Shutdown, functions
in J&K
SRINAGAR, Aug 15 — Independence Day celebrations here and other places in the valley were held amid a complete shutdown in response to the all party Hurriyat conference general strike call.

Shutdown, functions in J&K
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 15 — Independence Day celebrations here and other places in the valley were held amid a complete shutdown in response to the all party Hurriyat conference general strike call.

The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah addressed a gathering at Bakshi Stadium here this morning. The function, attended by his ministerial colleagues, legislators, senior civil and police officers was held amid tight security arrangements. All the roads leading to the stadium were under security 'bandobast'. The peaceful conclusion of the function brought to end travails of residents of the area caused by security personnel during the past three weeks.

Dr Abdullah lauded the role of security forces and police in fighting the proxy war by Pakistan. "We have to reconstruct the demolished house", the Chief Minister said. He added that the Centre has been liberal in funding this trouble torn state. But at the same time, the Chief Minister regretted the menace of corruption and red-tapism prevalent in the state.

He said the proxy war was not still over but needed a joint effort of the political parties and the security agencies to combat the menace of corruption, red-tapism and militancy. He asked securitymen to take care of human rights while fighting militants.

The chief minister's address was followed by a cultural programme. For the first time since militancy erupted two groups of school children participated in the parade, in addition to the contingents of the police, CRPF, Fire Services and the NCC. Thirty one students from Girls High School, Kunzar, Tangmarg and an equal number of boys from Boys High School, Kunzar, Tangmarg, participated in the parade. The leaders of these groups, Sameena Syed and Hilal Ahmad were the only two to get an award and commendation from the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads in response to the APHC strike call. It had called to observe the day as "Black Day" today. In a statement, the APHC chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani said while both India and Pakistan celebrated their respective Independence Day, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were subjected to harassment and killings during 50 years. "It proves that Kashmir issue is yet to be resolved", a statement of the APHC said. The spokesman said Syed Ali Shah Geelani expressed concern over the travails that the people of the area around Bakshi Stadium had undergone over the past one month for "a mere formal function of Independence Day celebrations". He reiterated the APHC stand on the "right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir."

JAMMU: Fifty-four ex-militants were part of the CRPF contingent that participated in the march past presented here at the Parade ground. The Minister for Medical Education, Dr Mustafa Kamal, took the salute.

These persons had crossed over to Pakistan for arms training between 1990 and 1995 and had surrendered after they realised the futility of their actions. About 500 militants who had surrendered before security forces had been inducted in the CRPF and were given 36 weeks' training. The first batch was deployed on duty on June 7, 1998 and the second on July 7, 1998. More than 80 persons with militant past were under training.

When these former militants marched past the dais they kept their chin high and saluted the Tricolour. Peoples' participation whether both Jammu and Srinagar was quite limited. Official sources said the tight security measures and fear of bomb blasts had forced people to remain indoors. What surprised the observers in Jammu was the way majority of BJP workers and leaders were not present in the Parade ground and the public gallery had more of National Conference workers and supporters.

Notwithstanding deserted look of the streets in Kashmir, the elaborate police bandobast had upset the plan of the secessionists to stage black flag demonstrations. The functions in the two capital cities in the state and in district and tehsil headquarters passed off peacefully and several senior National Conference leaders were seen congratulating the Director General Police, Mr Gurbachan Jagat, for having succeeded in keeping today's celebrations incident free.

HAJAN (KASHMIR): Chief of Jammu and Kashmir Awami League, Mohammad Yousuf Parray, alias Kuka Parray, today said. "I understood the gameplan of politicians early and joined the right path," he said amidst applause by a 7,000 strong crowd which had gathered at the function.

The chief guest at the function was Major General Mahinder Puri, General Officer Commanding, Eighth Mountain Division. He unfurled the Tricolour and took salute at the march past presented by a contingent of the CRPF and counter-insurgents, who were dressed in white.

UDHAMPUR (FOC): Degree College grounds where the Industries Minister, Mr Bodh Raj Bali, unfurled the National flag and took salute of the march past of various contingents led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Udhampur, Mr Seva Singh.

4 blast plans foiled

SRINAGAR, Aug 15 (PTI) — Security forces foiled militants’ attempt to trigger off five explosions, while four persons, including two militants, were killed and four militants held in the Kashmir valley since last evening.

An official spokesman said an explosive device planted in a drain in Anantnag district was detected by security forces last evening.

Militants had also planted four improvised explosive devices. Three at Pampore on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and one at Karfali Mohalla in downtown Srinagar last evening. The devices were detected by BSF personnel and were defused by a bomb disposal squad, a BSF spokesman said.

The official spokesman said a foreign mercenary identified as Zubair Bhai was killed in an encounter at Aragam-Bandipora in Baramulla district of north Kashmir last night.

The spokesman said security forces gunned down an unidentified militant during the course of searches at Phulwari-Dhok in the Darhal area of Rajouri last night. An AK assault rifle and a hand grenade were seized from him.

Militants shot dead a person and wounded another near Jeelpora-Singhpora in Baramulla district last evening. The injured person died in the hospital today, he said.

He said four militants of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen were arrested by the special operations group of the local police in Srinagar yesterday.