Jammu, January 17
Terming recommendations of the Working Group headed by Justice (retd) Sagir Ahmed as “anti-national”, general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Parveen Tagodia today warned the Centre against giving any weight to the report, which according to him, was prepared to appease pro-Pakistani elements.

He was of the opinion that discussing this report would be like “playing with fire” and would have gravest repercussions all over the country.

Talking to the media after inaugurating a new office of the VHP in the city, Togadia said recommendations reflected “pro-Pakistan attitude” and the report deserved to be thrown in the dustbin. He reminded the government of the 60-day long agitation on the Amarnath land controversy and warned that a mass movement would be started all over the country if it succumbed before pro-Pakistani elements who had been furthering the cause of secessionists groups by coining autonomy and other slogans.

“Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and no power on the earth can secede this region from the country,” he asserted, warning that the VHP would start campaign against those members of Parliament who support greater autonomy or other concessions for the state. “We have enough strength to stall any attempt to disintegrate the country or to appease the secessionist elements,” Togadia said.

The VHP leader flayed successive governments at the Centre, including the BJP led NDA regime, for not taking effective steps to contain terrorism. “During the last 10 years terrorism has spread in almost all parts of the country due to weak policies being propagated by the successive regimes at New Delhi,” he observed and regretted that instead of taking effective steps ruling elites were more concerned about appeasing fundamentalist forces for the lust of power.

Togaida candidly admitted that like other political parties the BJP also failed to come up to the expectation of the nationalist forces. Replying to a question about proposal of some Hindu organisations to float another political outfit, he revealed that they had been analysing the situation as well as performance of political parties in the country.

He was of the opinion that there was no reason to initiate peace process with Pakistan when it had been importing terrorists to spread violence and terror. “Activities of terrorists are now not confined only to Kashmir, these jehadies want to destabilise the nation’s economy,” he opined and mentioned about the Mumbai attack to spread terror in the financial capital of the country.”

Jammu, January 17
Gujjars of the state have joined the struggle with the community residing in other states, including Rajasthan, who are fighting for raising of a full-fledged ‘Gujjar Regiment’ in the Army on the pattern of Jat, Raput and Dogra Regiments.

They also expressed strong resentment over unwarranted delay in raising of the ‘Gujjar Scouts’ in the state.“The struggle is going on since 1947 for a separate regiment of Gujjars in the Army,” said Javaid Rahi, secretary of the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, adding “Now we have also decided to join hands with the Gujjars of other states to fight more forcefully and vigorously to achieve this long-pending goal.” 

Rahi further questioned why the decision of the Government of India taken on 22 December, 2003, had not been implemented when a new force comprising Gujjars and Bakkarwals of the state was already approved to be raised for deployment on the difficult terrains to serve for the security of people residing in border and the Pir Panchal areas of the state? The proposed force was to be named as the Gujjar Scouts” and was designed to be framed on the pattern of Ladakh Scouts.

He said the Gujjars of the state had fought for implementation of this long-pending approved proposal. Rahi said the organisation on behalf of the Gujjars of the state had interacted with Gujjar leaders of other states to seek their help in pressurising the Central government to implement the decision of raising of the Gujjar scouts. 

He said the matter was also taken up with Union Minister of State for Communication and Technology Sachin Pilot and top Gujjar leader Col (retd) Kirori Singh Bainsla, president of the Gurjar Arakshan Sangersh Simiti, Rajasthan, who led the movement of Gujjars in Rajasthan. They assured all help to Gujjars of the state for pressing the Union Home and Defence Ministries for implementation of the decision of raising of Gujjar scouts immediately. Dr Rahi appealed to the Gujjars to stand united for achieving the goal of Gujjar Regiment.

Srinagar, January 17
Finance Minister AR Rather, accompanied by Adviser to the government on economic affairs JA Khan, started a two-day-long pre-budget discussions with the business and traders’ community here today.

The meeting was held with the Federation of Chamber of Industries, Kashmir (FCIK), office bearers led by its president Shakeel Qalander, Kashmir Traders and Manufactures Federation headed by M Sadiq Baqal and Hotel Association, Kashmir, led by its president Mushtaq Ahmad.

The Finance Minster assured that the suggestions put forth by the federations would be considered with all its merits. He appreciated federations for having full knowledge about good and service tax (GST) and said measures in this behalf had already been initiated. He said the government had made it clear to the Union Finance Minster that the state was ready to introduce the proposed GST Act.

He said another meeting with all the stakeholders would be convened here for seeking further suggestions before the Budget Session scheduled to commence from February 22. The government, he said, would ensure to remove any apprehension of all the stakeholders. He appealed to the FCIK and other allied associations of the state to extend their help in eradicating misappropriations in the tax-paying system.

Regarding investments by banks operating in the state, the Finance Minster said all the banks had been directed recently to invest in this backward state and not go only for collecting deposits. He hoped the bankers would change their style of functioning, however, all the problems, if any, being faced by banks would be sorted out.

Referring to the employment policy and skill development, Rather said a skill development programme would be launched on a massive scale in the state. He said the government service was not the only answer to tackle unemployment. He assured that government would come to the expectations and aspirations of the people of the state.The federations put forth various suggestions and highlighted problems confronting various sectors in the valley, besides upgrade of sick industrial units. 

Jammu, January 17
The BSF today claimed to have foiled an infiltration bid by killing a 25-year-old intruder in the RS Pura sector.

An officer told this correspondent that troops deployed on the international border (IB) at BOP, Chhawni, of the 110 Battalion of the BSF witnessed the movement of two intruders, who had entered the Indian territory.

“Our jawans warned them to stop. However, instead of listening to them, the intruders started moving towards the fence. Our jawans then opened fire,killing one of them on the spot. The other escaped back to Pakistan”, said Deputy Commandant S.Balasubramaniam.

Later,BSF officers called a flag meeting of Pakistan Rangers to lodge a protest.

Meanwhile, the Army today killed a militant in an encounter at Mendhar district.

Sources in the Army said acting on a specific information, a search operation was launched in the forest area of Mendhar and militant was gunned down in the Chatra Narol area. The sources added an AK-47, a radio set and three magazines were recovered from the spot.

Till the filing of the report, the identity of militant was not disclosed and the search operation continued.

Srinagar, January 17
The Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) has called for an indefinite strike in all government offices in the state from tomorrow in support of its demand for investigation in the case of grenade attack on its leader’s house.

The union has demanded immediate action in the case to reach those involved in the grenade attack on its leader’s house in Chhani Himmat in Jammu few days ago. Union leader Khursheed Alam had escaped unhurt. The employees had gone on a two-day strike earlier also in support of the demand for an impartial investigation into the case and release of those held. The employees would not resume their duties until action was taken, EJAC spokesman Muntazir Mohiuddin here this evening said.

The EJAC has also alleged that the police was not taking immediate action in the investigation and added that three members, who were guests in the house of the trade union leader at the time of the attack had been held, were yet to be released.

Two other senior leaders of the union had been held by the police in the case, Mohiuddin said. The spokesman demanded immediate release of all those detained in the case.

Jammu, January 17
A large number of people carried out a rally under the banner of the Nirbhow Nirvair Organisation (J&K) at Karan Bagh Chowk on the Airport road here today. They were protesting against the state government for not submitting the Ansari Commission Report.

The rally was held under the leadership of Harjeet Singh. The protesters strongly criticised the role of the state government for not taking any action against the culprits, who threw stones at members of the Sikh community taking part in the Nagar Kirtan on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary on January 13, 1989. Fourteen Sikhs were allegedly killed in the incident.

Harmeet Singh, vice-president of the organisation, said, “The culprits who have created law and order problems on that day must be punished.”

Jammu, January 17
The Terrorism Affected People’s Front (TAPF) has decided to organise conferences at all tehsil levels from February 2 to February 15 and will also organise dharnas on February 22 on the beginning of the joint session of the State Assembly and Legislative Council to mobilise public opinion in support of their demands.

This was decided at a meeting of the TAPF here in which delegates from the terrorism- affected districts of Poonch ,Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar participated. Representatives of the Jammu Migrants’ Front , Mohammed Aslam Kohli, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Som Raj, Mohammed Azam Meelu, Bodh Raj, Hakeem, Mohi-ud-din Beg and others also participated. The front asked the government to set up a high-level commission to asses the quantum of loss suffered by people in these areas.It demanded a minimum compensation of Rs 3 lakh per family till the assesment was finalised.

It also asked the union government to announce a special package for the terrorism-affected.The other resolution passed at the meeting sought a special employment package, interest-free loan for unemployed youth and a comprehensive development package for the terrorism-hit areas which remained neglected at the hands of both the state and central governments.

Farooq Ahmed Mir,ex-MLA, Rajiv Charak, Ramesh Gupta, Bali Bhagat, former MLA, Ishtiyaq wani, Shakti Parihar, Basant Raj, Narinder Singh and others were among those present.

Jammu, January 17
A meeting of the supreme council of the Panun Kashmir (PK) was held here today under the chairmanship of Dr Agnishekhar.

The meeting deliberated upon, in-depth, the emerging political scenario in the state which was having explicit and implicit bearing on the future of the Kashmiri Pandits.

It was felt by members that the need of the hour was to remain alert and vigilant against any crafty mechanisms of the powers that be.

The council took note of the whole-hearted support extended by the Ladakh Union Territory Front (LUTF), the Shiv Sena (Hindustan) and other socio-political organisations for the demand of homeland by the Kashmiri Pandits. It was unanimously resolved to reciprocate a unified action, endorsement and support for the demand of Union Territory status for Ladakhis and for justice for refugees of 1947 from PoK and West Pakistan.

The council took note of and welcomed the supportive gestures of those national-level leaders and parties who, without any inhibition, were openly coming in support of the struggle of homeland by the Kashmiri Pandits.

The meeting dwelt upon an action plan to be undertaken by the rank and file of the Panun Kashmir for a massive awareness campaign across the country against certain elements that wanted to strike at the roots of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

Srinagar, January 17
At least six persons were injured as violent clashes between groups of youth and the police rocked several parts of the city and Sopore township.

The clashes erupted at Kawdara, Gojwara, Rajouri Kadal and adjoining localities in downtown city today when groups of youth chanting pro-freedom slogans indulged in stone-throwing at the police and paramilitary forces.

Security forces fired teargas shells and used batons to chase away the protesters. Pitched battles between the two sides were continuing when last reports were received. Four persons were injured in the clashes and discharged after first aid.

The police said two more persons were injured in Sopore. The clash started this morning when a group of youth, which was protesting against the killing of a civilian Pervaiz Ahmad in Friday’s militant attack on a police station, indulged in stone-throwing at the police and paramilitary forces. The police used batons to disperse the protesters and the clashes intensified as more groups joined the protesters and within no time spread to adjoining areas in the town, 55 kms from here. The police later fired teargas shells to restore law and order.

Pervaiz and a policeman were killed and six others, including three cops, were injured when militants attacked the Sopore police station twice within an hour on Friday. However, the locals blamed the police for the death of Pervaiz and observed a complete shutdown yesterday. — PTI

Jammu, January 17
To take stock of prevailing security scenario, the Counter Insurgency Force ‘Romeo’ organised joint operations and an intelligence-sharing conference at its headquarters here today.

The conference was chaired by the General Officer Commanding (GoC) and attended by the DIG (police), Rajouri and Poonch Range, DIG (BSF), Additional Superintendent of Police, Poonch, and representatives of various intelligence agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau.

While addressing the conference, the GoC stressed on coordination between all security forces at various levels of functioning and intelligence sharing by fastest means to achieve synergy in the operations against terrorists.

The members expressed their views on improving the prevailing security situation and measures to be adopted in ensuring foolproof security during the ensuing Republic Day celebrations.

Jammu, January 17
The Hindustani adaptation of the famous Punjabi comedy play ‘Doctor Palta’ was staged at Natrang Studio Theatre in the weekly theatre series ‘Sunday Theatre’, here today.

Directed by Balwant Thakur, the play is set in a small town of Punjab in the late 1960s. It is a satire that depicts the struggle of youth striving hard to settle down in their professional life. Payara Singh Palta spends all his money on completing bachelor’s degree in dental surgery. After getting the degree, he struggles hard to get a job but in vain. Disappointed, Dr Palta finally decides to set up his own clinic to earn livelihood.

In the process, he faces a lot of problems as he has no resources. There is no client, work and money, which frustrates him further. He decides to try new ways to attract clients by using the latest techniques of marketing. To begin with, he appoints his beautiful wife as nurse hoping that her beauty may lure some clients. This experiment becomes counterproductive and his friends start making advances on her.

Dr Palta now plans to have a telephone line at the clinic to boast of overwhelming response to his practice. He advises his wife to assist him when some client makes the entry by ringing the table bell to make an impression that telephone was ringing.

The drama reaches climax when Dr Palta continues his posed telephonic conversation before a telephone lineman who had come to connect his instrument with the phone line.

Rahul Singh was at his best in portraying the clownish Dr Palta. The role of his wife was played equally well by Tajasvi Sharma. Mohit Sharma in his short appearance kept the audience spellbound. Others who did remarkably well included Rohit Verma and Ashutosh Kohli. The lights were designed and executed by Mohd Yaseen. The presentations of the show were done by Sumeet Sharma.

Srinagar, January 17
Anchal Sharma,aka Amina Yusuf, widow of Rajnish Sharma of Jammu ,who was allegedly killed in police custody a few months ago, appeared before a Magistrate here yesterday to record her statement.

The statement, however, could not be recorded because of the winter vacation and the duty magistrate directed that her statement be recorded before the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Srinagar on January 19, sources here said.

Anchal who went “missing from the house of her in-laws in Jammu a few days ago was handed over to her parents and the police was directed to provide medical facilities to her at a hospital here and provide adequate security to her and her family.