 |
Thursday,
December 6, 2001, Chandigarh, India  
|
Pandits want ‘constituencies in exile’ Vote for POTO, Farooq urges parties Farooq condoles
Namtahali’s death J&K poll in
September |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Pandits want ‘constituencies in exile’ Jammu, December 5 The demand was contained in a resolution adopted at a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee, which was presided over by Dr K.L. Chowdhary, an eminent physician, here today. The resolution said it was unfortunate for the community to be territoryless and unpresented in the state legislature and Parliament. It said the 12-year history of Pakistan-sponsored militancy had clearly revealed that the Pandit community “has been disenfranchised” and the only way to undo this was to set up constituencies in exile. The committee viewed with concern the ruling National Conference plan of securing greater autonomy for the state and of implementing the Resettlement Act which provided for return of those Kashmiris to the state who had migrated to Pakistan and occupied Kashmir in 1947. Supporting Dr Chowdhary, Dr Agnishekhar, president, Panun Kashmir, and other leaders, including Dr K.N. Pandita, Dr K.B. Razdan, Dr M.K. Raina, Pandit Moti Kaul and Mr Daya Krishen, the committee members said it was intriguing that the state government took no steps to grant citizenship rights to refugees who migrated to Jammu from Pakistan 54 years ago but was keen to restore such rights on those who had become Pakistani nationals. It was equally surprising that the ruling party in the state had no concern over the plight of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, but was eager to resettle those who were settled in Pakistan. The committee had fears that if the Act was fully implemented, it would open new gates for Pakistani nationals to enter Jammu and Kashmir. The committee also opposed the demand for restoration of greater autonomy and the plan of the National Conference to divide the state into eight segments on communal lines in the grab of regional autonomy. The Panun Kashmir reiterated that nothing short of a homeland for Pandits within the valley could ensure honourable rehabilitation of the community in exile. It also feared another exodus of Pandits from Jammu because pandit youths, finding job avenues closed in the state and prospects of securing admission in professional colleges bleak, were moving to other states. The committee warned the central government that the state government’s move for the return of migrants was a calculated plan to “grab money from Delhi”. It also urged the state government to avoid playing tricks with the displaced community by promising to give them jobs provided they were willing to serve in the valley. The Panun Kashmir leaders said when the members of the majority community were not safe how could pandit youths feel secure in Kashmir where militancy-related violence had yet to show any downward trend. The Political Affairs Committee also cautioned the Government of India against moves of the superpowers to mount pressure on Delhi for granting concessions to Pakistan as far as Kashmir was concerned. It berated the National Conference for trying to divide the displaced community by setting up different committees. It warned the community leaders against the nefarious plan of the National Conference which was adopting a “carrot policy” simply to bag their votes as elections were round the corner. |
|
Vote for POTO, Farooq urges parties Jammu, December 5 Addressing a gathering at Zanana Park here on the 96th birth anniversary of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, he made it clear that the ordinance was not against the underprivileged or any religion but against militants and their sponsors. He urged all political parties to forsake mutual differences and vote for the ordinance in Parliament, after ensuring changes in it, else the militancy menace could spill over to Delhi or even far off places such as Bihar. SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has announced that the Assembly elections in the state will be held in September next year. The Assembly elections, in all probability, would be held in September next year after the present Assembly completes its six-year term, Dr Abdullah said in an informal chat with mediapersons at an iftar party hosted by him last evening. The new government would take over the reigns of power by October, he added. “I want elections to be fair and just,’’ he said and strongly refuted allegations of the opposition parties that the ruling National Conference had assumed power through rigging. “Farooq had never rigged the polls,’’ he said and claimed that all elections in state had been fair and without any foul play. Dr Abdullah, however, blamed former Union Home Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for rigging. “His party has always been involved in rigging elections,’’ he added. The Chief Minister said he would ask the Election Commission of India to send as many observers to the state for conducting a smooth and fair elections. “I would ask all political parties to send their observers to the troubled-state to monitor the elections,’’ he said. “I want fair and smooth elections and will do everything possible for the same,’’ he added. Dr Abdullah strongly defended the implementation of Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) in the state. He said the POTO was a better law than the Terrorist and Disruptive Act TADA. He, however, said, “If Parliament makes any amendment to the ordinance, the state legislature will follow the suit.” Dr Abdullah asked the security agencies not to misuse the POTO. “It should be used where it is deemed fit. In case it is found that security officials have misused it, strict action will be taken against them,’’ he added.
UNI |
|
Farooq condoles
Namtahali’s death Srinagar, December 5 He was above 65. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has condoled his death. In his condolence message, Dr Abdullah described Namtahali as an able legislator and ace singer who popularised Kashmiri music and became a household name. He said his services to the development of Kashmiri music would be remembered for long. The Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family. Meanwhile, the body of Namatahali was taken to his native village of Namathal in Badgam for burial.
UNI |
|
J&K poll in September Srinagar, December 5 The Assembly elections, in all probability, would be held in September next year after the present Assembly completes its six-year term, Dr Abdullah said in an informal chat with mediapersons at an iftar party hosted by him last evening. The new government would take over the reigns of power by October, he added. “I want elections to be fair and just,’’ he said and strongly refuted allegations of the opposition parties that the ruling National Conference had assumed power through rigging.
UNI |
|
 |
| Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir | Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs | Nation | Editorial | | Business | Sport | World | Mailbag | In Spotlight | Chandigarh Tribune | Ludhiana Tribune 50 years of Independence | Tercentenary Celebrations | | 121 Years of Trust | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
