 |
Monday, September 30, 2002, Chandigarh,
India  
|
Will fire-storm calm? Jaish, Lashkar to aim at MLAs End regional discrimination: Jaitley
GOOL CONSTITUENCY |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Will fire-storm calm? Jammu, September 29 This question assumes significance following stepped up grenade, IED and gun attacks by militants in the state. In the past four days 14 civilians, 22 ultras and eight security personnel were killed and 20 others wounded. Apart from rise in militant strikes the Pakistani troops renewed firing from across the R.S. Pora and Samba sectors, during the past 24 hours. Though there was no casualty on this side of the border the government authorities treated it as part of the plan to create scare among the voters in Kathua district where polling is to be held on October 1. Under the third phase 27 constituencies in Anantnag, Pulwama, Udhampur and Kathua districts go to the polls on October 1. Rebels not only stepped up violence in Anantnag, Pulwama and upper reaches of Udhampur during the past one week but they also carried out strikes in Poonch and Rajouri areas, where polling has already been completed. A senior police officer said militant activities in Poonch and Rajouri areas, were carried out to create terror among people in the adjoining areas where polling was to be held. Indications are that incidents of violence will continue in Anantnag and Pulwama segments besides Gool, Arnas and Mahore areas of Udhampur district. Comparatively, Kathua district may not witness any major violence. About 400 companies of central forces have been deployed in these four districts where over 16.69 lakh voters have to decide the fate of 227 candidates. In the 1996 poll there were 171 candidates in the four districts. Compared to Anantnag and Pulwama the pre-poll campaign has been on a high pitch in Kathua district and major areas of Udhampur district where senior Congress, BJP, NCP and the BSP leaders from Delhi and other states addressed a series of well attended pre-election rallies. Against this, the pre-poll campaign in south Kashmir was a low-key affair with people preferring to stay indoors and political activists remaining content with occasional trips to different constituencies. Poll analysts are of the opinion that the phase three poll will determine whether the National Conference would be in a position to get an absolute majority in the Assembly for forming the government. The poll results will also determine whether the state will have a hung Assembly or result in a coalition government. At present peoples’ interest is focused on whether the 16 constituencies in south Kashmir will register reasonable polling or will it be as much a poor show as it was in eight out of the 10 Assembly segments in Srinagar district where polling was held on September 24 with an average polling percentage of 4. Indications are that poor polling may be recorded in the towns of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Tral, Pampore and Kulgam. In case the militants ceased fire during the next 24 hours one can expect reasonable polling percentage in the rural areas of south Kashmir. It is going to be a heavy turnout of voters in Kathua district and parts of Udhampur district. Upper reaches of Udhampur district, which are known as militancy infested areas, may not record heavy polling. If peoples’ concern in south Kashmir is on the percentage of polling their interest in Kathua and Udhampur districts is focused on which party will win majority of the 11 seats. Apart from half a dozen Independent candidates, considered heavy weights in these 27 constituencies, the future of the NC, the Congress, the BJP, the PDP and the BSP are at stake in these four districts. |
|
Jaish, Lashkar to aim at MLAs Jammu, September 29 After realising that they had failed to disrupt the poll process which was to be completed with in another nine days they had decided to adopt hit and run tactics while attacking the newly elected legislators. The contours of the plan is revealed in a series wireless messages which the security agencies have intercepted during the past one week. According to the spokesman for the Army’s Northern command, militants have been directed to see to it that those elected to the Assembly were not able to reach the house. The spokesman released excerpts of the messages. One message read: “Elections have finished. Now you check about all those people who are going to become MLAs and members.” The man on this side of the border wants the message to be repeated saying “I have not understood. Tell me again.” He gets the direction: “After elections those who have won, need not go to the Assembly. You kill them.” Militants have been directed not to target new MLAs only but other political workers and leaders. Another message said “what about the elections?” The man from this side of the LoC replies “They have come to the villages and are asking for votes.” “Security forces or civilians”, the voice from the other side of the border says. He is informed that “civilians do come for asking votes,” “You kill some of them. They will not come again.” The spokesman said this was exactly what was happening at present in some parts of the state. He said the intercepted messages clearly indicated that militants, instead of accepting defeat by the completion of the poll process, plan to escalate the scale of killing of civilians and political leaders. |
|
End regional discrimination: Jaitley Jammu, September 29 Addressing a series of pre-poll rallies in Kathua district and in his interaction with mediapersons here today, Mr Jaitley, who has been appointed government negotiator to discuss the demand to restore greater autonomy with the state government and the NC leadership, said the talks would continue only for devolution of more powers to the state. He equated the demand for greater autonomy to secessionism and said instead of demanding greater autonomy, the state government should take steps for ending regional discrimination. Mr Jaitley, without supporting the demand for trifurcation of the state, said people in the Jammu region had received a raw deal and the National Conference besides the Congress governments were responsible for perpetuating discrimination between different regions. He also blamed the NC and Congress governments for internationalising the Kashmir issue, adding that the NDA government had internationalised the issue of terrorism instead and it had persuaded the international opinion against Pak-sponsored terrorism. While the Union Minister of state for Defence, Prof, Chaman Lal Gupta, who had accompanied Mr Jaitley to Kathua district yesterday, would up the party campaign in Kathua and Udhampur districts, the NC electioneering was seen through by Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son, Mr Omar Abdullah. The Congress candidates in these two districts banked on the PCC president, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, for making a last minute bid to woo voters in favour of the party nominees. While Dr Abdullah and Mr Omar Abdullah ridiculed Mr Azad and Congress leaders for hoping to form the government, saying that they were day-dreaming, Mr Azad hit back telling the NC leadership that the Congress was not afraid of contesting the poll. He said despite an inadequate security cover and other problems created by the National Conference, his men stood like a rock to upset the NC applecart. The BJP leader, Prof Gupta, said both the Congress and NC were organisations of opportunities. He accused the leaders of these two parties of having given a stepmotherly treatment to the people of the Jammu region. He appealed to the voters to reject those who had disowned them for past 54 years and said the current election had provided them an opportunity to elect a government which was accountable to the people and would not rob the state exchequer of its resources as had been done by the successive NC and Congress governments. Mr Azad, on the other hand, dubbed the BJP and NC as communal organisations pursuing a dual policy by remaining friends at the Centre and fighting against each other in Jammu. Dr Abdullah advised voters to make a right choice while supporting the candidates because the NC alone could provide a good government. He said development works and job opportunities provided by the NC government during the past six years set a new record in the history of the state. |
|
GOOL CONSTITUENCY Gool (Udhampur), September 29 The Gool and Gulabgarh constituencies have witnessed large-scale terrorist violence during the past few years. Parts of the Reasi segment are also affected by terrorism. The Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur, Mr Atul Dullo, does not rule out stray IED explosions on the day of polling in some areas. However, security forces have been deployed in strength in sensitive areas. All six segments of Udhampur district will go to polls on October 1. Many senior leaders of the national parties and the ruling National Conference have visited here under a heavy police cover to campaign for their respective candidates. Unlike the terrorist-hit areas of Kashmir valley, most of the candidates moved around to seek votes. At least 8000 additional personnel of the Central security forces have been deployed in the district. Prominent among those who campaigned in the militancy-prone areas of the district include Dr Farooq Abdullah, Capt Amarinder Singh, Mrs Mayawati, Mr Chaman Lal Gupta, BJP, Mrs Ambika Soni, Congress, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Omar Abdullah and Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, president, J&K PCC. The Gool, Gulabgarh and Mahore areas of these segments have witnessed killing of people by terrorists. However, fear is writ large on the residents of Deval and Shikari villages where terrorists camped in the past. All 84 polling booths of the Gulabgarh constituency have been declared hyper-sensitive and security personnel have been posted in strength there. The constituency is represented by Mr Abdul Gani Malik, who successfully contested the last Assembly election on the Janata Dal symbol and defeated the NC candidate, Mr Ajaz Ahmed Khan, with a margin of 956 votes. But now Mr Malik has left the Janata Dal for the NC and is its nominee. A total number of 10 candidates are in the fray. The contest has become interesting with Mr Ajaz Ahmed Khan, district president of the NC, jumping in the contest as an Independent. Mr Khan is a son of the influential Gujjar leader, Haji Buland Khan, who has represented the constituency several times. Of the 82 polling booths in Gool, 63 have been declared hyper-sensitive and 10 sensitive. As many as 37 of the 102 booths in the district headquarters constituency of Udhampur are hyper-sensitive. A total number of 62 candidates are in the fray in the six constituencies of Udhampur. The highest number of 14 candidates are in Udhampur, followed by 12 in Reasi, 10 each in Gool-Arnas and Gulabgarh, nine in Ramnagar and seven in Chenani. |
|
SHUPIAN CONSTITUENCY Shupian (Pulwama), September 29 Still known as the stronghold of Jamaitis comprising 90 per cent population of this area, Shupian has been facing a tough time ever since the announcement of elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Only two days ago, hardcore terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen threw a grenade in the crowded marketplace here, seriously injuring 13 civilians and two security personnel. A visit to the segment that has in its fold 150 villages, including Hirapore, the last village of the valley, revealed that the voters had not yet recovered from the trauma of the past militant attacks. Most people said with the militant threat looming large all the time, polling had no meaning here. A survey confirmed that shops at Shupian remained closed most of the time in the view of frequent grenade attacks and firing. Also, the place appeared backward with no development worth the name. The segment, which has been a traditional stronghold of the NC, despite the Jamaiti dominance, is now inclining towards the People’s Democratic Party candidate, Ghulam Hassan Khan, who is the only contestant living here. The other five candidates have not yet campaigned in the segment. When contacted, PDP candidate Ghulam Hassan said the majority of 60,000 Shupian voters was politically alert. Formerly a Congress worker, Ghulam Hassan joined the PDP when Mufti Mohammad Syed founded it. Harping on the development of the area, Ghulam Hassan is now trying to impress Shupian voters. The fear here is natural, given the intensity and frequency of militant strikes in the region. Since September 1, there have been 10 militant attacks at Shupian. Militants, who use the surrounding forest cover as a hideout, find it easy to descend upon Shupian and terrorise it. No wonder troops have already occupied all 68 hypersensitive booths of this segment. In each of these booths, two sections of troops have been deployed comprising 16 guards each. Depending on the level of threat, some polling booths have been provided with additional security cover by the Army. Apart from this, the segment is being patrolled day and night, with a specific check on possible entry points of terrorists. The BSF’s 9 battalion, which shares the security responsibility of the region, has killed over 15 militants in encounters around Shupian. So far as the developmental aspect of this segment is concerned, it has not improved during the NC rule. The sub-district hospital of Shupian is in dire straits; so are the two schools that offer nothing in the name of education. Mohammad Bhat, two of whose wards were recently injured in cross firing, said, “The doctor at the hospital is not equipped to handle injuries. He refers patients to Srinagar for the minutest of ailments. The condition of schools is worse.” |
|
JJSF to back Panthers
Udhampur, September 29 JSSF president Rajinder Singh Jamwal said his organisation would lend total support to the JKNPP for its demand for separate statehood for Jammu. The JJSF has also been agitating for a separate statehood to Jammu, because “the region is being discriminated by the Kashmiri rulers.” “We support any party which raises its voice against the discrimination being meted out to Jammu by Kashmiri rulers. The region has been reeling under unemployment and under-development due to the discriminatory attitude of the state government. A separate Jammu state only can redeem us from this current plight,” Mr Jamwal said. UNI |
|
|
Blasts in Tral Srinagar, September 29 An official spokesman said unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade towards security forces at a bus stand in Tral. However, the grenade missed the target and exploded on the roadside causing the death of Mohammad Ayub Wani and injuries to 17 others, including six police personnel. Three militants, including two belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and a sarpanch were killed in the Kashmir valley overnight. Official sources said an encounter took place between militants and security forces at Kreeri Pattan in Baramulla district late last night during which the two JeM militants were killed. Security forces gunned down another militant at Chontpatheri Tangmarg in the same district.
UNI |
|
|
3 JeM ultras among 10 killed
Srinagar, September 29 The three Jaish militants were killed in a fierce gunbattle with security forces, four of whom were injured, during search operations at Chuntpathri and Satarseeran in the Kreeri area of Baramula district in North Kashmir early today, the spokesman said. He said a civilian, Mohammad Ayub, was killed and 17 others were injured when militants exploded a grenade and exchanged fire with security forces at Tral bus stand in Pulwama district of south Kashmir this afternoon. The injured who included an assistant sub-inspector and six more cops were shifted to a hospital, the spokesman said, noting that militants intended to target a police patrol vehicle that was stationed to provide security cover to politicians visiting the township on the last day of canvassing today. Minutes after the incident, militants struck again in Tral township, lobbing a grenade on a BSF patrol party near Idgah, wounding a soldier. In another blast an Army vehicle was damaged as militants set off an improvised explosive device (IED) on the Botengu-Watlab road in the Sopore area of Baramula district this afternoon. No one was hurt in the explosion. Elsewhere, PDP activist Bahauddin Shah was shot dead in his house in Bhatpora village of Ganderbal on the outskirts of Srinagar last night. A couple, Tariq Ahmad and his wife Shaheen Bi, were killed when they were caught in a crossfire between militants and security forces at Kalala Mohra Bashi in the Surankote area of Rajouri district last night. Militants gunned down Abdul Latief at Khanakot village in Doda district last night, while the body of an unidentified person was picked up from Sutinallah in Poonch district today. A civilian, Nazir Ahmad, who was injured in a grenade explosion yesterday succumbed to his wounds in a hospital in Srinagar today. Nazir was among three persons injured when militants exploded a grenade at a public meeting of an Independent candidate, Bashir Ahmad at Sirhama village in Bijbehara. Meanwhile, the spokesman said security forces arrested a militant of JeM, Muzaffar Ahmad Tantray, from his house at Kundalon in the Shopian area of Pulwama district and seized an IED, a grenade and a detonator from him. Three more suspected militants were arrested by security forces from different areas of Baramula district yesterday, he said. Meanwhile, five Pakistani infiltrators were shot dead along the Line of Control as the Army foiled militant bids to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir to disrupt the third phase of polling on Tuesday, a defence spokesman said today. While three militants were killed in the Tangmarg sector of Baramula after a prolonged gunfight, two were killed in General area in Kupwara last night, he said. A large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives seized from them indicate that the militants had planned major attacks to disrupt the poll.
PTI |
|
|
Journalist killed in road mishap
Jammu, September 29 The police said the victims, who were returning from Gangyal to Jammu, had reached a turn when a bus coming from the opposite direction rammed into their motor cycle killing them on the spot. The deceased were identified as Shaloo Jamwal and Sanjeev Sharma. Jamwal, who was married about six months ago, had worked as a scribe in the Indian Express, State Times and Hindi daily Amar Ujala. The police has confiscated the vehicle and a case has been registered in this connection. UNI |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 122 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
