made, that they have admitted on July, 18, 2002 in the Legislative Assembly that there are 3184 missing cases reported in the valley but have avoided enquiring into the EID," he elaborated. Added he: "Nearly 6,000 persons are disappeared since the conflict started in the State. It is the problem confronted with more than two hundred thousand relatives of EID victims of the State, suffering from economical and mental problems since the disappearances of their dear ones."

The APDP patron maintained that the PDP since its formation has been vocal in making the human rights a major issue. "During elections, Ms Mehbooba Mufti and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed have gone on record stating that if they will come to the power they will appoint a commission to investigate into all the disappearance cases," he asserted. He claimed that according to the Common Minimum Program (CMP) of the PDP-Congress coalition Government, it has been agreed that all cases of "custodial killings" and violation of human rights would be investigated and the persons responsible for them will be identified and punish appropriately.

"The present government is requested to appoint a commission within two months time failing which the Association will resort to hunger strike, which would be supported by the different organizations campaigning against Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (EID) in different countries like Asia, Latin America and Europe," he said and added, "The hunger strike would be continuously observed in 14 countries by the victims of EID and the human rights activists is support of the demand by APDP."

4 die in separate incidents

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Four persons died in separate incidents while as three others were injured in separate road accidents.

According to police reports, a woman Bindu, wife of Mangal Ram of Army Quarters, Satwari Cantt died due to critical burn injuries, which she had sustained in accidental fire at her residence.

She was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital yesterday with critical injuries and succumbed to her injuries today.

A young girl allegedly committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at her residence. Identified as Ritu Sharma, daughter of Harbans Lal of Bhatyari in Hiranagar tehsil, she was rushed to District Hospital Kathua when spotted unconscious by family members.

She was, later, referred to Government Medical College Hospital Jammu for specialised treatment. She was immediately provided with stomach wash treatment but she could not fight for her life and died.

The cause behind this extreme step was not immediately known.

One Vikram, alias Krishan of Koota in Kathua district was killed under mysterious circumstances. Police has registered a case in this connection and further investigations were on to ascertain the cause behind the death.

A youth was killed in a road accident at Simble Morh under the jurisdiction of Miran Sahib Police Station. Identified as Gurmeet Singh, son of Harmeet Singh of Link Road, Simble, he was rushed to hospital in critical condition and later succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, a couple received severe injuries in a road accident at Palli Morh in Kathua. They were rushed to hospital and their condition was stated to be critical.

They have been identified as Pawan Kumar, son of Krishan Lal of Govindsar and his wife Bittu Rani.

In another road accident, one Bidha Devi, daughter of Krishan Lal of Krishana Nagar sustained severe injuries after she was hit by a speeding scooter bearing registration number JK02M-147 at BC Road near JDA Complex.

She has been hospitalised and her condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

Hurriyat, DFP, KMM condemn temple attack

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR: Nov 25: Strongly condemning the Fidayeen attack on the 150-year-old Ragunath Temple last evening, several political parties here came out with statements expressing grief over the innocent killings in the attack.

According to a statement of a 23-party conglomerate, All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) said that killing of innocents at any place cannot be justified. "APHC has always condemned and expressed grief over the killing of innocent people and has demanded that unless the root cause of bloodshed is not addressed, innocent lives will continue to perish," the spokesman of the conglomerate said.

He said that APHC strongly condemns the attack on the Ragunath Temple in Jammu and expresses grief over the innocent killings in the attack.

Shabir Shah’s Democratic Freedom Party (PDP) in a statement while condemning the attack said that the attack was a "deep rooted conspiracy".

"The attack on the temple on one side was carried to incite communal passions in the state, while on the other side it appears that the aim was to give terrorist colour to our popular movement," Shah said.

He said that Islam teaches to respect other religions and their religious places and such acts have no place in Islam.

The DFP supreme stressed for an impartial probe into the incident so that culprits are brought to book. "Kashmiris feel the pain of their Hindu brethren and are equally grief struck due to the incident," he added.

Kashir Mass Movement (KMM) in a meeting chaired by its supremo Farida Behanji also condemned the attack and loss of innocent civilians in the attack. "Several agencies are working in the country, which are not happy with Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s "soft policies". It seems the attack may be a conspiracy to sabotage his soft policies," KMM spokesman said.

He also advocated for an impartial probe into the incident.

Kashmir Political Party chairman Mohammad Yousf Naqash has also condemned the attack terming it a "deep rooted conspiracy".

PDP politicising ‘healing touch’ to Kashmiris
Kashmir a political problem, hold Indo-Pak talks: Qayoom

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Senior National Conference member and former Minister, Mr Abdul Qayoom, who is also leader of the Party in the Legislative Council has said that Kashmir is a political problem and stressed the need to open dialogue between India and Pakistan.

While speaking in the J&K Legislative Council today over the shocking incident of terrorist attack on Raghunath and Panjbakhtar temples last night, Mr Qayoom asserted that Kashmir issue be resolved through dialogue between India and Pakistan. He said, "An amicable solution is only possible by involving both the countries."

He warned "otherwise, the peace in this region can not be brought about." At the same time he also called for steps to create congenial environment for the talks.

Mr Qayoom strongly condemned the killings of about a dozen persons in this terrorists attack on the religious places and said that designs of the enemy should be understood. "Not only one community but we all can be the target of the ultras," he said.

He argued that since Sunday’s attack was second since March last, the State Government cannot escape its responsibility and it has to accept its failure to protect the lives of the people.

Appreciating the people of Jammu for maintaining communal harmony and not reacting adversely to such acts of the enemies of the country, Mr Qayoom said the people really deserved a pat on their back. He said the enemy has tried to create communal hatred among the people and create violence and tension.

He said it was not an isolated incident, pointing out the terrorists had also attacked the religious place and Sufi Saints Dargah of Charar-e-Shrief earlier. The NC legislator said that Pakistan will not allow us to live in peace.

Terming the attack on religious places as "attack on secularism", Mohd Yousuf Taing warned the people that the real motive behind such act should be well understood by the people from this region. He said such attacks were witnessed earlier also and there is need to deal with terrorism unitedly. It was not only the responsibility of the past Govt headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah to restore peace but also of the present Government headed by Mufti Sayeed. Infact, a united effort, he maintained, was called for against the evil of terrorism.

The former Government also tried best for the restoration of peace and Mufti Government should be given enough time to prove its capability and show some improvement in the situation. Healing touch to the people is good but at the same time the Government must review its policies and this slogan of ‘ healing touch’ should not be politicised by the ruling coalition, he maintained.

Opposition MPs ask Centre to clarify its policy on J&K

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: Opposition MPs today lambasted the Central Government for not evolving any policy followed by a concrete action, to check the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.

Participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on yesterday’s terrorist attack in Jammu, Rastriya Janata Dal leader Raghhuvans Prasad Singh said the terrorist attack in a temple in Jammu was not a new occurrence but continuation of a series of such terrorist activities the countrymen were witnessing for the past four years. After every attack, he said, the Government given a stock reply inside and outside Parliament that it had taken concrete steps to control the terrorist menace. But nothing concrete had emerged so far.

Satyavarat Chaturvedi (Cong) wanted to know what had the centre achieved by sending over seven lakh Indian Army personnel to the Indo-Pakistan border and maintaining them in combat position for ten months there. If the terrorist activities continued what was the use of having the Indian Army in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation vis-a-vis Pakistan and withdraw it voluntarily, they asked.

While condemning the terrorist attack on the temple and expressing solidarity with the Centre for whatever action it planned to take for controlling the Pakistan-induced terrorism, the opposition members, including Pramod Pande (CPI), accused the Government of having failed to create a ‘public opinion’ against terrorism and not taking other State Governments’ into confidence on this matter.

However, AIADMK leader P N Pandya wanted to know whether the Government would take requisite diplomatic steps to pressurise Pakistan to stop export of terrorism to India. He was doubtful on whether United States would ever ask Pakistan to end its diabolic mission of a low-price proxy war against India. During the recent NATO meeting, the US did not even make mention of it, he added.

The AIADMK leader said the new Jammu and Kashmir Government’s liberal policy on terrorists, coupled with the announcement that POTA would not be used against them in the state, would enbolden the mischief-makers there. However, other opposition MPs wanted that the centre should work in tandem with the J&K Government to control terrorism as a national problem.

Addressing questions directly to Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani who present in the house, MPs like the Telegu Desam leader K Yarren Naidu wanted the Centre to devise a concrete strategy to check terrorism and said his party would extend full support in this regard.

National Conference leader from J&K, Chowdhary Mohammad Hussain said the enemy from across the border did not want peace in the state and asked the Central Government to call a special meeting of MPs and other representatives from the state to go deep into the malaise and evolve a solution to it. (UNI)

VHP charges Centre with being ‘soft’ towards terrorism

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: After a short-lived ceasefire, the VHP today once again trained its guns on the BJP-led NDA Government charging it with pursuing a "soft policy" on the issue of terrorism, which led to incidents like the terrorist strike at Raghunath Temple in Jammu.

The Sangh Parivar outfit also charged the PDP-Congress Government in Jammu and Kashmir with "connivance" in last night’s temple attack "with a view to triggering exodus of Hindus from the region."

VHP, whose guns had fallen silent following the high-level meeting between top BJP and RSS brass including Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Sarsanghchalak K S Sudarshan, also demanded strong steps including attack on terrorist training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

"The people are getting angry and restive with the centre’s soft policy. Except coming out with statements condemning such attacks as dastardly, the centre is not not taking any concrete step to crush terrorism," VHP senior vice-president Acharya Giriraj Kishore told reporters here.

He also demanded the dismissal of the State Government if its alleged "connivance" in last night’s incident is proved.

"Like the mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, the State Government wants Hindus to leave Jammu. The pilgrim spots are a major source of income for the locals and by targetting such places, the terrorists aim to sabotage the local economy and force the people out," Kishore alleged.

VHP-BJP ties had soured earlier when outfit chief Ashok Singhal charged Vajpayee with "betraying Hindus" on the Ayodhya issue and the Government with "failure" in tackling cross-border terrorism. (PTI)

BSF seizes explosives, ammunition

SRINAGAR, Nov 25: In a major haul, BSF recovered a consignment of high grade explosives meant for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad ultras from a militant hideout in south Kashmir, a BSF spokesman said today.

"The consignment was meant for HuM and JeM militants, who were planning to target VIPs, convoys of security forces and also to detonate powerful explosions at crowded places for creating terror among the public," the spokesman said.

The BSF troops seized 25 kgs of TNT and eight Kgs of RDX from the hideout in Shikargah area of Tral in Pulwama district last evening, he said.

They also recovered 10 RPG rockets, 10 anti-tank rockets, 18 boosters and 30 kg of low-grade explosives, he added.

Describing the recovery as a major breakthrough, the spokesman said the operation was carried out by the troops of their battalions 120 and 138, following specific intelligence. (PTI)

JU exams on November 26 postponed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: In view of curfew in Jammu city, all the Jammu University examinations, scheduled to be held on November 26, have been postponed.

According to the JU Controller Examination, Dr D K Jain, the fresh dates of the postponed exams, would be declared later.

Al-Umar strike call evokes no response in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Nov 25: A general strike call given by the Al-Umar Mujahideen in protest against the arrest of its chief Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) evoked no response in the Valley.

Barring few, all educational institutions remained open and work in Government offices and banks was normal.

The Al-Umar had given a two-day general strike call to protest against the arrest of Zargar alias Latram in PoK last week.

The outfit alleged that some Hurriyat leaders were behind the arrest of Latram who was released alongwith two others including Lashker-e-Toiba chief Moulana Azhar Masood from Indian prison in exchange of passengers of Indian Airlines at Kandhar in 1999. (UNI)

Protection of religious places beefed up
Jammu continues to emanate ray of hope in
testing times: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25 : Demonstrating their unflinched faith in the secular traditions of the city of temples once again, the prominent citizens of Jammu, cutting across party lines and rising above narrow religious consideration, today pledged to foil the enemy’s designs by maintaining unity and harmony.

In one voice, the leaders of various socio-political organizations and trade bodies, condemned the outrageous attack on the temple complex at a citizens meeting convened by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and hoped the people would continue to pursue the path of amity and tranquility that has been so dear to them for centuries that even the gravest of the grave provocations in the recent past have failed to shake their grit.

At a specially convened meeting under the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in the wake of tragic terror attack that took 12 lives (10 civilians and two security personnel), the citizens in a unanimously adopted resolution said:

‘...We appeal to the peace loving people of Jammu to once again rise to the occasion and give a befitting reply to the enemy by maintaining peace and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and amity, our glorious heritage. We also pledge to act as the eyes and ears of the government and strengthen the hands and the capacity of the administration and the government to fight the menace of mindless killing of innocent citizens and devotees by hired killers. We also express our appreciation for the valour and commitment with which our security personnel faced this situation.’

Echoing the sentiments of the people, the Chief Minister pledged to meet the challenge posed by the disruptive elements with single mindedness and said preventive measures would be taken at all the religious places to avert recurrences of such attacks.

He said he wants to address to the basic issues, leaving no scope for the people sustaining militancy. While talking of extinguishing the fire within, he denied the allegations of being lenient with militants.

He said his faith in dialogue was nothing knew as Prime Minister Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee treaded the similar path by undertaking Lahore bus sojourn, inviting President Musharraf to Agra, declaring unilateral ceasefire during Ramzan that was extended to three months and appointing a central interlocutor for talks with parties in the valley.

On release of political prisoners, he referred to the release of about 4000 surrenderees and militants earlier by the central governments and asked ‘Had not Mr Geelani, Mr Lone, Mr Yasin Malik and others been released earlier. He quipped that when they released them there was no hue and cry and ‘when we set some of them free to relax the situation it is dubbed bad through a campaign’. He said the nation has been fighting militancy for the past 13 years and the Prime Minister is on record having said on the Independence Day that several mistakes have been committed with respect to Jammu and Kashmir.

Responding to the observations of some citizens about security lapse in the incident, the Chief Minister said that while he is heading the same administration, he still would accept the responsibility of the lapse, if any, as head of the government. ‘I will not shirk from accepting the failure’, he added.

Strongly condemning the terror attack on the temple, the Chief Minister said the police has had to be extra vigilant in the wake of intelligence inputs about crossing over of some undesired elements to this part of the state. He emphasized the need for evolving defensive measures on the face of threat from what he called the contract killers.

Mufti Sayeed was all praise for the people of Jammu who always kept communal amity uppermost and were in the forefront to frustrate Pak conspiracies of creating wedge between Hindus and Muslims. He reiterated that had Mahatma Gandhi been alive, he would have seen ray of hope emerging from Jammu. He referred to several fidayeen attacks that took place in the region since last year that included fidayeen attacks on railway station, Qasim Nagar, Raghunath Mandir etc. While saying that these incidents did take place when he was not in the command, the Chief Minister observed that such attacks could not even be averted even in Israel that has a foolproof mechanism to deal with terrorism.

The Chief Minister said the injured in the incident have already been provided financial assistance. About raise in the ex-gratia, he said this would be taken up with the Centre.

Member Parliament and Pradesh Congress Chief, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad did not agree that the incident took place because the new government took over and cautioned against the Pak game plan of igniting communal passions. He feared that such attacks could have occurred in any other dispensation too because it is the Pak agenda to perpetrate violence in Jammu and Kashmir. He saw a pattern in attacks on religious places and referred to the similar act in Akhshardham temple in Gujarat that was aimed at instigating communal passions. Pakistan has earlier also attempted to create wedge among Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab during turbulent militancy there, he added.

He said militancy is fast spreading its tentacles all over the country and the challenge has to be met unitedly. Times have proved that no single party or individual can rid this menace alone as it calls for a united effort, he felt.

Expressing shock over the incident and condemning the attack severely, the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma appreciated the people of Jammu for maintaining unity at this crucial juncture and referred to the role of Muslims who engaged themselves in relief work.

Mr Sharma regretted over the disinformation campaign while referring to the wrong impression having been created about appointments of 234 militancy victims in Baramulla district. He said he was himself present at the function in which next of the kin of those who were killed by militants had been awarded appointment orders. He said the CM is keen to provide employment to the dependents of those killed by militants and in the border shelling in Jammu region also.

Asserting that militancy would be tackled firmly, Mr Sharma said that the government would ensure that civilians are not harmed anyway in anti-militancy operations. ‘In Kashmir such an atmosphere has been generated that the locals at a particular place nabbed and handed over two militants to the police, he said

He allayed the apprehensions about discrimination with any region and said that the government is committed to equitable opportunities of progress to Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu. He sought people’s cooperation in maintaining peace and tranquility.

Among others, BJP President, Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal, Provincial President, NC, Mr Bodh Raj Bali, BSP President, Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Mr Manjit Singh, MLA, Mr Surinder Singh, Mr Sudershan Singh Wazir, Mr Ram Sahai, Mr Ajay Sadhotra, Mr Sri Kumar, Mr T N Khosa, Mr Baldev Khullar, Mr Ashok Gupta, Mr Dhanraj Bhagotra, Mr Tilak Raj Sharma, Mr A V Gupta, Advocate, Mr S Peter, Mr Ashok Khajuria addressed the prominent citizens, stressed for strengthening the security grid and exercising utmost vigil. They also gave suggestions for dealing with such situations and maintaining peace and harmony. , The speakers emphasized the need for maintaining peace that was imperative at such crucial juncture as the enemy was desperate to make them pawns of their nefarious game-plan.

Vice President, PDP, Ms Mehbooba Mufti and CPI-M General Secretary, Mr Mohammad Yousf Tarigami, several legislators and office bearers of various political, social and business organizations were present in the meeting.

Several ministers and senior officers were present. A 2-minute silence was observed on the occasion in memory of those killed in the incident.

Beig introduces two bills in Assembly

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU Nov 25 : The Finance and Law and Parlimentary Affairs Minister Mr. Muzaffer Hussain Beig today introduced two bills namely, a Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of the People Act,1957 and a bill to amend the Levy of Tolls Act , Samvat 1995,in the Legislative Assembly here today.

The Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of the People Act seeks to replace the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of People (Amendment) Ordinance 2002 by an Act of the state legislature.

The object of the proposed amendment is to give an over riding effect to the provisions of the Act and to provide that a candidate shall disclose/furnish only such information as is required to be disclosed or furnished under the said Act or the rules made thereunder despite any order issued by the Election Commission.

The Bill further provides that a candidate at election shall have to provide information along with his nomination paper as to whether he is accused of any offence punishable with imprisonment for two years or more in a case in which charges have been framed or has been convicted of an offence of sentence to imprisonment for one year or more.

It also seeks to make it mandatory for every member of the state legislature to furnish information relating to the movable and immovable property of which he is the owner or a beneficiary, his liabilities to any public financial institution and his liabilities to the Central Government or the State Government, to the Presiding officers of the concerned House. Filing of false affidavits is also sought to be made punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may extended to six months or with fine or with both.

The Levy of Tolls Act, 1995 Bill introduced in the House seeks to protect the interests of the state finances for which an Ordinance was issued in 2002 to amend the Act, as judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Hans Raj and Sons V/s State of Jammu and Kashmir delivered on July 17,2002 had an adverse impact on the state finance derived from the levy of Toll on goods.

Political will to fight terror is lacking: Mattoo

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: Mr Raman Mattoo, newly-elected member of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, has claimed that Muslims in the Valley have realized that Kashmir "is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits". And he has stated that Kashmir belongs to Pandits "as little or more as to Kashmiri Muslims".

Mr Mattoo, who was speaking at a seminar at Noida (UP), said that while terrorism would take a long time to get crushed, borders continued to be porous resulting in infiltration and exfiltration. This apart, political will, he regretted, was also lacking as far as the question of putting a halt to militancy and terorism was concerned.

Mr Mattoo, who won the Habba Kadal Assembly constituency as an independent candidate, said that the common Kashmiri—Muslim as well as Pandit—was suffering.

The seminar, organised by the Noida-based Kashmiri Migrants Welfare Association (KMWA),was specifically meant to discuss the question: Will terrorism end after the recent elections in Jammu and Kashmir? Mr JN Kaul from the well-known SOS villages of India wanted the members of his community to stop wailing and to stand on their own. The Government, he pointed out, did not have, even ater 55 years of independence, "a natural-disaster management programme, what to say of a specific policy or programme to fight terrorism".

Mr Kaul warned that the present form of terrorism would take a turn for the worse, if the society did not end the "social castration of the socalled lower classes". He, in fact, wanted the entire Hindu society to assimilate the caste-based community differentiation so as to unite against the evil of global and jihadi terrorism.

While Mr Lalit Wanchoo from the US-based Kashmir Overseas Association said that the society in America, post-September 11, felt threatened and insecure and that the general feeling was that terrorism would not end soon, Mr Ravi Gautam, a Minister in the UP Government, who was the chief guest, opined that "vote politics" had complicated the whole issue of terrorism. His prediction: "Elections or no elections, terrorism will take a long time to get itself eradicated".

Mr Gautam regretted: "For a few rupees or votes the terrorists are given shelter, for a headline they are supported by media and unmindfully their human rights tales are being highlighted out of proportion". He warned: "Unless this selfish thinking does not cease, terrorism will continue to persist—outside support or no support, elections or no elections".

Stating that the constituency of the ruling Pakistani leadership was safe only if anti-India emotions were whipped up, Mr Nawab Singh Nagar, another Minister in the UP Government, charged some political parties in India with hobnobbing with organisations like the banned SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) "just for vote politics".He also reckoned that it would take a long time to fight terrorism.

Earlier, in his welcome address, KMWA’s president, Prof. SK Shah, spoke about the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in 1990.He thanked the UP Government for sympathetic consideration of matters relating to the displaced Pandit community.The KMWA, on the occasion, received information about the monetary contribution of Rs 1 lakh each from Mr Nawab Singh Nagar, Mr JN Kaul, Prof. SK Shah and Mr Raman Mattoo for the socio-cultural centre of the KMWA.

Jobs for kins of persons killed by militants in 1990s
Tears rolled down Rubina’s cheeks when Mufti
handed over appointment letter

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 25 : Young Rubina’s joy knew no bounds when the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed handed over to her the appointment letter at a function organised at the Tagore Hall here on Sunday to provide jobs on compassion to the next of kin of those killed by militants in Srinagar from 1990 to 1993. For a moment, she forgot what had befallen on her family when the militants’ bullet pierced her father’s body and shattered their life about a decade ago. The appointment order, more than a means of sustenance, was a healing touch on the wounds afflicted by militants on Rubina’s family. And the gratitude was pouring out of the eyes of the recipient. At least, somebody thought of giving a healing touch to her, may be after 12 years.

The young lady was amongst the 121 such unfortunate victims’ of militants brutality whose emotions were no different. As the Chief Minister was handing over the appointment letters to them, the jam-packed Tagore Hall reverberated with applause and cheers. Many of those who received the job letters could not stop tears rolling down their cheeks. The tears this time, in contrast to those shed on the day of the tragedy, were of joy and gratefulness.

"We are determined to get the people out of the morass of darkness and despair that they have been subjected to during 13 years of violence and bloodshed", said Mufti Mohammad Sayeed while addressing the Sunday’s function. His feelings were like those of the fatherly figure in the family that has gone through wanton turmoil and who wanted to refurbish the household and the lives of its members.

It is a saga of suffering and destitution that has been the daily life thousands of families across the valley whose only earning member fell to the bullet of militants or was a victim of cross firing. In the Srinagar district alone, there are 774 clear cases. The magnitude of the tragedy is enormous and the urgency shown by the new government in giving jobs to some of the victims is but an attempt to wipe out tears from their faces and provide them a means to livelihood.

There are cases that are so pathetic that one cannot even stand listening to the tragic story. Parvez Dewan, divisional commissioner, Kashmir knows about many instances where the victim families are finding it hard to pull on. "Roza is a 21 year old girl whose father was gunned down by militants", Dewan said, while narrating the tragedy the young girl had to undergo. He said as her father fell to the militant’s bullet, her mother did not bear the disaster and died of shock. The tragedy did not end there. Roza became a heart patient who has now nobody to look after. "You have to see her shattered and expressionless face", Dewan said.

Shaista is another tragic story. Her father was killed in 1994 and today, at the tender age of 20, she is looking after her 3 younger brothers ...and with no means of livelihood.

Mufti Sayeed understands the extent of the pain and despair of the people who have been the victim of militancy. His brief but emotional speech on Sunday spoke of his intention to address the problem and bring back smiles on their faces. He said an appointment letter was no substitute to the life of a person but a small gesture of saying the government cares for the people who have suffered during the last 13 years. He said the tragedy was colossal and the pain widespread. The calamity, he said, was not limited to Kashmir only but also extends to Jammu division where similarly placed persons would also be taken care of.

It is pertinent to recall that the compassionate appointment orders were given to the next of kin of the persons killed by militants. The cases are taken up in chronological order. On November 14, appointment letters were distributed among 243 persons at Baramulla at a largely attended public meeting addressed by the Chief Minister. The important thing is that no new post has been created for providing these jobs. "We have worked hard to identify the vacancies and the government had not to provide any money or new post for these appointments", says Parvez Dewan.

Teachers Asso holds meeting

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: A meeting of the Jammu Provincial Teachers Association, Jammu district was held under the chairmanship of Mr B R Baro, president. The meeting was presided over by Mr Romal Singh.

According to a press release, a large number of representatives of various units of Jammu district attended the meeting in which various problems relating to the teaching community were discussed in detail. Speakers in the meeting expressed their grave concern over non-implementation of already conceded demands by the DSE Jammu especially senior teacher grade to the primary teachers, simplification of procedure of time bound promotion etc.

Messrs B R Baru, Krishen Kumar, Yashpal Sharma, Joginder Singh Manhas, Mohan Lal Sharma, Maheshwar Prashad, R S Pathania, Kewal Krishen Sharma, Vishwa Nath, Devi Singh, Smt Agya Kour, Balwan Singh Manhas, Kuldeep Raj, Hardev Singh, Shashi Paul, Thoru Ram Sharma, Babu Ram Padyar, Chhemkar Singh, Jog Raj, Parbhat Singh, Sudershan Sharma, Ram Pal Sharma, Dayanand Khajuria, Dr Surinder Sharma and others attended the meeting.

Tributes paid to Mirpur martyrs

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: R-47 observed Mirpur Day today to commemorate the fall of Mirpur on November 25, 1947. In a function here rich tributes were paid to the martyrs who were brutally massacred by Pakistani forces in 1947.

According to a press release, a process was taken through the main streets and roads of Udhampur. The processionists were carrying placards, holding the then Governor General Lord Louis Mountbatten, Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru responsible for their lackadaisical approach in those days of crises which led to the massacre of thousands of innocent people.

Addressing the process Balraj Bakshi, president of R-47 said that it was a pogrom in which more than 18,000 unarmed innocent men and women were slaughtered in two days and thousands of women were raped and abducted by the Pakistani forces. It was the biggest ever organised operation of ethnic cleansing in which Lord Mountbatten had actively connived with Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the then President of Pakistan while Nehru and Gandhi were made to watch helplessly from the sidelines, he added.

Bakshi said that it was genocide. The President of PoK Refugees’ organisation said, "the descendants of martyrs of Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Pooch will not let go their sacrifices unavenged", he said. Messrs Jagdish Kapoor, Jagat Ram, Sham Lal, Megh Raj, Om Parkash Saraf, Kundal Lal Khajuria, Dr Kamal Nain, Vinay Sudan, Swarn Parkash Sharma, Kapil Bali, G L Sehgal, Ashwani Kapoor, Bishamber Bakshi, Havalder Sewa Singh, Capt Joginder Ram and Mangat Ram addressed the meetings which were held at Sunderbani, Surankote, Pauni, Bhaarakh, Badyal Brahamana and Indira Nagar.

Mufti Govt's policies criticised

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 25: A torch light procession was organised by Jammu State Morcha, Udhampur and strongly condemned the sordid incidents of terrorist attacks on security forces and also at Raghunath temple complex.

The procession, which went through the main streets of the Udhampur town, concluded at Indira Chowk where a public meeting was held.

The Beopar Mandal president, Mr Rama Nand Baria and Shiv Sena leaders Mr Naresh Sharma, Ravinder Khajuria, Rakesh Gupta, district president , Jammu State Morcha, Mr Som Raj Khajuria, state secretary, Sanjeev Sharma, city president, Mr Ajay Mahajan, Dinkar Gupta the policy of the state Government towards militants, as per release.

Mr Rakesh Gupta, while speaking at the public meeting, blamed the state Government and said there is no difference between Farooq Abdullah and Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as both are soft towards the militants.

Mr Gupta also criticised the Congress and the Panthers Party of remaining silent on the pro-militant policies of the present state Government of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as they are equal partners in this set-up.

Mr Som Raj Khajuria also condemned Panthers, the Congress and PDP alliance and dubbed it responsible for such dastardly incidents. HE charged that while there is ban on recruitment for Jammu but the militants are being inducted in Kashmir administration. The Congress and PP which represent Jammu are not playing any serious and worthwhile role, he said and added that both " are supporting pro-militant agenda of PDP".

Various organisations condemn terrorist attack at
Raghunath Mandir, Shivalaya

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Dastardly attacks on Raghunath Temple and Shivalaya by fidayeen, in which over a dozen people lost their lives and scores others were injured, have been widely condemned by the cross sections of the people as also voluntary, social and political parties.

Thakur Randhir Singh, state president of Nationalist Congress Party, strongly condemned the incident and expressed serious concern over increasing terrorist activities especially in Jammu region. He appealed the people to maintain communal harmony and defeat the nefarious designs of Pakistan and also the disgruntled politicians who support the terrorists.

Dogra Sadar Sabha Jammu, in its meeting under the chairmanship of Th Gulchain Singh Charak condemned the gory massacre of over a dozen people by terrorist. he stressed upon the authorities to further beef up the security apparatus at places of worship so that such incidents don’t recur.

Vishav Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, have condemned terrorist attack on two temples in the city. The VHP termed imposition of curfew after the attacks and desecration of temples as adding insult to injury, by denying the people their right to lodge peaceful protest against hurt caused to their religious sentiments. Dr Rama Kant Dubey criticised Mufti Mohd Sayeed and his Government for indiscriminate release of hardcore militants. The VHP, he said, has announced holding of black flag protest demonstration on Tuesday at 4.30 pm. The workers shall assemble at Geeta Bhavan at 4 pm and take out peaceful march towards City Chowk.

District Youth Congress Committee, Jammu Urban, president Sanjeev Gupta while chairing a meeting condemned the incident. He stressed on the Government to dole out adequate relief to next of kin of those who lost their lives and proper medicare to those injured.

Mr Rajesh Bali, general secretary has also condemned the terrorists attack in strong words.

Janata Dal (Secular) president Mr Dhan Raj Bargotra while condemning the terrorist attack on two famous temples of the city described attack as barbaric and against the teachings of all religions and faiths. He appealed the people to remain calm. Various other leaders also condemned the attack.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a meeting of its functionaries, chaired by S Tarlok Singh Bajwa, expressed deep shock over the tragic incident described the same as barbaric, aimed at creating communal tension and scuttling the peace process initiated by PDP. he said terrorism was a national problem and should be tackled unitedly. He said PDP stands for peace and it would take all possible steps for its restoration. All senior leaders of the party in the meeting condemned the attack on places of worship.

Jammu and Kashmir Trade Union Congress condemned militant attack on Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya and appealed the people of Jammu to keep calm and asked the Chief Minister to review the policy against militants. The JKTUC meeting was chaired by Mr Sewa Ram Sharma.

Ex-MLA R S Sharma expressed shock over inhuman act of terrorists and cautioned both State and Central Governments to be more vigilant about the activities of the elements operating from across the border to disrupt age old communal harmony. He appealed the people to maintain brotherhood. He also conveyed sympathies with the bereaved families wished an early recovery of those injured.

President of Rasa Javedani Memorial Society, Dr Shohaib Inayat Malik strongly condemned terrorists attack and termed the act anti-Islamic. he said Islam teaches peace and brotherhood among the communities.

Office bearers of Jammu State Morcha under the chairmanship of Mr Shri Kumar, expressed deep anguish over killing of innocent people at the hands of terrorists in places of worship. he criticised the "healing touch" and releasing of militants by the State Government in strong terms. He demanded dismissal of pro-militant Mufti-Led Government in the State. Mr Onkar Seth, senior JSM leader was also present.

Youth wing of JSM convenor Mr Rajeev Charak and vice president Mr Ravi Bhardwaj also condemned the barbaric incident and called upon the State and central Governments to take appropriate steps so that such incidents donot recur.

BJP Legal Cell president Mr Ramesh Arora and other party senior leaders Daya Krishan Kotwal, president, Ashok Khajuria, Ex-MLA, Shamsher Singh and Arun Chhibber visited Hospital and then to Raghunath temple where they raised slogans against Sonia Gandhi.

Provincial committee of National Conference in a meeting today strongly condemned the barbaric attack by terrorists at two historic temples of the city in which over a dozen innocent people lost their lives and scores of others got injured. Messrs Rattan Lal Gupta, Sheikh Bashir, D S Trehan and Jugal Mahajan were prominent among those who condemned the incident.

Dr Kulwant Singh, convenor, State Forum for Justice and Human Rights strongly condemned the terrorists attack on historic places of worship and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families besides wishing an early recovery of those injured in the incidents.

Jammu Joint Students Federation has while terming the attack on temples as most inhuman, senseless and an attempt of terrorists to outrage the sanctity of holy places, asked the Government to further beef up security measures so that such inhuman incidents don’t recur. The JJSF meeting was chaired by its president Mr Rajinder Jamwal in which all the office bearers participated.

Former Minister and senior BJP leader Mr RS Chib while strongly condemning barbaric attack by terrorists at Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya at Panjbakhtar road, appealed Jammuites to maintain age old communal harmony and peace to thwart the nefarious designs of Pakistan whose all designs are aimed at fomenting communal clashes.

Scholastic Alliance for Human Action and Rural Development (SAHARA), a NGO president Mr Deepak Thukral strongly condemned the brutal killing of innocent civilians in Raghunath Mandir and terrorist attack at Panjbakhtar Mandir. He appealed the people to maintain communal amity and brotherhood at all costs.

Jammu and Kashmir State Council of All India Trade Union Congress has condemned attack on places of worship and appealed all the secular forces in the state to maintain communal unity and amity. The AITUC appealed all secular forces to stand united and form broad-based movement to resist this grave danger.

Scheduled caste and backward Classes cell of national Conference in a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Ram Paul, MLC, cell chairman, condemned the attack on Raghunath Mandir as also on Shivalaya. The cell expressed sympathies with the bereaved families ands appealed the masses to maintain communal harmony and peace at all costs.

Khukhran Biradari in a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr R C Sabherwal condemned the incident in strong terms and through a resolution heart-felt condolences were expressed to the bereaved families.

Muzaffarabad Displaced community, Jammu Kashmir Joint Forum and Dalpatian Welfare Committee in their respective meetings condemned the attack on two historic temples in Jammu city and appealed for maintenance of peace and tranquillity.

Jammu and Kashmir Gujjar-Bakerwal Welfare Organisation in a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Mohd Younis Chouhan condemned terrorist attack on innocent people in two historic temples of the city.

Mr Shiv Charan Gupta, senior BJP leader strongly condemned the attack on two historic temples in Jammu, which sparked wide-spread protests from the people who observed complete bandh in Udhampur.

State Samaj Sudhar Committee president Mr Mohd Yousaf Wani condemned attack on two historic temples in Jammu city and appealed the people to maintain communal harmony and peace at all costs.

Senior Youth Congress leader Mr Ramesh Sharma while terming the attack on temples as most inhuman, senseless and an attempt of terrorists to outrage the sanctity of holy places, asked the Government to further beef up security so that such inhuman incidents did not recur. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Senior vice-president of Pradesh Youth Congress Mr Ajay Tony while condemning barbaric attack by terrorists at Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya at Panjbakhtar road, appealed Jammuites to maintain age old communal harmony and peace to thwart the nefarious designs of Pakistan whose all designs are aimed at fomenting communal clashes.

Mr Shreekant Sharma, Sarpanch of Parmandal strongly condemned the attack on two historic temples in Jammu. He said that strict watch should be maintained on the activities of those terrorists, who were released recently.

Mr S K Chopra and Mr Vipan Gupta, president and vice-president of Medical and Surgical Traders Association also condemned the attack and asked the people to maintain communal harmony at any cost to defeat the nefarious designs of the terrorists.

Senior Citizens Organization Kunjwani Bye-pass in its executive meeting condemned attack by terrorists at Raghunath Temple and other place of religious importance.

Mr Darshan Mehra, president Taxi Union has condemned in strong words the attack on innocent civilians in Raghunath Mandir complex and at Panjbakhtar Mandir and urged the authorities at the helm of affairs to check nefarious designs of ISI of Pakistan.

Jammu United Forum has condemned in strong terms attack on Raghunath Temple and Panjbakhtar Mandir by terrorists last night in which several precious lives were lost and scores of other injured.

Mr. Muneesh Gupta, secretary Jammu-East block of Youth Congress also condemned the attack and demanded thorough probe as to how terrorists entered Jammu city with arms and ammunition.

2National Panthers party MLA from Chenani has condemned the attack on two historical temples in Jammu city by terrorists and urged the Government to provide adequate compensation to the bereaved families.

Young Panthers in a meeting under the presidentship of Mr Bansi lal Sharma while condemning the terrorists attack at two historic temples of jammu has demanded adequate compensation to next of kin of those whose relatives have been killed in attack by terrorists.

Students of Degree College, B Ed College, Higher Secondary Schools and Girls High School have strongly condemned the attack by terrorists in Jammu and demanded adequate compensation and relief to the next of kin of the deceased.

Shakti Dal Jammu and Kashmir led by Mr Kuldeep Sharma, JK Rashtriya Ekta Nirman Committee led by Mr Shree Dhar, Jammu Kashmir Awami League leader Mr Kukka Parray and All India Kashmiri Hindu Forum have strongly condemned the attack on two temples in Jammu city in which various innocent lives were lost.

Muslim Federation Jammu condemned suicide attack on Raghunath Mandir and at Shivalaya by terrorists. The speakers expressed shock over the killings of innocent civilians and asked the State and Central Governments to ensure that such gory incidents don’t recur.

Former MLA from Kalakote, Mr Ashok Sharma while expressing concern over killing of innocent people in attack by terrorists at two historic temples in Jammu city appealed the State and Central Governments to check the evil in the bud.

Bar Association Poonch in its meeting attended by all Bar members strongly condemned the attack by terrorists at two historic temples and urged on the State and Central Governments to provide adequate compensation and relief to next of those kin of the deceased who lost their lives recently while fighting Pak-sponsored militancy.

On the call of Katra BJP, the town observed complete bandh in protest against killing of innocent people. Entire Katra town observed complete bandh. The transport was exempted from the purview of strike. The people of Katra town took out an impressive peaceful protest march which passed through the main streets of Katra.

Mr Baldev Raj Sharma, on whose call Katra town observed complete bandh in protest against suicide attack on Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya yesterday, all the activities in Katra town remained suspended for the day, later took out an impressive procession which passed through the streets of the town. Mr Baldev Sharma addressed an impressive gathering asking the people to maintain harmony and brotherhood. He criticised the wrong policies of PDP-led Government in the State. He appealed the people to remain united in this hour of crisis.

Students Socialist Federation and condemned the attack on two temples by the terrorists and appealed the peace-loving people to maintain communal harmony at all costs.

Bahujan Samaj Party in its meeting today under the chairmanship of Mr Raj Kumar "Raja" condemned the attack on two historical temples in Jammu city and appealed the law enforcing agencies to gear up to ensure that no attack on these places of religion could be executed in future.

Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Bhaderwah in its meting condemned the attack on two temples in Jammu by terrorists and appealed the people to maintain amity at all costs to defeat the nefarious designs of ISI of Pakistan.

State secretary of BJYM, in its meeting under the presidentship of Sanjay Mahajan condemned terrorist attack at Raghunath Mandir and at Shivalaya and asked the peace loving citizens to maintain amity at all costs.

MES Workers Union chief, Mr Vimal Kumar Gupta and All Indian Trade Union Congress has also strongly condemned this inhuman and dastardly act of terrorists.

In a statement the two organizations have demanded beefing up of security measures in the state so that such incidents will not recur in future.

Jammu Peoples Front (JPF), Chief Mr Satish Poonchi while condemning the attack has held the wrong policies of Government responsible for influx of terrorist activities in the state.

BJP Rural, Party leader, Mr Omi Khajuria and Raipur Damana mandal chief Mr Mangat Ram Gupta have also strongly condemned this dastardly act. They urged the Government to change its weak kneed policies and crush terrorism strongly.

PDP Minority Cell leaders Madhusudhan Bhat and Avtar Jyotshi while condemning the attack have urged the people to maintain peace and brotherhood at all costs.

AIKPC president, Mr J N Saproo has also expressed his anger and shock over the attack on Hindu religious place and killing of innocent people.

Senior Congress leader Mr Hira Lal Pandita has expressed his profound shock and grief over the Fidayeen attack on the sacred religious place and killing of innocent human beings.

In a statement he said Pakistan was trying to provoke the people for creating the communal disturbance in the Region and derail the peace process initiated by the Government.

He said all countrymen are united to give a befitting reply to enemy who is hell bent to disintegrate India.

Minority Cell leader and former MLC Bhushan Lal Bhat and Party activist, Mr Munshi while condemning the attack have urged the State Government to review its policies.

Kashmiri Sahik Samiti Trikuta Nagar president, Mr R N Kaw has expressed his profound grief and shock over this inhuman and barbaric act of Fidayeen. He said this incident has shocked all the countrymen.

Peoples Democratic Party Youth Wing Rajouri, Mirza Nissar Ullah while condemning this act urged the people to maintain calm and peace at this critical juncture. He said the attack on a sacred religious place is the result of desperation among the Fidayeen who are hell bent to derail the peace process initiated by the PDP led Government in the state.

Mr K K Bakshi and Mr Ajeet Kumar, senior vice president and president of National Conference, Kathua have in separate statements condemned the attack on two temples in Jammu city by terrorists and appealed the people to maintain communal harmony and brotherhood at all costs.

Mr Rajinder Singh Manju, district president of Panthers Party and Mr Naresh Sharma, leader of Congress Kathua also condemned attack on Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya.

District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Mr Surinder Singh has also condemned attack on historic Raghunath Mandir complex by terrorists and demanded payment of adequate ex-gratia to the next of kin of those killed in the incident.

Karan Singh strongly condemns militants' attack

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 25: Dr Karan Singh, MP, who is currently on a lecture tour in South East Asia, strongly condemned the heinous attack on the revered and holy shrine of Shri Raghunath temple in Jammu.

In a statement, Dr Karan Singh expressed the opinion that the security arrangements at the temple were not strengthened to prevent another attack. It is a failure of the administration and law and order machinery, he added.

Dr Karan Singh demanded immediate strengthening of the security arrangements at all the Hindu shrines in Jammu and Kashmir including Mata Vaishno Devi temple complex. Expressing his deep anguish at the loss of innocent lives and injuries to many pilgrims, Dr Karan Singh conveyed his deep sympathy to the members of the bereaved families. He is rushing back to India from his lecture tour.

Plea for opening Degree College at Banihal

Excelsior Correspondent

BANIHAL, Nov 25: A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Imtiyaz Ahmed Khan, president of Banihal College Action Committee, which passed a resolution demanding establishment of a Degree College at Banihal in Doda district. The students have to face hardships to pursue studies at the college level.

It was appealed to the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to concede the genuine demand of the people of far-flung hilly area of Banihal and sanction a college in Banihal.

As per release, it was pointed out that the NC Government had promised a Degree college at Banihal.

The meeting was informed that a committee was set up under Director, Colleges, Mr Muzaffar Ahmed Khan. He said that the report should be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister for opening a college.