Hurriyat rejects US appeal

Srinagar, August 27
The Hurriyat Conference today announced its decision to attend the second round of talks with the Kashmir Committee headed by Mr Ram Jethmalani in New Delhi but rejected participation in the Assembly poll.

“We will definitely go to Delhi for the second round of talks with the Kashmir Committee,” Hurriyat chairman Abdul Ghani Bhat told reporters after a four-hour meeting of the executive committee of the separatist amalgam here.

“We will participate in any positive dialogue process aimed at resolution of the Kashmir issue,” he said, adding that “we are ready to participate in any process of talks but these should be aimed at resolving the issue.”

He said the composition of the delegation and the dates when it would go to Delhi would be decided within a couple of days.

Before the meeting, Bhat said: “The elections should be held to ask people whether they want to remain with India or Pakistan or remain independent.”

Emerging from the executive meeting, he said “we want to march forward through dialogue process. We are in favour of the betterment of India, Pakistan and ourselves (people of Jammu and Kashmir) and key to the betterment lies in talks.”

Former Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who was also present at the press briefing, said the Hurriyat would launch a ‘meet-the-people programme’ from Friday to educate people about the Kashmir Committee’s initiative and take them into confidence.

Replying to a question, he said: “We are not pessimistic. We are optimists. We see a ray of hope across the tunnel. Probably it was in the midst of smoke atom bomb cast in Pokhran and Chaker (Pakistan) that a ray of light could be seen by us and we hope the dispute will be resolved.”

Asked when would the Hurriyat launch its anti-poll campaign, Bhat said three executive members of the amalgam — Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammad Yaseen Malik and Sheikh Abdul Aziz —and 40 others were languishing in prisons.

“Restrictions have been placed on our movement. We think we will not be allowed to carry out anti-election campaign. Last month, we organised a protest march and the police came down heavily on us and beat us and imprisoned 100 activists though just for a day. These things have to be taken into consideration.”

Rejecting fresh US appeal to the separatists to participate in the elections, the Hurriyat and Shabir Shah’s Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party said they would contest only if it was an exercise to solve the issue. Shabir Shah, rejecting the US suggestion, said: “Dialogue should precede elections and not the other way round.”

Senior US official Lisa Curtis, was holding meetings with the separatists here, said yesterday that the elections were an opportunity for them to help establish peace.

Shah, who met her this morning, said: “Elections are an ad hoc system. We do not believe in adhocism but want a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue. My party will not participate in the ‘traditional’ elections.” PTI

2 more groups give poll boycott call
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 27
The Panun Kashmir and the All Kashmiri Pandit Solidarity Conference today announced that their activists would campaign for poll boycott.

Dr M.K. Teng, head of the advisory committee of the Panun Kashmir, and Mr Roshan Lal Raina, a representative of the camp dwellers, said at a media conference here that “our call for poll boycott has no relation with the call given by Kashmiri separatists, especially the Hurriyat Conference.” “We have decided to abstain from the poll in protest against the government’s failure to create a conducive atmosphere for the Assembly election,” the leaders said.

Dr Ajay Chrungoo, chief of the Panun Kashmir said, “The elections in the state are being conducted in a situation which is worse than that in 1996. The conditions required for a free and fair poll are non-existent and the poll will neither lessen the internal strife nor promote a healthy democratic environment.”

“We are warning the government regarding the poll,” Dr Chrungoo said, while criticising the double standards adopted by the Chief Election Commission. He said the commission had postponed the elections in Gujarat on the plea that about 20,000 Muslims were yet in camps.” And the same commission had now turned down the demand for deferment of elections in Jammu and Kashmir where about 10 lakh refugees were yet to be rehabilitated.

He added that the process of voting-in-exile had been misused in the past elections and would be misused again.

Two more organisations of the displaced people, the Panun Kashmir headed by Dr Agnishkehar and the Panun Kashmir Movement led by Mr Ashwani Chrungoo, have also given a call for boycott.

On the other hand the All-State Kashmiri Pandit Conference headed by Mr Amar Nath Vaishnavi has already announced the names of the candidates for various constituencies in the Kashmir valley with the support of the BJP.

Pak plot to disrupt elections will be thwarted: BSF

Srinagar, August 27
The next two months will be very crucial for the security forces guarding the border as Pakistan will make every effort to send into Kashmir more trained militants with sophisticated weapons with clear instructions to disrupt the election process, a senior official of the Border Security Force (BSF) said today.

“Going by the recent encounters on the border in northern sector, the next two months will be crucial,” BSF Intelligence chief in Kashmir valley R.S. Bhullar told UNI.

In the past one month there had been 19 encounters on the border or in the area adjacent to it making clear Pakistan’s intention of sending more militants to disrupt the election process, he said.

Mr Bhullar said 49 militants, mostly foreigners, had been killed in these encounters till yesterday reflecting the commitment of the security forces to scuttle all Pakistani attempts.

He said all necessary measures to foil any infiltration bid had been taken but the border could not be plugged completely because of the difficult terrain. Internal security had also been taken care of. Besides, the routine patrolling, search operations such as checking of vehicles and frisking of suspected persons in the valley had been intensified, particularly in the city. Mr Bhullar said messages from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to militants here asking them to intensify attacks on the security forces and cause bomb blasts had been intercepted.

“We have taken all precautions to frustrate militant’s designs to cause disturbance during the elections,” the BSF chief said.

Refusing to refer to specific messages from the PoK, he said they generally ask militants here to attack the security forces and candidates contesting elections. Asked if there was any particular instruction to hit a leader of any particular political party, he said no such message had been intercepted so far.

Meanwhile, official sources said, 3,000 to 3,500 militants, mostly foreigners, were active in the Kashmir valley. UNI

EC to look into food subsidy issue

Srinagar, August 27
The Election Commission said today it would look into the allegations of grant of food subsidy by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in violation of the model code of conduct.

“We assure you that the allegations in this regard would be looked into and the media informed about the action taken”, Chief Election Officer Pramod Jain told reporters here.

On whether his office received any report from the government in this regard, Mr Jain replied in negative.

“I was told by the state Chief Secretary that the report would be furnished within a couple of days,” he said.

Mr Jain said the commission would look into allegations that 150 government vehicles escorted a minister while going to file his nomination from Handwara constituency yesterday.

Asked why Opposition parties and Independent candidates were being discriminated against in providing security despite the Chief Election Commissioner’s claim that everybody would get a level playing field. Mr Jain said “We will try to give equal security to every candidate irrespective of his party affiliation”.

On reports of the ruling National Conference candidates enjoying more privileges than others, Mr Jain said “I will ensure everybody gets equal security as the threat perception is there for everybody.”

Meanwhile, the commission still awaits the “action taken report” from the state government on its directives on the issue of transfers of officials.

The commission has directed the state government to shift the Naib Tehsildar of Mandi who have violated the model code of conduct.

“We have held three meetings with the state administration on the issue of transfer of all those revenue and police officials who have not been transferred from their present place of posting for the past four years,” Mr Jain said during a daily press briefing here today.

He said so far only 20 such officials had been identified and they would be shifted before elections.

Mr Jain said the commission had directed that all police officials up to the rank of Station House Officers and revenue officials up to the rank of tehsildars, who have completed four years at their present place of posting, should be shifted immediately.

In reply to a question he said since it was a very lengthy process to identify these officials, no official had been transferred yet.

About other directions from the commission he said “we expect to get the action taken report from the government very soon.”

JAMMU: Election observer A.K. Basu has called upon the administration to fully adhere to the model code of conduct and warned that stern action will be taken in case any dereliction of duty is reported from any where during the election process.

Mr Basu, observer for Udhampur district was reviewing the arrangements at a meeting of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers at the district on Monday.

He also reviewed the progress regarding distribution of voter Identity cards, and correction of voter lists.

Meanwhile, Director-General of Police A.K. Suri, at another meeting with senior police officers of the district reviewed security arrangements.

The meeting was attended by the IGP (Jammu), Mr P.L. Gupta, DIG of Doda and Udhampur, Mr A.R. Khan and the SP of Doda and Udhampur districts. PTI

LUTF names candidates for Nubra, Leh seats

Jammu, August 27
The Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF) has announced the names of candidates for the Nubra and Leh seats for the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, barely 24 hours after the front was formed unanimously by all political outfits in Ladakh.

In a press note sent to UNI here this afternoon, Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) supremo Tsering Samphel said: “In an extraordinary meeting of the panel for nomination of candidates for the elections to the state Assembly, the LUTF has unanimously decided to field Mr Pintoo Nurboo and Mr Nawang Rigzin from the Nobra and Leh constituencies, respectively.’’

The announcement was made by Khanpo Rinpoche after an executive meeting of the front amid the presence of hundreds of LUTF supporters in Leh this afternoon.

The sitting legislator, Mr Tsetan Namgyal, who resigned as the Minister of State for Agriculture and Horticulture from the Abdullah government yesterday, had also joined the LUTF.

Meanwhile, in a major political development in Leh, former union minister and senior Congress functionary P. Namgyal also resigned from his party and joined the LUTF “to struggle for the cause of ensuring a union territory status to Ladakh’’. UNI

BJP to contest 55 seats in J&K

New Delhi, August 27
The BJP has decided to go in a big way in the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, contesting 50 to 55 seats of the 75-member House.

Talking to newspersons, party spokesman Sunil Shastri said in the valley where it had fought on 30 out of the 46 seats last time the party would be fielding its candidates on more seats.

In the remaining seats in the valley and elsewhere it would have understanding with regional parties and groups. UNI

Farooq’s brother files papers

Srinagar, August 27
Minister for Industries and Commerce Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal today filed his nominations from the Gulmarg constituency for the first phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly poll on September 16.

An independent filed his papers from the Sangrama Assembly constituency taking the total number of nominations filed to 17 so far, official sources said.

Kamaal, younger brother of Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, is pitted against former Minister and senior J and K Peoples Democratic Party (JKPDP) leader Ghulam Hassam Mir in Gulmarg.

The last date for filing of nominations is August 29, Scrutiny of papers would take place on August 31 and withdrawal of nominations is slated for September 2.

The nine others who today filed their nomination papers as independent candidates are — Khursheed Ahmad, Mohammad Shafi Gujjar (Baramulla), Shadi Lal Pandita (Sangrama), Harbajan Singh (Rafiabad), Ali Hyder (Karnah), Mohammad Ashraf Lone (Kupwara) Ghulam Nabi Lone (Lolab), Choudhary Mohammad Farooq and Khazar Mohammad Ganai (Langeth).

Two more independent candidates Puran Singh (Darhal) and Prem Nath (Rajouri) also filed their papers today. PTI, UNI

Gen BN Dhar joins PDP

Jammu, August 27
Prominent National Conference (NC) functionary Maj Gen (retd) B.N. Dhar today formally joined the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

Talking to mediapersons here this afternoon, Maj Gen Dhar said he would not contest the Assembly polls in the state despite being offered a seat by PDP chief Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Mr Dhar claimed that in the present scenario the PDP was the only party which was a viable alternative that could bring an end to discrimination with the Jammu and Ladakh regions. UNI

Two cops among 18 shot in J&K

Srinagar, August 27
Thirteen persons, including nine militants and two policemen, were killed, while the security forces captured two ultras in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours.

A constable of the Jammu and Kashmir police and two militants were among five persons killed, while the security forces arrested a dreaded ultra in the Kashmir valley overnight.

An official spokesman said an encounter took place between militants and the security forces at Gund-e-Chobutra in the frontier district of Kupwara late last night during which two militants were killed.

A soldier and a civilian Bashir Ahmad were injured in the encounter, he added.

Official sources said militants fired at least four rounds at the constable, Mohammad Ayub of Maisuma police station, near the bus stand. He died on the way to hospital.

A UNI correspondent, who visited the area immediately after the incident, saw most shops in the area open sans their owners.

The security forces were seen searching these shops and other business establishments.

Later, the forces cordoned off the entire area, including the bus stand, and detained some persons for questioning.

The bus drivers alleged that the security forces damaged about 12 vehicles inside the bus station after the incident, besides setting fire to the booking office.

Last night the militants shot dead Haji Abdul Aziz Bhat near Palhalan Pattan in Baramula district, while a body was recovered at Bazipora Ajas today.

The spokesman said militants shot at and wounded Abdul Rehman Ganai at Bijbehara.

The Special Operation Group of the Jammu and Kashmir police and the CRPF, in a joint operation arrested a dreaded militant, Feroz Ahmad Bhat, along with two grenades and 2 kg of explosives at Gutli Bagh Ganderbal today.

An official spokesman said an encounter took place between militants and the security forces at Ajas Bandipora today in which a special police officer Qasim Khan was killed.

He said three militants were killed in an encounter during a search operation at Samatian Keri in Rajouri district today, while two ultras were gunned down at Baransal Mahore in Udhampur district last night.

Two civilians, Bader-u-Din and Kamal Din, who were abducted by militants, were rescued. However, Bader was injured in the shootout at Baransal.

Two militants were killed by security forces in separate encounters at Patri and Fazalaad in Poonch district yesterday.

Two ultras surrendered along with an AK rifle, three magazines, 90 rounds and a UBGL at Baramula and Anantnag, while one militant was arrested at Tral today.

Jammu: As many as five militants, including a Lashkar-e-Toiba outlaw, were shot dead by the security forces in separate encounters in the Jammu region during the past 24 hours, official sources said on Tuesday.

At Balima Bagla in Chingus area of Rajouri district, the troops shot dead two ultras in an encounter which took place after a siege was laid on the area while acting on a tip-off.

A Lashkar-e-Toiba ultra, Abu Hamza, was shot dead at Faizlabad in Surankote sector in Poonch district by troops and police personnel in a joint operation. One AK rifle, two magazines and three hand grenades were seized from him.

Two ultras were shot dead in Mahore area of Udhampur district late on Monday.

Four foreign mercenaries were killed by troops along the Line of Control in Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, official sources said here.

The troops on duty along the LoC in Mendhar area in Poonch noticed a group of seven to eight heavily armed mercenaries inside the Indian territory at Patri Gali, they said.

The entire area was cordoned off and an operation was launched to track down the militants which resulted in a fierce encounter, the sources said.

Two ultras were killed in the gun battle, they said, adding the operation was still on.

The troops foiled another infiltration bid by killing two ultras near the LoC in Rajouri district on Tuesday, the sources added. UNI, PTI

India, Pak troops exchange fire

Jammu, August 27
Indian and Pakistani troops today exchanged artillery and small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) and the border in Jammu and Kashmir without causing any casualty.

The two sides exchanged artillery fire along the LoC in the Drass, Battalick and Uri sectors and small arms fire in the Bhawani sector of Rajouri district, official sources said here.

About 44 families comprising 231 persons migrated from Manka Mahadev village of Rajouri district yesterday due to continued firing from across the border, they said, adding that they have been accommodated in a government school in the nearby Rajabian village.

Intermittent exchange of firing between Pakistan’s border guards and the Border Security Force (BSF) along the border took place at Kanachak, Panjore, Dub Sudan, Lalyal, Dera Napu, Beli Azmat, Choregali, Gole Pattan, Pargwal, Palanwalla, Sangral, Mangral, Abdullian, Karotna, Khurd, Suchetgarh, Kullian, Glad and Faquira Chak, the sources said. PTI