J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Centre’s silence on ‘self-rule’ theory creates discontent
Jammu, December 6
With the Centre and the Congress keeping mum on the sensitive issues of “self-rule” and joint control of India and Pakistan over Kashmir, a lot of confusion has been generated here by separatists, Mufti’s PDP and the National Conference (NC) that are blowing their own trumpet on these proposals.

Geelani drops plan to visit PoK
Srinagar, December 6
Breakaway Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today said he had closed the ‘’chapter’’ of visiting quake-hit areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to express solidarity with the survivors in view of the government’s refusal to give him and other leaders of his faction the requisite travel documents.

Two escaped militants shot
Jammu, December 6
The Army in Doda district today shot two terrorists of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Acting on a tip-off, the troops launched a search operation in the forest belt of Tanta during which a gunbattle took place and the two terrorists, Shabir Ahmad and Zaffar Hussain were killed.

Dal Lake, taps freeze

Centre’s silence on ‘self-rule’ theory creates discontent
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 6
With the Centre and the Congress keeping mum on the sensitive issues of “self-rule” and joint control of India and Pakistan over Kashmir, a lot of confusion has been generated here by separatists, Mufti’s PDP and the National Conference (NC) that are blowing their own trumpet on these proposals.

Neither the Centre nor the Congress has reacted to utterances of these parties that has once again created an atmosphere of uncertainty in this terrorism-hit state.

By raising such issues that smack of separatism, these parties may be trying to maintain their hold in the Kashmir valley, but anger against them has started brewing in Jammu and Ladakh regions where people are in no mood to reopen the issue of accession of the state.

The PDP and the NC in particular are trying to keep themselves a step ahead of each other on the issue.

While the PDP chief, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, recently advocated the “joint control” theory, the NC president, Mr Omar Abdullah, yesterday announced that he would go to Pakistan to present a copy of the autonomy report to president Pervez Musharraf and discuss the issue with him.

He said the “self-rule” proposal of the Pakistan President was no different from the autonomy roadmap of the NC.

The PDP has started splitting particularly in the Jammu region with a section of party activists annoyed at the statements of Ms Mufti on the issue.

The autonomy being sought by the NC aims at self-governance, except on the three matters of defence, communication and foreign affairs that would be taken care of by India and Pakistan.

On the other hand, the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has been demanding self-rule in both sides of Kashmir, without any interference of India and Pakistan in day-to-day functioning.

Dr Farooq Abdullah, patron of the NC, is annoyed that the Centre has not taken any steps to constitute a committee to study the implementation of the autonomy report in the state.

The Assembly had adopted a resolution seeking autonomy for the state a few years ago and forwarded it to the Centre.

General Musharraf had some time ago tossed up the proposal of creating seven separate entities out of Jammu and Kashmir. Now the US-based Kashmir Study Group (KSG) has jumped into the scene, suggesting reconstitution of J&K with five entities, three in the Indian side of Kashmir and two in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), that would be self-governing.

However, the BJP is opposed to the rhetoric of these parties whom it accuses of having made a common cause not only to outrage the sensitivities of the people of Jammu and Ladakh, but also to move the state away from the constitutional organisation of India.

Prof Hari Om, vice-president of the BJP, in a statement here today, said the statements of Dr Abdullah and his son, Mr Omar Abdullah, seeking restoration of pre-1953 status for Jammu and Kashmir indicated that they were against the Indian Constitution and they wanted a dispensation in the state which was “sectarian, unaccommodating and anti-minorities”.

He described the suggestion of the Hurriyat leader, Mr Umar Farooq, in favour of the Pakistan proposed self-rule as a definite proof that the valley-based and valley-centric leadership was striving hard to ensure dilution of Indian sovereignty in J and K.

Prof Hari Om urged pro-India forces to join hands and form a nationalist front against all those putting forth such “anti-national and communal solutions” such as greater autonomy, self-rule and joint control of India and Pakistan over Kashmir.

Geelani drops plan to visit PoK

Srinagar, December 6
Breakaway Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today said he had closed the ‘’chapter’’ of visiting quake-hit areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to express solidarity with the survivors in view of the government’s refusal to give him and other leaders of his faction the requisite travel documents.

“We have closed that chapter now. This shows the government’s indifferent attitude. The responsibility lies with the government and its agencies,” Mr Geelani told a news conference here.

Condemning the decision, the Hurriyat hardline leader said the government’s policy went against its “oft-repeated claims” and exposed its hypocrisy,” he added.

“We never announced to visit there (PoK) with relief material. We wanted to go there to express solidarity with the quake survivors,” he added.

Mr Geelani said they (Hurriyat hardline leaders) had applied to the Regional Passport Office here on October 14 for passports or travel documents and also sent several reminders.

“Unfortunately, there was no response from the government. We decided to wait till December 1, but that date too has since passed. Our leaders also met the Regional Passport Officer. He neither agreed nor refused to give the requisite travel documents,” he added. — UNI

Two escaped militants shot
Tribune News Service & UNI

Jammu, December 6
The Army in Doda district today shot two terrorists of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Acting on a tip-off, the troops launched a search operation in the forest belt of Tanta during which a gunbattle took place and the two terrorists, Shabir Ahmad and Zaffar Hussain were killed.

These terrorists had surrendered before the Army on May 5, but escaped from the camp of the special task force along with the assault rifles and ammunition on August 1.

Meanwhile, Major-Gen Vinay Bhatnagar today took over as GOC of the force from Maj-Gen Soli N. Pavri at Reasi in Udhampur district.

Maj-Gen Bhatnagar had earlier commanded an infantry brigade in Jammu and Kashmir.

SRINAGAR: Troops shot dead two militants near the Line of Control (LoC) when they were trying to cross over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Uri sector in the early hours today.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said troops guarding the LoC noticed four militants trying to cross over to PoK near Kamalkote in Uri sector, about 100 km from here.

When challenged and asked to surrender, the militants opened fire. The fire was returned and in the exchange two exfiltrators were killed.

The search for the remaining two was going on, he said, adding that bodies of both militants had been handed over to the police.

Dal Lake, taps freeze

Srinagar, December 6
A portion of the Dal Lake and taps in Srinagar froze over as temperatures dipped to minus 4.7°C in the Kashmir valley today. A portion of the Dal Lake was frozen and water supply was disrupted in several areas as taps remained frozen due to the cold. The cold and dry winds blowing from Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have caused a considerable dip in the temperature. — UNI