Jammu, March 3
After the moderate and hardline secessionist leaders denounced the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co chairman's observation that Kashmir can wait, it was the turn of former chief minister and People's Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to voice hisdissent.

During a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi today, Mufti is learnt to have said, “We should not mislead ourselves about brushing the issue under the carpet as was done on earlier occasions.”

An official party release issued here today, quoted him reiterating, the inevitability of stepping up and expanding the Indo-Pak peace process for finding substantial solution to the problems of Jammu and Kashmir by addressing the legitimate “aspirations of its people.”

The PDP has always been accused of playing the secessionist sentiments in a subtle manner to appeal that particular segment in the Kashmir valley. His reaction to Zardari's observations, although without mentioning his name, is being viewed in the same context, needless to add during the election year.

The PDP patron, who called on the Prime Minister in New Delhi today, made it clear that the turn-around in the state’s political and security situation should not be “misconstrued as an indication of the problem having disappeared without addressing it.”

He maintained, “The ongoing peace process between the two countries has reached a critical and positive stage and this historical opportunity must now translate into concrete measures for the betterment of the people in Jammu and Kashmir who have suffered immensely because of the hostility in the region.”

Mufti said, “The measures like rehabilitation of the victims of violence irrespective of their affiliation and safe passage to the boys who had gone across for arms training and are now willing to return and live peaceful lives would have significant positive impact on the evolving situation.”

He said the Government of India must also take measures for shifting back to the state, all the Kashmiri detenues lodged in various jails outside.

Jammu, March 3
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has sought enhanced ration for the state. During a meeting with union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar in New Delhi today, Azad said the state continued to get ration on the basis of the 2001 census, while the population of the state had increased significantly since then.

According to an official release issued here today, Azad told the minister that the population of the state had reached 1.2 crore and a floating population of about 90 lakh tourists also visit the state annually, including pilgrim tourists which was not counted.

Besides, he said districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and areas of Udhampur and Kathua districts in Jammu province were hit by drought last year due to which the existing quota of ration supplied to the state was inadequate.

The Chief Minister also met urban development minister S.Jaipal Reddy and urged him to increase the sealing of funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for development of Jammu & Kashmir.

Azad brought to his notice the implementation of various urban development schemes launched in the state and requested him to increase the sealing of funds to the state under JNNURM.

He also stressed on the need for according urgent clearance to the pending projects for small cities in the state as well as quick implementation of the projects taken up for execution by the National Building Construction Corporation.

Reddy said a special dispensation is required for Jammu & Kashmir given its geographical constraints. He agreed with Azad that in view of the vast area and few urban localities, norms need to be relaxed while allocating funds to the state.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister returned to Jammu today from his visit to New Delhi where he had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, minister for rural development Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, and minister for surface transport T. R. Balu to push forward various development schemes for the state.

Srinagar, March 3
The Congress-PDP coalition has hailed the statement of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari. Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussian Baig described Zardari’s statement as a positive step.

He said the PDP always highlighted the importance of dialogue in resolving all issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Soon after taking over as the Chief Minister, Mufti Sayeed advocated this aspect vehemently and called for a two pronged dialogue process with Pakistan and separatist groups simultaneously to resolve the issue and achieve lasting peace and normalcy in the state,” Baig said.

He added the PDP would continue to carry forward this policy for larger interests of the people.

Addressing a public meeting at Delina in Baramulla district yesterday, Baig said stable Pakistan was the key for peace and progress in the sub-continent. He expressed hope that the new democratic set up in Pakistan would be instrumental in resolving all issues between the two countries.

Taking a dig at the detectors of realistic and pragmatic policies of the PDP, Baig said the party neither gave the slogan of plebiscite nor made any deal under the garb of accord but always highlighted the Kashmir issue in its right perspective.

The Deputy Chief Minister said time was ripe to demolish the walls of hatred and create conducive atmosphere for fastening the relations between the two countries and provide amicable solution in the larger interests of peace and prosperity in the region.

Senior vice-president of the State Congress party and minister for social welfare Abdul Ghani Vakil while welcoming the positive and realistic shift in Pakistan’s Kashmir policy expressed hope that emerging democratic set up in Pakistan would focus on strengthening confidence building measures.

“Presently people are worried about economic issues and want peace for progress and prosperity,” he added.

Addressing party workers here yesterday, Vakil said stable and tranquil Pakistan was in the interest of the sub-continent. “Congress has all along nurtured the policy of peace and stability in the world and championed the concept of ‘Panjsheel’ for co-existence, mutual brotherhood and international détente,” he maintained.

The Congress leader lauded the role of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for being responsible in bringing sea change in the attitude of political leadership of Pakistan visa-viz Kashmir.

He said dialogue and peace process would get accelerated soon the new government was formed in Pakistan. He added early initiation of trade via Uri-Muzaffarabad route would prove an important catalyst in the changing scenario where everyone strived for peace and development.

“This will also help strengthen people to people contact across the LoC and expand market circuit for the produces of either sides,” he said.

Meanwhile, the opposition National Conference has said the importance of Kashmir issue resolution gathered momentum after “Pakistan’s rulers in waiting opened their cards.”

Reacting to Zardari’s statement, a spokesman of the NC said that Indian government could “no longer play hide and seek with its own assurances on “sky is the limit for restoration of internal autonomy” to Jammu and Kashmir.

The party, he said, had been demanding restoration of autonomy at pre-1953 parameters and since then its leadership had offered all sorts of “sacrifices” including long period of incarceration and saying goodbye to power at different times.

Referring to the National Conference Resolution on autonomy passed by the state legislature during its rule in 2001 had already set aside all other proposed solutions to the issue, the spokesman said.

Srinagar, March 3
Describing Asif Ali Zardari’s views on setting aside Kashmir issue as his personal opinion, the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference has said the co-chairman’s views were an "unexpected deviation" from the Pakistan Peoples Party’s Kashmir policy.

These views were also not in tune with Pakistan’s Kashmir policy, which had been extending moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris’ “freedom struggle”, it said.

The issue was discussed at the executive council meeting of the Mirwaiz faction of Hurriyat Conference presided over by the acting chairman, Moulana Abbas Ansari at the party headquarters, Rajbagh here today.

The members discussed threadbare the matter regarding statement of Asif Ali Zardari, co-chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which has emerged as the leading victorious party in the recently held elections in Pakistan.

The hardline faction of the APHC led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, which is among others having condemned Zardari’s statement, is also holding a meeting of its executive body in a couple of days to come out with its formal stand.

“The co-chairman’s views on Kashmir are his personal opinion and are unexpectedly a deviation from PPP’s Kashmir policy,” a spokesman of the Hurriyat Conference stated at the end of the meeting.

This, he said, was not in tune with Pakistan’s Kashmir policy. The spokesman held that the executive council meeting also expressed gratitude to the continued “moral, political and diplomatic support” of the people of Pakistan and its government to the “freedom struggle” of Kashmiris.

He added the people of Kashmir had sacrificed their lives for the resolution of the Kashmir issue adding that in view of its sensitivity “the issue cannot be kept hanging for long.”

This, he said, endangered peace not only in the sub-continent but throughout the world.

The moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference has also called for a general strike in Kashmir on March 10 in protest against the alleged excesses on the detainees in different jails in and outside the state.

It has also expressed concern over the continued killings due to bombing in Palestine at the hands of Israeli forces.

The APHC urged the UN Security Council and peace loving international leadership to take concrete measures for an end to the “terrorist activities” by Israel in the region.

Saile (Udhampur), March 3
Tucked away on the eastern side of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, this predominately Hindu village is an example of communal harmony and brotherhood.

The only mosque constructed in this Kandi belt is situated on a piece of land donated by a Hindu farmer.

Kirpa Ram has donated the land to Ghulam Mohammed to construct a mosque for the Muslims of the area had to cover long distances to offer prayers as there was no mosque in the adjoining localities.

Although fundamentalist forces from both communities tried to create communal division, inhabitants of the village foiled their attempts.

Saile is a small hamlet which falls under Tara Panchayat and comprises half a dozen villages with a total population of more than 7,000.

In Tara Panchayat, Hindu-Muslim population is almost equal. Some Dalit Christian families, migrated from Punjab, also reside in the area.

"Since decades we have been living with harmony", Dhain Singh, son of Kirpa Ram, told The Tribune.

Kirpa Ram, who owns four kanals of land on main link road connecting all villages of Tara Panchayat, donated one kanal for construction of mosque.

"As there was no Idgah in adjoining localities, we decided to donate the land to our Muslim brethren", Dhain Singh said.

He expressed satisfaction that the mosque constructed on their land would symbolise Hindu-Muslim unity.

Abdul Rashid, a resident of Janakha village, said the area was keeping alive the traditions that reinforce bond of love, mutual respect and communal amity between the Hindus and the Muslims.

Kirpa Ram’s family has also decided to donate the remaining three kanals of land for community use.

"As the peace of land is situated on main link road, we have decided to install a hand pump there so that people can quench their thirst during summer while proceeding towards their destinations", Dharam Singh said, adding

"We have a desire that our small village would the show the way to those who try to divide people on communal lines for political gains".

Udhampur, March 3
National Conference (NC) MLA from Kishtwar Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo and provincial secretary Qazi Jalal-ud-Din have demanded relief and rehabilitation measures for the fire victims of Nali Bonjwa village in Kishtwar district.

Kichloo and Qazi Jalal-ud-Din, along with block presidents and other senior party workers, had visited the remote village of Nali Bonjwa where a devastative fire had engulfed 16 shops, five houses, one Masjid and one Madrassa in February.

The NC leaders interacted with the inhabitants, including owners of the shops and the Masjid Committee, who have suffered loss of house property and live stock in the fire.

In a handout, expressing concern over the attitude adopted by the present government in providing relief to the victims, NC leaders said it was unfortunate that the present coalition government was not coming up with any relief package for the fire victims of the area on the pattern of the Margi fire victims.

They said the government should perform its obligatory duty and provide ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each to those who had suffered losses in the incident.

Demanding immediate arrangement of the rehabilitation for the sufferers, NC leaders said the government should provide free sheets and timber to the victims so that they could re-construct their houses and shops.

They also impressed upon the state government to provide six months free ration to the victims and other relief on the pattern of the Margi fire incident.

The National Conference leaders also interacted with the Masjid Committee and informed them that NC unit of Kishtwar would extend all possible help in re-construction of the Masjid.

Jammu, March 3
The Sikh community, too, has suffered the brunt of the ongoing armed insurgency in the Kashmir valley, which had forced around three lakh Kashmiri Pandits to leave the valley and live a life in exile.

Around 9,000 Kashmiri Sikhs (1,800 families), who had left the valley after the eruption of armed insurgency in the valley 18 years ago, migrated to Jammu but they had been subjected to government apathy.

They feel a neglected lot as the community has been marginalised and no one is paying any heed to the problems faced by them.

The displaced members of the Sikh community rue the step motherly treatment meted to them by the successive state and the Central government.

“We are met with step motherly treatment by the state and the Centre. We, too, are the victims of the turmoil in the state. Many of us fought back and decided to stay in the valley. But around 9,000 Sikhs decided to migrate to Jammu,” said Harmohinder Singh, general secretary, Kashmiri Sikh Displaced Forum.

He added: “The Sikhs who migrated to Jammu were not provided with any kind of accommodation in migrant camps and were forced to live in rented accommodations.”

He blamed the state government for not paying any heed to the problems faced by the Sikh community.

“The government has recently decided to shift the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community living in migrant camps to specially constructed two rooms flats, but no such provision was done for the displaced Sikhs,” Singh said.

The members of the displaced Sikh community say despite making several pleas to the state and the centre, no package has so far been announced by the government for the rehabilitation of the community.

Jammu, March 3
With Kashmir Singh expected to return home tomorrow after spending 35 years in a Pak prison, families of other prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails have asked the union government to vigorously pursue their cases as well.

Peeved at the continued apathy of the government, Feroz Ahmed Masoodi, a brother of Parvez Ahmed Masoodi of Budgam, who has completed his 16-year-jail term in Pakistan on February 26 this year, has threatened to immolate himself outside Parliament if the Centre failed to get him back by March 31.

Talking to The Tribune, Feroze Masoodi said, “On February 26 this year my brother Shaheen Parvez Ahmed Masoodi completed 16 years of rigorous imprisonment in Kot Lakhpat Jail of Lahore and despite repeated requests no exercise has been initiated by the union home ministry to ensure his repatriation.”

“If he (Parvez) doesn’t return by March 31 then my parents and other members would sit on fast unto death in Srinagar and I would commit self immolation outside Parliament,” said Feroze, adding “It’s enough now.”

“For the past 16 years my old parents have been living with a hope to see their eldest son return home,” said Feroze.

“Just a week back a human right activist MK Paul had forwarded a list of 16 Indian prisoners to the Indian High Commission in Pakistan and vice- versa, including the name of Kashmir Singh,” he said, adding “Though mercy plea of Kashmir Singh has been accepted and we are happy that one among us would be relieved of agonizing pain of separation but no relief has come to other prisoners.”

In the past couple of years Swarn Lal Khadora of Kunjwani, Om Prakash of Budhi Nagrota, Babu Ram of Nalla Thanger in Hirangar and Radhay Shyam of Kathua, who also braved third degree torture in the same prison, finally returned home.

However, Shahbuddin of Poonch, Ram Prakash of Bishnah, Kuldeep Singh of Kathua, Kuldip Kumar Yadav of Gujarat and Surjeet Singh, Ashok Kumar and Sarabjeet Singh, all from Punjab, continue to languish in Pakistan prison.

“Most of the Indian prisoners from Jammu and Kashmir have been convicted under the 59 Pakistan Army Act (PAA) on the charges of espionage and it becomes very difficult for the government to ensure their repatriation because of the complexities,” said a retired Army officer on condition of anonymity.

However, describing it a human problem he said, “Gen Parvez Musharraf’s gesture accepting mercy plea of Kashmir Singh is definitely a welcome step. I personally feel that the government should be more responsive while dealing with such cases.”

Jammu, March 3
The Kashmir valley has been experiencing mild tremors regularly during the past fortnight. This has led to the fears among people that some major quake might strike the valley in near future.

During this period the Kashmir valley has experienced four earthquakes on a regular interval of five days. The mild tremors were experienced on February 20, 25 and twice on March 1.

Although earthquakes cannot be predicted, but the people are quite apprehensive and scared that something worst might happen.

Tragic memories of October 8, 2005, are still fresh in the minds of the people when about one lakh people were killed in two parts of Kashmir.

However, the local project coordinator of the disaster management cell of the United Nations Development Programme, Aamir Ali, maintained that there was no need to panic as frequent tremors did not mean that a major earthquake was going to strike the valley.

He also did not agree with the reports quoting experts that the frequency of tremors, although mild in nature, gave any indication of an imminent catastrophe. At the same time, he remarked, "we have to accept that we are living in an earthquake-prone area, when and where an earthquake will come and what will be its magnitude, no one knows.”

He pointed out that Srinagar fell in Seismic Zone V and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir in Seismic Zone IV, which means that the city was vulnerable to earthquakes.

He said even high seismic sensitivity did not make the people prone to disaster. He pointed out in Japan the earthquakes were too frequent and the extent of damage was now very minimal as people had started taking precautions.

He said the reason for reduction of death toll due to earthquakes was primarily because people learnt to live with earthquakes and constructed earthquake-resistant buildings and took precautionary measures.

Ali said earthquakes had been occurring in Kashmir since times immemorial. Some disastrous earthquakes are those which struck in 1555 and 1885 which destroyed the town of Sopore.

Many more catastrophic earthquakes have been recorded thereafter also, the last being one which ‘erased’ the Line of Control by killing about one lakh people.

Jammu, March 3
As the summer season is about to arrive, worries of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community living in various migrant camps have increased manifolds, as the migrant camps are marred with poor sanitation.

Despite repeated assurances by the authorities, health and sanitation facilities provided in the migrant camps are not as per the standards.

A recent visit by members of the National Human Rights Commission have termed the living condition in these camps in Jammu as “inhumane” and had instructed the state government to provide basic health and sanitation facilities to the people living in these camps.

“During the summer season, conditions become worse with prolonged power cuts. We also face the wrath of mosquitoes that evolve due water-logging as a result of the poor drainage system here,” said Ashok Bhat, a Kashmiri Pandit migrant in Purkhu migrant camp in the outskirts of Jammu city.

Every summer, there is an increase in the number of patients suffering from sanitation-related diseases.

Speaking to The Tribune, Ashwani Charngoo, chairman, Panun Kashmir Movement, said: “Various national and international human right groups, including the National Human Rights commission on their visit to these migrant camps here, had described the living conditions here as inhumane and the life of inhabitants as animal life.”

Adding, he said: “In its report, the global human right defence has termed the living condition of Kashmiri Pandits in these camps as appalling. What could be another blow to the hollow claims of the state government of providing better facilities to the displaced community?”

Jammu, March 3
Justice J.P. Singh of Jammu and Kashmir High Court of Judicature rejected a petition of dismissed constable of Border Security Force on the grounds that “communication of an order would not amount to integral or material fact necessary to constitute ‘cause of action’ for maintaining a petition.”

Atal Behari, while serving as constable near Border Observation Post, was accused of committing civil offence of using criminal force with a woman with intention to outrage her modesty. He was tried by Summary Security Force Court and dismissed from service on July 18, 2006.

The high court held that “the facts pleaded by writ petitioner do not constitute a ‘cause of action’ so as to confer territorial jurisdiction giving right to file petition in court.”

Even appeal against findings of Summary Security Force Court was dismissed by DG BSF on November 7, 2006.

Ajay Sharma, CGSC appearing for Union of India, raised preliminary objection that no cause of action has accrued within jurisdiction of the HC, as he had committed offence at Govindpur (West Bengal) and order of dismissal was passed outside jurisdiction of this Court.

J.R. Arora, advocate argued that since decision of statutory appeal was conveyed to him at Kishtwar so part of cause of action has accrued within jurisdiction of the high court.

Jammu, March 3
The Border Security Force today foiled an intrusion bid by killing a Pakistani intruder in Akhnoor sector here.

According to an official spokesman of the BSF, an ambush party of the border outpost at Chak Phagwari observed an intruder trying to negotiate the border fence.

On being challenged, the intruder tried to flee, the ambush party taking the intrusion as infiltration bid, fired at him, he died on the spot,” the spokesman said.

An identity card was recovered from the possession, which disclosed his identity as Sayeed Shahani Raja, son of Sayeed Sanwar Hussain of Chherawali village of Gujranwala district in Pakistan. The body was later handed over to the police.

Jammu, March 3
In a run-up to the assembly elections two Congress leaders along with their supporters joined the Panthers Party here in the presence of party chairman Prof Bhim Singh.

Satish Gupta of Jammu and Raman Kumar Mishra of Akhnoor, after remaining associated with the Congress for several years, joined the Panthers Party.

Consequently, Bhim Singh appointed Raman Kumar as coordinator of party’s silver jubilee celebrations in Akhnoor tehsil.

Singh asked the new incumbents to work in the interest of party.

Udhampur, March 3
After establishing campuses at Bhaderwah, Kathua, Udhampur and Poonch, the University of Jammu would be opening a satellite centre at Patnitop.

In this regard, University of Jammu vice-chancellor Amitabh Mattoo visited various places at Patnitop to identify land for varisty’s satellite centre. “With this centre, the people of the area especially nomads will be immensely benefited,” he said.

He also informed that the university was also thinking of constructing a conference hall at Patnitop to ease out the pressure of day-to-day national and international conferences at the main campus and as a measure of promoting tourism in this region.

“Experts from the Department of Geology and Engineering of the university will soon visit the area and a final decision for acquiring land will be taken after their report on various aspects of the land and topography of the area,” said Mattoo.

Mattoo was accompanied by a team of officers from University of Jammu.