PM announces troop reduction in J&K

Excelsior Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 11 : Ahead of his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir next week, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh tonight announced reduction of troops deployed in the State this winter in view of "improvement" in the situation there but made it clear that the decision would be kept under "constant review".

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) which, earlier in the day, reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, in general, and the North-East, in particular.

The move, which came ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to the State on November 17, assumes added significance at a time when India and Pakistan are making efforts to improve their bilateral relations. "In recognition of the improvement in the situation in the State, the Government has decided to reduce the deployment of troops this winter," the Prime Minister said in a statement.

At the same time, the Prime Minister said the situation would be kept under constant review as infiltration attempts from across the border and the Line of Control continue and the infrastructure of terrorism in the shape of training camps and launching bases remain intact.

"If the levels of infiltration and terrorist violence increase, more troops as necessary will be redeployed," Dr Singh said.

The move is seen as resumption of the scheduled composite dialogue process with Pakistan later this month. Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is visiting India on November 23 as outgoing SAARC chairperson.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister had chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to discuss the situation in J and K.

In a statement, the Prime Minister said he has issued instructions for reduction in the troops deployed in the State.

The CCS meeting, presided over by Dr Singh, reviewed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which Home Minister Shivraj Patil had visited earlier this week. The meeting was attended, among others, by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, Mr Patil and Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

Troop reduction was announced after assessment that there was significant improvement in the security situation in the troubled State.

According to estimates, more than 500,000 troops are deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. But the statement did not give any indication about how many troops would be withdrawn from the State.

"During the past several months, the Indian Army and other security forces deployed in the State of Jammu and Kashmir have achieved success in bringing about an improvement in the security situation in the State," Dr Singh said.

He said effective counter-infiltration measures and mobilising the support of the people in the war against terrorism have led to a "visible improvement" in the situation.

"This is reflected in the increased tempo of economic activity, continuing increase in tourist arrivals and a general sense of security among the people", he said.

"In recognition of the improvement in the situation in the State, the Government has decided to reduce the deployment of troops this winter", the Prime Minister said.

Pak PM welcomes India’s move

Pakistan Premier Shaukat Aziz today welcomed the statement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to reduce troops in Jammu and Kashmir, a move Islamabad hoped would have a "salutary effect" in Kashmir and help further the peace process between the two countries.

"Reduction of troops by any country is welcome," Aziz, who left for Cairo on way to Ramallah to attend the funeral of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, told reporters at the airport but said he had not seen Singh’s statement.

After Singh announced the plans to reduce troops in Kashmir, Pakistan Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan reacted positively saying "we welcome this wise decision by Indian Prime Minister. We understand that the step has been taken to help the ongoing peace process."

"Pakistan has always maintained that the environment of confidence building evolving between India and Pakistan should also be taken to Jammu and Kashmir.

"We think the decision on the eve of the Eid ul Fitr will have a salutary impact in Kashmir. It is a step in the direction and can pave the way for respect of human rights," he told PTI here.

Later Khan told ARY TV that "it’s a good decision in the right direction and will help the peace process. It will augur well for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It will definitely make the atmosphere of the valley conducive."

Khan reiterated Pakistan’s stand that the people of Kashmir should also be included in the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan for durable and just solution of the issue. (PTI)

PDP, Cong, NC welcome decision
A Diwali, Eid gift: CM

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 11: Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed has hailed Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for his announcement of troop reduction in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement here, Mufti Sayeed said that this is another major step after the cease-fire on the borders and the gesture will help in normalizing the situation in the State.

The Chief Minister said that today’s announcement by Prime Minister is a befitting Diwali and Eid gift to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially when it comes ahead of Prime Minister’s visit to the State, awaited with the sense of expectation.

The Mufti hoped that troop reduction will further bring down the level of violence in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that this bold decision of the Prime Minister will find matching response and peace with dignity, the corner stone of Government’s policy, is restored in the State.

The Chief Minister complimented Dr Singh for taking this courageous step and hoped that it would usher Jammu and Kashmir in the era of ever-lasting peace and development.

Meanwhile, major political parties in Jammu and Kashmir today welcomed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement to reduce troops deployed in the State with the PDP terming it as the "biggest ever confidence building measure".

"It is welcome step by the Central Government. This is biggest ever confidence building measure taken by the Central Government on internal front in post-ceasefire period in Jammu and Kashmir", PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said tonight.

The step will have great impact on the day to day life of the people in Kashmir valley, she said adding that this would further improve the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and better Indo-Pak relations. "Pakistan had asked India to reduce troops and then they would stop level of violence.

Now that India has done that, it is now upto Pakistsan to take intiative to stop violence", she said.

Opposition National Conference president Omar Abdulah welcomed the reduction of troops but demanded that Armed Forces Special Powers Act should be done away with in the State.

"While we welcome it, but at the same time we want that Prime Minister should also announce political package for Jammu and Kashmir", he said.

Prime Minister should also explain as to where these troops would be reduced either on border, where ceasefire is prevailing or in Kashmir valley, Abdullah said.

If these are reduced on border, then it is not of any help to Kashmir people, but if it is in Valley it one of the best CBM, he said.

But Abdullah said that Prime Minister was wrong as security situation was worsening in Jammu and Kashmir, he said adding that Union Home Minister has himself seen it.

Senior Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee leader Gulam Ahmed Mir termed the step as "historic and bold". This is first ever CBM taken by Centre during last 15 years period in Kashmir, where people will welcome it, Mir said.

Hurriyat, Shah hail reduction of troops

SRINAGAR, Nov 11 : Terming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement regarding reduction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir as a good step, moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference today said its Executive Committee would meet after Eid-ul-Fitr to decide on resumption of stalled talks with the Centre.

"It is a good step that Government is reducing troops in Jammu and Kashmir," former chairman of Hurriyat Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari said,adding however, the troops should treat the people of the State as their brothers.

He said troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir should be advised that they are not occupation forces but security forces meant for security of the people.

Ansari said the question was not about the number of security forces deployed in the State but their behaviour with the people and they should treat Kashmiris like their brothers and not indulge in such activities which provoke the people to take to streets against them.

Asked whether the Prime Minister’s move would encourage them to go in for resumption of stalled talks with the Centre, Ansari said the Hurriyat always maintained that talks was the only key to resolution of the Kashmir issue.

However, the talks should be positive, meaningful and result-oriented, he said.

He said the Executive Committee, highest decision making body of the Hurriyat, would be meeting after Eid festival to decide about the resumption of the talks.

Ansari said the Executive Members of Hurriyat were busy in Ramzan and would be meeting after Eid festival and decide about the resumption of talks, but the talks should be result oriented and meaningful. He said the Executive Committee will take into confidence the General Council of the Hurriyat on the subject before announcing the decision. Ansari dismissed the statement of Union Home Ministry about pressure on Hurriyat from Pakistan not to resume talks with New Delhi saying "we are not those who will accept pressure from any quarter. We are not going to accept any pressure. Kashmiris are wise enough to decide their future themselves".

The former Hurriyat chairman said Kashmiris were against the gun. We were forced to take to arms. We will not succumb to pressure on the gun point, Ansari added.

Terming as "bold" and "encouraging" Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement today to reduce troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir this winter, senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah said it is a welcome step if meant to improve the situation in the State.

"It is a welcome step if meant for improving situation and taking forward the peace process with an intention to resolve the long-standing Kashmir issue," the Democratic Freedom Party president said.

"Although I have yet to come across the detailed statement made by the Prime Minister, yet I consider this development as bold and encouraging," Shah said.

Observing that seven lakh troops are deployed in the Valley, he said "if the reduction is meant at the border it will be of no use".

"However, if the majority of the troops deployed in the Valley are sent back to barracks and nominal forces are kept, it will definitely improve the situation and help in resolution of Kashmir issue". (AGENCIES)

Fidayeen strike on CRPF camp in Srinagar
Two militants killed, SI injured

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 11: In yet another suicide attack on a paramilitary CRPF formation in Dalgate area this evening, at least two militants are believed to be dead even as a Sub Inspector has sustained injuries.

In the backdrop of Diwali and Idd firecrackers in Srinagar city, at least two militants stormed a formation of CRPF 94 Bn on Hotel York and Hotel Ritz at Dalgate this evening. SSP Srinagar, Javed Gilani, told the EXCELSIOR that one of the Fidayeen was gunned down on the main road by a CRPF Sub Inspector who sustained injuries in the initial shootout. He said that another militant managed to run into the formation. "Though he too is believed to have died and there is no response to the CRPF and Police firing from inside, the cordon will not be lifted until the dead body of the intruder is spotted and recovered", SSP Srinagar said late tonight.

Informed sources said that CRPF and J&K Police laid siege to the whole Dalgate locality and efforts were being made to find whether the militant had chosen tactical silence or he too had got killed. Officials said that the final picture of the episode would be available by next morning. Television news channels and some agencies reported that in all four CRPF personnel sustained injuries in the initial shootout. However, SSP Srinagar dismissed these reports as baseless and insisted that only one CRPF official had got injured.

Meanwhile, an anonymous caller, who identified himself as a spokesman of "Kashmir Freedom Force" told the local newsagency CNS over telephone that militants of his outfit had conducted the suicide attack on the CRPF camp. He elaborated that two militants of "Sajjad Group" of the guerrilla outfit, namely Illyas and Maajid of Pakistan, stormed the camp and inflicted fatal casualties on the soldiers.

Earlier, militants had launched a similar suicide strike on the same paramilitary formation at Dalgate on September 11th this year. Two militants and an equal number of CRPF officers had died in that overnight gunbattle. In all, militants have executed five Fidayeen attacks in this capital city this year.

On March 9, two militants had died in a suicide attack on the Press Information Bureau complex on Residency Road. Almost the entire PIB complex, which also housed headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir Government’s Information Department, had gutted in that operation.

On July 27, one militant and five CRPF soldiers got killed in a Fidayeen attack on Hotel Leeward on the Dal Lake—not far away from Dalgate. Half-a-dozen soldiers had sustained injuries.

On August 4, one militant and 9 CRPF soldiers died in another suicide strike by militants on a CRPF camp in Rajbagh locality in uptown. It was followed by another Fidayeen attack on the CRPF camp at Hotel York in Dalgate on September 11. This evening, when Diwali and Idd celebrations had just begun in town with deafening firecrackers, militants chose to once again strike on the same encampment.

Even as SSP insisted that CRPF suffered no fatal casualties, blasts and gunshots till late tonight indicated that everything was not calm at the targetted formation. IGP Kashmir, Javed Makhdoomi, and DIG Operations of CRPF were personally monitoring the developments on spot. Residents believed that in case one of the militants had managed to take shelter inside the formation, fatal casualties to the CRPF were very much possible.

PM to inaugurate Udhampur rail line

NEW DELHI, Nov 11: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will dedicate to the nation 53 km-long Jammu-Udhampur rail line during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir beginning November 17, Railway Ministry sources today said.

Built at a cost of over Rs 4,000 crores over a period of more than 20 years, the track is very difficult and terranious, the sources said here.

The line has been ready since March, 2004 and trial run of trains were going on, they said adding that Prime Minister would be formally inaugurating the line heralding an era of prosperity and growth for the Udhampur region.

Besides being constructed in the difficult and hilly terrain, another significant feature of the line was that the railway bridge on River Gambhir was 70 metre higher than the Qutub Minar, they said.

Meanwhile, they said security has been beefed up by coordinating efforts of the Central and State Governments to ensure hassle free movement of trains in adddition to security of passengers.

Added to this, the 25 km long Udhampur-Katra new broadgauge line is progressing as per the target and by March, 2005, train services would be extended upto Katra. Udhampur-Baramulla has 293 kms long railway line.

The 120 kms Katra-Qazigund railway line is the most difficult terrain and accomplishment of building a rail line was equally difficult proposition which would be completed by August 15, 2007.

The 140 kms-long Qazigund-Srinagar-Baramulla new broadgauge line is progessing as per the target and train services were expected to run on this route by December, 2005.

To achieve the objectives within the targeted period, Indian Railways have tied up with the Ministry of Defence to airlift passenger coaches from Integral Coach Factory, Chennai and diesel locomotive engines from Varanasi.

Since, India did not have such an aircraft to lift the coaches and diesel engines, it has sought the services of Kazakhstan Government to airlift them from its AN-124 planes.

The total cost of the project was approximately Rs 5,500 crores and would be fully funded by the national exchequer since it has been declared a national project. (PTI)

Palestinians pour out grief over Arafat’s death

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK, Nov 11: Palestinians streamed into the streets of the West Bank and Gaza Strip today in an outpouring of grief over the death of Yasser Arafat, the enduring symbol of their nationalist cause.

"Arafat will never die, he is the leader, he is the father," proclaimed a taxi driver in the West Bank city of Ramallah as he stood on the hood of his car and held up a photo of Arafat.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at Ramallah’s Manara Square, where portraits of Arafat were plastered on a statue of a lion.

Others flocked to the battered Ramallah headquarters where Arafat — who died at Paris Hospital — was confined by Israeli troops for 2-1/2 years and will be buried after a ceremony in Cairo tomorrow.

Workers stepped up their labours on the compound grounds, preparing a gravesite that was to become a shrine to the veteran leader who died at 75, his dream of a Palestinian state unrealised.

"This is the saddest day of my life," said one tearful woman, clad in black mourning dress, outside the compound walls.

Palestinian flags flew at half-mast over the sandbagged buildings as soldiers and bodyguards consoled each other.

Across the West Bank, tens of thousands of mourners marched in towns holding pictures of Arafat wearing his trademark black-and-white headdress. Many sobbed as they walked. Black smoke from tyres set alight by mourners was thick in the air.

In a symbolic funeral for the dead leader in Jenin, thousands of Palestinians buried a coffin wrapped in the Palestinian flag to mark Arafat’s death. Many shops were shuttered as the Palestinian authority declared a 40-day mourning period in the Israeli occupied Palestinian territories.

In Gaza, where gunmen fired bullets into the air as Koranic verses blared from loudspeakers, a masked member of Al Aqsa martyrs brigades, part of Arafat’s Fatah and one of the main factions spearheading a four-year-old uprising, remained defiant.

"We will kill anyone who would try to bargain over issues President Arafat rejected," he said. "No for concessions over Jerusalem, no for settling refugees."

"We will not rest until we drive the Zionists out of our land," he said.

Elsewhere in Gaza and in the squalid refugee camps in Arab countries — Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan — where Palestinians live, there was a sense of loss.

"Our father is dead," construction worker Fathi Abu Adnan said in Gaza City.

"I never knew a father, I knew Abu Ammar (Arafat)," said Johaina Okasha, a refugee from Lebanon’s Ain El-Hilweh camp in her 40s. "He was the one we counted on, and now he is gone."

As word of Arafat’s death spread in South Lebanon, hundreds of Palestinians rushed into the narrow streets of the Ain El-Hilweh camp, while gunmen loyal to his fatah faction fired their rifles and rocket-propelled grenades in the air.

Witnesses said at least one person was injured by the bursts of gunfire booming through the camp. (AGENCIES)

Uma blows hot & cold, meets Vajpayee, Advani

NEW DELHI, Nov 11: Blowing hot and cold a day after her open defiance of the party leadership, suspended BJP leader Uma Bharati today contended she had done nothing to invite disciplinary action but made some emotional statements seen as a bid for a rapprochement.

After confining herself to her home for the whole day, she met former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and party president L K Advani and is understood to have discussed the whole issue including yesterday’s stormy walkout from a party meeting in full glare of television cameras stunning the leadership by her defiance.

Bharati had a 50-minute late night meeting with Advani at his residence and later told reporters she had conveyed to him what was written in her letter addressed to the party chief.

Asked what was Advani’s response, she said "that question should be put to him".

Before going to meet the leaders, she released to the media a letter addressed to Advani saying "I tried to find out the element of indiscipline in yesterday’s action but I could not get any".

"Your decision will not influence the condition and direction of my life, as I am with the poor people of the country", she said in the three-page handwritten letter.

Amid reports that her well-wishers were trying to work out a patch up with the party leadership, a major portion of her letter was devoted to emotional outpourings in which she also said that she did not harbour any animosity against any individual.

The former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister’s remarks come a day after she pointed fingers at four or five party colleagues accusing them of giving "off-the-record media briefings and damaging her reputation" and daring Advani to take action against her.

In the letter, Bharati, who was visited by Swadeshi ideologue K N Govindacharya and Swadeshi Jagran Manch convener Murlidhar Rao, recalled her close association with Vajpayee’s adopted daughter Gunu and Advani’s daughter Pratibha, and likened herself to a "daughter thrown out of the house on the holy day of Dhanteras (when Laxmi, the Godess of wealth is worshipped)".

In an apparent bid to retain her support base in RSS after finding herself isolated in BJP, Bharati talked about her "struggle to crush the Communists, not to allow any person of foreign origin to rule the country" and fight for "Ram and Roti".

Obviously referring to the remarks of some of her close associates supporting her suspension, Bharati said she was not "waiting to be pacified" but seeing how people reacted to the disciplinary action against her.

In a bout of philosophical mood, she said "I have seen a new face of universe and this realisation would help me in my `moksha’ (salvation)".

She later left for her spiritual journey to Kedarnath in the Himalayas. (PTI)

Cabinet clears legislation for pension sector

NEW DELHI, Nov 11: The Centre today decided to put in place a statutory pension regulator as part of measures to open up the sector, which would see defined contribution schemes for the new recruits in Central Government excepting armed forces.

The new scheme, to be run by "limited" number of fund managers, would run parallel to the existing EPF and other provident fund schemes and the Government servants would not be covered under GPF.

This was decided at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In order to ensure wider reach for the new scheme, under which both employers and employees will have to contribute 10 per cent of the salary and DA, would be available through post offices and banks.

The pension contribution and accumulation would be given ‘tax preference’ up to a certain limit but benefits would invite taxes at the time of maturity.

The Pension Fund Managers would offer investors three different investment choices. Option A would imply predominant investment in fixed income instruments and some investments in equity, Option B will have greater investment in equity and the option C would have almost equal investment in equity and fixed income.

Apart from flexibility to switch over from one scheme to another and from one pension fund manager to another, the new scheme provides for normal exit at the age of 60 years.

Under safe Option A, the Pension Fund Managers would invest at least 60 per cent of contribution in low-risk and low yielding Government papers, up to 30 per cent in corporate bonds and up to 10 per cent in equity.

Under medium risk Option B, the investment in Government papers will be to the tune of at least 40 per cent, up to 40 per cent in corporate bonds and up to 20 per cent in equities.

In the high yielding high risk Option C, almost half of the contribution would be in equities, at least 25 per cent in Government papers and up to 25 per cent in corporate bonds.

The scheme allows pension fund houses to invest abroad but remained silent on allowing Foreign Direct Investment.

Though the new system does not assure guaranteed returns to investors, in order to safeguard investors, there will be "severe" actions against those Pension Fund Managers who indulge in "deliberate misdemeanours".

A central record-keeping and accounting agency, the nerve centre of the pension sector, would be set up and maintain database of the sector and investors would have to inform the CRA regarding any decisions.

At the time of exiting the scheme, individuals would have to mandatorily invest 40 per cent of the pension wealth to purchase an annuity from an IRDA-regulated life insurer, and the balance 60 per cent would be received in cash. (PTI)

Rape case accused Major suspended

NEW DELHI, Nov 11: Army chief Gen N C Vij today suspended Major Rehman Hussain, an accused in the double rape case in Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir, and placed him under "close arrest".

An Army spokesman said here that the Major has been "suspended and placed under close arrest for violating laid down procedures with regard to execution of operations".

He said a joint court of inquiry between the Army and police was in progress and DNA samples of Major Rehman, the lady in question and the daughter have been despatched to the forensic laboratory under laid down procedures of law".

The spokesman said the inquiry would be completed "most expeditiously and suitable action taken commensurate to the degree of culpability". (PTI)

HM commander killed in Gool

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 11: An ‘area commander’ of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was gunned down by Army and police in an encounter in Gool area of Ramban police district today while security forces recovered Rs 82,500 Indian currency during a search operation in Rajouri.

Official sources said troops of 22 Sikh and police observed movement of two to three militants at village Passedawali in Gool area this morning when they were returning from night patrolling. During exchange of firing, the troops gunned down one militant while two others managed to escape.

Slain militant has been identified as Salim Bhatt, an ‘area commander’ of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit. One AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 90 rounds and two Chinese hand grenades were recovered from him.

Security forces continued searches in the area to trace two militants who escaped during the gun-battle.

Security personnel didn’t suffer any casualties. Police party in the operation was led by SHO Gool Suraj Pathania.

Security forces today recovered Rs 82,500 Indian currency during a search operation at village Naili in Rajouri area.

Details of the recovery were awaited.

Chief of Defence Staff to be appointed

NEW DELHI, Nov 11: The Chairman of Chiefs of Staffs Committee, S Krishnaswamy, today said the country could go ahead with the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as the mechanism for creating the system has been laid down and there would not be any turf war between the three services for the post.

"The groundwork for the creation of the post has been laid down and is functioning much more smoothly," Krishnaswamy said while delivering the foundation day lecture of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

He said the Army should now accept as inevitable a permanent role for it in fighting militancy.

Air Chief Marshal Krishnaswamy did not visualise any turf war between the three services over the post of CDS and said the integration, which got a fillip after the Kargil Committee report, was at its highest level now with excellent cohesion achieved in intelligence gathering and working out the budgeting of the three services.

He said India needed to get out of its neighbourhood obsession and the defence forces need to re-focus to emerge as a major regional power.

He said the Government had already taken steps towards this direction through the acquisition of ships and submarines to give navy a true blue water capability and enhancing the operational reach of the air force by induction of aerial tankers and AWACs.

The Air Chief said while nations in the west and most of Europe and Russia had settled their borders, "Southern Asia still has some problems with unsettled borders. To be fighting a war to resolve the border issue, according to the developed world, was no longer thinkable."

"It is considered primitive and dangerous since the war could spread and its effects would be most devastating," he said, pointing out that the use of nuclear weapons would also be seen as a threat to the world and civilisation as a whole.

Krishnaswami said the problem with Pakistan and the threat of war between the two countries had tired the nations of the world. "No one cares who is right or how we should resolve as long as we don’t war with each other."

Similarly, he said, India had unsettled borders with Bangladesh and China and soft borders with Nepal and Myanmar and added that this had led to greater concerns over the possibility of internal unrest spreading across the borders.

On terrorism, he said deployment of the Army for internal security had started as an exigency but is now accepted as a necessity despite expansion of paramilitary forces.

"We should now accept this formally as a defined role for the Army and for the forces in general. We are not here to reason why; But it is better that we accept it as inevitable and plan and train for the role," he said.

Pointing out that the Marxist-Maoist movement had the potential to threaten India’s internal security vertically down from Nepal to Andhra Pradesh, the Air Chief said there was a need to reorientate, equip and train to fight terrorism in all three planes — land, sea and air.

For the first time, he said the air force was optimised to support counter-insurgency operations. (PTI)

Punjab directed to compensate for custodial deaths

NEW DELHI, Nov 11: Indicting the Punjab Government for failing to pay compensation to the dependents of the 109 people who had died in the custody of the Punjab Police over a period of ten years from 1994, the NHRC today directed the State Government to pay Rs 2,50,000 each to the next of kin of the deceased within four months.

The NHRC had taken up the cases of the victims on a Supreme Court directive issued in 1997 on a petition which had alleged that 2,097 people had died in Punjab Police custody and their mass cremation had taken place in the crematoria of three police districts of Amritsar, Majitha and Taran Taran.

Out of these 2097 cases, the NHRC had taken up 109 cases for deciding claims of compensation.

"We took cognisance of the 109 cases after finding that the State Government had failed to award compensation," NHRC Chairperson A S Anand said at a press conference here.

"The State Government is to deposit the compensation amount to the respective District Magistartes within two months and they in turn are to hand over the amount to the dependents of the victims within two months, 50 per cent of which, however, will be given to them in fixed deposits in the bank," he said.

The petition had been filed by Ms Parmjit Khalra, wife of Mr Jaswant Khalra who had disappeared while carrying out investigations, investigating on behalf an NGO into the disappearance of 2,097 people.

So far over 600 of the deceased have been identified. The 109 cases in which the NHRC today ordered compensation were admitted by the Punjab Police to have been taken into their custody after registering an FIR on their being suspected of involvement in terrorist activities.

Though the NHRC Chairperson said that the Commission was giving no opinion about the involvement of the Punjab Police in custodial deaths and was confining itself to settling claims of compensation for the time being, the Punjab Police counsel Sudhir Wali claimed that today’s NHRC order amounted to their acquittal.

Talking to mediapersons after the award of the compensation, he said the NHRC has asked the Government to pay compensation on the ground that the deaths had taken place while the victims were in police custody, and not on the basis of any culpability of the police in the deaths.

"We have ourselves admitted that the 109 people were in our custody but we have not killed them. They were killed by other terrorists while we were taking them with us to help in finding terrorist hideouts," he said.

In fact we are feeling very relieved after today’s order of the NHRC,’’ he added.

The NHRC had invited claims from the kins of the victims in July this year. The Committee for Coordination on Disappearances (CCDP) in Punjab had filed a total of 1600 claims, out of which the NHRC took cognisance of 109 cases, CCDP advocate P S Garewal said.

The next hearing in the cases will take place on December 23. (UNI)

Indian delegation to attend Arafat’s funeral

NEW DELHI, Nov 11 : A high-level delegation led by External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh left here tonight for Cairo to represent India in the funeral ceremony of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat after Congress president Sonia Gandhi dropped plans to go there.

The delegation included Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury.

Azad cited security reasons for Gandhi not going to the funeral.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed, currently on a visit to Saudi Arabia, would be joining the delegation in Cairo.

Sources said the External Affairs Minister was carrying a letter of condolence from Gandhi to Arafat’s wife Suha.

They also said the leaders of the Opposition in both houses of Parliament, who are from BJP, were requested for names to accompany the delegation but no suggestion was forthcoming.

Talking to reporters before emplaning, Natwar Singh recalled that India had "extrememly close and old relation with the PLO and Arafat had been to India many times".

"This is a great loss for the Palestinian people. A great personality has left the world," Singh said and expressed the hope that the Palestinian state would soon be formed.

Arafat shared a cordial relationship with the Congress Party and former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and later with Sonia Gandhi, Singh said, adding the last time when he came to India, Sonia Gandhi was in the Opposition.

Singh recalled Mahatma Gandhi saying that just as French have a right to live in France, the British have a right to live in Britain, the Palestinians too have a right to live in Palestine. (PTI)

 
 
 
 

 

 

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