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PM promises new beginning in Kashmir, announces package

What is India News Service, Wednesday, 17 November 2004, 2000 hrs IST

Militants stepped up violence in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 12 persons, including three of a family and a CRPF jawan.

Three members of a family, including two women, were among six persons killed when unidentified militants opened indiscriminate fire on the inmates of a house at Kawoosa village in Budgam district, near here, last evening.

Elsewhere, six persons, one of them a teenaged boy, were killed and three others were injured in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday.

But that didn't stop Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from promising a new beginning in the state. He said if everyone worked together, a new Kashmir of peace can be brought about.

He unveiled a Rs 240 billion package, and said Centre would give all support for the state's economic progress.  

Tighter security in J&K: Security has been beefed up in the Valley following reports that the LeT plans to step up violence in the state during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit.

Troops de-induction begins: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Tuesday approved the Army's modalities for troop reduction in Jammu and Kashmir after reviewing the internal security scenario of the state and gave the Army the go-ahead to begin the de-induction process from Wednesday, coinciding with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh maiden visit to the state.

Positive move, says Pakistan: Pakistan on Tuesday termed Indian media reports regarding New Delhi's decision to reduce 40,000 troops from occupied Kashmir a 'positive development' and hoped that it would lead to more troop reduction.

 

Telgi amassed assets worth 12 cr: Video conferencing for collecting evidence has been used in several cases including the Lakhubhai Pathak case.

Zaheera’s kin identifies 11 accused: Yasmin Sheikh, sister-in-law of Zaheera Sheikh, today identified 11 of the accused in the Best Bakery case at a special court here. Yasmin, the fourth eyewitness to do so, told the court that all eleven accused were part of the mob that attacked Best Bakery in Vadodara on March 1, 2002.

Indira Goswami meets Manmohan: The noted Assamese literatteur met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the broad contours of a lasting solution to the elusive peace in the trouble-torn region. 

PM to hand over Kangla Fort to Manipur Govt: To convey positive vibes to the agitated Manipur, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will hand over the Kangla Fort in Imphal to the State Government during his visit on November 20. Also, ahead of his visit, the Centre will announce a committee to review the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

Court upholds screening test: The Supreme Court today upheld the decision of the Centre that students who had obtained medical degrees from the former Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics must clear a screening test to be conducted by the Medical Council of India. 
 
States

Army and railway hospitals opened to public: Even as medicos across Bihar threaten to continue the indefinite strike, unconfirmed reports state that nearly 24 people have died for want of medical aid.

Film row continues: Theatre owners are all set to defy the three-week moratorium following the successful screening of Veer-Zaara in Bangalore.

Lawyers bite, sexually assault two women on HC premises: Two advocates in a drunken state allegedly sexually assaulted a woman and beat up another in Chennai.

Gujarat has a Jurassic Park: Gujarat's Kutch district is regarded by the palaenteologists as a 'Jurassic Park' because several fossilised dinosaur eggs have been discovered in excavations.


Neighbours

Maoist clashes in Nepal claim 11 lives: At least 11 people, including ten security personnel, were killed in two separate incidents on Tuesday morning. The Kantipur FM said six security men were killed when the Maoists attacked them in Pahalmanpur in Kailali district in far western Nepal. One Maoist was also shot dead in the ensuing encounter. 

LTTE says defence pact meant to set India against Tamils: LTTE leader Tamilselvan said that the DCA was a clever Sri Lankan move to get India to fight the Tamils.
 
Formal proposals after debate on options: Pakistan would formulate its formal proposals for the solution to the Kashmir dispute in the light of options outlined by President Musharraf and after collecting the opinion of the Kashmiri leaders, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Kasuri has said.

View from abroad

White House firm on Indian commitment: The White House has reaffirmed its commitment to build on the United States' "strong relationship" with India even as Secretary of State Colin Powell announced his resignation on Monday.

Memorabilia of Farokh Engineer on offer at Christie's: A silver cricket bat and a brass trophy presented to the legendary Indian Test opener, are to go on sale in November, reports Vijay Dutt.

Overall:

PM announced package for Jammu and Kashmir: He said the state could prosper if everyone decided to work together.

Murli Manohar Joshi met Shankaracharya: The BJP leader said the seer was innocent, and the Centre should intervene in the case.

White House reaffirmed its India commitment: It said it would build on its strong relationship with Delhi even after Powell stepped down.