Hurriyat invites Geelani faction, Shah to return to its fold

SRINAGAR, Dec 3: In an effort to procure broader consensus and unite the separatist platform ahead of parleys with Centre later this month, the Hurriyat Conference today formally invited senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah to join the amalgam and appealed to dissident faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani to return.

"We have sent a formal invitation to Shabir Ahmad Shah to join the Hurriyat and once again appealed to dissidents to return to the fold of the amalgam," former Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq told PTI after a four-hour meeting at conglomerate’s headquarters at Rajbagh here.

He said a committee was also formed to complete the formalities for induction of ‘four parties’ into the Hurriyat which was agreed in principle during today’s meeting.

It was not yet known which of the four parties were given the green signal out of the nine which applied for induction into Hurriyat.

The nine parties included two factions of Democratic Freedom Party — headed by Shah and dissident leader Salim Geelani, Salvation Movement, Liberation League, JKLF (Gandroo), Jamiat-e-Ulema Kashmir and human rights forum.

The joint meeting, chaired by Moulvi Mohammad Abbas Ansari, was attended by all senior members, including executive members Ansari, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone, Hurriyat sources said.

Mirwaiz said senior executive members Abdul Gani Bhat and Bilal Gani Lone left for Delhi to meet the diplomatic community especially those from European Union, the United States and the UK. He said he will be joining them later this week.

He said the move was aimed at procuring a broader consensus within the separatist camp and seek support of the diplomatic community for the Kashmir roadmap prepared by Hurriyat.

"We have a roadmap or call it an outline of suggestions for the resolution of Kashmir issue. We have received some suggestions from non-resident Kashmiris also which we want to discuss with the leaders here and the diplomatic community," Mirwaiz, who was entrusted with the job of uniting the separatist platform following Centre’s offer for talks, said.

On the proposed talks, he said there has to be a formal invitation and the agenda should be set for the dialogue.

The talks should be unconditional and aimed at resolving Kashmir issue. We are ready to talk anywhere on the issue, he said reiterating the conglomerate’s stand.

Meanwhile, Democratic Freedom Party president Shah said he had not received any invitation yet and will take a decision only after he received the same.

"We have been advocating unity amongst ourselves and it is good omen that we are coming together. But I will have to see what are the terms," he added. (PTI)

Turmoil in Parliament over Bihari killings, scams

NEW DELHI, Dec 3: The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned in turmoil today over demands for immediate discussions on killing of Biharis in Assam, alleged seeking of favours from PSUs by some ministers and the Judeo bribery case.

Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi has asked the Cabinet Secretary for a factual report on the alleged seeking of favours by six ministers from PSUs and the Judeo bribery case and will take a decision in a day or two on the admissibility of adjournment motions in this regard submitted by opposition parties, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said later.

Swaraj told reporters after the Business Advisory Committee meeting that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has agreed to make a statement in the Lok Sabha either on Monday or Tuesday which was expected to be followed by a discussion.

"We are ready for a statement on the Judeo issue by the Prime Minister after he returns from the CHOGM summit ... That can only be early next week, whenever it suits him", Swaraj said.

A debate under Rule 193 will also take place on the recent violence against Biharis in Assam. It will be on the railway recruitment policy as the violence started during the selection of Group D employees for the railways at Guwahati, she said.

Mrs Swaraj said that all parties have agreed to have discussion on the multi-crore fake stamp paper Telgi scam, particularly after the expose in Nasik in which a huge amount of foreign currency as well as stamp papers and security paper were seized.

There were three adjournments of the Lok Sabha and two of the Rajya Sabha before the proceedings in the two Houses were terminated for the day.

Several members of the treasury and opposition benches in the Lok Sabha sought immediate discussions on the issues of killing of Biharis in Assam and ministers allegedly demanding bribes from PSUs.

Trooping into the well, the agitated members demanded suspension of normal business and an immediate discussion on the issue.

While the members from Bihar including Prabhunath Singh (Samata), expelled Samata Party member Raghunath Jha and Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav (independent) were protesting against the killing of Biharis in Assam, Mohanbhai Delkar (Ind) sought speedy action against those responsible for Daman bridge collapse in which 30 children were killed.

Congress members including Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, Saiduzzaman and Madhusudan Mistri and Bhan Singh Bhaura (CPI) demanded discussion on corruption issues including the bribery case involving a former Union Minister.

Finding the members in an unrelenting mood, Deputy Speaker P M Sayeed adjourned the House till 2 p.m. Earlier Speaker Manohar Joshi had adjourned the House till 12.30 p.m.

As soon as the House assembled this morning, Ranjan stormed the well demanding suspension of question hour and a discussion on "killing of 300 Biharis" in Assam.

Raising the issue, Prabhunath Singh (Samata) said besides killing of Biharis, their property was looted and police in Assam remained a "silent spectator".

"Assam Chief Minister is involved", Singh alleged, provoking loud protests from Congress benches. At one stage, Ranjan moved menacingly towards Congress benches accusing the party which is ruling in Assam and supporting the Rabri Devi Government in Bihar of failure to take appropriate action.

The Speaker told Ranjan "I have told you three times to go to your place. Please don’t misbehave in the House". However, repeated pleas by the Speaker to restore order proved futile.

The Speaker said he had received notices of adjournment and those for suspension of question hour on several issues, including alleged involvement of Union Ministers in seeking favours from public sector units, the bribery case involving a former minister and the atrocities in Assam.

Joshi said he had no objection to the Business Advisory Committee deciding on what issue to be taken up first and that its meeting was scheduled in the afternoon.

However, as the din continued the Speaker adjourned the House till 1230 hours saying that the BAC would meet and take a decision.

Earlier, Mohanbhai S Delkar and Dahyabhai Vallabhbhai Patel, representing Dadra-Nagar Haveli and Daman-Diu constituencies, displayed placards pasted with photographs of 30 children killed in the Daman Bridge collapse few months ago and protesting that no action had yet been taken to nab those responsible for constructing the bridge.

However, the Speaker told them not to display the placards inside the House and said the issue is important and could be discussed in the House.

During her interaction with reporters, Swaraj also said that the Government business included discussion on a national population policy and a national charter for children in the Rajya Sabha, besides two bills to replace ordinances including one on Indian Council for Medical Research.

The Lok Sabha would take up IDBI Bill, SICA Bill as also three other bills to replace ordinances. The three such legislations were Taxation Amendment Bill, Delimitation (Amendment) Bill and Representation of People’s (Amendment) Bill on appointment of District Election Officers for Union Territories.

Replying to questions, she said the Ayodhya issue did not figure in the discussion at the BAC meeting.

Swaraj said there were no major issues for discussion tomorrow in view of the counting of Assembly election votes. (AGENCIES)

Soldier, 4 militants among 8 killed in Valley

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 3: Four militants, one soldier of Rashtriya Rifles and a woman have died in two major gunbattles between militants and security forces in Kashmir valley today.

Informed sources in south Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that, over a specific information, troops of Rashtriya Rifles 01 Bn launched a cordon-and-search operation at Kharpora (Khudwani) in Anantnag district in the wee hours today. According to the tip off, some militants were present at Dar Mohalla of the village. As the troops zeroed in on a particular cluster of houses, the holed up militants opened fire and made unsuccessful attempts to escape. They put up tough resistance to security forces, killing Lance Naik Ajit Singh on spot. Another soldier sustained injuries in the initial round of the firing. In retaliation, troops gunned down two militants.

Believed to be cadres of Hizbul Mujahideen, the slain militants were identified as Nisar Ahmed Dar S/o Mohammad Yusuf Dar R/o Khudwani and Manzoor Ahmed Gorsi of Banihal. Two AK-56 rifles and some magazines and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter.

Yet another major encounter took place between militants and troops of RR 30 Bn at Khoipora, in Kralgund area of Handwara Police district, in the wee hours today. Official sources in north Kashmir said that Army launched the operation on the basis of a specific information according to which some Pakistani militants were present at the house of one Bashir Ahmed.

During the operation, most of the family members were evacuated. However, Bashir’s wife, Fareeda, got trapped. She died in exchange of gunfire between the militants and security forces. Troops eliminated both the militants hiding at the target house. Both Pakistani nationals and members of Lashkar-e-Toiba, they were identified as Saleem Akhtar and Abu Umar.

Reports from north Kashmir added that on Tuesday, militants fired several RPGs and volleys of automatic gunfire on a Tata-407 of Police Station Sogam at the main market of Sogam in Kupwara district. Policemen had taken the vehicle to a workshop for welding. One SPO, Farooq Ahmed Wani of Tekipora, appeared to be the real target. He, however, managed to escape with one gunshot wound. A reinforcement rushed to the spot and evacuated the badly damaged vehicle. Officials claimed that some militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad carried out the attack but they failed to cause any major damage to the Police party.

An unidentified person, who had been fired upon and left injured at Makahama bridge near Magam in Budgam district on Tuesday, has succumbed to injuries at SKIMS.

Sources said that late last evening, unidentified gunmen appeared at Wanpora village in Pulwama district and shot dead a released militant of Hizbul Mujahideen, namely Mohammad Ismail Dar S/o Mohammad Rajab Dar, at his home.

Two Pak brothers walk back to freedom

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SUCHETGARH, Dec 3: Barely 48 hours after their mistakenly entering Indian territory and arrest near Indo-Pak border, two Pakistani brothers today walked to freedom as they crossed the International Border to their native hamlet in Sialkote district of Pakistan.

As a step to strengthen Indo-Pak peace process after Eid ceasefire, "we handed over brother duo to Pak authorities at a flag meeting between Border Security Force (BSF) and Pak Rangers at Octerio Border Out Post today," BSF Commandant Rajesh Gupta told visiting media-persons here today.

Commandant Gupta, who looks after the operational area of International Border in R S Pura sector, further said these two brothers had ignorantly walked into Indian territory on December one. But out of humanitarian consideration they were sent back to their parents.

"We are very happy to return to our native border hamlet, Muradali in Sialkot. We thank Indian authorities and specially those who had treated us well in prison here, 16-year old Rasheed Ahmed said.

"Freedom has come to us so fast due to humanity shown by the Government of India," he said, urging both Governments of India and Pakistan to release detenues in their respective jails as a goodwill gesture. "As India did in my case," he said.

They were also given some gifts by the BSF authorities while leaving for the native place in Pakistan.

Although the duo walked to freedom, there are over 11 more boys between age group of 13 to 19 currently undergoing jail term in different jails in J&K for mistakenly crossing into India.

"We want that both the Governments to take human view of children who are languishing in different jails in the two countries and all of them should be freed and restored to their families on either side," Tourism Minister, Gulam Ahmed Mir said.

"We are hopeful that two countires will realise this at the earliest," he added.

3 terrorists killed in Doda

Excelsior SpecialCorrespondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: Army today gunned down three terrorists of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM) outfit in an encounter at village Bheli in Doda while police thwarted an attempt by two terrorists to sneak into Kandi police station in Rajouri district last mid-night.

An Army team rushed to village Bheli under the jurisdiction of Doda police station early this morning on a tip off that three top terrorists of HuM outfit had taken shelter in an abandoned dhok since last night, official sources said.

The troops were in the process of storming the hideout when they were fired upon by the terrorists. Exchange of firing between the two sides continued for about 40 minutes in which all three terrorists were killed. Troops didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

Slain terrorists have been identified as Mohd Shaffi son of Abdul Rashid Wani, Manzoor Ahmed son of Mohd Anwar and Zafar Ullah Shah (code name Rashid Jehangir) son of Mohd Amin, all residents of Bheli, Doda. Recoveries made from the scene of encounter included one AK-47 rifles, two AK magazines, 12 rounds, one radio set, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) and seven UBGL shells.

Meanwhile, two terrorists last mid-night opened heavy firing on Kandi police station in Rajouri district and tried to enter inside the police station. However, the guard on duty at main gate of the police station and other police personnel returned the firing forcing the terrorists to flee, the sources said.

The police personnel carried out a search operation in the area after the exchange of firing but the terrorists managed to escape taking cover of darkness.

The terrorists also opened firing on an Army camp at Karchi hall in Banihal, which was retaliated by the Army personnel. After a heavy exchange of firing between the two sides, the terrorists, numbering between two to three, escaped. They left behind some ammunition, which was recovered by the security personnel during a search operation carried out this morning.

There were no casualties on either side in the gun-battle.

The terrorists also fired a rocket on a police picket at Balmatkot in Mahore tehsil of Reasi police district early this morning. The rocket, however, missed the target and exploded mid air without causing any damage.

Meanwhile, two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, killed in an encounter with the Army at Bugnari, Mahu Mangat in Banihal yesterday, were today identified as Ghulam Nabi son of Gani, a resident of Ashar and Abdul Rehman (code names Nizam-ul-Rehman, Mubasher and Shaheen) son of Gani Malik R/o Shagen, Banihal.

Yesterday, the security forces had wrongly mentioned the identity of one of the terrorists as Abdul Latif son of Gani R/o Ashar.

Land allotted for agriculture sold fraudulently
DB cancels allotment, sale deeds; restores land to State

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: In a landmark judgment, the Division of the State High Court, comprising Acting Chief Justice VK Jhanji and Justice Syed Bashir-ud-Din, in a batch of Latters Patent Appeals (LPAs), has canceled the allotment of the prime land situated at TopSherkhanian Jammu, worth rupees rupees 10 crore, and restored the land to the Government.

In its 115 page Approved for Reporting Judgment written by Justice Jhanji for the Bench, it was observed that the land measuring 20 kanals claiming to have been allotted to one Sahib Din, was to be allotted only for the purpose of ‘ Agriculture Cultivation" amongst landless agricultural laborers and petty land holders made it compulsory on the allottees to commence personal cultivation within six months from the date of allotment, otherwise land would forfeit. This clause was relevant during a particular period or point of time . However, clause 14 (C) is indefinite in point of time in sofar as it provides that if any allottee fails to fulfill the tests of good husbandry and to confirm the proper standards of cultivation, the allotment is liable to be canceled and the allottee ejected from the allotted land.

The Bench while referring to the various aspects of the case, including transferring of the land to Jammu Development Authority way back in 1973, filing of the suit before the Single Judge and the Government order number LB-&/C of 1958 entailing the consequences of the forfeit of the allotment, observed that the respondents have suppressed the fact that they had filed the suit before the civil court. " All these factors clearly demonstrate that their claim has all along been nefarious and pretentious and loaded with mischief. The conduct of the respondents, writ petitioners, as described lends support to the submission of the appellants that the petitioners have already sold 20-kanals of the land which was originally allotted for agriculture cultivation to their father and now want to grab the further land", it was observed.

With these observations, the Bench allowed all the LPAs and set aside the order dated January 27, 2003, February 17, 2003 passed in the writ petition order dated July 3, 2002 the writ petitions number 11/2003 and 564/2002 are dismissed and writ petition 99/2003 allowed and Government order number Rev (LB) 183 of 2002 dated September 17, 2002 quashed leaving Government free to pass fresh orders as may be deemed fit and appropriate in implementation of the order of the court dated May 22, 1995.

The DB ordered that any entry affected or recorded in the revenue records pursuant to the Government order September 17, 2002 shall be reversed and any document written or executed on the basis of such Government order or such entries made in the revenue records shall be inconsequential.

The DB directed the appellants and the revenue authorities to take all necessary steps in order to restore status quo ante on the spot. " Mutations if any affected in revenue records in the name of the petitioners in petition number 564/2002 namely Alam Din and others, pursuant to order of the court dated July 3, 2002 shall be reversed. Any document written or executed shall be inconsequential since it has come on record that the petitioners in the writ petition have lost the status to the agricultural cultivators and have violated the other terms and conditions of the Government order LB-7/C dated June 1958. The original allotment made in their favour has therefore forfeited. The allotment is liable to be canceled to the petitioners or any person claiming through them or acting on their behalf under law are liable to be ejected from the land in question", it was directed.

The court also directed the revenue authority to take necessary steps as provided in the Clause 14 of the Government order dated June 5, 1958 in this behalf as also directed the Single Judge on April 30, 1991 in the earlier writ petition filed by Bhag Din and others, Alam Din and others. It was directed that the revenue authorities shall file compliance report before the Judicial Registrar of this court.

India proposes direct communication
between two Coast Guards

NEW DELHI, Dec 3: Moving ahead on its confidence building measures to normalise bilateral ties, India today proposed to Pakistan modalities for setting up direct communication links between Coast Guards of the two countries to address issues relating to fishermen and operational difficulties.

As part of its 12 proposals, New Delhi had on October 22 suggested establishment of communication links between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (MSA) and that flag meetings could be held at sea before and after the fishing season.

Following this up, India today proposed that the Director or Deputy Director of Operations at the ICG Headquarters could establish communication through ISD with their counterparts in MSA headquarters with effect from January one, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in a statement here.

The communication links, which would be used on the basis of agreed periodicity and when required, would cover matters related to the humanitarian aspects concerning fishermen of both countries and issues arising out of the operational situation confronted by both the agencies, he said.

Similary flag level meetings between the two agencies have been proposed to be held every six months in April and September, the statement said adding "Pakistan’s response is now awaited"

Fishermen straying into each other’s territorial waters get apprehended and find their vessels seized. It takes a long time for both sides to secure their release.

As per available information, 28 Indian fishermen are currently under detention in Pakistan which has so far released 623. (PTI)

Counting in 4 States today

NEW DELHI, Dec 3: Counting of votes in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi will be taken up at 8 am tomorrow.

All the results for the 230 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 200 in Rajasthan, 90 in Chhattisgarh and 70 in Delhi are expected to be announced by the afternoon as electronic voting machines were used in all the four states.

The results of bypoll in Jamalpur (Gujarat) and Thiruvalla (Kerala) will also be out tomorrow.

Prominent among those whose fate would be decided are Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi —Digvijay Singh, Ashok Gehlot, Ajit Jogi and Sheila Dikshit (all Congress) respectively, Uma Bharti Vasundhara Raje, Nand Kumar Sai and Madan Lal Khurana (all from the BJP).

In Madhya Pradesh, counting to decide the electoral fate of the 2,171 candidates for the 12th assembly, will be taken at all the Centres in 45 district headquarters.

An estimated record 66.86 per cent voters of the more than 37.8 million electorate in the State exercised their franchise on December 1 amid violence in which four people were killed and several injured.

Repolling, ordered in 73 polling booths of the total 42,267 stations, is being held today.

The Congress is fighting an anti-incumbency factor in its bid to retain power for the third consective term while the BJP is making all out efforts to wrest power.

In Rajasthan, counting will be taken up at 33 centres across the State.

A record 67.08 per cent of the 3,39,13,887 electorate had exercised their franchise at 35,689 polling stations across Rajasthan for the 12th assembly on Monday.

In all 1,541 candidates had contested the polls.

The first result is expected from Jodhpur constituency where the counting would be done in only six rounds. The last result could be from Sheo in Barmer district where the counting would be taken up in 21 rounds. All the results are expected to be out by the evening.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for counting at 16 centres in Chhattisgarh where the fate of 819 candidates is expected to be known by afternoon.

Nearly 18,000 evms have recorded the verdict by about 62 per cent of the 13.5 million electorate.

In Delhi, counting will be taken up at 12 centres.

An estimated 53.2 per cent of the 8.45 million voters had exercised their franchise on Monday to decide the fate of 817 candidates. (UNI)

HM terrorist escapes custody, re-arrested
*Cop suspended

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: A top terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen today escaped police custody from near the TADA court complex near the district jail but was re-arrested by the police. A police constable, who was accompanying the terrorist to the jail, has been placed under suspension for de-reliction of duty.

Police said a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, Basharat Mehboob son of Mohd Azam, a resident of Dhankot, Thanna Mandi in Rajouri district, was being taken in a handcuff for being produced in the TADA court at about 10.45 am today when he managed to open his handcuffs.

The handcuffs, according to the preliminary investigations carried out by the police, were tied loose, which helped the terrorist in opening them. A police party and the jail staff immediately came into action and chased the fleeing terrorist. After about 10 minutes chase, the police personnel succeeded in re-arresting the terrorist.

The terrorist was sent to the lock-up. A fresh case against him has been registered under Sections 223/224 RPC and FIR No. 213/2003 at Pacca Danga police station for escaping the police custody.

Meanwhile, SSP Jammu Dr Kamal Saini has ordered the suspension of Daleep Singh, a Selection Grade Constable (SGCT) No. 1866-J, who was accompanying the terrorist from the district jail Amphalla to the TADA court. He has been charged with the de-reliction of duty.

Police said Basharat Mehboob, a front ranking terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen, had been arrested under Sections 302 and 307 RPC, 121-A and 3/PSF by the Rajouri police. He was involved in the civilian killings besides other terrorist activities in the border district of Rajouri.

Later, he was sent to the judicial lock-up and lodged in the district jail Ambphalla.

Soon after his re-arrest, the terrorist is again being subject to questioning to know whether any police personnel or members of the jail staff had helped him in his escape. The suspended constable is also being questioned as he had very loosely tied the handcuffs to the terrorist.

Cabinet empowers CM to terminate tainted officials

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: In a bid to check corruption in bureaucracy, the State Cabinet today empowered Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed to sanction termination of tainted public servants, including gazetted offcers in the State.

The State Cabinet, which met here, authorized Chief Minister to sanction termination of tainted public servants of all categories, including gazetted officers to rid the administration of corrupt elements, a top official said here.

This decision was taken after amending the existing Business Rules under which Chief Minister can sanction termination of only non-gazetted employees and power to terminate gazetted officers vested with the Cabinet, he said.

This step has been taken to enable the Government to take quick action against such corrupt officials in Jammu and Kashmir.

The spokesman said that the State Government has already set up a committee to identify corrupt officials for premature retirement.

Ajit to inquire ante-dating seniority of SW officers

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 3: The Government has appointed Principal Secretary Forests, Ajit Kumar as inquiry officer to enquire into the manner and circumstances under which the promotion of M D Handoo and I H Sofi (members of J&K Social Welfare Gazetted Service) was ante-dated from 24-9-1997 to 1-5-1990 and 29-11-1994, respectively and their subsequent re-fixation of seniority by Social Welfare Department, which led to the induction of M D Handoo into KAS.

The inquiry officer would furnish his findings within one month.

Pending inquiry, M D Handoo, personal officer in the office of PCCF has been transferred and attached with the office of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu.

UP Chief Secretary resigns

LUCKNOW, Dec 3: Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Akhand Pratap Singh, whose appointment to the post by Mulayam Singh Yadav Government was challenged in the Supreme Court, resigned tonight.

In a letter to Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav here tonight, Singh requested him to relieve him from office responsibilities with immediate effect.

Singh, who was granted three months extension on October 31 last after his retirement, said in his resignation letter that his extension be treated as canceled with immediate effect.

The extension given to Singh was challenged in the Supreme Court by a Lucknow-based journalist alleging serious corruption charges against him.

Hearing the petition on November 26, an apex court bench, comprising N Santosh Hegde and Justice B P Singh had asked Uttar Pradesh Government whether he was the only IAS officer suited for the job.

The resignation of Singh came two days ahead of another hearing at the apex court on the matter.

Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Sharad Chandra Pradhan, had contended on Nov 26 that the Union Government on the one hand was seeking permission of the State Government to initiate inquiry into the corruption charges against Singh but on the other hand extension of service was being granted.

He said Singh had been declared as "one of the most corrupt civil servants" by the association of IOA officers in Uttar Pradesh and added the Union Cabinet Secretary had even opposed the extension move.

Solicitor General Kirit N Raval said it was wrong to say that the Cabinet Secretary had opposed the extension granted to Singh.

The Supreme Court had said "in Uttar Pradesh are there no officers worth holding the office of Chief Secretary or is Singh the only officer suited for the office?"

The State Government defended the extension granted to Singh saying he is being kept in service because of his association in the preparation of the budget and that the extension was only upto January 31 next year. (PTI)

US may issue Dipawali stamp

WASHINGTON, Dec 3: It is learnt that the US postal department is considering issuing stamp to comemmorate the Dipawali.

The two million-strong Indian community has been urging the administration to take such a step.

President George W Bush honours all religions by issuing messages on Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and other holidays.

This year he also issued a message on Dipawali day.

He has said more than once, "we all pray to the same god."

The US Government has already issued stamps in honour of Christian, Jewish, Muslim and other holidays. (PTI)

Most wanted criminal Golawala arrested

AHMEDABAD, Dec 3: A "most wanted" criminal, Salim Golawala, alias Gola, having alleged links with Pakistan’s ISI and terrorist outfits, and involved in a conspiracy to send youths from Gujarat to terrorist training camps there, has been arrested, official sources said here tonight.

Acting on a tip-off that Golawala was in Ajmer along with his wife, a Crime Branch team led by police Inspector Tarun Barot arrested him from there late last night and brought him to the city this morning, sources added.

Golawala is also accused of having links with Dubai-based terrorist organisations and is alleged to have transacted large amount of funds through "hawala" channels to foment subversive activities in Gujarat.

About a month ago, Golwala had managed to escape when the police team which came to arrest him was attacked by local residents of Pani Gate area in Vadodara.

A native of Vadodara, Golawala’s criminal history dates back to 1985 and is wanted in several offences including a murder, three cases of rioting in vadodara.

Golawala is also wanted in the recent murder of a businessman Rasool Ghanchi in Juhapura area of the city, police sources said.

A senior Crime Branch official told PTI that the accused is also wanted in the case of pumping in money from Dubai through hawala channels for terrorist activities, recently unearthed by the agency by arresting four persons and recovering one AK-47 from them.

He was also attached to the notorious Latif gang and Wahab gang in the past. (PTI)

5 more killed in Kuki-Karbi conflict

DIPHU (ASSAM), Dec 3: Three more Karbis and two activists of the Kuki Revolutionary Army have been killed in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam taking the toll in the continuing ethnic clashes to 15.

The Superintendent of Police, Abdul Kudus, said that after the attack on Karbis last night by militants of the Kuki Revolutionary Army in which three were killed, 30 huts burnt and two others injured at Meinterang Gaon in the district, the police and CRPF launched a combing operation in the area.

Kudus said that he had been tipped off about the presence of KRA militants in the area and accordingly informed the Army which laid an ambush in which two KRA activists were killed.

A group of about 50 extremists, armed with guns and other sharp weapons, stormed into the remote village, under Manja Outpost, around eight pm and launched indiscriminate firing before setting ablaze houses. Three bullet-riddled bodies of a woman, a minor boy and a man were recovered from a nearby jungle.

Another person was injured while a blind boy bleeding profusely was found later today from a hut.

More than 300 families from three villages of Meinterang, Singhthong Terang and Sonari Kathar Gaon under Manja Police Outpost have been evacuated to relief camps in Manja. The Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, said that additional security forces were rushed to the district in view of the fresh attack by the KRA while paramilitary forces were already in place in the area to drive out the extremists.

Gogoi said that the Government would set up more police stations in the district which is faced with a dearth of infrastructural facilities.

The Army has already been deployed in the interior areas of the district, where villages are far apart, over a fortnight ago after the outbreak of ethnic clashes in October.

The Army has put in service two helicopters for aerial patrolling in the district since yesterday after the meeting between senior Army and police and civil officials to discuss the operational startegy the day before.

Ethnic clashes have been nagging Karbi Anglong since October. Fresh violence erupted on November 29 when six Karbis, including a woman and a three-year old girl, were killed in two villages by the KRA on November 29, while another four were killed two days later on December one.

The KRA militants had come over from neighbouring Manipur about three years ago and have been trying to create discord between the Karbis and the local Kukis inhabiting the Singhasan hill with an eye to the lucrative ginger trade there, sources said. (PTI)

Digvijay not to contest poll if Cong loses

NEW DELHI, Dec 3: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh today said he would not contest elections in the next ten years if his party was defeated in the December 1 State Assembly polls.

In the midst of almost all prepoll surveys and exit polls predicting BJP victory in Madhya Pradesh, Singh said he was "101 percent" confident that Congress would again form the Government in the State.

In an interview to DD news channel, he said he would not contest elections nor accept any office in the party and the Government for the next 10 years if Congress loses in the elections.

On whether it was necessary for a politician of his stature to take such a stand given the nature of electoral battles, the Chief Minister said it was "absolutely necessary" to own up responsibilty for poll debacles.

Asked about the basis of his confidence of a Congress victory despite all surveys predicting BJP taking over the reigns, he said weaker sections and minorities, the party’s mainstay, have voted in large numbers, which would help the Congress retain power.

To a question whether the six per cent increase in the voters’ turnout in the State this year over the last assembly elections would help the party, Singh said he was not sure which way it would go.

Asked to elaborate on the "googly" he has bowled to get a "hatrick", which has given rise to speculations in political circles, he said "yes, people are not able to understand what the googly is and that is how it’s going to help me."

Singh said nothing has gone wrong in Madhya Pradesh as is being hyped in the media and his Government has done its bit to improve the power situation and condition of roads in the State.

He accused the Central Government of not releasing funds for the last 18 months for maintenance of national highways in the State.

Explaining the reasons for power shortage in the State which was made a major issue by BJP in the poll campaign, Singh said the division of Madhya Pradesh and creation of Chhattisgarh had come at a time when it was "very difficult" for his Government to meet the shortage.

"Most of the generating stations fell in Chhattisgarh, while most of the consumers were in Madhya Pradesh," he said, adding "that is why there was a wide gap during peak hours." (PTI)
 

 

 

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