 |
|
|
4 cops, 2 militant
commanders shot CPM leader for ‘all-inclusive’ dialogue on Kashmir
Separatists too want to be invited for talks
Govt revives order on size of marriage party |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Jawahar tunnel opens after 15 years Rs 2 cr to be spent on works in Pulwama Accidents claim two tourists’ lives BSF IG shifted
|
|
4 cops, 2 militant commanders shot
Srinagar, May 25 An official spokesman said militants attacked a police guard at the shrine of Syed Saheb Wachi in south Kashmir last night. The notice personnel also retaliated and the exchange continued for some time. However, there was no report of any loss of life or damage to the shrine. The security forces killed Shaheen Afghani, a self-styled battalion commander, and Mohammad Ayat, deputy commander of the Al-Badr, last night at Ganderbal. Two AK rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from them. The spokesman said militants fired upon an SOG constable Mohammad Amin from point blank range at Kotwali Gali in Anantnag today. Amin and a shopkeeper, Gowhar Ahmad, were critically injured in the firing. They succumbed to their injuries before they could be shifted to a hospital, sources said, adding that the militants managed to escape. The spokesman said a militant surrendered before the authorities concerned at Bandipora in north Kashmir last night. JAMMU: Two special police officers and a constable were killed on Monday night by militants in an ambush on a police patrol party at Patimahal in Marwah-Dachhan area of Kishtwar tehsil of Doda district. Policemen were on routine patrolling at Patimahal when militants, who were hiding in the area, opened indiscriminate firing, the police said. Constable Anil Shan of Kishtwar, SPO Om Prakash of Palmar and Kuldeep Raj of Dachhan were killed on the spot. The other policemen retaliated and after a brief exchange of fire the militants fled the scene, the police said. Meanwhile, militants slit the throat of Congress activist Faiz Hussain in his house at Mohra village of Rajouri district last night, the police said. — UNI, PTI
|
|
Villagers hand over infiltrator to Army
Jammu, May 25 Mohammad Afsar (19), returned to his native hamlet in Mendhar area of Poonch district last night, the sources told PTI. He stayed overnight at his home in Barhuti village before being handed over to the Army. The youth, after going to Pakistan alongwith some of his relatives in February, 2002, was working as a helper in a Lahore-based firm for one-and-a-half years, they said. According to the youth, the failure to make both ends meet forced him to return. PTI
|
|
|
CPM leader for ‘all-inclusive’ dialogue
on Kashmir Srinagar, May 25 At a press conference here this morning Mr M.Y. Tarigami, MLA, and state secretary of the CPM, said that violence in the state in the past five decades only benefited the fundamentalists. He wanted bold initiatives for the sake of secularism. “We want to bring it to the notice of the Congress-led government at the Centre that Kashmir should not be treated as an isolated issue”, Mr Tarigami commented. He added that the Kashmir issue had affected national politics and history and the role of “vested interests”, needed to be broken. Mr Tarigami held that dialogue initiated by the NDA government, though for electoral considerations needed to be taken forward. This alone would lead to a meaningful and purposeful dialogue and peace in the region. Replying of questions, Mr Tarigami said that the dialogue had to be on the political-level of the two countries. He lamented that the confidence building measures, which should have been taken in Kashmir, were not taken so far. Referring to the participation of “all inclusive” parties, Mr Tarigami said that not only the Hurriyat Conference (Abbas) which held two rounds of negotiations with the central government earlier this year, but also others within and outside the democratic framework were important in any talks. He added that those who did not participate in the elections, were also important for negotiations. The CPM leader also sought a mechanism to ensures dignity and liberty of the common man in Kashmir at the hands of security forces. He sought extraordinary measures from the new central government to address economic chaos, particularly the unemployment. This, he said, was necessary in view of the destruction and killings during the past 15 years of militancy.
|
|
Separatists too want to be invited for talks Jammu, May 25 He has cautioned the Centre against ignoring moderates among the separatists. President of the Democratic Freedom Party, Shabir Ahmed Shah, too has felt betrayed by the Centre as he had not been invited despite the fact that he met Union Government interlocutor, K.C. Pant, when the then undivided APHC had boycotted Mr Pant. Mr Shah and Mr Lone suspect that by patronising only the APHC (Abbas) leaders the Centre had been trying to break separatists in small groups. Other leader who too finds himself having been ignored is the JKLF chief, Mr Mohd. Yasin Malik. Nearly four years ago the Central Government agencies were keen to initiate negotiations with him. However, the situation has changed and Mr Malik is no longer seen indulging in Pakistan bashing exercise. It is only a group of hardliners, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who are in favour of a tripartite talks. Mr Geelani wants the Centre to involve Pakistan in the dialogue. The APHC (Abbas) leaders too eye for a dialogue with Pakistan. Since Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, has announced that talks with the APHC would continue separatists including Mr Sajjad Lone and Mr Shabir Ahmed Shah seem to be watching the
developments hoping to be invited for talks. |
|
Kargil
war: He detected first enemy intrusion
Batalik, May 25 A resident of Garkone, one of the three villages famous for Red Aryan inhabitation, Tsering is extremely conscious of his virtual star-status after the Kargil war. He has been felicitated for his feat right up to the level of Defence Ministry. Even today no Army officer worth a standing leaves Batalik without meeting this man who ripped the enemy nexus apart in Jubbar hills in May, 1999. With this vital contribution, he also became the first local to give information of Pakistani intrusion during the war. Meeting the man is a challenge in itself, as he seldom comes home during the day. His son Tashi Namgyal informs The Tribune, “My father patrols all day long. He rarely returns during the day. You will have to wait till it is dark.” As the sun sets, Tsering returns to his humble abode, which proudly houses a set of five certificates, which the Army has given him in recognition of his services. The Army also gave him money, with which he bought donkeys to start his alternative business of a porter. Now he makes lakhs during the stocking season when he ferries loads for the troops in high altitude posts of the area. Recalling the events that led to the detection of enemy intrusion in the Urdas-Lungpa area of Jubbar Hills, Tsering said, “I had left my yaks to breed on the top of the mountains. One day when I returned to see if all was well with the animals, I found their numbers had reduced. Some of the yaks had been used as food and their carcasses were lying all over. I used binoculars to tab the movement of people in the area. Shortly I discovered the enemy camping in the hills. I came back to inform the Army and our forces later captured the Hill.” Ever since, Tsering has been an active source of information for the Army. He works with the troops in the area, taking them all over the hills. Familiar as he is with the terrain, his assistance is greatly valued by the Army. Tsering has also found favour with the Army because he was the one who informed about the body of a missing GR soldier in the Batalik area. He also handed over the dead soldier’s ammunition to the Armed forces near Bhadundas Nala. Happy to be in the league where officers respect him for his honesty, Tsering recently asked his son to join him in the mission. Today Tsering and his son Namgyal together provide information to the Army.
|
||
|
Govt revives order on size of marriage party Jammu, May 25 Stating this here today, the Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Mr P.S. Betab, said the order had been revived for the convenience of the masses as restrictions had been imposed on the consumption of foodstuffs and the number of guests. The Director stated that during a marriage function, a host on the bride’s side may provide food to 75 persons, excluding members of his own family. A host on the bridegroom’s side will not provide foodstuffs on more than one occasion at any time during a period of 15 days preceding or following the day of the baraat. Mr Betab said the total number of preparations to be served at any function, including marriages and other ceremonies, should not exceed five, excluding rice, wheat and flour. A host on the bride’s or bridegroom’s side will not provide for the consumption of rice, wheat, flour or meat exceeding the quantities prescribed. The Director said in the case of a baraat coming from a place other than the one where the marriage was solemnised, the host may serve two consecutive meals to members of the marriage party. The host shall furnish intimation in writing 10 days before the day of the proposed function to the authority prescribed by the government. |
|
Jawahar tunnel opens after 15 years Srinagar, May 25 The decision was taken in view of the heavy rush of tourists in the valley. However, he denied rumours that the highway had been closed after the May 23 IED blast that left 29 persons dead. The traffic on the highway was suspended for only two hours on that day. A record number of tourists, including foreigners, are expected to visit Kashmir this season. The work on the four-lane Srinagar bypass, costing Rs 168 crore, was on a full swing and a multi-national company has been given the job to prepare a feasibility report on the Srinagar-Banihal road, he added. Similarly, the company has also been asked to prepare another report on the Lakhanpore-Udhampur road, he said and added that the tunnel will also be upgraded.
— UNI |
|
Rs 2 cr to be spent on works in Pulwama Srinagar, May 25 Minister of State for Social Welfare Ghulam Hassan Khan took stock of the ongoing developmental works. The minister was also told that 208 anganwari centres in Shopian were providing nutritious food to 5,200 children of the area and Rs 9 lakh had been spent on the scheme in the last fiscal year. A sum of Rs 1 crore was being spent on the construction of a bridge in the area while Abhama bridge would be completed this year. The minister was told that the Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation
(JKPCC) would spend Rs 1.30 crore on the construction of a degree college in
Shopian. Nine primary schools were upgraded to the middle level while one middle school was upgraded to the high school level. Besides eight new schools were opened in
Shopian. — UNI |
|
|
Accidents claim two tourists’ lives Srinagar, May 25 The injured Anju Lonie Arun Suri, residents of Sirhind, Punjab, Shiran Agarwal of Talahal, Amritsar, Bandar Lal and Verinder Verman, residents of Haryana, are stated to be in a critical condition. A case has been registered.
|
|
BSF IG shifted Jammu, May 25 S.I.D. Peter, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Principal Staff), would take charge for one month till Trivedi’s replacement is made.
|
|
BDO suspended on graft charge Srinagar, May 25 The action was taken following allegations of corruption and malpractices, he added.
— UNI |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | National Capital | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
