SOG cop killed in gun battle
3 HMPPR militants eliminated in Poonch

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: Three hardcore militants of Hizbul Mujahideen Pir Panjal Regiment (HMPPR) and a Special Operations Group (SOG) constable were killed in a fierce gun-battle at Hari Radhan in Surankote tehsil in Poonch district this evening while another encounter was in progress between army and the militants at Kot Chadwal, Budhal in Rajouri tonight.

Meanwhile, death toll in last month’s militant attack on MES quarters in Akhnoor today rose to five with another women succumbing to her injuries in the Medical College hospital.

Official sources said a joint team of army and police party stormed a hideout of the militants in Surankote’s remotest village Hari Radhan this afternoon. Operation was based on a specific information about presence of HMPPR militants in the hideout .

As army and police personnel were laying a cordon around the village, they were fired upon by the hiding militants, the sources said, the security personnel retaliated. Exchange of firing between the two sides continued for about two hours in which three militants and a SOG constable Mohd Amin alias Mistry were killed.

SP Poonch Mukesh Singh supervised police team in the operation, which was going on till late tonight following reports that two militants had managed to slip from the hideout after observing movement of the security personnel. The militants, however, remained untraced, the sources said.

Bodies of the slain militants have been recovered from the scene of encounter but their identity hasn’t been established so far. One of them was HMPPR ‘area commander’. Three AK rifles, nine magazines, one wireless set and seven grenades were recovered from the scene of encounter.

Body of SOG constable has been shifted to a police camp and would be sent to his residence with full police honours tomorrow morning. Sources said Mohd Amin alias Mistry (No. 120) fought bravely with the militants and gunned down one of them before sacrificing his life.

Sources said another operation was in progress at Kot Chadwal under the jurisdiction of Budhal police station in Rajouri district this afternoon. They added that atleast three militants were cornered by the security personnel.

Till the reports last came in tonight, the gun-battle between the two sides was going on. However, no casualties had been reported on either side.

Meanwhile, a woman Neha wife of a MES employee Kasturi Lal, who was injured in a militant attack on MES quarters at Akhnoor last month, succumbed to her injuries in the Medical College hospital this morning taking the civilian death toll to five.

While two children were killed in the attack on spot, a woman and a children had died in the hospital later.

Vajpayee only leader to take bold steps: Rashid

NEW DELHI, Nov 10 : Pakistan tonight said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is "the only leader" who can take "bold steps" to resolve outstanding issues between the two countries as he was rated highly by its people.

"Vajpayee is the only leader who can take bold steps to resolve Indo-Pak issues. Other than him, I think it is all darkness," Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid, who is here to attend the two-day SAARC Information Ministers’ conference beginning tomorrow, told reporters here.

"Vajpayee is an extremely experienced man and nobody can beat experience," he said.

Rashid, who arrived here early this morning from Dubai on board an Indian Airlines flight, expressed hope that the Indian Prime Minister along with his colleagues will be able to take steps to find solutions to Indo-Pak problems.

Asked to elaborate, Rashid said "for the intelligent, a pointer should be enough."

Asked about possibility of his meeting Vajpayee, Rashid said he would try and meet him after the inauguration of SAARC conference tomorrow by the Indian Prime Minister.

"Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali have sent their warm greetings, good wishes and a message of friendship for the Indian Prime Minister and I will require only a short while with him to convey this message since he is leaving on a foreign tour tomorrow after that," he said at a reception hosted by Pakistani High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan.

On the issue of resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue, he said if "intentions were good, these all issues can be resolved. Otherwise there will be only statements for the media."

To a question about Pakistan’s lukewarm response to India’s 12-point peace proposals, Rashid said Islamabad had welcomed the "good ones" and also given certain counter proposals for New Delhi’s consideration.

"Pakistan has not rejected all the proposals," he said.

Asked about possibility of holding SAARC film festival when Indian TV channels and Bollywood films were banned in Pakistan, he said this could be considered.

"Indian audio and video cassettes of films are doing pretty well in Pakistan," he said without elaborating. (PTI)

SC stays arrest of 6 journalists
*Notice issued to Speaker

NEW DELHI, Nov 10: The Supreme Court today stayed arrest warrants issued by the Tamil Nadu assembly Speaker against five senior journalists of "The Hindu" newspaper and the editor of DMK mouthpiece "Murasoli" while issuing notice on petitions challenging a resolution of the House sentencing them to 15 days imprisonment for breach of privilege.

A bench comprising Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice S B Sinha issued notices to the Speaker, the Secretary of the assembly, the Jayalalithaa Government, State Director General of Police, Karnataka Government and other top Tamil Nadu Police officials on the petitions filed by the journalists.

The bench, while ex-parte staying the arrest warrants issued by the Speaker K Kalimuthu on November 7 prusuant to the resolution, restrained the police and officers of Tamil Nadu and any other state from excuting the warrants.

On the request of the petitioner, the bench directed the registry to "forthwith intimate the Tamil Nadu Government and its officers about the stay of arrest warrants by the Apex Court."

However, the Court said that it would hear respondents on the prayer of the petitioners challenging the legality of the resolution passed by the assembly on November 7.

The five journalists of "The Hindu" are editor N Ravi, executive editor Malini Parathasarthy, publisher S Rangarajan, chief of bureau V Jayant and special correspondent Radha Venkatesan while S Selvam was the editor of "Murasoli".

The Court issued notice to Attorney General Soli J Sorabjee seeking his assistance in the matter and directed the petitions to be listed after three weeks for further hearing.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for "The Hindu" journalists, was countered right at the beginning of hearing by the bench which asked him to elaborate about the scope and extent to which the Court could interfere in the matter.

The bench sought to know as to what extent the judicial review could be exercised in matters pertaining to the orders passed by the Speaker pursuant to the power exercised by the assembly under Article 194 of Constitution dealing with the privileges of the House.

Maintaining that powers under Article 194 had to be read harmoniously with right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Artcile 19, Salve said that the privileges of the House has to yield when the right to life and liberty of a person guaranteed under Article 21 was in question.

Giving details of the newspaper articles and an editorial found to be in breach of privilege, he said the House could not unilaterally decide whether the criticism made by the newspaper breached the privilege or not.

The bench observed "every institution, be it legislature, media or judiciary, has to respect the other institutions. None of the institutions should cross the `Lakshman Rekha’ or be hyper-sensitive to harsh words of criticism".

Salve said that it was a complete mis-reading of law and fact by the House to term the articles and the editorial as intemperate and lowering the dignity of the House.

The articles no way interfered with the proceedings of the House and the journalists could not have been punished with 15 days imprisonment, he said, adding adjectives used by media could not be a breach of privilege.

Appearing for Murasoli, senior advocate Kapil Sibal contended that it was no where inferred that the articles in question interfered with the proceedings of the House.

"If it is a criticism of a political party, it does not amount to breach of privilege," he said referring to the context in which the articles were written. The DMK mouthpiece had merely republished the articles which had appeared in "The Hindu" after translating them in Tamil.

On the question of cancellation of passes to cover the proceedings in the assembly, Sibal said that the House could not do it as it would be violative of the fundamental right to equality guaranteed under Article 14.

He said that at best the House could cancel the pass of the reporter or correspondent who had written the Article in question but could not deny an entire news organisation the facility to cover the proceedings of the House.

However, as the Tamil Nadu assembly is not in session, the bench said it would consider this question of law later. (PTI)

4 militants, 2 civilians killed
PDP leader gunned down in Awantipore

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 10: Training their guns on the activists of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), militants have gunned down yet another senior political colleague of the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed —this time in Awantipore. His assassination has come days after militants killed PDP leaders Ghulam Mohammed Ganai and Zulifikar Ahmed Jan in Pampore and Anantnag respectively.

Informed sources told Excelsior that unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants ,appeared at Awantipore in close vicinity of Army’s Victor Force Headquarters—last evening and fired upon PDP activists Ghulam Rasool Malla. He sustained critical injuries. His family members and neighbors rushed him to Hospital but within minutes Malla succumbed to injuries. After the assassination of PDP’s Zonal president, Ghulam Mohammed Ganai at Pampore last week, Malla’s death has struck a jolt to the ruling Party in Saffron rich Assembly Constituency of Pampore in south Kashmir.

For the first time, formidable militant organization Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed responsibility of the killing of a PDP leader. Hizb’s "district commander"for Pulwama issued a written statement on Saturday last and claimed to have killed PDP’s Zonal president and thereafter a National Conference (NC) activist and Wildlife Officer, Ghulam Ahmed Rishi of Tral. Rishi was gunned down in broad day light in front of the Corporate Headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd near the heavily guarded TRC Complex in Srinagar last week.

This is the militants second offensive against PDP since Mufti Sayeed became Chief Minister in November 2002. In the wake of allegedly custodial killing of the Hizb’s "chief commander of Operations" Saiful Islam, militants had struck on Mufti’s hometown of Bijbehara and gunned down three PDP activists in May this year. They, however, relented after AK Suri was removed as Director General of Police.

In their second offensive , which was triggered off last week, militants have so far killed three activists of the PDP. It is not immediately clear as to what has prompted the militants to strike on the activists of the ruling party. Watchers of the situation, however, believe that the recent split in Hurriyat Conference in which hard-core pro Pakistan leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani was sought to be sidelined has not been swallowed by the militants. Several political sections, from NC to the Valley’s separatist camp, have been holding Mufti Sayeed responsible for engineering the spilt in Hurriyat and unprovoked arrest of Geelani’s right hand man Massarat Islam.

Meanwhile, enjoying a field day in Tangmarg , Beerwah belt of central Kashmir , militants have shot dead two civilians in Beerwah locality of Budgam district.

Informed sources said that militants appeared at Rinkipora and picked up one Bashir Ahmed Ganai, son of Ali Mohammed Ganai when he was watching a local cricket match yesterday.He was shot dead at a small distance.

Around the same time, militants captured one Syed Irshad Ahmed, son of Syed Manzoor Ahmed of Kondoora (Beerwah) at Chewdara and shot him dead in broad day light. Owner of the Jan Studio, Irshad was a photographer. Sources said that both 26 year old civilians were killed with the allegation that they were informers of police and security forces.

Official sources confirmed to this newspaper that Syed Irshad, who had active militant connections, had been put on the task of arresting or killing the fresh Hizb terror Mohammed Yousf of Rathsun who is being held responsible for large-scale reorganization of Hizbul Mujahideen in Tangmarg -Budgam belt. A senior official confirmed that Irshad was very close to the most wanted Hizb commanders and he had assured to get him in next 14 days.

Four militants killed

Meanwhile, Army has eliminated two militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba in an encounter at Baoli Behak in Kupwara district . One of them has been identified as Abu Zubair of Pakistan. Army has also claimed to have killed a Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Hilal Ahmed Bhat of Kulangam, in a gunbattle of Mullapati, Kandi in Kupwara district. Troops of 42 RR conducted the operation.

In yet another encounter in the same Kupwara district , troops of 13 JAKLI have killed a militant at Chhamadin. He has been identified as Syed Abu Bakar of Muzzafarabad.

Meanwhile, constable Tahai Pethari of CRPF 58 Bn fired upon himself with his service rifle and committed suicide at his camp at Namtahal in Budgam today. He had just returned from his leave.

Sharma SDPO Katra, Ajay Samba, Jugal Border
34 DySPs transferred

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: Director General of Police (DGP) Gopal Sharma today ordered transfers and postings of 34 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySP).

Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Samba Ashok Sharma has been transferred and posted as SDPO Katra in place of Sudershan Kumar, who has been shifted to 4th battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP). Ajay Kumar, DySP JKAP 6th battalion will replace Mr Sharma as SDPO Samba.

Jugal Kishore, DySP Headquarters Kathua has been transferred and posted as SDPO Border (Kathua) replacing Shiv Kumar Chowhan. The order, however, didn’t mention the further posting of Mr Chowhan. Rajinder Kumar Gupta, DySP, Police Training Welfare School, Jammu has been transferred and posted as DySP Headquarters Border, Jammu against a vacancy.

Haq Nawaz, DySP Headquarters Rajouri has been transferred and posted as DySP Headquarters Kathua in place of Jugal Kishore. Abdul Haq Bhar DySP IRP 3rd battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP DAR Ganderbal vice Maqsood-ul-Zaman while Mohd Shaban Guru, DySP DAR Kupwara has been posted as DySP DAR Srinagar against a vacancy.

Gulzar Ahmed, DySP IRP 3rd battalion has been posted as DySP DAR Budgam in place of Suhail while Abdul Wahid Shah, SDPO Kishtwar has been shifted to Chrar-e-Sharief as SDPO vice B K Rath. Mohammad Yaqoob, DySP JKAP 9th battalion will replace Bashir Ahmed Sofi as DySP DAR Awantipura. Showkat Ahmed Dar, DySP DAR Leh has been transferred and posted as DySP in Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar replacing Javed Koul.

Zubair Khan, DySP DAR Anantnag will be new SDPO Uri while Ghulam Rasool Chadinoo, DySP IRP 2nd battalion has been posted as DySP DAR Kupwara in place of Mohd Shaban Guru. Abdul Hamid Bhat, DySP Headquarters Kupwara has also been posted in PCR Srinagar while Sajjad Hussain, DySP JKAP 11th battalion will replace Bhat as DySP Headquarters Kupwara. Shamsher Hussain, DySP JKAP 7th battalion has been posted as Staff Officer (SO) to DIG Rajouri-Poonch against a vacancy.

Suhail Munawar, DySP DAR Budgam has been transferred and posted as DySP IRP 9th battalion against a vacancy while DySP DAR Awantipura Bashir Ahmed Sofi has been posted as DySP Security Central Pool, Srinagar replacing Showkat Ali. Zahoor Ahmed Wani, DySP IRP 8th battalion will be new DySP Traffic National Highway Batote against a vacancy. Showkat Ali, DySP Security Central Pool will replace Zahoor Wani.

B K Rath, SDPO Chrar-e-Sharief has been transferred and posted as ASP Headquarters Srinagar in place of Shujat Ahmad Latoo, who has been posted as SDPO Kothibagh, Srinagar vice Abdul Rashid Ganai. Mohd Yusuf Bund, DySP SDPO Saddar, Srinagar has been transferred and posted as DySP IRP 9th battalion against a vacancy. Showkat Ahmad Khan, DySP Police Training School (PTS) Kathua will replace Bund as SDPO Saddar.

Muneer Ahmad, DySP Auxiliary Police Ist battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP DAR Pulwama in place of Farooq Ahmed Hakeem. Mohd Shabir, DySP IRP 6th battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP DAR Poonch in place of Altaf Hussain Shah, who has been shifted to IRP 5th battalion vice Roop Raj. Mushtaq Ahmad, DySP Security Srinagar has been transferred and posted as DySP CID CI Anantnag-Pulwama against a vacancy.

Mohd Shafi Mir, DySP JKAP 8th battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP DAR Handwara replacing Javed Iqbal Matoo. V K Bhat, Incharge DySP Kupwara has been transferred and posted as Incharge DySP Kulgam in place of Rajesh Kumar Sharma, who has been posted as Incharge DySP Kupwara.

Mehraj-ud-Din, DySP, Staff Officer to DIG SKR Anantnag has been transferred and posted DySP Traffic, Srinagar City against a vacancy while Zahid Manhas, DySP Headquarters Doda has been transferred and posted as DySP Welfare Police Headquarters against a vacancy.

HM comdr repeatedly visited cop’s house
*Interrogation may unravel militants’ plans

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Nov 10: Hizbul Mujahideen commander had visited the house of constable of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) at village Pehalpur in Banihal area five times during the past 10 days to persuade the cop to assist him in launching attacks on vital installations by passing on important security related informations.

This apart, dangerous plan was being chalked out when the encounter between the militants hiding in cop’s house and troops of 12 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) took place.

Defence sources told EXCELSIOR that the cop Riaz Ahmed Khan was being invited by the HM commander Imran Nazir to join the rank and file of outfit without leaving the job of policeman and hectic discussion was held on the topic between the militants and cop during the 15 days stay of latter in his own house.

"The services of the cop were required by the HM commander Imran Nazir because of the fact that he was hell bent to create terror in the district and wants to become another `Paploo’", the sources said and added that Riaz Ahmed Khan would have been very helpful for HM in getting security related informations before carrying out attacks on vital installations.

The cop, according to the villagers, had never stayed at his house for a whole day since his joining of Police Department yet this time he not only stayed in his house for complete 15 days but also got his leave extended by flashing a message to his battalion through Banihal Police Station, the sources said and added that this makes it clear that he had expressed his readiness to help the HM.

"During the past 10 days, HM commander visited the house of cop five times and kept his ammunition besides hiding some of his men", the sources said and stated further that HM has been very keen to create terror in the district like that of `Paploo’ which has got faded after the security forces killed the longest surviving ultra in the district, and trying his level best to amass as much support as it can.

The active support of Riaz Ahmed Khan was necessary for the militants because of the fact that neither he would come under the suspicion of security forces nor he would have to receive any arms training. Moreover, he could easily provide security related information to the militants before carrying out attacks on vital installations. "There is no doubt that something dangerous was being cooked up by the HM commander Imran Nazir and JKAP Constable Riaz Ahmed Khan", the defence sources said.

The JKAP constable was introduced with Imran Nazir by his brother-in-law Mudassar, who seems to be in close proximity with some terrorists, the sources said and added that Mudassar was kidnapped by the terrorists some years back and was provided complete arms training. Though his father Afzal Khan—a contractor managed to get him freed from the clutches of the militants by paying some hefty amount yet Mudassar continued to help the terrorists secretly.

"Mudassar—popularly known as Babloo—was also seen with some militants last week and the possibility of his bringing HM commander Imran Khan and another militant to the house of Riaz Ahmed Khan cannot be ruled out", the sources said and added that after yesterday’s encounter security forces approached the parents of Babloo but they were told by his father that Babloo was missing for the last over one week.

But, late in the evening, Babloo appeared in the house of constable and was interrogated by the security personnel, who had already laid a trap for him. "Though he didn’t disclose anything yet a close watch has been maintained over the activities of Babloo as security forces have reports that he would try to meet Imran Khan to chalk out future strategy", the sources said.

Sources said that Riaz Ahmed would be interrogated only after his complete treatment to ascertain what type of plans were being chalked out by the militants during all these days. A close watch has also been maintained on the activities of mother and three sisters of cop, who used to be present in the house whenever Imran Nazir and another militant visited their house but did not provide information to security forces.

India, Russia working on combat aircraft

MOSCOW, Nov 10: Disclosing that India and Russia have begun development of a sophisticated combat aircraft, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said that the defence co-operation between the two countries was of long-term and mutually beneficial character.

Asserting that Indo-Russian defence and military co-operation was "stable and rapidly" developing, Vajpayee said the two countries have started work on a fifth generation combat plane.

Two state-of-art frigates built in Russia have already joined the Indian Naval fleet and deals on purchase of Sukhoi-30 MKI war planes and their licensed production in India are underway, Vajpayee told a group of Russian journalists in New Delhi on the eve of his departure on a three-day official visit to Moscow.

Russia has delivered the modern T-90 tanks to the Indian Army he said adding that the "implementation of these and other projects proves co-operation between the two countries in the defence area is of a long-term and mututally beneficial character."

"The two countries are commit-

ted to maintaining and consolidating bilateral strategic partnership," he was quoted as saying by Itar-Tass newsagency.

Defence cooperation, the fight against international terrorism, the situation in Iraq and UN reforms are issues that will figure during the fourth annual summit between Vajpayee and Russian President Vladimir Putin, External Affairs Minister Yaswant Sinha said in a separate interview to Itar-Tass.

Two documents will be signed relating to cooperation in science and technology during the visit, he said observing that India and Russia have the world’s largest science and technology cooperation programmes. Vajpayee’s visit would provide an opportunity for the two leaders to review the progress in key areas of bilateral relations, particularly on the decisions taken during the last summit meeting in New Delhi, he said.

As far as bilateral issues are concerned, "focus will be on assessing our trade and investment relations and discussing measures taken in the recent past to impart a thrust to them," Sinha said. The Prime Minister said the "time-tested Indo-Russian ties based on complete trust were on the rise and extending to new areas of mututally beneficial co-operation.(PTI)

Hurriyat not to attend Pak HC Iftar

NEW DELHI, Nov 10: Peeved at Islamabad throwing its weight behind rival faction of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the Hurriyat Conference led by Maulana Abbas Ansari has decided not to attend this year’s Iftar Party hosted by Pakistani High Commission here on November 13.

What irked them still more is the fact that invitations were sent for the party in their individual names from Pakistani High Commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan with no reference to the religious or political parties they represented, let alone their being leaders of the Hurriyat.

On the other hand, Geelani in his invitation has been addressed as Hurriyat chairman thus giving the much-needed recognition to the hardline faction of the Hurriyat led by him.

The Iftar Party is scheduled to be held on November 13, which Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid, here in connection with the SAARC meeting, will also attend.

When contacted, Ansari said that he was not attending the iftar function. "I am not going there and I have contacted other leaders of Hurriyat who have also declined to attend the function," Ansari said.

However, the spokesman of the Geelani led breakaway Hurriyat, Ayaz Akbar said that "Geelani alongwith three other members will be attending the Iftar Party and will also meet the visiting Pakistani Information Minister."

He said Geelani would be accompanied by Aga Syed Hussain, Ghulam Mohammed Hubbi and Ghulam Nabi Sumji.

The invitation from Pakistan High Commission was considered as further offensive as it had invited Aga Syed as chief of Anjuman-e-Sharin-Shia (actually headed by Ansari), Hubbi as chief of Peoples’ Conference (actually headed by Bilal and Sajjad Lone) and Sumji as president of Muslim Conference (actually headed by former Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat).

This was being seen by Ansari group as an attempt to dictate terms to the Hurriyat.

The Ansari group was already peeved at the successful attempt of Pakistani diplomats in getting recognition to the Geelani group at the Organisation of Islamic Conference, held recently in Malaysia. (PTI)

House, mill of NC activist torched

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: Unidentified people today set on fire the house, flour mill and cow shed of National Conference activist Sabbar Khan at village Chilli Pain under the jurisdiction of Gandoh police station in Doda district. Sabbar and his sons, who included SPOs and VDC members, had last night gunned down two civilians—Sheena and her son Abdul Gani and injured Nazir and Aslam.

Official sources said some unidentified people, who were stated to be locals, attacked the house of Sabbar Khan, who had been arrested by the police last night. They set the house and a cow shed in its vicinity on fire. Later, they moved towards adjoining saw mill of Sabbar and also torched it.

Police parties later swung into action but the miscreants managed to escape. Police have, however, detained some suspects in connection with the arson.

Police said all accused involved in yesterday’s shoot-out and killing of two persons were arrested immediately after the incident. The weapons used in the firing, which were official weapons of the SPOs and VDC members, have been seized.

Meanwhile, security forces today busted a hideout of the militants in Mahore in Reasi police district and recovered four pistols, nine magazines, 59 rounds, four radio sets, one UBGL, four UBGL grenades, six long antennas and four short antennas.

Militants kidnapped and killed an unidentified civilian at Bisa Gali, Jawari in Ramban.

CBI arrests Madhumita’s killer

LUCKNOW, Nov 10: In a major breakthrough in poetess Madhumita Shukla murder case, CBI today arrested Prakash Chander Pandey, her alleged killer, here, six months after she was shot dead at her residence by two unidentified men.

The breakthrough came after the CBI continued night long raids at various places in Lucknow following interrogation of Pandey’s suspected accomplices Rohit Chaturvedi and Santosh Kumar Rai alias Satya Prakash.

Pandey was produced before a CBI court here this afternoon which remanded him to 14 days judicial custody to facilitate his Test Identification Parade (TIP) by Desraj, servant of the slain poetess and the lone witness in the case.

Pandey’s arrest came a day after Desraj had identified Rai, a small time political worker of Gorakhpur, as Satya Prakash, who had accompanied the killer to Shukla’s house on May nine after which the 24-year-old poetess was shot dead.

This is the fourth arrest in the case. Former Uttar Pradesh Minister Amarmani Tripathi, an accused in the case, has already been arrested by the CBI.

CBI sources said Pandey, a resident of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, has a number of criminal cases pending against him and was on the run after the CBI began investigations in the Madhumita case.

With these arrests, the noose around Madhumani, wife of Tripathi, had further tightened and the CBI was collecting some further proof after which she was likely to be arrested.

In Delhi, CBI Director P C Sharma expressed satisfaction over the arrest and said the case had come to the agency virtually "clueless."

Tripathi was arrested by the CBI on September 21 this year after his blood sample matched with the DNA of Madhumita’s seven-month-old foetus.

He is at present in jail, after his CBI remand ended, and he has failed to get bail from any court so far.

The sources said Rai had been contacted by Chaturvedi after Tripathi’s wife Madhumani had allegedly decided to get "rid" of the poetess as she was bearing her husband’s child.

The CBI registered a murder case on June 24 and constituted a high-level team, headed by a Deputy Inspector General, to investigate it. The then UP Chief Minister Mayawati had recommended a CBI probe after the poetess’ murder opened a political controversy in the State.

The agency also secured custody of Rai, who had been sent to judicial custody till November 21 after being arrested on November six. (PTI)

Ration haul in Baramulla

SRINAGAR, Nov 10: Troops have recovered a sizeable quantity of ration and other items from a militants’ hideout in north Kashmir, a Defence Ministry Spokesman said.

He said due to constant pressure maintained by the troops in the Hinterland, militants have now started amassing ration and other items at heights for self sustenance during winter.

The other reason for amassing huge quantities of necessary items was that civilians were refusing to help militants, the Spokesman said.

Claiming it to be major success, he said troops, while combing a natural cave at Datiwas forest in north Kashmir district of Baramulla yesterday, came across a partially constructed hideout consisting of one living room, two store rooms and one kitchen, where large amounts of ration were stockpiled for use during winter months.

The items were wrapped in plastic bags for long-term preservation, he said.

The recovery consisted of 7550 kgs of ration, 20 pencil cells, 200 blankets, 50 jerseys, 50 wind sheaters, 50 trousers, 50 rucksacks, 200 pairs of woollen socks, 50 wrist bands and kneecaps, 30 firans, 40 balaclavas, two syntax tanks of 1000 litres capacity, two soaps, one LPG cylinder, four petromax lights, 10 plastic buckets, 65 litres of refined oil, 215 bathing soaps, 15 toothpaste, 150 perfume bottles, 50 small hand towels, 200 large hand towels, 100 Kg milk powder, 400 litres kerosene oil, 10 Kgs tea, 15 coffee packets, one carton of biscuit packets, 45 Kgs of dry fruits, 30 Kgs of walnut, 50 plastic scrubbers, 25 soap cases, 250 morphine voils, 15 Kgs of dry coconut, 60 Kgs of condiments, 50 bottles of tomato ketchup, 50 bottles of roohafzah, 25 sets of utensils, 10 basketballs, 10 badminton sets, 20 wooden planks of 10ft length, five pairs of pick axe and shovel, 50 tea mugs, 20 disposable razors, five leather belts, 20 audio cassettes, 25 foam mattresses, 1000 mtrs of ply sheet, five kerosene oil stove, five toothpick boxes, 50 packets of large match boxes and two lanterns.

All items were later destroyed, he said, adding this was for the first time that such a huge quantity of ration was recovered from a militant hideout in the Valley since the eruption of militancy. (UNI)

Range Officer, 3 others suspended

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 10: Minister for Forest, Environment and Fisheries, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Sofi has directed Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to suspend four Forest Department Officials whose involvement has been established in the illegal transportation of auctioned Chir timber from Dadu Range Channi to Jammu.

The Forest officials are SD Singh, the then Range Officer Dadu, presently posted at Jidhra, Mohan Lal, Range Clerk, Dadu, Om Prakash and Madan Lal, the Forest Guards.

The suspension was ordered on the basis of a preliminary inquiry and it was directed to attach the suspended officials with CCF Jammu. Deputy Director Forest Protection Force Jammu has been asked to make further enquiry and submit the report within fort-night.

Mr Sofi also directed Director Forest Protection Force to enquire about the alleged irregularities made in the construction of Forest Protection Force barks at Rajouri, constructed by SICOP.

The Minister further ordered to stop the construction work and also withhold the payment any due to SICOP as these barks have reportedly cracked at their walls after the construction.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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