J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Mufti not to contest Pampore bypoll
Jammu, February 2
The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has decided not to contest the Assembly election from the Pampore constituency or any other place, but to get himself nominated a member of the legislative council (MCC) to fulfil the constitutional obligation of becoming a member of either of the two Houses of the legislature within six months of assuming the office.

Two cricket bats, seized from two militants, in which cavities concealed Rs 6 lakh and one wireless set. Weapons and ammunition were also seized from the militants arrested soon after infiltrating into Jammu from across the border at Poni Chak, 12 km west of Jammu.

J&K civic body poll may be held in April
Jammu, February 2
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today that the government was contemplating holding elections to municipal corporations, municipalities and other civic bodies in the state in the last week of April.

BSF officer, two militants shot
Srinagar, February 2
An Assistant Commandant of the BSF and four militants were among six persons killed in separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir since last night, an official spokesman said today.

Mufti not to contest Pampore bypoll
S. P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 2
The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, has decided not to contest the Assembly election from the Pampore constituency or any other place, but to get himself nominated a member of the legislative council (MCC) to fulfil the constitutional obligation of becoming a member of either of the two Houses of the legislature within six months of assuming the office.

In an exclusive interview with this correspondent here today, the Chief Minister said he would not contest the Assembly election from Pampore where the seat fell vacant following the assassination of PDP MLA Abdul Aziz Mir by terrorists. The son of Abdul Aziz Mir Mr Zahoor Mir, would be the party’s candidate for the seat for which the byelection would be held on February 26.

The Chief Minister is not a member of any of the Houses and was made the Chief Minister of the coalition government following an understanding with the Congress.

His announcement that he would not contest from Pampore and would become an MLC has set to rest speculations in political circles.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who is impressed by the development that Himachal Pradesh has made in the fields of horticulture and involvement of private sector in power generation there, said Jammu and Kashmir would follow in the footsteps of Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal in tapping the power potential through the participation of private sector. Mini and micro hydroelectrical projects worth 250 mw had been identified for being executed through private parties. Bigger projects would also be identified soon so that the power scarcity was removed and the state earned a handsome revenue, he added.

He has a complete understanding with the Centre on dealing with the situation in the state and the reports of differences were untrue, he added.

Replying to a question about the challenges his government has been facing, he said restoring peace in the state was a million-dollar question and socio-economic problems of the people had to be addressed on a priority. Effective steps had to be taken to change the mindset of the people who had suffered militancy for 14 years.

He said all political parties should evolve a national consensus to solve the Kashmir problem and should not lose the opportunity that had come following the recent Assembly elections.

It has been ordered that all recruitments to government jobs should be made on merit and the ministers and politicians shall not interfere in the process. This will build confidence among the people. There will be no frequent transfers of employees, he added.

The Chief Minister denied allegations that he was trying to break the National Conference. He said the National Conference had enjoyed power for nearly 27 years since 1975 and should now play the role of a constructive opposition.

He said a Rs 100-crore project to improve horticulture in the state would be launched and fruit processing units like those in Himachal Pradesh would be established. The third grade apple would be procured through market intervention and utilised for processing. Fruit production in the Jammu region would also be encouraged on commercial lines.

The Chief Minister said the drought situation would be overcome by installing sprinkles and lift irrigation schemes. The decision for improving the horticulture would be finalised at a conference here on February 4.

J&K civic body poll may be held in April
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 2
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said today that the government was contemplating holding elections to municipal corporations, municipalities and other civic bodies in the state in the last week of April.

Addressing a meeting of the Jammu Citizens Council here, the Chief Minister said the coalition government wanted to empower the civic bodies by restoring their representative character.

The institutions were taken over by the administration 20 years ago. Though the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act was passed about two years ago, the status of municipalities in Jammu and Srinagar would be upgraded to corporation now.

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said the Housing and Urban Development Department was already looking into the issue relating the delimitation of wards and the process would be completed well before the electoral process for corporation elections.

The Chief Minister also announced that the Centre had communicated to him that the cut imposed on power supply to Jammu and Kashmir from Northern Grid due to fog had been withdrawn and increased power supply would be restored from tomorrow.

With this the Power Development would be able to enforce the earlier schedule of only four-and-a-half hour power cut in the state. He also announced a special grant of Rs 2 crore for the beautification of Jammu city.

BSF officer, two militants shot

Srinagar, February 2
An Assistant Commandant of the BSF and four militants were among six persons killed in separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir since last night, an official spokesman said today.

A self-styled district commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit, Mohammad Zakaria alias Abu Huzanfa, and Vakas Afghani of Rawalakot in Pakistan were killed in an encounter with BSF troops at Gousia colony in the Bemina locality of Srinagar, the spokesman said.

He said troops of 193 Battalion led by Assistant Commandant Mukesh Bisht observed suspicious movement of a person on a bicycle in the area last evening. He was asked to stop but he opened firing while fleeing.

The officer was seriously injured in the firing, however, gunned down the militant before succumbing to his injuries.

A German pistol, its one magazine, five hand grenades, a wireless set and a fake election identity card bearing the ultra’s name as Niaz Ahmad Sheikh, son of Abdul Gani Sheikh of Kuchmulla-Tral were seized from him, the spokesman said.

In another incident, the spokesman said BSF troops killed another militant identified as Mohammad Shahjad of Gujranwala in an ambush at village Sheikhpora in Badgam district of the central Kashmir.

A local militant, Khursheed Ahmad Peer was killed in an encounter with security forces during search operations in the Sopore area of Baramula district in north Kashmir.

A hideout was also busted during the operation and six under-barrel grenade launchers, 10 detonators, a wireless set, a remote control device and some explosive material were recovered, he said.

He said a Pakistani militant was killed by the security forces at the Kanachak area of the Jammu region. A security jawan, who was injured in an encounter with militants at Bharat in Doda district on yesterday, succumbed to his injuries today. A teenaged boy, Fida Hussain sustained serious injuries when a grenade exploded in his hand at Bandipora in Baramula district today. Jammu: The police on Sunday foiled a major subversion plan by arresting two dreaded militants belonging to the Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr P.L. Gupta, told newspersons this evening that Dilawar Ahmed from Banihal and Mudasar from Shopian in South Kashmir, were arrested soon after infiltrating into Jammu from across the border at Poni Chak, 12 km west of Jammu.

They were carrying two cricket bats in which cavities had been carved out to conceal Rs 6 lakh. One wireless set was also seized from one of the cavities on the bats. Weapons and ammunition were seized from the militants.

Mr Gupta said the militants had infiltrated into the Jammu sector for establishing hideouts for other infiltrators and prepare a base for carying out armed strikes against the security forces and political leaders. PTI, OC

Budget session from Feb 24
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 2
The Budget session of the state legislature will commence from February 24 and will last up to April 7. The Budget will be presented on March 3.

According to the provisional calendar issued by the Speaker Legislature Assembly, Mr Tara Chand, the Governor will address the joint session of the legislature on February 24.

Private members’ resolutions will be taken up on March 4 and April 4, while private members bills would be taken up on April 1 and April 5.