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Thursday,
July 4, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Protesting
JKLF leader held
Shahabuddin for round table conference on J&K J&K plan to boost tourism |
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6 killed, 39 hurt in mishaps Jammu, July 3 Six persons were killed and 39 others injured, three of them seriously in separate mishaps in Jammu division since yesterday, the police said here today. Three persons were killed and 36 others were injured, three of them seriously, when a local bus carrying a marriage party overturned and fell into a nullah at Billawar in Kathua district last night. Al-Jabar claims responsibility
for NC man’s killing
ANC to hold peace conference
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Protesting
JKLF leader held Srinagar, July 3 The leader of the JKLF, a constituent of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, led a group of his supporters at Maisuma here this morning. The police had to use mild lathi charge against the demonstrators. A spokesman for the Hurriyat Conference alleged that the police resorted to unprovoked use of force by cane charging and lobbing of teargas shells. He added that at least six of its supporters were injured in the police action. The protest demonstrations were also held against the alleged violation of human rights and killings of innocents in Kashmir. JAMMU: Five militants, including an area commander of the Jeish-e-Mahmood (JeM) and a civilian were killed in separate militancy-related incidents in Rajouri, Poonch and Doda districts in Jammu and Kashmir since Tuesday, official sources said here on Wednesday. The security forces, following specific information about the presence of militants, launched an operation in the Dranti forest area in Rajouri on Tuesday. As the security forces reached the area, they were fired upon by the militants. In the retaliatory action, three ultras of the outfit were eliminated. The slain militants were identified as Abu Dohjan, area commander of JeM, Zahid Ansari, alias Shaheen — both from Kotli in Pakistan and Maulana Mohammad Shafi of Muzaffarabad in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. In Poonch district, the security forces shot dead two unidentified militants in the Saujian area on Tuesday, sources said, adding that two AK rifles and some of its ammunition and two wireless sets were seized from their possession. Reports from Doda said militants kidnapped a civilian from Chatroo village and later shot him dead. His body was found on the outskirts of the village and later handed over to his parents by the police. There was also exchange of firing between Village Defence Committees and ultras in the Marwa area of Ishtwar tehsil on Tuesday without any casualty. Meanwhile, the police has arrested a shopkeeper Mohammad Ilyas from Saj village in Rajouri district for his connections with militant groups. The police confiscated Rs 58,000 from Ilyas, who is understood to be involved in distributing money among militant groups operating in Rajouri, sources said adding that the accused during interrogation has also disclosed names of some persons involved in these activities. |
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Shahabuddin for round table conference on J&K Srinagar, July 3 “The basic problem here is political and that is why we talk about political negotiations. The problem can be resolved only by political means and not by a clash of arms”, said Mr Syed Shahabuddin, president of the AIMMM in reply to questions at a press conference at the end of a five-day visit of the majlis mission across the state here today. Other members of the mission included Moulana Shafi Moonis and Prof Saifuddin Soz, both vice presidents, Mr K M Khan, MP and Mr Zafarul-Islam Khan, both members of the Markazi Majlis-e-Aamila. During its five-day visit to the state the mission interacted with leaders of the ruling National Conference, the separatist Hurriyat Conference, the Jamaat-e-Islami, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the state Human Rights Commission, journalists, lawyers and retired bureaucrats. Mr Shahabuddin said the AIMMM did not support the RSS demand of trifurcation of the state adding that these were the views of the Sangh Parivar which did not represent the country. Mr Shahabuddin pointed out that the majlis had not taken any position regarding the candidature of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as President. “They have nominated somebody who has not excited the emotions of Muslims. Except for the Sangh Parivar no Muslim organisation or personality has hailed the nomination”, he commented. Referring to the elections, Mr Shahabuddin said these could be held while the negotiations could also go on. He claimed that the people do not see the coming election as the solution or even as the first step towards a final settlement. He held that free and fair elections could be possible only when “the repressive machinery of the state is dismantled” and an end to militancy and counter-militancy. “The quest for an acceptable, and honourable solution will be a long journey which will test the will and determination of the people and their leadership. An election can only be an occasion to review the progress towards the ultimate destination”, he stated. Regarding the success of the dialogue, the AIMMM President urged the Centre to take steps for creating a conducive environment. Elaborating on the measures, he demanded the release of political detainees, reducing the visible presence of security forces in the inhabited areas, suspending the operation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and the Disturbed Areas Act, minimising recourse to the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the POTA, disbanding the Special Task Force and the SPOs and reaching an agreement with the militants. The AIMM also rebuffed PoK-based United Jehad Council telling it to keep off Kashmir. “They have no business to tell us to keep off Kashmir,” Mr Shahabuddin said when asked to respond to the suggestion of UJC, an amalgam of 16 militant groups in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. According to a report, Mr Shahabuddin said Muslims across the country should not be made a hostage to the behaviour of Muslims in Kashmir. |
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J&K plan to boost tourism Srinagar, July 3 “The work on the Rs 11-crore second phase of Gulmarg Gondola is going on speedily and will be completed by October next year. The first phase of the project has been completed at a cost of Rs 21 crore,” an official spokesman said here today. Managing Director of Cable Car Corporation Farooq Ahmad Shah said Gulmarg Gondola generated an income of Rs 1.32 crore last year while this year it had earned Rs 33 lakhs so far. About the future plans of the Corporation, he said the cable car project was also being installed shortly from Boulevard on the banks of famous Dal Lake to Shankaracharya in Srinagar. Similarly, the techno-economic feasibility reports had already been prepared for the installation of Gondola from Jammu city to Bagh-i-Bahu and Mahamaya forests, besides at Nathatop in the Patnitop area, he said, adding that the projects were in the final stage of clearance. Mr Shah said a children’s amusement park would also be set up at Gulmarg hill resort in north Kashmir as part of another major attraction for the tourists. Meanwhile, during the 10th five-year-plan period, about Rs 61.35 crore has been proposed for the development of infrastructure under the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation so as to boost further the tourism sector in the state. A sum of Rs 32 crore had been earmarked for building a five-storey three-star hotel at the site of the gutted Budshah hotel in Srinagar, while Rs 20 crore had been earmarked for constructing a four-storey hotel at tourist reception centre in Jammu having five star facilities, the spokesman said. He said Rs 3.80 crore had been proposed for the completion of damaged infrastructure at Patnitop and Gulmarg. Under the Centre-sponsored schemes, Rs 7.30 crore had been provided for the construction of additional accommodation, renovation and upgradation of tourism infrastructure in the state, he said. An amount of Rs 13 lakh would be spent for the completion of the ongoing works which included, a reception room and the construction of shelter shed at Kangdori in Gulmarg for the benefit of visitors.
PTI |
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6 killed, 39 hurt in mishaps Jammu, July 3 Three persons were killed and 36 others were injured, three of them seriously, when a local bus carrying a marriage party overturned and fell into a nullah at Billawar in Kathua district last night. The injured were rushed to a local hospital in Billawar from where three seriously injured were referred to the government medical college hospital here this morning. The critically injured were rushed to the Government Medical College here while others have been admitted to nearby health units in Billawar, the police said. Two of the three deceased were identified as Ms Sumit Singri and Ms Kamlesh Kumari. The critically injured were identified as Bachan Singh, Ms Prakashi Devi and Sukh Ram, the police informed. The police has confiscated the vehicle, said UNI. Two Army men were killed and three others injured when the truck they were travelling in met with an accident in Reasi town of Udhampur district yesterday, the police said adding that local people reached the site of accident and removed the dead and injured to the hospital. A youth was killed on the spot when a vehicle of security forces hit him in Patel Nagar area of Jammu city yesterday, the police added.
PTI, UNI |
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Al-Jabar claims responsibility
for NC man’s killing Srinagar, July 3 “Mohiuddin showed enthusiasm for the coming Assembly elections in the state and was done to death,” Al-Jabar said in a statement here. “Al-Jabar is active in all districts and maintaining a constant watch on active NC workers” the statement said. The Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen formed Al-Jabar on July 1 and “the special squad will carry out its mission till October when the elections for the 87-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are being held,” it said.
PTI |
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ANC to hold peace conference New Delhi, July 3 Addressing mediapersons here today, ANC leader Muzaffar Shah said about 600
persons have expected to attend the conference at the International Convention Centre in Srinagar. He said invitees included eminent persons from in the state, across the border and other parts of the world. “The conference will also provide an opportunity to leaders from both sides to interact and deliberate on the issue and come up with workable recommendations for the resolution of the problem.’’ |
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