 |
Sunday,
May 4, 2003, Chandigarh, India  
|
Will PM’s initiative sans APHC succeed? Friendly ties to benefit J&K: CM 12 injured in grenade blast at bus
stand Govt to act tough with bus operators
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Fire destroys 13 tents JKLF leader Kalwal
freed 12 lakh visit Vaishno Devi
|
|
Will PM’s initiative sans APHC succeed? Jammu, May 3 However, excitement over the possible easing of tension between the two neighbours is mixed with fears. Many political activists have fears that the initiative may lead a bigger turmoil. In support of it they refer to the Lahore bus journey and the Agra summit. The former was reciprocated by Pakistan by border trouble in Kargil and the later by military buildup on the Line of Control (LoC). Even former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has expressed fears that the new peace initiative was part of the American pressure on Delhi and Islamabad. He said he had fears that US Government was “trying to thrust a solution on Kashmir.” He explained that if the American solution was imposed it would mean the Kashmir valley being given to Pakistan and Jammu and Ladakh remaining part of India. At least three weeks before Mr Vajpayee sprang a surprise on Islamabad by offering the hand of friendship, Chairman of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, had told me that “there is no escape for Delhi and Islamabad from talks.” He was confident that time was fast approaching when the two sides would meet to discuss all bilateral issues, including Kashmir, and the reason for his confidence was based on a report that the American Government had maintained pressure on the two nations to resume the dialogue. Dr Farooq Abdullah, who seems to be sceptical of a dialogue wants Delhi to spell out its policy on Kashmir before it initiates talks either with Islamabad or with those who matter in Kashmir. He wants Delhi to make it clear whether it wants to give Kashmir independence, greater autonomy, or abrogate Article 370 or keep it as part of India. Common people in Kashmir, who have welcomed the initiative of Mr Vajpayee do not feel hopeful of a settlement of the Kashmir issue even if Islamabad and Delhi agree to resume dialogue on a higher plank. They are of the opinion that leaders of separatist and militant outfits too should be involved once the process of parleys was started because any decision taken by Delhi and Islamabad may not be acceptable to those spearheading ‘jehad’ in Kashmir. There are people who like Nazir Ahmed, a trader, feel that it would be a major gain “for us” if the two sides agree to ease travel and promote trade between India and Pakistan. It is in this context they have welcomed the latest statement of Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr Mir Zaffarullah Khan
Jamali, that focus of the talks should first be on trade and travel and then on Kashmir. A senior Hurriyat Conference leader, who wished to remain unidentified, said that “we as genuine representatives of the aspirations of the people of Kashmir have to be involved in the parleys. Nothing should be done without securing our approval or participation in the dialogue.” He said that the Prime Minister of India had put the ball in the court of Islamabad to convince the American Government and its allies that he was for a settlement of the bilateral issues through negotiations. He said “it is a clever move because Mr Vajpayee had not taken those who matter in Kashmir into confidence while announcing his peace initiative unilaterally.” There are others in Jammu and Kashmir, who have witnessed the horrors of the 13-year-long turmoil, who would be the happiest if the new initiative could usher in peace and normalcy in the state. “We want peace, we want to return to the valley. We want pre-militancy era to return to Kashmir. We are not bothered whether air service between Pakistan and India was resumed and the full diplomatic missions reopened in Delhi and Islamabad,” said Arjan Nath, living in camp meant for displaced Kashmiri families. He said “there have been series of Indo-Pakistan parleys during the past 40 years and all these talks have failed to clinch the Kashmir issue.” In this connection he referred to “Nehru-Hoon, Swaran Singh-Bhutto,
Sheikh-Auyb Khan, Indira-Bhutto, Rajiv-Benazir Vajpayee-Nawaz and Vajpayee-Musharraf talks and said all these have failed.” Arjan Nath is one among many who do not rate chances of settlement of the Kashmir issue through the
Vajpayee-Jamali parleys high. He has many supporters in the state when he said “let there be major border adjustment with entire Azad Kashmir remaining part of Pakistan. And Islamabad be compensated by giving
Machel, Gurez and some other border areas so that after major changes in the alignment of the LoC the ceasefire could be converted into a permanent border”. |
|
|
Friendly ties to benefit J&K: CM Srinagar, May 3 Addressing a function organised by the University of Kashmir to distribute medals and prizes among students, the Mufti said the Prime Minister extended the hand of friendship to Pakistan during his Kashmir visit last month, which led to reciprocation of similar efforts from the Pakistani side. He said yesterday’s announcement of confidence-building measures was a significant development in this direction. He said a good atmosphere was coming up in the region that would lead to peace in the entire region. The Chief Minister said his government’s efforts were on to restore peace in the state that would lead to peace in the entire region. He said available resources with the state government were being utilised properly. Later talking to mediapersons, he said dialogue was the only answer to all the issues and it was for the Government of India and Pakistan to resolve the issues. He said the Prime Minister had announced both in Kashmir and in Parliament that India was for friendly relations with the neighbouring country. The Mufti said his government would continue as long as it was supported by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This was in reply to a question over the recent comment made by the former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, during an interview with the AIR. In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Jalees Ahmad Khan Tareen, said the decision to start postgraduate courses in degree colleges was a major decision, adding that it would be started in Degree College, Baramula; Degree College, Anantnag; SP College and Women’s College, Srinagar; and Degree College, Leh. He said PG courses would be started in more colleges. |
|
12 injured in grenade blast at bus stand Srinagar, May 3 Militants hurled the grenade targeting a police vehicle parked near the bus stand, but it missed the target and exploded on the road injuring 12 persons this afternoon, they said. The condition of four of the injured was stated to be serious, the sources said. The police cordoned off the entire area immediately after the blast and a hunt has been launched to nab the militants involved in the incident, they said. Three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including two Pakistanis, were killed while another ultra was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir since last night, a police spokesman said today. Two LeT militants were killed by security forces in an encounter at Manawarwali Meda in Surankote area of Poonch district last night, the spokesman said. One of the slain militants was identified as Abu Mahfooz, resident of Pakistan, he said, adding one AK rifle, three magazines and two grenades were recovered from the site. In another encounter, Rahstriya Rifles troops killed another LeT ultra, Abu Hanzalla of Pakistan, at Zachaldara in border district of Kupwara last night. An AK rifle, four magazines, 90 rounds and a grenade were recovered from the deceased militant. The BSF recovered a grenade from a market in Kulgam area of Anantnag district today which was later defused by the experts, the spokesman said. One militant was arrested as the police busted a hideout in Ganderbal area on the outskirts of Srinagar and recovered four hand grenades and a stick grenade from it. Meanwhile, residents of Wanpoh today blocked traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in protest against the alleged highhandedness of security personnel. Security personnel allegedly roughed up villagers after a militant attack on their camp last evening which left a jawan slightly injured. However, the villagers lifted the blockade after the local police assured people that the matter would be taken up with the higher authorities.
PTI |
|
Govt to act tough with bus operators Jammu, May 3 The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, said here today that the government would not succumb to the pressure tactics of minibus operators. He said the benefits of the reduction in prices of petrol and diesel should reach the commuters. He said the state transport corporation had deployed 80 passenger buses in Srinagar, 60 in Jammu and five in Kathua. Mr Sharma said the Himachal Pradesh Government had offered to send a few buses to the state. Meanwhile, the general public appreciated the stand of the government on the issue. |
|
Fire destroys 13 tents Jammu, May 3 The incident took place in Ramnagar Colony yesterday when strong winds spread fire from one tent where food was being cooked, they said. The fire spread to the adjoining tents burning down 13 of these while the rest were saved by the camp dwellers. A team of revenue officials inspected the site and ordered new tents and relief for the victims, they said.
PTI |
|
JKLF leader Kalwal freed Srinagar, May 3 Kalwal, who was lodged in Kotbhalwal Jail in Jammu, was the first prisoner to be released after the process of releasing prisoners was put off following widespread criticism by the BJP and its allies, official sources said.
PTI |
|
12 lakh visit Vaishno Devi Jammu, May 3 During the corresponding period last year, 10.54 lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine. In April alone, over 4.72 lakh devotees paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine as compared to 4.18 lakh during the corresponding period last year. |
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 123 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
