Bandh hits life in valley
SRINAGAR, Feb 9 — Normal life was paralysed here today in response to an Opposition- sponsored bandh call in protest against the recent hike in prices of essential commodities.

• AIR, DD staff stir

APHC refutes govt claim on normalcy in J&K
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Feb 9 — The All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) disagrees with the government claim that situation in Jammu and Kashmir has improved on the plea that between five and 10 persons get killed in different parts of the state everyday.

Explaining the APHC perception, a senior leader said that normalcy in Kashmir had to be guaged in terms of the scale of violence and the return of Kashmiri Pandits who had been living in "exile" in the past nine years.

"Yes, if the government determines the level of normalcy by the existing silence of the graveyard one cannot dispute it," said the leader adding that both state and Central Governments "do not want the Pandits to return to the valley." In support of this contention the senior Hurriyat leader said at no stage the government explored the possibility of encouraging a dialogue with different Pandit organisations and the APHC leaders.

The Hurriyat leader seemed to favour a meeting between representatives of the migrants and the APHC leaders so that modalities for the safe and honourable return of the displaced families could be worked out. In this connection he referred to the efforts of the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party chief, Mr Shabir Ahmed Shah, and said "one swallow cannot make a summer." He said broadbased measures were needed which could be worked out during a series of discussions between the APHC leaders and the leaders of the Pandits.

The meetings could help the two sides to share their perceptions and to shed mistrust. When reminded that there could be meeting ground between the two sides when a senior Hurriyat Conference leaders, Mr Abdul Gani Lone had, three years ago, stated that the Pandits could return provided they participate in the ongoing "struggle" the APHC leader said "that is part of history." He added that the "outlook has witnessed transformation and it is for the Pandits to take the initiative."

Will the Pandits take the initiative of holding parleys with the APHC? This question seems to have assumed significance following the failure of the government to create an atmosphere which is conducive for the displaced families to return to the valley. Even the meagre economic package failed to lure migrants to return to Kashmir.

At the moment several Pandit organisations and cells have been working on several proposals which could facilitate the return of the displaced families in phases.

But a section of Kashmiri Muslims is of the opinion that the issue could be resolved satisfactorily once the Pandit leaders evince interest in holding talks with APHC leaders and those who matter in Kashmir these days.

Informed sources revealed that there are political compulsions on the part of the APHC to initiate a dialogue with the Pandit leaders on the return of the displaced families. The APHC will jump once it receives a call from the leaders of the displaced families.

Reports indicate that the Union Home Ministry is keen to have at-least a symbolic return of the displaced families so that if they feel safe it could encourage others to follow them.

Bandh hits life in valley
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Feb 9 — Normal life was paralysed here today in response to an Opposition-sponsored bandh call in protest against the recent hike in prices of LPG and other essential commodities. Protest demonstrations were held by the Congress and the CPM here today against the rise in prices of essential commodities as announced by the central government recently.

All shops and business establishments remained closed here today in response to the general strike call as skeletal transport plied on the roads. Many banks in this summer capital city also remained closed in response to the call. There was thin attendance in several government offices.

There was partial response to the bandh call in other major towns of the valley, including Anantnag, Baramula and Sopore. Inter-district transport plied normally, the police said.

Two separate protest demonstrations were held here by the Congress and the CPM. Congress party activists led by Mr Taj Mohiuddin took out a procession from the main office of the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) at Moulana Azad Road. The processionists were stopped by the police at Greenway Hotel, 100 metres away from the main gate of the PCC office. The processionists were not allowed to proceed towards the office of the Divisional Commissioner.

A memorandum addressed to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on the spot. Mr Mohiuddin said the protest demonstration was against the steep hike in prices, corruption, nepotism and misappropriation of funds for rural development.

A similar demonstration was led by Mr Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami, state unit secretary of the CPM and MLA from Kulgam. He expressed concern over the rise in prices of the essential commodities, particularly for the already financially constrained state of Jammu and Kashmir where the common man was faced with acute financial constraints.

6 militants shot in encounters
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Feb 9 — At least six militants killed and 15 injured in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

Initial reports from Anantnag said a police jawan was injured in an encounter with militants at Darna near Anantnag this afternoon. The encounter was on said initial reports.

Over 10 pedestrians and two personnel of the security forces were injured when militants hurled a grenade on their vehicle at Pulwama this afternoon. Two of the seriously injured were shifted to a hospital here. The police said the militants hurled a grenade at the vehicle at 1.35 p.m. injuring 14 persons.

Three militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Lambori in the Nowshera area of Rajouri district in Jammu region. Two of them have been identified as Abu Hanif Qazi and Usman Farooq, both residents of the occupied Kashmir.

Two militants were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Khurhama near Handwara in north Kashmir district of Kupwara. Their identity was yet to be ascertained. Another militant was killed in an encounter with security forces at Samba in Jammu district yesterday.

AIR, DD staff stir
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Feb 9 — The strike by announcers and Class IV employees of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar and Doordarshan entered the fourth day on Tuesday. This is part of the countrywide strike by these employees in support of their demands.

Normal work in Srinagar stations of the Radio Kashmir and Doordarshan was affected while other members of the staff were engaged to continue normal programmes being broadcast and telecast.

"We are running the show", said a senior official at the Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, while referring to the ongoing strike by the announcing staff members.