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Violence in Valley
BJP tones down opposition to AFSPA
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PDP wants unconditional talks
Sohrabuddin Case
Western Command observes Raising Day
The Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Gen JJ Singh (retd), after laying a wreath at the Veer Smriti War Memorial at Chandimandir Military Station on Wednesday. — A Tribune photograph
Moaoists’ new enemy: Malaria
With rapists finally arrested, life looks up for 20-year-old
Manipur’s Kuki outfits begin depositing arms
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Violence in Valley
New Delhi, September 15 Expressing distress over the cycle of violence in the Valley, he said that while some of the protests might have been impulsive or spontaneous, it could not be denied that some incidents were orchestrated by certain groups. In his opening remarks at the marathon meeting at his residence, the PM maintained that meaningful dialogue could happen only in an atmosphere free from violence and confrontation. Discussions could take place only if there was calm and public order. “The Union and state governments have already appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially the youth, to eschew violence. I reiterate that appeal. We are ready for dialogue with anybody or any group that does not espouse or practice violence,” the PM said. He said the Centre had also told the state government to restore peace and order in order to create conditions congenial to a dialogue process. The Centre would provide all possible assistance in this task. The PM was sad over the loss of lives in the protracted disturbances in the Valley and also expressed sympathies with those injured, including the public, police and security personnel. He said he was pained over disruption in the daily lives of the common people like tour operators, apple growers, daily wage earners and houseboat owners. Emphasising that dialogue and discussion was the only path for lasting peace and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir, he said: “It is indeed tragic that some of our people have forsaken this path during the recent days. I was shocked and distressed to see young men and women -- even children -- joining the protests on the streets.”
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BJP tones down opposition to AFSPA
New Delhi, September 15 Gadkari the lone speaker for a four-member high-powered delegation of the BJP, which included parliamentary party chairman LK Advani, leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, however, spoke uncharacteristically “Like a statesman” as a participant later commented. And reflecting this restrain in BJP’s approach to a highly volatile situation in the Kashmir valley, spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad too was “circumspect” briefing newsmen about the meeting and his party’s stand. Stating that Gadkari put his party’s views Prasad said, “Any decision on the future of the state should take into account the sensitivities of the other two regions namely Jammu and Ladakh.” The BJP naturally opposed any suggestions of withdrawal of the controversial AFSPA but in a much milder tone than ever before saying, “Any decision on the AFSPA should not overlook the effect such a decision may have on the armed forces and security agencies who have been doing exemplary work in fighting cross-border terrorism.” Prasad also disclosed that his party totally opposed any demand for greater autonomy for the region. But at the same time the party joined the all-party appeal for return of peace and normalcy in the Valley. The party also readily agreed to send its representative in the proposed all-party delegation that will be going to the state shortly under the leadership of Union Home Minister P Chidambarm. The BJP spokesman did not accept that his party appeared to have sobered down its stand on the J&K issue. But the fact remains that for months the BJP had been stridently opposing any dilution of AFSPA, greater autonomy for the state and vociferously demanding Omar Abdullah’s resignation.
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PDP wants unconditional talks
New Delhi, September 15 While her father and party patron Mufti Saeed stayed indoors at the Jammu and Kashmir House in Chanakyapuri, refusing to meet anyone (he didn’t attend the meeting), Mehbooba came out and said if Kashmir problem has to be solved, neither the Government nor the separatists could afford to set preconditions. “Let this not be about prestige or about who blinks first. Both must shun preconditions for talks. We must take a leaf from former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee of the BJP who had managed to hold a dialogue within the perimeters of humanism. He had engaged the Hurriyat and even Pakistan; had brightened up cross-border prospects. Somewhere, we have lost that opportunity. We must resume the process,” Mehbooba told The Tribune today, for the first time publicly crediting the BJP’s “good work” in Kashmir context. Asked how the government could accept unconditional talks when Hurriyat hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani had already set five conditions for engagement, Mehbooba said, “On the release of prisoners under Public Safety Act, withdrawal of troops and revocation of AFSPA, the NC, the PDP, the hard line and moderate Hurriyat are all one.”
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Sohrabuddin Case
Jaipur, September 15 Talking to mediapersons at his residence after being discharged from MB Government Hospital, Azam said, “I was worried about my safety in the hospital as the entry of people there is unchecked. Now that I have returned home I am feeling safer.” Azam said he got himself discharged from the hospital, but reports from Udaipur suggested that he was discharged as the bullet hit his left arm and he was out of danger. While Azam is concerned about rising threat perception to his life, the CBI and the state police have come out with conflicting versions on the issue. On one hand, reports pouring in from New Delhi say the CBI had asked the state police to take necessary measures after Azam conveyed his security concerns to the premier investigating agency, and on the other hand Udaipur SP Sanjeev Narzari said Azam never sought security from them. He said if they received any request for security from him, they would certainly look into the matter.
— PTI
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Western Command observes Raising Day
Chandigarh, September 15 Floral tributes were paid at the Veer Smriti War Memorial by serving personnel as well as several former General Officers Commanding-in-Chief of the command, including Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Gen JJ Singh. A ceremonial guard reversed arms and buglers sounded the Last Post as a mark of respect to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty. A large number of senior officers as well as other ranks attended the ceremony. Raised as the Delhi and East Punjab Command ---controlling all formations with an operational role in the territorial areas of the present Western, South Western and Northern Commands --- it was redesignated as the Western Command in January 1948. In 1954, the Command Headquarters moved to Shimla. After the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Northern Command, with its headquarters at Udhampur, was carved out of it to assume operational responsibility of Jammu and Kashmir. The Western Command headquarters eventually moved to its present location at Chandimandir in 1985. In 2005, consequent to the raising of the South Western Command, the areas of responsibility of the Command were readjusted. Today, the Western Command guards the heartland of the country, including parts of Punjab and J&K. It has participated in all wars since independence, blunting enemy offensives and carrying the battle into enemy territory.
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Moaoists’ new enemy: Malaria
Hyderabad, September 15 Several Naxalite leaders are falling prey to malaria in the Andhra-Orissa border area and the neighbouring Chhattisgarh, the police sources said here. Mosquitoes have become a big menace in the forest region. Incessant rains have further compounded the problem as underground Maoist cadre is finding it difficult to access medical care. According to a delayed report reaching the state intelligence headquarters here, two top Maoist leaders have died of cerebral malaria recently while many are suffering from malaria, gastroenteritis and other ailments. A mastermind of the Dantewada attack, Ganesh Uike, alias Chamru Dada, died of cerebral malaria recently, police sources said. Ganesh was considered number two in the party hierarchy in Dandakaranya region. He was the brain behind the attack on the 62nd CRPF battalion at Chintalnar forests in Dantewada on April 6 killing 76 security personnel.Ganesh (48), heading two divisions - South Bastar and Darbah - in Chhattisgarh, had been suffering from cerebral malaria for the last couple of weeks.
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With rapists finally arrested, life looks up for 20-year-old
Lucknow, September 15
Speaking to this reporter, Shazia expressed satisfaction over the turn of events. “While five of the accused, including BJP leader Triveni Sonar, are still absconding, at least 10 of them are now behind bars,” she said. At the time of the incident, Shazia was in Class 10. She dropped out of school, as she was too scared to step out of her house despite police protection. “Thanks to the support of women activists, I regained much of my lost confidence and enrolled in LLB in Faizabad University. I think it is very important to know the legal system in order to get justice,” said the LLB second year student. The Allahabad High Court had ordered that the Shazia case be handed over to the CBI in 2006, as even after a year no action had been taken against the culprits. They were described as absconding by the police, but were seen everywhere on the streets of Mau, 300 km from here. One of them -- Triveni Sonkar -- was even a BJP candidate in the last civic body elections despite being “absconding”. Ironically, not only had the culprits been named in the FIR, they had also been described by their professions.
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Manipur’s Kuki outfits begin depositing arms
Guwahati, September 15 Bound by the Suspension of Operation agreement, the president faction of the Kuki National Front (KNF) today placed all its weapons under “double-lock” in the designated camp in Manipur’s Senapati district. One of the keys of the “double-lock” remains with the government while the other is with the outfit. Other outfits are expected to follow suit soon. The development comes in the wake of last month’s Home Ministry directive to all 19 Kuki and Zomi militant outfits in Manipur that had signed the Suspension of Operation agreement with the government in 2005. The ministry had set September 20 as the deadline for submission of all weapons by the groups.
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6 kids rescued from circus in Assam
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Addressing an all-party meeting on Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh renewed his appeal for a dialogue
New Delhi, September 15
A solemn wreath-laying ceremony to honour martyrs marked the 63rd Raising Day celebrations of the Western Command at the Chandimandir Military Station here today. It was on this day in 1947 that the Western Command came into being at Delhi.
