Excelsior Special Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: Describing the act of National Conference for its decision of withdrawal from Kashmir Working Group as "irresponsible", Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Justice Sagir Ahmed will be the new head of Kashmir Working Group (KWG).

Talking to media-persons on the first day of the opening of Civil Secretariat in the winter capital here this morning, the Chief Minister expressed hope that the Opposition National Conference would participate in its next meeting headed by Justice Sagir Ahmed in November.

Responding to a question on NC’s withdrawal from the KWG, Mr Azad said, " It is an irresponsible act of the National Conference but I hope that NC would take part in the next meeting to be held in New Delhi in November. NC is the oldest party in the State and I don’t think its patron Dr Farooq Abdullah can pull out from the Working Group."

While playing down the controversy of the removal of retired Justice Ahmed as head of the Working Group, Azad said, " he did not have the time to devote for the Working Group meets."

In response to another question regarding differences over the self-rule proposal with PDP, the Chief Minister played safe and said, "everyone within and outside the Coalition is free to raise his point of view on the solution to the Kashmir problem." He however, suggested that PDP and NC can raise issues of self-rule and autonomy in the working group meets and the round table conferences for which they have been set up.

Mr Azad ruled out any threat to his Government and said that this regime would complete the remaining two years in office and will try to implement the agenda of good governance in the State. He said the number of custodial killings and disappearances has shown declining trend and cases of alleged rapes and sexual harassment were negligible. Stressing upon his Government’s resolve for zero tolerance of HR violation cases, Mr Azad said that general law and order situation has shown significant improvement.

Regarding the demand of refugees of West Pakistan to grant citizenship rights to own land and property and cast vote, Mr Azad said the demand is very sensitive and all major political parties needed to arrive at a consensus over the issue. He said the demand can also be taken up for resolution in the Working Group by involving concerned representatives.

Referring to general situation, Azad said inspite of increase in infiltration during last one year, the security forces and police have succeeded in minimizing militancy related incidents and violence in the State.

Mr Azad disclosed that nearly 13 lakh kanals of State land has been grabbed by the land-mafiamen in the entire State and a vigorous campaign is being launched to retrieve this Government land. Sounding a warning note, Mr Azad said, whosoever is responsible will not be spared. He pointed out that some political persons and some connected to media and started their own newspapers to cover up their misdeeds were also said to be connected with the mafia. " Le it be made clear to all that in the process of operation, no one is going to be spared whether he is from Congress, PDP, NC or any other Party," the Chief Minister warned.

He revealed that entire data has been collected and computerised by the Revenue department. He said land mafia in Jammu and Srinagar have become more powerful and dangerous. They have now openly started resorting to all kinds of mafia tactics to threaten the authorities for retaining their illegal occupancy. He said all steps would be taken to deal with the goonda elements whose actions were alarming like those of militants.

Commenting on the creation of eight new districts, three sub-divisions and 13 tehsils the Chief Minister said that it was a significant decision of the coalition Government fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir much beyond the Wazir commission recommendations. He said Delimitation Committee set up under Dr S S Bloeria will submit its report regarding demarcation of boundaries by the end of January and by Feb or March next year the new Deputy Commissioners and SSPs will be appointed besides recruiting other staff. He said funds proposal for these new districts would be kept in the next budget in March.

Mr Azad asserted that his campaign against corruption has yielded good results and said that unique legislation enacted in the State in this connection was first of its kind in the world. He said properties of eight officials have been confiscated and properties of 50 other officials are in the process of confiscation.

Referring to creation of Special Economic Zones, Mr Azad said following opposition from the general public, the Government has decided not to go in for creation of SEZ in J&K on the pattern of Haryana, Uttaranchal and Punjab. He said that he himself has taken review of the Industry and it was still half way. He pointed out that industry set up in the State was not yet employment oriented but restricted to some Central and State incentives to individual industrialists. He said investment from outside should be beneficial for the locals and may provide job avenues to the local youth.

Earlier, the Chief Minister on his arrival at the Civil Secretariat at 9.30 am was accorded guard of honour by a contingent of State police. He was accompanied by cabinet ministers, chief secretary, DGP and other senior officers. He went round various offices in both the blocks and inspected maintenance works. He also inspected dispensary and canteen. He was satisfied with the arrangements made for reopening of move offices here.

4 exfiltrators held, soldier killed in Leh

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 6: A girl student and a Police constable have sustained injuries in two incidents of shootout in Kashmir valley since last evening. Meanwhile, one soldier and one civilian have died in two incidents in Ladakh today.

Official sources said that an undergraduate girl student, namely Naheeda D/o Ghulam Mohammad Rather R/o Boochhoo and another civilian, Abdul Ahad Shah of Chursoo, sustained gunshot injuries in a mysterious incident of firing near Bus Stand of Tral in Pulwama district today. While officials maintained that it was incident of crossfiring as a militant fired upon the BSF and evoked retaliation, residents alleged that the bullet came out from the rifle of a soldier of BSF 173 Bn.

Sources said that shopkeepers in the locality suspended business and put up a demonstration with the demand that the BSF camp be shifted to some other place. Officials said that this kind of a demonstration and demand was often at the behest of militants who had been trying to exploit every incident to meet their interests---particularly shifting of the local camp.

Sources said that suspected militants fired upon a DPL vehicle at Kulangam, near Handwara, on Sopore-Kupwara Road last evening. A selection grade constable, namely Nazir Ahmed, sustained injuries. The targeted vehicle proceeded and got medical treatment for the injured constable at hospital.

Official sources in Leh said that a civilian, namely Tsering Takpa S/o Tsetan Dorjoy R/o Saspol, died in an incident of blasting in Nimo-Basgo National Hydel Power Project. Sources said that the power project authorities had been conducting blasting for quite some time.

Sources in Ladakh added that a soldier of 15-Garhwal Rifles of 14th Corps, namely Sepoy Arwind Panwar, died to the gunshots he sustained in a mysterious incident of firing. Sources said that Police had immediately registered a criminal case and launched investigation as to how the shootout took place.

Official sources in Leh further added that Police arrested three soldiers of Army's 14th Corps, namely Rifleman Mandeep Singh of Bhatinda (Punjab), Sepoy Deep Kumar of Jwalaji, Kangra (HP), and a sweeper, namely Kishori Lal of Kathua, for their alleged involvement in stealing a mobile phone from the shop of one Sonam Phuntsog, at Supermarket in Leh. The stolen Samsung has been recovered from the delinquent soldier Deep Kumar. Police have registered a case and the investigation had been launched.

Meanwhile, rour persons have been arrested in Baramulla district while trying to exfiltrate to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, a defence official said today.

The arrested were identified as Mohiuddin (34), Manzoor Ahmad (22), Mohd Maqbool (20) and Mushtaq Ahmad Najar (18) from Uri, the official said.

While Najar was a resident of Adoora village in Baramulla, rest of them hailed from Pattan area of the district.

Troops guarding the border witnessed suspicious movement and arrested them. They have been subjected to interrogation during which they revealed that they were on way to a militant training camp in PoK.

Jammu observes complete bandh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: A complete but peaceful bandh was observed in Jammu and adjoining localities in response to the separate calls given by the Refugees United Front (RUF) and Pradesh unit of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). The Bandh was also supported by various political, social and religious organizations.

RUF had given bandh call against failure of the successive State and Centre regimes to redress problems of the refugees of the State while as BJP had incorporated issue of discrimination with Jammu region and Hindu minority in the State.

Shiv Sena (Thackeray) had also given bandh call and actively participated in holding protests.

However, normal life was thrown out of gear due to total shut down in the city.

Attendance in Government offices, other public sector concerns and educational institutions was low as private transport, barring auto rickshaws, was off the road. Most of the schools remained closed due to Bandh call.

No untoward incident was reported in the city as heavy contingent of police was deployed in the city in general and sensitive areas in particular to maintain law and order .

Today’s bandh coincided with the opening of civil secretariat and shifting of Government offices to the winter capital.

Since morning, Bandh supporters were seen moving from one bazaar to other and appealing shopkeepers to observe the strike. Shouting slogans against State Government the activists of RUF along with workers of Shiv Sena, Hindustani Shiv Sena, LJSP, Janta Party and other groups took out processions in the city.

At Tawi Bridge, these activists burnt effigies of all the Ministers of the coalition regime of the State. Twenty two effigies were burnt at Tawi Bridge resulting into blockade of traffic for quite some time otherwise on ever-busy bridge.

RUF president Rajiv Chuni expressed his gratitude towards people for observing complete bandh in the city in support of their call. He said that issues of refugees was purely a human issue and Government should consider this case on humanitarian ground.

He regretted that except promises, successive State and Central Governments have done nothing to redress problems of the refugees. He said that previous NDA Government at the Centre had failed to meet their demands and that they had now pinned hopes on the UPA Government headed by Manmohan Singh.Only assurances were given without solving any problems due to which a bandh was called on the opening day of civil secretariat, Chuni said.

President of the State unit of BJP Nirmal Singh said that people had a lot of expectations from the coalition Government headed by Ghulam Nabi Azad but his one-year Government has disappointed people of Jammu with Hindu minority was feeling insecure in the present rule.

The bandh was also supported by Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party, Praja Parishad, Jammu and Kashmir Shiva Sena, Sata Akali Dal, Dogra Liberation Front and All India Sikh Students Federation.

Reports from Kathua said that bandh was observed in different areas of district. Activists of BJP and refugees organized demonstration at Shaheedi Chowk of the town. They demanded citizenship rights for the refugees.

Our correspondent from Poonch adds. All business establishments remained closed and vehicular traffic also remained off the roads in response to the Bandh. Sharnarthi Action Committee, Poonch had also extended support to the Bandh call.

91 civilians cross LoC
4 over-staying family members deported

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Nov 6: Ninety one civilians crossed Line of Control (LoC) at Chakkan-Da-Bagh on Poonch-Rawalakot bus fortnightly bus service today. The LoC crossers include four members of a family, who were illegally staying in Indian territory for last 15 days whom Pakistan army and PoK authorities had refused to accept on November 1 despite agreeing to do so after communication.

While 22 civilians travelled in the bus from Poonch to PoK, 69 civilians came to Poonch from PoK in Rawalakot-Poonch bus service from Chakkan-Da-Bagh, which is opened every fortnight for movement of civilians in the territory of divided State to meet their family members, relatives and friends.

Out of 22 civilians, who went to PoK from Poonch, only five were first timers while 17 others were PoK citizens, who returned to their houses. They include four members of the family of Ghulam Ahmed of Kotli, PoK, who over stayed here for 15 days.

From PoK to Poonch, 69 civilians crossed LoC including 45 first timers and 24 from this part of the State who returned to their houses after completing their stay in PoK, sources said.

Ghulam Ahmed, his wife Khalida Begum, Tauseef Ahmed, brother and Nahida, daughter, all residents of Kotli, PoK, had completed their extended stay in Poonch on October 23 and had to return to PoK on that day from Chakkan-Da-Bagh. As the family didn’t turn up for returning home, they were traced at Tarana, Mendhar where they pleaded for celebrating Eid festival on October 25 with their family.

All four of them were arrested for over staying and were taken to Chakkan-Da-Bagh for deportation to PoK but neither Pakistan army nor civil authorities turned up to take them. As a result, all four were brought back to Poonch and allowed to stay with their maternal uncle at Chandak, Poonch till fortnightly re-opening of the LoC point today.

Pakistan army Captain M Awhad came to the crossing point today to take back over-staying civilians. Nayeem Jafri, Designated Authority, Kotli was also present. From Poonch, Additional DDC Poonch Mubarak Singh, AC (Revenue) Qadeer Malik and District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Matlook Hussain Shah were present from this side.

Mobile Magistrate, Poonch, Nishad Khan and former MLC Rahim Dad had also gone to the LoC point today to receive their relatives coming from PoK.

Five civilians, who travelled on Poonch-Rawalakot bus service from this side for the first time to meet their divided families in PoK, include Ghulam Ahmed son of Said Mohd and Fateh Mohd son of Habib, residents of Chajla, Mendhar, Talib Hussain son of Maya Kala, Mohd Azam son of Dil Mohd and Nayeem Akhter wife of Mohd Imtiyaz, residents of Rajouri.

Omar charges PDP with double speak

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: National Conference president Omar Abdullah today charged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with giving "contradictory statements" and creating confusion on their concept of self-rule.

Addressing a public meeting at Chenani in Udhampur district this afternoon, Mr Abdullah asked the PDP to clarify their stand on the concept of self-rule as "contradictory statements’ of Mufti Mohd Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti and another PDP leader former Law Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig have confused the people.

"In Kashmir, Mufti Sayeed and his party talked of reverting to 400 year old era of Yousaf Shah Chack, while in Jammu they swear to strengthen the bond between the State and rest of the country. Such politics of duplicity can no longer befool people of the State", he said.

He alleged that the PDP having failed completely to provide so-called healing touch is now indulging in "double speak’ to divert attention of the people from its failures. He said the PDP was indulging in politics of "deceit, deception and opportunism".

Mr Abdullah said Mufti Sayeed had made tall claims on raising aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in United Nations but ended up with talking of force, diplomacy and nuclear proliferation. While these issues are important from national perspective, the people of Jammu and Kashmir felt betrayed and let down, he added.

"Kashmir is a political issue and can only be resolved to a political initiative, which will also address aspiration of the people of Jammu and Kashmir", the National Conference president said.

He pointed out that failure of the Government of India to constitute most sensitive working group tasked with finding a political solution remained unconstituted till date. This, he asserted, clearly highlighted lack of any clear direction by the Centre.

"Economic issues, development and governance are essentially a duty of every Government, which must focus on these issues. However, these issues can’t address Kashmir imbroglio, which is essentially a political issue required to be resolved through political means", Omar Abdullah said.

Others who addressed the public meeting include Ajay Sadhotra, Ghulam Mohd Jan, Brij Mohan Sharma, Kashmira Singh, Mohd Shaffi, Lal Chand Musafir, Bashir Ahmed Parwana and Naresh Kumar.

Kashmiris observed one of the oldest supernova

MUMBAI, Nov 6: Watching supernova and comets are not new to Indian sky gazers and astronomers since time immemorial, but the record of Kashmiri observers seems to throw light on the keenness and accuracy in observation of oldest supernova dating back over 8000 years.

The recent scientific studies jointly conducted by astronomers from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) and physicists from Kashmir university, revealed that the Kashmiris had observed one of the oldest supernova may be over 8000 years old and also comets.

Supernova is the sudden brightening of a star during its death by a factor of over 100 billion times.

The scientists recently revealed that the intellect of Kashmiris in sky watching and their keen and accurate observation from stone carvings and drawings were matching with present day knowledge.

Mayank Vahia, a senior astronomer of TIFR told PTI that these studies constitute archaeo astronomy which is the study of origin and growth of astronomy over the millennia.

"This evidence suggests that human intellect was sharp and human thought processes were very sophisticated long before they translated into technologies. The field is not new, even in Indian context," Vahia, who is working closely with the physicist Naseer Iqbal of Kashmir University, said.

"India has not only had a long tradition of astronomy but also of studying past works in astronomy and this has been a continuous trend for the past two millennia and more," he said.

The study of one of the stone carvings first discovered in 1964 from Burzohama in Kashmir, within 20 km of Srinagar overlooking Dal Lake showed to be probably the drawing of oldest supernova, Vahia said. It has been photographed and recorded in the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts.

"We made a sketch of this photograph which showed two bright objects in the sky and a hunting scene below. We argued that the sun and moon can never have comparative brightness so close to each other," he said adding, in fact, the moon is hardly visible in the daytime.

"We therefore suggested that the record is of an event when something as bright as the sun or moon whose observations were recorded in the stone," Vahia said.

"The only astronomical event that can match the sun or moon in brightness on earth is a nearby supernova," he said.

"We found only one supernova whose apparent brightness in the night sky would have been comparable to that of the sun or the moon. The date of the supernova comes out to be about 8000 years old," Vahia said.

"We concluded that stone carving was probably the recording of the oldest supernova. However, we were in for a bigger surprise when we plotted the location of the supernova in the night sky and looked at the night sky. The stick figures in the night sky fitted with the constellations, quite close to what we would draw today," the scientist said.

The people in Burzohama used to dig up and live underground to get protection from the cold using the earth as a blanket. It was inhabited around 3000 years ago, according to archaeologists.

In a recent expedition scientists found stone carving located near Sopore in Baramula district. "We studied the stone drawing in detail. The result of their analysis was remarkable," they said.

"The drawing consisting of three large circles on the right side and other features such as lines going across match the local landscape perfectly well.

"The circles also show lines in one direction only, indicating that the picture shows fast moving objects falling onto the ground. The drawings coincide with the major lakes in the area and the scientists have suggested that it may be a recording of a comet shower that created the lakes," Vahia said.

"The horizontal lines fit well with the river Jhelum flowing through the Valley and the edge of the mountain range. This may well explain why the Srinagar Valley, sitting inside the mountain range is so flat and smooth and has the lakes," Vahia said.

The event would be more than ten thousand years old. Even by conservative estimates, it is at least a map of the local region. Till now, map drawing is considered to be a modern art, and yet we have a detailed geographical drawing of several thousand years ago.

"If these observations stand the test of time, they will give us an indication of how intelligent our ancestors were in a manner that directly probes their intellectual growth rather than their technological achievements." The scientist said adding clearly exciting times await scientists working in this field. (PTI)

Sealing drive: SC criticises Govt

NEW DELHI, Nov 6: The Supreme Court today took strong exception to Government’s stand expressing its helplessness in carrying out sealing drive in the national capital on the ground of prevailing law and order situation in the aftermath of three-day strike by the traders.

"You (Government) think that 25,000 people (traders) by putting dagger on the throat of someone (authorities) can hold entire peoples right, life, liberty and property to ransom and Government is helpless," the bench observed.

While referring to the situation prevailing in the capital for last six days, the bench reminded the authorities of their duty saying that they cannot take refuge for failure to implement the orders under the view that there was a public reaction.

"One of the arguments which is given is public reaction," the bench said referring to the violence witnessed during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, 1993 Mumbai riots and the Gujarat violence in 2002.

"Government’s stand in all such situations was that because of the public reaction we are unable to take action," the court said adding that those who are suppose to implement the provisions of law cannot express their helplessness.

The court referred to the provisions of Article 144 of the Constitution which makes it mandatory on the administrative authorities, both civil and judicial, to act in the aid of the Supreme Court.

Observing that the rule of law, on which the democracy was based, must be protected, the bench said it was worried as the authorities have not cared for the institution of judiciary.

Referring to its orders of February 16 and September 29, the court said it only meant that the traders will keep their shutters down.

"The order is not sealing. The order is you should keep the shutters down till such time the matter is decided," the bench said.

While the Solicitor General G E Vahanvati, MCD counsel Abhishekh Singhvi and Delhi Government counsel V P Singh made submission seeking concession to traders, the bench observed "we have committed mistake by providing relief to traders on September 29".

The court took a dig at the Delhi Government seeking relief for the traders saying "it can reserve its ground for political opponents".(PTI)

Pak to abide by Baglihar verdict

ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: Pakistan today termed as "speculative" and "presumptive" reports that the World Bank-appointed neutral expert’s draft verdict on the Baglihar Hydro-Electric Project in Jammu and Kashmir did not favour it and said it would abide by the final determination.

"It is presumptive and speculative that the verdict will go against us. But we have said that we will abide by the verdict," Foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told reporters here when asked whether Pakistan would accept Swiss expert Raymond Lafitte’s verdict on the issue.

Asked if it could withdraw the complaint at this stage of the arbitration, she said "I do not think anyone is thinking of withdrawing the complaint. We expect the verdict to come before the end of this year".

Her comments came ahead of the three-day final hearing of the Baglihar dispute by Lafitte in Washington beginning tomorrow. Officials from both sides would present their comments on the draft verdict.

The draft has reportedly upheld the basic project design with a rider that its height should be reduced.

The neutral expert has also reportedly given assent to the slew gates at the bottom, which Pakistan vehemently objected to on ground that it provides India with the ability to store and release waters at will.

The first phase of the Rs. 4200 crore project would be ready by next year and would generate 450 mw of power for the power-starved Jammu and Kashmir State. The total project was aimed at producing 900 mw of power.(PTI)

Leh NH to close on Nov 15

KARGIL, Nov 6: The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway will now close for six winter months from November 15, officials said.

They said the decision was taken following dry weather after snowfall on the upper reaches in the middle of October when it was decided to stop all traffic from October 31 on the highway.

The highway remained closed for six winter months because of ten feet to 30 feet of snowfall at different points, particularly from Sonamarg to Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia.

The Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Asgar Karbalayee said storing of essential commodities in the entire Kargil district, including far flung areas, has been completed.

He said, it was decided to keep the highway open as there was no snowfall and the road was still safe for undertaking the journey.

He said about six thousand quintals of "atta" and 13000 lakh litres of kerosene oil, cooking gas and other essential commodities have been stored at different places which are enough for winter.

However, Mr Karbalayee admitted that stocking of medicine in hospitals and other health centres was in progress.

We have completed 60 per cent stocking of medicine and remaining 40 per cent will be completed before November 15, he said, adding for any emergency medicines will be airlifted. (UNI)

Centre gets 4 weeks time in temple case

NEW DELHI, Nov 6: The Supreme Court today granted four weeks to the Centre to find an amicable solution to the controversy of stepping up the security around the makeshift Ram Lalla temple in Ayodhya in view of the increased apprehension of terrorists attacks.

Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium told a division bench comprising Justices K G Balakrishnan and D K Jain that the Centre was talking to the parties concerned for finding an amicable solution so that bullet-proof security would be provided around the sanctum sanctorum where Lord Rama was believed to have been born.

Counsel for petitioner Mohammad Aslam Bhure, however, opposed the request of the Centre on the grounds that it was simply a ploy to construct a permanent structure of the temple at the disputed site and the conduct of the Government amounted to contempt of the court in view of its status quo order after the demolition of Babri Masjid in December 1992.

The apex court, however, allowed the request of the Union Home Ministry, seeking more time and directed the matter to be listed in the month of December. The case was due to come up for a hearing tomorrow.

The application was filed by the Centre in May last year, seeking raising of the wall height around the temple to 8.5 ft in view of the increased threat to the makeshift temple. (UNI)

Militant, civilian killed in Doda

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 6: A militant and a civilian were killed in two separate incidents in Doda district today while an upper ground worker of Hizbul Mujahideen was arrested by security forces from village Tanki in Banihal tehsil of Ramban police district.

Official sources said militants gunned down a civilian Zaffar son of Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din R/o Bharat, Doda at Nalwa Nullah when he was returning to his house. Two militants fired at him from point blank range and escaped from the spot.

Body of the civilian was recovered this afternoon.

A militant of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) outfit Basharat, a resident of Kushal was reported to have been killed in an encounter with Rashtriya Rifles and Doda police at Shree in Chatru area this evening.

Army and police discovered blood trails to a forest but body of the militant hadn’t been recovered so far. An intercept of the militants confirmed that Basharat was killed in the gun-battle, SSP Doda Manohar Singh said.

One AK rifle, one magazine and 15 rounds were recovered from the scene of encounter.

An upper ground worker of Hizbul Mujahideen arrested from Tanki, Kaskoot in Banihal tehsil has been identified as Mohd Hassan, 30, son of Sadiq R/o Kaskoot, Banihal.

He was working as a carrier of arms for Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.

Militant set ablaze house of a civilian Noor Din son of Keema Gujjar at village Lancha in Gool last night.

Three kg explosives and some ammunition was recovered by police from a hide-out in Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, official sources said.

Sayeed says self-rule formula for J&K not against Constitution

NEW YORK, Nov 7: Maintaining that the self-rule formula suggested by him for Jammu and Kashmir was not against the Constitution, former State Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has said there is a need to look for an out of the box solution to the problem taking into account "realities".

The PDP patron, who met a cross section of Kashmiris from both sides of the divide here, told PTI that the peace process between India and Pakistan is irreversible as it is people-driven in both countries and that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue is inevitable.

"I am not saying that everything is going to happen suddenly or immediately," Sayeed, who is here as part of the Indian delegation to the United Nations, said.

"It could be a long drawn out process as there are bound to be setbacks on the way. But the movement is in the right direction," he added.

To resolve the Kashmir issue, he said he had suggested self-rule and the details of the proposal are being discussed and finalized.

Replying to a question, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said he is calling for self-rule which is within the Constitution. One has to consider the realities and there is a need to think outside the box.

Sayeed and the Kashmiri leaders with whom he held discussions said the ideas being discussed include Constitutional guarantees that the legislature elected by the people of the States would not be dissolved by the Central Government and allowed to function for its term.

Sayeed said another idea being discussed is that the Governor should be elected and not appointed by the Central Government. The post could alternate between Jammu and Kashmir regions in the interest of harmony and to ensure that there is no discrimination between the regions.

Without commenting on specific proposals, he said the idea is to empower all regions and he would like similar arrangement on the both sides of the Line of Control.

Asked whether Pakistan would agree to the arrangement made on the Indian side, he said it should be looked in the context that both sides as also Kashmiris want that the issue should be resolved. For example, when the Srinagar-MuzaffarAbad bus service was started, the two sides had done away with passport and visa requirements.

He also advocated free trade between the two sides, saying that is the aim of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA). "Why not to make a start in Kashmir?"

Similarly, he said, there is need for freer movement of the people.

Sayeed said since he arrived here a week ago he had had held discussions with the Kashmiris from both sides as also Indian American organizations.

"All have welcomed the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan as also shown keen interest in the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

The PDP patron praised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his efforts to carry forward the peace process with Pakistan.

Asked whether acts of terrorism, which India says are sponsored by Pakistan would vitiate the atmosphere, he said these are temporary setbacks but overall, the process has made progress since former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee initiated it. (PTI)

CRPF company headquarter, Army convoy
attacked, 4 injured in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Militants attacked company headquarter of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and an Army convoy in the Kashmir valley today, official sources said.

They said militants fired a rifle grenade from an unknown place towards the CRPF company headquarter set up in Shiraz cinema in the down town city this afternoon at 1645 hours.

The grenade exploded in the camp compound causing injuries to two CRPF personnel. The injured were hospitalised, they said.

A resident told UNI that blast were followed by firing by the security forces deployed in the area. However, no one was injured in the firing.

The area was cordoned off and traffic on the Srinagar- Hazratbal shrine road was suspended.

Militants have made large number of attacks on the camp since it was set up in early nineties.

Sources said militants threw a hand grenade towards an Army convoy at Tangmarg this afternoon causing injuries to two soldiers.

The convoy was on way to Gulmarg from Kunzer, they said adding militants managed to escape from the scene. (UNI)

Mirwaiz re-elected Hurriyat Chairman for another 2-year term

SRINAGAR: Awami Action Committee (AAC) chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was today re-elected as the chairman of the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference for another term of two years.The Mirwaiz was unanimously re-elected as the Hurriyat Chairman after his term expired today.

The decision was taken at an extra-ordinary meeting of the Hurriyat Conference at its Raj Bagh headquarters here this morning.The name of Mirwaiz Farooq was proposed by former Hurriyat Chairman Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat and seconded by all the other Executive Committee members.

After the Hurriyat Executive Committee cleared the name, the General Council confirmed the decision.The Mirwaiz, the head priest of Kashmir, was the founder Chairman of the Hurriyat Conference when formed on December 27, 1993 and held the position for two consecutive terms of two years each till 1996 and then assumed the post again in 2000 and 2004.

Born on March 23, 1973 at their ancestral house in Rajouri Kadal in the downtown city, Mirwaiz Farooq is the youngest prominent Kashmiri separatist leader. He did his matriculation from the prestigious Burn Hall School in 1990 and took over the reigns of the AAC after his father Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohammad Farooq was assassinated on May 21, 1990. His late father had founded the AAC.

The Mirwaiz went on to complete his MA in Islamic Studies from the Kashmir University in 2000 as a private candidate and later obtained an M.Phil degree as well. Mirwaiz Farooq did not join Columbia University even after getting an admission there and preferred to stay in Kashmir. He is also the chief priest of the historic Jama Masjid, the main mosque of Kashmir.

Meanwhile, a five-member strong Hurriyat Conference delegation, led by Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, will meet Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Ahmed Khan during his forthcoming visit to New Delhi for talks with his Indian counterpart Shiv Shankar Menon to discuss Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek among other issues.The decision was taken at an extra-ordinary meeting of the Hurriyat Conference called at the amalgam headquarters at Raj Bagh here this morning.

A Hurriyat spokesman said Mr Khan has expressed a desire to meet the Kashmir separatist leaders during his India visit.''We had also been invited for a meeting with Pakistan's Foreign Secretary. We have accepted the invitation and would be going to New Delhi to meet Mr Khan,'' he added.The spokesman said a five-member Hurriyat delegation was nominated for a meeting with Mr Khan.

The Mirwaiz would lead the delegation while the other members of the team were Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Bilal Ghani Lone and Aga Syed Hassan.Indications are that chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani would also meet the visiting Pakistani dignitary.

It would be after a long time that the firebrand leader meets any Pakistani leader. (UNI )