J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Geelani calls for strike tomorrow
Srinagar, December 4
Having been denied permission to hold a public meeting here on Saturday, the separatist Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has given a general strike call on that day to protest the government’s decision.

Grenade attack on Cong leader’s house
Srinagar, December 4
Militants made an abortive attempt on the life of a Congress leader and attacked a security vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir, while a militant was killed in an encounter in Poonch district since last night, official sources said today.

Separate panel on land records
Jammu, December 4
The Jammu and Kashmir Government today decided to set up a separate organisation for processing and settlement of land records.

Sale of liquor, meat banned
Jammu, December 4
The Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has banned the sale and consumption of meat and liquor in and around Katra town which is the base camp for the cave shrine.

Geelani calls for strike tomorrow
Our Correspondent

Srinagar, December 4
Having been denied permission to hold a public meeting here on Saturday, the separatist Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani has given a general strike call on that day to protest the government’s decision.

Addressing a press conference here today, the APHC Chairman, Mr Syed Ali Shah Geelani, said that the decision to this effect had been conveyed to his party only yesterday while it had sought permission to hold the public meet at least one month in advance. He said that the authorities had adopted delaying tactics. The meeting had been called ahead of the dialogue process being initiated between the Centre and Abbas led faction of the Hurriyat Conference. Mr Geelani claimed that he had majority support.

Referring to the dialogue process in the shaping between Abbas-led Hurriyat and New Delhi, Mr Geelani said that his party was not averse to resolving issues through negotiations. But, he added, that meaningful tripartite talks could only happen with Kashmir being accepted as disputed. “We are not opposed to talks, but these should be held to resolve issues”, Mr Geelani commented. “Some people amongst us are eager to hold dialogue with Delhi, but it is only a futile exercise”, Mr Geelani said, referring to the Abbas-led factions stand on the offer of talks from the Centre. He added that such a process would not yield any results as Delhi believed that “Kashmiris are our own people”. By virtue of this process, as Pakistan one of the three parties to the dispute, was being neglected, Mr Geelani added.

He also expressed resentment against the healing touch and other policies of the state government, adding that the killing of innocent persons was continuing. He expressed the hope that international community would extend its all support to the ‘freedom struggle’ in Kashmir and held that Pakistan extended its moral support to the people of Kashmir in accordance with their aspirations.

Grenade attack on Cong leader’s house

Srinagar, December 4
Militants made an abortive attempt on the life of a Congress leader and attacked a security vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir, while a militant was killed in an encounter in Poonch district since last night, official sources said today.

Militants hurled a grenade on the residence of Congress Baramulla unit president Ghulam Nabi Monga at Sherwani Colony in Baramula township last night, but none was hurt in the attack.

The explosion shattered windowpanes of his residence and glasses of his car, sources said, adding that Monga, who unsuccessfully contested last Assembly poll, was present in the house along with his family members at the time of attack.

An unidentified militant was killed in an encounter with the security forces during search operations at Dara Sangla in Poonch district last night.

Encounters also broke out at Malwan in Anantnag district and Sogam in Kupwara district this morning. However, further details of the encounters are awaited.

Militants detonated a landmine on the main road at Pinglish near Tral in Pulwama district of south Kashmir early today with an intention to target a passing security vehicle. However, none was hurt in the blast.

A Hizbul Mujahideen militant, Mohammad Shafi Sheikh was nabbed by the Army from the Sopore area of Baramula and a pistol, one magazine, eight rounds and two hand grenades were seized from his possession.

JAMMU: Army troops shot dead a militant in a fierce gunbattle in which two others, including an Army personnel, were injured in Surankote hills of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, official sources here said.

Troops launched an operation in Khooni Nallah-Dara Sangla forest belt of Poonch district on a tip-off about the presence of a group of militants in the area on Thursday morning.

During the searches, an encounter took place in the area in which one militant was killed while two others were still in the cordon as the encounter was on when the reports last came in.

The seizures made from the slain militant included one AK rifle, one radio set and three AK magazines.

The two injured persons, a guide and an Army jawan, were hospitalised. — PTI

Separate panel on land records
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 4
The Jammu and Kashmir Government today decided to set up a separate organisation for processing and settlement of land records.

The organisation will be headed by a settlement commissioner.

According to the Revenue Minister, Hakim Mohammad Yasin, the organisation will complete the settlements pending for the past 18 years.

At present settlement work is in progress in 20 teshils of the state of which eight are in Jammu and 12 in Kashmir.

Sale of liquor, meat banned
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 4
The Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has banned the sale and consumption of meat and liquor in and around Katra town which is the base camp for the cave shrine.

An official spokesman said here today that the restrictions had been imposed by Mr Rohit Kansal, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the board to ensure sanctity of the holy town where lakhs of pilgrims visit every year to pay obeisance to the Goddess.