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Pak’s involvement in bus issue unfortunate, says Syed
Geelani
Loopholes in security
exposed
Ex-Capt recalls saga of bravery on Uri
bridge |
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Tourist reception centre opens at
Salamabad
Sonia to launch highest cable car
project
Four ultras, woman killed in
Jammu
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Pak’s involvement in bus issue unfortunate, says Syed
Geelani
Srinagar, April 6 “It is unfortunate that Pakistan is also being involved in the issue of bus service,” Syed Ali Shah Geelani said at a press conference this afternoon. He added that this would not help resolve the basic issue but would “add to the Kashmir problem”, and asked India to take a step forward to address the basic issue. “They say the bus is a human issue, but I believe this is an issue related to 1.3 crore people of Jammu and Kashmir”, Geelani pointed out. “We are not against the Indo-Pak friendship… we are peace-loving people”, he commented, adding that the resolution of the Kashmir issue was important for peace in the region as both neighbouring countries were nuclear powers. Referring to a recent statement of Foreign Minister K. Natwar Singh, the separatist leader said India “wanted to give legitimacy to the LoC” by allowing people on permit system instead of passports. He added that such an arrangement was not acceptable but the issue had to be resolved by dialogue process followed by the withdrawal of security forces and release of all those detained. Reiterating his stand on the right to self-determination and tripartite talks, Geelani, for the first time sought the involvement of the United Jehad Council in the tripartite talks and other representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He clearly drew a line between the representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir by excluding the mainstream political parties and held that the representatives were those involved in the “freedom struggle”. “Any decision taken by the people of Jammu and Kashmir when they are given the right to self-determination will be acceptable to us,” he pointed out. Geelani added that even if a majority of its people favoured an independent state, “we will whole-heartedly accept it”. Referring to the beginning of the bus service, Geelani said it was wrong to consider it from a human angle. “The divided families can visit via Wagah” he held, adding that there were over 10,000 people missing after having been arrested by security forces. Over 50, 000 others had been maimed and atrocities, excesses and rape by security forces with absolute powers were continuing in the state, he added. |
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Loopholes in security
exposed
Jammu, April 6 The attack by two ultras of a suicide squad has not come as a surprise as various terrorist outfits had made their intentions clear of not allowing the inauguration of the bus by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the UPA chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, to be a smooth affair. But what has come as shock to the observers is that the terrorists were allowed to carry out the threat they had been hurling for the past few days through the media. Security around the tourist centre was supposed to have been made “foolproof” because of two reasons. Firstly, the passengers for the maiden run of the bus between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad were lodged there because of a series of threatening calls to them and secondly the two buses fabricated specially for this purpose were parked in the tourist centre ground. The attack has also caused concern for the security forces because the place where the Prime Minister was scheduled to flag off these buses is also located nearby. All this indicates that all is not well with the security set-up in Srinagar on the eve of the historical event as the terrorists managed to reach the place of their choice after having warned of the attack. The place is one of the highest security zones as the Chief Minister’s residence, the radio station and the Doordarshan centre are located in the vicinity. All these places have earlier been targeted by terrorists. The attack is likely to shatter the confidence of the passengers and also those intending to undertake the journey to Muzaffarabad in future because the Chief Minister, Mufti
Sayeed, has miserably failed to provide security to them. Reports indicate that a woman from the Rajouri district of Jammu and a man from Srinagar have got their names cancelled from tomorrow’s bus. Mr Khalid Hussain, a former Deputy Commissioner, and his wife who are booked as passengers for tomorrow, had been receiving threatening telephone calls against their journey. One call was received by Mr Hussain recently from London. The Muft had recently told the state assembly that the government would not be cowed down by the terrorist threats and the passengers would be provided full security. However, the incident has raised many questions as to how the passengers and their relatives particularly in the terrorist infested areas of Rajouri, Poonch and the Kashmir valley would be provided safety. Meanwhile, the BJP has decided to sit on a dharna outside Raj Bhavan here tomorrow to protest against the permit system introduced for travel between this city and Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Meanwhile, eyebrows are being raised over the action of the Mufti Government in putting up hoardings with pictures of Dr Manmohan Singh and the Pakistan President, General Pervez Musharraf, on the route of the bus. A National Conference leader, who did not want to be identified, said the Mufti was trying to put the Indian Prime Minister and the Pakistan military ruler on an equal pedestal. He said the move was a gain for Pakistan. Another leader pointed out that hoisting of Pakistani flags was considered a crime in the valley, but now the state government had itself created a hype of the bus issue and painted pictures of General Musharraf in the valley. |
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Ex-Capt recalls saga of bravery on Uri
bridge
Jammu, April 6 The 88-year-old Army officer, spending his retired life in a spacious house in Bishna, 25 km south of Jammu, while talking to this correspondent today said: “I still remember the night when I was ordered to demolish the Uri bridge for halting the march of Pakistani invaders.” Cpt Barita Ram, father of five daughters and one son, said: “The Pakistani invaders had crossed Kohala and Domel. I was ordered by Brigadier Rajinder Singh, called the saviour of Kashmir, to proceed to Uri and hold the enemy till the last drop of my blood.” He said as a communal conflict gripped troops of 4 JAK Rifles, “our defence line further weakened.” “Though with the assistance of Capt Jawala Singh, we fortified our defence at Uri, it was difficult to hold the enemy,” he said adding that Brigadier Rajinder Singh ordered him to “demolish the Uri bridge.” “With explosives I blew up the bridge, now called the Nand Singh Bridge, for which I earned
appreciation from Brigadier Rajinder Singh,” he recalled. Capt Barita Ram recalled the utterances of the Brigadier when he came to know that the birdge was demolished. He said the Brigadier uttered “Dushman Ab Garion Par Aayega Nahin, Aa Sakta Aagey To Paidal Hi Aayega.” (Now the enemy cannot move on vehicles. It will have to move on foot). The demolition of the bridge delayed the march of the invaders by three days which helped the Indian Army to save Kashmir. He said when the troops withdrew from the forward areas to Baramula, Brigadier Rajinder Singh contacted Maharaja Hari Singh who had ordered him to proceed to Uri. Had not the Brigadier given me the instruction to blow up the Uri bridge the invaders would have reached the Srinagar airport where the Indian troops landed for launching an offensive against the Pakistani invaders.” “I am glad that the passenger traffic on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road was being thrown open tomorrow after a gap of 58 years. I wish the Uri bridge no longer will leave open gates for terrorists to cross into Kashmir,” Capt Barita Ram said. The Army officer who retired 37 years ago, has one wish. He wants PoK to by a part of India. |
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Tourist reception centre opens at
Salamabad
Srinagar, April 6 A three-member ministerial team of the state government visited Uri, Salamabad and the Kaman post yesterday to oversee arrangements for the historic bus service between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad. They comprised the Minister for Finance and Planning, Mr Muzaffar Hussain Beigh, the Minister for Tourism, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir, and the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Mr Taj Mohi ud Din. The ministers were briefed by officers of the civil administration, the police and the Army about the arrangements being made for the successful conduct of events of the rolling of the historic bus. The ministers were informed that everything was going as per schedule and the guests from across would be given a grand reception. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Beigh said the resumption of traffic on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road would open a new chapter of amity, peace and goodwill between the people of the two countries. Terming the road opening as a window of peace, he said greater interaction across the LoC would help people understand each other in a better way. The Tourism Minister said the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service would throw up new tourist destinations and the department was already seized of the opportunity. He said the department would be opening up wayside facility counters on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route at Pattan, Baramulla, Boniyar, Sheeri, Lagama, Uri and Salamabad for the passengers. He said viewing decks were being established from Baramula to Uri to facilitate people to have a hassle-free view of the bus ride and the scenic beauty. He said Salamabad would be developed into a new township and more facilities would be added to the TRC, Salamabad. |
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Sonia to launch highest cable car
project
Gulmarg (Kashmir), April 6 Ms Gandhi, who is accompanying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the flag-off ceremony of the historic Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service tomorrow, will also lay the foundation stone for Kashmir University’s South Campus in Anantnag district on Friday. Official sources said the 5km-long ropeway project — ‘Gulmarg Gondola’ — a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the French firm of Poma Glaski, has been completed in a record time of about two years at a cost of Rs 110 million. The cable car, which has been extended further by 2.5 km, will connect Gulmarg with Aferwat, situated 13 km from the tourist resort, at an altitude of 13,400 metres. The Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation officials said the project was aimed at promoting Gulmarg, 52 km from Srinagar, as a premier skiing destination in the world and boosting tourism. Preparations for the successful launch of the cable car had been completed, they added. The ropeway, which comprises 36 cabins, is expected to ferry about 600 tourists from Aferwat. Earlier, skiers used to access the destination by helicopters which used to burden them financially. ‘’The ropeway will make skiing a very cost-effective venture for tourists. It will be a viable option for domestic tourists also. The return journey on the ropeway will cost Rs 300,’’ they said. The project comprises 18 towers and 30 stations. —
UNI |
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Four ultras, woman killed in
Jammu
Jammu, April 6 He said other details of the incident were awaited as the jawans were continuing searches in the area when reports last came in. In another encounter, a Hizbul Mujahideen militant was killed by the security forces at Chalad, near Mahore, in Udhampur district. His identity was yet to be ascertained. Irshad Bano (20) and Haseena Akhtar, who were caught in a crossfire, sustained critical injuries. Irshad later died, while Haseena was admitted to a local hospital. The killing of the girl sparked off strong resentment in the area with locals holding an anti-government demonstration. —
UNI |
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Srinagar, April 6
