Relief workers complain of harassment by militants
*Epidemic threat in PoK camps

NEW DELHI/islamabad, Jan 8: The outbreak of an epidemic is feared in the relief camps of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which was rattled by a killer quake in October last year, with a reported 25 per cent increase in lung and liver diseases, says a prominent Karachi-based news magazine.

A recent survey of camps in Muzaffarabad and Bagh conducted by an international NGO concerned with health-related issues noted a 25 per cent increase in infections of the lungs and liver and various skin diseases.

"Children and women are the most vulnerable to these diseases and most of these are related purely to lack of adequate facilities at the camps where, in some cases, women defecate inhouse and male members of the family clean up in the dead of the night," ‘Newsline’ magazine quoted an NGO official as saying.

"The absence of a simple thing such as a soak-pit near a camp can become the origin of an epidemic killing hundreds. Yet in most camps, that exist in small clusters, little thought has been given to such issues," the official said.

The threat of disease combined with inadequate food supplies has created an explosive mix: over 1.3 million people who lack proper nourishment and are highly susceptible to illness.

"We cannot say that a large number face imminent death but food insecurity over a long period of time can aggravate threats to human life from weather and wounds, and if allowed to persist, can be a cause of death on its own," an official of the World Food Programme was quoted by the magazine as saying.

The deadliest winter was never a cause of worry but this time, with lack of adequate food and shelter, human life was at stake as never before.

"Many of the most vulnerable areas were accessible... whatever we have done in these areas, by way of pre-positioning food supplies and other necessities of life, will now be tested. Supplementing these supplies is now very difficult," a colonel of Pakistan Army said.

Meanwhile, Western relief agencies, including those run by the United Nations and the US Government, working in quake- ravaged areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan, have complained of harassment by militant outfits, including the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM).

The banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba is leading some 20,000 workers of religious and ‘jehadi’ NGOs in carrying out relief activities in the affected areas of PoK and North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan.

An editorial in the ‘Daily Times’ quoted Hansjoerg Strohmeyer, chief of the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, UN, expressing grave concern over the safety and security of the Western relief workers.

"The UN official was worried about the safety of the Western relief workers at the hands of workers from religious organisations," it said.

The Editorial said there were indications that if the foreign relief agencies faced actual violence, they might abandon their work and leave.

The US Government has also expressed serious concern over the issue, saying presence of a number of ‘Jehadi’ groups in the forefront of relief efforts since the October 8 earthquake was not good.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker called upon the Pakistan government to monitor and, if necessary, stop the jehadi organisations from continuing with their relief work.

"It is a matter of concern that such groups, which are on the watch list, are allowed to operate freely in the affected areas and this would increase their purchase in the country," he had said. (Agencies)

Azad calls upon NRIs to invest in J&K

Excelsior Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD,Jan 8: Spelling out various incentives and concessions announced by the Jammu & Kashmir Government to attract investors, the State Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that his Government is committed to make things more easy and transparent for the investors by improving overall work culture in the State and making State administration more responsive and effective.

He said "My Government’s focus is on economic development of the State with greater vigor and energy to meet the aspirations of the people of the State and provide them increased sources of livelihood and security of life".

Addressing Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, 2006 here today, Mr. Azad appealed the NRI investors to seize the opportunity of conducive atmosphere in the State and become partners in the progress and development of the State.

He said that Centre has extended special package of incentives for intending investors in Jammu and Kashmir on the pattern of Northern state which includes exemptions in excise and income tax besides insurance cover, capital and interest subsidies. He said State Government has already announced new package of incentives for investors and an attractive industrial policy is presently in vogue in the State.

He said this has helped the State to attract investment to the tune of around Rs.3500 crores in the industry sector and presently Asia’s largest cotton yarn spinning and dyeing mills owned by Birla Group and an export oriented hosiery unit by Bhilwara group are functioning in the State and have ambitious plan for further investment and expansion. He said pharmaceutical giants like Sun Pharma, Cadila and Medley are also operating in the State and big names like Lupin are in the pipeline. A major paint manufacturer namely M/s Berger Paints is already in production while one of the largest menthol processing unit in the country is also operational here, he added.

He said in Kashmir valley most cement manufacturing plants have taken up expansion programmes and agro and fruit based units are coming up in big way. He said though much of the investment by private investors has been made in Jammu yet, some noteworthy investors have been now roped in to make investment in agriculture, horticulture and mineral based industries in Kashmir valley.

He said excellent connectivity has been made possible by introducing additional flights from Delhi to Srinagar. "There are daily flights to Jammu, Srinagar and Leh and eight flights between Delhi-Srinagar-Jammu everyday. The Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines, Deccan Airways and Spice Jet operates in this sector" he added.

He said work on four laning of the national highway between Jammu and Srinagar is going on and J&K is fully connected with rest of the country and has electricity potential as well.

He said private participation through Independent Power Producers (IPPs) under the State Hydel Policy is being encouraged, for which many incentives and concessions have been made available to the private investors.

Mr. Azad said that there are tremendous opportunities for investment in tourism sector as by improvement in law and order situation and development of conducive atmosphere State has witnessed unprecedented influx of tourists.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has announced a package of rupees 240 crores as financial assistance to 12 Development Authorities that have been set up by the State Government to promote tourism.

The Chief Minister said there are excellent prospects for investment in the agriculture sector in the State for its varied agro climatic range, encompassing components of a continental dimension, reflecting variety of farm and natural produces.

He said "we had started the process of new industrialization in 1970s when many industrial complexes and estates were created and a fairly good infrastructure was set up to attract investors. As a consequence big industrial houses like Hindustan Level Ltd, Union Carbide, Cadbury India Ltd, Oak India and Maple Industries of the RPG group set up their units in the State. Of these, last three were in the Kashmir valley, besides major PSUs like Hindustan Machine Tools and Indian Telephone Industries Ltd also set up their units in the State and the process of industrialization began to take firm roots". He said State received a great set back in this field and other fields by the militancy and no big investment came into the State either in the private sector or in public sector.

He said that atmosphere is now congenial and industrial policies and incentives are attractive and beneficial, as such industrial houses should come farward and invest in a big way in the State, he added.

Centre urged to show flexibility on Kashmir
Hurriyat delegation returns from Pak

NEW DELHI, Jan 8 : The Hurriyat Conference has urged the Centre to "show flexibility" in resolving the vexed Kashmir issue and called for "immediate demilitarisation " in the State, saying peace can not be restored in a heavily militarised environment.

" If the Centre really means business it should not hesitate to move beyond the over stretched debate on cross-border terrorism and human rights violations. We can not strike peace amidst a heavily militarised environment hence our demand for demilitarisation," Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said here after a week-long tour of quake-hit areas of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

He said demilitarisation could be a gradual process and would help consolidate the gains of the peace process.

The moderate Hurriyat chairman, who discussed demilitarisation and self-governance with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, said the proposals were made for both the parts of Kashmir as confidence building measures and not the final solution.

"I wonder why these proposals are being mistaken for autonomy within the Indian constitution. These measures would just be for confidence building and not final solution," the Mirwaiz, who led a three-member delegation to Pakistan and PoK, said.

Mirwaiz asserted that the Hurriyat had not withdrawn from its stand on resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the UN resolution.

" But it is unfortunate that no positive movement had been made during the last 57 years by the UN to resolve the issue. We have just stated our stand as per the existing international situation," he added.

He said the amalgam wanted a solution acceptable to Kashmiris in addition to them being part of the ongoing peace talks between Pakistan and India.

The Hurriyat delegation, comprising senior amalgam leaders Abdul Ghani Bhat and Bilal Ghani Lone, besides the Mirwaiz also called on Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri and discussed the proposals

Last night, the Centre categorically rejected Gen Musharraf’s suggestion for demilitarisation of three places in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that it was a "sovereign" decision to be taken by New Delhi based on security situation and could not be "dictated by any foreign Government".

New Delhi also dismissed Gen Musharraf’s reference to self-governance in Jammu and Kashmir, maintaining that the State already enjoyed autonomy and had in place a popular Government elected through free and fair elections, unlike the parts of the State under Pakistan’s control.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman emphasised that "complete cessation" of terrorism was essential for achieving the aim of "peace and tranquility all along the India-Pakistan border and all along the Line of Control (LoC) so that there was no need for the two countries to deploy troops in proximity to one another."

President Musharraf, in the interview to a private news channel, had suggested demilitarisation of Srinagar, Kupwara and Baramulla after which he said Pakistan would ensure end to militancy there. (UNI)

Terrorism, corruption major challenges: Baig

Excelsior Special Correspondent

New Delhi, Jan 8 : Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Baig has said the major challenges facing the governance today are terrorism and corruption which could be tackled only through coalition of right-thinking forces.

Delivering a lecture on "Governance through difficult times" at the India Habitat Centre here, last evening, Mr Baig said the fundamental principle of good governance is full accountability of the stake-holders in the exercise of the mandated activities and functions. In the contemporary circumstances, he said widening stakeholder-ship through involvement of the people's institutions must be the name of the game. "Collaborative examples between civil society and the Government and thriving models of private-public partnership only could create a potent coalition against the terror and corruption," he maintained.

Mr Baig said corruption is the most endemic and entrenched manifestation of the poor governance in our society today. "What is most disturbing is not the prevalence of corruption, but the helplessness with which the intelligentsia accepts such degradation of the moral fabric," he said adding that the democratic governments become responsive if their actions and decisions are subjected to the public scrutiny and pressures by communities and the civil society.

The Deputy Chief Minister said one of the major problems in the insurgency-hit states like Jammu and Kashmir is non-inclusive models of what I call the non-participatory democracy. "There is a total collapse of the Panchayati Raj institutions which not only need to be revived but energized through a process of decentralization," he said adding that the political decision-making apparatus needs to fully capture the views of the marginalized groups, particularly the women. He said the political parties most often work on stand-alone basis without any clear roadmap and indulge in politics of exclusion suited to extraneous considerations. "There is a strong case for initiating electoral reforms in a time-bound manner to make democracy participative," he added.

Mr Baig said another major problem facing the Governance in the conflict-ridden States is "connectivity" – the lack of it and the need for it. He said there is a strong need for enhancing physical, economic, knowledge and emotional connectivity as all these four aspects are inextricably related and mutually enforcing.

The problem of unemployment, Mr Baig said is serious concern for the States like Jammu and Kashmir, where the sympathizers of the militants are more than ready to cash on it and lure the unemployed towards militancy. He said a way out has to be found, sooner the better, to tackle the unemployment problem.

Mr Baig dwelt in detail on the historical background of the Jammu and Kashmir problem and while blaming Pakistan for fuelling terrorism in the State equally blamed New Delhi for committing grave political errors in the State that provided a fertile ground for grooming the germs of militancy. He said instead of encouraging emotional bonding between Srinagar and New Delhi, the centre only nurtured paid agents in the Valley leading to a culture of parasites and corrupt politics.

Dwelling on the external dimensions of the Kashmir problem, Mr Baig said after decades of hostility India and Pakistan are today placed in a comparatively comfortable position. He said the greatest enemy of the peace in the region are the prejudices created by the politicians in the minds of the people on both sides. "Once through greater people-to-people contact such prejudices melt down, all the issues including the most contentious issue of Jammu and Kashmir would get resolved over a period of time," he said adding that the process of reconciliation between the two countries is irreversible and there would be only movement forward, though incremental, but no backward movement.

Mr Baig has joined the selected group of "Leaders in their Fields" invited by the India Habitat Centre to participate in the prestigious Habitat Talk. He is the first ever politician from Jammu and Kashmir to participate in the Habitat talk. The other speakers who have till now participated in this programme include, Dr R K Pachauri, DG TERI, Shekhar Gupta, Editor Indian Express, Shiv Nadar, CEO HCL, Nandan Nilenkani, CEO Infosys, Arun Purie, Editor India Today Group, Sitaram Yechury and Jay Panda.

Two arrested, two abscond
12 militants travelled in Samjhauta on passport

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 8: A day after India and Pakistan inked an agreement to run a second train between the two countries on Khokhrapar-Munabao route, two Al-Jehad militants arrested recently by the Counter Intelligence (CI) sleuths and Special Operations Group (SOG), Jammu, have disclosed that about a dozen militants have crossed over to Jammu and Kashmir via Wagah in Attari Express on the passports issued by Pakistan authorities.

The militants have also revealed that Pakistan authorities and militant leaders were now finding it difficult to push the militants through Line of Control (LoC) or International Border (IB) due to fencing. Therefore, they have adopted a new strategy to either send the militants on passports through Wagah in train or re-route them via Nepal.

The militants, who have made the revelations, had themselves came on Attari Express, also known as Samjhauta Express, via Wagah in Amritsar sector on the passports issued by Pakistan authorities. They have been identified as Saif Ali son of Abdul Rashid Sheikh R/o Hamirpura, Shiva in Doda district and Iftikhar Ali son of Haji Ghulam Qadir R/o Bharti, Gandoh.

Their passports have been seized by the CI officers.

They disclosed that only few days back two more militants of Doda travelled from Pakistan to Amritsar in the train and then reached Jammu on the passports issued by Pakistan. Their identity has been established as Nazir Ahmed son of Saif Din, a resident of Pranu, Bhaderwah and Nazir Ahmed son of Nasarullah R/o Thathri.

Both Nazir Ahmeds, who belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, had gone underground after reaching Jammu and hadn’t been arrested so far.

Saif Ali and Iftikhar Ali told the interrogators that they had crossed over to Pakistan from Kupwara sector in a group of 12 militants. They underwent training in arms and explosives in different training camps of Pakistan.

The militants said they made two unsuccessful attempts to cross LoC from Poonch sector but failed due to fencing. They, however, admitted that some of their associates did manage to cut fencing and sneaked into the Indian territory from Mendhar sector.

They also disclosed that as per their information, some militants were first sent to Nepal by the Pakistan authorities from where they successfully managed to reach Jammu and Kashmir.

Investigations conducted by the CID officers here revealed that passports recovered from the militants were genuine but the names written on them were fake.

While Saif Ali had been issued passport on the name of Mohd Ramzan, Iftikhar Ali had the passport of Mohd Shabir. They had been shown as residents of Jammu and Rajouri.

This, according to sources, had been done to keep the Intelligence agencies here in doubt. By their original names, the militants would have been identified immediately as their names figured in the list of those who had crossed over to PoK for arms training.

Sources said the CID authorities were in the process of writing to the Central agencies for taking up matter with the External Affairs Ministry. The Ministry will further write to Pakistan Government as the issuance of passports to the militants was a serious matter, they added.

'Wilful absence can invite termination'

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The Supreme Court has held that wilful absence of Government employee from work can invite termination from service and will have no right to receive monetary/retiral benefits during the period in question.

Observing that absenteeism from office for prolong period without prior permission by Government servants has become a main cause of indiscipline greatly affecting various departments, a Bench comprising Justice H K Sema and Justice A R Lakshmanan concurred with the decision of Rajasthan Government to dismiss from service an employee, who was wilfully absent from service for about three years.

Setting aside the judgement of the Rajasthan High Court reducing the punishment of removal into compulsory retirement with consequential retiral benefits, the Bench restored the punishment imposed by the disciplinary authority.

"In our opinion, considering that totality of the circumstances, and admission made by the employee himself that he was wilfully absent for three years, the punishment of removal imposed on him is absolutely correct and not disproportionate as alleged by him," the Bench said.

"We are of opinion that a Government servant who has wilfully been absent for a period of about three years and which fact is not disputed by the High Court has no right to receive the monetary/retrial benefits during the period in question," it added.

A UDC in the Cooperative Department, who on taking three days leave became sick and did not attend the office for three years, was terminated from service following an enquiry.

He was removed from the service as it was proved that he remained absent wilfully for a period exceeding one month.

The court said after the Single Judge of the High Court had held that there was wilful absence of the employee it was a "grave error" that the erring worker could be deemed to have retire after seeking service of 20 years with all retiral benefits.

"In our opinion, the order of removal from service is the only punishment to be awarded to the employee herein who was wilfully absent for three years without intimation to Government," the court said.

"The facts and circumstances and the admission made by the employee would clearly go to show that Rule of the Rajasthan Service Rules is proved against him and, therefore, he may be removed from service," the court held. (PTI)

HUJI ultra killed in Chatru

Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 8: A ‘tehsil commander’ of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit was gunned down in a joint operation by police, Army and CRPF in Chatru area of Doda district today.

Slain militant has been identified as Irshad Ahmed Bhat alias Saifullah, a resident of Bhatpura, Chatru.

SSP Doda Prithvi Raj Manhas said Irshad Ahmed was killed after an hour long exchange of firing in Chatru this afternoon. One AK-47 rifle, one magazine and some rounds were recovered from him.

Only yesterday, police and security forces had eliminated another HUJI militant Firdous Ahmed alias Ali Sher at Marmola in Chatru area of Kishtwar.

Coldest day in Delhi in 70 years

NEW DELHI, Jan 8: The national Capital woke up today to the coldest day in over 70 years with a miniumum temperature dipping sharply to 0.2 degrees celsius.

Strong icy cold winds from Northwest continued to lash the national Capital with the mercury dipping to below normal level, the MeT Department said here. However, there was relief from fog.

The minimum temperature, recored 0.2 degrees celsius, seven degrees below normal and the maximum was 18.7 degrees celsius, two degrees below normal.

The minimum temperarture touched the lowest between 0530 and 0600 hrs, they said.

The minimum temperature of minus 0.6 degrees was recorded on January 10, 1935.

However, Delhiites heaved a sigh of relief this morning as there was no fog and no delays in air and road traffic. All international and domestic flights operated on schedule, airport sources said.

The Runway Visibility Range (RVR) was 800 metres this morning, they said. (PTI)

6 pilgrims killed in accident

PATHANKOT, Jan 8: Six pilgrims of a family were killed when a heavy vehicle collided with their car near Mirthal, this morning, police said.

The accident victims including four women were returning to their Mohali home after visiting the Vaishno Devi Shrine, a police official said here.

The victims of the accident travelling in a car were identified as Dr Surinder Sharma, his wife Sunita, two daughters Poonam and Kavita, son Navin and his wife Chanchala.

The accident occured in foggy weather when a truck collided with the car when the family was returning to Mohali after paying obeisance at Vaishno Devi Temple.

The truck driver who hit the car managed to escape and was still at large, police sources said.

The police have registered a case of rash driving against the erring truck driver and begun search for him .

The bodies of the six accident victims have been sent to Pathankot Civil Hospital for post mortem. (PTI)

Pilgrims begin flocking to Mena

MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA, Jan 8: Over two million Muslims began today streaming out of Mecca the first day of a Haj pilgrimage already marred by the deaths of 76 people in the collapse of a pilgrim hostel.

Moving in cars, vans and on foot, a mass of white-robed pilgrims poured into a tented city at the valley of Mena at the start of the five-day ritual, a duty for every able-bodied Muslim at least once in their lifetime.

Saudi Arabia has deployed a record 60,000 security men in an effort to avoid deadly stampedes, attacks by Islamist militants fighting the US-allied Saudi royals, or the spread through the crowds of bird flu or any other dangerous virus.

The authorities were taken by surprise when a pilgrim hostel which was only 30 years old collapsed during the midday bustle of a narrow market street in the holy city of Mecca on Thursday, eliciting a flurry of rare criticism in the Saudi media.

The tragedy was embarrassing for the absolute monarchy, whose legitimacy in the eyes of many Muslims rests on its ability to host some 2.5 million Haj pilgrims every year.

The Government has promised to find out who or what was to blame for the incident, and King Abdullah has said the survivors will finish their Haj at the state’s expense.

The pilgrimage has been marred by other tragedies in recent years. Some 250 pilgrims died in a stampede in 2004 during the stoning of stone pillars that represent the devil.

The Government has reorganised access to the site, where pilgrims will stay for three days from Tuesday, and promised to remove pilgrim squatters who often camp there.

This year health experts have warned that the huge crowds could create the conditions in which a pandemic strain of bird flu may emerge.

Saudi Arabia says it has spent 25 million riyals (6.7 million dollars ) on Tamiflu, a drug that can reduce the severity of the current strain of bird flu if taken within days of symptoms appearing.

Many pilgrims come from Asian countries, where the deadly H5N1 form of bird flu has killed more than 70 people since 2003. Three children in the east of Turkey, which has a large haj contingent, have died from the virus over the past week.

"All ports have been completely closed and all the pilgrims who have entered the kingdom are free of contagious diseases," said Tarek Arnous, an emergency health official in Mecca.

"Until now, the (bird flu) virus has not mutated to pass from animal to human so there is no need to worry," he said. All those who have died so far were infected by birds.

Tomorrow, pilgrims will spend the day in the plain of Mount Arafat, where the Prophet Mohammad gave his farewell sermon 14 centuries ago, before moving back to Mena for the pillar-stoning rites on Tuesday, the beginning of the Eid al-Adha holiday. (AGENCIES)

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