J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Govt ‘blocking’ return of Pandits
Jammu, December 31
Despite a vertical split, Panun Kashmir leaders belonging to the two factions — one led by Dr Ajay Chrungoo and the other by Dr Agnishekhar — continue to be united as far as the demand for a separate homeland for the displaced community is concerned.

Border tension forces distress sale of paddy
Jammu, December 31
Scared by the border tension, a large number of farmers in the R.S. Pora sector and adjoining villages have been forced to opt for distress sale of paddy.

Gen Patankar takes over as GoC 15 Corps
Srinagar, December 31
Lieut-Gen V.G. Patankar assumed office as the General-Officer Commanding of the 15 Corps of Army replacing Lieut-Gen J.R. Mukherjee here today. The GOC of 15 Corps of the Army, with entire Kashmir valley as its area of operation, is also having the charge of the Security Adviser to the Jammu and Kashmir Government.

A woman sits with her belongings at the Akhnoor sector, 40 km west of Jammu on Monday. Many people residing near the border have had to flee their homes as border clashes between India and Pakistan forces become a daily occurrence. — Reuters

Govt ‘blocking’ return of Pandits
M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 31
Despite a vertical split, Panun Kashmir leaders belonging to the two factions — one led by Dr Ajay Chrungoo and the other by Dr Agnishekhar — continue to be united as far as the demand for a separate homeland for the displaced community is concerned.

The unanimity of approach towards its basic demand for a homeland was amply demonstrated during two conferences the Panun Kashmir (A) and Panun Kashmir (C) organised separately in Jammu recently.

Both Panun Kashmir (A) and Panun Kashmir (C) have explained at length in their speeches and through the resolutions adopted at the conference that a homeland for Kashmiri Pandits within the valley was the only suitable way of ensuring an honourable rehabilitation for the minority community members who were “hounded” out of the valley by the fundamentalists with the help of Pakistan-supported militants.

The two factions of the Panun Kashmir do not see an early end to the plan of carrying out ethnic cleansing in the Kashmir valley and in support of their contention they referred to the recent killings of Pandits and Sikhs in Anantnag district.

Both Dr Agnishekhar and Dr Chrungoo are of the opinion that to enable India to consolidate its foothold in Kashmir, Delhi should support the demand for a homeland for Kashmiri Pandits where all the nationalists and patriotic elements could save Kashmir for India.

Both the Panun Kashmir (A) and Panun Kashmir (C) leaders are united in their criticism of the government’s plan to bring the displaced people back to Kashmir. They are of the view that the security scenario has not improved to such an extent that minorities could live without any harm to their lives and honour. Nor has there been a marked change among the people in the valley. They say that vested interests in Kashmir would not like the people belonging to the minority communities come back.

Leaders of both factions accuse the state government of providing tacit support to the vested interests in blocking the return of the migrants to Kashmir. In this context they referred to the open violation of the Prevention of Distress Sale Act with the result that more than 80 per cent immovable assets of the displaced people in Kashmir had been purchased for a song.

“If at all the migrants return to the valley, where shall they live when more than 80 per cent of their houses have either been grabbed or purchased by the vested interests?” asks Dr Ajay Chrungoo.

Another issue that seems to unite the two factions is their concern over what they call the ruling National Conference leaders’ bid to set up parallel committees in migrant camps only to scuttle the demand for a homeland. The Panun Kashmir leaders were of the view that by distributing doles and “false promises, the ruling party leaders were trying to divide the community so that the demand for a homeland did not gain ground.

Leaders of the two factions have called upon the community to remain united, but even the staunch supporters of both factions are disillusioned over the way the top leaders of the two groups have split over a trifle which has weakened the Panun Kashmir that had the potential of turning into a movement.

During the last four years, the Panun Kashmir has split in three groups. There are three other organisations in Jammu that claim to represent the community. Besides, there are several camp units competing for recognition. This has deprived the displaced people of a chance to raise their demands in one voice.

Border tension forces distress sale of paddy
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 31
Scared by the border tension, a large number of farmers in the R.S. Pora sector and adjoining villages have been forced to opt for distress sale of paddy.

During a visit to the sector, several farmers said they had started selling paddy at the rate of Rs 700 to Rs 800 per quintal whereas the prices prior to the border trouble ranged between Rs 1,400 and Rs 1,600 per quintal.

Mr Trilok Singh Bajwa, a progressive farmer, said after people found that Pakistani troops continued to resort to unprovoked firing and shelling in this sector, they had no other alternative but to sell their paddy for a song.

He said people had fears that they may have to remain out of their villages for several weeks owing to the turmoil on the border and hence they were keen to save money for a rainy day.

Mr Bajwa and other farmers have communicated to the state government the need for purchasing paddy from the affected farmers at reasonable prices, failing which several thousand of them would suffer heavy losses.

The Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, admitted that he had received suggestions and requests from various corners seeking government help in purchasing paddy.

R.S. Pora, Suchetgarh, Bishna and scores of other villages in R.S. Pora sector on this side of the International Border, are collectively considered to be the state’s “basmati bowl”. Even export quality basmati is being produced in the belt.

However, the distress sale of paddy has get to have any impact on the retail prices of basmati and varieties of ratna rice. Superior basmati sells in the market in Jammu between Rs 2,600 and Rs 3,000 per quintal and ratna between Rs 1,300 and Rs 1,700 per quintal. Mr Bajwa and others said traders alone would reap the benefit of the distress sale of paddy in the sector.

Gen Patankar takes over as GoC 15 Corps
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 31
Lieut-Gen V.G. Patankar assumed office as the General-Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15 Corps of Army replacing Lieut-Gen J.R. Mukherjee here today. The GOC of 15 Corps of the Army, with entire Kashmir valley as its area of operation, is also having the charge of the Security Adviser to the Jammu and Kashmir Government.

Lieut-Gen Patankar has commanded a Mountain Brigade engaged in counter insurgency operations in the north-east and later an Infantry Division along the Line of Control (LoC) in the valley, a defence spokesman said here this evening. On his assuming the command of the most challenging and prestigious Corps of the Indian Army, a number of civil dignitaries and senior defence officers felicitated him.

The defence spokesman said Lieut-Gen J.R. Mukherjee now proceeds to headquarters Eastern Command, Kolkata on an important appointment. He had taken over the command of 15 Corps in July 2000.

Reorientation course for sarpanches
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 31
The state government has decided to allocate necessary resources to panchayat committees from April 1 so that these will be directly involved in the formulation and implementation of various rural development works.

After delegating powers to the newly-elected panchayats, the government has made it mandatory for panches and sarpanches to go in for a three-month reorientation course. During these three months, the elected members of the panchayat committees will be trained by various government departments in handling their assigned duties.