.Militants plan to use sea route for infiltration
Oil, nuke installations under threat: Patil

NEW DELHI, Nov 22: In a sensational peep into intelligence on the terror threat to India’s critical infrastructure, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today disclosed that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives were being trained specifically to sabotage oil installations and that the country’s atomic power plants, defence, communications and it sectors had also become "highly vulnerable".

"Our coastal areas are coming under increased threat from terrorist groups as the LeT has reportedly decided to use the sea route to infiltrate into India," Patil said while inaugurating a three-day conference of the country’s top police brass.

"Simultaneously, we understand they have been collecting information regarding the location of various refineries on or near the Indian coastline," he said. "Some LeT operatives are also being trained specifically for sabotage of oil installations.

"There are plans to occupy some uninhabited islands and use them as bases for launching operations on the Indian coast," Patil said.

"Likewise, our critical infrastructure faces a serious threat from terrorists. In view of the recent Indo-US agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation, our atomic power plants have become highly vulnerable. Similarly, installations of the oil and natural gas sector, defence, communications and it sector are equally vulnerable," he said.

He refrained from directly naming Pakistan and its ISI but clearly indicated that they were behind terrorist operations aimed against India. Patil said there were reports to indicate that some of the country’s multi-purpose projects and shipyards continue to be targets of terrorists groups.

"In view of the assessed threat, Government has asked the littoral states to establish marine police stations for which the Home Ministry has sanctioned Rs 400 crore for establishing infrastructure and purchasing boats.

"Training of these marine policemen has commenced with the help of the coast guard and efforts are afoot to integrate command and control among the police," he said.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, Patil said the increase in incidences of infiltration and demonstrative acts of violence by militants "intent on a well callibrated agenda" had "vitiated the environment" there.

"Targetting by terrorists of vulnerable groups like tourists, non-state subjects and minorities including a high-profile suicide attack....Were clearly attempts by the terrorists to thwart the political processes aimed at reconciliation," he said.

Patil said the "penchant of various terrorist outfits operating in Jammu and Kashmir to indulge in wanton violence means that the safety of soft targets will continue to remain a priority concern for security forces".

To allow the political process to take the desired direction, he said "it is impertaive that the state witnesses perceptibly lower levels of violence, which requires a strong will and determination to sustain the anti-militancy effort". Referring to the Northeast, the Home Minister said while the overall situation had shown signs of improvement, the continuing violence in Manipur and a surge in depredations by the ULFA in Assam "are worrying indicators".

Ceasefires with several underground groups had been achieved, but the Government cannot countenance the wilful use of violence by militant groups against the common man while talking about peace, Patil said.

"These groups must realise that the people have clearly rejected wanton violence and showed a clear desire for peace and stability that alone can guarantee development," he said.

Cooperation between police forces and other security agencies in the Northeast, he said, was "absolutely vital" as there were close inter-linkages among militant groups in the region in areas like arms procurement and training.

Describing Naxalism as a serious threat to internal security, Patil said Naxalites had carried out "some chilling and dastardly actions" in the past year that pointed to "critical gaps in collection of tactical intelligence".

Noting that Naxalism feeds on widespread socio-economic, political and regional inequities, he said, "no grievance, whether real or imaginary, can justify resort to such terror tactics and violence in any civilised society."

The recent seizure of rocket shells and launchers in Andhra Pradesh showed that the Naxalites are determined to acquire a sophisticated arsenal to improve their military might, he said while asking Maoist groups to abjure violence and to contribute to developmental efforts rather than obstructing the same. Patil also emphasised the pressing need to gear up the intelligence gathering machinery right down to the level of police stations.

"We have circulated a detailed model structure for the state special branch which includes not only a qualitative restructuring of the existing set-ups but also professional upgradation of the staff posted there," he said.

Referring to the police mission and police reforms being pursued by the Government, Patil said, "we will have to create a police service that not only ensures the rule of law but also is viewed as fair, efficient and honest; and is able to meet the democratic aspirations of the people."

Patil presented Indian police medals to 17 officials of the Intelligence Bureau. Lauding the role of the IB, he said, "I am aware that the good work done by its unseen and unsung heroes goes largely unacknowledged due to the secretive nature of their functioning."

Earlier, in his welcome address, Intelligence Bureau chief E S L Narisimhan, who is the chairman of the conference, advocated the need for a strong security response against militant groups like the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar.

"The enemies of the country want to project the militancy in the country as indigenous and for this purpose, they have been recruiting some local youth for arms training," he said. "Though the number is very very low, there is no room for any complacency." About the Northeast, he said the situation there was largely peaceful but the continued sheltering of militant outfits in Myanmar and Bangladesh could complicate matters. (PTI)

'Grenade attack' on Bar chief, 2 killed
No-holds-barred clash among separatists

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Nov 22: Leaders and workers of two separatist groups---Islamic Students League (ISL) and Democratic Political Movement (DPM)---today staged a no-holds-barred clash near headquarters of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Hurriyat Conference in the posh Rajbagh area. Meanwhile, a leading advocate and head of the pro-Azadi High Court Bar Association (HCBA), Mian Abdul Qayoom, today complained that an unsuccessful grenade attack was carried out on him near his residence in Bulbul Bagh area. Militants have, meanwhile, gunned down a soldier in Kangan and a civilian in Sopore this evening.

A separatist activist, Shakil Bakhshi, who has been heading ISL for the last 19 years, had called a press conference on the road outside the office of his breakaway group, DPM, at Rajbagh in the capital city. Eyewitnesses said that immediately after the press briefing, Bakhshi and his ISL activists trooped into the DPM office premises in an attempt to capture the building and gain control over the breakaway organisation.

However, Bakhshi's estranged colleague and DPM chief, Firdaus Ahmed Shah, and over 50 of his supporters launched a counter-offensive and they repulsed ISL attempts to capture their party headquarters. Eyewitnesses said that the DPM leaders and workers overpowered the ISL chief and his associates and beat them up mercilessly till Police intervened. They said that Shakil Bakhshi, Imtiaz Ahmed Paul and senior ISL activist Mohammad Sadiq Shah were beaten up with fists, kicks, slaps and batons. Rival factions also resorted to mass abusing, sloganeering and stone pelting on each other. At least eight persons, mostly from ISL, sustained injuries.

It was in the thick of the unruly scenes that a party from Police Station Rajbagh intervened with baton charge and dispersed the warring groups. Bakhshi and some of his associates were whisked away and detained at Police Station Rajbagh.

An ISL statement alleged that the "expelled group of DPM lead by Firdaus Ahmed Shah and Police" attacked the ISL leaders. It said that Bakhshi and Imtiaz Ahmed Paul were manhandled and arrested in injured condition while Mohammad Sadiq Shah was admitted to Bone and Joint Hospital Barzullah. On the other hand, DPM members alleged that Bakhshi and his associates trespassed into their office and made unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Firdaus Shah and his associates..

SSP Srinagar, Syed Ahfad-ul-Mujtaba, told the EXCELSIOR that Police swung into action against the workers of the warring factions as they created a law and order situation and disrupted business, academic activity and traffic. He said that Police registered a case under section 107-CrPC and detained the quarrelling leaders for several hours. He said that Bakhshi and others would be released under rules and after completion of certain formalities this evening. He refuted ISL allegation that Police had taken the side of DPM.

Headquarters of most of the Valley's separatist political groups, including both the factions of Hurriyat Conference, are situated in the posh colony of Rajbagh in Civil Lines here. Today's scene of clash was just outside the headquarters of the Hurriyat faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. While Bakhshi's ISL has been operating independently for the last over two years, Firdaus Shah's DPM happens to be a constituent of the Hurriyat faction led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani. With the exception of Jamaat-e-Islami and Mirwaiz Umar's Awami Action Committee, all of Kashmir valley's separatist political and militant organisations as well as alliances have fragmented in innumerable factions in the last 18 years of armed insurgency and separatist movement.

Meanwhile, a leading separatist leader and President of High Court Bar Association, Mian Abdul Qayoom, complained that he became the target of a grenade attack when he was just reaching back at his residence in Bulbul Bagh locality in Barzullah area of uptown this evening. He told the EXCELSIOR that he was returning from High Court and was yards away from his home when someone hurled a stone and followed it by a grenade at 1745 hours, which exploded close to his vehicle. "However, fortunately I survived the attack and the vehicle too was not damaged", Mr Qayoom said. He did not immediately identify the people responsible for the attack.

SHO Police Station Sadr, Inspector Shabir, said that a number of residents confirmed the "blast" but Police did not immediately find any craters or splinters or other evidences of a grenade attack on Mr Qayoom's vehicle and around the spot. He said that another Police party would examine the spot and the advocate's vehicle on Thursday. Mr Qayoom lives close to CRPF-guarded residence of an SSP at Bulbul Bagh.

Having forged the first alliance of Kashmiri political and militant groups, Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Kashmir, in 1990-91, Mr Qayoom has been heading HCBA for the fourth consecutive term. In an attempt on his life, he had sustained gunshot wounds over a decade ago. His HCBA was a constituent of Hurriyat Conference until the alliance broke into different factions and groups three years ago. In addition to Dukhtaraan-e-Millat chief, Asiya Andrabi, Mr Qayoom played a key role in highlighting "Srinagar Sex Scandal".

Meanwhile, informed sources said that two of the JAK LI soldiers, presently attached to Rashtriya Rifles 24 Bn, camp Wusan, were moving in civvies in an alley close to Sub District Hospital at Kangan this evening. Suddenly, a youth, suspected to be a militant, drew a pistol from his Pheran and fired a single shot with aim on the heart of one soldier. He died on the spot. He was identified as Mohammad Khalil S/o Mam Deen R/o Mendhar Poonch. His body was handed over by Police to RR 24 Bn.

Sources said that two unidentified gunmen, believed to be militants, appeared at Zaloora in Sopore-Handwara belt at 1900 hours this evening and they fired shots from an AK-56 rifle on a 34-year-old shopkeeper, Shabir Ahmed Lone S/o Mohammad Maqbool Lone near his shop. He died on spot. His father is reportedly a village headman but the family's background was not available immediately.

Projects worth Rs 7651 cr cleared for 2 capital cities

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 22: Time has come for taking realistic steps for rebuilding both Srinagar and Jammu cities as Greater cities respectively by enriching them with necessary infrastructure including sewerage facilities, water supply, better roads, developing slum areas, better solid waste management, introducing of Mass transportation including Metro system, protecting and developing heritage centres, shrines, temples and its vicinities, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said today at a high level steering meeting.

The committee took historical decision of approving all projects prepared by Housing and Urban Development department under JNNURM worth Rs 7651 crores for both cities.

Both the cities will be taken as "Mission cities" providing for augmentation of water resources, better treatment of water bodies, development of roads, bridges including widening of narrow lanes and by lanes so that the old cities gave a better look.

Members of Legislative Assembly from Srinagar emphasized that historical background of Shari Khas should be kept in view, which was known city of seven bridges. MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar suggested that keeping in view the importance of Amir Kabir Sahi Hamdan (RA), the great and first Sofi Saint Bulbul Shah (RA) and Badshah Tom the project for making attractive corridor on the banks of river Jehlum may be made in such a fashion so that the entire area is earmarked as a heritage area while as Yogesh Sawhney emphasized for development of old parts of Jammu city and enhancement of funds for slum area development.

The project besides development of entire Tawi envisaged development of Tawi Lake.

MLA Mohammad Yaseen Shah emphasized in the meeting that besides immediate implementation of Asian Development Bank Projects, the plan should include development of those areas of Srinagar city where people have constructed houses in large numbers and need proper civic facilities. MLA Mubarak Gul expressed need of shifting garbage dumping site from Saidpora Iddgah.

The Chief Minister advised to Secretary Housing & Urban Development Naseema Lankar and other senior officers to continuously monitor the clearance of priority projects so that work for both Srinagar and Jammu cities is started from first week of March.

Several Ministers, legislators, Mayors and Corporators were among others who attended the meeting.

Terrorism biggest threat, UPA confused: Vajpayee

NEW DELHI, Nov 22: In a stinging attack on the Congress-led UPA, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today accused it of being confused about tackling terrorism.

The BJP veteran, who did not name Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal, also said the country has yet to fulfil its duty towards those who died fighting terrorists in the December 13, 2001 strike.

His remarks came during a party rally aimed at pressing the Government to reject Afzal’s clemency petitions.

"Terrorism is the biggest threat, but the Government is confused about how to tackle it. ... What is the Government’s policy on terror?" he asked.

In an apparent reference to the resumption of dialogue with Pakistan, Vajpayee maintained that talks at this juncture were futile.

"They (terrorists) are challenging us, but the Government is finding ways to talk. We are not against talks, but what is their use? The Government is not sure about its own moves," the former Prime Minister said.

In the wake of varying comments from different quarters in the Government on Pakistan’s involvement in terror activities against India, he accused the ruling UPA of inconsistency over the issue.

"One ministry says one thing, and the other says another," he remarked, recalling that the Mumbai Police had blamed Pakistan for the July train bombings in there.

"Still the Government says it will find a solution (to terrorism) through talks. But how and in what way?" Vajpayee asked.

Participating in the rally held as part of the safforn party’s nationalist campaign ahead of Assembly elections in some states, including Uttar Pradesh, Vajpayee cited National Security as an issue that he insisted could bring about a change in Government.

"The situation has to be changed. The BJP urges the people to be ready for sacrifice for national security.... (the Government should) change (its) policies or else people will be forced to change it," he told the packed rally at Parliament street here.

He insisted that the BJP rally marked beginning of such a change. "This rally is a new beginning, uniting all people for a change."

In his speech, senior BJP leader L K Advani, who led a party march from Rajghat to Parliament street, said both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi make their position clear on the execution of Afzal.

"They should clear their stand of Afzal’s hanging. It’s a question of justice to the security personnel... It (clemency to Afzal) will amount to disrespect to our security forces," the former deputy Prime Minister said.

Advani, who maintained that the Parliament attack was worse than the 9/11 terror strikes in the United States, also flayed Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for his alleged support of clemency for Afzal.

"The Congress Chief Minister should have been removed the very next day (of his making such remarks)," Advani, who did not name Azad, said.

The BJP leader also accused the Government of attempts to delay the execution of the death-row prisoner for votes.

"This is a big betrayal to the nation," Advani said. (PTI)

Omar calls Azad’s double shift, Mufti’s self-rule a farce

Excelsior Special Correspondent

HANDWARA, Nov 22: National Conference (NC) President, Omar Abdullah, today dismissed Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s claims of double-shift development as well as the PDP patriarch Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s slogan of self-rule as a farce. He said that Congress and PDP were the two faces of the same coin and claimed that the 4-year-old coalition Government had failed on all fronts.

Receiving a warm welcome—which had all the features of a traditional political rally including folk drummers, wanwun, wazwaan and sheerini—Omar told his enthusiastic audiences that the days of the Azad-led coalition government were "numbered". In the most important part of his speech, he asked his party workers to make preparations for the new Assembly elections from today itself. He asserted that the people of Kashmir, who had expressed high hopes with the new dispensation four years ago, were completely disappointed as, according to him, Mufti’s as well as Azad’s government had failed to lessen the miseries of the common people.

Omar said that Congress and PDP were the two faces of the same coin and leaders of both the ruling parties were trying to befool the Kashmiris with "hollow slogans". He asked Mufti to play the tape of his United Nations speech before the people of the state and claimed that PDP’s populist refrain of self-rule had not a single mention in Mufti’s UN speech. Omar claimed that the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad’s hands were "completely tied" and his masters in New Delhi were not sincerely supporting Mr Azad as Chief Minister.

He said that the other day only none other than PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had admitted in a Tehelka programme that Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus Service had reduced to just a symbolic significance. He said that nobody was travelling by this bus for which PDP had sought plenty of credit.

Omar claimed that most of the developmental works were either far from completion or had not been taken up for execution as Mr Azad’s writ was not running large with his own bureaucracy and officials. He claimed that Azad’s claim on "works in double shift" had no basis as he had not seen a single work being executed in double shift, particularly in the Valley. Omar said that the Government had reached unprecedented financial and economic bankruptcy and it was sustaining on the over drafts of J&K Bank which had already reached a whopping Rs 2700 cr. He said that J&K Bank itself had landed in an unenviable position.

Omar was also critical of some mainstream and separatist leaders’ slogan of withdrawal of troops and asked these politicians to first return their brigades of PSOs and escort personnel to the Government before calling for withdrawal of troops.

On one occasion, Omar walked all the way to the main entrance of Chinar Bagh when a clash took place between Police and his party workers angry over sluggish frisking of audiences. Hundreds of the NC workers gate crashed into the Chinar Park and shouted slogans against Police and in favour of their party president. Two Police officials and about a dozen NC workers sustained injuries in the scuffle and baton charge.

Senior NC leaders Abdur Rahim Rather, Dr Mehboob Beig, Chowdhary Mohammad Ramzan, who was the host of today’s rally, Mohammad Akbar Lone and Nasir Sogami also addressed the gathering.

LeT ultras from J&K held in Delhi

NEW DELHI, Nov 22: Two suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba militants have been arrested in the capital with a large quantity of explosives, police said today.

Imran and Ghulam Rasool, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, were arrested from a shopping complex in Rohini locality of northwest Delhi by the special cell of the Delhi Police.

Around 1.5 kg of RDX, Rs 2.5 lakh and two timers were recovered from their possession, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar told here.

While Imran is a resident of Rohini, Rasool had arrived in the capital a few days ago.

The duo is being interrogated to find out more details about their mission, police said. (PTI)

DB relaxes ban for 5 weeks on 15-year old vehicles

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 22: Division Bench of the State High Court Jammu wing comprising Chief Justice BA Khan and Justice JP Singh in four CMPs filed by Transport Commissioner and two filed by United Quarry Association and Mini Bus Transport Federation seeking further extension in relaxation period of the ban imposed on movement of commercial Vehicles of more than 15 years of age vide Court order dated October 27, 2005, today relaxed the ban for further five weeks expiring on December 22, 2006.

The Division Bench after hearing Advocate General AH Naik appearing for the State, Senior Advocates Z A Shah and UK Jalali assisted by Advocate Anil Khajuira appearing for the applications and Senior Advocate DC Raina with Advocate Vikram Singh Court Counsel, observed that on May 18, 2006 while granting relaxation of six months, afforded an opportunity to Govt and gave option of examining the issue relating to relaxation period and movement of commercial vehicles of more than 15 years old through its high level coordination committee and sought expert opinion and to formulate its stand on the issue after taking in regard, the Bhure Lal report on the basis of which, the Supreme Court had prescribed 15 years age for commercial Vehicles in Delhi.

Similarly, the two other applicants and transport operators/agencies were also asked by various orders to explore their alternatives for either replacement of more than 15 years old commercial vehicles or set their own house in order by whatever means in the interregnum. "But, as it seems, due regard and compliance has not been shown to the mandate of Court directions by these applicants including other transport operators and agencies," the DB held.

It took serious note of the compliance status shown by the Govt through Transport Commissioner by saying that it seems that no worthwhile action had been taken by the concerned Government functionaries to implement the Court direction of May 18, 2006, which required the Govt to examine the issue from all angles and to formulate its stand on it to enable the Court to come to a final conclusion on the subject. "It is surprising that the official functionaries have slept over the matter and failed to avail this opportunity, for whatever reasons, constraining this Court to maintain the ban order on movement of more than 15 years old commercial vehicles," the DB observed, while relaxing ban for further five weeks.

This order in the very public importance was dictated by the Chief Justice BA Khan in the open court for on behalf of Division Bench. The Court further took serious note of the status report of the Transport Commissioner and observed that as a matter of fact the explanation offered by the Transport Commissioner in its status report suggests a cover up of sorts of the inaction of these functionaries in carrying out the mandate of the Court order. "Similarly no compliance has been shown by transport operators/agencies. They seem to have taken for granted that routine extensions would be granted by this Court to maintain the status-quo," the Court maintained.

The DB further observed that all this should have persuaded Court to refuse any further extension in relaxation period, but given regard to the overall circumstances and conditions prevalent in the State and also the nature of the issue involved, the DB deems it just and appropriate to relax the ban period by further five weeks expiring on December 22, 2006, which shall allow all transport operators/agencies to ply and operate their commercial vehicles subject, of course to their possessing fitness and pollution under control certificates.

While granting the extension, the DB said that it still becomes necessary to impress upon the official functionaries, who should have been otherwise put under contempt of Court notice for their failure to implement the Court directions of May 18, 2006, to respond to the call of their duty to avail of one final opportunity to satisfy the mandate of the Court order which could facilitate the resolution of the controversy surrounding the ban order.

The DB directed Govt through Chief Secretary to constitute an expert committee by inviting a nominee from Transport Operators also within one week. Even the committee, which had assisted the Supreme Court in the matter and which was headed by Mr. Bhure Lal, Former Cabinet Secretary, Govt of India could also be requested to examine the issue and report.

With these observations, the Court directed Advocate General to report instructions on composition of this committee on November 28, 2006.

HC restrains Govt from calling global tender on Sawlakote

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Nov 22: Contractors of 1200 MW Sawlakote Hydro Electric Power Project on River Chenab in District Doda for a cost of Euro 763 Million (Exchange Rate of Rs 53 for one Euro) has challenged the decision of the State Government to cancel the EPC contract and also to float fresh Global Tender for the EPC contract and sought quashment of the order and restraining the respondents from acting upon.

Justice Nirmal Singh of the State High Court Jammu wing, after hearing Senior Advocate of Supreme Court Dr. Abhishek Manu Shinghvi with Ritu Bhalla, Saloni Gupta and Parnav Kohli Advocates appearing for the petitioners and Advocate General A H Naik appearing for the State issued notice to State of J&K through Chief Secretary and Chief Engineer Power Development Corporation Jammu.

The High Court in the meantime directed State Government not to call new global tender and also directed Chief Engineer Power Development Corporation that he will maintain status-quo as it exists today till next date of hearing.

This directions was issued in a writ petition filed by M/s Sawlakote Prosjektutviklingas of Norway, M/s Hindustan Constructions Company Mumbai and M/s Ozaltin Construction Trade and Industry Company Inc of Ankara Turkey against floating fresh global tender for the EPC contract.

In the petition it was submitted that the petitioners are members of a consortium (Sawlakote consortium) entrusted with the works of designing, Executing and Completing the 1200 MW Sawlakote Hydro Electric Project in Doda District of J&K State for a cost of Euro 763 million, which consortium has been duly approved by three successive Cabinets of State of J&K first on April 19, 2001, second on December 21, 2005 and third on April 4, 2006 as well as approved by the Power Development Corporation. The petitioners are engineering procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors for the project which EPC contract has been entered between the petitioners and Chief Engineer Power Development Corporation.

It was further submitted in the petition that present petition is being filed as the petitioners verily believe on the basis of reports published in the newspapers on November 16, 2006 and November 17, 2006 that State of J&K is acting on a report of Cabinet Sub-Committee which has decided to cancel the EPC contract of the petitioners with the Power Development Corporation and also to float fresh Global tenders for the EPC Contract.

It was further submitted that the petitioners who have spent considerable amount of time and effort and also having spent considerable money on the project for more than seven years, were never informed of the constitution of scope of reference of the Cabinet Sub-Committee nor were ever called upon by the State or the Cabinet Sub-Committee to address and respond to any issue or queries on the basis of which the impugned decision has been arrived at.

In the petition, it was mentioned that the impugned decision of State Govt was wholly arbitrary, capricious, whimsical, violative of the principals of nature justice and against public interest besides being based on uninformed and untenable reasoning as gathered by the petitioner from the media reports and suffers from the vice of application of norms/competitive guidelines that are ex-facie and admittedly neither germane nor applicable to the instant case as more particularly setout in detail.

The petitioners prayed for quashing the order and restraining the respondents from acting upon in any manner in furtherance of the impugned decisions against the petitioners.

Women Bill to be tabled in Parliament’s current session

NEW DELHI, Nov 22: Under pressure from the Left allies, UPA tonight decided to bring the much-discussed women’s reservation bill in the current session of Parliament but questions remained if the Constitutional amendment measure would turn into a law.

A meeting of the UPA Coordination Committee held at the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s official residence here gave signal that the ruling alliance was all for quota for the fair sex with Railway Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad himself initiating the move.

This was significant given the fact that RJD had opposed introduction of the bill in its original form which provides 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters after the meeting that the bill would be referred to the standing committee of Parliament since it was a constitution amendment bill.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also the leader of the House in Lok Sabha, said the bill would be tabled in the ongoing session.

Dasmunsi sought to dismiss suggestions that the move was an attempt to buy time on the controversial issue.

It is unclear how a two-thirds majority could be mustered for the bill as main opposition BJP has changed tack and now favours political parties to field one-third of their nominees from the fair sex.

The meeting, presided by Congress chief and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, came in the backdrop of growing pressure from Left parties and several women’s organisations for early passage of the bill whose fate has remained uncertain over the years.

A series of delegations of women’s groups belonging to several political parties had in the last few days met Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee who had jocularly remarked that if he was a dictator, he would get the bill passed.

Dasmunsi was evasive on the time frame in which the bill would be passed and how the Government would go about in view of the stance of the main opposition.

He said the Government would decide the course of action after studying the report of the standing committee.

The Left parties, key outside supporters whose representatives were also present at the UPA meet, had demanded that the UPA introduce the bill in its original form in the current session.

The meet was called mainly to discuss greater floor coordination among UPA partners in the backdrop of the BJP-led opposition’s move to target the Government on a variety of issues. (PTI)

9 get bail in sex scandal

CHANDIGARH, Nov 22: The Punjab and Haryana High Court today granted bail to nine accused, including two Legislators and an ex-BSF DIG, in the infamous sex scandal case.

The order was pronounced by Justice Rajeev Bhalla who on November 13 reserved the judgement on bail pleas of nine accused in the case.

Of the total 14 accused, bureaucrat Iqbal Khandey was already on interim bail.

Among those who were granted bail were sitting MLAs Raman Mattoo and G A Mir, former BSF DIG K C Padhi, Anil Sethi, Mohammed Yusuf Mir and Riyaz Ahmed Kawa.

The CBI counsel argued that the accused should not be granted bail as they might tamper with the evidence and influence witnesses.

The defence pleaded for bail saying the girl was not minor at the time of incident.

Other accused who were granted bail were Shabbir Ahmed Lawa, Meharajjudin Mallik and Mohammad Ashraf Mir.

The District Court here on November 20 fixed December five for arguments on charges against the accused in the case.

On September 14, the Supreme Court had transferred the case from Srinagar to Chandigarh for trial after the accused were chargesheeted by the CBI. (PTI)

HC quashes PSA detention

SRINAGAR, Nov 22: Jammu and Kashmir High Court has quashed the Public Safety Act (PSA) against two people arrested by the Mumbai Police.

The Mumbai Police had arrested Mohammad Ramzan Haji and Khursheed Ahmad of Bandipora in Baramulla district on charges of being active militants of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and also claimed to have seized some explosives from them.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police later sought their remand in connection with two cases and the two were lodged in the Central jail here. The State Government invoked the PSA against them.

The two challenged the PSA and other cases registered against them in the High Court.

After hearing arguments from both the sides, the court quashed the detention order. It also observed that mind was not applied while passing the detention order. The court said there was no compelling reason to pass the order.

It has also quashed detention of Javed Ahmad Mir, Bilal Ahmad Mir and Abdul Rashid Khan.

While the PSA was invoked against Mir for being an upper-ground worker, Bilal had been accused of being involved in a ‘fidayeen (suicide)’ attack in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. (UNI)

Jammu-Srinagar highway closed

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 22: Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for the vehicular traffic this morning following landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ramban area.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Traffic National Highway Suresh Kumar said that heavy rainfall since early morning led to landslide at some places and shooting of stones at Panthial thereby blocking the highway.

Though Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel tried their level best to reopen the highway yet to of no avail as intermittent rainfall was hampering the road clearance work. Moreover, the shooting of stones was taking place after regular intervals at Panthial.

Finding it difficult for the BRO personnel to reopen the highway, Mr Suresh Kumar asked the traffic police personnel at Srinagar and Jammu not to allow fresh movement of the vehicles on the highway.

About 150 passenger vehicles of all sorts and hundreds of trucks carrying essential commodities for the Kashmir Valley were stranded at different place due to highway blockade, the SP said and added that if the weather remains favourable the highway clearance work would resume tomorrow.

"Priority would be given to stranded passenger vehicles after the reopening of the highway", the SP said.

7 missing in snow avalanche

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Nov 22: Seven persons were missing along with their 116 cattle at Saidani Top in Chatru area of Doda district, bordering Anantnag, while nine others have survived a snow avalanche.

DIG Udhampur-Doda range Lalat Indu Mohanty said a total of 16 shepherds were reportedly crossing the mountain along with their cattle towards Anantnag when they were trapped in a snow avalanche.

While nine persons safely reached Anantnag, seven others were missing along with their 116 cattle and their fate was not known, he added.

He said a police party has been deputed to the spot but it couldn’t reach there due to bad weather. Police party was expected to reach the spot tomorrow if weather behaves.

Possibility of seven civilians having been buried alive under snow avalanche is not ruled out.

‘Pak should ensure democracy in PoK
before talks on self-rule’

NEW DELHI, Nov : Pakistan will have to ensure democracy to the grass-root level in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), Gilgit and Baltistan before it spells out any idea of self-rule for discussion on Jammu and Kashmir, former Foreign Secretary Shayam Saran has said.

"We have spoken about self-governance. For us self-governance is something which means that there should be representative institutions. There should be institutions which reflect the concerns and aspirations of people," Saran, who is at present Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on US nuclear deal, said last night at book release function — "a J&K primer" by columnist B G Verghese.

"On one side of the Line of Control (Jammu and Kashmir), we believe that such an institution exists. There is an elected Assembly....We will hope that there are similar representative entities on the pakistani side of the loc including Gilgit and Baltistan.

Saran, who was giving a broad outline of the India’s approach on the Kashmir issue at the function, said "we need to hear from Pakistan what are the kind of steps that would be taken with regard to creation of such institutions."

Saran said during talks with Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh clearly spelt out that he did not have the mandate to alter the boundaries but he had the mandate to make these boundaries irrelevant.

"So our approach to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir is that this is part and parcel of the larger search for peace and friendship between the two countries...Our ability to take this dialogue process in a positive direction is very much related to the creating of an atmosphere which is free of violence," Saran added.

The former Foreign Secretary said there were "sections" in the Pakistani establishment who support extremism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"These create a sense that all that needs to be done is that terrorism needs to be curbed....We say this in a constructive spirit, in a spirit of friendship because we really do not wish this to be a question mark which hangs over the peace process. For us this is a crtical issue," Saran said.

He said India was not in favour of proposals like the joint management or control of the State but would like to see democracy floursih in the other part of Kashmir as well so that the representatives from the two sides could meet and look for areas of mutual interests including trade, environment and tourism.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, who was also present at the function, asked the Centre to create an atmosphere of trust with the people of the State to solve the protracted Kashmir issue, while blaming people with "vested interests" in spreading the "mistrust".

Senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Beigh blamed politicians in the Valley for not working together to solve the issue. "We have not evolved a national policy...A concensus of parties on what we want from the Centre."

About the Human Rights problem in the State, Abdullah said "we are waiting for the promise by the Prime Minister that there will be zero tolerance for Human Rights Violations." (PTI)

Afzal hanging issue rocks Parliament; forces adjournments

NEW DELHI, : The issue of hanging of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru today rocked both Houses of Parliament after slogan-chanting BJP-Shiv Sena members trooped into their wells demanding that he be sent to the gallows without any delay and mercy.

The Samajwadi Party members also raised slogans and entered the wells of both Houses, but on a different issue — accusing the Congress-led UP Government at the Centre of attempting to oust the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government in Uttar Pradesh and demanding the release of Abu Azmi, who was arrested in Mumbai for staging a rally despite ban orders.

As the Lok Sabha assembled for taking up question hour, the BJP-Shiv Sena members leapt to their feet, waving placards, newspapers clippings and chanting slogans ‘Afzal Ko Faansi Do (hang Afzal!), accusing the Government of being soft towards the minority.

Failing to restore order, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee first adjourned the House till 1115 hrs, but when the House re-assembled the BJP-Shiv Sena combine and the SP members again entered the well, creating pandemonium following which the chair once again adjourned it till 1400 hrs.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for an hour and later for the day as the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members created uproarious scenes in the House for the "delay" in carrying out the death sentence to Mohammad Afzal.

BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj, S S Ahluwalia and Rudra Narain Pani spearheaded the attack on the Government for the delay in hanging the main accused for the attack against Parliament.

Amid the din, Samajwadi Party members Shahid Siddiqui and Amar Singh also alleged that the Centre was planning to destabilise the Mulayam Singh Government in Uttar Pradesh on the law and order issue which they claimed was "perfect". They were also seeking the release of Mr Azmi.

Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat first adjourned the House till 1200 hrs, but when it re-assembled Deputy Chairman Rahman Khan adjourned it till tomorrow.

Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh introduced to the House newly inducted ministers in his cabinet — Minister of Defence A K Antony, Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Yadav and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting M H Ambareesh.

The Chairman also mourned the death of former member Bhanu Pratap Singh. (UNI)

Don’t be complacent, PM to security forces

NEW DELHI, Warning that the terror threat has spread beyond Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the security forces not to be complacent and adapt to "new requirements".

"Our Government is determined to fight and root out terrorism and its ideologies that justify and seek to sustain it," Singh said in his address to the country’s top police brass, who have gathered for a three-day conference on Directors General and Inspectors General.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came a day after Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil spoke of terror threats to country’s vital installations.

Asking the security forces to counter the challenge of terrorism "comprehensively", the Prime Minister said "no religion sanctions the killing of innocent citizens. We need a firm response from our security forces. We also need a resolute response from civil society and all our political parties."

He said terror in the country was no longer centered on the State of Jammu and Kashmir. "Attempts to take this threat to other parts of the country to create fear in the minds of our people are in evidence.

"By and large these attempts have remained unsuccessful...But there is no scope for complacency. Our security apparatus must be alert and resilient enough to meet the grave threats posed by terrorism to our polity and society." He said.

The Prime Minister said "positive developments" witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir had generated the hope that political solutions can be found to address public grievances.

"To allow the political process to take the desired direction in the State, it is imperative that the level of violence is brought down significantly. This requires strong will and determination to sustain the anti-militancy effort," Singh said.

About northeast, he said "while we are committed to the process of peaceful dialogue to resolve overwhelming problems, the government will not countenance the deliberate use of violence against innocent citizens."

Referring to the naxalite problem, the Prime Minister highlighted the need for faster development of naxal-affected areas, and for a responsive, transparent and sensitive administrative machinery.

"We need a greater focus on employment generation, land reforms, redistribution of land, better education and health facilities, backed up by firm police action wherever needed," Singh said.

Speaking about the role of police in modern India, he said "if the police have to fulfill their mandated role in these changing times, they need to adapt themselves to new requirements.

"There is a need for the police machinery at the grassroots level to become more responsive to earn the trust of law abiding people. The nation needs a modern, capable and friendly police. We need a police service that is more gender sensitive, more humane and more respectful of the rights of citizens," he said.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need for a better intelligence gathering mechanism. "We need to improve our capabilities both in respect of human intelligence and technical facilities as an aid to intelligence gathering.

Singh said the training institutes must operate on the frontiers of human knowledge to cope with the challenges now on the horizon.

"There is also a need for better coordination between the centre and states and among states themselves be it in intelligence sharing or for joint operations," he said.

Speaking about the police mission and the recent supreme court order on police reforms, he said "we need to act, and act fast, so that we have a first rate police force - a more skilled, competent, effective, just and humane police force."

The Prime Minister said he was conscious of the difficult environment in which the police, intelligence and security agencies had to work in todays world. "The single most important challenge in todays world is the management of change."

Singh said the rapid urbanization posed unique challenges because of the breakdown of traditional social orders which restrain unlawful action.

".....These challenges need resolution within the framework of our liberal democratic polity. This is the challenge we need to face," the Prime Minister said.

Earlier, the Prime Minister presented President’s Police Medal for distinguished service to some of the intelligence bureau officials at the three-day conference, which will conclude tomorrow. (PTI)