J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Ultras fortifying positions
JAMMU, May 30 — While some of the Hurriyat leaders wait for the government to make a formal offer for the proposed talks, militant outfits, on the other hand, have started fortifying their positions in different parts of the Kashmir valley for the past several weeks.

Panthers Party warns Centre on US move
SRINAGAR, May 30 (PTI) — Claiming that the USA is trying to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) has urged the Centre to check the “dangerous” move.

Amarnath yatra from July 16
SRINAGAR, May 30 — The Amarnath yatra will commence on July 16 and conclude on August 15 this year. The registration of the pilgrims will start from June 20 while the base camp will start functioning from June 25 at Chandanwari.

Ultras fortifying positions
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, May 30 — While some of the Hurriyat leaders wait for the government to make a formal offer for the proposed talks, militant outfits, on the other hand, have started fortifying their positions in different parts of the Kashmir valley for the past several weeks.

Not only eyewitness accounts but official sources confirm that a number of groups of foreign mercenaries have carved out hideouts in the summer capital and its adjoining areas in the recent weeks. One finds their number growing.

The reason being that there has been hardly any evidence of anti-insurgency operations being carried out on the pattern the Romeo Force of the Army has done in Poonch and Rajouri districts. Secondly, an impression has gone round in various political and public circles that the security forces have “bought peace” with the militants and the militants have avoided engaging the security forces in direct encounters. Those who have developed such feelings refer to free movement of militants between Budgam and Chattabal in Srinagar and from Chhatabal to Ganderbal, the assembly constituency of Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah. They refer to militant groups inflating their strength in Kulgam, Shopean, Pulwama, Kishtwar and upper reaches of the Udhampur-Batote belts.

It is widely believed in Kashmir that security forces have preferred to go slow following spate of complaints about alleged excesses and custodial deaths. The killing of eight civilians in the police firing at Brakapora in Anantnag over a month ago, which resulted in suspension of two senior police officers and judicial inquiry, has seemingly forced the police to be on the defensive. What seems to have placed the security forces in a state of inertia is the way political and public leaders held them responsible for aggravating peoples’ alienation.

Several nationalist forces, whom this correspondent met, seemed to be worried over these developments when militants were planning to launch an offensive against the security forces and other pro-government elements in different parts of the state. Official reports confirm that several militant outfits have decided to carry out joint operations for snapping the road link between Batote and Banihal which could lead to a dangerous situation cutting off the Kashmir valley with rest of the country.

According to these reports, militants equipped with sophisticated weapons and high grade explosives have been engaged to carve out hideouts on either side of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and strike at an opportune time. And the opportune time was being finalised by he agencies across the border which may synchronise the blowing up the highway with fresh incursion from across Uri, Kupwara, Poonch and Rajouri sectors.

On the political front an element of uncertainty has crept in the National Conference circles following repeated offers, though made verbally, made to the Hurriyat Conference leaders by Union Home Minister L.K. Advani. Though Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah has conveyed to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister L.K. Advani that “nothing will emerge from the talks as the Pakistani military rulers controlled the guns in Kashmir”, Mr Advani has not given up his habit of sending feelers to the Hurriyat Conference through newspaper statements.

As far as the Hurriyat Conference is concerned it is a divided house. The JKLF constituent has opposed any condition to be laid for the talks. The Jamait-e-Islami unit has been vocal in favour of tripartite and not bilateral talks. Mr Abdul Gani Lone and Molvi Abbas Ansari, two other senior leaders, have adopted a tight-lipped attitude.

A senior Hurriyat conference leader said “we wait and watch till we have a formal offer from the government for initiating talks.” He said the Hurriyat Conference felt that Mr Advani was “kidding us”. “Mr Advani had hopes that we would jump over the offer for talks”, he said adding that “we are not in a hurry to accept or reject the offer, whenever it is made.”

Since the possibility of talks to begin is not yet sealed, even the security personnel prefer to wait for the outcome of the proposed talks. “Let the talks begin or let they be a non starter and then alone we can form late our next strategy,” a senior officer of a security agency said. Till then there is confusion and Mr Advani’s proactive policy has no takers in Kashmir.

Panthers Party warns Centre on US move

SRINAGAR, May 30 (PTI) — Claiming that the USA is trying to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) has urged the Centre to check the “dangerous” move.

The visit of US Under Secretary of State Thomas Pickering to India and Pakistan showed US intentions in this regard, JNKPP chief Bhim Singh told PTI here.

“The USA is trying to adopt the role of a mediator in the Jammu and Kashmir affairs which is a ‘dangerous signal’ and must be checked”, he said.

Regarding the proposed talks between the Centre and the Hurriyat Conference, Mr Bhim Singh said his organisation had always welcomed and supported a dialogue with people of Jammu and Kashmir to resolve the Kashmir issue.

The dialogue should be aimed at peaceful resolution of the issue and talks should not only be held with the Hurriyat Conference but all sections of the society of the undivided state”, he added.

The Hurriyat or the ruling National Conference, he said, only represented the Kashmir valley. None of the political parties represented the aspirations of Jammu division, the JKNPP chief said, adding people of the Ladakh region too were not satisfied with the Hill Development Council status granted to them.

“We have ignored the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and 35 lakh Kashmiris living there for the past 52 years and unless we involve them in the dialogue peace will continue to elude Kashmir”, Mr Bhim Singh said.

About the slogan of “autonomy” raised by the NC, he said it was a total fraud”.

On a question about the repeated demand of the Chief Minister to convert the LoC into an international border, he said it was “not possible”.

He said his party had moved a petition with the United Nations with regard to the unrepresented areas like Gilgit.

The JKNPP chief ruled out reports of the possibility of imposing President’s rule in the state and said “the imposition of Governor’s rule or transfer of power was no solution as these measures could not stop bloodshed in the state”.

Amarnath yatra from July 16
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, May 30 — The Amarnath yatra will commence on July 16 and conclude on August 15 this year. The registration of the pilgrims will start from June 20 while the base camp will start functioning from June 25 at Chandanwari.

This was stated at a meeting held here today to discuss arrangements for smooth conduct of the yatra, under the chairmanship of Mr Parvez Dewan, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Tourism Department. The meeting took stock for the availability of medicine, essential commodities, drinking water and power at various stages of the yatra, an official spokesman said here.

The meeting was informed that the Police-Telecommunications Department would ensure better communication network. Similarly STD facility will be made available at different places en route the shrine. Mr Parvez Dewan asked the R&B and Pahalgam Project Organisation to ensure necessary repairs of the Pahalgam Chandanwari road and Chandanwari cave track so that it is thrown open to pilgrims well in time.