J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Sympathy wave in valley for Farooq
JAMMU, July 3 — When the National Conference led by Dr Farooq Abdullah adopted a resolution in the state legislature seeking restoration of greater autonomy to the State on June 26, the majority in the Kashmir valley was indifferent. They treated the resolution as yet “another political gimmick.”

JKPDP workers lathi-charged
SRINAGAR, July 3 — The police resorted to a lathi charge today to disperse more than 100 activists of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party as the party began its statewide campaign to highlight ‘burning political and economic issues’ by submitting a memorandum to the district authorities here.

Police lathi charge demonstrators led by Mrs Mehbooba Mufti near the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Srinagar on Monday.
— Photo by Amin War

Four killed in Jammu
JAMMU, July 3 — A huge cache of weapons, including 48 RPG rockets was unearthed and four persons killed in the Jammu region since yesterday, official sources said.

Sympathy wave in valley for Farooq
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, July 3 — When the National Conference led by Dr Farooq Abdullah adopted a resolution in the state legislature seeking restoration of greater autonomy to the State on June 26, the majority in the Kashmir valley was indifferent. They treated the resolution as yet “another political gimmick.”

There were no takers among the people and political parties, especially the Hurriyat Conference, to the slogan of greater autonomy. But within one week the scene has transformed as several mainstream political parties including the BJP, Shiv Sena, Congress and the Janata Dal have dubbed the resolution “anti-Kashmiri.”

Political observers opine series of statements issued by various leaders has helped Dr Abdullah to gain “peoples’ sympathy” in the Kashmir valley.

When the Shiv Sena supremo, Bal Thackeray, said in a press statement “Farooq is a traitor and arrest him” it set in motion a sympathy wave for the Chief Minister in the valley.

Whenever any political action in the state evokes a sharp reaction in the country it generates sympathy for the political leader who dares to stick out his neck. Between 1949 and the middle of 1950 Sheikh Abdullah had lost much of his political lustre because of his total failure to help the people in coming out of the economic depression. When he advised the people to eat beans and potatoes and avoid seeking food subsidy he infuriated number of his critics.

But when his government was dismissed and he was arrested on August 9, 1953 Kashmiris reacted sharply. The Sheikh turned into a hero again. And in the same way, though in a lesser degree, Dr Farooq Abdullah has been able to retrieve his political strength and for this leaders belonging to the BJP, the Congress, the RSS, Shiv Sena and others are responsible.

During the last three years the Chief Minister and his party’s influence on the people has eroded. The autonomy resolution has caused deep resentment in Jammu and Ladakh regions.

Right from the day the special session of the State legislature was convened to discuss the autonomy committee report, the Hurriyat Conference leaders and other separatists had been voicing their indifference to it. Even the PDP chief, Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, has opposed the demand for restoration of pre-1953 constitutional status.

And within one week of the development of sympathy for Dr Abdullah, Mufti Sayeed has qualified his statement to say that if greater autonomy was to be restored it should be given through the Hurriyat Conference. A senior Hurriyat Conference leader, Molvi Umar Farooq, recently said that the demand for restoration of greater autonomy was not outside the framework of the Constitution. He said that no doubt going back to 1952 would not solve the core issue of Kashmir, restoration of greater autonomy was part of the constitutional arrangement between the State and the Centre.

Without realising whether restoration of greater autonomy would be in the interest of the people or not Kashmiris have started feeling soft towards Dr Abdullah. This is so because they fear a drastic move from the Chief Minister.

Critics of Dr Abdullah have suggested to senior political leaders to avoid voicing harsh comments on the greater autonomy demand as such reactions had enabled the Chief Minister to gain the ground he had lost due to poor performance during the past over three years.

These critics argue the sympathy wave has surfaced as National Conference activists have gone around saying that greater autonomy would be the first step towards liberation of Kashmir.

Others feel that it would be better to adopt a give and take strategy while dealing with Dr Abdullah so that he was not pushed to the opposition camp immediately. Once Dr Abdullah remains in the opposition he develops greater mischief potential. It is in this context that a section in the NDA Government is considering to accept repeal of some central laws and reject the demand for going back to pre-1953 status.

JKPDP workers lathi-charged

SRINAGAR, July 3 (PTI) — The police resorted to a lathi charge today to disperse more than 100 activists of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP), as the party began its statewide campaign to highlight ‘burning political and economic issues’ by submitting a memorandum to the district authorities here.

The police resorted to mild cane charge to disperse over 100 activists of the party outside the DC office at Tankipora, who tried to force their way into the office, the police said.

The JKPDP submitted the memo, addressed to the State Governor, to the Divisional Commissioner on the burning political and economic issues of the State, including an inquiry into the custodial killings in the State.

The police action came when the slogan-shouting workers after covering half-a kilometre distance from Pratap Park to Tankipora in violation of prohibitory orders tried to force their entry into the DC office.

The police immediately swung into action and dispersed the workers by resorting to a mild lathi charge. However, no one was injured, the police said.

The party activists regrouped and later a five-member delegation led by their leader Mehbooba Mufti was allowed inside the premises and submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner.

Mehbooba, addressing the party workers, described the autonomy resolution as a “drama” to stall the proposed talks between the Centre and the people of the State.

Four killed in Jammu

JAMMU, July 3 (PTI) — A huge cache of weapons, including 48 RPG rockets was unearthed and four persons killed in the Jammu region since yesterday, official sources said.

Army personnel, during search operations at Surankote in Poonch district, unearthed huge cache of weapons from two militants hideouts, including 48 RPG rockets, 40 rifle grenades, 12 hand grenades, 10 grenades, six rifle grenades, five remote control devices and six grenade launcher attachments among others.

One militant was killed and three policemen were injured in an encounter in the Ramgarh area of Samba tehsil early today, sources said.

Two militants, one each in Sari Nallah in Poonch and Badhoon village in Rajouri, were killed in an exchange of fire with security personnel.

A number of arms and ammunition were seized from the encounter sites.

Suspected militants strangled to death a civilian in Udhampur district, reports said.

Experts face anxious moments
From Tripti Nath
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, July 3 — A rehabilitation professional and an orthopaedic surgeon, who were here recently to participate in a disability camp remained confined to their room in Welcome Hotel on Boulevard Road for two hours after a powerful explosion on Saturday.

According to reports, eight persons including three Armymen, were injured in the explosion. The explosion, reported at 5.10 p.m., is said to have been targeted at an Army convoy passing by at that time.

Boulevard Road, a high-security zone, is lined with hotels on one side and the world famous Dal lake on the other. It is also the main arterial route to Ladakh. The explosion also damaged the Army vehicle and other vehicles parked at the hotel.

Mr Sharad Ranga, Director of the National Institute of Physically Handicapped (NIPH), Delhi and Prosthetic and Orthotic Engineer, told TNS here that the explosion was so powerful that it shattered windowpanes and mirrors in the hotel room.

Recalling the nightmarish experience, Mr Ranga said, “Dr Dharmendra Kumar, the Deputy Director (Technical) of the National Institute of Rehabilitation Research and Training, Cuttack and I had just returned from the camp and had ordered tea when we heard a deafening blast. It was about 5.10 p.m Dr Kumar was putting up in Imperial Hotel on the same road but stayed on to join me for tea. We were so terrified that we hid under the bed. The explosion was followed by cross firing which continued for nearly an hour and a half. When the firing began, we decided to duck into the bathroom. We were extremely uncertain about reaching home.”

Mr Ranga said that a few minutes before the blast, Manoj Kumar, a Research Assistant from the District Rehabilitation Centre, Delhi had stepped out. “We had no clue of his whereabouts and got very anxious. It was only around 7 p.m. that some Army persons knocked at our door and assured us that everything was under control and we could come out. After a few minutes, a friend of mine who is in the police rang up to enquire whether I was safe. He came to the hotel and took us to Hotel Imperial.”

He said that they were relieved to see Manoj. He told us that he hid next to a wall and did not move for two hours.

Mr Ranga who has participated in more than 60 disability camps in various parts of the country in the past two years says he will think twice before participating in a camp in Srinagar. “I will not volunteer service for a camp in Srinagar. It is out of question.”