J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Dy CM should quit, demands
Bhim Singh
Jammu, February 4
The rift between coalition partners in the PDP-led coalition government, the Congress and the Panthers Party, assumed yet another dimension when the Panthers Party chief, Prof Bhim Singh, demanded the resignation of the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, from the Cabinet.

5 persons killed by militants
Srinagar, February 4
Five persons, including a couple, were killed by militants while two released militants were among four persons injured in Jammu and Kashmir overnight. Official sources said militants entered the house of Abdul Kaliq Mir at Chewdara in Central Kashmir district of Budgam last night and fired on the inmates with automatic weapons.

Aerial survey of rail track by Governor
Jammu, February 4
Jammu and Kashmir Governor S.K. Sinha accompanied by senior Railway authorities carried aerial survey of the Railway track from Jammu to Udhampur and Katra today. He landed at Manwal and saw the bridge nearing completion over the Tawi. The Governor was apprised that 90 per cent of the work on this project including approach roads, etc had been given to local contractors.

Jha sworn in Chief Justice
Jammu, February 4
The Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Mr S.K. Sinha, today administered the oath to Justice Sachindanand Jha as the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan this evening. The Registrar of the high court read the warrant of appointment issued by the President of India.

YOUR TOWN

Jammu Srinagar

Children dressed as militants and security personnel participate in a peace rally in Jammu on Wednesday.
— Reuters

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	Offer to surrendered militants may fuel militancy, says JMM February 3, 2004
	Jammu-Srinagar highway reopened February 2, 2004
	US officials ask hardliners to join dialogue February 1, 2004
	2 LeT commanders among 10 ultras shot in valley January 31, 2004
	APHC endorses Delhi talks January 30, 2004
	APHC (Abbas) favours return of Pandits to valley January 29, 2004
	Make the most of peace: Sinha January 28, 2004
	Hurriyat’s call for strike today January 26, 2004
	Take people into confidence, says Omar Abdullah January 25, 2004

Dy CM should quit, demands Bhim Singh
Our Correspondent

Jammu, February 4
The rift between coalition partners in the PDP-led coalition government, the Congress and the Panthers Party, assumed yet another dimension when the Panthers Party chief, Prof Bhim Singh, demanded the resignation of the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, from the Cabinet.

Prof Bhim Singh told mediapersons here today that the surrender policy, under which militants who laid down their weapons would get adequate incentives, including pecuniary assistance, had been okayed by the Cabinet at its meeting here recently, which was presided over by the Deputy Chief Minister.

Earlier, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma had been criticising the Panthers Party and on a number of occasions, had suggested parting of ways with Prof Bhim Singh and his four MLAs.

The state unit of the BJP was also up in arms against the Deputy Chief Minister and the coalition government by blaming it for the surrender policy, which could encourage militants.

According to a BJP spokesman, Dr Hari Om, the state Cabinet had not followed the guidelines framed by the Centre as far as the release of jailed persons was concerned.

He said it was astonishing and intriguing that 34 jailed persons released recently had been set free without proper screening. He said earlier, 18 persons had been released only after proper screening.

Dr Hari Om alleged that the state government, in its press note, had stated that the 34 persons set free had indulged in subversive violence when the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, had announced that those not involved in any crime were to be released after screening. He said the steps being taken by the state government had sent wrong signals among the separatist camps.

5 persons killed by militants

Srinagar, February 4
Five persons, including a couple, were killed by militants while two released militants were among four persons injured in Jammu and Kashmir overnight.

The injured were admitted to a hospital. — UNI

Aerial survey of rail track by Governor
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 4
Jammu and Kashmir Governor S.K. Sinha accompanied by senior Railway authorities carried aerial survey of the Railway track from Jammu to Udhampur and Katra today. He landed at Manwal and saw the bridge nearing completion over the Tawi. Earlier, he visited Udhampur Railway station. The Governor was apprised that 90 per cent of the work on this project including approach roads, etc had been given to local contractors.

Speaking to the local civil authorities Railway officials and the representatives of Larsen and Toubro at the bridge site over the Tawi in Manwal, Mr Sinha complimented them for their work. “This project through young mountains with 20 km of tunnelling and 10 km of bridging in this sector is an engineering marvel”, he added. He directed the civil administration to prepare a plan for security of Railway traffic.

Jha sworn in Chief Justice
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 4
The Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Mr S.K. Sinha, today administered the oath to Justice Sachindanand Jha as the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court at a ceremony held at the Raj Bhavan this evening.

The Registrar of the high court read the warrant of appointment issued by the President of India.

The oath-taking ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, the Chief Secretary, Mr S.S. Bloeria, Director-General of Police, Mr Gopal Sharma, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey.