J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Clinton disappoints Hurriyat
JAMMU, March 24 — Although separatist groups and militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir are dismayed by the statements of US President Bill Clinton, during his stay in Delhi, they have not lost hope of seeing him reverse his stand. So far no separatist group or insurgent outfit has commented on Mr Clinton’s statements.

Observe mourning till bhog: SAD
SRINAGAR, March 24 — The State Akali Dal today asked Sikhs to observe 10 days’ mourning till the bhog ceremony of the 35 massacred Sikhs was held on Friday next.

Militancy will be crushed in 7 years: Farooq
KATHUA March 24 — ‘‘Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power in the world can separate it by force. The Kashmiri people will live and die with the people of India. Pakistan is trying to separate the body from its head and blood from bones. There is only one issue for dialogue with Pakistan, vacation of PoK.’’

Clinton disappoints Hurriyat
From M.L.Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, March 24 — Although separatist groups and militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir are dismayed by the statements of US President Bill Clinton, during his stay in Delhi, they have not lost hope of seeing him reverse his stand.

So far no separatist group or insurgent outfit has commented on Mr Clinton’s statements.

The separatist groups, especially the All Party Hurriyat Conference, cannot wish away Mr Clinton’s blanket refusal to meet them separately, something which they had worked hard for. Ironically, while they were snubbed Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, held detailed discussion on the Kashmir issue with Mr Clinton, in which he told Mr Clinton in clear terms that use of weapons or violation of human rights were alien to the people of Kashmir and the sources of the ongoing violence lay across the border.

Prior to the arrival of the US President, the separatists had harboured the hope that Mr Clinton would force India to accept his mediation on Kashmir and support the UN resolution favouring a plebiscite. However, these hopes were belied as Mr Clinton himself treated the UN resolutions on Kashmir as outdated and urged Pakistan, albeit indirectly, to respect the sanctity of the LoC.

The separatists are also unhappy at the praises showered on India by the American President and there is a perception of a marked tilt in US foreign policy.

But they seem disinclined to accept that Mr Clinton will be prepared to lose the goodwill that the USA enjoys in Pakistan and hope Mr Clinton will continue to nurture the 50-year long relationship.

Informed sources said Mr Clinton had even agreed to a suggestion of Dr Abdullah that he persuade Islamabad to stop the violence in Jammu and Kashmir.

The killing of 35 Sikhs in Chati Singhpora village in south Kashmir is said to have influenced the mind of the American President. While the killing was aimed at focussing world attention on the Kashmir issue during the Presidential visit the massacre seems to have proved counterproductive for Pakistan.

Ironically, the Pakistani agencies plan was foiled not by any sustained campaign by Indian propaganda agencies but by members of the bereaved families themselves, who pointed a finger at foreign mercenaries and by extension at Pakistan.

Will Mr Clinton soften his stand during his brief trip to Pakistan is the question uppermost in the mind these pro-Pak elements.

Observe mourning till bhog: SAD
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, March 24 — The State Akali Dal today asked Sikhs to observe 10 days’ mourning till the bhog ceremony of the 35 massacred Sikhs was held on Friday next.

A meeting of the state Akali Dal (Badal) and its youth wing, was held today under the chairmanship of Mr Surjeet Singh Badal. Other leaders of the two organisations also attended the meeting to mourn the massacre.

The Sikh leaders also asked its community members to close down their business establishments and urged Sikh males to wear black turbans and the women to use black dupattas.

They, however, hailed the role of the majority community members, who stood by Sikhs over the years. The leaders urged the state and the Central Government to announce a holiday on March 3, when the bhog ceremony scheduled to be held.

Militancy will be crushed in 7 years: Farooq
From Our Correspondent

KATHUA March 24 — ‘‘Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power in the world can separate it by force. The Kashmiri people will live and die with the people of India. Pakistan is trying to separate the body from its head and blood from bones. There is only one issue for dialogue with Pakistan, vacation of PoK.’’

This emotional outburst was of Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister while addressing new the recruits, policemen, prominent citizens and district officers at Kathua today.

He said he had urged President Clinton to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and that all types of aid to it be stopped.

He appealed to Muslim countries not to be taken in by the Islamic card.

Strongly condemning the massacre at Chhati Singhpora, he said militancy will be crushed within 7 years. He advised the security forces to win the heart of the people so that they did not provide shelter to militants.

Later, addressing mediapersons he said ‘black sheeps in the police will be punished on the Punjab pattern and ministers and bureaucrats found assisting militants or giving them shelter will be arrested.