India, Pakistan agree to resume talks
From Shubhabrata Bhattacharya
Tribune News Service

COLOMBO, July 29 — Their divergent approaches to the concept of multilateralism, namely, SAARC, reflected in their respective speeches at the Summit this afternoon notwithstanding, the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan gave a positive twist to bilateral relations during their nearly hour-and-a-half-long meeting here this evening.

As projected in these columns yesterday, the task of working out the modalities of bilaterlism was assigned to the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries. However, an unexpected positive ambience seemed to have emerged from the Atal Behari Vajpayee-Nawaz Sharif talks: a deadline of two days has been set for working out the nuts-and-bolts strategy. Before they leave the shores of this island on Friday, Mr Vajpayee and Mr Sharif are keen to set the process of a resumed dialogue rolling.

The tone was set by Mr Vajpayee. Speaking in chaste Urdu, he told Mr Sharif at the outset: "Mulaqat ka dili intezar thaa". Mr Vajpayee said he was glad that Mr Sharif and he had been able to keep up the "silsila" of dialogue between the Prime Ministers of the two countries.

The two leaders met along with their nine-member strong delegations initially for 10 minutes. Thereafter they held one-to-one talks. Having agreed to continue the "silsila" of bilateral dialogues, which had been let off on June 23, 1997, they called in the two Foreign Secretaries, who participated in the concluding 20 minutes of the talks. The two-day deadline for formalising the modalities was set and the two Prime Ministers concluded this round of talks, each satisfied that the other was positive and serious about a bilateral dialogue, principles and traditional reservations notwithstanding.

Kashmir figured. Replying to a media query, Mr Vajpayee said, "Kashmir was discussed, further talks will be held". Asked the same question, Mr Sharif, while saying that "Kashmir is the core issue", observed that India had some reservation on the subject.

While praising the bilateral process, which he had been pooh-poohing in recent public pronouncements, Mr Sharif told the media that he was of the opinion that "someone from outside" had to help on Kashmir and asked India to show "flexibility". He recounted that the Indus waters dispute was sorted out with the World Bank help and the Rann of Kutch dispute was adjudicated by the International Court of Justice, The Hague.

Describing Mr Vajpayee as a "good man", Mr Sharif said "it was a very good meeting". He, however, regretted that after the nuclear blasts some senior leaders in India had talked "threateningly". He emphasised: "We can only solve our problems through talks".

According to sources, during the one-to-one dialogue, Mr Vajpayee assured Mr Sharif that a stable and prosperous Pakistan was in India’s own interest. He said while Kashmir and other different perceptions could be discussed, cooperation in "untapped areas" could open new vistas and help in the process of improvement of relations.

At this point, Mr Sharif is said to have commented that power is one such area. India needs power; Pakistan has surplus power going waste. Thus one "untapped area" emerged from today’s talks.

After the talks, talking to media separately, both leaders indicated that the divergent viewpoints expressed in their respective summit speeches had not figured in the talks.

India to lift curbs on 2000 items
SAARC summit opens
From Shubhabrata Bhattacharya
Tribune News Service

COLOMBO, July 29 — In their respective speeches at the SAARC summit, the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan spelled out their divergent approaches to regional cooperation. India’s emphasis was on economic, social, technological cooperation, while peace and security was prioritised by Pakistan.

While Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee spoke of the need to accelerate the process of moving from preferential trade to free trade in the region by 2001 and even offered bilateral free trade arrangements with those neighbours who were willing to hop, step and jump, Mr Nawaz Sharif saw the absence of discussion on peace and security as a stumbling block for coordinated development of the region.

Looking beyond the proposed South Asian Free Trade Arrangement (SAFTA), Mr Vajpayee suggested the setting up of a SAARC economic community on the lines of ASEAN and the European Union (EU), "early in the next century". Mr Sharif, on the other hand, proposed a "peace, security and development initiative for south Asia".

The Sri Lankan President, Mrs Chandrika Kumaratunga, who is the Chairperson of the 10th SAARC summit, indicated after Mr Vajpayee’s speech that the Chair was in "total agreement" with some of the economic initiatives suggested by India. The Chair took "serious note" of the Pakistani proposal for the peace, security and development initiative.

Three proposals by Mr Vajpayee drew appreciation from the Chairperson:

• An annual meeting of the Governors of SAARC Central Banks (like India’s Reserve Bank of India) and finance secretaries to have a dialogue on macro-economic policies and share experiences and ideas.
• Offer of bilateral free trade agreements, awaiting the formalisation of SAFTA by 2001.
• Lifting by India of restrictions on over 2,000 products to promote opportunities for SAARC countries to access the Indian market and increase their exports.

Besides, Mr Vajpayee’s suggestion for regular interaction between Planning authorities, Science and Technology Ministers and Health departments also were appreciated by Mrs Kumaratunga. Rural telecommunications; drinking water; sanitation; improved plant varieties for agriculture; and cooperation in traditional systems of medicine were some of Mr Vajpayee’s proposed areas of increased cooperation which drew applause.

Mr Sharif’s speech did not cause the Chair to respond as warmly as in the case of Mr Vajpayee. While agreeing with Pakistan’s standpoint that there is a need to "revitalise" SAARC, Mrs Kumaratunga said: "We pray and hope that the bilateral talks between India and Pakistan will bear fruit — all of us in South Asia are hoping they would".

Mr Vajpayee, referring to the recent financial crisis in East Asia, said: "We have, so far, not had to face similar difficulties in South Asia".

In this context, this context, he proposed annual meetings between central bank governors and finance secretaries to discuss macro-economic policies.

"Strengthening the framework of economic cooperation must remain the focus of the SAARC agenda", Mr Vajpayee observed. He avoided any references to Pakistan or its bomb.

Mr Sharif, however, categorically referred to India’s nuclear policy and urged SAARC to review its policy of not discussing political problems and tensions between SAARC member states.

Mr Vajpayee stressed that "SAARC cooperation is driven by the imperative need for all South Asian countries to accelerate socio-economic development.

Mr Vajpayee reiterated India’s "strong commitment to global disarmament". He called for a "nuclear weapons free world".

"Let us grow rich together" was Mr Vajpayee’s punchline, which he delivered after reassuring smaller nations about India's nuclear policy.

Punjab cuts power tariff hike
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 29 — In a politically tactical move, the Punjab Government today considerably reduced the power tariff, which had been enhanced by 33 per cent, across the board, on July 20.

The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who announced the revised tariff, said this had been done after obtaining the views of business, trade and industry, whose representatives met him here on July 27.

Instead of across the board reduction in the tariff, there would now be variation in the power rates for different categories of consumers. But on an average, the "revised" but "lowered" tariff comes to about 16 per cent hike against 33 per cent earlier.

The new tariff comes into effect with immediate effect; today itself.

With this concession to consumers, the revenue of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) will be reduced to Rs 425 crore from the envisaged Rs 900 crore, which would have accrued to the board from the 33 per cent uniform hike.

The junior partner, the BJP, however, will have a talking point in its urban political constituencies vis-a-vis the Congress by saying it had sided with the trade.

Mr Parkash Singh reiterated that "free" power to the agriculture sector would continue. It was not being used to compensate the PSEB by cross-subsiding the same by effecting hike in the power tariff in respect of other categories of consumers.

The PSEB, it was explained by the Chairman, Mr S.K. Tuteja, had taken a loan of Rs 3,400 crore from the government, which resulted in payment of Rs 457 crore annually by way of interest, which the PSEB owes to the government. A sum of Rs 300 crore, which the PSEB loses on "free" power to the farm sector was, thus, adjusted from the interest money to be paid.

Another important decision announced by Mr Parkash Singh was on constitution of a "tariff regulatory authority".

The PSEB had been directed to "economise" to the extent of 3 per cent of its expenses, subject to a minimum of Rs 100 crore during 1998-99. Mr Tuteja pointed out that 3 per cent economy would be effected by tightening administrative and financial controls, besides, ensuring there were no "overdrawals" of power.

The PSEB, the Chief Minister said, would not make any fresh appointments in any category of employees.

Mr Tuteja said postings and transfers were already banned. The same order would be strictly adhered to.

The BJP minister, Mr Balramji Das Tandon, was also present at the press briefing called at short notice at the Chief Minister's residence. He expressed his "satisfaction" over the revised hike: "If industry is happy, so are we". Both Mr Tandon and Mr Parkash Singh denied any differences between the coalition partners on the power tariff issues.

When a correspondent remarked that the CPI was agitated over the power hike, Mr Parkash Singh retorted by saying "Should we introduce the power tariff prevailing in West Bengal." The PSEB chairman, read out the comparative rates between Punjab and West Bengal. He stressed that Punjab still had the lowest power tariff in the country.

Rane ministry dismissed

PANAJI, July 29 (PTI) — In a dramatic twist to the political crisis in Goa, the Congress ministry headed by Mr Pratap Singh Rane was dismissed late tonight and breakaway Congress leader Mr Wilfred De Souza was swiftly sworn in as the new Chief Minister at the head of a coalition that includes the BJP.

Governor Lieut-Gen (retd) J.F.R. Jacob said he sacked the Rane ministry after being convinced that it had lost the majority.

"After considering all options, I took the decision in the interest of the people of Goa," he told a hurriedly-called news conference at the Raj Bhavan.

The dismissal of the three-and-a-half-year old Rane government climaxed two days of political turmoil triggered by a split in Congress and 10 breakaway party MLAs forming a separate outfit headed by Mr De Souza who was deputy to Rane in the previous ministry.

Official sources in New Delhi said the Governor had acted under Article 174 of the Constitution which empowers him to decide on local political situation and the Centre was in no way involved in the decision-making.

The new three-party ruling coalition consists of the Goa Rajiv Congress, the Maharashtra Gomantak Party and the BJP.

Mr De Souza said after the swearing in that his ministry would be expanded tomorrow but did not specify its size.

The Congress reacted with anger and shock at the Rane ministry’s dismissal saying the Governor’s action was "unjustified".

Mr Rane had only yesterday "secured a vote of confidence," party spokesperson Girija Vyas said in Delhi.

Earlier, the BJP had demanded the dismissal of the Rane ministry accusing him of flouting the Governor’s directive and resorting to "disqualification" of rebel Congress MLAs to win a confidence vote.

During two days of high drama in the assembly and outside, the Rane claimed to have won a vote of confidence ordered by the Governor after the breakaway Congressmen formed "Goa Rajiv Congress" and met Mr Jacob along with opposition leaders alleging Rane ministry had been reduced to a minority and staking claim to form an alternative government .

The crisis deepened when Mr Rane claimed to have a vote of confidence yesterday after the Speaker Tomazinho Cardozo restrained the breakaway Congress MLAs from attending the House, a decision hotly contested by De Souza and the Opposition.

Mr De Souza claimed 23 MLAs decided to form a new group which consisted of the Goa Rajiv Congress (10), the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (eight), the BJP (four) and an Independent John Manual Vaz.

The 71-year-old De Souza, a surgeon by profession, had been the Chief Minister of Goa twice in the past — between May, 1993, and March, 1994, when his ministry was dismissed only to be re-installed a month later.

When the Congress returned to power in November, 1994, assembly poll, he became the Deputy Chief Minister.

First elected to the assembly in 1974, Mr De Souza had held several Cabinet portfolios between 1989 and 1993 before becoming the Chief Minister.

Massacre rocks Houses
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, July 29 — Smarting under criticism of the Opposition in Parliament over the massacre of 18 members of a particular community in the Dodder region of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishna Advance, today announced that the government had prepared a strategy to crush Pakistan’s proxy war in the valley.

The massacre rocked both Houses of Parliament during zero hour with the entire Opposition condemning the government for its failure to prevent it. Some members even demanded the resignation of the Home Minister.

BJP MP Stay Pal Jan said in the Lok Sabha that there should be no politics over bodies and militancy was not something new to the country. Being associated closely with Punjab during the height of militancy, Mr Jain said his experience was that the militants had a definite objective in unleashing violence on a particular community as they wanted to divide people. He said Mr Advani, unlike his predecessors, had the courage to visit the troubled valley and the entire House should support the government in combating terrorism.

Responding to a 100-minute discussion in the Rajya Sabha, during which members demanded that the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, who was in Colombo for the SAARC summit, should take up the matter with his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Advani said "India would crush Pakistan’s proxy war and the internal enemies supporting it."

Mr Advani informed the House that the Union Home Secretary, Mr B.P. Singh, the Border Security Force Director General, Mr Ram Mohan, and the Director-General (Military Intelligence) had rushed to Doda to take stock of the situation. He said three more companies of paramilitary personnel had been rushed to the region today.

The Home Minister said the government had ample information that the proxy war was being abetted by "our own people" in several pockets of the country and these internal enemies were being identified and action would be taken against them.

Mr Advani said the entire administration and the police should not be blamed, and cited the example of Punjab where militancy was wiped out by the administration with the cooperation of people.

No government could prevent isolated incidents from taking place, Mr Advani said, adding firm administration and strong policing had to a large extent kept a check on the activities of militants.

The Home Minister said 388 militants, including 65 foreign mercenaries, had been killed in encounters while a total of 545 foreign militants had been arrested till July this year.

On the suggestion of the Chairman, Mr Krishan Kant, and other members that the sentiments of the House should be conveyed to the Prime Minister in Colombo, Mr Advani said he would do so.

The Home Minister refuted allegations that India was also involved in creating problems in Pakistan.

Earlier, raising the issue during zero hour, which finally turned into a full fledged discussion, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress said there had been a spurt in militancy, particularly in Doda and Udhampur districts in the past four months and the government had failed to take any effective steps to counter it.

He said contrary to Mr Advani’s assertion earlier in Kashmir that the government would take the strictest measures to flush out militants from the area, the presence of security forces in the region had been cut by half to what it was in 1995-96.

Mr Azad suggested that village defence committees should be strengthened by providing them sophisticated weapons to counter the weaponry of militants.

Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra of the BJP said there was conclusive evidence that Pakistan was waging a proxy war in the valley with the help of ISI agents and mercenaries.

Mr Venkaiah Naidu expressed concern about the presence of certain "inimical" elements in the state administration and police and said it was a serious problem and steps should be taken to weed them out.

Mr B.S. Ramoowalia said the killings were a strategy to create chaos in Jammu and Kashmir and said the common man, as in the case of Punjab, should be involved in the fight against militancy.

Dr Karan Singh of the National Conference said a cantonment should be established in Bhaderwah and the Rapid Action Force should be deployed in the sensitive areas.

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, the leader of the Opposition, Mr Sharad Pawar, said both the Hindus and Muslims were being targeted by militants and expressed concern about the reduction of security forces’ strength in the region. He said there was need for firm steps to fight insurgency in the region.

Mr Rajesh Pilot said the Home Minister had talked of a pro-active policy in curbing militancy in the state and demanded to know what action plan the government had in this regard. He said the Home Minister should make a statement about this in the House.

Mr Basudeb Acharya said ever since the new government came to power, the incidents of violence had increased. He charged the Centre with being inefficient and incapable of handling the situation.

Mr Bal Ram Jakhar said terrorism should be crushed in the state and wondered why human rights organisations did not take cognisance of the activities of militants.

Dr Subramanian Swamy said a government which could not protect its own people had no right to continue and demanded the resignation of the Union Home Minister.

Mr Arif Mohammed Khan made an emotional appeal to the government to crush terrorism in the state and criticised it for its inept handling of the situation.

Mr Saiffudin Soz said it was the responsibility of the Centre to keep a vigil on the country’s borders and said it was wrong to blame the state government for the killings in the Doda region. He said the state government with a handful of policemen was in no position to fight militancy in the state.

The Union Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Madan Lal Khurana, assured the House that the Home Minister would make a statement tomorrow. He chided Opposition members for criticising the government instead of criticising the action of militants. He said the Kashmir problem was not a mere law and order problem but insurgency. He said the government was determined to wipe out terrorism in the state.

Meanwhile, the Congress has condemned the killings at Doda and said these exposed the "hollow claims" of the Union Home Minister on providing adequate security in the region.

"The massacre of 18 persons in two villages in Doda is the fourth dastardly act by militants since the BJP came to power. The repeated killings have sent shockwaves in the area. People are fleeing and the administration has failed to protect them," party spokesperson Girja Vyas said here today.

She said after the last incident, Mr Advani had visited the troubled spot and stated that Doda area was "not so vulnerable".

"The latest killings only indicate the helplessness of the administration and show that the central government has failed on all fronts," she said.

Meanwhile, Kashmiri Pandits held a demonstration here today in protest against the massacre of 18 persons in Doda.

While condemning the massacre, the demonstrators said it reflected the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

"The promises made by the Farooq Abdullah Government have been proved to be hollow. There is no safety of our people and despite the recent killings in Doda, the government failed to take major steps to beef up security in the sensitive area. The latest killings could be averted", a demonstrator said.

The demonstration was organised by Panun Kashmir.

The demonstrators demanded minority status for Hindus in the state and recognising Kashmiri Pandits as internally-displaced people.

2 suspected Doda firing militants shot
Tribune News Service and agencies

JAMMU, July 29 — Two militants, suspected to be involved in yesterday's massacre at Saranwa and Thakarein-Hor villages in Doda district, were gunned down early this morning in a joint-operation by security forces near Saranwa.

A defence spokesman told UNI here that after yesterday's killing of 16 persons in the two villages in Kishtwar tehsil of Doda, a joint search operation was launched by personnel of Rashtriya Rifles, the Border Security Force and the Jammu and Kashmir Special Task Force.

A joint-search party was fired upon by militants this morning at a place, about two km off Saranwa. When the security personnel returned the fire, two militants were killed on the spot, he said.

He said the combing operations were on to nab the other militants.

Meanwhile, the police said the curfew continued today in Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah and some other areas as a precautionary measure and no untoward incident was reported so far from any part of the district.

Senior police and administrative officials camping in the area. Union Home Secretary B.P. Singh, Director-General of the BSF E. Rammohan and Chief Secretary of the state Ashok Jaitly visited Doda today to assess the situation after yesterday's killings.

Meanwhile, militants delayed the cremation of eight bodies today when they resorted to heavy firing from hill tops overlooking Srawan village where the insurgents carried out the carnage yesterday. The bodies of the other eight killed in militant fire had been cremated last evening at Thakral village.

When a police party moved from Kishtwar to Srawan, 35 km from the town, they came under heavy fire midway. The police returned the fire and additional companies of security forces were rushed to the spot to allow passage for the police to reach the village for supervising the cremation. It was after two hours of exchange of fire that the guns of the militants fell silent and the police reached Srawan for ensuring an incident-free cremation.

For the second day today, tension gripped Doda district and no relaxation in curfew was given in Kishtwar and Bhaderwah towns. The Army and police and paramilitary forces patrolled the twin towns to enforce the curfew. The local BJP leaders have expressed their displeasure over the way the Centre and the state governments were handling the volatile situation in Doda district.

Several BJP leaders have rushed to Kishtwar to assess the situation and messages have been sent to the Centre, blaming it for having delayed sending additional security forces to Doda district. A large number of people in Kishtwar and Bhaderwah, who have been traditional BJP supporters, have been critical of the Centre on account of its procrastination over declaring Doda district a disturbed area. The BJP leaders are in favour of giving sweeping powers to the Army to handle the situation in Doda district and that the Centre be given control on the security affairs in the district.

Meanwhile, two Army jawans were killed and four others wounded when an improvised explosive device exploded in the Swani-Darz area of Poonch district today, official sources said here.

An Army vehicle was also damaged in the blast, the source said.

SRINAGAR: The security forces have apprehended a top militant of the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit in Hapatnar area which falls close to the Khannabal-Pahalgam road, the main route for the Amarnath pilgrims in south Kashmir.

Disclosing this at a press conference here today, Maj-Gen R.K. Kaushal, GOC, Victor Force of the Army, operating in South Kashmir, said that the catch was important for the fact that militants had been putting "all their energies to disrupt the ongoing" Amarnath Yatra. He added that the militants had also imposed a "ban" on the yatra. The "ban" imposed by "Harkatul Mujahideen" was also supported by two other groups of the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Toiba as the Harkatul Mujahideen claimed to be the representative group of all the three militant organisations.

Identified as Mukhtar Khan, Battalion Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, he engaged the troops of 3 Rashtriya Rifles (3RR) in about four hours gunbattle. His five other associates have escaped from the site of the encounter, in Nagbal village of Hapatnar area near Aishmuqam on the Khannabal-Pahalgam road. A resident of Batakote village, Mukhtar Khan had been wanted in many cases of militancy including an explosion of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Batakote two years back in which two security force personnel had died. He gave slip to the security forces at least four times before he was captured at Nagabal on Saturday last.

Two Army jawans and two militants including a foreign mercenary, were killed and three jawans injured in an encounter at Chak-e-Sudal near Vilgam in Kupwara, official sources said today.

The jawans who died in the encounter last night were identified as Kulwinder Singh and Lakhbeer Singh, while one of the two slain militants was identified as Ghulam Ahmad Lone, the sources said.