The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Ensure youth’s ‘faith in fairness of system’
PM lauds Kashmiris for participating in poll
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 19
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who believed in the democratic process of assembly elections, would not be disappointed. He said that vast majority of the people were fed up with violence and wanted to live in peace with dignity.

Speaking on the occasion of the 16th convocation of the University of Kashmir at the SKICC here this morning, the Prime Minister said that the Central government was committed to work sincerely with the state government and give it all reasonable assistance. Mr Vajpayee held that the government in Jammu and Kashmir had taken several good initiatives and measures. He added that the elections gave a “great opportunity to build upon the positive elements in the current situation.”

“We have also started a process of talks with the elected representatives and other sections of public opinion in the State”, Mr Vajpayee said in reference to the appointment of former Union Home Secretary N.N. Vohra for holding talks with the various Kashmiri groups. Mr Vohra is arriving here on Monday for a week-long stay to start his series of negotiations with elected members of the state legislature. Mr Vajpayee held that the people of Jammu and Kashmir voted for change, good governance, faster development, more employment opportunities and above all for peace to return to the State.

The Prime Minister admitted that the governments have “often faltered in our journey towards this goal of restoration of peace and sometimes forgotten that democracy was too delicate a plant to be subjected to manipulation and mishandling. We must learn from these mistakes and resolve not to repeat them”, the Prime Minister said.

Referring to the last Assembly elections, Mr Vajpayee reiterated that the verdict was “against militancy and terrorist violence unleashed against us from across the border for the past decade and more”.

In order to prevent youth from being misled, the Prime Minister said that there was need to ensure that youth do not lose faith in the institutions, fairness of system and the rule of law. He added that good governance and effective check on corruption and nepotism were of prime importance in building new Jammu and Kashmir. He asked political leadership, cutting across party lines, to ensure that youth did not get “carried away by ethnic or religious extremism or fundamentalist ideologies”.

In his address, the Chief Minister, as also the Pro-Chancellor of the University, said that his government was committed to give a new, vibrant, modern and universally accessible educational system to the state. The improvement in academic atmosphere that the Kashmir University witnessed recently augured well for “our plans and vision”, the Mufti said.

Mr Narayana N.R. Murthy, Chairman of the Board and Chief Mentor of Infosys was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) on the occasion.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kashmir, Prof Jalees Ahmad Khan Tareen in his address dwelt on the educational scenario in the university and the affiliated colleges. He sought measures to be taken for overall development of the educational sector in the valley in particular with the establishment of smaller universities and post-graduate centres across the valley. He also demanded the establishment of a Central university in the valley, as only four universities, two academic and two agricultural universities existed in the state.

The Prime Minister later assured that the idea of establishing more professional institutions and Kendriya Vidyalayas would be considered by the Centre.

Agencies add: Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee accused Islamabad of perpetrating violence in Jammu and Kashmir for over a decade, and said. “The Centre will not allow Pakistan to succeed in its designs”

Mr Vajpayee was pleased that more and more students of the state were enrolled in other educational institutions of the country.

“I would like the Ministry of Human Resources Development and other non-governmental educational institutions to open up more avenues for these students,” he added.

Mr Vajpayee said “my current visit to Kashmir has reinforced my belief that darkness and despair are, indeed, departing; that light and hope are, indeed arriving. Indeed one such bright ray of hope was visible when the people of Jammu and Kashmir expressed their will in a heroic and unmistakable manner in the assembly elections held six months ago.”

“They gave a ringing verdict against the militancy and terrorist violence unleashed against us from across the border for the past decade and more,” the Prime Minister said.

Addressing the function, Mr Murthy said the private sector should shoulder the responsibility of development in the country along with the government.

“The Centre and the state governments like Jammu and Kashmir have their hands full and as entrepreneurs we should help in their initiatives”, he said.

The Infosys chief said there was need to create more jobs in the state legally and ethically.

Expressing gratitude for the honour, Murthy said “I stand here as a testimony that everyone of you bright, energetic and confident can succeed in the new world as men and women”.

PM lays stone of railway bridge
6 computerised reservation centres opened

Srinagar, April 19
The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, laid the foundation stone of a railway bridge and inaugurated six computerised railway reservation centres in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir here today, as bad weather forced cancellation of his visit to Qazigund where the function was scheduled to be held.

After the formal launching of the rail projects, the Railway Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, announced that the laying of railway line between Jammu and Udhampur would be completed by March next year, while the entire project of providing a link between Udhampur and Baramulla would end by 2007.

The Udhampur-Baramulla line would pass through Katra and Qazigund, which, Mr Nitish Kumar described as the “most difficult section” and said the project was being executed by IRCON and the Konkan Railways.

Stating that the mega project to be completed by August 15, 2007, would provide tremendous job opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said very high bridges and long tunnels would be constructed as part of providing the rail link, for which sufficient data had been collected through aerial surveys and satellite imagery.

“The Railways will carry out a recruitment drive in the state through the recruitment boards,” Mr Nitish Kumar said.

He said the six computerised railway reservation centres at district headquarters would enable people in far-flung areas of the state to book tickets on the entire Indian Railway network. PTI

Kashmiri students will not be harassed: PM

Srinagar, April 19
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said Kashmiri students and businessmen living in other parts of the country would not face harassment.

“I will see to it that Kashmiri students studying in different educational institutions across the country are not harassed,’’ Mr Vajpayee told reporters at the conclusion of his two-day visit to Kashmir.

Regarding the alleged killing of an engineering student by the Bombay police recently, Mr Vajpayee said, “Such things should not happen.’’

Asked if the Centre will appoint a committee to probe custodial disappearance in the valley, he said the state government should investigate the cases and come out with the truth.

Commenting on the issue, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said the figures given by the reporter were not correct.

“We will investigate every case. Some of the people, who allegedly, disappeared have crossed over to Pakistan for arms training,’’ he said. He said so far only 50 such cases were established and investigations in other cases were continuing. UNI

Centre asked to shun appeasement policy

Jammu, April 19
The Jammu Mukti Morcha (JMM), which is spearheading a movement for a separate Jammu state, has warned the Centre to acknowledge the harsh realities of the Kashmir problem and not to repeat the past mistakes of the appeasement policy.

In a statement here, the morcha general secretary, Col V.P. Sharma (retd), said the problem in Kashmir was not because of the scarcity of funds which came from New Delhi, shortfall in development activities such as non-existence of a railway line or a proper airport, unemployment, erosion of Kashmiriyat or the erosion of autonomy granted to Jammu and Kashmir state under Article 370.

The statement said “insurgency in Kashmir is a proxy war launched by the ISI and Pakistan by spreading Islamic fundamentalism. Moreover, the inefficient, non-responsive, corrupt and directionless political system prevailing in the state has also contributed to the present turmoil. The insurgency has to be fought with full determination and not with negotiations of the appeasement policy.”

He said true sufferers in the state were the residents of Jammu region as both the Kashmiri rulers and the Centre had always discriminated against them and they continue to suffer, economically, politically and socially.

Skirting massacre issue unfortunate: Pandits

Jammu, April 19
Kashmiri Pandits today expressed disappointment over Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee “ignoring” Nadimarg massacre, which claimed the lives of 24 members of their clan a month ago, in his speech yesterday.

“A great tragedy had struck the Pandit community in the Nadimarg carnage, but not a single word of sympathy came from the Prime Minister in his speech”, the general secretary of the All-State Kashmiri Pandit Conference, Mr Hira Lal Chatta, told PTI.

Alleging that it was a “non-issue” for Mr Vajpayee, he said “the Prime Minister deliberately ignored making any reference to Nadimarg in a bid to please separatists backed by Mufti government”.

NC leader and former MLC Bhushan Lal Bhat said, “Mr Vajpayee should have spoken on the Nadimarg massacre so that it could give courage to those still living in the valley.”

The Prime Minister had no words of sympathy for the Nadimarg victims or the Pandit migrants because it was the Centre’s and state’s strategy to show that everything was well in Kashmir, alleged Mr Ashwani Kumar, president of the Panun Kashmir.

Mr T.N. Khosa, president of the Kashmir Pandit Sabha, charged Mr Vajpayee with having forgotten the massacre of Pandits while advocating the cause of Hindus in his political career of over 40 years. PTI

Panel to address Pandits’ problems

Srinagar, April 19
Announcing the setting up of a committee to address the problems faced by Kashmiri Pandits residing inside and outside the valley, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today said he “deliberately” avoided mentioning the Nadimarg massacre in his public address yesterday as he wanted a new beginning in the valley.

“In yesterday’s address, I did not mention the recent killing of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley. It was not because I did no remember it but because I want a new beginning,” he told a press conference winding up his two-day visit to the state.

“A committee will be set up to comprehensively address the problems faced by Kashmiri Pandits who are still living in the valley as well as all sections of migrants from the state,” Mr Vajpayee said in a statement distributed at the Press meet.

Asked if he thinks that Kashmiri Pandits required more security in the valley, Mr Vajpayee said the state government was active on the issue and “we have had talks regarding this. PTI

Panthers Party seeks reorganisation of J&K
TNS and UNI

Srinagar, April 19
The Panthers Party chairman and MLC Mr Bhim Singh, has suggested that the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir on cultural, linguistic and geographical lines will ensure equity and justice to all regions and ensure peace in the state.

“Reunion and reorganisation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir as it existed in 1947 is inevitable as Parliament in a resolution has committed to liberate PoK from Pakistan”, Mr Bhim Singh, whose party is an ally of the coalition government, said in a representation to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The representation, presented to Mr Vajpayee yesterday, demanded the liberation of PoK and amnesty for all political prisoners and detenues, which would help restore peace and justice in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the involvement of the general masses was essential for the restoration of peace with justice in the state.

The Panthers Party demanded that the northern region headquarters of the ONGC should not be shifted from Jammu and drilling should be restarted at the places where it was abandoned.

Other demands mentioned that the Centre should include Dogri language in the eighth schedule of which the state Cabinet has already passed a resolution. The number of Assembly seats for the Jammu region should be increased to bring it at par with Kashmir and four seats should be reserved for the PoK refugees.

The memorandum also demanded grant for the implementation of the reports of the Wazir Commission and Sikri Commission.

Jaish commander killed

Jammu, April 19
Two hardcore terrorists, including a district commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and an SPO were killed while three policemen sustained injuries in two separate encounters in this region.

Police sources today said that an SPO was killed and an ultra shot while three policemen sustained bullet wounds when the security forces clashed with heavily-armed terrorists in the Kasblari area in the Mendhar sector on Poonch district last evening.

Acting on a tip-off that some ultras were hiding in the Kasblari area, the forces launched a massive operation to flush them out. In the following gunbattle, SPO Ishfaq Hussain was killed while an ultra was shot and three policemen sustained serious injuries.

Meanwhile, a district commander of the JeM was gunned down at Kalaali Morha village in the Bufliaz sector of Poonch district yesterday. The slain ultra had been identified as Abu Haris.

Meanwhile, six top militants belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen surrendered in Doda district early today, defence sources said.

Reports said the militants expressed frustration over the armed struggle, saying that it was leading to nowhere and “did not yield anything.” UNI, PTI

Militants chop off man’s ears, nose

Jammu: Militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba chopped off the ears, nose and tongue of a person in Doda hills early today after kidnapping him, official sources have said. The man, Mustaq Ahmed, was kidnapped by a group of Pakistani militants belonging to the LeT from Chatroo village yesterday. He was tortured for over 24 hours before they released him near his village early today after chopping off the organs. Villagers, who found him lying injured, took him to a police station, from where he was shifted to a hospital where his condition is said to be critical. “The aim of the militants is to spread terror among the people of Doda district,” the sources said. Militants of the LeT had chopped off the noses of six persons in Thanamandi area of Rajouri district last month. PTI

Girl killed in Pakistan shelling

Srinagar, April 19
A seven-year-old girl was killed and a house damaged in shelling by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, police sources said today.

The girl, Nazmeen, was killed late yesterday when a shell exploded outside her house in Gawalta village.

Indian troops guarding the border retaliated. However, the casualties suffered by Pakistani troops could not be immediately known. PTI