Omar becoming CM only a matter of time: Farooq
*Coalition Govt has recorded zero performance
*NC leaders, workers being victimised
*Talks an initiative of Centre, not Mufti

By Sanjeev Pargal & Dinesh Manhotra

JAMMU, Nov 22: In a significant political statement, former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah today said it was only a matter of time when the National Conference will storm back to power in the State and party president Omar Abdullah will be the new Chief Minister.

"Mufti Sayeed led coalition Government has recorded zero performance in last one year. This Government has to go", Dr Abdullah told Excelsior in an interview at his residence this afternoon. He added: "Omar becoming the Chief Minister and National Conference coming to power is only a matter of time".

Accompanied by Omar Abdullah, Farooq, however, clarified that the National Conference was not making any attempt to topple the coalition Government. "If others want to topple it, then we will have to take their side. We don’t want to destabilise the Government", he asserted.

Former CM alleges phone taping

Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today alleged that his telephones are being taped by the Mufti Sayeed Government. He directly blamed Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed for the phone taping.

"Additional DG CID can’t tape the phones unless Home Minister clears it and in our State the Chief Minister is holding the portfolio of Home", he said.

"We will try to make the talks more interesting for the Chief Minister", Farooq said as he and Omar laughed.

"Aon Mein Aur Mithiyan Galan Karanga Apni Bibi De Naal (Now I will hold more sweet talks with my wife)", he said.

It may be recalled that Dr Abdullah during yesterday’s iftaar party at Raj Bhawan had confronted ADG CID Dr Ashok Bhan for taping his telephones at the behest of Government. He had also taken two other bureaucrats to task.

Farooq’s statement that Omar could become the Chief Minister anytime came within few days after Omar thundered at a rally in the City that fate of the coalition Government depended on opening of his fist.

In about 40 minutes interview, Dr Abdullah launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed charging him with victimising the NC leaders including Abdullah family, tapping their telephones, withdrawing their security vehicles and registering false cases against their activists.

Asked to rate the performance of one year of Mufti Sayeed Government, the NC patron shot back: "there has been no performance at all. Therefore, there is no question of rating the performance". He said: "the Government which was boasting of presenting a zero deficit budget has, rather, presented zero performance in one year".

The Government, Farooq said, was trying to take credit of Centre’s decision to hold talks on Kashmir "but let they know that it’s an initiative of the Centre which was long pending. It’s just a coincidence that it happened now. Credit for this goes to the Centre and not the State Government".

He said before the appointment of Deputy Chief Minister L K Advani for holding talks on Kashmir he was taken into confidence and duly informed by the Centre.

Setting at rest all speculations about his possible return as the NC president, Farooq observed: "I think there is a lot of rumour mongering about our party. From the day one some vested interests didn’t wanted a younger leadership to emerge. The NC being a premier party of the State has to fare good in the 21st century and Omar has proved his mettle in the Parliament as a Parliamentarian as well as Minister for Commerce and External Affairs.

"There is no doubt in my mind that Omar is an able leader with a clear mind and a clear thinking for future. There are other parties who are worried about him that he is a force to reckon with and that he is going to give the NC under his leadership a force they can’t beat".

He said the allegations that the father and son (Farooq and Omar) have differences in their approach and that they don’t stay in the State have no "solid evidence".

"Omar could have become the Chief Minister last year when we had 29 MLAs and had emerged as a single largest party in the State. But, we decided that let somebody else try it. There are more thorns than roses as they would have realised by now", Dr Abdullah recalled.

Reacting to Mufti’s charge made during an informal chat with newsmen at Governor’s iftaar at Raj Bhawan yesterday that the NC speaks one thing in power and another thing when out of power, Farooq said he would like to remind the Mufti that it was he (the Mufti) who had supported the Muslim United Front (MUF) when he was Minister of State for Tourism at the Centre.

"Is he (Mufti) not the one who betrayed late Rajiv Gandhi. Is he not the one who today stands in power because of Hizbul Mujahideen and Jammat-e-Islami support"? he asked and said it is for your readers to decide that who is talking in two languages in Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi.

Charging Mufti Government with victimising Abdullah family and NC workers, Dr Abdullah pointed out that security of many of the NC workers including ex-MLAs, whose threat perception was very high, has been withdrawn.

At this stage, Omar Abdullah intervened and said: "you just look at the Ambassador cars provided to the escorts of Farooq". Omar said his bullet proof vehicle has been withdrawn and given as a spare vehicle to another person. "This is being done with a party which has its presence in all three regions", he pointed out.

"It will be pre-mature to say anything at this moment", Farooq remarked on whether he was hopeful of a positive outcome of Advani-Hurriyat talks. "An invitation hasn’t come yet. What reply the Hurriyat Conference gives is to be seen. Let us wait and watch", he said and added the appointment of the Deputy Prime Minister for holding talks shows seriousness of the Centre.

"The Centre has spoken to all parties of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Only groups left are separatists. This is the first group and we hope they will talk to others. All feel this vexed problem has to be internally sorted out", he said. Asked what solution he will propose to Kashmir problem, he quipped that it would not be right to comment on a solution but added "I know on what subject the talks will be held".

To a question that what reasons the NC has analysed for its defeat in last year’s Assembly elections, the former Chief Minister said the reasons were very straight for the defeat. "Total pro-India stand, unambiguous stand on accession and sources of militancy and anti-incumbency factors were among the reasons that led to our defeat", he observed. Moreover, he said, "we were not able to sell what we did during our six years of governance.

"After taking over as Chief Minister, Mufti distributed the appointment letters in various districts to the militancy affected people. All these decisions were taken in my tenure as Chief Minister and Mufti is just issuing these letters and trying to take credit for the same. I couldn’t issue the letters due to imposition of Election Commission’s code of conduct," he added.

Tie-up with the BJP at the national level could also be one of the reasons for NC’s defeat, he said, adding both the parties have suffered the way our tie-up was sold to the people.

Pak fighters violate air space
Civilian killed, 5 hurt in shelling

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 22: A civilian was killed and five others were injured in stepped-up mortar shelling by Pakistan army in Poonch and Sunderbani sectors while four Pakistan fighters reportedly violated the Indian air space in Nowshera sector last evening. A similar air space violation has also been reported from Mandi sector in Poonch today.

Official sources said Pakistan army fired several mortar shells in Mahadev area in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district this afternoon killing one civilian and injuring another. Several shells fell close to Mahadevi temple but failed to hit the religious place, which didn’t suffer any damage.

Civilian killed in the shelling has been identified as Romesh Kumar son of Tilak Raj, a resident of Kangri, Sunderbani while the injured was Raman Lal son of Gian Chand R/o Beri Pattan. He has been hospitalised.

Pakistan army also resorted to heavy shelling in Poonch sector this morning, the sources said, adding that four civilians were injured in shelling in forward village of Sabjian. They included Haneefa daughter of Ghulam Mohd, Mushtaq Ahmed son of Ghulam Rasool, Mohd Issar son of Habibullah, and Mst Azmat all residents of Sabjian.

Injured were evacuated from the shelling site by the troops and shifted to district hospital in Poonch.

Heavy shelling also took place at Khari, Karmara, Ajot, Digwar, Kalsan, Banpat and Nangali but there were no casualties or damage in these villages.

Shelling was replied very effectively by the Indian side but details about the casualties and damage suffered by Pakistan army couldn’t be ascertained immediately. "Definitely, some casualties have taken place on Pakistan side but we are awaiting the details", the sources said.

Meanwhile, four Pakistani fighter planes flew over the Indian territory in forward village of Bhawani in Nowshera sector last evening, an official report said today.

They returned to Pakistan as the troops tried to target them.

Report said the violation of Indian air space by a Pakistani fighter was also reported today in Mandi sector in Poonch district.

The fighters are generally pressed into service to take pictures of forward Defence locations, official sources said. There was, however, no word from the Defence authorities over air space violations.

Suicide bombs in Iraq kill 18
*Plane reported hit

BAQUBA, IRAQ, Nov 22: Suicide bombers blew up cars packed with explosives outside two police stations north of Baghdad today, killing at least 18 people in the latest deadly strikes on Iraq’s US-backed police force.

In Baghdad, a civilian plane operated by global cargo company DHL made an emergency landing after one of its engines caught fire. Airport officials said the plane may have been hit by a missile and the US Army said it was investigating.

In the town of Khan Bani Saad, a car sped towards a police station and detonated as Iraqi police opened fire on it, US soldiers at the scene said. Captain Ryan Mccormack said six police and three civilians were killed.

Another suicide bomber targeted the main police headquarters in the nearby town of Baquba, 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad.

Lieutenant Colonel William Macdonald, spokesman for the US 4th Infantry division, said seven policemen and two civilians were killed in Baquba.

The death tolls excluded the car bombers and some witnesses said the Baquba attacker was wearing a police uniform as he drove towards the building.

"I was standing on the balcony of the police station as the car was coming towards the building," said policeman Nazaar Hamzan. "He was wearing a uniform like mine."

Dead and wounded from both attacks were brought to Baquba’s hospital, where blood was congealed on the floor of the wards.

"I was trying to resuscitate a four-year-old girl whose legs were blown off but she didn’t make it," Dr Sharif Saleh said.

A huge crater was blown into the road outside the Baquba police headquarters. Nearby, a packet of cigarettes lay in a pool of blood, close to a shoe torn apart by the blast. One policeman said he found a severed hand 500 metres (yards) away.

Shards of glass were strewn inside the police station. Part of an air-conditioning unit had been blown across one room, with a police armband stuck to it. Drops of blood could be seen.

"We were in front of the police station and we heard a huge explosion," said school Principal Jamal Numaan, who witnessed the blast. "Blood came out of my ears and nose." Suicide attackers have struck several times at Iraqi police. On October 27, coordinated car bomb attacks on three Baghdad police stations and the International Committee of the Red Cross killed at least 35 people. Earlier that month, two suicide bombers killed eight Iraqis at another Baghdad police station.

At Baghdad International Airport, officials said initial reports suggested the DHL plane had been hit by a missile.

DHL officials said the airbus A300 had taken off from Baghdad airport and returned to make an emergency landing after an engine fire which was being investigated. No one was hurt.

Guerrillas have attempted several times to hit planes near Baghdad’s airport, but until Saturday no fixed-wing aircraft had been reported hit. Helicopters have been much more vulnerable targets — over the past month, guerrilla attacks have brought down five, killing 49 soldiers.

The United States blames diehard Saddam Hussein loyalists and foreign Muslim militants for attacks on US troops, foreign organisations and Iraqis cooperating with occupying forces.

Since Washington declared major combat over on May 1, 182 US soldiers have been killed in action in Iraq.

American commanders say guerrillas are becoming increasingly inventive and attacks are showing signs of greater coordination.

On Friday, guerrillas used donkey carts to launch Katyusha rockets at Iraq’s oil ministry building and two fortified hotels used by Western contractors and journalists.

A third cart loaded with 21 rockets was stopped by US troops near the Italian and Turkish embassies and close to the offices of one of Iraq’s Kurdish parties. A fourth cart — with the donkey wired up with explosives — was found and defused.

Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, a member of Iraq’s US-appointed governing council and head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), a leading Shi’ite party, was also targeted in a rocket attack on Friday, his son said.

"It was a terrorist attack on his life by remnants of Saddam’s regime," Mohsen Al-Hakim told media in Tehran. He said a rocket was fired from a nearby garden as his father was in a mosque but failed to explode.

Facing a mounting death toll in Iraq, the United States has unveiled a faster timetable for handing over power to Iraqis. A sovereign Iraqi Government is due to be in place by the end of June next year, with elections to follow by the end of 2005.

But the New York Times quoted US Army officials on Saturday as saying Washington plans to keep 100,000 troops in Iraq through early 2006. (AGENCIES)

Badal assets pegged at Rs 4326 cr

CHANDIGARH, Nov 22: Estimating the value of properties of former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his wife, son and close friends at Rs 4,326 crore in India and abroad, Punjab Vigilance Bureau today filed a chargesheet in a Ropar court accusing them of having "created assets" of Rs 78.39 crore during the tenure of the SAD-BJP Government in 1997-2002.

The present market value of their assets both in India and abroad included in the investigations conducted so far and those still under probe is pegged at Rs 4326 crore. These include inland assets of Rs 501 crore and indicated overseas properties value at Rs 3,825 crore, the Bureau’s Chief Director A P Pandey told reporters here.

The chargesheet filed after months of investigations following a complaint of one Balwant Singh, a resident of Dhalewan village of Mansa district, said investigations revealed that alleged disproportionate assets worth Rs 78.39 crore were secured during the five year tenure of the SAD-BJP alliance Government headed by Badal.

Besides Badal, others named as accused in the chargesheet are his wife Surender Kaur, son and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhbir Singh Badal, their NRI relative Narrottam Singh Dhillon, Badal family’s manager Harbans Lal and Jagnandan Singh, an associate of the Badals.

They have been accused of "illegally accumulating assets massively disproportionate to their collective known sources of income" and charged under various sections of IPC including fraud, forgery, conspiracy, tampering with documents and the prevention of corruption act.

Pandey said that according to the estimates of Badal family, they had made an investment of nearly Rs 55 crore, but the Vigilance investigations have revealed that it was over Rs 132 crore, thus making Rs 78 crore as disproportionate, for which the bureau has filed the challan today.

He also linked Badal to the infamous multi-crore cash-for-job scam involving Ravinder Pal Singh Sidhu that shook the Punjab Public Service Commission last year. "There are evidences linking him with the (PPSC) scam," he said when asked if Badal could have had a role in that.

Asked if the Vigilance would be seeking central government’s help on the assets abroad, he said that the bureau would be seeking the help of concerned authorities including Interpol as and when required.

Whether they would be seeking custodial interrogation of Badal from the Court, Pandey said they had put the evidence before the Court and now the directions would come from the Court.

Pandey also disclosed that the Vigilance would act tough against those officials of the bureau or outside it whose involvement was found in the leakage of the part of chargesheet, copies of which were released by Badal at a press conference here a few days back.

Admitting that the documents released by Badal were part of the challan filed today in the Ropar Court, Pandey said, "we are investigating this and have formed a team of three officers, one among them a DIG ranking officer".

Asked if the leakage of the chargesheet by Badal could hamper the investigations against him and others as the SAD chief had shown that he had the capacity to manage what were secret documents, Pandey said, "yes, yes...It is a kind of hampering the investigation process, but we are identifying people involved in this and they will be punished".

He also hinted that some members in the present investigating team may be changed after Badal managed to secure and leak the confidential papers to the press.

Pandey evaded a direct answer when he was asked to comment upon why had he failed to unearth the corruption by the Badals earlier. "It needs the (political) will," he said.

Asked if in his capacity as senior Vigilance Bureau Officer during the Badal regime had he been stopped by anyone to initiate action against the corrupt, he said.

When asked when the Vigilance would file challan against Badals in the remaining assets, he said, "as soon as we have conclusive evidence we will do that and will file supplementary challans in the case. We have informed the court their foreign assets as well".

Pandey said that other allegations in the FIR are misuse of authority in transparent postings of public servants, misuse of authority in appointing Government servants, acceptance of bribe in awarding Government contracts and acquisition of foreign property and assets abroad by the Badals. (PTI)

Advani concerned over regionalism

INDORE, Nov 22: Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani today expressed concern over regionalism raising its head again and stressed that it was not in the interest of the nation.

"In the context of whatever happened in Assam and Bihar, New Delhi is in touch with both State Governments. Even soldiers and paramilitary personnel have been dispatched. The United Liberation Front of Asom has a principal role in the goings-on within that North-Eastern State," he told reporters here.

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader cautioned that every organisation would have to incorporate patience in its behaviour.

"It’s easy to instigate people for instantaneous political gain," he pointed out. Mr Advani said that the Central Vigilance Commission had denied lodging any complaint with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee regarding six union ministers allegedly "extorting" finances from public sector undertakings.

Yesterday, the Congress had submitted a memorandum to President A P J Abdul Kalam demanding the resignations of the aforementioned ministers.

"Why did the Congress choose only six ministers? it could have named everyone," the Deputy Premier quipped. The senior BJP leader said that "artificial" issues were being raised as opponents had been rendered speechless by the National Democratic Alliance’s fine governance.

"The Congress, which Loknayak Jaiprakash Narayan described as a ‘source of corruption’, is levelling accusations against us that party has said that corruption is a global problem. Can anyone forget (Ottavio) Quattrocchi?" Mr Advani quipped.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that, in the previous general elections, his party made ‘good governance’ an issue for national debate and it became a permanent issue that

exerts influence even today. Mr Advani said that the years of NDA rule "have become our great strength. Through its work, the Government showed the kind of governance we can provide."

The veteran leader stressed that wiping out corruption would be a priority for any Government which resolves to provide good governance.

"We’re not discussing corruption merely because it is poll time. The proposed bills, regarding defection and income tax concession for electoral donations, are a measure towards getting rid of the menace," he explained. The bill concerning defection is to contain a provision stipulating that anybody who crossed the floor would be declared "ineligible" for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

The Deputy Premier claimed that the BJP would emerge victorious by a comfortable margin in Madhya Pradesh’s December 1 Vidhan Sabha hustings.

"The State’s Congress Government says it fulfilled 97 per cent of its promises. Adequate electricity, proper roads and supply of water are in the other three per cent," he quipped. (UNI)

145 kms LoC fenced: Vij

PATHANKOTE, Nov 22: Nearly 145-km stretch along the Line of Control has been fenced and high tech thermal imagers installed along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir to stop infiltration, Army Chief General N C Vij said today.

Pakistan continues to thrust proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir with 85 militant training camps running in the country and Pakistan occupied Kashmir areas, he told reporters after celebration of 225th raising day of Brigade of Guards-2 Guards (1 Grenadiers) here today.

Besides installation of ground censors and thermal imagers, Army has completed 145-kms of fencing along LoC to stop infiltration from Pakistan in J-K, Vij said.

By June 2005 entire LoC will be fenced, he said, adding that 1500 hand-held thermal imagers have been inducted in J and K with positive results.

The situation at the Indo-Pak border had improved after successful anti-militancy operations by Army troops in depth areas along the border.

Referring to the recent peace initiative by the Prime Minister, he said that it was a good step to restore normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Although Prime Minister had taken such initiative three times in past with no results, but this initiative must continue, he said, adding that people to people contacts were essential in this direction.

Regarding replacement of BSF, he said that it will continue in a phased manner to avoid any gap on security, intelligence and operational fronts. (PTI)

CBI to probe stamp paper scam

NEW DELHI, Nov 22: In a bid to unearth the full magnitude of the Rs 30,000 crore fake stamp paper scam that has rocked several states, the Centre has decided to hand over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) the investigations despite reservations from Congress State Governments in Karnataka and Maharashtra.

This decision follows Allahabad High Court directive last week to Finance Ministry that the case be handed over to a central agency as these "rackets" were ruining the entire economy with ramifications in several states.

This decision was taken after Finance Minister Jaswant Singh last night referred the matter to the Home Ministry to get the scam investigated by the central agency.

It would now be formally referred to CBI by Monday, official sources said today.

CBI is already investigating seven cases related to the stamp paper in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Indian Security Press, Nashik. But Maharashtra and Karnataka, where the scam has spread far and wide, have ruled out handing over the stamp paper cases to CBI despite a reference from the Union Home Ministry.

CBI has already requested a formal direction from the Finance Ministry for registering a case which did not now require concurrence of State Governments after direction from a High Court or Supreme Court, sources said.

While passing an order on writ petition, the Allahabad High Court had directed the Finance Ministry to submit a report regarding the registration of the case by CBI by December 10.

Giving reasons for such a direction the court said, the entire episode of mass circulation of revenue stamps must be worked out by the top most investigative agency of the country as involvement of some big wigs in this racket was to be taken as certain.

The CBI is directed to register the case from the date of receipt of copy of the court order through Ministry of Finance.

The fake stamp paper scam first surfaced at a production planning meeting in November 2000 in Karnataka and the Centre constituted a working group on plugging loopholes leading to forgeries on non-judicial stamp papers in February 2001.

The group submitted its report in December 2002 and the Finance Ministry approved the suggestions on technical matters in February 2002.

It was from the probe conducted by Karnataka’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the scandal, now known as telgi scam, that the Finance Ministry first came to know that there existed a large scale organised crime syndicate in fake stamp papers with the "active connivance" of certain Indian security press officials, the sources said.

The Union Home Ministry also drew the attention of Finance Ministry in March 2003 about the possibility of involvement of ISP officials.

The CBI probe will now be on in all the states where the alleged kingpin Abdul Karim Telgi’s network existed.

Meanwhile, the Central Board of Direct Taxes has decided to investigate the black money generation due to the scam as stamp papers are widely used in transfer of movable and immovable properties.

The fake stamp paper scam has reportedly spread over to 15 states in the country with ramifications all over the country.

The Finance Ministry has already cleared a proposal to incorporate new safety features in stamp papers. Besides, the Government has decided to deploy CISF personnel at the Nashik security press where stamp papers are printed.

Based on inputs received from intelligence agencies and other sources, the Finance Ministry first transferred out of the security press its General Manager Ganga Prakash and subsequently placed him under suspension. A proposal for his summary dismissal has been sent to Ministry of Personnel. Besides, two other officials have been placed under suspension, three DGMS have been transferred out of ISP, and action against five retired officials have been initiated.

To improve the security management of the press, CISF personnel have been deployed and instructions have been issued that disposal of old machinery should be done only after dismantling and crushing them in the presence of responsible officers and should be sold only as scrap.

The sources said all incoming and outgoing material at ISP was now being properly recorded in registers and operating menu has been prepared as part of the efforts to beef up security.

List of suppliers and of reitred officials of ISP, Nashik, have been given to intelligence bureau to maintain surveillance.

Vigilance-cum-surveillance cell was also being set up with officials from IB in the press.

The states have already been requested to conduct verification of stocks of stamp papers with the authorised vendors to prevent the entry of fake stamp papers.

The sources said Income Tax authorities have already attached about 40 properties under the Income Tax Act and the banking and insurance sector has been requested to take preventive and remedial measures to deal with problem.

The industry associations had also been alerted in this regard.

The sources said the Finance Ministry had yet to receive the report of SIT Maharashtra despite repeatedly asking for that. (PTI)

US issues world wide alert

WASHINGTON, Nov 22: Highlighting the "recent terrorist attacks" in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the US state department has issued a worldwide warning that the Al-Qaeda network may stage new attacks, designed to be more "devastating" than the September 11 strikes.

In a "worldwide caution" against attacks and plane hijackings, the State Department has warned that "US citizens may be a target of terrorist actions."

Deeply concerned about the security of American citizens overseas, the alert, issued yesterday, cautioned them to "maintain a high level of vigilance, to remain alert and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness".

"We are seeing increasing indications that Al-Qaeda is preparing to strike US interests abroad", said the warning, which came a day after 27 people were killed and more than 450 injured in two bomb attacks on British targets in Istanbul.

"The Al-Qaeda and its associated organisations have struck in the middle east in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and in Europe in Istanbul, Turkey. We therefore assess that other geographic locations could be venues for the next round of attacks", it said.

"We expect Al-Qaeda will strive for new attacks designed to be more devastating than the September 11 attack, possibly involving non-conventional weapons such as chemical or biological agents. We also cannot rule out that Al-Qaeda will attempt a second catastrophic attack within the US", the alert said.

"Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests, and threats to include conventional weapons, such as explosive devices", the alert said.

Since terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets, they might strike at facilities where US citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches.

Thus US citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable, the state department cautioned. (PTI)

3 civilians injured in firing

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 22: Police today registered a criminal case of attempted murder against Army after troops of Rashtriya Rifles 30 Bn tortured two civilians in a roadside interrogation and left three more wounded in unprovoked firing at Qalamabad, in Handwara area.

Informed sources in north Kashmir explained to EXCELSIOR that troops of RR 30 Bn laid siege to Shah Nagri, Mawar, in Langet-Nowgam belt of Kupwara district in the morning today. They had received information regarding the presence of a top wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militant, namely Hassan Kumhar, of the same village. During the cordon-and-search operation, troops made all residents of the village assemble at an open field.

Troops lifted two brothers, namely Mohammad Iqbal Bhat and Tariq Ahmed Bhat sons of late Habibullah Bhat, and subjected them to intense physical and mental torture. They did not respond to the peoples’ pleas that father of the duo, who was a prominent Congress activist, had been gunned down by militants at the village mosque a few years ago. They even refused to listen that Iqbal was an innocent employee of the Irrigation Department and Tariq a declared cardiac patient.

As both the brothers collapsed during the third degree torture and they revealed nothing about Hassan Kumhar, the crowd turned violent and used force to rescue the duo. Reports said that some women even scuffled with the Commanding Officer Col Manjit who was present on the occasion. The angry villagers formed a procession and carried the unconscious duo to Qalamabad with the intention to register their protest and block the strategic Langet-Nowgam road.

No sooner did the procession reach Qalamabad, troops of a picket of RR 30 Bn opened targeted gunfire, resulting in injuries to three civilians, namely Murtaza Hassan, Ghulam Rasool Kumhar and Abdul Ahad Ganai. They received gunshot wounds on different parts of their bodies. Still the crowd refused to disperse and the whole area turned tense. Senior Police officials rushed to the spot and pacified the processionists with an assurance that the injured would be given best medical treatment and an FIR would be lodged against Army.

S P Handwara, Garib Das, confirmed to EXCELSIOR that, prima facie, troops had used excessive force and failed to observe restraint. He confirmed that on the basis of the peoples’ application, Handwara Police Station registered case FIR NO: 296 under sections 307 and 323 against troops of 30 RR allegedly responsible for opening fire and causing injuries to three civilians besides subjecting two uninvolved youth to severe physical torture.

S P Handwara claimed that after the Police action, order was restored in the whole area and all the angry crowds returned to home. He, however, said that Police were ascertaining facts and examining Army’s counter-application according to which the residents had allegedly attempted to attack the soldiers and snatch away their weapons.

Meanwhile, late evening reports said that the three civilians with gunshot wounds have been rushed to Srinagar and admitted at SMHS Hospital.

Reports from Budgam said that unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, appeared at Kremshore in Khansahib area and fired targeted gunshots on a civilian, namely Ghulam Mohammad Bhat S/o Ghulam Rasool Bhat, through a window of his house late last evening. He sustained critical injuries and died while being rushed to a Budgam hospital.

A released militant of 1994 era, Bhat had been assisting his contractor father in construction works. Enquiries revealed that a militant had died at his house in 1996 in mysterious circumstances following which Bhat had fled to Jammu and stayed there for two years. Even as militants caused a bomb blast at his father’s tipper at Budgam, Bhat returned and operated from his house in the last five years. Around the same time last evening, militants had appeared at Sanoorkalipora, in Soibug-Beerwah belt, and shot dead one Ghulam Hassan Ganai S/o Gasha Ganai after dragging him out of the local mosque.

JuM opposes Hurriyat decision on dialogue

SRINAGAR, Nov 22: A day after the Hurriyat faction led by Maulvi Mohammad Abbas Ansari expressed its willingness to hold dialogue with Delhi, the radical militant outfit Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen today warned that it would prevent them from reaching any agreement with the Centre.

Reacting to announcements made by former chairmen of the amalgam, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Abdul Gani Bhat yesterday, JuM chief Sheikh Abdul Basit accused the leaders of playing the role of former Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.

"The Sheikh all his life advocated plebiscite but later forced his will over the people and dumped the plebiscite," Basit said in a statement to a local news agency here.

The "tactics and moves" of Bhat and his colleagues would not be allowed to flourish and they will be prevented from signing any agreement with Delhi, Basit said.

Basit further said that Bhat’s proposed roadmap for peace in Kashmir was similar to one presented by Sheikh Abdullah at one stage which "ultimately led to the doom of people in Kashmir." (PTI)

Jawan injured in blast, IED defused

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 22: An army jawan was injured in an IED explosion at village Dogrian in Bafliaz area of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district this morning.

The jawan was part of a Road Opening Party (ROP) of the army which was targeted by the militants by detonating an IED at 9.30 am. Injured

jawan has been hospitalised.

Meanwhile, police today detected and defused a 10 kg IED fitted in a 7.5 litres pressure cooker at Dimgee Mohalla in Doda.

Nightlong prayers on Shab-e-Qadr in Valley

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 22: With only three days left of the holy month of Ramzan, Muslims began nightlong prayers on occasion of Shab-e-Qadr in Kashmir valley this evening. According to the Islamic faith, the holy Quran has been revealed to Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, during this auspicious night and worship by the night is superior to that performed for one thousand months.

Most of the menfolk left their households after the routine evening prayers and the dinner for local mosques all over Kashmir valley to participate in the collective nightlong prayers. Reports said that, inspite of cold, thousands of devout Muslims converged on Hazratbal shrine and Jamia Masjid in the capital city where the prayers shall conclude at the next dawn.

Well-attended prayers also began at scores of shrine and mosque complexes while as thinner crowds were seen at other local mosques in every locality. Last ten days and nights of Ramazan are considered superior to the first twenty in performing prayers and special worships. On Shab-e-Qadr, recitation of holy Quran and hymns (Darood) in praise of Allah and the Prophet with prayers for peace, prosperity, health and forgiveness are conducted at all mosques in Kashmir and elsewhere.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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