73 killed in mishaps, House told
SRINAGAR, Aug 26 — At least 73 persons were killed in 101 accidents on the 296-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway during the first six months this year.
Panel to examine Baridars' plea
JAMMU, Aug 26 — The state government has decided to set up a Cabinet sub-committee to examine the plea of Baridars for compensation following the constitution of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in 1986 to run the affairs of the biggest shrine in North India.
Bhaderwah cantt a dream come true
JAMMU, Aug 26 — When the Defence Minister , Mr George Fernandes, on Monday laid the foundation stone of cantonment at Bhaderwah in Doda district it was the fruition of a 33-year-old plan conceived by the government.
Canadian envoy calls on Farooq
SRINAGAR, Aug 26 — The Canadian High Commissioner in India, Mr Peter Walker, called on the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, here today.
Traders tear-gassed
SRINAGAR, Aug 26 — The police today lobbed tear gas shells to disperse agitating members of the Traders Federation, who held a protest demonstration in support of their demands in Budshah Chowk here this morning.

6 killed, 30 held in valley

SRINAGAR, Aug 26 (PTI) — Three militants and two security personnel were among six persons killed and an equal number wounded, while 30 suspects, including a group of 23 youths being herded to Pakistan for arms training, were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening.

Three unidentified militants were killed by the security forces in an ongoing operation in the Safapora area of Baramula district in north Kashmir today, an official spokesman said.

He said the security forces cordoned off Hajam, Kral and Barkati mohallas in the Safapora area last evening to flush out militants. The hiding militants opened fire and in the ensuing encounter, three militants were killed.

Further details of the operation were awaited as the encounter between the remaining militants and the security forces was still going on. Some houses were gutted in the incident, the spokesman said.

He said a junior commissioned officer was killed and four others were wounded in a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) explosion triggered by militants at Darhal Bridge in Rajouri district in Jammu region today.

The IED, planted on the main road, went off when the road opening patrol of the security forces passed that way killing the JCO on the spot.

The spokesman said militants also blasted a security vehicle with an IED at the Baga-Chasena road in the Majore area of Udhampur district last evening. However, the securitymen travelling in the vehicle escaped unhurt in the blast and the subsequent firing by militants.

The security forces arrested 23 youths, sent by militants for obtaining arms training in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in Baramula district of north Kashmir last evening, the spokesman said.

The youths in the age group of 18-25 were intercepted and taken into custody near Check Nalla Gurez sector.

Militants gunned down a village defence committee member at Chechara area of Udhampur district this morning, while a police constable, who was injured in a militant firing at Lal Bazar on Monday succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

A civilian was wounded in a grenade explosion at Naidkadal in downtown Srinagar last evening. The grenade was hurled by militants at a security vehicle but it missed the intended target and exploded on the road, he said.

A blast took place at the Rakh-Sultanpora in the Sumbal area of Baramula district resulting in injuries to a teenaged boy.

The spokesman said seven militants — four of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen, two of the Lashker-e-Toiba and another of the Harkat-ul-Ansar — were arrested by the security forces during combing operations and raids in Srinagar and Badgam districts yesterday.

A large quantity of arms and ammunition, including four AK assault rifles, four E rockets, a booster, a grenade thrower, seven grenades, two mines and a wireless set were seized by the security forces from the captured militants and their hideouts in other parts of the valley, the spokesman said.

73 killed in mishaps, House told
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 26 — At least 73 persons were killed in 101 accidents on the 296-km-long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway during the first six months this year.

This information was given by Minister of State for Home Mushtaq Ahmad Lone in reply to a calling attention motion in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today.

The minister said approximately 1835 road accidents took place in the state during the first six months of this year.

The 296-km long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is the only surface link between the Kashmir valley and the rest of the country. Following extensive damage due to heavy rains in September, 1997, only one-way traffic is being plied on the highway.

The minister said "improvement of the road conditions as also completion of the alternate road, (Mughal Road) can further reduce the chances of road accidents". He said efforts were under way in this regard.

The minister also informed the House that the number of persons killed in road accidents during last year was 436 and the persons injured 3358. However, the accidents had marginally increased last year.

Giving reasons for the accidents on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the minister informed the House that the volume of traffic had touched about 5000 vehicles per day. The heavy rains last year damaged a large portion of the highway between Lower Munda and Patni Top where a major portion had been repaired now. There were at least six places where traffic could ply one way only. Out of the two Jawahar Tunnel tubes, one was under repair. Potholes and waterlogging inside these tubes had further worsened the matter.

In reply to another calling attention motion, the Legislative Assembly was informed that the matter regarding the recognition to the Jhelum Valley Medical College had been taken up with the Medical Council of India.

The minister said the total annual expenditure for running the college and the hospital attached to it worked out to be Rs 7.50 crore which excluded the salary to the teaching staff of Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS).

Thus, on an average an amount of Rs 7.50 crore was required to run the college and the hospital, the minister stated. He, however, said for the present an amount of Rs 128 lakh on account of salary of staff ending July, 1998 and Rs 30 lakh on account of outstanding bills of engineering works was required to be paid to JVMC immediately.

The government was seized of the matter and had initiated steps to arrange for these funds.

Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah told the House that combating militancy in the state was a "national challenge" and called upon all political parties to sink their differences and fight it unitedly.

Intervening in a debate on the recent fee hike in colleges, Mr Farooq said the Taliban in Afghanistan "posed a new threat to our security which needs to be understood and met collectively".

Apprehending that the Taliban may divert their ranks to Kashmir, the Chief Minister said the Centre must take sufficient steps to prevent their entry into the state. He said "we should not underestimate this challenge.

Regarding criticism by Mr Ashok Sharma (Cong) on holding winter sports when the state was facing a financial crime, the Chief Minister said the government's thrust on revival of tourism was aimed at encouraging more tourists into the state. He said tourism was the only industry in the state and the "lifeline of its people."

He dismissed the criticism that the government was spending crores in the name of development of tourism and said no amount of money was sufficient to revive and strengthen this sector as it generated substantial income to the state and supported a major chunk of the population.

Panel to examine Baridars' plea
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Aug 26 — The state government has decided to set up a Cabinet sub-committee to examine the plea of Baridars for compensation following the constitution of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in 1986 to run the affairs of the biggest shrine in North India.

The Baridars before 1986 were in charge of the shrine and would take away a part of the offerings.

The sub-committee will examine the report of the Law Minister, Mr P.L. Handoo, in this regard. When the shrine board was set up in 1986, the Baridars had approached the Tribunal set up by the Supreme Court for deciding the relief. The Tribunal ordered that Rs 12 crore be paid to the Baridars as compensation for the right lost on the offerings and donations collected at the shrine. This was a life-time compensation.

The Baridars now have made a plea to the government that the compensation amount be made a periodic affair.

Since there is no provision for appeal against the verdict of the Tribunal, the state government has decided to get the Shrine Board Act amended after the Cabinet sub-committee approves the Law Minister's recommendation for the right to appeal against any tribunal or court decision.

Out of Rs 12 crore sanctioned as compensation, the Baridars have received Rs 1.48 crore. They now refused to come forward to collect the remaining compensation in the hope that the board Act may be amended to allow them a major share in shrine's offerings and donations.

The shrine board officials are opposed to any major amendment in the Shrine Board Act. The board earns an annual income of Rs 38 crore and a major part of it is being spent on the development of the shrine.

The board officials fear that if Baridars are made shareholders, it could affect the development of the shrine.

Bhaderwah cantt a dream come true
From M.L.Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Aug 26 — When the Defence Minister , Mr George Fernandes, on Monday laid the foundation stone of cantonment at Bhaderwah in Doda district it was the fruition of a 33-year-old plan conceived by the government. The cantonment plan, which was conceived when Mr G.M. Sadiq was the Chief Minister, could not take off because of political and economic compulsions.

On the political front the successive National Conference governments and other political leaders belonging to the Kashmir valley opposed the establishment of the cantonment as they feared that it could result in "cultural aggression" on the land and its people who lived and continue to live in a primitive and conservative society.

When four years ago the plan to acquire land for the proposed cantonment started separatists began viewing the project with concern and feared that it could result in demographic changes in Doda district. And the government controlled Pakistan Television on Monday stretched its imagination too far when in one of its news bulletins it alleged that the cantonment would lead to "victimisation" of the Muslims.

On the economic front the government had to delay the project as the setting up of a cantonment requires several hundred crores of rupees. In fact the BJP, years before it came to power at the Centre, had been consistently campaigning for the establishment of a cantonment in Bhaderwah.

When the cantonment project was conceived in mid sixties two vital factors were kept in view. Experts had realised that over 11,000 sq. km area of Doda district could pose a serious threat to the state if a cantonment and two military stations were not set up. According to these defence experts Pakistan could drop paratroopers in the district to cut off the only road link between Srinagar and Jammu. These paratroopers could launch a multi-pronged attack on the national highway between Batote and Banihal which would cut off the Kashmir valley.

Second, in case of war thrust upon India by Pakistan, troops from Bhaderwah cantonment could trek over mountain route to reach Padam and Zanskar in Ladakh to check the invaders. The troops from Bhaderwah would be available to meet any emergency in Chamba, Dalhousie belts of Himachal Pradesh.

In fact the entire Doda district has strategic importance as far as the defence affairs are concerned because on the one side it has a link with Rajouri and Poonch districts and on the other side it is linked with south Kashmir.

The entire Doda district is backward and once the cantonment is established in Bhaderwah and military stations in Kishtwar and Doda it could ensure the speedy development of the area in the shape of the upgradation of roads, telecommunication facilities and improvement in drinking water and power supply. At present motorable roads connect the tehsil headquarters and beyond that there are not even kutcha roads.

Those who are apprehensive of the cantonment plan should realise that the district already has 14 battalions of the security forces and once more troops arrive it could create confidence among the people and the security environment is expected to register improvement.

The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, is hopeful that cantonment will solve the problem of unemployment and the district may witness rapid development including afforestation on a massive scale.

Canadian envoy calls on Farooq
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 26 — The Canadian High Commissioner in India, Mr Peter Walker, called on the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, here today.

An official spokesman said that the two discussed matters relating to Canadian assistance in accelerating the pace of economic development in Jammu and Kashmir. Canadian Firms are taking keen interest in some of the projects in the state, including Baghlyar hydel project and Dal development.

The current security scenario and the overall situation also came under discussion.

Mr Walker also called on the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Maulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari, and discussed issues regarding the possibility of the Canadian Government's cooperation in conservation of world famous Dal lake in Srinagar. The Canadian government has shown keen interest in providing expertise in Bactereological augmentation by aeration and low pressure sewage disposal for conservation of the Dal Lake.

Traders tear-gassed
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Aug 26 — The police today lobbed tear gas shells to disperse agitating members of the Traders Federation, who held a protest demonstration in support of their demands in Budshah Chowk here this morning.

Over two dozens of traders were held by the police in Budshah Chowk following the protest. The traders were raising slogans in support of their demands and had attempted to take out a procession to the Rajgarh lawns of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, where the two Houses of the State Legislature are in session. The police stopped them from proceeding towards the Assembly, which further angered the already agitating traders.

The police immediately swung into action apprehending the protesting traders and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the members. All the shops and business establishments closed down following the incident at Budshah Chowk. All the shops in the Lal Chowk area, including Maisuma, Kokar Bazar, Moulana Azad Road and Residency Road, were closed in protest against the arrest of the agitating traders.

Later, addressing a press conference, in the evening, the federation announced that all the business establishments here would be closed tomorrow in protest against today's police action.

The demands include the waiving of interest on loans, reviewing sales tax and power tariff.