J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Troops ready to face challenge: Gen Malik
JAMMU, Sept 16 — The Army chief, Gen V.P. Malik, has said as a result of continued firing and shelling by the Pakistan troops the situation on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir remained tense.

Gujjars demand share in power
JAMMU, Sept 16 — Members of the Gujjar United Front staged a demonstration and took out a procession in protest against ‘stepmotherly treatment’ being meted out to the community by the state government.

Calendar for J&K session released
SRINAGAR, Sept 16 — The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil, has issued provisional calendar for the 10th session of the Assembly, beginning here on October 9.

Troops ready to face challenge: Gen Malik
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Sept 16 — The Army chief, Gen V.P. Malik, has said as a result of continued firing and shelling by the Pakistan troops the situation on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir remained tense.

Talking to mediapersons after completing his two-day farewell visit to the state here today General Malik said, “We may have to face bigger challenges in the future.” He said insurgency may continue because of the support the rebels received from across the border.

He further said the security forces were doing a good job in containing the activities of the militants, but still much ground had to be covered because of the belligerent postures adopted by the agencies across the border.

The Army chief said the Indian troops were ready to face the challenge and he believed that the turmoil required a political solution. “We were happy when one rebel outfit declared ceasefire and agreed to initiate talks," he said, adding that since the government had shown willingness to continue the dialogue he hoped the situation would stabilise.

Addressing troops at Nagrota corps headquarters the Army chief complimented the efforts of soldiers and junior officers in the Kargil conflict.

In reply to another question he said measures had been taken to remove the shortage of officers in the Indian Army. He said the response to some of these schemes had been positive.

General Malik was accompanied by Mrs Ranjana Malik, his wife. Mrs Malik addressed the Army Wives Welfare Association and suggested to it to carry on the programme of ensuring proper rehabilitation of war widows. Mrs Meera Khanna, president AWWA welcomed Mrs Malik and lauded her contribution in giving strength to association.

Gujjars demand share in power
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Sept 16 — Members of the Gujjar United Front staged a demonstration and took out a procession in protest against ‘stepmotherly treatment’ being meted out to the community by the state government.

The Front activists led by its president, Mr Anwar Chowdhary and general secretary, Mr Shah Mohammed Chowdhary, staged a dharna in front of the office of the Divisional Commissioner, then marched to the Civil Secretariat to submit a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner as he was at the secretariat.

The Front in its four-page memorandum listed a series of instances in support of its claim that the Gujjar community had been given a raw deal and expressed fears that the state government would not tamper with the census. 

Calendar for J&K session released
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Sept 16 — The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mr Abdul Ahad Vakil, has issued provisional calendar for the 10th session of the Assembly, beginning here on October 9.

According to the calendar, the autumn session of the Assembly will have six sittings. Government business in the House has been scheduled for October 9, 10, 11 and 13. October 12 has been slated for private members resolutions and October 16 for their Bills.