Efforts on to resolve Baglihar issue bilaterally: Pak

NEW DELHI, Jan 4: After a day-long Secretary-level talks on the contentious Baglihar hydro electric project across River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan today said both sides were making efforts to resolve their differences bilaterally instead of seeking World Bank arbitration.

"We had a very good meeting. We have raised our specific concerns and sought explanation. We will try to resolve them within the parametres of the Indus Treaty, which shall be our guiding principle. I hope it will be fruitful tomorrow as well," Pakistan’s Secretary (Water and Power) Ashfaq Mehmood, who is heading a nine-member delegation to the two-day talks, told reporters here at the end of the first day’s deliberations.

Asked whether Islamabad would seek World Bank arbitration if the "last ditch efforts" fail, he said, "if it is not resolved (through talks), there is a provision in the treaty for that. The efforts is to resolve it bilaterally. At the highest level, both Prime Ministers want the issue to be discussed openly and resolved."

He, however, said if the talks do not work out, World Bank arbitration would be the "logical end".

"These are technical issues which need resolution. We have given them details with calculations and are awaiting their response," the Pakistani official said.

Secretary (Water Resources) V K Duggal, who is heading the 12-member delegation at the talks, said the discussions were "positive, constructive and focused".

"We are hopeful of a very quick resolution. We will be giving a detailed response to the six technical issues identified in today’s talks," he said.

Pakistan has reservations and objections about the design of the 450 mw project and its specifications of Indus Water Treaty of 1960. India has already rejected Pakistan’s stand that it is violating the treaty.

"It is absolutely our desire to stay within the parametres of the treaty, which is sacrosanct", Duggal said.

Mehmood said while the treaty gives permission for run of the river projects, the design including storage, diversion and height should be in accordance with the accord. "When basic principles have been outlined, why not go by that?" he asked.

Asked whether Pakistan favoured temporary suspension of the ongoing work on the project, he said the issue has been pending for past four years and if it is completed "it would become a fait accompli and there is a lot of pressure on us".

He said the six technical areas identified in today’s talks include the pondage level, the gated spillway and the level of intake tunnels.

Duggal said the Indian side was making efforts to give full technical details to the Pakistani side. "We will take them to model studies and if necessary to the site. We are dealing with the issue with utmost honesty and sincerity".

Earlier in the day, the delegation including Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmed Khan called on Water Resources Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi.

Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan yesterday accused India of adopting "dilatory tactics" and described the talks as a "last ditch effort" to reach a bilateral settlement failing which it threatened to seek a World Bank arbitration.

The last Secretary level meet was held in June 2004 and ways and means to resolve the issues related to the project were formulated. Subsequently, India furnished additional data and information on December 15, 2004. (PTI)

70 lakh pilgrims expected at Vaishnodevi shrine this year
Big potential for heritage tourism: Governor

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 4: Governor Lt. Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today said that magnificent scenic splendor of Kashmir valley and unparalleled heritage grandeur of Jammu has immense potential to give a big boost to the state economy.

Speaking at the conclusion of screening of a documentary on "Darbargarh" at Abhinav theatre here this evening, the Governor said that the richness of beauty and cultural ethos make Jammu and Kashmir a jewel in the crown of India. ‘While Kashmir is paradise on earth, Jammu, apart from being a spiritual centre, has prime place in having heritage buildings’, he added.

Gen Sinha elaborately dwelt on the places of historical importance in the State particularly Darbargarh in Mubark Mandi and said that he envisioned it to emerge as a vibrant and alive heritage centre in years to come. This may require time and huge funds to renovate this pride of Jammu, he said, adding that he will take up the issue with the Union Ministry of Tourism as the State Government would not be in a position to take up the ambitious plan due to financial constraints.

Appreciating the commitment exhibited by the Tourism Minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir in exploiting newer tourist destinations besides developing heritage sites as tourist attraction, the Governor said that vast number of pilgrims thronging from different parts of the country could extend their stay to have sight seeing of these historic places. ‘This will certainly give boost to the local economy’, he said.

In his capacity as Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Gen Sinha said that history was created during 2004 as all time high of over four lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine in south Kashmir and over 60 lakh pilgrims visited Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine. The number is likely to go up this year, he said, putting the expected figures to Mata Vaishnodevi shrine at 70 lakh.

He noted with satisfaction shifting of half the offices from the Mubark Mandi complex and hoped that remaining offices too would be shifted in phases. This will help in restoring this historical building complex to its old grandeur. ‘This is not to be preserved as a dead heritage but it has to emerge as the cultural symbol of this region’, he said.

The Governor gave historical background of the heritage centres like Amar Mahal, Hari Palace, Bahu Fort in Jammu and Hari Parbhat, Pari Mahal and Mogul gardens in Kashmir. He also referred to the excavation of monuments in Akhnoor and said that these help in tracing the ancient history.

Gen Sinha complimented Doordarshan Jammu for documenting the heritage complex. By vivid filming of the complex, life has been brought to the mega palace cum administrative blocks of Dogra royalty, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma announced that the coalition Government would take necessary measures in preserving the state’s rich heritage. He said he will take it up in the Cabinet for necessary corrective steps to preserve these for posterity.

Mr Sharma appreciated the filming of the heritage complex and said ‘our heads bow in shame to see its dilapidated condition’. He recalled the humming activity in Darbargarh during yesteryears and said that as a young legislator he had attended the council sittings in one of the Darbar Halls. While a portion of Darbargarh at Srinagar still houses Legislative Council, the recent fire has damaged most of the royal heritage, which needs immediate renovation, he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister also stressed the need for documenting other heritage places.

Minister for Tourism, Housing and Urban Development, Ghulam Hassan Mir said that the Government is endeavouring to give a new direction to heritage tourism, saying this has immense potential to give boost to the state economy.

The Minister said that new destinations would be identified and promoted to open up avenue for tourism in the state with thrust on facilitating pilgrims’ dispersal to these places after paying obeisance at the cave shrines.

‘Heritage is our pride and as long as we remain intact with our roots, we can boast of being the inheritors of glorious ethos’, he said while appreciating the people of Ladakh for maintaining relation with their roots.

In his welcome address, Director Doordarshan, M K Raina Ratnakar, said that films on other heritage places and buildings like Bahu Fort have also been planned. The documentaries would be telecast on various Doordarshan channels including DD Bharati and DD India, he added.

Mr Ratnakar announced holding of a festival of documentary films at Abhinav theatre soon.

Prof Lalit Gupta gave an overview of heritage centres while S P Sahini presented critical analysis of the documentary ‘Darbargarh’.

Minister of State for Education, Ghulam Nabi Lone, several legislators, prominent film makers, intellectuals including Prof Ram Nath Shastri were present on the occasion.

Director Doordarshan honoured the Governor, the Deputy Chief Minister and the Minister present at the screening of the documentary.

‘Defection within coalition will not be tolerated’
Floating Third Front a rubbish idea: Peerzada

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 4: Presenting a brave face against efforts made by some coalition partners to float the Third Front, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Peerzada Mohammed Sayed today warned that any attempt to change the present political equilibrium will not be tolerated.

"Creation of Third Front, in the prevailing political scenario, is a rubbish idea", the Peerzada told the Excelsior.

With an obvious reference towards rebel National Conference leader and MLA Rafiabad, Dilwar Mir for floating the idea of creating Third Front, the PCC chief said, "after formation of coalition regime in the State some politicians have become idle." The formation of Third Front is the brain child of these idle people, he remarked.

"After floating such ideas, these types of politicians, who have lost their relevance in the present scenario, want to remain in news", he observed.

When his attention was drawn towards statement of Minister of Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Hakim Mohammed Yasin regarding formation of Third Front, the PCC chief reacted, "both Yasin and Dilwar are old friends. They were Ministers in the Government headed by G M Shah in early 80s". "Being an old friend Dilawar Mir might have visited the house of Hakim Yasin for a cup of tea", he observed, adding, "I donot think any Front or group can be created over a cup of tea", he remarked.

The PCC chief, who is also Minister of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development in the coalition regime said that in the present political scenario, these types of fronts will be irrelevant as the coalition regime has been functioning excellently.

The Peerzada, however, asserted that no one will be allowed to destabilise the present system. "It is a rubbish and a foolish idea", he asserted.

Joining the issue with Hakim Mohammed Yasin, who had stated that some politicians within and outside the Government will join the proposed Third Front, PCC chief warned, "no defection within the coalition will be tolerated. Present political equilibrium will be maintained at any cost".

Peerzada Mohd Sayed further asserted that these types of fronts will not affect the stability of the Government.

Although he parried the question regarding change of guard after the completion of three year term of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, the PCC chief hoped that the present Government will complete its full term of six years.

"We have been supporting Mufti Mohammed Sayeed regime for a larger cause", he said and reminded that Congress had sacrificed its Government in early 70s for nation’s interest. "Similarly in 2002 we have decided to support Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for greater interest", he said and declared that no one will be allowed to destabilise this regime.

"We are working on the agenda of peace and development", he said and reaffirmed that implementation of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) was on the top of the agenda of the coalition regime. "For the last more than two years, many radical steps have been taken by the coalition regime to ameliorate lot of the people", he said and assured that promises made in the CMP will be implemented.

To a question regarding reports that some Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) leaders were adamant to contest forthcoming civic bodies elections on their own, PCC chief said, "we are trying our best that both the coalition partners will jointly fight the elections". "Instead of exerting pressure on each other, we will consider each others’ strength during seat sharing agreement", he said and exuded confidence that PDP and Congress will jointly fight the civic bodies elections.

When asked about involvement of another coalition partner —— Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP)—— in the joint front to fight civic bodies elections, PCC chief remarked that Panthers Party is confined to some pockets of a particular district. "We will try to accommodate that party also", he stated.

The PCC chief said that target of the coalition partners was to defeat communal and fundamentalist forces. For that we will continue to remain united, he added

Killings of militants, civilians down, cops up

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 4: The militancy related violence considerably went down in the year 2004 in Jammu region, according to official figures released by the office of IGP Jammu Zone, Dr S P Vaid today.

Killings of militants, civilians, security personnel, Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Village Defence Committee (VDC) members registered sharp decline in 2004 as compared to 2003, the release said.

Decline in the violence is being mainly attributed to the Indo-Pak peace initiative including cease-fire on the border and the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) initiated by the two countries.

As against a total of 721 militants killed in the year 2003, only 375 militants were killed in 2004 in six districts of Jammu region. Figures revealed that 771 militants were killed in 2000, 934 in 2001 and 790 in 2002.

The civilians killed in the year 2004 were 255 as against 319 civilians killed in 2003. Four hundred and eighty five civilians were killed in 2002, 372 in 2001 and 278 in 2000.

Ninety seven police and security forces jawans were killed in 2004 while 166 police and security forces personnel had lost their lives in the year 2003. In 2000, 204 police and security personnel had lost their lives while in 2001 and 2002, 248 and 211 police and securitymen were killed.

According to the figures, 69 militants surrendered in 2004 as against 41 surrenders in 2003. Nineteen militants surrendered in 2000, five in 2001 and eight in 2002.

Number of the militants arrested in 2004 also reduced as compared to 2003. While 42 militants were arrested in Jammu region in 2004, 66 militants were arrested in 2003. Number of the militants’ arrests was 148 in 2000, 66 in 2001 and 70 in 2002.

Thirty one SPOs lost their lives in 2004 as against 43 SPOs killed in 2003. The SPOs killed in 2000 were 20. In 2001, 26 SPOs were killed while in 2002, 32 SPOs lost their lives in the anti-militancy operations, according to the figures.

Three VDC members sacrificed their lives in 2004. However, in 2003, 15 VDC members had attained martyrdom while fighting bravely with the militants. Ten VDC members were killed in 2000, 11 in 2001 and 13 in 2002.

However, the number of police personnel killed in anti-militancy operations in the Jammu region went up in the year 2004. This was mainly due to increased involvement of Jammu Police in the search and cordon operations.

According to the figures, 25 police personnel were martyred in 2004 against the figures of 17 in 2003. The police personnel killed in 2000 were 17 while 47 and 29 police personnel were killed in the years 2001 and 2002 respectively.

Notification for Srinagar, Jammu Corps on Jan 8, 11

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 4: Notifications for the Municipal Corporation elections for Srinagar and Jammu are being issued on January 8 and January 11, 2005 respectively.

Hectic preparations are going on for the selection of candidates within various party cadre. The political parties are finding it hard to select suitable winning women candidates, as 33 per cent of the total 71 seats in various wards have been reserved for womenfolk. Besides, five seats have been reserved for Scheduled Castes candidates. The exercise for seat adjustments among the candidates of coalition partners including Congress, PDP and PDF has also gained momentum with the conduct of series of meetings of senior leaders of these parties.

Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, B S Jamwal told the Excelsior that as the dates of Local Bodies elections have already been announced, the notification is being issued shortly. Thereafter, the process of filing nominations for different wards will also commence. Candidates would also get sufficient time for campaign.

Mr Jamwal disclosed that Notification for Jammu will be issued on January 11, while for Srinagar on January 8. He said that code of conduct has already enforced and the election office has turned busy with massive preparations. He admitted that office is also receiving several complaints regarding alleged mistakes in rolls revision and allegations of other nature like disparity etc. but efforts are being made to rectify the same. He, however, maintained that it was too late to make corrections in the electoral rolls.

He pointed out that door to door survey was conducted by the Government officials including large number of Municipal staff members for the electoral rolls revision earlier and moreover, it was also the responsibility of the people to come forward and fill forms and pass on the required information and procure I-Cards for the purpose. They are also responsible for it. Mr Jamwal maintained.

As per the election schedule, process of filing nomination papers for Jammu Municipal Corporation would commence on January 11 and January 17 would be the last date for filing the papers for contesting candidates. Scrutiny of the papers will be on January 18 and January 20 will be the last date for withdrawal of nominations. The polls would be held on February 1 for Jammu Municipal Corporation.

For Srinagar Municipal Corporation, last date for filing nominations will be January 15, scrutiny of the nomination papers will be conducted on January 18, last date for withdrawal of nominations would be January 20 and the polls are scheduled to be held on February 1, 2005. Similarly, nomination for Baramulla-Kupwara districts will be issued on January 10, Anantnag and Pulwama districts January 20 whereas, Srinagar and Budgam districts on January 24.

Gunmen slay Governor of Baghdad, body-guards
*Suicide bomber kills 10

BAGHDAD, Jan 4: Gunmen assassinated the Governor of Baghdad Province and six of his bodyguards today and a suicide tanker truck bomber killed 10 people at an Interior Ministry commando headquarters in Western Baghdad, the latest in a steady drumbeat of insurgent violence ahead of January 30 elections.

Governor Ali Al-Haidari’s three-vehicle convoy was passing through Baghdad’s northern neighbourhood of Hurriyah when unidentified gunmen opened fire, said the chief of his security detail, who asked only to be identified as Maj. Mazen.

"Our convoy was moving in Hurriyah and they came from different directions and opened fire at us," said Maj. Mazen, reached on Al-Haidari’s cell phone.

Al-Haidari was the target of another assassination attempt last year that killed two of his bodyguards. He is the highest-ranking Iraqi official killed since the former President of the now defunct governing council, Abdel-Zahraa Othman, better known as Izzadine Saleem, was assassinated in May.

Speaking in Phuket, Thailand, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said he was saddened to hear of Al-Haidari’s death. It comes with the Government trying to plan for January 30 elections for a National Assembly, a vote the insurgents have promised to sabotage.

"It once again shows that there are these murderers and terrorists, former regime elements in Iraq, who won’t want to see elections. They don’t want the people of Iraq to chose new leaders.

"They want to go back to the past. They want to go back to the tyranny of Saddam Hussein’s regime and that’s not going to happen," Powell said.

On November one, Al-Haidari’s deputy Hatim Kamil was shot dead while on his way to work. The Ansar Al-Sunnah Army militant group claimed responsibility for that attack.

Also today, a tanker truck packed with explosives detonated near an Interior Ministry Commando Heaquarters in Eastern Baghdad, killing 10 people and wounding about 60, the Interior Ministry said.

A suicide driver rammed the truck at an Iraq police checkpoint near the headquarters, which is also near an entrance of the green zone, the fortified home of the US embassy and the interim Iraqi Government.

Eight Iraqi commandos and two civilians were killed, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Today’s attacks came a day after violence that saw three car bombs and a roadside attack, one near the Prime Minister’s party headquarters in Baghdad and others targeting Iraqi troops and a US security company convoy. At least 16 people were killed yesterday.

Iraq’s insurgents have repeatedly targeted Government officials and security forces around the country, saying they are allies of the US-led coalition.

Britain’s foreign office said today that three Britons were killed in Iraq a day earlier. Britain’s press association reported that the three Britons were killed along with a American in the car bombing of the US security company. (AP)

PDP activist, civilian killed in Valley

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 4: Unidentified gunmen have shot dead two civilians, including an activist of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kashmir valley since last evening.

Informed sources said that unidentified gunmen, suspected to be militants, appeared near an office of R&B Department in Safakadal area of downtown and they fired several shots on a senior assistant of the Government office, namely Ghulam Rasool Khan S/o Assadulah Khan R/o Tengpora Batmaloo. He sustained critical injuries in the shootout. He was rushed to SMHS Hospital where he succumbed to injuries. Official sources said that Khan was also a prominent activist of the PDP.

Sources said that unidentified gunmen, believed to be pro-Government counter-insurgents, appeared at Hall Chhatergul in Anantnag district last evening and they kidnapped one Iqbal Khatana S/o Abdullah Khatana. His bullet-riddled dead body was recovered from a deserted spot in the same locality today. Residents said that Khatana was an Imam at the local Islamic school. They protested against the civilian killing, while demanding punishment to the killers.

Suspected militants lobbed a hand grenade towards security forces in Lal Chowk area. It failed to explode. Police seized the grenade. Later today, militants lobbed two more grenades on security forces at Nowhatta in downtown. One of the grenades exploded but failed to cause any harm to the targeted unit of the BSF.

Narayanan assigned duties of NSA

NEW DELHI, Jan 4 : M K Narayanan, Special Advisor to Prime Minister and former Intelligence Bureau Chief, was today given additional duties of National Security Adviser following the sudden death of incumbant J N Dixit, till further orders.

A 1958-batch IPS Officer, 70-year old Naryananan, a trusted aide of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, headed the Intelligence Bureau in 1989-90 before being made head of Joint Intelligence Committee. He was again brought back as IB Chief in 1991 and retired the next year.

"The Prime Minister has assigned the duties of National Security Adviser to M K Narayanan, Special Advisor to PM," an announcement by the PMO said. Singh had made him Special Advisor for Internal Security in May soon after the UPA assumed office.

It said Narayanan will discharge the duties of NSA in addition to his existing duties until further orders. Narayanan is an expert in security matters and is a specialist on Sri Lankan affairs.

The names doing the rounds for the key post are former foreign secretaries S K Singh and Muchkund Dubey, seasoned diplomat S K Lambah, Ambassador to US Ronen Sen and former Ambassador Naresh Chandra and Deputy to NSA Satish Chandra.

Dixit died yesterday following a massive heart attack. (PTI)

MiG 21 crashes, pilot safe

JAIPUR, Jan 4: In the first mishap involving an Indian Air Force aircraft this year, a MiG 21 fighter jet today crashed near Bikaner in Rajasthan but the pilot ejected safely and there was no loss of life or damage to property on the ground.

The plane crashed in a farm in Inda village, 20 kms from Bikaner, soon after taking off on a routine sortie from the Nal Air Base.

An IAF spokesman in New Delhi said the jet was MiG 21 and not Jaguar as reported earlier by additional Superintendent of Police (Bikaner) Giriraj Meena.

The pilot, Sq Leader S Kaila, ejected safely and there was no civilian casualty or damage to property on the ground as the plane crashed in an uninhabited place near the base, the spokesman said.

A Court of Enquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the crash, 14th involving an IAF aircraft in the last 12 months.

The MiG 21 aircraft, involved in the mishap, was of type 75, which is on the verge of being phased out. It along with MiG 21 bis version has been the most prone to accidents.

According to figures tabled in Parliament, 63 MiG 21 aircraft have crashed in the last 10 years with 16 crashes taking place in 2000.

IAF is in the process of upgrading 125 MiG 21 fighters with Russian and Israeli assistance.

The first two squadrons of the upgraded MiG 21 christened bisons have already been inducted into the IAF. (PTI)

Bhujbal questioned by CBI

NEW DELHI, Jan 4: CBI has questioned senior Maharashtra Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in connection with the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam in which Abdul Karim Telgi is the prime accused.

Bhujbal, who had to quit Deputy Chief Ministership in the previous Congress-NCP led Government after his name had cropped up in connection with the scam, was called to CBI headquarters in Delhi recently where he was questioned for two hours, sources said.

Bhujbal is now a Cabinet minister in Vilas Rao Deshmukh Government. During the questioning by the special CBI team probing the case, Bhujbal was asked whether he had used his influence to transfer a Mumbai police inspector who was preparing a dossier against Telgi.

The dossier is believed to have all the case details of Telgi, the sources said.

The agency had confronted the senior NCP leader with a taped conversation between Telgi and Anil Gote where the kingpin claimed he had spoken to Bhujbal and "the work was done".

During the entire period of questioning, Bhujbal is understood to have denied all allegations against him and termed the accusation of Telgi and other accused as baseless and only to tarnish his image.

Bhujbal’s name figured during the interrogation of a man who had reportedly claimed that the main scamster Telgi had scuttled the probe against him at various times during Bhujbal’s tenure as the Home Minister of Maharashtra.

Bhujbal chose a Sunday to come to the CBI headquarters and entered the building through a different gate, which is mainly not used by any visitor, apparently to avoid media glare. The CBI also questioned Bhujbal on his alleged role in the petroleum scam run by Telgi in which the scamster was mixing Naptha with petrol.

The Telgi scam had created a storm in political and bureaucratic circles and saw resignation of several political bigwigs.

Former Mumbai Police Commissioner R S Sharma and some other senior as well as junior police officers were taken into custody during the probe conducted by the then special investigation team.

The CBI would also be questioning some more political leaders from Maharashtra besides the nephew of Bhujbal, Sameer, in connection with the case before filing its chargesheet in a Pune court. (PTI)

Gaur apologises to Uma

NEW DELHI, Jan 4: After weeks of war of words, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur and firebrand BJP leader Uma Bharti today buried the hatchet after a joint meeting with party president L K Advani with Gaur apologising for having made critical remarks against her.

"I express regret for having made harsh remarks against her (Bharti)," Gaur, flanked by the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, told reporters after the 30-minute meeting the duo had with Advani.

Bharti responded by saying that Gaur’s expression of apology showed his "greatness and speciality" and added that all differences had ended with it.

The two had been engaged in a slanging match for weeks which intensified after Bharti was suspended from BJP for challenging Advani on November 10. Gaur had welcomed the step triggering harsh reaction and counter-reactions.

After today’s meeting, Gaur described Bharti as his "Didi" (sister) and said they have decided to work together.

Bharti, who came to Advani’s residence along with RSS idealogue S Gurumurthy, said she had told the BJP president that she had no "grudge" against Gaur.

She said Gaur was elder to her by 30 years and was a father-figure and a respected person. Asked whether she would like Gaur to remain as Chief Minister considering his critical remarks against her, Bharti said she had herself made the proposal for appointing him to the post. "How can I withdraw it now?"

Gaur succeeded Bharti as Chief Minister after she quit in August last year in the wake of an arrest warrant issued against her in a 10-year-old rioting case.

To a question about the future of their relationship, Bharti quipped "Aage Aage Dekhiye Hota Hai Kya" (see what happens in the future).

Asked about the removal of her confidant Sunil Naik from Gaur’s council of Ministers, Bharti evaded a direct reply saying she did not know the details as she was away in Ayodhya.

Prior to her meeting with Advani and Gaur, Bharti was closetted with former BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu at his residence for about 30 minutes. Party general secretary Arun Jaitley was also present during it.

The meeting assumed significance as some prominent second-rung leaders of BJP were reportedly opposed to Bharti’s reinduction in the party following her suspension.

After talking to waiting reporters outside Advani’s residence, both Bharti and Gaur went back inside the premises where they spent about 10 minutes more.

Bharti, who arrived at Advani’s residence about 15 minutes before Gaur, left the place about five minutes after the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister had left. (PTI)

38 officers inducted into KAS

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 4: The Government have appointed 38 officers of various departments in the time scale of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS).

They are Sheikh Nazir Ahmad, Shyam Bijyal, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Gurdarshan Singh, G. R. Mir, Mohammad Shafi Dar, Soujanya Sharma, Itrat Hussain Rafiqui, G. M. Zahid and Regzin Namgiyal (ST) of J&K Information (Gazetted) Service.

Tsering Narboo (ST), Altaf Ahmad Mir, Ghulam Rasool Wani (ST), M. A. Shah, Parvez Ahmad Wani of J&K CD & NES (Gazetted) Service and Mohammad Ali (ST) of J&K Cooperative (Gazetted) Service.

M. A. Shanthoo, R. K. Sodhi, I. A. Banday of J&K Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (Gazetted) Service; Mohammad Abdullah Shah, Mohammad Yousuf Dar and Adil Rashid Naqash of J&K Handicrafts (Gazetted) Service.

Javed Ahmad Shah, Asif Hameed Khan, Mohammad Iqbal Mir and Sobha Ram (SC) of J&K Hospitality and Protocol (Gazetted) Service, Amar Singh and L. Thinless (ST) of J&K Tourism (Gazetted) Service.

Abdul Gani Sofi, Mohammad Aslam Qadiri, Virender Slathia, R. C. Sharma, Mohammad Anwar (ST) Under Secretaries; Mohinder Singh, Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Yasin Sheikh, Imtiyaz Ahmad and Lateef Ahmad Private Secretaries of J&K Secretariat (Gazetted) Service.

SC moots disabling cellphones in prisons

NEW DELHI, Jan 4: Taking the antics of RJD MP Pappu Yadav inside Beur jail as an eye opener, the Supreme Court today seriously weighed the idea of disabling mobile phone services inside prisons across the country to stop its misuse by criminals and influential inmates.

A bench comprising Justice N Santosh Hegde and Justice S B Sinha asked mobile service operators Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Reliance Infocomm to tell it by January 11 the equipment with which mobile phone services could be jammed within the prison precincts.

This direction came during the hearing of a petition challenging a Patna High Court order granting bail to Yadav in the Ajit Sarkar murder case. The Apex Court had stayed the High Court order sending Yadav back to jail.

Referring to the public meeting held by Yadav inside the Beur jail at Patna and the mobile phones seized from him, the bench said "there are instances when highly influential persons and powerful personalities have misused the mobile phones while being lodged inside the prison."

It has to be stopped across India in all jails and the process could begin by installing the jammers at the central jails, the bench observed.

Meanwhile, additional Solicitor General Amarendra Saran, who appeared for CBI, strongly argued in favour of shifting Yadav out of Bihar.

The CBI proposed Yadav’s shifting to one of the central jails at Poonmallee, Palayamcottai, Vellore, Coimbatore (all Tamil Nadu), Mysore (Karnataka) and Sabarmati (Gujarat).

The CBI said the six cases pending against Yadav could be shifted to one court and the trial could be held with the help of video conferencing facility available at the six Central jails.

However, appearing for Yadav, senior advocate R K Jain contended that the bail issue should be decided first by the Supreme Court before weighing the option of shifting him out of Bihar. "This man is put behind prison without any evidence against him," he contended.

The court agreed to his suggestion and posted the matter for hearing on January 11 even as Jain stated that there had been no complaint about violation of prison manual and rules against Yadav after December seven incident.

The bench said that it would also take into account his conduct prior to the incident.

Exasperated by Yadav’s "illegal" activities inside Beur jail at Patna, the Supreme Court on December 14 had sought CBI’s view as to where and which prison he should be shifted, either inside or outside Bihar, so as to stop him from violating all "conceivable" rules.

The court had also transferred to itself the proceedings before the Patna High Court in which notices were issued to cellular phone companies to get details of calls made by Yadav to VVIPs from Beur central jail, where he was lodged after his bail in Ajit Sarkar murder case was cancelled. (PTI)
 
 
 
 

 

 

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