Resist politicisation, criminalisation of
police force: Manmohan

NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Warning that the "so-called nexus" between politicians, criminals and police posed an insidious threat to the society, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked top police officers to resist politicisation and criminalisation of the force.

Addressing the annual conference of DGPs, IGPs and heads of central police organisations, he said the Government will constitute a committee to come up with implementable suggestions to improve police administration in the country.

Referring to the N N Vohra panel report on the nexus, Singh said it "poses an insidious threat to our society and economy" and asked the top police officials to resist politicisation and criminalisation and restore the prestige and elan the police force once enjoyed.

He said many committees and commissions had suggested number of changes to improve police administration. They had also suggested a model police act to replace the 1961 Police Act, he added.

"In order to build on this work and take tangible steps, our Government will be constituting a committee consisting of representatives of the Government of India, of states and outside experts to examine the recommendations of all past commissions and committees and come up with a set of credible, implementable suggestions for improving the police administration in the country", the Prime Minister said. Observing that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the North East and in states afflicted by Left-wing extremism was "specially challenging" in nature, Singh said the North East stood at the "crossroads of civilisation" and there were "myriad of forces" at work there.

"The North East is more a `Salad Bowl’ rather than a `Melting Pot’ and this makes it difficult for the security forces and the bureaucracy to tackle problems", he said adding there was also an "identity crisis" posed by ethnic and societal faultlines in some parts of the region.

Noting that the spectre of Left-wing extremism continued to haunt, albeit in new forms, the Prime Minister said this phenomenon was a "function of underdevelopment" and it was not a coincidence that the tribal areas were the main battleground of Left-wing extremism today.

Maintaining that the present laws were inadequate to accommodate the needs and aspirations of the tribals and feudal elements also exploited them, he said dealing with Left extremism was not merely a law and order issue.

"This is more so now that Maoists in Nepal have become a major force and are trying to link up with Left-wing extremist groups across the border," Singh said and warned that this had the potential "an even graver threat than militancy in J and K and the North East".

Warning of grave threats posed by terrorism, Singh said "the threat of cascading violence and catastrophic terrorism and the danger from biological and chemical pathogens is real".

He asked the top policemen to "initiate a revolution in police sciences and intelligence on the lines of the revolution in military affairs so that you can be more confident of taking on a cornucopia of threats".

The Prime Minister said the security threats embraced a multitude of dangers and not necessarily only those from aggression or internal turbulence.

"There are several subversive forces at work including in the economic realm. Economic globalisation and technological development have altered the nature of crime, giving rise to new forms of white-collared crime".

He referred to the threats posed by trafficking in drugs, arms, narcotics and women and said "antagonisms arising from a resurgence of religious bigotry and the spectre of religious fundamentalism and communalism threaten secular values and liberal democracy".

Welcoming the Prime Minister, Intelligence Bureau chief Ajit K Doval said with India on the threshold of becoming a major economic player and unleashing its economic potential, economic security has acquired special significance.

Scams, activities of powerful land, coal, power, timber, construction and other mafias, pressures generated by unaccounted money and its illegal movements, terrorist funding, money laundering by drug syndicates, frauds associated with electronic money transferences and currency counterfeiting were just few illustrated areas.

"While all of them have inter-state ramifications, a large number of syndicates have trans-national linkages. To counter them, we need to acquire new intelligence and investigative capabilities," Doval said.

The Prime Minister also presented President’s police medals for distinguished services to 23 IB officials including Joint Directors Rajiv Kapoor, Dineshwar Sharma and Jayanto N Choudhury, Assistant Central Intelligence Officer R K Qazi and Additional Deputy Director S C Singh. (PTI)

Prime land allotted on fraudulent document
3 Nazool officers arrested

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 4: Crime Branch Srinagar have arrested three Nazool officials, two of whom have retired from the Government services, for their involvement in allotting prime land worth lakhs of rupees at Maisuma Estates in favour of one Ranjit Singh Sahni on a fraudulent documents.

All three persons were sent to jail by a designated court in Srinagar yesterday.

They have been identified as Gazi Ahmed Pandit, the then Assistant Commissioner Nazool, Srinagar, Mohd Shaffi Kuchay, the then Tehsildar Nazool, Srinagar and Murawat Hussain, Wasil Baki Naweez.

The AC and the Tehsildar have since retired. A First Information Report (FIR) No. 15/2000 under Section 409, 420, 468, 471 and 120-B RPC read with Section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against them at police station Crime Branch, Srinagar for investigations during which the allegations against the accused were probed.

SSP Crime Branch Srinagar Dr Abdul Aziz Khan said 2 kanals and 15 marlas of land was allotted in favour of Bazar Sain and Kunwar Sain Sethi by the Government on a lease period of 40 years on February 14, 1935. Period of the lease expired on February 13, 1975.

The lease period was neither extended nor the allottee paid any premium to the Government till 1999.

In the meantime, one Raman Sethi applied for renewal of the lease in 1999. Four marlas of the land was further sold to Ranjit Singh Sahni at a very high premium by the allottee for construction of a commercial shop.

Sahni subsequently constructed the shop, which was later named as Fancy Fabrics. In 1999, Sahni produced a fake and fraudulent Government Order No. 167/1999 dated November 24/11/1999 for allotment of land in his favour.

The accused Nazool department officials processed the letter knowing well that the Government order was fake. Simultaneously, he ignored the genuine letter of the original party and didn’t process the same.

For allotment of land to Sahni, the Nazool officials called for a ‘no objection certificate’ from Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar and Vice Chairman, Srinagar Development Authority (SDA). However, he didn’t dispatched the letters to two departments but only kept them in record.

Citing that no objections came from VC SDA and DC Srinagar, the Nazool officials executed lease deed in the court of law charging Rs 1.70 lakh from the party. The amount was swindled by the accused.

Sources said the allegations against the accused were established during the investigations and the case was challaned in the court of law yesterday. The designated judge sent the accused to jail.

Identify peace zone in J&K and withdraw troops: Tarigami

NEW DELHI, Nov 4 Jammu and Kashmir CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today reiterated his demand to identify the "peace zone" within the troubled State and urged the Centre to order withdrawal of troops from those areas.

"The Centre should identify some areas as peace zone within the State so that the people are allowed to move freely. The Centre, on its part, should declare unilateral ceasefire and order withdrawal of troops from those areas," Mr Tarigami said here.

He said Pakistan could be persuaded to use its "good offices" and influence the militants to refrain from violence in those areas. "Militants have to be kept away from those areas." He urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to announce unilateral ceasefire during his coming visit to Jammu and Kashmir. "This would be a bonus for the people of the State in addition to the economic package and other sops he is likely to announce during his two-day visit," he said.

Mr Tarigami had met the Prime Minister at his 7, Race Course Road residence here on November one and put forth his demand.

The CPI(M) leader said travelling across the Line of Control should be facilitated so that Kashmiris from both the sides are able to meet each other.

Appreciating the Prime Minister, he said Dr Singh also agreed to his suggestion that visa and travel documents should not become a "stumbling block" in the opening of the Srinagar-Muzafarrabad road.

Mr Tarigami said he was given assurance by the Prime Minister that some mechanism would be evolved so that the road is opened at the earliest.

He also urged the Prime Minister to make his coming Jammu and Kashmir visit "more meaningful" by announcing economic and other packages which would go a long way in addressing the sufferings of the people in "concrete terms".

Mr Tarigami said the Prime Minister told him that "all of us should work together so that the past is not repeated."

Lauding the initiative taken by Dr Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in New York last month, the CPI(M) leader said the meeting between the two leaders aroused "big hopes" in Jammu and Kashmir.

"This conveys coming out of the frozen mind-set by the Indian and Pakistani leadership," he added.

Mr Tarigami said the ongoing dialogue process must not only continue but should be made result oriented so that it does not become a "zero-sum game". "One may not agree with President Musharraf’s proposal but he certainly has taken some bold initiatives. India needs to reciprocate his bold decisions," he added.

The CPI(M) leader called for a debate on Gen Musharraf’s proposals. (UNI)

Grateful Ladakh pays homage to Kushok Bakula
Moving scenes at a large gathering

From Pushp Saraf

LEH, Nov 4. A grateful Ladakh today paid a moving homage to its best-known political and religious leader Kushok Bakula on the occasion of his first death anniversary at the Spithuk monastery here today.

Tearful scenes were witnessed at a multi-country large gathering as first Mr Sonam Wangchuk, private secretary and constant companion of the departed leader for quarter of a century, broke down while starting the proceedings and then Mr Thupstan Chhawang, Ladakh MP and nephew of the late Kushok Bakula, burst into tears when his turn came to pay homage.

While Mr Wangchuk, the key organiser of today's function, controlled himself, Mr Chhawang was inconsolable. The latter spoke with tears rolling down his cheeks as he recalled how his uncle had brought him up. He said that all that he was today was because of Kushok Bakula. As he wept many in the crowd began sobbing. Some took out handkerchiefs to hold back their tears. Mr Chhawang was the first chairman of the powerful Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC).

Hardly anybody moved during the nearly four-hour long function. While the high and mighty of the district were present a large number of ordinary citizens turned up from the adjoining villages at the venue at the outskirts of this city. A grand three-and-a-half metre Stupa containing the holy relics of Kushok Bakula and made of silver in Karnataka was formally installed at the monastery. There were large queues of people having a darshan of the Stupa.

There were representatives from six countries. A highlight was the presence of a high-level delegation from Mongolia led by Mr Badamjunai, a member of his country's Parliament. The Mongolian delegation included Ms O.Tsolmon, wife of the Mongolian Speaker and former Prime Minister N. Enkhbayar, Mr Sansar, member of the city council of Mongolian Capital Ulaan Baatar, Mrs Munkhjargal and a highly-revered monk Puruvbat.

The late Kushok Bakula, who was India's ambassador in Mongolia for a decade, is credited with hastening the demise of the Communism and the revival of the Buddhism in Mongolia. The Mongolian speakers recalled their association with the Ladakh leader and described him as their spiritual master.

The other foreign representatives were: a two-member Japanese team comprising Mr Sada and Mr Miura of the MAO International (an organisation devoted to environment); Mr Ueli Minder (Switzerland), Ms Sue Byrne (Great Britain) and Mrs Kim Sung Jung (Korea) and Mr P. Wangyal, Director of the Tibet Foundation in the United Kingdom. A representative of the Dalai Lama was also present on the occasion.

One speaker after the other recalled Kushok Bakula's multi-faceted personality. Not only he was the architect of modern Ladakh and given it a distinct identity he had also contributed immensely in his varied roles as a minister in the State Government, Member of Parliament and member of the Minorities Commission. He had sent India's flag flying high in Mongolia during his highly commendable stint that had pleasantly surprised professional diplomats as well. There was hardly any speaker who failed to mention these milestones all of which added to the status of the Ladakh region in particular. Of course, his contribution in promoting Buddhism while propagating inter-faith harmony found laudatory mentions.

Speakers stated that the late Kushok Bakula was cast more in the mould of Mahatma Gandhi and that he was like a lotus in the murky world of politics. There was unanimous demand that the late leader's last wish that a convention centre be opened in this city should be immediately met by the concerned authorities. Speakers asserted that the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) and the Leh Airport should be named after him.

On his part, Mr Rigzin Jora, State Minister for Information Technology and Employment, said that he was already seized of certain suggestions given in this behalf by the Bakula Foundation. He said he would strive to ensure that a road be named after him in Jammu. He would also persuade the Jammu University to institute awards or fellowships in the name of Kushok Bakula and that the CIBS might soon get the status of a deemed university.

Apart from Mr Jora, Mr Chhawang, Mr Rigzin Spalbar, chairman of the LAHDC, and foreign representatives those who spoke on the occasion were: Rizong Rinpoche, Togdan Rinpoche, Lama Thupstan Paldan, Mr Tondup Sonam, president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Mr Mohammad Shafi Lassu, president, Ladakh Muslim Association, Lama L. Wangchuk, head of the Ladakh Gonpa Association, Mr Daljit Sen Adel and this reporter. The local leaders lauded the efforts of Lama Thupstan Targias, a long-time assistant to the late leader, in the making of the Stupa and organisation of other religious services.

Uma Bharti made BJP general secretary

NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Firebrand leader Uma Bharti was today appointed BJP general secretary, five days after she sulked and forced the Party president L K Advani to drop her name from the list of new office-bearers at the last minute.

Advani today also appeared to have conceded her demand for a role in Madhya Pradesh politics when he made her a member of a Committee he has decided to set up for "coordination" between the Party and Babu Lal Gaur Government, making it the only State to have such a body.

Bharti had to quit as Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister following an arrest warrant issued against her in August in the Hubli rioting case which has since been withdrawn.

She will be a member of the Committee whose chairperson and other members have not yet been decided, BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley told reporters here.

Significantly, the Coordination Committee has been set up despite opposition expressed publicly by Chief Minister Babu Lal Gaur to it, although Jaitley claimed that there had been "suggestions in this regard from several people".

Jaitley said Bharti, who is on "vacation" at present, will take "active charge" of her responsibility after November 30. Her responsibilities will be decided by the Party chief later, he said.

The appointment of Bharti, who met Advani for over four hours on Tuesday and nearly an hour today, comes after the Party president’s Sunday statement that she had turned down his offer for the post as her "leave was yet to get over".

Advani, who took the reins of party on October 18 after Venkaiah Naidu resigned suddenly, named six general secretaries of his team ten days later. The post of one general secretary was kept vacant.

Inclusion of Bharti, who belongs to OBC, is seen as a compulsion for the Party in view of the upcoming Assembly polls in Bihar and Jharkhand as BJP wants to field her for campaigning to woo voters of the community which forms a major chunk of the electorate there.

The Party intends to deploy her as one of the star campaigners in Bihar as it sees as a "match" to RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s style of wooing the electorate.

Jaitley said Bharti is one of the "prominent" leaders of BJP and had certain "capabilities" which the Party High Command recognises.

Denying that she had put any conditions for accepting the post, he said "she has been active" in the Party.

Bharti had turned down the earlier offer objecting to presence of Shivraj Singh Chauhan in the team as general secretary and sought to be made in-charge of Madhya Pradesh affairs.

Her close aides, however, said she had rejected the offer as she wanted general secretary Pramod Mahajan to be removed for allegedly "not cooperating" in her "Tiranga Yatra" in Maharashtra.

Advani, by deciding to set up the Coordination Committee, is seen to have rebuffed Gaur who had on Sunday expressed opposition to such a body.

"No Coordination Committee is needed. I am not in favour of the Party interfering in administrative matters," Gaur told reporters here in reply to a question. (PTI)

Pak hopes Bush would help resolve Kashmir issue

ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: Contending that Kashmir was an "international" issue, Pakistan hoped that US President George W Bush would help in its resolution during his second term in office.

"Kashmir is no more an issue between India and Pakistan but has now become an international one," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said expressing the hope that "Bush’s second term would result in further improvement of ties between Pakistan and United States and might be beneficial for the settlement of Kashmir issue".

Commenting on the outcome of the US Presidential elections at an Iftar party last night, Rashid said Bush’s return to the White House would ensure continuity in the war on terror and cement bilateral ties.

He hoped that Bush would redress the grievances of the Muslim world and work along with Islamic countries in resolving issues like Palestine and Kashmir.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said Bush’s victory would go a long way in ensuring continuity in US policies particulary towards the south Asian region.

The Pakistan opposition, however, seemed disappointed over Bush’s victory as the US President has been supporting Musharraf.

Terming the Musharraf-Bush relationship as deeply "intertwined and hurting the cause of restoration of democracy," a senior leader of the opposition Alliance for Restoration of Democracy hoped that the US President would take a second look at the "blank cheque" provided to the General overriding efforts to restore democracy in Pakistan.

"Before 9/11, the US President refused to meet Musharraf but now they have become thick friends. If Bush does not change his policy Musharraf will continue to crush opposition back home," the ARD leader who does not want to be identified said.

The ARD now plans to launch a campaign in the European Union, where it says the response was better in taking a realistic look at restoration of democracy in Pakistan, he said. (PTI)

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