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| Sunday, July 9, 2000, Chandigarh, India   
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Don’t trifurcate J&K: Nayar Wazir behind Tohra’s demand 5 jawans killed in valley |
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Security for Power Dept staff
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Autonomy not secessionism: CM SRINAGAR, July 8 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah here today said that the rejection of autonomy resolution by the Centre was “unfortunate” and it was a pitiable situation in a democratic country. He was addressing at the inaugural function of the two-day conference on “Autonomy in J&K, Restructuring Indian Federalism” organised by Regional Autonomy Implementation Committee of Jammu and Kashmir Government headed by Prof Riyaz Punjabi. The Chief Minister said that debate and discussions were essential part of a democratic set-up, that were denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He asked the Centre to convey to the ruling National Conference, where it had been wrong. He added that demand for autonomy, for which the state Legislative Assembly passed a resolution here last month did not amount to secessionism. “I think Kashmiriat will remain alive in the larger interests to India....we are not for weakening India and we have never been part of that system,” Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah regretted. He reiterated that his father, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was clear in his perceptions when he chose to accede to India in spite of the pressures from different quarters to join Pakistan on the basis of the majority Muslim population in some parts of the state. “He (Sheikh) joined India for its secular traditions... it is a pity that people are being killed in the name of Christians or Muslim”, Farooq Abdullah said. He added that “we are not responsible for turbulence here.” He claimed that it had already been put forth that the will of the people would work in Jammu and Kashmir and that was only being done when his party the National Conference fulfilled its promise by passing a resolution on autonomy. Others who participated in the seminar today included former Foreign Secretary, Muchkund Dubey and noted journalist, B.G. Verghese, M.y. Tasigami of the CPM state unit and Mr Vaiku, a leader from the MDMK from Tamil Nadu and others. In his address, Mr B.G. Verghese said that there was need to reconciliate on various issues and how to proceed further in the process of reconciliation. He regretted the recent happenings, referring to the outright rejection of resolution on autonomy by the Central government. All speakers supported the cause of the National Conference after the rejection of the autonomy by the Central Government. They held that debate, discussion and dialogue were the only viable solution to the Kashmir problem which led to the present circumstances in the valley. It was only discussion that would solve the problem. “I do not want pre-1953, 1975 or anything else, but I want an amicable solution and an end to the present crisis in Kashmir”, Mr M.Y. Tarigami said. Prof T.K. Ommen, of the Jawaharlal Nehru University held that the autonomy was the only viable solution to Jammu and Kashmir as we were torn between secession and assimilation. The former Foreign Secretary, Mr Muchkund Dubey, held that the central government ignored the most vital part of the problem... that the people of Jammu and Kashmir who were the essential party to it, who needed the restoration of honour and dignity. |
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Don’t trifurcate J&K: Nayar SRINAGAR, July 8 — A noted journalist and MP, Mr Kuldeep Nayar, has expressed concern over the rejection of the resolution on autonomy by the Union Cabinet and also opposed the move for trifurcation of the state on religious lines. Addressing a gathering of scholars and journalists held here last evening in connection with the release of “Aina Numa”, a collection of the selected writings of noted writer and journalist of Kashmir, late Shamim Ahmad Shamim. This collection has been compiled by Qurat-ul-Ain, younger sister of late Shamim Ahmad Shamim, who was renowned for his Urdu journalism from the 50s and early 80s. Mr Nayar held that the “hasty decision” of the Union Cabinet jolted the confidence of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that this was not amounting to secessionism. He said that the state of Jammu and Kashmir had acceded to India on certain conditions and it was on these conditions some concessions had been accorded to the state Viz-a-viz its relationship with the rest of the country. “The Union of India did not accede to Jammu and Kashmir but the State of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to the Union of India”, Mr Nayar said. He also opposed the idea of trifurcation of the state that has been mooted by certain quarters, adding that it would divide the state on religious and communal lines. Mr Nayar said that India believed in the secular and democratic traditions and there were some forces bent upon hurting this set-up of the country. He said that Jammu and Kashmir was not only a state with people belonging to different religions, but with different languages and different social and cultural relationship. Mr Nayar said that there were some people bent upon distorting the secular fabric of the country and these people were responsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid, a symbol of the secular India. Commenting on the feeling of fellow Indians on the happenings in Kashmir, Mr Nayar held that there were many more people in the country who were concerned for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, witness to turmoil over the past decade. The others present on the occasion included Mr Ved Bhasin, chairman of the Jammu-based Kashmir Times Group of publications a close associate of late Shamim Ahmad Shamim in the field of journalism. In his address, Mr Bhasin recalled his association with late Shamim Ahmad Shamim and his contribution to the field of journalism, particularly Urdu journalism in the valley. Mr Bhasin said that Shamim had upheld the high ideals of journalism and the high standards of Urdu writing. He lamented about the present state of Urdu language in the valley and elsewhere. Senior journalist, Ghulam Mohammad Sofi, who is the Editor of Urdu daily Srinagar Times, presided over the function and lauded the role of his friend, late Shamim, in the post-Independence era of the valley. Renowned Urdu scholar and critic, Dr Mohammad Zaman Azurdah, conducted the proceedings of the function held at the auditorium of the College of Education here. Mrs Quartul Ain, the youngest sister of Shamim Ahmad Shamim, who has compiled the book in association with Mohammad Shafi Khan, dwelt on the varied qualities of Shamim and his love for journalism. |
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Wazir behind Tohra’s demand JAMMU, July 8 — The brain behind the demand for adopting the Anandpur Sahib resolution in the Punjab Assembly, which was voiced within hours of the adoption of the autonomy resolution by the Kashmir Assembly by Mr G.S. Tohra, president of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, was none other than the president of the Gurdwara Prabandhak Board, Mr S.S. Wazir. In Jammu and Kashmir the Gurdwara Prabandhak Board, headed by Mr S.S. Wazir has maintained cordial relations with the state unit of the Akali Dal, the AISSF and other Sikh bodies while keeping a watch on the interests of the community. Since Mr Wazir happens to be a close friend of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, he got in touch with Mr Tohra soon after the Kashmir Assembly adopted the autonomy resolution. Informed sources said Mr Wazir suggested to Mr Tohra to press for adoption of the Anandpur Sahib resolution in the Punjab Assembly. Consequently, Mr Tohra voiced his demand and urged the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to follow Dr Abdullah’s example and get the Anandpur Sahib resolution adopted in the Punjab Assembly. Mr Wazir and other senior Akali leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including the AISSF functionaries, have supported the adoption of the resolution seeking restoration of greater autonomy to the state. According to Mr Wazir, “We support the demand as long as it is within the framework of the Constitution of India.” He made it clear that neither the demand for restoration of pre-1953 constitutional status to Jammu and Kashmir nor the Anandpur Sahib resolution was secessionist in nature. He said the states needed more financial and political powers and if the two resolutions, one passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and the other related to Anandpur Sahib, were implemented it would result in a “strong federal system.” Mr Wazir is, however, totally opposed to the demand for trifurcation of the state saying that it would disintegrate the state and breed communal passions. At the same time critics of Mr Wazir are of the view that had he not suggested to Mr Tohra to demand adoption of Anandpur Sahib resolution in the Punjab Assembly the Union Cabinet would have not taken a hasty step by rejecting the Kashmir Assembly resolution on autonomy. They say that Mr Tohra’s demand coupled with similar demands in Assam were treated as red signals by the central government and the Union Cabinet rejected the Kashmir demand to discourage those in Punjab, Assam and Tamil Nadu who were also planning to move for greater autonomy. The Jammu Mukti Morcha, which has been an ardent critic of restoration of greater autonomy, has again reiterated its demand for the vivisection of Jammu and Kashmir on regional basis. The president of the morcha, Prof Virender Gupta, has issued a statement urging the central government to trifurcate the state so that people in the Jammu and Ladakh regions are empowered to shape their destiny. He has said the demand for trifurcation had no communal overtones as the Jammu region had more than 30 per cent Muslim population. He made it clear that support for trifurcation was the result of a feeling among the people of Jammu and Ladakh regions that they had been ignored by the Kashmiri leadership during the past 50 years. Professor Gupta criticised the statement of Gen K.V. Krishna Rao, a former Governor and Army Chief, that trifurcation would prove dangerous as it might result in communal divide. The morcha chief said the Chief Minister was planning to implement the regional autonomy committee report which may lead to the division and subdivision of the state on communal grounds. He suggested to the central government that to foil Dr Abdullah’s gameplan the state should be split in three regions and each region be given separate statehood. If, for the time being, nothing is likely to emerge out of demands and counter-demands the debate on the state’s trifurcation is going to get linked with the demand for greater autonomy. |
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5 jawans killed in valley SRINAGAR, July 8 (PTI) — Eight persons, including five Army jawans and two foreign mercenaries, were killed in separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said here today. While three Army jawans were killed in an encounter between militants and security forces in Balakote in Poonch district, two other jawans lost their lives in another encounter at Bhatola village of Doda district. Two foreign mercenaries, one of whom was identified as Mohammad Nayeem of Gujranwalla (Pakistan), were killed in a gunfight with security forces at Amr-e-Behak in Devar-Lolab area of frontier district of Kupwara last evening, the spokesman said, adding two AK 47 rifles and some incriminating documents were seized from them. He said militants kidnapped a civilian and subsequently shot him dead. The police backed by the CRPF raided a militant hideout in Preng Ganderbal village on the outskirts of Srinagar today and arrested Abdul Rashid Ganai, a close associate of district commander of Hizbul the Mujahideen for Ganderbal, Muzamil. Another militant was taken into custody yesterday during routine checking by security forces in Loran-Mandi area of border district of Poonch, the spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Army-civil core group has decided to launch a joint operation to eliminate various terrorist groups operating in hilly district of Doda in Jammu division. The core group, which held a meeting at Delta force
headquarters at Batote in Doda district yesterday, discussed in detail the current security scenario prevailing there. Speaking on the occasion, Major-General Mohinder Singh, GoC Counter Insurgency Force, Delta cautioned that terrorists were likely to accelerate their activities during the
forthcoming Amarnath yatra and called for alertness. He, however, said foolproof measures were being taken to make the yatra successful. |
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Security for Power Dept staff JAMMU, July 8 — Security personnel have been posted outside the Power Development and Public Health Engineering Departments to prevent protesters, holding demonstrations against drinking water shortage and prolonged power cuts, from assaulting officials of the two departments. During the past two days several localities in Jammu city have witnessed a series of demonstrations with people shouting anti-Government slogans while demanding uninterrupted power and drinking water supply. Several of the protesters blamed the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, for the ‘mess’ that has been created in the Power Development Department (PDD) and Public Health Engineering Department, which is responsible for supply of drinking water to the people. They said that over a month ago, the Chief Minister had announced release of Rs 5 crore for replacing defective transformers. Later, he announced an increase of the funds by another Rs 4 crore. But so far, the PDD has not received a single penny. The PDD authorities told this correspondent that they had not received the Rs 9 crore which the Chief Minister had promised. The authorities admitted that power cuts had become necessary because the transformers were not in a capacity to bear the load. Those manning the water supply system blamed the Power Development Department for the water crisis. They said that since the city was being supplied electricity on a rotation basis, “we have not been able to keep the pumps functional.” They said low voltage added to “our” problems and water could not be lifted to the reservoirs. Several dealers confirmed that during the past three months, the sale of inverters and diesel or kerosene generators had increased. |
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