Srinagar, October 17
Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has said Pakistan and Kashmiri groups are not justified in negotiating with India as the latter does not accept Kashmir as disputed but as an “integral part” where “borders cannot be changed”.

The hardline APHC leader was addressing a seminar on “Judicial murder of Mohammad Afzal is mockery of democracy and justice” organised by the Society for the Protection of Detainees and Prisoners’ Rights here today.

The seminar, according to society vice-president Geelani, was part of a campaign to save Mohammad Afzal Guru from the gallows. Afzal has been sentenced by a Delhi court to be hanged on October 20.

The speakers equivocally sought to save Afzal as he was “innocent”.

Describing Afzal as an innocent, Geelani stressed the need for a united “fight against tyranny”, alleging that judiciary, political leadership and the Government of India were biased.

He added that Afzal had not been provided with proper legal assistance and held that even if he were executed on Friday the “struggle” would continue.

Several other separatist leaders, including Shabir Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Yasin Malik, Sajjad Lone, Mian Abdul Qayoom of the Bar Association, minority leader Sampat Prakash, writers and intellectuals attended the seminar.

Senior educationist Agha Ashraf Ali presided over the seminar.

However, no leaders from the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were present.

Hitting hard at the moderate faction of the Hurriyat Conference, Geelani said: “Pakistan is not justified in talking to India” and so was the case with the Hurriyat Conference.

Without naming the moderate faction of the APHC, the hardline leader said those talking to the Government of India were not justified, as it did not serve the purpose.

“India is not sincere…. Unless it accepted Kashmir as a dispute,” Geelani commented, adding that talking to India meant to “surrender before the oppressor”.

Referring to the ongoing talks process, Geelani held that it was only “to get the status quo accepted”.

In a direct reference to the Mirwaiz faction and others, Geelani said the Kashmiri leadership was divided, for some of them had “deviated from their path”.

“They have changed their ways and targets,” he said suggesting that these leaders had changed the path of confrontation to negotiation.

That means, he said, they were “going against us and our cause”. — PTI

Srinagar, October 17
Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants shot dead two Jammu and Kashmir police personnel, including a driver of an Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in separate incidents here today, official sources said.

Head constable Vikram Singh, driver of the IGP, Kashmir, Mr S.M. Sahai, was shot at and wounded by militants from point blank range near the general bus stand at Batmaloo here, they added.

He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead, the sources said.

In the second incident near the Hazratbal shrine, militants shot at and wounded Constable Dilawar Ahmed at Telbal Morh on the city's outskirts.

He was rushed to the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in a critical condition where he succumbed to his wounds.

The Pakistan-based JeM has claimed responsibility for both the attacks. A person, who claimed to be the spokesman for the outfit, telephoned the local media here and owned responsibility of the attacks on policemen.

The security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to nab the attackers.

A report from Baramula said suspected militants fired upon a party of the Special Operation Group (SOG) near their camp at Sopore this afternoon, causing a serious injury to Constable Farooq Ahmad. He was hospitalised, the sources said. — UNI

Srinagar, October 17
The State Cabinet which met under chairmanship of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad here yesterday has approved transfers and postings of nine senior officers in the administration.

An official spokesman said Mr S.S. Kapur, Principal Secretary to Government, Industries and Commerce Department has been transferred and posted Principal Secretary to Government, Planning and Development Department.

Mr A.S. Sidhu, Chairman, Bureau of Public Enterprises would hold additional charge of the post of Principal Secretary to Government, Information Technology and Science and Technology Departments.

Mr Lokesh Dutt Jha, Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Information Technology and Science and Technology Department has been transferred and posted Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, Industries and Commerce Department.

Sheikh Nissar Ahmad, Registrar Cooperative Societies has been transferred and posted as Secretary in the Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department. He will take over Secretary to Government of the said Department on the retirement of Dr Mohammad Deen on December 31, 2006.

Mrs Tanveer Jehan, Vice-Chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir Lakes and Waterways Development Authority has been transferred and posted Special Secretary to Government, Power Development Department vice Mr B.D. Sharma. The charge of the post of Vice Chairman, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) would additionally be held by Mr Basharat Ahmad Dhar, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir till a suitable substitute is posted.

Mr B.D. Sharma, Special Secretary to Government, Power Development Department has been transferred and posted Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Jammu vice Mr Vinod Koul.

Mr Vinod Koul, Director, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Jammu has been transferred and posted OSD in the Relief Organisation (Migrants), Jammu. He would take over as Relief Commissioner (Migrants), Jammu on the retirement of Mr K. Mohinder Singh on December 31, 2006.

Dr G.N. Qasba, Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation has been transferred and posted Registrar, Cooperative Societies in his own pay and grade on ex-cadre basis vice Sheikh Nissar Ahmad.

Mr Aziz Wani, awaiting orders of adjustment in the Tourism Department has been posted Managing Director, J&K Tourism Development Corporation vice Dr G.N. Qasba.