32 senior police, civil officers transferred
*Vaid IGP Jammu, Makdoomi Srinagar; 2 SSPs promoted

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 25: The State Cabinet today ordered transfers and postings of 18 senior police officers including both IGPs of Jammu and Srinagar and promoted two SSPs as DIGs. Eighteen officers in civil administration including Deputy Commissioner, Jammu and Director School Education, Jammu were also transferred.

Dr Shesh Pal Vaid, IGP Modernisation Police Headquarters will be new IGP Jammu in place of Pitambar Lal Gupta, who has been posted as IGP Traffic, J&K.

Javed Ahmed Makdoomi, IGP Headquarters, PHQ has been posted as IGP Kashmir zone in place of K Rajendera Kumar, who has been posted as IGP Headquarters PHQ.

A C Chaturvedi, Transport Commissioner and Rajan Bakshi, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, J&K Police Housing Corporation, will swap places, official sources said.

Ram Lubhaya, IGP Traffic, J&K, has been posted as Director Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur vice S S Bijral, who will replace Prem Kumar Gupta as IGP (Headquarters) CID. Mr Gupta has been posted as IGP Crime and Railways, J&K.

A R Khan, IGP Crime and Railways, J&K, has been transferred and posted as IGP Modernisation, PHQ vice Dr Vaid.

SSP CID (Counter Intelligence) Jammu Vijay Kumar Ghai has been promoted and posted as Incharge DIG CID Jammu. Gulzar Singh Slathia, SSP Crime and Railways, Jammu has also been promoted and posted as Incharge DIG Crime and Railways against an available vacancy.

Raja Aijaz Ali, DIG/Director Telecommunication and Ashok Gupta, DIG Baramulla-Kupwara range will swap places. Mohammad Amin Shah, DIG Central Kashmir Range, Srinagar and DIG (Administration) PHQ, Hemant Kumar Lohia will also swap places.

Z H Chesti, DIG Armed Kashmir has been transferred and posted as DIG Home Guards and CD Kashmir. He will draw pay against the post of DIG (Personnel) PHQ. Bashir Ahmed Dar, DIG CID Jammu has been posted as DIG Armed Kashmir.

Bharat Bushan Vyas, awaiting orders of posting of reversion from Central deputation, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Agriculture Department.

Hirdesh Kumar, Director School Education, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Jammu in place of Dr Pawan Kotwal, who has been posted as Director Industries and Commerce in place of N K Verma.

Mr Verma has been posted as Director Employment in place of Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, who has been posted as Director School Education, Jammu.

Sham Lal, Secretary, Public Services Commission (PSC) and K R Padha, Member, Services Selection Board will swap place. Similarly, Zahid Hussain, Managing Director, JAKFED and V C Sharma, Managing Director, Handloom Corporation will also swap places.

Mohammad Ramzan Thakur, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag has been transferred and posted as Deputy Commissioner, Poonch vice Altaf Hussain Indrabi; who has been transferred and posted as Additional Registrar Cooperative, Kashmir against available vacancy.

Charanjit Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kathua has been transferred and posted as Deputy Sales Tax Commissioner, Lakhanpur vice A.A. Kakroo. Posting orders of Kakroo will be issued separately.

Prof. N.D.Wani, Principal, GGM Sciences College, Jammu has been transferred and posted as Director Colleges vice Prof. Mohammad Muzaffar.

Prof. Mohammad Muzaffar, Director Colleges has been transferred and posted as Secretary, Board of Professional Entrance Examination.

‘Delhi aware of Ministers' links with militants’
Farooq asks Centre to act for saving J&K

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 25: Cautioning Centre against adopting partisan approach towards worsening security scenario in the State, former Chief Minister and National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah today asked the Union Government to live up to the ground realities of Jammu and Kashmir where, according to him, situation has been deteriorating with every passing day.

He warned that nationalist forces will be wiped out from the Kashmir valley if adequate steps were not taken at this crucial juncture as the State has been moving towards destruction.

"Not only Farooq Abdullah but people of this violence plagued State will also lose their faith on Union Government if justice was not provided at this crucial time ", he said during informal chat with media persons. Dr Abdullah, who rushed to Union Capital this afternoon to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Home Minister Shivraj Patel and other leaders, regretted that Mufti led coalition Government has been misleading the Centre on security scenario of the State.

He said beside Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, I will meet those leaders also who had ruled the country for so many years.

Dr Abdullah exuded confidence that Centre will listen to him and provide justice. "National Conference’s executive committee will take decision regarding future course of action in case casual approach was adopted by the Centre", he disclosed.

"It is hightime that Centre should take concrete steps", he said, adding, "people of this State has already lost faith in Election Commission of India after bunglings in just concluding by-elections".

Lambasting Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for misleading the country, Dr Abdullah said that Sunday’s attack on National Conference president Omar Abdullah was an eye opener for those who have been claiming that situation has been improving. "It is all due to the grace of Almighty that we are alive otherwise attack was very serious and well planned", he said and blamed the Government for not providing adequate security to top brass of NC. "It is height that the militants had targeted Omar Abdullah some days back but the authorities have totally denied that attack", he reminded.

Contesting figures provided by the State Government regarding security of NC leaders, former Chief Minister said that security of large number of his party workers has been withdrawn. "Security of deceased Safdar Beg was curtailed and he was evicted from Government accommodation", he alleged, adding, "what to say of other leaders even wife of former Home Minister Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, who was killed by terrorists, was forced to evict Government quarters".

"State Government seems to be hell bent to physically eliminate NC leaderships as well as this party", he aired apprehension and pointed towards statement of a Minister who had advised NC leadership to wind-up. "Instead of facing our challenges politically Government wants to physically eliminate us", he alleged.

Replying to a question, National Conference patron said that Centre was very much aware that some Ministers of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed have links with terrorists. "It is now an open secret that one of the prominent Ministers in Mufti’s Government is responsible for repeated terrorist attack on National Conference leader Sakina Ittoo", he said and pointed towards reports which were published in some sections of press regarding shelter provided to the terrorists in the house of that Minister.

"How Mehbooba Mufti used to visit that areas where even I could not visit as Chief Minister", he asked and replied that it was clear indication that there was some nexus between PDP leadership and militants.

When asked why militants were targeting only NC leaders, Dr Abdullah said that PDP leaders have understanding with militants and as far as Congress is concerned it has less representation in Kashmir valley. He, however, said that a senior leader of Congress was also shot dead at Anantnag some days back. "Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has been treating Anantnag and Pulwama as his Kingdom and he does not allow any party to flourish in these two districts", he alleged.

Replying to another question, former Chief Minister said that militants have been targeting only NC leaders as "our party’s stand is very much clear on each and every issue". "Unlike Mufti Mohammed Sayeed we never adopt double standards", he asserted and said that during interaction with Pakistani journalists NC leadership clearly highlighted its stand. "What is the stand of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed on solution of Kashmir problem?", he asked. Has ever Mufti Sayeed stated that he is Hindustani ?, he asked.

Musharraf suggests new formula to solve Kashmir

ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: In a new formulation to resolve the vexed Kashmir issue, President Pervez Musharraf tonight suggested India and Pakistan consider the option of identifying some "regions" of Kashmir on both sides of Line of Control, demilitarise them and grant them the status of independence or joint control or under UN mandate.

"I will leave a food for thought for you. Take kashmir in its entirety. It has seven regions. Two of the regions are in Pakistan and five are in India. In my view, identify a region, whether it is the whole or seven or part, I do not know. Identify the region, demilitarise the region for ever and change its status," Musharraf said at an Iftar dinner attended by diplomats, Government officials and media persons here.

Elaborating further, he said the "status can be independence, condominium where there can be a joint control or there can be UN mandate" which has to be defined by "legal people."

State-run PTV quoted Musharraf as saying that a solution to the lingering Kashmir problem cannot be found either by insisting on plebiscite or making the LoC into a permanent border.

Musharraf said since both India and Pakistan agreed to consider options to resolve Kashmir after his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New York in September he wanted to suggest a solution as a "food for thought".

"We have to consider the options in a purposeful manner going towards a solution. I strongly believe that there are options and there is a solution," he said.

Summing up his suggestion, the Pakistan President said "identify the regions, demilitarise them and change their status. The whole debate of options will be based on this. We have to find a way out".

Musharraf said if there is a way out both the countries could claim victory and Kashmiris too will be happy as they would acquire some authority to manage their affairs.

"I have never spoken like this before to anyone. I request you to debate in line with this. It is a food for thought", he said.

President Musharraf said Pakistan has effectively countered some misperceptions it faced until recently, including the allegation of cross border terrorism by India and there is a marked change.

"The world leaders, including Indian leadership, accepts that there is no infiltration and now the world is calling for a settlement of the Kashmir dispute," he said.

Pakistan, he said, is a moderate progressive Islamic country and not a pro-extremism society and regretted that unfortunately the country suffers from a negative projection.

"We are endeavouring to bring about a societal change and give voice to the vast moderate majority - here the media has to come out with a powerful role in casting off negative image of the country by encouraging the moderates and quelling the extremists."

On the controversy over his plans to retain the post of Army chief after this year, Gen Musharraf said it should not be viewed as a personal matter but evaluated in the large national context at a time when the country needs political stability, stable democracy and is also striving for societal change to contain extremism and continue its march on the path of economic progress.

He also said the country should overcome the opposition to big dams and build them at the earliest to overcome water shortage.

Musharraf pointed out that today the most important challenge which Pakistan is facing is the issue of extremism. "We are being viewed as an extremist society."

"On the contrary, we are a nation of moderates," he said.

He called upon the media to project Pakistan’s image as a dynamic, progressive and moderate Islamic state. "It is our resolve to project Pakistan this way."

He said Pakistan in order to overcome sectarianism and extremism "must become a tolerant society and reject sectarianism and terrorism." He called upon the media not to project the terrorists as heroes as it promotes extremism in the society. (PTI)

‘Abdullahs getting security at par with CM’
NC allegation irresponsible: Mufti

Excelsior Special Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 25: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said that the National Conference leaders were feeling jittery over the slipping ground under their feet following increasing disenchantment of the electorate with their party and were making baseless accusations against his Government to create doubts in the minds of the people.

Speaking with media persons after taking oath as MLA following his victory in the just held by-elections to the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said that the leaders of the erstwhile ruling party were in the habit of not accepting defeat gracefully as it considered the people of the State its fief and could not digest its humiliating defeat in the elections. He said the party especially did not imagine its drubbing in the Batmaloo constituency where people turned out in thousands to exercise their franchise reminding the pre-militancy era. He said several polling booths that had seen zero percent polling in previous elections also recorded good turn out. He said the NC considered Batmaloo as its stronghold and losing even in that segment has unnerved the party leaders who were now making all kinds of accusations against him including trying to physically eliminate them.

The Chief Minister expressed serious concern over the mine blast in which the National Conference chief, Omar Abdullah had a narrow escape and said that the incident would be investigated. He, however, said that incidents like these were not uncommon and recalled two attempts even on his own life at Anantnag and Beerwah besides similar attacks on the Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma at Kapran and on Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Muzaffar Baig, Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Hassan Mir and PDP President, Ms Mehbooba Mufti at Uri. He said during the National Conference rule itself such attacks have been carried out on political leaders resulting in the death of then ministers, Ghulam Hassan Bhat and Mushtaq Ahmad Lone.

Asked if the political leaders were subjected to greater attacks during his rule, Mufti Sayeed said that this perception was incorrect. He said that during the two years of the coalition Government lesser number of political killings had taken place in comparison to the last two years of the previous regime. Giving figures, he said that since the present Government assumed office about 100 political activists were killed while in the preceding two years the number was 180.

About the security arrangements made on the eve of Omar Abdullah’s visit to Sarnal, the Chief Minister said that foolproof arrangements had been made. He said the former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah were given the security consideration at par with the Chief Minister. He said he did not know if visiting the graveyard was in the scheduled programme of Abdullah. He said it was absolutely irresponsible on the part of Abdullah to have accused the Government for the mine blast. He said the Government has deployed the largest number of security personnel for the protection of the National Conference leaders followed by the Congress Party and the People’s Democratic Party.

In reply to a question on the NC demand for probe into the Sarnal incident by a Central Government agency, the Chief Minister said that the State police was competent enough to carry out the investigation. When the State apparatus was proficient to investigate such incidents during the NC rule how come they doubt its competence now?, he asked.

Chandraswami acquitted in St Kitts forgery case

Excelsior Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Oct 25: Godman Chandraswamy was today acquitted by a local court for want of "direct evidence" in the St Kitts case from the charge of conspiring to harm V P Singh’s image by forging documents to show that he was the beneficiary of a USD 21 million secret bank account in the Caribbean Island.

Chandraswamy was the lone accused left in the case after former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao and the then Minister of State for External Affairs K K Tewary were discharged, while the Godman’s aide K N Aggarwal alias Mamaji died during trial.

The Delhi High Court had quashed proceedings against accused K L Verma, former Director of Enforcement Directorate, (ED) saying CBI had not got the sanction to prosecute him.

"There is no direct evidence of the involvement of Chandraswamy in the conspiracy," Special Judge Dinesh Dayal said noting that CBI had relied on circumstantial evidence but failed to complete the chain of conspiracy linking the godman.

CBI had said the then ED Deputy Director A P Nandy gave a report regarding St Kitts Bank account of former Prime Minister V P Singh’s son Ajeya Singh after visiting the island and USA. But Nandy died before he could be examined.

"In the absence Nandy’s evidence, it cannot be said that Chandraswamy provided any assistance to him to go to St Kitts from Miami in US or even that the accused had met Nandy in Miami," the court said terming Verma’s statement in this regard as "mere hearsay".

After the verdict, Chandraswamy said "I am happy that the way V P Singh Government tried to drag in Rajiv Gandhi’s name did not work. I am more happy for Rajiv Gandhi. The truth has triumphed."

During the trial, Chandraswamy had claimed that he was falsely implicated in the case by the V P Singh Government due to his proximity to Rajiv Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao.

CBI had alleged that some political bigwigs had made an attempt in 1989 to sully V P Singh’s image by forging certain documents to show that his son Ajeya Singh had a secret bank account of USD 21 million with the First Trust Corporation bank in St Kitts islands.

V P Singh, then a Janata Dal leader, had emerged as the main political rival of Rajiv Gandhi, against whom he was campaigning across the country on the Bofors issue after quitting his Government.

The whole controversy started in August 1989 with the Kuwait-based ‘Arab Times’ carrying a report about the alleged bank account in the name of Ajeya Singh.

After the change of guard at the Centre following Congress’ debacle in 1989 Lok Sabha polls, V P Singh became Prime Minister and CBI registered a case in May 1990. The CBI probe found that the allegations of the "non-existent" bank account were floated by some "interested persons" to tarnish the image of V P Singh.

However, the case proceeded at snail’s pace after Singh’s Government fell in November 1990 following withdrawal of support to it by BJP after the arrest of L K Advani during the Ayodhya Rath Yatra. P V Narasimha Rao then became the Prime Minister and remained in office till May 1996.

Finally after Rao’s exit, CBI chargesheeted Chandraswamy, ‘Mamaji’, Rao, Tewary and Verma in September 1996.

Court blamed two senior officers posted in the Indian consulate in New York at the time for giving a "colour of authenticity to the whole story."

"The entire mischief of this case lay in the attestation of the forged documents by the Indian consul...The false attestation of these documents by such senior officers resulted in giving a colour of authenticity to the whole story." Special CBI Judge Dinesh Dayal said in judgement.

Putting the blame on then Deputy Consul General and Consul General at New York for the entire episode, the court noted that Deepak Sen Gupta and R K Rai attested sensitive documents, without following proper procedures, unmindful of the fact that it could have far reaching consequences and affect the entire political scene of the country.

Gupta attested statements which were never made before him, the court said, adding the power of attestation is given to responsible senior officers who are supposed to exercise the same with due care and caution.

Further, they attested documents without having seen the original documents, the court noted.

The observations were made by the court while exonerating the godman as there was no evidence to prove that he conspired to concoct a story that Mr V P Singh had deposited 21 million dollars in a slush fund account in a bank in the Carribean Island of St Kitts.

Fake certificates racket unearthed

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 25: Crime Branch, Jammu today unearthed a racket engaged in sale of fake certificates of all classes from Matriculation to Graduation and seized more than 50 certificates, which were in the process of being issued to some uneducated youths.

Over 200 persons had managed to get Government jobs like bank clerks, Foresters and teachers etc on the basis of fake certificates, Crime Branch sources said today.

Two racketeers, who have been arrested by the Crime Branch, were identified as Krishan Lal son of Charan Dass, a resident of Bhour Camp, Jammu and Pitambar Lal Sharma, a retired Head Master son of Amar Nath Sharma R/o Krishna Nagar, Miran Sahib,

After their arrests, police carried out raids on their hideouts at Miran Sahib, Bhour Camp, Trikuta Nagar, Jewel Chowk and Janipura and seized more than 50 fake certificates, which the racketeers were processing to issue to the gullible youths.

A hefty amount was charged by the accused from the youths for selling certificates to them.

Crime Branch investigations revealed that the racketeers had already sold a number of fake certificates so far. Atleast 200 youths have also managed to get jobs in different Government departments on the basis of fake certificates.

Investigations also revealed that the fake certificates were being printed at Pahargunj, New Delhi in a printing press. From New Delhi, a racketeer Vijay Kumar of Himachal Pradesh used to bring the certificates here. They were filled by the gang members and then sold to the aspirants after charging amount from them.

Crime Branch have registered a case in the scam and launched a hunt to apprehend other accused.

Vigilance books Kumar in forest scam

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 25: Vigilance Organisation has registered another case against former Financial Commissioner ( Finance), Ajit Kumar, who is already facing charges in multi-crore jute matting scam and is presently on bail.

After jute-matting scam, Ajit Kumar’s involvement in misappropriating over rupees 65 lakh has been found in timber scam when Kumar was functioning as Principal Secretary Forest Department in 2003.

According to FIR registered by Vigilance Organisation, Ajit Kumar had hatched a criminal conspiracy with Ghulam Rasool Vakil alias Lassa Vakil, who was not a registered timber dealer. (Lassa Vakil is also involved in jute-mating case alongwith Ajit Kumar and former Senior Accounts Officer Janak Singh)

After the registration of the fresh case against Ajit Kumar and Lassa Vakil, the enquiry has been entrusted to Dy SP Vigilance AK Chib.

As per the case, Ajit Kumar had pressurised one of senior officers in Forest Department to accommodate Lassa Vakil by arranging some supply orders of timber in his favour. Since Lassa was not a registered timber dealer, Kumar, by abusing his official position had pressurised a registered timber dealer to get the supply orders and pass on the same to Lassa.

The FIR said that Ajit Kumar in furtherance hatched a criminal conspiracy and by exerting undue influence on the forest officials, issued account payee cheques in favour of the registered timber firm and later the same were deposited in the account of Omar Vakil, S/o Lassa Vakil after opening account in UCO Bank Jammu. By this act, the cheques worth rupees 65 lakh were misappropriated by all the three accused (Ajit Kumar, Lassa and his son).

In the FIR, it has been mentioned that Lassa Vakil is alleged to be the agent of Ajit Kumar. Lassa was also involved in jute matting scam as a major beneficiary.

Meanwhile, Justice VK Jhanji of the State High Court today granted bail to Lassa Vakil in jute-matting scam.

The Court directed his release after furnishing bail bond to the tune of rupees 10,000 with two sureties to the like amount to the satisfaction of Registrar High Court Jammu wing. The bail bond and surety bond were later furnished by Advocate Irfan Noor.

Lassa Vakil was arrested by Vigilance Organisation on September 6, 2004 and was in the judicial lock-up for about 50 days.

Lassa was charged with having entered into a criminal case with Ajit Kumar and had become this IAS officer’s agent for bargaining between the supplier firm and Kumar in jute-matting scam. Kumar was that time posted as Commissioner Secretary Education when jute-matting scandal took place.

Centre to await J&K report on attack

NEW DELHI, Oct 25: The Centre will await the outcome of the "inquiry" ordered by Jammu and Kashmir Government into the attack on former State Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and National Conference president Omar Abdullah before taking any further steps with regard to their security.

"We will await the report of the inquiry being ordered by the State Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed into the attack.... And if there is any dissatisfaction, we will see," highly placed sources said here today.

Shortly after the incident in Anantnag district yesterday, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had telephoned the Abdullahs to inquire about their well-being. He had also spoken to the State Chief Minister who had informed him that an inquiry has been ordered into it.

The sources said the efforts would be made to find out as to "what went wrong despite having jammers and other sophisticated devices for the security of the father-son duo.

"Whether jammers failed or there was some high or low frequency devices which could not be detected or a timer device was used in the incident will be looked into," the sources said.

Asked if the security of NC leaders would be upgraded, the sources said "they are already being given the highest Z+ security."

The sources said in the recent past there have been such attacks where the political leaders irrespective of their political affiliations had been targeted.

"Meetings of the Chief Minister, his daughter Mehbooba Mufti and that of Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma were targeted," the sources said

However, they said the Centre had alerted the Jammu and Kashmir Government about intelligence report which spoke of a possibility of stepped-up militant activities during the month of Ramzan.

"There is a procedure and that was followed," the sources said when asked if the Centre had warned the State Government about the possibility of such attacks.

Asked about Patil’s scheduled visit to the State from November 6-8, the sources said there was no change in the Home Minister’s programme.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Shivraj Patil today chaired a high-level meeting in his office and reviewed the latest security situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of terrorist attack on the life of National Conference president Omar Abdullah.

The hour-long meeting, which officials described as an "internal meeting," was attended by Home Secretary Dhirendera Singh, Army Chief Gen N C Vij and senior officials of the intelligence bureau.

The meeting, besides reviewing the overall security situation in the State, particularly the Kashmir valley, also discussed measures to strengthen the security apparatus.

The Home Minister is scheduled to visit the State for three days beginning from November six.

Mr Abdullah escaped an assassination attempt on his life yesterday when militants attacked his convoy while he was attending a religious function. Both Omar and his father, former State Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, accused the State Government of being responsible for the inadequate security arrangements. (Agencies)

Local bodies polls from December

Excelsior Special Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 25: The Cabinet today approved conducting of local bodies election which will commence from December 15, 2004 and shall complete by January 15, 2005. The Panchayat election will start from 15th January 2005 and process will be completed as early as possible.

Cabinet also gave sanction to the regularization of five Superintendent Engineers as Chief Engineers in the grade of 14300-400-18300 with retrospective effect: They are M. L. Kachroo ( Now Rtd.), M. A. Nawshehri, M. Y. Bhat (Rtd.), A. K. Pandita (Rtd), and M. Y. Rather (Expired)

The Cabinet also gave approval for handing over of 108 Kahcharai land situated in the village Nawa Bagh tehsil Ganderbal to the SOS children village organization for management and development of SOS Village on rent basis.

This will be first time that SOS with its qualified staff will develop SOS Village on bigger level in Srinagar which will help those children who have suffered during the turmoil

The Cabinet also approved creation of full-fledged department of Social Forest which shall be funded through State Plan.

The department has been entrusted with the assignment of giving thrust to Agro-Forest in the State besides growth of medicinal plants on commercial basis.

This decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting by revoking the earlier Cabinet decision made on January 31st, 2001 and the Government order issued on June, 14 2001 whereunder Social Forestry Project was wound up and staff declared surplus, has been withdrawn under this Cabinet order.

The Social Forestry Project was taken in hand in 1982-83 but was later on, decided by the previous Government to wind up the project. However, it was felt that to meet the requirement of local population in respect of fire-wood and reducing pressure on natural forest. The full-fledged Social Forestry Department has come into existence with the approval of Cabinet with immediate effect.

3 of a family among 4 killed; 3 injured

Excelsior Special Correspondent

RAMBAN, Oct 25: Three members of a family including a Government teacher, his mother and brother were among four civilians killed and three others were injured in two separate attacks by the militants in Gool and Ramban areas last night.

Official sources said a group of three militants entered in the house of Mohd Yousuf Malik, a Government teacher, son of Ahad Malik at village Salbala near Gool under the jurisdiction of Ramban police district at 8.15 pm last night.

The militants opened indiscriminate firing on the house inmates killing two of them and injuring two others. They kidnapped Malik’s brother, Ghulam Mohd Malik, a trader and took him to a nearby field.

The militants beheaded Ghulam Mohd Malik and escaped from the village.

Mohd Yusuf Malik and his mother Zameela Begum were the other two family members killed in firing by the militants while Yusuf Malik’s wife Zaana Begum and Showkat Hussain Malik, son, a Rehbar-e-Taleem teacher, were injured.

Both the injured were evacuated to sub district hospital in Ramban from where they were referred to Jammu this morning and were admitted in the Government Medical College hospital.

Police and security forces rushed to the site of killings early this morning immediately after getting a report of the militant attack.

Sources said the militants fired several shots from a distance aiming a police party when it reached the spot. The cops retaliated after which the militants escaped.

According to sources, both slain brothers Mohd Yusuf Malik and Ghulam Mohd Malik had also been kidnapped by the militants in May-June last year. While Ghulam Mohd Malik had managed to escape from captivity of the militants, Mohd Yusuf Malik was tortured by the militants before being set free.

Duo were described as "informers" by the militants, the sources said.

Police and security forces have started a search operation to eliminate the killers.

In another incident, the militants entered into the house of Roshan Din at Senabathi in Ramban tehsil and opened firing on the house inmates.

Roshan Din’s 18 year old daughter Sada Bano was killed on spot in the firing while his son Mohd Ashraf was injured. Injured Ashraf has been admitted in Primary Health Centre (PHC) Ukhral for treatment.

Police have started investigations in the killing after getting a report.

Our Poonch correspondent adds: CID (Counter Intelligence) busted a hideout of the militants at Bandi Chechian and recovered 750 AK rounds and two AK magazines.

Defence Committee visits Rajouri

Excelsior Special Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Oct 25: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence under the chairmanship of Balasaheb Vikhe Patil arrived here today on a six day visit to Jammu and Kashmir State.

The Committee was briefed on current situation of the State at the Headquarters of Northern Command here. The Committee later visited the Line of Control where they were briefed on the efficacy of the fence and surveillance system put in place by the army to check infiltration bids by terrorists from across the border. They also visited the operation areas on LoC.

Talking to reporters at Rajouri Mr Patil said that the main visit of this Committee is to ascertain the problems of civilians and army jawans in forward areas and what measures will be taken for their welfare.

He said since the ceasefire on borders the situation is normal at present but we have still to be alert and vigilant. He said we will continue to work for the betterment and welfare of our jawans.

Mr Patil said that they have to report the same to the Parliament. The Committee was accompanied by Maj. Gen Man Dhata Singh, GOC 16 Corps.

The Committee is also scheduled to visit Leh, Siachen and Srinagar to seek the first hand information of the situation on ground.

The other members of the delegation include Suresh Chandial, Mrs N P Dogra, Jiga Ji Nagi, Ramesh Kumar, Man Dev Rao, G P Singh, R P Anand, Raiga Roy Singh, A B Ellarimy, B Balashowry and Aliyas Axmi.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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