Chinese troops on Jammu and Kashmir : Gen Parnaik

Srinagar , Apr 6 : China’s presence in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)is “increasing steadily” and its troops are “actually present” along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, a top Army Commander said, adding the Chinese footprints are “too close for comfort” for India.

“Chinese presence in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Northern Areas is increasing steadily. There are many people who are concerned about the fact that if there was to be hostility between us and Pakistan, what would be the complicity of Chinese. Not only they are in the neighbourhood but the fact that they are actually present and stationed along the LoC,” Northern Army Commander Lt Gen K T Parnaik said here recently while addressing a seminar.

He said China’s links with Pakistan through Azad Jammu and Kashmir “lends strength” to the “nexus” between the two countries which is a cause of “great security concern” for India.

“As part of (China’s) ‘strings of pearls’ policy, Chinese footprints are too close for comfort,” Parnaik added.

The Army Commander said such a ‘nexus’ between the Chinese and Pakistani military “jeopardises our regional strategic interests in the long run and facilitates speedy and enhanced deployment of Pakistan armed forces to complement China’s military operations and thus outranks India.”

He said China has been found to be involved in the construction of numerous roads and several hydro-power projects inside Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Beijing is laying a web of roads that run across areas as distant from each other as Skardu in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Kunming in China near Myanmar border.

China has already constructed roads connecting all its highways to logistic centres and major defence installations that dot the border with India and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in south-eastern Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian Muslims preach RSS values in Lucknow

Lucknow : Donning skull caps and armed with RSS literature, small groups of Muslims here are on a campaign to preach the values of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh among members of their community. Under the banner of the Akhil Bharatiya Maha Sufi Sant Sewa Samiti (ABMSSSS), around 75 Muslims are on a door-to-door campaign to project “the spirit and values of RSS”, reports Islamic Voice, Bangalore. “You can call our exercise a campaign to link Muslims with the RSS, an organisation that has undertaken several rehabilitation programmes in the country,” says ABMSSSS president Mohammad Wahid Chisti. Chisti, an editor of an Urdu daily, said that like him, Muslims from different professional backgrounds were involved in the drive that started with RSS assistance. “Though most of those associated with the campaign are Muslim clerics, small traders, students and social activists are also involved,” he said. “Initially, we present an overview of RSS to the Muslims and then provide them the booklets. In our interaction, we emphasize the experiences shared by prominent personalities including Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar and Zakir Hussain about the Sangh,” said Chisti. RSS ‘pracharak’ Umesh Kumar said: “Involvement of Muslims has immensely helped us. Had we directly approached the Muslims, we would have faced difficulties.”

Mumbai ATS issues notice to 7 in Malegaon blast case

Mumbai : Maharashtra ATS has issued notices to seven more youths in connections with the 2008 Malegaon blast case to appear before ATS in Maharashtra. ATS issued notices under section 160 of the Cr. Pc, which empowers the police to require attendance of witnesses during investigations, reports The MG.

The notice was issued to Sadashiv Gudagagol, Namdev, Namdev Chikkurde, Girish Joshi, Vithal Gondhali, Vishwananth Kambar, Prakash Metri and Shivshankar Khanapure, Namdev and Girish. All of them after appearing before ATS Mumbai have returned home. The Gokak taluk in Belgaum is tense over the notice by the ATS.

Indian Army plans Kashmir Premier League : Hasnain

Srinagar, April 4: Army is going to organize Kashmir Premier League this summer on the pattern of IPL, the popular Twenty20 cricket competition. This was stated by General Officer Commanding of Army's Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lt Gen S A Hasnain while interacting with local people here on Sunday, reports Rissing Kashmir.

Stating that one or two teams would be selected from each district, the GOC said, “The main aim of the tournament would be to exploit the talent and the best cricketers will be provided training at top coaching academies of the country and the expenses would be provided by army.”

During the ‘Awami Mulaqat’ organized by army, Hasnain received volley of questions from the local residents.
Handwara traders’ association president, Ijaz Ahmad demanded opening of Rajwar road in Kupwara, saying that army’s love and affection needs to proven on ground.

“Sir, we have suffered a lot. Our houses were burnt and thousands were killed. Even if a single person committed a mistake the whole population of the area was punished,” Ahmad said.

“The ghastly tag of last twenty years attached with the army needs to be removed as fear prevails among people wherever they visit,” he added.

The residents raised many other issues related to their security and day-to-day problems with the GOC. Besides assuring people of taking action in all genuine concerns, Hasnain ordered opening of Rajouri road on spot to ease the sufferings of common people. On the occasion, the GOC also announced that 15 corps will adopt the orphanage home of the township.