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Working Group Recommendations
NC MLCs suspended
Sack tainted ministers: NC
Housing project launched
40 kg RDX seized near LoC
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Separatists call for strike on R-Day
VDC member shot dead in Doda
Reyaz VC of Kashmir university
Mushaira enthrals audience
Temple Land Mafia
Tributes paid to Netaji
Shia-Sunni clashes ring alarm bells among secessionists
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Working Group Recommendations
New Delhi, January 23 The meeting, lasting nearly 100 minutes, was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Home Minister Shivraj Patil, National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan, Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir N N Vohra, Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, Defence Secretary Vijay Singh, JK Chief Secretary B R Kundal, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister TKS Nair and Director-General of JK Police Kuldeep Khoda. The meeting discussed matters relating to militancy affected families, Kashmiri Pandits, West Pakistan refugees of 1947 and PoK refugees of 1947. Five working groups were set up following the second roundtable conference convened by the Prime Minister in Srinagar in 2006. The Centre had constituted a committee under Home Secretary with representatives of both union and state governments to review the implementation of the recommendations made by the Working Groups. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had held a meeting with senior officers of the Home Ministry and the Defence Ministry on Januray 13 to discuss matters concerning working groups recommednations. He had met Patil last evening. The sources said a relief package for Kashmiri Pandits and support for dependents of militants killed in police encounters were among a slew of measures discussed at the meeting. The relief package would be finalised after holding consultations with the Finance Ministry. The meeting also discussed steps for easing travel between the two parts of Kashmir, a demand made by various sections of society. With assembly elections scheduled to be held in Jammu and Kashmir later this year, the Azad government is keen to make people-friendly announcements. Sources said the Centre was discussing ways to implement the recommendations and a decision was likely to be taken soon. |
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NC MLCs suspended
Jammu, January 23 The proceedings gathered so much heat that chairman of the house Ghulam Nabi Lone had to take disciplinary action against five NC legislatures, who were suspended from the house for a day. As the question hour started, the opposition members demanded sacking of the two ministers-- forest minister Qazi Mohammad Afzal and finance minister Tariq Hamid Karra-- who have been found involved in the forest scam in the Kundal Committee Report. The members of the opposition benches then stormed into the well of the house. They said free and fair enquiry into the scam was not possible until and unless the ministers are removed from their posts. So before handing the case to investigative agencies, sack the tainted ministers, they added. Opposition members alleged, “We doubt that the inquiry would not be impartial if the tainted ministers continue to remain in power.” The house witnessed a heated exchange of words between the opposition members and the members of the treasury benches. To reduce the pandemonium that struck the house following the protest by the opposition members the chairman of the house had to curtail the question hour by 15 minutes as no question could be raised in the uproar that continued in the house following the protest by the opposition members. The agitated opposition members staged a walkout from the house, as they demanded that a discussion should be held in the house in the issue of the involvement of the ministers in the forest scam. Later when the opposition members returned to the house soon after the start of Zero Hour they again stormed the well of the house and raised slogans against the tainted ministers and the government. As the chairman of the house Ghulam Nabi Lone tried hard to persuade the opposition benches, Mohammad Rashid Qureshi tossed the rulebook towards the treasury benches on which the chairman of the house ordered the suspension of the five opposition National Conference MLCs from the house for one day. The five legislators suspended for a day from the house were Mohammad Rashid Qureshi, T.S. Wazir, M.Y. Taing, B.A. Naz, and Sakina Ittoo. |
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Sack tainted ministers: NC
Jammu, January 23 Today no business could be taken up properly as choicest of improvised slogans, walkouts, blame game and adjournment for nearly two hours marred the proceedings of the Lower House. Peeved over protracted ruckus the Panthers Party, State Morcha and BJP legislators, who smelt a deep-rooted conspiracy by coalition government and NC to shelve issues of Jammu region staged walkouts. The Jammu-based parties vociferously demanded imposition of President’s rule in the state while People’s Democratic Party (PDP), an ally of the ruling alliance tried to counter double trouble. Mayhem was let lose in the House after leader of the opposition Abdul Rahim Rather said, “After going through the report a prima facie case is established against two ministers (of PDP) in the ruling alliance. Hence we demand that they be immediately sacked.” |
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Housing project launched
Jammu, January 23 The project is situated on Akhnoor road, in the heart of city, near the AG office. Giving details of the project, an official of the Kamdhenu Homz said, “Our project has been approved by the Jammu Municipal Corporation.” This will be a state of the art project which would fulfil dreams of the Jammu residents who have dreamt for a personal house”, he added. |
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40 kg RDX seized near LoC
Jammu, January 23 During a search operation, the Darhal-based 48 Battalion of the Rashtria Rifles seized 40 kg RDX, 16 detonators, two improvised explosive devices (IED) and eight RPG rounds. Jammu-based PRO of the Ministry of Defence, Lt-Col S.D. Goswami said: “A major tragedy was averted by the Army as the huge quantity of explosives was aimed at disrupting the proceeding on the Republic Day celebrations in the area.” In another operation, the Army has gunned down unidentified terrorists in an encounter in Sunderbani forests of the Rajouri district. |
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Separatists call for strike on R-Day
Srinagar, January 23 Security arrangements have been geared up as the police and security forces have intensified search operations and security checks across the valley. These have been further intensified in and around Bakshi Stadium, the venue of main Republic day celebrations and also around the vital installations in the summer capital. The police and CRPF personnel have been conducting security checks of passenger buses plying on vital roads here and around the vital installations. The sights like checking of the belongings and identity cards of bus passengers during surprise checks on the city routes have been increased over the past several days. The security checks and cordon and search operations in other areas in and around the capita city and major towns of the valley have been increased. Security forces have been kept on the high alert across Kashmir ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, senior security officers said. Both factions of the Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz and Geelani, and other constituent groups and the militant organisations have called for a general strike on the occasion and asked the people to remain indoors on Saturday. Meanwhile, All Party Hurriyat Conference, PoK chapter, has also called to observe the Republic Day as a black day on Saturday. This was decided at a meeting in Islamabad presided over by convenor Muhammad Farooq Rehmani. He also appealed to political parties in PoK to participate in the black day rally and urged on Pakistani political parties to include the question of the UN guaranteed right of self determination in their manifesto. |
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VDC member shot dead in Doda
Udhampur, January 23 This killing has been described as revengeful action as the deceased had fought valiantly with militants in the same area resulted into killing of two dreaded terrorists of LeT three days back. After Saturday’s encounter, LeT militants were looking for an opportunity to take revenge of the killing of their self-styled commander. The deceased, Bharat Bhushan (38), son of Mohan Lal of Gagal, near Prem Nagar, reportedly kidnapped by LeT militants on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased had gone for shopping and was returning to home when he was abducted by the militants on his way. Since last night, the police and VDC parties were fanned in this belt to rescue to the abducted man. A bullet-ridden body of the VDC member was found this morning in Donli Forest. According to the police, some villagers, who had gone to the forest, spotted the body lying in the forest. Tension flared up in many parts of Doda after recovery of the body of the VDC member. Meanwhile, leaders of the BJP demanded sophisticated weapons and advanced communication equipments for VDC members, who have been fighting with militants with old weapons. Bhushan was member of the team of the VDC who had fought with militants in an encounter same locality in which two militants of LeT were killed. |
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Reyaz VC of Kashmir university
Jammu, January 23 Jammu University vice-chancellor Prof Amitabh Mattoo presented him a shawl and a memento. Prof Mattoo hoped that with the appointment of Prof Reyaz Punjabi, Kashmir University will achieve new heights and develop a real bond between the prime two varsities of the state. Prof Reyaz said Jammu University had become a benchmark for the Kashmir University and the vision of Prof Mattoo had given a new model to other institutions to achieve excellence. Head of various departments and senior faculty members attended the function. |
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Mushaira enthrals audience
Udhampur, January 23 Poets from remotest areas of Udhampur district participated in the literary event and recited compositions in Dogri, Punjabi and Urdu. The audience was equally appreciative. Organised for the first time, the writers recited poems, which inculcate a sense of patriotism among the younger generation. Large number of young poets from boys and women colleges participated in the event. All the poets appreciated efforts of the Information Department for providing them this opportunity. |
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Temple Land Mafia
Srinagar, January 23 According to Sanjay K. Tickoo, president of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti, the recent statement of the government on this issue in the assembly was only an eye wash. The government had stated that a ban had been imposed on the sale of temples, religious places and its properties in the valley, Ticko said adding that no such orders had been issued in this regard. “No such ban has been imposed on the issue and the concerned officers have not received any communication from the government so far”, the president of the samiti said. The samiti president said it had already informed the Prime Minister and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister about this “temple land mafia group” but so far, no action had been taken even after a lapse of about four months. “On the contrary some influential persons from these trusts and mafia groups are pressurising the government to delay the bill so that they could get more time to drain out the money from respective trust accounts outside the state and also liquidate the maximum temple properties”, he stated. On the other hand, non state-subjects claiming as mahants and trustees were selling their properties and business establishments in the valley, the spokesman said. The samiti president added that the community had already appealed to the separatist organisations to come forward and help the Pandit community to save their rich heritage. He claimed that these organisations had failed to come to expectations, whom he alleged, were like the mainstream political leaders not interested in safeguarding the property of the Pandit community. |
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Tributes paid to Netaji
Jammu, January 23 The portrait of Netaji was garlanded by the party activists and his struggling life was remembered. BJP state general secretary and in charge of the BJYM Shamsher Singh Manhas and district president Kavinder Gupta were among those who paid tributes to Netaji. They described Netaji as a great revolutionary who brought the patriotic youth of the country during the freedom struggle under one umbrella and made the British rulers realise that the Indians would not accept the slavery any more. Life of Netaji, they said, should serve to be a source of inspiration for the youth of the country. They regretted the death of Netaji was still a mystery and demanded that the Government of India should order an inquiry. BJP state press secretary Balbir Ram, BJYM leaders, including Surinder Choudhary, Rakesh Dogra, Vikrant Singh, Neeraj Choudhary, Sanjay Khajuria, Sunil Dogra, Narinder Sawhney, Vikas Sharma, Vinay Khajuria, Ravi Mehra, Mahid Khoda, Ajay Mehra, Vikas Pandit and many others also paid tributes to Netaji. |
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Shia-Sunni clashes ring alarm bells among secessionists
Jammu, January 22 Not surprisingly they have accused the government and the "anti freedom movement" forces of fomenting the trouble. Dozens of people were injured in the post Moharram clashes in different parts of the Srinagar city. The riots followed after the alleged pelting of stones on shops and houses of some Sunnis by the Shias in the areas dominated by them. This had instant reaction in the Sunni dominated areas. The situation, although under control, continues to remain tense and the police had to use teargas shells and fire in the air to control the rioting mobs. The Shia and Sunni communities in the valley, as elsewhere in the subcontinent, remain divided and polarised, particularly in Kashmir. Except for the symbolic representation in the secessionist Hurriyat Conference, the Shia community has mostly kept itself at a distance from the secessionist movement. There are mainly two prominent Shia names in the secessionist movement.They include Anjuman Sharie Shiyan president Aga Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Sufvi and Maulvi Abbas Ansari. But by and large the Shia community has remained neutral. Not many Shia youth joined the militancy either.
The two communities have a history of hostility. Particularly after the rise of the secessionist militancy that continues to be dominated by the Wahabi ideology, the sense of suspicion among the Shias increased. Besides, they have faced the brunt on several occasions and mostly during the annual Moharram processions. Besides, the attacks by the radical Islamic groups on Shias in Pakistan have also added to their fears. The Shias do not have great numbers in the Kashmir valley. They may hardly constitute 10 per cent of the total population there. But they remain concentrated in select pockets that gives them strength and also a sense of security. At times, during the peak of confrontation and hostility the Shias and Sunnis do not venture into each other areas.
Not that the secessionist leaders do not know that they do not enjoy the support of most of the Shia community members. They only want to ensure that the clashes between the two communities do not get widespread lest it convey yet another impression that first it was a radical Islamic movement. The exodus of minority Hindus had already made the advocates of secessionism too defensive on the issue. And once the hostility between Shias and Sunnis turns sever, it could just be described as a Sunni movement. And most of the radical Islamic militant groups, guided by the Wahabi ideology, do not consider Shias as true Muslims. Kashmir has witnessed worst Shia-Sunni riots in the past also. One of the worst was during the aftermath of the death of former Pakistani dictator, General Zia Ul Haq when the members of the Sunni community suspected that they had celebrated Zia's death. The Shias were suspected of hating Zia, just because he had got Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto hanged. Most Shias believed Bhutto to be a Shia, although he was a Sunni. Even the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, respected by most of the Sunnis, was also a Shia. But that is hardly of any consolation or consequence to the Shias who feel threatened and intimidated. |
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