J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

7 ultras killed in encounter
Srinagar, September 27
Seven ultras and a jawan were among 11 persons killed in Jammu and Kashmir, while militants triggered two grenade explosions in downtown Srinagar injuring 17 people since last night, an official spokesman said today.

APHC to be kept under security net
Srinagar, September 27
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today ruled out withdrawal of security for APHC leaders but said the state government will consider “downgrading” this cover if the situation so demanded.

TV watch on rise in J & K
Jammu, September 27
Instead of interest in watching the mood and activities of militants and security forces the majority is keen on monitoring on television channels, the American preparation for war against terrorism.

7 ultras killed in encounter

Srinagar, September 27
Seven ultras and a jawan were among 11 persons killed in Jammu and Kashmir, while militants triggered two grenade explosions in downtown Srinagar injuring 17 people since last night, an official spokesman said today.

Two ultras, a jawan and a porter were killed in an encounter at Ghambir Mughlan in Rajouri district today, he told PTI. The gunbattle broke out when ultras opened fire on a patrolling party.

Security forces intercepted a group of four militants trying to cross over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir at Behak Kach-Hama in Kupwara district last night and asked them to surrender, he said. But they opened fire and in the retaliatory action, one of them was killed. However, locals claimed that the deceased was a resident of the area and alleged that he was killed in a “fake encounter.”

Security forces gunned down two foreign mercenaries during search operations at Gund-Zoonaresh and Thandusa-Lolab in Kupwara today. Two girls were injured in the incident.

Security forces killed a Hizbul militant in an encounter at Banderpora-Kanalwan in South Kashmir and a Jaish-e-Moahammad ultra at Chechilora-Magam in Central Kashmir last night, he said. Militants shot dead a civilian at Cahti-Banday in Baramula district. Ultras kidnapped and later killed another civilian at Kuligam-Banihal in Doda yesterday.

Meanwhile, 17 persons, including four BSF personnel, were injured in two grenade explosions at Rainawari Chowk and Zaldager in downtown Srinagar. PTI

APHC to be kept under security net

Srinagar, September 27
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today ruled out withdrawal of security for APHC leaders but said the state government will consider “downgrading” this cover if the situation so demanded.

Dr Abdullah made this assertion in the state Assembly today.

Declaring that it was the responsibility of the government to protect every citizen of the state, Dr Abdullah said, “if any of the Hurriyat leaders were killed the finger of suspicion will be pointed towards the state government.”

The matter came up when BJP member Choudhary Piara Singh demanded why a high security cover was being given to the Hurriyat leaders.

Earlier, the House was informed that eight top leaders of Hurriyat were enjoying security provided by the state government.

Three Hurriyat leaders, including its chairman Prof Abdul Gani Bhat were under the highest security cover “Z” while the remaining five had been provided “Y” category security, the Minister of State for Home Khalid Najib Suharwardy said in reply to Chaudhary Piara Singh’s question.

The minister said while five Hurriyat leaders had been provided with 13 personal security officers from the security wing of the police, the remaining three had not been given security cover from the security wing.

Abdul Gani Lone was given an armed escort during tours outside the city on demand, the minister said adding Moulvi Umer Farooq and Lone had been provided “excess control staff” at their residences.

The minister said the Hurriyat leaders had been categorised in the security gradation list and provided security cover after proper assessment of threat perception by a committee of officers headed by Assistant Director General of Police, CID.

The committee meets periodically and reviews the threat assessment of individuals, Mr Suharwardy said.

The government has so far set-aside 17 fake permanent resident certificates (PRCs) in the state.

Replying to a question of S.M. Gill, Revenue Minister, Abdul Qayoum said that the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on State Subject Certificates have so far received 750 complaints.

Out of these 150 complaints are in the final stage of investigation, while 17 certificates were found fake. He said Divisional Commissioner Jammu has also received 112 complaints of fake state subjects certificates.

The minister said that government has referred the case to crime branch to frame charges against those government officials who have from time to time issued fake PRCs. PTI, UNI

TV watch on rise in J & K
M. L. Kak
Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 27
Instead of interest in watching the mood and activities of militants and security forces the majority is keen on monitoring on television channels, the American preparation for war against terrorism.

“How many are killed? How many explosions took place? Incidents of human rights violation,” which used to be of concern for the people in Jammu and Kashmir, no longer draw them towards their television or radio sets.

Since September 11, when the key targets in America were hit by terrorists, people in Jammu and Kashmir, who have been haunted by the 11-year long militancy, remain glued to their television and radio sets to get minute-to-minute report on the proposed American attack on terrorist bases.

Power crisis interrupts surfing of news channels. Of 12-hour-power supply is snapped for over seven hours.

Two generator dealers each in Srinagar and Jammu said since September 12 the demand for generators and invertors has increased considerably. While in Jammu the demand has gone up by 10 to 15 per cent, in the Kashmir valley it is over 25 per cent. These dealers stated, the preference is for diesel or kerosene generators.

Number of cable operators said that after the September 11 tragedy the demand for fresh cable connections too has increased, especially in the Kashmir valley where the majority prefers to watch news telecasts from CNN, BBC and PTV. However, in the Jammu region the majority switches on Doordarshan and other Indian channels for news.

Not only in the cities but also in towns the people have their breakfast, lunch and dinner in front of television sets.

Even certain government offices have dish antenna which keeps them before TV sets.

Even in cyber cafes youths spend hours “chatting” with their friends in the USA.