The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Thursday, October 4, 2001,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

J A M M U & K A S H M I R

Rajiv-Farooq accord led to militancy: Omar
New Delhi, October 3
Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah has described the Rajiv-Farooq accord signed in 1986 as a mistake stating that it was one of the causes of the growth of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

2 Pak ultras escape
Srinagar, October 3
Two Pakistani militants escaped from police custody while being taken to Baramula last night to be produced before a court, official sources said today.

Security personnel stand guard outside the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. Security in and around the Assembly complex was beefed up after suicide bombers exploded a car laden with explosives, which claimed at least thirty-eight lives on Monday.
— Photo Amin war

EARLIER STORIES

	Fidayeen attack baffles experts October 3, 2001
	BJP member removed from Assembly October 2, 2001
	Mixed response to new anti-terrorist law October 1, 2001
	Ruckus in House over fasting employees September 30, 2001
	Cong, BSP members stage walkouts September 29, 2001
	7 ultras killed in encounter September 28, 2001
	400 ultras wait to sneak into valley September 27, 2001
	9 militants among 15 killed in J&K September 26, 2001
	Be discreet with USA: Farooq September 25, 2001
	PoK camps to be made arms stores September 24, 2001

Rajiv-Farooq accord led to militancy: Omar

New Delhi, October 3
Minister of State for External Affairs Omar Abdullah has described the Rajiv-Farooq accord signed in 1986 as a mistake stating that it was one of the causes of the growth of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a programme to be telecast on the BBC the minister, who is the son of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and a National Conference member of Parliament from the state, said he believed that the accord was a mistake and possibly one of the causes of the growth of terrorism. Because it stifled all legitimate democratic opposition.

The accord was signed by Dr Farooq Abdullah and the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi paving way for the installation of a Congress-National Conference coalition government in the state. This government was, however, dismissed in January, 1990, with the onset of militancy in the state.

He said the reason behind the rise of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir was a series of political errors.

“It has been a series of blunders and mistakes at the central and state government levels from 1947 onwards, arresting legitimately elected chief ministers and slamming them into jail for a long time, dismissing newly-elected governments.” This is my personal opinion and I haven’t shared it with my father, and he may not agree with me, he added. UNI

2 Pak ultras escape

Srinagar, October 3
Two Pakistani militants escaped from police custody while being taken to Baramula last night to be produced before a court, official sources said today.

Gazanfar Ali and Mohammad Azam, both residents of Pakistan and lodged in Hiranagar jail in Jammu for the past eight years, were to be produced before the Sessions Judge, Baramula, they said. The duo gave a slip to the escorting policemen near Hanjiveera in the Pattan area, 27 km from here, last night, the sources said. PTI