Governor briefs PSC on Defence
Strong urge for peace in Kashmir: Sinha

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 31: Governor, Lt. Gen. (Retd) S K Sinha today said that with winds of goodwill blowing across the sub-continent, the urge for peace among the people of Kashmir has become much stronger.

In an hour-long interaction with Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence here, the Governor said situation is fast returning to normal, notwithstanding isolated incidents of violence in the hinterland. Fencing on 700 kilometer border has made a difference and mercenaries are no more getting any local support, he added.

The General said that infiltration has come down, cease-fire on border holding and the normal tourism and economic activity got a tremendous boost. Against 28,000 in 2002, over 1.70 lakh tourists visited the Valley last year while during the past nine months of this year the tourist arrival has crossed three lakh mark. Similarly, he said, pilgrim tourism is playing a vital role in the local economy. While over four lakh pilgrims thronged to pay obeisance at Shri Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir during the consecutive second incident-free yatra this year, the pilgrim arrival to Mata Vaishno Devi is expected to touch 60 lakh this year. He said economic activity is ascending and all the vital sectors have undergone a sea change with improvement discernible in all fields.

He dwelt at length on the growth of terrorism in ethnic cleansing and division of people as a result of intolerance preached by vested interests, devastation and destruction of assets raised over the years, killing of innocents and selective targeting of political workers etc. He also referred to the measures taken to tackle terrorism without harming innocent civilians and dialogue process initiated at various levels to bring about peace and normalcy. The ongoing peace process and Indo-Pak dialogue has rekindled a hope for lasting peace in the Indo-Pak region, beneficiaries of which would mostly be Kashmiris who have undergone a long period of trauma, he added.

The Governor said that the people of Kashmir are inheritors of a great culture as the impact of Sufism has been great in the Valley that has witnessed people of various faiths living in harmony and amity for centuries. He said that one and a half decade long terrorism did create turbulence in the Valley but its ethos remained intact.

When asked what steps are required to be taken to bring about normalcy in the State, the Governor said that while militancy has to be handled firmly, economic development and winning over the hearts of people is imperative for a lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir. In this context, he made a mention of Operation Sadhbavna launched by the Army to ameliorate the lot of poor particularly those living in the border areas. He said the Army is conducting Bharat Darshan tours in which young boys and girls from Kashmir are enthusiastically participating.

Referring to the railway project in Kashmir, the Governor said it is going to be an engineering marvel and perhaps unique with substantial length of tunnels. The project will generate considerable employment in the Valley, he said.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee was led by Mr. Illiyas Azmi. The members of the committee, currently on tour of the State, include Mr. Anand Sharma, Mr. Thupstan Chewang, Mr Ramesh Jigajnagi, Mrs N P Durga, Mr Ganesh Prasad Singh, Mr A V Bellarim and Mr Bata Showry Vallabha Neni and Mr. Lalit Suri. They are expected to visit Leh, Jammu and some forward areas of the State.

The Principal Secretary to Governor, Dr Arun Kumar was also present on the occasion.

Azad asks Congmen not to issue statements on CM issue
*Youth Political Front merges with Cong

SRINAGAR, Oct 31: Parrying questions on whether he would replace Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed after PDP completes its three year term leading the Coalition Government, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today asked his party leaders not to issue statements on the issue.

"Our priority is not who would head the Government in the State.... After Mufti completes his term of three years, but to expedite the pace of development and restore peace in the troubled State," Azad, who as party incharge is credited with leading the Congress to victory in the last Assembly elections, told reporters here.

Under a power-sharing formula, the Congress and PDP had agreed to lead the Jammu and Kashmir Government for three years each. The life of the State Assembly is six years.

The PDP’s "term" will end in November next year.

Azad refused to reply to queries on whether he would head the Government or Mufti would be asked to continue as Chief Minister saying it was not a priority for his party.

He appealed to his party leaders not to rake up the issue daily.

"I have asked party leaders not to issue statement on the issue (of Chief Ministership) any more," he added.

Azad, who was here to preside over a meeting to mark the 20th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Headquarters, expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Coalition Government in the State.

"The coalition is doing a good job in the State," he said. "However there is always scope for improvement."

Azad said the pace of developmeent in the State would be speeded up in the next four years.

He said in a coalition no single person can claim credit for the good work. "Congress is governed by the Common Minimum Programme and doing good job," he said.

About downsizing of the ministry in Jammu and Kashmir, Azad said unless there was a law nothing could be done in this regard.

On the opposition National Conference’s criticism of the Government for having a jumbo ministry, Azad said "NC was a single party Government in the State for six years (1996-2002) but they did not enact any law to restrict the formation of the ministry in the State".

He said the present Government in the State is a coalition and has to accommodate the coalition partners.

Meanwhile, Youth Political Front led by Habibullah Bhat today announced merger of his party with the Congress.

Bhat, son of former freedom fighter and legislator Saifullah Bhat, party general secretary Abdul Rehman and organiser Maqsood Ahmed along with 1,000 workers joined the Congress at a rally organised at PCC Headquarters to observe late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s 20th death anniversary today.

Welcoming Bhat and his colleagues into the partyfold, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the merger would further strengthen the Congress in the State, particularly in Kupwara district.

Bhat’s father represented Lolab constituency in the State Assembly for several terms.

PCC chief Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed also congratulated Bhat and collleagues for joining the Congress. (PTI)

Govt not to hike petrol, diesel prices

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: The Government today decided not to increase petrol and diesel prices, apparently heeding to the Left Parties’ suggestion to wait for the outcome of the us presidential election which would have a sobering effect on international crude oil prices.

"Prices are not being raised today," Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar told reporters here.

The 33 per cent rise in cost of raw material (crude oil) since August 1, when the prices of petrol and diesel in the country were last revised, required petrol prices to be raised by Rs 1.22 a litre and diesel prices by Rs 2.24 per litre.

Aiyar said excessive volatility in the international oil market, which has seen crude touch a record high of 56 dollars a barrel earlier this month, was perhaps influenced by measures the us was supposed to take to check its fiscal and trade deficits but have not been taken due to the November 4 presidential elections.

"There is a general perception that crude prices will ease (after the elections)," he said.

Asked if today’s decision not to increase petrol and diesel prices, which would cost the public sector oil firms Rs 956 crore this fortnight, was due to the Left parties’ pressure, Aiyar said "today being a Sunday, we have not got full opportunity to talk to everybody (on raising prices). Consultations will continue."

The Left Parties, though not averse to a hike in petrol prices and a moderate increase in diesel prices, wanted the Government to hold the price line for another fortnight hoping the US presidential elections could have a sobering effect on global crude prices.

The CPI and CPM at their separate meetings with Aiyar earlier this month had suggested that the increase in petroleum products be held back till the US presidential elections.

After Aiyar’s meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday evening, there was a perception given to the oil companies that they may at last be allowed to raise prices.

"We lined up our officers for calculating prices at different locations... Now everybody is being sent back," he said.

Public sector oil companies, though given freedom to revise petrol and diesel prices within a ten per cent band every fortnight, have been allowed to raise prices only twice - on June 15 and July 31 - since the UPA Government came to office.

Prior to that, the oil companies had the only other opportunity to raise prices on January 1. Crude oil prices have doubled since than.

"The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas informed us this afternoon that prices are not to be revised," a top official of the Indian Oil Corp, the country’s largest oil firm, said.

In the first seven months of the current fiscal, IOC, Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd and IBP have together lost Rs 3646 crore on selling petrol and diesel below the imported cost. Additionally, they lost Rs 5200 crore on selling lpg and kerosene below the cost.

The hike needed in petrol, within the price band, has almost doubled to Rs 1.22 per litre from Rs 0.66 a litre last fortnight while that of diesel increased from Rs 1.59 per litre last fortnight to Rs 2.24 a litre now.

If petrol prices are to be completely aligned with import cost, they will have to be raised by Rs 2.20 per litre and diesel by Rs 4.15. (PTI)

Civilian, VDC member’s daughter killed
Two militants shot dead in Doda

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: Two dreaded militants of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) were gunned down by the troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Doda police in an encounter at Warwan, Marwah late this evening while a civilian was kidnapped and killed by the militants at village Gadyag under the jurisdiction of Kandi police station in Rajouri district last night.

A Village Defence Committee (VDC) member’s weapon went off accidentally in his house at Dharmari in Udhampur district leading to killing of his daughter.

Official sources said troops of 7 Rashtriya Rifles and Doda police cordoned off village Sukhnei in Warwan area of Marwah in Doda district this afternoon on a tip off about the presence of two top militants in the area.

A contact with the militants was established at 4 pm and both the militants were eliminated late this evening. Security personnel didn’t suffer any casualties.

Slain militants have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed son of Mohd Shiva R/o Margwari, Warwan and Shakeel Ahmed alias Salma son of Abdul Gaffar R/o Shopian, Pulwama.

Two AK rifles and some ammunition were recovered from their possession, the sources said, adding the slain activists were affiliated with Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit.

Meanwhile, a civilian killed in Gadyag village of Kandi area in Rajouri district has been identified as Matoo son of Alam Din Gujjar, a resident of Gadyag.

Police said two militants kidnapped Matoo from his residence last night and took him to a field where he was shot dead. The militants escaped after the killing.

Meanwhile, Army today recovered two consignments of explosives and ammunition from Kot Budhan in Gool area of Ramban police district and Bina Dhangri in Rajouri during two separate search operations.

Recoveries include one local made gun, 53 AK rounds, 1.5 kg explosive, 100 meters safety fuse, two AK magazines, 22 detonators, two UBGL grenades, five hand grenades and five meters cortex wire.

Meanwhile, a Village Defence Committee member inadvertently killed his 12-year-old daughter when his rifle went off accidentally at Darmari village of Udhampur district last night, police said.

Mulkh Raj was cleaning a .303 rifle at his residence at Darmari when it suddenly went off and the bullet hit his daughter Rekha, killing her on the spot.

An FIR has been filed in this connection.

DGP orders transfers of 84 DySPs

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 31: The Director General of Police Gopal Sharma today ordered transfers and postings of 79 Deputy Superintendents of Police and adjustments of five other DySPs with immediate effect.

DySP Headquarters Border Jammu Rajinder Gupta has been transferred and posted as DySP SDPO City East Jammu vice Rajeshwar Singh, who has been transferred and posted as DySP Hqrs Border Jammu.

DySP Headquarters Kathua Haq Nawaz has been transferred and posted as DySP JKAP 14th Battalion vice Khalil Ahmad, who has been posted as DySP Headquarters Kathua vice Haq Nawaz. SDPO Samba Ajay Sharma has been transferred and posted as DySP IR6th vice Abrar Ahmad Choudhary, who has been posted as SDPO Samba. Shelley Singh, DySP JKAP 6th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Jammu against clear vacancy.

Prabhu Dayal, DySP JKAP 4th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP CID CI Rajouri against clear vacancy, Romesh Angral, DySP Tangmarg Baramulla has been transferred and posted as DySP SKPA Udhampur vice Firdous Iqbal, Javed Ahmad Dar, DySP IR 2nd Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Tangmarg, Baldev Chand, DySP JKAP 7th Battalion has been transferred and posted as CID CI Jammu vice R K Parihar, Bashir Ahmad Wani, DySP Security Civil Secretariat has been transferred and posted as DySP JKAP 13th Battalion vice Romesh Chander Kotwal, Ravi Kant, DySP DAR Border Jammu has been transferred and posted as DySP Security Civil Secretariat.

SDPO Border Dushyant Sharma has been transferred and posted as DySP PCR Jammu vice Parshotam Kumar Sharma, who has been posted as DySP IR 5th Battalion against clear vacancy, Mir Mohammad Choudhary, DySP JKAP 6th Battalion has been transferred and posted as SDPO Thanamandi vice Mohd Bashir, who has been posted as DySP JKAP 14th Battalion vice Rashmi Lalotra. Rashmi Lalotra has been posted as DySP Security Jammu vice Anita Sharma, who has been posted as DySP AHJ Jammu vice Nisha Nathyal.

DySP JKAP 13th Battalion Romesh Chander Kotwal has been transferred and posted as DySP Udhampur against clear vacancy, Firdous Iqbal DySP SKPA Udhampur has been transferred and posted as SDPO Handwara vice Altaf Ahmad Khan, who has been posted as DySP JKAP 5th Battalion against clear vacancy. DySP Headquarters Srinagar Haseeb Mughal has been transferred and posted as DySP JKAP 4th Battalion against clear vacancy, Showkat Iqbal DySP awaiting orders of adjustment has been posted as DySP (Hqrs) Srinagar, Sawita Parihar DySP JKAP 14th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP IR 2nd Battalion vice Jai Dev Kumar, who has been posted as DySP JKAP 14th Battalion.

DySP JKAP 8th Battalion Shahzada Parveen has been posted as DySP IR 4th Battalion vice Kuldeep Raj, who has been posted as DySP JKAP 8th Battalion, Yogal Manhas, DySP JKAP 13th Battalion has been transferred and posted as SDPO Mendhar vice Sarwan Singh Kotwal, who has been posted as DySP IR first Battalion against clear vacancy.

SDPO Shopian Altaf Ahmad Shah has been transferred and posted as DySP IR 6th Battalion against clear vacancy, DySP IR 5th Tej Ram Katoch has been posted as DySP Rajouri vice Randip Kumar, Vijay Choudhary DySP JKAP 7th Battalion has been transferred and posted as SDPO Bari Brahamana vice Sardar Khan, who has been posted as DySP JKAP 7th Battalion.

DySP PCR Jammu Anil Maghotra has been transferred and posted as SDPO Katra vice R K Chalotra, who has been posted as DySP JKAP 7th Battalion vice Amit Gupta, who has been posted as DySP Headquarters Udhampur vice Goverdhan Singh Jamwal.

DySP Gool Anil Katoch has been transferred and posted as DySP SKPA Udhampur vice Firdous Iqbal, DySP Headquarters Leh Imtiyaz Hussain has been transferred and posted as DySP Pulwama against clear vacancy, P Wangchok DySP JKAP 11th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Headquarters Leh vice Imtiyaz Hussain, Mohammad Arif DySP JKAP 6th Battalion has been transferred and posted as SDPO Bhaderwah vice Mohammad Arshad, who has been posted as DySP JKAP 6th Battalion.

DySP Headquarters Poonch Nasir Khan has been transferred and posted as DySP DAR Jammu, DySP Welfare PHQ Zahid Naseem Manhas has been transferred and posted as DySP Headquarters Poonch, DySP JKAP 4th Battalion Iqbal Mehmood has been transferred and posted as DySP Estates Jammu vice A K Mahajan, who has been posted as DySP JKAP 4th Battalion, Ranu Kundal, Incharge DySP Police Petrol Pump Jammu has been transferred and posted as Incharge DySP Security Workshop Srinagar and R K Parihar, Incharge DySP CID CI Jammu has been posted as Incharge DySP JKAP 7th Battalion vice Baldev Chand.

Uttam Chand, IPS, ASP has been adjusted as SDPO Shopian, Al-Tahir Geelani as DySP JKAP 5th Battalion and Vinay Kumar as DySP IR 7th Battalion.

On their promotion as DySPs, Rajinder Kumar and Shamsher Singh Parihar have been adjusted as DySP JKAP 7th Battalion against clear vacancy and DySP CID CI (JIC Jammu).

Consequent upon these adjustments, 31 more DySPs have been shifted in the interest of administration. S M Jangral DySP CID CI (JIC Jammu) has been transferred and posted as DySP JKAP 4th Battalion against clear vacancy, Mohammad Aslam, DySP CID SB Doda has been posted as SDPO Mahore against clear vacancy, Abdul Waheed Shah, SDPO Saddar has been transferred and posted as SDPO Charar-e-Sharief vice Showkat Ahmad Khan, who has been posted as SDPO Saddar Srinagar. Davinder Singh DySP awaiting orders of posting has been posted as DySP PCR Srinagar, Harmeet Singh Mehta, DySP IR 3rd Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Anantnag.

DySP JKAP 5th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Srinagar against clear vacancy, Mohammad Rashid DySP JKAP 5th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Tral, Atta Mohammad Naik, DySP JKAP 7th Battalion has been posted as DySP CID SB Doda. Mohammad Ashraf Mir DySP PCR Srinagar has been posted as SDPO Pattan Baramulla against clear vacancy, Javed Iqbal Mattoo DySP JKAP 5th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Budgam against clear vacancy, Mushtaq Ahmad DySP AHJ Srinagar has been transferred and posted as DySP Headquarters Budgam.

Qadoos Abid DySP JKAP 3rd Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP AHJ Srinagar, Mohammad Yousaf DySP Auxiliary Police first Battalion has been transferred and posted as SDPO Uri vice Zuber Khan, who has been posted as DySP IR 9th battalion. Shabir Nawab DySP IR 2nd Battalion Jammu has been transferred and posted as DySP Bandipora against clear vacancy, Tahir Sajad Bhat, DySP DAR Rajouri has been transferred and posted as SDPO Kishtwar against clear vacancy, Mohammad Farid DySP IR first battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP DAR Rajouri, Nisha Nathyal has been posted as DySP DAR Border vice Ravi Kant, V S Kundal DySP Traffic NHW Banihal has been posted as DySP Police Petrol Pump Jammu, Mohammad Hussain Badroo DySP JKAP 11th Battalion has been posted as DySP Traffic NHW Banihal.

Ghulam Jeelani Dhar, DySP Traffic Rural-I Kashmir has been transferred and posted as DySP JKAP 5th Battalion, Ghulam Ahmad Bhat DySP DAR Jammu has been posted as DySP Traffic Rural-I Kashmir, Suhail Munawar DySP IR 9th Battalion has been posted as SDPO Kulgam vice Mukesh Singh, who has been posted as DySP IR 2nd Battalion vice Javed Ahmad Dar.

Jang Bahadur Singh, DySP JKAP 5th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Civil Defence Samba against clear vacancy, Labhu Ram Sharma, DySP IR 4th Battalion has been transferred and posted as DySP Traffic City Jammu against clear vacancy, Goverdhan Singh Jamwal DySP Headquarters Udhampur has been posted as DySP PCR Jammu vice Anil Mangotra. Parshotam Lal, DySP CID SB Rural Jammu has been transferred and posted as DySP Traffic Rural Jammu vice Kamal Sharma, who has been posted as DySP CID SB Rural Jammu. Ajit Singh DySP Tral has been transferred and posted as SDPO R S Pura vice Dushyant Sharma.

Ties with BJP to be snapped if Temple issue diluted: VHP

VADTAL (Guj), Oct 31: The VHP today warned the BJP that they would not mind snapping ties with the latter if there was any dilution of stand on the issue of Ram Janmabhoomi.

Expressing displeasure over the manner in which the BJP has been persuing the issue of Ram Janmabhoomi, VHP working president Ashok Singhal warned them (the BJP) to deal with it more seriously.

"The Ram Janmabhoomi is more dearer to us than the BJP. If the VHP has to foresake either, we would prefer to dump the BJP," Singhal told a nine-day convention of VHP workers here.

Stating that "the Ram Jamnabhoomi, Kashi Vishwanath and Mathura temple issues are non-negotiable," he added, "these issues cannot be solved by the courts."

"The minority community does not believe in negotiation. They only understand force," he alleged.

Top leaders including VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia, senior leader Giriraj Kishore and others were present on the occasion. (PTI)

Birla Group to invest Rs 110 cr in J&K

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: K K Birla group company Sutlej industries is expanding its Kathua facility in Jammu and Kashmir with an investment of Rs 110 crore.

"The company is planning to expand its capacity in Kathua facility Chenab textile mills by 28416 spindles with the total cost of Rs 110 crore," sources said today.

Commercial production of the additional capacity will start by March 2005, the sources said.

Of the total outlay of Rs 110 crore for expansion, 25 per cent will come from company’s internal resources while the remaining will be funded by term loan from State Bank of India under the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS).

Under the TUFS the company will get an interest subsidy of five per cent and total cost of borrowings will come to 2.5 per cent.

For expanding Kathua facility, Sutlej will get three per cent subsidy on working capital from Jammu and Kashmir Government apart from sales tax exemption for ten years and refund of permium on insurance.

From the Centre, the company will get excise exemption for ten years for expanding in Jammu and Kashmir.

The company said it was expanding in Jammu and Kashmir also because the cost of power is at least Rs two per unit lower than elsewhere and its Kathua facility is close to the captive market in Punjab.

Sutlej will expand capacity for dyed and melange cotton yarn in Kathua.

The company owns two more yarn units - Rajasthan textile mills in Bhiwanimandi in Rajasthan and Damanganga fabrics in village Dehali near Bhilad in Gujarat. Its current installed capacity is 124896 spindles, 672 rotors and 38 looms.

Sutlej also runs a processing unit under working arrangement having capacity to process 85 lakh metres cloth per annum.

The company exports 50 per cent of its production and in the run up to the elimination of quotas in world textile trade from January 1, 2005 it is renewing machinery and product mix across all units with an estimated cost of Rs 25-30 crore.

For the second quarter ended September 30, 2004 the company reported 156 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit to Rs 5.8 crore. The turnover of the company in the quarter grew 5.7 per cent over the same period last year to Rs 143.05 crore. (PTI)

Private aircraft crashes, 7 injured

JAIPUR, Oct 31: A private aircraft showering petals on a Jain procession today crashed after hitting an electric pole near Kota injuring seven persons, including the pilot.

The single engine six-seater aircraft turned turtle after hitting a pole and crashed on Rawatbhatta Road, six kms from Kota, Superintendent of Police Bhupendra Kumar said on phone.

The pilot suffered multiple fractures, the SP said adding that a Technical Assistant, two men, two women and a girl on board the aircraft were also injured in the crash which occurred around 1330 hours.

The aircraft broke into pieces as it crashed on the grounds of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, Kumar said.

There was no injury on the ground, he added. The RAC jawans rushed the injured to hospital. The ‘Cesha’ model aircraft had been hired by the Jain community from the Rajputana Aviation Academy for the ‘Pushpavarsha’ (showering of flowers) during the week-long ‘Sammosharan’ in the city.

The aircraft had already made one round and was making its second trip to shower petals on the procession when it met with an accident three kms from it.

The SP said the injured were out of danger. They were Kesari Singh (pilot), Vijay Gupta, Rajendra Jain, Pradeep Jain, Meenakshi Jain, Asha Jain and Arooshi. The plane broke into three pieces as it crashed. (PTI)

Shoot-out in Polo View, 3 hurt

SRINAGAR, Oct 31 : A security personnel and a suspected militant were among three persons injured in a shootout at a crowded market in Polo View area of Srinagar this evening, official sources said.

A suspected militant opened fire and injured a CRPF personnel guarding the office of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission around 5.30 pm this evening. Another CRPF personnel on duty retaliated and critically wounded the suspected militant, the sources said.

A civilian was also injured in the shootout which led to panic in the market area which is especially very crowded on Sundays. All the three injured were rushed to hospital, the sources said.

Meanwhile, 12 people were today taken into custody in Anantnag town for staging protest against the detention of 20 people in connection with last week’s attack on National Conference leaders here, official sources said.

Nearly 1,000 residents of Anantnag staged a demonstration and stopped traffic in Lal Chowk to protest against the detention of nearly 20 persons in connection with the blast, the sources said.

Demanding immediate release of the detenues, they also stopped the traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway for a brief time, the sources said.

Police, deployed in strength in the area, tried to persuade the demonstrators to disperse. Police resorted to caning and lobbing tear gas shell as efforts to persuade the demonstrators bore no result, the sources said.

National Conference chief Omar Abdullah and his father Farooq Abdullah had a narrow escape in the blast that occured near a local graveyard where they were attending the fourth day ceremony of slain party leader Safder Ali Beg. (AGENCIES)

‘Turning LoC into border will not solve Kashmir problem’

FLORIDA, Oct 31: Mr Jamsheed Marker, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General, has said converting the Line of Control (LoC) into an International Border cannot serve as a substitute for the UN resolution on Kashmir.

He urged the leadership of India and Pakistan to be "bold and practical" in their approach to end their animosity over the 57-year-old issue.

Mr Marker, who has served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, France and Japan told visiting Indian and Pakistani journalists at the University of South Florida that recognising the LoC as a permanent border can not help resolve the dispute.

"The solution to the dispute should be acceptable to all the parties concerned— India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir."

The career diplomat, who held detailed talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on political developments in south Asia in New York last month, said nothing had been finalised on the Kashmir issue.

"Modalities have not yet been finalised. Talks are not only concentrated on the Kashmir issue, but also on other seven problems."

"For the first time, I am optimistic that the two countries would overcome their differences. The opportunity must be seized. Gen Musharraf is showing flexiblity. Similar vibes have come from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," he added.

The world community is also encouraging and supporting the peace process. The international community is genuinely interested in friendly and cordial relations between India and Pakistan. They are supportive of peace process.

South Asia is the most dangerous part of the world because both India and Pakistan are nuclear weapon countries, he said.

On the question of UN reforms, Mr Marker said these were an immediate necessity.

There are no representatives from Latin America and Africa and it is felt the UN Security Council is highly Euro-centric. India, Brazil, Germany and Japan have joined together to stake their claim for the membership of the Security Council.

However, he said he felt it would take quite some time to address the issue.

Mr Marker also said there was an urgent need to combat terrorism. Terrorists are now targeting innocent people and children and this is highly condemnable, he said.

Regarding allegations that Pakistan was still supporting cross-border terrorism, he claimed Islamabad had put an end to infiltration and that no terrorist camps were operating from its soil. (UNI)

Benegal receives Indira award

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: Noted film maker Shyam Benegal was presented with the prestigious Indira Gandhi Award for national integration by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function here today.

Conferring the award on Benegal, Singh described him as "one of the most distinguished, innovative and socially conscious film makers".

Though Sonia Gandhi, who is also the chairperson of the award advisory committee, was scheduled to give away the 19th annual award, she persuaded the Prime Minister, who was present in his capacity as a member of the panel, to bestow the award on the well-known director.

The award, conferred on Benegal for his "vision of the oneness of the Indian people, his deep humanism and his social concern", carries Rs 1.51 lakh in cash and a citation.

Singh also paid rich tributes to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in whose memory the award has been instituted, saying she laid the foundation for the economic, social, cultural and emotional integration of the country.

Paying homage to the late Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi said she left her imprint in every walk of life which has "immortalised" her in world history.

In his acceptance address, Benegal, who had made the "making of the Mahatma," decried the "majoritarian impulses" in the society and asserted that the making of Indian nation began with the non-violent mass movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.

His memorable films include ‘Ankur’, ‘Manthan’, ‘Junoon’, ‘Mandi’,, ‘Sardari Begum’, ‘Zubeida’ and to-be-released movie on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He has also made several documentaries and television serials. (PTI)

Railways hoping for bullet train

NEW DELHI, Oct 31: Far from being a pipe dream, a bullet train in India, hurtling at a speed of 250 km per hour and phenomenally reducing hours of long-distance journey, is on way to becoming a reality with the railways hiring an Indian and two Japanese companies to make a quick study on the techno-economic feasibility of the project.

RITES, a public sector undertaking of the Indian Railways, and the two Japanese companies — Jaica and Japan External Trade Oganisation (JETRO) — have been entrusted with the task of preparing a detailed study report on the feasibility and early execution of the project.

"If everything moves as per the plan, India will have its first bullet train in next five-six years running between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, a distance of about 500 km that can be covered in two hours flat, Railway Board Chairman R K Singh said in an interview.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had evinced a keen interest in the high-speed train project, considering that bullets trains would be in tune with the country’s quest of a developed nation status, he said.

A series of meetings had been held with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry in the direction of successfully executing the plan by 2010.

The project would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 8000 crore, said Mr Singh.

Asked why the Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector had been chosen for the introduction of the bullet train, the Railway Board Chairman said the two cities were not only thriving economic centres but also the fastest growing railway route in the country.

Justifying the need to introduce such trains in the country, Mr Singh said it was a foolproof technology, easily available off the shelf. Moreover, it would shorten the distance in terms of time, he said.

"The need to introduce bullet trains becomes imperative in view of the fact that India is already lagging behind Japan, China and some European countries in this area where these trains are now running at the speed of 320 km per hour, thereby greatly nullifying the competition from the aviation sector," he reasoned out.

Mr Singh said these countries had adopted this technology in the mid-80s. Japan was the pioneer, but now China had overtaken it by introducing trains that touched a speed of 350 km per hour, Mr Singh said.

"India can also be ushered into the era of high-speed trains as new technology in the area can make it a reality in 5-6 years. Earlier, the execution of such project used to take 8-10 years, he pointed out.

Giving details, he said RITES and Jaica were initially assigned the job to make a study of the project. Some weeks ago, Jetro was also roped in to speed up the completion of the report. "Jetro has been hired basically with a view to bridging the gap between RITES and Jaica in completing the report," he said.

The Railway Board Chairman said dedicated tracks would be required for bullet trains which run on magnetic cushion. These trains run some inches over the tracks to ensure that there is no friction.

If bullet trains become a reality, the existing fastest trains of India — Shatabadis and Rajdhanis — running at a speed of 130-140 km per hour, would be left far behind in terms of speed and technology.

Mr Singh also disclosed that a decision had been taken to improve the speed of the fastest trains in the country at 150 km per hour. Such trains would first run between Agra and New Delhi, he said.

Japan, which is currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of "Shinkansen" (bullet train), has officially offered its help to build India’s first bullet train network between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The offer was made by Japan’s Trade and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa during his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister in the national capital recently.

The bullet train network requires a continuous supply of electricity and it will be a big challenge for the country to implement such a state-of-the-art public transport network.

But Mr Singh exuded confidence that all obstacles would be overcome in getting the project off the ground. Though he did not say anything about the funding of the project. But once approved, it is likely to be funded by the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) funds from Japan.

The Delhi Government has already been using the ODA funds to build the metro, an underground railway network covering major parts of the national capital. (UNI)

Uma declined to be BJP general secretary: Advani

UJJAIN (MP), Oct 31: BJP today said former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uma Bharti has declined to become party’s general secretary since the leave she had sought to visit Madhmaheshwar, is pending.

"I had offered her the post of general secretary in the newly-constituted body of BJP, but she said her leave, which she had taken to visit Madhmaheshwar is still incomplete," party president L K Advani told reporters here.

Bharti is on leave till November-end, Advani said after taking part in the national convention of the Bharatiya Sindhu Sabha.

Stating that it was on his request only that Bharti returned from Madhmaheshwar to attend the BJP national council meeting, Advani added, "probably she must have gone back to Madhmaheshwar by now."

Bharti’s name was missing from the party’s fresh team of office-bearers announced yesterday.

Advani also explained the situations under which Bharti had tendered her resignation from the post of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister with the approval of BJP Parliamentary Board.

The BJP president described her resignation — in the wake of arrest warrant issued against her by a Hubli court —as "extraordinary" as people had elected her as the Chief Minister.

"It was a difficult decision for the party to accept," he added.

Earlier, addressing the national convention of Bhartiya Sindhu Sabha, Advani said the party has risen from just two members in the Lok Sabha in 1984 to form the Government at the Centre for six years.

However, he said it may be the leadership has not taken care of its workers and has not given due importance to the RSS, resulting in the defeat at hustings.

Referring to the Sindhi community, he said the community has progressed a lot due to its hard work, but added there is a need to preserve the Sindhi language and culture and lauded the role played by the Sabha in this regard. (PTI)
 
 
 
 

 

 

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