 |
|
Abdullah asks Centre to clarify on
Replace CRPF with police: traders
Omar wants to discuss autonomy with Pervez
Three Indians return via Chakan-da-Bagh
Suspense over Geelani, Pervez meeting in Mecca
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hizb commander among 5 killed
Fresh snow, dense fog
hit life in valley
GNDU winner in youth festival
Leopard killed
|
|
Abdullah asks Centre to clarify on self-rule
Jammu, December 5 Dr Abdullah, who was talking to mediapersons here, said confusion had been created in the minds of the people on the issue of self-rule or joint control of India and Pakistan on Kashmir. He said the Centre had so far failed to constitute a committee to examine the proposal of the National Conference (NC) for granting autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil, had, in a meeting in January last, said a committee would be set up to examine the proposals that would solve the Kashmir problem. Replying to questions, he said he was not aware of what Ms Mehbooba Mufti, President of the PDP, said about self-rule in Kashmir. Dr Abdullah, who is patron of the NC, asked his party men not to unnecessarily indulge in criticism of the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. Any statement of national importance should either be issued by the party chief, Mr Omar Abdullah or anyone officially nominated as the party spokesman. He was hopeful that the state government headed by Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad would take steps to remove grievances of the people and also their sufferings. Mr Azad should keep his doors open for the poor and residents of the deprived areas. He said election for presidentship of the party would be held shortly. Dr Abdullah appreciated the Army for the steps it took for rehabilitation of the victims of earthquake in the state. |
|
Replace CRPF with police: traders
Srinagar, December 5 Traders of Hari Singh High Street (HSHS), Gonikhan, Maharaj Bazar, Arai Bala and Shouda Gali protested against the alleged “indiscriminate firing” by the CRPF in response to militant attacks. Three persons including a jawan were injured as the ultras yesterday struck twice in HSHS where they hurled a grenade on a picket and later fired at the jawans after some hours. The CRPF personnel allegedly opened indiscriminate firing in response to the attack and beat up several shopkeepers, who alleged that one of the civilians, was critically injured in the firing. The shopkeepers accused the CRPF of using force and threatened an indefinite agitation if their demand of replacing it was not met. Senior police officers rushed to the scene and assured the shopkeepers that their grievances would be taken up with the CRPF authorities.
— PTI |
|
Omar wants to discuss autonomy with Pervez
Srinagar, December 5 He said the Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf’s, slogan of self-governance in the state was no different from his party’s demand of internal autonomy for which a resolution had been passed by the state Assembly, a few years ago. Disclosing that he would be visiting Pakistan in the near future if possible, Mr Omar Abdullah said he would be taking a copy of the autonomy resolution with him to show it to the Pak President and other leaders. “I will take a copy of the resolution with me and ask the leaders if there could be any better alternative for the resolution of Kashmir issue”. Mr Omar Abdullah was addressing a public gathering on the occasion of the birth centenary of his grandfather and founder of the National Conference, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, at the latter’s grave at Naseem Bagh near Hazratbal here. The National Conference patron and former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, and other senior party leaders also paid rich tributes to the leader. A photo-exhibition on the life and activities of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, organised by the Department of Information of the Jammu and Kashmir Government was also organised on the occasion. A book entitled “The Kashmir of Sheikh Abdullah” — a biography on the life of the leader — written by C. Bilqees Taseer was also released by Omar Abdullah on the occasion. |
|
Three Indians return via Chakan-da-Bagh
Jammu, December 5 Seven Indian civilians and two PoK citizens crossed over to the Pakistan side via Chakan-da-Bagh on November 21 and three of them returned this afternoon, they said. The four others from this side, who had gone to meet PoK Prime Minister Sikander Hayat Khan, extended their stay for 15 days as Khan was currently outside the country. Chakan-da-Bagh was opened for civilian crossing for the second time in less than a fortnight.
— PTI |
|
Suspense over Geelani, Pervez meeting in Mecca
Jammu, December 5 This question is doing the rounds in Jammu and Kashmir in context of widening chasm between Mr Geelani and the Pakistani establishment. Reports indicate that no meeting has been fixed between Syed Ali Shah Geelani and General Musharraf. Since the OIC conference is to begin in Mecca on December 7, the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the conference is ruled out. On the other hand, the APHC chairman, Molvi Umar Farooq, is said to have received a nod from Pakistan for his meeting with General Musharraf. According to these reports President Musharraf may not be interested in meeting Mr Geelani, whose name was not included in the list of invitees to the OIC on the suggestion of Pakistan Government. In the past, Syed Ali Shah Geelani would be the first among Kashmiri separatists to be invited to the OIC meet. Instead, Mr Geelani will meet several separatist leaders from Pakistan and occupied Kashmir, including Syed Salahuddin, who too would be taking part in the Haj pilgrimage. Besides separatists, senior leaders of Pakistan Jamait-e-Islami were scheduled to be present during the Haj pilgrimage and Mr Geelani will get time to interact with them. In fact, Mr Geelani had applied for travel documents for visiting earthquake-affected areas in Muzaffarabad and its adjoining areas. During his visit, he had planned to meet Syed Salahuddin and Jamaat leaders. Since the Government of India had not given him permission so far, Mr Geelani would utilise the visit to Saudi Arabia in having a session with separatists and Jamaat leaders from Pakistan. After Mr Geelani criticised General Musharraf’s policy on Kashmir saying that the Pakistan President had given priority to trade and travel to the resolution of the Kashmir issue, Syed Ali Shah had been sidelined by Pakistan Government. His opposition to the opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road without taking the Kashmir issue for discussion had further widened the distance between Pakistan and Mr Geelani, who still is considered to be a leader with strong pro-Pakistan leanings. With differences having surfaced between Mr Geelani and Pakistan Government, the APHC has come to the centrestage and Islamabad has not hesitated in granting recognition to it as being the representative body of people of Kashmir. |
|
Hizb commander among 5 killed
Srinagar, December 5 The police and the security forces in a joint operation killed a Hizb commander, Mohammad Shafi Bhat, alias Zahid, at Arwani in South Kashmir district of Anantnag last night. An AK rifle, two magazines and 25 rounds of ammunition were seized from the slain commander, wanted in several militancy-related incidents. The security forces killed a militant during an encounter at Yanner near Pahalgam late last night. Some arms and ammunition were seized from him, the spokesman said. A Nepalese, Nabeel, was injured in an exchange of fire between militants and the security forces at Amira Kadal, near here, last night. He was admitted to hospital. A defence spokesman said troops of 52 Rashtriya Rifles on a specific information cordoned off the Numbalnar area to nab the militants hiding there. As the troops were sealing the area, the militants attacked them with automatic weapons, he said, adding that the fire was returned and in the fierce clash, two ultras were killed. A Major and a civilian were wounded in the clash. In another encounter at Pethawudar, troops gunned down a militant today. A AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were seized from the slain militant.
— UNI |
|
Fresh snow, dense fog
hit life in valley
Srinagar, December 5 Early morning dense fog, coupled with icy cold winds and frequent power cuts, disrupted life and forced people to remain indoors. A weather office spokesman said the minimum temperature was minus 3.8°C, one degree below normal. The dry weather for the past week in the plains has exacerbated the cold conditions. Haj pilgrims, who had to report at the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) for onward journey to the airport in the morning, faced difficulties in travelling
because of very poor visibility due to the fog. Water taps were also frozen. Meanwhile, light to heavy snow continued on the upper reaches in the valley. Reports of fresh snow were received from Sheshnag, Mahaguns, Pisso top and Panjtherni on the Pahalgam route. The Zojila, the highest point on the 434-km Srinagar-Leh national highway, also received fresh snow.
— UNI |
|
GNDU winner in youth festival
Jammu, December 5 As many as 20 universities of the region participated in the festival, but GNDU students performed the best in almost all events. The best team trophies won by the GNDU were in music, literary events, theatre and fine arts. Punjabi University, Patiala, bagged the best team trophy for dance events. The overall championship trophy was bagged by GNDU, while Punjabi University got the runners-up trophy. Panjab University, Chandigarh, stood second after GNDU in classical vocal (solo). MDU, Rohtak, stood first in classical instrumental (solo), while Kumaon
University, Nainital, got the second prize. GNDU bagged the first prize in light vocal (solo), western vocal (solo), group song (western), clay modelling, cartooning and rangoli and folk orchestra. Panjab University, Chandigarh, bagged the first prize in classical dance (solo) and literary activities, while Punjabi University, Patiala, stood first in folk dances. GNDU was again first in one-act play, while Kurukshetra University, and the MDU, Rohtak, got the second and third position. Aligarh Muslim University won the first prize in on-the-spot painting. The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Muzaffar Hussain Beig, gave away prizes to the winners. Prof Amitabh Mattoo Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University, said such events would help expose the talent in students. |
|
Leopard killed
Jammu, December 5 The leopard, which had come from Daror forests, attacked the civilians and injured them at Khandal bridge near Nagrota on the Budhal-Rajouri road this morning, police sources said adding that the injured had been rushed to Rajouri district Hospital. Troops later launched an operation in the area and shot dead the wildcat, they said.
— PTI |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
