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Mediation in Kashmir will complicate situation: Azad BRUSSELS, Sept 20: Asking third parties to refrain from interfering in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said here today that peace in his State could be best ensured by talks between India and Pakistan and outside mediation would "complicate an already difficult situation." India is committed to pursue a comprehensive composite dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan but the process cannot be carried forward under the threat of terrorism or through internationalisation of issues, Azad said in his address to the European Institute of Asian Studies and while speaking later to members of the European Parliament. "The prospects for peace in Kashmir are best taken foward through bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan. Any effort by a third party to interject itself into the peace process will only complicate an already difficult situation," he said. Expressing satisfaction at the outcome of talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in Havana, especially the creation of a joint mechanism to implement anti-terror initiatives, Azad said, "this is a most important decision because it commits Pakistan to work together with India to stop cross-border terrorism and to help investigate, apprehend and punish those responsible. "We have repeatedly asserted that the dialogue process between the two countries can only be sustained in an atmosphere free from terrorism," he said. Referring to a recent spurt in terrorist strikes on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, Azad said such attacks were aimed against the State’s economy as tourism is its mainstay. "It has rendered youth of the State idle, illiterate and mindless of recognising good and bad, so that they fall easily in the militants’ net," he said. Without naming Pakistan, he said, "even as one developing country after another has fallen under the jackboot of military dictatorship or one-party authoritarianism, India’s democracy has witnessed the cohesiveness of the national order, the regular change of Governments and an expanding prosperity base that is gradually reaching the poorest levels of our polity." Highlighting the importance of the State, Azad said Kashmir "enjoys a very large measure of autonomy, (and) the people, as with the people in all other States of the Indian Union, have participated in regular local, State and national elections". "Jammu and Kashmir is a microcosm of India’s diversity," he said. "Kashmiriyat is a precious legacy that must be preserved. We must not allow it to fall prey to the forces of extremism and bigotry." Participating in question-answer session, Mr. Azad said that Government of India is ready to include the exchange of films and cultural troupes with Pakistan under CBMs and presently many artists from Pakistan are working in Indian Films, however, a positive response from Pakistan is required in this regard. In reply to a question, Chief Minister said the biggest challenge before him is to restore peace in the State expressing hope that with the cooperation and determination of people he will succeed in his this mission. Replying another question, Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir State reckons it with satisfaction that no human death took place in the earthquake hit areas after the quake on account of severe cold, diseases or poor shelter though the severity by the winter was as equal as other side of the LoC. He said this has been possible with the liberal financial assistance from Centre and deep interest shown by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to help rehabilitation of quake-affected people of the State and by the timely action by the Government to provide shelter sheds to entire affected operation before the onset of winter to taking all precautions to arrest water born and other diseases. Speaking to media persons, intellectuals think tanks, opinion leaders and prominent citizen on the sideling of the function, the Chief Minister said that like north-east States Jammu and Kashmir has also been categorized special category State where 90 percent assistance is coming from Centre as grant and only 10 percent as loan. In reply to a question, he said democracy is flourishing in J&K and has taken strong roots. He hoped that democracy will also root and get strong edifice across the LoC and steps would be taken to bring down the rights violation in that part of Kashmir. The Chief Minister also interacted with members of international Crisis Group Centre at Belgium. He explained the steps of Centre and State Governments being taking for restoration of peace and development in the State. The Crisis Group is internationally acclaimed body which has a definite say in European affairs particularly in political developments and its implications on other countries. (Agencies) |
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Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 20: A 17-year-old student has been put behind bars and booked for unprecedented cheating as he had allegedly claimed a Maruti-800 as his prize in a lucky draw against a fake ticket. The prize had been given away to the young student by none other than Director General of Police Gopal Sharma. Informed sources revealed to the EXCELSIOR that in keeping with an annual practice, J&K Police had sold thousands of lottery tickets for its Raffle Draw through SSPs and other ranks in July-September this year. Prizes worth more than Rs 20 Lakh were scheduled to be given away by DGP during Police Welfare Mela at Sher-e-Kashmir International Cricket Stadium on August 27th. Two Maruti Esteem cars, three Maruti-800s, five motorcycles and five computer systems had been announced as the first four prizes respectively. Each ticket costs Rs 20. With a day's postponement due to heavy hailstorm and rains, the lucky draw was held at the Police Welfare Mela on August 28. The winning ticket serials were published in newspapers next day. It was on September 4 that a Class 11th student, namely Faisal Mirza S/o Abdul Gani Mirza R/o Lurgam, Tral, who has been temporary putting up in Iqbal Colony, Wanabal, in Srinagar outskirts and simultaneously pursuing a software training course at a private computer training centre, presented ticket No: "A-48822" and claimed himself to be the winner of a second prize. AIG Provisions and Welfare Aftab Ahmed Kakroo, who was the organiser of Police Mela, checked the ticket and it was on his confirmation that DGP, Gopal Sharma, handed over a brand new white colour Maruti-800 to the student. While the student took away the car, began pursuing its ownership on the documents received from J&K Police Headquarters and also joyriding, one head constable Abdur Rasheed (257/JKAP 12 Bn), who is posted in Reasi, appeared at Police Headquarters and he produced the ticket of same serial number, claiming himself to be the winner of a second prize. When he insisted that he was the real winner, Police Headquarters called the counterfoils from all districts which established that Abdur Rasheed was the owner of the real winning ticket. Sources said that DGP took strong exception to the way a young cheater had committed dare-devil fraud with the highest functionary of the State Police and he ordered immediate recovery of the car from the student. A team was constituted which went all the way to Tral only to be told that the student had been putting up in Wanabal area of Srinagar. In a few days, the Police team succeeded in tracing the student. He was told to get his white colour car back to the Police Headquarters and in place take a red colour Maruti-800. When Faisal Mirza reached the Police Headquarters with his car, he was taken into custody and his car was seized. After a day's of detention at Police Station Kothi Bagh, he confessed to having made a fake ticket on a scanner and printer and having subsequently laminated the same. The juvenile delinquent was booked under sections RPC 420, 467 and 468 and FIR No: 80 of 2006 was registered against him at Police Station Shaheed Gunj. Sources said that it was for the first time in history that someone, that too a 17-year-old, had defrauded the State Police Chief. Sources said that after completion of necessary formalities, the car would be handed over to the real winner in a few days. Police Headquarters has also decided to constitute a committee to process the veracity of such claims in future so that nobody could make this kind of cheating. |
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Woman killed,
man’s ears chopped off Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 20: A Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant, who was involved in supply of 23 wireless sets, one satellite telephone and a large number of SIM cards and mobile headsets, was arrested by police while another ultra was eliminated and a woman was shot dead in three separate incidents in Doda district overnight. Militants chopped off ears of a civilian in Kishtwar. Javed Sofi alias Nadeem son of Lassa Sofi, a resident of Dak Mohalla, Doda, who was also involved in various militancy related incidents including some of the five grenade attacks between April to June in Doda town, was arrested during a raid in Doda last night, DIG Udhampur-Doda range Lalatendu Mohanty said. Two persons were killed and 67 others were injured in the blasts. He was the lone accused of grenade blasts, who was absconding, while all others had been arrested. Javed Sofi was a close associate of Shabir Itoo alias Abu Yasir, a ‘district commander’ of LeT for Doda, who was one of the accused in Kulhand massacre. During preliminary questioning, Sofi is reported to have confessed having supplied 23 wireless sets, one satellite telephone, a number of SIM cards, recharge coupons and mobile hand sets at Shabir Itoo after collecting them from a militant Mohd Qasim in Banihal and other areas. Javed Sofi had earlier also been arrested by police in Doda in 2000 along with his associate Javed Banihali along with a pistol. Later, he was bailed out. Troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police gunned down a militant of Jaish-e-Mohammed at village Rannaie in Nawapachi area of Marmat in Doda this morning. He has been identified as Javed Ahmed alias Atish alias Jugnoo son of Abdul Rashid R/o Sangram Bhatta, Kishtwar. One AK-56 rifle, two magazines and 12 live rounds were recovered from him. Atish was ‘section commander’ of Jaish and had been listed as ‘A’ category militant. He was earlier affiliated with Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HUJI) and had recently switched over to JeM. He was involved in a number of militancy related incidents in Kishtwar, Chatroo and Marwah. Militants gunned down 36 year old Razia Begum wife of Musharat Hussain Ganai in her house at village Bali in Gandoh area of Doda district. Reasons behind her killing couldn’t be ascertained. A police party reached the spot this morning for investigations. Two unidentified militants chopped off ears of 32 year old Abdul Gani son of Ali Mohd in his house at village Bashi, about 12 kms from Kishtwar in Doda last night. He has been admitted in Sub District Hospital of Kishtwar. Security forces destroyed three hide-outs of the militants at Bhela, Mahore, Dasrosh, Doda and Muchakka forests in Poonch and recovered a large quantity of explosives and ammunition. |
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LeT female activist
arrested SRINAGAR, Sept 20 : Troops killed two militants of Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) while ultras shot dead a woman in Kashmir overnight. Two civilians were injured in a grenade attack at Sher Bagh in Anantnag district. Security forces arrested a woman militant of Lashkar and recovered a war like store in the Kashmir Valley including 100 kg RDX. A Defence Ministry spokesman said troops of 4 Para received specific information that a group of militants was hiding in the woods at Bapura in North Kashmir district of Baramulla. He said when the troops were sealing the area, militants opened fire and also hurled hand grenades. The fire was returned and in the two-hour-long fierce clash, two militants of LeT were killed. Two AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain ultras. However, a police spokesman said the slain militant were from Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) outfit. They have been identified as Mohd Yusuf Piswal, a resident of Kadora, Bandipora and Mohd Ashraf Khan son of late Sonaullah R/o Chunti Mohalla. While Defence sources maintained that Mohd Ashraf Khan was also a militant, local people described him as a civilian. Two civilians were injured when a suspected militant lobbed a grenade at Sher Bagh in Anantnag district this evening. The militant escaped after throwing the grenade. Injured civilians have been hospitalised. The spokesman said police apprehended a woman overground worker of ultras, Khalida Akhter, along with a militant Aamir Malik from Laam area of Handwara in Kupwara district. They had gone to attend a meeting with LeT cadres operating in the area and a pistol, one magazine, six rounds, a cellphone and some documents were recovered from them, the spokesman said adding, Akhter had earlier served prison terms twice for her links with militants. The spokesman said security forces recovered a pistol, one magazine, 12 rounds, two AK magazines, 175 rounds, two grenades, two IED fuse boxes and two detonators from a militant hideout at Sharab Khul in Shalimar area of Srinagar yesterday. In another operation, he said, Army troops recovered two AK assault rifles, eight magazines, 284 rounds, a pistol with a magazine, two under barrel grenade launchers , five grenades, two radio sets, two hand-grenades, three remote control IED circuits, a magazine of Insas rifle and six rounds of Pika ammunition from Treram in Badgam district last night. Meanwhile, in a major breakthrough, the Army today recovered about 100 kg of explosives, believed to be RDX from a forest in the border district of Kupwara in Kashmir, a Defence spokesman said. The recovery was made during a search operation at a forest near Zameendar Gali, he said. This is the first time that such a huge quantity of RDX was recovered in Kupwara district, considered the gateway to the Kashmir valley for infiltrators sneaking in from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Acting on a tip-off, the Army launched a search and smashed a hideout in the forest. The explosives were found stuffed in two gunny bags along with 124 detonators, 14 improvised explosive device switches and an improved explosive device. Terming the recovery as a "big success," the spokesman said a major effort of the militants has been thwarted with the seizure of such a large quantity of explosives. (AGENCIES) |
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A close relative also
under vigil Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 20: Police today again subjected to sustained questioning six former partners of Rajinder Bushan Chopra alias Raju Chopra and was in the process of deputing a team to Bhanore, Rajasthan to quiz another businessman where Chopra was reported to have property and assets worth Rs 6-7 crore. A very close relative of Chopra is likely to be quizzed after Uthala of three members of the family on Friday. SSP Jammu Mukesh Singh, who has been supervising investigations in five murders in Chopra’s house on Sunday night which are being conducted by a 21 member team, today announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for any person for giving "concrete information" to police about the killers. The 21 member team, set up for the investigations in sensational and brutal killings of Raju Chopra, his wife Madhu Chopra, daughter Saloni Chopra besides his servant and driver in Chopra’s Trikuta Nagar house on Sunday night, comprised three DySPs, two Inspectors, two Sub Inspectors, one Assistant Sub Inspector, six head constables and seven constables. The team will be headed by SP City (South) Sheikh Mehmood and supervised by SSP Jammu Mukesh Singh. "We are regularly calling all former partners of Raju Chopra for sustained questioning. We have come to a conclusion that killings of Chopra family were a clear case of business rivalry or personal vengeance", the SSP Jammu told the Excelsior after the special team met twice today to share clues. Mr Singh said police have been getting "massive information" from the people about the killers and their motive. However, he added, the reward has been announced for the person(s) giving concrete information. Reliable sources said while two partners of Raju Chopra were called for questioning yesterday and grilled again today, four others were quizzed today. "They are being called regularly to ascertain clues", they added. The sources said a very close relative of Chopra is to be quizzed after Uthala of three members of the family is performed on Friday. "He (the Chopra’s relative) is under constant vigil but has not been called for questioning due to cremation of the family, performed today and Uthala scheduled for Friday", they added. According to sources, a team is also being deputed to Bhanore in Rajasthan to quiz a businessman named Sood, who was reported to be a silent partner of Raju Chopra in property and assets worth Rs 6-7 crore. Chopra had also installed a factory at Bhanore sometime back. Sood has not been called here. Instead, police have deputed a team to Rajasthan to question him about details of Chopra’s property. |
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Omar's 'dynamic
leadership' hailed by speakers Excelsior Special Correspondent SRINAGAR, Sept 20: Speakers at National Conference Working Committee meeting continued to describe autonomy as the party's 'political Bible' as they believed, in day two deliberations today, that whatever the name would be given to the permanent solution of the Kashmir problem by New Delhi and Islamabad it would be nothing but restoration of the special status which Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed during Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah's Government in 1947-53 period. Speakers explained that all of the mainstream as well as the separatist political parties, with the singular exception of National Conference, would have to re-adjust their respective stands as none of the options among Azadi, self-rule, accession to Pakistan, accession to India on the pattern of other states etc would be acceptable to all the parties to the dispute. They pointed out that National Conference, among all political parties, was one and the only one which had its base in all parts of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Some of the speakers claimed that Congress and other parties were being perceived to be New Delhi's agents in Kashmir, like Jamaat-e-Islami and some others were being seen as the franchisees of Pakistan. Some others claimed to be "independent" but they had neither cadre nor base even in the Muslim majority Valley. One of the speakers claimed that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed's PDP would lose "even its address" if it was taken away from the piggyback of the Congress-led coalition Government. Dr Sheikh Mustafa asserted that autonomy was NC's "political Bible" and the party would have to assiduously pursue its demand of autonomy which was the only option that had been approved by way of a resolution in the J&K Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. Speakers said that New Delhi and Islamabad would have to talk to "Mohalla leaders" as long as the gun and bloodshed existed but ultimately a permanent solution would have to be negotiated and discussed with the NC. "No solution in absence of National Conference's sanction can work", said the speakers. Some of the speakers presented their suggestions for rejuvenating the party at District, Tehsil and Block levels. Most of the speakers asserted that Omar Abdullah had established his credentials as a dynamic leader of the party in the last four years and inspite of some reverses in 2002 Assembly elections, the party had performed well in all the Lok Sabha and Assembly by-elections. They asked their own colleagues to prepare themselves for the new Assembly elections which, they perceived, could take place any time. The speakers were unanimous in holding the opinion that NC should never join or support the coalition Government, directly or indirectly, if it collapsed under its own weight. They believed that going to the people and seeking a fresh mandate would be the best option for the party. Former Ministers Mohammad Shafi Uri, Dr Mustafa Kamal, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, MLAs Mubarak Gul, Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo, Saifullah Mir, Mushtaq Bukhari, Javed Rana, MLC Mr Hussain, Kashmir Province President Shameema Firdaus, Youth NC General Secretary Irfan Shah, Nasir Sogami, Dharam Veer Singh Oberai, Mohammad Aslam Goni, and former MLC Bhushan Lal Bhat spoke in today's meeting. Sources said that 26 speakers were yet to deliver their speeches and, as such, the proceedings were likely to continue till late on Thursday afternoon. NC President Omar Abdullah is expected to disclose the Working Committee decisions and resolutions at a news conference at the end of the meeting. |
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Pay 2nd and 3rd instalment to earthquake victims: HC SRINAGAR, Sept 20: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the State Government to take necessary steps immediately to arrange for requisite funds for the disbursement of second and third instalments to the victims of the devastating October 8 earthquake. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Bashir Ahmad Khan and Justice Manzoor Ahmad Mir gave the direction on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The bench directed the Government, through the Chief Secretary, to take necessary steps for the disbursement of second and third instalments of Rs 30,000 each to the earthquake victims. "If this amount has to be paid by the Centre, the Chief Secretary and other concerned officers shall take necessary steps to pursue the matter with the concerned ministry," the court ruled. It said the Union Finance Minister, in that case, stands by the commitment of the Central Government for grant of funds to the earthquake victims to save them from vagaries of the coming winter. The bench further directed the Government shall also take steps simultaneously to organise funds and to ensure that all the victims, who had completed their constructions, were paid the instalments within one month from the receipt of this order. The court directed the Finance Department Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Baramulla and Kupwara, to file fresh status reports indicating the latest position including the one required by the court order on May 18, 2006. (UNI) |
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RANCHI, Sept 20: UPA Ministry in Jharkhand led by Madhu Koda today won the vote of confidence 41-1 with the lone CPI-ML (Lib) MLA voting against the motion while opposition NDA refused to participate in the process alleging that the officiating Speaker has no power to conduct the trust vote. Forty-one MLAs supporting Koda stood up when officiating Speaker Pradip Kumar Balmuchu asked those supporting the confidence motion to stand up. When Balmuchu asked those against to rise, none of the NDA legislators stood up as they were protesting against officiating Speaker conducting the confidence motion. They claimed that an officiating Speaker has no power to conduct the trust vote. CPI-ML (Liberation) member, Vinode Kumar Singh, however, rose to his feet and said that his vote should be counted as against the motion. His party had decided yesterday to vote against the motion. Balmuchu was appointed officiating speaker by Governor Syed Sibte Razi as Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari had resigned soon after the fall of the Arjun Munda NDA Government on September 14. Later, the house was adjourned sine die. When asked why the NDA members had not taken part in the house proceedings, Balmuchu told newsmen later that they wanted the election of the speaker first. He said that the Governor had the right to appoint an officiating speaker when both the posts of speaker and deputy speaker were vacant. (PTI) |
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Lawyers suspend work in Srinagar SRINAGAR, Sept 20: Kashmir High Court Bar Association (KHCBA) today suspended work in High Court and District Court following an alleged assault on a lawyer by some persons in high security Gupkar Road zone last evening. "We have decided to suspend work in the courts for the time being as one of our leading advocates Manzoor Ahmad Dar was attacked last evening," KHCBA president Mian Abdul Qayoom said here. A general body meeting of the association has been called to finalise the future course of action, Qayoom said. According to Dar, two security personnel requested for a lift near Gupkar Road last evening while he was on his way home to Nishat. While getting down from the vehicle, the persons struck the advocate on his head by some object looking like a cane, he said. Dar is one of advocates pleading the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the sex racket case on behalf of the KHCBA. Senior Superintendent of Police S A Mujtaba said a case has been registered in this connection and investigations were in progress, but the identity of the assailants has not been ascertained so far. The incident has taken place in a very high security zone where residences of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and many former Chief Ministers are located. (PTI) |
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Two ultras killed in Mahore, 3 trapped in Rajouri Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 20: Army and police tonight gunned down two militants in an encounter at village Ban Khour in Gulabgarh area of Mahore tehsil in Reasi police district. Troops of 59 Rashtriya Rifles and police cordoned off a hide-out by at Ban Khour this evening after developing an information about the presence of two militants. A contact with the militants was established at 8 pm and both the militants were eliminated within half an hour, official sources said. Identity of the slain militants hasn’t been established so far but they were believed to be affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit. Army or police didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation. Two AK rifles and ammunition were recovered from the scene of encounter. Meanwhile, three militants were surrounded by Army and police at Kotli Kalaban in Manjakote area of Rajouri district tonight. The operation was in progress when the reports last came in. |
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Key ultra slips into Bangladesh NEW DELHI, Sept 20: Top Lashkar-e-Toiba militant Aslam Kashmiri, linked to the Varanasi terror attack and the July 11 train bombings in Mumbai, is believed to have fled to Bangladesh following the recent arrest of four LeT militants in Gujarat, official sources said today. The arrest of the militants over the past two days also pointed to the involvement of Kathmandu-based Pakistani national Junaid in planning terrorist acts in the country, Sources in the security agencies said the busting of a LeT cell in Ahmedabad following the arrest of the four men was the outcome of an extensive probe into the seizure of arms and explosive materials at Aurangabad in Maharashtra in May. They said Aslam Kashmiri, believed to be a resident of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir with links to terrorists in the Rajouri area, had visited Kolkata with Mohammed Illyas, one of the four men arrested in Gujarat. Sensing trouble, Kashmiri gave the slip to police and security agencies and managed to enter Bangladesh, from where he is believed to have fled to Pakistan, the sources said. Leads established during the seizures in Aurangabad revealed Kashmiri’s involvement in supplying explosives and subsequently plans to use them for terrorist attacks, they said. Illyas told interrogators that he and Kashmiri visited Kathmandu, where they met the mysterious Junaid, whom the agencies know only as a Pakistani national based in Nepal. His name first figured in the probe into the Varanasi blasts and subsequently in the July 11 Mumbai blasts that killed nearly 200 people. Rahil and Zaibuddin Ansari, who are wanted by Maharashtra Police for the July 11 blasts, also met Junaid in Kathmandu ahead of the attacks on Mumbai’s commuter trains, the sources said. Illyas also travelled with Kashmiri to Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir where they allegedly indulged in "brainwashing" people to join militant groups, they said. Senior police officials in Jammu and Kashmir are working to ascertain more details about Kashmiri, considered to be a "smooth operator" in militant ranks. Security agencies and police, meanwhile, are questioning Kashmiri’s brother Mohammed Khalid Kashmiri to find out more about the functioning of LeT cells in the Ahmedabad area. Kashmiri’s links with the Malegaon blasts was also not ruled out as interrogation of suspects revealed he was seen "preaching and motivating cadres" during his stay at Tarakash Madrassa in Surat, the sources said. Illyas and Khalid were among four LeT militants arrested by Gujarat Police following intelligence inputs from Central security agencies. The other two were Maulvi Kari and Siraj Ahmed. Documents including Urdu literature, the letterhead of the LeT, numerous CDs featuring Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Maulana Masood Azhar and a computer were seized. Gujarat Police have been on alert after the Mumbai train blasts and the Malegaon attacks and have intensified surveillance at all public places. (PTI) Vigilance raids 15 premises in drive against corrupt SRINAGAR, Sept 21: Jammu and Kashmir state vigilance organisation today conducted state-wide raids on 15 premises of the officials suspected to have amassing disproportionate assets. "The raids are going on at the moment against suspected corrupt elements in the administration," SVO Commissioner A K Bhan told PTI. Bhan, who did not give any further details of the raids, said no arrests have been made so far. However, the sources said six officials, including five engineers, have been detained for questioning so far. The vigilance sleuths conducted raids on 15 premises in Jammu, Doda, Poonch, Srinagar and Anantnag districts, the sources said, adding many officials who had apparently amassed huge assets disproportionate to their known sources of income were under scrutiny. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced a war on corruption within minutes of assuming the charge of the state on November 2 last year. The government also got an act passed in the legislature which provides for attaching of properties of the corrupt officials. Properties of six officials of the State Government have been attached by the vigilance under the new act. (PTI) |
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