J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Siachen: A local dog on guard with troops on Siachen glacier under sub-zero temperature — PTI photo

Cong for protection to J&K minorities
SRINAGAR, March 25 — The Congress party has demanded “adequate protection” to the minority communities in Jammu and Kashmir so as to prevent any recurrence of the incidents like Chatti Singhpora. In case the State and Central governments find themselves not in a position to protect the minorities, they should resign, said a Congress leader here yesterday.

Farooq reiterates assurance to Sikhs
UDHAMPUR, March 26 — The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah, talking to press here today reiterated his stand to provide proper security to minority, Sikh community in the Kashmir valley after the Chatti Singhpura massacre.

Cong for protection to J&K minorities
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, March 25 — The Congress party has demanded “adequate protection” to the minority communities in Jammu and Kashmir so as to prevent any recurrence of the incidents like Chatti Singhpora. In case the State and Central governments find themselves not in a position to protect the minorities, they should resign, said a Congress leader here yesterday.

Talking to a group of newspersons, Peerzada Mohammed Syed, vice-president of the Pradesh Congress Committee and Mr Surinder Singh Chani, a Congress leader, expressed concern over the approach to the issue by ruling parties both at the Centre and the State. “There is a total failure in protection to minorities.... if these governments over not in a position to control they should resign”, Mr Chani said. He ruled out the possibility of the migration of Sikhs from the valley as it would be betraying the age-old amity in the valley.

Peerzada expressed concern over the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister for not having visited the carnage site.

Meanwhile a delegation of the Sikh community here met the acting chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC).

The Congress leaders also expressed concern over the denial of permission to Mrs Sonia Gandhi to visit Chatti Singhpora.

Farooq reiterates assurance to Sikhs
From Our Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, March 26 — The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah, talking to press here today reiterated his stand to provide proper security to minority, Sikh community in the Kashmir valley after the Chatti Singhpura massacre. He said that one battalion has been deployed to Kashmir in 115 minority community villages identified as sensitive and minority Sikh community villages and more forces if required can be deployed soon to provide. He added that at present the forming of village defence committees has been abandoned. But in future, if situation demands these can be formed.

He also said that he is sure that militants shall not repeat such cowardice, barbarous, heinous crime again as the Muslim majority community in Kashmir as a whole has shown its concern for such human rights violation.

He said the Centre has helped the state and also helping as promised by Central Leadership whenever required. The relations are much cordial there are no differences in between. He also said that to strength the democratic process in the state, panchayat elections shall take place in June 2000.

The Chief Minister said that one agricultural university will be opened in Sunderbani in district of Rajouri and one engineering college will be opened in Udhampur District.