Talks sans Kashmiris futile, says APHC
SRINAGAR, Sept 24 — The separatist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference , views the decision to resume Indo-Pakistan talks as "yet another futile exercise to solve the issue without the participation of the representatives of Kashmir".

J&K faces cash squeeze
JAMMU, Sept 24 — Duty to squeeze cash bills worth over Rs 900 crore await payment in different treasuries for period ranging between two months and nine months.

2 civilians killed in encounter
SRINAGAR, Sept 24 — Three militants and two civilians were killed in separate incidents in the Kashmir valley since last evening.

Talks sans Kashmiris futile: APHC
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Sept 24 — The separatist All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), views the decision to resume Indo-Pakistan talks as "yet another futile exercise to solve the issue without the participation of the repres- entatives of Kashmir".

"On the one hand India, resolves to solve the Kashmir issue by a dialogue and on the other hand holds that Kashmir an integral part of India", the APHC Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani told The Tribune here this afternoon. He said that the Hurriyat Conference was "not so hopeful" on the dialogue between the two countries, adding that there had been several such rounds of talks between the two countries during the past 50 years. He stressed the need for "sincere efforts" on the part of India to "resolve the Kashmir issue".

Syed Ali Shah Geeleni, who was released after a day of his detention along with other APHC leaders, said that India "succumbed to the world pressure". He added that the decision to resume bilateral talks next month was to "ease the pressure" on the issue. "No confidence building measures are taken in Kashmir. Mr Geelani told The Tribune adding that "innocent killings and custodial killings" at the hands of security forces at the behest of the Centre continued in the valley.

"There is no indication that they (India) are ready to solve the problem by a dialogue.... India does not take any break in the innocent killings. How can it be sincere to solve the issue", Syed Ali Shah Geelani questioned. He reiterated the APHC stand on the tripartite talks said that should be held under UN supervision in the light of the UN resolutions". He said that only then "we can expect any fruitful talks in the direction of resolving the Kashmir issue".

Earlier, Syed Ali Shah Geelani along with other leaders and activists of the Hurriyat Conference was released on bail each on a personal bond of Rs 2000/- by the Chief Judicial Magistrate here this afternoon. Eighteen other leaders and activists were also released with him. They had been detained from the location of UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan centre here.

While protesting against human rights violations in Kashmir four top leaders of those arrested were held on Wednesday for violating prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 and attack on a police constable under Section 322 of the IPC.

The memorandum addressed to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan urged him to send his representative for an on the spot assessment of the human rights violations in Kashmir. It also demanded resolution of the "Kashmir dispute" under the UN resolutions. "Indo Pak talks at any level without the active participation of Kashmiris would not help make any breakthrough in the vexed issue", the memorandum said.

The memorandum also gave details of the alleged atrocities and excesses committed by the security forces. According to the details, at least 60 "innocent civilians" were allegedly killed by the security forces during the past three weeks. The memorandum stated that 5293 civilians were killed by the security forces since the government headed by Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah took over about two years back. Of these 664 were killed while in custody, while there were 135 cases of rape and molestation and 1569 houses were either burnt or blasted during the past two years.

J&K faces cash squeeze
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Sept 24 — Duty to squeeze cash bills worth over Rs 900 crore await payment in different treasuries for period ranging between two months and nine months. With delay in the clearance of the bills work on various development projects has come to a halt after contractors refused to execute the agreement following failure of the Government to clear arrears.

At a recent meeting Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, had with the central Government, a decision was taken under which the Centre had agreed to release Rs 290 crores by the middle of September and another Rs 290 crores in October to meet expenses on the non-plan activities. So far no funds has been received by the Jammu and Kashmir Government thereby augmenting the worst ever financial crisis in the state.

What has intrigued the Centre and financial experts in the state is the way that despite year long acute cash squeeze the National Conference Government did not observe austerity measures and failed to direct every Government department to stop making purchases of ‘non-essential’ items. Inside reports said that the Union Finance Ministry has taken a strong notice of the ‘‘misuse’’ of funds by way of reckless expenditure on petrol and on other non-productive activities. It was a result of the tough postures adopted by the Union Finance Ministry that the Chief Minister recently ordered reduction in the number of security vehicles attached with the ministers and bureaucrats.

But beyond this the Government has not taken any hard decisions on curtailing expenses including the one on security related matters.

Reports have gone to the Centre that crores of rupees were being spent in the name of security-related activities which were not necessary. It is the result of difference of opinion between the state Government and the Centre that the latter has delayed reimbursing to the state over Rs 800 crore which it had spent on security-related matters. Funds earmarked for security-related expenses are said to have been diverted for the renovation of VIPs buildings and on other activities.

Against this, the security agencies had no funds to purchase sophisticated weapons for the police and members of the Village Defence Committees. Critics of the National Conference Government say that even in the face of the financial crisis the Government has been pursuing the plan of building a new golf course in the city forest area overlooking the Dal Lake in Srinagar. The project had been shelved in 1990 on account of reasons of threat to environment but it has been revived. The State Government had again preferred to seek consultancy service from one Singapore-based firm which has demanded money in advance. The critics argue that the state cannot afford the luxury of spending Rs 50 crores on consultancy when its internal resources are not adequate enough even to meet the wage bill of the employees.

They have been critical of the Government for having given clearance for redeveloping the golf course in Gulmarg and for the renovation of this tourist resort under a new Master Plan. Already the Government spent more than Rs 10 crore last year on holding of the National Winter games in Gulmarg. The idea was to attract large number of home and foreign tourists but the event proved a failure. However, the Government has insisted that such activities including subsidy granted to film units as far as their board and lodging facilities were concerned were necessary to infuse confidence among the people and counter the Pakistani propaganda on Kashmir.

Financial experts are of the view that if the ministers and bureaucrats curtail their expenses on tours by 60 per cent it could help the Government to save at least Rs 10 crore per month which includes expenses on telephone and on purchase of luxury items.

Reports said that the central Government had decided to review the state Government’s performance as far as spending in plan and non-plan sectors is concerned in December and on the basis of the review report funds would be released to the state. Till then it is going to be a hand to mouth living for the people and Government in the state, if not for the VIPs.

2 civilians killed in encounter
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Sept 24 — Three militants and two civilians were killed in separate incidents in the Kashmir valley since last evening.

Two unidentified militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Kathwar in Machil area of Kupwara district in north Kashmir yesterday.

A Pakistan trained militant of Harkat-ul-Ansar was killed in an encounter with the security forces at Slar in Pahalgam area of Anantnag district in South Kashmir. He has been identified as Gulzar Ahmad, alias Abid, a police spokesman said here this evening.

The police said a patrol party was fired upon by militants at Devar in Anantnag. The security forces retaliated and in the exchange of fire, a civilian, Abdul Ahad Wagay of Devar village, was killed.

Militants intruded into the house of Khazir Mohammad Sheikh at Shahnagri in Mawa area of Handwara in Kupwara district and fired indiscriminately on the inmates. Khazir Mohammad Sheikh was killed on the spot while his wife, Mst Fazi was injured. The deceased is reported to have been the village head.