J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

MLAs to meet Union Ministers
SRINAGAR, Oct 19 — A meeting of MLAs representing areas along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to meet the Home Minister and Defence Minister here on Sunday to discuss the security scenario in the state. The two ministers will arrive here along with other Union Ministers to review the overall situation and the developmental scenario in this trouble-torn state.

Cong leaders keep away from stir
JAMMU, Oct 19 — Those who matter in the Congress were conspicuous by their absence from the anti-price hike agitation launched by the party’s Vice-President, Mr Gulchain Singh Charak, here today. Mr Charak had organised a day’s dharna in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s office demanding that the BJP-led NDA government reconsider the steep hike in petrol and petroleum products.

Militancy claimed 2,565 lives in J & K
SRINAGAR, Oct 19 — At least 2565 persons including 1210 militants, 720 civilians and 635 security force personnel have been killed in militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir this year so far.

US diplomats meet J&K Chief Secy
SRINAGAR, Oct 19  — A four-member diplomatic team of the United States embassy in New Delhi yesterday called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Ashok Jaitly to hold discussions on the law and order situation and development and welfare schemes launched by the state.

APHC not for trifurcation of state
JAMMU, Oct 19 — The All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, Jammu province has expressed serious concern over the demand raised by some communal and non-resident elements to get the state divided into Jammu, valley and Ladakh on communal lines.

Police drive against crime
JAMMU, Oct 19 — The police has launched a campaign against criminals intimidators, and subversive elements to ensure peace and tranquility in the area.

Property of 4 ST defaulters attached
SRINAGAR, Oct 19 — As part of a drive to effect recovery of sales tax, the recovery wing of the state Sales Tax Department, headed by the Deputy Sales Tax Commissioner, today attached properties of four defaulters in and around Srinagar city.

Constitution of MCs
J&K House passes Bills
From Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 19 — Both Houses of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed two Bills regarding the constitution of the municipal corporations of Jammu and Srinagar and upgradation to municipality status of four major towns in the state before these Houses were adjourned sine die today.

The two Bills were introduced by the Housing and Urban Development Minister, Mr Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah, yesterday in the legislature. After these were passed by the state assembly this morning, the Upper House later also passed these by a voice vote. All members cutting across party lines hailed the government decision in fulfilling its “commitment” to pass on the power to the people at all levels.

The autumn session of the state legislature which began here on October 9 was scheduled to conclude yesterday, but for the commitment made by the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the session was extended by one day to enable the Houses to pass the two Bills regarding the constitution of municipal corporations in Srinagar and Jammu and the upgradation of two towns, Kathua and Udhampur in the Jammu region, and Anantnag and Baramula in the Kashmir region, to the municipality status. Elections to these local bodies would be held within six months after the notification in this regard, the minister said while talking to mediapersons after the conclusion of the session.

The Chief Minister had already announced the holding of panchayat elections in the state along with the municipal elections in the state from January 5 next year. The Housing and Urban Development Minister said the local bodies would be elected for five years, with one year’s term for each mayor of the bodies. The Deputy Commissioner concerned have been empowered to make the demarcation of the areas to be included in the new limits.

The minister disclosed that Rs 10 crore each would be the earnings by the Srinagar and Jammu Municipal Corporations annually. This is against the present allocation of Rs 1.20 cr salary expenses for the Srinagar Municipality and Rs 80 lakh as salary expenses for the Jammu municipality. While these two are upgraded to the status of corporations four others would be municipalities, while six other Town Areas Committees will become Municipal Councils while 66 NACs will be upgraded to municipal committees.

MLAs to meet Union Ministers
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 19 — A meeting of MLAs representing areas along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to meet the Home Minister and Defence Minister here on Sunday to discuss the security scenario in the state. The two ministers will arrive here along with other Union Ministers to review the overall situation and the developmental scenario in this trouble-torn state.

The issue regarding the situation along border areas, particularly in Jammu region, rocked the Assembly throughout the session. Congress members led by Mr Tara Chand demanded immediate relief and rehabilitation measures for 12,000 families from border areas of Chhamb in Jammu region who had migrated in the wake of continued firing by Pakistani from across the border.

Reacting to the persistent demand of the Congress and other members from the Jammu region over the issue, the Chief Minister had last week announced that all legislators would meet the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, and the Union Home Minister, Mr L. K. Advani, to “discuss the security scenario”. In his remarks at the conclusion of the autumn session here today, the Chief Minister pointed out that MLAs, particularly from those areas where population had been affected would meet the Union Ministers. He said the meeting had been sought “for solution of the problems”.

The Congress and other Opposition members staged walkouts from the Assembly on the issue in the two-week-long session of the House. Congress MLAs also staged a protest demonstration outside the Assembly lobby.

The police and security agencies were on the alert since last week in view of the session of the state legislature which was held under tight security arrangements around Rajgarh Lawns. The Chief Minister, in his concluding remarks, reacted sharply to media reports that the common man was put to inconvenience on account of the security measures around the Assembly complex as no traffic was allowed between Budshah Chowk and Jahangir Chowk while the proceedings were in progress. Mr Farooq Abdullah said the session was aimed at solving the genuine problems of the people.

Cong leaders keep away from stir
From M. L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Oct 19 — Those who matter in the Congress were conspicuous by their absence from the anti-price hike agitation launched by the party’s Vice-President, Mr Gulchain Singh Charak, here today. Mr Charak had organised a day’s dharna in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s office demanding that the BJP-led NDA government reconsider the steep hike in petrol and petroleum products.

The dharna and demonstration had been organised to press for suitable rehabilitation of over 40,000 people who had migrated from the border areas in the Akhnoor and R. S. Pora sectors owing to prolonged firing and shelling by Pakistani troops on their villages.

Though the single-handed efforts made by Mr Charak had attracted several hundred Congress supporters and workers to the daylong dharna, scores of prominent party leaders, including legislators, former MPs and senior PCC office-bearers, were absent indicating that the tussle between loyalists and dissidents in the organisation has reached a saturation point.

Several senior party leaders, including Mr Mangat Ram Sharma and Mr Janak Raj Gupta, have been worried over the precarious position in which the Congress find itself in Jammu and Kashmir. The two leaders have met the AICC President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, separately in recent days. Ms Gandhi, too, is said to be upset over the raging groupism in the state unit of the Congress.

Ms Gandhi is said to have realised that she was misled by those around her when she cleared the reorganisation of the PCC four months ago by installing Mr Mohammad Shafi Qureshi as the PCC chief. In fact, Mr Qureshi has not been able to bring the warring groups together despite being a seasoned politician.

Mr Qureshi had tried to carry everybody in the party with him. But he allowed new faces to head district units in the state. This sharpened the differences among various groups in the organisation. His critics immediately conveyed to their supporters that Mr Qureshi was being used by AICC General Secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad to help his supporters get key posts in the PCC.

Informed sources said during her meeting with Mr Janak Raj Gupta, a former MP, Ms Gandhi solicited his support so that the existing setup in the PCC could be given a new shape. Reports said Mr Janak Raj Gupta tried to contact influential Congressmen in Jammu to discuss Ms Gandhi’s suggestion but concrete solution to the problem of dissidence in the organisation was found.

A senior Congress leader expressed dismay over the way the party high command “ignored” the day-to-day developments within the organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. In this context he referred to the speed with which Mr Lal Singh replaced Mr Ashok Sharma as Leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the Assembly. He said after Ms Mehboob Mufti, daughter of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, resigned from the Congress her post was filled by Mr Ashok Sharma as leader of the Congress Legislature Party.

Though he had not been properly elected, he held the post for about a year. The Congress leader said there were no compelling reason for the party bosses to replace Mr Sharma.

He held Mr Qureshi responsible for this.

Groupism has not plagued the Congress only in the Jammu region but in the Kashmir valley as well where several senior party leaders, including Mr Ghulam Rasool Kar, have set themselves aloof watching the “liquidation” of the party step by step.

Militancy claimed 2,565 lives in J & K
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Oct 19 — At least 2565 persons including 1210 militants, 720 civilians and 635 security force personnel have been killed in militancy-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir this year so far.

Disclosing this in the Legislative Assembly yesterday, the Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Lone admitted that in many cases innocent cilivians also became victim of the security forces in their fight against militants. He said that law and order machinery had been affected with the eruption of militancy over a decade ago. He disclosed that action was being taken against the security forces for their overreaction in which civilians became victims. In this connection he referred to the conviction of an Army jawan in a rape case in Banihal recently. He also referred to the inquiries into the incidents like killings at Brakpora, Anantnag this year and the killing of over 30 persons in Pahalgam on August 1 last. Investigations into many cases were started on the basis of reports of the State Human Rights Commission, the Minister of State for Home, said.

The Minister was replying on the discussion raised by Mohammad Dilawar Mir of the ruling National Conference regarding situation that has arisen as a result of day-to-day killing of innocent people in the State. The Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mr Pyare Lal Handoo, raised his objections to the member and said that militants were also involved in the excesses against the innocent masses and not only the security forces. Mr Ashok Sharma, Congress, Sheikh Abdul Rahman, BSP, Prithvi Chand, BJP, Abdul Rahman Veeri of PDP and Mohammad Sayeed Aakhoon of the NC also participated in the discussion.

Mr Dilawar Mir said that the people were feeling insecure under the present circumstances, even as the Kashmiri pandits had to leave their homes and hearths. He claimed that at least 80,000 people were killed in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 11 years, and blamed Pakistan for the problem.

He added that the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee had his expedition of peace by bus to Lahore, but that was replied by the intrusion in Kargil. He urged all the political parties to make an appeal to both sides to end the trouble in Kashmir. Mr Mir demanded an end to the alleged custodial killings and excesses at the hands of security forces.

Shah’s suggestion finds few takers
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Oct 19 — The suggestion given by Mr G.M. Shah, a former Chief Minister and president of the Awami National Conference, to 57 political leaders, including those belonging to separatist camps, that “we should put our heads together for finding a solution to the Kashmir issue” has not so far set the Jhelum river on fire.

Mr Shah had sent letters to at least 57 separatist and mainstream political leaders inviting them to sit together so that a solution to the Kashmir turmoil could be found.

The chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, while denying that Mr Shah had dispatched the letters on “my advice” said he and other leaders in the organisation had received the letters. When asked whether he supported Mr Shah’s plan, Professor Bhat said the contents of the letter would be discussed at the executive committee meeting of the Hurriyat Conference. He did not give any date for discussing the letter, indicating that he was not excited over Mr Shah’s offer.

Professor Bhat several months ago had a meeting with Mr Shah where “I had suggested to him that there is need for bringing leaders of all recognised political parties and others together so that they can speak in one voice and persuade India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through talks.”

He said there was no word from Mr Shah later though the suggestion “I had made was in my personal capacity.” Professor Bhat seemed unenthusiastic about Mr Shah’s offer because he (Bhat) had three months ago announced his plan for sending two teams of Hurriyat leaders, one to Delhi and the other to Islamabad, to prevail upon the two governments to resume talks. This offer found support in Pakistan and not in Delhi and in the Kashmir valley.

The other party that counts in Kashmir is the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) headed by Mufti Mohd Sayeed. The Mufti has been hobnobbing with the JKLF and other influential political groups so that a secret alliance could be formed by contesting the next Assembly elections in the state. As such, the PDP would have no interest in an exercise which could resurrect Mr Shah whom many in the ruling National Conference treat as a “spent force.”

There are other political leaders who do not repose full confidence in Mr Shah for his “fault” of being the brother-in-law of the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah. They have fears that Mr Shah, who has been estranged with Dr Abdullah for the past 20 years, may be trying to improve his bargaining capacity with the National Conference leadership by heading a united front of several political parties. Mr Shah has some supporters within the ruling National Conference who have been trying to narrow down the chasm between the Chief Minister and his brother-in-law. The two were seen together during the funeral ceremony of Begum Sheikh Abdullah. However, Dr Abdullah has opposed Mr Shah’s re-entry in the National Conference.

Similarly, leaders belonging to the Jamait-e-Islami, the Peoples’ Conference, the Awami Action Committee, the Congress and some militant groups are said to have shown hardly any interest in the offer from Mr Shah.

Despite this attitude senior leaders belonging to the separatist camps and mainstream political group are keen that genuine representatives of the people of Kashmir could mount pressure on New Delhi and Islamabad to resume talks for resolving the Kashmir issue.

In this context Professor Bhat conveyed to a team of US diplomats that since Kashmir was a flashpoint with the potential of triggering a nuclear war Islamabad and Delhi should be prevailed upon to resume talks for solving the problem

Professor Bhat is said to have told the team that peace in South Asia in particular and the world in general should start from Kashmir with the resolution of the 53-year-old conflict.

US diplomats meet J&K Chief Secy

SRINAGAR, Oct 19 (UNI) — A four-member diplomatic team of the United States embassy in New Delhi yesterday called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Ashok Jaitly to hold discussions on the law and order situation and development and welfare schemes launched by the state.

The Chief Secretary told the visiting diplomats that overall security scenario had improved considerably and the state government had embarked upon a massive development programme. Much headway had been made in this direction, he said according to a statement here.

Mr Jaitly said that a strategy had also been devised to tackle the problem of unemployment as the number of educated unemployed youth in the state had reached 1.50 lakh.

Several self-employment programmes were being implemented to provide gainful employment to the youths. Nearly one lakh jobs had been provided to the unemployed in the state during the past four years.

The Chief Secretary stated that projects had been formulated through internal and external fundings in the core sectors of tourism and industry to generate more and more employment avenues.

The team of diplomats included Ms Elisabeth I. Millard and Ms Sheeta T. Patel Second Secretaries for Political Affairs and Mr Kailash Jha. 

APHC not for trifurcation of state
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19 — The All-Parties Hurriyat Conference, Jammu province has expressed serious concern over the demand raised by some communal and non-resident elements to get the state divided into Jammu, valley and Ladakh on communal lines.

Addressing a press conference here today, president of the APHC Mr D. R. Sharma said, his party stood for the unity of the state and will not allow further division of the state.

“We the people of Jammu and Kashmir state — Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhist, united, will decide the future state of our state,” he added.

Mr Sharma said that it was also observed that response to the state people’s freedom struggle is not encouraging. The people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to bleed.

District diary
Temples in need of care
From Romesh Gupta

UDHAMPUR: The condition of the Krimchi temples,said to have been constructed by the Pandavas,is deteriorating day by day.

Control of these temples lies in the hands of the Archaeology Department.The temples are located in a small village, Krimchi, 2 km from the Udhampur-Panchari road. Devotees from different parts of Jammu and Udhampur districts and other areas visit them.

People sometimes hesitate to go to the temples as they have to walk from the main road to the village in the absence of a motorable road.

Residents and devotees have sought the proper maintenance of the temples by the authorities besides the construction of a metalled road to the site.

* * *

Patnitop in Jammu division is a beautiful hill station easily approachable by tourists.

Tourists from different parts of the region and other areas are drawn to it,particularly in the summer and the winter.Devotees visiting the Vaishno Devi and Amarnath shrines often also go to the hill station. People planning youth camps,seminars and conferences prefer this scenic place for organising the events.

However, the recent increase in the number of incidents of militant violence has adversely affected tourism not only at Patnitop but also at Kud, Batote and Sanasar.

Security needs to further tightened in these areas so that the flow of tourists continues as usual and the local people dependent on tourism are able to earn their livelihood.

* * *

Swami Raseela Ram Vedic Ashram in the Balnagar-Mongarli area is imparting education based on Gurukul traditions, particularly to orphans and children from poor families.

The land on which the ashram has been built was donated by villagers of Balnagar and Mongarli. Funds for the construction of the complex came as donations from individuals and various Arya Samaj bodies.

The ashram also organises yoga camps twice a year, in June and December. Mostly people from the Jammu region go there to attend the camps.

Cong to launch stir against price rise
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19 — The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Congress has decided to launch an agitation against hike in prices of various consumer goods, including cooking gas, petrol and its products.

Stating this at a press conference here yesterday party vice-president Gulchain Singh Charak said that the Congress would try to force the Centre to review the price increase of various items.

Expressing deep concern over the plight of the displaced families from the border areas Mr Charak held the state and the central governments responsible for it. He demanded a package for these border migrants.

In reply to a question he held the ruling National Conference ministers and legislators responsible for the migration of some families to Pakistan who were living in the border belt. He said by not looking their economic needs they were forced to cross over to Pakistan.

The Congress leader welcomed the Chief Minister’s announcement regarding the holding of panchayat and civic bodies elections in the state in January. He, however, wondered if the Chief Minister would be able to stick to his schedule as in the past these elections were postponed on several occasions.

Police drive against crime
From Our Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 19 — The police has launched a campaign against criminals intimidators, and subversive elements to ensure peace and tranquility in the area.

This was stated by SSP, Jammu, R.R. Swain, at a press conference held here yesterday. He disclosed that the police was intending to “wage war” against enemy agents, trans-border smugglers, militants, and their harbourers. He added that smugglers of contraband articles will also be dealt with.

He added that the police was confronted with dealing law and order situation concerning 17 lakh people spread over 3097 square kilometres of area.

The SSP said that half of the population of the district lived within municipal limits and as such greater thrust was given to security in the town.

Property of 4 ST defaulters attached

SRINAGAR, Oct 19 (PTI) — As part of a drive to effect recovery of sales tax, the recovery wing of the state Sales Tax Department, headed by the Deputy Sales Tax Commissioner, today attached properties of four defaulters in and around Srinagar city.

An amount of about Rs 8 crore is involved in these four cases which concern big business houses in the Kashmir valley, a spokesman of the Sales Tax Department told PTI.

He said the recovery drive would continue and action against defaulters would follow under the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996.