 |
|
Kasuri fails to unite Hurriyat
leaders
Kasuri’s ‘anti-India’ stand ruffles
BJP
IAS officer gives Vigilance men the
slip
Two militants among four killed in J&K
Steps to improve facilities for Amarnath yatra
NC to observe death anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah
today
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Kasuri fails to unite Hurriyat
leaders
Jammu, September 7 The Pakistan High Commission authorities in Delhi have resorted to the pick and choose method while issuing invitations to leaders of separatist groups. From the APHC only its chairman Molvi Umar Farooq was invited while three other leaders and members of its executive committee, Molvi Abbas Ansari, Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat and Mr Bilal Ahmed Lone, were ignored. Both Prof. Bhat and Molvi Ansari did not express their feelings and instead said that only heads of different organisation were invited. Molvi Ansari said as chairman of the APHC Molvi Umar Farooq was invited. Both leaders had no answer when this correspondent pointed out that Sheikh Aziz, President of the Peoples’ League and a member of the Tehrik Hurriyat Kashmir, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani had been invited. Another intriguing part is that Mr Sajjad Lone who heads the Peoples’ Conference, was not invited. Hence this exercise has already widened the chasm among separatist leaders. Sources said when Mr Kasuri broached the issue of unity among separatists Syed Ali Shah Geelani blamed the APHC leaders for having bartered away the ongoing struggle by agreeing to hold talks with Delhi. He is said to have told the Pakistan Foreign Minister that as such he could not associate himself with the “traitors.” The acting Chairman of the APHC, Molvi Umar Farooq, informed Mr Kasuri that it was Mr Geelani’s obstinacy that led to the split in the APHC. When Prof. Bhat was told about the latest offer of Mr Geelani who was ready to step down as chairman of Tehrik Hurriyat Kashmir if others joined the conglomerate he was heading he (Bhat) told this correspondent today, “Mr Geelani did not respond when Molvi Abbas Ansari stepped down as Chairman of the APHC three months ago in the interest of unity.” He said “I do not think there is scope for reconciliation,” Yes, Pakistani Foreign Minister, according to political observers in Jammu and Kahsmir has succeeded in highlighting Islamabad’s equation with the separatists in the valley by spending several hours with Mr Geelani, Mr Mohd. Yasin Malik Molvi Umar Farooq and Mr Shabir Ahmed Shah. These observers said an impression has gone round the valley that the Pakistan Government continues to consult the Kashmiri separatists whenever it (Islamabad) starts dialogue with Delhi.” Contrary to it Delhi has, that too in the past, established links with APHC leaders while others were ignored. In fact others including Mr Mohd. Yasin Malik, Chairman JKLF, Mr Shabir Ahmed Shah, President Democratic Freedom Party, and Mr Sajjad Lone, chief of the Peoples’ Conference were not involved in the dialogue process in the past. The question of involving Mr Geelani in the talks could not a rise because the hardliner had openly announced that he would not accept any offer for talks from Delhi. This way it depends on Delhi whether it would continue to keep the dialogue channel open with the APHC because during its 100 days in office the Congress-led UPA government has not fixed any date for the resumption of talks with the APHC. |
|
Kasuri’s ‘anti-India’ stand ruffles
BJP
Jammu, September 7 Mr Hari Om, vice-president of the state BJP, today expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which Mr Natwar Singh conducted himself during parleys with Mr Kasuri. He said the ease with which Mr Kasuri sought to push through his anti-India agenda and held long meetings with those responsible for the 15-year-old orgy of death and destruction in the state was a sad reflection on the India’s Foreign Ministry. He described as a “step in the right direction” the outright rejection by India of the Pakistani proposal seeking an appointment of a high-level committee to exclusively discuss the J&K issue and also appreciated the Indian stand on cross-border terrorism. He said the Indian stand should force President Musharraf to honour his January 6 commitment, made with the then Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, that the Pakistani territory and the so-called Azad Kashmir would not be allowed to be used for cross-border terrorism. He said the BJP had no doubt, whatsoever, that the high hopes of the countrymen, who were expecting Mr Natwar Singh to put things in the right perspective and talk clearly and loudly of the 1995 unanimous resolution of the Parliament on J&K, had been dashed. India should have played its cards cleverly by forcefully taking up the cause of long sufferings of the people of “Azad Kashmir”, Gilgit and Baltistan which were under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. |
|
IAS officer gives Vigilance men the
slip
Srinagar, September 7 It is also looking for two other persons — Janak Singh, the then Financial Adviser, Education Department and Ghulam Rasool Vakil, “a well-known middleman in a case of abuse of official position with dishonest intentions”. In this case the Education Department, with Mr Amit Kushari as Principal Secretary then, had placed orders for over four lakh meters of jute matting with a firm M/S Commercial Corporation, Srinagar at exorbitant rates. This had led to a loss of over Rs 55 lakh to the state exchequer and corresponding gain to the contractors and others, according to the officials at the State Vigilance Organisation. According to the Vigilance Organisation the official position was abused by flouting terms of the tender notice, allowing a private contractor to make huge profits with corresponding loss to the public exchequer. This had been done by procuring huge quantity of jute matting at the rate of Rs 55.50 per meter, as against the prevailing rate of Rs 43 per meter, which was the manufacturer’s cost for Srinagar. The raids were conducted at the official residence of Mr Amit Kushari at Cheshma Shahi overlooking the Dal Lake at 3.45 p.m. yesterday. But the officer, sensing trouble, managed to escape the scene and left in a taxi leaving behind security guards, sources in the State Vigilance Organisation said. “We were not able to search his houses today because of his non-cooperation,” the sources added. These added that the searches were necessary for getting more clues for further investigations into the embezzlement of funds. The searches are to be conducted in Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi, but for the non-cooperation and inaccessibility of the officer concerned, these searches could not be conducted even today. |
|
Two militants among four killed in J&K
Srinagar, September 7 One militant of the Lashkar-e-Toiba was killed in an encounter with security forces at Gawari in Doda district yesterday. He was involved in the killing of three GREF labourers in the nearby Bhaderwah area on July 17. Two of his accomplices, who sustained injuries in the encounter, managed to escape. The recoveries made from the spot included one AK rifle, three cartridges and three grenades. Unidentified militants kidnapped and shot dead Mohammad Rafiq in Sangaldan in the Gool area of Udhampur district last night. The police found the body of one Ghulam Hussain in the Gulbarh area of Udhampur district today. Further investigations into the incidents were in progress. A suspected militant was apprehended with one AK rifle, three magazines and 23 rounds in an operation in the Gushi forest area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir yesterday. |
|
Steps to improve facilities for Amarnath yatra
Srinagar, September 7 This was disclosed by the Jammu and Kashmir Governor, Lt-Gen S.K. Sinha (retd), at a function held at Raj Bhavan here last evening, to honour the organisations that extended support in successful culmination of the yatra. He complimented the security forces, police and the administration for making this year’s yatra incident-free, second time in a row. The Governor, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), also complimented the security agencies for braving defying terrain, weather and the militants’ threats to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. The synergy between the security forces, para-military forces and the police made a unique blend of team spirit to thwart any designs of militants, he said. The Governor said over 20,000 security personnel were deputed for the safety of the pilgrims. Elaborating on the facilities planned next year for providing more comforts to pilgrims, the Governor said shelter sheds and environmental friendly toilets and baths would be raised. About the cleaning of track and camping sites in Baltal and Pahalgam, he said various voluntary organisations and NCC cadets had joined in the massive effort. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer SASB, Dr Arun Kumar, said this year’s cash offerings of Rs 2.80 crore would be spent on improving the track and creating additional facilities for the next yatra. He said every possible step would be taken for making the pilgrimage comfortable for yatries who throng in larger numbers from various parts of the country. Over four lakh pilgrims performed this year’s yatra, which he described as unique, saying that the 45-days official pilgrimage was the longest ever so far. He said several other measures, like preserving the longevity of the holy ice lingam and providing affordable helicopter service, would also be taken. Dr Kumar said 68 pilgrims died due to cardiac arrest and other diseases this year. The Governor presented mementos to the officers of the civil administration, army, police and the para-military forces, including the CRPF, BSF, ITBP and the Jammu and Kashmir Fire Services, besides several other organisations that contributed in the conduct of the yatra. He also provided cash awards to sanitation workers. |
|
NC to observe death anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah
today
Srinagar, September 7 A large number of leaders from other parts of the valley would also attend the meeting. Similar programme will be organised at the zonal party headquarters, Sher-I-Kashmir Bhavan in Jammu tomorrow. Meanwhile, the National Conference president, Mr Omar Abdullah has expressed concern over the attitude of the Central Government towards resolution of the Kashmir issue. Addressing a delegate session of the party at Bandipore in Baramula district of north Kashmir today, he referred to the talks between the visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister and Hurriyat Conference leaders in Delhi. He added that while Pakistan thought it necessary to meet the APHC leaders, the Indian leadership was averse to such an approach towards any party in Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated his party’s stand over the involvement of the representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in any such exercise. He claimed that while separatist Hurriyat Conference commanded certain influence, the National Conference was also a representative party of the people of this trouble-torn state. |
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
