Separatists must accept dialogue offer: Mufti

SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today said the separatists should not spurn the Centre’s new offer for talks as this was a "golden opportunity" and a "historic occasion of restoration of peace and normalcy in the State."

"No one seemed to believe me when I said unconditional talks will be held with the separatist leadership. It is the major highlight of our coalition Government so far and it was now for the separatists to react," Sayeed said in an interview on the eve of completion of his one year in office.

Asserting that offer of talks to the separatist leaders was the main agenda of the common minimum programme of his coalition Government, he said "now the talks offer has come from the highest level and (it) should not be spurned. It is a golden opportunity, a historic window for restoration of peace and normalcy in the State".

Sayeed would be completing his one year in office on November 2.

Observing that national consensus had emerged on the Kashmir issue, he said that his efforts to end the bloodshed in the State would continue and that talks between the Centre and separatist fructified.

The Chief Minister said the general situation in the State was improving and a better sense of security had been instilled among the people since his Government came to power.

"(But) vested interests within and outside the State seemed to be bent upon disturbing the peace and discounting the gains made over the past one year," he lamented.

Sayeed said he returned to State politics as he felt that he had a role to play in restoring peace. And "...For the first time in over a decade, people in the State feel that peace in the State is around the corner."

Dispelling reports of difference among the coalition partners, the Chief Minister said he did not foresee any immediate threat to his Government as all alliance partners are in perfect understanding.

"This Government is very stable and there is no threat. All the partners especially PDP and Congress are in perfect harmony and symphony with each other," he said.

On criticism by opposition National Conference that his Government had failed to live upto its promises, the Chief Minister said: "We believe in a vibrant democracy ... Opposition has a right to criticise, but be objective when you make an assessment."

"Talks have been offered, human rights abuses have come down drastically and whenever there has been one, the gulity have been punished, political prisoners... Have been freed and everybody is holding political assembly, POTA has not been invoked and SOG has been disbanded ... These were the promises we made," he said.

Sayeed said his Government has successfully addressed the complaints of regional discriminatrion within the State and working towards devolution of powers to the grassroots level.

"Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council for Leh, which was formed more than a decade earlier, was granted powers as enshrined in the Act. Kargil was also given a similar council this year," he said.

On the employment front, Sayeed said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee promised one lakh jobs in two years during his visit to the State in April this year. The process of appointments had already been set in motion.

Besides, "we have a commitment of Rs 1,000 crore investment from some of the big industrial houses of the country," he said.

He said the Vigilance Organisation has been given more teeth to check corruption in public offices.

On the charges of political vendetta levelled by National Conference, Sayeed said all the actions were open to scrutiny. "There is no question of witch hunting or political vendetta".

He said the Government was keen on restoring the cultural balance in the State by rehabilitating Kashmiri migrant Pandits in their native places.

"We have initiated several steps for an honourable and dignified return of our Kashmiri Pandit brothers. We will make proper security arrangements for them and are formulating incentives for those who come back," he added. (PTI)

All passengers safe
Engine, 5 bogies of Shalimar Exp derails

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: Engine and five bogies of New Delhi bound Shalimar Express were derailed at Jatwal near Hiranagar on Jammu-Pathankote rail track late tonight following an explosion on the track. However, there were no casualties in the derailment that occurred at 10.06 PM.

Traffic on Jammu-Pathankote section of Northern Railways has been disrupted following the derailment, Senior Superintendent, Jammu Railway Station, Mulkh Raj Sharma said. Four outgoing trains were held up at Jammu Railways Station. All incoming trains tomorrow morning would terminate beyond Hiranagar.

Chief Public Relations Officer, Northern Railways, Devender Sandhu said the derailment took place soon after an explosion on the track. "All passengers are safe. No one is injured", he said, adding the site of blast was about 10 kilometers from the international border.

"It can be assumed that the derailed coaches stood upright after the blast", he asserted.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gopal Sharma told Excelsior that circumstances leading to derailment of engine and five bogies of Shalimar Express are being ascertained. "Nothing can be said at this stage", he said and added "investigations are on".

Northern Railways General Manager R R Jaruhar left New Delhi tonight for the spot with a rescue team.

Crew of the engine of Shalimar Express, which left Jammu at about 8.50 PM, was fully safe, the Railways sources said, adding that passengers of derailed bogies were shifted to other coaches of the train.

Traffic on the rail track was immediately suspended after the derailment. Pune bound Jhelum Express, which left Jammu at 9.30 PM, was stopped at Vijaypur while departure of Amritsar Express, Himgiri Express and Jammu Tawi-Haridwar Express from Jammu Railway Station has been put off till the track is cleared. All three trains were scheduled to depart between 10 PM to 11 PM tonight.

All incoming trains to Jammu tomorrow morning would also terminate beyond Hiranagar, the sources said.

Meanwhile, a Railways engine left Vijaypur at 11.15 PM for Jatwal to bring Shalimar Express back to Jammu. Another rescue Railway train left Pathankote at 11 PM for Jatwal to lift the derailed bogies and clear the track for rail traffic.

According to sources, the track was likely to be cleared for traffic sometime tomorrow. "Though an operation to clear the derailed engine and bogies would begin in the mid-night, it was expected to take time", they said.

Senior officers of Northern Railways left Jammu for on spot review of the situation immediately after getting a report of the derailment. They will supervise the operation to clear the track for traffic. IGP Jammu P L Gupta, DIG Jammu range Farooq Ahmed and SSP Railways H L Fotedar also reached the spot.

It was after a long gap that a train derailed on Jammu-Pathankote track due to a blast. As Jammu bound trains, which carry a large number of Vaishnodevi pilgrims from different parts of country, remained a target of Pakistan-sponsored militants, Railways Police had erected a number of pickets on the track for round-the-clock patrolling of the track.

Kashmiri leaders ask Hurriyat to hold talks

NEW DELHI, Oct 26: Terming India’s proposals for normalisation of relations with Pakistan and offer of talks with Hurriyat Conference as a "milestone" in ending bloodshed in Jammu and Kashmir, several expatriate Kashmiri organisations have asked the conglomerate to grab the opportunity failing which the future generations would not forgive them.

The organisations including newly formed amalgam of influential Kashmiri expatriate leaders, International Kashmir Alliance (IKA), Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir-based Jammu and Kashmir All Parties National Alliance and JKLF leader Shabir Chaudhury also urged Pakistan to respond to this offer in a positive manner so that lasting peace was forged in South Asia.

IKA chairman Syed Nazir Gilani hoped that Hurriyat would "understand the jurisprudence of the Kashmir specific benefits in the package and take advantage of the jurisprudence of recognition created by the Centre by announcing that Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani would hold talks with Hurriyat."

In his letter to the Hurriyat chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari, he said "in the past Hurriyat has failed to administer its constitutional discipline...If it fails again then the future generation will never forgive you."

Extending support to the 12-point proposals to Pakistan announced by India on Wednesday, he said "IKA sincerely hopes that Hurriyat would not repeat its past mistake and that it would position in the best interest of the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

Chaudhury termed the measures as "positive development" and said "we hope that other parties to the Kashmir issue like Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir will respond to it in spirit of cooperation."

"The Hurriyat, despite its past failures and split, has great opportunity to improve its standing and demonstrate that it cares for people and is serious about peace in Kashmir.

"They must take decision by keeping welfare of the people in mind and must not lose this opportunity. They need to show their maturity in politics and should not wait for any phone from across the border," Chaudhury said.

Referring to the proposed Srinagar-Muzzafarabad bus service, he said "I hope Pakistan Government will respond to this offer in a positive manner so that people on both sides of Kashmir can meet their relatives."

In a letter to the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan, All Parties National Alliance thanked the Indian Government for taking steps in reducing tension in the sub-continent.

"...Peace is something required by all concerned in the entire sub-continent which is affected by poverty," secretary general of the organisation Sardar Arif Shahid said in his letter and expressed hope that the measures would be responded by the Pakistan Government at the earliest. (PTI)

Dy Speaker’s PRO, 5 militants shot dead
*13 injured in Bijbehara grenade attack

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 26: Militants tonight gunned down a key aide of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohd Akbar Lone in Baramulla district.

The militants barged into the house of Lone’s Public Relations Officer Mohd Asadullah Dar at Kreeri Pattan and shot him dead at around 2000 hours, official sources said.

Dar was the ex-PRO of former State Assembly Speaker Abdul Ahad Vakil.

Meanwhile, security forces today gunned down five militants in two operations in Kupwara district while 13 persons including three security personnel were injured in a grenade attack in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district. Grenade attack took place before Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed’s visit to Anantnag town.

Sources said that troops of 8 Assam Rifles and Kupwara police carried out a search operation in Surigam forest area in Kupwara district this morning. In the resultant encounter, four militants including three hailing from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) were killed. Army, however, didn’t suffer any loss.

Slain militants have been identified as Zahid Hussain, Ghulam Mohd and Abu Zarab Suhail, all activists of Al Badr outfit hailing from PoK and Billal Ahmed Bhat alias Sarwar R/o Krusan, Lolab, an activist of Hizb-e-Islami outfit.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants, the sources said.

Another militant was shot dead by the security forces in Dalsi forest area of Handwara in Kupwara district. His identity has not been established so far. One AK rifle with ammunition was recovered from his possession.

Meanwhile, the militants lobbed a grenade targeting a Road Operating Party (RoP) of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) at Arwani crossing in Bijbehara town of Anantnag district at 10.30 AM today. Grenade, however, missed the intended target and exploded on the road causing injuries to 13 persons.

Injured included 10 civilians, two jawans of ITBP and one jawan of Indian Reserve Police (IRP).

Police shifted the injured to hospital. Militants responsible for throwing the grenade managed to escape.

Grenade attack took place before Chief Minister’s visit to Anantnag.

Infiltration bid foiled in KG
*Two houses damaged in shelling

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: Army today foiled an infiltration attempt on Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector in Poonch district and killed one militant while the ultras resorted to heavy firing on police pickets at Shahdara Sharief in Rajouri last night.

Defence sources said the army personnel observed movement of a group of three to four infiltrators in KG sector this morning and challenged them after they came within the firing range. In the ensuing gun-battle, one militant was killed while others reportedly escaped back to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Slain militant was said to be a foreign mercenary though his identity hasn’t been established so far. One AK rifle, three magazines, 73 rounds, two hand grenades and Rs 15 in Indian currency were recovered from him.

Army personnel, who didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation, continued a search operation in the area.

Militants opened heavy firing on police pickets at Shahdara Sharief at 7.25 PM last night. Firing was replied by the police personnel, the sources said and added that exchange of firing continued for four hours after which the militants escaped.

There was no reports of any loss of life on police side in the exchange of firing. In the morning, army also reached the spot and launched a joint search operation with police to trace the militants. However, the militants couldn’t be traced.

In another incident, the militants set on fire Maize crop of seven villagers at Chaklas under the jurisdiction of Gool police station in Udhampur district yesterday.

Army destroyed a hideout of the militants at Surankote last night. Recoveries made from the hideout included 300 kilograms of assorted ration, 50 AK rounds, 15 Pika rounds, three UBGL grenades, two hand grenades and one anti tank grenade.

Meanwhile, Pakistan army again resorted to mortar shelling in Nowshera sector this afternoon. Two houses of Balbir Singh and Vijay Kumar were damaged in shelling in forward village Kalsian.

Shelling, which has become a routine in Nowshera sector, continued for about 50 minutes today. Shelling is being adequately replied by the Indian side.

Narrow escape for US Deputy Defence Secretary
One dead, 15 hurt in Iraq hotel attack

BAGHDAD, Oct 26: One person was killed and 15 wounded when dozens of rockets were fired at a Baghdad hotel early today, where US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz was staying during a tour of the war-torn country.

Twenty-nine rockets were fired at the landmark Rashid hotel at around 6:00 AM (0830 IST), killing one person and wounding 15 others, a top US military officer told AFP.

"There were 16 casualties. One of them died," the officer said.

The wounded included civilians employed by the US Defence Department, soldiers and foreign nationals, he said.

Wolfowitz, who condemned the attack in a press conference soon afterwards, was unharmed.

The hotel’s windows were shattered and its hallways filled with smoke. Blood stained the floor and at least three bodies were carried out on stretchers.

"I saw three people being evacuated on stretchers into military ambulances," said Thomas Hartwell, a photographer hired by the coalition for a documentary project.

An Iraqi police colonel said two policemen were among the wounded.

The hotel, with 14 floors and 400 rooms, is in an area sealed off with heavy security inside the main centre of operation for the US-led coalition ruling Iraq.

The attack occured after a white GMC truck, with three passengers, pulled up to the Zawra park 400 metres from the Rashid and dropped off a trailer, with a homemade rocket launcher disguised as a generator, the US officer said, citing the military’s initial reports.

"They just dropped it off, they were able to get within 400 metres of the hotel," the officer said.

The assailants set off a timing device and left the trailer, with the rockets firing off no more than three to five minutes later, he said.

"There were 40 rockets total, 29 of them were fired and 11 rockets were left in the home-made rocket launcher," the officer said, without saying how many had hit the hotel.

"It was a combination of 85- and 68-millimetre rockets," he added.

A resident by the park said the blue trailer, with the launcher, was placed five metres from a cement barricade erected in the zone, which was sealed off to the public until yesterday, when the Americans reopened the area in a bid to restore normality. (AFP)

Border troops exchange sweets

WAGAH (PUNJAB), Oct 26: In a departure from the menacing gestures they make at each other at sundown, Border Security Force personnel presented a basket of sweets and fruits to their counterparts Pakistani Rangers at the International Border here to mark Deepawali.

The para-military force’s Deputy Inspector General Hemant Prohit presented a ‘Tokra’ (basket) containing popular traditional sweets like Halwa, Barfi, Gulab Jaman and Patissa wrapped in a colourful pack to the Pakistani rangers, BSF 19th Battalion Commandant D K Sharma said.

Commander of the Pakistani Rangers Ishfaq accepted the sweets.

Indian and Pakistani troops shook hands with each other and exchanged pleasantries.

BSF sources said such events helped in building bonds of friendship

and goodwill between the two sides.

It was also a rare sight for the villagers in the border areas who hoped it would contribute towards establishing tranquility and normalcy along the border between the two countries. (PTI)

One killed, nine hurt in another blast at Kishtwar

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 26: In yet another blast in Kishtwar, the second in less than a week, a civilian was killed and nine others were injured when a militant lobbed a grenade at Kishtwar Bus Stand in Doda district this evening.

Official sources said a militant appeared at Kishtwar Bus Stand at 6.30 PM today and threw a grenade towards a matador, which had just arrived from Thathri. The passengers were boarding off the matador when grenade exploded with a deafening sound.

Ten civilians were injured in the blast. One of them later succumbed to his injuries.

Safdar Ali son of Mangta Bhat, a resident of Nandna, Thathri was killed in the blast. Injured have been identified as Nissar Ahmed son of Lalla Ghuggi R/o Anantnag, Pandit son of Salegram, Mohd Iqbal son of Ghulam Nabi R/o Singhpura, Chatru, Nazir Ahmed son of Ghulam Rasool R/o Dulwal, Khurshid Ahmed son of Habibullah R/o Bhagwan, Gulshan Ahmed son of Ghulam Qadir, Ali Mohd son of Mohd Ramzan R/o Sondar Dachan, Mohd Yaseen son of Rustam Bhat R/o Saroor and Akhter Hussain son of Abdul Qayoom R/o Nandna, Thathri.

Condition of Nissar Ahmed was stated to be serious.

Sikh convention rejects Khalistan

MOHALI, Oct 26: The World Sikh Convention, organised here by various Sikh bodies and individuals, today totally rejected Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan’s slogan of Khalistan.

Dr Chohan, who was given some time to speak from the stage, left the venue when other speakers condemned his speech in which he sought the support for "Khali-stan".

As soon as Dr Chohan concluded his speech, Khalsa Panchayat convenor Rajinder Singh told the large gathering that what Dr Chohan spoke were the personal views of the latter.

Sikh intellectual Prof Kulbir Singh not only rejected the slogan of Khalistan but also said that such kind of "utterances" were harmful not only for Punjab but also for the entire Sikh community.

Prof Kulbir Singh requested the participants not to propagate such slogans (of Khalistan).

Dr Chohan then left the venue silently, all alone.

In another resolution, the World Sikh Convention realised that ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ could only be convened under the aegis of the institution of the Akal Takht and such a congregation could only be presided over by ‘Panj Pyaras’ (five beloved of the Sikhs), chosen by the gathering.

The Convention resolved that today’s congregation has decided that the Editor of the ‘Spokesman’, Joginder Singh, would not appear before the Akal Takht even though the SGPC had urged the Akal Takht jathedar to summon the magazine’s Editor to clarify his certain writings.

The Convention praised the efforts of the ‘Spokesman’ in making the people aware of the Sikh religious affairs and for exposing the present clergy and certain Sikh political leaders.

The Convention also resolved to get the Gurdwaras free from the clutches of the politicians. "The possession of the Gurdwaras be given in the hands of only religious persons so that the politicians are not able to hold the reigns of the Gurdwara management with the help of money and liquor (during Gurdwara elections)," said a resolution. (UNI)

Pak response next week

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: Pakistan is expected to give next week its point-by-point response to India’s fresh peace package and is not "unwilling" to discuss "softer" issues, a local daily quoting officials reported today. Pakistan was expected to give its detailed reaction to India’s 12-point peace proposals after the ongoing inter-ministerial consultations and a detailed review by President Pervez Musharraf next week, `Dawn’ quoted the officials as saying.

The officials said Islamabad was not "unwilling" to discuss "softer issues" first as proposed by India, even though it believes that without holding dialogue with it and Kashmiris, the Indo-Pak ties would not improve.

"There would be no delay from our side as internal consultations are taking place right now," the officials said.

The inter-ministerial meetings are being held at the instance of the Pakistan foreign office to sort out issues concerning restoration of overflights, rail links, easing of visa procedure and detained fishermen, they said.

After the meetings, the Pakistan foreign office, plans to give a detailed briefing to Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali in a day or two following which the reaction would be made public. (PTI)

3 Service chiefs to review JK situation

NEW DELHI, Oct 26: Pakistan’s attempt to step up fidayeen attacks in Jammu and Kashmir will figure prominently during the top level three services commanders meeting starting tomorrow with a detailed presentation on the ground position to be given to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on November 1.

Army Chief Gen N C Vij would give a detailed presentation to Vajpayee and other members of the Cabinet Committee on Security, including Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, on the prevailing security situation in the Valley and the recent upgradation of firepower of Army units to meet the challenges.

The presentation assumes significance with the Centre now opting for an open dialogue with Hurriyat Conference and the expected moves by Pakistan-sponsored terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad to sabotage the talks.

Top field commanders of the northern command have recently opposed moves of winter pull back of troops from the forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir and the conference is likely to endorse this.

This would mean that troops would remain stationed in the forward most locations to stop any attempts in infiltration in winter months. This is significant in the context of recent inteligence reports that Pakistan was imparting some terrorist groups winter fighting training.

According to Defence Officials, other highlight of the nearly week-long annual conference would be another detailed presentation on the recently set up Army’s first ever artillery division which has come up in Southern Command.

The artillery division includes three to four missile groups which are to be armed with short and medium range Pakistan-specific Agni missiles.

Naval Chief Madhvendera Singh and Air Chief S Krishnaswamy are also likely to give presentations on air and naval power projections.

For the first time, Army would also release its new quality assurance manual.

The western Army Command has recently come with a detailed paper on command on insurgency forces by armoured corp and mechanised corp officers which may be endorsed in the army manual, thereby implying that more officer cadre and personnel from these highly elite units would now be drafted for the insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Hitherto personnel from these units, except for brief stints in Siachen glacier, were not getting counter insurgency deployment to the extent as infantry and artillery units. (PTI)

Pak army takes diplomats to border

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: In an apparent attempt to stem the growing tide of international criticism that it was not cracking hard on Al-Qaeda militants, Pakistan has taken top Islamabad-based diplomats on a conducted tour of the Pak-Afghan border claiming that its troops killed 10 militants and detained 230 others in recent operations.

Corps Commander Lt General Ali Muhamad Aurakzai told a team of foreign diplomats that three phases of the operation ‘Al-Meezan,’ which was launched on October 2, have been completed while the fourth phase is continuing.

During the operation 10 militants were killed and 230 Al-Qaeda suspects detained, Aurakzai was quoted as saying by official APP newsagency.

The Ambassadors, High Commissioners and diplomats, who visited the agency belonged to Russia, Sweden, Egypt, Brazil, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Japan, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Iran, China, UK, Turkey. Indian diplomats, however, were not invited.

The tour of top diplomats followed criticism by the United States and the international media that Pakistan was not cracking hard on Taliban and Al-Qaeda militant who regrouped in Afghan borders, specially in the inaccessible tribal areas. (PTI)

Power generation falls in J&K

JAMMU, Oct 26: With electricity generation dropping by 31 per cent from 1996 to 2002, Jammu Kashmir Power Departments losses have touched an all time high of nearly Rs 2000 crore, according to sources in J & K Power Development Corporation (JKPDC).

"Although installed capacity for power generation in the State increased from 3253 million kilo watt hours in 1996-97 to 3536 MKWH in 2001-02, power generation decreased from 827 MKWH in 1996-97 to 572 MKWH in 2001-02, a decline of 31 per cent ", sources said.

Hydro-electricity generation an important economic resource for the State, slipped from 743 MKWH to four MKWH from 1996 to 2001.Diesel power generation fell to nine MKWH in 2001 from 10 MKWH in 1996.

The capacity utilisation of hydel power stations decreased from 45 per cent in 1996-97 to 30 per cent in 2001-02, they said.

"If situation continues like this it would result in a crises in J&K in near future", they said.

As a result of underutilisation of capacity, heavy transmission and distribution losses, non-linking of tariff with the cost of energy, non-recovery of electricity charges, power situation was in bad state.

Losses during the last five year have accumulated to Rs 1939 crore, they said.

A loss of Rs 310.98 crore was registered in 1998-99, followed by a loss of Rs 314.56 crore in 1999-2000, Rs 371.08 crore in 2000-2001, Rs 338.16 crore in 2001-2002 and Rs 598.22 crore in 2002-03, sources said.

Revenue generated from consumers amounted to Rs 975.39 crore only during the period, they said.

The deficit from 1996 to 2000 totalled to Rs 36650.56 crore, as deficit increased from Rs 521 crore in 1996-97 to Rs 886 crore in 2000-01.

While overall shortfall in utilisation of funds during the period (1997-98 to 2001) was 22 per cent, revenue expenditure was incurred mainly on purchase of fuel (Rs 3061 crore, 86 per cent) and administrative expenses including salaries (Rs 439.06 crore, 12 per cent).

Nearly, Rs 71.94 crore (mere two per cent) was spent on the operation and maintenance of system, they said.

Transmission and distribution losses ranged between 52 per cent and 86 per cent against the norm of 15 per cent during the period 1996-2001. Average loss per KWH increased from Rs 1.97 in 1996-97 to Rs 2.50 in 2001 and loss of sale in energy per consumer increased to Rs 8.309 in 2001 from Rs 5753 in 1996.

Installations per employee was just 41 as the workforce went up to 20925 in 2000 from 18500 in 1996, he said. There were earlier 10 lakh connections in J&K. (PTI)
 
 
 
 

 

 

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