J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Complete bandh in Jammu
BJP also holds protests
Jammu, December 22
Normal life was affected as a complete bandh was observed in many parts of Jammu division on the opening of the special session of the legislature here today. The call for the bandh was given by the all-party alliance in support of their demands, including implementation of the Wazir Commission report and setting up of a delimitation commission to provide equitable representation to the Jammu region in the Assembly.

Houses adjourned after obituary references
Jammu, December 22
The assassination of Ghulam Nabi Lone, the then minister, dominated the proceedings of both Houses of the Legislature on the opening of the special session here today when members described it as a “security lapse” and demanded action against the culprits.

BSF jawan killed in encounter
Srinagar, December 22
A BSF jawan was killed in a fierce encounter going on between militants holed up in a building and the security forces at Sopore, about 50 km from here, in Baramula, official sources said.

Complete bandh in Jammu
BJP also holds protests
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 22
Normal life was affected as a complete bandh was observed in many parts of Jammu division on the opening of the special session of the legislature here today.

The call for the bandh was given by the all-party alliance in support of their demands, including implementation of the Wazir Commission report and setting up of a delimitation commission to provide equitable representation to the Jammu region in the Assembly.

The Panthers Party, Janata Dal (S), Janata Dal (U), Samajwadi Party, Jammu Mukti Morcha, Praja Parishad and the Jammu State Morcha had formed the alliance and given the call for bandh. The BJP had organised demonstrations at four places in the city in support of their demand for stern action against corrupt elements in the administration.

Several activists of the alliance were injured as they clashed with the police near the Jewel Chowk. The police resorted to lathi charge on the demonstrators.

Vehicular traffic remained disrupted on the Jammu-Pathankot highway at several places as activists of the alliance squatted on the road.

The bandh was complete in the city as almost all shopping centres remained closed and public transport remained off the roads. Students and daily commuters faced problems as the mini-buses and auto-rikshaws also observed a strike. Tourists reaching here by trains remained stranded, as transport was not available.

Mr Bhim Singh, Chairman of the Panthers Party, said about 200 activists of the alliance, including some prominent leaders of his party, were arrested at different places. Bandh was also observed in the towns of Kathua, Samba, Basohli, Bishnah,Vijaypur and Kishtwar, he said.

He said Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad should understand the writing on the wall and not try to further linger on implementation of the issues listed in the common minimum programme (CMP) of the ruling coalition. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had promised implementation of these promises, but the state government was purposely delaying their implementation to please the Kashmir-based masters, he alleged.

BJP activists burnt effigies of the “corrupt Congress-led coalition” in more than 30 assembly constituencies to pressurise the government to purge the administration of corrupt elements, including the tainted ministers.

The state BJP chief, Dr Nirmal Singh, led the protest dharna at Maheshpura chowk. He said that Mr Azad had failed to take action against his tainted ministerial colleagues. He alleged that the government was indulging in witch hunting on the issue of corruption. The Sawlakot hydroelectric project had been assigned to the private sector without following the procedure.

Houses adjourned after obituary references
Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 22
The assassination of Ghulam Nabi Lone, the then minister, dominated the proceedings of both Houses of the Legislature on the opening of the special session here today when members described it as a “security lapse” and demanded action against the culprits.

Both Houses adjourned for the day after obituary references to K.R. Narayanan, a former President, P.M. Sayeed, a former Union Minister, Lone and Chandu Lal and Hans Raj Dogra, both former MLAs. Mr Tara Chand moved the resolution in the Assembly, while the chairman, Mr Abdul Rashid Dar, initiated the resolution in the Legislative Council.

Members expressed surprise over the assassin having entered the protected area and then walked away after killing the minister in his house. If the ministers were not safe in their well-guarded houses, then what would be the plight of the common people, they asked.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Abdul Rahim Rather (NC), Mr Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami (CPM), Mr Harshdev Singh (Panthers Party), Mr Ashwani Kumar (JSM), Mr Jugal Kidhore (BJP), Mr G.H. Mir (PDP) and several other members demanded that the inquiry into the episode should be completed within a time frame and guilty police personnel should also be booked.

The members warned that such persons who were patronising militants should not forget that they could also become their (militants) targets as had happened in the past.

Under the changed atmosphere, violence was purposeless and it should end immediately. Every section should contribute towards putting an end to terror.

They pointed out that the authorities concerned were not following the guidelines of the Home Department regarding security of protected persons.

Speaking on the obituary references, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the state government had received a report from the Union Home Ministry concerning the assassination of Lone, but its contents could not be disclosed.

He said the inquiry committee headed by Mr B.B. Vyas, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, would be received shortly and action taken in the matter.

The Chief Minister, however, said no political link in the killing had yet come to light.

Meanwhile, outside the House, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir, a senior PDP leader and former minister, described the assassination of Lone as a political conspiracy and said the mystery behind his killing should be solved.

He said Lone, who was a minister in the Mufti government, was considered a dissident.

BSF jawan killed in encounter

Srinagar, December 22
A BSF jawan was killed in a fierce encounter going on between militants holed up in a building and the security forces at Sopore, about 50 km from here, in Baramula, official sources said.

In other militancy-related incidents, a militant and a Forest Department employee were killed in the valley overnight.

A report from Baramula said an exchange of heavy firing was going on between the holed-up militants and the security forces, who had cordoned off the building.

One BSF jawan was also killed in the incident, it said.

Sources said the militants hurled a hand grenade towards a BSF picket of 112 battalion near a crowded bus stand at Sopore this afternoon. The grenade missed the target and exploded on the roadside, causing injuries to three persons. — UNI