Army rescues 19 youths in Kashmir
SRINAGAR, Dec 10 — In a major operation launched by the security forces in the jungles of Babarishi a group of 19 youths, which was being taken for arms training to Pakistan, was rescued.

Baridars plan protest in Capital
JAMMU, Dec 10 — After the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, refused to make a commitment to Baridars on their demand for a 33 per cent share in the offerings made by pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi shrine and other temples, the latter have decided to stage a demonstration in front of Parliament House in Delhi.

Infiltration bid foiled: 4 killed
JAMMU, Dec 10 — Indian troops foiled a major infiltration bid from across the border when they killed four infiltrators in Kanga Gali in Rajouri district today.

Fake currency racket busted
SRINAGAR, Dec 10 — The Jammu and Kashmir Police yesterday busted a fake currency racket run by the Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan to finance insurgency in the valley.

Army rescues 19 youths in Kashmir
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Dec 10 — In a major operation launched by the security forces in the jungles of Babarishi a group of 19 youths, which was being taken for arms training to Pakistan, was rescued.

A defence spokesman said here today that the interrogation of these boys held yesterday revealed that they were being coerced into militancy and were threatened. He added that monetary incentives was also promised by militant groups.

Major Gen Mohinder Puri, General Officer Commanding of the division employed in the counter-insurgency operation in the valley said, it was one of the largest operations conducted by the security forces in the recent past to prevent ex-filtration of youths who were being misguided by the militants.

Investigations revealed that this was the first of four groups of local youths going for arms training to the occupied Kashmir, the spokesman said. He added that the other three groups, each consisting of approximately 20 boys were to move out within three or four days from about a dozen villages in areas around Sopore and Pattan. The forces have taken steps to prevent any ex-filtration from these villages.

Meanwhile, a group of 30 school children and five teachers from Sopore and Baramulla area of Baramulla district today left for Delhi and Agra on a tour sponsored by 192 Mountain Brigade.

Aimed as a goodwill gesture to win over the youth and build bridges with the local people, the group was sent off to Jammu after a simple ceremony presided over by Major General Puri.

These children come from poor families and would otherwise have never been able to see the rich culture heritage of the country. The group will be escorted by Army personnel and will be the guest of the Army during the course of 15-day tour.

Baridars plan protest in Capital
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Dec 10 — After the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, refused to make a commitment to Baridars on their demand for a 33 per cent share in the offerings made by pilgrims to the Vaishno Devi shrine and other temples, the latter have decided to stage a demonstration in front of Parliament House in Delhi.

The Baridars have been receiving encouragement from the ruling National Conference leaders and some Opposition political activists and were assisted in holding a meeting with the Prime Minister during his recent visit to Jammu. The Baridars submitted a memorandum to Mr Vajpayee requesting his intervention so that the state government could amend the shrine Board Act allowing them a one-third share in the income of the Shrine. They are also demanding a 33 per cent share in shrine board jobs for the children of Baridars.

About three months ago the state government had mooted the idea to amend the Shrine Board Act to allow Baridars a share in offerings to give then a right in running the shrine affairs. The idea had to be abandoned after the VHP threatened a countrywide agitation and Mr Jagmohan, MP, and who as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 1986 had constituted the Shrine Board, which was instrumental in developing facilities for pilgrims, had to intervene. He persuaded the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to pressurise the state government to drop the proposal to amend the Act.

Senior authorities of the Shrine Board, including Governor G.C. Saxena, are opposed to any amendment in the Act because once the Baridars became shareholders, it will reduce the income of the board. The annual income of the board from the offerings and the rent of guest houses has touched Rs 138 crore. It is as a result of increase in income that the board has been able to spend several crores of rupees on the development of environment and facilities for pilgrims from Katra to the shrine nestled in the hills.

Critics of the state government are of the opinion that the state authorities is on purpose delaying the formation of Mata Vaishno Devi University. The Bill regarding the setting up of the university had been adopted by the government and when it was sent to the Governor for assent. He had suggested some amendments. Instead of amending the Bill, it was referred to a select committee.

The ruling National Conference wants the Baridars to get their share and in return it will clear the university Bill, it is alleged.

APHC protest against rights abuse
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Dec 10 — Life was paralysed here today in response to the general strike call by the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) on the occasion of World Human Rights Day. It was in protest against the "increase in the human rights violations" in Kashmir.

All shops and business establishments in the capital city remained closed. Educational institutions, banks and some government offices remained closed. Private and government vehicles and autorickshaws plied normally.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Hurriyat today denied the report that its leaders had been stopped from going to Delhi where they were scheduled to hold a demonstration on Thursday. The spokesman said all executive members of the APHC had reached Delhi and were supposed to hold the demonstration in "protest against the continued violation of human rights by the security agencies in Kashmir". The APHC leaders who had earlier left for Delhi included its chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat and Dr C.X. Hubbi. The former chairman, Moulvi Umar Farooq and Mr Abdul Ghani Lone were not among those who left here two days ago for Delhi for the demonstration.

The police said inter-district transport plied normally in the valley. There were no reports of any response to the bandh in other major towns.

Infiltration bid foiled: 4 killed
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Dec 10 — Indian troops foiled a major infiltration bid from across the border when they killed four infiltrators in Kanga Gali in Rajouri district today.

The police said a group of Pak-trained militants had sneaked into the Indian territory. One of them accidentally stepped on a landmine. The bang alerted the troops who opened fire killing three militants on the spot.

Five assault rifles and large quantities of ammunition and explosives and wireless sets were seized.

Reports said Pak troops had brought a large group of militants for crossing into the Jammu region from across the Rajouri sector. When the landmine exploded and the Indian troops opened fire the remaining groups ran back to Pakistan.

The Army has launched mopping operations in the Manjkot sector to hunt for other infiltrators.

In Chalar village of Doda district militants launched an attack on a police post. The police returned the fire. There was no casualty and the militants fled.

Fake currency racket busted

SRINAGAR, Dec 10 (PTI) — The Jammu and Kashmir Police yesterday busted a fake currency racket run by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan to finance insurgency in the valley.

Inspector-General of Police P.S. Gill told reporters here yesterday that Farooq Ahmad Batloo alias "Professor Wahid", a former financial organiser of the now-defunct Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen, was arrested by the Srinagar unit of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the local police in this connection three days ago.

After the hawala channel used by terrorist organisation, their sympathisers and some Hurriyat constituents was busted, the ISI was pumping in fake currency to aid the mercenaries, Mr Gill said.

Batloo revealed during interrogation that he had prepared fake currency valued at Rs 50 lakh during the past 10 months which was now in circulation in the valley through militants of the Harkat-ul-Ansar and the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Batloo had undergone imprisonment for three years and was released after the completion of his prison term under the Public Safety Act in February, 1997, the IG said.

He had evaded the dragnet earlier this year when the police had busted a fake currency racket, he said.