J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Azad welcomes Indo-Pak trade decisions
Srinagar, May 4
Welcoming Indo-Pak decisions on trade and bus services between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed the hope that his doctrine of “khushali” would emerge as a reality for the people on both sides of the LoC.

2 killed, 7 hurt in explosion
Srinagar, May 4
Two pedestrians were killed and seven others, including three security personnel, injured in a grenade explosion at Chadoora in Budgam district this morning. The police here said that suspected militants hurled a grenade near a bridge at about 11.30 a.m. at Chadoora, about 25 km from here, in Budgam district today.

BJP asks Sinha not to dabble in politics
Jammu, May 4
State BJP vice-president Prof Hari Om today asked Governor S.K. Sinha to discharge his constitutional obligations in an impartial manner and not to dabble in politics. He was reacting to the Governor’s rejection of the demand of BJP President Rajnath Singh for the imposition of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the massacre of 35 Hindus in Doda and Udhampur districts.

Azad welcomes Indo-Pak trade decisions
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 4
Welcoming Indo-Pak decisions on trade and bus services between Jammu and Kashmir and PoK, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed the hope that his doctrine of “khushali” would emerge as a reality for the people on both sides of the LoC.

He hailed the historical decisions taken by India and Pakistan with regard to opening of trade between PoK and Jammu and Kashmir through the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road from the first fortnight of July this year and operation of a fortnightly bus service between Poonch and Rawlakote from June 19. He said after the painful and prolonged turmoil, a new era in economy and trade had commenced which would further strengthen the pillars of peace and tranquility. Mr Azad pointed out that operation of Poonch-Rawlakote road would help in developing Poonch and Rajouri areas to a great extent. He hoped that thousands of divided families of this area would come closer by the bus service and they would not have to travel long distances up to Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road for such bus services, an official spokesman said.

Mr Azad said it was because of the astute leadership of both the countries, that such historical decisions were taken, which would prove instrumental in not only boosting the economy of the state, but also accelerating the economic activities of both countries. He said in this era of competition when all world powers have strong economical agendas, the decision taken by India and Pakistan would usher in economical growth in the subcontinent.

Both India and Pakistan have given their concurrence for exchange of items like carpets, rugs, chain-stitch, wall hangings, shawls, pashmina, Kashmiri wooden products, wood carving items, namdas, gabbas, tapestry, cricket bats, furniture and other wooden items, Kashmiri fruit, dry fruits, including almonds and walnuts, Kashmiri spices, flowers, rajmash, moong, Kashmiri saffron, Kashmiri wazwan, leather and leather products, aromatic plants, medicinal plants, by way of trade from India to Pakistan through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad trade route. From Pakistan to India the items of trade include spices, apples, walnuts, rice, precious stones, paper machine, gabbas, namdas, furniture, marble, onion, garlic, herbs, embroidered items, pine nuts etc. It was also decided that trade of items could be further expanded to include more and more items subject to further mutual concurrence.

2 killed, 7 hurt in explosion
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 4
Two pedestrians were killed and seven others, including three security personnel, injured in a grenade explosion at Chadoora in Budgam district this morning.

The police here said that suspected militants hurled a grenade near a bridge at about 11.30 a.m. at Chadoora, about 25 km from here, in Budgam district today. Nine persons, including three security men, were injured in the explosion, of whom two civilians succumbed to their injuries while being shifted to hospital. They were identified as Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh of the same area and Mohammad Jabbar, a resident of Sultanpur in Bihar.

In another grenade explosion, a civilian was injured outside Khanyar police station, here yesterday. The police and the security forces seized eight UBGL grenades, one night vision device, 170 AK rounds, nine batteries and seven metres of cordex wire from a hideout at Garend Kalan in Budgam district yesterday.

BJP asks Sinha not to dabble in politics
S.P. Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 4
State BJP vice-president Prof Hari Om today asked Governor S.K. Sinha to discharge his constitutional obligations in an impartial manner and not to dabble in politics.

He was reacting to the Governor’s rejection of the demand of BJP President Rajnath Singh for the imposition of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the massacre of 35 Hindus in Doda and Udhampur districts.

Speaking during a function at Reasi in Udhampur yesterday, Mr Sinha not only dismissed the demand, but also gave a clean chit to the Ghulam Nabi Azad government, which he said was well poised to deal with the situation.

This annoyed the BJP, which accused the Governor of indulging in politics.

The PDP, a coalition partner of the Congress, was openly airing militant and Pakistan-friendly views, Prof Hari Om alleged.

He added that he would send a detailed memorandum about the activities of the PDP and the National Conference to the Centre.

Prof Hari Om accused the Prime Minister of giving respectability to Hurriyat leaders by holding talks with them before the round table conference of May 25.

Instead of visiting the villages affected, the Prime Minister had preferred to hold talks with those responsible for the wave of violence in the state, he alleged.