Militants want 'pacca' hideouts
JAMMU, Nov 8 — Following a further drop in the temperature militants camping in the alpine forest belts of Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts are said to have urged the local population to help them in building "pacca" hideouts. The militants have also sent messages across the border to organise supporters of the "ongoing jehad" to make available construction material and manpower.

Militants want 'pacca' hideouts
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Nov 8 — Following a further drop in the temperature militants camping in the alpine forest belts of Doda, Poonch and Rajouri districts are said to have urged the local population to help them in building "pacca" hideouts. The militants have also sent messages across the border to organise supporters of the "ongoing jehad" to make available construction material and manpower.

Reports said that in case militants were unable to construct such hideouts they may be forced to come down to the villages, which could bring them in direct confrontation with the security forces. They have also apprised their patrons across the border that since they (militants) had started feeling the pinch of weapon and ammunition shortages it would be suicidal for them to engage the security forces in armed conflict.

According to these reports Pak agencies have suggested to the militants to fall back on IED,s RDX and mines till more guns and ammunition reached them. Official sources said that one of the reasons for the increase in Pakistani firing on Indian border villages in different sectors in recent days to facilitate passage for infiltrators and arms smugglers.

More than 150 infiltrators are said to have sneaked into the state and ammunition was smuggled in from across the border in recent days.

In response to messages sent across the border the Pakistani agencies directed the militants to eliminate civilians who acted as police informers or created hurdles. These messages had been sent after some sections, especially Gujjars and Bakerwals refused to help the militants. The reaction of Gujjars was the result of their anger against the kidnapping of several Gujjar girls in the mountain belts of Poonch and Rajouri.

The Gujjars also had to pay money and in cattle to militants and foreign mercenaries.

8 killed, 10 held in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Nov 8 (PTI) — Eight persons, including four militants and a woman, were killed while the security forces arrested 10 militants during anti-militant operations in the Kashmir valley since last evening.

The "Amir-Alla" (chief commander) of Pakistan- based Harkat-ul-Ansar was apprehended and a pistol seized from his Hideout at Khalifapora-Khanyar in Srinagar yesterday, an official spokesman said here today.

Two foreign mercenaries and a militant were killed in an encounter with security forces at Jamia Qadeem in the Bandipora area of Baramulla district last night, he said.

A security force official was wounded in the encounter during which four houses were gutted, he said, adding that two AK assault rifles, two pistols and a wireless set were seized from the slain militants.

A foreign mercenary hailing from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was killed at Batabala-Alakote in the border district of Rajouri last night. A rifle along with some ammunition, three grenades and Indian currency worth Rs 15,000 were seized from his body, he said.

He said militants shot dead two persons,including a woman, inside their houses at Betola and Kunithal-Thathri in Doda district last night.

The body of an unidentified person was found at village Churat-Qazigund in Anantnag district today.

The body of a man was fished out from river Jhelum near Budshah bridge in Srinagar yesterday, he said.

The spokesman said security forces apprehended three Pakistani intruders in the Arnia sector of the Jammu region yesterday.

Six militants associated with Al-Jehad were arrested from their hideouts at Baranpather-Batmaloo and Nowpora-Khayam in Srinagar last night.

Two pistols, two remote control devices, a wireless set, a rocket, an anti-personnel mine and a grenade were seized from the captured militants, he said.

Security forces also seized a pistol, an AK assault rifle, a silencer, three rifle grenades, two RPG rockets and some ammunition during combing operations at Keegam in Kupwara and Lor of Anantnag district yesterday, he said.

Tourism corroding Ladakh
By Archna Sachdeva

LEH: Wind sculpted mountain ranges, a placid Indus, rarefied air, ochre robed lamas at prayer wheels in small-windowed monasteries and the sun and clouds in an endless chase in the deep blue sky cast a web of mystique on everything in Leh.

But, the once sparkling blue streams are running muddier, hotels have come up on wheat fields and disposed potato chip packets sully the stark beauty of Ladakh hills — Leh is in danger of ending up as yet another unplanned tourist ghetto if the authorities do not act immediately.

The residents of this remote town, located at a height of 11,000 feet are beginning to complain that Leh is becoming an increasingly messy place to live in even as glossy brochures invite tourists to visit the "land of endless discovery".

With its lunar landscape hemmed in by the bare Karakoram and Zanskar ranges and its monastic traditions of Buddhism, the cold desert region of Ladakh has been a by-word for the mysterious and the exotic.

And it is this mystique that has drawn mostly foreign tourists in thousands every year to visit Leh, either in search of adventure along its tortuous trekking trails or spiritual solace in its quaint monasteries.

The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has also of late begun to promote Ladakh, which was first thrown open to visitors in 1974, as a major tourist destination. Be it the annual Ladakh festival or direct promotion through travel agents, Leh is among the new buzz words.

However, the increased tourist traffic is proving to be a double-edged sword for the locals. While the international mix of tourists has brought in greater exposure and money, it has also put a strain on the town’s fragile ecology and civic infrastructure.

Day-long power cuts are commonplace even as the pressure to provide round-the-clock electricity and amenities like hot water is forcing hoteliers and guest house owners to bring in diesel-run generators and buy water from private tankers.

"There is no doubt that the spurt in tourism over the last few years has brought in more money and improved the standard of living. But, it is also having some negative effects on our people", says Dolma Tsomo, programme coordinator with the Leh-based Ladakh Ecological Development Group (LEDEG).

In a primarily agricultural area, emerald green fields are making way for "guest houses" and it is no longer possible to drink water directly from the streams as dirty water from hotels drains directly into them, she says.

Hotelier Sonam Gyalsen agrees that guest house owners are turning increasingly to private enterprise as the authorities are unable to cope with the rising demand for water and electricity.

"No attention is being paid to infrastructure building. The roads to some of the most visited monasteries are in a bad shape, telecommunication links make it sound like you are calling from another planet, water and power supply are erratic and medical facilities should be more streamlined", says Gyalsen.

While local environment groups like LEDEG have been trying to promote eco-friendly technologies like solar water heaters, hydraulic ram pumps, micro-hydel units and solar ovens and cookers. The hoteliers prefer to take the easy way out and are importing more diesel generator sets, kerosene and LPG into the area, says Tsomo.

While the Ladakh Autonomous Council has banned the use of polythene bags, these can still be seen in the market place. And snacks like potato chips and soft drinks are all served in plastic packs or bottles, the environmentalist adds.

The affluence generated by tourism has also created a divide among the people. Earlier, there was not much gap between the rich and the poor. This has increased now. "Jeans, goggles, cameras and the ability to speak English are the new mantras for the young and those connected with tourism are considered somehow superior", she adds.

Stressing the need to promote "eco tourism", LEDEG and other activist groups have called for strict rules to prevent pollution of streams and to halt the indiscriminate use of farmlands for building hotels.

Not that the officials are unaware of the lurking threats, Mr Mohammad Ashraf, Director General, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism, says that his department does not want hundreds of thousands of tourists descending on Ladakh. "We want only those visitors who are interested in the land and its culture and can preserve its delicate ecology", he says.

Also, the Tourism Department has funded two garbage incinerators for Leh to prevent pollution. Sodium vapour lights have been put up in streets and the outlay for power generation has been stepped up from a mere Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore in 1992, he adds.

However, the department has backed the claim of the local tourism industry that enough facilities exist to accommodate 50,000 tourists in Ladakh, whereas the situation on the ground does not seem to bear this out.

Advising caution in inviting larger number of tourists to Ladakh, LEDEG says that visitors were attracted to the region in the early seventies as it was unique. "If we turn it into another dump, no one would like to come here", says Tsomo. — (UNI)

Historic Vakil Building gutted

SRINAGAR, Nov 8 (PTI) — The historic six-storeyed Vakil Building was gutted in a devastating fire that also consumed five houses and several shops in downtown Srinagar, official sources said today.

The fire started from a nearby house last night and engulfed the building, an architectural piece built in 1900 and once a politically significant spot at Zainakdal.

The fire was controlled after a two-hour struggle, but it caused extensive damage to the building, five other houses and some shops.

At least 22 fire engines were pressed into service to put out the flames, the Fire Brigade sources said, adding that the cause of the fire was an accident.

During the freedom struggle, all important meetings of the Muslim Conference were held in the building.