J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

7 militants killed in Kashmir
Srinagar, December 14
At least six militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Budgam district today, while a top militant of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen was killed in south Kashmir yesterday.

BJP seeks Governor’s intervention
Jammu, December 14
The BJP today sought the intervention of Governor S.K.Sinha against the denial of right to legislators to table questions during the special session of the Assembly starting here on December 22.

7 militants killed in Kashmir
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 14
At least six militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Budgam district today, while a top militant of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen was killed in south Kashmir yesterday.

The police said six militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Gulabdaji in the Khag area of Budgam district today. Two of them were identified as Mohammad Sultan and Shoukat Ahmad Ganai, alias Janbaz, both residents of the nearby Tangmarg area in Baramula district.

The group had been involved in a series of incidents of attacks on political leaders and detonation of IEDs, a defence spokesman said.

Shoukat Ganai, an expert in IEDs, was appointed district commander of the outfit recently, he added.

A top militant of the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, Farid Khan, alias Saifullah, was killed at Poshnari Achchabal in Anantnag district by the Army yesterday, the spokesman said. One pistol with two rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades were found at the site of encounter, the police said.

One person, Ghulam Mohammad Hurra, was injured when unidentified militants fired at him in the Naidkhai area of Baramula district last evening.

A suspected militant, Hilal Wagay, was apprehended by the security forces in the Kulgam area of Anantnag district today. One AK 56 rifle, 106 rounds of ammunition, three magazines and two hand grenades were seized from his possession.

BJP seeks Governor’s intervention
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 14
The BJP today sought the intervention of Governor S.K.Sinha against the denial of right to legislators to table questions during the special session of the Assembly starting here on December 22.

In a statement issued here, Prof Hari Om, vice-president of the state BJP, described the step as "undemocratic" and said it reminded of the practice which was introduced during the Emergency by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

He asked what type of special session of the Assembly had been convened in which the legislators had been deprived of their right to ask questions and move calling attention motion to draw the attention of the government towards important issues.

The members have also not been allowed to move private Bills in the House. The BJP urged the Governor to intervene immediately so that the legislators were in a position to submit their questions well before the beginning of the special session.

Prof Hari Om claimed that being the constitutional head of the state, the Governor was duty-bound to intervene as and when he feels that the government was going beyond the confines of what lays embodied in the Constitution and rules of procedure and conduct of business.

He said that not allowing the members to raise issues of public importance in the House was contrary to the Rule 32 and sub-rule (3) of Rule 65 of the procedure and conduct of business in the Assembly.