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November 18, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Wedding to be show of Hurriyat strength Lone leaves for Pak, Farooq awaits nod 3 jawans, 9 militants killed in J&K JAMMU, Nov 17 — The Public Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohammed Sagar, today reiterated the resolve of the government to build a road network throughout the state. Reviewing the functioning of the Roads and Bridges (R&B) Department, Jammu, here today, Mr Sagar said the construction activity was in full swing in all parts of the state. |
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Ambitious plan to develop forests SSB’s publicity
drive concludes Testing facilities
for HIV Farooq’s plea on panchayat poll
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Wedding to be show of Hurriyat strength RAJOURI, Nov 17 — Right across this trouble-torn border belt, massive preparations are under way for making the wedding of the wards of two separatist leaders, Mr Abdul Gani Lone, Peoples’ Conference Chairman and senior leader of the Hurriyat Conference, and Mr Amanullah Khan, JKLF supremo, a grand show in Rawalpindi. The Pakistan-based All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), led by Mr Yusuf Nasim, is in the forefront of those engaged in giving final touches to the arrangements for the “baratis”, most of them having travelled from India, including Jammu and Kashmir. Reports reaching here from Rawalpindi said that the Hurriyat Conference along with the supporters of Mr Amanullah Khan plan to spend over Rs 1 crore on the wedding ceremony. The APHC has plans to utilise the wedding ceremony of Sajjad Lone, son of Mr Abdul Gani Lone, and daughter of Amanullah Khan for demonstrating its “strength.“ Attempts are being made to make the wedding celebrations a Hurriyat show. The wedding would be solemnised by Maulvi Umar Farooq, Chairman of the Awami Action Committee and former Chairman of APHC in Srinagar. The Maulvi would reach Rawalpindi shortly to be available for the Nikah ceremony on November 19. Maulvi Umar Farooq and Maulvi Abbas Ansari, another senior Hurriyat leader, would be travelling from Doha, Qatar, where they had gone to attend the OIC meeting. When Mr Lone reached Rawalpindi yesterday, he and his entourage, including Mr Bhushan Bazaz, a Kashmiri Pandit human rights activist and son of eminent journalist and author, the late Prem Nath Bazaz, were given a warm welcome by leaders from Pakistan and occupied Kashmir. Though Mr Amanullah Khan has preferred to make the wedding of his daughter a simple affair, his supporters and other political leaders have decided to convert the wedding into a feast and revelry of the millennium. In fact, separatists engaged in encouraging cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, are keen to show Pakistan hospitality with a warmth that is associated with the culture of Pathans. Mr Amanullah Khan is a Pathan. This was being done to allow political leaders, intellectuals and journalists from India to interact with their counterparts. The wedding ceremony is going to be a decorated stage for the people and political leaders from both the sides to exchange their views on the Kashmir issue and on the need for promoting cordial relations between New Delhi and Islamabad in the interest of peace in the subcontinent. Though the Hurriyat Conference leadership has not given any mandate to Mr Lone, Maulvi Umar Farooq and Maulvi Abbas Ansari to discuss politics, especially the Kashmir issue, political observers are of the opinion that once the leaders of the two sides meet, they would hardly discuss weather. Already Maulvi Umar Farooq has had a separate meeting in Doha with Pakistan’s Chief Executive, Gen Pervez Musharraf, and he would definitely pick up the thread that he had left in Doha. It is in this context that the Peoples Democratic Party Chief (PDP), Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, has appreciated the step of the Government of India for allowing Mr Lone to travel to Pakistan on valid travel documents. The Mufti has said that such an interaction between the two sides would usher in peace and better understanding between New Delhi and Islamabad. Reports from Rawalpindi said that Mr Amanullah Khan and his supporters plan to serve typical Kashmiri delicacies along with those in common during marriages in Pathan families to the invitees. Mr Khan has invited everybody who is somebody in Pakistan and occupied Kashmir. He has sent more than 100 invitation cards to political leaders, journalists, human rights activists and intellectuals in Jammu and Kashmir. But not more than 10 persons from the state would be present on the wedding day. The meeting of political leaders from India and Pakistan at Rawalpindi has seemingly generated new hope among the people of Jammu and Kashmir who feel beleaguered as a result of militancy-related
violence. Even in this border belt, people keep their ears tuned to radio and television sets to know the latest developments in Rawalpindi despite having been told that the Rawalpindi wedding would not cut any ice, except promoting the mingling of two cultures, one of Kashmiriyat and the other of the Punjabi-Pathan strain. |
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Lone leaves for Pak, Farooq awaits nod SRINAGAR, Nov 17 — The much publicised marriage of Sajjad Lone, son of senior Hurriyat Conference leader Abdul Ghani Lone, with Asma Khan, daughter of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader, Mr Amanullah Khan, takes place in Rawalpindi on Sunday. Mr Abdul Ghani Lone was among the last select number of people who left yesterday for Pakistan to attend the marriage. His travel documents had earlier been withheld along with those of other Hurriyat Conference leaders, for separatist activities. Over 100 others, including leaders of separatist and mainstream political parties, journalists and prominent citizens of Jammu and Kashmir are the invitees of Mr Amanullah Khan. Those invited include the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, and six of his ministerial colleagues, Farooq’s brother-in-law and former Chief Minister G.M. Shah, former Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, President of the PDP and his two daughters, Ms Mehbooba Mufti and Dr Rubiya Sayeed, who had been kidnapped by JKLF militants in December, 1990. She was later released in exchange of five top JKLF men. Dr Farooq Abdullah, was the first to disclose that he had received an invitation form Mr Amanullah Khan. His visit to Pakistan would depend upon three things — permission from the Government of India, visa from the Pakistan Embassy and his security in Pakistan. When asked whether he would advocate the case of Hurriyat leaders for grant of permission to visit Pakistan in connection with the marriage, the Chief Minister said that he would only plead his own case. A former Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who along with his two daughters has been invited by the JKLF leader, Amanullah Khan, to the marriage of his daughter, told mediapersons here yesterday, that he was ignorant about the receipt of any invitation. He, however, expressed optimism over the lenient view taken by the authorities by allowing some invitees. One of his friends who had migrated from Mirpur in Pakistan in 1947, was “able to visit his home place” after more than five decades, Mufti disclosed. He held that such an approach by the government would lead to a “good atmosphere”. The invitees of Mr Amanullah Khan from Jammu and Kashmir have been categorised into eight groups, with Dr Haider Hizazi of the JKLF as the host form Srinagar. They are separated in different groups as leaders of the Quomi Mushawarati Council; leaders of the Hurriyat Executive Council; leaders of the ruling party/government; leaders of other political parties and political personalities; intellectuals form the Kashmir valley; journalists from the Kashmir valley; other freedom lovers; and, intellectuals, political persons and journalists from Jammu. Leaders of the ruling NC who have been invited include the Speaker of the assembly, Abdul Ahad Vakil, NC general secretary, Sheikh Nazir and four ministers, Mustafa Kamal, P.L. Handoo, Ajatshatroo Singh and Mohammad Shafi. Other leaders include former Chief Minister Syed Mir Qasim, Shabir Shah, Fazal-ul-Haq Qureshi, CPM leader, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, Dr Agha Ashraf Ali, Dr Karan Singh, Mr Ved Bhasin and Mr Balraj Puri. For many others, it has to be a wait till spring, when Mr Abdul Ghani Lone, formally invites people in Srinagar to celebrate the marriage of his son. He has indicated that he would be inviting his friends and relatives in April here. |
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3 jawans, 9 militants killed in J&K SRINAGAR, Nov 17 (UNI) — Two Indian Reserve Police (IRP) jawans, a Special Police Officer and nine militants were among 13 persons killed while a woman was abducted in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours. An official spokesman said militants abducted jawans Abdul Qayoum and Yaspal Singh near Wusan village, Kunzar in Baramula district of North Kashmir late last night. The bodies of both jawans, who were posted as guards at the residence of the ruling National Conference district president were found this morning in the nearby fields. An encounter took place at Kehswan last evening during which two militants and a special police officer were killed. Three AK rifles and two pouches were seized from the slain militants. Militants attacked a security forces patrol at Donga Nullah in the Chingus sector early this morning with grenades and automatic weapons. Forces personnel retaliated and in the shootout, four unidentified militants were killed. The corpse of counter-insurgent Mohammad Amin Shah, missing since December 3, 1999, was found at Chontwaliwar forest last evening. Militants kidnapped Asha, daughter-in-law of Mr Shamas-ud-Din Khatana, whose wife was killed on November 16 by gunmen at Nagri Kalaroos in Kupwara. An encounter took place at Fermoh Gadol village in South Kashmir last night during a raid on a militant hideout. Two militants, including a self-styled battallion commander of the Harkatul-Jihad-I-Islami were killed in the clash. Two AK rifles, as many magazines, 50 rounds and two grenades were seized. Another militant was gunned down by militants at Malyam forest in the frontier district of Kupwara this morning. People at Pattan took to the streets in protest against the arrest of three youths by security forces. Demanding their immediate release, the demonstrators said the youths were arrested on November 14 after four security personnel and two militants were killed in a fierce encounter. |
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Road construction
drive in J&K JAMMU, Nov 17 — The Public Works Minister, Mr Ali Mohammed
Sagar, today reiterated the resolve of the government to build a road network throughout the state. Reviewing the functioning of the Roads and Bridges (R&B) Department, Jammu, here today, Mr Sagar said the construction activity was in full swing in all parts of the state. The minister directed the Chief Engineer, R & B to prepare a project report on a priority basis for improving the roads. A sum of Rs 10 crore for the project had been assured by the Union Surface and Transport Ministry. The minister was informed that of the 181 schemes approved by Nabard, work on 134 schemes was in progress in the sector. Mr Sagar said the R & B Department, Jammu, had been authorised to take a loan of Rs 55 crore from Nabard for upgradation of roads in this sector. |
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Ambitious plan to develop forests JAMMU, Nov 17 — The Jammu and Kashmir Government has formulated an ambitious 20-year State Forestry Action Programme (SFAP) for the development and protection of forests . The project will be implemented in four phases of five years each. It is likely to involve a whopping Rs 12,758 crore. This was stated at a meeting of the high-level committee for the State Forestry Action Programme chaired by the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly, here yesterday. An amount of Rs 2408.46 crore is proposed to be spent in the first phase, Rs 2963.13 crore in the second phase, Rs 3533.75 crore in the third phase and Rs 3853.60 crore in the fourth and final phase. Strategies have been drawn to tackle the problems being faced by the forestry sector and develop forests on scientific lines in the state. Priority areas identified for ensuring sustainable forestry development under the SFAP are protection of existing forests, reducing total demand on forests, strengthening policy and institutional framework, increasing forest productivity and expanding forests area. Detailed development projects have been planned which will be implemented within a specified timeframe. The entire forest base of the state, spreading over 20,000 sq km will be protected by undertaking various activities like surveys, consolidation, demarcation and conservation. Of these, 12000 sq km will be covered under the SFAP in 20 years at an investment of Rs 8,000 crore. Another Rs 2,500 crore will be invested to increase the production level by upgrading the degraded forests through conservation, enrichment activities and cultural operations of the natural forests. Under the scheme, an area of 12 lakh hectares will be covered. Nearly Rs 350 crore will be spent to increase the performance of the forestry sector by strengthening the policy, institutional framework and infrastructure of forests and allied departments. Adequate energy plantations and fodder resources will be created to minimise demand on natural forests for timber, firewood, grazing and other needs of the people. An area of two lakh hectares will be covered. About Rs 448 crore will be spent on these activities. |
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SSB’s publicity
drive concludes JAMMU, Nov 17 — A publicity campaign in the border areas of Jammu, organised by the Special Services Bureau (SSB), Government of India, concluded today. The five-day campaign was inaugurated at Arnia, a border area, and the concluding function was held at Marh, near Jammu, today. The Union Minister of state for Civil Aviation, Mr Chaman Lal Gupta, was the chief guest on the occasion. Mr Gupta, while speaking on this occasion, said the message of national integration should be given to the students from the beginning. Referring to the current situation in the state, Mr Gupta said. Pakistan was creating problems on the border although it has been defeated time and again. |
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Testing facilities
for HIV JAMMU, Nov 17 — The J and K State AIDS Prevention and Control Society is strengthening and establishing new blood banks with HIV testing facilities in a phased manner in the state. Similarly, the sexually transmitted diseases clinics will be strengthened. Awareness campaigns are also being organised in the state to create awareness about high risk of HIV infection. This information was given by the project director, Mr Ashok Parmar. |
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Farooq’s plea on panchayat poll JAMMU, Nov 17 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has asked people, especially women, to participate in the January panchayat elections in a big way. “If women are not elected adequately, they will be nominated,” the Chief Minister said while talking to delegations from Rajouri and Akhnoor here yesterday morning. The deputationists also apprised the Chief Minister of their problems. |
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