7 ‘commanders’ among 47 militants surrender

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9 : In one of the biggest enmass surrender by militants in Jammu and Kashmir, 47 ultras, including a Hindu, laid down their arms before police at Nagrota near here.

The surrendered militants included seven commanders of various outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Al Jehad and HuM. A Hindu militant Manoj Manhas of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was among those who surrendered, Director General of Police, Gopal Sharma told reporters at a surrender ceremony in Nagrota.

"The ultras laid down their weapons as they were fed up of insurgency," he said. Describing it as the "biggest ever" enmass surrender after announcement of the rehabilitation policy for surendered militants by the State Government, the DGP said it is a result of the healing touch policy advocated by the State Government.

Due to the attraction of the policy, more and more militants are coming forward to surrender, he said adding the process would continue in furture also.

So far 60 militants have surrendered this year and taken benefit of the policy, he said adding the surrender was possible due to the efforts of Special Forces in the Doda-Udhampur belt.

Speaking on the occasion, 16 Corps Commander Lt Gen Ashok Kapoor said they see a future for themselves and their families.

The occasion was really the re-union of the misguided youth with their families, who had picked up gun and were working under the cadre of various outfits like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in the areas of Doda, Gool, Mahore, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch. The parents and brothers of many of them had arrived at the venue just to have the glimpse of their dear ones, who had left home several years ago.

Eighty five year old Fakhar Din, who had come all the way from a remote village of Dillu in Mahore in Udhampur district alongwith his two sons, begged for the security and safety of his son—Abdul before the State Police chief. The old man, who has almost lost his eye-sight said that he had also no ray of hope left to meet his son again. He said that in last six years, he has been shedding tears for his son and lost eye-sight. Now, when his son has come back with motivation and efforts of family, their fear of losing him for ever has increased with the threats increasing from leadership of the HM outfit. Another elderly villager-Hussan Din from Mahore said he was happy with the coming back his son to the national main stream but threat to his life has increased from the other terrorists.

The DGP in his brief address assured ultras full protection and all possible assistance as per the surrender policy of the Government.

Commenting on the surrender of a Hindu militant Manoj Manhas alias Rizwan Ansari, the DGP said it may be an isolated incident in which a youth must have been lured to make easy money and economic condition but militancy has nothing to do with religion. A militant is militant whether Hindu, Muslim or a Sikh, he said , adding that the beginning has been made and many more are expected to follow the suit and surrender in near future.

Lt Gen Ashok Kapur said with the wiping out of top leadership, some frustration was also prevailing among the lower cadre. Moreover, motivation from Police and Army and also from their family members helped a lot in their surrender. He said they had started their efforts about one year ago and it took about six months for motivation and ensuring surrender of these 47 militants. The domination by foreign ultras and committing excesses on locals by them is also one of the factors behind it, he maintained.

The picking up gun by a Hindu boy from Doda may be surprising for many but he told the Excelsior during interaction that he was kidnapped at gun point on May 27, 2004 by four armed militants when he was going to his school at Sartangal in Bhaderwah. He was tortured and asked to pick up gun or face the death penalty "They kept him in confinement and didnot allow him to escape though he tried in between but was threatened. About a week ago he managed to escape from their clutches and surrendered before an Army camp along with weapon."

Manoj also disclosed that four Hindu boys of his area namely, Babbi, Sindhu, Sham Lal and Dalip Singh are also operating under the dictates of militant leaders and are desperate to surrender.

Imtiaz Hussain from Gandoh, Akhtar Hussain from Dudu-Basantgarh, Nazir Ahmed from Thathri in Doda and Aftab Alam from Banihal while talking to the Excelsior showed serious concern about their security than the high hopes of getting Rs 1.50 lakh sum for rehabilitation and monthly pocket allowance of Rs 2000 from Government. They said hardly Rs 10,000 has been received so far and they will not be able to stay at their respective villages due to threat to their lives from militants.

DC gheraoed, demonstrations continue
Handwara Major being subjected to DNA finger printing

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 9: Even as he was sent out of command today, Major Rehman of Rashtriya Rifles 30th Bn, is being subjected to DNA fingerprinting to scientifically ascertain whether he had committed rape on a woman and her daughter in Badar Payeen village of Handwara on Saturday night. In the wake of serious allegations, followed by a chain of protest demonstrations, the Army official is now simultaneously facing as many as three investigations. On Sunday last, 35-year-old Ayesha W/o Abdur Rasheed Dar and her 11-year-old daughter, Shagufta alias Shabnam, had publicly alleged that the Army officer trespassed into their house late on Saturday night, stripped them on gun point and committed rape on both the females.

Highly placed official sources disclosed to the EXCELSIOR that, immediately after registering an FIR against Maj Rehman, Police seized the torn out outfits of both the complainant females. During the medical examination, Dr Shubeena of Sub District Hospital Handwara confirmed the forcible act of rape on Ayesha. She found bruises and other marks of physical violence on Shagufta’s body, though her private parts did not seem to have been violated. Sources said that marks of semen were found on the bodies and trousers of both. A team of doctors, headed by Dr Shubeena, is likely to submit a detailed report to the concerned authorities on Wednesday.

While Police have launched its own investigation, Army has constituted a Court of Inquiry which will be headed by Commanding Officer of RR 21 Bn, Col Nandal. General Officer Commanding Kilo Force, Maj Gen Balhara, who visited the village on Monday, has directed headquarters of Sector-7 to associate a gazetted Police officer with the Court of Inquiry. Consequently, SDPO Handwara, Firdaus Iqbal, has been nominated as the Police representative in the Army’s Inquiry.

On Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s orders, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Sharafat Ali Khan, has launched a separate magisterial inquiry into the same incident. He has been asked to submit his findings to the Government in 10 days.

Superintendent of Police, Nitish Kumar, confirmed to this newspaper that Police was in the process of conducting the DNA of the accused Major as well as the complainant woman’s husband, Abdur Rasheed Dar. It would be matched to the sperms obtained from the bodies and clothes of the two complainant females. He said that the foolproof scientific test would establish whether the accused Major had committed rape or the marks of semen were those of Ayesha’s husband. Most likely, the DNA fingerprinting would be conducted at a credible forensic laboratory either in Kolkata or in Hyderabad, or both.

SP Handwara as well as senior Defence sources confirmed reports that the accused Major, who came from a Muslim family of western U.P, had been sent out of command. Army officials even claimed that the accused had been taken into custody for sustained interrogation.

Not fully satisfied with the three separate inquiries, residents of Badar Payeen and Thukarpora took to the streets on the third consecutive day today. They shouted thunderous slogans against the PDP-led coalition Government and security forces. At several places on Baramulla-Langet-Handwara road, angry crowds pulled down the signboards of Army’s civic action programmes.

Even as the PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti, managed to call on the victim family, demonstrators kept on shouting anti-government and anti-Army slogans as long as she was with the outraged women. She was accompanied by DC Kupwara, Abdul Majeed Banday besides PDP leaders Mohammad Sultan Panditpuri and Abdul Haq Vakil. Mehbooba consoled the two females and their family members with an assurance that severe punishment would be meted out to the erring Army officials.

Amid hooting and anti-Government sloganeering, Mehbooba Mufti drove back to the capital city. Sources said that the angry demonstrators resorted to stone pelting on the official cavalcade at Thukarpora. Though the PDP leader Abdul Haq escaped alongwith DC Kupwara in the latter’s bulletproof car, his PSO, Constable Ghulam Qadir, sustained injuries. The angry crowds hurled stones, causing damage to DC’s escort vehicle. A Gypsy of the Security Wing of J&K Police, which had gone to Badar Payeen for anti-sabotage checking, was also damaged.

S P Handwara said that DC Kupwara, Abdul Majeed Banday, was gheraoed by the crowds near Thukarpora when he was returning after seeing off Mehbooba Mufti. He said that Police used mild lathi charge and fired some shots in the air to disperse the unruly mob.

Meanwhile, here in the capital city, a group of the Kashmir University students took to the streets on second consecutive day in protest against the alleged rape of a mother-daughter duo by an Army officer in Badar Payeen village. They formed a procession while shouting anti-Government and anti-Army slogans and demanding severe action against the accused Major. Police intercepted the demonstration near NIT entrance. The mob set a vehicle of the Kashmir University on fire and engaged in a ding-dong clash with Police.

Police used force to disperse the demonstrators. Reports said that about a dozen of the students were taken into custody and detained at Police Station Nageen.

RAW officer’s killing worked out
9th class student held for blast in Rajouri

Excelsior Special Correspondent

RAJOURI, Nov 9: Police here today arrested a ninth class student Mohd Ishfaq, 14, for planting a powerful IED at Omi shoes on September 21 last year in which four persons including a RAW Assistant Commissioner were killed and 21 others were injured.

Mohd Ishfaq, 14, son of Mohd Rafiq, a resident of Gambhir Mugalan, Manjakote in this district, was taken into custody after it was established that he was responsible for planting a VCR fitted IED at Omi Shoes on September 21, 2003. Ishfaq is a student of 9th class of Government school, Gambhir Mugalan.

Besides RAW Assistant Commissioner Avinash Dutta, Omi Shoes owner Parveen Gupta and his two employees were killed in the blast and 21 others were injured.

SSP Rajouri S A Mujtaba told reporters here that Ishfaq was initially pressurised by two Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants Abu Asma and Umar Mansoor to go to Pakistan for arms training. However, when Ishfaq refused, he was persuaded to plant an IED in Bali Sweet Shop at Rajouri town.

Mr Mujtaba disclosed that an IED fitted inside the VCR was handed over to Ishfaq by the two Jaish militants on September 21 morning at Gambhir Mugalan. Ishfaq reached Rajouri town in a bus and straightway went to Bali Sweets Shop where he purchased sweets worth Rs 100 and asked the employees to keep his bag, carrying VCR, for sometime.

However, the shop employees refused to keep his bag. Ishfaq then went to Omi shoes and purchased a show for Rs 200. He hurriedly left the shop and escaped knowing that time of the IED blast was running out.

The shop employees became doubtful. As they had just removed the bag and kept it on stairs, it went off with a bang killing RAW AC Avinash Dutta, who had come to the shop to see the device, and shop owner Parveen Gupta besides his two employees and wounded 21 others.

Mr Mujtaba said during investigations police got a lead that minor boys of Thanna Mandi and Gambhir Mugalan are being used by the militants to plant explosive devices in the towns.

During investigations Ishfaq was picked-up and he confessed his involvement in the blast. Ishfaq was promised a good amount by the militants after execution of the task. However, he told police that he wasn’t paid anything by the militants after the blast.

"The militants even didn’t meet me after the explosion", he told the police during questioning.

Police said since the boy was minor, various options are being discussed for him.

Further investigations were on. However, the Omi Shoes shop blast has been worked out with his arrest.

Revoke Armed Forces Special Powers Act: Omar

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 9: National Conference (NC) president , Omar Abdullah today said that Kashmir requires a political package and not just an economic package.

In a statement issued here today, NC president said that the Prime Minister should revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act as a gift to the people of the State as a first step towards confidence building. He said Kashmiris are not beggars. " Kashmiris want to live with dignity, honour and respect and shall not batter any of these for any financial or economic package", he said.

Lok Sabha member from Srinagar condemned the Mufti Government for hushing up the reported rape of a mother and daughter at Handwara. He said that it was crime unpardonable in any civilised society and termed the attempt of the Chief Minister to sweep the issue under the carpet as a shameful act.

Pointing towards statement of the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed in which he had refuted rape charges during press conference with Union Home Minister, the NC chief said that this act has exposed tendency of the Chief Minister to dance to the tune of his masters at New Delhi.

NC president castigated Mufti’s announcement to hold an enquiry in the incident and termed it as an eyewash to just deceive the people. He said countless enquiries have been announced in the past but nothing tangible has emerged from those enquiries because of the lack of the will of the Government to bring to book the violators of human rights.

He also condemned the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s statement for questioning the credibility of the institution of the State Human Rights Commission. Omar questioned as to where do the people of Kashmir go if Delhi is not ready to accept the verdict of the State Human Right Commission (SHRC) and also not allow the Amnesty International to come to the State.

Omar demanded a transparent enquiry by the National Human Rights Commission and said if the culprits are found guilty they should be given an exemplary punishment.

Next budget to focus on tax reforms: PM

HAGUE, Nov 9: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured the CEOs of multinational corporations of tax reforms in the coming budget apart from an independent regulatory body, to be set up soon for the petroleum sector, and tariff rates brought down to ASEAN levels.

He also hinted at a level playing field being provided to foreign companies who invest in India.

"I assure you that the next budget will focus on tax reforms," Dr Singh told a meeting of CEO’s of MNCs and Indian industry here last night.

As many as 17 representatives of foreign companies, CII and FICCI participated in an interactive session with the Prime Minister on the occasion of the fifth India- EU summit.

"The Government is in the process of setting up an independent and credible petroleum regulatory body," the Prime Minister said. Referring to concerns by foreign companies of a level playing field for them, he said, "whoever comes to invest in India is entitled to expecting a level playing field".

Listing the advantages for establishing business in India, Dr Singh said the UPA Government will adhere to all commitments, already made at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), including Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

He said the pending legislation in this regard will soon be brought before the Parliament.

The Prime Minister, however, expressed concern that the high standards of products in the European Union will not be used as non-tariff barriers to trade, which negate any tariff reductions that benefit India or other developing countries.

"India is concerned that at a time when we are accepting the logic of globalisation, the argument for protection is re-emerging in the west. I am hopeful that the process of greater openness will not be reversed," Dr Singh said.

"India is not a mercantilist economy. The more we can export, the more we can import. We do not want to accumulate reserves for the sake of accumulation. The more we earn the more we spend," Dr Singh said.

The Prime Minister said the Government will do all that is possible to integrate the Indian economy with the global economy. "we accept the regime of multilateral trading system", he said.

Dr Singh said the successive Governments in the last ten years have repeated the assurance that India is committed to reducing tariffs to ASEAN levels.

"My Government will adhere to reducing tariffs to ASEAN levels."

He said successive political parties at the Centre and in the states cutting across the political spectrum who have been in Government have stressed on the continuity in policy. He emphasised that there was broad consensus on the direction of economic policy.

"India in its totality accepts liberalisation and the logic of greater competition from abroad. We want to take full advantage of the opportunity of globalisation to wipe out poverty at home."

He said that in the last 15 years the economy has grown at six per cent per annum. During the remaining years of the tenth-plan it needs to clock seven to eight per cent growth.

He spelled out the often repeated problems that investors face when dealing with India. These relate to lack of infrastructure, bureaucratic hurdles, corruption and archaic tax structure.

The Government was trying to address these problems, he said. Asking foreign investors to seize the opportunity that is being offered by India, Dr Singh recalled that European companies have known the country for a long time.

He regretted that India in the earlier years since Independence had not taken full advantage of the process of globalisation. He said it was a society that respects wealth and therefore was an achieving society.

He said businessmen should be the custodians of the civilisation.

Dr Singh said the large scale opening up of the Indian economy has changed India’s relations with the world. "India’s destiny lies in embracing globalisation", he said.

The CEO’s who attended the interaction included chairman, board of Management of Royal Dutch Shell Jeroen Van Der Veer, Alcatel president (Europe) J Jacques Dunogue, Akzo nobel chairman G J Wijers, Rabobank vice-chairman W J Koloff and DHV group president R G Campen. (UNI)

Home Ministry to prepare a comprehensive report on J&K

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: A day after his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today got down with his officials to prepare a comprehensive report on his assessment of the situation there which will be submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

"The report, containing the issues and points which came up during the visit and their solutions, both long-term and short-term, will be prepared within a week or so," Patil said here.

Initiating the process to prepare the report, Patil held a meeting attended by Ministers of States for Home S Jaiswal and S Ragupathy, Centre’s interlecutor N N Vohra, Director (IB) A K Doval, Home Secretary Dhirendra Singh and DGs of CRPF and BSF.

The security situation and other issues which came up during his visit and their possible solutions came up for discussions.

"I will also meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after his return from The Hague to apprise him of my visit details including over-all situation and what we were told," he said.

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T A K Nair also met Patil and among other things discussed the details of the Home Minister’s Jammu and Kashmir visit.

The report will also be sent to various ministries such as power, telecommunication and road transport and highways for appropriate actions to be taken up from their side, Patil said.

These were some of the areas where it was felt that there was a need for improvement.

Asked about how he would describe his maiden visit to the State, Patil said "it is a step forward."

He said the Government would continue to hold dialogue with various sections of the society to bring about normalcy in the State and hoped that separatist leaders in the State also join the process.

"We are willing to talk to everyone, who wants to talk to us," he added.

Patil held a series of meetings with a cross-section of people, including officials of civil, army and para-military forces during his three-day visit to the State. (PTI)

Armitage expresses satisfaction over peace process

ISLAMABAD, Nov 9: In the first high-level interaction between the US and Pakistan after President George W Bush’s re-election, American Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage today promised to continue close cooperation with Islamabad and expressed satisfaction over the progress in the Indo-Pak peace process.

Armitage, currently on a visit to Islamabad, held talks with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and expressed satisfaction over the continuing engagement between Pakistan and India, a foreign office statement here said.

Khokhar briefed Armitage on the progress so far in the Pak-India dialogue process and the efforts to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

Armitage, who was accompanied by US Assistant Secretary Christina Rocca, also promised to continue close bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

"The US is looking at ways to accelerate its interaction with Pakistan," the statement quoted him as telling Khokhar.

Armitage told Khokhar about US perspective and assessment on emerging trends in the Middle East as well as the security situation prevalent in Iraq.

In their delegation-level discussions, Khokhar and Armitage covered the whole spectrum of bilateral relations and reviewed regional and international issues of mutual interest, the statement said.

"Both sides agreed that after successful presidential election in Afghanistan, the priorities for that country were economic development and reconstruction. Both Pakistan and the US would be supportive in the achievement of these goals," it said.

Armitage and Khokhar underlined that Pakistan and the US, as coalition partners, would continue to cooperate in the war against terrorism.

Khokhar also stressed that Pakistan was keen to promote a solid, broad-based and long-term relationship with the US, encompassing cooperation in the areas of investment, trade and defence.

Armitage also met Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and is scheduled to hold talks with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. (PTI)

Hurriyat leaders Pak parrots: Qureshi

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: JKLF founder Hashim Qureshi today agreed with the Centre that the Hurriyat leaders were being pressurised by Pakistan to stay away from the dialogue process with India, saying the amalgam leaders are "parrots of Pakistan and doing exactly what their masters ask them to do."

"There is nothing new in the pressure...Hurriyat is a Pakistani creation. It was formed only at the behest of Pakistan," Mr Qureshi said here.

He said the Hurriyat Conference is nothing but an extension of the Pakistani regime in Jammu and Kashmir.

"They are only the parrots of Pakistan and doing exactly what their masters in Islamabad want them to do."

Mr Qureshi, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party (DLP), said, "it is surprising that the Ministry of Home Affairs has come to know about this fact so late in the day."

Assessing the stalled dialogue process with the separatists, a Home Ministry statement issued to the media in Jammu yesterday said: "The previous Government had held two rounds of talks at the level of the deputy Prime Minister with the Hurriyat led by Maulana Abbas Ansari on January 22 and March 27, 2004.

"There are indications that Pakistan is exerting pressure on the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (Ansari group) leaders, particularly its acting president, Maulvi Umar Farooq (Mirwaiz) not to resume the dialogue with India till Pakistan is also included... In the talks as a third party," the statement said.

However, the DLP leader said the outcome of the two rounds of talks between the Indian Government and the Hurriyat Conference is known to all.

"The Hurriyat (Abbas group) took a bold decision to talk...But what has it got. They have nothing in hand to put before the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The people have got no relief from the talks," Mr Qureshi added.

He said Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s stand is known to everyone. "Mr Geelani is a Pakistani stooge who will never say anything that would go against Islamabad," he added.

Mr Qureshi also welcomed Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s statement in Srinagar that the Centre was not averse to the Hurriyat leaders visiting Pakistan and the Government will consider any such request.

"Let them (Hurriyat leaders) go to Pakistan...Let them meet people there and try to persuade the militant leadership to shun violence and bring them to a negotiating table," he said.(UNI)

Anara Gupta granted bail

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 9: Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Jammu, Mr Sanjeev Gupta this evening granted bail to former Miss Jammu, Anara Gupta, who is allegedly involved in a much publicised sex racket.

After hearing both the sides and considering Case Diary and objections filed by the prosecution, Mr Gupta observed that the girl (Anara Gupta) be granted bail, who according to Police report was arrested on November 3 under FIR number 25/2004 registered with Women Cell Jammu. Anara has been booked under sections Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, Cinematographic Act and Information Technology Act.

The Judge in the jam-packed room directed Police to release former Miss Jammu after furnishing bail bond and surety bond to the tune of rupees 20,000 each.

As per prosecution case, the girl was declared as Miss Jammu in 2001 and later got involved in immoral acts at the behest of one Narinder Kohli of Peer Mitha Jammu. Some blue CDs featuring Anara Gupta were shot and later sold in the market of Jammu and outside the State.

In the objections filed by the State, it was mentioned that there are so many persons involved in the alleged sex racket and the case has a very public importance. While opposing the bail application, it was mentioned that it will be difficult to arrest members of the gang incase Anara is bailed out.

It was also submitted by the prosecution that she was examined by a doctor and also produced before Tehsildar Jammu for Police remand.

The Judge announced the order at about 4.45 pm, shortly before the closure of the court.

Cong leader’s house attacked, 2 killed

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 9: Militants have killed a Police personnel and a civilian while looting weapons from the guarded residence of a Congress leader in Nowgam area, in Srinagar outskirts, late last night. Meanwhile security forces claimed to have killed a militant in an encounter in Kreeri area of Baramulla district and a woman died in a blast on Baramulla-Handwara road in north Kashmir.

Official sources said that late last night, unidentified gunmen barged into the guarded residence of a Congress leader, Abdur Rasheed Ganai, at Wagora in Nowgam area. They resorted to indiscriminate firing, causing severe injuries to two Police guards, namely selection grade constable Shakir Ahmed and Constable Manzoor Ahmed. Later Shakir succumbed to injuries.

Sources said that a civilian, namely Jalal-ud-din Sheikh, also died in the same shootout. Militants looted one SLR, one carbine and one AK-47 rifle from the injured Police guards.

Sources said that troops of RR 29 Bn killed a local militant, namely Syed Suhail Ahmed of Tilgam Pattan, in an encounter at Malpora in Pattan area. Sources said that Police today fished out the body of one Ghulam Mohammad Gujri R/o Sheer Colony, Sopore, from river Jhelum. He was missing from his home, alongwith his son Bilal Ahmed, since October 30th last.

Meanwhile, a 75-year-old woman died—most likely by a cardiac arrest— when a grenade went off underneath a Maruti van, DID-4005 at Batpora in Langet area of Kupwara today. Sources said that militants had actually targetted a patrol party of security forces. However, the grenade passed and exploded under the parked civilian vehicle.

25 Cabinet Ministers sworn-in

MUMBAI, Nov 9: Twentyfive Cabinet ministers, including former deputy Chief Ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Vijaysinh Mohite-Patil, NCP leader Ajit Pawar, Congress leaders Ashok Chavan and Patangrao Kadam, were inducted into the Vilasrao Deshmukh-led DF ministry in Maharashtra at a function held at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai here today.

Out of the 25 Cabinet ministers, 14 were from NCP, eight from Congress and three independents who had allied with Congress-NCP. The lone woman Cabinet minister to be sworn-in was the NCP leader from Kaij, Vimal Mandada.

Four Ministers of State in the previous Democratic Front Ministry, who were elevated to the Cabinet, include Balasaheb Thorat (INC) and the three NCP leaders Vijay Gavit, Sunil Tatkare, and Ramraje Nimbalkar.

The four new faces to be inducted this time were Ganesh Naik (NCP), Chandrakant Handore (INC) and two independents, Babanrao Pachpute and Vinay Khore.

Bhujbal, who had resigned as deputy Chief Minister from the previous DF ministry following an attack on representatives of a leading media organisation, was the first to be sworn-in as a Cabinet Minister today.

NCP leader Vijaysinh-Mohite Patil who was replaced by R R Patil of the party as deputy Chief Minister in the new ministry, was also administered the Oath of Office by the Governor Mohammed Fazal.

Among those who found a Cabinet berth were former state NCP chief, Babanrao Pachpute, who rebelled after the Shirgonda seat was handed over to a Congress candidate. Pachpute had contested the polls as an independent candidate, but had extended his support to the NCP after the polls.

Ajit Pawar, nephew of the Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar, NCP leaders, Dilip Walse-Patil, Anil Deshmukh, Nawab Malik, Jayant Patil were among those sworn-in today.

Prominent Congress leaders who were inducted into the Cabinet, include, Patangrao Kadam, Surupsinh Naik, Satish Chaturvedi and Ashok Chavan.

The names which went missing from the list of Cabinet ministers, include Govindrao Adik (INC), Padamsinh Patil (NCP), Madhukar Pichad (NCP).

Those administered the Oath of Office as ministers of state included Suresh Shetty (INC), Dharmarao Aatram (NCP), Sunil Deshmukh (INC), Rajendra Shingane (NCP), Siddharam Mhetre (INC), Hassan Mushriff (NCP), Ravi Patil (INC), Rajesh Tope (NCP) and Baba Siddiqui (INC). The RPI (A) leader Dayanand Mhaske also figured on the list.

Those dropped include former Minister of State for Home Kripashankar Singh and Govindrao Adik from Congress and Padamsinh Patil and Madhukar Pichad from NCP. (PTI)

NDA allies to oppose BJP move

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: NDA allies will oppose any move by BJP to rake up contentious issues like Ayodhya and Hindutva when they meet here on Monday in the backdrop of the controversy generated over the saffron party reviving the Ram Temple issue.

The meeting has been convened following a demand by JD(U), a BJP ally, at its recent national executive meeting which passed a resolution saying that it had joined the NDA only after three controversial issues — Article 370, Uniform Civil Code and Ayodhya — had been removed from the agenda.

"If any effort is now made to revive them, we shall have to take another road. We shall never compromise with religious bigotry," the strongly-worded resolution had said warning of severing ties with the BJP-led alliance.

The recent statement of BJP chief L K Advani on Ayodhya triggered a controversy with some NDA allies worried that BJP was charting its own course with Hindutva as a driving force.

Akali Dal (Badal) leader S S Dhindsa today said the NDA was formed on a Common Minimum Programme which skirted the contentious issues. "If its allies leave the alliance, NDA will break," he said avoiding a direct reply when asked if his party would part ways in the event of BJP returning to Hindutva agenda.

On the issue of construction of Ram temple, Dhindsa said none was opposed to it. "But so far as the disputed site is concerned, any construction should be done either through negotiation or as per the court order," he said.

TDP, which had extended outside support to the NDA Government, today said it was opposed to contentious issues and believed in secularism.

Its leader K Yerrannaidu said TDP had never attended any NDA meeting. BJP may discuss any issue and his party was not concerned about it, he added. (PTI)

Mirage crashes, pilot ejects safely

GWALIOR, Nov 9: In the fourth mishap involving a Mirage in two months, a fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force caught fire and crashed tonight in a dense forest at Barsota, about 75 kms from here, 20 minutes after take-off but the pilot ejected safely.

The aircraft, which took off from an airbase here at 8.40 pm on a routine sortie, crashed at around 9.00 pm on Gwalior-Morena border, District Collector Rakesh Srivastava said.

Srivastava said the pilot Gururani ejected safely.

He said debris of the aircraft were spotted by a police constable near a police post at Behrai in Morena district and the efforts are on to locate the pilot.

A Mirage two-seater trainer aircraft had crashed near here on October 12 but its two occupants ejected safely. Prior to that, another mirage had crashed on September 23 and in this case too the pilot bailed out safe.

A Mirage aircraft which had gone to Mauritius to take part in an air show had crash landed in the Indian Ocean island on October 15. (PTI)
 
 
 
 

 

 

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