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‘Return of normalcy being
prevented’ NAINITAL, Sept 23: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir had diminished and his Government was sincerely pursuing dialogue with Pakistan and the people of the State in its endeavour to give them a life of peace, dignity and self-respect. "We see that levels of violence have come down during the past two years. Things have improved substantially since our coalition Government came to office. However, deliberate attempts are being made to portray the picture as otherwise," he said addressing a conclave of Congress Chief Ministers here. Dr Singh regretted that inciting people by utilising stray incidents and dubious means, involving the so-called moral and religious grounds, was taking place. Return to normalcy was being prevented by some elements by carrying out grenade attacks on tourists and innocent people. "We are making all efforts to ensure all round development of the State. We have also initiated a dialogue with all sections and groups, particularly through the round table conferences. We now have working groups looking into specific issues. The overall effort is to see that the people of Jammu and Kashmir lead a life of peace, dignity and self-respect," he added. Infiltration across the Line of Control had also diminished, the Prime Minister said. "We are making all efforts to ensure all round development of the State. We have also initiated a dialogue with all sections and groups, particularly through the round-table conference," he said. Dr Singh said the overall effort of the Government in J&K was to ensure that the people of the states led a life of peace, dignity and self-respect and become a partner in economic and social development of the nation. However, he noted that attempts were being made by terrorist elements to prevent the return of normalcy to the State by launching grenade attacks on tourists. The Prime Minister observed that things had improved in Jammu and Kashmir substantially since the UPA came to power at the Centre. He said "we need to pursue our efforts (to restore normalcy) with vigour—both with the people of the State and our neighbour Pakistan—in pursuit of our goals." Describing as "worrisome" the activities of externally-sponsored terror groups, the Prime Minister warned of a spurt in suicide attacks targetting religious, economic and sensitive institutions in the country. He termed as disconcerting reports that suggest the existence of a number of terrorist modules and sleeper cells in some urban areas which provide the backup for foreign terrorist outfits. "The activities of externally-sponsored terrorist outfits is equally worrisome. Their involvement has grown. "The concern is that there could be a further intensification involving greater use of fidayeen elements and targetting of a wider range of religions, economic and sensitive objects," Singh said. Asserting that his Government was making every effort to to ensure the all-round development of Jammu and Kashmir, Singh, expressed concern at attempts to portray an untrue picture of the State and to prevent the return of normalcy there. "Inciting people utilising stray incidents and dubious means, involving so-called moral and religious grounds, is taking place," he said. "Intelligence is clearly the key to better performance. Improvements in intelligence are being effected at Central and State levels," he said while asking the Chief Ministers to tone up their intelligence machinery. "This should go down to the local police station levels," he said. Emphasing on the importance of generating intelligence at the police station level, the Prime Minister pointed out that this area had not got the desired attention. "There is no substitute for adequately trained and equipped police force and intelligence agencies. I am afraid this does not get the desired attention," he said. "You need to look into this," he told the Chief Ministers attending the conclave. The Prime Minister pointed out that there was an underlying sense of insecurity prevailing among the minority community. He described as "erroneous" the linkage of religion with terrorism and said this "tarnished the community’s image". He sought appropriate measures to dispel the feeling of mistrust among the community and recommended that education and mass media should be used for this purpose. Dr Singh asked the State Governments to ensure that the individual acts of a few did not result in a fear complex enveloping an entire community, leading to feelings of persecution and alienation after the terror incidents. "Communal sensitivities continue to remain high, even as communal tensions seem to decline. An underlying sense of insecurity among sizeable sections of the Muslim minority is one reason for this. It arises presumably from the erroneous image—made by the west—of tarnishing the community’s image," he said. Dwelling at length on internal security issues, Dr Singh said one of the difficult situations related to the growth and spread of naxalite movement. "It is true that naxalism has taken hold in quite a few States such as Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. It thrives in areas most neglected from a developmental point of view, viz the tribal regions of the country. Naxalites have become increasingly sophisticated in the methods and techniques they employ," he added. In this connection, he noted that Andhra Pradesh had been most effective in curbing the menace and asked other states to send their officers to Andhra for gaining insight and training. The Centre, he said, had set up a joint task force and other coordinating mechanisms. The Chief Ministers should personally monitor the problems of naxalite affected areas, including the proper utilisation of the very large amounts of money provided under development programmes. Naxalite penetration into the industrial/agriculture workers and student segments should be countered politically rather than solely through the police. Dr Singh said the State Governments should lay more emphasis on integration of rural India with economic development of the country by focusing on agriculture, drinking water and electrification of villages. Expressing concern over current growth rate of agriculture, he asked the States to make special efforts to ensure that schemes chalked out under Bharat Nirman Programme for uplift of rural India were effectively implemented. Noting that targets set under Bharat Nirman Programme had exceeded in the first year of its implementation, he cautioned the main challenges lay in the next two years. Asserting that UPA Government’s primary focus was on rural development, education, health and agriculture sectors, Manmohan Singh said, "in the last two years, the Centre has increased budgetary allocation for these sectors since they affect a majority of people. A recent review of these sectors pointed towards a difference in the performance of various States," he said. Singh said there was need to develop infrastructure in rural India and integrate villages with areas where economic development was taking place. He said Rs 16,500 crore had been provided under Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme to ensure power supply to every village in the country. "I would like everyone of you to ensure that by 2009, electricity reaches every village," the Prime Minister said. The aim was to bring an additional one crore hectares of land under irrigation, he said, adding that Andhra Pradesh had taken a lead in this area. Calling for land reforms, the Prime Minister said consolidation of land holdings was required. For decentralised planning for development of backward regions, over Rs 3,000 crore has been made available under the Panchayati Raj Institutions Sector. (Agencies) |
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Sonia voices concern over terror
strikes in J&K NAINITAL, Sept 23: Recalling the Congress’ support to the previous NDA Government, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today said as a political party Congress has always advocated dialogue with Pakistan even while being in opposition. Sonia insisted that the coalition Government in Jammu and Kashmir was maintaining the tempo of development and that measures have been taken to increase people-to-people contacts across the LoC. Expressing anguish over terrorist attacks in different parts of the country, she cautioned the State Governments to ensure that anti-terror measures should not lead to polarisation of society and no community should feel being under seige because of such actions. The Congress president also spoke about Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s recent peace moves with Pakistan, but expressed concern over terror strikes being carried out in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based outfits. Addressing a conclave of Congress Chief Ministers here, she said there should be no compromise on internal security and all states should have fully motivated forces to combat terrorism. Observing that the terror attacks in different parts of the country were a cause of "serious concern and anguish", she said the anti-terror measures should not lead to polarisation of society and no community should feel being under seige. "While recognizing that there can be no compromise on internal security, we must make sure that no community feels itself under seige or as automatic target of suspicion," Gandhi said. Noting that the anti-social and anti-national elements would have to be clearly identified, isolated and dealt with a firm hand, Gandhi, who is also the UPA chairperson, said that effective police action, free from social bias and political pressure was essential to deal with any organization that disturbs communal harmony. Charging the BJP-led NDA of being "insensitive" to the distress of farmers in its entire tenure at the Centre, she said that the UPA on the other hand has taken a number of initiatives that will impact positively on the growth of agriculture. Gandhi also spoke of stagnation in foodgrains production and fall in procurement in key States like Uttar Pradesh. This, she said, compelled the country to import wheat. Union Agriculture Minister and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar is under attack over the issue of farmers suicides and wheat imports. With the controversy on land allotment to special economic zones and industrial projects in several States including Uttar Pradesh weighing heavily on her mind, Gandhi said that prime agricultural land should not be normally diverted to non-agricultural uses. "Industry requires land no doubt. But this must be done without jeopardizing our agricultural prospects. Farmers must get proper compensation when their land is purchased. Could farmers also not become stakeholders in the projects that come up on the land acquired from them?," she asked. The Congress president also made it clear that agriculture must be the focus of the 11th plan which comes into operation next year. "Without massive public investment and without far-reaching reforms in public delivery systems, agricultural growth at the scale we need cannot take place," she said adding that a 300 million more people would be added to the country’s population in the next 20 years. "It is our duty to take steps now to ensure that a country of 1.4 billion, as we will be then, is fed adequately." Describing the spate of farmers suicides as a challenge to the nation’s collective conscience, she said a package would soon be announced for States confronting the problem. Sonia said farmers must get proper compensation and they be made stake-holders in projects coming up on their lands. She emphasised that the entire system of land administration needs "complete overhaul" and a new tenancy legislation in connection with the land holding should be in place. Defending the Government’s decision to import wheat, she said procurement needs immediate attention and the public distribution system has to be strengthened. Ahead of Assembly elections in the Hindi heartland, home to a large population of farmers, Gandhi spoke at length about the moves of successive Congress Governments in the farm sector. The Congress supremo, whose party is under BJP fire over the spate of farmers’ suicides in different parts of the country, said the focus should be laid on agriculture in the 11th five-year plan. In an apparent reference to special economic zones, Sonia said that though industry required land for expansion, such moves should not "jeopardise" farm prospects. "Farmers must get appropriate compensation when land is taken...Settlement and rehabilitation policy must be strengthened," she remarked. She also emphasised that land administration required a complete overhaul. (Agencies) |
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Govt directs DMs, SPs to adhere
to By Mohinder Verma JAMMU, Sept 23: Financial Commissioner Home B R Kundal has directed all the District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) to immediately start inspection of 31 units manufacturing arms and ammunition across the State which despite being a mandatory exercise has not been carried out for the past several years. District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police are required to conduct the annual inspection of the units manufacturing arms and ammunition, prepare detailed account of their manufacturing and sale and submit the same to the Home Department. Surprisingly for the past several years the practice has been stopped by them, Mr Kundal said while talking to the EXCELSIOR. It is pertinent to mention here that in the entire country there are about 92 units manufacturing arms and ammunition and 31 each are in Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar only. "I have directed all the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to gather information with regard to quantity of ammunition being manufactured in these units, criteria of selling the same and persons making purchases of ammunition from them", he disclosed. They have also been directed to compile data about the sale outlets of arms and ammunition across the State on the pattern of Excise outlets. "Though we are not doubting the credentials of manufacturers yet Government should have necessary information with regard to such units keeping in view the present scenario in the State", Mr Kundal said. While concentrating on militancy, the State Police has completely forgotten the vital duty of prevention and detection of the crime and necessary directions have been issued to focus on such responsibilities of the police personnel, the Financial Commissioner Home said. He disclosed that Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs) of Jammu and Kashmir regions have also been directed to lay more thrust on the patrolling and surprise checks instead of fixed nakas. "Station House Officers (SHOs) have been asked to increase night patrolling which are required to be ensured by the SPs and DySPs of the respective areas", he further said and disclosed that district wise crime data has also been sought from the police to find out measures to keep check on the same. Mr Kundal said that State Police is required to revive the old system of ‘beat patrolling’ and added that system was in vogue before the start of militancy but after that nobody initiated any step to implement the beat patrolling, which is being given extra importance even in Union Capital in order to remove deficiencies and draw-backs in the system of patrolling in Police Stations. |
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Indus, Indigo airlines to operate
in J&K By Gopal Sharma JAMMU, Sept 23: Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to invest at least Rs 40 cr for increasing the length of the runway of Jammu air base to facilitate the landing of big aircrafts like Airbus-320 and Boeing 737-800 category besides modernisation of the Jammu airport. Increasing pressure of the private airlines companies in the region has forced to the Airports Authority of India to go ahead for increasing space for aircrafts’ mobility on aerodrome, raise more infrastructure besides increasing nearly 1300 ft runway of the Jammu airport towards Tawi side. The Airports authorities have requested the Air Force and the Army authorities to provide some land for its expansion plans and for this a clearance is been accorded recently. Director, AAI Jammu, G. Chandramouli told the Excelsior that Jammu airport has the apron capacity to allow landing of only three aircrafts at a time. As the flow of air-traffic is increasing with the operation of more and more private airlines, the airport needs more space for mobility and landing. He said about 48 kanals of Air Force land is being acquired for making more space for aircrafts mobility and execute extension work on the existing complex towards North. Referring to the runway expansion programme, Mr Chandramouli said the Jammu airport has 6700 ft length of its runway at present. The normal aircrafts operating at present here require nearly 6000 ft of runway for safe landing but to facilitate the landing of Boeing and Airbus-320 aircrafts, the airport needs 7500 ft of runway. Jammu airport has the capacity of accommodating nearly 250 passengers and in the proposed project, the capacity is being increased upto 400. Responding to a question, the Director said the Board of Directors of AAI has approved the new project. He disclosed that Army and Air Force authorities have principally agreed to provide land. He disclosed that funds to the tune of nearly Rs 40 cr are expected to be spent on this modernisation project and out of this amount Rs 13 cr will be spent on the runway besides raising other infrastructure, apron and on the construction of building complex in the north. An aero-bridge is also being constructed to facilitate the exit and entry of the passengers to the aircrafts and it will also save time. The work will be launched on the project shortly, he maintained. Mr Chadramouli further disclosed that some obstruction is being faced by the aircrafts due to the presence of some two storeyed houses closer to the airfield in the South. The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu has been requested to issue an order in this regard and help in remove the upper stories of the nearby houses. The AAI will be paying adequate compensation to these families. He said two pockets consisting of 10 kanals and 18 kanals of land are being acquired towards Jammu-R S Pura road side and Karanbagh as per security point of view and also to construct the terminal. Referring to the operation of new airline companies, the AAI Director said that at present an average of 11 flights are operating on Jammu airport per day and roughly around 150 movement are there in a week. At present Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Spicejet, Air Deccan, Air Sahara and Go Air are operating in Jammu but three more private companies including Kingfisher Airlines, Indus Airways and Indigo Airways are likely to start its operation shortly. The Kingfisher which has received green nod from the Director General of Civil Aviation is likely to start its operation from first week of October, he added. Giving revenue figures, Mr Mouli said AAI charges Rs 200 per passengers from these companies for providing all these facilities. In Jammu the average mobility per day is nearly one thousand passengers. The revenue being generated here with these figures may come around Rs 30 lakh per month (outgoing). He said that a major component of nearly 75 percent of Jammu revenue is going to meet security expenditure as this airport comes under hyper-sensitive category and is hardly 6 kms ( Aerial) from the Pakistan border. He said nearly 250 CRPF and J&K police personnel are deployed for the security of the airport. |
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Naqashbandi to probe Handwara killings SRINAGAR, Sept 23: The State Government has appointed the judge, who investigated the Wullar Lake boat capsize, as inquiry officer to probe the alleged firing by Army troops in Handwara town that resulted in the death of four teenaged boys. District and Sessions Judge Sayed Tariq Naqashbandi has been asked go into the causes and circumstances leading to the incident at Doodhipora in Handwara on February 22 and submit his report within two months. Besides identifying persons, he would fix responsibility for use excessive force, if any, which resulted in the death of the four boys, an official spokesman said here today. The judge had also been asked to recommend action against those found negligent or guilty and suggest measures to avoid reoccurrence of such incidents, he said. The four boys were killed at Doodhipora on February 22 by troops who mistook them for militants, sparking off protests across the Kashmir valley and a demand for action against the erring jawans. Naqashbandi also conducted the inquiry into the Wullar Lake boat capsize incident in which 22 school children were drowned. Four Navy personnel posted at Wullar Lake Marine Commandos (MARCOs) unit and the Principal of Burning Candle School were held responsible by the inquiry commission which recommended Rs four lakh as compensation to the next of kin. (PTI) |
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4 HM activists arrested SRINAGAR, Sept 23 : A militant and a civilian were killed and three jawans wounded while security forces apprehended four militants and averted a major tragedy in Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said today. He said militants hurled a hand grenade towards a security picket at Onta Hamam in Sopore area of Baramulla district this evening. The grenade exploded near the picket causing injuries to three jawans, he said. The injured have been evacuated to hospital. The area has been cordoned off and a search operations has been launched to nab the attackers, the spokesman said. An unidentified militant was killed in an encounter with troops at Chatibandi in Baramulla district this afternoon. The encounter commenced in the wee hours at 6 AM when the troops cordoned Chatibandi, 60 kms from here, following specific information about presence of militants, the sources said adding the ultras opened fire and in the ensuing encounter one militant has been killed so far. Militants shot dead one person at Kangan late last night. Meanwhile, a major tragedy was averted by the police today in south Kashmir, a police spokesman said. He said militants today planted a powerful improvised explosive device at Zainpora on Anantnag-Shopian road in South Kashmir to target security forces. However, a police party, during a routine patrolling noticed the IED which was later defused by the bomb disposal squad without causing any damage. Had it not been detected and defused it would have caused much damage to life and property as the road remains busy, the spokesman said. The sources said security forces arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen militant Mushtaq Ahmed Wani at Safekadal area of downtown Srinagar today. Wani, a resident of Idgah area, was nabbed alongwith a pistol and three rounds, the sources added. A CRPF spokesman said that troops of 67 battalion conducted an operation at Rathpora Eidgah in down town city this afternoon, following a tip-off that some militants were hiding there. He said during the operation, Mushtaq, involved in several militancy related incidents was arrested alongwith a Chinese pistol, a magazine and three rounds. Wani, a listed militant was evading arrest since 1990. The spokesman said Wani was later handed over to police. (AGENCIES) |
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NEW DELHI, Sept 23: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi that has four members in Lok Sabha today withdrew support to the UPA Government, a move that is unlikely to affect the ruling coalition’s stability as it has a comfortable majority in the House. The TRS, which fought the 2004 general election in alliance with the Congress, withdrew support after not getting a commitment from the Central Government on carving out a separate Telangana state from Andhra Pradesh. The TRS alleged that the Manmohan Singh Government-which has the support of around 330 MPs in the 545-member Lok Sabhas-had failed to keep its promise on the separate Telangana state. Party chief K Chandrasekhara Rao, who earlier resigned as Union labour minister as well as from the Lok Sabha, told reporters here that he has sent a letter to President A P J Abdul Kalam, withdrawing TRS’ support to the UPA Government with immediate effect. "Since the UPA Government has failed to keep its promise made in the Common Minimum Programme on the formation of the separate Telangana state even after achieving clear consensus, as a protest, the TRS is withdrawing its support to the UPA Government with immediate effect," the letter said. The TRS decision to snap ties with the UPA caps the tumultuous relations between them over the past two years. Rao said the by-poll to Karimnagar constituency, which he had quit, would be a "referendum" on the Telangana issue and challenged the Congress to face the electoral battle. "It will reflect the mood of the people of Telangana. Karimnagar will prove what is what." Asked specifically whether he would contest the by-poll, he said, "Most likely, I should contest. But I should not announce it all alone. It has to be formally announced by the party." Launching a broadside at the Congress, Rao alleged that the party has manipulated the "clear consensus" that emerged in favour of a separate Telangana state. Seeking to buttress his claims, he said the total number of MPs supporting the demand amounted to about 400. This included members of the NDA, almost all parties of the UPA and many smaller parties. Pooh-pooing the Congress argument that it could not count only on the support of the BJP, which has unequivocally backed the creation of a separate State, Rao wondered how the Congress could reject the support of the main opposition party. He dared the Congress to contest the Karimnagar by-poll, saying, "I welcome them to come and contest. That is the reason for my withdrawing support. I am sounding the war bugle now." Alleging that the Congress lacked a policy to run the coalition Government, he claimed that most of its partners were unhappy. Asked if he would join the NDA, Rao kept his cards close to his chest, saying, "What will happen in the future I can’t say now." Seeking to project himself as the leader of several parties demanding separate states, he said, "We will stir up separate state agitations in Vidarbha, Bundelkhand and other regions. I was elected convener of a committee to fight for separate States at a meeting held in Delhi." Earlier in the day, Rao said after a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee that his resignation from the lower house has been accepted. (PTI) |
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NEW DELHI, Sept 23: Official VAT panel today decided to again defer phase out of the Central Sales Tax from next month to April, 2007 after its failure to arrive at an agreement with the Union Government on the compensation package for States to meet the revenue loss due to reduction in CST. The CST, imposed on inter-state trade of goods, was originally scheduled to be phased out from the beginning of the current fiscal from the present level of four per cent to two per cent, but its reduction was diluted to three per cent and timing deferred to October 1. Now again, the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers decided to postpone the phase out to the next fiscal and the reduction is scheduled to be restored to two per cent as was originally planned. "CST and VAT cannot co-exist. CST has to go subject to full compensation package for loss to states on account of CST phase out being agreed upon by Union Finance Ministry... Unfortunately convergence could not be reached," Empowered Committee chairman Asim Dasgupta told reporters, announcing that CST phase out has been deferred to next fiscal. However, CST is scheduled to be reduced to 1 per cent during 2008-09 and then entirely removed during 2009-10, Dasgupta said after five-hour long meeting of the panel. There would be review of CST phase out before reducing it to one per cent during 2008-09, he said. The fate of CST phase out has been hanging in balance with the States and the Centre not agreeing to common compensation package despite the fact that CST is not in accordance with the VAT structure. CST is supposed to touch Rs 20,000 crore this fiscal and is estimated to be Rs 23,600 crore during 2008-09. Dasgupta was emphatic in his point that states want "full compensation" for the loss if CST is to be phased out. Despite forming of a working group, headed by VAT panel Secretary Satish Chandra and Finance Minister’s Advisor Parthasarthi Shome, the two sides could not agree on common compensation package. Though Dasgupta said he did not want to make public the area of differences between the vat panel and the Centre, sources said the Finance Ministry is averse to the budgetary support. On the other hand, VAT panel is not keen on linking the Finance Ministry’s proposal for States to increase VAT rate from 4 to 6 per cent to CST phase out, the sources said. In its earlier meetings, the VAT panel had asked the Centre to permit States to impose the tax regime on imports and levy tax on 68 services. States also asked for increase in their share in devolution of service tax to 50 per cent from the present 30.5 per cent and allow States to impose VAT on textiles, sugar and tobacco, currently under additional excise duty, from 2007-08, besides certain budgetary grants. CST does not suit the Value Added Tax structure since no input credit is given on it unlike vat. Besides, The Very concept of CST is against the common market that VAT and its proposed new form — goods and services tax at national level from 2010 — seek to establish.(PTI) |
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Make J&K proposals public: BJP NEW DELHI, Sept 23: Reacting to the statement of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf that India and his country were close to a solution on Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP today demanded the Government make public the ‘non-paper’ proposals made to Pakistan through back channel contacts. BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri had publicly confirmed about Prime Minister Manmohan Singh giving a ‘non-paper’ to Pakistan, listing out possible solutions to Kashmir. "We would like to know what are the options that are being discussed. Is the Line of Control being made redundant and are we proposing to revert back to pre-1953 status on self as reported by Pakistan media?" he said. Claiming that the Havana handshake was indeed been a capitulation by India both on the issue of JK as well as cross border terrorism, he said it was totally unacceptable to the BJP. "The ill conceived move to have a joint mechanism against terror may eventually lead to joint management of JK itself. Has the PM forgotten the unanimous resolution in Parliament declaring Pak occupied Kashmir as integral part of India?" Mr Prasad said. Noting that the Prime Minister had spoken of Pakistan being a victim of terror and of various autonomous groups operating in that country, Mr Prasad said that Mr Singh should make public which terror groups are working to create terror in Pakistan, and also say if he had shared this information with Gen Musharraf. "The ISI of Pakistan has a ‘vice like grip’ over the terror machine in that country and training offered to terror groups were all well known. The menacing role of this organisation has to be taken seriously by the civilised world and the ISI chief is appointed by Army Chief and he is answerable to him alone and none else," he added. (UNI) |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 23: Security forces today arrested two Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the militants from village Pangai in Thanna Mandi area of Rajouri district. They have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed, 18 son of Mohd Akbar and Mohd Liyaquat, 19, son of Gulabdin, both residents of Pangai. After preliminary questioning, security forces handed over the accused to police. Security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 68 rounds and two Chinese hand grenades during a search operation at Asouni Top near Dera Ki Gali in Poonch. One AK-47 rifle with one magazine were recovered from Lam, Nowshera in Rajouri district. PM willing to discuss
autonomy, self-rule NAINITAL, : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said he was prepared to discuss all issues, including the question of autonomy and self-rule, with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "We are willing to discuss all issues with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including relations between the Centre and the State," he said at a joint press conference with Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the conclusion of a two-day conclave of Congress Chief Ministers here. He was asked for his comment on the reported statement of former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah that the State should be granted autonomy and that of his successor Mufti Mohammed Sayeed advocating self-rule for the State. Earlier, in his concluding remarks at the Chief Ministers’ conclave, Dr Singh said the north-east and Jammu and Kashmir had special problems. "Terrorism and insurgency had to be handled properly and effectively. Development strategies had to be formulated taking into account the special problems of the two regions. "We need to continue talking to all groups so as to promote peace and provide a life of dignity to people of these regions. These regions have immense potential, be it in agriculture, or in power, or in trade and industry," he said. The Prime Minister said a safe and secure environment ought to be created in the two regions so that their true potential could be tapped. (UNI) |
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