J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

PDP ad on self-rule triggers row
Jammu, February 2
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of Mufti Sayeed today triggered a controversy by giving an impression that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s proposal of self-rule in Jammu and Kashmir was better than the National Conference’s (NC) demand for internal autonomy.

Vigilance to probe tampering with marks
Jammu, February 2
Jammu University has handed over to the state vigilance organisation investigation of a case of tampering with marks to benefit certain engineering students.

Two foreign militants shot
Jammu, February 2
Two foreign militants, including a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) district commander, were gunned down by the security forces at Bandi Chichiyan in Poonch district last night, an official spokesperson today said.

Protest by B.Ed students
Jammu, February 2
Annoyed over the delay in starting of classes by the private B.Ed. colleges, hundreds of students squatted outside Raj Bhavan here today, demanding that their academic year should not be allowed to go waste.

PDP ad on self-rule triggers row
S.P.Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 2
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) of Mufti Sayeed today triggered a controversy by giving an impression that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s proposal of self-rule in Jammu and Kashmir was better than the National Conference’s (NC) demand for internal autonomy.

The PDP has inserted a full-page advertisement in local newspapers regarding its stand on the controversial issue of self-rule in Jammu and Kashmir. The advertisement, besides the party’s resolution, of self-rule, also carries three basic differences between the idea of self-rule and the NC’s demand for autonomy.

This has brought to the fore the serious differences between Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and his coalition partner, the PDP, on the sensitive issue. While Mr Azad has outrightly rejected the suggestion of self-rule on the plea that its own elected representatives were ruling Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP has come out with the demand for a debate on the issue.

Observers feel that the advertisement is an effort of the PDP to set to rest the confusion that has been created due to conflicting statements of its leaders on the issue. The advertisement carries the text of the resolution that was adopted in the recent meeting of the executive committee of the party in which it was demanded that instead of rejecting the proposal of self-rule, it should be discussed at all forums.

There were reports of serious differences also within the PDP leadership on the suggestion of self-rule that has come from Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Interestingly, the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was a founder member of the PDP, has tried to wriggle out of his earlier statements on the issue by inserting the advertisement with his signatures.

Mr Baig had earlier reportedly said that Jammu and Kashmir already had self-rule, but now the advertisement issued under his signatures stresses that instead of addressing the issue on partisan or narrow considerations, an attempt should be made to ensure that the suggestion when furnished with specifics, should be considered sincerely and objectively.

The PDP has among other things said that Article 370 of the Constitution of India, read with the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of the models of self-rule, which the state already enjoys. However, this original model of self-rule was materially altered first in 1952 and subsequently by various constitutional and legal actions.

Describing the self-rule proposal as different from the demand of the National Conference for internal autonomy, the PDP’s advertisement points out that the former idea was different from autonomy in three respects. Firstly, the slogan of internal autonomy aims at restoring the position back to the one that existed at the time of arrest of Shiekh Abdullah in 1953. It is not equivalent to the model of the self-rule that existed in the state in its original and undiluted form at the time of adoption of Article 370.

Secondly, the PDP has pointed out that the brief sketch of proposals given by General Musharraf would entail self-rule not only for Kashmir but all three regions of the state, including Jammu and Ladakh. Whereas the slogan of internal autonomy would address only the sentiments of the Kashmir valley and a few areas outside it, the idea of self-rule will have wider application.

Thirdly, the internal autonomy addresses only, and partially, the constitutional and administrative relationship between Delhi and Kashmir. On the other hand the idea of self-rule proposed by General Musharraf appears to be aimed at finding a solution to the Kashmir problem without advocating the state’s accession with Pakistan or diluting India’s sovereignty as General. Musharraf has himself stated that plebiscite and independence are not the options for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

Other partners of the ruling coalition too have conflicting views on the self-rule proposal. While the CPM leader, Mr Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, has sought a debate on the issue, the Panthers Party is opposed to the idea.

The vice-president of the state BJP, Prof Hari Om, in a statement today, demanded an explanation from the Congress on its stand on the issue.

He said the PDP was consistently singing the Pakistani song and making suggestions that were not in the interests of the country.

Vigilance to probe tampering with marks
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 2
Jammu University has handed over to the state vigilance organisation investigation of a case of tampering with marks to benefit certain engineering students.

Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Vice-Chancellor of the university, told mediapersons here today that the investigation had been handed over to the vigilance organisation following identification of eight cases where marks of certain students of engineering were tampered with and increased in the award rolls.

A committee headed by the Controller of Examinations conducted the preliminary investigation. However, in order to ensure that the best investigative practices were followed to bring the culprits to book, the Vigilance Commissioner, Dr Ashok Bhan, was requested by the Vice-Chancellor to assist in the task.

Professor Mattoo said the university would take severe administrative action against officials responsible in the malpractice.

He said the university would, in the days to come, identify and isolate individuals and practices that were inconsistent with its status as the country’s first ISO-9001 public institution of higher learning.

He announced that a Vigilance unit had been set up in the university where complaints of any nature could be filed.

The Vice-Chancellor said transparency would be introduced in the functioning of the university and the staff would be made accountable.

He said an agreement of cooperation had been signed between Jammu University and the University of the West, California, for the purpose of academic and educational development.

Two foreign militants shot

Jammu, February 2
Two foreign militants, including a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) district commander, were gunned down by the security forces at Bandi Chichiyan in Poonch district last night, an official spokesperson today said.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Lieut-Col R.K. Chhibber said the two militants were killed by the security forces in a night-long gunbattle. A sentry at Bandi Chichiyan post had detected some suspicious movement in the nearby Drangli nullah late last night, following which the troops were despatched to cordon off the area, he said, when the troops started cordoning off the area, militants fired at them. — UNI

Protest by B.Ed students
Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 2
Annoyed over the delay in starting of classes by the private B.Ed. colleges, hundreds of students squatted outside Raj Bhavan here today, demanding that their academic year should not be allowed to go waste.

The students, who are mostly from the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, alleged that they paid their fee of about Rs 23,000, besides the hostel fee around Rs 2,500 about two months ago but the classes had not yet started.

The students gathered outside Jammu University in the morning and later they marched to Raj Bhavan, raising slogans against the authorities. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Amitabh Mattoo, said that the delay had been caused due to a petition in court. He was hopeful of a positive outcome when the court heard the matter on March 7.