Farooq rejects APHC claim
SRINAGAR, Oct 12 — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has rejected the Hurriyat claim of being the "real representatives of the people of Kashmir". He declined to comment on the "offer of Pakistan to negotiate on behalf of Kashmiris" in the forthcoming talks between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan.

Farooq rejects APHC claim
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 12 — The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has rejected the Hurriyat claim of being the "real representatives of the people of Kashmir". He declined to comment on the "offer of Pakistan to negotiate on behalf of Kashmiris" in the forthcoming talks between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan.

"I do not react .... I never thought them (APHC) as the representatives of the people of Kashmir", Dr Abdullah, told a group of newsmen here this morning, on the occasion of the Suryakiran formation by the IAF aircraft over Dal Lake.

"I am happy that the Hurriyat has come out with such a statement against their own mentors", the Chief Minister said. He was replying to questions over the claim of the APHC chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, that it was the only representative body of the people of Kashmir. He welcomed the Hurriyat chief's statement against the "offer of talks by the Pakistan Foreign Secretary on representing Kashmiris" in the forthcoming talks between the two countries.

The Chief Minister said Pakistan had lost the proxy war in Kashmir. "Now they are trying to divert the attention of the, people, "Dr Abdullah said. He added that the mentors of separatist forces like the Hurriyat from across the border were bent upon creating trouble in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that these forces raised much hue and cry over the violation of human rights in the state. The Chief Minister said these forces were responsible for the human rights violations in the Jammu region.

In reply to a question on the situation in the Jammu region, the Chief Minister said the militants were trying to take control of the region. "They have not succeeded in their attempts", the Chief Minister said while referring to the massacres in Prankote, Dhakikote and other places in the region. Dr Abdullah said the situation was well under control in Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and Doda districts of the Jammu region.

Dr Abdullah held that he was concerned over the reports of Osama bin Laden men taking the direction of Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Abdullah admitted that such forces may create trouble, but "they will not be able to secede Kashmir from India."

Referring to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir at present, the Chief Minister said militants were blasting bombs at vulnerable places in the city. This he held was because of the forthcoming talks between India and Pakistan.

In order to resolve the problems, a meeting was scheduled between representatives of the state government and the Union Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, on October 22. The meeting of the Chief Ministers of northern states was also going to be held on October 14 to discuss matters of mutual interest. Dr Abdullah said peace prevails in the valley. In this connection, he pointed out the presence of a large number of youth who had gathered around the Dal Lake to witness the air show.

Blasts in valley; 8 RR men killed
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 12 — In the stepped up violence ahead of the talks between Foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan, at least five explosions took place in the valley today as three persons were killed and four others injured. Security forces found a large quantity of arms and ammunition in different parts of Kashmir since yesterday.

The Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, here today said the stepped up violence by way of causing explosions at vulnerable places was because of the forthcoming talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan in Islamabad on Thursday. "Their (militants') mentors from across the border might have told the militants to make such attacks", he told a group of newsmen here this morning.

Two civilians were injured in a grenade explosion near the Hanuman Mandir at Hari Singh High Street here this morning. The police said the grenade was targeted at a picket of security forces, which exploded on the road. Those injured have been admitted to the SMHS hospital here.

A driver of a security forces vehicle was injured when an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) exploded on the road near Radbugh on the Sopore-Kupwara road in Baramula district today. The police said the IED had been planted by the suspected militants which exploded when the vehicle passed by that road.

Another explosion took place at the Palhalam bus stand in the Pattan area of Baramula district. Some of the vehicles were damaged. However, no one was injured, the police here said.

An IED exploded on the Ladhoo-Pampore road in South Kashmir district of Pulwama this morning.

Militants shot at and injured Ali Mohammad Bhat of Achen in Pulwama at Khayam Colony, Nowpora in Srinagar today. While being shifted to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

Militants shot Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh, a Hizbul Mujahideen activist at Onagam, Bandipore, in Baramulla district last night. The police said militants intruded into his house and shot him.

A forest guard, Mohammad Ashraf of Sheerabad Tral in Pulwama district was shot dead by the militants outside the forest area yesterday.

One person was injured when militants shot at him in Pulwama district. He has been identified as Fayaz Ahmad Mir, an SI posted at the District Police office in Anantnag.

JAMMU: Eight men of the Rashtriya Rifles (RR) were killed and six others wounded in two separate militancy-related incidents in Kishtwar tehsil.

Official sources said in an encounter that took place at Pissar Kot village 25 km from here in Kishtwar, three RR men and two militants were killed. The Army sent reinforcement and as the vehicle carrying troops passed from Kotar Magam village, five km from Pissar Kot, it was damaged by an IED blast killing five soldiers of the RR on the spot and wounding six others.

Another reinforcement was rushed to both the villages and the entire area has been cordoned off and massive search operations have been launched. Reports said the men of the Rashtriya Rifles had received messages that large groups of militants had carved out a hideout in Pissar Kot village. The troops had gone to smash the hideout when the militants opened fire. The RR men returned the fire, killing two militants and wounding three others. The militants after killing three RR men, were said to have escaped to mountain belts.

Baridars, Pujaris protest
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Oct 12 — Encouraged by the tacit support of various political parties, including the National Conference and the BJP, Baridars and Pujaris, who had been "dethroned" following establishment of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in 1986, are on the warpath. During the past several days they have held series of demonstrations in Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage to the holy shrine, and yesterday Katra town observed a complete bandh.

The Baridars have threatened to march to the holy cave and secure their right to perform the pooja and demand at least one-third share from the offerings at the shrine and temples around it.

These Baridars and Pujaris have formed a joint action committee to fight for "justice" after they had lost their assured income with the establishment of the shrine board. Since the board had been set up the entire income from the offerings and from the yatri bhavans has touched Rs 38 crore per year.

The Baridars' president, Mr Des Raj, has said that 25,000 family members of Baridars and Pujaris had lost their livelihood. He and other political leaders criticised those who pledged to help the Baridars during the two Lok Sabha and one Assembly elections. The contesting candidates had assured the Baridars that they would prevail upon the government to change the Shrine Board Act.

The Baridars had approached the Supreme Court which had directed the state government to set up a tribunal to decide on the quantum of compensation to Baridars. The tribunal awarded Rs 12 crore to Baridars. The Baridars treated it a small amount and persuaded several political parties, including the National Conference ministers to move an amendment to the Shrine Board Act so that they could regain their rights to help people to perform pooja and get at least the one-third share from the board's income.

The state government had initiated some steps, but had to abandon the move under pressure from the VHP. Reports said that senior BJP leaders had suggested to the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, to avoid raking up a major controversy by amending the Shrine Board Act. When Baridars saw that the government had become helpless they had resorted to demonstrations, bandhs and relay fasts to pressurise the government to amend the Act.

Reports said that former Governor, Mr Jagmohan, who had been instrumental in establishing the shrine board for which he received appreciation from all corners of the country, had suggested to Baridars to keep the compensation amount in bank so that each family could get the benefit of the interest. Or they could set up small industrial units and shops for augmenting their income. The state government and even the shrine board had agreed to reserve some jobs in the board for the children of Baridars.

However, Baridars seem to be not interested in such exercises. They demand at least 33 per cent job reservation for their children in shrine board posts and 33 per cent share from the board's income.

7 Pak soldiers killed in Siachen

JAMMU, Oct 12 (PTI) — The Indian troops today inflicted heavy casualties on Pakistani soldiers killing seven of them and destroying three bunkers at Siachen glacier in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman in northern command said.

The spokesman told PTI this evening that at least seven Pakistani soldiers were killed and many others injured during exchange of artillery fire at Siachen. He said, however, there was no casualty or damage on the Indian side during the exchange of fire. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rangers targeted Bobiya, Manyari, Pansar and Regal in Samba, and Moulacheck and Sangral in R.S. Pura with "heavy weaponry" this afternoon triggering panic in these areas with people abandoning their homes for safety. However, there was no damage on the Indian side, he said adding that the BSF troops retaliated and the exchange of fire continued for about three hours.