Grenade attack on PDP activist's house
Militant, tailor killed

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 12: While as security forces claimed to have eliminated a militant of Hizbul Mujahideen in Budgam district, militants have shot dead a tailor in Kulgam with the allegation that he had worked as an informer for security forces.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 35 Bn and Khansahib camp of SOG Budgam launched a search operation at Shenipora in Khansahib area early this morning. During the operation, troops observed the movement of one militant who attempted to escape. Troops opened fire, killing the militant on spot. He was identified as Abdur Raof Sheikh S/o Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Sheikh R/o Palhalan, Pattan. One AK-56 rifle was claimed to have been recovered from his possession. Officials described Sheikh as a militant of Hizbul Mujahideen.

Meanwhile, the second militant, who had been killed by security forces in an encounter at Rathsun village in Budgam district on Wednesday, has also been identified as a Hizbul Mujahideen cadre and resident of Pattan area. Officials and the residents today identified him as Abdul Hameed Tantray alias Tariq S/o Abdul Ahad Tantray R/o Sultanpora, Pattan. The first militant killed in the two-day-long operation had already been identified as Hilal Ahmed Mir alias Abdullah S/o Mohammad Sultan Mir R/o Chak Wazir, Shiperpora (Rathsun).

Today’s reports from south Kashmir said that unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, appeared at Punewa, Kulgam, and they kidnapped a tailor, namely Jehangir Ahmed Bhat S/o Abdul Ahad Bhat, of the same village. His dead body was later recovered from Zaripora. Reports said that militants had suspected him as an informer of security forces and eliminated him under the same allegation.

Militants have also fired upon and left injured one Bashir Ahmed Wagay S/o Mohammad Ramzan Wagay R/o Kochak Karewa, Bijbehara. With critical injuries, he has been rushed to Srinagar and admitted at a hospital. Reportedly in the past, he had worked with the counter-insurgent Ikhwan outfit.

Reports from Pulwama said that unidentified gunmen have kidnapped a Class 12th student, namely Afaq Ahmed Mir S/o Abdur Rasheed Mir R/o Chitragam, Shopian, from his home.

Militants also fired upon security forces at Lahan Dajan, Pahalgam, and Chak Nutnusa in Kupwara. Troops retaliated and the militants escaped. There was no damage.

Here in the capital city, troops of CRPF 37 Bn challenged a civilian early this morning when he was going to perform prayers at a mosque in Kawdara locality. As he got nervous and ran away, troops opened fire. The civilian received a gunshot in his leg. He was identified as Nisar Ahmed Bhat S/o Abdul Ahad Bhat R/o Badoo Bagh, Khanyar. Residents said that Bhat was leader of the prayers at Sheikhul Aalam mosque in Kawdara locality. In the same locality, militants had lobbed a grenade on a bunker of CRPF last evening, which exploded on road and failed to cause any damage to the intended target.

Last evening itself, somebody lobbed a grenade on the premises of the ruling PDP activist, namely Khursheed Ahmed Kakroo S/o Ghulam Hassan Kakroo, at Bangla Bagh in Baramulla town. It failed to explode and did not cause any damage. Bomb disposal squad later defused it.

NC for privilege motion against CM

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: All National Conference (NC) MLAs including Dillawar Mir today staged a walk out in the Legislative Assembly demanding that a motion of privilege of the House be moved against Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed for giving a wrong reply in the House.

The reply to a question of NC MLA Dillawar Mir pertaining to the human rights violations in the State was read out by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri on behalf of Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed who was not present in the House.

As the Minister finished his reply, Mr Mir was on his feet saying the reply is incorrect. He was also joined by the other NC MLAs including Dr Mehboob Beg, who too insisted that the reply was not correct.

Mr Mir said one person of his constituency was picked up and his dead body was thrown away. But there is no mention of the same in the reply. Pointing towards the Minister, he said "you are misleading the House".

On this, Mr Veeri said the Government policy was clear on human rights and "we will not tolerate the rights violation either by police or security forces". He also admitted that the reply given was not correct.

As soon as the Minister admitted giving false information to the House, Dr Mehboob Beg left his seat and came to the front row saying it was a privilege of the House as the Chief Minister has given wrong information to the House.

As all NC members stood up and started shouting, Speaker Tara Chand asked them to take seats but to no avail.

Abdul Rahim Rather (NC) pointed out that the reply has been signed by the Chief Minister himself, who holds Home portfolio. "Reply in the House can’t be given without the approval of the Chief Minister. Since the Minister has in full view of the House admitted that the reply was wrong, it become a clear case of privilege of the House", he said.

Though Mr Veeri didn’t react, the Speaker directed the Minister to take action against the officer, who had given the reply and intimate the same to the members.

Not satisfied with the Chair’s direction, the NC MLAs including Dillawar Mir, staged a walk-out in the House. Mr Mir, however, clarified that he was staging a walk-out since the question was asked by him.

Mr Rather later told the Excelsior that under Rule 238 of Rules of Procedure, governing the House, there was no need to give a privilege motion since a Minister had, in actual view of the House, admitted that the reply was wrong. "In such a scenario, the Speaker should suo moto give a notice of breach of privilege against the Chief Minister", he pointed out.

Walk-out by Opposition as Minister levels allegations
*Don't teach me rules: Speaker to Sadhotra

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU Dec 12: Seven Opposition National Conference (NC) members today staged walk out in the Assembly during Question Hour in protest against the allegations levelled by the Minister of Tourism and Urban Development, Ghulam Hassan Mir against the previous Government.

The House also witnessed heated exchanges, allegations and counter allegations between the treasury and opposition benches on the question of Jugal Kishore Sharma (BJP) pertaining to development of lakes in the State.

The trouble started when the Minister finished the reply to the supplementaries of Jugal and the NC members one after another put the volley of supplementaries pertaining to the subject. The question was turned into a full debate and it took 25 minutes of the House.

Even the Speaker, Tara Chand was involved in heated exchanges with the NC member Ajay Sadhotra when the later objected the Speaker’s observation that the supplementaries should not take more than five minutes.

Sadhotra who was going to ask the supplementary said this is an important issue and you (Speaker) are going to quote rules. Taking the strong exception of member’s behavior, the Speaker retorted "be seated and do not teach me the rules".

But, there was uproar in the House when NC members stood up saying that this being an important issue and they want to raise the supplementaries.

The order was only restored after Sadhotra was allowed to put the supplementary. He wanted to know has any tourism package been framed by the Government for Jammu region. This was followed by another supplementary of Saifullah Mir who asked what the Government was going to do for removal of encroachment in Dal Lake.

Through another supplementary Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari of NC wanted a reply from the Minister that what hurdles it was facing in promoting tourism in Rajouri and Poonch as was disclosed by him earlier.

His colleague Rashpaul Singh wanted to know what happened to the promise made by Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in District Development Board meeting at Rajouri that Tata Pani will be developed a tourist resort.

On this the Minister said we have given priority to development of tourism in the State and due attention is being paid to Jammu also.

Referring to Sadhotra, he said instead of pointing towards us they should ask themselves what they have done for Jammu region during their rule.

He alleged that Ranjit Sagar Dam which has a lot of potential for development as tourist spot was totally neglected by the previous Government and also no attention was paid to the development of Bani and Sarthal.

Amidst the thumping of desks by Treasury Benches he said we took initiative for development of these places. Besides, due attention is being paid for the development of Sudh Mahadev, Patni Top and Mansar Lake. The Surinsar has also been given the priority and the main problem in its development was construction of road on which now work is going on, he added.

Taking a strong note of Minister’s allegation, the agitated Opposition members stood up from their seats and entered into heated exchanges with the Treasury Benches. Blaming the Minister that he was misleading the House, seven NC members including Ajay Sadhotra, Mir Saifullah, Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, Dr Chaman Lal, Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo, Mohammed Aslam Khan and Rishpal Singh walked out in protest.

Earlier, Rishpal Singh alleged that development of Tourism was limited to Kashmir only and will Government say why Rajouri is being ignored.

To it Minister said, the members know what constraints the Government was facing in Poonch and Rajouri but for health tourism we have taken up Tata Pani in Rajouri this year on priority.

Replying to main question of Jugal Kishore, Minister informed the House that the Wullar Lake is not being looked after by Tourism Department. However, the Tourism Department has allocated funds to the tune of Rs 40.50 lakh for Mansar Lake and Rs 25.00 lakh for Surinsar Lake during the current financial year. For next financial year an amount of Rs 75 lakh and 50 lakh have been proposed, he added.

But not satisfied with the reply, the BJP member said that the Minister was hoodwinking the members as no money has been paid for the development of Surinsar Lake.

Heated exchanges were witnessed between the Minister and NC leader Ali Mohammed Sagar also when latter alleged that the illegal construction was going on in Dal Lake in connivance with the officers.

This irritated the Minister who said the member was bereft of question and he was just beating about the bush. Mr Mir asserted that the illegal constructions in the Dal lake would be demolished and effective measures taken against the encroachments.

The Minister said the encroachments were spreading over 2201 kanals and so far it has been removed from 1143 kanals.

He said Rs 108 crore have been spent by the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) for restoration and development of lake by ending October this year. Among others who put the supplementaries include Ashwani Sharma, Mohammed Akbar Lone, Dr Chaman Lal, Mubarak Gul and G M Jan.

Sajjad says will resign if allegations proved
*'Kitchloo targeted for relations with Azad'

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: National Conference MLA from Kishtwar Sajjad Kitchloo today declared in the Assembly that if any involvement of his or his deceased father (Bashir Ahmed Kitchloo) was found in Marwah food scam, he would resign from the Assembly. At the same time, he said, if the Minister (Taj Mohi-ud-Din) failed to prove his allegations, he must resign.

While participating in two hours debate on the issue two NC legislators including Ajay Sadhotra alleged that Mr Kitchloo is being targeted by the Minister as he happened to be the relative of Ghulam Nabi Azad (PCC-I president).

"It’s sad that my father, who has left this world, has been targeted by the Government. If one per cent involvement is confirmed in the allegations, I will resign from the Assembly. And, if the Minister is unable to prove the charges, he should resign", Mr Kitchloo said while participating in two hour special debate on the subject.

Challenging the Minister’s statement that there was only 20,000 population in Marwah and Warwan, he alleged that thousands of people were starving due to shortage of ration. He also challenged the statement of bogus voters in the two areas.

"What right the Minister has to level the baseless allegation. The Government has promised ration at door step but the Minister has stopped ration. Seventeen sales centres have been closed down in the area", he alleged.

Referring to the allegations by the Minister that it was Rs 46 crore fraud, Mr Kitchloo asked when only Rs 40 crore worth ration has been supplied how Rs 46 crore scam can take place?

Ajay Sadhotra (NC), who was also the Minister of Food and Supplies in Farooq Government, asserted that Sajjad Kitchloo is relative of Congress president Ghulam Nabi Azad and "this is the only reason that he is being targeted by the Minister without holding any inquiry".

"It’s (the scam) is a non issue. The only issue is persons. The charges are fabricated", he said adding, "if the charges are established after the inquiry, we will welcome", He regretted that the Minister went to the press "without holding an inquiry".

Saying that the NC can take the issue to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) due to shortage of foodgrains in the hilly areas, he alleged that the Food and Supplies department has been ruined by the Minister.

Abdul Rahim Rather (NC) said the Vigilance Organisation should be directed for a time bound probe in the case.

Mohd Yusuf Tarigami (CPM), participating in the debate, quoted Swami Vivekanand’s speech given to the parliament of Religion on September 20, 1893, which goes as: "But it is bread that the suffering million of burning India cry out for with perched throat. They ask us for bread but we give them stones. It is an insult to a starving man to teach him meta physics".

Again, Mr Tarigami quoted a Supreme Court judgement delivered in August 2001 on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which said: "the foodgrains overflowing in Food Corporation of India godowns (around 60 million tons rotting there) reached the starving people and was not wasted by dumping them in sea and giving to rats".

"Some people even don’t have purchasing power even when ration is there in the stores", he said and stressed the need to revamp the Consumer Affairs department saying many big bulls are still present in the department. "Neither any efforts was made to tackle the big bulls yesterday, nor it is being made today", he charged. He said if the Minister had evidence (in the scam), he must take the House into confidence.

Referring to the allegation leveled in the House that the member (Mr Kitchloo) is being targeted for his links with Mr Azad, Mr Tarigami observed: "if the money is being wasted, action must be taken whosoever relatives the persons are".

Ghulam Mohd Saroori, Cong MLA from Underwal challenged Mr Kitchloo that if it was established that Marwah and Warwan had a population of 61,000 he will resign. He alleged that the scam was wroth crores and appreciated Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Consumer Affairs Minister, for exposing it and referring the case to the Vigilance Organisation. He, however, opposed the closure of three ration stores.

Prem Sagar Aziz (Congress chief whip) said many Below Poverty Lines (BPL) families had been benefitted due to the initiatives taken by Mr Taj. He called for fresh verification of the ration holders saying many dead persons names were still registered in the office record.

Dr Manohar Lal Sharma (PDF) demanded that commission of the private ration dealers should be revised in far flung areas. Sharief-ud-Din Shariq (NC) said the Government has totally failed on Food and Supplies front. "There is no discipline in the department. Ration supplies are not reaching in time", he lamented and said: "the mud slinging on Mr Kitchloo was due to the fact that he was Mr Azad’s relative.

Manjeet Singh (BSP) said the MLAs are not being consulted in the postings in Food and Supplies department. Girdhari Lal (Congress) strongly criticised the NC MLAs for taking name of Mr Azad. Nazir Gurezi (NC) demanded that a House Committee should be deputed to Marwah and Warwan to ascertain the facts. He said extra ration supplies should be stored in Gurez.

Yogesh Sawhney (Congress) said many kerosene oil depots are functioning only on the papers in the City. He called for an inquiry in the matter.

Mehbooba Mufti (PDP) said the guard Munshis in the department have minted crores and stressed for action against them. Balwant Singh Mankotia (Panthers Party), Rashpal Singh, G M Jan, Kafi-ul-Rehman (NC), Jugal Kishore (BJP) and Ashwani Sharma (JSM) also took part in the debate.

Two more ultras killed in Surankote

Excelsior Special Correspondent

POONCH, Dec 12: Security forces today gunned down two more militants including Abu Babbar, an ‘area commander’ of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit in the continued gun-fighting at Zabbi Toti dhok at Chilli Pahari in Surankote tehsil taking toll of last two days to four.

Official sources said the Army, police and CRPF personnel had yesterday launched a massive search and combing operation in Chilli Pahari following reports that over two dozen militants, mostly the foreign mercenaries of different outfits, had taken shelter there and constructed some bunkers there on the pattern of Hill Kaka.

Two foreign mercenaries were killed in the operation yesterday while two others were killed at 4 pm today. DIG Rajouri-Poonch range S M Sahai and SSP Poonch Mukesh Singh were supervising the operation. DySP Operations (Poonch) Ashok Sharma was heading one of the police.

Over 300 security personnel were engaged in the battle, the sources said.

Of two militants killed today, identity of one of them has been established as Abu Babbar while identity of his associate couldn’t be gathered. He too was suspected to be a foreign mercenary. Babbar was an ‘area commander’ of the outfit.

Security forces didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation, the sources said.

During operation in the area, six hideouts were also busted by the security personnel. Recovered made from the slain militants and the hideouts included two AK rifles, three magazines, 30 rounds, 100 kg sugar, 10 kg tea, 10 blankets, 60 kg milk, 60 litres kerosene oil, 10 dozen packets of biscuits, 100 meters poly sheets, two tins of oil, 20 kg dal, eight packets of woolen socks and 10 pairs of hand gloves.

Sources said the militants had abandoned the hideouts after the security personnel started searches in the area. The hideouts were destroyed and the ration items recovered, they added.

"It was expected that the operation might take about one week", the sources said.

Meanwhile, a separate encounter was going on at village Langiot in Mendhar tehsil since this afternoon. Three militants, who appeared to be the fresh infiltrators, were reportedly trapped in the gun-battle, which continued till late tonight.

However, there was no report of any casualties on either side.

PM for open borders, single currency in SA

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Urging South Asian nations to put aside mistrust and dispel unwarranted suspicions, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today envisaged mutual security cooperation, open borders and even a single currency in the region in the long run.

He called for promotion of peace and banishing of hostility in South Asia and cited the increased people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan as a reflection of "intense desire for amity and goodwill".

"As we develop greater economic stakes in each other, we can put aside mistrust and dispel unwarranted suspicions.... Once we reach that stage, we would not be far from mutual security cooperation, open borders and even a single currency", Vajpayee said inaugurating a two-day conference on `Peace Dividend—Progress for India and South Asia’ organised by Hindustan Times here.

He said the demands of globalisation and aspirations of people provided the objective basis for energetic pursuit of a "harmoniously integrated" South Asia. People, businesses and organisations were waiting to interact more closely with each other.

They have waited for over half-a-century for fulfillment of "unexploited potential in their own neighbourhood" and were now impatient to move ahead, Vajpayee told a distinguished audience that included former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Union Ministers, envoys of several countries and others.

The Prime Minister said "we can sense this impatience in the outpouring of popular sentiment after our initiatives. The increased travel between India and Pakistan of Parliamentarians, businessmen, artists and sportmen show the intense desire for amity and goodwill. We have to respond to this desire by seeking every possible way to banish hostility and promote peace".

Welcoming the guests, Hindustan Times vice-chairperson and editorial director Shobhana Bhartia said the conference was an effort to create greater understanding and to resolve conflicts in the South Asian region.

South Asia mattered because whatever happened in the region had consequences for the entire world, Bhartia pointed out.

The Prime Minister noted that the conference was taking place ahead of the SAARC summit in Islamabad and said it could discuss ideas on economic, strategic and geopolitical future of India and South Asia.

With SAARC members developing greater economic stakes in each other, he said "we will also develop mutual sensitivity to each others’ concerns and promote more of our common interests".

Vajpayee said if the SAARC countries— India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives—provide legitimate avenues of free commercial interaction, they could eradicate black market and underground trade.

"We could jointly tackle smuggling, drug trafficking, money laundering and other trans-national crimes, which today flourish in our region because of our mutual rivalries and inadequate coordination," he said.(PTI)

Pak a threat to world: Bush's Advisor

NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Pakistan is a "threat to the entire South Asian region and the world" as nothing has been done to dismantle terrorist camps operating from its territory, key foreign policy adviser to the Bush administration Richard Haass said here today.

Speaking on the opening day of "peace dividend - progress for India and South Asia", organised by Hindustan Times leadership initiative, he cautioned against getting too sanguine about the recent Indo-Pak ceasefire as the relationship between the two countries was still "remarkably underdeveloped."

Haass, who is president of the Council of Foreign Relations, New York, said "we welcome it. But let us not lose sight of reality. Nothing has been done by Pakistan to dismantle terrorist camps that still characterise the situation."

Presenting the US perspective on "securing South Asia", he described Pakistan as one of US’ toughest foreign policy problems and that the challenge was to make Pakistan a modern, functioning democracy.

Haass said a stable and secure Pakistan was in India’s interest and "in the long run, we see India and Pakistan as partners with their future intimately intertwined."

Participating in the discussion, Pakistan’s Awami Action Party leader Asfandyar Wali Khan said Madrasas in Pakistan are still being funded by Petro dollars from the Middle East. "Unless the funding is controlled, no power will be able to contain fundamentalism which is feeding international terrorism," he said.

Khan is the grandson of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan better known as Frontier Gandhi.

He said timely action in Afghanistan had prevented the country from becoming an ‘Arab Colony’ and the Taliban was just a front for the Arab-dominated Al Qaeda.

Former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar expressed "frustration" that SAARC was being "held hostage" by the Indo-Pak tangle during the three years that Sri Lanka headed the regional grouping. "The two must sort out their issues bilaterally under the Simla agreement," he said.

Kadirgamar expressed apprehension over the proposals by ltte for an internal self-governing authority in northern and eastern Sri Lanka and that India’s involvement in the resolution of the ethnic dispute was "inevitable." (PTI)

Sonia hails healing touch policy

Excelsior Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Dec 12: Leader of the Opposition and Congress president Sonia Gandhi today endorsed Mufti Government’s healing touch policy and said that it is doing well in the State.

Answering questions after delivering speech at the second session of the two- day high profile Conference on" Peace Dividend": Progress for India and South Asia, organized by Hindustan Times here today, Mrs. Gandhi said that "I am fully satisfied with the results of healing touch policy in Jammu and Kashmir".

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee inaugurated the Conference this morning.

Elaborating her response on healing touch policy of Mufti Sayeed led coalition Government of which the Congress is the leading partner, Mrs. Gandhi said "there are challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and we have to meet these together." She said that coalition partners have made this policy clear in its common minimum programme and we have to move forward to restore peace and normalcy in Jammu of Kashmir with the support of the people.

Gang supplying fake state subjects busted

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 12: With the arrest of a Government teacher, the Poonch Police has smashed a well-knit network of a gang which used to sell fake Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) and other important documents. Two other persons including nephew of Government teacher was also arrested.

Fake seals of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Poonch, District Magistrate (DM) Poonch, Revenue and Education officers along with some filled and blank State Subject forms were also seized from the arrested persons.

Although the police has ruled out any links of this gang with terrorists, interrogation of the accused has been going on to ascertain whether they have supplied some fake certificates to anti-national elements or not.

Police sources said that on a specific information, Mendhar Police had nabbed one Khafeel Ahmed son of Alam Din of Kalaban Mendhar on October 17, 2003. Following interrogation some fake Resident of Backward Area (RBA) and Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates were recovered from his possession.

Recovery from Khafeel Ahmed was just a tip of ice-berg. Khafeel had repeatedly told the police, during interrogation, that he had got these fake certificates from one Abdul Qayoom who was kingpin of the gang. As he had startling disclosure, police intensified search for king-pin, who had gone underground following Khafeel’s arrest. Sources said that after repeated raids at several hide-outs and questioning of many persons, the police ultimately succeeded in nabbing Abdul Qayoom, 35, son of Manzoor Hussain Qureshi, who had been evading arrest for the last two months. Abdul Qayoom, who was kingpin of the gang, was incharge headmaster of the Government Middle School, Abba Kalaban. During interrogation, Abdul Qayoom disclosed names of some other members of his gang including his nephew Farid Ahmed son of Shabir Ahmed Qureshi, who is a graduate. Farid Ahmed was also nabbed.

After interrogation of the arrested persons, police seized fake seals of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Poonch, District Magistrate (DM) Poonch, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Poonch, Tehsildar Poonch, Naib-Tehsildar Poonch, Tehsildar Mendhar and Naib-Tehsildar Mendhar.

Stamps of the Principal Government Higher Secondary School Harni, Mendhar and headmasters of 15 schools including two high schools of Mendhar, one school of Salni, one school of Salba, Ghani, Aari were also recovered from the main accused.

Sources further said that 150 School Leaving Certificates of different Government schools, marks sheets were also recovered from the possession of Abdul Qayoom besides filled and blank forms of State Subjects, SRO-126, Rehar-e-Talim certificate.

King-pin of the gang, during interrogation, revealed the police that they used to get these fake certificates printed from a printing press of Mendhar. Owner of the printing press has been reportedly absconding.

Sources further said that the gang busted by the police had a well-knit network in Mendhar, Surankote, Poonch and Rajouri areas and this gang has supplied number of fake certificates to the people.

Although the police has ruled out any links of this gang with terrorists, interrogation has been going to ascertain whether they have supplied certificates to any militant. Some more arrests are expected in this case.

Hurriyat Kashmir's representative body: Ansari

SRINAGAR, Dec 12: Claiming that it was the representative body of the people of Kashmir, the Hurriyat Conference led by Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari today said it needed no certificate from any group or individual to this effect.

Reacting angerily to the remarks of a former minister and National Conference leader Ali Mohammad Sagar in the State Assembly yesterday that Hurriyat was not the representatives of the people, Ansari said those who contest the representative character of the Hurriyat Conference should test their popularlity among the people.

Without referring to the proposed talks between Hurriyat and the Centre, Ansari said we, as the representatives of the people of Kashmir, know our responsibilities well and have the abilities to discharge such duties.

Sagar, participating in a debate in the State Assembly yesterday had said that Hurriyat was not representing people and it has divided into two groups.

Terming one group as pro-India and another as pro-Pakistan, Sagar opposed to the talks with Hurriyat and said if there was need for holding talks, these should be held with militant outfits like Hizbul Mujahideen, JKLF, Lashker-e-Toiba and other outfits so that the bloodshed was stopped in the State.

"No person can claim to be representative of the people of Kashmir by raising the bogey of so called democracy or participating in the election drama to reach the ladder of power," Ansari said addressing a Friday congregation in Srinagar today.

He said Hurriyat is bound by its constitution, as per which the resolution of Kashmir issue should be found in accordance to the wishes and aspirations of the people of the State.

"We have always stressed that unless Kashmiri leadership, India and Pakistan sit together with open heart and take concrete steps to resolve the issue, this tangle cannot be resolved," Ansari said. (PTI)

Pak freezes accounts of 3 more outfits

KARACHI, Dec 12: Pakistan’s Central bank has ordered banks to freeze the accounts of three additional banned Islamic militant groups in its latest drive to clamp down on terror funding, a spokesman said today.

The groups Hizb-ul-Tehrir, Jamiat-ul Furqan and Jamiat-ul Ansar were banned by the Government late last month for promoting religious extremism and terrorism.

Earlier this month, the Central bank asked banks to freeze the accounts of three other groups, Islami Tehreek Pakistan, Millat-e-Islamia and the militant Khudam-ul-Islam also banned by President Pervez Musharraf last month after they changed their names to evade an earlier ban.

In all, Pakistan has frozen bank accounts worth 620 million rupees (US$10.9 million) belonging to 27 militant groups, State Bank of Pakistan spokesman Syed Wasimuddin told Dow Jones Newswires - some 100 million rupees (US$ 1.7 million) of that since April.

The accounts were frozen under various UN resolutions against terrorism and Government orders, he said. Most of them were frozen after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Wasimuddin said the latest data excluded the suspected accounts of the six groups.

Banks can only freeze an account if they receive an order from the Central bank.

The Central bank has also been coming down hard on illegal currency trading and money laundering as a result of international pressure to cut off funding for terrorists. (AP)

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