J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Militancy gains momentum
Jammu, September 5
Why the step-up in militancy-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir? This question is haunting the people after their relief over an incident-free month-long Amarnath Yatra, tourist traffic to Kashmir, successful visits to the state of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi and the Inter-state Council meeting in Srinagar.

Package to resettle Pandit families in valley
Srinagar, September 5
To resettle Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, the Jammu and Kashmir state government has worked out a comprehensive rehabilitation project that envisages construction of two-room tenements with all basic facilities for the migrants.

Rights panel issues notice to police
Srinagar, September 5
Taking suo motu action on media reports regarding a firing incident by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in Anantnag on August 30 last, the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission has issued notices to top police officers directing them to register an FIR against the ITBP men who allegedly opened the fire injuring four civilians.

The European Union rules out mediation on Kashmir. (28k, 56k)

Jawan hurt in Pak firing
Jammu, September 5
A BSF jawan was injured in firing by Pakistani Rangers along the International Border in the Sambha and Nowshera areas of Jammu and Kashmir today, official sources said.

Militancy gains momentum
M. L. Kak

Jammu, September 5
Why the step-up in militancy-related violence in Jammu and Kashmir?

This question is haunting the people after their relief over an incident-free month-long Amarnath Yatra, tourist traffic to Kashmir, successful visits to the state of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Leader of the Opposition Sonia Gandhi and the Inter-state Council meeting in Srinagar.

According to sources, the militants had instructions from their patrons across the border to lie low so that Islamabad did not have to face any embarrassment during President Pervez Musharraf’s foreign tour.

Those who manage the affairs of the security agencies argue that the militants have gone on the offensive to avenge the killing of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Gazi Baba in Srinagar on August 30.

Senior police functionaries and a couple of separatists say that the Pakistan Government’s suggestion that India should declare a unilateral ceasefire and reduce the level of troop deployment within the state and on the border had not been accepted by Delhi.

This suggestion had been repeated by President Musharraf during his interaction with a delegation of Indian political leaders and intellectuals in Islamabad recently. Reports say that General Musharraf had told the Indian delegation that in case Delhi accepted this suggestion, his government could persuade militants to suspend their operations.

According to the Army authorities, 33 militants, 20 in the Kashmir valley and 13 in the Jammu region, were killed in various encounters and operations launched by the security forces since August 30.

During this period, at least 13 security personnel were killed and 30 wounded in a series of rebel attacks and bomb explosions. More than 20 civilians lost their lives and 15 others were wounded, during the past 20 days.

Package to resettle Pandit families in valley

Srinagar, September 5
To resettle Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, the Jammu and Kashmir state government has worked out a comprehensive rehabilitation project that envisages construction of two-room tenements with all basic facilities for the migrants.

Spelling out the details of the project for which the Centre has pledged Rs 4 crore, state Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen today said in the first phase 300 tenements would be constructed in village Sheikhpora of Budgam district.

The government has earmarked Rs 2.50 crore for the same and an additional one crore each for other districts in the valley, he said directing the Deputy Commissioners, excluding Budgam where process has already started, to submit the rehabilitation projects of their districts to the government in a week.

The Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, was asked to identify some clusters in Jawahar Nagar, Karan Nagar, Indira Nagar and Balgarden areas for rehabilitating migrants.

He said the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have reacted positively to the state government’s proposal to rehabilitate Kashmiri migrants and the Pandit families who had not left the valley.

The Minister said the government would provide rations free of cost for one year to those non-employee Pandit families who were rehabilitated under the programme.

The Minister said the government would also provide aid for the repairs of residential houses to the migrants who wanted to live in their own houses.

Mr Yaseen said the government is aware of the problems faced by Pandit families and several measures had been taken to help them. — PTI

Rights panel issues notice to police

Srinagar, September 5
Taking suo motu action on media reports regarding a firing incident by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in Anantnag on August 30 last, the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission has issued notices to top police officers directing them to register an FIR against the ITBP men who allegedly opened the fire injuring four civilians.

The Full Bench of the SHRC comprising Chairman Justice A.Q. Parray, Qazi Muzaffar-ud-din and G Q Mughal issued notices to the Director-General of Police, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Senior Superintendent of Police Anantnag and Commandant, ITBP 10 battalion yesterday seeking their report on the case.

Directing the SSP concerned to ensure registration of an FIR against the ITBP men involved in the incident, it fixed October 21 as the next day of hearing.

Four civilians including a police constable were injured when ITBP personnel allegedly opened fire on people in Hillar Kokernag in Anantnag district on August 30 when the police man reportedly protested against the manner in which the ITBP men were frisking passengers of an Anantnag-bound bus. — PTI

Jawan hurt in Pak firing

Jammu, September 5
A BSF jawan was injured in firing by Pakistani Rangers along the International Border in the Sambha and Nowshera areas of Jammu and Kashmir today, official sources said.

Pakistani troops also fired mortar bombs along the LoC in the Jangard, Kalsian, Bhimber Gali, Balnoi, Mangalnad, Karmara, Bhawani, Laam and Kerni areas of the Rajouri and Poonch sectors since this morning.

However, no one was injured in the shelling.

Indian troops retaliated, but casualties, if any, on the other side were not immediately known. — PTI