Mufti assures better deal for border area

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 26: The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today assured the legislators of the border areas that the Government would sympathetically consider their demands to help people of border areas.

Talking to a delegation of border area legislators, who called on him, Mr. Sayeed said that the Government is considering setting up shelter sheds in the safer areas for the people who are fragmentally uprooted due to Pak shelling. Similarly demand for residential plots at safer places for those living on zero line and firing range would also be considered.

The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma was also present and endorsed demands

It was also agreed that those rendered disabled would be provided Rs.500 as financial assistance per month besides jobs to one of the family members of those killed in border firing.

He said the Government would favourably consider the demand for continuation of free ration to the dislocated border migrants till harvesting of fresh crop.

The Chief Minister asked the legislators to draw up plans for taking up works like roads and desilting of irrigation canals that could be immediately taken up under the drought package in the border areas. Ways and means would have to found to ensure involvement of people for completion of these works, he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister assured the delegation that the farmers who could not cultivate their lands due to installation of mines in the border areas would be provided compensation at block level shortly. The funds for the purpose have been made available by the Defence authorities, he added.

The delegation urged for reassessment of those families living below the poverty line and provision of vehicles and security to the legislators of the border constituencies.

The delegation of border area MLAs comprised Mr. Madan Lal Sharma, Ms Suman Lata Bhagat, Mr. Ashwani Kumar, Ch. Ghoru Ram, Dr. Romesh Sharma, Mr. Girdhari Lal and Mr. Yash Paul.

Demonstration against attack on Raghunath temple
Security forces in J&K must have adequate powers: VHP

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: The State unit of Vishav Hindu Parishad (VHP) has said that denial of adequate powers to the security forces is the main reason behind continuous terror attacks and warned both State and Central Governments to stop interfering in security matters failing which Islamic fundamentalists would succeed in creating division of the country.

Addressing a press conference, state president of VHP Dr Rama Kant Dubey said that successive State and Central Governments had not given enough powers to the security forces to crush militancy and added that it was only due to political interference that security forces seemed to be on the defensive.

"The political interference in security matters is responsible for increase in terror attacks as the same have demoralised the security forces upto a larger extent", Dr Dubey said and added that no doubt intelligence agencies were providing enough inputs about the terrorists; yet, security forces could not exploit them in better way due to restrictions imposed on them by politicians.

The need of the hour, Dr Dubey said, was that the Centre as well as State Government should stop interfering in security matters and take the issue of militancy seriously. "If the present system is allowed to continue, the Islamic fundamentalists would succeed in creating division of the country", he warned. He said that the terrorism could not be countered through dialogue but by " retialating ruthlessely".

Saying that around 100 outfits were working for Islamisation of the country, Dr Dubey said that the attacks on the religious places were not only aimed at creating a wedge between Hindus and Muslims but also at Islamisation of India.

"It is painful that the new State Government did nothing to provide healing touch to the worst sufferers of the terrorosim", he said. "Instead, the Mufti Government started providing healing touch to the militants and their families which indicated what will be the policies of this Government in future".

About the release of the militants by coalition Government and its justification by the Congress leaders, Dr Dubey said that the ritual of releasing terrorists was started by Congress Prime Minister Mr P V Narsimah Rao by giving safe passage to the terrorist holed up in Hazaratbal shrine.

Later, the activists of VHP and Bajrang Dal took out a protest demonstration from Geeta Bhawan to protest against the week-kneed policies of the Central as well as State Governments towards terrorists and indiscriminate release of the terrorists and secessionists by Mufti Government.

They burnt the effigies of terrorism, Pakistan and perpetrator of terrorism in this country at City Chowk.

BJP flays J&K Govt for release of terrorists

PATNA, Nov 26: Charging the PDP-Congress coalition Government with "failure" to combat the surge in terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir, BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu today said the State Government was cautioned against taking any "hasty decisions" like release of militants and non-enforcement of POTA.

Naidu also rubbished Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s assertion that her party was not going soft on terrorism and the State Government had set free 26 militants only after consulting the Central intelligence agencies.

He called upon Gandhi to review the three-point common minimum programme envisaging release of terrorists in a phased-manner, not to use POTA and disband the Special Operation Group.

"The recent spurt in terrorist strikes in Jammu and Kashmir calls for a thorough review of the CMP of the coalition...Even the house of the Chief Minister was attacked, bid was made on the life of a Minister and there were several other terrorist strikes that took heavy toll of securitymen," Naidu told reporters here.

Taking a dig at Sonia Gandhi for her statement that the terrorists were released in consultation with the Centre, Naidu said the Centre had instead warned the State Government against hasty decisions like release of militants.

Stating that Congress being the major partner in the PDP-Congress coalition had greater responsibility in fighting militancy, Naidu asked the party to "behave sensibly" in countering terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Congress is a mature party having experience in running the country for several decades and now it is the ruling party in 15 States...It should shoulder the responsibility of tackling militancy and restoring peace in the troubled State," he said.

He said the Centre would continue to extend its full support to the PDP-Congress coalition to fight terrorism.

Naidu also suggested that the Mufti Mohammed Sayeed ministry should take steps to hold dialogue with those who had desired to give up arms and join the mainstream. (PTI)

Women still a deprived lot: Farida
NC asks Mufti Govt to clear stand on autonomy

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: National Conference (NC) today took the State Government to task for making no mention of Autonomy in the Governor’s address and Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition partners.

Participating in the debate on Governor’s address in the Upper House Mohammed Aslam of NC said it is unfortunte that the coalition Government has not cleared its stand on autonomy as it did not make any mention of autonomy in the Governor’s address.

He said, " We extend all support to Government as a healthy opposition but it should clear its stand on the special powers which were granted to it."

The NC legislator further said that Article 370 of Indian Constitution is the basis of accession of J&K with India but it appeared to have been eroded. No initiative has been taken on national level for settling the Kashmir issue and "we were unable to understand what was the track- two diplomacy."

He said recently the Kashmir Committee chairman, Ram Jethmalani urged the Hurriyat to soften its stand on Azadi and BJP to give up its claim on abrogation of Article 370.

"This vindicates the NC stand on autonomy as it is the only alternative that can be any thing short of Azadi", he said, adding "I have submitted an amendment and it should be carried".

Opposing the Coalition Government, he said no concrete proposal has been made in Governor’s address for eradication of unemployment and promotion of industry in the state.

He said the State is facing power crisis the reason is that the Centre did not cooperate us in construction of new projects. They rejected the proposal of counter guarantee to foreign firms who were ready to construct the power projects in J&K, Aslam added.

He alleged no additional resource mobilization has been proposed in the address. While welcoming the Government for reducing the power cuts he however wanted to know how the expenses will be met up.

Lashing out at the Government he said an impression is being given that this was the first free and fair poll in the state and other all were rigged. He said the 1996 elections which gave NC a landslide victory were much transparent as these elections were held under much crucial circumstances.

At that time there was impression that restoration of democratic set up will not be possible in J&K for years together, he said, adding but no joint session was called at that time and media hype given.

Strongly supporting the policies and programmes of new Government Ms Farida Mir expressed the hope that the promises made in Governor’s address will be implemented by the Government.

She said, " We have suffered a lot in last 13 years of turmoil. The fear psychosis loom to such an extent that sound of a cracker is taken for a blast by terrified people. The women were subjected to grave atrocities and torture during this period. Even the pregnant ladies were not spared and paraded. The matter was brought in the notice of Human Rights Commission but no justice was done to them," she added.

She hailed the steps initiated for eradication of unemployment saying this is a good step. She regretted that various centrally sponsored schemes on social welfare are not reaching to the poor women living in far flung areas. During her statement on the Social Welfare schemes, at one point she snubbed Mohammed Aslam of NC who tried to intrupt her saying the Social Welfare was not mentioned in Governor’s address.

Ms Farida said the women from high class families are reaping the benefit of NABARD schemes while those of poor families are ignored.

Likewise the women in Ladakh have been ignored in healthcare facilities and education field. They are leading an unhygenic life also.

Supporting the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants in Valley she said Kashmir is incomplete with out them and all efforts be made for their honourable and dignified return with security.

Earlier initiating the debate NC member Bodh Raj Bali said many public welfare measures were taken by previous NC Government and over 1.5 lakh people were provided jobs.

He said many efforts were made to boost the industry in the state but due to turmoil, the desired results could not be achieved.

He warned the Government that instead of criticising the policies of predecessors they should try to do something good. If you negate the good work done by us , tomorrow next Government will negate all what will be done by you, he added.

Mr Bali held the Central Government responsible for the present plight of the people of J&K saying railway project is pending for decades together. He urged the new Government to get the loans of farmers waived off from Centre.

He said a bad impression has been created that all previous elections were rigged in J&K. This is a false propaganda as elections in the state are conducted by Election Commission and not the Government. This is an allegation against the EC, he added.

Mr Bali said it is unfortunate that for everything we have to seek the certificate from America. The hundreds of NC workers have been killed during turmoil period by terrorists but the PDP did not condemn it.

He said had the elected Government not been dismissed in 1953, the present situation could have not taken place in the state while defending the autonomy resolution of NC.

BJP demands white paper on release of terrorists

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Terming the statement of Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi as an attempt to save skin, the State unit of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) today demanded white paper on release of hard-core terrorists by PDP-led coalition Government in the State.

Talking to reporters, state president of BJP Mr Daya Krishan Kotwal asked as how can Mrs Gandhi justify the release of terrorists by saying that central intelligence agencies were consulted despite the fact that even Deputy Prime Minister Mr L K Advani denied the same.

"Basically the statement is aimed to misguide the people, who have started questioning the release of hard-core terrorists. But people will not be passive and continue to pose questions in this regard unless and untill they get proof ikn support of Sonia’s statement", Mr Kotwal said and demanded white paper from the State Government on the whole issue.

The State Government, he said, must have some documents to prove that it had got permission from the central intelligence agencies before releasing militants and producing white paper is the only way left for it to prove itself right.

Regarding PDP vice-president Mehbooba Mufti’s statement that India and Pakistan should not interfere ‘unnecessarily’ in the matters of Jammu and Kashmir State, the State president of BJP alongwith senior party leader and former MLA Mr Ashok Khajuria said that the statement of Mehbooba clearly showed that this Government was carrying Hurriyat’s agenda and for it India and Pakistan " are the two sides of same coin".

"It is the power of tolerance of the Hindus that even after repeated attacks on the temples no untoward incident took place but none can guarantee as to when will the the dam of tolerance collapse", they said while questioning how long people will continue to tolerate attacks on their shrines.

Terming the attacks as attempts to flush out minorities from the State, they said that the present Government is part and parcel of that deep rooted conspiracy and alleged that Mufti’s party won 16 seats with the active cooperation of terrorists.

About the move of State Government to hold dialogue with the militants and Hurriyat Conference, the BJP leaders said that there is no issue which could be discussed with either militants or Hurriyat and added that there is only one issue of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) and talks should be on that.

Raghunath temple attack by terrorists widely condemned

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: The barbaric incident of terrorist strikes in Raghunath Temple and near Shivalaya continue to be condemned by leaders of various political, social and voluntary organisations.

Amar Kashtriya Rajput Sabha, J&K in a meeting headed by Lt Col K S Jamwal strongly condemned the attack by suicide squad at the behest of Pakistan on Raghunath Temple and Panjbakhtar Road Shivalaya which was aimed at creating communal divide and disturbing peaceful atmosphere in Jammu. Sabha demanded further beefing up of security measures at the religious places and strengthening intelligence agencies.

Bar Association Jammu in its extra-ordinary meeting under the presidentship of Mr A V Gupta condemned the inhuman act of terrorists. The Bar decided to abstain from appearing in High Court of Jammu wing and subordinate courts resulting into paralyzing work in courts of Jammu.

Inkmen Committee in its meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Bhola Nath condemned terrorists attack at Raghunath Temple and in the vicinity of Shivalaya.

Dr Chaman Lal, MLA Ramban while condemning the incident urged the State Government to provide adequate security to places of religious importance. He demanded Rs 5 lakh compensation to next of kin of the deceased and those injures in the incident. He demanded Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1 lakh as ex-gratia to kin of the deceased.

World Spiritual Parliament while condemning attack on historic Raghunath Mandir and at another place, appreciated the role of security forces in tackling the grave situation. The WSP also hailed Jammuites for maintaining communal harmony and peace despite provocation from across the border by Pakistan.

A meeting of JKNPP under the presidentship of Sardar Mushtaq Khan said words fail to condemn this dastardly incident. Various other senior JKNPP leaders also participated in the meeting chaired by Mr Khan.

Akhil Bhartiya Shiv Sena, president Mr Yogesh Gupta condemned terrorists attack on Raghunath Mandir and near Shivalaya for the second time and urged the authorities at the helm of affairs to rise from their deep slumber and act accordingly as a professional policemen.

Shalamar Traders Association, spokesman Mr Ravi Rohmetra strongly condemned the attack on temples and castigated Power Development Department for effecting curtailments during peak hours in the sensitive areas, which was the major cause of attack by militants on Raghunath Temple complex by terrorists.

Gujjar Islahi Committee, Jammu, chief organisor Ch Ghulam Rasool Ashghar has strongly condemned cowardly act of terrorists and described it an act aimed at creating communal divide in the region. He demanded that Government should take strong steps for protection of innocent citizens and also the religious places.

National Students Union of India (NSUI) in a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Ashutosh Sharma, senior vice president, strongly condemned terrorists attack on places of worship and demanded close-circuit TVs at all the religious places of importance so that activities of subversive elements could be checked and retaliated effectively.

Minibus Workers Union in a meeting under the chairmanship of Mr Anil Chopra, condemned the attack on Raghunath Mandir and at another place of worship in Jammu city. Various other office bearers and members of the Union also spoke.

Sadhu Dharam Sthan Surakshini Samiti, Mahant Subhasha nath condemned terrorists attack on Raghunath Mandir and in the vicinity of Panjbakhtar temple in strongest possible terms. The Mahant appealed the State Government to arrange adequate security measures at all the places of worship.

City president of Shiv Sena, Mr Sanjay Mahey, while condemning the incidents at Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya, stated that the attack was a result of removing of Nakas at vulnerable points around the city, due to which the terrorists managed to sneak into the city with weapons and struck at will at Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya.

Jammu Central Brahman Sabha, while condemning the incident criticised the State and Central intelligence agencies for their failure to apprehend the nefarious design of terrorists.

Akhil Bhartiya Kashatriya Mahasabha executive body under Mr Daljit Singh Charak condemned attack at Raghunath Mandir in strong terms and described it as a failure of State intelligence agencies.

The J&K High Court Bar Association members in a meeting under chairmanship of Mr U K Jalali, president condemned terror attack at Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya. The members appealed the State Government and people to maintain communal harmony and peace at all costs.

Mahatma Gandhi Forum, Jammu in its meeting strong;y condemned the brutal attack by terrorists at Raghunath Temple and prayed God Almighty to bestow peace on the departed souls besides g ranting courage to the bereaved families to bear with this irreparable loss.

Mr Anil Paba, social activist from Udhampur has also condemned terrorist attack on Raghunath Temple in Jammu and at Shivalaya as a result of which over a dozen innocent precious lives were lost.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann) J&K, in its meeting chaired by Mr J S Mangal and attended by Bhai Ram Singh,, S Balbir Singh and S Malvinder Singh, S Ravinder Singh, S Dalbhajan Singh, S Bhopinder Singh and S Jagjit Singh strongly condemned attack at Raghunath Mandir and at Shivalaya temple at Panjbakhtar by terrorist and demanded adequate ex-gratia relief and compensation to to kin of the deceased and proper medicare to those injured.

The executive bodies of Samata Party led by its president Raj Kumar Choudhary, Kul Hind Nove Soan Kashmir Front leader Mr Shadi Lal Pandita, BJP Vijaypur Mandal leader Chander Parkash Sharma, Bhai Kanahiya Jee Nishkam Sewa Society led by S Mohinder Singh, National Conference Udhampur unit leader Ch Mohd Shafi, National Conference Doda unit vice president Ch Hakam Din Naz, Ex-Sub Mohinder Singh of Lower Gadigarh and others have also condemned attack on Raghunath Mandir in strong terms.

A meeting of Bar Association Udhampur under the chairmanship of Bharat Bhushan Sharma condemned the attack by terrorists at Raghunath Mandir and elsewhere. The Bar demanded adequate beefing up of security arrangements at all religious places in the State.

All Registered voluntary organisations of Rajouri have strongly condemned the strike at Shri Raghunath Mandir and Shivalaya and urged the State Government to beef up security arrangements at all places of worship so that such heinous incidents donot recur.

The Young Intellectual Forum in its meeting while condemning attack on temples in Jammu city also condemned double standards of western world, which is on the one hand condemning terrorism in India while on the other it is encouraging international terrorism, on one count of the other by engineering attacks on Iraq and at the same time keeping a blind eye towards Pakistan which is supporting terrorism in India.

All aggrieved registered voluntary organisations of Rajouri in their meeting have also condemned attack on Raghunath Mandir and area near Panjbakhtar temple and urged the authorities at the helm of affairs to take immediate measures to stem the rot and nip the evil in the bud.

Ramzan challenges election of Sofi from Handwara in HC

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 26: Choudhary Mohd Ramzan, a National Conference candidate from Handwara constituency has challenged the election of Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi, an Independent candidate from Handwara Assembly constituency in the J&K High Court.

In the petition filed through advocate S C Gupta, K K Pangotra and S K Raina on various grounds, it has been alleged that in Handwara constituency five polling booths at Bata Kote, Machipora, Badersher, Yamlar and Wadipora were captured. The matter was also brought to the notice of Election authorities. On the same day, the spot verification was conducted by the Zonal Magistrate, Returning Officer and the observer and they also sent the report to the concerned recommending re-poll and suggested the date of Dec 8, 2002.

In the petition it was submitted that Election commission ignored the reports and recommendations and failed to discharge its constitutional obligations. It was also alleged that in the booth capturing process the agents of the elected candidate were involved. Besides this, there have been instances of large scale disturbances at many other polling stations where the electorates were not allowed to exercise their right to vote freely.

It was also alleged that several polling stations were shifted and changed in the mid-way during polling process in Handwara. In the petition, it was prayed that election of Mr Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi be declared void.