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Pak shelling destroys 90 houses in Jammu villages Jammu, May 23 (ANI): Barely 24 hours after Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's address to the jawans in Kupwara on Wednesday, Pakistan troops resorted to heavy overnight shelling and firing which destroyed as many as 90 houses in three villages near the Line of Control. Nearly 20,000 people moved out from 50 border villages of Kathua district to safer places, leaving behind their belongings, after firing started late on Wednesday, official sources said here on Thursday. Pakistani soldiers targetted Manyari, Pansar, Bobiyan and some of the adjoining villages in the district with mortar shells, which later affected 50 villages and caused huge destructions. Meanwhile in Punjab, Pakistani troops fired mortar shells for an hour on a village in Batala sector of the Indo-Pak border last night, according to official sources. However, no one was injured. (ANI) Manali being readied for PM's visit
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to top Manali, May 23 (ANI): The hill station is gearing up for the visit of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is expected to arrive here on Friday for a four-day visit. But it will be more of a working holiday as the government is in the process of exercising various options to give a befitting reply to the proxy war of Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. In view of the ongoing tense situation, policemen have been deployed in various parts of the city. A clean-up drive has also been launched. During his visit, Vajpayee will lay the foundation stone for Rohtang tunnel, which will connect Kulu valley with Lahaul and Spiti valley. According to Kulu's Deputy Commissioner, RD Nadeem, the nine- kilometre-long tunnel will open new avenues for the tribals residing in Lahaul and Spiti valley, Pangi, Ladakh and Leh. The project is also important from the defence point of view, he said, without elaborating. The local residents are looking forward to Vajpayee's visit. Said Mohan Singh, "We are really happy that the Prime Minister is coming here. Since he also has a house here, this is more or less his hometown. I hope he will spare some of his time to listen to our grievances and help solve our problems." In fact, the tribals of Lahaul have arranged a traditional Lahauli "Dham," or feast, in his honour. (ANI)
War not on the horizon, says Vajpayee Go to top Srinagar, May 23 (ANI): No immediate prospects of a war with Pakistan, free and fair elections in the Jammu and Kashmir, a special economic package for the state and rail link between Udhampur and Baramullah were some of the important announcements made by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at a press conference here on Thursday after holding a meeting with the unified command. Vajpayee declared that as of now there is no possibility of a large-scale conflict with Pakistan. "Asmaan saaf hai" (meaning no war clouds are seen), he remarked but added that at times lightning may strike the earth from out of a clear sky. He hoped no such thing would happen. Pressed further, the Prime Minister stated that a proxy war has actually been going on for 12 years." We have to win this war." The development package for Jammu and Kashmir is worth Rs. 6165 crores, out of which Rs. 3000 crores will be culled from different sources in the country. The 287-km Udhampur-Srinagar- Baramullah train track, costing Rs.3600 crores, will be completed in five years. The first rail link in the state, it will possibly roll out in the Valley on 15 August 2007, the day the Indian Railways would celebrate 150 years of existence. About the Assembly polls slated for next September, he assured that. it would be conducted in a totally fair and unbiased manner. The people will vote according to their own free will and in the process usher in a new political chapter. Asked, in the context of his speech to the troops in Kupwara on Wednesday, how close was the country to war with Pakistan, Vajpayee replied he had nothing more to add to the subject. The Prime Minister accused President Pervez Musharraf of double- speak, saying his words are never matched with words. What the General promised in his speech on January 12 (about crackdown on terrorists) has not been translated into reality. This, according to him, was a matter of disappointment. In answer to the question why India chose not to have talks with the Hurriyat, he said that KC Pant, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission and a special emissary, has already invited the conglomerate for a dialogue but stressed that Pakistan would not be a party to it. About the autonomy issue, the Centre was ready for talks on the subject, Vajpayee affirmed. "We wanted to discuss it, we are still ready for talks," he said. The government would like to stay in contact with all legitimate groups in Kashmir. The process of talks had begun and would go on. If any group had been left out, he would meet them again, the Prime Minister said, promising to return to the Valley. "See what lies in the future," was his last comment at the news conference (aagey aagey dekhiye hota hai kya).(ANI)
No war yet but Punjab border farmers economically hit
Go to top Amritsar, May 23 (ANI): Indo-Pak tension has severely hit the farming community residing in the border villages of Punjab. They can neither harvest the standing wheat crop nor plant fresh paddy. For instance, in Dagh Toot village in the Ajnala sector of Amritsar district, security forces have planted landmines in most of the fields. Kuldeep Singh, a farmer, says he is unable to harvest wheat. "First, we planted wheat, then they (army) planted mines. Now, we can't harvest the wheat," he explains. What is even worse is the fact that due to high temperatures, some of the mines exploded accidentally, thereby blowing up transformers and disrupting power supply to the water pumps. Moreover, the fear of an imminent war also looms large. "There is hardly any electricity in the village. If there is electricity, then at least we can think of sowing paddy in our farms. Now, with the war clouds looming large, people are afraid to work on their fields out of fear," Kuldeep added. Many villagers also say that they were promised finanical compensation by the army when it had planted mines, but no help has come their way so far. "The farmers have not got any compensation so far. There is little likelihood that they will get one in the future," according to Harjit Singh, a local revenue official. And though in the neighbouring village, a few intrepid farmers have sown paddy in a small area, they are not sure of seeing the fruits of their labour. "We are in a dilemma. If we don't plant anything, what will we eat? So, we have no other option but to sow paddy in a small area of the field if not in the entire field," said Virsha Singh, a farmer. (ANI)
Release cops or face action: Chautala to Jind farmers
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top Chandigarh, May 23 (ANI): Taking a tough stand against farmers in Jind, Harayana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala on Wednesday said the farmers should release the police officials, held captive for past few days, with immediate effect or be ready to face a stern action. He categorically ruled out holding talks with the agitated farmers. The agriculturists are demanding waiver of their electricity bills and release of some of their community members, who were detained for not paying power bills. The agitation had been going on for past few months, but seeing no positive action from the State Government or the administration, the farmers took hostage two DSPs (deputy superintendent of police) and wife of one of them. The farmers declared that they would not release the senior police officials unless their demands are fulfilled. They have even blocked every way leading to the village where the hostages are kept. Both, men and women, guard the village through the night thereby keeping away the police force. Chautala told mediapersons: "We have warned them to release the hostages or else the goverment will show its power. We can hold talks with organistions, or knowledgable people, but if we start talking to the criminals, how will the government function". Meanwhile, relatives of the two senior police officials have appealed to the State Government to interact with the farmers and resolve the matter at the earliest. Akshay Nagar, son of hostage DSP Jagdish Nagar, said, "I request the farmers not to physically harm my father. I ask them to release him as early as possible, as he is just a government employee and do not have much power". (ANI)
Nepal PM to address nation on Friday
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top Kathmandu, May 23 (ANI): Nepal's Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will make a televised address to the nation on Friday to explain his move to dissolve Parliament in a row over plans to extend emergency rule to crush Maoist revolt, according to Information Mminister. Deuba asked King Gyanendra to dissolve Parliament following a revolt by members of his own Nepali Congress Party over government plans to extend emergency rule, imposed last November and due to expire on Friday at midnight. "Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba will make a televised statement on Friday to the nation to explain the situation in the country to the people", said Jaiprakash Prasad Gupta, Information Minister. The government has called for elections in November - two years ahead of schedule - in the country. (ANI)
Pak troops to leave Afghan border and turn to the east
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to top Islamabad, May 23 (ANI): Pakistan has decided to call back its troops from the United Nations peace-keeping mission and from the western border with Afghanistan in the wake of war threats on its eastern flank. While taking the political leaders into confidence on the current situation here on Wednesday, President Pervez Musharraf told them that the decision was taken to counter the Indian offensive which is anticipated. Under the UN peace-keeping mission, a brigade of Pakistan army is stationed at Sierra Leone (Africa). Earlier, Pakistan had also committed to sent another brigade but now the government has dropped the idea. It is learnt that the UN has been informed about the change of plan. The President also said that the Foreign Minister would start contacting the world leaders to expose India's intents and to tell them that war may take place at any time. Commenting on the assassination of Abdul Ghazi Lone, the President said that he was a great freedom fighter. He condemned the Indian government for the lapse of security and for taking a lenient attitude in apprehending his killers. The politicians were also given a detailed presentation by Director General Military Operations (DGMO), Maj. Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani of the preparedness of armed forces.(ANI)
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