Udhampur, April 2
To consolidate its base in the erstwhile Doda district-which is home district of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked off an aggressive campaign in the mountainous region of Jammu province. Decision of the PDP to launch such an aggressive campaign in the home town of the Chief Minister reflects that the party wants to increase its bargaining power during seat-sharing agreement with its coalition partner in case of pre-poll alliance in the coming assembly elections.

Although the party is a partner in the Congress-led coalition regime, PDP leaders have been seeking absolute majority from the people in the coming assembly elections to “change” their fate.

Interestingly, during its campaign PDP leaders are highlighting achievements of the three-year tenure of Mufti Mohammed Sayed as Chief Minister of the state. “During his tenure Mufti Mohammed has delivered good governance to the people”, party vice-president Ved Mahajan said while addressing a public meeting at Ramban. He, however, said that for further accelerating developmental activities in the state in general and backward areas in particular it was necessary to give six-year mandate to the PDP in the coming assembly elections.

“Policies and programmes of the PDP were guided by the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”, Mahajan said and claimed that only the PDP can change fate of the residents of all regions of this state.

Although PDP leaders avoided attacking the Congress at their rallies, they, without hesitating take all claims of development in the state as well as the on-going peace process.

A team of senior PDP leaders, who have started campaign from today at Ramban would visit all areas of erstwhile Doda district, including Banihal, Ramban, Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar. The team comprised Minister of Health, Peer Mohammed Hussain, vice-president Ved Mahajan and another senior leader Rangil Singh.

Although two coalition partners-the Congress and the PDP- have yet not announced their strategy for coming assembly elections, the later has already staked its claim on Banihal, Ramban and Kishtwar seats. To strengthen party’s claim on Banihal seat, former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayed himself has visited this area a number of time. 

Kathua, April 2
Buoyed over the overwhelming success in Uttar Pradesh, the Bahujan Samaj Party appears to be trying to replicate the experiment in Jammu and Kashmir as well. The party today took the lead in launching its first pre-poll campaign in the state from this border district.

The party high command decided to hold its first rally at the Ram Lila ground in favour of S.R Magotra, its candidate from the Kathua constituency, whose name for the seat has virtually split the party in the region. The party general secretary Narinder Kashyap made it clear on the onset that the party would accommodate all shades, castes and creeds while deciding the candidates for the assembly elections scheduled around October this year.

This might cost the party dear, which so far had its base restricted to the downtrodden sections of society only. There is hardly any support base of the party among the upper castes. However, Kashyap clarified that did not mean the party would not allot tickets to the representatives of upper castes. He pointed out the announcement of the name of Magotra for this constituency was itself a good signal for everybody that the BSP did not believe in (lower) caste politics.

Not just the party general secretary, but even the local leadership of the party, including its state coordinator, BS Chauhan and state president Yashpal Bhagat seem to be having the same brief.

The party might be trying to accommodate a wide spectrum within its fold, but at the end of the day it may prove to be a costly affair. Because the party has already antagonised a large section of leaders and workers who have been with the party for a long time. They fear that the same people who have been exploiting the Dalits and other downtrodden people for ages would now hijack the BSP also.

Unlike in the past when the BSP would resort to polemical rhetoric of exploitation of the Dalits only, the party has now been raising issues concerning the general public. Like here today, the party highlighted the problems like lack of drinking water, no remuneration for the daily wagers, lack of infrastructure and other things.

Srinagar, April 2
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has asked the new government in Pakistan to continue with Pervez Musharraf’s Kashmir policy that had laid concrete foundations for peaceful settlement of the issue, saying the policy was aimed at addressing people’s problems.

Mufti, who was in the Pakistan capital to attend the two-day Pugwash meet, said this at a talk on “The Peace Process and Kashmir issue” organised by the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) in Islamabad last evening.

“Musharraf has crossed various tedious obstacles on Kashmir which the politicians could normally not have done because of political compulsions,” a PDP spokesman quoting Mehbooba Mufti said.

She said Musharraf ardently pursued the peace process with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that was earlier initiated by Nawaz Sharif and Atal Behari Vajpayee.

She expressed hope that the spirit would continue on the Indo-Pak front with the new government assuming office in the neighbouring country.

The PDP president said the J&K-specific Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) initiated by the two governments have had a discernible impact on the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the people’s psyche.

“It is because of these CBMs that the constituency for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue has multiplied manifold on both sides,” she said and added that both the governments must further strengthen the confidence building process by allowing greater movement of people and goods across the LoC.

Dispelling the impression that while Pakistan had taken several steps for the resolution of Kashmir issue, India had not reciprocated to them, Mufti said allowing Kashmiris to travel through LoC on permits and not passport was a major initiative taken by the Government of India.

She said with the improvement in the situation, New Delhi, in response to her party’s demand, has started the process of relocating the troops from the 
civilian areas.

Stressing the importance of trade and the difference this would make to the people of Jammu and Kashmiri, Mehbooba said Kashmir has age-old links with Pakistan, Iran, China and the Central Asian Republics.

She demanded that the roads leading into these areas should be re-opened for the people o the state so that they could have access of movement and trade with their neighbours.

Criticizing the manner in which the people of Jammu and Kashmir are deprived of electricity in summers and winters while the Kashmiri waters are used by India and Pakistan, the PDP president said, “The fields of India and Pakistan are green with our waters while we are suffering or want of adequate electricity,” she said and added that Jammu & Kashmir must be compensated for the massive recurring losses being suffered by it because of the discriminatory Indus Water Treaty.

Jammu, April 2
Prime Minister of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan has called upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir for help to rebuild Muzaffarabad and other parts of the PoK. PoK Prime Minister in his message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir has said his government would welcome people from all faiths and religions and provide them with employment if they came forward to help.

Khan’s message was delivered by vice-chancellor of Jammu University Amitabh Mattoo, who met Khan at the Pugwash conference in Islamabad last month.

Mattoo, who interacted with Pakistan’s information minister Sherry Rehman and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Pugwash Conference, said most participants at the conference felt that the efforts of peace building between the two nations must continue.

“During the conference, a lot of emphasis was given to cementing the relations between Indian and Pakistan by enhancing collaborative efforts between the education and democratic institutions between the two countries. An idea has been thrown up, now we have to see how the governments make a policy and implement it”, he added.

The Islamabad conference specifically discussed the issue of regional security in South Asia and Iran; Mattoo disclosed adding that the ideas that were thrown up have been forwarded to Kabul, Islamabad, New Delhi and Tehran. Senior political leaders from the region arrived at a consensus that suggested that the democratic forces in the region were expanding, leaving little scope for terrorism and violence.

“The fact that during the last 150 years no war has ever been fought between two democracies is very heartening for the region. Elections in Pakistan have certainly decreased the possibility of a conflict, though a lot of discussion need to carry on confidence building measures”, he added.

Talking about Kashmir, Mattoo said one view had been that dealing with Pervez Musharraf was much easier as all powers vested in him. But at the same time, though dealing with a democratically elected government may be tougher, any solution that emerges from such a dialogue will be lasting.

He said he had raised the issue of poor condition of Hindu Temples at Sharda Peeth with the PoK Prime Minister, who has welcomed the idea of a delegation of all faiths from India to visit the PoK and discuss how the temples can be restored with the government there.

Jammu, April 2
The recommendations made by the Sixth Pay Commission have not gone well with the Army officers. As many as 48 officers have so far submitted their papers to the ministry of defence.

According to defence sources, 48 Army officers, including 14 officers at the rank of colonel, have submitted their papers to the ministry of defence for premature retirement from the services after the Pay Commission submitted its report.

The Army officers allege that the recommendations have been made in such a way that the officers would have to pay back the extra amount given to them in the form of taxes as in their case tax has to be deducted from their source of income.

“There is nothing in the report for us, we expected something reasonable would be given to us, but the pay commission has failed to make the defence services attractive,” said a young army officer requesting anonymity, as according to military law no serving army officer can speak to media on record.

He said, “I am an engineering graduate and my college-mates who ventured into private jobs are earning 10 times more than what I do.”

The Sixth Pay Commission had recommended a Military Service Pay (MSP) of Rs 6,000 for officers and Rs 1,000 for soldiers.

“There are major anomalies in the pay structure. When the officers and jawans, deployed at harsh areas like Jammu and Kashmir, have to perform similar duties, then why there is a difference in their MSP,” said an officer.

He further said, “There is a strong resentment amongst not only among the officers but also in the lower ranks.”

Already troubled by the shortage of 11,153 officers, the Army received another jolt last year when 1,130 Army officers submitted their papers to the ministry of defence for premature retirement.

The resentment amongst the army officers is also brewing up as they allege that the services chiefs were doing nothing to clear the “anomalies” in the pay commission’s report.

When contacted, Jammu-based PRO of the ministry of defence Lt-Col S.D. Goswami expressed hope that something positive would come out for the officers and soldiers of the Army.

However, many young officers in the army have started searching for alternative options of a rewarding career.

“I had various hopes from the report of the commission, but now I have started hunting for a good job and once I get a chance I would leave the service on the very same day,” said a young army officer.

Srinagar, April 2
Giving another blow to Hizbul Mujahideen, the police today arrested three commanders of the outfit, two of whom were trained in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and active in valley for about 10 years.

In a separate encounter in Bandipore, the security forces killed two suspected Pakistani terrorists belonging to Jaish-e-Mohamad (JeM).

IG SM Sahai addressing a press conference in Handwara, a police district in north Kashmir, today said arrest of Mudasir Shabir Ganie alias Ali, a self-styled district commander, Parvez Ahmad Wani alias Mubashir, a battalion commander, and Nissar Abdullah Malik, who was acting as financial and logistics commander of HM, is an important success over militancy in the region.

Mudasir Shabir Ganie, who was responsible for killing of at least one armyman and injuring many, including a Lieutenant Colonel and six jawans in a IED blast on December 15, 2007, in Sopore, carried a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh on his head. He was an 'A' category militant in police files, which carries names of most wanted militants.

“All three were active in Mawar, Qaziabad, Guloora and Sopore area of north Kashmir and were wanted in many cases of subversive activities,” he said.

Mudasir Shabir Ganie and Parvez Ahmad Wani were active in militant activities since 1998-99 and had crossed over to PoK in August 2001 via Leepa valley for undergoing training in arms and subversive activities. The IG said after their training Ganie infiltrated into Kashmir via Chamb Uri sector in September 2005 while Wani was provided with a fake passport by the HM and infiltrated into India through Nepal and joined militants' ranks in his native area with Mudasir.

As the Pak-returned ultras carried out several subversive activities in the north Kashmir, the HM made Mudasir as battalion commander and Wani as area commander in Handwara area. 

Srinagar, April 2
Non-bailable warrants were today issued against five Army personnel, including the commanding officer of an Army unit, by a sessions court here for killing a civilian in an alleged fake encounter in Ganderabl area in 2006.

The warrants were issued by Principal District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar, Hasnain Masoodi as the five accused Army personnel had failed to be present at any hearing of the case so far.

The court listed the next date of hearing as April 17.

Eleven persons, including five army personnel, five policemen and a civilian were accused of conspiring to kill and murdering Showkat Ahmad Kataria, a priest in a mosque at Zadibal here, in a fake encounter on October 4, 2006.

The accused include Col Vikram Singh of 13 Rashtriya Rifles, his second in command V.K. Sharma, Major Rishi, Junior Commissioned Officer Puran Singh and Naik Satya Lal. The then Superintendent of Police H S Parihar and his deputy Bahadur Ram are among five policemen who were arrested last year in connection with the killing of Kataria.

Kataria, who hailed from Banihal in Ramban district, was allegedly picked up by the security forces from Zadibal area of the city on October 4, 2006. He was later killed in an alleged fake encounter and dubbed as a foreign militant.

The case came to light after police investigations into the missing case of Abdul Rehman Paddar, a carpenter from Kokernag area, revealed that he had been killed in a fake encounter and later dubbed as foreign militant.

Paddar's case sparked massive protests across the valley, leading the state government to constitute a special investigation team for probing the fake encounters in February last year.

During the investigations, four more such cases including that of Kataria came to surface.

Meanwhile, the revision petition filed by the General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps of the Army on the court directions asking the Army to exercise the option of court martial against the accused personnel was deferred till the next date of hearing.

In his petition, the Army counsel had pleaded that it was not in a position to exercise the option of court martial as the investigating agency had not sought prior sanction from the Centre for prosecution of the accused Army personnel.

Under section 7 of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, no member of the armed forces can be prosecuted without seeking prior sanction from the Centre, the counsel had argued. — PTI

Jammu, April 2
In a bid to restore shaken confidence of industrialists in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today assured them to take up the matter regarding withdrawal of incentives to the industry with the Prime Minister.

Like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and some North Eastern states, Jammu and Kashmir too had been given industrial package by the Centre. However, the Union finance ministry, on March 27 had withdrawn excise refund package to the industries of the state triggering an outcry from industrialists.

Talking to a delegation of industrialists here today, Azad said he was writing to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh about serious repercussions of the Union finance ministry’s decision on industry in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Prime Minister would be urged to continue the package of incentives for the next four years as committed by the Central Government while announcing the same six years back,” said Azad.

It may be mentioned here that the industrial package had been announced for Jammu and Kashmir for a period of 10 years on the pattern of North Eastern states.

Industries and Commerce Minister Nawang Rigjin Jora has already sought personal intervention of the Prime Minister requesting the latter to withdraw a notification issued by the Union finance ministry.

During their meeting, industrialists apprised Azad about the negative impact of the UPA government’s decision to withdraw the industry related incentives. They urged Azad to persuade the Union government to revoke its decision.

The Chief Minister told them that three days back he had discussed the issue with the Prime Minister. “During the discussion, it was felt that some points needed clarification,” he said, adding, “Today’s meeting with industrialists was aimed at comprehending the issue properly so that it can be projected again before the Prime Minister in right perspective.”

Azad said on the basis of inputs received from industrialists today, he would write to Dr Manmohan Singh requesting to restore incentives to the industry in the state.

Jammu, April 2
The J&K State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission headed by Justice G.D. Sharma (retd) and member Khalid Hussain, has directed National Insurance Co Ltd to reimburse complainant Rs 10 lakh along with interest of 6 per cent per annum from date of accident till final payment is made.

Krishan Gopal made a complaint that his son Sanjay Kumar Sharma, who was employed as an assistant civil engineer/site inspector with Lahmeyar International Gmbh Baglihar Hydro Electric Project, Cherkote, was on official duty relating to project works on September 29, 2002, but unfortunately died in a road accident near Gangyal on the national highway.

Since Sanjeev Kumar Sharma being an employee of a construction company was got insured by contractor from National Insurance Co Ltd, for sum of Rs 10 lakhs, as such, case for payment of insured risk was recommended by contractor to insurer. On failing to get relief, the complainant filed the present complaint.

Rajesh Kumar, advocate for insurer pleaded that though contractor had taken the Group Personal Accident Policy for their employees but same was restricted to project area of Bagliar Hydro Electric Project.

The project area defined in the contract of insurance was the area where permanent and temporary works would be located in vicinity of the works in Doda district. Since the alleged accident took place outside the project area, so insurer was not liable to reimburse 
the loss.

The commission after adducing evidence and thoughtfully considering rival contentions of counsel for parties allowed the complaint while observing that admittedly, it was Sunday when accident took place but no where it had been stated that on Sunday employees of project could not be deputed on duty and no opinion or consultation could be obtained from SICOP Complex.

Also, there is no evidence to establish that Sanjeev Kumar on that day had not attended office of SICOP but had gone somewhere on a pleasure trip. In rebuttal best credible evidence was to examine concerned official from SICOP. Since this has not been done so it is found that the best evidence of convincing nature has been willfully withheld and in these circumstances adverse inference has to be drawn against National Insurance Co. Ltd.

The Commission further directed insurance Co. to pay Rs 5,000 as litigation expenses. The amount would now go to Geeta Devi, wife of Sanjay Kumar Sharma.

Krishan Gopal who had filed the orignal complaint, himself died during the course of proceedings of the case.

Jammu, April 2
He had come all the way from the port city of Karachi to bid adieu to his “khala” (mother’s sister) but is now cooling his heels in the police custody. BSF jawans nabbed a “Pak” national near the international border (IB) in Kanachak sector last evening. A BSF officer said, “Pak national Haider Ali (19), son of Munir Ali of Karachi, was arrested by the BSF jawans of 141 Battalion guarding the IB in Kanachak sector.”

“He was later handed over to the Kanachak police station for sustained interrogation,” he added. The BSF officer further said, “Born in Karachi, the youth had been living with his parents in Charai Bazar area of the port city.”

“During questioning, he divulged that he was born to a Bangladeshi couple in Charai Bazar,” claimed the BSF officer, adding that A petty amount of Rs 4 (Indian currency) was recovered from him.

“During preliminary questioning by BSF officers, Haider Ali said that he had been wandering in villages close to the IB in Pakistan’s side in search of livelihood and inadvertently crossed the IB,” added the BSF officer.

Police sources said, “Though he claims that he is 19 years old but he is not more than 15 years.” “He divulged that he had come from Karachi along with his aunt to drop her in Jammu,” said sources.

“Soon after crossing over to this side, both took some food at an isolated place near the IB and then she deserted Haider Ali on a false pretext,” they said.

Jammu, April 2
A constable and a man were arrested in connection with the murder of two policemen in Udhampur district.

Swaran Singh, a constable in Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police, and Jasbir Singh were arrested from Omala Jakhani village in Jammu last evening, the police said. Search is on for another accused Kucha, the police said.

The police also recovered a pistol and Santro car from Swaran Singh, son of an assistant sub inspector (ASI). Swaran Singh and his accomplices beat up the cops with base ball bats, before allegedly shooting them dead near GREF office. — PTI