Jammu, February 24
While the raising of four police battalions is yet to be completed, the state government has sent a proposal to the Centre seeking sanction for raising 15 new battalions for strengthening the police grid in Jammu and Kashmir.

Official sources said here today that the recruitment process for the four police battalions would be completed shortly but in the meantime they have requested the Centre for sanctioning the raising of 15 new battalions during the next five years. A senior police officer of the rank of DIG said at present the police strength is over 75,000, excluding 25,000 SPOs and VDC members. The strength of the police force in the state was 30,000 in 1990 when militancy took roots.

The officer explained that demilitarisation could be possible only if the police had more manpower and sophisticated weapons. He said at present the responsibility of maintaining law in Srinagar district was that of the police. If the police were assisted by nine CRPF battalions they could handle the situation in south Kashmir and Budgam district, he added.

He said raising of 15 more police battalions had dual benefit. Firstly, it would strengthen the police to tackle the situation in the absence of the Army. Secondly, it could resolve the problem of unemployment to a large extent thus preventing the youth from joining militant groups.

The officer said even if the selection process for the four battalions was over within a month it may take one year for the boys to be ready for action after completing their training. He said as such the Centre should sanction raising of at least five police battalions every year so that during the next five years there will be enough police force to handle any law and order problem in the state.

Jammu, February 24
All eight candidates of the ruling Congress, the PDP and the opposition NC were today elected unopposed as members of the Jammu and Kashmir legislative council.

Returning officer Mohammad Iqbal Ganai, secretary of the assembly, announced the unopposed election of Rajinder Singh Chib, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Mohammad Amin Bhat, president of the Youth Congress, and Ali Mohammad Bhat (all Congress); Mizamuddin Khatana and Murtaza Khan (PDP); and Devinder Singh Rana and Mohammad Yousuf Taing (NC). — TNS

Jammu, February 24
Engine of the New Delhi-bound Shalimar Express caught fire in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir last night, but the driver and other staff helped avert a major tragedy, official sources said here today.

The engine caught fire around 11.55 pm, just after the train left Kathua station and reached Magar Khud in the district, the sources said.

The driver stopped the train and the staff delinked the engine from it. All passengers alighted from the train and took shelter in fields.

Army and the police reached the spot, along with fire tenders and it took them over an hour to douse the flames, they said.

All passengers and staff were safe, but the engine suffered extensive damage, the sources said adding the fire apparently broke out due to an electric short-circuit.

As per preliminary reports, sabotage has been ruled out, the sources said.

The train was fitted with a new engine and it left for Delhi at 2.45 am this morning, they said.

Chennai-bound Madras Janata Express was held up for some time at Jammu while the Pune-bound Jhelum Express which left Jammu station after the Shalimar Express was stranded near Kathua.

The Northern Railways has ordered a probe into the fire by a senior official, they said adding the report would be submitted in a fortnight. — PTI