Sunday, December 23, 2007

Indian shying away from result-oriented dialogue: Geelani

KT NEWS SERVICEJAMMU

Senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani today accused Indian government of shying away from holding a result oriented discourse aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue. "Had the Indian government understood the importance of our open doors and hearts, they would have engaged us in a meaningful dialogue intended at resolving the long pending Kashmir issue in coherence with the wishes and aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir," said senior separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Politics:worst tumult to remember

Nirbhay Jammual Jammu Dec 23

Some described it as the politics of convenience other termed the politics of compulsion. Whatever description one may choose, but the year 2007 remained as the year of political tumult for Jammu and Kashmir. The year began at a high political note as the budget session was advanced to January instead of the routine February-March calendar. The Opposition National Conference which was seen more as a friend of the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad during the previous assembly sessions was not all the same.

12 top hm militants surrender before CM in J&K

excelsior correspondent

Twelve top militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit today surrendered before Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in Ramban as Mr Azad called upon parents of the ultras and the people who matter to persuade more and more militants to lay down arms and join national mainstream.
Surrender by a dozen militants, who were operating in different parts of the State for a period ranging between two to seven years, was the result of two month long constant efforts put in by Kashmir police under direct supervision of DGP Kuldeep Khoda and IGP Kashmir S M Sahai.

The ultras, who had been kept in safe custody and tight security at an undisclosed place since last evening, surrendered before Mr Azad in the presence of Mr Khoda, Mr Sahai, IGP Jammu Dr Shesh Pal Vaid, Deputy Commissioner Ramban A D Shanas and SP Ramban Basant Rath.

Baglihar to go operational in June next: AzadCM, Jora inspect pace of work on mega project

Ramban, December 23 – Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Sunday that 450 MW first phase of Baglihar Hydel Power Project would become operational by June next, adding that the completion of 450 MW second phase of the project in near future would considerably improve the power position in Jammu and Kashmir.
Azad was speaking with media persons after inspecting the pace of work on Baglihar Hydel Project near here. He said that the work on the prestigious project has picked up fast during the past over one year and is being executed round the clock. The Chief Minister inspected work on the dam and power house. He was briefed by the executing authorities about the status of various components of the project.

He also interacted with engineers and other manpower engaged in the construction of the project. The Baglihar Hydel Power Project is the biggest electricity generating project coming up in the state sector. The pace of work on the project had slowed down in the past, breaking the target date of its completion. However, the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad after taking over the responsibilities of the State personally monitored the execution of the prestigious project and visited the site several times. He made it clear to the executing agency to complete it without further delay as the State was badly in need of power.

Today's visit to the project site was part of his effort to speed up the early completion of the project. Minister for Power, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, District Development Commissioner, Ramban, A. D. Shanas, Executive Director, Baglihar Hydel Project, V. K. Malhotra, Chief Engineer, Power Development Corporation, Electric, S. K. Raina, Chief Engineer, Civil, R. A. Kamli and other senior officers were present on the occasion.