The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Suspension of cross-LoC bus service leaves 123 stranded Our Correspondent Poonch, January 12 In the wake of escalating tension on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, 123 passengers of the trans-LoC bus service “Rahen Milan” have been stranded on both sides of the LoC, as Pakistani authorities have suspended the bus service till further information. “A total of 58 Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) nationals are stranded in this part of the state and 65 Indian nationals are stranded in the PoK after the suspension of the bus service by Pakistan indefinitely,” said Abdul Hamid Sheikh, custodian of the cross-LoC bus service. “Thirtyfive PoK nationals have completed their 28-day stay in Jammu and Kashmir and are due to return to PoK while 23 passengers will complete their stay on January 21. Similarly, 40 Indian nationals who went to PoK on Monday will be back after their stay is over. A total of 25 Indian passengers have completed their stay in PoK,” he said. “Pakistan has suspended the cross-LoC bus service between Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch and Rawalakote in PoK for the second time,” said the Trade Facilitation Officer (TFO). “There would be no cross-LoC bus service on Monday,” the TFO said, adding, “No time frame was conveyed to us for restarting the cross-LoC trade and the bus service.” Sheikh said he had contacted the Director General, Trade and Travel, PoK, for clarifying the situation on the LoC trade and travel and he was told there was firing going on and no travel could be carried out in this situation till further orders. This is the second time the LoC travel and trade has come to a grinding halt. In June last year, the Pakistani authorities had suspended the cross-LoC bus service and it was resumed after a Brigadier-level meeting on the LoC. The Poonch-Rawalakote bus service is a part of the confidence-building measures between the two parts of the divided state, which was started on June 21, 2005.
	A yearning for peace at Ground Zero Churanda village suffers the most during firing along the LoC Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Churanda (LoC), January 12 Up in the mountains of Pir Panjal is this sleepy village covered by three-foot snow which has been caught in the unpredictable firing of Pakistan since October last year. It was this village which is believed to be the root of the recent skirmishes on the LoC between the two countries. On Sunday last, Pakistani troops had alleged that the Indian Army crossed the LoC from here and killed one of its soldiers and injured another. After that incident, Pakistani troops killed two soldiers in the Poonch sector in Jammu, which sparked widespread anger in the country. The Army guarding the LoC in Churanda said ceasefire violations had been happening every alternate day since October last. “Since October last, firing has been taking place quite frequently in Churanda. We lost three villagers during the heavy shlelling on October 16. We have only responded to the Pakistani firing three times,” said a senior Army officer in Uri. Residents said due to increased ceasefire violations every villager was craving for peace. “We know the value of peace. The ceasefire violations have made our lives miserable. Whenever I go to sleep, I pray to God for peace between the two countries,” said Nambardar of Churanda Matoo Jinder (80), who has witnessed three wars between the two countries. The village comprising 1,276 residents is fenced from all sides and the residents have to cross the entry gate erected by the Army. Village sarpanch Lal Din said since the militancy erupted in the state, 18 people have died in cross-border shelling, including the three who were killed in October last year. “The Pakistani firing has made the lives of residents hell and we appeal to the two nations for calm so that we can live happily,” Din said, adding that no new bunker was being constructed in the village. “Some renovation works of bunkers is going on and nothing more than that in Churanda,” he said, adding that the Pakistani firing has been unprovoked in the village. The Army too denies any new construction of bunker in Churanda. “There is no bunker that is being constructed in Churanda,” added the Army officer. He said the aim of the Pakistan army to fire upon the Indian posts was to push more and more militants to this side. “Whether it is summer or winter, they (Pakistan) want to push militants to this side,” he added. Local residents said in the past two decades there has been only one militancy related incident in the village.
	tribune impact NC condemns killings on LoC Tribune News Service Jammu, January 12 National Conference’ additional general secretary Mustafa Kamal today said the ceasefire between the two countries must continue because its violation adversely affects the population of the militancy infested state. While condemning the killings along the LoC, Kamal said “It’s unacceptable in a civil society but ceasefire between the two countries should continue because its violation affects the whole population of the state.” “Good relations between these two countries is a key to peace in the sub-continent,” Dr Kamal said while addressing people at Sher-Kashmir Bhawan in Jammu. Favouring sustained dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues, he said continuous dialogue process between the two neighbours would help in addressing the problems. “India and Pakistan should join hands and understand that dialogue is the only way to resolve all issues. To resolve conflicts, all of us should accept that dialogue is the only way," he said.
	Pak’s barbaric act: Need to send tough message, says civil society Arteev Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, January 12 Amid the escalating tension between India and Pakistan following brutal killing of two Indian soldiers in Mendhar of Poonch district, civil society in Jammu believed the Government of India’s (GoI) “projection on the follow-up action” was not the liking of a common man and it needs to give a “tough message” to Pakistan that no such intrusion would be acceptable in the near future. The Tribune spoke to people from various sections of the society on the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border besides trying to get a feedback from them whether India should continue bilateral relations with Pakistan following “open aggression” in the Krishna Ghati sector. BS Slathia, president of the Bar Association, Jammu, said “Such intrusion bids are not in good taste because both the countries are nuclear powers and the people of both the countries want peace. If such intrusion bids are not stopped, it could lead to a situation which we even can’t anticipate. Pakistan should discourage such intrusion bids and the recent act of beheading the soldiers was “totally inhuman and it was a reflection of Taliban mindset”. “We, as lawyers, appeal to both the countries to seriously look into the contentious issues. As far as demand for snapping bilateral relations, it was an emotional outburst because both the countries will finally have to come on dialogue table. There should be a thorough probe and a strong message needs to be given to the Pakistan so that no such intrusion bids are made in the near future.” MM Khajuria, former DGP, said: “The Government of India should tell all the countrymen that such acts will not be tolerated at any cost and there will be a definite response. Secondly, it should also tell the people as well as the world community that it is going to take these steps to build a pressure on Pakistan so that it behaves properly. So far, the Government of India’s projection to the follow-up action is not the liking of a common man but its approach should be a calculated and step-by-step move. “Instead of Pakistan stopping the trade, India should have stopped the trade and other communications with Pakistan, that too, step by step to tell the international community that India is a mature nation and there is no panic among them. A strong message should be communicated to the people of the country that such acts are unacceptable and punishment to Pakistan will follow.” Professor Hari Om, a political analyst, said: “Instead of initiating action, the Government of India is yielding before Pakistan. The country’s leadership lacks a concrete policy to deal with the situation. Security forces hold altogether a different opinion while the government is succumbing before the neighbouring country. It should snap all diplomatic as well as economic ties with Pakistan till it hands over 30 top terrorists, including 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.” Ajay Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir said: “The Union Government’s approach seems to be a “virtual one-sided surrender”. It had admitted that it wants uninterrupted bilateral relations with Pakistan whatever it (Pakistan) will do. Pakistan is perfectly doing in line with its stated position at international level while the Government of India is adopting the policy of unilateral retreat. The existing peace engagements are hurting the national sovereignty. The Government of India has to clarify its position on its policy towards Pakistan”. Professor Zahoor-ud-Din, Urdu scholar, said: “Restoration of peace should be the utmost priority for the neighbouring countries. Both the countries should not make any mistake that hurts the achievements made by them in the past five to six years. Whatever happened along the LoC is highly regrettable and there should be a thorough probe to bring out the truth. Pakistan should also take corrective steps to curb terrorism from its soil.”
	Panel on Justice Sageer report gets 7th extension Our Correspondent Jammu, January 12 Faced with continuous lack of a consensus among National Conference and Congress members, the Cabinet Sub-Committee (CSC) constituted to look into the recommendations of the Justice Sagheer-led Working Group (WG) on the Centre-state relations has got its seventh extension. Sources said considering its failure to ink a final report in the backdrop of a persistent disagreement within the committee members, the term has been extended till April. The Working Group was among the five groups constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2006 to address the dimensions of Centre-state relations in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. It has recommended ‘greater autonomy’ for the state. The WG has deliberated upon matters relating to the special status of the border state within the Indian Union, methods of strengthening democracy, secularism and the rule of law. The report had suggested decentralisation of powers to strengthen democracy in the state and had favoured the examination of the question of autonomy in the light of various formulae. The Committee is headed by Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather. Its members include Minister for PHE Taj Mohiuddin, Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Industries SS Slathia, Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for CAPD Qamar Ali Akhoon, Minister for Revenue Raman Bhalla and Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma. As per the General Administration Department notification, the term has been extended after a request forwarded by the government on December 17. After the report was submitted to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in 2009 and the resentment shown by various organisations in the state against the recommendations, the Central government had asked the state to submit its views on the issues touched by the report. “The recommendation of greater autonomy goes well with the NC while the Congress insists on finding a solution to the problems within the Indira-Sheikh accord of 1975. If Congress accepts the recommendations, it will be like a political suicide,” said a source. Centre-state relations The Justice Sagheer-led Working Group was among the five groups constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2006 to address the dimensions of Centre-state relations in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. It has recommended ‘greater autonomy’ for the state.
	Kashmir valley receives fresh snowfall; air, road traffic disrupted Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 12 The Kashmir valley received light snowfall today, disrupting air traffic and briefly shutting the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which connects the Valley with the rest of the country. The latest spell of snowfall, which is likely to continue till tomorrow afternoon, provided respite to the people as the night temperature in the plains increased several degrees for the first time in the last two weeks. In Srinagar city, the minimum temperature was recorded at 0.4°C, two degrees higher than the average low. The Kashmir region has witnessed extreme cold weather conditions over the last week as the minimum temperature plummeted to minus 5°C. The fresh snowfall was also recorded in Srinagar city and the tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Director of the state Meteorological Department Sonum Lotus said the fresh spell of precipitation had taken place after a western disturbance system developed over the state. “The western disturbance is likely to affect the state and adjoining areas from the afternoon of December 12 to 13. Due to this weather system, moderate snowfall over the hills and rains in plains will occur at most places of the Pir Panjal ranges in Kashmir division,” the official said. He said snow and rains are also likely to occur at many places in the higher reaches of the Jammu region and at a few places over the Ladakh region. “Some places of the Pir Panjal range may receive heavy snowfall during these days,” Lotus said. An official of the state Disaster Management Cell said Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded upto five inches of snow while Baramulla and Sopore towns recorded upto three inches of snow. The Gurez area, which is located close to the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir, recorded upto 14 inches of snow. Lolab, which also lies close to the LoC, recorded upto six inches of snow. The Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir recorded upto five inches of snow, Aamir Ali, coordinator of the Disaster Management Cell, said. The snow disrupted the air traffic services during the morning hours and one flight was cancelled, Ali said. An official of the Traffic Control Room, Srinagar, said the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, where only one-sided traffic is allowed on a rotational basis during the winter months, was briefly shut as the roads became slippery due to the snow. The Traffic Department official said the snow was cleared from the roads and the highway was reopened after an hour following which all stranded vehicles were allowed to move to Jammu.
	Omar asks party leaders not to come for ministerial seats Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 12 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has put speculations over the Cabinet reshuffle to rest by asking his party leaders not to seek a berth in his council of ministers. This was made clear by the Chief Minister through his latest tweet on Twitter today. “Dear aspiring ministers PLEASE don’t come and ask me to make you ministers. Trust the Almighty and your destiny, leave the rest to me,” he tweeted, making a plea to the party leaders and legislators not to impress upon him to make the entry. Omar has also been able to put to rest the speculations over the timing of the reshuffle, which has been going on for quite some time. Sources confirmed that the Cabinet reshuffle would take place within the next few days. A meeting of the Coordination Committee of the National Conference and the Congress is also being held soon, which may precede the Cabinet reshuffle. While the Congress seems to have hammered out all the possibilities over the induction of its members into the Cabinet, the National Conference (NC) is tight-lipped over the issue. The Congress has reportedly completed the exercise with a meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee chief and other leaders with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi earlier this week. The selection of NC probable candidates is the “prerogative” of the party’s working president and the Chief Minister, which he has made out clearly and kept close to his chest through his tweet.
	BJP demands Governor’s rule in state Our Correspondent Rajouri, January 12 After suspected militants gunned down a sarpanch in Sopore, Baramulla district in north Kashmir, yesterday, the BJP today slammed both the Central and the state governments for failing to provide security to panches and sarpanches in the state. “As Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has failed to provide security to the panches and sarpanches in the state, we want Governor’s rule in the state, so that people of the region remain in safe hands,” said BJP state secretary Vibod Gupta. Gupta said the state government had completely failed to provide security to the elected representatives in the state, resulting in the killing of innocent panches and sarpanches. So far five panchayat members have been killed by militants, he said. “One the one hand, the government is providing Z plus security to Hurriyat leaders, giving them visas to meet terror masterminds Hafiz Saeed and Sayed Salahuddin during their recent visit to Pakistan and on the other hand, the elected representatives have no security. It is the complete failure of the Omar-led government,” Vibod said. “The Omar-led government should take a step to withdraw the security of Hurriyat Conference leaders and give security to the panches and sarpanches so that more innocent killings would stop,” he added. He also criticised Omar Abdullah for supporting the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state. “Under the rule of the Congress government, the country is facing both internal and external threats from Pakistan.”
	‘Centre encouraging Hurriyat tirade’ Tribune News Service Jammu, January 12 BJP national executive member Jitendra Singh today accused the Congress-led UPA government of being responsible for encouraging the Hurriyat Conference’s anti-India tirade not only on the Indian soil but also in Pakistan. Singh said this was a unique example where a government itself facilitated the foreign tour of secessionists and seditionists so that they could hobnob with anti-India elements to wage a war against the country. He took a serious exception to the meetings held in Pakistan by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq-led Hurriyat delegation with LeT chief Hafiz Saeed, Hizbul chief Sayed Salahuddin and senior functionaries of the ISI. Singh said it was strange that while issuing visa to ordinary citizens the passport authorities and the External Affairs Ministry made extensive inquiries to ascertain the purpose of the visit, why were visas issued to the Hurriyat delegation without ascertaining the exact motive of their visit to Pakistan and why no terms and conditions were laid down in this case. “The process of issuing visa to common citizens takes months. A negative message was conveyed by issuing travel documents to the Hurriyat delegation on a fast track by the Indian Foreign Office, as if the Pakistan visit by these leaders was urgent and of great national importance,” he said. Singh said this was a matter of grave security concern, particularly in the backdrop of the recent incidents of firing along the Line of Control and beheading of Indian soldiers for which the Hurriyat leaders’ unchecked mechinations had acted as a catalyst. “Things have come to such a pass that Hurriyat leaders are feeling emboldened to echo Hafiz Saeed’s threat of a Jihadi war in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. Singh demanded the immediate prosecution of all the members of the Hurriyat team, which indulged in an anti-India activism in Pakistan. He asked the Central government to explain why such a militant-friendly secessionist organisation should not be immediately banned even as the Union Government was unleashing all kinds of terror on nationalist pro-India organisations and nationalist political parties and nationalist activists were being booked for false cases.
	Panchayats’ body demands security cover for sarpanches, panches Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 12 The All-JK Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) has made a fresh demand for security cover for thousands of panchayat members after a sarpanch was shot dead near north Kashmir’s Sopore town. Demanding security cover and empowerment of the panchayats, Ghulam Hassan Punzoo, spokesman of the AJKPC, alleged the government had not been taking adequate measures to ensure safety and security of the panchayat members. Punzoo said the AJKPC had submitted a five-point agenda before the government where they had sought security to panchayat members and empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions. He said the conference would decide its future course of action within two days as the state and Central government had failed to redress the problems being faced by the elected panchayat members. Habibullah Mir, a sarpanch of Gooripora village near Sopore town, was shot dead yesterday by “unknown militants”. State Congress chief Saifuddin Soz also expressed “anguish” over the killing of Habibullah Mir and described it as a “dastardly act of marauders”. He said the issue had been taken up with the DGP Ashok Prasad, who had been asked to “investigate the killing and apprehend the killers”. Newly elected MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga also termed the incident “brutal and barbaric”. National Conference spokesman Tanvir Sadiq called it an “inhuman act and condemnable by all means”. “Overwhelming majority of the people turned out to elect these members and anyone attacking them is attacking the democracy,” he said. Sopore MLA Haji Muhammad Ashraf Ganie and panchayat MLC Ali Muhammad Dar have also condemned the killing. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti termed the killing as a “heinous and barbaric act” and lashed out at the government for failing to provide security to panchayat members facing threats and accused it of turning democratic institutions in the state “irrelevant”.
	Woman panch shot at in Sopore village Tribune News Service Srinagar, January 12 A day after a sarpanch was killed by unidentified militants in Sopore area in north Kashmir, militants fired upon a woman panch in the same area in the evening today. Zoona Begum, wife of Mohammad Ramzan, was seriously injured in the attack by militants in Hardshiva village in Sopore. She was rushed to SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar where her condition was stated to be critical. “The panch of Hardshiva village was shot at inside her house,” a police official said. He added that she had received a bullet injury in her neck. On Friday afternoon, Habibullah Mir, a sarpanch affiliated with the ruling Congress, was killed by unidentified militants in the Bomai area of Sopore. The militants have so far shot dead five panchayat members. Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar today visited the Bomai area.