‘Loan waiver to be implemented by June’
Cong sounds poll bugle; PM, Sonia attack BJP

NEW DELHI, Mar 9: Riding high on the "historic" farm loan waiver, Congress today virtually launched its election campaign with Party chief Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attacking the BJP for neglecting the farm sector and for its handling of terrorism.

"Ulta Chor Kotwal Ko Daante (pot calling the kettle black)," Gandhi said addressing the party’s ‘Dhanyavad Rally’ at the historic Ramlila Maidan here, launching an attack on the BJP.

Gandhi especially targeted BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani, while Singh criticised the erstwhile BJP-led NDA Government for "neglecting" the interests of farmers.

A highlight of the rally was Prime Minister’s assurance that the farm loan waiver would be implemented by June this year, which is significant in the wake of questions being asked as to how the scheme would be put into operation.

"I promise you that there will be no laxity in implementing the decision and the whole package would be implemented by June," he said amidst applause by the huge crowd that comprised a large number of farmers from nearby States like Haryana, Punjab and UP.

Both Gandhi and Singh refrained from making any reference to the controversial Indo-US nuclear deal. External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee also did not mention the issue, limiting himself to the pro-farmer steps taken by the UPA Government.

At the same time, Gandhi voiced the party’s concern on price rise, but said while there were international factors behind it, untiring efforts were on to tackle the problem.

Taking on the opposition party on the issue of terrorism, Gandhi reminded that militant attacks on Raghunath and Akshardham temples as well as Parliament and the Kandahar hijack episode took place under the tenure of Advani as Home Minister.

Without naming Advani, she said while a senior leader of the BJP levelled accusations against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament, the Congress does not need their certificate.

"Our opponents can keep on spreading rumours and making accusations against us. We are not bothered. Our UPA Government will continue to tread the path of progress," Gandhi said.

Gandhi, in an apparent reference to the anti-North Indian campaign in Maharashtra, also declared that there should be no leniency towards those stoking regional and communal passions.

"Unity and integrity are the basic conditions for the progress of the nation and to fight terrorism. There should be no leniency towards those who seek to discriminate on the basis of religion and region," she said.

Hailing the Rs 60,000 crore farm loan waiver as a "historic" decision, the Prime Minister said there was nothing wrong in the move that would help the small farmer who is reeling under several problems.

"I don’t consider it as a burden on the Government but a duty towards them. In bad times, we even waive off the debts of big industrialists," Singh noted, adding the move would do a lot of good for the farmers and also improve the balance sheets of banks.

The rally, held within 10 days of presentation of the Union Budget, came at a time when a virtual race is on in the ruling alliance to take credit for the farm loan waiver.

The rally was an exclusively Congress affair and was held at a time when the talk of mid-term elections by October-November this year was doing the rounds.

Gandhi alleged the saffron party was now shedding crocodile tears over farmer’s issues and noted that the one and only reason for the distress of the farming community were the policies of the previous "NDA Government".

"The Budget has made special provisions for farmers, SC/ST communities and labourers. The new Budget is a poor man’s budget, a budget of the common man, of the farmer and of the youth," Gandhi said.

Both Singh and Gandhi highlighted the UPA Government’s flagship NREGA programme, with the Prime Minister saying he believed that the scheme would rid the country of abject poverty in the next four to five years.

While both leaders painted the NDA rule as black as regards the farmer, the Prime Minister asserted that the steps taken by his Government for their welfare were "historic".

"We have given a new direction to the farm sector," he said.

Gandhi also mentioned the pro-women announcements in the Budget, such as tax exemptions and the increase in the honorarium of Anganwadi workers.

The refrain of speakers at the rally, who included PCC chiefs and Chief Ministers, was that Congress was the lone party that cared for the farmer and the common man and it has taken several steps like ushering in the Green Revolution. (PTI)

Two top Hizbul comdrs surrender in Reasi
*Front ranking HM cadre wiped out: Police

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 9: Two Hizbul Mujahideen commanders today surrendered before police and Army at Reasi along with a large quantity of arms and ammunition and revealed that their cadre was badly hit by shortage of manpower as well as weaponry.

SSP Reasi J L Sharma, however, said that with the surrender of two commanders, the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit has nearly been wiped out in Reasi district.

Only yesterday, police had arrested a Hizbul militant Abdul Rashid, who was involved in a grenade attack on a VDC member at Sani Top Arnas last week in which three family members of VDC member were killed and five others including VDC member Mushtaq Ahmed were injured.

Official sources said two Hizbul commanders today laid down arms before SSP Reasi J L Sharma, Commanding Officer (CO) 54 Rashtriya Rifles and officers of BSF’s 12th and 182 battalions in Reasi.

IGP Jammu K Rajendera supervised the surrender operation.

The surrendered militants have been identified as Mumtaz Ahmed alias Tahir Siddiqui son of Ali Mohd, a resident of Thuroo Kund, Mahore, a Pakistan trained militant and district commander of HM and Anzar Ahmed alias Arslan son of Mohd Sultan R/o Kanthi, Mahore, a local trained militant and battalion commander of the outfit.

At the time of surrender, they handed over two AK rifles with six magazines, one Chinese grenade, one I Com wireless set with three spare antennas, 347 AK rounds, 116 SLR rounds, 52 rounds of .303, nine Pika rounds and two Insas rounds, 107 electric detonators, two pouches and some documents.

Surrender of two commanders was a major setback to Hizbul Mujahideen outfit especially in Reasi district, the SSP Reasi said and added that top cadre of the outfit has virtually been wiped out with today’s surrender.

During their preliminary questioning, the militants have disclosed that Hizbul Mujahideen outfit was facing shortage of manpower and weaponry in upper reaches of Mahore, Arnas and Gulabgarh. They too concurred with the SSP Reasi’s statement that their top cadre has either been eliminated or apprehended while others have surrendered. However, according to them, some Hizbul cadre were still active in the area but they were lying low in the absence of weaponry and finances.

The militants have disclosed some hide-outs of their outfit in upper reaches of Mahore, Gool and Gulabgarh where top commanders of the outfit used to take shelter earlier. According to them, the HM commanders have shifted to Banihal on the directions of outfit’s top leadership where they have developed some safe hide-outs.

Mumtaz Ahmed was just 12 years old when he was taken away from his house by three Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of Hizbul Mujahideen. After shifting him from one place to another for about a month, Mumtaz was finally taken to Pakistan where he was imparted training in arms and explosives for nearly one year after which he intruded into this side from Poonch sector.

He was operating in Mahore-Gool-Gulabgarh-Ramban belt for last 13 years and was involved in a series of subversive activities.

Anzar Ahmed was studying in BA Part II when he was lured into militancy by Abdul Haq alias Jehangir, a former district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, about eight years back. He was given training in arms and explosives in upper reaches of Gool-Gulabgarh for two months after which he joined militancy.

Police have assured rehabilitation of both surrendered militants.

5 killed, 28 injured in mishaps

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 9: Five persons were killed and 28 others received injuries in two separate road accidents at Sarore and near Vijaypur.

Police spokesman said that three persons were killed and 14 others sustained injuries when a mini-bus number JK02E-7054 skidded off the road and rolled down near Devika Bridge under the jurisdiction of Vijaypur Police Station.

All the injured persons were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital by the police personnel with the assistance of locals and three of the injured were declared brought dead by the doctors.

The deceased have been identified as Raj Kumar, son of Hans Raj, Sansar Chand, son of Bindroo of Gokal and Faquir Chand, son of Sain Nath of Vijaypur.

The injured have been identified as Madan Lal, son of Kanshi Ram of Vijaypur, Inder Parkash Sharma, son of Jagan Nath, Balkar Singh, son of Mukhtiar Singh, Viney, son of Anchal Singh, Daler Singh, son of Anchal Singh, all the residents of village Bara, Ashu Sharma, a resident of Gadore, M D Sharma, son of Sanjeev Sharma of Dagral, Sheela Devi, wife of Raj Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, son of Girdhari Lal of Sarore, Girdhari Lal, Kuldeep, son of Kartar Chand of Dagore, Geeta Devi, wife of Faqir Chand of Vijaypur, Yogesh Kohli, son of Som Nath and Updesh, wife of Krishan Lal of Dagore village.

In another accident, two persons were killed and 14 others received injuries in head on collision between a mini-bus number JK02W-5317 and bus number JK02V-2677 at Sarore under the jurisdiction of Bari Brahamana Police Station this morning.

The deceased have been identified as Shamsher Chand, son of Puran Chand of Raya and Mohinder Singh, son of Rajinder Parsad.

The injured have been identified as Ram Pal, son of Bhagatpal of Jakli, Girdhari Lal, son of Munshi Ram, Bodh Raj, son of Jagthar, Raj Kumar, Satya Devi, wife of Bhushan Singh, Sudesh Kumari, wife of Banarsi Dass, all the residents of Raya, Kartar Singh, son of Jagat Singh of Mera, Bansi Lal, son of Thoru Ram of Rajouri, Daleep Kumar, son of Saroop Chand of Mansar, Ramesh Singh, son of Uttam Singh of Bagoona, Pawan Singh, son of Balram Singh of Bagoona, Sukhdev Raj, son of Kamal of Rajinderpora, Rupali, daughter of Nirmal of Raya and Hardeep Singh, son of Harnam Singh of Raya.

The condition of all the injured was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

Hardcore ultra killed in Chatroo

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 9: A Hizbul Mujahideen commander involved in a series of killings and other subversive activities was gunned down by Army and police in a fierce encounter at Chatroo in Kishtwar district in early hours of this morning.

Official sources said Army and police cordoned off Chatroo area last night after developing a specific information that top Hizbul ultra Mohd Qasim alias Babbar son of Kalu Gujjar, a nomad, presently residing at Gorimar in Chatroo, was moving in the area.

Police parties led by SP Kishtwar Mumtaz Ahmed carried out searches in different localities in search of Babbar.

Sources said Babbar along with his body-guard was spotted in Chatroo early this morning in a dhok where he had taken shelter. On observing movement of Army and police, he tried to shift his hide-out.

After a brief exchange of firing, Babbar was gunned down by the security personnel while his body-guard managed to escape. One pistol with one magazine, one Chinese grenade, a mobile telephone and some incriminating documents were recovered from the possession of slain militant.

Babbar was responsible for the killing of a number of civilians including Farid Ahmed at village Cherali in July 2006. Two separate cases of killings had been registered against him at Ramban and Chatroo police stations.

Babbar was working in a house at Batote as a servant when he was lured away by the militants on June 13, 2001. After training, he had joined the militancy and operated in Chatroo, Kastigarh in Kishtwar and parts of Ramban district.

Rebel Hassan Mir expelled from PDP

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Mar 9: In days of launching his round two of the revolt against "dynastic rule" in Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti-led People's Democratic Party (PDP), founder member and one-time influential Minister, Ghulam Hassan Mir, was expelled today from basic membership of the party. Even as the PDP leadership has refused to take threats, Mir said that his expulsion would lead to a "storm" in advance of the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State.

In a two-liner, Chairman of PDP's Disciplinary Committee and Leader of Legislature Party, Abdul Aziz Zargar, said that MLA Tangmarg, Ghulam Hassan Mir, had been expelled from basic membership of the party today for having indulged into "anti-party activities" and "criticizing the policies and programmes of the PDP, which are dear to the people of J&K State". Being indisposed, Zargar was not available for elaboration.

In his reaction to the extreme disciplinary action against him, Mir told EXCELSIOR that he and "many others" in PDP had raised a revolt against "dynastic and dictatorial system of the party". He said he was not surprised over the action against him though, according to him, no explanation was called from him. "Neither a notice nor a chargesheet was served on me. It only vindicated my contention that all decisions in the party were being taken in a dictatorial way and nobody outside the Mufti family had any say in the decision making---ordinary or extraordinary", Mir complained.

Mir said that he was a founder member of the PDP which had been floated as a much-needed substitute for the "father-and-son dominated National Conference". "PDP has been completely dominated by a father and his daughter (Mufti Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti). Now, how's it different from the NC?" Mir asked. He asserted that neither Mufti nor his daughter was presenting the PDP's "real spirit". "I'll represent the PDP's real spirit. My expulsion is going to lead to a storm (in the PDP) which will wash them all away", Mir said when he was asked whether he was a lonely rebel or he did enjoy support of any senior leaders or legislators.

Rather candidly, Mir admitted that he had been claiming the position of a Working President in the PDP, which, according to him, was turned down without any debate or discussion on the subject. Asked what exactly had made him surrender when he raised a more vibrant banner of revolt against the party leadership in 2006 and even supported a rebel candidate from Sangrama in the Assembly by-elections, Mir said: "I returned only after I proved that I was representing the real PDP". He claimed that there was neither any precondition nor any kind of a deal with the Muftis when he quit his banner of revolt after the rebel candidate Shoaib Nabi Lone defeated senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig's brother in Sangrama.

PDP's General Secretary and Spokesman, Nizam-ud-din Bhat, asserted that Mir had ceased to be on a high moral ground after he ditched his own colleagues in 2006 and endorsed all the policies and programmes of the party. "Even before the by-election revolt, Mir had no moral ground to assert against what he calls dynastic rule. On day one, he had accepted Mufti Sahab and Mehboobaji as top leaders of the party. When PDP formed the Government, he enjoyed a Cabinet berth for three years. He turned upset only after Mufti Sahab did not recommend him for Ghulam Nabi Azad's Council of Ministers", Bhat said. "What has changed in the party in the last nine years that could have stirred Mir Sahab?" Bhat asked.

Responding to Mir's threat of "storm", Bhat said that he had tried it earlier too a many times but he had proved to be wrong in his calculations. He said that the party leadership was forced to assert today as, according to him, Mir was out on a "malicious campaign against the party and its leadership". "He had publicly declared that he was launching The Third Front against the PDP". Bhat argued that neither an explanation nor a notice was required to be served on Mir as, according to him, his anti-party activities and statements were "brazenly explicit".

Mir had emerged as a potential rebel in the PDP in 2006 after he failed to get a Cabinet berth in Ghulam Nabi Azad-led coalition Government in November 2005. He appeared more hurt in his arch rival in the party Muzaffar Hussain Baig's induction as Deputy Chief Minister. He even succeeded to garner the support of five MLAs, including two former Ministers whose induction had not been recommended by the top PDP leadership. It was in the boiling of this rebellion that Mir revolted to the extent of fielding a rebel in Sangrama and getting the official PDP candidate and Baig's brother defeated in the by-elections.

However, Mir jettisoned his rebellion and returned to the party in the wake of certain developments that included Baig's year-long pull down by the Muftis and a controversy over his son's backdoor appointment as Director Defence Labour Procurement. PDP insiders insist that when then Chief Justice of J&K High Court took strong objection to a junior judge's deputation to a senior administrative service post without taking his employer (High Court) into confidence, Mufti played a key role to resolve the crisis. Mir dramatically dropped all of his political ambitions and maintained silence until last month when he began to reveal his intention to launch round two of his rebellion. As of now, he doesn't appear to be enjoying the support of his estranged rebel colleagues in the party.

RV Raju promoted as ADG CBI

NEW DELHI, Mar 9: Radha Vinod Raju, an Indian Police Service officer of Jammu and Kashmir cadre, has been promoted as Additional Director in the CBI.

Widely acclaimed as an officer having hawk eye vigil against corruption, Raju, a 1975 batch IPS officer, was given the charge of Special Crimes in the central investigating agency.

Raju, who has been awarded with President’s Police Medal and President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, had been serving in this organisation as Joint Director.

The 58-year-old officer, who is the first IPS officer from the State to have reached this position, was brought back to the State after the then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed requested the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Serving as head of the Vigilance Bureau in the State, Raju streamlined the department which was in shackles due to ongoing militancy.

He was instrumental in breaking the unholy nexus between politicians-militants-bureaucrats. (PTI)

SPO stabbed while frisking

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 9: Security forces today arrested two militants and an Over Ground Worker in Kashmir valley where a SPO was stabbed while frisking civilian.

An official spokesman said that State Police arrested a self-styled district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) without any resistance in south Kashmir.

He said that police conducted a search operation at village Maratgam in the frontier district of Kupwara following a tip-off about the presence of the militants there.

He said during the operation police arrested Mushtaq Ahmad Malla alias Furqan, the district commander of HM, along with one AK rifle, three magazines, 81 rounds of ammunition, three hand grenades, one pouch and three detonators.

The militant, arrested without any resistance, was involved in a number of killings and other militancy-related incidents, he said.

Another militant was apprehended at Arin Bandipora along with two hand grenades and 100 AK rounds last evening, the spokesman said, adding security forces have also arrested an Over Ground Worker (OGW) of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in Anantnag district.

Acting on a tip off, troops of 42 Rashtriya Rifles apprehended one Gulzar Ahmed Dar from Kahlil area of the district and recovered arms from him, the spokesman said.

Troops recovered a hand grenade, one AK magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition from his possession, he said, adding that Dar, an active OGW of Hizbul has been handed over to the police.

Meanwhile, a Special Police Officer suffered grievous injuries after a civilian attacked him while he was frisking people at a check point in Kulgam district.

The angry civilain attacked SPO Nick Baba when he was asked to get himself screened at Damhal Hanjipora in the district, a police spokesman said.

This led to a heated argument and a scuffle in which Baba was stabbed several times by the man, he said, adding the SPO was rushed to hospital.

Pak sacked judges to be re-instated

ISLAMABAD, Mar 9: Reversing its earlier stand in an apparent bid to provide stability, Nawaz Sharif’s PML(N) today decided to join the PPP-led coalition Government and the two parties agreed to reinstate all the judges sacked by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf within a month of assuming power.

The long-time foes clinched a power sharing deal etching the contours of the new Government at a one-to-one meeting between PPP chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Sharif at the former premier’s weekend retreat in the hill resort of Murree, 60 km from here under tight security.

A joint declaration signed by Sharif and Zardari, widower of former premier Benazir Bhutto, however, made no mention of possible impeachment of Musharraf, an idea championed by PML(N) but disfavoured by PPP which has said that it does not want to "rock the boat".

"In her (Bhutto’s) memory we signed this... And insha allah (god willing) we intend to stick to the road to democracy," Zardari said after the meeting.

PML-N, which had earlier said that it will support the Government from outside, agreed to be part of the Federal Cabinet and to support the PPP’s nominee for the post of Prime Minister. PPP emerged as the largest party in the March 18 poll, winning 120 of 342 seats while PML (N) had bagged 90.

The PPP said it would join the PML-N-led Government in the politically crucial Punjab as the two parties asked Musharraf to immediately convene the National Assembly.

The parties said the new Parliament will move a resolution within 30 days of forming Government to restore the pre-emergency judiciary. Sharif had been insisting that the judges be reinstated immediately while the PPP had been saying that the matter should be resolved by Parliament.

PML-N had demanded the reinstatement of judges, including the former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, which has been strongly opposed by Musharraf who had even said that he would quit if such a step was taken.

"We have decided that the restoration of the deposed judges as it was on November 2, 2007 shall be brought about through a Parliamentary resolution to be passed in the National Assembly within 30 days of the formation of the Federal Government," Sharif said.

The two parties said they would forge a Common Minimum Agenda (CMA) that will provide good Governance and end dictatorship in the country.

The Joint declaration said they would form a Government to translate into action the mandate given by the people in last month’s general election.

Sharif, who was deposed by Musharraf in a coup in 1999, once again reiterated his demand for the military ruler to quit following the defeat of the President’s supporters in the February 18 general election.

"If Musharraf and his supporters say this is a hung Parliament, they should not have any misperceptions that it will tolerate dictatorship," Sharif said.

"The people gave a verdict against his dictatorial rule of eight years. I think he should accept the reality and the people’s verdict and not delay the formation of the Government," he said.

The Joint declaration said: "the leadership was of the firm opinion that the coalition partners are ready to form the Governments and the National and Provincial Assemblies should be convened immediately."

The two parties also decided that the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly shall be from the PPP while the speaker and deputy speaker of the Punjab Assembly shall be from the PML-N.

PPP vice chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who was initially tipped for the post of Prime Minister but is apparently having differences with Zardari over his reluctance to back him, was conspicuous by his absence during today’s parleys between the two parties.

Fahim, who has expressed his reservations about the PPP’s delay in naming its nominee for premiership, had been invited for the talks but could not attend as he was otherwise occupied, Zardari said.

Musharraf, who is faced with a hostile Parliament, earlier asked the new Government to leave politics aside and focus on good governance, peace and stability.

He denied that he was delaying calling the new Parliament and said the new Assemblies would be convened within 10 days.(PTI)

NC calls for resolving Kashmir issue at the "highest level"
NC to align with in Lok Sabha eclection

SRINAGAR, Mar Opposition National Conference today sought consistent talks at the highest level between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through talks at the Foreign Secretary level, it needs a political solution which can be achieved through consistent talks at highest level", National Conference patron and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah told reporters here.

Referring to recent statement by Pakistan People’s Party leader Asif Ali Zardari on the Kashmir issue, Abdullah said while he welcomes Zardari’s remarks for better relations between the two countries, he deemed it fit to impress upon for continuous talks to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Zardari, in a TV interview had said that India and Pakistan should not be held hostage to the Kashmir issue and both the countries could wait for future generations to resolve it in a mature manner.

However, Abdullah asserted that the two countries have to resolve the Kashmir issue and it cannot be kept in cold storage as people cannot agree on that.

The NC leader blamed the Indian Government for delaying a resolution on Kashmir issue while President Pervez Musharraf was in the command of the situation in Pakistan.

He appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Leader of Opposition Lok Sabha L K Advani and Pakistani leader Asif Ali Zardari to demolish the walls of suspicion and hatred.

Abdullah also said that while new Government in Pakistan will have many problems to address in their own country, they should also pay attention to Kashmir problem.

Whereas the National Conference today said it would align with the Third Front in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held next year.

"At the national level, NC will go with the Third Front in the Lok Sabha elections," NC patron and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah said here today.

"The Third Front comprising of Samajwadi Party, Telugu Desam Party, AIADMK, Indian National Lok Dal, Asom Gana Parished and National Conference would soon be joined by left parties, he said.

We are in touch with Left parties especially CPI(M) and CPI and these parties would soon join the Third Front, he said, adding the third front would maintain distance between the two major parties - Congress and BJP.

Abdullah claimed that the Left parties were not happy with the UPA and they are waiting for an opportunity to leave it and join the Third Front. The communist parties want to distance from both BJP and Congress.

He said once the third front takes concrete shape and when elections will be held, the UNPA will then decide whom to support.

However, in the state elections, the National Conference had already stated that it would contest independently. (PTI)