Cong Ministers, MLAs target bureaucracy, DyCM
CLP to review Ministers’ performance on Jan 16
*Office bearers for Assembly, Council elected

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: In a significant decision, a crucial meeting of the Congress Legislature Party and its associate members held here this evening, has decided to review the performance of its Ministers on January 16 when they will complete one year in the office.

Chaired by PCC (I) president Ghulam Nabi Azad, who flew-in here for the second consecutive day amidst reports of a growing unrest among the party legislators especially the young turks, the Legislature Party meeting decided to meet again on January 16 when most of their Ministers will complete one year in the office.

"If required, some changes can be made to strengthen the party during review of the Ministers’ performance", the Congress sources told EXCELSIOR late tonight.

Three Congress Ministers were sworn-in on November 2, 2002 alongwith Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed while seven others were sworn-in on January 14, 2003 when the Cabinet was expanded. At the time of swearing-in, the Congress leadership had taken a decision to review performance of the Ministers every year.

The meeting, which started at 7 pm, lasted three hours followed by a dinner.

All 22 Congress legislators including 16 MLAs and six MLCs and two associate members—Abdul Majid Wani, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development and Aijaz Ahmed, Minister of State for Agriculture attended the CLP meeting, which was held at the official residence of Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma. A total of 11 Speakers including the Ministers addressed the meeting.

Much significance is being attached to the presence of Mr Wani and Mr Ahmed in the CLP meet since both of them are also part of 12-member People’s Democratic Front (PDF), another formidable political force in the State, which was part of the coalition Government.

Sources said four Cabinet Minister, who spoke, targeted the bureaucracy. They also made an indirect attack on Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma saying that "he is not affective and was unable to watch interests of the Congress and pursue the party’s view point". They also charged him with being unable to establish supremacy of the political authority.

However, Mr Sharma strongly countered the charges but his reply failed to convince the Ministers as well as the legislators. Prominent among the Ministers, who addressed the meeting, were Peerzada Sayeed, Rural Development Minister, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution System and Mohd Sharief Niaz, Power Minister.

According to sources, a number of Congress legislators especially Raman Bhalla and Yogesh Sawhney narrated their grievances in the meeting. They targeted their own Ministers and the bureaucracy saying they were not coming upto the people’s expectations. They were of the view that the Government should immediately implement the report of Wazir Commission, set up Delimitation and Finance Commissions and announce a package for the unemployed youths, which were part of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the coalition Government.

These legislators, it may be recalled, had boycotted the coalition partners public rally at Zanana Park on November 7 on the same issues.

Some Ministers expressed their helplessness on some of the issues. At this stage, some MLAs stood up and advised the Ministers to come out of the Government if they were unable to check the bureaucrats. "Why you are continuing in the office if you are helpless to do anything"? an agitated MLA reportedly confronted the Ministers.

Meanwhile, the CLP also discussed its strategy for the ensuing brief session of the Legislature beginning December 10. The CLP also elected office bearers for both House of the Legislature.

While Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma happened to be the leader of House in the Assembly, Peerzada Sayeed, Rural Development Minister, was elected as deputy leader of the House. Party MLA from Bani Prem Sagar Aziz was elected as chief whip while City East MLA Yogesh Sawhney was elected as secretary.

In Council, P Namgayal was elected as the deputy leader while Gulchain Singh Charak was elected as secretary and Parduman Singh as chief whip.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed has also convened a meeting of the legislators of coalition partners on December 9 on the eve of the Assembly session.

As reported, Mr Azad accompanied by AICC (I) general secretary Ambika Soni had arrived here yesterday afternoon. They had attended marriage reception of Congress MLA Suman Bhagat’s son and returned to New Delhi in the State Government’s aircraft.

Today, Mr Azad flew-in to Jammu in the State aircraft while Mrs Soni stayed back in New Delhi due to Congress Working Committee meeting. Mr Azad will return to New Delhi tomorrow afternoon by a regular flight.

Congress distances itself from Jogi

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: An embarrassed Congress today distanced itself from former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi on the tape controversy with Sonia Gandhi refusing to meet him but the party formed a four-member group before which he appeared to give his version.

Gandhi told reporters after the CWC meeting that sting operation was regrettable.

His isolation was complete when he was barred from the CWC meeting here under the shadow of the controversy.

"Law must apply squarly in the videotape of (BJP leader Dilip Singh) Judeo and audio tape of Jogi", Congress spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters after a seven-hour meeting of the Congress Working Committee that went into the party’s debacle in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chha-tisgarh assembly elections.

"We will not like to pronounce (anything) on the veracity of the tape. Law must apply squarely in the videotape of Judeo and audiotape of Jogi", Reddy said when asked whether the Congress would dub as "forged" the audio tape released by Union Law Minister and BJP leader Arun Jaitley involving Jogi in the "Cash-for-MLA" scam.

After meeting the four-member group at the residence of Pranab Mukherjee, Jogi told reporters "I am grateful to Sonia Gandhi for the opportunity given to me to clarify my position. "I have placed my version".

Besides, Mukherjee other members of the group are -senior Congress leaders Manmohan Singh, Ahmed Patel and Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Mukherjee, Deshmukh and Manmohan declined to talk to waiting reporters.

Patel, however, said it was the last meeting of the committee on the issue.

The meeting saw PCC presidents R K Malviya of Madhya Pradesh, Ramanuj Yadav of Chhatisgarh and Girija Vyas of Rajasthan offering their resignations. AICC general secretary Ambika Soni has made a similar offer two days back.

"We are equally confident that in this exercise all the right thinking, progressive and secular forces will support the endeavours of the Congress party", the CWC said in a resolution.

Putting the question of Gandhi’s leadership beyond any doubt, the apex policy making body of the party said "we are confident that Congressmen and Congresswomen under the leadership of Gandhi will rise to the occasion to meet these challenges with courage and conviction".

In her opening remarks at the CWC, Gandhi asked partymen to turn the "adversity into opportunity" by showing determination. She said that though these election results were a "setback" to the party, it has the necessary resilence and inner strength to recover.

Reddy dismissed suggestions that the failure to go in for alliances resulted in the rout of the party in the three states. He said that the political scenario in these states was bipolar and the BJP also had not entered into tieups with its NDA allies in the polls. Gandhi also said that a small group would be constituted to go into the various suggestions that emerged at the meeting and the correctives needed to be taken in the light of the poll debacle to chalk out an electoral strategy for the future.

The meeting also deliberated on the possibility of the Lok Sabha elections being held earlier than scheduled, Reddy said adding that Congress was always ready for elections.

Deliberations at the CWC also saw a "frank and constructive" debate on the deficiences noticed in the organisational matters as also in the campaigning in the polls.

The meeting saw outgoing Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh Digvijay Singh and Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot giving their reasons for the debacle with Singh stating that there was failure in convincing the people about the achievements of his Government in the social sector, sources said.

Singh also spoke of the power crisis in the State resulting in affecting the Congress prospects.

Reddy laughed away when asked whether there were any suggestions for actively involving Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the organisation.

In the resolution, the CWC felt that the BJP got the electoral dividents through "vulgar display of financial resources" and deployment of RSS and VHP cadres.

"But given the track record of BJP, RSS and VHP in spreading the communal virus in a massive way, the emerging electoral trend is a matter of grave concern. If not checked, it is bound to pollute our political system", it cautioned.

The CWC also dismissed as ridiculous BJP’s claim that it won the elections on the slogans of development and good governance. (PTI)

Pak not sincere in normalising ties: RSS chief

By Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, Dec 7: Holding Pakistan responsible for the present turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir, Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief (Sar Sangchalak) K C Sudershan today said that whenever India tried to normalize the ties it has sabotaged the move.

Addressing a mammoth rally of RSS volunteers here, he said Pakistan was created to weaken India hence the leaders of that country will never allow the normalization of relations between the two nations as they know this will be a doom for Pakistan and it will cease to exist.

"And because of this mindset of Pakistani leaders it has become difficult for them to reply the latest 12 point peace proposals made by the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee", he said. They have not replied to all the points in this proposals so far, he added.

Ridiculing Pakistan, Mr Sudershan said, "on one side it wants to hold dialogue with India and on the other it is sending armed desperadoes in the country to give setback to peace moves". The Pakistan should stop sending infiltrators in Kashmir before holding the dialogue, he asserted.

Mr Sudershan said Pakistan wants to snatch Kashmir with force which will not be allowed at any cost. He also ridiculed some forces in India who want that Kashmir should be negotiated saying it is not possible as today Kashmir tomorrow they will interfere in Assam.

Expressing serious concern over the recent racial riots that took place in Bihar, he alleged that some outside forces are involved in a conspiracy to weaken the nation.

He said though a row was created on railway recruitment between the people of Bihar and Assam but the killing of innocent Biharis in Assam is not the handiwork of Assamese as they will not stoop to that level.

He said later it was found that there was a conspiracy behind this act and it was the handiwork of Bangladeshis settled in Assam as they wanted to grab their jobs.

He said the ULFA chief who is in Bangladesh and enjoys all comforts issued a statement from there against the Biharis and under a preplanned game plan they were attacked.

He said like Article 370, the IMDT is the greatest handicap in identifying the Bangladeshis in North Eastern states. He demanded that 1950 Tribunal be revived instead of IMDT.

The RSS chief said a big conspiracy is being hatched to divide Hindus on the basis of casteism to weaken this nation and "we have to be cautious against it".

"Sangh is not averse to the way of worship adopted by the people belonging to different religions living in India but it believes that all should be loyal to the motherland. Every body has freedom to practice his religion in this country whether he is a Muslim or Christian provided they all consider the India as their mother", he added.

He said the ways of worship to the people professing different religions are separate but the goal of all is one.

Criticizing the Christians and Pope for thrusting their ideology on others, he said in 2001 a religious conference was held in New York and 1,100 representatives of different countries had participated in it. This conference, the main purpose of which was to find the ways and means of ever lasting peace in the world had passed a resolution that the people believing in different religions should have no conflict with each other as all religions are one. But this resolution was yet to be signed a statement came from Vatican City that the people who consider themselves equal to Roman Catholics were crossing limits, he added.

He said these forces are creating a conflict in the world on communal lines and threaten the peace. Likewise the Muslims also tried to thrust their religion on others and this is the main cause of conflict in the world, he added.

The RSS chief said the everlasting peace can only be restored in world when the interference in each others religious affairs is stopped and for this purpose RSS is working to eradicate the caste system in Hindu Samaj. "The Sangh has resolved to bring the entire Hindu Samaj under one banner", he added.

Mr Sudershan did not agree that Muslims and Christians are in minority in India. He said both the communities are the aborigines of this country hence they should not consider themselves in minority.

This goal can only be achieved when the Hindus are not involved in inter community conflicts, he said ,adding the Hindu is the only force which can unite this nation and society.

He said in India only two communities Parsis and Jews are in minority but the people of these religions also consider themselves a part of this vast nation and its culture.

Blaming the foreign rulers for creating communal divide in India during their 200 year rule Mr Sudershan said, for their vested interests they exploited the people of different communities and created a wedge between them.

He said a conspiracy was hatched to change the social set up of this country by the British rulers and wrong feeding was made among the people through books that the Aryans and Dravidians were not original Indians. But this was proved wrong and has been contradicted now.

He also made a dig at the propagators of Macalvi and Marxist philosophy and blamed them for distorting the facts about India’s past history.

He said now the Muslims and Christians are realizing these acts too and recently a Muslim conference was held in Union Capital in which four resolution to this effect were passed.

Likewise the Christians in South have openly said that they were not foreigners but the aborigines of this nation hence they will not take dictates from Rome.

Mr Sudershan said RSS welcomes such efforts as this will strengthen the national unity and peace.

The RSS chief also announced the appointment of Prof K L Bhatia as Seh Prant Sangchalak.

Earlier the function started with the lighting of traditional lamp by Mr Sudershan. it was followed by flag hoisting, Dwaj Pranam and drill by hundreds of RSS cadres drawn from different parts of Jammu Province.

The function among others was also attended by Union Minister of State for Defence, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta and Dr. Om Parkash Mengi Prant Sangchalak.

Later hundreds of Swyamsevak attired in full rehearsal dress took out a March Past in the City. They were led by Chatriya Pracharak, RSS Danish Ji.

11 member executive committee of Amar Singh Club elected

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: An 11 member executive committee of the Amar Singh Club was elected today with Secretary of the Club Siddharth Sharma polling maximum 809 votes out of a total of 931 polled votes.

Siddharth Sharma was followed by Rattandeep Singh Anand, who polled 740. The remaining nine memners are—Manmohan Singh (672 votes), Anil K Gupta (664), Daler Singh (647), Neelam Dutta (634), Vijay Gupta (626), Rajbeer Singh (615), V K Nanda (598), Rajesh Gupta (582) and Bansi Lal Dogra (559 votes). There were total 18 candidates out of which 11 were elected.

Even in the last election, Siddharth Sharma secured maximum votes and was later elected as Secretary of the Club.

Mr Ved Bhasin was the Returning Officer of the Club elections while Deputy Returning Officer was Ajaz Tak.

Before the election, the Annual General Meeting of the Club was held wherein Secretary Siddharth Sharma highlighted the achievements of the Club during his tennure. He said that it was due to the last team’s efforts that centrally heated swimming pool with extra modern facilities has been constructed. The swimming pool has a facility of steam bath, sona bath and gym.

He disclosed that swimming pool would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on December 14.

Two HMPPR militants arrested
Two Pak ultras killed in Delhi

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: Delhi Police tonight shot dead two Pakistani terrorists in an encounter near the famous Lotus temple and arrested two of their Indian associates here.

The terrrorists belonging to Hizbul Mujahideen Pir Punjab Range (HMPPR) were traced near the temple in Kalkaji area shortly after the arrest and interrogation of their two associates earlier this evening from Khanpur, also in South Delhi, Joint Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Neeraj Kumar told PTI.

The dead ultras were identified by their Indian associates as Hafiz Rashid and Bilal. Kumar said police located the duo near the Lotus temple and laid a trap for them triggering an encounter.

The two terrrorists fired at the police drawing retaliation in which both were killed.

Two Chinese pistols and some empty cartridges were found near the bodies of the slain militants, Kumar said.

Earlier, police arrested Tarif Hussein and Tazim Mohammed belonging to Hizbul Muzahidin Pir Panjal Range from Khanpur following specific information, Kumar said.

Hussein and Mohammed told the police about the presence of Rashid and Bilal, he added.

Two AK 56 rifles, four magazines, six hand grenades, 120 rounds of ammunitions, 4.3 kgs of RDX, two detonators and Rs 15 lakh in cash were recovered from the possession of Huseein and Mohammed who were suspected to have sneaked into the Capital for planning a strike here, police source said.

Asked about the motive and plan of the slain as well as arrested terrorists, the JCP said Hussein and Mohammed were being interrogated by a joint team of police and intelligence officials and nothing could be disclosed right away.

Replying to a question, he did not rule out the possibility of police carrying out operations in some other parts of the national Capital in search of more terrorists.

Police arrested last night 40-year-old Rashid Qureshi, a Pakistan-trained terrorist, who was in the Capital allegedly to set up a base. Qureshi, who hails from Uri in Kashmir, was nabbed in north-west Delhi, police sources said. (PTI)

Bhim serves final ultimatum to Govt
*Harshdev projects JKNPP chief as LS poll candidate

By Nishikant Khajuria

JAMMU, Dec 7: Serving final ultimatum to the coalition Government, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) supremo Prof Bhim Singh today asked the State Government to implement Wazir Commission, De-limitation Commission and Finance Commission reports by March 30.

"To get our further support, give Jammu people their due rights and implement Wazir Commission, De-limitation Commission and Finance Commission reports by March 30 next," he asked the coalition Government while addressing a largely attended plenary session of JKNPP at Dushera Ground in Gandhi Nagar, here today.

However, the ultimatum did not mention further course of action, but firebrand Prof Bhim Singh, only said that Wazir Commission, De-limitation Commission and Finance Commission reports, which are on top agenda of the Panthers Party, would be got implemented by March 30 next.

The JKNPP chief also sought to explain the reason behind his party joining the ruling coalition and claimed,"had Panthers Party not joined the Government, there would have been no revolution in Education department which has been brought by our party leader Harshdev Singh."

"No youth would have been provided employment under Rehbar-e-Talim scheme and no new schools opened if we had decided not to join the Government," he said and announced that similar revolution will be brought in other departments if JK Panthers Party Government comes in full power in the State.

Demanding equal treatment in distribution of relief to all the border migrants, Prof Singh also claimed that it was Panthers Party which forced the State Government to announce 11 kgs ration and Rs 400 per member to border migrants.

While addressing the gathering, Education Minister Harshdev Singh sought to assure that there would be no discrimination with Jammu region as long as Panthers Party was among ruling coalition partners and in power.

"We will continue our struggle and serve maximum to our people and before a question mark is raised on our working, we will not take even a minute to quit the Government," he thundered.

Listing his achievements, Harshdev Singh claimed that a revolution has been brought in the Education department and its functioning re-juvenated by taking some bold and historic steps.

The Panthers leader lambasted National Conference and Bhartiya Janta Party for their double speak and alleged that BJP-led NDA Government was responsible for non-inclusion of Dogri language in eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

He stressed that a person like Bhim Singh was required to represent Jammu in the Parliament so that demands and issues of Jammu people may be highlighted effectively there. "We will try that he is projected as a consensus candidate of the coalition partners in the next Lok Sabha elections," Harshdev added.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Sheep and Animal Husbandry Yashpal Kundal exhorted youth to come forward and strengthen JKNPP for bringing a revolution. He listed some achievements of his department and claimed that he has fulfilled all the promises within one year.

Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA Udhampur, whose supporters from Udhampur constituency comprised almost half of the gathering in the plenary session, highlighted achievements of Education Minister and said that it was only because of Harshdev Singh that 30,000 youth were given employment under Rehbar-e-Talim scheme.

"Had Panthers Party eight or ten ministers, un-employment among youth would have been completely eradicated," he exclaimed and hoped that people would enable the party to have this position in next Assembly elections.

Mr Faqir Nath, MLA Chenani, who was apparently most aggressive speaker in the plenary session, alleged discrimination with Jammu and injustice with Gujjar, Bakerwal, Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes. "Despite great sacrifices of Dogras, Jammu people are being treated like beggars by the Government," he alleged while referring to plights of border migrants and poor farmers.

JKNPP president Mushtaq Ahmed Khan and some other leaders also addressed the gathering.

VO unearths MD entrance paper scam
Two held with Rs 14 lakh cash

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: Vigilance Organization has unearthed a question paper scam for MD entrance test and arrested two members of the gang.

A spokesman of the Vigilance Organization said here this evening that two SSPs of the organization had yesterday developed information that some of the doctors appearing in the MD entrance test scheduled to be held

today, had paid Rs. 4 lakh each to procure copies of the question papers for clinical and non-clinical subjects in Srinagar. The SSPs, Ghulam Hassan Bhat and Mushtaq Sayeed, briefed the Vigilance Commissioner, R.V. Raju, who was in Srinagar about it and he ordered full investigation into the matter.

Some of the doctors, who were shown the question papers to lure them for buying these, indicated at least 17 questions they remembered while seeing the papers, which tallied correctly in today’s question papers.

On the information collected, the Vigilance Organization laid trap and picked up two persons. They have been identified as Shahnaz Malik alias Shafi S/o a retired police inspector Suleman Malik and Khurshid Ahmad Wani of Kargil, who is a MBBS dropout. One Hamid Ullah Dar, lecturer in Chemistry at Higher Secondary School, Jawaharnagar, Srinagar, is reported to be the kingpin of the racket. The arrested persons led the Vigilance party to his house at Old Airport road in Srinagar where it recovered Rs. 14.85 lakh in cash and many documents including blank answer sheets. He, however, has gone underground.

According to the Vigilance investigating party led by SSP Ghulam Hassan Bhat, at least 8 to 10 doctors have bought the question papers for entrance examination from the accused. All these doctors have been identified.

The Vigilance Organization has launched a manhunt for the kingpin.

Jogi bribe case goes to CBI

RAIPUR, Dec 7: In his first action after assuming the post of Chattisgarh Chief Minister, Raman Singh today ordered a CBI inquiry into the alleged attempt by his predecessor Ajit Jogi to prevent formation of the BJP Government in the State by offering bribe to newly elected party MLAs to defect.

"The matter has already been registered with the anti-corruption bureau but since it is related to an outgoing Chief Minister and defection, it will be handed over to CBI," Singh told reporters in his maiden press conference after he was administered the oath of office by Governor K M Seth here.

"It has been decided to hand over the case to CBI," he said.

The BJP last night alleged that Jogi offered bribe to newly-elected BJP MLAs to defect and form a breakaway group whom the Congress would extend support in the Government formation.

At a late night press conference, Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley, played a tape purportedly containing the conversation between Jogi and BJP state unit vice president Virender Pandey and MLA Baliram Kashyap whom the money was allegedly offered.

The Chief Minister said a case has been registered with the anti-corruption bureau against former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, his son Amit and Sarangarh MP T R Khunte, who recently defected from BJP to Congress.

"Since it is a clear case I hope it will be solved as soon as possible by the CBI," Singh said. The process to handover the bribery case to the agency has already begun, he added. (PTI)

25 of marriage party killed, 14 injured in Banihal mishap

Excelsior Special Correspondent

DODA, Dec 7: In a tragic road accident, 25 members of a marriage party were killed and 14 others received injuries, four of them critically, when a overloaded mini-bus plunged into 200 feet deep nullah near Pogal under Banihal Police Station this afternoon.

The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK02G-2108 was on its way from Magarkot to Shalgarh when it plunged into a nullah killing 23 pasengers on spot and wounding 16 others.

Reports said that retired Sub-Inspector Rehmatullah Bali had hired a mini-bus to attend a marriage function at Pogal and while proceedings towards Pogal from Magarkote he continued to pick up his relatives, who were also heading towards the same area, despite the repeated objections by the driver of the vehicle.

The driver reportedly asked the retired Sub-Inspector not to allow more persons to board the vehicle whenever the latter asked him to stop the vehicle for his more relatives. Since Magarkote to Pogal road was in dilipadated condition and vehicle was carrying passengers beyond its capacity the vehicle suddenly went out of the control of the driver and plunged into 200 feet deep nullah some kilometres short of Pogal.

According to the injured, the vehicle collided with several rocks before landing at the bottom of the nullah. Sub-Inspector Traffic Police Farooq Ahmed was the first person to reach the spot. He also flashed the message to Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of the area and senior officers of the Traffic Police.

Later, SDPO, DySP Operations and DySP Traffic Zahoor Ahmed Wani reached the spot under the supervision of DIG Udhampur-Doda range Satvir Gupta and SP Traffic National Highway Amzad Pervez Mirza and started rescue operation with the active assistance of the Army personnel.

The Army personnel pressed into service their craines and other equipment to bring out the passengers from the nullah. The rescue team had to break the parts of the mini-bus to bring out the passengers from the badly mangled vehicle. It took about three hours to rescue team of police and army to shift the injured to the hospital.

Twenty two passengers were killed on spot while three others succumbed to their injuries while being shifted to hospital. The injured were admitted in Ramban Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, SP Traffic National Highway Amzad Pervez Mirza ordered attachment of DTI Abdul Rashid to his office to ascertain any negligence on his part. "The driver cannot be held responsible for the accident as he had repeatedly objected to the overloading as was stated by the injured passengers", he said.

Twenty two injured have been identified as Javaid Ahmed, driver of the vehicle and conductor Mohammad Ashraf, Hafiza Begum, Mohd Ibrahim, Khadima Begum, Manzoor Ahmed, son of Shamas Din of Chaka, Mohd Iqbal, Mohammad Din, Fareed Ahmad, Mohd Shabir, Taza Begum, Tariq Ahmad, Parveen Begum, wife of Akhtar Ahmad, Muifa Begum, Ubaid Ahmad, Babli Bano, Mubina Begum, Mohd Anwar, Parvez Ahmad, Tasleem Begum, Manzoor Ahmad, son of Mohd Shafi Katoch of Nagam, Parveena Begum, wife of Mohd Anwar.

Out of 14 injured, 11 were shifted to Government Medical College Hospital Jammu for specialised treatment.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Power Minister Mohd Sharief Niaz, Revenue Minister Hakim Mohammad Yasin and MLA Banihal Moulvi Abdul Rashid expressed shock over the loss of precious human lives in the accident.

The Chief Minister has directed the authorities concerned to provide best possible treatment to the injured for their early recovery.

Jogi’s act most shameful: Advani

ON BOARD SPECIAL IAF AIRCRAFT, Dec 7: Condemning Chhattisgarh caretaker Chief Minister Ajit Jogi’s alleged attempt to bribe the Bharatiya Janata Party legislators in the State to break the party, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani described it as the ‘most shameful’ act in the history of Indian democracy.

He was talking to reporters while on his way to attend the swearing in ceremony of the new Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh.

To a query, Mr Advani categorically denied that this revelation was deliberate to give a ‘befitting’ reply for the expose of former Union Forest and Environment Minister of State Dilip Singh Judeo. " this is absolutely wrong. The issues of Mr Judeo and Mr Jogi are different and cannot be compared," he said

The Deputy Prime Minister said Mr Jogi had committed a ‘heinous crime’ of defying the people’s mandate by offering bribe to legislators. "This is the most shameful incident in the country’s democratic history."

Defending Mr Judeo, the Deputy PM said that the money received by the former was for the party.

In order to prevent acts like that allegedly commited by Mr Jogi to defy the mandate, an amendment bill would be brought in Parliament to effect changes in the anti-Defection Law, he pointed out.

Union Health and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who was accompanying Mr Advani, told reporters that the standing committee of the Parliament had given its report on the Anti Defection Law. "The Government is of the opinion that the provision of one third members of the party should be abolished fully," she said.

She said the Union Law Ministry was studying the report and the endeavour will be to pass the amendment bill during the current session of the Parliament. (UNI)

Credible action can lead to talks: Sibal

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: The process of normalisation of ties between India and Pakistan "must include" abandonment of terrorism and it needs a political decision on Islamabad’s part to stop it, says former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal.

He also hopes that Pakistan’s positive response to India’s peace initiatives is an "integral part" of a change in mindset which will lead to credible action against cross-border terrorism and pave the way for resumption of dialogue.

Just a week after retiring from the foreign service in which he had put in 37 years, Sibal spoke candidly in an interview on a wide range of issues confronting the foreign policy establishment and suggestions on how to fine tune them.

Sibal, known for his bluntness in speaking out, said mere form like handshakes during a summit is not enough for a thaw in Indo-Pak ties but what mattered was substance.

"Why go after the shadow and not the substance? If warm handshakes are a reflection of a warm heart and warm intentions, then it is fine.

"But, if it is simply a gesture, then it won’t be enough," he said when asked about the possibility of a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf or Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on the sidelines of the the SAARC summit in Islamabad in January.

Sibal said the process of normalisation of ties "must include" abandoning terrorism. "Support for terrorism is not normal".

Asked whether India felt that this time Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf was sincere, he said "if one were cynical, one would say no. But, if one is more open-minded and willing to give the benefit of the doubt, one could say that Gen Musharraf is responding positively to our initiatives.

"It is not because he wants to please India, but that this would be in Pakistan’s own interest. So, why not be hopeful. One doesn’t pay a price for being optimistic", he said. On what was the hitch in resuming the composite dialogue process at the official level, he said India has made it clear that there cannot be dialogue without credible steps to end infiltration and terrorism by Pakistan.

Sibal said "this is very important because there can be no sustained dialogue unless the threat of terrorism is removed. If we once again embark on a dialogue which then is interrupted by a major terrorist attack, we would be back in the vicious cycle of the past. We must avoid that."

Contending it is not as if terrorism cannot be stopped by Pakistan, he said "it needs a political decision on the other side and it can be taken".

Asked whether Pakistan has taken tangible steps since Prime Minister’s initiative in April extending a hand of friendship, he said "so far no....We have seen on the ground that things have actually become worse. So, we have to wait and watch.

If this time, there is a "serious attempt" to curb terrorism and dismantle its infrastructure including stopping financial support for such outfits, it will be a welcome thing to do.

"But we must resist the tendency to give immediate applause. Let the play finish conclusively. Then we can applaud".

Describing the ceasefire announcement extending from the International Border to the actual ground position line in Siachen as a "good" step, he said "this can be a building block to progressively normalising our relations.

"But to imagine that terrorist organizations in Pakistan are capable of independently taking action which could result in derailing the process that has begun would be faulty judgment," Sibal said.

He described the recent steps at enhancing people-to-people contacts as a "stepping stone towards dialogue".

"As you mount the stairs, the last stair that has to be climbed before you reach the platform of dialogue is infiltration and terrorism....The process will be complete only when the issue of terrorism is tackled frontal, honestly and credibly," he said. (PTI)

Two Jaish militants shot dead
*6 army jawans injured in Rajouri

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 7: Two militants including a ‘tehsil commander’ of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit were killed and six Army jawans were injured while the security forces recovered 20 kg RDX in separate incidents in Doda and Rajouri districts overnight.

Official sources said the Army personnel gunned down two top JeM militants including a foreign mercenary Parvez Afghani, who was functioning as ‘tehsil commander’ of the outfit, in an encounter at Sadiqi Bhata near Mughal Maidan in Chatroo area of Doda district late last night.

The militants were killed in a forest area in Sadiqi Bhata, where they had fled on being chased by the Army personnel, the sources said, adding both of them were killed in about one and a half hour long gun-battle. Troops didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

Parvez Afghani and his local associate Liaquat Ali (code Shahbaz) son of Makhan Chohan R/o Kalan Siri, Chatroo, were killed in the operation. Two AK-56 rifles, six AK magazines, one wireless set and six hand grenades were recovered from the slain militants.

The militants, according to sources, were involved in a number of subversive activities in Kishtwar tehsil.

Another encounter took place between the army personnel and a group of three to five militants at village Kunda in Azmatabad area of Thanna Mandi in Rajouri district late last night. In the initial ambush by the militants, three Army personnel were injured.

Later, the troops retaliated and injured one militant. However, the injured militant and his associates managed to escape under the cover of darkness. A Thanna Mandi police station party led by SHO Vijay Singh also continued searches for the militants but they remained untraced.

Injured Army personnel have been identified as Havildar Prajapati, Sepoy Mohanty and Sepoy Dass, They have been admitted in the Military Hospital.

Three more Army personnel were injured when a grenade exploded accidentally inside their camp at Mander Gala in Koteranka area of Rajouri early this morning. The injured included Havildar Netar Singh, Sepoy Amar Dass and Sepoy Alam. They too have been hospitalised, the sources said.

Meanwhile, police today busted a hideout of the militants at village Bhogali under the jurisdiction of Budhal police station in Rajouri. Recoveries made from the hideout included 20 kg RDX, eight magazines, 168 rounds, 42 bullet ammunition, three hand grenades, one wireless antenna, 10 pencil cells, two pouches, jehadi literature, medicines, ration and socks.

However, no arrests were made from the hideout.

Fake stamp papers haul in Delhi

NEW DELHI, Dec 7: With the arrest of three persons, including a couple, Delhi Police today claimed to have busted a major racket engaged in preparing and selling fake stamp/judicial papers, revenue stamps and other vital documents and recovered such material worth more than Rs 1.5 crore.

Surender Pratap Singh alias Munna Bhai, his wife Hemlata alias Dolly and one Dinesh Singh were arrested by north district police on the basis of specific intelligence, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-district) Sanjay Beniwal told reporters today.

"They were arrested from metro rail station at Tri Nagar after a deal was struck using a decoy customer for purchase of judicial papers worth Rs 25,000 and non-judicial papers worth Rs 25,000 (both fake) for Rs 20,000", Beniwal said.

During interrogation it was revealed that 56-year-old Surender was the alleged kingpin of the racket which had been allegedly running for last two years, he said, adding he had been involved in three such cases earlier also.

At least 6405 stamp papers worth Rs 1,58,76,050 and 1,03,160 stamps worth Rs 8,43,473 were recovered from the three, Beniwal said.

The police also recovered printing materials including computer, scanner, colour tone catridges, printer, exposers, printing block and blank water mark papers.

Surender allegedly started the racket after coming in contact with Dinesh Singh who had knowledge of printing. Surender allegedly claimed he had sold fake papers and stamps for Rs 50 lakh in two years, but police said the figure could be higher.

"We are contacting vendors to find out the exact amount", Beniwal said, adding the amount could be much higher as the customers got it at half the cost.

While Dinesh Singh used to design the fake stamp papers and stamps, Surender used to distribute them using dealers in Meerut, Bulandshahr and Saharanpur, the DCP said.

Dinesh, who was an expert in operating the computer and screen printing, would first make a fake water mark using screen printing before affixing the stamp on the paper, Beniwal said.

He had stored the design of stamp papers in his computer and used it to bring out fake papers in large quantities. (PTI)

3 militants killed in Valley

SRINAGAR, Dec 7: Three militants were killed while as five police personnel injured in militant attack on Police Post Sherbagh, an official spokesman said. The Pakistan-trained militant Shaukat Ahmad Mir was gunned down at Ganiraj-Tral in Pulwama district last evening by BSF in an encounter. An AK 56 rifle, a hand grenade and ammunition were recovered from the slain militant, he said.

Two unidentified militants were killed by troops in a gun-battle in Anantnag district today, a BSF spokesman said.

The body of an unidentified person was found at Dilbari forest near Rafiabad today, the official spokesman said. Five policemen were injured in a militant attack on police post Sherbagh in Anantnag district, the spokesman said adding ultras shot at and seriosuly wounded another policeman near Bijbehara hospital. The spokesman said ultras detonated an IED near a court complex in Kupwara last evening.

Police and security forces arrested three persons suspected to be harbouring militants, the spokesman said. He said police and security forces in a joint operation at Midoora and Dadsar in Tral area of Pulwama district of south Kashmir busted two militant hideouts. They recovered a huge haul of arms and ammunition from the hideouts in the houses of Mehrajuddin Bhat and Mohammad Amin Bhat.

A Tata Sumo was also seized from them, he said adding three persons, all residents of Tral, were taken into custody for questioning.

Another person, Ghulam Hassan Bhat of Mazhama of the same area was also arrested for harbouring militants, the spokesman said. (PTI)

 
 
 

 

 

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