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Hurriyat for durable Kashmir solution at Delhi talks
by Bilal Butt

     Srinagar: Leaders of the moderate faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), one of Kashmir's main separatist alliances, said on Thursday they were hopeful of finding a "durable" solution to Kashmir dispute at their meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 5. "In an extraordinary meeting held today, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference while taking stock of the situation obtaining in the subcontinent, unanimously decided to accept the invitation for talks by Mr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, with a view to proceeding with seriousness, imagination and courage to find an acceptable and durable solution to the issue of Jammu and Kashmir with a larger interest of the people," Hamil Abdul Bande, the APHC spokesman, told reporters here. The talks are scheduled to be held ahead of a meeting between Singh and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in New York on September 14 to push forward a slow peace process between the nuclear rivals. Local media reports had been quoting various Hurriyat leaders as saying that the group is ready for dialogue, but the decision to go ahead was formally endorsed by the APHC's policy-making executive council in Srinagar on Thursday. Analysts said that by inviting the APHC leaders, Singh was sending a message that he was keeping Kashmiri interests in mind. But what must be noted is that the hardline faction of the APHC has not been invited. "We will talk, it's our aim. We want to resolve the issue but a meaningful dialogue should take place. We just don't have to attend tea parties but a concrete solution should happen. We want that whatever has been happening for the past 58 years should be forgotten and all the three parties should be involved seriously in the talks," Moulana Abbas Ansari, senior Hurriyat leader had told reporters ahead of their meeting in Srinagar.

     Earlier the second round of the talks between the Centre and the Hurriyat leaders was held on March 27 and 28, 2004. The focus of those deliberations was on the alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre's steps to curb such violations and the Hurriyat demand for the release of more political detenus. The meeting took place with the then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister LK Advani. The March 2004 meeting was preceded by the first round of talks on January 22 at which several incidents of security forces- related rights violations, including the one at Bandipora, were taken up. Advani had then issued instructions to the security forces to observe "zero level" human rights violations and deal with the violators in a strict manner. In between March 2004 and September 2005, the Hurriyat leaders met Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf during his visit to Delhi between May 16 and 18, 2005. They were then firmly told that their participation in the composite dialogue process in so far as the Kashmir issue was concerned was dependent on them getting an invitation from the Indian Government. They were also told that it was necessary for all factions espousing the Kashmiri cause to unite under one umbrella for either Pakistan or India to consider their participation in the dialogue process with any degree of seriousness. More than 45,000 people have been killed in Kashmir since Muslim militants launched a revolt against New Delhi's rule in 1989. The Himalayan region has triggered two of three wars between India and Pakistan and New Delhi accuses Pakistan of fuelling the militancy; Islamabad denies the charge. India and Pakistan have made little progress over their core dispute of Kashmir although trade, commercial, sporting and transport links have improved since ties began to warm in 2003.

LJP asks UPA to sever ties with RJD (Go To Top)

     Patna: Lok Janshakti Party has asked the United Progressive Alliance to sever its ties from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, following Lalu Prasad's allegation that LJP chief Ramvilas Paswan was conspiring for the victory of National Democratic Alliance in the coming Bihar Assembly elections. Terming Lalu's allegation as 'baseless and absurd', LJP Vice- President Dr Ranjan Prasad Yadav said in a press statement that to defeat the NDA in the coming polls, UPA allies should not tie up with RJD. Alleging that in its fifteen-year regime, the RJD Government had strengthened the 'communal and fascist' forces in the State, Ranjan asked UPA allies, particularly the Congress not to have any truck with RJD. "We have time and again made it clear that the LJP will have no alliance with the RJD", he said. Adding to it, he said that a tie-up with RJD would be an open invitation to the NDA to form the government in the State. Reacting to Lalu's statement in which he had said that Paswan should sail in the UPA boat but if he wanted to sink then he could opt for the other way, Ranjan said, "Anybody who will sail in the leaking boat of Lalu is bound to sink." He termed RJD governments performance as a "total failure on all fronts." "It is not my personal view. It has been reflected in the surveys carried out by the Planning Commission, World Bank, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and several other accredited institutions", he said. Yesterday, in a sudden development, some of LJPs Muslim leaders including Qamar Alam, former spokesman and general secretary of LJP, Nasim Ashraf and Maqbul Haq left it to join RJD. This shocking incident for Paswan came at a crucial time when he had wished to have a Muslim Chief Minister in the State, which was also perceived as a propaganda to gain Muslims support by alleging that Lalu has used them only for vote-bank politics.

Nine infiltrators killed in Kupwara (Go To Top)

     Nowgam Sector (Jammu and Kashmir): Indian security forces shot dead nine militants trying to sneak into Kashmir from the Pakistani side on Thursday. The encounter took place in the Nowgam sector of Jammu and Kashmir's northwest Kupwara district. Confirming the development, Major General Harvant Krishan said: "Our troops observed a group of nine militants crossing the Line of Control (ceasefire line) and crossing over the fence and going across to the area of Kaszinag. Thereafter, our troops re- positioned themselves. We established a cordon around them and gave them a warning. They fired at us and we too opened fire and the entire group of militants were neutralized or eliminated." The casualty toll of infiltrators was the highest in six weeks.

RSS cancels its Chintan Baithak (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The three-day long Chintan Baithak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) which was scheduled to commence from today has been cancelled. According to sources, the RSS did not want to embarrass BJP president L.K. Advani further, as they anticipated senior Parivar members raising questions about Advanis statements given in Pakistan in June this year. After Advanis return from Pakistan, the RSS had demanded that he step down as BJP president for his controversial statements on Jinnah and the Babri Masjid. It had also given him a ideological 'roadmap' to follow. The meeting was reportedly called with object of sorting out differences among the RSS members and facilitating better coordination among them. No fresh dates have been announced for the next meeting.

Floods wreak havoc across Bihar (Go To Top)

      Darbhanga/Muzaffarpur (Bihar): Several villages were inundated in Bihar's Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur districts due to incessant rains and the heavy discharge of water into the River Gandak from Nepal. The swirling waters of the river have also affected movement of road and railway traffic. "Life has come to a standstill. We are facing many problems. Train are not plying since the last two days, its very difficult," said a local. Local railway authorities are trying to repair the track so that services can be resumed. "The department is trying to speed up the restoration work. We want that rail services should begin again. We are suffering losses due to this," said Manoj Kumar, Assistant Station Master, Darbhanga. Bihar Governor Buta Singh, who undertook a survey of the flood- affected areas on Wednesday, has promised to provide all assistance. "Floods are not in out hands. We can't stop them. They originate from where the rivers originate. All we can do is that we can reduce the damage by the floods. Efforts were made before but this time efforts should be made on large scale as the situation is very serious," said Singh. Each year during rains, the surging waters of the rivers Gandak, Koshi and Balan cause havoc, reaking embankments and submerging the villagers in Bihar's Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sheohar, Samastipur, Begusarai, West Champaran, East Champaran, Saran and Gopalganj districts. According to official records, in the year 2004, floods caused by surge of water in Gandak submerged standing crops spread on 11.39 lakh hectare area, over 3.25 lakh houses and public properties, valued around Rs 118 crore were destroyed.

Bhikiwind villager's hunger strike to save Sarabjit (Go To Top)

     Bhikiwind (Punjab): A youth from the native village of an Indian man, sentenced to death in Pakistan, sat on a hunger strike for the seventh consecutive day on Thursday, seeking the convict's early release. Manjit Singh said he alongwith hundreds of others from the village believed that Sarabjit Singh, who has been accused of spying and being the mastermind behind the 1990 bomb blasts in Pakistan, is innocent. Manjit also appealed for the release of other prisoners lodged in Pakistan's jails. "I am appealing the entire country to do all they can to get all those lodged in jails in Pakistan released, including Sarabjit Singh," he said. Sarabjit Singh convicted of spying under the name of Manjit Singh, is said to be involved in bombings in Pakistan that killed 14 people, and the Supreme Court this month upheld the death penalty handed to him in 1991. But the decision triggered an outcry in India where Singh's family says it is a case of mistaken identity and he is a farmer who wandered into Pakistan while drunk. Pakistan agreed to let two Indian diplomats meet Singh as a first step to confirming his identity after members of his family threatened to commit suicide if he was executed. The diplomats met him at Kot Lakhpat Jail on the outskirts of Lahore in the presence of Pakistani jail authorities and interior ministry officials. India and Pakistan, who have fought three wars, are involved in a peaceprocess but they still accuse each other's spy agencies of setting off bombs and fomenting strife. Singh's family members have threatened to commit suicide if he is executed, and appealed to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for clemency. But Pakistani officials say Singh carried out terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Death sentences are often handed down but rarely carried out in Pakistan. Singh's lawyer is due to seek a review of the sentence and if it fails, an appeal for clemency will be made. There is no time limit for the sentence to be carried out. Sukhpreet Kaur, Singh's wife, is awaiting permission from the government to enable them to visit Pakistan.

MP police employ jobless youth for night security (Go To Top)
by Jignesh Patel

     Khargone( Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh police in Khargone district have developed a unique idea of employment for the jobless youth by using them as private guards during night for the area's rich businessmen. The youth are employed as private police guards to patrol the areas and colonies. The money that was earlier paid to the night guards by the colony members are now being paid to them. "As per the city's Security Committee Act, we decided to engage young people as guards. With this purpose, we held a meeting with the shopkeepers and the residents of the colonies so that they can earn money. Their names are registered with us. They return from the duty along with our other police officials," says Santosh Singh Bhadoria, City Superindent of Police ( CSP), Khargone. The youth are happy since it provides them employment. "I am a member of the security committee. I got employment through it(private guard). Earlier, I was an educated unempolyed. I wish that I continue to work thereby taking care of my family. I am happy," says Puran Singh Thakur, a private police guard. The residents and traders of the Khargone district have appreciated the efforts made by police officers to protect their property. They also feel that the system will act as a means of sustenance for the unemployed youth. " For some time, cases of theft have been reported and fear pervaded among the residents as well as the traders. Through this system, the unemployed youths have been provided jobs and we are also relaxed about our property," says Ashish Kanungo, a shopkeeper. Since the introduction of the unique scheme, the number of theft cases or minor incidents have been reduced considerably.

Why is Lord Ganesha crying in Gwalior? (Go To Top)

     Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh): The scientific community's view that God does not exist has been questioned again by hardcore believers following a miracle at Gwalior's Pipaleshwar Temple where tears came rolling down from the eyes of a diety of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of well-being and wisdom. According to Lila Devi, the priest of the temple, the miracle occured on Wednesday evening . "At 6 o'clock when the people came to lit a lamp they saw tears in the eyes of Ganesha. At first, they were confused whether they should tell about it or not but then they told about it. Since then, people in large numbers are coming to see," said Lila Devi. Residents of Gwalior feel that science has no relevance in the face of this miracle. "When I was returning from the shop in the evening at 8:30, I saw crowd near the temple. The people told me that Lord Ganesha was crying. I took out my handkerchief and wiped his tears. Then I saw a drop of tear fell on my finger. In this modern world, science will fail before this miracle," said K C Makheja, a resident. Devotees in large number thronged the temple which is nearly 50 years old. They think that it is a good omen and prayers have been conducted. Looking at the crowd thronging the temple, police have been deployed to maintain peace and order. A few years ago, Lord Ganesha was reported as having drunk milk.

Gurinder Chadha, Meera Syal among most influential British-Asians (Go To Top)

     London: "Bend it Like Beckham" director Gurinder Chadha and `Vodafone' boss Arun Sarin are among o host of Indians who figure in the list of the most influential British Asians. The list containing the names of 100 most influential Asians living in the UK has been prepared by the Institute of Asian Professionals (IAP). Other Indians whose names find mention in the list are "Lord New Look" clothes chain founder Tom Singh, and "Kumars" stars Meera Syal and Sanjeev Baskar. Besides Indians, other Asians hailing from other countries of the sub-continent include Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, the key figure in the battle against terrorism, ready meal mogul Sir Gulam Noon, and solicitor Imran Khan who helped the family of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence fight for justice. Quoting the report, The Mirror reported that though Asians comprise only 2.5 per cent of the total British population, but they generate 10 per cent of its national wealth amounting nearly 103 billion pounds every year. The report further says that the Asians who arrived in Britain penniless 50 years ago, are now among the country's top businessmen. Head of the Institute Khalid Darr said: "They provide billions to the economy and make countless vibrant and vital contributions. It shows Asian men and women have been taking their rightful place among the most powerful people in our country."

China says it will maintain grip on Tibet (Go To Top)

     Beijing: Defending its rule over Tibet, China has said that it has no intention of handing over control of the Himalayan territory, but will take further steps to develop and boost its economy. "Only under the leadership of the Communist Party, can Tibet have today's prosperity and progress," the party mouthpiece, the People's Daily, says in an editorial. China, which has controlled Tibet since 1950, marked the 40th anniversary of Tibetan "autonomy" by saying that its gross domestic product (GDP) had surged to 21.154 billion yuan (3.5 billion dollars) in 2004 from 327 million yuan (53.5 million dollars) in 1965. The vast, sparsely populated region known as "the roof of the world" was designated the Tibetan Autonomous Region in 1965, a gesture Beijing made to other areas with large ethnic minority populations too to give them more say over their own affairs. "Tibet has undergone tremendous changes. Tibet has a great potential and a broad prospect for development. Tibet now faces two major tasks: one is development and one is stability," the state news agency Xinhua quoted Jia Qinglin, ranked fourth in the Communist Party hierarchy,as saying this week. Jia also lauded the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which marched into Tibet in 1950, for crushing an uprising in 1959 and rioting in 1989. Tibet is one of China's five autonomous regions populated by ethnic minority groups, but international watchdogs say human rights abuses are widespread and there is no autonomy.

India, Pakistan agree to continue composite dialogue (Go To Top)

     Islamabad: Foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan on Thursday decided to continue the composite dialogue process and sign an agreement on pre-notification of ballistic missile tests at the Foreign Minister-level meeting in Islamabad in early October. "Both sides agree on the integrity of the composite dialogue....the third round of the composite dialogue will take place and hopefully, it will start by the end of this year," Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan said at a press conference after wide-ranging talks with his visiting Indian counterpart Shyam Saran. The accord on pre-notification of ballistic missile tests will be signed when External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh meets his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid M Kasuri from October 3-5 this year, he said. Khan also said "the subject of Kashmir will be on top of the agenda" when President Pervez Musharraf meets Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New York on September 14 on the margins of the UN General Assembly session. Asked about Prime Minister Singh's decision to meet the Hurriyat leaders on September 5, Khan said: "We have always maintained that Kashmiri leadership should be involved with the peace process". Khan said when the Hurriyat leaders had visited Pakistan, "we welcomed them".

     They had discussions with the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and others, he recalled. So, the Hurriyat leadership, "whom we recognise as the representatives of Kashmiri people should be associated with the peace process. Here, there are three parties -- Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people. So, this is a positive development that they (Hurriyat) will also be meeting the Indian leadership," Khan said. Khan said a joint statement will be issued at the end of the talks on Friday. To a question, he said that the issue of Sarabjit Singh, sentenced to death for his alleged involvement in the bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan in 1990, did come up. "There was a mention...we have provided consular access." Asked about the mandate of the Joint Commission, he said "it will be revived" in pursuance to the decision taken by Musharraf and Singh when they met in New Delhi in April this year. The last meeting of the Joint Commission was held in 1989. At that time, it had four sub-commissions. "We will have to see what kind of format it should have," Khan said, adding dates for its first meeting to be held at the Foreign Ministers' level were being worked out. The meeting will discuss what should be the mandate of the Commission, its structure and objectives.

References: Hurriyat Kashmir Delhi talks, LJP UPA RJD, infiltrators Kupwara, RSS chintan baithak, floods Bihar, Bhikiwind hunger strike Sarabjit, police jobless youth, Lord Ganesha crying Gwalior, Gurinder Chadha, Meera Syal British Asians, China Tibet, India Pakistan composite dialogue, Jessica Simpson mirror therapy, Naomi Campbell cat fight, Ramu Sarkar UAE Olympic, gene breast, Colin Farell tree of life, Keira Kknightly Aussie pop, Bee Gees Robbie Williams Saturday Night Fever, India, India News, Newspaper, Indian, News, Travel News, India Travel Times, Travel,Tourism, Tour, Tourist, India, Times, News, Hotels, Airlines, Ayurveda, Yoga, Hindu, Taj Mahal, Cuisine, Festival, Temple, Trekking, Hindu, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Odissi, Dance, Shimla,Varanasi, Kullu, Manali, Dehra Dun, Mussourie, Mussoorie, Haridwar, Hardwar, Rishikesh, Nainital, Delhi, Goa, Kovalam, Darjeeling, Bodh Gaya, Kancheepuram, Kanchipuram, Thekkady, Badrinath, Amar Nath,Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Sabarimala, Guruvayoor, Kanyakumari, Kodaikanal, Ooty, Chennai,

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