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Saturday,
April 19, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
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PM leaves
educated youth disappointed Srinagar
airport to be upgraded
Security
unprecedented for PM’s visit |
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Hurriyat
withdraws strike call Delhi
trader, four ultras killed 2 girls
drown in rivulet 10
nursing homes told to close shop
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PM leaves
educated youth disappointed Jammu, April 18 Irony one:
The venue of the public rally was in Srinagar and just a handful of residents of the summer capital, most of them legislators, bureaucrats and police officials, were present in the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium. The majority of people had come from far-off places, including the districts of Baramula, Budgam, Anantnag and Pulwama. Irony two:
People had come with the hope that the Prime Minister will announce an economic package for the state in general and an employment package for the educated youth in particular. They were told of express highway, Railway line and airport expansion part of the national policy and programme. Irony three: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had, in his speech, highlighted the issue pertaining to unemployment in the state and it was reciprocated by Mr Vajpayee in a poet-like expression. He said, “Aap key liye Delhi key darwaze khuley hein, Hamarey dil be khule hein and aap kabhi be dastak dey saktey hein” (the doors of Delhi are open for you so are our hearts'. You can knock our doors at any time). And Mohammad Iqbal and Nazir Ahmed, who were among the participants in the rally said, “We are turned away from the doors of the ministers in Srinagar whenever we knock them for jobs. What treatment can we expect from Delhi?” Mohammad Abdullah, a postgraduate, said, “I risked my life by being present in the public rally simply to hear the Prime Minister announcing employment package. I feel disgusted because Mr Vajpayee talked about spring may return to Kashmir.” He and others had expected Mr Vajpayee to be different from Mr Rajiv Gandhi, Mr H.D. Deve Goda, Mr I.K. Gujral and Mr V.P. Singh but the day one of Mr Vajpayee’s Kashmir mission has not been a path-breaking. His predecessors, many Kashmiris recall, had promised an economic package in the shape of central financial assistance to the extent of Rs 6,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore but not even 10 per cent had been spent on the welfare of the people of the state, which included enhancement of job opportunities. Couple of senior police officers told this correspondent that the field reports indicating general dismay among the people over lack of any firm commitment by the Prime Minister on resolving the problem of unemployment may make available “fresh raw material to the militancy in Kashmir.” These officers fear that militancy may go up when it is not possible to seal the movement of rebels waiting in the upper reaches of the valley to descend to the plains for striking against the soft targets. The All-Party Hurriyat Conference had given a call for two-day Kashmir bandh to convey, as Molvi Abbas Ansari, senior Hurriyat leader said to the Prime Minister that people in the valley were with “us while demanding settlement of the Kashmir dispute.” He told me “we do not expect Mr Vajpayee to distribute appointment letters to the unemployment youths or sewing machines among the widows and the destitutes.” The Molvi said “we expect the Prime Minister to announce the contours of the dialogue with us, with Pakistan and others for the settlement of the Kashmir issue.” He said “we do not recognise any interlocutor being appointed by the Prime Minister because the mediator has been asked to discuss the issue with elected representatives. Who do not dispute the state’s accession with India.” The Hurriyat leader said “if Delhi wants it can resume talks with Islamabad. If it has any reservation, let it talk to us and we can shuttle between Delhi and Islamabad in the capacity of mediators.” And those who attended the rally in Srinagar and those industrialists and prominent citizens who met the Prime Minister later had not come to persuade Mr Vajpayee to settle the Kashmir issue as was being demanded by the Hurriyat Conference. They had come to please their ears and eyes with some solid economic and employment package. Those who participated in functions where Mr Vajpayee was the chief guest were as much dismayed and disappointed as those millions who had preferred to stay indoors and watch the activities in the summer capital live on television. There is still a day left for the Prime Minister, a police officer said, to tone up the spirits of the people of the state by bidding farewell to the established administrative norms by announcing some sort of package for the unemployed youth so that not only the PDP-Congress coalition government but other mainstream political leaders could tell militants that there was no need to take up the gun. A college teacher, wishing to remain unidentified, summed his assessment by saying “Bahut shor suntey thay pahloo dil mein jo cheera to ek katra khoon nikla” (our heart throbbed loud and wild but inside it just a drop of blood). |
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Srinagar
airport to be upgraded Srinagar, April 18 Addressing a public meeting here this afternoon, Mr Vajpayee said that the foundation for the expansion of the airport was laid to upgrade it for the operation of international flights. Later talking to reporters, Minister for Civil Aviation, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said the Prime Minister’s announcement on upgrading the airport would be followed by approval of the Union Cabinet soon. Mr Hussain said that expansion of the airport would be completed in two years. He said in the second phase of the expansion programme involving Rs 100 crore would be used for the export of fresh vegetables and cut flowers. The Prime Minister said the expansion would facilitate direct flights for Haj pilgrims without undertaking long journey for pilgrimage. Mr Vajpayee laid the foundation stone of a Rs 60 crore project for the expansion of the terminal building of the Srinagar airport here this morning soon after his arrival on a two-day visit to the valley. Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Girish Chandra Saxena, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Minister of Civil Aviation, Shahnawaz Hussain, Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah shared the podium with the Prime Minister. Later, the Prime Minister inaugurated the six-lane Srinagar by-pass as part of the North-South corridor. Minister for Surface Transport, B.C. Khanduri also present on the occasion said that the 18 km-long road on Srinagar-by-pass having four major bridges would be completed at a cost of Rs 168 crore. He said that this would be handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir government. The Prime Minister said that cement and others things had become cheaper and we want that all the people make their own houses and be prosperous. Mr Vajpayee said adding that it would also create jobs in the country with a population of over 100 crore. Mr Vajpayee held that he had fulfilled his promise of providing jobs to over 3 crore people during the past three years by increasing more than 80 lakh jobs every year. He said that the process would continue. He added that there were job avenues in Information Technology for youth from India in several foreign countries. He also recalled famous Kashmiri poet, Mehjoor’s couplet asking the “gardener to raise the glory of spring. The flowers will bloom nightingales dance, create such an atmosphere". |
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Security unprecedented for PM’s visit Srinagar, April 18 All roads leading to the stadium area were sealed by security forces drawn from the state police, the BSF, the CRPF and the Army. Journalists heading for Sonawar to cover the PM’s meeting were “politely ordered back” by securitymen. A UNI correspondent who visited Dalgate saw security forces with machineguns atop the Shanker Achariya hill, keeping vigil with binoculars. About a 12 sharp-shooters had taken positions on the cafeteria on the hill, about half a km from the PM’s public meeting venue. The residents of Dalgate, Buchwara and Malateang were directed to assemble at Dalgate main market by the security forces after these areas were sealed. All houses in the area were thoroughly searched and all male members subjected to an “identification parade” by the “Cats” security force informers. Three persons picked up during the identification parade, were later released. Security forces had taken positions in all high-rise buildings at Gupkar, Sonawar, Indira Nagar, Bonamsar, Palapora and Iqbal Colony since yesterday. The police officials said they had express instructions not to allow anybody near the venue. At the Polo Grounds where hundreds of workers brought from different areas, had congregated for the PM’s public address. “Only trusted workers are welcome at the meeting,” said Abdul Hamid a resident of Srinagar who was keen to hear Mr Vajpayee but was disallowed by securitymen near the Tourist Reception Centre crossing. A report from Baramula said that some buses carrying a good number of Congress and PDP workers left Uri and Rafiabad in North Kashmir this morning for Srinagar. Mr Omar Abdullah, President of the National Conference, an ally of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre, said “It is the Mufti and Congress show.” A woman from Rajasthan was appealing security forces to allow her to meet the VVIP as she had no money to treat her ailing son. The Prime Minister addressed the meeting from behind a specially built bullet-proof screen. People brought from different rural areas, were asking for lunch from organisers. “We had left our homes early in the morning without even having our breakfast,” the villagers were heard saying. More than 100 medical professionals were deployed in the Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium during the meeting. Most of them were concentrated around the VVIP enclosures during Mr Vajpayee’s speech.
UNI, PTI |
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Hurriyat
withdraws strike call Srinagar, April 18 Withdrawing the call for tomorrow, the 23-party separatist amalgam claimed that today's general strike had served the purpose and the people had openly expressed their association with the separatist movement by observing complete strike, a Hurriyat spokesman said. “Only meaningful talks will help resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully and the complete strike by the people should open the eyes of those who believe that they are not supporting the movement,” he said. Terming the strike today as a plebiscite, the spokesman said the people had shown that they could never be part of politics which would take them nowhere. The people wanted result-oriented and meaningful dialogue to find an amicable solution, he added.
UNI |
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Delhi trader, four ultras killed Srinagar, April 18 An official spokesman said the body of Shami Kumar a businessman from Delhi, was recovered from Hadiora Shopian in south Kashmir today. He was abducted by some persons on April 15 from the same area. An encounter took place between militants and security forces at Yaripora Kulgam village in the south Kashmir district of Anantnag today during which three militants of the Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Toiba were killed. A large number of arms and ammunition were seized from the slain militants, he said, adding that the encounter ensued after a search party was attacked. He said Anayatullah Shah, who was wounded critically in an IED blast at Magam yesterday, died in a hospital today. With this the toll in the incident has risen to two dead and 13 wounded. A militant of the pro-Pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen was killed in an encounter with security forces at Poshwari Achabal in south Kashmir last evening. One civilian Mohammad Yousuf Wagay also lost his life while two others, including a jawan, were wounded. One AK rifle and other arms and ammunition were seized from the slain militant. Militants hurled a hand grenade towards a cable network shop at Namlabal Pampore last evening causing damage to towers. However, no one was injured.
UNI |
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2 girls drown
in rivulet Jammu, April 18 The sources said Rehmat Bano (14) and Naseema Bano (15) had gone to the rivulet to bathe when they stepped on quicksand and were drowned. Rescuers
retrieved Rehmat's body today while a search was on for Naseema's body, the sources added.
UNI |
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10 nursing homes told to close shop Srinagar, April 18 Stating that indiscriminate disposal of bio-medical waste by these health care establishments, falling in four districts in the state, posed a threat to public health, the board has asked the Deputy Commissioners concerned to enforce the immediate closure, official sources said today. The Chief Engineer, electricity (maintenance), has also been directed to snap electricity supply to these establishments, the sources said.
PTI |
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