Gen Sharma for crossing LoC
SHIMLA, July 3 — General V.N. Sharma, a former Chief of the Army Staff, has cautioned the government that victory on the diplomatic front should not "undo" losses suffered in the battlefield and asserted that military operations must be extended beyond the Line of Control to flush out Pakistani intruders from Kargil heights by the middle of August.

Crusade of martyr's mother
DHARAMSALA: "I have lost my son. I do not want any other mother to go through that trauma. At my own level, I will make efforts to trace out the nine other soldiers who were declared missing along with Lt Sourabh.

Emotional reception to martyr's body
SOLAN, July 3 — The body of Dharmendra Singh, 20, a jawan of 3 Punjab Regiment, who laid down his life fighting Pakistani infiltrators in the Dras sector on June 20, was received at Kasauli, amidst slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and Shaheed Dharmendra Singh amar rahe", today.

BJP reacts sharply to ex-CM's statement
SHIMLA, July 3 — The ruling BJP today alleged that the former Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, during the Congress regime indulged in regionalism and favoured a particular area of the state.

HP to have centre for open schooling
SHIMLA, July 3 — The Himachal Pradesh State Centre for Open Schooling will be set up here shortly.

Make inquiry report public: Virbhadra
DHARAMSALA, July 3 — Mr Virbhadra Singh, a former Chief Minister, has dared the Dhumal government to make public the report of the committee constituted to look into the allegations of giving jobs on chits during his regime.

Soldier cremated
UNA, July 3 — The body of Hawaldar Jagdish Chand of Agloh village in the Bangana block which was brought here today was cremated at his native village with full military honours.

Health services being improved
KULU, July 3 — The department of Health has earmarked Rs 200 crore to provide basic health services for which a health system corporation is being set up in Himachal Pradesh.

Gen Sharma for crossing LoC
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 3 — General V.N. Sharma, a former Chief of the Army Staff, has cautioned the government that victory on the diplomatic front should not "undo" losses suffered in the battlefield and asserted that military operations must be extended beyond the Line of Control to flush out Pakistani intruders from Kargil heights by the middle of August. Any delay could spill over the operations into the next summer and allow the enemy to consolidate its position, making eviction all the more difficult, he warned.

At an interaction with intellectuals of the town organised by Ashadeep, a local non-government body, General Sharma said the policy of "not" crossing the LoC could be good diplomacy to an extent but it was outrightly bad military tactics. Once the war was on decisions on military strategies should be left to military leadership so that it could achieve the objective in a shortest possible time and with minimum casualties. The hilly terrain and steep gradient made it imperative that the enemy perched atop the heights had to be encircled and attacked from behind. However, such tactics could not be employed without crossing the Line of Control.

The Indian Air Force should also look at targets beyond the LoC to disrupt the supply line feeding the intruders.

The policy of not crossing the LoC had served its purpose and India had been able to prove to the world that Pakistan was on the wrong. This diplomatic triumph should be followed up with victory in the battlefield, he stressed.

The fact that the presence of such a large number of intruders at the heights could not be noticed until May, showed the intelligence in poor light. It was a triple failure of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Intelligence Bureau and the Military Intelligence. However, the main responsibility for it rested on RAW which looked after the foreign intelligence work. The activity of military intelligence was confined within the country’s territory. Under rules, the Army was required to be given a minimum of 25 days notice for movement but this time it had to start operations without any notice as the government, the Army and the intelligence agencies seem to have gone to sleep after the Lahore Declaration. It was common knowledge that intelligence agencies were being used more for keeping tap on politicians rather than gathering security related information for which these were set up.

Pakistan was a devil country which had been using its "nuisance" value to blackmail India. It should not be let off the hook this time.

General Sharma lamented that the Army’s views were not given due importance by the government and its proposals for modernisation and upgradation of weapons and other equipments could not be implemented because of paucity of funds. The defence budget had been subjected to ruthless cuts over the past 15 years which had affected the preparedness of the armed forces. For instance there was only one brigade guarding the Kargil sector in this year as against four brigades in 1989. Such drastic cut in manpower had certainly diluted vigilance along the Line of Control.

Worse, the Army was frequently called in for discharging internal duties in place of the police, which had been rendered totally ineffective in carrying out its responsibilities due to political interference. The state government, which utilised the services of the Army did not even pay for it, as a result a significant portion of the meagre defence budget was indirectly diverted to the Home Department.

Further the government had been agreeing to the conditions laid down by international funding agencies like the IMF and the World Bank to curtail defence expenditure for getting funds for development. He said public opinion should be built to pressurise the government to allocate adequate budget for defence.

Another area of concern, General Sharma, said was the irresponsible attitude of political parties which in their attempt to drive mileage out of sensitive issues concerning the security of the country cause immense harm to national interests. Even the decision of the Vajpayee government to conduct nuclear test and declare India a nuclear state had been criticised. Had India not done so its position would have been much worse in the wake of Kargil invasion, particularly when it was wellknown for the past over a decade that Pakistan had acquired nuclear capability.

He said it was only on the strength of character and fighting spirit of its officers and jawans that the Indian Army was maintaining an upper hand over the better-equipped Pakistani force. More than 15 officers among 200 Army personnel had laid down their lives in the Kargil sector so far. It was a very high percentage in for a battalion of 900 jawans which includes 13 officers.

General Sharma advocated making Army service compulsory for youth to stem the rot on all the fronts. He said a proposal sent by the Army to make two years service in armed forces essential for taking up government jobs had not been accepted by the government on the plea that it would squeeze employment opportunities. The proposal, if accepted, would enable the Army to curtail the strength of troops and officers and lead to considerable saving which could be utilised for the upgradation of weapons.

He said despite the vulnerability of Srinagar-Leh road to the Pakistani artillery the government had not sanctioned funds for the construction of an alternative Manali-Leh road.

The proposal to construct a tunnel through the Rohtang pass was approved by the Defence Minister in 1988, but the project had not taken off so far. Such indifference to urgent security needs could cost dearly, he added.

Kargil martyrs-II
Crusade of martyr's mother
From Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA: "I have lost my son. I do not want any other mother to go through that trauma. At my own level, I will make efforts to trace out the nine other soldiers who were declared missing along with Lt Sourabh.

These are the words of the brave mother of a valiant son. Lt Saurabh Kalia of the 4 Jat Regiment who was killed fighting the Pakistani intruders in the Kargil sector. Despite getting back the mutilated body of their 23-year-old son Lt Saurabh Kalia, his parents Mrs Vijay Kalia and Dr N.K. Kalia, are determined to save the nine other soldiers from meeting the same fate in Pakistani captivity.

It is not the pain of losing their son, but the lack of efforts made by the Indian government, to get their son released along with other soldiers. This hurts us most. I would like to question the Indian Government as to what efforts they have made to get the missing soldiers released, when it was known that they were in Pakistani captivity," she cries. Dr Kalia says that there is an immense outrage among the people here over the barbarous manner in which the captive soldiers were killed in Pakistan. That government should be made answerable for it.

Younger brother of Lt Kalia, Gaurav, who is a first year MCA student at GND, University Amritsar, is determined to bring the matter to the notice of the Amnesty International, International Red Cross Society and the National Human Rights Commission. "I will write to the Pakistani Prime Minister on his official website everyday till I get a reply from him," says Gaurav.

He says that at least they have been lucky to get back the body of his brother, there could be others who might not even be that lucky.

Mrs Vijay Kalia says that she will seek an appointment with the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and the Chief of Army Staff to request them to make inquiry about the missing soldiers.

"If a single American soldier is found missing, there is a great hue and cry, whereas in India, the Defence Minister tells people not to get perturbed over the inhuman treatment meted out to Indian soldiers," laments Mrs Kalia.

Lt Saurabh Kalia, who would have turned 24, on June 29, passed out from the IMA on December 12, last year. It was on May 13 he along with his men detected Pakistani intrusion in the Batalik sector. He was declared missing on May 15, when he did not return from the Bajrang post for the fourth time.

The entire town of Palampur is proud that Saurabh laid down his life fighting the enemy. The government has decided to name the locality Suggar, where his house is located, as Saurabhnagar. The foundation stone for a memorial dedicated to the martyr was laid on his birth anniversary.

Pride in their eyes, prayer on their lips
From Pratibha Chauhan
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, July 3 — Though there is a great sense of pride amongst the parents of the newly passed out lieutenants who will be joining the battlefield in Kargil, yet a mother can't hide the fear that resides in a corner of her heart.

It is a matter of great pride for the people of Kangra that nine of the newly passed lieutenants from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) belong to the district, which is known for producing best army officers in the country. Practically, all of these young officers have got their first posting in the border area in Jammu and Kashmir.

"I consider myself very lucky that instead of being sent to a regimental centre, as is the tradition, I am getting a lifetime opportunity to go straight to the battlefield," said a confident Lt Mandeep Goswami of the 10 Garhwal Rifles who has got posted to Kargil. In contrast to the brave words of the son, his mother, T K Goswami, honestly confesses of having mixed feelings. "On getting to know of his posting to Kargil, I was nervous for a while, but then I realised that now he is not only my son but the son of the nation, "she said.

Mrs Goswami, a widow, said she was also happy that her son would be fighting the enemy. "All I can now do is to pray for his well being and to look Forward to his returning home victorious," she said, trying to force a smile on her worried face. She lives in the Ramnagar locality of the town, along with her elder son, who is looking for a job.

Despite her husband being an ex-serviceman, Mrs Jai Ganesh Minhas, whose son Lt Jai Gaurav Minhas of the 4 Dogras has been posted to Uri, admits that being a mother she is naturally worried for her son's safety. At the same time consoles herself saying that he is going to fight for the nation. In contrast, her husband Maj Jai Ganesh Minhas, who had fought the 1971 war, is proud that his son would be fighting the enemy. He says there can be no better cause than fighting for your nation.

The mother of Lt Shaleen Singh of Dharamsala, who has joined the artillery, says till date there has been no fear or tension in her mind. "I have told him not to worry and return victorious from the battlefield", she says. Her husband, Dr V P Singh, is a specialist in the Horticulture Department at Palampur.

Another officer, Lt Vinmay Thapa of the town has also got his first posting to Uri. Lt Thapa of the 6 Garhwal Rifles, can't wait to join the others who are engaged in a fierce battle with Pakistani intruders in the Kargil and Dras area. He too considers himself lucky for getting the opportunity to go to the front straight away.

In a goodwill gesture, the district administration yesterday honoured all these young officers and wished them good luck for the battle ahead. Apart from the Deputy Commissioner, and senior army officers, prominent citizens from all walks of life were present to encourage and bless these young officers.

On the occasion messages for the soldiers in Kargil from school children were read out. These letters were handed over to the four young officers who have been posted on the Indo-Pak border.

Emotional reception to martyr's body
From Our Correspondent

SOLAN, July 3 — The body of Dharmendra Singh, 20, a jawan of 3 Punjab Regiment, who laid down his life fighting Pakistani infiltrators in the Dras sector on June 20, was received at Kasauli, amidst slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and Shaheed Dharmendra Singh amar rahe", today.

Emotional scenes were witnessed as the coffin, wrapped in the national flag and decorated with flowers was placed at a specially erected podium at the military grounds.

The local MLA, Mr Lajja Ram, was seen sobbing even as school children, who had waited for over four hours out in the open, just to have the last glimpse of the martyr, shouted patriotic slogans.

Brigadier B.C. Rana placed a wreath on behalf of the Chief of the Army Staff Gen V.P. Malik, Col P.K. Ghuman on behalf of the GoC-in C, Western Command, Lt Gen H.B. Kala; Lt Col Sood on behalf of Core Commander, Lt Gen G.S. Sahota and Major D.R. Sharma on behalf of Sub Area Commander, Brigadier Satnam Singh.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr R.D. Dhiman, placed a wreath on behalf of the Governor, Ms V.S. Ramadevi while the Superintendent of Police, Mr Rakesh Aggarwal did so on behalf of the Chief Minister Mr P.K. Dhumal. The Minister of State for Town and Country Planning, Mr Hari Narain Singh, MLAs Major Krishna Mohini, Mr Lajja Ram and Mr Raghu Raj also placed wreaths on the coffin.

A former Governor and Chairman of The Tribune Trust, Mr B.K. Nehru, led a large number of civilian VIPs who paid their tributes.

Mr Narpat Singh, father of the martyr, said he was proud of his son who fell fighting in the best of traditions of the Indian Army. Back home in Bughar Kanaitan village where the body was taken for cremation, Dharmendra's mother, Ms Sheila said she was prepared to send her other three sons to the Kargil, if and when the country needed them. Three of her brothers are in the Army, and one of them is in the thick of the battle.

BJP reacts sharply to ex-CM's statement
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 3 — The ruling BJP today alleged that the former Chief Minister, Mr Virbhadra Singh, during the Congress regime indulged in regionalism and favoured a particular area of the state.

Reacting sharply to the allegation of Mr Virbhadra Singh that the BJP was "saffronising" educational institutions, four senior BJP leaders issued a joint statement describing the former Chief Minister's allegation as "baseless".

The statement has been issued jointly by the Education Minister, Mr I.D. Dhiman, Horticulture Minister, Mr Narinder Bragta, Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs Urmil Thakur, and Mrs Sarveen Chaudhary, MLA.

These leaders said the statement of the former Chief Minister was the result of "sheer frustration" as during his own tenure, he gave preference to a particular area in the matter of recruitments in the police department and Kangra, which was considered as the biggest, district, and certain other areas were completely ignored whereas thousands of candidates were eligible for selections from these areas.

These leaders said that neither the BJP believes in "saffronisation" of services nor it believes in regionalism, for the present government, all areas are equal and the government is well wisher of the unemployed throughout the state.

They took strong exception of the statement of Mr Virbhadra Singh in which he has stated that if the Congress returned to power, it would scrap the Subordinate Service Selection Board functioning at Hamirpur.

HP to have centre for open schooling
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, July 3 — The Himachal Pradesh State Centre for Open Schooling (HPSCOS) will be set up here shortly.

This was decided at a meeting between Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and the Chairman of the National Open School, New Delhi, Prof N.K. Ambasth, here today.

The emphasis of the centre would be on tackling various educational problems, besides achieving the objective of universalisation of primary education in collaboration with National Open School which will provide all sorts of facilities in running the Himachal Pradesh State Centre for Open Schooling in the state till the state started its own open school.

Mr Dhumal said the government was committed to providing qualitative education in the state, besides ensuring education to the children near their homes and expressed the hope that the centre would go a long way in supplementing the government's efforts in this direction.

The Chief Minister said the Himachal Pradesh Government had launched a scheme, "Sarswati Bal Vidya Sankalp Yojna", in the state with a view to strengthening primary education under which 13,612 new rooms were being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 126 crore to ensure a minimum of three rooms for every primary school.

He said the objective of the scheme was also to ensure better educational facilities to the students of primary schools.

Make inquiry report public: Virbhadra
Tribune News Service

DHARAMSALA, July 3 — Mr Virbhadra Singh, a former Chief Minister, has dared the Dhumal government to make public the report of the committee constituted to look into the allegations of giving jobs on chits during his regime.

He arrived in Kangra district today to offer condolences to the bereaved families of the soldiers killed in Kargil. Talking to media persons at Palampur, he said what the BJP government had done so far in Himachal Pradesh was merely the appointment of inquiry committees and holding of inaugurations.

"There are a number of committees that the government has constituted so far to act as fact-finding missions but has not made the report public of even one of them," he regretted. He added that the government should come out with the report of the Shukla Committee constituted to probe into the allegations of giving jobs on chits during his tenure. He added that he would welcome the making of the report public on the March 5, 1998, incidents that took place in Shimla at the time of the formation of the government.

Mr Virbhadra Singh regretted that in order to evade the allegations against the selections in the Kangra Cooperative Bank, Mr Dhumal had raised the issue of giving jobs on chits, forgetting that he had already constituted a committee for the purpose.

The Congress leader said the rivalry between Mr Dhumal and a former Chief Minister, Mr Shanta Kumar had affected the pace of development in Kangra district.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said the Chief Minister and his ministers were in a haste to undertake inaugurations, forgetting that all these projects had been completed during his tenure.

Soldier cremated
From Our Correspondent

UNA, July 3 — The body of Hawaldar Jagdish Chand of Agloh village in the Bangana block which was brought here today was cremated at his native village with full military honours.

Hawaldar Jagdish Chand was serving with the Indo-Tibetan Border Security Force and was posted at Amritsar. His unit was going from Amritsar to Gulmarg when the vehicle met with an accident. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Madhusudan, and Mr Arvind Shukla S.D.M., attended the funeral.

Health services being improved
From Our Correspondent

KULU, July 3 — The department of Health has earmarked Rs 200 crore to provide basic health services for which a health system corporation is being set up in Himachal Pradesh. This was told by Jagat Parkash Nadda, Health Minister yesterday presiding over the annual prize distribution function at the Zonal Hospital here. He announced that one X-ray and labour room would be set up here at the cost of Rs 10 lakh.

The Health Minister announced that a three bedded-cardiac centre would start functioning here. The Zonal Hospital here would be provided with an operation table, operation theatre lights and a generator set. Mr Nadda also declared that a New Hospital building for 500 beds would be set up with the state of art facilities.

The Health Minister said that the government was distributing medicines worth Rs 9 crore free every year in the state.

The Health Minister also laid the foundation stone of the X-ray Bhawan at the community Health Centre, Jari, about 30 km from here on Bhuntar-Manikaran road.