M A I N   N E W S

Modi’s presence perceived as threat to security
PM opens Inter-State Council meeting today
Satish Misra and Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 26
Even as 18 Chief Ministers arrive here tomorrow to participate in the two-day Inter-State Council meeting, the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is being perceived as a possible threat to “security, peace and communal amity”.

On conditions of anonymity, sources said the state security set-up had serious reservations about Modi’s presence at the meeting.

The state machinery, sources said, went to the extent of trying to find ways to stop Mr Modi’s arrival but the Centre conveyed that nothing could be done as by stopping any Chief Minister, the very purpose of the Inter-State Council would be defeated and negated.

In any case, Mr Modi is coming and the state machinery is taking all possible steps to keep the situation under control.

The meeting, being attended by about 18 Chief Ministers, will be chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who will address the gathering.

Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, in his introductory remarks, will focus on the inter-state relations and how the NDA government in its tenure had been careful to avoid any “misuse” of the controversial Article 356. Mr Advani is likely to stress on his government’s track record in accepting and getting implemented the Sarkaria Commission recommendations.

The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre auditorium with a welcome from International State Council Secretariat Secretary Ashok Rastogi.

The first session, between 3.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., will discuss administrative relations dealing with Chapter III of the Sarkaria Commission Report (SCR), the emergency provisions like Article 356, 357 and 365, deployment of union armed forces of the Chapter VII of the SCR, and issues relating to contract labour, contract appointments and related matters.

The following day the meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 12.15 p.m. with a vote of thanks by Mr Advani. Mr Vajpayee, in his concluding remarks, is expected to give directions to the Inter-State Council about its future agenda.

During the deliberations on the second day, an Action Plan on Good Governance will be presented and the Secretariat will submit implementation report on decisions taken by the Inter-State Council on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.

Security umbrella in valley
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 26
Tight security arrangements have been made here in connection with the two-day meeting of the Inter-State Council beginning here tomorrow, where more than 250 VIPs and other officials are converging.

The meeting, which is being held for the first time outside the union Capital will be held at the Sher-e-Kashmir Convention Centre overlooking the Dal Lake. It will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is being attended among others by Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani.

Several separatist leaders and organisations, including former APHC Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Hurriyat Conference leaders, have called for a general strike to protest against the visit of the Prime Minister and other senior leaders here. The separatists had called for a general strike in the valley when Mr Vajpayee last visited Kashmir in April this year.

The authorities here have imposed certain traffic restrictions for the smooth conduct of the meeting. Traffic on Dal Gate-Boulevard road leading to Nishat and Shalimar garden areas and some other places will remain suspended for two days. Only official and security vehicles will be moving on the road during the meeting. The movement of vehicles of mediapersons is also being restricted on the road leading to the venue during the two days.