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Wednesday,
July 23, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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Geelani to quit Hurriyat
Conference Attacks bid to derail peace process,
Attack to protest
Fazal-ur-Rahman’s remarks |
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Militants kill DSP in
Rajauri
One injured in firing
CM for preserving Ladakh
culture Mediclaim scheme made
optional
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Geelani to quit Hurriyat
Conference Srinagar, July 22 “There is no justification to return”, Geelani told The Tribune adding that the APHC had failed to take action against the Peoples Conference a constituent of the conglomerate. He reiterated his demand for an action against the Peoples
Conference. He told that the Peoples Conference of the former APHC leader, Abdul Ghani Lone, now headed by his son, Sajjad Ghani Lone, participated in the Assembly elections. As a public meeting at Beerwah in Budgam district yesterday, the Jammat leader made his stand clear. Expressing concern over the approach of Hurriyat leadership towards the Peoples Conference, Geelani clarified his stand on the resolution of the Kashmir issue through self-determination under UN resolutions. The meeting was as part of his month-long mass contact programme, launched in Sopore on July 4, following his decision to stay away from Hurriyat meetings till action was taken against Peoples Conference. Geelani has not been attending meetings of the executive committee of the Hurriyat Conference since his release from jail in April last. The differences came to the fore when Jammat-e-Islami nominated advocate Sheikh Ali Mohammad to be its representative in the Hurriyat executive in place of its permanent member, Geelani on health grounds. Later, Jamaat’s representative also stayed away from the APHC meetings. Election of Maulvi Abbas Ansari as new chairman of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference
(APHC) was also held in absence of the Jamaat representative. Only six other constituent members of the executive committee elected the new chairman. Maulana Ansari has been claiming that the Jamaat’s absence was due to the forthcoming election of its chief or “Amir”, to be held on August 27. Reacting to Geelani’s stand, APHC chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari said that the issue of Peoples Conference participating in the elections was discussed by the members. He said that those found guilty had already been expelled from the Peoples Conference. Ansari also referred to the participation of Abdul Khaliq
Haneef, once a close associate of Geelani, in the Assembly elections. Haneef had contested from Sonawari constituency in Baramula district. Maulana claimed that in such cases no action was to be taken for they stood expelled from the party membership. Ansari hoped that Geelani would return to the Hurriyat fold after the Jamaat chief’s election was over. The Jammat chief’s election for which Syed Ali Shah Geelani is also among those being considered, may explore the new trends in separatist political circles in the valley. Syed Ali Shah Geelani is also expected to announce his new platform in the first week of next month. |
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Attacks bid to derail peace process, says
Mufti Jammu, July 22 The Mufti, Swami Chinmayanand and Mr Chaman Lal Gupta, Minister of State for Defence, who had come here to take stock of the situation following the two terrorist attacks near here, were talking to mediapersons separately here. The Minister of State for Home, Swami Chinmayanand, the peace initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir would continue. The terrorists had triggered the blasts at Katra during the Amarnath pilgrimage to derail the peace process and communalise the situation. Attacking pilgrims was intended to trigger communal clashes and disrupt peace in the state which was speedily returning to normalcy. The Mufti said the people’s determination to overcome the challenge of terrorists was the biggest factor against the militants. He said such incidents would not derail the peace process. When Pakistani hawkish leaders like Mr Fazalur Rehman had understood the significance of peace for the betterment of their people and were now pursuing an agenda for a dialogue and reconciliation, these terrorist attacks would fail to derail these initiatives. The thaw in Indo-Pak relations had a strong potential for its sustainability and it was bound to move ahead, militants’ senseless acts notwithstanding. The Minister of State for Defence, Mr Gupta, said the attacks showed desperation among the terrorists as normalcy was returning to Jammu and Kashmir. SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference patron Farooq Abdullah has condemned the attack on Vaishnodevi pilgrims at Katra. In a statement released here on Tuesday, he said the killing of innocent persons was unpardonable in any civilised society. He expressed his grief over the deaths of the pilgrims and extended his sympathies to the families of the deceased. |
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Attack to protest
Fazal-ur-Rahman’s remarks Jammu, July 22 The attack on the camp was carried out to protest visiting Pakistani opposition leader Fazal-ur-Rahman’s remarks that the Line of Control should be converted into a permanent border and the Kashmir issue should be resolved within the framework of the Simla agreement, a hand written press note faxed by the outfit from Srinagar to PTI office here said. Al-Shuhda Brigade wants to make Rahman realise that his statements would have no bearing on “jehad” in Kashmir, the outfit said. “We are of the view that self-seeking Muslims have always damaged the cause of Islam and Fazal-ur Rahman is the chip of the old block. He has hurt the feelings of Kashmiri Muslims,” it said. Informed sources said Al-Shuhda was only a cover name used by LeT to avoid international criticism. The outfit had used such cover names earlier in the past. Interestingly, Pakistani weekly “The Friday Times” had reported last week that militant groups like Lashker were baffled with the visit of Rahman to India. —
PTI |
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Militants kill DSP in Rajauri Jammu, July 22 DSP Varinder Singh Jaipuria of Irp 5th Battalion was on his way to Shadara Sharief from the Thanamandi area for some work when the militants hiding in the area opened fire at his vehicle, the sources said. Jaipuria, who was seriously injured in the firing, managed to reach his camp and was rushed to hospital along with his driver Abdul Rahman, who also suffered injuries, they said, adding that the DSP died later. Two youths, belonging to the Sikh community, were critically injured when some unidentified persons fired indiscriminately in the Goal Poli area of Jammu today, police sources said. Srinagar: Security forces busted two hideouts and arrested two militants of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen in overnight raids, official sources said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, in a major success, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel recovered explosives, grenades and detonators near the Civil Secretariat early on Tuesday. A BSF spokesperson said troops of 72 Battalion, on a tip-off, conducted searches at Chhota Bazaar, half a km from the secretariat, on Tuesday morning. After a thorough search, the troops finally found the arms cache near the Shaheed Gunj police station. A major tragedy was averted on Tuesday when the police defused a powerful explosive device, planted by militants inside a two-wheeler, at a busy crossing in downtown Srinagar, a police spokesman said. The explosive-laden scooter was parked by militants near Zindshah Masjid in the Rainawari locality and was noticed by a police party patrolling the area, the spokesman said. —
PTI |
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Pilgrims continue journey Jammu, July 22 “Can you help me in my journey to the Vaishno Devi shrine. I want to bow my head and seek blessings for my wife, who is ailing for the past five years,” Santokh Sakhi, who survived the blast with a fractured arm and multiple leg injuries, asked Minister of State for Home Swami Chinmayanand, when he visited them at the GMC hospital, here today. One of the 48 injured in the blast, in which six pilgrims were killed, Sakhi said, “I do not fear terrorists. They can-not stop us from visiting our Mata Sheranwali by these cowardly acts”. “I have come here to meet the Mata. I will visit the shrine before leaving for my home in Gandhinagar in Gujarat”, said Rita Devi, another injured in the blast. Overwhelmed by the response of the injured pilgrims, Minister of State for Defence Chaman Lal Gupta, who accompanied Mr Chinmayanand to the hospital, said the yatra had not been stopped and was resumed after a gap of just one and half hours last night. He said 8,000 pilgrims had left for the shrine this morning, amid beefed up security and with added enthusiasm and no fear. Expressing concern over the loopholes in the security arrangements around the Vaishno Devi temple, Mr Chinmaynand said the entire security network en route and around the shrine would soon be upgraded. He said the loopholes would be discussed at a meeting in which Chief Minister Mufti Mohd Sayeed would also take part. Mr Gupta said Pakistan was still aiding and abetting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and had trained 3,000 to 4,000 militants at the Indo-Pak border to push them into the state. “We have intensified security at borders as well as launched rigorous operations to eliminate terrorists operating inside the state,” he added. Meanwhile, amid tight security, another batch of 3,294 pilgrims left for Amarnath today, official sources said. The pilgrims left the MAM stadium in a fleet of 147 vehicles, escorted by CRPF and police vehicle, official sources said adding that security had been beefed at the 26 lodging centres and at the stadium after the attack on Vaishno Devi pilgrims. The security forces along the highway had been alerted and they were maintaining a tight vigil to thwart the ulterior designs of militants, they said. Reports from Srinagar said more than one lakh devotees had arrived in the valley for having a ‘darshan’ of the holy ice lingam of Lord Shiva. Of them 92,000 had already visited the cave shrine till last evening, the report added. —
PTI |
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One injured in firing Baramula, July 22 The villagers, who were summoned by an officer of the camp, protested after a sentry did not allow them to enter the camp, official sources said. The sentry allegedly beat up some elderly villagers and he opened fire as they were raising slogans. Shabir Ahmad, who was critically injured, was shifted to a hospital.SDM Abdul Jabbar said one villager was injured in the firing. The villagers were summoned by the officer as eight boys of the village had gone missing last week after they were allegedly harassed by the security forces of the camp, the sources said. He said the police had information that the boys had crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir. —
UNI |
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CM for preserving Ladakh
culture Srinagar, July 22 The Chief Minister said that apart from being a tourist destination, the area was a inspiration for scholars and pilgrims. Inaugurating a five-day Colloquium of, International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS) at Leh yesterday, he said, “Lord represented the living phenomeon of Budhism. The Chief Minister said while development and introduction of modern technology in the region was imperative to keep pace with the changing scenario, it was equally significant to preserve its distinctiveness and culture identity. He said Ladakh had an enviable heritage and an enormous scope for research in culture, language, art, traditions and lifestyle. He urged scholars and researchers to explore new vistas of knowledge in the area. Welcoming over 120 delegates, including 80 foreigners, to the international conference the Chief Minister invited them to visit Kashmir. He said positive developments had given a ray of hope for peace in the area. |
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Mediclaim scheme made optional Srinagar, July 22 ‘The Mediclaim scheme for the government employees announced recently has now been made optional,’ State Director (Finance) said here. The policy provides for a composite insurance cover of Rs 3 lakh for every employee, his or her spouse and two dependents up to the age of 58 years. A government employee can now opt out of the policy by writing to the Drawing and Disbursing Officer within seven days from the issue of this notification, the official said. —
UNI |
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