J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Farooq for world pressure on Pak
JAMMU, Jan 29 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has suggested to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, that he should persuade the government of the USA, Britain, France and Germany to mount pressure on Islamabad so that Pakistan stop encouraging cross-border terrorism.

NC misusing machinery : BJP
JAMMU, Jan 29 — The BJP members of the state legislature have decided to contribute one month’s salary towards the Prime Minister’s Gujarat Relief Fund. In addition a team of BJP workers would be sent to the state to carry out relief and rescue operations. 

4 ultras among 7 killed in valley
SRINAGAR, Jan 29 — At least seven persons, including four militants, were killed in the Kashmir valley since yesterday.

Farooq for world pressure on Pak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 29 — The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has suggested to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, that he should persuade the government of the USA, Britain, France and Germany to mount pressure on Islamabad so that Pakistan stop encouraging cross-border terrorism.

During his recent meeting with Mr Vajpayee, Dr Abdullah had conveyed to him that if the American Government and other world leaders used financial aid as a weapon to force Islamabad to stop pushing mercenaries the security situation in the state could improve.

An indication to this effect was given by Dr Farooq Abdullah while addressing a public function here last evening. He said he had also apprised the Prime Minister of the need for opening a direct dialogue with Pakistan.

Dr Abdullah has firm opinion that mediators like Hurriyat Conference leaders may not be able to restore peace to Kashmir. They would not be in a position to see an end to the Kashmir issue. He is of the opinion that the 11-year long turmoil in the state was the result of Pakistan’s direct involvement in the proxy war and Hurriyat Conference leaders had no role to play in this conflict.

The Chief Minister has, of late, endorsed the Prime Minister’s peace initiative but at the same time he has opposed passive spectator attitude of the government when the Pakistan-trained militants had rejected the peace process and had escalated violence. In fact, the Chief Minister is in favour of allowing the security forces to strike against those militants who were trying to establish new bases and scaring away civilians from their ancestral villages.

Dr Abdullah today visited Kishtwar where he examined the new plan for the reconstruction of the historic Jamia Masjid which militants had torched on January 1. He discussed the security situation in Doda district with senior police and civil officers and urged them to remain alert.

NC misusing machinery: BJP
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 29 — The BJP members of the state legislature have decided to contribute one month’s salary towards the Prime Minister’s Gujarat Relief Fund. In addition a team of BJP workers would be sent to the state to carry out relief and rescue operations.

This was stated by the BJP leader, Mr D.K. Kotwal, at a press conference here today, Mr Hans Raj Dogra, Ch Piara Singh and Mr Ashok Khajuria (all MLAs) were present at the news conference.

The BJP legislators expressed deep sorrow over the unprecedented disaster in Gujarat and decided to collect cash and other essential items which would be set to the affected people. They appealed to the people of the state to donate towards the relief fund.

Referring to the ongoing panchayat elections in the state, the BJP legislators accused the ruling National Conference of misusing government machinery for “stuffing” the panchayats with the party activists and supporters. They said their demand for holding the panchayat poll on party basis had been rejected by the National Conference Government to sabotage the poll process by making it a National Conference show. They alleged that the ruling party had used musclemen and police officials to secure victory for the supporters of the National Conference.

The BJP leaders also blamed the government for increasing regional disparities in the state. They alleged that since a poor percentage of people belonging to the Jammu region had been recruited in government departments, including the Civil Secretariat, the winter capital had been dominated by Kashmiri employees and officers.

The legislators also expressed resentment over the failure of the government in tackling the ongoing electricity crisis in the state. They said that in case the government did not reduce the load shedding period the party may be forced to launch an agitation.

The BJP leaders also blamed the ruling National Conference leaders for interfering in government functions which resulted in the sacking of 1700 Special Police Officer (SPOs) in Doda district. They said instead of strengthening the SPOs and Village Defence Committees the government had reduced the number of SPOs when their demand was high in view of the activities of the militants.

4 ultras among 7 killed in valley
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Jan 29 — At least seven persons, including four militants, were killed in the Kashmir valley since yesterday.

A police spokesman said here today two militants, one of them a foreigner, were killed at Wangipora, Sumbal in Baramula district yesterday. Those killed were identified as Hafiz Abu Sanam of Pakistan and Abdul Hamid Teli of Pattan, the police said, adding that they were killed in retaliatory action. Two AK rifles, eight magazines and two Chinese grenades were seized from the site of the encounter. Two residential houses were also damaged in the exchange of fire.

Two unidentified militants were killed and a civilian was injured in an exchange of fire between militants and a patrol party of the Army and the police at Machipore, Handwara in Kupwara district. Two AK rifles and six magazines were seized from the site of the encounter. Agency reports said a jawan was killed in the encounter.

The police recovered the body of Mohammad Ashraf Khan of Pahalgam from Wuranhal, Beijbehara in Anantnag district.