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Sunday,
May 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
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Shabir’s demand gives new
dimension NC block president shot
dead Six Army men die in mishap |
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Shabir’s demand gives new
dimension Jammu, May 5 Mr Shah has said elections should be held to determine who “are the real representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir who can hold talks with the government on the future of the state.” He would wish to set at rest the controversy over the claim of many individuals and groups that they are the “genuine” representatives of the people of the state. In fact, since 1993, when main separatist political leaders, including those in the APHC, were released from detention, opportunities came their way to participate in the elections, both Assembly and the Lok Sabha. They did not do so. Instead, they gave a call to the people to boycott the poll. As a result, the polling percentage in the 1996 Assembly elections and the two subsequent Lok Sabha poll in the Kashmir valley remained poor. At one stage the APHC leaders, besides Mr Shabir Ahmed Shah, made it known that they were willing to participate in the Assembly poll provided these were held under the UN auspices. They knew that this demand would not be conceded as it would amount to the government showing loss of faith in the Chief Election Commission. The Separatists who knew that the Government of India was in no mood to accept this demand, tactfully avoided the ordeal of facing the electorate whose verdict could not be predicted. On a number of occasions, the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has announced that he will step down in case the separatists announce their willingness to participate in the elections. It is a different matter that a clever politician like Dr Farooq knew full well that the APHC would not take part in the elections, but the separatists did not accept the challenge thrown by the Chief Minister. Now the APHC Chairman, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, has yet another scheme in his mind. He has stated that his conglomerate of 23 political and religious organisations would contest the elections if there was a
referendum to enable people to decide whether they wanted to join Pakistan or remain independent or favoured the status quo. Mr Bhat’s scheme would be a step ahead of the demand for plebiscite as provided in the UN resolution on Kashmir. Under the UN resolution a plebiscite was to be held only to determine whether the people favoured Kashmir’s incorporation with Pakistan or supported the state’s accession with India. Separatists of any brand feel shy of elections because they are not sure of the voters’ mood. They have fears that once they participate in the elections, they can be defeated or they may invite the wrath of the hawks in the armed movement who will blame them for having sold the blood of several thousand Kashmiris for power. When in 1987 the Muslim United Front (MUF), a majority of its leaders are now in the APHC and others heading militant outfits, participated in the Assembly elections, it could win only five seats. Its leaders raised a hue and cry over alleged rigging. They were not totally wrong. Two of their senior leaders had told a group of newsmen in the MUF headquarters more than once that the MUF expected 11-12 seats. When this could happen when the pro-MUF euphoria was high, nobody can predict a victory for the APHC and other separatists if the elections are held now. At one stage Central Government mediators had broached the subject of APHC’s participation in the elections. Some APHC leaders had shown interest but they had suggested that first the National Conference Government headed by Dr Farooq Abdullah be dismissed and the state placed under Governor’s rule. If the APHC and other separatist leaders have trust in their strength and support among the masses, they should accept Dr Farooq’s challenge so that, at least, the controversy over real representatives of the people can be resolved. |
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NC block president shot dead Srinagar, May 5 Mr Ali Mohammed Dar, a resident of Wurpanch village of Ganderbal, was shot dead by unknown gunmen outside his house in the wee hours today, the sources said, adding that the gunmen escaped after the incident. Meanwhile, a police spokesman said the militants set ablaze the house of newly elected sarpanch Buland Khan in the Shella-Shajroo area of Udhampur district late last night. However, no one was hurt in the fire which damaged the house completely, they added. Meanwhile, a BSF jawan and four foreign militants were among six persons killed, while the security forces averted a major tragedy in the valley since last evening. The militants opened fire and fired rockets towards a joint camp of the CRPF and SOG at Bagat-e-Kanipora on the city outskirts late last night. However, there were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property. Inspector-General of Police Ashok Bhan said the security forces gunned down a foreign militant Mohammad Hayat, alias Mohammad Sadiq, of the Lashkar-e-Toiba at Chak-i-Sudal while another militant Abu Baker, a resident of Peshawar in Pakistan, was killed at Kakroosa in the frontier district of Kupwara. Three AK rifles, nine magazines, and seven grenades were recovered near the site of the encounters. Dr Bhan said the Special Operation Group of the Jammu and Kashmir police also killed a foreign militant, Mohammad Yousuf, alias Abu Khalid, at Anantnag late last night. One AK rifle, two magazines, 46 rounds and a pouch were recovered from him. The DIG (BSF), Mr R.P. Singh, said when the security forces went to storm a militant hideout at Machoo on the outskirts of the city, the militants lobbed two grenades and opened fire, seriously wounding a jawan. The jawan, who sustained head injuries, died before he could be admitted to hospital. He said the forces shot a militant who was trying to escape, he was later identified as Abu Imran of the Lashkar. Meanwhile, two youths were injured when an explosive device went off at Karnah in Kupwara last night. The injured were hospitalised and said to be in a critical condition. The security forces averted a major tragedy when they detected and defused a powerful improvised explosive device planted by the militants in north Kashmir this morning. The militants detonated two powerful improvised explosive devices at Pattan and Pampore last night, causing damage to some houses. However, no one was injured.
Agencies |
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Six Army men die in mishap Jammu, May 5 The accident occurred when the vehicle developed a technical problem following which it hit the hillside and rolled down into the gorge near Sathra village yesterday.
PTI |
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