Govt confident of restoring peace in J&K: Advani
*Vested interests in Pak keep tension intact

NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Expressing hope that Hurriyat leaders will come to talks with a "sincere, constructive and realistic" approach consistent with the "intense desire" of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for peace, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today said the Government, on its side, was open to resolution of all conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means.

Holding a brief from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to have talks with the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Mr Advani exuded confidence that the Government would succeed in bringing back normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir like Punjab and the State would be back on the path of development, a key factor to peace in any State.

Addressing the 38th conference of the Directors General of Police and Inspectors General of Police, he said it was in tune with the Government’s objective of arriving at a lasting peace in the State that he agreed to meet Hurriyat leaders.

"The Government has always been open to the resolution of all conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means. It is in this spirit that I have agreed to meet the Hurriyat leaders. I hope that they bring to these talks a sincere, constructive realistic approach, consistent with the intense desire of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to see an end to the era of violence," he said.

Stressing that the Government’s attempts were aimed at restaring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir like Punjab, he said during the period of militancy in Punjab, he wondered if the State would ever be back to normalcy.

"The sense of distrust was so deeprooted that it did not appear that situation would change. But we did it. Things changed in that State and Punjab today is more normal than many other States in the country," Mr Advani pointed out.

Mr Advani felt Jammu and Kashmir was already showing signs of improvment and the State was inching towards normalcy. "People have a strong desire for peace and that is changing the situation there." he said.

Mr Advani said the tide is turning in Jammu and Kashmir and the popular aversion to terrorism and violence in the State can be gauged from the near absence of Kashmiris in militant tanzeems.

He said after last year’s elections, universally acclaimed as free and fair, the Centre has tendered its fullest support to confidence-restoring measures undertaken by the State Government, including revitalisation of the district police force and ensuring a more humane implementation of security-related precautions.

Simultaneously, the Central Government has significantly stepped up its support for the state’s speedy and all-round development like announcement of a special economic package by the Prime Minister during his visit to Srinagar in May this year which would generate about one lakh new jobs and self-employment opportunities in the State.

Mr Advani said that infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir was continuing unabated from the Pakistani side and during September alone 28 attempts were made to violate the Line of Control (LoC).

Mr Advani said during the last six months there has not been any fall in infiltration from across the border.

"It continued in July, in August and in September. In September alone, there were 28 attempts to violate the LoC as attempts by terrorists to sneak in from the Pakistani soil continued," he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that during the last two months, about 300 terrorists have been killed while attempting to enter the Indian soil.

Even as these figures show that infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir continues unabated, Pakistan has maintained its position that it was not abetting cross-border infiltration and was not allowing its soil to be used for any terrorist activities.

Mr Advani said it was mainly due to the timely action on part of security and intelligence personnel which was foiling all such bids by terrorists. "They are carrying out a herculian task of preventing all such attempts and bring back normalcy in the State."

He said tourist inflow in Jammu and Kashmir has grown over the months and so far this year 1.75 lakh tourists — both domestic and foreign — have visited the State. They were besides the lakhs of pilgrims who went to Amarnath this year and those who visit Vaishno Devi.

"While fighting terrorism, we are taking steps to bring back normalcy in the State and the talks with Hurriyat is one of such attempts," he said.

Mr Advani said India had the requisite strength and determination to foil the campaign of cross-border terrorism sponsored by the Pakistani ruling dispensation. "Vigil at the border has remained high even as steps have been taken towards a rapproachement with Pakistan.’’

He said considering the pressure on security forces on borders, a detailed review to augment the anti-militancy operations was carried out by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the recommendations made were being processed for early implementation.

Mr Advani said State Police Forces and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), acting in tandem, have consistently thwarted the machinations of foreign agencies engaged in espionage, subversion and terrorism.

He said since 1998, 183 Pak-sponsored terrorist modules, aimed at destabilising India were detected and 21 of these modules were busted this year itself.

The Deputy Prime Minister said to upgrade the intelligence capabilities of the State Police forces and to enable them to counter threats to national security, special courses were conducted by the joint task force on intelligence for over 300 IB officers in eight States this year.

The conference is being attended by all the chiefs of various police and para-military forces, intelligence units and senior Home Ministry officials. The inaugural function was attended by Ministers of State for Home I D Swami and Harin Pathak, Cabinet Secretary Kamal Pande, Home Secretary N Gopalaswamy and IB Chief K P Singh. (UNI)

Accusing "vested interests" in Pakistan of keeping the tension between New Delhi and Islamabad on the boil, Deputy Prime Minister said the "inimicable" neighbour had been persisting with the policy of cross-border terrorism due to its deslike for India’s emergence as a global economic giant and the success of the country’s democratic set up.

"Pakistan could not see that democracy has succeeded in India to this extent. Further, it is worried about the emergence of India as an economic heavyweight," Mr Advani said.

He said the fact that India could emerge as the third largest economy in the world by 2030 has sent alarm bells ringing in Pakistan.

Blaming "vested interests" in Pakistan for not allowing the war clouds to disperse, Mr Advani said, "these people do not want tension between India and Pakistan to reduce and wish that the war of clouds remain. That is why the situation in the region is not improving."

He did not identify anyone.

Mr Advani said India has repeatedly been extending the hand of friendship to Pakistan, but everytime Islamabad adopted a negative posture and process got stalled.

"The Agra summit failed because Pakistan was not prepared to accept that there was something called terrorism which was going on in Kashmir. It kept on insisting that a freedom struggle was going on in Kashmir."

"Pakistan must understand that killings of innoncent people can not be anything else but terrorism," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

He said no talks can succeed till killings of innocent people stopped and that is why India has been insisting that cross-border terrorism stopped prior to any serious dialogue taking place between the two neighbours.

Mr Advani said one of the evidence of Pakistan’s seriousness about fighting terrorism could be the handing over of 20 terrorists, who have taken refuge in Pakistan, to India.

The Deputy Prime Minister said whether Governments publicly acknowledge it or not, Pakistan was increasingly being seen as the epicenter of Jehadi terrorism. "Our repeated assertion that forces supportive of terrorism are receiving assistance and sanctuaries in Pakistan is receiving corroboration," he said.

An example of this was the recent declaration of Karachi-based Dawood Ibrahim as a "specially designated global terrorist" by the US treasury department. "We know for years that Dawood Ibrahim is in Pakistan. Now even the United States acknowledges this," he asserted.

On the Centre’s efforts in north-east, Mr Advani noted that the north-east, which had been beleaguered by ethnic conflicts and insurgencies for a long time, is showing signs of positive change. "There is an increasing desire to strengthen the forces of peace and join the national mainstream for speedy development."

He said the peace process in Nagaland received a tremendous fillip with the recent visit of the Prime Minister when he announced a development package with a thrust on improving connectivity and creating employment and self-employment opportunities for youth.

Following protracted peace dialogue with the Bodos, the Bodoland Territorial Council will come into being in near future.

However, he noted that notwithstanding these developments, the situation in Tripura and Manipur continued to be a cause of concern.

Pointing out that insurgent groups in the north-east get safe sancturies in the neighbouring countries, Mr Advani said the Government was making concerted efforts towards seeking support and cooperation from the Governments of the countries concerned to effectively deal with the sitaution in the region. (AGENCIES)

Police lathicharge on JSM procession in City

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 4: Several activists and leaders of Jammu State Morcha were injured when Police resorted to heavy lathicharge on their strong procession near the Civil Secretariat, here today.

A number of JSM activists including their leaders Shri Kumar (convener), Ashwani Sharma (MLA) and others were also arrested as they violated section 144 of RPC. Vivek Sharma, president of Jammu State Students Morcha - student wing of JSM, sustained grievous injuries in the lathicharge and was hospitalised. However, his condition was stated to be out of danger.

The JSM activists, whose number was approximately 2000, were taking out a procession and moving towards Civil Secretariat to lodge their protest against alleged discrimination with Jammu region and highlight their demand for separate Jammu State.

Trouble erupted when the procession, which took off from Exhibition Ground near Jewel Chowk and passed through various bazars of the city, reached near Gita Bhawan where police tried to stop JSM activists from proceeding further.

As the strength of policemen was apparently inadequate to handle the strong procession, JSM activists continued their march towards Civil Secretariat, pushing cops away after a brief scuffle with them.

However, as soon as they reached near the Ranbireshwar temple, they were forcibly stopped by a strong posse of policemen. After a brief scuffle, cops resorted to heavy lathicharge on JSM activists in which several persons, including women got injured.

JSM convenor Shri Kumar, president of Jammu State Yuva Morcha, Ashwani Sharma (MLA), Vivek Sharma, Amarnath Gupta, Sneh Bali, Janak Bharti and Tara Wazir were among the leaders who sustained injuries in the lathicharge.

Some passers-by were also subjected to lathicharge while chasing away JSM activists.

The JSM leaders and some of the activists were also arrested for violating section 144 of RPC and packed in the police vehicles. However, all of them were released unconditionally later.

Earlier, a number of JSM activists from different parts of Jammu region, including Kathua, Udhampur, R S Pura, Bishnah, Pargwal, Akhnoor and Mishriwalla, assembled at the Exhibition Ground near Jewel Chowk.

Holding banners and raising slogans in support of separate Statehood to Jammu, the JSM activists marched towards city in the form of a procession. They were shouting slogans like ‘Kashmiri Rulers Quit Jammu’ and Jammu Jammuwallon Ka; Nahin Lootne Wallon Ka’, etc.

The strong procession, led by Shri Kumar, Ashwani Sharma, Ramesh Sabharwal and other top leaders of JSM, passed through Vivekanand Chowk, Raghunath Bazar, City Chowk, Purani Mandi, Link Road, Jain Bazar, Pacca Danga, Moti Bazar and Parade before reaching near Gita Bhawan where trouble erupted.

PDP leader shot dead in Pampore
*Militant killed in Handwara

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 4: Militants have gunned down a ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Pulwama district today. Elsewhere, a militant was killed in a gun battle with security forces in north Kashmir last night.

Informed sources in south Kashmir told EXCELSIOR that, two militants fired at the zonal president of ruling PDP, Ghulam Mohammed Ganai, resident of Frastbal Pampore when he was overseeing a construction work at a nearby village Tahajbagh at around 1130 hrs today. Ganai, a contractor by profession, was critically injured and rushed to the SMHS Hospital, Srinagar where doctors declared him brought dead.

Government had provided three PSO’s and a bullet-proof gypsy vehicle to 60-year-old Ganai. However, Ganai had reportedly sent two of his bodyguards to a motor mechanic alongwith the vehicle. Only one PSO namely Mushtaq Ahmed was with him when the incident occurred.

According to Mushtaq Ahmed, two assailants fired at the VIP and vanished before he could have retaliated. Ganai reportedly tried to overpower one of the assailants.

The 60-year-old Ganai was previously associated with the National Conference and had joined the PDP couple of years back. He is survived by six children and wife.

Reports from north Kashmir said that troops of RR 21 Bn in an ambush killed a militant in Machipora Handwara in frontier district of Kupwara last night. The slain militant has been identified as Feroz Ahmed Bhat, son of Ghulam Rasool of Machipora. According to officials, Bhat owed allegiance to J&K Resistance Movement.

Kushak Bakula is no more: three-day mourning in J&K
He died as he had lived, peacefully

From Pushp Saraf

NEW DELHI, Nov 4: At a modest flat in 'J' Block in Saket lies the body of Kushak Bakula who was respectfully known as the Head Lama of Leh. He had breathed his last early this morning. Buddhist monks sit close to his mortal remains. They chant prayers in a low voice. As many more of them join, they take turns to pay homage to the saintly figure that had personified dignity as long as he had lived.

"He was to Ladakh what Dalai Lama is to Tibet, a king,'' says a monk loud enough for all to hear. Officials from the Prime Minister's office and the State Government drop in to offer condolences. A three-day State mourning has already been declared in Jammu and Kashmir. Leh will mourn for a much longer period. Perhaps it will always feel the absence of one of its most distinguished sons who was also its most revered religious and political face.

As the news of his death spreads, extensive police arrangements are made outside the flat early in the day. This indicates that a VIP movement is in the offing. Such inference is strengthened with inquiries from the PMO, Deputy Minister's Office, Defence Minister George Fernandes, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

According to former aides of Kushak Bakula, there has been subsequently a re-think. As the VIPs' arrival would have created commotion in an already overcrowded neighbourhood, their plans to personally pay homage have been put off till Thursday when a function is scheduled to be held at J&K Government's local headquarters at Prithviraj Road. Clearly, after a security assessment, the police is withdrawn from outside the flat. The aides say that the Defence Minister has said that a special plane will take the body to Leh on Friday. That does not mean, however, that the final rites will be performed on the same day. That may take longer --- a week or more --- because there are many rituals to be performed before the last ceremony.

My friend and Chief Executive Councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Thupstam Chhawang is badly shaken as he moves around in the flat. Son of Kushak Bakula's sister, he had flown to Leh early this morning after having spent more than a fortnight with his uncle. He had thought like everybody else that Kushak Bakula was recovering. It was only when he had landed in Leh that he learnt about the tragedy. He took the return flight to Delhi. The regular 9 a.m. news bulletin of the Leh radio station broke the news plunging the entire trans-Himalayan territory in sorrow and grief. Thupstam informs that only about a month ago Kushak Bakula's elder brother, a monk, had passed away in Manali. For him personally, it is a double tragedy.

Kushak Bakula had shown rare zest for life in his last days. When he was struck with pneumonia in July and admitted in a prestigious local hospital, there was a stream of visitors from Leh. Lama Lobzang, a former member of the National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission, was a regular visitor. Anyway he is based more in the national capital. Mr T. Samphel, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Mr P. Namgyal, a former Union minister, and State Information Technology Minister Rigzin Jora, along with many others, had made it a point to regularly inquire about his health. Thupstam was in any case always around to do his duty both in a personal capacity and as the elected head of the Leh council.

Kushak Bakula had then surprised every one. He had recovered and taken off not for Leh but for Beijing and Mongolia to fulfill some commitments. Before he had fallen sick, he had visited Japan. I had last seen him at the inaugural function of the International Association of Ladakh Studies' colloquium in Leh. He came and was offered a seat on the dais in keeping with his status. The Mufti, who had inaugurated the colloquium, was surprised to see him there. He walked up to him and politely told him that he should not have strained himself. After some time, Kushak Bakula was persuaded to occupy a more comfortable seat in the first row in the VIP enclosure among the audience.

He had always relished his visits to Mongolia in particular. He had been India's envoy in that country for ten years. This was after a long stint as the legislator, J&K minister, MP and a member of the National Minorities Commission. He had begun his career as a member of the State Constituent Assembly. It was not surprising, therefore, that the Mongolian Prime Minister, Mr N. Enkhbayar, was among the first to call to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and people of his country.

It was because Kushak Bakula was deputed in Mongolia, he was mostly out of Leh when the local Buddhist youths were up in arms against the State Government. Therefore, although a frequent visitor to Leh during that critical period, this scribe had the opportunity of holding extensive discussions with Kushak Bakula only once when he happened to be in Leh's Sankar monastery where he would always stay. Vijay Kranti, a friend and the well-known biographer of Dalai Lama, and I had discussed with him a wide range of subjects varying from his commendable influence over the Communists in Mongolia to the impact of Sindhu darshan over the local Buddhist culture. Much of what he had said was reported during those days. Suffice it to say, one was struck with his simplicity and transparency.

Since he would always speak in Ladakhi, his statements were invariably translated by his secretary Sonam Wangchuk, his closest aide for the last 25 years. "Only on Friday, the doctors had relieved him from the hospital. They had been pleasantly surprised by the improvement in his health and had said that as if a miracle had taken place. On his part, he had expressed the desire to go home. Perhaps he had known that the end was approaching'', Sonam tells me.

Sonam recalls that Kushak Bakula had plenty of water last night and had gone to sleep at 2 a.m. this morning. At 6 a.m., he had inquired from his mentor whether he was feeling all right. Kushak Bakula had opened his eyes and then closed it as if saying yes. In an hour or so, it was all over. Sonam breaks down as he recalls his last meeting with the man whose shadow he had been for the quarter of a century.

In the flat in Saket, he is one of the few who are crying. The majority of the visitors so far have been monks. They maintain stoic silence. For them perhaps the mysteries of life and death are perhaps too well known to hold any awe or fear. In their company, Sonam just happens to be a lesser mortal. Like the most of us.

6 militants gunned down
*Matric student shot at in Doda

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 4: In stepped-up counter-militancy operations, army and police today gunned down six militants in four encounters across Doda, Rajouri and Poonch districts. Security forces also destroyed three hideouts of the militants.

Meanwhile, a Matric student was seriously injured in police firing outside the District Police Lines (DPL) in Doda late last night when the cops mistook him as a militant. People in Doda town today held massive protests against the firing incident and observed a complete shutdown.

Official sources said a 10th class student Irshad Ahmed alias Amir, a resident of Doda town, was fired upon by Sentry on duty at DPL Doda late last night when he was moving in front of the Police Lines. Amir was shifted to district hospital Doda where he was responding to treatment.

Today morning, the local people and students took to streets shouting slogans against police and demanding an inquiry into the firing incidents. Shops and educational institutions remained closed in the town. People also staged a dharna outside the office of Deputy Commissioner Doda.

Civil and police officers later pacified the local people, who lifted their dharna.

Meanwhile, troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police gunned down two local militants in an encounter at Zabban, Banihal in Ramban police district early this morning. They have been identified as Abdul Gani Bhat son of Mohd Akbar Bhat R/o Bhoyla Khari, Banihal and Mohd Ashraf Khan son of Abdul Salam Khan R/o Kulgam, Anantnag.

Both were activists of Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM) outfit, the sources said, adding one AK-47 rifle with three magazines and 36 rounds, one pistol with one magazine, two hand grenades and a wireless set were recovered from them.

Two unidentified militants were gunned down by army and police at Dhok Sorha in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri district this afternoon. Two AK-56 rifles, six magazines, 200 rounds and four hand grenades were recovered from the scene of encounter.

Another militant Ishtiyaq Ahmed son of Nizam Din was killed by the security forces at Amritsingh Pura in Gandoh area in Doda today. He was a local activist of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. From his possession, security forces recovered one AK-56 rifle, two magazines and five rounds.

An unidentified militant was gunned down by army in Mendhar area in Poonch district tonight. One rifle with ammunition and Rs 320 Indian currency were recovered from him.

In all four operations, army or police didn’t suffer any casualties.

Three hideouts of the militants were also destroyed by security forces at Budhal and Kalakote in Rajouri and Surankote in Poonch today. Recoveries made from the hideout included one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), five UBGL grenades, three Chinese grenades, one IED, one binocular, one hand grenade, one detonators, 15 kg ration, three AK magazines and electronic equipments used in fabricating IEDs.

Meanwhile, the militants set ablaze two houses belonging to Nikka son of Alla Din Gujjar and Kaka son of Natha Gujjar at Sumber Mora in Ramban tehsil last night.

SI commits suicide by shooting himself

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 4: A Police Sub-Inspector committed suicide by shooting himself with the SLR rifle of a Special Police Officer (SPO) at his rented accommodation at Reasi.

Police spokesman said that the deceased—SI Mushtaq Ahmed No 2582/NGO, Sector Officer of DSB Reasi was residing in the rented accommodation alongwith a PSO Krishan Chand for the past quite sometime and in the wee hours of today he shot himself dead.

According to the statement of SPO, he and SI slept at around 2300 hours yesterday and in the wee hours of today he heard sound of gun shot. On seeing SI missing from the room, the SPO immediately came out of the room and found Mushtaq Ahmed in pool of blood.

The SPO immediately flashed the message to Reasi Police Station and shifted the body of SI to the hospital for post-mortem.

Police has registered a case in this connection and started further investigations to ascertain what prompted the officer to take this extreme step.

Meanwhile, 10 persons—Dharam Chand of Utterbehni, Lakh Singh of Kunjwani, Narinder Singh, son of Sagar Singh of Gho Bardora, Runi Saroop, son of Devi Dass of Ghomanasa, Darshan Lal of Maheshpura, Majid, son of Shqoor of Banihal, Vishan Verma, son of Raj Kumar of State Bank Colony, D Khajuria of Pacca Danga, Romesh Kumar, son of Kaka Ram of Nagrota, Narinder Kumar, son of Ashok Kumar and Than Kumari, wife of

Bohiya of Miran Sahib—received injuries in separate road accidents.

All have been hospitalised and their condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

One Sanjay, son of Hira Ram of Purkhoo allegedly consumed poisonous substance at his residence. He was rushed to hospital when spotted unconscious by family members.

Doctors attending on him immediately provided him stomach wash treatment followed by other medicare. His condition was stated to be critical when reports last came in.

India, Pak release 167 fishermen

ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: Giving a boost to peace initiatives, Pakistan and India today released 167 fishermen languishing in their prisons for allegedly violating their territorial waters.

Seventy four Indian fishermen, along with 23 of their boats, were freed in Karachi while India simultaneously released 93 Pakistani fishermen held in prisons in Por Bundar in Gujarat, Pakistani officials said here.

The Indian fishermen were handed over to Indian naval attache in the Indian High Commission, Capt Ravindra Barutrahari Pandit, who flew into Karachi to receive them.

The Indian fishermen set sail in their boats along with an escort of the Pakistan Navy.

The fishermen of both the countries would be formally exchanged at a pre-designated point between Gujarat and Karachi coasts between the Indian Coast Guard and Pakistani naval officials.

This was the first batch of fishermen to have been released by the two countries after India recently proposed close co-ordination between their Coast Guards and liberalisation of stringent fishing norms for the fishermen, who often cross into the other country’s waters due to lack of clear demarcations. (PTI)

IAF to recruit quality personnel

AHMEDABAD, Nov 4: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy today said Indian Air Force (IAF) aimed at recruiting ‘quality’ personnel and had offered the best defence jobs.

"The IAF has conducted a major research and rallies across the country regarding keenness among people to join the forces. Nobody cited monetary reasons for avoiding to join the IAF but awarness of its operations and its high secrecy is what was deterrent", he told reporters after inaugurating the Annual Commanders’ Conference of the South Western Air Command (SWAC) at Gandhinagar.

The Air Chief said the response has been overwhelming and out of 47,000 people, who applied, 4,700 were shortlisted and 3000 from all over the country were found fully fit to join the IAF in below officer rank.

The IAF was working on the recruitment of technically sound persons and qualified engineers, he said.

"The IAF has 30 to 40 engineers who are fighter pilots and we have a special programme for recruitment of students of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)", he added.

On the new inductions into the IAF fleet, the Air Chief said the highly advanced Sukhoi SU-30, Advanced Jet Trainers and tankers would be introduced into SWAC also.

The conference accorded an opportunity to the commanders to exchange their views on operations, maintenance, administrative matters and inter-personnel communication skills.

Stating that IAF intented to be more ‘transparent’ in its operations, Krishnaswamy said that personnel who wanted to leave the forces could do so after completing the minimum period unlike earlier times.

"There should be room for exit for those who wish to discontinue, but it would be conditional. The minimum working period for pilots is 14 years while for non-flyers it is 10 years," he said.

The Air Chief also said that the IAF has completely stopped the short service commission for men while the time period has been extended for women.

To a question on Muslim personnel in the IAF and other forces sporting beard, Krishnaswamy said after a long legal debate it was decided by the Government of India that only Sikhs would be permitted to sport a beard when on duty.

The Air Chief was also apologetic about the ‘Sonic Boom’ that caused quite a stir in many parts of Gujarat including Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad earlier last month.

"The IAF is always conscious of not flying too low when in super sonic speed but the incident did occur and we do regret it and assure that it would not happen again", Krishnaswamy added. (PTI)

Daler Mehndi’s bail plea rejected

PATIALA, Nov 4: Police noose around noted Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi, who is evading police since last Wednesday, tightened today after a local court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea in the illegal human trafficking case.

Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate P S Dhanoa rejected the singer’s application for bail after hearing arguments on his behalf and the Punjab Police.

Meanwhile, Patiala Police said it had not made any breakthrough in its efforts to arrest the singer who was not traceable at his known addresses after having appeared before the local police for two days last week.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Paramraj Singh Umranangal told PTI that raiding parties were yet to get any clue about the singer’s whereabouts, but as per the statement of Mehndi’s counsel in the local court today, he (Daler) was admitted in a hospital at Noida, adjoining Delhi.

The police was trying to find out the hospital, he said adding that search for the singer would continue by police parties which had been sent to Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.

Daler’s counsel Anand Parkash made five pleas in the court - bail for the singer, a CBI probe into the case, an independent investigation as the Patiala police was working in a biased manner, police protection for the lawyers and their associates and presence of lawyers during interrogation. (PTI)

Lyngdoh warns bureaucrats

RAIPUR, Nov 4: Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh today gave a stern warning to the bureaucracy in poll-bound Chhattisgarh that if the model code of conduct was not adhered to people at the highest level would be held responsible.

Addressing a press conference after separate meetings with political parties and senior state administration officials during his day-long visit to the state, Lyngdoh said he had received several complaints of violation of model code of conduct for the December 1 Assembly poll and directed the Chief Secretary and the DGP to ensure that it be obeyed.

Enlisting the complaints received from the political parties, including those against against some SPs and collectors charged with closed-door meeting with Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, the CEC said he has directed the Chief Secretary to ensure adherence of the code of conduct and to probe the conduct of some officials.

"I asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that the model code of conduct shall be obeyed and people at the highest level will be held responsible if it is not obeyed," Lyngdoh said.

The Chief Secretary and the DGP have to ensure that the code of conduct is enforced, he said.

Lyngdoh, who was flanked by Election Commissioners T S Krishnamurthy and B B Tandon, said he had received complaints that the District Collector and SP of Bilaspur had a closed-door meeting with the Chief Minister violating the code of conduct and the EC is verifying it.

Tandon said the General impression in certain districts was that officials there were not neutral and the EC was taking necessary action in this regard.

With regard to District Collectors of Bastar and Jashpur who have obtained a stay from the Central Administrative Tribunal against their order of removal by the EC, he said the commission was going to take the best available options, apparently indicating that they will move the High Court to vacate the stay.

Asked about polling in Naxal-infested areas, Lyngdoh said the EC had received complaints that due to Naxal activities and inaccessibility polling parties never visit the booths and cooked up documents that polls were held.

Considering this, he said he has asked the Chief Secretary to send a specific proposal by tomorrow that the poll party be airlifted to their destinations to ensure polling in all parts of the state

Lyngdoh said he received complaints that ministers are touring officially which they cannot do as per the code of conduct and they are using official vehicles and are met by collectors and SPs wherever they are going and using Government accomodations.

Even the state plane is being used for election purposes and new projects are being sanctioned by the State Government and the prospective candidates are using more than three vehicles for rally as per the complaints, he said.

There are objectionable advertisements in newspapers for which the people can be prosecuted as in the recent advertisements (by Congress) it did not carry in the print line of the name of the publisher which is illegal and some of such clippings were shown to them, the CEC said.

Asked about hoardings, he said he has asked for explanations from the State Public Relations Department as there are complaints that after removal of Government hoardings for violation of code of conduct in the same place hoardings of one political party came up.

Lyngdoh said there was apprehension that departmental employees would be used for political purposes by the ministers and therefore there has been direction that they be kept away from their minister’s constituencies on poll duty. (PTI)

Judge criticises IAS officer’s role

NEW DELHI, Nov 4: The conduct of senior IAS officer D K Rao who allegedly harboured Sushil Sharma after the former Youth Congress leader killed his wife and attempted to burn her body in a tandoor has attracted contempt of a Delhi court which said such officers lowering the esteem of their coveted post should "not be spared".

"No officer of the IAS should allow such a coveted service to be lowered in the estimation of public. If one does, he should not be spared," Additional Sessions Judge G P Thareja, who ordered prosecution of Rao while convicting Sharma yesterday, said in his order.

"IAS officers should ensure that politicians who try to exploit their position as public servants by using extra constitutional influence are not encouraged in any manner," the judge said.

The judge had yesterday directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to prosecute Rao, the then Deputy Secretary of Gujarat Government for allegedly giving shelter to Sharma at Gujarat Bhavan here after Sahni’s murder on July 2, 1995.

The court said it could not believe that Rao would not have had knowledge of Sharma’s role in the crime while giving him shelter at the Gujarat Bhavan on the fateful night.

"Infact the circumstances suggest that an extra-judicial confession if at all was made by Sharma, it was made in the intervening night of July 2/3, 1995," the judge said referring to Rao’s version that he came to kow about the incident from Sharma only after the latter had fled Delhi.

Additional Sessions Judge G P Thareja observed that D K Rao had, with an "ulterior motive", concocted a story of Sharma having confessed to him about the murder over telephone from Mumbai on July 4, 1995.

"Rao knew being an IAS officer that he had harboured an accused of murder and would be liable for an offence under Aection 212 of IPC ..." He said.

The judge also exclaimed why Rao had not revealed to the police about the fact that Sharma had confessed to him about the crime over the phone and that he had stayed with him the previous night if he was a "responsible administrator".

"If he was a responsible administrator and not like an administrator who keeps nexus with criminals and politicians, he had a duty to bring to the notice of Delhi Police ..." About the sequence of events, the court said. "They are not supposed to hobnob, mix-up ar have any nexus either with politicians of doubtful character or assist any criminal...," Thareja said. (PTI)

3 arrested with charas

KULLU, Nov 4: The District Police arrested three Nepalese including a woman and seized 8.500 Kgs of charas from them yesterday.

District Police Chief A P Singh said here today that the staff of police post Manikaran laid a ‘naka’ near Kochhad village and intercepted two persons who were coming on foot. After searching their baggage the police recovered five kgs of charas. The two identified as Karan Bhadaur and Resham both from Nepal but residing locally at Nakthan village were arrested and booked under the NDPS Act.

Mr Singh said that in the second case a woman identified as Atti Kumari was arrested following the recovery of 3.500 Kgs from her possession near Ludernag Nallah. She too was booked under the NDPS Act.

The police officer said during this year a total of 79 cases were registered under the NDPS Act and a total of 89.830 Kgs of charas, 137.130 Gms of brown sugar,310 Gms of opium, 525 Gms of cocaine and 11.325 Gms of smack was seized. In all 85 persons including nine foreign nationals, 15 Nepalese had been arrested following these seizures, the SP said.

Mr Singh further disclosed that out of the 79 cases, 13 cases had been registed for the cultivation of Cannabis on forest as well as private land in the district. (UNI)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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