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PDP launches poll campaign, promises
all-round development Clear stand on daughters’ Bill, BJP asks Congress Cong stakes claim to Baramula seat |
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5 militants killed in valley Mufti welcomes Hurriyat’s decision on talks Sayeed condemns attack on Rather Condemning the attack on senior National Conference leader Abdul Rahim Rather, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today ordered beefing up of security for political leaders in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. When Nehru was detained at Uri Mughal Gardens to get a facelift Mughal Gardens in Srinagar are being given a facelift in anticipation of the large tourist inflow. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed visited Cheshmashahi, Nishat, Shalimar and Harvan, yesterday, and took stock of the arrangements made for upkeep of these gardens, official sources said today. 
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PDP launches poll campaign, promises
all-round development Srinagar, March 21 Addressing party workers, PDP president, Ms Mehbooba Mufti criticised the National Conference for its “double standards” on public issues. She also announced her party’s agenda for development and prosperity. She held the that National Conference government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Centre in 1996 freezing all appointments in government departments, but its ministers made backdoor appointments. She added this led to a huge financial burden on the present government. Giving credit to her party and the coalition government for the initiation of dialogue between the Centre and various sections of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Ms Mufti held this would lead to peace and normalcy in Kashmir. She said when the National Conference opposed the idea of talks with Pakistan or separatists branding it anti-national, the PDP had advocated unconditional dialogue to address the Kashmir problem. “The world now says what we had been advocating”, she said adding this vindicated the party’s stand. Ms Mufti hoped that peace with dignity and also the opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was not a distant dream. This would remove psychological distances between people on either side of the Line of Control (LoC) and foster bonds of friendship. Referring to the agenda of the PDP, Ms Mufti said it would be focused on economic development with emphasis on the creation of employment avenues for the educated unemployed. More attention would be paid to the creation of basic facilities, improvement in tourism sector and implementation of the new industrial policy to develop an atmosphere for greater employment opportunities. The meeting was attended among others by Mr Nizamuddin Bhat, candidate for the Baramula seat comprising twin districts of Baramula and Kupwara in north Kashmir. Others who were present on the occasion included the ministers, Ghulam Hassan Mir and Dr Ghulam Nabi Lone. In his maiden speech, Mr Bhat assured the people to work for their prosperity and represent their aspirations in the highest political forum of the country. He lauded the policies of the PDP and its leadership in steering the people of Jammu and Kashmir out of 14-year-long turmoil and destruction. |
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Clear stand on daughters’ Bill, BJP asks Congress
Jammu, March 21 “The Congress, who had opposed anti-women bill in the upper house, should clear its stand over PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti’s statement that even if coalition government falls, they will support the bill,” senior vice-president of the state unit Hari Om told mediapersons here today. Mehbooba had said in New Delhi yesterday that if the Congress felt the Bill was “wrong” and wanted to withdraw support, “it was free to do so”. The PDP was ready to go to the people to get a fresh mandate, she said, adding her party would support the Bill. Accusing the Congress of an ambivalent stand on the Bill, which has been criticised as anti-women in several quarters, the BJP leader said “the Congress should either quit the coalition or prepare itself for facing public wrath over the issue”. “The Congress cannot be allowed to remain ambivalent even for a moment in view of Mufti’s open and unambiguous declaration in New Delhi that the PDP will under no situation change its stand on the Bill,” Hari Om said. The BJP spokesman also dismissed the charge of Panthers Party chief Bhim Singh that the PDP has joined hands with the BJP in order to help it and “destroy the Congress in Jammu region and elsewhere in the country by passing anti-women Bill”.
— PTI |
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Cong stakes claim to Baramula seat
Jammu, March 21 “If the PDP remained adamant on the Baramula Lok Sabha seat, we will be fielding candidates on all the three seats in Kashmir valley, where we are under pressure from workers who have given us five Assembly seats in 2002 Assembly elections,” top level sources in Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee told PTI here today. The PDP has announced its candidate for the Baramula constituency. “We have already shortlisted candidates from three Lok Sabha seats of Kashmir valley, the Congress sources said. Those shortlisted included state Tourism Minister Gulam Ahmed Mir and Bashir Ahmed Magray for Antantnag LS seat, Mohmmad Shafi Bhat (MLA), Amreen Badre and Ashok Bhan for Srinagar and G.R. Kar, G.A. Vakil and Haji Abdul Rasheed for Baramula, they said. For Jammu seat, Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma and Works Minister Madan Lal Sharma have been shortlisted and state Health Minister Lal Singh for Udhampur LS constituency, they said.
— PTI |
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BJP to contest all J&K seats
Leh, March 21 “A wave in the favour of achievements of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee is flowing in the state and so the party has decided to contest all six constituencies in the three regions, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, state BJP Secretary-General Ashok Khajuria told PTI. Mr Khajuria claimed that people fed up with the “dismal performance” of the Congress and the National Conference in the past 52 years wanted to give a chance to the BJP. He said BJP leaders Pramod Mahajan, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitely would be campaigning in the state. — PTI |
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CEC urged to ensure fair poll Srinagar, March 21 “We stand a fair chance to win all six seats provided the Election Commission ensures free and fair polling in the state,” JKHA president Ghulam Mohammad Lone said in a letter to the CEC.
— PTI |
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Srinagar, March 21 An official spokesman said that an explosion took place in the house of one Fateh Mohammad Gujjar at Tanka in Banihal area late last night resulting on the spot death of his four-year-old son Arif Ahmad and injuries to five others. The injured have been shifted to hospital. He said an encounter took place between militants and security forces at Narkara village in the central Kashmir district of Badgam last night during a search operation. One militant and a security force jawan was killed in the clash, he said and added an AK rifle, three magazines, one grenade, a wireless set and 50 rounds were recovered from the encounter site. At least three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were injured when militants ambushed a patrol party at Gangbugh Lolab in the north Kashmir today. Security forces also retaliated but the militants managed to escape. A search party was attacked by the militant with automatic weapons at Brad-Baz Behak in Baramula district last night, in the retaliatory fire four militants were killed, he said and added one security jawan was also laid his life while two others wounded. Security forces gunned down a militant at Danav Kandi Marg village in south Kashmir district of Anantnag today. One pistol, nine UBGL, one Antenna and eight rounds were recovered from his possession. Security forces also killed three militants at Dharosh forest in a fierce four-hour-long gun battle last night. The encounter started after a search party was attacked by the militants hiding there. Militants entered the house of a Special Police Officer (SPO) Mohammad Sadiq at Marmat village in Doda district and shot and killed him. Security forces and police in a joint search operation at Mohalla Naristhan in Pampore area of Pulwama district last night recovered 2 kg of RDX, an AK rifle, 10 detonators, one magazine, 50 rounds and a combat dress from a militant hideout. Army and the BSF today jointly smashed a militant hideout in Baramula district of north Kashmir and recovered arms and ammunition including two Pakistani made grenades, a BSF spokesman said today. Acting on a intelligence input, troops of 116 battalion BSF and Army carried out a joint operation in Mulkhiyama forest in Bandipora last night and recovered besides the two Pakistani made grenades, a pistol, one AK magazine with 90 rounds, one under barrel grenade launcher with six shells, he said. Five electric detonators and 10 metre detonator wire was also seized from the spot.
— UNI, PTI |
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Mufti welcomes Hurriyat’s decision on talks
Srinagar, March 21 “I welcome the continuation of the dialogue process initiated on January 22 and believe that it would culminate in the onset of permanent peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” Mufti Sayeed said in a statement here. He appreciated the announcement of the Hurriyat to participate in the second round of talks with Mr Advani in New Delhi on March 27. Complimenting the Centre for initiating the dialogue and the separatist conglomerate’s decision to accept it, Mufti Sayeed said the process needed to be taken to the logical end. He said an air of reconciliation was blowing through the sub-continent that would provide a promising backdrop to the Centre-Hurriyat talks.
— PTI |
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Sayeed condemns attack on Rather
Srinagar, March 21 Terming yesterday’s bid on the life of Mr Rather, a former Finance Minister, in Budgam as “unfortunate and condemnable”, he said “I am relieved to know that Mr Rather has survived the attempt on his life and is safe.” Mr Sayeed directed officials concerned to ensure adequate security measures for political leaders, particularly ahead of the Lok Sabha poll. Heavily armed militants hurled grenades and opened indiscriminate fire on the motorcade of Mr Rather at his home town Badipora yesterday. Security guards accompanying him fired in retaliation and repulsed the attack . No one was injured in the incident.
— PTI |
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When Nehru was detained at Uri SRINAGAR: It may surprise many, but the fact is that Jawaharlal Nehru was detained by the Maharaja’s forces at Uri in north Kashmir in 1946. A photograph of the Uri dak bungalow where Nehru was lodged and his photograph reviewing the guard of honour by 1 Sikh at Srinagar are displayed significantly among many other similar events and antique pieces at the Heritage Centre established by the Army. Besides, there is a primary school, a computer training institute and a women’s empowerment centre set up by the Army as part of its “Sadhbhavna” project to uplift the plight of the poor in this border area. The Heritage Centre at Uri, 17 km short of the LoC, has now assumed significance ahead of the talks for beginning of bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabbad via this border township. “This will become a good tourist place after the opening of the road,” said Capt Vineet at the centre. The Jammu and Kashmir Government has already identified certain other locations along the Baramulla-Uri-Uroosa stretch of the road for wayside facilities and tourist spots. Before Partition, the Uri-Muzaffarabad road had been an all-weather main surface link between the landlocked Kashmir valley and the rest of the country. “We are trying to depict the culture and history of Uri”, said Capt Vineet. The centre has photographs of former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi (1965) and H.D. Deve Gowda (1997) and of shops in rubble following the raiders’ invasion in 1947. There are silver ornaments of old women, a leather bag used for collecting “lagaan” from the villagers and many other items. According to Mr P.N. Bazaz, a close associate of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, Nehru decided to visit the valley on June 18, 1946, despite advice to the contrary by friends. As Nehru had been agitated, he gave many statements against the Government of Maharaja Hari Singh for its action against National Conference (NC) leaders who had launched the “Quit Kashmir movement”. NC leaders, including Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, had been imprisoned. Nehru was annoyed and agitated over the unfortunate developments in Kashmir. He wanted to bring out NC leaders unscathed. Nehru issued statements, indicting the Kashmir Government. This offended the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the Maharaja and his Prime Minister in particular. As a result, Nehru was detained. Nehru was stopped by the forces of Maharaja Hari Singh on his way to Srinagar via Rawalpindi. This stands corroborated by Mr Prem Nath Bazaz in “Struggle for freedom in Kashmir”. He writes: “Nehru was taken from Domel (near Muzaffarabad) and lodged in the Uri dak bungalow. Nehru was told that he could leave Kashmir at any time. A state car was kept at his disposal but the government was not prepared to allow him to proceed to Srinagar. For two days Nehru stayed put in the bungalow bent upon visiting his NC friends in the city. Ultimately, Congress president Abul Kalam Azad contacted Nehru and asked him to return to Delhi immediately as the party’s Working Committee had taken up the issue in its own hands. |
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Mughal Gardens to get a facelift
Srinagar, March 21 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed visited Cheshmashahi, Nishat, Shalimar and Harvan, yesterday, and took stock of the arrangements made for upkeep of these gardens, official sources said today. Expressing dissatisfaction over the present state of artificial lake at Cheshmashahi botanical garden, Mufti Sayeed asked the authorities to take immediate steps to clean the Lake. He asked them to prepare a plan to beautify the garden and also to mitigate the problem caused by makeshift shops and haphazard parking. The Chief Minister also reviewed the facilities made available to the tourists at Nishat and Shalimar gardens. Bowled over by the beauty of tulips, Sayeed asked the floriculture department to explore its commercial angle.
— PTI |
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