CCS reviews situation
Troop reduction in J&K to commence with
PM's maiden visit today

Excelsior Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: Coinciding with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Army will commence its announced reduction of troops in the militancy-riven Northern State from tomorrow, a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) decided today.

Meanwhile, Dr Singh will fly to Srinagar tomorrow on his two day historic visit to Jammu and Kashmir with an intention of reaching out to the "hearts and minds" of the people.

Informed sources told the EXCELSIOR that it was decided during today’s CCS meeting, presided over by Prime Minister, that the first batch of troops would be de-inducted from Srinagar’s Badami Bagh Cantonment tomorrow.

The meeting — second within a week and attended, among others, by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram and National Security Advisor J N Dixit — also reviewed the situation in the State where the Centre decided last Thursday to downsize the troops-presence as part of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in its ongoing composite dialogue with Pakistan.

Sources said the troops-reduction may also include de-induction of para-military forces - chiefly tasked with maintaining security in the prominent towns in the Kashmir valley.

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee was not present during today’s meeting, as he was away from the Capital to witness naval manoeuvres tomorrow off the Mumbai Coast, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will undertake his maiden visit to the militancy-torn State tomorrow. He is unlikely to announce any package unlike some of his predecessors, the sources said.

The first Congress Prime Minister to tour the State in 16 years will focus on long-term economic revival and development of militancy-torn State, with emphasis on acceleration of growth, new investment, infrastructure development and employment generation.

With the start of troop reduction coinciding with his two-day visit, Dr Singh will meet a "wide cross section of the civil society" to "understand their concerns" which will help him formulate future strategy. Any meeting with Hurriyat leaders will depend on them, the sources said.

Dr Singh will be accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Prime Minister’s Special Adviser M K Narayanan, Centre’s interlocutor N N Vohra and Textiles Secretary Wajahat Habibullah who is known to have rapport with some separatist elements.

He will address a rally each in Srinagar and Jammu besides, chair a meeting of Unified Command of Security Forces, meet the Council of Ministers and various groups and representatives of a cross-section of the society, official sources said here.

In a special gesture, the Prime Minister will deliver his speech in Srinagar in Urdu. In fact, the speech is understood to have been written by himself.

Considering as a "base" the last visit of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the State and January 6 Indo-Pak joint statement in Islamabad, Dr Singh will seek to build on it during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

"But economically, the Prime Minister will outline a different outlook by shifting from packages to long-term economic revival and development," the sources said. They noted that the Prime Minister would not be playing the "Santa Claus distributing gifts".

The shift from package is seen in the context of Dr Singh’s emphasis on not wanting to be seen as extending "doles’ which have come to be identified with the Prime Ministerial visits to the State.

To have a better perspective of the situation in the State, Dr Singh is understood to have met a large number of "Kashmir experts" over the last six months.

Most of the Prime Minister’s visit will be devoted to his meetings with representatives of various sections of the "civil society". "It will be a two-way communication. He will listen to them and also talk," the sources said.

The Government is careful in not allowing the focus of the Prime Minister’s visit to centre around "package" and "Hurriyat", pointing out that these were not the "only important issues".

"The purpose is to reach out to the widest possible section of the society," the sources said.

The Government is peeved at an impression by which the "Kashmir society has been reduced to Hurriyat" with sources noting that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was heading a Government elected in 2002 elections recognised as most fair.

Re-construction top priority: Azad
PM says he has an ‘open mind’ on dialogue

Excelsior Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: On the eve of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that he would be visiting the State with an open mind and would talk to any group interested in restoring peace in the State.

"I am going with an open mind and talk to any group which is willing to hold talks and which works to bring peace in the State," Singh told reporters at a `Diwali and Id Milan’ function hosted by Union Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here.

Jammu and Kashmir was the flavour of the day at the important get together. One reason for this was that it coincided with the eve of the Prime Minister’s much awaited visit to the State. A hoard of media persons anxiously awaited for the Prime Minister to say atleast something about his two day tour beginning tomorrow.

After the Prime Minister had left, Mr Azad was called upon to answer the queries of reporters and television crews. He asserted that the emphasis during the tour would be on the "re-construction". Later, Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal also briefly joined the debate.

Asked whether he would be talking to the hawks in the State, the Prime Minister said "I don’t know of any hawk."

Later, Mr Azad, who would be accompanying Singh, said the focus of the Prime Minister’s visit was on "re-construction" of the economy and development of the State ravaged by decades of militancy.

The thrust of the visit would be in ensuring that the living standards of the people in far flung areas of the State was made better and all round developmental activities in the State picked up momentum, Mr Azad said.

Asked whether there were any talks scheduled with the separatists, he said "we are willing to talk to anyone but the thrust or focus of the visit is only reconstruction of economy of the State."

Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said the visit of the Prime Minister augurs well for the State as the people in the State wanted peace.

To a question about Prime Minister’s decision to cut the troops in the State, Mr Jaiswal said it had sent a "positive message" across the global community that India wanted peace with everyone including its neighbours.

He said details of troops reduction could be worked out during the Prime Minister’s visit to the State.

"The security agencies will have to work out where the troops need to be reduced. It can be either at the border or in the hinterland," he added.

Next to Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra virtually dominated the show. There was a sizeable presence of leaders from the western State including Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and National Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar.

The function held on the lawns of Mr Azad’s official residence was attended by many senior leaders including Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and many of his cabinet colleagues, top All India Congress Committee office bearers including Ashok Gehlot, general secretary and Major Ved Prakash, who is party secretary Incharge of Jammu and Kashmir. Sanjay Khan, film star and a friend of Mr Azad, was also present on the occasion.

Hurriyat leaders not to meet PM: Mirwaiz
*Shah demands Kashmiris' inclusion in talks

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Omar Farooq has said that amalgam leaders will not meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his two-day visit to the State, whileas Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah has urged Prime Minister to involve Kashmiris in finding any solution to Kashmir issue.

Puttting a condition, Mirwair Omar farooq today said that the third round of talks with the Centre was possible only after we are allowed to visit Pakistan.... "The Hurriyat Conference has no desire to meet the Prime Minister till then," the Mirwaiz said .

He said the amalgam was not against holding the dialogue with the Centre on the Kashmir issue but it should be meaningful and result-oriented.

"We have been saying time and again that the dialogue process between all the three parties concerned is the only way to find a durable and peaceful solution to the issue", he said, adding that the Hurriyat had already held two rounds of talks with the Centre.

"Now is the time India should allow the Hurriyat leaders to visit Pakistan and hold talks with the leaders there to prepare the ground for the resolution of the issue," the founding chairman of the Hurriyat said.

"If the Hurriyat leaders will visit Pakistan it will not mean that we are going to handover Kashmir to them... We just want to meet the leadership in Pakistan and other parts of Kashmir to prepare the ground before holding the third round of talks with the Indian leadership."

The Mirwaiz alleged that despite the two rounds of talks with the Centre and CBMs between India and Pakistan, the human rights situation in Kashmir had not improved.

Echoing the same views,the Hurriyat Conference led by hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani today said that Prime Minister should apologise for the human rights violations "committed" by the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

A spokesman of the Hurriyat Conference said that Dr Singh, during his visit to Kashmir tomorrow, must apologise for the excesses committed by the security forces during all these years.

This, the spokesman said, will help restore some of the confidence of the people of the State.

Asked about the Prime Minister’s announcement of reduction of troops in the State, he said "we have already rejected it."

"Until some concrete measures like release of detenues languishing in jails for years together, repeal of Public Safety Act and other laws which gives special powers to security forces are taken, nothing can be achieved by economic and other packages likely to be announced by the Prime Minister during his visit here," he said.

"The people of the Kashmir have not made supreme sacrifices for just economic packages or employment, but for a right to self determination," the spokesman said.

He reiterated that no lasting solution to the Kashmir issue is possible without the involvment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The Hurriyat Conference has no personal enmity with Dr Singh and the day he will apologise for the HR violation by security forces and admit Kashmiris as the main party to the dispute, we will welcome him," the spokesman said about the strike call given by his group.

"We have not given the hartal call against Dr Singh’s visit, but against the visit of the Indian Prime Minister," he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah on the other hand has urged Prime Minister to announce during his visit to the State, beginning tomorrow, that Kashmiris will be involved in any solution to the Kashmir issue.

India and Pakistan have been talking to each other for the past two years. Now it is time that the "true representatives" of the people of the State are involved in the talks between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue, Shah said.

"We can see a change in the Pakistan stand on Kashmir. They too, now want the resolution of the issue by involving the people of the State," he said.

"We expect a similar response from the Indian side," he said. "Let Dr Singh announce here during his two day visit that Kashmiris, Pakistan and India are the parties to the dispute and any solution to the issue will be reached by involving them all," he said.

He stressed that the people of the State are the basic party to the dispute and claimed this had even been acknowledged by various world bodies.

On the Prime Minister’s announcement about the reduction of troops, he said the proposal was welcome only if the Centre was going to withdraw troops from within the State as reduction only on the borders will hardly make any difference. He even expressed apprehension that troops withdrawn from the borders will be deployed within the State which will make life more difficult for the people.

Mr Shah also brushed aside Government claims that there was improvement on the ground in the Kashmir valley after India and Pakistan took a number of CBMs to ease the tension in the sub-continent.

"The custodial killings, rape of women and small girls and killings in the fake encounters are going on with nobody ready to control them," Mr Shah said.

Asked if the economic package to be announced by Dr Singh will help make things better in the State, Mr Shah pointed out that such packages were there since 1947.

"The British rulers also gave economic and other packages when they were ruling the sub-continent. That did not make people of India and Pakistan surrender their right to freedom," he said adding such things will not help "silence" the Kashmiris.

PM working on Rs 7140 cr plan for rebuilding J&K's economic framework
Mufti Govt seeks grand economic package

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz & Aijaz Hussain

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is unlikely to announce anything like an internal ceasefire with Kashmiri militants or formal invitation to the separatist leadership during his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, is well expected to unfold a grand economic package for the strife-torn border State. Keeping both of the former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s economic packages intact, Dr Singh is likely to announce a substantial infrastrutural development programme, involving over Rs 5,000 cr, at a public rally here on Wednesday.

Well-placed sources in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the State Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) disclosed to the EXCELSIOR that Dr Manmohan Singh was convinced on the need to give a major boost to the State economy within a specific timeframe. Major thrust of Dr Singh’s package would be on power generation, revamping the Valley’s dilapidated power transmission system, development of rural areas and small and medium towns, rejuvenating tourism and industrial infrastructure, ensuring a quantum jump in the literacy rate, constructing a surface communication network including a parallel highway between Jammu and Srinagar, besides creating job opportunities for hundreds of unemployed agriculture graduates and the trained paramedics.

In order to ensure that the UPA Government’s package did not meet the fate of the two economic packages earlier announced by the NDA Government, Prime Minister is likely to announce constitution of a Task Force for economic reconstruction of the State. Confederation of the Indian Industries (CII) and FICCI, besides top economists like Dr C Rangarajan and Chairmen of WIPRO and Infosys are being roped in to set up the monitoring Task Force. The basic objective is rebuilding of the state’s economic framework in a manner that supports and accelerates the transition from turmoil to peace.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s Government has pleaded with the PMO, Planning Commission and the Union Ministry of Finance that the state’s normal plan, being perpetually incrementalist in approach, was not capacitated to address the growing needs of the economic reconstruction. It is understood to have explained how the successive governments in the State had failed to recreate the physical and human capital base, that has been ravaged by the 16-year-long spell of the Pakistan-sponsored insurgency.

With an objective to expand the resource base of the economy and restore medium term fiscal balance of the Government, Mufti has sought Rs 2,800 cr special assistance for structural interventions. It includes transfer of the Salal Hydroelectric Power Project, setting up an Asset Reconstruction Company and connecting the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar through a new two-lane highway. The existing 294-Km long highway is supposed to be transformed into a 6-lane motorway under the grand North-South Corridor. Hopelessly, there has been no progress on it since the day Vajpayee laid its foundation stones amid fanfare on April 19, 2003.

Even as work has been going on at snail’s pace on the erstwhile Mughal Road, the successive governments in Jammu and Kashmir have failed to complete the execution in the last three decades.

Mufti’s Government has demanded a specific timeframe and earmarking of Rs 2,500 cr in order to ensure completion of an alternate highway, on the left of the present Jammu-Srinagar highway as a part of the North-South Corridor, in the next seven years. It has been argued that laying a new highway would reduce the distance by 80 to 90 Km and cut down travel time between Jammu and Srinagar by half. The State Government has also sought Rs 574.24 cr for improving road connectivity by constructing and upgrading eight communication projects within a timeframe of one to three years. It includes realignment and double-laning of NH-1B, upgradarion of Srinagar-Uri Road besides construction of Khannabal-Pahalgam Road, Narbal-Tangmarg Road, Shopian-Rajouri (Mughal) Road, Domel-Katra Road and Uri-Leh Road.

Both, the National Conference and the PDP-led coalition governments, have been demanding "adequate compensation for the cumulative losses accruing out of the unjust Indus Water Treaty" from the Centre. While as Dr Farooq Abdullah demanded transfer of 480-mw Uri Hydroelectric Project, Mufti’s Government has staked claim on the 690-mw Salal Project. Sources said that this issue, however, would have to be settled with simultaneous involvement of the neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

The State Government has additionally demanded a special assistance of Rs 3,209.91 cr for creation of physical infrastructure. It envisages upgradation and modernisation of the badly dilapidated power transmission system at a cost of Rs 707.87 cr in three phases.

The coalition Government has demanded Rs 300 cr for the purpose of creating an "Asset Reconstruction Company" (ARC) within the specific timeframe of one year. It has been prominently pointed out that per capita public and private investment in Jammu and Kashmir was just Rs 17,000 compared to Rs 52,000 in Himachal Pradesh. It is more than J&K’s even in Tripura.

Justifying the creation of the ARC, the State Government has pointed that the overall industrial sector, including the Financial Institutions had suffered a massive setback due to insurgency in the last 16 years. For example, the NPA portfolio of the State-run J&K Financial Corporation has risen by 645.50 per cent in 1990-97. Since January 1990, the rise in default has been a phenomenal 1126.80 per cent as most of the SSI units have collapsed under the brunt of adverse situation, including frequent bandhs and hartals. The State Government proposes to raise a corpus of Rs 450 cr for the ARC, demanding Rs 300 cr from the Centre and expecting Rs 150 cr from public and private sector banks and FIs.

The State Government has also demanded Rs 175 cr for the development of new industrial estates in a timeframe of two years. It has proposed to acquire 10,000 Kanals of land. For immediate acquisition, it has identified 978 Kanals of land for an estate at Kathua, 1200 Kanals for Samba Phase-II, 3600 Kanals at Gati besides 1000 Kanals at Khunmoh, 1200 Kanals at Ompora and 1000 Kanals of land at Anantnag.

Addressing the problem of employment, the State Government has demanded a sum of Rs 260 cr for recruitment of 3,500 unemployed agriculture graduates and post graduates as "Rehbar-e-Ziraat". It has also sought a sum of Rs 125 cr for creating employment for medical professionals and female paramedics in three phases over the next three years. The Government proposes to set up polyclinics for unemployed doctors and paramedics at Rs 25 Lakh each. For the first 10 years, it proposes to retain the ownership of the polyclinics after which these would be transferred to the concerned professionals. The Government has proposed to bear the cost of the paramedics for the first five years while the doctors would retain entire revenue as their salaries.

The State Government has proposed to develop five residential clusters at a cost of Rs 100 cr for rehabilitation of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits at district headquarters in Kashmir valley. It has also sought financial assistance of Rs 142.80 cr in three phases for the development of 119 Model Villages in 14 districts of the State.

In all, the size of the special plan has been slated at Rs 7,139.91 cr. While as Rs 2,800 cr have been demanded for Structural Intervention and Rs 3,209.91 cr for physical infrastructure, a sum of Rs 539 cr has been sought for Restoration of Livelihood besides Financial Assistance of Rs 591 cr as counterpart funding for the ADB multisector projects.

Army confident of stopping infiltration level on own: Vij

BANGALORE, Nov 16: Asserting that the country had taken into consideration the army’s confidence in checking "infiltration of any level" in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief of the Army Staff, General N C Vij today said reduction of troops deployed in the State would commence shortly.

"This (troop reduction) will commence shortly," Vij told reporters here, but declined to specify the number of troops to be moved out of J&K citing "operational reasons".

"As far as you are concerned some troops will be pulled out....Exact details we will not be able to disclose...That should not worry you, that is our headache....Certain percentage of troops will be taken out of J&K," Vij said after laying the foundation stone for the Army Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (AIHMCT) here.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had last Thursday announced reduction of troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir this winter in view of "improvement" in the situation there but made it clear that the decision would be kept under "constant review".

"Any infiltration aspect has been taken good care of by our own effort, I am very emphatic," Vij said adding that in the first six days of November, four infiltration attempts by terrorists into J&K were foiled by the Army.

"The statement of the political leadership is also every emphatic that the infiltration has been reduced because of our effort. So, it is our effort which is now fructifying, that is what matters most to us," he said.

"We are confident of stopping infiltration of any level on our own stream. All this is well meshed up (in troop reduction) there is no problem," Vij said.

The Army Chief said violence on soft targets in the Valley was difficult to stop as also isolated incidents.

Explaining that the military doctrine has been put in place in the event of short wars in the future, he said it covers the requirement to fighting proxy war and terrorism.

"We will fight wars, if at all in J&K, I hope it is not there, it shall be in the backdrop of terrorism, that goes without saying," Vij said.

He said the armed forces and the Government were evaluating a proposal for a dedicated military satellite, but did not elaborate.

Gen Vij today said further action against suspended Army Major Rehman Hussain will be taken in "consonance" with his "culpability" in the alleged rape of a mother and her minor daughter near Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The DNA test is on and the inquiry is in progress. Once the result of the DNA test is available, then whatever be the culpability, if at all, action will be in consonance with that," he said.

Major Hussain was suspended and placed under close arrest for disobedience and violation of operational procedures.

"I don’t want our people not to follow the orders which have been given," General Vij said.

The Court of Inquiry into the incident was being undertaken jointly by the Army and the police and the result of the inquiry was expected to be known within the next few days.(Agencies)

11 die in Valley on eve of PM’s visit
Militants kill 6 to take away head of an Ikhwani

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Gunmen, widely believed to be the militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, have struck terror in the central Kashmir district of Budgam by killing two counter-insurgent Ikhwanis, as also four members of their host family, at Chak-e-Kawoosa village during last night. Their prime target seemed to be an Ikhwani who was allegedly responsible for killing the brother-in-law of the dreaded Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh alias Sajjad, at Sozeth village in Narbal locality, earlier this year.

Informed official sources told the EXCELSIOR on the basis of eyewitness accounts that a group of seven heavily armed militants swooped on the house of one Sonaullah Malik at Chak-e-Kawoosa , near Narbal, on Srinagar-Gulmarg Road, at 2230 hours last night. Some of the residents stated to Police that none other than the most dreaded Hizb commander, Mohammad Sheikh alias Sajjad of Rathsun, led the militants to Malik’s house. On taking search of the house, the militants spotted and overpowered two counter-insurgent Ikhwanis, namely Farooq Ahmed Bhat S/o Wali Mohammad Bhat and Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat S/o Rishi Bhat, residents of Sozeth. As the militants began dragging away the duo, the host family raised commotion. Thereupon, the militants opened indiscriminate gunfire, killing both the counter-insurgents and four members of their host family. They were identified as the house-owner’s wife Mehtaba, daughter Zareefa, son Bashir Ahmed Malik and another relative Fayaz Ahmed Malik.

After killing six people, including two women, the militants took away two AK-47 rifles of the slain counter-insurgents. Thereafter, one of them took out a knife and began severing the head of Farooq Ahmed Bhat. As it failed to work effectively, he got an axe and chopped off the head. Even as the militants withdrew, none in the village dared to collect the dead bodies till this morning.

Inquiries revealed that militants had been suspecting Farooq Ahmed Bhat behind the killing of Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh’s brother-in-law at Sozeth in February this year. The militant’s relative had been shot dead by unidentified gunmen, believed to be counter-insurgents, in the wake of the murder of a counter-insurgent at Kawoosa village. While as Yusuf Sheikh happens to be the most wanted militant in Srinagar-Beerwah belt, Farooq Ahmed Bhat, who had been working for Rashtriya Rifles 2nd Bn, was rated as the most prominent counter-insurgent in the same area. Militants had been reportedly hunting for him since the day their commander’s brother-in-law was slain at Sozeth.

Sources said that Farooq Ahmed Bhat, alongwith Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat, had gone to the nearby Kawoosa village to stay for the night at the residence of his sister’s in-laws. Somebody tipped off the militants and they lost no time to strike on the target. The counter-insurgent duo’s killing at the hands of militants is being viewed as a major setback for security forces and an equally substantial achievement for the militants. Reports said that the slain duo had helped the Army in conducting over a dozen operations in the last three years, including the one in which five militants and two soldiers died near Zainakote on October 6th this year.

Even as officials believe that the militants of Hizbul Mujahideen had killed the six people at Kawoosa last night, no militant organisation had claimed responsibility till late this evening.

Meanwhile, informed sources in south Kashmir said that a group of three to four militants conducted yet another broad daylight attack on a paramilitary patrol at Kachhdora, on Shopian-Kulgam Road, at 1115 hours today. Sources said that the militants opened gunfire on the patrol party of CRPF 69 Bn, killing a soldier and leaving two more wounded. A class 8th student, namely Hilal Ahmed Lone S/o Mohammad Maqbool Lone of the same village, also got killed. Troops retaliated but the militants managed to escape unharmed. Sources said that the militants attacked the CRPF column in close vicinity of three banks and the guarded residence of the former National Conference MLA Sheikh Mohammad Rafi.

Sources in north Kashmir said that troops of RR 28 Bn killed two unidentified militants in an encounter at Hanoora village in Rafiabad belt of Baramulla district last evening.

In Srinagar district, unidentified gunmen appeared at the Gujjar-dominated hamlet of Faqeer Gujri, Asthan Mohalla Dara, in Harwan area and kidnapped one Shabir Ahmed Awan S/o Ghulam Mohammad Awan. He was later shot dead in the same locality. His bullet-riddled body was recovered yesterday.

Even as 11 people have died on the eve of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s first ever visit, Police and security forces have sounded an alert to pre-empt any possible militant strikes in Srinagar and adjoining localities. Vehicles as well as pedestrians are being checked and frisked at several places. Authorities fear militant strikes to disrupt the Prime Minister’s visit amid a Kashmir bandh being sponsored by militant outfits and separatist leaders.

Patil for talks with groups shunning violence

NEW DELHI, Nov. 16: Home Minister Shivraj Patil today favoured a dialogue on a "sustained basis" with all groups in Jammu and Kashmir abjuring violence and raising of additional battalions of security forces to provide jobs to unemployed youths there.

In a two-volume report, based on his three-day visit to the State earlier this month, which he presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today, Patil said the Centre should carry on dialogue with "all groups with different shades of opinion on a sustained basis".

He, however, made it clear that these groups should abjure violence.

The proposal to raise additional units of security forces pertains to India Reserve battalions for which the Centre provides funds to State Government.

The Home Minister handed over the report to the Prime Minister after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security which discussed various issues on the eve of Singh’s maiden visit to J and K, including the Centre’s proposal to reduce troops in the State.

Informed sources said the recommendations of the Home Minister may require clearances from the Union Cabinet, Parliament and J and K Government.

Patil further recommended that security of VIPs in the militancy-hit State should be further strengthened.

This suggestion comes apparently in the backdrop of recent assassination attempts on Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and his son and NC chief Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma. While volume one of the report contains 70 pages listing Patil’s recommendations to improve the situation including economic development of J and K, volume two consists of memoranda handed over to him by various political parties and groups including bodies of migrant people.

Stressing the need for greater people-to-people contact between J and K and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Patil said road links should be opened between the State and Sialkot in Pakistan, Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of PoK, and Kargil and Skardu in the Northern areas administered by Islamabad.

On the security aspect, the report said the Unified Command should meet more frequently and that there should be greater coordination among intelligence agencies as well as security forces.

At the same time, he stressed that the security forces should make it a point to avoid human rights violations.

On preventing infiltration, he said sensors should be effectively put along with the fencing on the border with Pakistan.

On generation of employment, the Home Minister said trade and commerce between J and K and with neighbouring countries should be encouraged. Micro and mini hydel projects and better roads should be built to improve the infrastructure in the State, Patil said, adding there was also a need for better monitoring of development projects.

The report also deals with several other aspects including promotion of tourism, Kashmiri culture, language and literature.

Patil was accompanied during his visit to Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh regions by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ministers of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal and S Regupathy. (PTI)

High alert for PM's visit

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: Security forces in entire Kashmir valley have been put on high alert and a three-tier security blanket thrown around the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, where Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is scheduled to address a public meeting tomorrow on his first day of the two day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Informed sources told the EXCELSIOR that all precautionary measures have been taken to thwart any militant attempt to cause disturbance during Dr Singh’s visit to Kashmir valley . The measures have been taken in view of the threat perception and general strike call given by some separatist organistaions.

The sources said that special instructions have been issued to security forces in Kashmir valley to remain alert to thwart any militant attempt to hit soft targets.

They said that security forces have carried out area domination drills besides sanitised important areas. The high rise buildings in important areas have also been searched to make sure that no militant was hiding there to fire rifle grenades, the sources said.

They said that it was apprehended that militants might make attempts to strike in the outskirts and far flung areas to make the news headlines.

Meanwhile, security forces were seen searching almost all vehicles entering the city. This is being done to foil any militant attempt to smuggle in arms and ammunition into the city for causing disturbance during the visit, a security force officer said.

Security forces holding automatic weapons could be seen in motor boats patrolling the Dal Lake.

Searches were conducted in the areas inside the lake where three fidayeen attacks were made on security forces during the past three months.

The Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Complex where the Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver a lecture, has been closed for civilians for security reasons.

The house boats near the complex have been taken over by the security forces and one could see security personnel holding weapons and some of them with binoculars keeping a vigil on the main road.

The road will be closed for all civilian traffic tomorrow and traffic will be diverted to Hazratbal.

Though no official programme of Dr Singh’s visit was announced, it was learnt that he will address a public meeting at high security Sonwar ground near the cricket stadium. The roads leading to the stadium have been closed from today. Officials were seen erecting road blocks near the Radio Kashmir Srinagar office.

Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had addressed a public meeting at the same venue in April 2002, becoming the first premier to address a public meeting in Srinagar since the eruption of militancy in 1989.

A round-the-clock vigil is being maintained at the venue and along the routes and security forces have been deployed on roof-tops of several buildings in the vicinity.

The Prime Minister, during his stay in Srinagar, will visit the holy Hazratbal shrine, which houses the relic of Prophet Mohammed, along the banks of Dal Lake, the sources said.

They said that Dr Singh will also attend the Convocation ceremony at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences besides interacting with the faculty of Kashmir University.

The Prime Minister will address a press conference in the evening before heading for Jammu the next morning, the sources added.

PM's visit will strengthen peace process: Mufti

SRINAGAR, Nov 16: The ongoing peace process in Jammu and Kashmir and reconcilition efforts with Pakistan would be strengthened with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the State, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today.

"Peace process and reconcilition with Pakistan will be strengthened due to the visit of the Prime Minister to Jammu and Kashmir," Mufti told reporters on the eve of Singh’s visit.

"The Prime Minister’s visit is of great political importance and is awaited with a sense of expectations here. I am confident that the Prime Minister would not disappoint the masses," the Chief Minister said.

Describing as a "milestone" Prime Minister’s announcement on reduction of troops in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the step was the "first major confidence building measure undertaken by any Government after independence."

"The move showed the Prime Minister had great faith in the peace process and in the need for reconciliation between India and Pakistan," he said.

Praising the Prime Minister for taking "a courageous and bold step," the Chief Minister said he was confident that it would yield postive results and find a matching response from Pakistan and the militants so that "peace with dignity was restored in Jammu and Kashmir."

About the political and economic package to the State, he said "we had laid stress on employment to the educated youth and strengthening of it sector in the State."

Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit, Mufti said it was here that Vajpayee extended the hand of friendship to Pakistan and set in motion the process of reconciliation. (PTI)

Sonia never wanted to become PM: Rahul

SHILLONG, Nov 16: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today reaffirmed that his mother Sonia Gandhi never had a plan to become the Prime Minister and the decision was taken way back in 1998.

"We three in the family—mother, Priyanka and myself— knew about it and she (Sonia) simply made it known to public after the UPA Government came to power," he told reporters here before leaving for Guwahati.

Asked why young faces like him, or MP sons of late Rajesh Pilot or Madhav Rao Scindia were not given berth in the UPA Government, the young politician said, "I could speak only about me. Not others."

He said he was not fit enough to take ministerial berth since he was in politics only for three-odd months during the formation of the Government.

Secondly, he felt he would work with regard to organisational matters and thirdly there were more experienced faces in the Congress to become ministers.

After coming to this region he felt the Centre’s look east policy sounded a very interesting one.

He said it did not matter whether the idea came from the previous NDA Government or the UPA Government but "the policy looked very interesting".

On most of the political issues, Mr Gandhi replied with caution.

On Ayodhya, he said it is a problematic issue "but I am not here to discuss Ayodhya". He also parried a question on the arrest of Shankaracharya for he said it is a legal issue. (UNI)

Fernandes flays Seer's arrest

VELOORE, Nov 16: NDA convener George Fernandes today lashed out at the way the Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi was arrested, saying it "defied all norms of investigation" and "violated human rights in many ways".

After calling on the Seer at the Central Prison here this evening, he told reporters: "there is human rights violation in many ways. The Supreme Court has given a decision as to how to deal with such persons. Apart from the Supreme Court decision and his own status as a religious head, the way he has been arrested defied every norm of investigation."

His meeting with the Seer lasted nearly 30 minutes.

Pointing out that the Seer was in good health and good spirits, Fernandes said "the way the Pontiff was arrested and treated defies all norms. There has to be some decency and the arrest should be according to law."

The former Defence Minister said he knew the Sankaracharya for over 30 years. The Pontiff had told him today that people outside should not take things to such level when things became "problematic."

"All those who are upset with the arrest should remain united" was the Seer’s plea, Fernandes said.

Asked if there was any political significance in his meeting with the Kanchi Seer in the jail today, Fernandes shot back: "why do you see politics in everything."

Asked what would be the next course of action on the part of NDA, he said "there can be no other course of action on such matters. If there is any kind of legal issue, the law should take its course."

When a reporter asked him in Hindi whether he saw any political motive behind the arrest, Fernandes said the Pontiff did not say any such thing. "I cannot reply to what others say."

The former Union Minister said the whole world was saying that he was not involved in the murder. "Even people who are outside India and known to him say that he is not involved."

Asked whether he will take up the arrest matter with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Fernandes said "I have no such agenda."

When it was pointed out to him that police have been saying that they have enough evidence against the Seer in the murder case, Fernandes replied "I have nothing to say on such matters."(PTI)

Laden asks Pakistanis to fight US troops

CAIRO, Nov 16: A web statement purportedly from Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden called on Pakistani Muslims to fight, saying their country and neighbouring Afghanistan faced an American invasion.

The authenticity of the statement, which appeared today on a web site known as a clearinghouse for militant Muslim comment, could not be verified.

"We urge our Muslim brothers in Pakistan to use all their capabilities and whatever they possess to prevent the American crusader’s troops from invading Pakistan and Afghanistan," said the statement, signed: "Your brother IJ Islam, Osama bin Laden."

The statement also referred to deaths during an anti-US protest in the Pakistani city of Karachi. While violent protests have occurred elsewhere in Pakistan, there have been no reports of a demonstration in Karachi that resulted in fatal clashes.

The Arabic station Al-Jazeera received and aired on Oct 29 the latest video of bin Laden, in which the Al-Qaeda chief directly acknowledged for the first time that he ordered the Sept 11, 2001 attacks and criticized US President George Bush.

US officials have said they believe that video, which appeared days before a vote in which Bush was re-elected, was authentic.

Bin Laden is believed to be hiding in a mountainous Afghan-Pakistani border area, having fled there after a US invasion toppled his Taliban hosts following the Sept 11 attacks. (AP)
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

| home | state | national | business| editorial | advertisement | sports |
| international | weather | mailbag | suggestions | search | subscribe | send mail |