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UPA policy on Kashmir ‘unclear’
CPM wants Centre to back Iraqis
Contempt proceedings against Mufti govt sought
7 killed, medical officer injured in J&K
Amarnath yatra culminates
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Parkash Utsav celebrated
Jammu, September 1 The 400th anniversary of installation of the Guru Granth Sahib was celebrated at Gurdwara Digiana Ashram here with zeal and enthusiasm. Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nagali Sahib presided over the function. 
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UPA policy on Kashmir ‘unclear’
Jammu, September 1 Two recent developments have left the moderates, especially the APHC, led by Molvi Umar Farooq, confused but defiant. The first jolt they received was in the shape of two successive statements issued by the Union Home Minister, Mr Shivraj Patil, and his junior colleague. The APHC leadership was quick to react and announce that it was not prepared to enter into a dialogue if Mr Patil imposed conditions and if his junior wanted to hold parleys with those separatists who were backed by the militants and who had the mandate of the people. According to Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, a senior APHC leader, “no talks can be meaningful if they are held within the ambit of the Constitution of India.” He said “if Mr Patil wanted to resume talks with us he need not have imposed conditions because holding a dialogue within the purview of the Constitution of India may not lead to the resolution of the Kashmir issue.” The acting Chairman of the APHC, Molvi Umar Farooq, shot back saying “if the External Affairs Minister, Mr Natwar Singh ,considers Kashmir as an integral part of India, it will hinder the process initiated to resolve the Kashmir issue.” In fact, the moderates have blamed the Congress-led UPA government for adopting a “rigid” attitude towards them and Pakistan. Professor Bhat said “the pace of the peace initiative with Pakistan and that of a dialogue with us had gained momentum during the former BJP-led NDA government.” He said since the time the Congress has led the government at the Centre, the dual initiative has witnessed “retardation.” He said according to the old schedule “talks with us were expected to be held either by the end of June or in the beginning of August, but there is no sign of the resumption of the dialogue.” Political observers said the delay in the resumption of the talks between the Centre and the separatists had affected the morale of those who had decided to remain away from the camp of the hardliners led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.The result was that Peoples’ League President, Sheikh Aziz Ahmed, had recently joined the Geelani camp. Professor Bhat said had the talks “with us been held as per the old schedule, by now our team would have returned from Pakistan.” He explained that “we are keen to send our team to Pakistan where we could discuss the Kashmir issue and allied matters, including the ongoing Jehad, with the Government and leaders of rebel groups and separatists. He said “whenever the talks are resumed we will raise this demand again.” |
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CPM wants Centre to back Iraqis
Srinagar, September 1 This resolution was passed at the day-long convention of the state unit of the CPM against “US invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan and its support to Israeli aggression and genocide against Palestinian people” held at Tagore Hall today. Professor Aijaz Ahmad, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan Chair, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi was the chief guest. The Jammu and Kashmir state secretary of the CPM and MLA, Mr M. Y. Tarigami, and Mr Abdul Rahman Tukroo of the CPI and MLC were among those who attended. Speaking on the occasion, Professor Aijaz Ahmad said the USA had assumed leadership of the capitalist world and no other power could challenge its supremacy. Prof Aijaz Ahmad said the colonial rule was collapsing and after the fall of the Soviet Union, the USA had been striking aggressive postures. In the backdrop of such a situation, Prof Aijaz warned that after Iraq, there could be many more targets. On the basis of various studies, Prof Aijaz indicated the growing hatred of the common man against the USA, with Saudi Arabia topping the list where 99 per cent of the population opposed the USA, followed by 93 per cent of the Pakistan population. He added that all Islamic countries were against the USA, adding that it was more so because of the rich natural resources in these countries. Prof Aijaz held that Iraq had been anti-Communist, secular but dictatorial that was not spared by the USA for its own interests. The state secretary of the CPM, Mr M.Y. Tarigami, in his address held that it was time for India and Pakistan to learn lessons and lamented that both the countries diverted funds to enhance nuclear capabilities and getting more weapons from the USA and Israel. |
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Contempt proceedings against Mufti govt sought
Jammu, September 1 Mr Hari Om, the vice-president of the state BJP, while talking to media persons here today, accused the PDP, the Congress and the Panthers Party of befooling the people on the issue. The Deputy Commissioners were issuing conditional state subject certificates to women, that had inscribed on them “ Valid till marriage”. This was in violation of the orders of the High Court. He accused the coalition government of being anti-women with no respect for gender equality. He said that if the PDP-led government had any respect for the court and the elected representatives of the people, it would immediately direct the Deputy Commissioner not to issue certificates. Mr Hari Om said the coalition government had no moral right to continue in office in view of the contradictory stand of the Congress and the PDP on the controversial Bill. He alleged the Mufti government had no respect for the Indian Constitution, as it had not implemented the law restricting the size of the ministry to 15 per cent of the total strength of the legislature. |
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7 killed, medical officer injured in J&K
Srinagar, September 1 He said security forces noticed a group of militants crossing into this side from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), at Trikundi in Manjakote sector, early this morning. When challenged, the militants opened fire and tried to flee the area. The security forces retaliated and in the encounter, three infiltrators were killed. A search has been launched in the nearby areas to arrest the other ultras, he said. Another infiltrator was killed by the security forces in the forest area in Machil sector last night. Three UBGL with two shells were seized from the slain militant. Militants chopped off the ear of Saiyer Ahmad at Shopian in south Kashmir while a BMO Dr Abdul Rehman was shot at and critically wounded near Gole Chakri Shopian, this afternoon. The spokesman said an encounter took place at Nowpora Sopore in Baramulla distict last night, in which two foreign militants were killed. Tanveer Ahmad Naikoo was also killed, he said, adding two AK rifles, 6 magazines,106 rounds of ammunition, four hand grenades and one UBGL were seized from the slain militants. One house and a cowshed were damaged in the shootout. The security forces arrested one militant each at Lassipora Badgam and Noorpora Tral and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition including one Pika Machine Gun (7.62 mm) with 200 rounds, two AK magazines, 415 AK rounds, six silencer carbine units, two GPMG belt boxes, five GPMGs, ten bombs, ten anti-tank rifle grenades, 20 UBGL rounds and two hand grenades. The security forces also busted a hideout and recovered four AK magazines, 84 rounds, eight hand grenades, 6 UBGL grenades, 21 detonators and 100 metres of wire at Kishtwar, he said.
— UNI |
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Amarnath yatra culminates
Srinagar, September 1 Large number of sadhus, who had come from various parts of the country, were fed with "karri-pakouri" and offered "dakshina". Mahant Deependra Giri congratulated the state government, state administration and district administration of Anantnag in particular and people of Jammu and Kashmir for the successful and incident free yatra. He also thanked the Army, the BSF, the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir police for making outstanding security arrangements. He praised the voluntary organisations for providing langer and other basic facilities to the pilgrims. He appealed to the central government to take the initiative at the earliest for raising the necessary infrastructure at Jammu, Pahalgam, Chandanwari,Sheshnag, Panchtarni and Baltal for convenience of the pilgrims. He also emphasised the need for making the yatra ecofriendly. The Mahant clarified that he would prefer to have the yatra for one month only, starting from "Ashad-Purnima" to "Sharavan-Purnima" as it is a pilgrimage and had religious significance. He thanked the Governor, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, for making all the arrangements for the sadhus who accompanied the "Chhari-Mubarak". Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma lauded the role of the civil population, administration, security forces and the police for the successful culmination of the Amarnath yatra. In a statement, Mr Sharma said this year the yatra had attracted a record number of pilgrims. Though it was opened officially for 45 days, pilgrims had been visiting the cave shrine even before July 15.
— UNI |
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Parkash Utsav celebrated
Jammu, September 1 Hundreds of people from different communities participated in the celebrations. Mahant Manjit Singh called for the avoidance of drugs and alcohol by the youth and asked the Sikh women to come forward to work for the community. He stressed, the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib should be followed religiously for betterment of humanity and the country. He announced, to mark the occasion, the Dera would open a medical college here and its foundation stone would be laid by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, in November. An engineering college, a degree college and a B.Ed College were already being run by the Dera. |
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