Manmohan for talks with Pak to make friction thing of past

NEW DELHI, May 20: Seeking "friendly relations" with Pakistan, Prime Minister designate Manmohan Singh today favoured talks with Islamabad to find solution to oustanding problems for making friction between the two neighbours "a thing of the past".

"We seek friendly relations with our neighbours, more so with Pakistan," Singh said in his first press conference a day after was he was appointed as the Prime Minister.

Stating that "we should look at the future with hope", he emphasised on finding ways and means for resolving all outstanding problems between the two nations without "sacrificing our national security."

"We must find ways and means to resolve all outstanding problems that have been a source of friction and unfortunate history of our relations with Pakistan.

"It is our sincere hope that should become a thing of the past," Singh said.

Citing historical developments world over, he said "who could have imagined some 15 years ago that the Berlin wall would melt? Then the world saw that what was impossible in international politics became a norm.

"It will be our effort, without sacrificing our national security imperative, to creat an atmosphere to move forward to improve our relations with Pakistan," Singh asserted.

On the issue of Kashmir, he said his Government would favour dialogue with all the interested parties to explore all possible opportunities to bring "peace and progress" to the vital State.

Singh’s comments assume importance in the wake of peace initiatives taken by the outgoing Prime Minster Atal Bihari Vajpayee for improving ties with Pakistan including the resumption of cricket ties.

Singh said "there are a lot of challenges ahead of us. Communal harmony needs to be strengthened. If we are divided in the name of religion, the country is in danger. To strengthen development, we have to create an environment of peace."

Asked whether his Government would give compensation to victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, he said there could be no compensation for people who have lost their near and dear whether it is in Gujarat or the anti-Sikh violence. "Whatever possible will be done," he said adding he was anguished over the riots that took place.

He also expressed concern over the functioning of judiciary in Gujarat but parried a question whether President’s rule will be imposed in the State.

Maintaining that the country cannot be divided on the basis of religion and race, Singh said "I seek the cooperation of all patriotic forces in the dharm yudh against chronic poverty, ignorance and diseases".

Dismissing a question whether there would be two power centres in view of Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s refusal to take up Prime Ministership, Singh said "Gandhi will remain a guiding force for us. This is a coalition Government and I do not see any problem."

Asserting that this Government will last its full term of five years, he said "I have no doubt about the stability of this Government. I am sure all allies and supporting partners will strengthen our bonds and this Government will last five years."

On Pakistan, the Prime Minister designate said friction between India and that country should be a "thing of the past".

"We seek the most friendly relations with our neighbours, more so with Pakistan than with any other. We must find the ways and means to resolve all outstanding problems that have been a source of friction and the unfortunate history of our relations with Pakistan.

"It is our sincere hope that that should become a thing of the past," he said adding that the two countries should look to the future with hope.

"That is not impossibe. Who could have imagined that some 15 years ago the Berlin wall would melt, then the world saw what was impossible in international politics became a norm", Singh said.

He said "it will be our effort without sacrificing our national security imperative, to create an environment to move forward to improve our relations with Pakistan." (PTI)

Laloo sulks as Ministry making exercise begins

NEW DELHI, May 20: A day after being appointed Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh today commenced the tough task of finalising his Cabinet amid pressure for key porfolios from allies one of whom, the RJD, went into sulk on being denied the Home portfolio.

The eminent economist, who will be sworn-in on Saturday at the head of the first Congress-led coalition at the Centre, got a foretaste of the hassels ahead when Laloo Prasad Yadav’s RJD, which has 20 MPs in Lok Sabha, sought the Home portfolio which was turned down.

A visibly unhappy Bihar strongman left for Patna after declaring that "I make ministers, I have made Prime Ministers earlier and even now. Why should I hanker for a portfolio?" on the record RJD, however, made no mention that it wanted Home portfolio, only stating that it would decide on joining the Cabinet tomorrow.

The Prime Minister-designate had two meetings with Congress president Sonia Gandhi on the ministry-making, one of them after senior party leaders Arjun Singh and R K Dhawan met Yadav to mollify him.

"There should be no difficulty in finalising it (ministry)," AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes said after the second meeting between Singh and Gandhi at which some senior party leaders including Pranab Mukherjee and Ahmed Patel were present.

He, however, declined to comment whether RJD and NCP leaders wanted particular berths.

The allies have asked the Congress whether it has evolved any criteria to provide representation to them in the ministry and has made it known that they would reveal their mind about joining only after such a formula was made known.

NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar, whose party got a formal invitation to join the Government today, said that his party sought a detailed picture from Congress on the ministry formation.

Gandhi is unlikely to make it to Sriperumbudur tomorrow on the 13th death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, in view of the ticklish ministry making exercise.

According to alliance sources, senior leader Pranab Mukherjee was still frontrunner for the key Finance portfolio. There is also talk that he might get charge of the Home Ministry for which another senior contender is Arjun Singh.

Mukherjee, however, said it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister to select his team. There is a possibility that Manmohan Singh would retain the Finance portfolio with he himself keeping up the suspense on the issue at his press conference today saying that he has not yet made up his mind.

While DMK is the lone party which has announced it would not join the Government, the DMK yesterday made it clear that it would participate in the coalition.

Among the allies, DMK’s T R Baalu and A Raja, who were ministers in the NDA coalition, and Dayanidhi Maran, son of late Union Minister Murasoli Maran, and Lok Janashakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan are likely to find berths in the ministry.

The names doing rounds in political circles for ministership include Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mani Shanker Aiyer, P R Das Munshi, Mahavir Prasad, Sriprakash Jaiswal, Sunil Dutt, Gurudas Kamat, Prithviraj Chavan, Vayalar Ravi, S Jaipal Reddy, N Janardhana Reddy and Renuka Chaudhury.

Among the young brigade the name of Jyotiraditya Scindia, the MP from Guna (Madhya Pradesh), figures prominently with Rahul Gandhi ruling out joining the Government.

There are two views in Congress on the number of ministers to be sworn in along with Manmohan Singh on Saturday. One is that a small team could be swron in on that day to be followed by a quick expansion of the ministry ahead of the budget session of Parliament when all ministries would be represented. The other view is that, the entire team could be inducted in one go.

Gandhi also held consultations with former Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan Digvijay Singh and Ashok Gehlot on the ministry-formation, apparently to zero in on probables who could be given representation from the two states where the party had fared bardly in Lok Sabha polls. (PTI)

Infiltration bid foiled in Poonch
Two jawans killed, 3 injured

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, May 20: Two Army jawans were killed and three others were injured in an encounter with a group of five to six militants, trying to infiltrate from the Line of Control (LoC) in Sabjian sector in Poonch district this morning.

Official sources said the troops observed movement of five to six infiltrators in forward village of Chambar Kanari in Sabjian sector early today. The militants opened heavy firing on the Army personnel before the latter could take positions.

Two Army jawans were killed and three others were injured in the firing. Effective retaliation by the Army personnel thwarted the militants attempt of infiltration, the sources said, adding the ultras fled back to Pakistan.

Killed Army jawans have been identified as Rifleman Tarsem Singh and Rifleman Ravi Kumar and the injured as Rifleman Rakesh Kumar, Lance Naik Shoukat Hussain and Rifleman Sandeep Sharma.

Injured jawans have been admitted in the Military Hospital Poonch.

Meanwhile, out of four militants killed in an encounter with the security personnel at Mahu in Kalakote tehsil in Rajouri district yesterday, three were today identified as Irfan Bhat son of Mohd Ashraf R/o Jehlum, Pakistan, Abu Torab son of Mohd Ashraf R/o Jheulm, Pakistan and Mohd Rashid alias Janbaz son of Abdul Rahman R/o Sovrass, Mahore, Udhampur.

Identity of their fourth associate couldn’t be established but he too was suspected to be a foreign mercenary, the sources said, adding they belonged to Al-Badr outfit.

Recoveries made from the scene of encounter included three AK rifles, nine magazines, 290 rounds, one UBGL, five UBGL grenades, two Pak HE grenades, one steam grenade, 31 fired cases, two pencil cells, Rs 40,908 cash, one identity card, six holy books and some medicines.

A civilian Randhir son of Sain Dass R/o Sail Sui was also injured in the cross-firing. He has been hospitalised.

As reported, four militants and an Army jawan were killed while five others including an Army Colonel were injured in the operation that lasted two days.

An Army jawan Manoj Kumar was injured in an encounter with the militants at Koti Dashnan in Doda last night. He has been admitted in the Military Hospital, Udhampur.

Meanwhile, security forces today busted two hideouts of the militants at Manjakote and Budhal in Rajouri today. Recoveries made from the hideouts included 195 AK rounds, 30 electronic detonators, eight remote controls, two IED junction boxes, one RPG launcher, 12 UBGL grenades, two radio sets, 10 pistol rounds, 40 pencil cells and two RPG rounds.

During a search operation in Doda, Army recovered two AK magazines and 50 rounds.

3 killed, 21 hurt in Chadoora blast
*Two slaughtered, 5 shot in Pulwama

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 20: Three persons, including two toddlers, have died and twenty-two others sustained injuries in a bicycle bomb blast in Chadoura town of Budgam district. Suspected militants have also butchered two sons of a retired soldier in Bandipore and fired upon five persons who were trying to prevent the torture of a PDP polling agent in Pulwama.

Informed sources told the EXCELSIOR that a deafening explosion took place close to the main bridge at Chadoura last evening. The bomb had been apparently planted by suspected militants on a bicycle, parked 20 ft short of a BSF pillbox. As many as 24 civilians sustained critical to mild injuries while as five scooters suffered extensive damage. Minor damage was also caused to two passenger buses. Even as all the injured were evacuated and admitted at different hospitals in Srinagar, three of them succumbed to injuries. They were identified as 55-year-old Abdul Khaliq Khan S/o Gaffar Khan R/o Malroo, Sumbal, two-and-a-half-year-old Seerat Jan D/o Mohammad Amin Itoo R/o Chadoura and 4-year-old Shahid Khwaja S/o Ghulam Ahmed R/o Parwara Chadoura.

Shahid’s mother Mehtaba is among the seven critically injured persons admitted at Bone & Joint Hospital, Barzulla. Three of the injured were admitted at SKIMS and eleven more at SMHS Hospital. Condition of two persons, namely Mushtaq Ahmed Khan S/o Mohammad Abdullah Khan R/o Hanjoora and Syed Arshid S/o Syed Ghulam Nabi R/o Hushroo Qanoongopora, was stated to be critical.

SP Budgam, Ramesh Kumar Jalla, said that the blast seemed to have occurred due to a time device planted with the bomb. According to the reports available to him, militants of Hizbul Mujahideen had managed to park the killer cycle close to the BSF bunker. However, no militant outfit had claimed responsibility till reports last came in.

DC Budgam, Kh Bashir Ahmed, SP Budgam Mr Jalla and other district officials visited Chadoura and called on the bereaved families. Minister of State for Power and PDP’s Chadoura MLA, Javed Mustafa Mir, MoS Home, Abdur Rehman Veeri, and a senior PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjoora today called on the bereaved families and expressed shock over the tragedy. They assured the families of the blast victims that the State Government would prepare their relief cases in a few days.

Sources in north Kashmir said that late last night, unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, barged into the residence of a retired soldier, Ghulam Mohammad, at Chak Arsalan Khan in Bandipore area and kidnapped two of his sons on gun point. After severe physical torture, both of the retired soldier’s sons were slaughtered to death. They were identified as Riyaz Ahmed and Manzoor Ahmed.

Sources in south Kashmir told the EXCELSIOR that late last evening some gunmen, believed to be militants, appeared at Banderpora in Pulwama district. They kidnapped one Shabir Ahmed Bandh S/o Ghulam Hassan Bandh of the same village and began his physical torture at a deserted spot outside the village. Shabir had worked as a polling agent for the ruling PDP in the Lok Sabha elections. Suddenly, some fellow villagers passed by the same spot and they beseeched the suspected militants not to torture Shabir. Incensed with the request, the suspected militants seized all the five persons and fired one each shot on their legs.

After the gunmen vanished, residents evacuated the injured and rushed them to hospital. While as Shabir Ahmed Bandh was treated at Pulwama and discharged today, all the five with gunshot wounds were still under treatment at B&J Hospital in Srinagar. They have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed Sheikh S/o Khizar Mohammad Sheikh, Mushtaq Ahmed Bandh S/o Mohammad Sultan Bandh, Mohammad Amin Dar S/o Abdul Gani Dar, Mohammad Shaban Paddar S/o Ghulam Ahmed Paddar and Ghulam Qadir Paddar S/o Abdus Samad Paddar.

Late last evening suspected militants have fired upon one Aijaz Ahmed Sheikh and left him wounded at Bon Mundji, Sopore. He has been admitted at B&J Hospital.

SASB introducing host of new facilities for pilgrims
Amarnath Yatra likely for 2 months

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 20: For the first time, the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath in the Himalayan ranges of south Kashmir is likely to be thrown open for two months instead of one month in the past. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, which governs the issues related to the pilgrimage, is also contemplating to scrap the procedure of prior registration at various centres in the country and instead allow the pilgrims to move on their own to Pahalgam and Sonamarg for the yatra.

Addressing a press conference at Raj Bhawan here this morning, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), Dr Arun Kumar said that though the official yatra would commence on August 1, pilgrims were proposed to be allowed to take the Baltal route for the cave from July 2 onwards. However, he clarified that the traditional route from the picturesque Pahalgam with halts at Sheshnag and Panchtarni would be opened for the yatra from August till the Rakhsha Bandhan on August 30.

The extended period of yatra will not only give a boost to tourism in the Valley but will also enable increase in number of pilgrims achieving the target of 3 lakh pilgrims this year. At an average expenditure of Rs 2000 by each pilgrim on transport, food, accommodation etc. the expected increase of yatris would inject at least Rs 60 crores in the economy of Kashmir.

Hitherto more than half the pilgrims used to feel frustrated as they were denied darshan of holy Ice Lingam, which used to melt after the first ten days of the Yatra. The Board has requisitioned the services of reputed organisations like DRDO and IIT Delhi to work out the most optimal solution for preventing the melt down of the Holy Lingam and prolonging its life without interfering with it or its formation.

"Last year we did not have proper fencing at camping sites. Although through intensive effort by security forces we managed to have violence free Yatra for the first time after a few years, effective barbed wire fencing with searchlights are now being put up at each camping site in view of continuing militancy," Dr Kumar said. He said that rest shelters with benches, kiosks, drinking water and toilets would also be provided along the mountainous track at intervals of two to three kilometers. "Besides, cooking houses and suitable arrangements for feeding pilgrims will be made."

The CEO said that the Board was contemplating to scrap the procedure of prior registration at various centres in the country and instead allow the pilgrims to move on their own to Pahalgam and Sonamarg, depending on the route they intend to take, for the yatra. "However, crowd control measures would be on the lines of what obtains currently at Katra for Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The existing arrangements for Yatris at Jammu will continue and in case, trains upto Udhampur, some facilities would have to be developed also at that location. The main base for Yatris will continue to be at Jammu with forward bases at Pahalgam and Baltal and may be also at Udhampur."

The Chief Executive dwelt on the steps being taken to raise necessary infrastructure like insulated prefab huts with hot water facilities for bathing, filtered drinking water and adequate number of toilets with innovative measures for eliminating foul smells etc. Prefab insulated huts with cushioned bunk beds to replace ordinary tents would be raised in phases. In the first phase, 60 such huts to accommodate at least 50 pilgrims in each hut have already been ordered to be constructed. The target is to have accommodation in huts for at least 5000 pilgrims with 1000 pilgrims per camping site. The choice of tented accommodation as heretofore will also be available at these sites. A sample of the hut at Raj Bhavan Srinagar being used for housing the SASB office was shown to the media persons.

Dr Kumar said that other coordinated efforts were being taken to ensure facilities to the pilgrims that include electricity, drinking water, telecommunication and medicare. The langers providing free food by philanthropists for pilgrims, will be available as usual. Adequate parking arrangements at Pahalgam and Sonamarg would also be made. All the pilgrims would have an accident insurance cover of Rs one lakh, the CEO said

The CEO announced that a helicopter service from Baltal to the Holy Cave was likely to be introduced this year. "To enable this, infrastructure will be created to station helicopters, with pilots and other staff, at Baltal itself. Arrangements would also be made for emergency aerial evacuation of pilgrims as and when required," he elaborated.

Going by the influx of 1.75 lakh pilgrims last year, this year’s pilgrimage is all set to touch new heights. Dr Kumar attributed the changing scenario and the traditional hospitality of Kashmiris to visiting pilgrim tourists as a major factor in the discernible increase in the number of yatris.

The SASB, constituted in 2000 with the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir as its chairman, is responsible for the conduct of a smooth pilgrimage to the holy Shrine. The Board is basically modelled after the very successful and popular Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, which is also headed by the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and Dr Arun Kumar as its Chief Executive Officer. The Board has introduced a three-pronged donation scheme with tax benefits to the donors under Section 80-G of the Income Tax Act. Sarvottam Darshan Scheme, providing a very liable package of darshan privileges, seeks a donation of Rs 20 lakhs from individuals or groups for the construction of prefab huts. Uttam Darshan Scheme similarly seeks a donation of Rs 10 lakhs and Pratham Darshan Scheme Rs 5 lakhs for smaller prefab huts. The latter two schemes will provide relatively scaled down privileges.

Amarnath yatra, one of the most sacred and popular pilgrimages to the holy snow-clad shrine of Lord Shiva in the beautiful State of Jammu and Kashmir is located at an altitude of 3,880 meters in the southern Kashmir. The pilgrimage to the cave shrine concludes on Sravana Puranmashi, Rakhsha Bandhan. Keeping up with the rich ethos and glorious traditions of Kashmir, the majority community in this State plays a major role in the successful conduct of this pilgrimage, which has been witnessing unprecedented rush over the years.

Pak hails India on peace process

ISLAMABAD, May 20 : Pakistan welcomed Indian Prime Minister-elect Manmohan Singh’s pledge today to give top priority to carrying forward a nascent peace process between the two countries.

"We welcome this statement," Foreign Ministry spokesman Masood Khan said. "It’s positive and constructive."

Mr Khan said Indian leader’s statement indicated that the process of dialogue between the two nations would continue.

"Pakistan also wants to work towards the creation of a stable and peaceful neighbourhood," he said.

"To achieve that objective, India and Pakistan must work hard to resolve disputes so that a salutary environment is created for improvement of relations between the two countries and for greater regional cooperation," Mr Khan said.

Separately, President Pervez Musharraf told a security conference that Pakistan seeks peace with India through the resolution of all disputes, including the "core dispute" of Kashmir.

"We are sincere in this effort," Musharraf said, adding that it would open up the vast mutually beneficial trade, commercial and economic potential of the South Asian Region.

Pakistan had taken "bold initiatives" for regional peace, including reduction in the size of its army, and calling for nuclear-free South Asia, Musharraf added. "This underscores our desire for peace and economic development as a priority."

Ties between the two countries have warmed after outgoing Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee last year launched a fresh bid to make peace.

Musharraf matched Vajpayee’s hand of friendship, with the neighbours restoring transport links and full diplomatic ties and a historic cricket series that brought the people of the two cricket-crazy nations closer. (REUTERS)

Telgi remanded to custody

PUNE, May 20: The prime accused in the multi-crore fake stamp paper racket Abdul Karim Telgi, was remanded to ten days CBI custody by a special court here.

Telgi, was brought to the court here by the CBI officials and Karanataka Police before the Special Judge S M Shembole asking for CBI remand.

High-ranking CBI officials, including the DIG Arun Kumar were present.

The CBI told the court that interrogation of the scamster was needed as the case was very sensitive in nature and sustained questioning was necessary. Besides, Telgi has to be confronted with some witnesses, the agency added.

The judge asked Telgi what he has to say about the CBI demand, to which he replied that he was suffering from diabetes and his sugar level had shot up.

The court told Telgi that if he has anything to say to oppose the demands of the CBI, then he should do so in writing. At first, the kingpin agreed to give his say in writing and then changed his mind and said in English that he has nothing to say to oppose the demand for custody.

The court then granted the CBI custody for ten days and told them to ensure that his medical needs are properly looked after.

The CBI told the court that they were aware of the medical problems of Telgi and that was why they had brought him by plane and he was examined by doctors. (PTI)

Singapore gives Amitabh’s name to new orchid variety

SINGAPORE, May 20 : Honouring bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Singapore has named after him a newly developed variety of orchid, which is the national flower of the city state.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and National Parks Board, which fall under the Government of Singapore, have given actor Amitabh Bachchan’s name to a orchid hybrid which will be called Dendrobium Amitabh Bachchan, STB chief executive officer and deputy chairman Lim Neo Chian told reporters here today.

"Bachchan’s name has been given to the flower as a mark of respect to the actor and as a sign of friendship between the film industries of both the countries and to commemorate hosting of the iifa weekend by the country," he said.

The flower, which falls under the Debdrobium family, is being displayed at the Singapore Botanical Garden in the Lion City, he added.

A variety of orchid, known as Vanda Miss Joaquim, is the National Flower of Singapore.

The Singapore Government had earlier named flowers after actor Shahrukh Khan, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana, he said. (PTI)

Laloo does tough talking

PATNA, May 20: As uncertainty continued over his party’s participation in Manmohan Singh-led Government, RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav today talked tough by reminding Congress of its strength in the hung Lok Sabha and putting across the message that RJD with 21 MPs cannot be ignored in Government formation.

"This is to be a Congress-led Ministry in which the Congress has only 145 MPs and the rest belong to allies. Congress cannot do anything on its own," Yadav told reporters on his arrival here from New Delhi.

Yadav, who was reported to have left Delhi in a huff after a two-hour meeting of RJD Parliamentary Party, denied he was eyeing the Home portfolio and said he was more concerned about Bihar getting a financial package and an assurance that it will be implemented within a time-frame. "I want a better deal for the youth and the farmers of my State and this I have told the Congress leadership."

Stating that the cause of Bihar was dearer to him than a choice Ministerial assignment, Yadav said "Bihar has been rendered almost without an industry after the creation of Jharkhand. I want that as part of the financial package special incentives for entrepreneurs like tax holidays the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government introduced in Uttaranchal".

Asked if RJD’s outside support to Manmohan Singh-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government would not be detrimental to its stability, Yadav shot back "do you think I will create a situation in which the communal BJP returns to power? Do you think I will pull down a secular Government? Laloo Yadav cannot be hired."

Replying to a question whether his party’s indecision on the issue of participation in the Government after confirmation it had anything to do with Sonia Gandhi declining the Prime Ministership, Yadav said "our enthusiasim definitely dimished due to her decision. The question what prompted her to do what she did is unanswered. But I gave my written support of my party to the Congress-led Government."

"You see my opponents are spreading the canard that I left Delhi in a huff following dispute over Ministerial berth for my self and my MPs. After having played a king-maker to four PMs, I cannot be expected to hanker after power," Yadav said. (PTI)

Manmohan look alike hogs limelight

NEW DELHI, May 20: Pardon yourself if you gush and mistake him for Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister-to-be.

It will not be your fault as Gurmeet Singh Sethi, a 58-year-old Congress worker, not only looks like Singh but also behaves in the same manner.

Against the ‘economist’ tag attached to Singh, Sethi is just a matric pass. But such things do not matter, particularly if you are a lookalike of the soon-to-be Prime Minister.

Sethi, who calls himself the All-India Media Coordinator of the Congress, has been camping in the 19, Safdarjung road bungalow of Singh and assisting mediapersons in their various chores.

Not surprisingly, he became the ‘most wanted man’ for mediapersons no sooner than somebody spotted his resemblance with Singh. Many of them could be seen surrounding him, asking for ‘exclusive interviews’.

The man was busy the entire day, telling inquisitive newsmen of the various instances where he was mistaken for Singh.

In looks apart, he wears a blue-coloured turban, just like the Prime Minister-designate, though promptly intervening to add that "sometimes I also wear a white one." Sethi is almost the same height as Singh and also wears similar spectacles.

Narrating an incident where he was mistaken for Singh, Sethi says, with all humility despite his new-found status, "just yesterday, I was standing outside Parliament and the security guards there mistook me for Singh. I had to tell them that I am not the great leader but rather a humble party worker."

Narrating another incident, he says he was mistaken for Singh while onboard a flight to Canada. "I was sitting in the economy class. Just after take off, the pilot—mistaking me for Dr Saheb (Singh)—came to me and offered me a seat in the business class. "

"I am touched by the respect people have for Singh and certainly consider myself lucky to resemble a man like him," he adds.

Sethi, who was earlier attached to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, says he would like to work with Singh as long as possible "as Dr Saheb is a very honest, humble and able person." (PTI)

Hurriyat hails Manmohan’s statement

SRINAGAR, May 20: Welcoming Prime Minister-designate Manmohan Singh’s statement on Kashmir, the Hurriyat Conference faction led by Mohammad Abbas Ansari today said it favoured continuation of talks with the Centre to resolve the Kashmir issue.

However, the rival faction headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani refused to enter into any bilateral dialogue process.

"We have always said yes to talks if they are result-oriented and aimed at resolution of Kashmir issue," former Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq told here

Mirwaiz, however, said the amalgam leadership, which is holding a public meeting on the death anniversary of two of its leaders, Moulvi Mohammad Farooq (Mirwaiz’s father) and Abdul Gani Lone tommorow, would talk to the people on the progress made in the two rounds of talks with BJP-led NDA Government.

"We are going to talk to people tomorrow at Eidgah (graveyard) and we will take them into confidence on the future course of action," he added. A spokesman of the Geelani faction of Hurriyat said "our stand on Kashmir is clear ... It is a dispute between three parties and it can be resolved only through tripartite talks.

"And when the way is paved for such talks we will participate ... Bilateralism has not solved the issue in the past and it will not do so in the future as well," spokesman Ayaz Akbar said.

At a press conference in New Delhi, Singh said the Government will talk to all parties, including separatist Hurriyat Conference, to bring permanent peace to Jammu and Kashmir.

"As far as the J and K policy is concerned, our party is in favour of discussion with all interested groups. We will explore all possibile opportunities to bring peace and prosperity to this vital State of the nation," Singh said. (PTI)

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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