Inclusion of Kashmiris a must but not a
condition now: Musharraf

From Pushp Saraf

Lahore, Nov 20: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said here on Saturday that the inclusion of Kashmiris in talks was a must but Pakistan did not want to 'break dialogue with India at this ground'. He made it abundantly clear that he could never imagine a solution without the Kashmiris. 'Sooner or late we have to take them along', he remarked.

President Musharraf made these observations at an exclusive luncheon meeting with the members of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) India delegation, the majority of them from Jammu and Kashmir, who would be visiting the occupied territory after the conclusion of their engagements in this historic city.

He spent about five hours with journalists, first inaugurating the SAFMA regional conference, then inter-acting with the PoK-bound media persons and finally attending a lunch along with them at the residence of the Punjab Governor. He seemed to be bitter --- he said he was 'disappointed' in reply to a question whether he was losing patience --- with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assertions in Srinagar that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and that India was not prepared to allow territorial boundaries to be redrawn again on the basis of religion. What appeared to have offended in particular was the External Affairs Minister's reported statement that he was ready 'to listen' to any proposal. 'It is not a song that is being played. Why should we keep talking if the other party has only to listen?', he asked sarcastically.

The Pakistan President did not mention Dr Singh by name but left no doubt about what he was hinting at. He also took pains to elaborate his seven-region plan that continues to make waves even today. He spent most of his time --- both at the inaugural function and the inter-action later talking about the India-Pakistan relations and Jammu and Kashmir. The total picture that emerged about his present mood seemed to be that he had become suspicious about India's stand which was perhaps best summed up by one of his remarks: 'I hope that is my suspicion only and there remains light at the end of the tunnel'.

Reacting to a query that Pakistan was responsible for split in the Hurriyat Conference, President Musharraf said: 'Why should Pakistan want to split the Hurriyat Conference?' He blamed 'internal differences' among Hurriyat leaders for their present division in different camps. He wanted the Hurriyat Conference to be reunited and to bury their differences for the sake of peace and stability.

Asked how could the leaders other than those representing the Hurriyat Conference be ignored in any negotiations, the Pakistan President admitted that he had 'not given it a thought'. But, according to him, he had an open mind about this and whoever would like to participate should be 'welcomed' but the 'Hurriyat Conference will have to be there'. He made this reply when pointed out that there was an elected Chief Minister (Mufti Mohammad Sayeed), a former Chief Minister (Dr Farooq Abdullah) and other elected representatives including a CPI-M legislator Yusuf Tarigami.

President Musharraf said he was in favour of confidence-building measures, conflict resolution and dialogue going together but people of his country were at times left wondering whether India was keen on a solution and or just taking them for a ride.

He was insistent that 'why should I keep speaking if somebody has just to listen'. The first requisite, according to him, was that he wanted all three --- India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris --- to sit together. He did not accept the suggestion that by saying so he had conceded independence of the State as the third option. His refrain was that first there had to be the involvement of everybody concerned. Moreover, he added, India and Pakistan would have to give up their stubborn positions. 'How would India feel if we say Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan', he asked.

Similarly, he said, if India kept on talking about cross-border terrorism and Pakistan about human rights violations and atrocities against civilians ('I know how many bodies come floating which we remove to bury') there would be no change in the situation. He stated: 'Why do we keep talking of these things?' About the withdrawal of the Indian troops from the Valley he remarked: 'It is a tactical move. It is a cosmetic move. But it is a good move'.

In his inaugural address, the Pakistan President left no doubt that he had not been impressed by the Prime Minister's recent utterances in Srinagar. He remarked that since the New York meeting 'vibes coming to us are not encouraging. When we read about Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India, not going beyond any solution within the Indian Constitution and no redrawing of borders, we have to bother'. He added: 'There is no reason for us to keep talking and others listening'.

The Pakistan President was categorical that if India returned to its 'maximal position' Pakistan would not hesitate to reiterate its commitment to United Nations resolutions and return to its 'maximal position'. 'We will like to meet India half way. We will not move the whole way', he was emphatic. He reiterated Pakistan's stance that there could be one, two or even three bus services through Jammu and Kashmir but these had to be without the present system of visas and passports as 'Kashmir was a disputed territory'.

He took pains to elaborate his much controversial seven-regional formula. He asserted: 'I have not given any solution. There is a misperception. I have only identified geographical, ethnic and religious realties on the ground'. He said there were geographical regions along the Ravi, the Chinab, Peer Panchal, Karakorram and the Himalayas. He opined that the regions, which could be demilitarised, should be identified.

President Musharraf repeatedly stated that this was not offered by way of a solution but just as one of the options for discussions. Both the countries should discuss and debate all possible options.

3000 troops de-inducted from Rajouri belt

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SUNDERBANI, Nov 20: Demonstrating their sincerity in on-going peace process initiated by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Army authorities today de-inducted as many as 3000 troops from hilly border district of Rajouri.

Deployed at various locations in Counter Terrorists Operations, these soldiers were withdrawn from hinterlands and have been deputed to other parts of the country.

The Army authorities have taken decision of withdrawing troops following announcement of the Prime Minister to reduce troops deployed in the militancy plagued State of Jammu and Kashmir.

"This is the first batch of troops which has been de-inducted from Jammu division and process will continue", said Brigadier Darshi Choudhary, Commander of the 166 Mountain Brigade, who was leading these soldiers.

"The Army authorities have embarked on a roadmap and schedule for reducing troops with immediate effect. This will give the requisite impetus to the on-going Confidence Building Measures with Pakistan and also demonstrate the sincerity of the purpose", he said but refused to give details about total number of troops to be de-inducted in the coming days from twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

Asked whether reduction of troops will lead to spurt of violence in these areas, he said, "everything will be taken into consideration while taking decision of withdrawing troops".

Brig Choudhary, said that people by and large were fed up with the terrorists. "Terrorists have been inflicting atrocities on innocent people so they have been desperately trying to get rid from these atrocities ", he said and added that it was all due to cooperation of the people that the Army achieved spectacular success in anti-militancy operation.

Large number of Army vehicles were seen moving towards Jammu from Sunderbani Cantonment since morning. For the last two days, troops, who were de-located from hinterlands of Rajouri, were camping at transit camp Sunderbani and were waiting for further deployment today. This morning they were ordered to move towards Jammu for deployment in other parts of the country.

Emotionally surcharged residents were seen lined up on Jammu-Poonch Highway, near Sunderbani Cantonment, to bid farewell to those soldiers who have served at militancy plagued areas of protect dignity and honour of civilians.

"What is the question of happiness or delightness? As a solider it is our duty to protect integration of the nation", reacted a soldier when asked whether he was happy after being removed from militancy plagued area. "I am satisfied that we have done our job with sincerity and dedication", he said, adding, "it is all due to the cooperation of locals that we achieved success in our operation". Albeit persistent attempts by Pakistan to infiltrate fresh cadres from across the Line of Control (LoC), the number of terrorists have perceptibly reduced owing to the fencing and domination by the security forces, said defence spokesman, adding, "with the recent surrender of 47 militants from various Tanzeems and their depleted strength operating in the hinterland, combined with shortage of arms and ammunitions and funds, the terrorists backbone seems to have been broken".

Even the local population have been alienated due to desperate attempts by the terrorists to inflict atrocities on civilians. Therefore, the situation is firmly under the security force’s control, spokesman added.

It is worthwhile to mention here that before his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had announced to reduction of troops from the State on November 11,2004 but had made it clear that decision would be kept under constant review.

Coinciding with Dr Singh’s visit to the State on November 17, the Army had de-inducted 3000 troops from Anantnag, Sharifabad and Pulwama districts.

Ikhwani's head dropped at bus-yard, Jamaatis' houses torched
Wounds & counter wounds run parallel to healing touch

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

NARBAL, Nov 20: Killing of two Ikhwanis and four members of their host family at Chak-e-Kawoosa during the night intervening November 15th and 16th has immediately triggered off a war between Hizbul Mujahideen and counter-insurgents in Budgam district. Militants had gunned down two counter-insurgents, namely Farooq Ahmed Bhat and Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat, residents of Sozeth, alongwith four family members of their host Sonaullah Malik at Kawoosa. They had finally chopped off the real target Farooq Ahmed Bhat’s head and disappeared with two AK-47 rifles of the counter-insurgents as well as the severed head.

While the counter-insurgents turned to the militants’ well-wishers in Jamaat-e-Islami and began torching their properties, militants dropped the slain Ikhwani’s head at General Bus Stand in Batmaloo today. In search of their colleague’s head, suspected counter-insurgents have burned down the houses of four Jamaat activists in different villages of Narbal-Beerwah belt. They include the most wanted commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh alias Sajjad of Rathsun, and Jamaat’s former chief in Beerwah, Bashir Ahmed Dar of Rusu.

The Hizb-Ikhwan skirmishes have been going on without regard to the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s "healing touch policy" in this part of central Kashmir.In an unending chain of hostility between the Hizbul Mujahideen militants and the Ikhwanis working with a Rashtriya Rifles unit of the Kilo Force, suspected militants had gunned down a counter-insurgent, Ashiq Ahmed Khan, near his house at Kawoosa in February this year. He was also close to the ruling PDP’s MLA Beerwah, Sarfarz Khan.

Within days, unidentified gunmen kidnapped the Hizb "district commander" Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh’s brother-in-law, Abdur Rasheed Bhat, during the night intervening February 16th and 17th from his house at Sozeth. Next morning, his bullet-riddled body was spotted and recovered from Kawoosa village.

Militants, as well as the residents, believed it to be the revenge of some counter-insurgents, led by Farooq Ahmed Bhat of Sozeth. Hundreds of the residents staged a demonstration near Narbal on Srinagar-Baramulla highway, demanding legal action against the accused counter-insurgents. Police instead used firing in air, tearsmoke and baton charge to disperse the angry crowds. One of the slain civilian’s relatives, Ayesha w/o Abdul Ahad Bhat, was among a dozen people injured in the Police action. Next day, she succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

A day after the Hizb commander’s relative was killed at Kawoosa, unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, appeared at Arwah (Beerwah). On the night intervening February 17th and 18th, they gunned down an 18-year-old Haleema D/o Abdul Ahad Najjar, reportedly for her alleged links with counter-insurgents. Neither Ashiq Khan’s nor Haleema’s killing evoked any protest for none wanted to be their successor at the altar.

With the Ikhwanis hunting for the dreaded Mohammad Yusuf Sheikh and the militants looking out for Farooq Ahmed Bhat, the big carnage happened at Kawoosa a night after Eid-ul-Fitr earlier this week. On the fateful night, Farooq was at the house of his sister’s inlaws alongwith fellow Ikhwani Mohi-ud-din. Somebody tipped off the militants who lost no time to strike on Sonaullah Malik’s home. Seven heavily-armed militants—who were, according to the residents, led by none other than the Hizb terror—raided the hide-out. Not only did the militants disarm and kill the two counter-insurgents, they silenced four members of the family with a blitz of AK-47 gunfire. To cap it all, they chopped off Farooq’s head and took it with them to strike a wave of terror in Budgam and Srinagar districts.

While the officials said that over a dozen of incidents of killing had happened between the militants and counter-insurgents in the last two years, residents of Narbal and Kawoosa insisted that 20 people had died in four villages in the last two years of the coalition Government.

Kanchi Seer's arrest is like emergency: Advani

NEW DELHI, Nov 20: Likening the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati with the imposition of emergency in 1975, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president L K Advani today said it would be replied with the same ferocity by the people.

"The arrest of the Shankaracharya is as significant in the history of the nation as the imposition of emergency," said Mr Advani, who led a three-day hunger strike of the party against the religious leader’s police remand.

He said during the emergency, opposition leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Chandra Shekhar and himself were sent to jail. "Today the Shankaracharya is sent to the jail," he said.

He took a swipe at the Communists for supporting the arrest of the Kanchi seer. "The Communists were with the Congress Government at the time of the emergency. Today also they are with the same Government."

A host of senior BJP leaders like former ministers Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Saheb Singh Verma, new entrants Najma Heptulla and Varun Gandhi sat on the day-long "fast-cum-dharna" of the BJP at the Parliament Street.

Traffic was diverted as the entire Parliament Street stretch near the Jantar Mantar was closed for the dharna. A heavy police deployment, including riot police, was maintained to ensure tight security.

In his 40-minute speech towards the culmination of today’s dharna, Mr Advani defended his party’s protests against the arrest of the Kanchi seer for his alleged involvement in the murder of a former aide. "I don’t see any distinction between politics and religion. If some people see any distinction they don’t understand this country," he told the participants who listened to speeches of their leaders and bhajans by the sants with rapt attention. The opposition leader said people like him were in politics "because we want to safeguard the culture and tradition of the country . It will go against the principles of the BJP if it didn’t come to the streets to protest the arrest of the Shankaracharya, he added.

Mr Advani threatened to continue the dharna if the police custody of the seer was extended. "The dharna is for three days because the police custody is for three days. But we will continue it if the custody is extended."

The dharna will be led by senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi tomorrow and by Mr Jaswant Singh on Monday. Former Prime Minister Vajpayee will address the participants at the concluding session.

Earlier, Ms Swaraj, the first senior leader to address the protestors, accused the Congress-led Government of not making any efforts for securing the release of the Shankaracharya. "The Prime Minister says all are equal before the law. Then why is that Congress leader Buta Singh whose hand was suspected in the anti-Sikh riots placed in the Raj Bhawan in Bihar?"

She also blamed the Government for backing Congress MPs Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, who are also suspected of their involvement in the 1984 riots. "Mr Tytler and Mr Kumar are in Parliament, but the Shankaracharya is in jail," she said.

Ms Swaraj maintained that the Shankaracharya was "innocent" and was a "victim" of power struggle between the ruling AIADMK and the DMK in Tamil Nadu. (UNI)

Peace process will go on despite ups & downs: CM

Excelsior Special Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 20: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said that friendship, amity and cooperation between India and Pakistan should be the destiny of the sub-continent and that he was hopeful the process of reconciliation would go on.

Addressing the state level cooperative conference here this morning, the Mufti said that the response of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the recent tour of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh conveyed their urge for peace and development in no uncertain terms. He said the PM’s commitment to peace with dignity for Kashmir and his articulation for the feelings of the State should further strengthen the forces of dialogue and reconciliation to tackle internal and external dimension of the problem. The peace process can have ups and downs but there is no denying that it would go on, he added.

The Chief Minister welcomed the announcement by the Hurriyat Conference leaders that they were not laying any precondition of visit to Pakistan for talks with the Centre. He said it augurs well for the peace process and hoped that the dialogue at various levels would continue. He said the upcoming visit of the Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would also take the process further.

Holding the view that Kashmiris have the highest stake in lasting peace, the Chief Minister said that they have amply expressed their urge. He said the people want an end to violence and bloodshed and there was no option except peace for addressing the problem. ‘‘While we are taking forward the process of development in Jammu and Kashmir, we will continue our efforts for peace’’, he said adding that his stand on the process of reconciliation has been vindicated by recent developments in the sub-continent. There is an increased realization in both India and Pakistan that all problems can be resolved through dialogue and discussion, he said.

Mr Sayeed hailed the Prime Minister for his commitment to peace, and said that his recent visit to Jammu and Kashmir has generated hope and optimism among people. He said his announcement of de-induction of troops in the State and the offer of unconditional dialogue to all groups in Kashmir should be positively reciprocated. He also praised Dr. Singh for his keen interest in the development of Jammu and Kashmir saying that the Centre was very considerate towards the development needs of the State.

He said the PM being a renowned economist had discussed at various levels including the Planning Commission and the State Government the economic problems of the State and fully appreciated these before arriving here and announcing the economic revival plan. He said of Rs. 24,000 crore plan announced by him, Rs. 6000 crore would be available to the State Government for development schemes during the next four years while the remaining Rs. 18000 crore would be spent by the Centre on its development projects in the State. These include mega power projects like Salal II, Uri II and Barsar hydel project. He said these projects were also for the economic uplift of Jammu and Kashmir and thus would benefit its people. He said the Government would ensure effective implementation of the development schemes to be funded by the PM’s economic revival plan.

Asking the agriculture department to extend the market intervention scheme to Jammu division, Mufti Sayeed said that it had yielded encouraging results and for the first time the Kashmir fruit was sold at very remunerative price in the market outside the State. The Kashmir experience should be extended to Jammu and Ladakh, he said and asked the concerned officials to explore potential areas there for horticulture development. He also highlighted the need to diversify agriculture and promote floriculture saying it has a tremendous market within the State. He cited the instance of Vaishnodevi Shrine and other temples where thousands of devotees offer flowers to the deities daily and said it did not speak well of the state of the floriculture sector if flowers had to be imported from outside the state. He asked the scientists in the twin universities of agricultural sciences to take steps for making these available here. He also stressed on promotion of poultry and vegetable growing and said that this year the Valley exported vegetable worth Rs. 50 crore.

The Chief Minister complimented the organisers of the cooperative conference and said that such events were helpful for farmers. He asked for creation of milk, floriculture and industrial cooperatives to promote growth and market for various products. He quoted the instance of Maharashtra as a successful story in the cooperative movement of the country and called upon people to take cue from this.

Kashmiri separatists likely to meet PM

NEW DELHI, Nov 20: As it is almost certain that Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will meet a combine delegation of Hurriyat Conference and other separatist leaders, serious efforts are being made by the Kashmir Committee and others for holding parleys between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the separatists.

Highly placed sources said that the meeting would have been held before the November 23 meeting between Mr Aziz and the separatists, but Dr Singh was busy with the three-day Manipur visit.

They said the meeting is now likely to be held after some time.

The Hurriyat Conference and other separatist leaders, including Democratic Fredom Party leader Shabir Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yaseen Malik, have already held several rounds of dialogue with the Ram Jethmalani-led Kashmir Committee, Textile Secretary Wajahat Habibullah, considered close to separatists and former RAW chief A S Dulat.

They have been trying to persuade the separatist to hold a serious and constructive dialogue with the Centre regarding the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The separatist leaders are expected to arrive here on Monday and expected to meet the Kashmir Committee, Mr Habibullah and Mr Dulat, the sources said.

Mr Habibullah visited the Kashmir Valley before the Prime Minister’s two-day November 17 visit to do the groundwork for revival of talks with the separatist leaders. (UNI)

CJI slams critics of judiciary

MUMBAI, Nov 20: Chief Justice of India (CJI) R C Lahoti today said the Indian judical system was invariably admired in other countries, but "criticised by our own people who are misinformed or uninformed."

"The quantity and quality of justice dispensed by the Indian judicial system is the best in the world," he told a seminar on ‘alternative dispute resolution-conciliation and mediation at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre here.

The two-day event has been organised by the Bombay High Court and New Delhi-based International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Sharing "dry statistics" with the audience comprising Supreme Court and High Court judges, magistrates, lawyers, senior counsels and retired judges, he said pendency of cases as on March 31 this year was around 27,285 in the Supreme Court and in High Courts and subordinate courts it was 29,75,544 and 2,39,08,105, respectively.

He pointed out that in the apex court around 42,000 cases are filed every year of which 40,500 are decided. In High Courts and subordinate courts, 11,49,000 and 1,37,62,000 cases are filed, of which 10,50,000 and 1,30,93,000 cases respectively are decided every year, the CJI added.

The Chief Justice pointed out that he was one of the strongest defenders of the Indian judiciary, which he said was a matter of pride for the country.

"We cannot stop the inflow of cases, nor should we. The doors of justice cannot be closed. However, we have to increase the outflow. There are two methods of increasing the outflow, either we strengthen, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the capacity of the existing system or we find some additional outlets," he said. Congestion in courts, lack of adequate manpower and resources, consequent delays, rigidity of procedure and lack of participatory roles, also spawn the need to look at better options, approaches and avenues, the CJI said. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is one of the methodologies that can settle disputes and reduce burden of cases.

The CJI pointed out that the globalisation of economy and the complexities of modern commercial transactions demand speedy and effective mechanism for resolving domestic as well as international disputes in the interest of smooth flow of trade and commerce and consequently peace and prosperity in society.

Justice Lahoti, quoting a Chinese proverb, said: "It is better to die of starvation than to become a thief it is better to be vexed to death than to bring a law suit."

The Chinese proverb, he said, took an extreme view of the matter, but it is a refrain that even after a protracted litigation, the winner is also a loser in terms of money, time and health, he said. (UNI)

Anantnag student’s 300 Kg RDX seized

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 20: Police and security forces today claimed to have seized RDX weighing 300 Kg from Anantnag even as a 10-Kg IED was defused near Jamia Masjid of Shopian and yet another IED was defused in Awantipore.

Official sources told the EXCELSIOR that in a joint operation, following the detention of nine militant operatives in Anantnag, Army and Police apprehended a shopkeeper, namely Mushtaq Ahmed Dar, at Anchidoora. In the wake of sustained interrogation, Mushtaq led the forces to a shop wherefrom RDX weighing 300 Kgs was recovered.

A Defence spokesman said that Mushtaq Ahmed Dar revealed to his interrogators that the RDX belonged to one Fayaz Ahmed Dar of the same village, who was a student of Degree College in Anantnag. He said it was now clear that the militants had been planning a bigger strike on the National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, who had a narrow escape in an IED blast in the town on October 24 last. Following the blast, Police claimed to have apprehended nine persons, allegedly involved in planning and executing the explosion.

Meanwhile, sources said that Police recovered a 10-Kg IED of RDX which had been planted in a fruitbox beside the outer wall of Jamia Masjid at Shopian in south Kashmir today. The IED was successfully defused.

Sources said that yet another IED was detected and defused at Chursu, Awantipore. It had been planted by suspected militants on the highway with an intention to target some convoy of security forces.

Sources said that last evening militants hurled a grenade towards security forces in Batmaloo. It exploded without causing damage to civilians or forces.

Meanwhile, Police have recovered the dead body of a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant, namely Abu Dindyan from Baba Muqam, Sadi Ganga, in Kandi forest area of Kupwara. He had reportedly escaped after getting injured in an encounter with Army on June 6 this year.

2 killed, 20 injured in Shopian mishap

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 20: Two persons have died and 20 others sustained injuries when a passenger bus plunged into a nullah in Shopian area of south Kashmir today.

Informed sources said that a Tata-407, on way from Shopian to Imam Sahib, skidded off the road and plunged into a nullah at Habdipora, in Shopian area, this afternoon. Conductor, Rayees Ahmed Mir S/o Sonaullah Mir R/o Bon Bazar, Shopian, as also a woman passenger, namely Hajira D/o Abdul Aziz R/o Nagisharan, got killed.

Sources said that 20 passengers sustained injuries. Three of the passengers with serious injuries were referred to a Srinagar hospital while others were treated at Shopian and Pulwama hospitals. Sources said that doctors described all the injured as stable and discharged a number of them till late this evening.

Shun violence: PM to ultras

JIRIBAM (MANIPUR), Nov 20: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today appealed to the "misguided youth" to give up violence and join the mainstream to build a prosperous Manipur.

Militancy has to be stopped for ushering in development in Manipur, he said after laying the foundation stone of the Rs 726.56 crore 98-km Jiribam-Imphal Road (Tupul) railway line here. Singh said the misguided youth should shun violence and return to the mainstream.

Assuring the people that the Centre would work shoulder to shoulder with the State Government for all round development of Manipur, Singh asked the people to help the Government in restoring peace.

The Centre was making every effort to develop the North Eastern state but the people have to help the Government to bring in progress, he said.

The new railway line would connect Imphal with the rest of the country.

On the first lap of his visit to insurgency hit Manipur and Assam, the Prime Minister promised fresh development and employment generation projects would be taken up to improve the state’s economy.

Addressing the function, Railway Minister Lalu Yadav said all State capitals of the North-East, including Gangtok, would be brought on the railway map.

He said a special fund had been created by the Prime Minister for completion of all ongoing railway projects, including expansion of railway lines in the region.

The new railway line project, expected to be completed within six years, would solve the perenial problem of transportation of passengers as well as goods faced by the people of Manipur.

Governor S S Sidhu and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh were also present at the function. (PTI)

Top HM militant Gulla surrenders

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 21: A "battalion commander" of Hizbul Mujahideen Amzad Parvez Ansari alias Gulla today surrendered before the Crime Branch, Jammu along with a rifle.

Gulla, a dreaded Hizbul militant, was operating for last more than six years in parts of Udhampur, Kathua and Doda districts and was involved in several killings including the killing of the then DySP Basohli Devinder Sharma in an IED blast.

Gulla had earlier surrendered before Kathua police and was later assigned a task to get more militants surrendered. However, he again surrendered before the Crime Branch today.

Gulla hailed from Dudu, Basantgarh in Udhampur district.

He is being questioned by a special team of the Crime Branch.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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