Saturday, June 12, 1999

Tight security for Aziz
NEW DELHI, June 11 — Tight security arrangements have been made by the Delhi Police for the visit of Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr Sartaj Aziz, to the Capital tomorrow.

Film director deposes against Jaya

CHENNAI, June 11 (UNI) — Prominent Tamil film lyricist and director Ghengai Amaren today deposed before a Special Judge trying corruption cases during the previous AIADMK regime that he was forced to sell 22 acres and a farmhouse at Payyanur on the Mamallapuram road for a paltry sum of Rs 13.10 lakh to Ms Sasikala Natarajan, close associate of AIADMK General Secretary J. Jayalalitha, the then Chief Minister.

The Payyanur farmhouse had since been rebuilt as a huge bungalow which was among the buildings cited in the list of properties acquired by Ms Jayalalitha, Ms Sasikala and other accused in the case relating to the amassing of wealth to the tune of Rs 66.65 crore by them.

Deposing as a witness before Special Judge I.S. Sambandam, Mr Amaren stated that persons close to Ms Jayalalitha had wanted him to join the now defunct “JJ TV” channel as programme director and were angry when he joined the “Golden Eagle” channel in the same capacity.

He said Ms Sasikala’s nephew, Mr V. Bhaskaran, had approached him and asked him to meet Ms Jayalalitha at her Poes Garden residence. However, when he went to Poes Garden, he met Mrs Sasikala, who had told him that the Payyanur farmhouse would be an ideal retreat for Ms Jayalalitha.

Later, Mr V.N. Sudhakaran, Ms Jayalalitha’s then foster-son and another of Mrs Sasikala’s nephews, started pressurising him into selling the farmhouse.

Mr Amaren said on the day of the sale Mr Sudhakaran came to him along with two registration officials and gave him two demand drafts for Rs 13.10 lakh. When he pointed out that the farmhouse would fetch “crores of rupees” at the then market rate and that he needed the amount for financing film production, he was told that his “film financing needs would be taken care of”.

The buyer’s name on the sale deed was kept blank, he added.

Pak meticulously planned intrusion
From P.N. Jalali

NEW DELHI: Revelations now available show that the Pakistan army’s preparations for an aggressive thrust into the Dras-Kargil-Batalik sector began in January this year, about two months before the Lahore Declaration was signed.

According to reports from across the Line of Control (LoC), the ground was laid by hectic parleys between leaders of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Pakistani army generals a Jutil military compound near Gilgit airport. The discussions were held to enlist the support of Lashkar mercenaries for the operation, whose major objective was to occupy the Line of Control (LoC) before the onset of summer, and thereby spring a surprise on the Indian Army.

The execution of the plan, jointly worked out by the ISI and Pakistani Army high command, was left to a selected elite squad of the army in the northern sector trained in snow warfare and high-altitude battles. Lashkar mercenaries were to perform a commando role as “freedom fighters”, who were to own up the illegal infiltration in case the lid got off the conspiracy early.

The operation, according to these reports, commenced around the time discussions on the Lahore visit of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, were taking place. The killing of 21 innocent persons in the Rajouri-Jammu border region on the eve of Mr Vajpayee’s Lahore visit, was actually a diversionary tactic to shift the focus from preparations for penetration into the Kargil-Batalik sector. Incidentally, the state Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, told a television channel during a visit to Kargil that “while we were discussing peace in Lahore, Pakistanis were preparing for war in Kargil.”

According the these sources, Pakistan simultaneously launched fierce assaults on Siachen around the same time, apparently to keep up the pressure on the glacial belt to draw attention away from the Dras - Kargil axis. There was also shelling of Kargil town, but these were essentially probing salvos to give the impression that it was business as usual.

Preparations for the operation included expansion of existing road links in the area, replacement of steel cables and pulley bridges in the forward sectors to enable unhindered movement of heavy vehicles to the forward areas. Much of the construction and road building activity was conducted under the cover of darkness.

Hundreds of Balti porters worked overtime to carry large-scale stores and ammunition to the forward areas. There was feverish construction activity going on in February in the forward areas. For instance, the Chilri Chunki 'jeepable' roads going right up to the control line were expanded in a matter of fortnight to take heavy vehicles. Roads were also reconstructed and expanded from Skardu to Braldu and upto Baltoro,Gasso and Askole to facilitate a powerful thrust towards the Dras and later to Zojila.

The upper Soltoro valley right up to the southern settlement of Chelunka opposite Nubra region of Ladakh was abuzz with military activity throughout February.

According to the sources, the deserted Askandria fort close to Skardu township temporarily served as a halting place for mercenary contingents to receive guidance and instructions from the Pakistani army officers.

The mercenaries were a mix of Afghan mujahideen drawn mainly from Lashkar-e-Toiba and local Baltis, who were mainly used as porters and load-carriers. Highly sophisticated armour, especially powerful artillery, mortars and other weapons were hauled into advance positions in the last week of February. Storage shelters, pucca bunkers and tented concentrations were set up in the rear all along the control line to keep the supplies unhindered. Helipads were also constructed at a furious pace to bring in stores and ammunition to the forward areas.

The execution of the whole operation was entrusted to 62 Infantry Brigade at Skardu with 82 Brigade at Minimarg, 32 Brigade at Kel serving as coordinators. Gilgit headquarters of the Northern Command was assigned the role of supervising the entire operation.

The major Pakistani thrust was to be directed towards the Kargil-Batalik region and take Indian security forces by surprise. Having taken the position at high-altitude strategic locations along the Batalik, the mercenaries were to cross the Himalayan ranges and move towards the Zojila road to enter the Kashmir valley. One of the columns was to move to Amarnath Cave through Baltal sector and then descend to the Pahalgam area. Another column was to target the Suru valley to enter Warwan via 11760-ft Murgan Pass to the east of Kokernag in Anantnag district. They were also planning to enter the Kishtwar-Doda region of Jammu across the high Simithan Pass. Simultaneously, Pakistani troops and mercenaries were to overrun Turtuk in the east, opposite Nubra to threaten Indian concentrations in the 45-km-long Siachen belt.

Perhaps the entire operation would have gone unnoticed but for the chance discovery of the presence of Pakistani positions by Indian reconnaissance groups in early May. They were surprised to see the bunkers vacated by them during the winter occupied by the enemy troops deep inside the LoC. Incidentally, the Simla Agreement had specifically bound both India and Pakistan to strictly respect the Line of Control resulting from the ceasefire of December 17, 1971. It was made mandatory that “neither side shall seek to alter it irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations”. (IPA)

Advance LS poll, says Basu

CALCUTTA, June 11 (UNI) — West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu today said the Lok Sabha elections should be advanced in view of the warlike situation in the Kargil-Dras-Batalik area.

‘‘I was asked by journalists in London whether the elections should be deferred in view of the situation in the Kargil sector and I told them the elections should be advanced since Parliament is defunct and the country is being run by a caretaker government,’’ Mr Basu said while moving, for the first time as Chief Minister, a solo motion in the state assembly.

The resolution, which urged the Centre, through the state government, to protect and safeguard the nation’s interest and flush out the intruders beyond the Line of Control, was passed by the House unanimously.

The resolution said the present crisis could be solved only on the basis of the Simla Agreement and bipartite negotiations, and by immediate withdrawal of all Pakistan army personnel and the infiltrators supported by that country from Indian soil.

Mr Basu said during tomorrow’s bipartite discussions, the Centre should not allow Pakistan to talk about the LoC but concentrate only on the issue of immediate withdrawal of the Pakistani intruders from Indian soil.

‘‘I don’t think there is anything to discuss except the fact that Pakistan will have to take back its armed forces and the intruders beyond the LoC,’’ he said.

Mr Basu said the Pakistan Government had been raising the LoC issue and creating trouble in Kashmir and other parts of the country for its own political purposes.

Referring to the ‘‘bus diplomacy’’ with Pakistan, he said: ‘‘It is always good to have talks with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, but it will be dangerous for the country if such diplomacy is used politically for gains in the elections.’’

The Chief Minister said it seemed that the BJP remained complacent with the ‘‘bus diplomacy’’ and made the mistake of not taking into account the threat to the country’s security.

Tight security for Aziz’s visit
From Our Correspondent

NEW DELHI, June 11 — Tight security arrangements have been made by the Delhi Police for the visit of Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr Sartaj Aziz, to the Capital tomorrow.

“All possible steps have been taken to prevent any untowards incident during the visit of Pakistan Foreign Minister in this tense atmosphere,” the Special Commissioner (Security), Mr R. S. Gupta, said.

Mr Gupta said all the places where Mr Sartaj Aziz would visit during his stay in the Capital were being thoroughly checked.

Mr Gupta said “The Pakistan Foreign Minister would not come face to face with demonstrators during his stay here.”

The Special Commissioner reviewed the law and order situation in the Capital and the intelligence inputs available with the Delhi Police about the possible attempts by “disgruntled elements” to disrupt the smooth stay of Mr Aziz.

The deputy commissioners of Police of all nine districts of Delhi, officials of Special Branch and other senior officials attended a meeting regarding Mr Aziz’s visit, presided over by the Delhi Police Commissioner, Mr V. N. Singh, at the Delhi Police Headquarters today.

Several organisations had protested in front of the Pakistan High Commission here for sending armed infiltrators and Army regulars in Kargil, but officials said they had so far received no official request for demonstration against the visit of Mr Aziz.

Senior police officials said Special Branch officials have been asked to provide minute-to-minute report at the Police Headquarters about any potential protests.

Such a direction follows the recent “unscheduled” protest by the Shiv Sena in front of Pakistan High Commission.

Meanwhile, the Special Commissioner of Police (Administration) Mr R K Sharma, held a meeting with the Director General of Police of Haryana and Punjab in connection with the arrest of “human bomb” and the Kargil situation.

Police sources said the senior officials at the meeting discussed ways of improving cooperation in sharing intelligence reports about the possible strike of Punjab militants in the region.

They also discussed about sharing information about the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) men and their sympathisers in the region and on conducting joint raids at their hideouts as and when discovered.

Bhai Vir Singh remembered
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, June 11 — Former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral yesterday emphasised the pioneering role played by Bhai Vir Singh in rejuvenating the Sikh society.

Speaking at a function organised by the Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan in the memory of Bhai Vir Singh, a well-known saint poet, Mr Gujral explained how he had created a renaissance in the Sikh community. He said it was a happy co-incidence that this happened to be the tercentenary year of the Khalsa. He eulogised the sacrifice made by the Gurus in promoting human values and called upon the audience to promote Bhai Vir Singh’s love for nature and environment.

Dr Manmohan Singh, a former Finance Minister, who recently took over as the President of the Sahitya Sadan, deliberated on his encounter with Bhai Vir Singh and described him as a great source of spiritual strength.

Six Irish fellowships
NEW DELHI: The Irish Government is offering six scholarships for 1999 for Indian nationals. The fellowships are: two for postgraduate degree in hydrology, and one each for M.Sc (Agriculture) in Environmental Resource Management, M.Sc. Community Health, Diploma in Compensatory and Remedial Education and master’s degree in development studies, an official release said on Thursday. The scholarships will be valid for one year except for the diploma which is for one and a half years. — UNI

New agriculture policy
RAJKOT: The Gujarat Government was committed on implementation of new agriculture policy by accepting recommendations made by the Agriculture Commission, according to the Minister of State for Agriculture, Mr Bachubhai Bhadani. He told mediapersons here on Thursday that the commission has recommended for adequate planning for power, fertiliser, irrigational water, crop insurance and remunerative prices to farmers for their produces. — PTI

4 Dalits shot dead by Kurmis
BASTI: Four Dalits were shot dead and an equal number injured when a group of Kurmis opened fire on them in Siyakatai village of the neighbouring Santkabir Nagar district on Thursday, official sources said. Three members of the Dalit family were reported missing after the incident. An old enmity between the two caste groups was stated to be reason behind the ghastly crime. — PTI

Four held, arms seized
MUMBAI: The police arrested four persons and seized a country-made revolver and some cartridges from them at Gamdevi in Central Mumbai on Thursday. According to the police, a trap was laid near Haladnakar Bridge in the area following a tip-off that a six-member gang would be arriving in the area to commit a dacoity. On spotting the gang, the police immediately cordoned up the area and nabbed the culprits. However, two of them managed to escape. — PTI

Arms dealer gunned down
ALLAHABAD: A noted history-sheeter and arms supplier was gunned down in an encounter with the police near the CVA Inter College on Thursday and 21 foreign-made revolvers were recovered from him. On a tip-off that a group of Mumbai underworld dons were in the city to purchase arms from Babloo Chaursiya, the special operations group of the police laid a trap behind the college where the deal was to be struck. On reaching the spot, the arm dealers realised they were surrounded and fired at the police. The police retaliated in which Babloo was gunned down. — PTI

Babulal Keshavlal Shah dead
KOPARGAON: Senior socialist leader and Janata Dal activist, Babulal Keshavlal Shah died here on Friday following a heart attack. He was 73. Shah, one of the trustees of the Rashtra Seva Dal, was close associate of late socialist leaders S.M. Joshi, Nanasaheb Goray, and former Union Railway Minister Madhu Dandvate. — PTI

New judges appointed
NEW DELHI: President K.R. Narayanan on Thursday appointed Mr Agara Venkataramanappa Srinivas Reddy and Mr Ramachandrarao Gururajan as additional judges of the Karnataka High Court. According to an official release, their appointment would be for a two-year period, effective from the date they assume charge of their respective offices. — UNI