J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Hurriyat for talks only after Pak visit
New Delhi, March 21
Hurriyat Conference today said it would hold talks with the Centre on the Kashmir issue only after having deliberations with militant outfits and the military regime in Pakistan.

Minister: civic poll within six months
Jammu, March 21
The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Ghulam Muhi-ud-Din Shah, today said that elections to the municipal corporations in the state were likely to be held within six to eight months.

I prayed for peace: Farooq
Srinagar, March 21
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said during his Haj stay in Saudi Arabia, he especially prayed for the people of the state and return of peace here. He said the people, particularly the poor, and those associated with the tourist trade, have suffered due to militancy.

Hurriyat for talks only after Pak visit

New Delhi, March 21
Hurriyat Conference today said it would hold talks with the Centre on the Kashmir issue only after having deliberations with militant outfits and the military regime in Pakistan.

“The Centre should allow the Hurriyat delegation to undertake a visit to Pakistan and when we get back, we will hold talks with the government too,” Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat told PTI here.

He said it was necessary for the government to facilitate the visit of its delegation to Pakistan.

Stating that though the Hurriyat Conference had demonstrated positive approach towards the Kashmir problem, Mr Bhat said, “The situation remains unchanged and many things seem to have run into problem.”

“I still believe that peace process could move forward as there is no escape either for Pakistan or for India or for that matter the Hurriyat Conference from entering into a dialogue,” an optimistic Bhat said.

“I hope and trust that we will be able to find a way out in the days to come to solve the issue,” the Hurriyat chairman said. The Hurriyat Conference has been witnessing indiscipline in its ranks and files and its senior executive members have gone overboard and even said that Kashmir was a “religious issue and not a political one.”

However, the Hurriyat chairman says that he had been able to maintain discipline within the 23-party amalgam.

Scotching all rumours that the conglomerate was heading for a vertical split, Mr Bhat said, “I don’t think anyone of us can afford to break away...As far as the differences in regard to certain issues which sometimes lead to an impression that the forum might split.”

Referring to the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s statement that the world body would not interfere in the Kashmir issue and it was for both India and Pakistan to find solution to the issue under the letter and spirit of Lahore agreement, Mr Bhat said, “His statement has to be understood with reference to the words he used.”

“Mr Annan asked both India and Pakistan to initiate talks with a view to seeking a permanent settlement of the problem. During the visit it seems that the Secretary-General had chosen to adopt a reconciliatory and balanced approach and such approach does occassionally evoke criticism,” MR Bhat said. PTI

Minister: civic poll within six months
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 21
The Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Ghulam Muhi-ud-Din Shah, today said that elections to the municipal corporations in the state were likely to be held within six to eight months.

Mr Shah was replying to a discussion on demands for grants in the Assembly.

He said a committee had been constituted to delimit wards for municipalities. The Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Director, Local Bodies, Jammu and Srinagar, along with the Deputy Commissioners are members of this committee.

The committee, he said, would suggest inclusion and exclusion of areas from such bodies.

Sharing the concern of members on civic amenities in different parts of the state, the minister said lack of adequate finances and poor infrastructure were mainly responsible for the same.

The government, he said, was aware of the situation and taking measure to improve it.

Scientific disposal of solid waste was the only answer. The government was in touch with private and foreign promotees in solid base management for setting up plants in Jammu and Srinagar to convert solid waste into manure.

Giving details about measures taken by the government to improve civic and sanitation facilities, the minister said modern scavenging equipment was being procured to remove filth in the interiors of congested cities.

Manpower was being trained to operate these machines. As many as 16,000 dustbins were being distributed among the people in Jammu city this year, while this experiment had already been undertaken in Srinagar city.

I prayed for peace: Farooq
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 21
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said during his Haj stay in Saudi Arabia, he especially prayed for the people of the state and return of peace here. He said the people, particularly the poor, and those associated with the tourist trade, have suffered due to militancy.

He said this while speaking to a number of people who gathered at his Gupkar residence to felicitate him on performing Haj. The traditional dastarbandi was also performed by the functionaries of the Muslim Auqaf Trust and other organisations.

Referring to the stampede and death of some pilgrims at Jamarat during the stoning of the Devil, Dr Abdullah said such incidents took place due to lack of guidance to the pilgrims. He said he had discussed the issue with the Saudi officials also, who assured him that they would send educative films for the benefit of the pilgrims of the state.

The Chief Minister said he had a meeting with the Saudi ruler, King Fahad, during which he also met leaders of several Muslim countries and apprised them of the situation brought about by militancy in the state.