‘Indo-Pak peace process gaining momentum’
Infiltration considerably reduced: Gen Sinha

By O P Sharma

JAMMU, Dec 17: Exuding confidence over Indo-Pak peace process and people to people contact gaining momentum, Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha today said that full impact of the substantial reduction in infiltration following fencing on 700 kilometer border will also be felt in the hinterland by next year.

‘I am glad that process towards restoration of peace in the State is on’, Gen Sinha said in an exclusive interview to the EXCELSIOR.

Claiming that infiltration had reduced considerably in recent months, the Governor substantiated his point by statistics, which indicate that against 1300 last year, 500 infiltrators sneaked into this side this year. ‘It has almost reduced to trickle during the past two months’, he added.

The Governor elaborated that with reduced infiltration, the overall impact on the general security scenario will be felt in months to come because shortage of weaponry and other logistics from across will have choking effect on ultras active in the State.

General Sinha called for complete synergy between various agencies charged with combating terrorism and said that with the active support of the people, war against terrorism would be certainly won and peace brought in the sensitive State. Peace is imperative for overall economic development.

The Governor expressed happiness over changing scenario and discernible shift in public mood and said this is outcome of various developments and concerted efforts to win over the heart and mind of the people. Tourism activity has immensely picked up which has had a good impact on Kashmir economy. Shri Amarnath yatra contributed in this regard in a big way. In fact, revival of Kashmiriyat has been a contributory factor in incident free yatra, consecutively for the second year this year.

"This is my considered view that Kashmiriyat is a strong weapon to fight terrorism and religious fundamentalism", Gen Sinha said.

While reposing immense faith in the on-going peace process between India and Pakistan, the Governor vouched for measures to be taken for achieving the agenda of peace in Jammu and Kashmir. This calls for three-pronged strategy, which he spelled as coordinated operations to fight terrorism, winning over the hearts and minds of the people by administering good governance and ensuring economic development and psychological initiatives.

The Governor said that gigantic task of covering 700 kilometers on LoC against various odds is a massive effort to be completed in one year. He said the 12 feet high fencing with electrified barbed wire, night vision devises and sensors would be a big roadblock for intrusion. He, however, added that these measures along would not be enough to stop ingression. "We have to remain extra vigilant, have constant patrolling on borders to foil any attempt of infiltration", he maintained.

To a question about army’s humane role in the State, the Governor made a mention of civic action programme of the army and said that medical camps are being organised in far-flung areas, quality education imparted through good will schools and other public utility services provided to border dwellers. The Bharat Darshan tours of students have been a success and border youth is showing enthusiastic response towards this.

The Governor said that they are setting up1500 micro hydel projects to overcome power scarcity and generate economic activity in border areas. Already work has been taken up on 300 such projects and over a thousand more would be taken up next year.

"I took up this matter with the Prime Minister during his recent visit to the State and I am happy that he endorsed my views and gave a go ahead signal in this regard", Sinha said, adding that he was sure about a mini economic revolution in Jammu and Kashmir by this innovative project.

Kashmir’s notorious criminal in police net

From Aijaz Hussain

SRINAGAR, Dec 17: Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Javaid Makhdoomi, has proved the vital point that policing is possible despite the booming gunfire amid which the local police has to discharge its duties. Acting in a typical manner of master detective Sherlock Holmes, Makhdoomi set a deadline of 24 hours for the arrest of a notorious extortionist and had him behind the bars within that period.

Nissar Palla, a dreaded extortionist hailing from Khonmoh area of Pulwama district and operating in posh localities of Srinagar city, had been eluding arrest and evading the police for the last so many years. But the cunning of the criminal was no match to the bulldog’s smelling capacity who almost clinched the case sitting in his arm-chair at the Police Control Room in Srinagar.

Palla fell to police net after a series of complaints from residents of Srinagar that their student wards were being picked up by a person who used to call himself "Tiger" and extort their pocket money and other belongings. After his sustained interrogation, Palla spilled beans and even baffled the police about his misdeeds in last more than eight years.

A former Special Police Officer (SPO) in J&K Police, Palla was terminated from services for his unlawful activities seven years back. His modus operandi was to first get all details about his "prey". "I was waiting for a bus at Khanyar after my attending a tuition centre when a person came to me and asked my name. ‘I am Tufail (name changed)’. The person asked me if he knew him. I said no. He laughed and told his accomplice that he didn’t know him. Then he told me my parentage, my residence and the school and the class I was reading in," narrates Tufail, a student from Nishat. "Listen I’m Tiger. Follow my orders and mind that the bag I’m carrying with myself has deadly RDX in it which can wrought havoc in entire Kashmir."

The poor student had no option but to follow his dictates. "They whisked me out in a black gypsy vehicle. On the way, they snatched my wallet containing some hundred bucks and dropped me near Dalgate," he said. Tufail recalls that "Tiger" showed him five Identity Cards while saying: "Nobody can dare to even touch me. I work for India as well as Pakistan. SOG, Army, BSF, militants-I work for all and sundry."

One of his victims, an engineering student from Dalgate area, Gulzar Ahmed (name changed) was made by "Tiger" to lick his sputum. "He spat on floor and made me to lick it," Gulzar yelps while giving details how he was looted of his belongings by Palla.

And for a 12th class student, Waseem, a resident of Jawahar Nagar area, it was almost end of his life. "He picked me up near Tagore Hall and took to a deserted building on the bank of Jhelum River near Lal Ded Hospital. He tied my hands and snatched my wallet, watch and other belongings. I was trembling and could think nothing except jumping into the river," Waseem said. Some fishermen later rescued him.

Police is also investigating his involvement in ransom telephone calls to businessmen and some Government employees. Good number of people are now coming out to the police with details how Palla had victimised them in last so many years. Police have booked the notorious extortionist under Public Safety Act (PSA) and have launched manhunt to nab his other accomplice in crime.

"We have to ensure that citizens feel secured from criminals who are always on the lookout to take advantage of the disturbed situation," IGP Makhdoomi said. For this, he has been organising police-civilian liaison meets. "Initially people were shy to interact with us. They only come to report a crime. I am trying to convince them that crime prevention is as much their duty as reporting a crime."

High walls and security insulation that separated senior police officers from the public appear to be melting in Kashmir. And in his mission to win friends for the police among the public, the Kashmir police chief’s office is always abuzz with people pouring in with their complaints. "Let people come out with their complaints. Policing essentially is a service. And all of us here are dedicated to serve the people."

FCI suspends supplies to J&K
CAPD fails to clear Rs 200 cr arrears

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Dec 17: Even though the godowns of Food Corporation of India (FCI) are flooded with foodgrains, general public in the State is reeling under severe scarcity of ration.

After the lapse of 16 days of this month, the department of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) has failed to provide ration to the people. Several areas of the region including Kathua, Udhampur, Billawar, Basohli, Hiranagar, Reasi, Ramnagar, Rajouri, parts of Doda, Poonch and Kashmir valley are facing scarcity of food. Though the people from urban areas usually procure atta from shops in the market, the people of rural and semi-rural areas are totally dependent on the Government ration depots.

Sudden foodgrain crunch has been faced by the State consumers after FCI stopped the credit facilities to the CAPD department from this month, with the warnings to clear the old arrears worth over Rs 200 crores.

Senior Regional Manager, FCI J&K Region S K Gupta when contacted said that Corporation has sufficient foodgrains in its stores in J&K. "There is no dearth of ration with the FCI but the FCI authorities in New Delhi have taken decision to withdraw credit facilities to J&K from November onwards. So, the supplies to the J&K CAPD are suspended for November. As soon as they deposit the money with the Corporation for the foodgrains, the stuff will be released to them," Mr Gupta added.

Mr Gupta claimed that J&K owes Rs 200 cr to FCI and for the last five months they were availing the credit facility on the special request to the Union Food Ministry. The State is taking 60,000 tons of foodgrains from the Corporation every month but till Dec 17, the CAPD has not picked up any stuff. " My stores are over-flooded with foodgrains. The fault lies with them and it will be incorrect to project food shortage in this part of the region on account of our mistake," he maintained.

Minister for CAPD Taj Mohi-ud-Din said that not only Kathua, Jammu or Udhampur but entire State except winter stocking areas are affected with the shortage of foodgrains. He said the department has not received any funds for ration so far and their pending bills worth Rs 43 cr could not be cleared from the Treasury. The State was getting the regular supply on the credit basis earlier but suddenly FCI stopped the supplies with the condition to clear all the arrears worth Rs 130 cr and issue ration in future on advance payment basis. He said when the new Government took over the arrears were worth Rs 213 cr and the margin has now been reduced significantly.

Responding to a question, the Minister said that he has talked to Finance Minister and even the Chief Minister about the release of funds for ration. The Chief Minister was conveyed about the crisis being faced by the public and he has assured to provide money within two-three days. Now, 17 days have already passed and it will be very difficult to manage supplies in next 12-13 days of this month to over 5000 ration depots. However, the process will be expedited, he added.

Director, CAPD department Jammu Prithpal Singh Betab when contacted said that he was helpless in view of non-release of funds from Treasury. He admitted that he was under intense pressure from all the districts and tehsils in view of non supplies of ration. The matter has been brought to the notice of the Ministers concerned and as soon as the money is released, the distribution work will commence on war- footings.

PIL seeking CBI probe into Anara case
DB expresses displeasure over DGP’s failure to file report

Excelsior Legal Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 17: Division Bench of the State High Court comprising Chief Justice SN Jha and Justice SK Gupta, in a much publicised Public Interest Litigation (PIL), seeking CBI probe into alleged flesh trade racket, today expressed displeasure over the manner in which Director General of Police ( DGP) filed an application instead of an independent report as was desired by the court on December 3 last.

In that order on December 3, the DB had directed DGP to submit an independent report to explain as to why TV channels were given access to former Miss Jammu Anara Gupta while she was in Police custody.

" The Court is being taken casually by DGP", the DB remarked today while going through the application filed by Additional Advocate General Anil Sethi. " The order was passed on December 3, 2004 and the DGP passed an order on December 10, 2004 entrusting enquiry to IGP Jammu and informed the court today that the outcome of the enquiry will be reported later to the court", the DB held, adding that the Court didn’t agree with the contents of the application.

It expressed its displeasure by observing that the DGP is required to be summoned on the next date of hearing for explaining the lapse.

Upon this, Mr Sethi assured the Court that the independent report, as desired by the Court, shall be submitted as the directions of the court were communicated in writing only on December 8. He, however, clarified that he had informed the department orally on the same date about the directions of the court.

The DB after hearing Mr Sethi, observed that the court doesn’t wish to say any more in this matter and further directed that for next date, the personal presence of DGP is dispensed with as Mr Sethi assured to file an independent report of DGP.

During the course of hearing, Mr Sethi produced the status report of the investigation with the request that the same may not be formed part of the record, as Crime Branch has got some vital leads and in case the status report is made public at this stage, the same will hamper the ongoing investigation.

The DB after going through the status report, appreciated the concern of Mr Sethi and observed that having regard to the nature of the case "we permit the investigating agency to submit the status reports in sealed covers without taking formally on record".

The DB also heard the application filed by Crime Branch for keeping Anara Gupta in Nari- Niketan. Senior Advocate DC Raina and Advocate SS Ahmad appearing for PIL, submitted that they don’t want to file objections in this regard as they have already projected the sentiments of the public through the medium of PIL. The DB also called Advocate Rahul Pant, who had filed an independent petition on behalf of Anara Gupta and her family, seeking compensation of rupees one crore.

The Bench issued notices to Anara Gupta, which were accepted by Mr Pant who undertook to file objections to the application by December 20, 2004.

One Ward for 9061 votes, another for just 446
Discrepancies in creation of wards for JMC polls

By Dinesh Manhotra

JAMMU, Dec 17: In a glaring example of discrepancies in creating wards for Jammu Municipal Corporations (JMC), Sidhra locality, comprising just 446 votes has been given the status of a full-fledged ward.

While an average number of voters in each ward is approximately about 4000, ward number of 37 has more than 9000 voters.

3,28,999 voters will elect 71 Corporators including 24 women, for Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) elections, scheduled to be held on February 1, 2005. 398 polling stations have been established for the voters to cast their votes.

Ward number 37 of JMC, comprising some parts of Janipur locality has maximum number of 9061 voters while as ward number 71 (Sidhra) consists of only 446 electors. Ward number 67 comprised area of Greater Kailash has 1532 voters while as ward number 23, comprising Ashok Nagar, some parts of Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Nai Basti, Satwari, and Rampura has 8539 votes.

About a dozen wards including numbers 17, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 have less then 3000 votes. On the other hand, strength of voters in wards numbers 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 16, 18, 20, 23, 29, 37, 40, 41, 44 and 45 is more than 6000.

According to revised statement issued by the JMC regarding polling stations, ward and mohalla wise voter list, maximum 10 polling stations will be established at ward number 17 for more than 9,000 . For entire ward, only one polling station has been established for Sidhra.

Out of total 71 wards, 24 wards have been reserved for women while as seven for Scheduled Caste (SC) including two SC women.

The areas which have been included in the Jammu Municipal Corporation included Channi, Trikuta Nagar, Sainik Colony, Sidhra, Greater Kailash, Deeli, Gangyal, Digiana Camp, Narwal Pain, Thather, Paloura, Top, Patta Paloura, Udhaywalla, Chinore, Lower Roop Nagar, Ban Talab, Durga Nagar, some areas of Barnai, Lakshmi Nagar etc.

Ward numbers 8, 12, 16, 17, 34, 47, and 63 have been reserved for Scheduled Caste. Ward numbers 16 and 47 have been reserved for Scheduled Caste women. Ward numbers 3, 6, 10, 14, 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 35, 38, 41, 44, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 64, 67, 70 and 71 have been reserved for women of open category.

As 24 out of 71, have been reserved for women, political parties find it difficult to get adequate number of female candidates. Political groups have women activists but the stuff is not competent enough to contest elections.

The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) which has taken the forthcoming Jammu Municipal Corporation elections as ‘Do or Die Battle’, the party highcommand has advised its leaders to convince their female family members to contest elections. Highcommand’s advice has yielded results when as many as 500 women, majority of them belonging to families of those associated with Sangh Parivar, formally joined the party on Tuesday. It was a morale boosting for the party which was facing dearth of women candidates. Party has also constituted a committee to convince some females of repute to contest elections on its symbol.

Situation is same in Congress party. Although the party has good number of female activists as compared to BJP, yet leaders have intensified search for strong female candidates to face challenge of the BJP in the city. Youth Congress, on the other, is also flexing its muscle to its get Lion’s share in the elections.

It is worthwhile to mention here that Chief Electoral Officer had notified election schedule for the urban local bodies elections which will be held on party lines. Elections for Jammu Municipal Corporation will be held after 24 years. Last time elections for Jammu Municipality were held in 1980.

Pak MP brings Govind Singh’s pitcher from UK

NEW DELHI, Dec 17: Pakistan’s lawmaker Rai Azizullah Khan today brought from Britain a rare pitcher that Guru Gobind Singh had gifted to his forefathers while staying with them after a battle with the Mughals.

Deputy Lok Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, Delhi Akali chief Avtar Singh Hit and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) general secretary Ravinder Singh Khurana and a host of other community leaders received Mr Khan at the IGI airport here.

The tenth Sikh Guru, the real founder of the Sikh military power, had gifted the pitcher called Ganga Sagar to Rai Kale Chaudhary of Punjab’s Raikot while staying with him after the battle of Chamkaur in which the Guru’s elder sons died.

It was at Raikot near Ludhiana that Guru Gobind Singh received the message about the execution of his two younger sons under Mughal order.

Pakistan MP Khan, the ninth descendant of Rai Kale Chaudhary, brought Ganga Sagar from London where it had been kept in safe custody for years.

His arrival coincides with the 300th anniversary of the execution of Guru Gobind Singh’s younger sons Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh.

"The pitcher is being flown to Amritsar on a charter plane. It will then be taken to the Golden Temple in a grand procession," Mr Hit said.

A perforated Ganga Sagar has a unique design that allows no leakage of liquid but any other granular substance, for example sand, flows out immediately after being filled into the pitcher, he said. (UNI)

LeT commander killed in Poonch

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 17: A ‘district commander’ of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was today gunned down in a joint operation by the troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group (SOG) in Surankote tehsil in Poonch district.

He has been identified as Abu Umar alias Bravo 1, a resident of Pakistan, presently operating as ‘district commander’ of the LeT.

DIG Rajouri-Poonch range SM Sahai said troops of 25 Rashtriya Rifles and SOG personnel launched a search operation at Neeli Dhok in Gujjar Narh area of Dara Sangla in Surankote this afternoon after developing an information of the presence of three militants.

In about one and a half hour long operation, Bravo 1 was killed while his two associates managed to escape in a dense forest area. They are being chased.

One AK-47 rifle, one magazine and one diary were recovered from the slain militant, the sources said, adding security forces didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation.

The SOG team in the operation was led by DySP Operations Sanjay Rana.

A suspected militant Abdul Hameed son of Mohd Din was arrested by security forces from Sam Samad in Rajouri district today. The arrested suspect has been handed over to local police for questioning.

Poll schedule for 3 States announced

NEW DELHI, Dec 17: Setting in motion the process for another crucial round of Assembly polls, the Election Commission today announced a three-phased voting schedule on Feb 3, 15 and 23 next year in the sensitive Bihar, Jharkhand and Haryana.

While polling for the 90-member Haryana Assembly will be completed on Feb 3, in the other two states it will be spread over all the three days. Counting of votes in all the states will be taken up on Feb 27.

The terms of the 243-member Bihar and 81-member Jharkhand Assemblies are scheduled to expire on March 6 and in Haryana on March 8. This will be the first Assembly elections in Jharkhand which became a State in 2000.

Announcing the schedule, Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurty told a press conference that electronic voting machines will be deployed in all the three states.

The model code of conduct, providing for a level-playing field to all the political parties and to check populist announcements of the incumbent Governments, will come into force with immediate effect in the poll-bound states. It will apply to the Central Government also in respect of these three states, he said.

The Governors of Haryana, Bihar and Jharkhand will issue notifications for the elections on January 10, 20 and 29, respectively.

While the last dates for filing nominations for the three stages will be January 17, 27 and February 5, scrutiny of nominations will be conducted on January 18, 28 and February seven.

The last date for the withdrawal of candidature will be January 20, 31 and February nine. The election process will be completed by March five in all the three states, the CEC said.

In the first phase, critical and extremist-infested regions of Bihar, besides some areas of Jharkhand and the whole of Haryana will be covered, Krishnamurthy said.

Asked about the deployment of security forces, Murthy said "we are satisfied with the availability of security forces. It is absolutely adequate".

Another Commissioner Gopalaswami said as compared to Lok Sabha polls, the availability of security forces for the Assembly polls in Bihar this time will be "doubled". He, however, did not give any figures.

For the first time, the Commission has decided to ban entry of media camerapersons into the polling stations with the CEC saying "in our opinion it is not necessary. It only affects the work inside the polling station. It is in the interest of conduct of good elections".

Murthy said for the first time to maintain a "little more strictness", the Commission will have one general observer in each Assembly constituency and at least one expenditure observer in each district to supervise the conduct of polls.

Earlier, the Commission had been deploying two general observers and one expenditure observer in each district for monitoring the poll process.

Observing that the commission has issued several instructions to ensure impartiality of Government officials and their non-involvement in electoral politics, Murthy said instead of these directions, the Commission had received "plenty" of complaints from political parties.

The Commission "desires to make it clear in unambiguous terms that the conduct of all Government officials who have been entrusted with election related responsibilities and duties would remain under constant scrutiny.

"The Commission will take a very serious note of any lapses in this regard", he warned asserting that the poll panel to ensure free and fair polls has already given instructions to the three State Governments to transfer all election related officials. (PTI)

Stay on Guest Control order extended

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 17: Justice V K Jhanji of State High Court today admitted the much-publicized petition challenging Guest Control Order issued by the Government whereby it had restrained the number of guests at wedding and related ceremonies.

The High Court further extended the stay on this order as was already granted.

The larger Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed by O P Dogra and others in with Advocates Sunil Sethi and Sudresh Sharma appeared for the petitioners where as Additional Advocate General, B S Slathia appeared for the State.

After hearing both sides, Justice Jhanji admitted the petition, extended the stay order and directed the Registry to list the petition after the winter vacations.

In the petition, it has been submitted that the Government had initiated the process of controlling the food grains and eatables consumed in the matrimonial functions by initiating curtailment process way back in the year 1973, the reasons for curtailment process at that point of time, the acute shortage of food grains in the country.

The advocates appearing for the petitioners submitted that the first such step was taken in the month of May 2004 when the Government indicating its desire to impose such restrictions, but because of the fact that there was the marriage season at that time in the Kashmir valley and because of the public unrest, the said policy was put on hold.

Generally the wedding ceremonies in Jammu region come around November and December and the present Government on regional consideration have imposed the said policy by issuance of Government Order No 1463-GAD of 2004 dated October 27, 2004. The petitioner prayed for quashing this Government order being illegal and arbitrary.

Truck driver killed, SPO wounded

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Dec 17: Suspected militants have fired upon a special police official and left him wounded at Batmaloo in the capital city here even as a truck driver has been kidnapped and hanged to death in Pulwama since last evening.

Informed sources said that unidentified gunmen, suspected to be militants, appeared at Begpora in Pulwama district and kidnapped a truck driver, Bilal Ahmed Dar S/o Abdul Aziz Dar of the same village. His dead body was recovered from Gulzarpora, in Awantipore area, today. Police said he seemed to have been hanged to death after physical torture.

Sources said that suspected militants fired upon SPO Gulzar Ahmed Malla of District Police Baramulla, who is a resident of Dasilpora Pattan, near the Cremation Grounds at Batmaloo this afternoon. With critical injuries he was rushed to SMHS Hospital for medical treatment. Doctors said he was not stable till late this evening. Officials believe some militants had followed the SPO either from his residential village or from Baramulla. They attacked him immediately after they got a chance to strike safely.

Meanwhile, shops and Government offices remained closed in Pulwama town in protest against the killing of a local militant by security forces on Thursday. Some youth took to the streets and engaged Police in ding dong clashes for about an hour. They burnt rubber tyres and shouted pro-Azadi slogans. Police chased them and dispersed them with the use of baton charge and tearsmoke.

Six Govt officers transferred

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Dec 17: The State Government today ordered transfers and postings of six officers including two Additional Deputy Commissioners.

Jia Lal Sharma, Director Land Management, Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ramban against an available vacancy. Abdul Majid Mir, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla vice Sharief-ud-Din.

Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Malik, Settlement Officer, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Poonch against an available vacancy.

Sharief-ud-Din, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar in place of Abdul Majid Mir. Ajaz Ahmad Kakroo, under orders of transfer from the post of Deputy Sales Tax Commissioner, Lakhanpur, has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag against a vacancy.

Indu Bushan, Deputy Director Handloom, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Doda, also against an available vacancy.

50 disallowed from performing Haj

SRINAGAR, Dec 17: Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and several other separatist leaders were among about 50 persons disallowed by the Jammu and Kashmir Government from undertaking Haj pilgrimage this year, official sources said here today.

Besides Geelani, others denied permission to go for the pilgrimage were Kashmir bar association president Mian Abdul Qayoom and senior advocate Mufti Mehrajuddin, the sources said.

This was for the 10th consecutive year that Geelani was not allowed to go for the pilgrimage.

Lawyers today abstained from courts to protest against the Government’s decision, sources said.

The call for the strike was given by Kashmir bar association, which termed the Government’s decision as "interference in religious affairs of Muslims."

Almost all separatist organisations including Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Jamaat-e-Islami and Hurriyat Conference has condemned the decision. (PTI)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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