Landmine blast hurts 6 counter-insurgents
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Feb 15 — Three militants were killed and four others injured in separate incidents of militancy, while chief of the Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees, who was injured in an attack by militants last month succumbed to his injuries in the hospital here today. The police also recovered a decomposed body of a person in Kupwara district.

An unidentified militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kupwara district yesterday, the police here said. Another militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Doda district in Jammu region. One militant was killed in an encounter with security forces at Tangwani in Shopian area of south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

Mr Mohammad Ramzan, chief of the Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees, succumbed to his injuries in the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura here today. He was injured in an attack by militants on January 29, when he was coming out of a mosque here after offering Friday prayers. His death was widely mourned by religious organisations.

At least four persons were injured in militants attacks at two places in Srinagar city today, the police said. Three persons identified as Gulzar Ahmad Sheikh, Tanveer Ahmad and Muzaffar Ahmad were shot at and injured by militants at Lal Bazaar today. They have been hospitalised.

One civilian was injured in a similar attack by the militants at Rajouri Kadal in the city today. He has been identified as Nisar Kazmi. He has been admitted to the hospital here, where his condition was stated to be out of danger.

The police today recovered decomposed body of Mohammad Sultan of Warsun village from Chake Ratnipora in Kupwara district. He had been kidnapped by unidentified militants on September 15, last year.

Six surrendered militants, including a top leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Ikhwan, a counter-insurgent group, were injured today in a landmine explosion in Anantnag district of south Kashmir, official sources said.

The landmine, planted by militants near the camp of the group of Mattan chowk 62 km from here, went off this afternoon injuring the six, they said.

J&K Budget session from February 22
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Feb 15 — The 42-day-long Budget session of the state legislature will open here from February 22 under a shadow of acute cash crisis which had, during the last over one year, upset non-plan activities.

On the opening day of the session Governor Girish Chander Saxena, will address the joint session of the state Legislature. Except for several amendments to the Constitution, which are proposed to be adopted during the Budget session, the main business will be limited to the adoption of the Budget proposals. The Government plans to amend 12 Acts under the recommendations of the Godbole Committee, set up to recommend measures for promoting fiscal discipline and for generating additional resources. The proposed amendments have been sent to different government departments for approval and suggestions.

The amendments are to be made in the Chowkidari, Panchayati and Municipal Acts. This is being done to elevate the two civic bodies in Srinagar and Jammu to the status of of Municipal Corporations and introduce new Panchayati system in the state for which the elections are likely to be held from May onwards.

The Budget session will also amend the Constitution allowing hike in the pay and allowances of the Governor and the judges of the High Court. As per tentative figures the Governor may draw more than Rs 3,000 as salary.

Since the Government has already carried out pre-budget exercise of hiking the taxes including power tariff and foodgrain prices there would be hardly any scope for the Finance Minister to impose heavy dose of fresh taxes. Increase in Excise duty on country liquor and IMFL was already ordered three months ago and if the Government raises the Excise further liquor prices would be the highest in Jammu and Kashmir which may to boost bootlegging.

Several members of the ruling National Conference and those belonging to the opposition have demanded detailed discussion on the reasons behind acute cash crisis. As such major portion of the proceedings will remain tagged to discussion on financial crisis and to means for resolving it.

Since the two committees have not submitted their reports to the Government it has not yet been decided whether the reports on grant of regional autonomy and greater autonomy would be tabled during the Budget session. One thing is certain that with two-thirds majority in the two Houses the weak opposition may not be able to raise any storm.