Azad tables copy in Assembly
Kundal report rocks both Houses
Dismiss two Ministers: NC Take specific action: CPM
NPP moves breach of privilege motion against Government

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Jan 22: Kundal Committee report, which was exclusively reported by the Excelsior along with Government’s Action Taken Report (ATR) on January 20 and 21, rocked both Houses of the Legislature today with National Conference demanding removal of two Ministers, indicted in the report, from the Government and disrupted proceedings of the House for more than 20 minutes till Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad intervened and tabled a copy of the report in Lower House. In Upper House, the report was tabled by Health and Medical Education Minister Mangat Ram Sharma.

The National Panthers Party (NPP) moved privilege motion in both Houses of Legislature against the Government for leakage of report. In Legislative Assembly, the privilege motion was moved by NPP Legislature Party leader Harshdev Singh while in Legislative Council, the motion was moved by lone party MLC, Bhim Singh.

Veteran CPM leader also called for "specific action" against the Ministers referred to in Kundal Committee report and called for a detailed debate on the report on floor of the House. He criticised the Government for what he called "blacklisting" the House in the matter of report while the newspaper published it.

"Kundal Report Ko Pesh Karo", "Daagi Ministron Ko Pesh Karo", "Daagi Mantriyon Ko Hata Do" rented the Assembly as NC MLAs came to the House together as soon as the Question Hour began at 10 am. All NC, NPP, BJP and JSM MLAs were on their feet.

Displaying copies of the Excelsior, senior NC leaders Ajay Sadhotra, Dr Mehboob Beg and Sajjad Kitchloo trooped into well of the House saying Kundal Committee report and ATR have been published in the newspaper while the Government has failed to table it in the House. They walked upto the Speaker’s podium and showed him copies of the Excelsior which carried Kundal Committee report.

"Cat is out of bag. The report has been published in newspaper. Two Ministers are involved", Dr Beg and another NC MLA Ali Mohd Sagar shouted. "Kundal Report Akhbaar Mein Chhap Gaya Hai, Magar Hamare Paas Abhi Tak Naheen Hai (Kundal report has appeared in a newspaper but this is still not with us)", Dr Beg remarked.

The NC MLAs’ remarks were countered by PDP MLAs Abdul Gaffar Sofi, party’s chief whip, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Sartaj Madni and Shanti Devi besides suspended party legislator Ghulam Hassan Khan.

NC’s slogan of "Yeh Sarkaar Chor Hai" was countered by PDP MLAs with "Chor Machaye Shor".

Speaker Tara Chand told the agitated members that the Government has agreed to table Kundal Committee report on floor of the House after Question Hour. However, the Chair’s assurance too didn’t pacify the Opposition members.

Dr Mehboob Beg pointed out that Chief Minister had himself assured the House few days back that copies of Kundal report will be tabled in the House. However, he regretted, the Chief Minister has not kept his promise.

"While we were waiting for the report to be tabled in the House, we got it through media", he remarked.

"Azad Hakumat Hai Hai", "Gali Gali Mein Shor Hai Yeh Sarkaar Chor Hai", the NC MLAs shouted as CAPD Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din stood up to assured protesting MLAs that report of Kundal Committee will be tabled in the House after the Question Hour.

After about 10 minutes protests, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Deputy Chief Minister, Incharge Law & Parliamentary Affairs Muzaffar Hussain Baig entered the House.

Mr Azad told the House that he has report with him and will table it on floor of the House at 11 am. He said he had only one copy of the report and soon after tabling it, the copies must be distributed among the MLAs. "So I’m waiting for the copies to come", he added.

"You don’t need copies. It’s already in the media", Dr Beg remarked saying the Government has committed contempt of the House. "Even ATR has been published in the paper. This is shame on part of the Government", he said.

"We will not allow proceedings of the House to run till copies of the report are tabled", Mr Sagar shouted.

"Just like Peerzada Mohd Sayeed, former School Education Minister, has been sacked, two Ministers can’t sit here as they too had been indicted by Kundal Committee. If they are not sacked, it will put a big question mark on Azad’s credibility", Mr Sagar said.

Dr Beg pointed out that the Chief Minister had stated in the House that no Minister was involved in the scam but the report has indicted two Ministers.

The Opposition MLAs got further agitated when a supplementary list of business was circulated which stated that Forest Minister Qazi Mohd Afzal will lay a copy of the report on floor of the House after Question Hour.

Tearing off the business list, the NC members shouted: "Ab Mujrim Hi Report Pesh Karega (now the accused will himself table a report against him)".

Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather intervened saying the Chief Minister can table one copy of the report, which he has with him, on floor of the House and copies among MLAs can be distributed later. Mr Azad agreed to this and laid a copy of report on floor of the House. Copies were distributed among the members later.

This cooled tempers of the Opposition and proceedings of the House began after more than 15 minutes uproar.

Later, NPP Legislature Party leader and former Minister Harshdev Singh moved a privilege motion in the Assembly against the Government saying it was responsibility of the Government to table the report in the House while it has first appeared in the media.

The privilege motion was handed over to Speaker Tara Chand.

A similar privilege motion against the Government was moved in Legislative Council by NPP MLA Bhim Singh.

Leader of Opposition and NC MLA Abdul Rahim Rather, talking to reporters outside the Assembly, recalled that Lal Bahadur Shastri and Kamlapati Tripathi had resigned from the Union Ministry for minor train accidents when they were Railway Minister.

"In Kundal Committee, press reports have suggested indictment of two Ministers. To ensure that they didn’t influence further inquiries or tamper with record, they should be removed from the Ministry", Mr Rather said.

"Just as the Chief Minister has set an example by removing Peerzada Sayeed for an inquiry into corruption charges against them, these two Ministers should also be removed", he said, adding if they turned out to be innocent later, they can be inducted again in the Ministry.

Mr Rather said their least demand would be removal of Ministers.

CPM leader Mohd Yusuf Tarigami called for "specific action" against the Ministers or whosoever is involved as per the report. He stressed for a debate in the House on the report.

"While the Government is placing report on table of the House, one of the Minister (Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra) has openly said in a newspaper that he still sticks to his position (on timber import). Forest Minister Qazi Mohd Afzal has said the situation in Forest Department was worst", he pointed out.

"There is no question of moving a breach of privilege but I’m publicly censoring the Government for blacklisting the House on Kundal Committee report, which first appeared in the media", Mr Tarigami said.

He asked the Government to fix responsibility for the mess in Forest Department.

Talking to reporters, NC leader and former Minister Ali Mohd Sagar said the Chief Minister should sack both Ministers.

"Who transferred officers within six months? Who was responsible for promotion of controversial SFC MD? Who presided over PCB and SFC Board of Directors meetings whose several decisions were not signed by the members"? Mr Sagar asked quoting from Kundal report.

He said these observations were enough to establish deep involvement of Forest Ministers in irregularities.

"Whatever the officers did was also with the consent of Forest Minister", he said.

Meanwhile, Forest Minister Qazi Mohd Afzal has denied his involvement in the Forest scams.

Talking to reporters, he said his approval in many files including those in question by Kundal Committee was a routine matter. He added that action will be taken against all those involved in irregularities in Forest Department, SFC and allied Departments of Forest.

Mr Afzal said the Chief Minister has himself stated that no Minister was involved in Forest scandal.

"I have been given a clean chit by the Chief Minister and that it why Forest portfolio has been restored to me", he asserted.

WG recommendations to be discussed
Azad meets Patil, to meet PM today

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil perhaps needs to get a brief or two on rules governing various security outfits whose personnel guard VIPs.

Patil, the custodian of the Union Home Ministry for the last four years, appeared to have taken aback when he was told at a security review meeting here today that National Security Guard (NSG) cannot provide close proximity security to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

While a security cover in the outer periphery and during the movement of Azad was being provided by the NSG, its officials cited the Standard Observation Procedures (SOP) rule for not giving a human cover to the VIP.

The reason appeared to upset Patil who angrily asked the officials as to who had drafted the SOP for various security organisations.

The officials replied that the rules had been framed in 2002 by Group of Ministers and it would be in force till the Government decided to make any changes.

The meeting discussed security of other VIPs including former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and National Conference chief Omar Abdullah and it was agreed to purchase new cars for VIPs besides some additional jammers in view of the constant threats from various militant outfits.

This meeting was followed by a review meeting with Azad to discuss the recommendations of the five Working Groups constituted after round table conferences. The recommendations would be discussed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow.

The Chief Minister, who flew in here in the afternoon, had a detailed discussion with Mr. Patil during which Chief Secretary, B. R. Kundal, Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda and Principal Secretary, General Administration, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai were also present.

Today's meeting was held close on the heels of a high level joint meeting of the Centre and State officials chaired by the Chief Minister here on January 13 to deliberate on implementation of the WG recommendations. National Security Advisor to Prime Minister, M. K. Narayanan, Secretary Planning Commission Dr. Subas Pani, Special Representative on Kashmir, N. N. Vohra and Union Home Secretary, Madhukar Gupta had participated in that meeting.

The Chief Minister is scheduled to meet the Prime Minister tomorrow and discuss with him urgent implementation of the recommendation of the Working Groups set up by the latter in 2006.

Before leaving for Delhi, the Chief Minister had a long discussion with senior officers last evening and obtained latest information and figures on various points for today's meeting with the Home Minister.

Not a single word about 2 lakh unemployed youths: Beg
Coalition taking J&K towards economic disaster: Rather

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: True to his announcement few days back in the Assembly that he will completely expose the budget claims, Leader of Opposition and former Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather today said the coalition Government has achieved nothing for the State despite claims of proposed spending Rs 87,000 crore during its six years rule.

"Finance Minister (Tariq Hamid Qarra) should have drawn a competition on what NC Government had achieved from Rs 45,000 crore spending in its six rule and Rs 87,000 crore expenditure by coalition Government", Mr Rather said in his nearly 90 minutes speech on budget discussion initiated by him in the Legislative Assembly today.

In case of more spending, he pointed out, the growth rate of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) too should have gone up. However, this was not the case, he said, adding the Economic Survey has showed that during 9th plan period, State’s growth rate was 11.98 when went down to 9.96 during 10th plan. Agriculture and allied services accounted for 5.92 per cent in 2001-02 when NC was in power while it came down to 1.32 per cent during 2004-05.

Noting that State’s imports were increasing which was not a healthy sign, the NC leader said import of grains and pulses was 86 lakh quintals in 1999-2000 which had gone upto 89 lakh quintals in 2005-06, an increase of 2.67 lakh quintals. Similarly, import of vegetables was 9.73 lakh quintals in 1999-2000 which was now 23 lakh quintals, a jump of 13.84 lakh quintals. Fodder’s import has gone up from 4.79 lakh quintals to 11 lakh quintals.

"At the same time, our agriculture production and exports have gone down", he noted. He said export of carpets, which was worth Rs 489 crores during 1999-2000 had gone down to Rs 300 crore in 2005-06.

Quoting a recent survey of States conducted by India Today on ‘Best & Worst States’, Mr Rather said J&K was placed at No. 12 in agriculture production during 2002-03 while in the latest survey it was ranked 16 and might reach 20, the lowest rank. In primary health, the State ranked No. 1 in 2002-03, the NC regime, and now it ranked 7th, thanks to the coalition Government, he added.

In infrastructure development, the State’s ranking has gone down from 8th to 11th, in consumer market from 6th to 8th and in law and order from 13th to 15th, he said.

Regarding Mr Qarra’s claim of ‘exemplary showing’ by coalition Government as compared to previous NC Government in his budget speech, the Leader of Opposition quoted two statements of important coalition leaders—Mufti Mohd Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti. On October 17, 2007, the Mufti had issued a statement saying his party was not happy with dismal performance of coalition Government, which has dithered on political and economic agenda resulting in adverse impact on ground. He also quoted Mehbooba Mufti as saying that present Government’s performance was not satisfactory.

Both these important statements of important political leaders reflect on the working of Government, he added.

Referring to the Finance Minister’s budget speech that the Government has brought back the State from fiscal disaster, Mr Rather asked: "whether dishonoring of Government cheques by Government Departments was credibility of the Government"? On January 14, Rs 548 crore worth bills were pending in the treasuries while Rs 165 crore worth bills were pending in the Secretariat treasury alone which including salary of the employees. Overdrafts (ODs) of the Government with J&K Bank have gone upto an all time high at Rs 2250 crore. Limits of both normal and power ODs has been exhausted, he stated.

He said the employees were not getting their own GPF. Ministry of Railways’ money kept with the Government for payment of compensation to the people has also been used. Cheques issued to earthquake victims are getting bounced. "How can the Government, in such a situation, boast of a zero deficit budget"? he questioned.

Noting that ODs are taken from the J&K Bank to overcome temporary mismatch between expenditure and flow of funds from Centre, Mr Rather revealed that ODs had never gone down from Rs 1800 crore. On last day of financial year, the ODs should be zero if the budget was, in real terms, a zero deficit budget, he asserted. He recalled that ODs were only Rs 817 crore when the NC had left the Government. The then Finance Minister of J&K (Mr Rather) was choosen among 5 Finance Ministers of the State to suggest ways and means to other States to come out of financial mess, he said.

Reminding Mr Qarra of the promises made in last budget speech regarding Venture Capital Fund, Employment Mission and Self Employment Schemes etc., the NC leader wanted to know where these measures, announced for unemployed youths, have gone? Not a single word has been mentioned about unemployment in current budget speech of the Finance Minister, he said.

He added that the State had a debt of Rs 9800 crore on 1/4/2002 which comes out at Rs 9703 crore per capita while as on 1/4/2008, the debt will touch Rs 20,561 crore (Rs 20,375) per person.

Mr Rather said despite Government’s claim of reforms in power sector including increase in tariff, installation of meters etc, the power losses have gone up from Rs 559 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 1281 crore this year and were projected at Rs 1295 crore next year.

"All these factors clubbed together, the State is proceeding towards disaster. We are fast moving towards a situation where no good politician or bureaucrat will accept the posts of Finance Minister or Finance Secretary", he asserted.

Another senior NC leader Dr Mehboob Beg, MLA Anantnag pointed out that the Finance Minister has referred more than 12 pages exclusively on politics in the budget speech instead of giving facts and figures.

He described as "wishful thinking" of former Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig that the State will not have to go to the Centre now with a "begging bowl". He regretted that there was no proposal in the budget to tap State’s natural resources.

"Every single person in the State was under debt of Rs 10655", Dr Beg pointed out saying in all six budgets of PDP, the Overdrafts have gone up.

As Dr Beg pricked the PDP saying they have now stopped talking of "undefined and unspelt" self rule, demilitarisation, two jobs in every house etc, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig reminded the NC leader that he was speaking in Assembly and not Anantnag town.

However, Dr Beg asserted that politics and economy were inter-connected. "Don’t teach me", he countered the Deputy CM.

There was not a single word about two lakh registered unemployed youths in the budget, he said, adding the Government has no policy on Kashmiri migrants which has forced them to live in worst conditions.

Congress chief whip Prem Sagar Aziz welcomed the budget saying it contained no new taxes and was "people friendly".

On NC’s claim that coalition Government got more funds to spend as their own party, Congress was heading the Central Government, Mr Aziz asked: "the NC was also part of NDA Government, then why they couldn’t get funds for the State"?

He said the budget has gone up from Rs 9000 crore in 2002 to Rs 18,400 crore this time.

Congress MLA Sham Sharma described the budget as balanced, which was meant for common masses. Bills have been kept pending in treasuries for months together, an aspect which is required to be taken care of, he said.

Discrimination on schools
NC stages walk-out amidst sloganeering

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Jan 22: Six members of main Opposition National Conference (NC) today staged walk-out in the Legislative Assembly over the alleged discrimination with the constituencies represented by them in opening and upgradation of the schools.

The noisy disorder started in the House with the reply of Minister of State for Education Peer Mohammad Hussain to the question of NC Member Mir Saifullah.

Though the Minister informed the House that 794 primary schools have been upgraded to the level of middle schools, 203 middle schools upgraded to the level of high schools and 142 high schools upgraded to the level of higher secondary schools during the past two year yet he could not reply as to why very few schools have been opened and upgraded in the constituencies represented by the Opposition members.

"Look at the reply. This reflects sheer discrimination with us on the part of the Government", NC MLA from Kupwara Mir Saifullah shouted, adding "what to talk of the colleges, this Government is even opening and upgrading primary schools on the political consideration".

He further said: "This Government is meant only for the areas being represented by its MLAs and not for the whole State". Pointing towards the Treasury Benches, he further said "you don’t have any right to run the Government".

Mir Saifullah was supported by National Conference’s chief whip Mubarak Gul, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mohd Sayeed Akhoon, Mian Altaf and Mohd Yasin Shah, who together left their seats amidst shouting of the slogans— "stop discrimination", "stop misleading the House with wrong replies" and "stop Bandar Baant".

Amidst sloganeering against the Government, Mubarak Gul and Mir Saifullah trooped into the well of the House to lodge protest over the discrimination with constituencies represented by National Conference by the coalition Government.

As the Speaker Tara Chand was repeatedly asking the agitating NC Members to go back to their seats, Mir Saifullah and Mubarak Gul shouted "Speaker Sir, look at the reply. This clearly reflects discrimination".

As per the written reply to the Government, not even one primary school was opened in Kupwara constituency represented by Mir Saifullah of NC during the past two years and only one each middle school and high school have been upgraded. However, 17 Primary Schools were upgraded to Middle School during the period.

Similarly, neither any primary school was opened nor any primary and middle school upgraded during the last two years in Khanyar constituency represented by another NC Member Ali Mohammad Sagar. However, only one high school has been upgraded to higher secondary level in the constituency.

In the constituency represented by NC chief whip Mubarak Gul, one middle school has been upgraded to high school level while neither any primary nor any high school has been upgraded during the period. Not even a single primary school was opened in the constituency.

In the Sonawar constituency represented by NC’s Mohd Yasin Shah, only one each middle and high school have been upgraded while neither any primary school upgraded nor any new primary school opened, the written reply of the Minister indicated.

Similar was the status of Hazratbal constituency represented by Mohd Sayeed Akhoon.

Justice, equitable empowerment in self rule: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said that the political and economic empowerment of all the regions and sub-regions of the State would form the basis of any workable and sustainable resolution of the problems of the State.

"No solution can be effective and viable unless it addresses the genuine concerns and aspirations of the people in all the regions and sub-regions of the State", he said while addressing a largely attended public meeting in the border town of Samba today.

He made it clear that his party’s participation in the coalition Government is guided by the agenda of inclusive political empowerment, economic emancipation and social uplift of all the regions and sub-regions of the State.

The PDP patron said that devolution of powers to the State proposed by the PDP through self rule formula would be a multi-layered process with the people in each region and sub-region being entitled to their due and guaranteed share in it.

"PDP’s effort has been to root the Kashmir resolution formula in the ideals of justice and empowerment for all the people of the State", he said and added that the party’s recommendations would become the catalysts for change and instruments for fulfilling the aspirations of all the people in the State.

Sayeed made it clear that prior to conceiving and debating the issue of resolution and outlining its contours, it is imperative that an enabling environment is created for sustainable solution. "This is the phase where mental, material and motivational reconciliation takes place", he said and added that the Government of India must firmly make up its mind that the only way forwarded in the State is the non-military way.

"The only lesson that has evidently come through during the past 15 years of turmoil is that the gun is not solution—be it in the hands of the troops or the militants", he said and added that the ultimate resolution lies in the political and democratic means for which we have to trust the people fully.

The PDP patron said that the local stakes in the peace process have grown manifold during the past five years and it has generated a consensus among the concerned parties for the amicable settlement of the Kashmir problem.

He said that the remarkable feature of the political transformation that transcended on Jammu and Kashmir in the post-2002 era is that the State Government came on the forefront of the resolution process. "For the first time in its history, the State Government initiated, catalyzed and drew the peace process", he said and added that from being a passive recipient of bilateral initiatives, the State immediately after the 2002 elections, took the centre-stage and drove the peace process from the front.

He said that for the first time in the troubled history of the State, the Government was not positioned in an adversarial role but as a facilitator. "This gave fresh credibility to the mainstream political groups and public representatives and diminished their marginalisation in the State’s political spectrum", he further said and added that it is for the public representatives now to, not only maintain this credibility but also enhance its momentum.

Sayeed reiterated that the prevailing political uncertainty in Pakistan, instead of decelerating the peace efforts, might provide an opportunity to New Delhi to accelerate, both the reconciliation and resolution process within the State.

He said that such measures should also send a signal to those who had taken up the gun in their belief to resolve a political problem. "They must be made to realize that the gun has lost its impact and ability to achieve political objectives and dialogue is the only recourse", he further said, adding that all this needs a political will and the trust in the people of the State.

He said that the successful cease-fire along the borders and the Line of Control (LoC) holding for the past couple of years has heightened the hopes of peace among the people and the two countries should extend this bonhomie to the plains as well.

PDP leaders Manjit Singh, Dhaman Bhasin, Renu Azad, Surjit Kour, Pawan Dev Singh, Ashok Jogi, Chowdhary Rafiq Hussain, Chander Slathia, Haji Hashim Ali and Prab Dayal also addressed the meeting.

NC to disrupt proceedings

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: The National Conference Legislature Party (NCLP) met here tonight under the chairmanship of Leader of Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather and finalised its strategy for both Houses of Legislature tomorrow in view of Kundal Committee revelations indicting two sitting Ministers of coalition Government.

Insiders in the party told the Excelsior that the NCLP decided not to allow proceedings to be run in the Assembly tomorrow till both Ministers—Forest Minister Qazi Mohd Afzal and Finance Minister Tariq Hamid Qarra, who happens to be former Forest Minister, resign or are dismissed by the Chief Minister.

The NCLP was of the view that inquiry into Forest scams has been conducted by no less a person than Home Commissioner.

"Further inquiries into irregularities pointed out in the report can’t be conducted in a fair manner by Vigilance Organisation or by Crime Branch till both Ministers continue on their post", the NCLP observed.

For fair investigations, both the Ministers must go, it said.

'Honour farmer who informed intrusions'

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: The illiterate Kashmiri farmer was the first to inform the Army about the presence of Pakistani troops on the Kargil hilltops in April, 1999, but he continues to remain a face in the crowd.

Tsering Samphel, a member of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, has asked the Government to honour Tashi Namgyal of Garkhon village in Kargil with the "highest national level award" for his meritorious services.

The Ladakh resident twice spotted "dubious and suspicious" human movement on the high mountains when he went looking for his lost yak and informed the Army about it.

The contribution of 40-year-old Namgyal is similar to Mohd Sherwani’s in 1947. Sherwani had misled Pakistani tribesmen heading towards Baramulla.

Samphel said that Namgyal was the "real informer who escorted the Army from May 3 to May 12 in 1999 to the difficult hilltops where he had seen the Pakistanis."

In a letter to Defence Minister A K Antony, Samphel said, "Namgyal was the first to inform the Army about the presence of Pakistani troops in the high mountains on our side of LoC."

Though the Army authorities have acknowledged his contributions through various commendations, including a cash prize of Rs 50,000, Samphel said, "Namgyal’s service has not been given national appreciation which he deserves."

"Therefore, I once again invite your (Antony’s) kind attention for consideration of a national level award to him..." Samphel said.

He had in a letter to then Defence Minister George Fernandes in 2003 asked for the highest national level award to Namgyal.

Reminding Antony about his previous recommendation to Fernandes, he complained that not giving due recognition to the Ladakhi peasant would send a wrong message to the locals, who are always vigilant on the borders.

Samphel said that had Namgyal not informed the Army about the presence of the Northern Light Infantry, the intruders could have encroached further into vulnerable and strategically crucial road links and bridges.

The Army gave Namgyal a merit card on 2001 and a certificate of commendation in 2002, which substantiate his contribution as a "vigilant and patriotic son of the soil despite being an illiterate farmer".

In a certificate given in July, 2001 by Col Bijoy Mukherjee, Commanding Officer of first battalion of Bihar Regiment has said Namgyal has always been an "active source and an excellent informer".

"He is in possession of a pair of excellent private binoculars which he used to search his cattle. He is honest and sincere," the certificate said. (PTI)

Army rescues 8 from avalanche

SRINAGAR, Jan 22: The Army troops rescued eight members of a family from a snow avalanche, in Machil sector in north Kashmir, where three soldiers were buried last week after the area experienced more than 10 feet of snowfall.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said the family members were in their house at village T Suntwari, when a huge snow avalanche came rolling from a hill top and hit their house.

However, the troops immediately swung into action risking their lives after the report about the tragedy reached the Army Post located at a distance.

A rescue team along with Unit’s Medical Officer reached the place with great difficulty because of heavy snowfall.

It was only after the snow was removed that the troops finally reached the family members, who were injured and in a great shock, he said.

The injured were given first aid, he said, adding the Army would help the family in rebuilding their damaged house. (UNI)

Two held with 15 kg RDX

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 22: Security forces arrested two persons along with huge quantity of explosives including RDX in Reasi district late last evening.

Two militants conduits were apprehended by the security forces from forest area of Shikari, Chasana in Mahore tehsil of Reasi district, official sources said asserting, ‘‘on specific information, a trap was laid and two persons were held. Explosives including 15 kg of rdx, 63 rounds of AK rifles, two grenades, six detonators and one radio set were recovered from them.’’

The arrested persons have been identified as Iqbal of Pissawali and Abdul Ghani of Pari in Reasi district, they added.

Arrests and recoveries were made by Uniform Force of Army.

Salahuddin fears arrest by Pak

NEW DELHI, Jan 22: Apprehending a crackdown 20 years after he sneaked into Pakistan, Kashmir separatist Syed Salahuddin today said authorities in Islamabad cannot arrest him.

"Pakistan cannot arrest me. I live on my own soil," said the self-proclaimed leader of the United Jehad Council (UGC) in an interview posted on the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir website today.

Salahuddin, who ex-filtrated to Pakistan 20 years ago after his defeat in elections to Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 1987, did not give reasons why he apprehended his arrest.

"We are not terrorists according to United Nations law," UJC leader claimed.

Salahuddin did give some insight into why he apprehended crackdown against him and his supporters when he said that "we are not supported by Al-Qaeda or Taliban or by the underworld."

His statement was seen as an attempt by him to dissociate himself from these terror outfits which are facing the heat from the US and other western nations after the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Salahuddin said he backed moves for unity in the Hurriyat Conference.

Lauding the return of Shabir Shah to Hurriyat-fold, Salahuddin said Shah should have played a much bigger role between various factions of Hurriyat."

He, however, said unification of Hurriyat was incomplete without Jamaat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.(PTI)

SPO's killer was Al-Badar militant

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 22: Burial of the slain SPO of Handwara Police, Mohammad Ashraf Khan, and the young man who slaughtered him brutally on a Tata-Sumo, namely Hilal Ahmed Hajam, took place at their respective residential villages of Hafruda and Wadipora in Handwara area this evening. Authorities claimed that 25-year-old Hilal Ahmed Hajam S/o Abdur Rehman Hajam R/o Wadipora, who had been gunned down SPO Abdul Majeed Khan while fleeing from the bloody spot, had turned out to be a militant of Al-Badar Mujahideen and not Lashkar-e-Toiba as believed earlier last evening.

SP Handwara, Dr Haseeb Mughal, told EXCELSIOR that a class 11th drop-out, Hilal Ahmed Hajam, had used a very sharp butcher's knife in slaughtering the armed SPO inside Zachaldara-bound Tata-Sumo on Handwara-Rajwar Road. He said that the knife used in the melodrama was recovered near the vehicle while as a Chinese pistol was recovered from Hajam's dead body, over a hundred yards from the spot. Claiming to be quoting radio intercepts of a militant group, Dr Mughal said that Hajam's accomplice, who managed to escape while firing pistol shots, was a Pakistani militant of Al-Badar.

A lady doctor, who was sitting beside the two militants on the rear seat and had lost consciousness on watching the horrible scene closely, recovered at Sub District Hospital of Handwara today. Even while making her statement to Police, she became unconscious twice at the hospital.

Official sources said that Hajam appeared to have worked for two units of Army before joining Al-Badar militant outfit two years ago. A photo-identity card issued by Pattan-based 163 Bn Territorial Army was recovered from his possession in addition to an illegible card issued by another unit of Army as also third one of an old date describing him as a class 11th student of Government Higher Secondary School Wadipora. He was buried at Wadipora this evening. Officials said that only 80 people participated in his Namaaz-e-Janaza and there was neither a murmur of protest nor any evidence of mourning, usually seen at the funeral of certain militants.

On the other hand, Hajam's victim, SPO Mohammad Ashraf Khan, was simultaneously buried in his residential village of Hafruda in Vilgam area. Living in Wudar Balla village of Rajwar for last few years, 28-year-old Ashraf Khan had lately married off a young widow of one of his deceased friends who had already four young children. A few months back, she had given birth to Khan's first baby, a female. Thus, Khan was the sole bread-earner for a large family, including his septuagenarian parents.

Meanwhile, in a tele-statement, chief of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Qari Abdul Wahid Kashmiri, admitted that the situation in Kashmir was turning worse to worst but the militants, according to him, were capable enough to meet all such challenges. He said that militants would continue to strike on the armed forces till they achieved the goal of their armed struggle. Qari Abdul Wahid paid tributes to the five militants killed in two separate encounters with Army and Police at Mandigam (Handwara) and Alyalpora (Shopian) yesterday.

In his statement, Qari made an appeal to the "misled youth" (counter-insurgents) to turn back to their camp and play "role of makers of the nation rather than that of traitors". He asked the people of Kashmir to discourage all "anti-movement elements".