Detenues issue
DyPM misleading country: Cong

NEW DELHI, Nov 26: Controversy over the release of detenues in Jammu and Kashmir intensified today with Congress sticking to its stand that they were released after getting clearance from central agencies and accused Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani of "misleading the country with a mischievous intent" keeping an eye on Gujarat elections.

"Advani did not tell the whole truth either to Parliament or to people when he said that Government had not given any clearance for the release of detenues in Jammu and Kashmir. We would like to make it clear that senior officers including the Joint Director of IB K N Singh were consulted", party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters.

He claimed that the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had a meeting with Singh, who deals exclusively with Kashmir, on November seven.

Asked specifically whether the party would move a privilege motion against Advani in the Lok Sabha, he said the party would first examine whether a case of breach of privilege is made out and it could not say anything without arriving at a "well considered conclusion".

Reddy made it clear that none of those released was "implicated in overt terrorist activities and everyone of them was arrested by Farooq Abdullah Government and released. Yasin Malik was arrested six times and released".

He said the party was now compelled to come out with the name of the central agency and its official from whom it got clearance as it was forced by Deputy Prime Minister’s repeated statements that Congress leaders were lying on the release of detenues in the State.

Attacking the centre, Reddy said "it does not lie in their mouth to object" to the action of the J and K Government as the BJP-led coalition had "facilitated" a meeting of some Hurriyat leaders with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in Delhi.

Replying to questions, he said the Centre had not consulted Congress when it released hardcore terrorists after the hijack of an Indian Airlines plane some two years back.

Asked whether the central agencies had agreed to the release of detenues by the J and K Government, he said "there cannot be an instant agreement on everything. (there can be) nuanced agreement on so many things. Not agreement or disagreement..... Nuanced agreement".

To a query whether the central agencies had given no objection in principle, he merely said there could be differences over timing.

Asked whether the Congress would advise the Chief Minister to set up a screening committee for releasing the detenues, he said the party would not advise on day to day matters. "We will be concerned only if the common minimum programme is violated".

Replying to questions, he dismissed suggestions that the spat could result in the Congress not extending its unqualified support to Government in dealing with the issue of cross-border terrorism.

"In spite of all this, we will continue to cooperate with the Government on the issue. It is part of our commitment to the country". (PTI)

Rather takes on Mehbooba, asks what about
‘draconian laws’ now?

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Former Finance Minister and senior National Conference leader Abdul Rahim Rather today took on PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, who came to the Legislative Assembly for the first time, and wanted to know what happened to the PDP’s election manifesto of repealing the draconian laws and disbanding of the Special Operations Group (SOG).

Participating in resumed debate on the Governor’s address, Rather read from the copy of the PDP’s election manifesto, which described POTA, Disturbed Areas Act and Armed Forces Special Powers Act as ‘draconian laws’. The manifesto, he told Mehbooba Mufti, had promised immediate withdrawal of all such laws.

"Now the Governor’s address says that all such laws will be screened carefully and transparently and used sparingly", the NC leader said and reminded Mehbooba Mufti that ‘you had promised the Kashmiris that you will make all sacrifices but will not make any compromise on your agenda’. "Am I wrong"? he asked but Mehbooba Mufti or any of her party colleague didn’t react. Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed is scheduled to reply to the debate tomorrow.

"The PDP had promised disbanding of the SOG but the Governor’s address says the SOG will be merged with the police", he pointed out and observed: "first of all, an entire force can’t be bad. But, presumingly the entire force was bad, then will it become a reformed force merely by wearing a uniform".

Without naming anyone, Rather said the people in the State very well know that who had introduced TADA and Disturbed Areas Act in the State.

Rather said the PDP had also promised the release of all innocent persons but when an uproar started over the release of some detenue, the Government started saying that the prisoners were also released during Governor and Farooq Abdullah’s regimes.

Referring to the PDP’s issue of talks, he said the NC was never an obstacle to the talks. Our manifesto was very clear on the subject, he added and asked ‘to whom the PDP wants to talk as some forces were asking for ‘azadi’, some for secession of Kashmir with Pakistan and others for total accession of Kashmir with India’?

The NC MLA from Charar-e-Sharief said the PDP manifesto had referred to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s admission of some ‘historical mistakes’ on Kashmir and promised to take legal and constructive safe-guards against such mistakes. "If the PDP had identified the mistakes, what steps they were taking in implementing them"? he asked.

Turning towards the Congress (I), he said the party manifesto had promised ‘meaningful autonomy’ to the people of the State and wanted to know the Congress stand on the issue now. As far as the NC was concerned, he added, ‘we stand for restoration of pre-1953 situation’.

Congress (I) MLA from Bhaderwah, Mohd Sharief Niaz told the NC members that it was not their party which revived political process in the State as claimed by them. "The NC had refused to participate in 1996 Parliamentary polls and it was the Congress, which took the task of initiating the political process", he asserted.

Niaz reminded the NC benches that their leader Farooq Abdullah had fled to London during trouble time in the State. However, he was intervened by NC leader Ali Mohd Sagar, who asked the Congress leader that he shouldn’t indulge in ‘false propaganda’. "Farooq had gone to London only for five months while for rest of the period, he stayed in Jammu and Kashmir", he claimed.

Niaz, however, stuck to his stand saying ‘everybody knows that Farooq stayed abroad and joined the political process only after the Congress (I) had contested Parliamentary polls’. He said the NC had passed an autonomy resolution only to befool the people.

Virtually opposing the autonomy, he asserted that through it, the NC wanted to end the jurisdiction of the Election Commissioner of India and Supreme Court. "Where a litigant would complain if Supreme Court didn’t have jurisdiction over J&K"? he asked and said the elections in the State wouldn’t have been free and fair had the EC not taken certain effective measures.

Niaz pointed out that the NDA had just drafted POTA and the NC Government happily adopted it. "There was a strong contradiction in Congress stand. On one side, they were opposed to EC and SC’s jurisdiction and , on the other, they happily adopted POTA without wasting a minute", he said.

Earlier, participating in resumed debate on the Accountability Bill, CPM legislator Mohd Yusuf Tarigami said it was for the first time that such a Bill has been brought by the Government, the importance of which can not be ignored by any body.

He said this Bill should have come since but the new Government took the initiative in this regard and deserve appreciation. He said the message given by the people of J&K in the recent elections was for a change. "Their verdict was not merely for the change of chair but for administration and good governance", he asserted.

While supporting the Bill, he said accountability was essential for good governance. This is the reason that ‘we proposed the introduction of Accountability Bill in our Common Minimum Programme (CMP)’.

He said the corruption has become a right in an organized way and added that the corruption is the ‘fundamental violation of human rights’ which disarms security of the State and future as well. This is the element to instability, he added.

He however said by mere passing a bill the corruption can not be eradicated. Hence the Government should understand its responsibilities as well.

Taking a dig at Vigilance Organization, Tarigami alleged that this organization has itself become a den of corruption. He urged the Government to have a will to eradicate corruption from public life so that the common masses get a relief.

Speaking on the Bill, NC MLA A R Rather said corruption can not be eradicated by passing a bill . He said in past many times such resolves were made in this august House and ‘let us have an introspection what happened to them’..

At this point he was interrupted by Ms Mehbooba Mufti of PDP saying how the posh bungalows were constructed in Bhatindi. But the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed soon intervened asking her not to interfere this way.

Rather said charity begins at home and the Legislators should themselves lay the example then we can make the society clean. When the member tried to make his point through an example, he was interrupted by a PDP member, who shouted from his chair ‘stop telling stories and come to debate on the subject’.

Rather assured Government that his Party will support the passage of the Bill but pressed that the Bill be submitted to the Select Committee. He also suggested some amendments in it.

PDP leader Abdul Aziz Zargar charged the previous Government leaders with spending crores of rupees for spending a lavish life at the cost of poor people. "Crores were spent on sports and dancing while no care was taken of the villagers", he alleged. He also described the Vigilance Organisation as a ‘den of corruption’ and alleged that many ‘corrupt officers’ have been promoted.

Peerzada Mohd Hussain (PDP) disclosed that a TATA Consultancy Report on Baghliar project had claimed that Rs 600 crore excess contract has been given for the project. He regretted that despite the report, the State Government didn’t take any action.

Raman Bhalla (Congress-I) demanded that Accountability Commission should start functioning immediately. He said honest and transparent police and civil officers should be given the sensitive postings. "We have promised a clean, efficient and corruption free Government and we will come upto the people’s expectations", he said.

Bhalla alleged that previous Government had resorted to large-scale corrupt practices and even didn’t spare the unemployed youths. "The NC Government had fixed a rate of Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 for Class-IV posts, which had led to frustration among the youths", he said and demanded that a ‘healing touch should also be given to the unemployed youths’.

Girdhari Lal (Congress-I) alleged that the bureaucrats had looted crores in the State while the commonman was suffering. He alleged that there was corruption in anti-corruption bodies as well. He demanded increase in the salaries of SPOs.

Sartaj Magni (PDP) said it was due to corruption that NC’s side was changed from treasury to Opposition benches. Qaiser Lone (NC) also took part in the debate.

Mehbooba’s remarks trigger controversy

Excelsior Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 26: The Congress headed by Ms Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday steered clear of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) vice-president, Ms Mehbooba Mufti’s reported remarks that India and Pakistan should not interfere in Jammu and Kashmir affairs.

"We don’t know what she has said...We have not seen the transcript...We cannot react", the Congress spokesman, Mr Jaipal Reddy said after he was asked to comment on Ms Mehbooba’s reported remarks in a BBC interview.

Congress party is a major partner in the coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir headed by the PDP leader, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed.

On the other hand, the BJP has taken a serious view of the remarks. The party chief whip, Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, said that her statement smacked of "sedition".

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, Mr Malhotra said Ms Mehbooba Mufti made the remarks in an interview to BBC which had also been published in newspapers.

Stating that Jammu and Kashmir "is an integral part of India", Mr Malhotra said that she had no business to make such a comment. He asked the Congress, which is a coalition partner in the State Government with the PDP, to come out clean on the issue.

Flaunting a Hindi newspaper, the BJP member said that she made the comment as if J&K was not a part of India. "This is a serious matter", he said.

Congress member, Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal, said that he had talked to J&K leaders and he was told that Ms Mehbooba had not made such a statement (PTI)

Religious places’ security needed to be reviewed
Advani misleads Parliament on release of militants: Azad

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Nov 26: Reacting strongly to the statement of Deputy Prime Minister, L K Adavni, that the Centre was never consulted in the matter of releasing militants by the J&K Government, senior Congress leader and PCC chief, Ghulam Nabi Azad, has charged him with misleading the nation by his "incorrect" statement in Parliament.

Talking to Excelsior here today, Mr Azad, who is also a Rajya Sabha member, vehemently supported the statement issued by the All India Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, on the release of militants by J&K Government after receiving clearance from the Central intelligence agencies, and said that Mr Advani by issuing such a statement had totally misled the entire nation.

"If Mr Advani or his Home Secretary had written any such letter to the J&K Government on this issue, he should mention the date and the reference number of that missive," Mr Azad said adding, "I have conducted inquiry after arriving here and can say as a responsible person that no such letter has been received by the J&K Government in this regard and the Home Minister’s claim is totally baseless."

When asked whether it was a political stunt of the NDA Government and especially BJP keeping in view the coming Gujarat elections, Mr Azad quipped, " I do not know what is their immediate motive but it seems to be a deep- rooted conspiracy of the BJP. The Congress is deadly against terrorism and always stood against it; moreover, Mrs Sonia Gandhi has rightly stated that 26 ultas were released on Nov 11, 12 and 13 in J&K after clearance by the Central agencies. Not only Advani but BJP spokesman, Arun Jaitely must regret their misleading statements on this sensitive issue and must clarify it, " he maintained.

Mr Azad further said the release of detenues from time to time in the State was not anything new as the National Conference Government had also freed a large number of such persons. He also cited the release of three militants to end an hijacking of an Indian Airlines aircraft at Kandhar in 1999. Mr Azad pointed out that out of the total, 16 ultras have been bailed out by the courts and remaining have been released in consultation with the Central intelligence agencies.

While condemning the second terrorist attack on historic Raghunath temple, Mr Azad held Pakistan responsible for continuously trying to communalise the situation in Jammu region by resorting to such acts and said that Pak must now realise that the people of Jammu "are wise enough and will not fall prey to their game plan." "The aim of attacking religious places is only to create communal tension," he added.

Replying to another question on security failure and the need of overhauling of the security set- up in J&K, Mr Azad said, " It is not the question of security failure. Earlier there were hardly 15 security personnel guarding the temple and after first attack 70 men of CRPF were deployed for the task. Fidyeen come with do- or- die motive and it is very difficult to prevent such attacks. Even the super power like United States of America could not prevent the attack on World Trade Centre." He said the CRPF men and J&K Police fought with best of their ability and eliminated all the attackers. Responding to another question, Mr Azad said SOG continued to work effectively in fighting militancy and till now no such final decision has been taken regarding its fate.

"There is no need of overhauling the security apparatus immediately. The way, DGP , Mr A K Suri, and even the Jammu District Police chief were guiding the jawans during their offensive against the militants, is highly appreciable. They are doing their best and their integrity and ability cannot be questioned ", Mr Azad emphasised.

The PCC chief hinted that the State cabinet will soon be expanded and later the coalition partners will discuss the Common Minimum Programme and its implementation more broadly. On appointments of the victims of militancy he said, " It was the agenda of the previous Government and the present Government was just continuing it."

When asked whether he was satisfied with the security arrangments at the religious places in J&K, Mr Azad replied in the nagative, stating that he was not satisfied with the security arrangments in J&K as well as in the rest of the country. He demanded: " There is immediate need to review security at religious places because of continuing challenge from communal elements."

Temple attack triggers emotions abroad
Chances of Indo-Pak talks recede

By B L Kak

The determination of Pakistan-backed suicide squads to reap where they have not sown confirms the general feeling that terrorism will continue to exist for an indefinite period of time. It is, of course, a different matter that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have learnt—indeed, they have been compelled to learn—to live under the lengthened shadows of terrorism.

And if a section of secessionists sought to interpret the march of anti-India jihadis as "purely beneficial for Kashmiri liberation movement", the average accessionist or integrationist chose the expression: J&K seemed under the shadowy world of the secret service of Pakistan.

This phenomenon, coupled with unending noises or ultimatums from across the border, will, therefore, serve clear indications vis-a-vis more tensions in store for South Asia’s two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan. By the time Islamabad officially stated that strained relations had cost both Pakistan and India dearly, the deadly attacks carried out in J&K by the Pak-aided fidayeen (suicide squads) had exposed Pakistan’s far-from-sincere intentions in relation to the much-required peace and normalcy in J&K.

Obviously, adopting the diplomatic posturing —some call it ‘trickery’—of his mentor (Gen Parvez Musharraf), Mr Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Pakistan’s new Foreign Minister,was catering to the requirements of international community, particularly the United States, when he said in a media interview in Islamabad: "My top priority would be to improve and normalise ties with India and other neighbouring countries... We are prepared to go half way or may be even a step further in improving relations with India".

Curiously, Mr Kasuri chose to sing a song in support of Indo-Pak amity when yet another bridge of understanding had vanished in the thin air immediately after the highly provocative fidayeen attack on the two temples in the heart of Jammu on November 24. The episode, it can be said without any fear of contradiction, further receded chances of conciliatory talks between New Delhi and Islamabad.

In fact, a series of acts of hostility indulged in by the pro-Pak elements as well as by ultras aided and abetted by Pakistan since November 2, when the new Government headed by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was installed, had led to the conclusion, drawn by both accessionists and secessionists, that one will have to wait for quite some time, before any formal talks start between India and Pakistan. And doubts, if any, were set at rest by New Delhi itself after the major strikes by fidayeen on the CRPF headquarters in the heart of Srinagar city on November 22 and on Jammu’s two temples on November 24, in addition to the blowing up of a vehicle carrying mostly defence personnel and their families near Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway on November 23.

The deadlier strikes by the terrorists during the three consecutive days, naturally, were spine-chilling, and, indeed, followed by sharp statements by the authorities and political class against Pakistan. The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L K Advani, was not alone as he fumed against Pakistan’s modus operandi. Mr Advani may have reservations on a couple of features of the common minimum programme of the new Government in J&K. But his line against Islamabad has been appropriately pursued by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, if the latter’s statement on the floor of the Legislative Assembly in Jammu on November 25 was any guide.

As the Mufti recalled that a fidayeen attack was carried out on Rashtriya Rifles (RR) camp at Sopore on November 4 (barely two days after he put on the mantle of Chief Ministership), the message, he obviously wanted New Delhi to take cognizance of, was loud and clear: Measures have been discussed by the new Government to further intensify action against militants.

In other words, the PDP-led ruling coalition wanted the powers-that-be in Delhi not to entertain the notion that the J&K administration was ‘soft’ on militants. The Mufti, in fact, lambasted Pakistan for continuing its cross-border terrorism and unleashing terror attacks in J&K.

The fidayeen assault on the temples, at the same time, brought to the fore two important factors. First, of course, was New Delhi’s likely action in the event of Pakistan’s refusal to stop terrorism. If Parliament adopted a resolution on November 25 condemning the strike on the Jammu temples as "a dastardly act of terrorism", India’s High Commissioner to Britain, Mr R Sen, obviously spoke the Vajpayee government’s language: "We are not going to wait indefinitely, and if necessary, if we see there is no other option, we will tackle the situation on our own".

While Mr Sen told a gathering in London that the terrorists’ aim was to undermine the territorial integrity of India, target its democracy and create communal discord, the US State Department insisted that militant attacks on temples in Jammu were to undermine the new Government in the State.

But hard-hitting was the statement issued by Russian Government. Pakistan, it said, will have to end terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Russia’s Foreign Office, while asking Pakistan to honour its anti-terror obligations, put the blame for what it termed as "heinous crime" in Jammu on forces (an obvious reference to Pak-aided ultras) striving to scuttle the tendency of de-escalation of tension between India and Pakistan.

Three of family gunned down
7 civilians, soldier killed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 26: While as militants have massacred three members of a family, including two women, in Waterhail village of Budgam district, three children today died in a blast at Gund Kralpora in Kupwara district. Meanwhile, one soldier has got killed and four civilians have sustained injuries in Pakistani troops’ shelling in border areas of Baramulla and Kupwara districts in north Kashmir.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR that well after midnight last, a group of heavily armed militants forced their entry into the house of one Abdul Khaliq Dar S/o Abdul Karim Dar at Waterhail village in Budgam district. They kidnapped Dar and his daughter, Dilshada Akhtar, on gun point. Militants also kidnapped Ali Mohammad Dar’s daughter, Maimoona. After some physical torture, all the three civilians were shot dead. One Pakistani militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba had died in an encounter with security forces at the same house on November 3rd. Militants are believed to have developed suspicion that the information of their colleague’s presence in the village had been passed on to forces by their host and other members of the family.

Troops of 10-JAK LI and SOG Budgam had raided the militant hideout at Waterhail a day after militants had kidnapped and later killed three civilians of the nearby Gojra and Beekam Naar villages. One Pakistani militant had died and two of his associates had managed to escape. Officials believe that the same militants appeared in Waterhail during last night and massacred the three members of the Dar family.

One more civilian, namely Abdul Ahad Hajjam S/o Gulla Hajam R/o Wudar (Rajwar), Handwara, has been shot dead by militants in the morning today. Hajjam used to beat drums in election rallies and public meetings of mainstream politicians in Kupwara district.

Last evening, militants fired upon a Police party at Chewdara village in Beerwah and left one SPO, Jasbir Singh, injured.

Reports from Kupwara said that an explosive device went off accidentally when students of a school were playing in the compound of Abdul Ahad Sheikh at Gund Kralpora in Kupwara district today. It appeared that a hand grenade or a mortar or some other explosive device was accidentally hit by the children and the same went off with a deafening explosion. Three children got killed. They were identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh S/o Ghulam Qadir Sheikh, Farooq Ahmed Sheikh S/o Abdul Ahad Sheikh and Bashir Ahmed Sheikh S/o Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh. Another boy, namely Ashfaq Ahmed Sheikh S/o Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh sustained injuries. He was rushed to hospital.

Reports said that Indian and Pakistani security forces exchanged heavy gunfire in Uri, Nowgam, Karnah and Keran sectors, close to LoC in north Kashmir. In Nowgam sector, one soldier of 148-Artillery died and another sustained injuries. At Sultan Dhaki in Uri one girl, Farzana, sustained injuries in the shelling. At Mahore in Uri, another girl got injured.

Civilian beaten to death
3 ultras, jawan killed

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Nov 26: Three terrorists including a ‘deputy commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and an army jawan were killed while two soldiers were injured in an encounter in Banihal tehsil of Doda district today. With this, a total of six terrorists have been eliminated in Banihal during last two days.

Official sources said a fierce encounter took place between a group of terrorists and troops of 31 Gorkha Rifles and police at village Tarangna, about seven kms south west of Banihal tehsil this evening. The encounter lasted more than two and a half hours in which three terrorists and an army jawan were killed. Two other soldiers were injured.

Of three slain terrorists, two have been identified as Sikander, a ‘deputy commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit and his associate Saifullah. Third terrorist, however, remained unidentified. Identity of the army jawan, who lost his life in the gun-battle, was not disclosed by the Defence authorities. Two injured army jawans have been shifted to the Military Hospital here.

Yesterday, the troops and STF had killed three terrorists in Khari area of Banihal. They included a ‘district commander’ of the outfit.

Recoveries made from the scene of encounter included three AK rifles, 10 magazines, 246 rounds and three hand grenades.

Security forces also busted a terrorists’ hideout in Doda and recovered three Chinese hand grenades, two UBGL grenades, two detonators, two IED remote controls and three kg explosive material.

Our Rajouri correspondent adds: Two terrorists beat to death a Government employee of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department in his house at village Pangali under the jurisdiction of Thanna Mandi police station last night. Deceased has been identified as Mohd Sharief son of Hussain Mohd.

Militants also set ablaze the karyana shop of a civilian Romesh Kumar son of Isher Dass at village Dudasan Pain near Saj in Thanna Mandi last night. The shop was gutted.

Lashkar chief, Jamaat head meet

ISLAMABAD, Nov 26: A senior leader of Pakistan’s Islamist Alliance Muthahida Majlis Amal and chief of the Jamat Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmad has met the founder-leader of the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in Lahore to evolve a joint strategy on Kashmir issue.

According to media reports published today, Hussain, whose Jamat-e-Islami was closely involved in Kashmir militancy and has links with various Pakistan based militant outfits, met Saeed at his residence in Lahore yesterday.

This was their first meeting after Saeed was released from preventive detention recently. The meeting took place even as India said that there was a spurt in militant attacks in Jammu and Kashmir after the release of Saeed from prison.

Saeed is also named an accused in the December 13 attack on Indian Parliament.

Pakistan’s Urdu dailies Jung and Nawa-i-Waqt reported today that Hussain and Saeed held talks on various issues relating to political situation in Pakistan and Kashmir.

Saeed is reported to have assured Hussain of extending cooperation at every level and appealed to all parties in Pakistan to unite to thwart Indian "conspiracies" to divide Kashmir.

Saeed also asked Hussain to play his role in implementing the Islamic system in Pakistan. On his part, Hussain said since the MMA and Jamat-al-Daawa, a religious outfit headed by Saeed have the same stand on Kashmir, both the parties should evolve a joint strategy on the issue. (PTI)

BJP for harsh steps to quell terrorism

AHMEDABAD, Nov 26: BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley today exhorted the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed-led Government in Jammu and Kashmir to "come out with a clear policy and take harsh steps" to quell terrorism in the State.

"There is a need for harsh steps but the Congress-PDP Government is continuing with its soft stance," he told reporters here.

Jaitley said "even after free and fair elections in the State, Pak-sponsored terrorism was on the rise, which is evident from the recent happenings and attacks on religious places".

Continuing the diatribe against Congress-PDP coalition’s "soft stance" against terrorists, he said "the policy of not implementing POTA, releasing prisoners without proper screening and recalling the Special Operation Group needs reconsideration".

The people of the State "need a healing touch and not the terrorists", the former Union Minister said referring to Sayeed’s "healing touch" in the Common Minimum Programme.

When pointed out that terrorism was on the rise even when NDA’s ally - the National Conference - was ruling in the State, Jaitley said "whichever Government is ruling, it should have a clear policy to counter terrorism". (PTI)

RSS blames Pak for temple attack

NEW DELHI, Nov 26: Echoing the views of the VHP and other Sangh Parivar outfits, RSS chief K S Sudarshan today blamed Pakistan for the terrorist strike on the Raghunath temple in Jammu and favoured teaching Islamabad a lesson.

Alleging that Sunday’s attack was "instigated by Pakistan", Sudarshan told PTI on the sidelines of a rally by the RSS students’ wing here that "Pakistan’s very existence depended on hatred for India".

"As long as the hatred exists, Pakistan exists. If the hatred goes, then Pakistan would cease to exist," he said.

Asserting that citizens across both sides of the border wanted better ties, he said this desire was being repeatedly sabotaged by Pakistan’s ruling establishment.

"Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee went to Lahore with a message of peace and (then Pakistani Army chief and now President) Pervez Musharraf ordered the Kargil invasion", he said, citing an instance of Pakistan’s attitude.

Questioning Pakistan’s description of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as "freedom struggle", the RSS chief said, "killing innocents certainly cannot be a freedom movement."

Demanding strong action against Pakistan, he said, "the whole country feels Pakistan should be taught a lesson".

Earlier, Sangh Parivar outfits including VHP and Bajrang Dal had also demanded that India declare war against Pakistan and destroy the terrorist training camps located there. (PTI)

Temple to be re-opened today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Raghunath Temple, which was attacked by militants on Sunday, will be reopened to devotees tomorrow after a purification ceremony is performed, temple chief priest Vishal Shastry today said.

"I called a meeting of all the scholars of Jammu today. The meeting felt that a purification Yagna be performed in the temple from 10’O clock tomorrow and it will be over in four to five hours. After that, the temple will be reopened for devotees and Puja-Path will start as per tradition," he said.

Shastry favoured arms being given to temple security staff and formation of a temple defence committee on the lines of Village Defence Committees scheme in Kashmir.

"Our security staff do not have any arms. They carry only a stick. If they are given arms, they can provide better security from inside. If they had arms, it wouldn’t have been possible for the militants to enter into the main temple in the latest attack," he said.

"Even when the temple was attacked earlier, we made the request that temple defence committees be formed on the lines of Village Defence Committees," Shastry added.

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