J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

APHC firm on demand to visit Pak
Jammu, December 19
Notwithstanding known interaction between a group of separatists from the valley and those from across the LoC during the recent conference in Nepal, the APHC, headed by Molvi Umar Farooq, has not dropped its demand for permission to the Hurriyat team to visit Pakistan.

6 BJP leaders resign from party
Jammu, December 19
In yet another setback to the BJP before the crucial civic bodies elections in Jammu and Kashmir, six leaders, including Mr Chander Mohan Sharma, a former vice-president, today resigned from the primary membership of the party.

PDP worker among four killed
Srinagar, December 19
Two militants and a ruling PDP worker were among four persons killed in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, where troops recovered 23 kg of explosives, an official spokesman said here today.

Tourists enjoy Shikara ride at Dal Lake in Srinagar on Sunday. As tourism makes a slow comeback in Kashmir, authorities in the region are wooing visitors with Christmas and New Year celebrations. — Reuters

APHC firm on demand to visit Pak
M.L. Kak

Jammu, December 19
Notwithstanding known interaction between a group of separatists from the valley and those from across the LoC during the recent conference in Nepal, the APHC, headed by Molvi Umar Farooq, has not dropped its demand for permission to the Hurriyat team to visit Pakistan.

The APHC leadership has made repeated demand for visiting Pakistan with the purpose of meeting leaders of various political parties, including those who matter in occupied Kashmir, and those who head different rebel outfits for evolving a joint strategy while seeking the settlement of the Kashmir issue.

According to Molvi Abbas Ansari, a former chairman of the APHC,” our detailed meeting with leaders in Pakistan and occupied Kashmir, besides leaders of militant outfits, is necessary for securing durable peace in the region.”

He told this correspondent today that at the conference held in Nepal, a handful of leaders from both sides of the LoC were present, and as such it cannot be treated as “a purposeful dialogue between the two sides.”

Molvi Ansari said, “I am not for permission to be given only to the APHC team. Let others join us so that we have a comprehensive dialogue with our people across the LoC. Neither India nor Pakistan can sideline us, as we are a party to the dispute in which our destiny is at stake.”

In reply to a question, the APHC leader said “till date we have not received any formal invitation from Delhi for the resumption of the suspended dialogue. “The resumption of dialogue with us and permission to separatists to visit Pakistan have now become necessary if Delhi and Islamabad want to resolve the Kashmir issue and see peace restored to the region.”

“We can only hope that the dialogue process with us is resumed. We cannot beg for it. We have a stature and we cannot stoop before Delhi for securing an invitation for talks,” he said.

“I am hopeful that the Government of India will understand the ground realities and shun its rigid postures on the matter.”

He admitted that common people in Kashmir had started blaming both Islamabad and Delhi for playing “political pranks.” In this context he referred to the euphoria that had been built on the reopening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road and when the issue was discussed in Delhi by the two teams, the matter got blocked over the mode of travel on the road.

Molvi Ansari wanted India and Pakistan to show flexibility on the matter so that the softening of LoC became a reality. “If Delhi and Islamabad cannot resolve a minor issue pertaining to the reopening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, how can one expect the two to settle the complex Kashmir issue?” he asked.

The APHC leader also demanded that the ongoing reduction in troops be followed by ceasefire within Jammu and Kashmir. He said this could remove fears and misgivings in the mind of people in Kashmir.

6 BJP leaders resign from party
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 19
In yet another setback to the BJP before the crucial civic bodies elections in Jammu and Kashmir, six leaders, including Mr Chander Mohan Sharma, a former vice-president, today resigned from the primary membership of the party.

It is learnt that they have faxed their resignation letters to the party President, Mr L.K. Advani.

Others who have left the party are, Mr Sohan Lal Sharma, a former state secretary and president of the Kisan Morcha, Mr Varinder Mohan Magotra, former district president, Mr Satish Sharma, former general secretary of the district unit of the BJP, Mr Madan Lal Gupta, vice-president of the BJP local bodies cell, and Mr Rajesh Khajuria, former secretary of the BJYM.

These leaders were suspended from the party last year on the charges of participating in a function organised to commemorate 50 years of the Praja Parishad Movement in the state. But, they were still sticking with the organisations as they were given an assurance that the action against them would be reviewed. The state BJP chief, Dr Nirmal Singh, had described their participation in the function as an anti-party activity. However, further action was withheld following intervention of the party leadership at the Centre.

The BJP has already suffered badly at the grassroot level during the past few years as it had split during every election.

In their resignation, these leaders have told Mr Advani that under the present “arrogant set-up” there is a little hope of the party recovering in the state. Being true followers of Pandit Prem Nath Dogra, we have been showing utmost restraint in the broader interest of the party that has exhausted now. The situation in which we have been pushed into by these leaders has crossed all limits.

They have alleged that the present dispensation due to its “sectarian mindset” have miserably failed to inspire confidence among the people of Jammu in general and among party workers in particular. The party has lost its glory and its popularity is at its lowest ebb. The party is in shambles and its base has suffered irreparable erosion due to deviation from its known ideological stand. Despite losing the consecutive parliamentary and Assembly elections, they have not learnt any lesson.

The resignation letter indicates the groupism within the party as these leaders have pointed out that they were suspended just before the Lok Sabha election for the Udhampur seat where Mr Chaman Lal Gupta, the then Minister of State for Defence, was the candidate. No action was taken earlier until the election for the Jammu seat, where Dr Nirmal Singh was contesting, was over.

Because of the dissensions, the BJP not only lost the Udhampur seat in the Lok Sabha elections, but its strength was reduced to just one in the state Assembly as its splinter group JSM caused much damage by fielding its own candidates in the election.

The BJP had always controlled the Jammu municipality whenever elections for the civic body were held. But this time with these leaders vowing to teach the party another lesson, the BJP might face an uphill task.

PDP worker among four killed

Srinagar, December 19
Two militants and a ruling PDP worker were among four persons killed in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, where troops recovered 23 kg of explosives, an official spokesman said here today.

Militants killed PDP worker Abdul Gani Wani, 70, after dragging him out of his house at Khuripora village in the Kulgam area of Anantnag district last night, the spokesman said.

Sources said Wani, a close friend of Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar, died on the spot after being shot by militants from a point-blank range.

In a separate incident, a Hizbul Mujahideen militant died due to asphyxiation in a hideout in the Kellar forest area of Pulwama district, he said. The deceased ultra has been identified as Gul Mohammad Bhat, alias Gul Langoo.

Another militant was killed in an encounter with security forces at Sherki in the Bhaderwah sector of Doda district today, he said adding one ak rifle was recovered from him.

Official sources said in Jammu during a search operation in the Sungli area of Baderwah tehsil in Doda district, troops recovered 20 kg of explosives, 195 rounds, 13 magazines, one AK rifle, 13 detonators and some IEDs.

In a separate operation, security forces conducted a raid in the Rajouri forest belt early today and arrested one militant supporter Sain Samual, who was carrying ration and other arms and ammunition stocks to militants in the area.

The police also busted a hideout in the Sanai forest belt of Poonch district last night and recovered 3 kg of RDX, 5 UBGL grenades, two RPG shells, two anti-tank grenades, one pistol, one wireless set and two battery chargers, they said.

The Spokesman said militants tortured a woman to death after kidnapping her from her residence at Mahakund Gool in Udhampur district last night, he said.

Militants also snatched one AK rifle from constable Sajad Ahmad, personal security officer to IRCON engineer Gautam at Nayina in Pulwama district. — PTI