'CPI, CPI (M) will be joining Third Front any time in March or April'
Farooq says Kashmir problem can't be put to cold storage

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Mar 10: National Conference patriarch, Dr Farooq Abdullah, today welcomed the Pakistan People’s Party leader Asif Ali Zardari's statement over normalisation of relations between New Delhi and Islamabad but he cautioned that the six-decade-long Kashmir problem could not be put to cold storage without finding its solution. He said that CPI and CPI (M), who were still constituents of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) at the Centre, would soon join the non-Congress, non-BJP political alliance known as 'Third Front'.

On occasion of admitting a number of PDP leaders, including Sadiq Ali and Sheikh Abdul Rehman, back into his party, National Conference (NC) patron,, Farooq Abdullah revealed to a crowded news conference at Nawa-e-Subah, that he was constantly in touch with the Left for strengthening the lately floated Third Front. He claimed that CPI and CPI (M) were among the Leftist parties who would be joining the Third Front any time in near future. He said that talks with these parties had succeeded and both would break away from the UPA "any time in March or April".

"They are not comfortable with the UPA and they are prepared to distance from Congress any time. But, at this point of time, they want to ensure that their exit does not strengthen the BJP", Farooq said and revealed that he and his Third Front colleagues had a number of meetings with CPI and CPI (M). In reply to a question, he said that NC would be part of an electoral alliance with the Third Front at the national level. He did not comment on prospects of NC's alliance with political parties in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr Abdullah complained that the Centre had kept unlimited resources at the disposal of the coalition Government in J&K but there was no development of the ground. "Had they given this kind of support to my Government, we would have brought about a revolution", he said and complained that New Delhi had not only forced his Government to pick up a begging bowl but had also created "untold hardships for us". He attributed it all to the NC's agenda of Greater Autonomy but resolved to carry on the struggle to its logical conclusion. He asserted that restoration of autonomy to the State would only strengthen the federal structure in India.

Dr Abdullah said that four of the five working groups constituted under the Prime Minister's J&K Roundtable initiative had submitted recommendations to the Centre but not one, according to him, had been implemented by the UPA Government till date. He said that recommendations of the most important 5th working group would be hopefully submitted to the Prime Minister which were expected to improve the centre-state relationship.

In a virtual clarification to his recent statement, Dr Abdullah welcomed the PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari's urge to improve friendship and cooperation between New Delhi and Islamabad without holding everything hostage to the Kashmir imbroglio. But, at the same time, he made it emphatically clear that de did not agree with Mr Zardari that the Kashmir problem could be put into cold storage for the generations next.

"The UPA Government has already wasted two years as it has been non-seriously holding Foreign Secretary level talks (with Pakistan) with intervals of six to seven months. Let it be clear that it (Kashmir) is a political problem and bureaucrats can not find its solution. This problem has to be addressed politically. It's not going to vanish without resolution. I firmly believe that the Kashmiris will be never prepared to put to cold storage. I hope the new leadership in Pakistan will resolve the crisis by way of holding a serious dialogue with New Delhi", Dr Abdullah said.

Farooq Abdullah, who has functioned as Jammu & Kashmir's Chief Minister as many as four times in the last 25 years, said that Pakistan had a great responsibility of eliminating the label of terrorism not only in that country but also in Jammu and Kashmir as, according to him, everybody from this State was being viewed as a suspect and terrorist outside. "Kashmiri Muslims alone are not facing the brunt of this label of terrorism. Even the Hindus from Jammu are viewed as suspects in the world for the tag of Jammu & Kashmir".

Welcoming some old NC leaders, who had earlier defected to PDP, "back to their home", Dr Abdullah said that a number of other estranged members were in touch with his lieutenants and most of them were likely to return in a few days. Those who returned to the NC today include former MLA from Zadibal, Sadiq Ali, alongwith his son Tanvir Sadiq who happened to be PDP's Zonal President in Zadibal, an elected Councillor and Leader of Opposition in Srinagar Municipal Corporation, PDP's District President for Srinagar Sheikh Abdul Rehman and District President (Youth) Sheikh Shahid, PDP's Sonwar Zone President Ghulam Hussain Wani and PDP's State Secretary (Youth) Abul Hassan Bhat.

The NC Patron announced Sadiq Ali would be given a State level senior position while as Sheikh Rehman would hold a district level position in the party. He said that both of them had joined back with a large number of their followers and colleagues.

Explaining the reasons behind his returning to the NC after five years, Sadiq Ali said that he had been feeling "ashamed" to owe allegiance to a coalition which, according to him, had 18 of its Ministers involved in corruption cases, four in the infamous Srinagar sex scandal and two more in the forest scandal. He said that PDP leaders themselves had been demanding CBI inquiry into late Ghulam Nabi Lone's assassination and it was, according to him, a direct accusation on the party Patron and former Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed.

Sadiq claimed that Dr Abdullah was in possession of a detailed report which documented the involvement of different "agencies" in defeating NC's candidates in several segments in the 2002 Assembly elections. "Dr Sahab, you have been shutting our mouth for long. I believe this is high time we should reveal to the people as to how agencies had manipulated our defeat", Sadiq addressed his mentor. He claimed that no political party other than the NC could represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

On this occasion, Dr Abdullah intervened to admit that Sadiq had been pushed to wall when his detractor in the party, Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain, fielded a dummy candidate (Shehjehan Dar) against him from Zadibal and ensured the NC candidate's defeat. "Sadiq used to speak against Maulana Sahab but I always silenced him as I never wanted a leader like Maulana to distance from my party. He (Sadiq) felt let down and finally quit", Dr Abdullah explained.

Sheikh Abdul Rehman said that he had found PDP "not a political party but an agency which is playing the role of an agency and not a party". "It's an organization which has been assigned the job of destroying Kashmir's identity with the camouflage of green cloak, green scarf and green flag". He said that there was acute infighting in the PDP and most of its leaders join the NC if Dr Abdullah opened the door for them all.

NC's General Secretary Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, former Ministers Abdul Rahim Rather, Mohammad Shafi Uri, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Dr Mehboob Beig, Sakeena Itoo, NC President's political secretary Nasir Sogami and former MLA Ali Mohammad Dar were present at the news conference.

It took Zulekha 60 years to travel 200m across LoC
*133 cross Chakkan-Da-Bagh

By Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, Mar 10: Although Zulekha Bi’s house is just stone’s throw from her brothers (parents) house in PoK, yet it took 60 long years to this hapless old woman separated by the Line of Control (LoC), to travel from one corner of Guntrian village to the other.

Her house is just 300 meters away from the parents’ house but it took six long decades to see her brothers and a daughter. This Guntrian village is situated hardly 15 kms from Poonch town and falls closer to Slamabad. Half of the village falls on that side (PoK) of the LoC while its half area is in district Poonch (J&K).

Before 1947 and even after it for five- six years, people on both the sides used to meet and attend marriage and other functions. But with the changing situation and raising of fence and heavy deployment of forces on both the sides, the people to people contact became impossible. The opening of border points now has made reunion of divided souls.

This 67-year old woman, Zulekha Bi wife of late Jamal Din resident of Guntrian (J&K) was the part of 52 passengers group which crossed over to PoK from Chakkan Da Bagh LoC point. Though she had applied for visit more than year now but she obtained travel clearance recently. Her sons had come to see her off at LoC point. She was looking much excited and happy when she set out on journey to her parents/ brothers’ house in PoK.

A total 133 passengers from both sides of the Jammu and Kashmir crossed sides at the Chakkan Da Bagh Line of Control point in district Poonch today.

An official spokesman giving details said that the LoC point opened at 10.35 am (IST) and a total 81 persons came to this side from the Pak occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Out of total who arrived this side today, thirty six were the Indian returnees while 45 fresh residents of PoK came to this side to meet their relatives here.

A total 52 persons who crossed over to PoK today included 25 fresh J&K residents and 27 PoK returnees, who stayed with their relatives here for some days. The border point was closed at 4.40 pm and Matloob Khan GM DIC Poonch and Ghulam Rasool Ganai from Indian side and Guftar Choudhary AC(R) and Parvez Yaqoob Designated authority Hazira PoK were facilitating the passengers at the LoC point today.

Govt to raise strength of para-military forces

INDRAPURAM, UP, Mar 10:Government today said it will raise the strength of paramilitary forces and update them with new technology to outsmart anti-national forces in the fight against terrorism.

Advising forces to imbibe new-age technology as a "force-multiplier" to tackle subversive elements, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the Government would not compromise on the security front and will do whatever needed to enhance the capability of paramilitary forces.

"Terrorists are using technology to disrupt the development of the country. If our forces are not technically up-to-date, they will not be able to successfully thwart the enemies’ designs," Patil said addressing CISF Raising Day here.

He said the Government is aware of the needs of the paramilitary forces and will strengthen them by increasing the number of personnel and upgrade their technical know-how.

"The numbers will increase. Imbibe new technology and use it as as force-multiplier. The Government is here with you," he said.

Patil said there are some sections of the people who want to see the development process stalled.

"There are people who always think how to stop development process. If you are going set up a power station or industry or school or road anywhere, there are people who want to ensure that it does not happen there.

"Whatever constructive activity is happening, there is no need to disrupt it. For development, there is no need to shed blood or indulge in terrorism. It is an old thought that through terrorism, you can solve people’s problems," he said.

Lauding CISF, the Home Minister said many countries have expressed interest in deputing its personnel on their territory.

Patil said the force was providing security to national treasures and its responsibility was increasing day-by-day.

CISF Director General R K Das said the force is providing security to critical infrastructure of the country.

He said the 1.05 lakh-strong force is presently protecting 272 undertakings, including Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Delhi Metro besides 54 airports, and providing fire cover to 77 installations.

Out of the total 7,083 cases reported from 152 units, 5,884 were handed over to the respective managements while 1,199 were handed to police.

In different incidents, CISF officers apprehended 1,297 criminals and recovered property worth Rs 6.31 crore.

The paramilitary force has seized contraband worth Rs 3.98 crore from various airports in the country.

The CISF personnel also recovered unclaimed property worth Rs 11.34 crore of which items valued at Rs 4.48 crore were given back to the owners and the rest handed over to the Airports Authority of India. (PTI)

PDP MLA Sarfaraz strikes on Muftis

Excelsior Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 10: PDP's MLA from Beerwah and former Minister of State, Sarfaraz Khan, today held out his banner of revolt against the party Patron, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and President, Mehbooba Mufti, when he said that the Muftis had adopted the policy of "divide-and-rule".

"The party we had created as a substitute (for National Conference) has died long ago. Mufti Sayeed and his daughter, who have adopted the policy of divide-and-rule, are responsible for PDP's death", Sarfaraz Khan said in a statement released through a local news agency. He argued that Ghulam Hassan Mir could not be expelled in a totalitarian manner as he was one among the PDP's founders.

"Leaders enjoying the support of a mass base can not be shown the door unceremoniously. This imprudent action is going to be the last nail in PDP's coffin", Khan warned in his hard-hitting statement.

With MLA Shopian, Ghulam Hassan Khan, being "under suspension" for his alleged involvement in a sex scandal and MLA Tangmarg Ghulam Hassan Mir having been expelled, MLA Beerwah Sarfaraz Khan's banner of revolt has come as a harbinger of disintegration in the PDP far ahead of the Assembly elections.

The party has, of late, scored a point in weaning away NC's Budgam District President, Ghulam Hussain Geelani, but today's defection by Sadiq Ali, Sheikh Abdul Rehman and few others back to the NC has obviously caused a setback to Mufti's party.

After significant political developments since yesterday, Srinagar is abuzz with speculations that NC had begun efforts to get back old faces like Mohammad Shafi Shaida and Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari.

However, there are more eyes on Mir's one-time rebel colleagues including MLA Shopian Ghulam Hassan Khan and MLA Pampore Zahoor Ahmed Mir. Minister of Transport, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, has reportedly begun efforts to win Mir, Sarfaraz and other PDP dissidents who are being offered admission into his PDF. All but Mir and Sarfaraz are so far tightlipped.

SRTC workers call off strike, fleet operation from today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: J&K State Road Transport Corporation employees and workers called- off their 21-day long strike, following assurance from the Minister for Transport Hakeem Mohd Yasin here today.

In a meeting of the representatives of the SRTC employees including Chairman Shakeel Ahmed Kuchey, other leaders- Ashok Mehra, Pawan Sharma, D R Bali, Sanjeev Bali, Mohd Amin Dar, EJAC chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani with the Minister concerned, Transport Secretary Dalip Singh and Managing Director of the Corporation Manzoor Ahmed Lone, the matter was finally resolved today.

CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohd Yousuf Tarigami and Chairman EJAC Abdul Qayoom Wani created the congenial atmosphere for bringing SRTC employees leaders and Government representatives on the negotiation table for resolving three week long crisis. The Minister said that four months salary of the employees is being immediately released and 42 pending COLA slabs of the SRTC workers will be given with the salary for the month of March. An assurance also came from the Minister to pay SRTC employees’ salary regularly from now onwards.

Chairman of the SRTC Employees Union, Shakeel Ahmed Kuchey expressing satisfaction over the response of the Minister and agreement reached in the meeting said that 21-day old strike stands called-off following an assurance from the Minister and Secretary Transport. He said the Minister seemed to be very positive today and regretted the imposition of ESMO and police action on families of the employees.

Kuchey said entire fleet of the Corporation would operate from March 11 including the inter-state buses. All the workers would resume their duty from tomorrow. He disclosed that Minister assured release of COLA slabs with the salary of March while four months salary is being immediately released. He said the Government has also given assurance that SRTC workers will get salary regularly every month now onwards. It was again assured to hold DPC of all the cadre in the Corporation and keep a check on backdoor promotions of the favourites.

Meanwhile, in Jammu the employees and workers of the Corporation held demonstration and staged protest dharna near Bibi Chand Kour Samadi at Gumat here today. Similar protest dharna was held at Srinagar SRTC yard by the workers. Several leaders addressed the gathering demanding release of their pending wages. The Corporation has suffered massive losses in view of workers’ strike.

Four suspects arrested
Fidayeen attack in Valley foiled

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 10: Police claimed to have foiled a militant plan to carry out Fidayeen (suicide) attack here.

An official spokesman said that a tip-off was received that militants of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were planning to carry out a "sensational" Fidayeen attack in the city.

The information was further developed and it was confirmed that militants had dumped arms and ammunition and police uniform in a house in Harwan area. The arms and ammunition were being transported from the frontier district of Kupwara.

However, it took some more time to identify the particular house which was being used as a hideout by the militants.

He said finally a police party raided the house at Theed in Harwan area when it was learnt militants were also present there. The house of one Nazir Ahmad Bhat was raided and hideout smashed.

Besides police uniforms, pouches, three sewing machines, six hand grenades, seven AK magazines, 200 rounds of ammunition, one 2 inch mortar, one Thuraya phone and some coded documents were recovered from the hideout.

Militants were using Police and Army uniforms to carry out Fidayeen attacks in the Valley in the past. He said the hideout was to be used as the launching pad for Fidayeen.

Meanwhile, four suspected militants have been arrested by security forces.

Troops of 22 Rashtriya Rifles apprehended three suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed militants from Warpora village of Baramulla district last night.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Manzoor Ahmed Dar alias Jana, Ishfaq Ahmed War alias Ishkan and Abdul Rashid War, the spokesman said, adding two hand grenades were recovered from their possession.

In another operation, troops of 14 Rashtriya Rifles along with local police apprehended one Riaz Ahmed Mir from Bandipora district and recovered one hand grenade and 14 rounds of AK ammunition from him.

ILFS conducts survey on Mata Vaishno Devi track
SMVDSB moots escalators, ropeway to smoothen yatra

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 10: In a bid to smoothen the pilgrimage, save timing of the yatris and attract more pilgrims, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has proposed construction of escalators at some places where it was feasible in place of stairs and a ropeway between Vaishno Devi Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati.

Construction work on third tunnel at the Bhawan is also expected to be completed within a year at a cost of Rs 1 crore which will increase the capacity of darshan by pilgrims from present 24,000 to 44,000 per day.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) SMVDSB Dr Arun Kumar has confirmed that the Shrine Board has approved construction of third tunnel at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan as this was the only option left to reduce waiting of pilgrims during peak season (April-October) when the yatra crossed 35,000 per day.

"Presently, a maximum of 24,000 pilgrims can have darshan of the natural pindies of the Goddess if we give three seconds to one pilgrim which leaves 8000 to 10000 in waiting. The third tunnel will take per day capacity of darshan to 44,000 pilgrims", he said, adding the new tunnel will also sort out the future problem when the yatra was expected to increase further.

The tunnel has been designed in such a way that it will not cause any damage to Trikuta hills or the area in premises of Vaishno Devi Bhawan, Dr Arun Kumar said, adding that the tunnel will be completed within a year at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The tunnel will lead to sanctum sanctorum and after its completion there will be two queues for darshan at a time.

Meanwhile, a team of Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services, an international company, which has also constructed famous Noida toll bridge, has undertaken an extensive survey on 13 km Katra-Bhawan track to suggest some innovative measures to smoothen journey of the pilgrims.

An expert team of the ILFS carried out a survey on the track for three days and was expected to submit its report next week, Additional CEO SMVDSB Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said.

He added that facilities like escalators at some places on the track in place of stairs have been proposed to make the yatra more comfortable.

As very few pilgrims undertake journey to Bhairon Ghati in view of very tough trekking, a ropeway has been proposed between Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati. This will attract pilgrims to Bhairon Ghati as their journey will be reduced to just few minutes. The pilgrims will also enjoy adventurous tourism as the ropeway will pass through high mountains.

The SMVDSB had also asked the ILFS to examine feasibility of a metro service from Katra railway station to Bhawan. However, such a possibility seemed remote in view of hilly terrain. Though the Shrine Board was ready to bear Rs 500 to Rs 700 crore cost of metro, the project didn’t appear to be viable, sources said.

Meanwhile, the SMVDSB has decided to keep two Gypsy shaped small ambulance at Vaishno Devi Bhawan to shift seriously ill patients to Katra. This ambulance will directly ply from Bhawan to Katra while the battery cars have been operating from Bhawan to Adh-Kunwari.

Dr Arun Kumar said the track has been found feasible after widening at some places to run the ambulance service from Bhawan to Katra. As the ambulances have to run occasionally, they will not be battery operated. The battery operated vehicles can take time to recharge which was not feasible for ambulances.

The number of battery cars is also being increased from 15 to 20.

With successful trial of chemical based plant at Adh Kunwari which will help to circulate used water, the bathrooms enroute the track will be equipped with flush system to make them more neat and clean. Similar plants will be set up at other places on the track.

Don’t speak on alliance: Azad

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked Ministers, Legislators and other leaders of the Congress party in the State not to issue statements or speak in public about the subject of electoral alliance of the Congress with any political party.

The Chief Minister said that nobody has been authorized to speak on this issue. He said that he would take serious note against those making such statements.

Judges retirement age may go up

NEW DELHI, Mar 10: There is a proposal to increase the retirement age of the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts by three years, Law and Justice Minister H R Bhardwaj told Rajya Sabha today.

In a written reply in the House, the Minister said the proposal is under the examination of the Government.

Replying to another question, he said there were 595 judges against a sanctioned strength of 690 judges as on December 31, 2007.

Bhardwaj said the Government has been requesting the Chief Justices of the High Courts from time to time to initiate proposals for filling up of the present vacancies as well as those anticipated during the next six months.

With a view to expedite disposal of the cases, he said, the Government has taken a number of measures such as establishment of fast track courts, family courts and are providing funds to the State Governments for strengthening the judicial infrastructure and computerisation of the courts. (PTI)

SC/STs seats to be increased

NEW DELHI, Mar 10: A bill seeking to increase allocation of Parliamentary and Assembly seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the country in the wake of the delimitation exercise was introduced in the Lok Sabha today.

The representation of the People (amendment) Bill 2008 was introduced by Law and Justice Minister H R Bhardwaj.

The bill also seeks to enable the Election Commission to conduct delimitation exercise in the four north-eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland as soon as the conditions there become conducive.

The President had last month deferred delimitation exercise in the four north-eastern States in the wake of an ordinance that made certain changes in the Delimitation Act. The changes also nullified the Delimitation Commission’s orders as regards Jharkhand.(PTI)

Extend loan waiver to orchardists: Mehbooba

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 10: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Ms Mehbooba Mufti has sought the extension of agriculture loan waiver facility, recently announced in the Union budget, to the horticulture sector in the State.

The PDP president spoke to Union Finance Minister, P Chidambaram and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in this regard seeking their intervention in bringing horticulturists from the State under the ambit of the agriculture loan waiver scheme.

Ms Mufti said the horticulture sector is the mainstay of the State economy and due to recent heavy snowfall the orchards in the State have suffered extensive damages. She said the agriculture loan waiver scheme would prove beneficial to the State only if it is extended to horticulture sector.

The Union Ministers have assured the PDP president that relief given under agriculture loan waiver scheme would be extended to J&K, she added.

NPP MLA booked for assaulting SPO

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: National Panthers Party (NPP) MLA was today booked by the police for assaulting a Special Police Officer (SPO) at his residence in Akalpur area under the jurisdiction of Domana Police Station late last night.

Police sources said that Faquir Chand, NPP MLA from Chenani along with three others were booked for manhandling and thrashing a SPO identified as Sukhdev Singh, who was posted at his residence.

The MLA along with his brother and nephew were drunk and entered into a verbal conflict with the SPO, who was brutally beaten by them, the sources said.

The critically injured SPO was, later, shifted to Government Medical College Hospital and his condition was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.

A case under Sections 353, 332 and 147 RPC has been registered against the accused persons at Domana Police Station. However, none of them was arrested till late this evening.

20 SOs promoted as Under Secys

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 10: The Government today ordered promotion of 20 Section Officers of J&K Secretariat (Subordinate) Service as Under Secretaries in J&K Secretariat (Gazetted) Service-I.

The promoted officers are Makhan Lal Koul, Sher Baz Khan, Maharaj Krishan Koul, Ghulam Qadir Gilkar, Showkat Ahmad, Bushan Lal Wali, Mohd Sayeed Banday, M K Kaloo, Abdul Rehman Ahanger, Mangat Singh, Romesh Chander, Mohd Shaffi Buchoo, Ali Mohd Sheikh, Abdul Majid Wani, Bharat Bushan, Ashok Kumar, Abdul Hamid Mattoo, Abdul Majid Khan, Maharaj Krishan Koul and Suraj Singh.