J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Hizb leaders may come round to talks
Jammu, May 16
The pro-Pak militant outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen, has begun showing signs of change. Its leadership is said to be not as opposed to talks with the government as the APHC is.

Drought plan sent to Centre for aid
Kathua, May 16
A drought package plan costing Rs 1,850 crore has been formulated by the state government and submitted to the Central government for financial assistance as drought like conditions prevail in the state.

Bid on J&K minister’s life
Srinagar, May 16
Militants today hurled a grenade at the residence of Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah, at Gazigund in Anantnag district of South Kashmir, police sources said.

Hizb leaders may come round to talks
M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 16
The pro-Pak militant outfit, Hizbul Mujahideen, has begun showing signs of change. Its leadership is said to be not as opposed to talks with the government as the APHC is.

Inside reports have revealed that a major section of Hizb leaders is not opposed to parleys with mainstream political parties, including the Congress and the BJP. But it is against talks with the renegade militants.

According to a senior Hizbul Mujahideen leader, renegade militants have no role to play in the settlement of the Kashmir issue and in the restoration of peace because they have remained “enemies of the ongoing movement.”

The Hizb leadership has not favoured those who have rejected the offer for talks without giving any valid and tangible reasons. Without naming any individual or group the leadership has indirectly criticised the APHC stand on the proposed talks. It feels that by rejecting the offer for talks it had given added benefit to India in the world fora.

Hizb leaders feel that by making an offer for talks to separatists and militants, Delhi had received support from various countries, especially from the USA. And if separatists reject the offer for talks they would vindicate India’s stand on the issue.

Informed sources say after Hizbul Mujahideen announced a unilateral ceasefire in July last it lost Pakistan’s confidence despite the fact that the ceasefire offer remained on paper only for eight days. Since then Islamabad has solely banked on foreign mercenaries, including Laskhar-i-Toiba and Jash-e-Mohammad. This has brought Hizbul Mujahideen, comprising locals, in conflict with foreign mercenaries.

Foreign mercenaries’ excesses were blamed on Hizbul Mujahideen by people. Recently the Hizb leadership denied its involvement in the killing of seven Hindus in Kishtwar.

As the flow of arms and money to Hizbul Mujahideen has got from across the border reduced the Hizb leadership has adopted less belligerent approach towards parleys. Its slight flexibility should not be treated as its willingness to accept the state’s accession with India. But it is prepared to hammer out a solution which was acceptable to the people of the Kashmir valley.

Directives of Pakistani agencies to carry out spectacular operations against security forces and the anti-azadi political groups has irked a section of the Hizb leadership.

Even if a section of leaders and activists of Hizbul Mujahideen held talks with Delhi 50 per cent of the battle against the extremists and separatist would be over.

Drought plan sent to Centre for aid
Our Correspondent

Kathua, May 16
A drought package plan costing Rs 1,850 crore has been formulated by the state government and submitted to the Central government for financial assistance as drought like conditions prevail in the state.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Mr Ajay Sadhotra, while addressing a training-cum-orientation programme for sarpanches and panches held at Kathua and Barnoti today. He said a comprehensive plan had been formulated by the government and on that basis teams of experts sent by the Union government to assess the loss due to drought.

Regarding empowerment of panchayats, the minister said it would be achieved after the panchayat elections were over in the state. The minister said ‘panchayat ghars’ would be constructed in every panchayat and Rs 25,000 placed at the disposal of each panchayat for purchase of furniture etc.

Mr Sadhotra asked the sarpanches and panches to work in coordination with the local administration. He said funds for development works would be provided to each panchayat on the basis of its population.

The minister said about 5,000 closed government schools had been made functional by engaging local educated unemployed youth. He said in Kathua district only, 287 ‘rehbare-e- taleem’ teachers had been employed and 49 schools made functional. Besides, 250 posts of teachers had been referred to the State Subordinate Services Recruitment Board.

About shortage of drinking water, Mr Sadhotra said 11 additional water tankers had been pressed into service in Hiranagar and Kathua.

Mr Sadhotra said project officers of the DRDA and block development officers of the state had been directed to constitute 50 self-help groups every year with eight to 10 members each in a block to improve the standard of living of those below the poverty line. He said a number of state and Central poverty elevation schemes like IAY, SGSY and IRDP had been launched in the state.

The minister also announced that Rs 2 lakh Chief Minister Award would be given to the best panchayat of the district every year.

Bid on J&K minister’s life

Srinagar, May 16
Militants today hurled a grenade at the residence of Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmad Shah, at Gazigund in Anantnag district of South Kashmir, police sources said.

However, Shah was not in the house at the time of the attack, they said.

No loss of life or damage to the house was reported as the grenade fell short of the main gate and exploded outside with a big bang, they said.

They said militants threw the grenade towards the heavily-guarded residence of the minister, 80 km from here, when some CRPF personnel, posted on guard duty, were about to enter the house after purchasing vegetables from the market. PTI