Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, July 3: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow, the militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit made a major infiltration attempt from the Line of Control (LoC) along Roshni Nullah in Balnoi area of Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district last night.
Army foiled the infiltration attempt and designs of the militants to carry out terror attack ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to the State.
Official sources told the Excelsior that a group of six militants equipped heavily with arms, ammunition and explosives tried to infiltrate inside the Indian territory from Roshni Nullah in Balnoi area of Krishna Ghati sector at 11.30 pm last night. The militants fanned out in three groups and started indiscriminate firing using heavy weapons targeting forward posts of the Indian Army in a determined bid to intrude into this side.
Sources said the troops, who were maintaining high alert after four successive infiltration attempts by the militants in a week ahead of the Prime Minister’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir, retaliated effectively. Heavy exchange of firing between the Army and the militants continued almost throughout the last night with latter making all out efforts to infiltrate.
Troops, however, succeeded in thwarting infiltration attempt by the militants, who were reported to have retreated to their launching pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“There were no casualties or damage on the Indian side in firing by the militants but casualties, if any, of the militants were not known as no bodies were found on this side of the LoC during intensive searches conducted by the troops during the day today,’’ sources said, adding the militants appeared to have returned to PoK after effective retaliation by the Indian troops.
Army spokesman Col Manish Mehta said: “an attempted infiltration bid by a group of terrorists in Krishna Ghati sector was foiled by alert troops in the early hours of this morning. Exchange of firing between troops and terrorists continued for quite sometimes but there were no casualties on our side’’.
Sources said troops have averted a major terror plot by the militants by thwarting infiltration attempt by six heavily armed militants on the eve of Modi’s first visit to the State. “It seems the militants had planned to carry out terror strikes on this side after the infiltration,’’ they added.
It may be mentioned here that on the eve of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit to Kashmir, the militants had ambushed and killed eight Army jawans in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, Railways Minister Sadanand Gowda, Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh and top brass of Railways reached Katra this evening to supervise arrangements for the visit of Modi in holy town of Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi ji shrine, tomorrow to flag off train from Katra linking the town by rail with rest of the country.
Gowda, Sinha and Singh visited Katra Railway Station, where the Prime Minister would flag off a DMU between 25 kilometers railway line from Katra to Udhampur after which DMU and other trains would start moving up to Katra in the next few days.
Gowda also reviewed arrangements for the flagging off ceremony with the Railway officers.
Modi is scheduled to flag off train from Katra at around 10 am after reaching Jammu at 9 am. From Katra, he would return to Jammu and fly to Srinagar, where he would visit Badami Bagh Cantonment, the headquarters of 15 Corps for security review and address ‘Sainik Sammelan. He would have lunch at Raj Bhawan and then fly to Uri, Baramulla for inauguration of Uri-II hydro-electric project after which he would return to Srinagar and fly to New Delhi in the evening.
Modi will flag off the DMU which will carry only school students.
The train connectivity to Katra is part of the ambitious Kashmir rail link project marking region’s rail connectivity with the rest of the country. It has been executed at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 1,150 crore.
The new link with seven tunnels, 29 minor and nine major bridges is expected to ease the pilgrim rush in Jammu city and help the devotees to directly go to Katra.
Ahead of the visit, a tight security cover was in place in the town with policemen keeping a vigil at all entry and exit points. The SPG has also take control of Katra Railway Station.
Hotels and lodges were being checked while security personnel combed all nearby hills and took positions at vantage points in Katra town. As reported, chopper service for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims will remain suspended tomorrow till the VVIPs depart.
At present there are 27 trains which touch Jammu and Udhampur railway stations. An estimated 85 per cent of pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi shrine use the railway facility.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a high level meeting of security agencies here this afternoon to review security situation and arrangements for first visit of the Prime Minister to Jammu and Kashmir. Among others, DGP K Rajendra Kumar also attended the meeting and brief Omar about security arrangements made for the visit.
The DGP also visited Katra and reviewed the security arrangements there.
DIG Udhampur-Reasi range Gareeb Dass said all security arrangements have been made for the visit of the Prime Minister tomorrow. “Area domination patrols, track vigil and night patrolling were in place,” he said.

Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, July 3: Though top hierarchy of Union Home and Defence Ministry had arrived at near consensus on the proposal of erecting an all-weather fence along the Line of Control (LoC), the duos have failed to implement the decision on ground.
Reliable sources told EXCELSIOR, “the proposal for erecting such fence along the LoC that can withstand the harshest snow conditions was mooted around two years back and the objective was to obtain nearly zero-level infiltration, which is imperative to curtail militancy in the border State”.
“Even the Prime Minister Office (PMO) officials during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had put their weight behind the important proposal and expressed keenness in early implementation of the decision. But, the proposal seems to have died its own death after shuttling between the two important Ministries”, sources asserted.
Sources elaborated, “more than two years after the proposal was formulated in consultation with top officials of the State Government, there is no word from the Central Government. With change of guard at the Centre, security analysis hoped that steps would be initiated to ensure its early implementation, which would help to curtail the cross-border infiltration”.
Official sources remarked that the two years back, when the proposal was first mooted as part of Border Management Program, had full backing of the top brass of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). “The officials were well aware of the fact that an all-weather fence would help the State achieve nearly zero-level infiltration, which is imperative to curtail the terrorist violence in the border State”, sources added.
Sources said, “though Ministry of Defence officials had earlier expressed some reservations about the proposal, after threadbare discussions with their counterparts in MHA, the latter have also given their consent for the proposal in view of the fact that 90 per cent of militancy is coming from across the border”.
“The issue of fence is one of the measures, which had been thoroughly discussed by the incumbents of Union Government and the State Government in several meetings. The proposal had also been taken up with former Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde during his visit to the Kashmir Valley in October 2012”, sources asserted.
“The fence has become a virtual necessity if we want to maintain peace on permanent basis in the State. Moreover, another important factor in that after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2014, more vigorous efforts are likely to be made from Western border to push terrorists”, sources said.
“While the local militants are subdued due to pressure of security forces, repeated attempts are made from the other side to push foreign militants”, sources added.
Sources stated that the Union Home Ministry officials had also sent a team of experts comprising civil engineers from reputed institutions to the LoC to carry out a detailed feasibility study of erecting a permanent fence. The team of experts comprising officials from Indian Meteorological Department also identified highly valance prone areas after taking into account average snowfall of the last one decade.
“As per the plan, during the first phase, the Centre plans to seal nearly 40 routes, which are traditionally being used by terrorists to infiltrate the Valley and these are mainly in North Kashmir areas like Kupwara, Gurez, Uri and Keran and Doda district in Jammu region”, sources said. The proposal was also discussed with the then Union Home Secretary, R K Singh during his visit to Kashmir on August 26, 2012. Singh, along with the then Director General of Police and Army officers, had visited Cheema Post in Gulmarg sector of North Kashmir.
The Home Secretary was given an extensive presentation during his visit for having a permanent fence, which could withstand all weather conditions. Singh was also shown the pillars along the famous Gandola cable car, which can withstand all weather conditions and opinion was given to have a similar mechanism along the LoC.
“Even as far as the financial implications of the project are concerned, the cost of erection of such an all-weather fence would be around Rs 2500 crores. But, spread over a span on four years, it would cost Rs 800 crores per annum”, sources said adding, “from long-term perspective, the fence would be of immense benefit for the border state and help in virtually reducing the infiltration from Pakistan’s side to almost zero level”.
Out of 740 Km long stretch of LoC, India has built fence along 550 Km, work on which was completed in 2004.
However, due to repeated damage to fence by heavy snow, terrorists from across the border used to take advantage and infiltrate into the Valley. Every year nearly 83 Km of the fencing along the LoC especially in North Kashmir’s Gurez, Karnah, Kupwara and Gulmarg sectors is damaged, which allows militants to infiltrate into the Kashmir Valley and other parts of the State.
However, another important issue is that fencing on LoC would be technically difficult as some areas falling on the zero line could be separated. The agricultural activities of people in those areas, where they fall on the other side would need to be given due consideration under the program.

Avtar Bhat
BASOHLI, July 3: With National Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), Goa giving an adverse report, the State Government’s plan to introduce water sports in Ranjit Sagar Dam, Basohli has fallen flat for the time being.
According to sources, on the persistent demand of the people of Basohli, the State Government had mooted a plan to introduce water sports at newly constructed Ranjit Sagar Dam at Basohli. It had sought a report from NIWS, Goa a premier body of experts on introduction of water sports in the country.
Sources said a high level team of experts from the Institute visited Basohli last year and after a preliminary survey they submitted their report to State Government stating that ferry services in Ranjti Sagar Dam was not possible. This has belied the hopes of the people of Basohli and adjoining areas who were expecting that with the introduction of water sports in the dam, Basohli will come on tourist map of the country and economy of the local people will get a boost.
In its report, the NIWS, Goa has submitted that water current is more in the dam so it will not be safe to run the ferry ships in it as the rocks inside the dam can cause any eventuality at any time.
The people of the Basohli are of the opinion that with the introduction of ferry ship in the Ranjti Sagar Dam the travel between Basohli and Satwain could have been reduced to a great extent.
However, sources said that the Tourism Department and Lakhanpur, Sarthal Development Authority has decided to once again approach the NIWS,Goa urging it to have another survey of the dam, official sources said and in case the expert opinion will be favourable only then the ferry services will be introduced in the dam.
Sources said that the State Government is under constant pressure from the people of Basohli to introduce water sports in Ranjit Sagar Dam which is spread at a length of 21 kilometres from village Thein to Hut in Basohli.
Admitting that Government was planning to run water sports in the dam, Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority, Chief Executive Officer, Bharat Bushan said that they could not go ahead with the decision as the NIWS,Goa gave an adverse report.
The expert opinion of the Institute was against running of ferry ships in the dam as it opined that the current of the water was more and running of ferry ships in it was not feasible.
He, however, said that the department has not given up the idea and it has urged the agency to conduct a fresh survey in this regard and it is hoped that the team will again visit the area to conduct a fresh survey on the basis of which the decision will be taken.
The running of water sports in the dam will boost the economy of the people of area especially those whose cultivable land was submerged in the dam and who were evacuated from the area to other places said Rajat Sharma a social activist of Basohli.
The issue was also taken by MLA Basohli, Jagdish Raj Sapolia and other leaders with the Government a number of times. Mr Sapolia who strongly advocates for introduction of water sports in the dam said that it can be a turning point in the life of the people of the area as this way Basohli will come on tourist map of the country and the tourists visiting the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh could also visit the dam and enjoy boat riding. This will boost the traditional art of Basohli also as the tourists visiting the area can purchase the world famous Basohli shawls and paintings etc which will give an impetus to the economy of the area, he added.
He regretted that the Government was not doing any thing in this regard and there is resentment among the people of Basohli in this regard. The Government has not shown any sincerity regarding the development of Basohli and people are suffering a lot said Ved Fanda, president Beopar Mandal Basohli.
He said a hope had emerged with the Government’s assurance of running water sports in the dam to promote tourism trade in the area but with the lackluster approach of the State Government it seems that introduction of same is a distant dream.

From: Mohinder Verma

CHOGLAMSAR, LEH, July 3: The sacred and auspicious 33rd Kalachakra initiation began today at Jivetsal with nearly one lakh devotees from across the globe attending the elaborate ritualistic prayers performed by the monks under the guidance of Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama.
Since morning thousands of vehicles carrying devotees and monks were seen heading towards Choglamsar from different parts of Leh town to reach the venue of Kalachakra initiation, which is being held at Leh after 38 years.
Elaborate security and other arrangements have been made by the Leh Police and District Administration for smooth 12-day long Kalachakra initiation in collaboration with organizers of the event Ladakh Buddhist Association and Ladakh Gonpa Association etc.
While giving introductory teachings following prayers by the monks, Buddhist spiritual leader, Dalai Lama said, “the main objective of my visit is to give introduction of Buddhism to the people along with Kalachakra initiations”. He advised the devotees to generate Bodhichita–a feeling to help all sentient beings and feeling of non violence in thought, speech and action.
“All human beings irrespective of different faiths and believes want happiness and no one want sufferings. Therefore, generation of love and compassion is the main message that all religions of the world teach”, he said, adding “to generate and practise such teachings should be very important to live a meaningful and successful life whether one follows a particular religion or not”.
Further laying stress on developing compassion, he said, “this is the core and essence of Buddhist teaching without which even Kalachakra is meaningless”, adding “in order to gain happiness and be free from suffering it is important to remove the cause which lies within us in the form of “I”.
“Unless this ‘I’ is reduced it is difficult to have clear heart and mind to develop compassion and patience as basic things needed to gain true happiness”, Dalai Lama said with apt attention from the devotees including foreigners.
He urged upon the devotees to make special efforts to cleanse their hearts and minds towards transforming themselves into becoming good and warm hearted humans during the coming two days as groundwork before receiving the Kalachakra would help in grasping the concept of emptiness taught by Buddhism. He gave special verses for recitation by the devotees during next two days for this process of transforming ones heart.
As Buddhist spiritual leader gave teachings in Tibetan language, large number of devotees were seen carrying FM radio to listen the translated version of Dalai Lama’s teachings. For the convenience of the devotees, the organizers had prominently displayed the frequency ranges required to be tuned to listen the teachings in different languages.
The teachings of spiritual leader were translated into 13 different languages, which includes Tibetan, English, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mongalian, Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, Hindi and Ladakhi.
The Kalachakra ritual commenced at 7 am and continued till 9 am. After the completion of self generation prayers, Dalai Lama started giving introductory teachings for around an hour to the devotees. He will have ritual prayers and preliminary teachings respectively up to 13th of July.
The enthusiasm among the devotees over the Kalachakra initiation being held in Leh after 38 years can be gauged from the fact that even physically handicapped persons were seen reaching the venue to participate in the prayers and listen Dalai Lama. Aged and inform devotees from remotest corners of the Leh and Zanskar area of Kargil district were also seen participating in the prayers.
Governor, N N Vohra is likely to reach Leh on July 5 to meet spiritual leader Dalai Lama.
Prominent among others who participated in introductory function of Kalachakra initiation were Minister for Urban Development, Nawang Rigjin Jora, CEC LAHDC Leh, Rigzin Spalbar, MP Ladakh Thupstan Chhewang.

NEW DELHI, July 3:Raising hopes of early implementation of GST, Empowered Committee Chairman and Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather today said that all States are on board and only some concerns need to be addressed by the Centre.
“I can’t give you exact date but I think it will not take much time. Government of India is very much interested to have this tax reform introduced. Every State is on board,” he said, when asked as to when the Government will be able to roll out the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
“Every State wants GST to be implemented. Only they want their concerns are addressed. That will be done I think,” Rather told reporters after four-hour meeting of the State Finance Ministers here.
The long pending tax reform, GST would subsume indirect levies such as excise, service and local taxes, has been highlighted as important agenda of Modi Government.
Referring to concerns being flagged by various States, he said that “there are certain areas of disagreement between the State and the centre. Like petroleum products, in the Shillong meeting we had made a consensus that petroleum products should be kept outside GST, it needs to be subsume”.
Besides, he said, GST compensation is another issues. The revenue loss to States due to implementation of GST should be compensated by the centre.
“Government of India has said it will give compensation for three years, but it has not agreed to make compensation to make it a part of the constitution through amendment. But States are insisting that compensation should be a part of the constitution amendment so that States get their compensation,” he said.
Thirdly, he said entry tax should not be subsumed but Government of India as not yet agreed to this a well.
Rather also said that States have also demanded that the Centre’s tax should go to the divisible tax pool and States should get their share according to the recommendations of the Finance Commission.
Observing that there is broad consensus over GST, he said, in some cases centre has to move a step forward to allay fears of States on revenue loss as the prime concern for them in protection of financial resources.
Speaking to reporters West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra said: “The simple process is that here are two categories of issues discussed one is unclear issues those need to be clarified. The second is areas where we completely unanimously disagree.”
For instance, he said, petroleum should not be subsumed in GST. Entry tax should not be subsumed in GST. These require insertion into the bill.
“The most important is confidence building in the state to rely on the Centre’s words,” he said.
Mitra said: “In the case of CST (Central Sales Tax) it was most unexpected that after saying they will compensate the States, the States lowered CST from 4 per cent to 2 per cent. But when came the time for compensation that compensation was denied.”
States are not getting CST compensation since 2010-11.
“West Bengal has lost Rs 4,300 crore by not having this compensation…Some areas of clear differences where the States feel one way and the perhaps the centre another these need to be resolved for move forward,” he said. (PTI)