J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Extension of Act a blunder: APJSC
Jammu, August 12
The All-Parties Jammu Statehood Conference has called for immediate retaliation against the Pakistan offensive by “bleeding” Islamabad and its agents operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

A BSF jawan searching a private passenger bus in Srinagar on Sunday. All male passengers were made to get off the bus and subjected to identification parade as part of intensified security measures taken in connection with the coming Independence Day.  — PTI photo

After the suicide attack at Jammu railway station, in which 13 persons were killed and many others injured, the security has been beefed up with police personnel sanitising the mini-stadium at Jammu, which will witness the main Independence Day function.  — Photo Amin War

Farooq assails Pak for promoting terrorism
Srinagar, August 12
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, today assailed Pakistan’s attempts to promote terrorism in the name of “jehad” (holy war) and said violence had no room in a civilised society and democratic polity.

Dogra panel demands  Farooq’s ouster
Kathua, August 12
Hundreds of workers of the Dogra Liberation Front, Kathua, led by Mr Yash Paul Singh, held a torchlight procession here last evening.

• Dismiss Farooq govt: Bhim Singh

37 mill workers hurt in mishap
Kathua, August 12
Thirty seven workers of Chenab Textile Mills were seriously injured, when a video coach collided with the mill bus at Kharote More, Kathua, on the Kathua-Jammu National Highway today. The mill bus was coming from Kharote with the workers. 

Extension of Act a blunder: APJSC
M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 12
The All-Parties Jammu Statehood Conference (APJSC) has called for immediate retaliation against the Pakistan offensive by “bleeding” Islamabad and its agents operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

At a meeting here today, the leaders of APJSC decried extension of the Disturbed Area Act and Armed Forces Special Powers Act to the Jammu region and said instead of doing so, the government should have waged a “war” against foreign mercenaries in the state.

The conference leaders said the extension of the Acts to the Jammu region was a diplomatic blunder and would not help resolve the problem kicked by Pakistan trained subversives. They blamed both the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and the ruling National Conference for allowing the security situation to drift.

The APJSC demanded that the Farooq regime be dismissed and the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, asked to resign. The leaders argued that since 1996, when the National Conference regained power, militancy-related violence had escalated and it was the result of “misgovernance” on the part of the Chief Minister and his ministerial colleagues.

The conglomerate leaders stated the Disturbed Areas Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act would lead to harassment of local people and not foreign mercenaries. They said under these Acts, a foreign mercenary could be detained for three months while a local youth found involved in killings or any other subversive act could be punished with 10 years’ imprisonment.

They said instead the government should launch an offensive against the militants and their overground supporters by putting them behind bars. They alleged the two Acts had been extended to Jammu to divert the attention of the people who were demanding resignation of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mr Advani.

Farooq assails Pak for promoting terrorism

Srinagar, August 12
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, today assailed Pakistan’s attempts to promote terrorism in the name of “jehad” (holy war) and said violence had no room in a civilised society and democratic polity.

The Chief Minister cautioned the people to remain vigilant against the moves of perpetrators of violence who were bent upon unleashing a reign of terror in the name of “jehad”. PTI 

Dogra panel demands Farooq’s ouster
Our Correspondent

Kathua, August 12
Hundreds of workers of the Dogra Liberation Front (DLF), Kathua, led by Mr Yash Paul Singh, held a torchlight procession here last evening.

The agitated youth carrying “mashals” started the procession from Mandi Sher Singh.They raised anti-Pakistan, anti-Farooq Abdullah, anti-L.K. Advani and anti-militancy slogan and demanded statehood for Jammu.

They demanded dismissal of the Farooq Abdullah government and imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dismiss Farooq govt: Bhim Singh
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 12
The National Panthers Party (JKNPP) President, Prof Bhim Singh, yesterday demanded the immediate dismissal of the Farooq Abdullah government saying that five years of his governance had only led to increased militancy and communalism in the state.

He reiterated that Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir with the consensus of all political parties was the only solution to this problem Professor Bhim Singh wanted free and fair elections under independent observers of international repute to be held in Jammu and Kashmir to elect “genuine and legitimate” representatives of the people.

37 mill workers hurt in mishap
Our Correspondent

Kathua, August 12
Thirty seven workers of Chenab Textile Mills were seriously injured, when a video coach collided with the mill bus at Kharote More, Kathua, on the Kathua-Jammu National Highway today. The mill bus was coming from Kharote with the workers. It turned turtle and fell into a gorge following the collision.

Villagers of Kharote joined rescue operation and shifted the seriously injured persons to Kathua hospital and informed the police. Some of the seriously injured persons have been identified as Zail Singh, Chajju Bangh, Karam Singh, Om Parkash, Karnail Singh, Ujagar Singh and Kewal Singh. All belong to Kharote village. Mr K.C. Sharma, president, Chenab Textile Mills, visited the hospital and assured financial assistance to the workers and employees. The Kathua police has registered a case and seized both the vehicles.