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Kashmir : Separatists asked to join the dialogue process

	October 23, 2006

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked the separatists to join the dialogue process so that the state can have a bright future. Speaking after inaugurating a bridge on Srinagar-Gulmar road in Kunzer, he said the 16 year old bloodshed has not given anything to the people except deaths, destruction and misery.



Azad said the doors for talks are open and whosoever wants to help people to come out of the morass should come forward to take part. He said the divisive forces since 1947 had been hell-bent upon disrupting the secular atmosphere in the state. The Kashmiri people, however, always supported the state’s strong democratic and secular principles. Azad said that despite the militants taking to the gun, the people have been fighting such forces tooth and nail.







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Villagers thrash militant



For the first time in 16 years of turmoil in the Kashmir Valley, a “militant” was caught by the people and handed over to the police. The villagers of Shopian caught the “militant” after he demanded money from them. Police claim he belongs to the Hizbul Mujahideen, but the militant outfit said he had been expelled two months ago for involvement in anti-social activities.







Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, S.M. Sahai visited the village on October 16 and thanked the people for their support. Sahai also gave Rs.2 lakh for the development of the village.



On the evening of October 14, three masked men had barged into the house of Ghulam Mohiudin Dar and demanded Rs. 25 lakh as ransom. Dar says that one of the masked militants, later identified as Raees Ahmad Malik, asked him to hand over his truck till he arranged the money. When Dar refused, Malik told him to give his son to work with them.



Dar told the gunmen that he would discuss the matter with his son, and it was decided that the men would return the next day. On the evening of October 15, Malik again came to Dar’s house to ask for the money. Villagers rushed in and grabbed the gunman.



They beat him up, tied him with a rope and then called the police station, Shopian.





World Bank expert upholds Indian position on Baglihar



In a major diplomatic victory for India, a World Bank appointed expert is reported to have upheld India’s position on the Baglihar Hydro Electric Project being built on the River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir. The World Bank had appointed Prof. Lafitte of Switzerland as a neutral expert to adjudicate the dispute between India and Pakistan on the project. The dispute arose after Pakistan approached the World Bank, which is financing the project, with its complaint that India during the course of its construction, had violated the Indus Waters Treaty.



Pakistan alleged that India had unilaterally increased the height of the dam and also questioned plans to construct sluice gates beneath the poundage, arguing that it was not needed to produce electricity. The gate’s design was also objected to.



Using these alterations as its platform, Pakistan lodged a complaint with the World Bank under Article IX(2) of the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between the two countries way back in 1960.



Seized with the matter, the World Bank, on May 12, last year, appointed Prof. Lafitte as the neutral expert. While the penultimate hearing on the issue was conducted at Paris on October 4-5, the proceedings are likely to be wound up in Washington towards the end of this month



The draft final determination, while rejecting Pakistan’s contention, has upheld our position,” pointed out a senior Water Resources Ministry official.



Being touted as the lifeline to the poverty-stricken Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Baglihar project when completed, is expected to change the economic profile of the region.





Kashir channel operationalised from Srinagar



The Kashir Channel of Doordarshan was operationalised from Srinagar last week. Earlier, most of its work was being done outside the state. Information and Broadcasting Minister P.R. Dasmunsi announced in Srinagar on Oct. 18 that 75 per cent of the programmes would be allotted to local residents and 25 per cent to migrants and others.



Other measures announced by the Minister included introduction of AIR’s new FM Rainbow Club and moving a proposal to exclude Jammu and Kashmir and the North East from the ban on appointments in Prasar Bharati so that over 700 vacancies are filled up. Dasmunsi who spent a couple of days in Jammu and Kashmir said the Ministry would be significantly investing in the state during the 11th Plan period to ensure that all places have access to Radio and Doordarshan.