J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Muslims safe in India: Dehalvi
JAMMU, June 7 — The Anjuman Minhaj-Rasool, a known religious and political organisation, has called for an end to violence in Kashmir to make the proposed Government-Hurriyat talks meaningful.

Pandian panel begins hearing
SRINAGAR, June 7 — Justice S.R. Pandian Commission of Inquiry, probing the killing of eight persons in the Brackpora police firing on April 3, today began recording statements by witnesses at Khannabal, an official spokesman said here.

Security personnel cordon off the area outside the police headquarters in Srinagar on Wednesday after militants fired six grenades aimed to blow up a security camp at Srinagar. — PTI photo

Car thieves’ gang busted
JAMMU, June 7 — The police has busted a gang of inter-state car thieves with the arrest of six persons and recovered 10 vehicles from them.

Arrangements for Prophet’s birth anniversary
SRINAGAR, June 7 — Arrangements regarding Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi, Prophet’s birth anniversary, were finalised at a high-level meeting of officers here yesterday under the chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Khursheed Ahmed Ganai.

Muslims safe in India: Dehalvi
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, June 7 — The Anjuman Minhaj-Rasool, a known religious and political organisation, has called for an end to violence in Kashmir to make the proposed Government-Hurriyat talks meaningful.

The Chairman of the Anjuman Minhaj-e-Rasool, Maulana Syed Dehalvi, told newsmen here today it was imperative for Hurriyat Conference leaders to exercise their influence and put an end to the gun culture which had been responsible for bloodshed in the valley for the last 10 years.

Mr Dehlavi supported the proposal for bringing the government and the separatists to the negotiating table but said that in the background of violence the proposed talks may not make any headway.

The militancy-related violence and lawlessness in the Kashmir valley had registered a step-up in the recent months and he held both the state and Central Government responsible for it because the government did not follow any definite policy for curbing the activities of the militants.

Condemning the recent landmine explosion near Pattan in which 11 Shias were killed Maulana Dehlavi said that such attacks were aimed at disturbing communal amity in the state and other parts of the country. Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir should realise that their future was quite safe in India and as such they should not support separatists.

Several religious leaders, including Jagat Guru Shankaracharya, Mr N.K. Sharma, an astrologer and a spiritualist, Mr M.K. Barmi, a sufi scholar, and Maulana Dehalvi would visit Srinagar in the third week of this month to hold talks with the Hurriyat leaders and other separatist groups. The purpose of these talks was to persuade the separatists to see the reality and stop violence so that no more blood was lost in Kashmir.

Pandian panel begins hearing

SRINAGAR, June 7 (PTI) — Justice S.R. Pandian Commission of Inquiry, probing the killing of eight persons in the Brackpora police firing on April 3, today began recording statements by witnesses at Khannabal, an official spokesman said here.

Eight persons were killed and scores injured when the Special Operations Group of the police allegedly opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting at Brackpora against the disappearance of five persons of Brari-Angan.

As many as 58 persons have submitted their affidavits before the commission regarding the incident so far, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, on a plea made by some organisations the last date of submitting affidavits and other documents before the commission has been extended by 10 days from the earlier last date of June 4, the spokesman said.

Car thieves’ gang busted
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, June 7 — The police has busted a gang of inter-state car thieves with the arrest of six persons and recovered 10 vehicles from them.

Mr M.A. Anjum, SSP, who headed a special police team to inquire into complaints of car-lifting, told newsmen here today that the team had raided the houses of suspected car thieves. Following their interrogation, a special police team was sent to Rajasthan where raids were conducted with the help of Rajasthan police.

These raids led to the recovery of 10 vehicles including three Tata Sumos, two Maruti Vans, four Matadors and a bus.

Mr Anjum said the car thieves after smuggling the stolen vehicles, re-registered the cars and changed their number plates.

Arrangements for Prophet’s birth anniversary
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, June 7 — Arrangements regarding Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), Prophet’s birth anniversary, were finalised at a high-level meeting of officers here yesterday under the chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Khursheed Ahmed Ganai.

The meeting was informed that adequate arrangements had been made for ensuring uninterrupted power and drinking water supply in and around Hazratbal for the convenience of the pilgrims. The Srinagar Municipality has already initiated steps regarding sanitation, an official spokesman said.

The meeting was told that the Public, Health, Engineers (PHE) Department had installed 300 temporary water taps while 50,000 gallons capacity overhead water tank had already been established. The Divisional Commissioner instructed the PHE authorities to deploy one more water tanker to meet the requirements. The Electric Department will ensure installation of streetlights on various routes connecting the Hazratbal shrine. In addition, the Electricity Department will install a power generator as a standby arrangement in addition to the generator already installed by the Muslim Auqaf Trust.

The meeting was informed that the Food and Supplies Department will provide additional one kg sugar per ration card to the consumers on the eve of Id-e-Miladun Nabi. The department has also acquired sufficient stocks of foodgrains, LPG and kerosene at their depots. The Health Department will set up first aid camps at various points during Urs days.