The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, December 8, 2001, Chandigarh, India

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Racket to fund militancy busted
Rs 40 lakh seized from Hizb ultra
Tribune News Service

Inspector-General of Police K. Rajinderan (left) displaying Rs 40 lakh seized during overnight operations in Srinagar and Baramula districts of Kashmir. — PTI photo

Srinagar, December 7
The Jammu and Kashmir Police today achieved a major breakthrough against the funding of militant activities with the seizure of Rs 40 lakh in cash and a satellite telephone from a hardcore militant of Hizbul Mujahideen. Several others, have links with Delhi-based hawala operators, suspected to be involved in financing or channelising the finances for militant organisations have been picked up by the police here since the past night.

Disclosing this here this morning, the Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir range, Mr K. Rajendra, told a press conference that it was suspected that the money was being brought from Pakistan. These individuals thus provided finances to various militant organisations, including Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Al-Bader and Al-Umar in Jammu and Kashmir, he said. The IGP added that the details regarding their linkages with Delhi-based hawala operators had been shared with agencies concerned in Delhi for action there.

“The recently promulgated POTO has, for the first time, introduced specific and stringent provisions for action against terrorists’ fund raising and channelising conduits”, the IGP stated.

Indian, Pak troops exchange fire

Jammu, December 7
Indian and Pakistani soldiers exchanged heavy artillery fire at various border outposts in Jammu and Kathua districts overnight.

Official sources said here this evening that the two sides exchanged fire at Pittal Post, Pindi, Jabowal, Mehta Post, Kote Kuba, Zero Point, S.H.Way, Budhwar, Suchetgarh Post, Kullian, Gallar, Faqira Chak, Kathmarian, Kharkhola, Sangral, Mangral, Korotana, Abdullian, Gharana, Chambliyal, Narianpur, S.M. Pura, Kandral and Naga in Jammu district. UNI

Meghalaya Govt voted out

Shillong, December 7
The minority E.K. Mawlong coalition ministry in Meghalaya was today voted out of power when it was defeated in a trial of strength in the 60-member Assembly in the wake of a controversy over the Meghalaya House construction scam in Kolkata.

An Opposition no-confidence motion was defeated in a voice vote when Speaker E.D. Marak put it to the House on the opening day of the winter session. PTI