Govt initiates action in all 32 major scams
ATR on Kundal report finalised

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 20: The Government has initiated action on all 32 major cases of irregularities in Forest and allied Departments pointed out by Kundal Committee report, which had inquired into ‘mess’ in Forest Department.

Besides recommending 20 odd cases to Vigilance Organisation and Crime Branch for investigations, the Government has referred other cases for departmental action. Four cases have been recommended to Director Audit and Inspections for thorough probe.

In its Action Taken Report (ATR) on irregularities pointed out by Kundal Committee, the Government has referred the case of deliberate creation of timber scarcity especially in ‘C’ zone and towns to the State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) vide Government order No. FST/Ser/76/07 dated 20.12.2007 for inquiry as recommended by the Enquiry Officer (B R Kundal, the then Financial Commissioner, Home and presently Chief Secretary of the State). The EO has pointed out that timber scarcity was exploited by Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, the then MD SFC and G H Marazi, the then GM SFC to push their agenda of import of timber with ulterior motives.

The proposal for import of timber, one of three options recommended by the SFC management, was to consider only valid bid of M/s Royal Trading Corporation. In its ATR, the Government said the matter has been referred to IG Crime and Railways for probe vide Government order No. FST/Ser/76/07 dated 20.12.2007.

Extraction and transportation of timber in Jammu region got affected due to boycott of tenders by contractors. Lack of revision of normal rates has been cited as reason for this boycott, the report observed. The Government has asked Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to inquire into the delay in revision of norms and rates and submit the report within two months.

The EO has pointed out in the report that in various cases final payment of contracts have been made without following codal procedures and in violation of agreemental terms by SFC authorities. The Government has asked Director Audit and Inspections, J&K, to conduct a thorough probe through a special audit team to check whether codal procedure has been followed while squaring up the contracts. Further action will be taken on receipt of findings of the special audit team, the ATR said.

Irregularities in allotment of works on Amani basis in Compartment No. 52/Dudu and payment made to a contractor Shafqat Hussain Sheikh without considering shortages of timber delivered by him have also gone to SVO for inquiry. A Crime Branch inquiry has been ordered into allotment of works on Amani basis without following proper procedure as laid down by SFC’s Board of Directors.

On complaints against Bhat and Marazi about alleged supply of timber to non-bonafide users, the EO has observed that this task is gigantic as it involved consultation of records of different depots and ground verification or purchasers. The Government has ordered a Vigilance inquiry in the case.

In April 2007, MD SFC re-constituted the sale and marketing group by dropping Secretary SFC and concerned DFO from the Committee. The EO observed that ulterior motives for dropping these two members can’t be ruled out. In this case, the Government has stated in the ATR that MD SFC has has been directed to re-constitute the Auction Committee by incorporating the resentative of Secretary SFC and DFO concerned.

Regarding pilferage of truckloads of timber in Boniyar, the EO has pointed out that final investigation report of Vigilance has been received through GAD. The matter has also come to the notice of Accountability Commission, which has sought status report of the matter.

To this paragraph, the ATR said: "the Government vide No. FST/SFC/76/2003 dated 27.11.2007 had conveyed prosecution sanction of concerned officers/officials. Further vide No. FST/SFC/76/2003 dated 4/12/2007, MD SFC has been directed to file status report before the Accountability Commission, which is scheduled to be filed by the MD SFC before 28/1/2008, the date fixed by Accountability Commission".

The EO’s observation that different yard sticks were applied by SFC authorities for sanctioning of rates in Compartments at Kellar, Bhadarwah forest division has been recommended to SVO.

The EO has observed that minutes of meeting corrected by the chairman SFC in consultation with Commissioner/Secretary Forests got changed by the then MD SFC to ratify wrong action of affecting promotion of senior level officers after bypassing the laid down procedures and rules. The Government has asked Vigilance Commissioner to investigate and fix responsibility in the case. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has also been asked to enquire into the matter and submit a report within 15 days so that further action is taken.

Physical verification report of stocks of SFC sales depot of Jammu region has pointed out some serious deficiencies. The Government vide Order No. 634-Fst of 2007 has constituted a committed to enquire into the matter and submit its report within 30 days. The committee comprised Ravi Kumar Kesar, CCF Central, Manoj Pant, CF East Circle and Roshan Jaggi, Joint Director, Forest Protection Force.

The Enquiry Officer has concluded that although there was pressure, the proper procedure to execute the work of felling operations in Dal lake by the SFC was not followed. He has further observed that contradiction of claims put forth by SFC and LAWDA has made whole case questionable. The ATR stated that the case has been handed over to SVO.

The EO has observed that the tender offers for Compartments of Mawar and Matsil were not rejected by the tender committee when the tender was without proper CDR. The EO has concluded that Marazi being a member of the tender committee influenced whole management because his son was said to be a partner of the tendering firm. In this case, the ATR has asked MD SFC to cancel tenders of the said compartments after following due procedure and then subject the process to re-tendering. Simultaneously, IG Crime and Railways has also been asked to take up investigation of the case.

On EO’s observation that personal record of Mr Marazi showed that he joined service before completion of 15 years of age, managed support of high and mighty through out his career, got promoted as GM and even managed to block his prosecution sanction, the Government said it has ordered an inquiry by IG Crime and Railways and asked MD SFC to initiate action for Marazi’s removal from the services.

Regarding service record and bio-data of Ajaz Ahmed Bhat that he had six addresses (two each at Srinagar, Delhi and United States), four names, dual citizenship of India and America, two passports, leave of nearly 10 years in 28 years service, spent more on air tickets than accumulated salary drawn by him, applied for premature retirement but subsequently withdrew the application, managed posting as MD SFC superseding 17 officers senior to him in July 2006 and got posting in higher echelons of States administration despite being a US citizen, the ATR said Mr Bhat was attached and then placed under suspension vide Government Order No. 538-FST of 2007 dated 22.10.2007. Criminal proceedings in case FIR No. 68/2007 are under progress against him in Crime Branch, Kashmir. After final investigation report is provided by the Home Department, further action as suggested by the EO would be taken.

On appointment of Consultants during 2005-06 and 2006-07 by R D Tiwari, Project Chief IWDP without adopting appropriate procedure and flouting requirements of financial code, the ATR said the Government has asked the Vigilance Commissioner for a thorough probe and fixing of responsibility. In the same case the Director Audit and Inspections has also been requested for a probe through a special audit team of Finance Department and furnish findings of the report at the earliest. The audit team will work out exact amount spent unauthorisedly for making payment to the Consultant. R D Tiwari has already been transferred and posted as Director State Forest Research Institute (SFRI).

Another charge of irregularities against Mr Tiwari on deploying departmental vehicles of IWDP with persons other than officers of IWDP causing a loss of Rs 14 lakh to the State exchequer has been recommended to IGP Crime and Railways and Director Audit and Inspections, J&K, for thorough probe. The audit team will work out exact amount spent unauthorisedly.

The EO has concluded that funds have been misused for a defunct organisation, Social Mobilisation, Baseline Survey for PWMP to keep it active by diverting funds to field staff/meeting expenses of Project Chief's office. The work programmes were not prepared and technical and administrative approvals were not obtained which showed lack of due negligence and sense of irresponsibility. This case has too gone to the SVO besides Director Audit and Inspections, J&K. The audit team, has been asked to conduct a thorough probe into mismanagement in financial diversions and utilisation of funds for programmes which were not approved.

Regarding implementation of IWDP-II, the EO has observed that since the inception of this World Bank aided project of IWDP, the project didn’t take off satisfactorily and failed in yielding the desired results leading to misutilisation of funds, misuse of official position in making illegal appointments and other inter-related irregularities. The ATR said the Government letter No. FST/SER/76/2007 dated 26.12.2007 has directed Project Chief IWDP to consult University of Jammu/Kashmir to ascertain their willingness for undertaking evaluation of completing projects by physically verifying works on the ground.

The EO has observed that there was no time bound schedule for clearance of files inspite of instructions issued from time to time. The ATR has directed Chairman, Pollution Control Board (PCB) to ensure that mandatory period is followed in letter and spirit. Concept of periodical inspections is required to be introduced at all levels starting from the time the application is submitted upto the time when the case is finally approved. Defaulters need to be punished as per service conduct rules, the ATR said.

The ATR had asked PCB Chairman to direct all Departmental Vigilance Officers (DVOs) to file a status report regarding receipt and disposal of complaints in their respective jurisdiction to Administrative Department on Regular basis. The PCB Chairman will personally monitor the position. This direction has been given on EO’s observation that DVOs do exist at various levels but they have not attended to the complaints.

The ATR has again asked PCB Chairman to effect transfers with a view to improve functioning of the Organisation. The direction has been passed on the EO’s remarks that several officers are retaining same post from last 5 to 10 years and no transfers have been done in the Department.

The EP has observed that Regional Director SPCB retained files with him and cleared them after taking money from unit holders and recommended that a team of officers should verify the position as it exists on ground about the PCB measures vis-a-vis the records available to find out reasons of delay. The ATR said the Government has set up a three member committee for the purpose which comprised S P Sharma CF (Working & Reach), L K Sharma, CF (Central) and Manzoor Ahmed, CF (North Circle Kashmir). The committee has been asked to submit its findings along with recommendations within a period of 30 days.

On EO’s observation that green category cases in other States are cleared by Regional Director for consent to establish/operate and in J&K, State files are submitted to Member Secretary and the Chairman, the Government has directed Chairman PCB to implement recommendation of the EO in letter and spirit.

The EO has picked up two cases where the assignments have been allotted without following the procedure. In first case he has observed that the job of Rapid Environment Impact Assessment (REIA) was entrusted to M/s SIMA Lab Ltd with gross violation of rules. Rs 9 lakh were paid to SIMA Lab, New Delhi without calling any tender. The FA/CAO had objected the way of working and wrote that tendering is essential for such work. However, the Chairman overruled his objections and entrusted the job to the firm, whose representative was a regular visitor to the house of Chairman. In another case, documentaries were entrusted to M/s Kashmir Communication, Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar again without calling any tenders for Rs 4 lakh. The Government has ordered a Vigilance probe in both cases.

Regarding misuse and allotment of official vehicles of PCB as well as providing of oil to IWDP vehicles from PCB funds, the EO has observed that misuse of vehicles clearly gets established and motives for the purpose are required to be ascertained. The ATR has asked the SVO to investigate the case and fix responsibility. A committee of three officers has been constituted to enquire into misuse of official vehicles of PCB as well as providing of oil to IWDP vehicles out of PCB funds. The committee comprised A K Singh, CCF Projects, A K Bhat, FA/CAO Forests and Sajad Yehya Naqash , DD (P&S) in the office of PCCF. The committee has been asked to furnish findings/report within 30 days.

On suspension and restoration of operation of four pesticide units in Samba within a week, the Government has directed a Crime Branch probe.

On the EO’s general observations, the Government has asked all HoDs to take necessary action with regard to carrying out annual inspections at all levels for bringing transparency in system, conduct administrative, financial and developmental audit, physical verification of all stores and take inspection notes of touring and inspection to logical conclusion.

The Government has ordered a SVO probe into misuse of funds by Ghulam Mohd Mir, PO IWDP-II at Tajwar, Handwara.

A Crime Branch inquiry has been ordered into the EO’s observation that Lumber India, Bemina, a timber trading firm which has been given favours as it had interests of Marazi through his sons and brother-in-law who had jointly floated the firm.

The EO has observed that one R P Sharma, CCF (Retired) has been permitted exchange of land measuring about 32 kanals in Jammu. The significant point which was noticed by the EO is that how the forest land got transferred for a non-forest use which is flagrant violation of the Forest Control Act and powers are not vested with the Forest Department to do so which indicated that something is amiss. The Government has ordered a Crime Branch inquiry into the case with a direction to IG Crime and Railways to fix responsibility in the case.

Regarding unauthorised and excess expenditure of about Rs 3 crore in Chenab Basin in which an inquiry is being conducted by Shafat Ahmed, the Government has directed Mr Ahmed to expedite the enquiry report.

Regarding illegal promotions made in Wildlife Department by R D Tiwari and DRW appointed/regularised in IWDP-II, the EO concluded that though the probe about illegal promotions made in Wildlife Department is still pending with Irshad Ahmed Khan, PCCF, the conduct of inquiry was challenged by R D Tiwari in the High Court, which has granted stay. The Government has asked the Enquiry Officer to expedite the report.

Holed up militant killed, one injured in blast

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 20: One of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, holed up in a house at Handwara, was killed while one person wounded in a grenade blast at Sopore in north Kashmir.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said troops of 30 and 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of State Police launched a joint operation at Mandigam village, Handwara, in the frontier district of Kupwara today.

Militants later entered the house of one Mushtaq Ahmad Mir after a brief encounter with troops.

Later, reinforcements were rushed to the area from nearby camps and the cordon around the particular house was further tightened after all civilians were rescued.

Militants continued firing on troops when they were asked to surrender, he said, adding one of the militant was killed and the operation was still going on.

He said the militants belongs to Pakistan based LeT.

Meanwhile, militants hurled a hand grenade towards a security force patrol party at main market Sopore in Baramulla district. However, it missed the intended target and exploded on the roadside injuring a pedestrian identified as Abdul Rashid Marazi.

The injured was hospitalised, the sources said, adding that the police later conducted search operation in the area but militants managed to escape.

The spokesman said that Army troops found a 51 mm mortar bomb in Pulwama district today as security was beefed up in the entire Kashmir valley ahead of the Republic Day.

The mortar bomb was found in an abandoned house in Sangerwain area by Rashtriya Rifles troops.

Yesterday, security forces recovered 15-kg explosives placed atop a shed at Khanabal in Anantnag district.

Ahead of the Republic Day, security was stepped up in Kashmir valley to foil any attempt by militants to disrupt peace in the State.

Necessary steps had been taken to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful Republic Day celebrations, police sources said.

Police raises tension by calling neighbours' feud as Moharram clash
Ashoora processions taken out amid
minor sectarian conflict

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 20: Even as thin groups of Karbala mourners clashed with Police in Srinagar Civil Lines and a downtown locality witnessed minor sectarian clashes, thousands of Shia Muslim devotees observed Ashoora---anniversary of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain on 10th Moharram---while performing traditional forms of the mourning in scores of Zuljanah, Alam and Tazia processions all over the Valley.

In the capital city, the largest attended Zuljanah procession was taken out as per tradition from Jan Mohalla locality of Lal Bazar in the forenoon which adopted its traditional route of Botakadal, Madeen Sahib, Almgari Bazar and culminated into a Majlis-e-Sham-e-Gareebaan at the historic Imambara of Zadibal late in the evening. Earlier, on Shab-e-Ashoora, thousands of men, women and children participated in three Alam and Tazia processions in Zadibal locality which were taken out one after another. Shia mourners attended Marsiya and Nowha rituals of the mourning in praise and commemoration of the martyrs of Karbala at Zadibal and all Shia localities in the Valley.

Official estimated the number of participants in today's Ashoora procession in Lal Bazar Zadibal area between 30,000 to 50,000. However, leaders of Shia community insisted that more than 60,000 devotees participated in the traditional Zuljanah procession. As usual, Majlis-e-Sham-e-Gareebaan was addressed at Zadibal Imambara by prominent Shia cleric and President of J&K Shia Association Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari.

Reports said that relatively thinner Alam and Zuljanah procession were also taken out at six other places in Srinagar district.

The second largest Zuljanah procession was taken out under the management of Anjuman-e-Sharee Shiaa'n from Imambara Mirgund at 1100 hours in the forenoon which was attended by more than 15,000 Shia mourners. As per a tradition, the procession had an afternoon prayers halt at Bihisht-e-Zehra, a public park near Deputy Commissioner's office in Budgam. It concluded partly at historic Imambara of Budgam and partly at the Shariatabad residence of Aga Sahib of Budgam late in the evening.

Reports said that more than 50 Zuljanah, Alam and Tazia processions were also taken out in different Shia localities in Budgam, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag districts in the Valley. According to these reports, thousands of Shia mourners participated in such solemn rallies at Delina, Iskandarpora, Bemina, Ichhigam, Sandipora, Inderkoot, Mirgund Pattan, Dab Wakoora, Shitsan Devsar, Gangua, Wakherwan, Chhatergul, Tral, Kamalkote, Dhani Sayyidaan (Uri) and other Shia-dominated localities. Braving the coldest season of the year, Chilla-e-Kalan, Shia mourners came on the streets and performed matam in the name of Hazrat Imam Hussain and other martyrs of Karabala on village Imambargahs throughout the night and in the Zuljanah procession for the whole day.

As usual---and inspite of a negative advisory from Iran---hundreds of Shia youth performed the mourning with self-flagellation and striking of sharp-edged weapons and tools on their own bodies to spill their own blood. Reports said that over a hundred Shia devotees donated their blood for the needy patients through Imam Hussain Foundation and its subsidiary, Hussaini Blood Bank, at Zadibal.

Tension had gripped several localities in the capital city last evening itself when a minor clash took place between two groups of youth from Shia and Sunni communities in Gojwara-Nowhatta-Hawal belt, close to the Shia-dominated locality of Zadibal. Officials said that stone pelting took place between men of the two communities in Nowhatta area in which about a dozen civilians sustained injuries. Some of the injured were rushed to hospital for treatment. Reports said that the minor sectarian clash occurred when groups of Shia youth entered into a verbal dual with those of the majority Sunni community. Officials said that about a dozen people from either community sustained injuries. Some of them were admitted to Hospital for treatment.

In the morning too, small groups from Shia and Sunni localities traded slogans and charges in Zadibal-Nowhatta area, even as authorities had late last night imposed restrictions on the movement of the warring factions. Situation improved when the authorities deployed CRPF in Zadibal and restricted J&K Police to Lal Bazar area. Many people of Shia community had complained last evening that Police played a partisan role in dealing with the rival groups.

Official sources said that 12 to 15 people from both sects sustained injuries in the overnight ding-dong clashes. Surprisingly, rather than bringing down tension, J&K Police issued an official statement which related a death in family feud in Budgam district to a Moharram procession. It took the people of Kashmir several hours to learn from media and other sources that last evening's clash in Sebdan village in Budgam had nothing to do with religion or a Moharram procession.

"On 19.01.2008, during Moharram procession at Sebdan Galwanpora, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Budgam, a clash took place between processionists of the same community during which 11 person sustained injuries. The injured were hospitalized amongst whom Gh. Rasool 60 years, S/o Mohd Asgar , R/o Galwanpora succumbed to his injuries at SKIMS Srinagar. Police has registered a case in this regard", read a Zonal Police headquarters press release.

Residents as well as SSP Budgam, S A H Bukhari, told EXCELSIOR that a retired school-teacher Mohammad Safdar Khanday of Sebdan, Budgam, and his family members and relatives had launched an organized attack on the next-door neighbour Ghulam Rasool Mir, his brother Ghulam Hussain Mir and their family members well after a Moharram procession ended in the village last evening. They said that the assailants used brickbats, batons and axes. One of the assailants struck the blow of his axe on the head of 58-year-old Ghulam Rasool Mir who was rushed to SKIMS but died during treatment. They said that 11 others sustained injuries in the clash.

Decades-long family feud is said to be the reason behind the clash. Both the parties are followers of the Shia cleric and mainstream politician Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari. Budgam Police have lodged an FIR and begun search for the accused who have all vanished into different localities. Residents said that the main accused had last week only returned from Saudi Arabia after performing Haj. Police officials said that the retired teacher's son, who is working as a doctor in Kupwara district, after completing his MBBS in Iran or Russia, had allegedly struck the axe on the deceased Ghulam Rasool Mir's head.

Barring in Zadibal area, there was no sectarian tension in any locality all over the Valley. At several places, even members from Sunni community were seen sharing the mourning with their token participation in the Zuljanah processions.

In Srinagar Civil Lines, about a hundred people were detained for the day at two Police stations after they were picked up for allegedly violating the prohibitory orders. As has been the practice since 1989, authorities had already decided not to allow the main Ashoora procession which used to come out from Abi Guzar locality.

Thick Police bandobust and the streets frozen with Constantine wire were the familiar features of the day in uptown where thin groups of activists chanted religious and political slogans but they were soon lifted and detained at Police stations. However, all of them, according to official sources, had been released by late tonight.

ISI agent among 3 held in MP

BHOPAL, Jan 20 : Three persons, including an ISI agent from Pakistan, were arrested by Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) for allegedly passing on sensitive information about Indian Army, a senior officer said today.

"Mohd Imran Warsi, the ISI agent hailing from Karachi, was arrested in Bhopal yesterday with sensitive information regarding deployment, unit details and important phone numbers of the Indian Army," Inspector General (STF) Sanjeev Singh told reporters here.

On information collected from him, police arrested two others — Iqbal and Akhtar—, who were acting as his local contacts and supplying him sensitive information, Singh said.

Imran had been passing on sensitive information through e-mail and phone to his "handlers" in Pakistan and Dubai, from where he received the funding through Western Union money transfer, Singh said.

Information about involvement of an Army officer in leaking information has been collected from Imran during interrogation, but the matter was being further probed, he added.

The ISI agent, who was staying in Bhopal with his wife and two children, had managed to procure a ration card, pan card and permanent resident certificate from Sagar, and had applied for an Indian Passport, he added.

Picked by the Pakistani intelligence agency in 1995-96, Imran was trained and sent to Delhi by air in 2003. He got married to a woman from Kolkata, and had been staying at different places, including Srinagar, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata, the official said, adding teams had been sent to different cities to collect further details.

To a query, he said Imran’s wife was being interrogated to confirm whether she was aware of his activities. (PTI)

Tampering of CET answer sheets
CB arrests tout, 3 BOPEE employees

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 20: Crime Branch arrested a tout and employees of the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) for tampering answer sheets.

An official spokesman said that Crime Branch, Kashmir received a communication from the Controller Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) stating therein during re-evaluation of the marks in the results of CET 2007, Mytree Koul (Roll No. 300485), daughter of B L Koul, Pakaeeza Ahmad (Roll No.301011), daughter of Ghulam Ahmed Beigh, Farzana Iqbal (Roll No. 301614), daughter of Mohd Iqbal Zargar and Arshad Gul Babar Dar (Roll No.3033023), son of Ghulam Mohd Dar in league with some officials BOPEE tampered with the records.

On the receipt of communication, a case was registered in Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir for in-depth investigation.

During investigation, it came to surface that in connivance with these aspirants, the employees of BOPEE namely Mohd Ashraf Sofi, son of Abdul Salam, Sunil Bhat, son of Bansi Lal Bhat of Noorpora and Farooq Ahmad, son of Abdul Aziz of Qazigund through touts tried to get answer scripts of CET 2007 solved by making forgery and insertions at the time of revaluation/re-totaling to raise merit against monetary consideration.

The investigation unearthed that these aspirants before approaching the CET had conspired with the employees of BOPEE through touts and submitted their answer scripts almost un-attempted in order to get them attempted at the time of revaluation/re-totaling, which was done by these aspirants with assistance of the employees of BOPEE in a local hotel at Dalgate Srinagar.

After unearthing the scandal, the kingpin namely Sajjad Budal, son of Abdul Ahad of Lar Mohore was arrested by Crime Branch and released on bail under court orders, whereas the other accused employees of BOPEE were arrested along with one of the touts namely Reyaz Ahmad, son of Abdul Aziz of Haba Kadal Srinagar.

Investigation of the case is in progress and more arrests are expected, the spokesman said.

Farooq for action against perpetrators

HYDERABAD, Jan 20: National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah today demanded that the Jammu and Kashmir Government should take action against certain people who tried to create "religious bitterness" among Shia and Sunni communities on the eve of Muharram festival in the State.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Abdullah alleged that "certain sections are conspiring to create religious bitterness among the Shia and Sunni people."

"People of different religions have been living together in Jammu and Kashmir since decades. We don’t want to be divided on cummunal basis," he added.

Mr Abdullah said the UNPA would formulate policies to provide employment to unemployed youth in the country if it came to power at the Centre.

He said "suicide rates are high among youth because of lack of employment opportunities. The number of unemployed youth is increasing rapidly. Our duty is to frame a policy to provide employment to all youth."

He alleged that the successive Governments at the Centre had failed to create employment opportunities to youth.

Stating that the UNPA would give priority to agriculture sector, he said it would continue with agitations until the farmers get remunerative price for their products. (UNI)

Two nabbed with 8 kg charas

Excelsior Correspondent

KATHUA, Jan 20: The police nabbed two smugglers when they were transporting 8 kg charas from Billawar area to Jammu today.

A police spokesman giving details said that Billawar police party headed by SHO Abdul Wahid Giri under the supervision of SSP Kathua JP Singh and Additional SP Benam Tosh had laid a nakka to trap the accused who had stolen away a Mohindra Bolero vehicle 8317/JK-8 from that area.

During checking on main road, two persons traveling with two different bags were halted for frisking. They managed to flee heaving behind bags but were nabbed after a chase by cops.

Eight kilogram of charas was found in their bags. Both the accused were taken into custody and put in the police lock up after arrest. They were identified as Chain Singh, son of Bansi Lal of Satnoon in Basohli and Kali Dass, son of Chatter Singh, resident of Bhandhar in Bani. A case was registered against them & further investigation was on.

Meanwhile, the police seized 460 gms of charas from the possession of one Makhan Singh, son of Harbhajan Singh, resident of Jallandhar. He was intercepted by police team during checking near Chanderkot on Jammu-Srinagar national highway today. A case was registered against him.

CPM to forge third alternative

NEW DELHI, Jan 20: Signalling a possible realignment of forces at the national level, CPI(M) today spelt out plans to forge a "long-term" third alternative on a common policy platform to fight the BJP and the Congress.

It said the Left parties have the responsibility to initiate the process of formation of a non-Congress, non-BJP alternative and the CPI(M) was in discussion with some of the parties and forces to achieve this goal.

In worrying signals for the UPA barely a year ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the CPI(M)’s draft political resolution for the ensuing 19th Party Congress makes it clear that it will not enter into any alliance or United Front with the Congress.

Releasing the draft here, CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat asserted that the party will maintain relations with all "non-Congress secular parties" for waging united struggles and joint actions on common issues.

He, however, remained non-committal on supporting the Congress-led coalition after the next Lok Sabha elections even though he repeatedly asserted the "third alternative cannot be a mere electoral alliance to meet current exigencies".

"We still want a secular Government at the Centre. But we also want a Government which does not follow such economic policies. How we can achieve that, we will have to wait and see," he said when asked about the CPI(M)’s plans for 2009 elections.

On the Indo-US nuclear deal, he said there was no forward movement on it. "It has gone to the IAEA. It will come back to the (UPA-Left) committee which we have set up. When that comes we will see. It is not going forward anywhere."

Karat also laid out the guidelines for forging a third alternative-the parties should have an anti-communal outlook, agree on economic policies which were different from those of Congress or BJP, advocate pro-people economic measures and commit to defend national sovereignty and follow independent foreign policy.

"We do not want a situation where there is a Congress-led combination and a BJP-led combination. Neither do we agree with the policies pursued by these two parties," he said.

With the UPA policies heavily weighing on his mind, he said the CPI(M) wants the "parties not only to fight along with us in elections but commit to programmes which they will implement when they come to power."

"We are at the stage of discussing with some of the parties and forces on what are the issues we can work together," he said.

The draft political resolution notes that parties like the Samajwadi Party, TDP and AGP are regional parties with substantial base in their States and they seek cooperation with the Left.

"Right now we are telling parties to discuss with us what should be after common policy platform. Let’s work that out," he said, adding once that is worked out the platform can be institutionalised later.

Maintaining that the third alternative should not be reduced to a mere electoral alliance, he said while this is being worked out, the CPI(M) will seek to have electoral adjustments and alliance wherever required.

"Don’t link it with elections. In Lok Sabha elections we will have understandings and that will happen anyway," he said referring to the party’s electoral alliances with DMK and the RDJ in the past. (PTI)

Militant had managed to get EC’s I-card from Tehsildar
3 militants killed at PDP activist’s house in Handwara

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR : All three holed up militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba have been killed at the residence of two activists of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Mandigam village in Handwara area of Kupwara district by Police and Army in a 30-hour-long gunbattle.

Informed sources told EXCELSIOR that the 30-hour-long gunbattle between militants and security forces at Parray Mohalla of village Mandigam in Handwara area came to an end at 1130 hours today. The operation had been jointly launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) Handwara and troops of Rashtriya Rifles 30 Bn on a specific information received and developed by Handwara Police. Mandigam being situated on the borderline of Sector 7th and Sector 5th of Rashtriya Rifles, troops of RR 22 Bn had also joined the operation subsequently. It was jointly supervised by SP Handwara Dr Haseeb Mughal and Commanding Officer of RR 30 Bn, Col A K Bhalla.

Sources said that all three of the holed up militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba got killed when troops destroyed their hideout at the twin houses of PDP activists, Ashiq Hussain Parray S/o Ali Mohammad Parray and Mushtaq Ahmed Mir S/o Mohammad Afzal Mir. The house-owners presented to Police and Army their photo-identity cards, issued to them by the ruling PDP, but the security forces proceeded with the operation, destroyed the two houses and killed all the three holed up militants.

Officials said that Maj Parmar of RR 22 Bn sustained splinter injuries while as a soldier of RR 30 Bn sustained gunshot wounds on his hand and arm. Both were reportedly out of danger. Officials said that the militants were unidentified but their bodies had been immediately handed over to the local Auqaf Committee for funeral. They said that three AK-56 rifles with 10 magazines, 15 rounds of AK ammunition and six hand grenades had been recovered from the site of operation.

SP Handwara Dr Haseeb Mughal said that, in an uncommon development, the operation was also monitored by MLA Langet, Sharief-ud-din Shariq, for some time who visited the village to ensure that uninvolved and innocent civilians were hot harmed or harassed by Police or security forces. He said that MLA expressed his satisfaction over the way the entire operation had been conducted in a fairly good professional manner and there were no complaints from the residents.

Spokesman of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Dr Abdullah Ghaznavi, told EXCELSIOR in a satellite telephonic conversation after the gunbattle ended that all three holed up militants of his organization had got killed. He identified them as Abdullah Gauri, Abu Issa and Abu Faidullah and revealed that there were all "mehmaan mujahideen" (guest militants), an expression used for Pakistani nationals killed in such gunbattles in Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that nine soldiers, including a Major, had also got killed in the gunbattle. Police and Defence officials maintained that the collateral damage was nothing beyond injuries to two soldiers, including a Major.

While the militants’ hideout has yet again been found at the houses of two activists of the ruling PDP, interestingly, yet again, one of the Pakistani militants has been found to have procured a duly issued photo-identity card of Election Commission of India, issued to him by Tehsildar of Handwara. This newspaper learned from well-placed official sources said the Electors Photo-identity card No: JK05017681, with date of issue as 8-10-2004, has been issued by Tehsildar of Handwara in October 2004 in the fake name of Ashiq Hussain Lone S/o Ghulam Rasool Lone R/o Kralgund, Qaziabad, Kupwara. One of the slain militant’s genuine photo is pasted on the card following which it has been signed and stamped by the Executive Magistrate (A.E.R.O Tehsildar Handwara). Sources said that the Tehsildar’s signature and the official stamp is partly on the Pakistani militant’s photograph and party on the card, which is proof of the fact that the photograph has not been pasted on an already issued Voters Identity Card.

Earlier, in 2007, a Pakistani militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba, who had been killed by Police and security forces in a gunbattle at Khan Sodal village of Handwara and identified as Abu Mussaib, had also been found to have procured a similar photo-identity card of Government of India’s Election Commission of India from Tehsildar of Handwara. During an investigation, Handwara Police had observed that the identity card had been procured by the Pakistani militant through one Farooq Ahmed Mir, a clerk at Election Office Handwara. According to the investigation, Mir’s brother has been a senior militant, holding a senior position at a guerrilla training camp of his organization in PoK for over last 10 years.

Wearing a formal suit and a neck-tie, Abu Mussaib had been openly making movement as a bona fide resident of Handwara area. According to the investigation, he had also frequently visited a number of government offices while actually planning operations for his militant organization. Sources revealed that on the basis of the investigation, Police had recommended detention under Public Safety Act (PSA) in favour of the Revenue clerk of Election Office but the competent authority i.e. Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara has not taken any decision on the file in the last six months.

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