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Withdrawal of troops
Cong, PDP on collision course
Srinagar, May 28
Even as the Chief Minister has made it clear that situation in Jammu and Kashmir was not conducive for the reduction of troops from internal security duty, the two main coalition partners, the Congress and the PDP, are virtually on a collision course over the issue.

‘Govt ignoring Rajouri, Poonch’
Jammu, May 28
Omar Abdullah president of the National Conference today accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of having failed to provide jobs to the educated youth and basic facilities to residents of the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

2 militants, woman killed
Srinagar, May 28
Three persons, including two infiltrators and a woman, were killed in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday while an IED was detected in Kupwara district.

Katra — Bursting at seams
Katra, May 28
The number of pilgrims to the Vaishnodevi shrine is expected to touch one crore in the next 10 years, but the infrastructure to cope with it is lacking at the Katra-base camp of the 13-km uphill trek.

A bird’s-eye view of Katra town A bird’s-eye view of Katra town.
— Tribune photo by Anand Sharma

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EARLIER STORIES

	Militants change tack, go for uncommon routes May 28, 2007
	Azad opposes troop withdrawal May 27, 2007
	No troop reduction yet: MoS for defence May 26, 2007
	Militants’ plan to target Karvan-e-Aman foiled May 25, 2007
	Azad sheltering militants, says BJP leader May 24, 2007
	Kashmir awaits visitors May 23, 2007
	Mirwaiz urges PM for national consensus on Kashmir May 22, 2007
	‘Involve people in solving Kashmir issue’ May 21, 2007
	Three jawans among 4 killed May 20, 2007
	6 pc DA for government employees, pensioners May 19, 2007

Withdrawal of troops
Cong, PDP on collision course
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 28
Even as the Chief Minister has made it clear that situation in Jammu and Kashmir was not conducive for the reduction of troops from internal security duty, the two main coalition partners, the Congress and the PDP, are virtually on a collision course over the issue.

State Congress chief Perzada Mohammad Sayeed has gone even to the extent of threatening to throw the PDP out of the coalition government in case it continued to stick to its demand of withdrawal of troops and the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

Over the past few months PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has been propagating his demand of the withdrawal of troops and the Armed Forces Special powers Act (AFSPA) in view of the improvement in the situation in the state, particularly in the valley.

This has been on the pattern of the Mufti’s stand on providing "healing touch policy", disbanding of the SOG of the police and other demands prior to the Assembly elections in 2002.

The critics here are of the view the demand of troops cut was on the same pattern ahead of the next Assembly elections scheduled in September-October next year as that of other similar issues in the last elections. The Prime Minister has already constituted two committees to review the withdrawal of troops and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) after the PDP leadership met him on this demand earlier this year.

Warning against disruptive politicking over its demand for troop reduction, Ms Mufti has said the skewed and offhand statements from various quarters had the potential of sabotaging the peace process and undermining the state's political authority as well.

She also reacted to the Chief minister’s statement on the withdrawal of troops under present circumstances. Ms Mufti said "such hasty proclamations" were going against the assertion of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh that 'there could be no military solution to the Kashmir issue’, she said. Ms Mufti added it also had the potential of completely jeopardising the peace and the reconciliation process and undermining the political and democratic institutions in the state.

Addressing party workers at Kupwara the other day, PDP president and MP Ms Mufti said the premeditated hawkish statements regarding the state's prevailing security scenario are not only contrary to the actual ground situation, but could spell doom for the regenerating normalcy and economic activity in the state.

"Such a narrow analysis of the situation at the highest level in the state government could not only have disastrous psychological impact on the positive public mood, but would scare the tourists and the investors as well, dealing a blow to the Kashmir's regenerating economic activity," she said.

She added the decision of withdrawing the troops from the state, could not be left alone to the security agencies and it has to be necessarily complemented with ingenious and genuine political input.

Ms Mufti told a public meeting at Tangdhar in Kupwara district today democracies never flourished under the shadow of the gun and Jammu and Kashmir was no exception.

"Political stability in the state could only be ensured through empowerment and involvement of the people in the democratic processes on their own, and not by gun as is being given to understand," she said.

She said the participation of the people in the democratic processes has nothing to do with the presence of the troops and any such view is only a snub to the people's yearning for dignified peace. She said after the Prime Minister's commitment to examine the whole issue, certain interventions only amount to undermining this critical issue of public importance.

She observed people's confidence would shake if the critics of the troop reduction do not understand the underlying need that time has come to restore Fundamental Rights of the people to the maximum and allow them to chalk out their own destiny only through democratic means.

	2 militants, woman killed Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 28 Three persons, including two infiltrators and a woman, were killed in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday while an IED was detected in Kupwara district. One suspected militant was held and a hideout busted during search by the police and security forces. An infiltration bid was foiled by troops on Line of Control early yesterday in which two militants were killed when attempting to infiltrate to this side. The Defence spokesman said at midnight the troops observed movement of militants. As they went close near the Line of Control fence, they came under fire. Two militants were killed during the fight while three AK 47 rifles were also recovered during the searches. The police detected an IED on roadside near Waterkhani, Drugmullah fitted in a three-liter pressure cooker. To avoid any causality, the area was evacuated and the IED defused without causing any harm. Unidentified militants shot dead Shaheena, wife of Mohammad Yusuf at Waghama, Beijbehera in Anantnag district of south Kashmir. Security forces recovered three hand grenades from Thanamamdi sector of Rajouri district,the police here said.
	Katra — Bursting at seams Tribune News Service Katra, May 28 The number of pilgrims to the Vaishnodevi shrine is expected to touch one crore in the next 10 years, but the infrastructure to cope with it is lacking at the Katra-base camp of the 13-km uphill trek. The Jammu and Kashmir government has, so far, failed to prepare a master plan for the town. Katra, which was a sleepy town a few years ago, has been growing haphazardly in all directions as the number of pilgrims has already crossed the 70 lakh mark. Construction activity is on and small houses are being pulled down to make way for multi-storeyed hotels. The accommodation offered to pilgrims by the Tourism Department and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVSB) is not sufficient. Town planners say it is a hopeless case as demolition of unauthorised hotels might be resisted by politicians. Most of such hotels are owned by politicians of the area. The Town Area Committee has failed to provide basic amenities to the pilgrims despite collecting tax from the vehicles entering there. Pilgrims have, at times, to buy cold drinks as drinking water is not available. Chief town planner of the state Vinod Malhotra says a master plan for Katra has been prepared and submitted to the government for approval. Local residents lament that neither government agencies nor the SMVSB has done anything for developing the town. The SMVSB earns millions every year from the pilgrims, but does not spend anything to beautify the town, they allege. Chief executive officer of the SMVSB Arun Kumar, says as per the Act the responsibility of the board starts beyond the Ban Ganga. “Technically, Katra is not our responsibility,” he says. However the board, in the past, has undertaken a few developmental works in the town, including the construction of a circular road, sanitation and a park. Ironically, the Katra Development Authority, set up a few years ago, has remained only on papers while the township grew in an unplanned manner. The holy Ban Ganga rivulet, which every pilgrim has to cross has become a garbage dump. Debris of illegal construction is littered on hill slopes and has become an eyesore. In the absence of adequate parking places, buses and cars of pilgrims can be seen parked haphazardly in streets. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who recently visited the town, has asked the officers concerned to prepare a proposal for grants from the Centre under the Urban Infrastructure Development for Small and Medium Towns for the development of Katra. Ninety per cent funds under the scheme are provided by the Centre and the state government has to contribute 10 per cent only. Town planners point out that hardly any scope is left for beautifying the main town except developing some green patches by getting government offices vacated and relocating these in the outskirts. Whatever planning was possible was south of the upcoming railway station. They plan to acquire 1,500 kanals for building a new township with proper board and lodging facilities for pilgrims. A mini-secretariat to house all government offices has also been proposed. The government shall have to come out with plans to handle one crore pilgrims as the existing infrastructure has started showing signs of exhaustion, particularly during the peak season.
	Aid to voluntary bodies to be regulated Ehsan Fazili Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 28 Memberof the Planning Commission, Government of India, Dr Syeda Hamid, has said the central government has framed guidelines for providing financial assistance to voluntary organisations working to ameliorate the condition of hither- to- uncovered weaker sections of society. She said such organisations under these guidelines would formulate and implement these projects, which would uplift underprivileged people. Dr Syeda Hamid was addressing voluntary organisations’ meet organised by the JK Women's Development Corporation at IMPA here yesterday. Dr Syeda said the government would encourage all central and state government agencies to introduce pre-service and in-service training modules on constructive relations with voluntary organisations. She said voluntary organisations could play vital role in the development process through community participation adding voluntary organisations could prove more beneficial for socio-economic development of the people. "It is therefore essential that government and the voluntary organisations work together to achieve the desired goal", she added.
	Azad inspects airport expansion work Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 28 Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad inspected the construction work of new terminal and other infrastructure being raised at Srinagar international airport here. He also interacted with the airport authorities and was apprised of the progress and nature of various constructions. The Chief Minister underlined the importance of developing Srinagar airport as international airport and said this would help in a big way to boost tourism and enhance trade and commerce in the state. Azad impressed upon the authorities to speed up execution of works and complete the international airport as early as possible. The Chief Minister was informed by the airport authority the capacity of existing terminal building at Srinagar airport would be enhanced for handling 450 international and 500 domestic passengers during peak hours. The new terminal building would have all modern amenities like aerobridges, central heating system, conveyor belts, air- conditioning system, escalators, lift, PA System, CCTV and baggage handling belts.
	Pugwash conference on Kashmir cancelled Tribune News Service Jammu, May 28 The two- day Kashmir- specific conference slated for next month at Mumbai by the Pugwash, an international NGO, has been cancelled due to denial of visa to the Pakistani participants. The conference was to be held on June 3 and 4, but now it has been cancelled indefinitely, sources said. Lleaders of various Kashmir- based regional and mainstream political parties, the Hurriyat and some other separatist leaders had agreed to participate in the conference. The Pugwash earlier postponed its meeting that was to be held on April 22 and 23 at Cochi as it clashed with the round-table conference of the Prime Minister at Delhi on April 24.