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Thursday,
May 30, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Migrant caught in crossfire Farooq wants Indus Water Treaty
scrapped
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ISI tells ultras to take up
positions PM’s package a gimmick:
Soz CBI probe sought into Lone’s killing Ex-ultras float party in J&K Journalist shot at, injured
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Migrant caught in crossfire Hiranagar, (Jammu), May 29 This is the exact atmosphere in the camps of migrants who had fled from their ancestral border villages after their houses were destroyed in Pakistan firing and shelling. A visit to various migrant camps in this border belt and in
R.S. Pora and Damana presented a picture of desperation and desolation. For Krishna Devi of Pansar village and for Sujjan Singh of Marheer (both in
Hiranagar) it has been a huge loss. They and their neighbours have lost whatever valuables they had been able to collect over the past one decade when their houses were destroyed in the Pakistan shelling. Many had lost their electric and electronic gadgets. What worried Rangil Singh and his relations is that they have been left with nothing and hence their survival depends on relief and ration from the government and on the doles of political parties. Rangil Singh said: “We used to survive on the foodgrains we used to cultivate and on milk that our cattle used to yield. Part of wheat, rice and milk used to be sold to get money required for buying other essential commodities.” After their migration the crops have been reduced to ashes because of heavy firing and shelling. They have no fodder for their cattle and those who had raise fodder crop failed to harvest it as the fields had been mined by the Indian troops. At least 75 buffaloes have been killed in the
Hiranagar, Gemba, R.S. Pora, Poonch and Rajouri areas during the past 15 days in the heavy Pakistan shelling and firing. Though most of the border refugees have been given temporary shelter in several school buildings and industrial training centres, they face hardships owing to scarcity of drinking water and electricity. “We do not take bath for days together,” said Rita Rani as whatever water is
available is used for drinking and cooking. Another group of migrants camping in a government school said: “You can well imagine our plight when 20 to 30 persons are huddled in one room with interrupted power supply. “Many complained that kerosene dealers and those given the task for distribution of ration to the migrants invariably “cheated” them. Six hundred families from the Pargwal area camping in Domana camp have not been given ration slips. The Panther Party chief, Prof Bhim Singh, yesterday intervened and goaded the refugees to gherao the
Tehsildar. The Tehsildar was forced to issue the ration slips and the kerosene oil dealer released requisite quota. The state government has to face a stupendous task to catering to the requirement of the border migrants because their number continue to swell. “We have three sets of migrants. One that left their ancestral villages in Pallanwala in Akhnoor sector during the Kargil conflict in 1999 when the Pakistani troops opened a new front in Akhnoor sector. The number of these refugees had touched 60,000,” a Revenue Department officer said. He said the second set of refugees was of those who had migrated soon after the military build-up on the border in January last, the third set of migrants were those who started coming to camps from May 14 and their number had crossed 25,000 mark. He said it was a collosal task to look after the welfare of over 1.50 lakh migrants. The Central Government has released Rs 60 crore for providing relief to the border migrants and another Rs 10 crore for purchasing tents for them. The amount has been quite
meagre. The revenue authorities said the Supreme Court had issued directions that the border migrants be given relief and ration at a par with those from the Kashmir valley. They said it was for the Centre to accept the Supreme Court direction by releasing additional funds. Each border migrant family is entitled to Rs 1,600 per month plus Rs 2,000 as allowance for purchasing fodder and against this a Kashmiri migrant family is entitled to receive Rs 3,000 a month. Of late, the Youth Congress has stepped in and has started distributing foodgrains and other essential items. All-India Youth Congress leaders collected several hundred tonnes of these essential items which were sent by trucks from Delhi for distribution among the border migrants. Prof Bhim Singh, said after touring some of the migrant camps that each family be given 10 marlas in villages for sway from border, besides some cash assistance so that they could build their houses. “Tirlok Singh, a progressive farmer of
R.S. Pora, said when the migrants, who fled their villages in the rise of Kargil conflict, had not been able to return to their ancestral places for the past three years there was no chance for others to be back to their places of birth as the Pakistani troops continued to resort to heavy shelling and firing. He said: “We could have tolerated these miseries if we knew that these difficult days were to end within a month or two. We know the Indo-Pak conflict cannot end soon, and why should we suffer.” He demanded
suitable rehabilitation of the border migrants so that their children did not suffer. Kamla Devi of Devipur migrant camp confirmed the report that the rate of school dropouts increased during the last two years. She said: “We do not have adequate food to eat. We have no proper atmosphere and facilities for our children to study. When our kids demand for adequate food, books and other items is not met we cannot expect them to keep on attending the classes.” She said political leaders “have been visiting our camps only during the election times. They dish out promises which are never fulfilled. We have decided to teach such leaders a lesson in the next Assembly poll.” Om Prakash of Akhnoor said: “We are not for boycotting the Assembly poll but will vote for those who have done something for us.” Since border migrants and their economic difficulties were not covered in the economic package announced by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, during his recent visit to Kashmir, many migrant families seem to be bitter over the attitude of the BJP-led NDA government. “Our demands are simple. We want suitable rehabilitation and freedom from the nomadic living. We want better civic amenities, schooling for our children, sufficient food for us, fodder for our cattle and money to buy eatables and medicines. We want a home,” said several migrants in a chorus near Arnia in Samba sectors. |
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Farooq wants Indus Water Treaty scrapped Srinagar, May 29 “Musharraf is going to do nothing for the restoration of peace in the region and it will not be wise on our part to expect anything from him,” Abdullah told PTI here. Replying to questions about the continued stand-off between India and Pakistan, he said “there is no stand-off because of India, but it is the most irresponsible nature of regime in Islamabad which is making the security situation tense in entire South Asia. “The recent statement of Musharraf bristles with threats but unfortunately the General needs a lesson in history to find out what happened to Pakistani forces in three previous wars besides the latest conflict in Kargil,” Abdullah said. He said the continued infiltration and raising of anti-Indian sentiments highlighted that Musharraf had lost control over militants and the ISI and that he was making every effort to woo fundamentalist forces within the country. The Chief Minister said he favoured the scrapping of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan even at the cost of annoying the international community. “It is an irony that the international community is asking us to exercise restraint while Pakistan continues to indulge in all sorts of violations of international treaties and conventions,” the Chief Minister said. Stating that war obviously was the only option to solve the problem, Abdullah said “before that all diplomatic options have to be explored and scrapping of Indus Water Treaty was one such step.” He said infiltration was continuing unabated and killing of civilians by militants was going on non-stop. “Now where does it end. There has to be some solution as we cannot continue to bleed for ever.” Asked whether initiating a war was a solution to stop this “bleeding”, Abdullah said “it is better to die in one stroke rather than be bled by a thousand wounds.” To another question whether the situation could push the entire South Asia to a nuclear flashpoint, he said “what does the international community think. I think Pakistan wants itself to be seen on the world map. If they attack us with nuclear weapons, what will happen to Pakistan will be known only to God Almighty.” India has to stay ready for any eventuality, Dr Abdullah said. “Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has been saying something and doing quite the opposite,’’ Dr Abdullah observed. He, however, said that war was in nobody’s interest as it brought only death and destruction. But Pakistan, Dr Abdullah said, would not be allowed to succeed in its designs to grab even an inch of Indian territory, and added that suitable reply would be given to Islamabad in the event of any such attempt.
PTI, UNI |
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ISI tells ultras to take up positions Rajouri (Jammu), May 29 Inter service intelligence and some sabotage units of the Pakistan army have directed militant groups, particularly of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Lashker-e-Toiba, the Harkat-ul-Jehadis-Islami, the Tehreekul-e-Jehadi-Islami, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and the Al-Badr to assemble in border belts in south of Pir Panjal and dominate strategic places in border belts and indepth areas, the sources quoting intercepts and other available information said. “War is possible. You take positions along the border’s sensitive points”, one of the intercepts between the ISI and militants said. The intelligence reports further said militants would try to take position in border belts of Rajouri, Poonch in particular and Jammu and Kathua in general. “In case of a war or limited conflict, they can create trouble for defence set-up, convoy and ground troops by engaging them in border areas,” the sources said. They may dominate high altitude places, sensitive and strategic positions in the border belt, the sources said and added that as per the intelligence information they have been asked to do sabotage activities in case of war. Militants can disrupt supplies, blow up bridge, plant IEDs and attack camps and convoy and engage troops in encounters, the sources said, adding that this was worrying the security agencies. There are 2,000 to 3,000 militants, 80 per cent of them are foreign mercenaries currently in south of Pir Panjal (Jammu division), the sources said adding that highest number of 1050 were operating in the Surankote-Mahore belt. Lashker-e-Toiba tops with its cadre numbering 1000 to 1200 followed by the Harkat-ul-Islami with 600, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen with 400, Tehreekul with 300 and rest by Hizbul Mujahideen, the sources said. Not only this, the ISI has also directed all militants to unitedly fight from one platform, said a recently arrested top PoK militant of the Harkat Mujahideen, Anjum alias Mehrul-Islam. “We have been directed by the Pakistan army and the ISI to make joint strategies and form a joint group during an attack or an action against targets,” said Anjum, who was captured by civilians during an encounter near Rajouri town, where his three accomplice were killed. Anjum, who was entrusted the task to attack a temple and create communal violence, said that the Pakistani army was still guiding militants for infiltration and attacking targets.
PTI |
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PM’s package a gimmick:
Soz Srinagar, May 29 Reacting to the recent package of Rs 6,165 crore announced by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, Mr Soz alleged that the Central Government had “created an impression that during the past more than two years that it does not want to do anything political in Kashmir”. Addressing mediapersons here today, he held that the package had failed to bring any relief to people. He claimed that the Prime Minister’s “comprehensive package” was only an announcement and not a correct statement. In this connection Mr Soz referred to the sanction of Rs 3600 crore earmarked for rail development. He questioned as to how the amount of Rs 400 crore provided for the current year would be spent as the booked amount for the last year was only Rs 60 crore. He also questioned the possibility of making the Udhampur-Baramula rail line operational on August 15, 2007 as the Jammu-Udhampur rail line could not be completed even after a lapse of 25 years. The former National Conference leader, who was expelled from the party for voting against the BJP-led alliance at the Centre early in 1999, said the mission of negotiations through the Centre’s interlocutor, Mr K.C. Pant, had failed to take off adding that “many people expected the Prime Minister to act but nothing happened”. Mr Soz, a staunch supporter of the National Conference plank of state autonomy, held that the Central Government missed a real chance of a purposeful dialogue by not allowing a debate on autonomy. “That action of the Centre spelled disaster to the political process and blunted all chances for what could have been a vibrant dialogue at the peoples level”. Mr Soz represented the Baramula parliamentary constituency in the elections between 1977 and 1998, except for in 1996, when the National Conference did not participate in the elections. The former minister held that the Centre again committed a mistake by not allowing the separatist Hurriyat Conference leaders to visit Pakistan for having negotiations with the leadership there. Referring to the forthcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Soz held that these “will be an unimpressive event”. Something had to be done at the political level, Mr Soz pointed out adding that there was a “breathing time” till the elections are held. |
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CBI probe sought into Lone’s killing Srinagar, May 29 State intelligence agencies had informed the government on May 17 that attempts might be made on the lives of two senior Hurriyat leaders — Lone and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a statement issued by a spokesman of the league said. He said that as Mr Lone’s son, Sajjad has pointed a finger of suspicion towards Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, the murder should be probed by the CBI. “On May 18, the intelligence agencies again informed that these leaders might be targeted during the PM’s visit to Kashmir,’’ the statement claimed.
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Ex-ultras float party in J&K Srinagar, May 29 Disclosing this at a press conference here today, Peer Nooruddin Shah, formerly associated with the Jamaat-e-Islami, said over 4,000 former militants had been associated with the new organisation. He said the new party was neither a pro-Pakistan nor pro-India, but for comprehensive discussions with various separatist parties and groups to reach an amicable solution to the waxed Kashmir issue that had been pending for the past more than five decades. Replying questions, Shah, Chairman of the newly launched All-Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement, said it did not join the separatist Hurriyat conference for it was faced with differences within. He held that elections were no answer to the Kashmir problem as it paved the way only for means to come to the power. Shah held that his party would involve all like minded parties inclusive of the pro-independent JKLF and the pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami in its attempt to reach an amicable and peaceful solution to the burning Kashmir problem. The newly constituted party chief also presented an eight-point aims and objectives to achieve its goal. These include an end to the continued killings in Kashmir, involvement of all the regional political parties, rehabilitation of militancy victims and the restoration of the disturbed economic fabric of the state. |
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Journalist shot at, injured Srinagar, May 29 Zaffar Iqbal, a sub-editor with Kashmir Image, was shot in the head several times in the Lambert Lane area here, his colleagues said. The gunmen, who had reportedly come to meet Iqbal in connection with a news item published in today’s issue of the paper, used silencers on the guns while shooting, virtually giving no time for his colleagues to react. Iqbal was rushed to a hospital and the police has cordoned off the area.
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