Azad directs Cong Ministers to get Wazir report approved
Sonia to visit Jammu to review performance

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 8: All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief Sonia Gandhi is likely to visit here in the middle of January next year to review performance of all Congress Ministers in the coalition Government as resentment of the party legislators against their Ministers has been increasing.

This was indicated by Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Ghulam Nabi Azad while chairing crucial meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) last night. As one after another party MLAs were targeting their Ministers during CLP meeting for, what they alleged, neglecting party workers, Mr Azad hinted that Mrs Gandhi along with a senior member of AICC was likely to visit Jammu during the month of January to personally review the performance of party Ministers, Congress sources told EXCELSIOR today.

Echoing the anger shown by the party legislators against most of the Cabinet Ministers, the PCC chief was himself extremely disappointed by their (Ministers’) performance. He took some Cabinet Ministers to task for not satisfying the party workers and not protecting rights of the party sympathisers. Sources said that Mr Azad made reference to some of the instances in which the Cabinet Minister miserably failed to assert. He regretted that due to the attitude of these Cabinet Ministers some officers sympathetic to the party were shifted even two months after transfers.

Virtually enraged over inept attitude of some of the Cabinet Ministers, the sources said, Mr Azad directed the Cabinet Ministers of the party to rigorously take up the issue of implementation of Wazir Commission report and setting up of Finance Commission and Delimitation Commission in the next Cabinet meeting and get these important issues implemented at any cost. He particularly referred that Coordination Committee had already passed these three issues. "Be assertive to get these three decisions implemented in the next Cabinet" meeting Mr Azad directed the party leaders, the sources said.

It is worthwhile to mention here that the Congress has decided to review performance of party Ministers’ on January 16 when they will complete one year in the office.

Sources did not rule out possibility of making major changes while reviewing performance of the Ministers in mid-January to strengthen party in the State.

Earlier some senior Cabinet Ministers of party faced wrath of the MLAs during the CLP meeting. Although all the legislators praised Ministers of State for their cooperative attitude, they were highly critical of Cabinet Ministers for their indifferent attitude.

Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma, Roads and Buildings Minister, Madan Lal Sharma, Health Minister Lal Singh and Rural Development Minister Peerzada Sayeed were specially targetted by the angry MLAs, who in one voice lambasted these Ministers. Embarrassed by the criticism of the all legislators, some Ministers tried to give some excuses but of no avail.

Sources said that when PCC chief was reviewing functioning of Health Ministry, some legislators stood up and gave examples that the Congress workers have been deliberately neglected by the Minister concerned. "There is no need to highlight our grievances before you. Even you (Azad) too are helpless in taking action against the Health Minister as his (Health Minister’s) mentor sitting in Delhi is protecting him", reacted an enraged MLA when the PCC chief asked him to speak about functioning of the Health Ministry. Some MLAs alleged that the Congress workers and genuine people were neglected while giving licenses of the medical shops. The MLAs criticised the Health Minister for not consulting them while making nominations for training of para-medical staff.

Besides appreciating attitude of the Ministers of State, the MLAs didn’t speak even a single word against Power Minister Mohammed Sharief Niaz, Social Welfare Minister Mula Ram and Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister, Taj Mohi-ud-Din.

While lauding cooperative behaviour of the Ministers of State, party MLAs asked Mr Azad to ensure with the Chief Minister to allocate the powers to these Ministers so that they (MLAs) could approach them for getting solution of people’s problems.

23 judicial officers shifted
*Sub Judge Uri suspended

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 8: Twenty-three Judicial Offices of the Subordinate Judiciary have been transferred and a Sub Judge suspended in response to a full court meeting held here under the chairmanship of Acting Chief Justice VK Jhanji.

Among the prominent persons who have been transferred include President Divisional Consumer Forum Jammu, Additional Judge POTA Court Srinagar, Special Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar and many Chief Judicial Magistrates, including that of Jammu.

According to the order issued by Registrar General Mr Vinod Gupta, the Additional Judge POTA Court Srinagar, Mansoor Ahmad Mir, has been transferred and posted as Additional District and Sessions Judge Srinagar in place of Mohd Yaqoob Mir who has been posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge Anantnag.

Special Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Dar has been transferred and posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge Baramulla. Mr Javed Ahmad Kawoos, Presiding Officer Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Srinagar has been transferred and posted as Special Judge Anti-Corruption Srinagar.

Mr Kartar Singh, Presiding Officer Motor Accident Claims Tribubal Jammu has been transferred and posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge Leh in place of Mr Bashir Ahmad Wani who has been posted as District and Sessions Judge Leave Reserve High Court wing Srinagar.

Mr SS Sarangal, Additional District and Sessions Judge Jammu has been transferred and posted as Principal District and Sessions Judge Kargil.

The President Divisional Consumer Forum Jammu, Mr DK Kapoor has been transferred and posted Additional District and Sessions Judge Doda in place of Mr Brij Mohan Gupta, who has been posted as Additional District Judge Matrimonial Court Jammu.

Mr Rakesh Sagar Jain, Deputy Registrar Judicial High Court Jammu has been transferred and posted as Chief Judicial Magistrate Jammu in place of Mr Suresh Kumar Sharma, who has been posted as CJM Udhampur vice Mr Ashok Kumar Koul, who has gone to Katra as Sub Judge.

Mr Sanjay Dhar, Sub Judge Katra will be the new Deputy Registrar Judicial High Court Jammu.

Mr Ramesh Kumar Wattal, Excise Magistrate Jammu has been transferred and posted as CJM Leh against available post.

Mr Pawan Dev Kotwal, Railway Magistrate Jammu and Sub Judge Jammu Subash Chander Gupta have swapped their places of posting.

Syed Tawqeer Ahmad, Sub Judge Kupwara has been transferred and posted as Sub Judge Pattan vice Mr Kousar Ahmad Qureshi, who has been transferred and posted as Sub Judge Uri.

Mr Jafar Hussain Beg, Chief Judicial Officer Handwara has been transferred and posted as CJM Doda vice Mr Inder Singh, who has been posted as Judge Small Causes Court, Srinagar.

Mr Mohan Singh Parihar, Judge Small Causes Court Srinagar has been transferred and posted as Excise Magistrate Jammu.

Mr SL Lalhal, Sub Judge Leave Reserve High Court Jammu has been adjusted as CJM Poonch and Mr Sikkander Azam, PT and Electric Magistrate Srinagar has been transferred and posted as CJM Handwara.

Meanwhile, by another order the High Court suspended Mr Mohd Ibrahim Wani, Sub Judge Uri with immediate effect pending inquiry against him. He has been, however, directed to remain attached with High Court Srinagar wing.

Pak militant had TATA Sumo permit, driving license
Rajouri ultras held in Delhi make important disclosures
*DP, IB raid Thanna Mandi; arrest 3, seize arms

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Dec 8: Two Pakistan militants, who were gunned down by the Delhi Police near Lotus temple in New Delhi yesterday, were planning to flee to Dubai on the fake passports of two Rajouri based local militants.

All four militants, two of whom were killed and two others arrested, were involved in a series of militant activities in the border district of Rajouri. A team of the Delhi Police and Intelligence Bureau (IB) reached Rajouri late this afternoon from New Delhi and shared information with the local police, which they had gathered from the two arrested militants.

Both the arrested militants have reportedly made very sensational disclosures about themselves and their slain associates during their questioning by the Delhi Police overnight, senior police officers, who were in constant touch with their Delhi Police counterparts, told Excelsior tonight.

All four militants were part of Hizb-e-Islami outfit and not Hizbul Mujahideen Pir Panjal Range (HMPPR) as claimed by the Delhi Police, the sources said.

On the basis of the information, Rajouri police tonight launched search operations at Kot Behrot, Rajdhani, Bawli, Nerojal and Hasiot in Thanna Mandi where the slain foreign mercenaries had set up their bases. Late night reports said the joint team of Delhi Police, IB and Rajouri police managed to arrest three "close associates" of the militants and recovered a huge quantity of arms and explosives from the hideouts. More recoveries and arrests were in the offing.

Arrests persons have been identified as Abdullah Lambardar and Qayoom, both brothers and Rashid, all residents of Rajdhani. Recoveries made from the hideouts included two AK rifles, one sniper rifle, one Pika gun and five kg RDX. Recoveries were made from Potha in Rajdhani and Kot Behrot.

As reported today, Hafiz Rashid and Billal Ahmed, both Pakistanis were gunned down by the Delhi Police near Lotus temple last evening while two others including Tarif Shah and Tajim Mohd, both residents of Rajdhani, Thanna Mandi were arrested. It was on the basis of a "specific information" given by a senior officer of Rajouri police zone to their Delhi counterparts that the two militants were arrested, who, in turn, disclosed whereabouts of two foreign mercenaries, leading to their elimination.

Delhi Police was reported to have monitored a mobile telephone of the militants to identify their exact location.

One of the important disclosure, made by the arrested militants, is that the slain Pakistan militant, Billal Ahmed had obtained a TATA Sumo permit as well as a driving license and operated the vehicle on Rajouri-Jammu route for more than six months, the sources said.

"It can be very well presumed that in addition to the passengers, Billal would have transported the militants and their sympathisers in the TATA Sumo from Rajouri to other areas and vice versa", the sources said, adding "it has now come to the notice of the police that the TATA Sumo vehicle, which was in possession of Billal Ahmed, was a stolen one. The Sumo permit as well as the driving license could be fake but their was no confirmation since "we have not examined the two documents", they asserted.

Sources said the police, during the searches being carried out in Thanna Mandi on the disclosures of two arrested militants, was trying to get the documents and seize stolen TATA Sumo.

The arrested militants have also revealed that the foreign mercenaries were planning to fly to Dubai after securing passports on the names of Tarif Shah and Tajim Mohd. Some local contacts of the militants were supposed to assist them in securing the passports. Sources said the Delhi Police was trying to ascertain identity of the local contacts of the militants to arrest them. Reports were that the contacts had gone underground after the arrest of two militants.

However, the reasons behind the Pakistan militants trying to fly to Dubai, were not known to the local militants, the sources said.

According to the figures available with Rajouri police and Army authorities, Hafiz Rashid and Billal Ahmed were involved in a number of militant activities in Thanna Mandi and other areas of Rajouri district. Hafiz Rashid was operating in Thanna Mandi for last four to six years while Billal had joined him about one year later. Both had been on the hit list of the security personnel but due to their long presence in the area, they had managed to erect safe hideouts for them.

It was after the killing of Zafar Iqbal, a civilian at Dhanni Dhar, by the duo that the local people had revolted against them and started giving information to the security personnel about their movement. Following dwindling support, the militants were forced to desert Thanna Mandi, the sources said.

Vasundhara takes charge as Rajasthan CM

JAIPUR, Dec 8: Striking a change 54 years after its creation, Rajasthan today anointed a woman from the erstwhile princely states as its Chief Minister, giving her the democratic right to reshape its destiny for five years.

Vasundhara Raje Scindia, the ‘Maharani’ of the former Dhaulpur royalty who brought the BJP its historic majority in the 200-Member Assembly, took oath of office and secrecy along with eight Cabinet Ministers and one Minister of State in a ceremony rich with significance for Rajasthan’s orthodox society, rattled by periodic droughts and striving for fast-paced development.

The five-time BJP MP from Jhalawar, who infused fresh energy into the party as its state chief, was hailed by an array of leaders as she stepped forward to fill the void left after veteran Bhairon Singh Shekhawat moved out of state politics.

Symbolising women empowerment and marking a generational change, the new Chief Minister, a ‘Bahu’ (daughter-in-law) here because of her marriage in the Dhaulpur royalty, was sworn-in along with her ministerial colleagues on the gates of the towering Assembly building, resembling a medieval palace.

Acting Governor Kailashpati Mishra administered the oath of office and secrecy.

Leader of the opposition in the last house Gulab Chand Kataria, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat’s son-in-law and MLA from Chittorgarh Narpat Singh Rajvi, former state party vice-president Ghanshyam Tiwari, party leaders Sanwarlal Jat, Kanak Mal Katara, Kirodilal Meena, Madan Dilawar and the lone Muslim MLA of the party Yunus Khan were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers. Mr Prabhu Lal Saini took oath as Minister of State. Two of them - Mr Ghanshyam Tiwari and Mr Madan Dilawar - took the oath in Sanskrit. All, barring Mr Dilawar, Mr Kataria and Mr Katara, wore Rajasthani Safas (headgear) for the occasion.

Different communities got representation in Ms Scindia’s team. While Mr Tiwari is a Brahmin, Mr Kataria is an Oswal Jain, Mr Dilawar a scheduled caste, Mr Kirodilal and Katara both tribals, Mr Rajvi A Rajput, Mr Saini A Mali while Mr Sanwarlal represents Jats.

However, the portfolios of the new ministers were not announced.

Union Minister Jaswant Singh, former Rajasthan Governor Anshuman Singh, the Chief Ministers of Gujarat and Goa Narendra Modi and Manohar Parikkar, former Rajasthan Chief Ministers Ashok Gehlot, Shiv Charan Mathur and Jagannath Pahadia, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sahib Singh, Subhash Maharia, Ashok Pradhan, Kailash Meghwal, Jaskaur Meena, BJP president Venkaiah Naidu and state incharge general secretary Pramod Mahajan attended the function.

Members of the erstwhile royalty also were present, among them the ‘Maharaja of the former Jaipur State Bhawani Singh and his wife Padmini Devi and former Jodhpur state’s Maharani and Ms Scindia’s maternal aunt Hemlata Raje. The new Chief Minister’s younger sister Yasodhara Raje, son Dushyant and daughter-in-law Niharika also were seen.

The Gwalior Royal family’s ‘Rajguru’ Vidyanand Maharaj came from Nasik specially to bless Ms Scindia. Wrestler-turned-politician Dara Singh and Jat Mahasabha Patron Gyan Prakash Pilania also turned up.

The ceremony was witnessed by thousands of people assembled on the wide road in front of the Assembly and on nearby buildings. For close to an hour, a small aircraft showered rose petals and vermillion over their heads.

The crowd roared its approval as Ms Scindia, dressed in a saffron Sari for the occasion, stepped onto the specially erected stage.

A flutter went through the crowd when Mr Gehlot’s arrival was announced. Ms Scindia, Mr Modi and Mr Parikkar rushed down the stage to welcome him with folded hands. They were seen requesting him to share the dias, but he politely declined and took a seat in the VIP enclosure. "This is our ‘Vijay Diwas’ (victory day)," Ms Scindia said, addressing the assembled mass at the end of the ceremony. She hailed the support the party had got in the polls and promised to carry forward the fight for the rights of women, youth and weaker sections and for a corruption-free society.

"We want to take all sections of the society — Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians — forward on the path of progress. This is a people’s Government," she declared, before reading out a poem in Hindi reflecting her desire for development in the state.

"We are here not to rule, but for service." Unlike her style, she did not pepper her speech with english this time.

Ms Scindia’s oath taking marks a historic change in Rajasthan politics: She is the first woman, the first member of the erstwhile royal family and the second non-Congress Chief Minister of the state. This is the first time the BJP has formed the Government on its own in Rajasthan.

Like her, the first woman who represented Rajasthan in the Lok Sabha too was from a former royal family — Maharani Gayatri Devi of the Jaipur state.

Ms Scindia was new to organisational matters when she took over as state president of the party an year ago. But within the short time, she succeeded in striking a chord with the traditional, caste-ridden electorate.

On December 4, savouring her moment of glory, she declared faith in only two castes — male and female.

Two days ago, addressing the newly-elected BJP legislators, she sought to subtly reassert the Scindia role in Rajasthan politics, pointing out that her mother late Vijaya Raje Scindia and brother Madhav Rao had certified the election as legislature party leader of her two predecessor Chief Ministers, of the BJP and the Congress. Till as far back as 1818, the Maratha-Pindari incursions were a constant bugbear of the ruling Rajput dynasties in Rajasthan. But as the British rulers brought the warring princely states to peace, relations improved among them.

Now, true to its tradition of "Aabo-Ni, Padharo Mahre Desh" (come, come, welcome to our country), the electorate has reposed its faith in a Scindia to preside over their destiny.

A graduate in economics and political science from the Sophia College, Mumbai, Ms Scindia entered active politics in the 1980s. In 1984, she unsuccessfully contested for the Madhya Pradesh Assembly from Bhind. She was, however, elected to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly a year later from Dhaulpur.

She also held the post of the vice-president of the BJP Yuva Morcha before being inducted into the party’s national executive in 1987. She was elected to the Lok Sabha five times in a row from Jhalawar.

She was a member of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee cabinet before the party high command asked her to lead the party to victory in the state elections.

Early on, soon after her appointment, the party emphatically won the by-elections to Sagwara, Bali and Bansur Assembly seats even before she had managed to rejuvenate the party unit, despondent after being reduced to 33 members in the Assembly in 1998.

The 50-year-old began boosting the morale of party workers with a series of events. Her aggressive speeches and direct appeal to party workers to take revenge for the humiliating defeat of 1998 marked her ardous three-month long ‘Parivartan Rath Yatra’ early this summer.

Giving wind to the anti-incumbency factor, drawing on the disillusionment of employees and caste groups and backed by an aggressive advertisement campaign against the Gehlot Government, she succeeded in creating a "Parivartan Lehar" in the state.

"I bow before you," she told the assembled crowd at the janpath today. "This is your moment of glory. We will take all of you like one family on the path of progress." (UNI)

Ram to Raj: Sanyasin becomes CM

BHOPAL, Dec 8: Traversing a long road from Ram to Raj, feisty Sanyasin-politician Uma Bharti today took charge as the first woman Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh heading an 18-member council of ministers.

Forty-four year old Bharti, who is also the first person from backward class to become Chief Minister in MP, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Ram Prakash Gupta at the historic Lal Parade ground here in the presence of a galaxy of BJP and religious leaders.

Twelve Cabinet Ministers and five Ministers of State also took oath along with her.

Soon after taking the oath in Hindi, the firebrand leader, attired in her traditional saffron outfit, paid obeisance to her Guru Vishveshwardeep Maharaj of Udipi on the tastefully decorated dais.

Those present at the impressive ceremony included Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, Union Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Food Minister Sharad Yadav, Disinvestment Minister Arun Shourie and Textiles Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain.

Bharti’s predecessor Digvijay Singh also attended the function marked by showering of flower petals from small planes and chanting of vedic hymns.

The New Chief Minister drove straight from the function to her office in the State Secratariat atop the picturesque arera hills with supporters chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram."

The five-time Lok Sabha member who was elected from Bada Malehra constituency in her first assembly elections, Bharti held discussions with senior officials who briefed her on various facets of administration.

Backing the firebrand leader as she took charge of the Central Indian state were about 50 saints, seers and the Hindutva brigade led by Acharya Giriraj Kishore.

Former BJP president Kushabhau Thakre and state unit chief Kailash Joshi were also present besides Union Ministers from Madhya Pradesh - Satyanarayan Jatia, Sumitra Mahajan, Phagan Singh Kulaste and Prahlad Patel.

Chief Minister of Haryana Om Prakash Chautala also attended the function.

The 12 Cabinet Ministers sworn in were Babulal Gaur, Gouri Shankar Shejwar, Kailash Chawla, Raghvji, Dhal Singh Bisen, Gopal Bhargav, Kailash Vijayavargya, Choudhury Chandrabhan Singh, Narendra Tomar, Harnam Singh, Ramakant Tiwari and Om Prakash Dhurve.

The five Ministers of State were Anoop Mishra, Meena Singh, Jagdish Mubel, Badrilal Yadav and Alka Jain. (PTI)

Jammu Airport expansion fails to take off
*Hurdles being created in completion of 2nd phase

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Dec 8: The fate of the ambitious project for the expansion of Jammu Airport is hanging in balance despite the completion of its first phase. For the last two years, the work stands abandoned for the alleged non-cooperation from Army authorities who are holding the land adjacent to the airport, as a result of which the work on the project has come to the grinding halt while escalating the project cost.

This apart, even the first phase of expansion towards R S Pura side has not proved much beneficial so far due to certain obstacles for whose removal efforts have been going on.

Highly placed sources told EXCELSIOR that the first phase of the expansion project which included 700 feet runway towards R S Pura side and apron was completed in October-November 2001 at the cost of Rs 13 crore but since then, the work on the second phase (expansion of run-way towards River Tawi) could not be started mostly due to the non-cooperation from the Army. "Since the beginning of the project, Army continued to play `spoilsport’ as sometime it gives nod to give land for the expansion of the airport and next-time demands huge money in lieu of that", the sources said.

Hectic parleys with the Army, the sources said, have been going-on since the start of the project and had the Army given the land at initial stage, the whole project could have been completed so far as Airport Authority of India (AAI), which has been assigned the project, was in the favour of simultaneous work on both phases.

"As per the commitment the State Government had to provide a total of 621 kanals of land for the expansion of the airport and it has given 471 kanals so far. The remaining 150 kanals which AAI requires is in the possession of the Army which is not ready to give the same", the sources said and added that to fulfill its commitment the State Government offered adequate land at suitable place to the Army twice but the offers were turned down by the Army on one pretext or another.

According to the sources, in the latest meeting the State Government offered land at another place to the Army which was also agreed to by the latter at initial stage but later it again changed its stand and started demanding eight kanals of land in lieu of one kanal.

Moreover, in the said meeting the Army demanded that either the State Government should give Rs nine crore for dismantling Army’s 11 KV electricity sub-station, sewage treatment plant and electricity wires or get the same facilities made available at the land would be given to it. "But when the officer of AAI went for survey, he was told by the Army authorities that basically all these things cost Rs 12 crore and they wrongly estimated the same at Rs nine crore", the sources disclosed.

"It is beyond the knowledge of anybody as to why Army has been changing its stand frequently and for what it is contributing in delay in execution of the project. The Army authorities are also aware of the fact that they could not construct anything else on this land for operational reasons and after completion, the whole project would become the property of Indian Air Force (IAF). The AAI is spending only to facilitate civil aircrafts", the sources said.

Sources disclosed that even if the Army hands over the land to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for completion of second phase of the project the same could not be started till State Government removes all high-tension electricity wires, change the course of canal and gives another road link for some villages which at present linked with a road passing outside the main entrance of technical airport.

"In 1999 the then Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah had promised to accomplish all these things at the earliest that too on the State expenditure and on his instructions all the concerned departments gave a combined estimate of Rs 10 crore for the execution of the work. But nothing happened in this regard so far", the sources regretted.

The departments which at that time had virtually finalised the modalities to change the course of canal and provide another road link have now refused to shoulder the responsibility and expressing inability to do so.

A total of Rs 26 crore for expansion of runway and Rs 9.50 crore for building was sanctioned and the first phase stands completed at the estimated cost of Rs 13 crore. But it would be difficult to complete the second phase of the project at Rs 13 crore due to price escalation. "During all these years, Rs 13 crore remains committed budget for the second phase of AAI but if the things run in the same manner there is every possibility that central authorities of AAI would shift focus towards any other airport", the sources apprehended.

Even in the recent past, Executive Engineer Project of the AAI has been withdrawn by the central authorities as there was nothing for him to do due to the obstacles being created by Army.

Sources said that though physically the runway towards R S Pura side has been completed yet at present the same is beneficial for the flights coming from a particular direction due to certain obstacles in the form of some residential houses. "Since seeking operational clearance is the job of IAF, the latter has taken up the matter with civil authorities", the sources said and hoped that this matter would be sorted out shortly.

With the completion of the project the total length of the runway would be 8000 feet and airbus 320 with full load will land at Jammu. "At present the airbus is flying to Jammu with load penalty", the sources said and added that with the completion of first phase two flights are being operated at one time.

Stable Govt need of hour: Omar

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 8: National Conference president and former Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Omar Abdullah has said that a stable Government was the need of the hour in the Jammu and Kashmir and Mufti Sayeed led coalition Government has failed to come to the expectations of the people of this state.

In a statement issued here today, Omar Abdullah welcomed the statement of Congress leadership and said if Congress believes that current government needed stability and is delivering on its promises of clean and stable administration then that is what the people of J&K want. He cautioned that the results in the four state elections have shown the wide disconnect between the actual position on the ground and the position as the Congress leadership likes to see it.

Omar said, " if this government is as stable as they like to show to the people, would they care to explain the shuttle diplomacy that they have been engaging in." He asked the State Government to give explanation regarding the recent usage of the state plane. He pointed out that State aeroplane in the last few days has been used to fly the Delhi based senior leaders of Congress party from Jammu to delhi where the plane was kept over night at their disposal and the same plane brought them back to Jammu for further consultation the next day. This, he said is the clear sign of desperation in Government circle regarding the stability of the Government that State plane was misused for people who have no entitlement. Chief Minister owes the people an explanation in this regard, he maintained.

Jawan kills two, injures another; attempts suicide

Excelsior Special Correspondent

KATHUA, Dec 8: An Army jawan went berserk in a camp of 167 Field Regiment at Palli Morh, near here, late last night killing two Havildars and injuring another before attempting to kill himself.

Official sources said Lance Naik Jagtar Singh went berserk after a minor tiff with his three associates and opened firing on them with his official weapon. Two Havildars, Ramesh and Jeet Singh were killed in the firing while Havildar Baldev Singh was seriously injured.

Later, Jagtar Singh fired two shots on himself and was injured.

Other Army personnel rushed to the scene of firing and shifted all four Army personnel to the Military Hospital, Pathankote where two of them were declared dead. Two others were admitted in serious condition.

Meanwhile, Army authorities have lodged a report against Lance Naik Jagtar Singh at Kathua police station under Sections 302 and 309.

Jamali telephones Vajpayee

NEW DELHI, Dec 8 : In the midst of "positive developments" in Indo-Pak ties, Pakistan Premier Zafarullah Khan Jamali tonight telephoned Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and appreciated him for confirming his attendance in the next month’s SAARC summit, saying that a "warm welcome" awaited him in Islamabad next month.

During the five-minute conversation, Vajpayee told Jamali that he was looking forward to his visit to Islamabad, official sources said.

Both the Prime Ministers agreed that there have been "positive bilateral developments" over the past few weeks, including the ceasefire along the line of control.

They felt that it is importatnt that these positive trends are sustained, the sources said.

Jamali, who called at 19.30 hrs from Paris, conveyed to Vajpayee his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s letter confirming his attendance at the SAARC summit and said a "warm welcome awaits" him.

Vajpayee recalled that in their last conversation in April they had discussed the importance of people-to-people contact and economic cooperation and said progress has been made in these areas.

The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the SAARC summit would focus on progress in all aspects of regional economic cooperation.

Jamali said he was availing the first opportunity to ring up Vajpayee, who left for the Commonwealth summit in Nigeria on the day his letter confirming his participation in the SAARC summit was sent to the Pakistani Premier last week. (PTI)

Mufti calls on Sonia

Excelsior Special Corespondent

NEW DELHI, Dec 8: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed called on Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi here this evening and discussed with her the overall situation in the State.

In their half an hour meeting, the performance of the coalition Government of which Congress is a major ally came under discussion.

Various measures were discussed to consolidate the gains of one year’s performance of the coalition Government in the state and to make endeavours to meet the heightened expectations of the people in all the regions by effectively implementing the common minimum programme.

Both the leaders stressed the need for greater coordination between coalition partners and putting up a more cohesive image of the Government.

While reviewing the political situation in the state, both the leaders noted with satisfaction the positive response to the peace initiative to address internal and external dimensions of the situation.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also had a meeting with Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Brajesh Mishra and is understood to have discussed the political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir.

57 AEEs of Hydraulic wing transferred

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 8: The State Government today ordered transfers and postings of 57 Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs) Hydraulic wing.

According to Government order number 204-PW (Hyd) of 2003, Nazir Ahmed PDC USHP-I has been transferred in Irrigation SD vice Rashid Ahmed Andarbi who has been transferred in Irri. SD Mattan vice Mushtaq Ahmed who was transferred in Irri S D Spore.

M K Najar presently posted in Irri. S D Kulgam has been transferred to Irri. S Dambal against available vacancy. G N Ganai was transferred in PHE S D Tahab Pulwama in place of Nissar Ahmed Khan who has been transferred in PHE Sub-Div Shopian against available vacancy.

Mohammed Sarwar Dar has been transferred in UEED South S&D II, Srinagar and Jan Mohammed Wani in PHE Sub-Division Lalnagar Chadoor against available vacancy. Bashir Ahmed Bhat has been transferred in PHE district division-III Master Plan Sgr while Abdul Hamid Zargar has been transferred in PHE District Sub-Division-II Master Plan against available vacancy.

Nazir Ahmed Bhat has been transferred in PDC Kashmir while Ghulam Mohammed Ganai in PHE Sub-Divn Charisharief vice Riyaz Ahmed Wani who has been transferred in PHE Sub-Div City vice Javed Jaffer who was transferred in PDC Srinagar.

Naseer Ahmed Shah has been transferred in Irri Sub Divn Baramulla Kulgam against available vacancy while Bashir Ahmed Agoo was transferred in S&D I UEED Divn Srinagar vice Farooq Ahmed Anangar who has been transferred in PHE Sub-Divn Budgam vice Niaz Ahmed Laway who was transferred in PHE Sub-Divn Mirgund (Sopore) against available vacancy.

Mohammed Afzal Rather has been transferred in PHE Sub-Divn Bijbehara against available vacancy, Bashir Ahmed Shah in Irri Sub Divn Bijbehara vice Bilal Ahmed Khan who has been transferred in Irri Sub Division Dooru against available vacancy. Nayeem Ahmed Nayeem was transferred in FC Sub-Divn Anantnag against available vacancy while Mushtaq Ahmed Shah in PHE Sub Divn Watergam vice Zahoor Ahmed Shah who has been transferred in PHE Sub-Divn Watlab.

Habibullah Tantray has been transferred in P&D Sub-Divn Baramulla vice Fazal Mehbood Qazi who has been transferred in PDC Srinagar (TLDC-I) against available vacancy. M Amin Rather has been transferred in UEED (Data Collector Sub-Division) vice Maqbool Hussain Keng, who has been transferred in P&D Central Zone Sub-Divn against available vacancy.

Mohammed Maqbool Bhat has been transferred in PHE Sub-Divn Sogam Lolab, Rafiq Ahmed Malik in PHE NWRSD Srinagar vice J S Bali who has been transferred in PHE District SD-I Master Plan vice Rafiq Ahmed Malik. Farooq Ahmed Wani has been transferred in PHE Sub-Divn Kangan vice Mohammed Ayub Gadyari.

M Ayub Gadyari was posted in F C Sub Division Sumbal, Hakim Firdous Hussain in Srinagar Municipal Corporation vice Ghulam Jeelani who was adjusted in Irrigation Sub Division Ningli of FBID Tangmarg vice Hakim Firdous Hussssain.

M A Mir to UEED Data Collection Division Srinagar, vice Hamid Mehmood Shah who has been posted to PHE Head Works Sub Division Master Plan.

Mohammed Hanief has been posted in PHE Doodganga Sub Division vice Imtiyaz Ahmed Dar who was shifted to Master Plan Division vice Zahid Hussain.

Zahid Hussain has been posted as T O to Xen WWD, Srinagar vice M A Mir. Farooq Ahmed Indrabi has been posted in PHE Sub Division Pampore vice Nissar Ahmed Pandit who has been shifted to LAWWDA vice Mr Indrabi.

Ghulam Ahmed Baig has been shifted to PHE Sub Division Khansahib against available vacancy. Farooq Ahmed Khuroo has been posted in Sub Division Sumbal vice Ghulam Hassan Gujri who has been shifted to Irrigation Sub Division pattan.

Fida Hussain has been transferred to Tube Well Irrigation Sub Division Srinagar and Irfan -ul-Islam has been psoted in Design Directorate Srinagar.

Bashir Ahmed Kuchay has been psoted in Irrigation Sub Division Manulzoura Shopian, vice Irfan-ul-Islam. Abdul Gani khan has been psoted in FC SD Chadoora vice H U Tantray.

H U Khan has been psoted in PDC against available vacancy, Nazir Ahmed Khan and G N Sofi both in PDC Kashmir, Gurcharan Singh in PHE Sub-Divn Ramhal vice Ghulam Ahmed Baig.

Khazir Mohammed Khanday has been transferred in Irri Sub Divn Kulgam while Bilal Rasool in PHE Sub-Divn Pattan against available vacancy. Afroz Ahmed Mir has been transferred in PHE Sub-Divn Chadoora vice G M Ganai and Ghulam Hassan Sofi in Irri. Sub Divn Kangan against available vacancy.

According to the order, the incharge AEEs posted to Power Development Corporation would report to the Principal Secretary to the Government, Power Development Department for further postings against available vacancies.

Angry protests against police highhandedness

SRINAGAR, Dec 8: Police fired warning shots and lobbed teargas shells to disperse an angry crowd protesting the alleged highhandedness of security forces at home towns of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed at Bijbehara and chairman of breakaway Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani at Sopore in Kashmir valley today, official sources said.

Several hundred people blocked Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Bijbehara in south Kashmir this morning demanding action against the personnel of Special Operations Group (SOG) of local police who beat up several shopkeepers in the area last evening, the sources said.

The protestors alleged that the SOG personnel visited Bijbehara main market last evening and directed the shopkeepers to close their establishments before dusk daily. Protesting the directive, the shopkeepers demanded reason from the SOG personnel which irked the cops who reportedly thrashed several shopkeepers and left the scene.

Raising slogans against the Chief Minister and his claims of normalcy returning to Valley, the protestors disrupted vehiclular movement along the highway causing traffic jam forcing the police to fire warning shots and use teargas shells to disperse the crowd and remove the blockade, the sources said.

In response, the protestors also pelted stones on the police while fleeing from the scene. However, none was hurt. The sources said police also fired dozens of teargas shell to disperse groups of angry youth engaged in stone-pelting as protest demonstrations against alleged highhandedness of Rashtriya Rifles rocked sopore township of Baramulla district in north Kashmir.

Police swung into action when the youth pelted stones on the passing vehicles and open shops in the township, about 50 Kms from here, this morning after several hundred people from near by Malpora village of ribbon marched to the main chowk to protest alleged molestation of some girls by the troops during the course of house-to-house searches last night, the sources said.

However, no one was injured in the clash, the sources said adding additional police personnel were rushed to the town to maintain law and order.

Senior police officers rushed to the scene and persuaded the protestors to disperse with an assurance that the incident would be looked into, they said. The shopkeepers opened their shop as soon as the protestors left.

Within no time, groups of angry youth appeared in the main chowk and indulged in stone-pelting forcing a strike. Police returned to the scene and fired dozens of teargas shells to disperse them, the sources said.

The sources said the clashes spread to nearby areas adjacent to the town as more people joined the protestors demanding action against the erring personnel.

The sources said the situation in the township was tense but under control. (PTI)

Ceasefire in J&K working: Gen Balagatte

SRINAGAR, Dec 8: The recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan has generated hope that relations between the two neighbours will improve further, commander of the Sri Lankan Army Lieutenant General L P Balagalle said.

"Things have definitely changed on the borders in Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan," Lt General Balagalle told reporters here after a day-long visit to some of the forward posts.

He said the feedback he received from formation commanders was encouraging.

"The field commanders of the Indian Army were satisfied about the outcome of the three-week-long ceasefire so far," he said, adding that they were hopeful that ties between the two countries will improve further in the coming days.

Lt Gen Balagalle, who left for New Delhi later, said the ceasefire created an opportunity for India and Pakistan to hold talks in an atmosphere of peace.

Asked if he suggested that a third party should monitor the ceasefire on the border in Jammu and Kashmir, Lt Gen Balagalle said he was told that a mechanism had already been drawn.

"It is better if both the countries monitor the ceasefire themselves and remain in touch more regularly."

He said many Sri Lankan officers were getting training in India and Pakistan. However, he admitted that relations with India were more close.

Lt Gen Balagalle said India and Sri Lanka can share their experiences with each other. "We can learn from the Indian experience and we can share our experience with the Indian Army," he said.

Earlier, Lt Gen Balagalle was recieved at the headquarters of the 15 Corps by Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma, GOC 15 Corps.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said both the generals discussed the current situation on the Line of Control and Actual Ground Position Line. (UNI)
 
 
 
 

 

 

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