J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Ceasefire will solve J & K problem: CPM
SRINAGAR, Oct 7 — The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the CPM has urged the central government to “declare an unconditional unilateral ceasefire” to pave the way for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir problem.

Another survey on Kashmir
NEW DELHI, Oct 7 — A staggering 82 per cent of the people in Kashmir support a ‘Hizbul Mujahideen-type ceasefire’ while 70 per cent want Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism in the valley, indicating a significant shift in Kashmiri people’s attitude towards Islamabad.

18 J & K residents get artificial limbs
SRINAGAR, Oct 7 — Eighteen persons in the age group of nine to 80 from different parts of Kashmir have been provided with artificial limbs by the Army as part of its Operation Sadhbhavna, undertaken for the welfare of militancy victims.

Ceasefire will solve J & K problem: CPM
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 7 — The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the CPM has urged the central government to “declare an unconditional unilateral ceasefire” to pave the way for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir problem.

Addressing a press conference here this morning, Mr M.Y. Tarigami, State State Secretary of the CPM and lone party MLA, said that goodwill could be earned by the ceasefire, whereby “people of different shades can think of possible solutions”.

In reply to a question, Mr Tarigami hoped that militants would respond positively. He said that the 16-day ceasefire by the Hizbul Mujahideen had been declared in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir who want an “honourable solution” to the problem. “The gun has been sufficiently projected... now the time has come for the political issue to be resolved,” Mr Tarigami said.

He said the 16-day ceasefire by the Hizbul Mujahideen from July 24 last was “good experience,” though shortlived.

Expressing concern over the daily killings in Kashmir, which virtually affected the whole set-up, the CPM leader said that he had written separate letters to the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah and the former Hurriyat Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani. “I have requested both of them to initiate a process of dialogue so that an opinion emerges to give an end to the ongoing situation,” Mr Tarigami said, adding that neither of the two had responded.

Another survey on Kashmir

NEW DELHI, Oct 7 (UNI) — A staggering 82 per cent of the people in Kashmir support a ‘Hizbul Mujahideen-type ceasefire’ while 70 per cent want Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism in the valley, indicating a significant shift in Kashmiri people’s attitude towards Islamabad.

As much as 91 per cent Kashmiris say that Pakistan must be involved in the peace process while 39 per cent believe that a solution to the Kashmir problem lies within the framework of the Indian Constitution, according to a recent survey.

In a similar survey conducted in 1995, 84 per cent of those polled had said they did not think a solution was possible within the framework of the Constitution while only 14 per cent said such a solution was possible.

The survey, conducted in 32 urban and rural locations in four districts of Srinagar, Budgam, Baramula and Anantnag (in Kashmir valley) and Kargil (Ladakh), says that 74 per cent of the people want ‘Azadi’ (independence) while 77 per cent think that the Hurriyat Conference represents the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The opinion poll was conducted from September 20 to 24 by the Marketing and Development Research Associates (mdra) for the weekly ‘Outlook’ for the magazine’s fifth anniversary issue.

18 J & K residents get artificial limbs
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 7 — Eighteen persons in the age group of nine to 80 from different parts of Kashmir have been provided with artificial limbs by the Army as part of its Operation Sadhbhavna, undertaken for the welfare of militancy victims.

Lt-Gen J.R. Mukherjee, Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, interacted with the first batch of 18 amputees on their arrival from Chandigarh this morning. The beneficiaries of the project were overwhelmed with this gesture of the Army, which, in their own words, “tantamounts to giving them a new lease of life. The fitments were undertaken by the Jyot Charitable Trust under the guidance of Dr V.J.Y. Vohra of Nevedac Prosthetic Centre, Chandigarh. These artificial limbs are state of the art, light weight and made up of fibre glass.

Four of the 18 recipients of artificial limbs have also been provided with tricycles to enable them to move about more freely.

Tabassum Farooq and Bilal Ahmad, aged 9 and 10, respectively, are polio-affected children from Baramula district. Both of them had been bed-ridden and were unable to walk. They were also sent to Chandigarh and have now been provided with walkers along with other fitments which will help them to move without anyone’s help.

Mohammad Paryar, an 80-year-old man from Keran in Kupwara district, lost his right leg in a mine explosion last year. He has now thrown away his crutches and is practising to walk with his artificial leg. Ghulam Nabi Ahangar, a 23-year- old from Wushan Khauy, lost his left hand in 1995 in a bomb blast in a militancy related activity and has now been provided with a mechanical hand.

The Corps Commander announced that the Army would continue to provide artificial limbs to all affected and deserving persons free of cost. The affected handicapped personnel needing assistance should contact any Army unit in their neighbourhood for the needful, Lt-Gen J.R. Mukherjee announced.