CM asked to tame partymen
From M.L. Kak
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Oct 7 — Senior police officers have conveyed to Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah the need for "taming" certain National Conference leaders, including a member of the Legislative Council from Rajouri, for spearheading a campaign against the security forces operating against the militants in the troubled border areas of Jammu.

According to official sources, Dr Farooq has been told that these leaders and workers are creating problems for the security forces. Besides harbouring militants, they have started "inciting" people to hold anti-Army demonstrations after search operations.

Senior police and Army authorities blame the member of the Legislative Council for playing a "key role" in engineering peoples' protest rallies in Darhal area of Rajouri against the alleged rape of a Muslim girl by the security forces.

The girl has been medically examined and the doctors have said she has not been raped. However, the National Conference leader, whose close relative is said to be directly in militancy, has mounted pressure on the government for referring the case to the Medical Board.

Official sources say that senior police officers have requested the Chief Minister to intervene and "bridle" the party leaders being "used" by pro-Pakistan elements to "demoralise" the security forces, especially the Army. The Chief Minister has been cautioned against leniency towards those in the ruling party trying to create hurdles in the way of anti-insurgency operations.

Another report has gone to the Union Home Ministry in which the security agencies have identified National Conference workers and leaders who have been providing possible assistance to the militants in Doda, Udhampur, Poonch and Rajouri districts. The report has identified National Conference supporters who have been indirectly involved in several massacres that took place in Rajouri, Udhampur and Doda districts in the recent months.

These persons have also been found engaged in the supply of foodgrains and other essential commodities to insurgents camping in the forest belts of these four districts.

Senior police officers have told the Chief Minister that since the Pakistani agencies have been unnerved by the recent successes of the security forces in eliminating over 45 militants in Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts, these agencies have sought assistance from some National Conference workers to launch a campaign against the security forces.

In certain cases militants operating in Poonch and Rajouri are said to have threatened certain National Conference leaders that in case they do not motivate people against the security forces, they will be killed.

Even Defence Ministry sources are critical of the way the state government has allowed latitude to these elements. The sources have suggested to the Chief Minister to visit Rajouri and Darhal and persuade his partymen to mobilise public opinion against the militants which is important for allowing the security forces a free hand to contain the activities of militants, especially foreign mercenaries.