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| Monday,
January 22, 2001, Chandigarh, India   
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Malik blames trio for
derailing PM’s move
Ultras not in Musharraf’s control
End ceasefire, says Awami Conference Disband Rashtriya
Sikh Sangat: board |
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They survive on
prayers Rather stresses
financial discipline Heavy turnout for
panchayat poll
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Malik blames trio for
derailing PM’s move JAMMU, Jan 21 — “We have given another chance to the Government of India to carry the peace process to its logical conclusion by allowing the five-member team to visit Pakistan.” This was stated by the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Chairman, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat. He said, “We do not want the APHC to be blamed for scuttling the peace process by announcing the cancellation of its proposed visit to Pakistan in the wake of obdurate and indecisive attitude adopted by the Government of India, especially the Union Ministry for Home Affairs.” Professor Bhat, who has been instrumental in persuading some of the members of the executive committee of the APHC, which had its day’s session in Srinagar yesterday, not to press for cancellation of the team’s visit, said, “I am not going to change my team.” He added, “I have announced a five-member team comprising Abdul Gani Lone, Maulvi Umar Farooq, Maulvi Abbas Ansari, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Sheikh Aziz Ahmed, and it is for the Government of India to issue travel documents to these five leaders in case it wants the resolution of the Kashmir issue peacefully.” The APHC Chairman told this correspondent it was unfortunate that the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, was not being allowed to function freely. While praising Mr Vajpayee for his peace initiative he said that “hawks” in the BJP, especially the Union Home Minister, were trying to take advantage of the “moderate in Vajpayee.” He stated that these “hawks” did not realise that by blocking the visit of the APHC team to Pakistan they were “harming” the interests of India and peace in the subcontinent. Asked why the APHC leaders had opted to give another chance to the Government of India when the last time they had indicated they could not wait for an indefinite period, Professor Bhat said, “We have a lot of patience. We have to observe restaurant and fortitude in the interest of peace.” The JKLF Chief, Mr Mohd Yasin Malik, has blamed the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, and the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, for trying to “derail” the peace process. He has said in an interview that the “trio” was trying to oppose what Mr Vajpayee had proposed. “It will be seen whether Mr Vajpayee asserts his authority or bows before the trio, “he added. Another senior Hurriyat at Conference leader, Mr Abdul Ghani Lone, has made it clear that whether the APHC team was allowed to visit Pakistan or not the peace process might not be derailed. He was stated that since both India and Pakistan were under pressure from the world leaders the fate of the APHC team’s visit to Pakistan alone “cannot determine the end results of the peace process.” He said neither the denial of passport to the APHC team nor the attacks launched by the “fidayeen” could stall the peace process. The peace initiative would proceed because international opinion has started forcing New Delhi and Islamabad to come to the negotiating table. Professor Bhat has also supported the views of his colleagues saying that in case Delhi tried to create hurdles in the peace process it would lose political support from other countries. He said, “We are not keen on visiting Pakistan as we know it is not going to be a pleasure trip. We are keen to establish bridges between Islamabad and Delhi so that the Kashmir dispute is solved amicably.” His plea is that “peace be given a chance when the clouds of war hover over our heads.”
NEW DELHI, Jan 21 — The Pakistan Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf, having expressed regret over the Lashkar-e-Toiba’s (LeT) reported threat to target the office of the Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, intelligence reports point out that he is not in control of the foreign mercenaries groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir. There are indications, based on intelligence reports, that not only is Gen Musharraf facing problems trying to salvage his position internationally by keeping tabs on these groups, but the Pakistan Army as a whole is also divided over the issue of going ahead with the peace process with India. During his meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, Mr Vijay Nambiar, Gen Musharraf also reportedly did not hold out any promise to contain the militant outfits that had been making noise against the peace moves. Reports here say that the most of the ‘jehadi’ groups which the Pakistani regime had been backing are now not listening to it and are carrying on with their own agenda. On the other hand, some elements in the Pakistan army who are in touch with these groups are also not in favour of peace prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir and as such are going exactly against the brief of Gen Musharraf. Some other elements in its army, however, are going along with Gen Musharraf and as such the firing along the LoC and in the Siachen Glacier region has almost been reduced to nil. But on the whole, the situation was not under the control Gen Musharraf. As a result of these reports, sources said that there was growing speculation in New Delhi that the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Government might not be extended beyond its Republic Day deadline. There is a growing feeling that why should India keep taking the initiative when the Pakistani regime was not being able to control the ‘jehadis’. Sources in the government said that not only were these reports an indicator of the ceasefire not being extended, but also of the fact that the government was not bowing to the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) pressure, signifying that New Delhi might not be willing to give any further chance to the militants in Jammu and Kashmir. However, a final decision to this would be taken only early next week when the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meets under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. The Chief of Army Staff, Gen S. Padmanabhan, has already advocated the extension of ceasefire in the state, saying that its advantages far outweighed its disadvantages. But the NDA government would take the totality of the situation into account before taking the decision. Sources in the Government said that at present there was no question of talks with Pakistan, specially since Gen Musharraf was not in control. Reports also said that in the present atmosphere even if the government decided to hold talks with the militants, it would only be with the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) headed by Abdul Majid Dar on this side of the border. Although the APHC considers itself important in the whole scenario, the government did not consider it as an intermediary. This is due to the fact that the HM was controlling the guns and cadres in the villages of the valley and these are what the government wanted to control.
NEW DELHI, Jan 21 — The Jammu and Kashmir Awami Conference, political face of counter-insurgent Ikhwan outfit, has urged the Centre to withdraw the unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir. Disfavouring talks with militants, JKAC President Liaqat Ali said the proposed trip of the Hurriyat to Pakistan would be a futile exercise. Asserting that the declaration of the ceasefire was a good step, he said the militants had failed to reciprocate it. Claiming that the suspension of combat operations had been utilised by the militants to regroup and rearm, he warned that the state was going towards the 1991 situation. Better known as Hilal Haidar, Ali said the militants had also increased attacks on nationalist forces, including Ikhwan activists, and 46 members of the organisation had been killed during the ceasefire period. He said talks with the militants should be held only after militancy was crushed. The talks should be held from a position of strength, he said, describing the government’s approach as defensive. The JKAC chief said Hurriyat leaders were not sincere in their approach. He said even if the Hurriyat leaders were allowed to go to Pakistan, they should not be allowed to give the impression that they were representing the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Disband Rashtriya
Sikh Sangat: board JAMMU, Jan 21 — The State Gurdwara Prabandhak Board has lauded the RSS chief, Mr K.S. Sudershan, for having set at rest the controversy raised by some vested interests regarding the community status of the Sikhs. In a letter sent to the RSS chief, the board president, Mr S.S. Wazir, said Mr Sudershan had taken a bold and right stand by announcing that the “Sikhs were a separate religion.” Mr Wazir said he and his community members were grateful to the RSS chief for having removed misgivings among the Sikhs, which otherwise could have created a wedge between the two communities. The board chief, however, has requested the RSS chief to disband the Rashstriya Sikh Sangat as all doubts had been removed and there was no need for the sangat to continue. He emphasised the need for regular interaction between the leaders of different communities at the national level. Mr Wazir also complimented the National Commission for Minorities by resolving the RSS-Sikh controversy. He has supported the commission chairman’s decision to convene another meeting between the RSS and Sikh leaders. |
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They survive on prayers SIACHEN GLACIER, Jan 21 (PTI) — In this land of snow and rock, where one faces the ultimate test of endurance, the soldiers of the Indian Army have their own way of ensuring survival. In a fight against three enemies — Pakistani soldiers, the unkind weather and inhospitable terrain — beliefs and superstitions take birth. One such legend pertains to the shrine of O.P. Baba. Nobody is quite sure what the actual story behind the legendary local Baba is. But who cares ? The soldiers going to the forward posts know it as a place of reverence. No one has bothered to find out more. All units proceeding towards posts follow a peculiar ritual at his temple. In the words of Major Anil Rawat, posted at the Siachen Base Camp: “The seniormost member of the team (unit) lights a bidi and then throws it, along with the packet (of bidis), into the temple. A bottle of rum is also offered. He then salutes and gives a report detailing the constitution of the group. This is followed by a request to the Baba to take care of the soldiers. Legend has it that the spirit of the Baba cautions the soldiers of the impending avalanches and other natural calamities abounding the highest battlefield on earth. “The soldiers here are superstitious but in a positive way,” says Capt Vikram Bhan. “Many of them quit smoking and drinking beyond this point. They consider it ominous”. Abstinence as a form of penance is practised by a vast majority of the soldiers in a terrain where they combat destiny more than their uniformed foe. As they make their way up to the posts, a process which takes 19-20 days, the soldiers also pay obeisance at a Shiva temple and a local Him Baba Temple. “Almost every post has a temple”, says Major R.D. Roy. The temperatures at the forward posts range from minus 15 °C to — 50 °C at heights ranging from 5,500 metres to 7,300 metres. “We have some posts at heights of 7,300 metres and more. The temperatures here dip to even — 50 °C where an egg turns as hard as a golf ball,” says Capt S.K. Singh, just back from his posting at the Siachen Base Camp. Lack of oxygen in the rarified atmosphere makes one gasp for breath every time one attempts any strenuous exercise, he notes. “But now, things have improved with the establishment of the Manali-based Snow and Avalanches Study Establishment (SASE)”, says Brig A.K. Duggal, Commander at the glacier. The institute has set up field laboratories here and also conducts regular experiments and studies. |
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Rather stresses
financial discipline JAMMU, Jan 21 — The Finance Minister, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather, has emphasised the need of strict financial discpline, greater accountability and transparency in the working of treasuries and funds organisations in the state. Addressing the joint review meeting of the Accounts and Treasuries and Funds Organisation, Jammu division, yesterday the Finance Minister said functionaries of these vital organisations had to remain cautious, fair and truthful in their dealing. They have to be polite and considerate but firm. They should bear in mind that any slackness or lapse on their part would not only jeopardise the financial interests of the state of which they are the custodians, but would also put a question mark on their continuance in the service. The review of these organisations continued till late hours in the evening. Working of all treasuries, additional and sub-treasuries and district fund offices came up for a close scrutiny. The Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr J.A. Khan, Director, Accounts and Treasuries, Mr M.A. Lalla, Director, Funds Organisation, Mr O.P. Gupta, senior and district-level officers, treasury officers and chief account officers of funds organisation attended the meeting. Mr Rather while expressing satisfaction over the improvements in the functioning of treasuries, however, said budgetary control should be strictly adhered to, expenditures should be allowed within the sanctioned grants, no deviation from rules, budget control registers should be maintained strictly in accordance with the treasury code and instructions issued from time to time by the Finance Department. |
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Heavy turnout for
panchayat poll JAMMU, Jan 21 — A heavy turnout was reported from Kathua district where four blocks went to the polls today in the second phase of the panchayat elections. According to the Chief Electoral Officer who is the election authority for panchayat elections, an estimated 83 per cent polling was recorded in the Ghagwal and Kathua blocks. In the Barnoti block 82 per cent and in Hiranagar block 79 per cent voting was recorded. These four blocks have a total electorate of 1,53,457. Today’s polling will decide the fate of 1773 candidates. As many as 224
panchas have already been elected unopposed in these blocks. |
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