J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

PDP-Cong panel wants Centre to honour word
Jammu, January 10
The recently constituted nine-member coordination committee, which will act as an apex body for monitoring the working of the coalition government, held its first meeting here today. 

5 militants killed in Poonch
Jammu, January 10
Five militants were killed in separate operations launched by the troops in the Rajouri and Surankot area of Poonch today. Defence Ministry officials said the moment troops spotted a group of militants infiltrating into the Indian territory from across the border in Rajouri they were immediately gunned down.

JeM apologises for girls’ killing
Jammu, January 10
Indicating differences among various militant outfits on the enforcement of dress code in Jammu and Kashmir, the Jaish-e-Mohammad has apologised for the killing of three Muslim girls by another outfit for not wearing “burqa” in Rajouri district a fortnight ago.

Meeting, searches mark R-Day security
Srinagar, January 10
The security forces have initiated various measures to thwart any attempt by militants to create trouble on the Republic Day. Paramilitary troops have launched house-to-house searches and checking of passenger vehicles in and around Lal Chowk. 

Incentive for police trainers
Jammu, January 10
The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, today said the J&K police had a crucial role to play in the restoration of normalcy in the state. Addressing the attestation-cum-passing out parade of 521 trainee constables, including 85 women constables, at Police Training School, Kathua, this afternoon, the Chief Minister said the coalition government was making all-out efforts to improve the situation.

Resolve Kashmir issue: Hurriyat
Srinagar, January 10
No lasting peace in the subcontinent is possible without resolving the Kashmir issue, a senior leader of the All Party Hurriyat Conference today said. Addressing a Friday congregation, Maulana Abbas Ansari said the Kashmir issue could be resolved only through tripartite talks.

Bukhari gas kills cop
Srinagar, January 10
A policeman was killed and another fell unconscious after they inhaled poisonous gas emanating from a charcoal bukhari in the guard room at the residence of a National Conference leader here, official sources said today.

PDP-Cong panel wants Centre to honour word
Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 10
The recently constituted nine-member coordination committee, which will act as an apex body for monitoring the working of the coalition government, held its first meeting here today. The meeting was presided over by the PCC president, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad. The committee reviewed various measures taken by the government and endorsed the common minimum programme formulated by it.

The committee, according to a senior member, urged the Central Government to fulfil the commitment made by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, that unconditional talks would be held with the elected representatives of people. It called for determining the mechanism for initiating the dialogue, for restoring peace.

It suggested to the state government to raise the age limit for employment from 35 to 37 years so that those denied jobs by the previous regime and those who could not apply for the jobs owing to the ongoing turmoil could be recruited on humanitarian grounds.

The committee also called for full empowerment of panchayat bodies and holding of panchayat elections in those areas in the Kashmir valley where they could not be held owing to security-related problems.

It also urged the government to hold the elections for the local bodies, especially the civic bodies in Srinagar and Jammu.

It demanded that all police appointments be done through the Police Recruitment Board and avoid on-the-spot recruitment of constables.

Other members who attended the meeting included Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister, Prof Saifuddin Soz, Member of Rajya Sabha, Mr Tralok Singh Bajwa, Member of Rajya Sabha, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, vice-president, PDP, Mr M.Y. Tarigami, CPM legislator, Prof Bhim Singh, chairman, Panthers Party, and Mr Ringzin Jora and Mr Nasir Ali, two ministers of state from Ladakh region.

The members wanted that the differences among the coalition partners in the government should be referred to the coordination committee. Certain members opposed the proposed jumbo-sized ministry as the internal resources warranted a small ministry.

The coordination committee has suggested to the Centre to treat people living within 5 km of the border in Jammu and Kashmir as backward classes so that they could get concessions under this category.

The committee advised the Centre to concede to the long pending demand of the people for the inclusion of Dogri language in the eighth Schedule of the constitution.

5 militants killed in Poonch
Our Correspondent and UNI

Jammu, January 10
Five militants were killed in separate operations launched by the troops in the Rajouri and Surankot area of Poonch today. Defence Ministry officials said the moment troops spotted a group of militants infiltrating into the Indian territory from across the border in Rajouri they were immediately gunned down.

In the Surankot area the troops cordoned off a militant hideout. As the forces neared the spot they came under heavy fire. In the retaliatory fire two militants were killed on the spot.

Search operations have been launched to flush out other militants who had reportedly broken the cordon. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition have been recovered from the slain militants.

SRINAGAR: Militants killed three persons and attacked a BSF camp with grenades while 10 persons were injured in a grenade blast in the Kashmir valley on Friday.

In another incident, extremists detonated a powerful IED at Pinglish Tral, targeting a security convoy. The IED exploded only after the security force vehicles had passed the area.

Official sources said 10 persons were injured when unidentified militants hurled a hand grenade towards security forces at Nehama Kulgam this afternoon.

The grenade missed the target and exploded on the roadside, injuring the people who were admitted to a hospital, sources said.

An official spokesman said the SOG of the Jammu and Kashmir police and security forces busted two hideouts at Bandipora in Baramula district on Friday.

One AK rifle, 80 kg of RDX, nine remote control devices, 18 grenades, 380 rounds of ammunition, an RPG and a wireless set were recovered from the hideouts.

In a similar operation at Badgam on Thursday, two wireless sets, eight grenades, one UBGL, one remote control device, 500 grams of explosives and 214 rounds of ammunition were recovered.

The spokesman said the body of 85-year-old G.M. Lone at Arth Beerwa in the central Kashmir district of Badgam while another body was recovered from a forest at Aham Sharief in Baramula district on Thursday.

JeM apologises for girls’ killing

Jammu, January 10
Indicating differences among various militant outfits on the enforcement of dress code in Jammu and Kashmir, the Jaish-e-Mohammad has apologised for the killing of three Muslim girls by another outfit for not wearing “burqa” in Rajouri district a fortnight ago.

The posters also warn people against cooperating with the security forces, they said. PTI

Meeting, searches mark R-Day security
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 10
The security forces have initiated various measures to thwart any attempt by militants to create trouble on the Republic Day. Paramilitary troops have launched house-to-house searches and checking of passenger vehicles in and around Lal Chowk. A tight security vigil is being maintained in the area, particularly around Bakshi Stadium, where the main function is scheduled to be held here on the occasion of the Republic Day.

A high-level joint meeting of civil and security officers under the chairmanship of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Parvez Dewan, was held here today, which discussed and reviewed arrangements in connection with the Republic Day function here.

Several decisions were taken to improve the arrangements, which include uninterrupted power and water supply, regulation of traffic in and around Bakshi Stadium, seating and security arrangements.

An official spokesman said here the Divisional Commissioner urged all agencies and departments concerned to ensure foolproof arrangements.

A meeting of officers under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Budgam district, was also held today that reviewed the arrangements at the district headquarters. Similar meetings have already been held at other district headquarters of the valley.

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate, Kupwara, has restricted all kinds of movement under Section 144 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. within 5 km of border with immediate effect. The restriction will remain in force for two months, an official spokesman here said.

Incentive for police trainers
Our Correspondent

Jammu, January 10
The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, today said the J&K police had a crucial role to play in the restoration of normalcy in the state. Addressing the attestation-cum-passing out parade of 521 trainee constables, including 85 women constables, at Police Training School, Kathua, this afternoon, the Chief Minister said the coalition government was making all-out efforts to improve the situation.

Asking the police to put up a humane face and help people get justice, the Chief Minister said the image of the force largely depended on a constable who deals with the people directly. So, he needs to be trained in such a way that the force gets a good name and establishes credibility with the masses as the protector of the people.

The Chief Minister announced the instructors and other training staff of police training schools would be given 10 per cent of the basic pay as special allowance as an incentive.

He inspected the parade and took salute at the march past by the smartly dressed police trainees. He also presented awards to the trainees who excelled in various activities. Constable Gurmeet Singh was adjudged the all-round best trainee and given one rank promotion on the spot. He was also declared the best parade commander.

Resolve Kashmir issue: Hurriyat

Srinagar, January 10
No lasting peace in the subcontinent is possible without resolving the Kashmir issue, a senior leader of the All Party Hurriyat Conference today said. Addressing a Friday congregation, Maulana Abbas Ansari said the Kashmir issue could be resolved only through tripartite talks. The Maulana criticised the suspension of the passport of former chairman of the Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq by the Centre.

This had exposed the “Indian doublespeak’’ he said adding that on one hand they were announcing that they were ready to resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully through dialogue and on other hand they were trying to curb the movement of Hurriyat leaders. He also condemned the alleged security forces excesses in the valley. UNI

Bukhari gas kills cop

Srinagar, January 10
A policeman was killed and another fell unconscious after they inhaled poisonous gas emanating from a charcoal bukhari in the guard room at the residence of a National Conference leader here, official sources said today.

Constable Anil Kumar of the Jammu and Kashmir armed police died and his colleague Mamdin was admitted to an hospital in an unconscious state this morning after they inhaled the poisonous gas from the bukhari which was kept in the room for warmth during the night. The condition of Mamdin is stated to be serious. PTI