FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2016 DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU

daily Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain contenders. Both would have an equally good chance although Excelsior hile remains The 'Chief' among our worries the former's 10 (Kashmir) Established 1965 obsessed with count- experience may place him at Wing or changing its India, on the LoC, in the J&K He is the younger brother of mir. Perhaps Gen Sharif seeks to civilian leader can rock the boat some advantage. Founder Editor S.D. Rohmetra notes and coins, Pakistan hinterland and in the politico- Musharaf's mentor who died in pursue a political ambition out- of all political parties. He can be A change of Army Chief car- appears to be moving quietly diplomatic realm. Yet this does the1971 Indo Pak Conflict and side the uniform. He could find the reviver of fortunes of his ries much importance for Pak- towards changing its Army not appear to be happening. Ear- whose memory is that of a cel- many political parties willing to mentor Musharaf's own political istan whose destiny is decided by Chief. That is a big event in that lier assessments did speak of ebrated warrior in Pakistan. host him and carry him on their party. Musharaf could then be him but for India it would be Weeding out deadwood country considering the kind of General Sharif's possible effort General Sharif is also a graduate shoulders thus achieving greater the patron and the even the iota business as usual. A display of a power the Chief wields. Yet, the to trigger worsening of relations of the Royal College of Defence international acceptance for him of doubt which exists about the eadwood is a term used for such announcement seems to be with- with India to enable his case for Studies (RCDS), that is another should he be ultimately elevated future of the legal cases against degree of machismo at the LoC Government functionaries as are tainted, held for the moment. The incum- extension. The trigger has hap- power center within the Pakistan to political control of Pakistan. him could be laid to rest. or Jammu IB can be expected. With the Chief turning over and corrupt or indulging in malpractices and bent, Gen Raheel Sharif, is pened, the relations have wors- Army; just like Musharaf him- Extension as Army Chief was Having effectively denied D reportedly on rounds of impor- ened but Gen Sharif is still appar- self. Musharaf is known to have well within his hands as already the surgical strikes by India there the DG ISI also under transfer to irregularities while discharging official duty. A tant headquarters to address offi- ently interested in laying down had much to do with the appoint- brought out, especially after is virtually no loss of face for Karachi as Corps Commander Government functionary is covered by Civil cers and troops as part of his office. Why all this magnanimi- ment of Gen Raheel Sharif who India's surgical strikes but that General Sharif. When uncom- we will have a new incumbent in farewell. The D Day for change ty? The Indian media is focused was then third in the seniority in would bring another two or three fortable questions regarding the that appointment too. These are Service Rules which is a compendium of various is likely to be 29 Nov 2016. on the identity of the next incum- the pecking order of the top Gen- years in the appointment. When presence of terror groups were times which could be unpre- rules, practices and guidelines permanently laid The Pakistan Prime Minister bent, forgetting that General erals. However, there are reasons Generals are ambitious they like being raised by Pakistan's pow- dictable as the Punjab based jiha- down by the Governments regulating the services does have the authority to extend Raheel Sharif cannot yet be writ- more than one for Musharaf to be to go the whole hog. With the erful media he muzzled that too di anti India groups may just the tenure of the Army Chief. ten off as a has been Pakistan actually favouring a change. He prevailing perception of his with the steps against Cyrus wish to further their agenda of the employees. In the CSR, there is a clear Almost all previous Chiefs have Army Chief like General can then run with the hares and achievements that he has been Almeida. That communicated when all eyes are elsewhere. A chapter on monitoring the performance of all had extended tenures except the Kayani. General Sharif without hunt with the hounds. These rea- able to project in civil society the need for discretion among strike inside India could be a Government functionaries whatever the rank. straightforward and unambi- being the Chief could yet be an sons are not far to seek. and the public at large his image those who think that the Pakistan tempting proposition for India's tious General Jehangir Karamat important player in Pakistan's The fact that the Pakistan remains extremely clean and Army has lost some of its steel enemies when it is under a dif- There are also rules of what punishment will be who resigned prematurely or as future hierarchy. Army is having a timely turnover likeable. In a country where like- in dealing with civil dissent. ferent kind of instability, public given to a functionary against whom cases of cor- some believe was asked to go by Loyalties in the Pakistan of an Army Chief (provided it able leaders are rare to find Gen From among the candidates attention is elsewhere and pas- Nawaz Sharif which led to the Army can sometimes be short does finally happen) is reason Raheel Sharif has definitely ruption, imbecility or irregularity are established being spoken of as possible sions can be lit up to unpre- appointment of General Parvez lived. There can be no guarantee enough to analyse and even spec- shown himself as some one a bit replacements it may be prudent dictable proportions. Putting all that the Musharaf - Raheel Sharif ulate. The first of the reasons different. He can play to the gal- after due process and in accordance with the law. Musharaf as the Army Chief. to stop imagining that the choice this in the melting pot I as an Musharaf executed the Kargil club can ensure placement of its which come to mind is that Gen leries and the street, charm for- Corruption of Government functionaries has would lie in the hands of the Indian should be careful and pre- intrusion in 1999 which set the candidate as the replacement but Sharif is being correct in proto- eign leaders, carry his military Prime Minister. If General Sharif become a known fact for some years in the past. It if we know the Pakistan Army col and ethics by not robbing one persona in the army, exploit his pared. chain of events leading to the is sacrificing an extension for the and the power of the current of his immediate juniors and brother's martyr and national Stop Press... the killing and is nothing new and has been there always in some overthrow of Nawaz Sharif. As sake of political advancement he an ex President and Army Chief Chief the next incumbent should subordinates the opportunity of warrior status and throw in anti mutilation of the body of anoth- would definitely need the sup- measure but in recent years such cases have Musharaf still exercised suffi- again be a Musharaf man. In fact heading the Pakistan Army. He India sentiments to good meas- er Indian soldier at the LoC is increased and become alarming. Apart from cient influence to ensure that his it is well known that Musharaf has built a fairly iconic image of ure. You can't find that type of port of a friendly Chief. That General Sharif's swan song and should mean anyone close to way of admission that the surgi- charges of corruption, misuse of authority, adminis- protege Gen Raheel Sharif was does not favour a change of himself as a macho leader hav- leader in Pakistan today even if appointed the Army Chief in Army Chief at this juncture. For ing reduced the quantum of inter- you search with a fine tooth Nawaz Sharif would be danger- cal strikes did take place. It's his trative irregularity and other gross instances of dere- 2013 even while Nawaz Sharif him having a favourable Chief nal violence by targeting specif- comb. ous. Lt Gen Javed Iqbal Ramday way of leaving with honour but liction of duty, charges of conniving with anti-social was yet again the Prime Minis- would be a distinct advantage as ic radical Islamic terror groups. If General Sharif's powers of falls in that category. Being a the should give him ter and Musharraf's power had the legal cases pending against His popularity in the street and analysis and appreciation give wounded soldier also puts him in a signature salute with a deniable and anti-state elements have also been up against considerably eroded. Gen him have all not been yet dis- equally within the uniformed him the same answers as above the category of a potentially pop- strike across the LoC and let him Government functionaries from time to time. Raheel Sharif today exercises posed off. His seniority differ- community of Pakistan is defi- he should be confirming these ular Chief, not something Gen- live to regret his last days in uni- Late Mufti Sayeed had taken up this matter the authority and has the power ence with the next incumbent nitely high. He has raised the from his mentor, General eral Sharif would be looking for. form. of persona to push for his own would be an uncomfortable 15- pitch against India and exploited Musharaf. A long term view That would put Lt Gen Qamar (The writer is a former GOC of the after he had formed the Coalition Government. In extension, especially in light of 16 years. With General Sharif it the situation when opportunities reveals him to be just about the Ahmad Bajwa and Lt Gen Ishfaq Chinar Corps) . June 2015, his Government had given compulso- the situation with relation to is also 12 years but he is special. presented themselves in Kash- only candidate who as a military- Nadeem Ahmad as the two direct [email protected] ry retirement to 63 officers. However, the courts Sanjay Gupta lying on their beds were looking struck down termination orders of six officers so towards the sky with tears flow- far while cases of many others were pending in very year November 25 is ing from their eyes. In the camp, remembered as Mirpur Fall of Mirpur in 1947 the High Court at various stages. Recently, Chief the old men, women and chil- EDay. On this day in 1947 Hospitality and courtesy are looked within it's easy reach. But the nick of time. nessed so far. The post put up the dren were searching for their Minister Mehbooba Mufti has approved the pro- a curse descended on Mirpur, the inherited qualities of the peo- the people of Mirpur were not Though in-sufficient, the most spirited resistance, but the family members. posal of GAD terminating the services of 21 now in Pakistan Occupied Kash- ple of Mirpur. They have their prepared to give - in without extra ammunition boosted the enemy came in wave after wave From a moment, their mir. Out of a total population of Government functionaries. It will be noted that the own sweet language known as fighting in collaboration with the morale of the Garrison tremen- after wave and after six hours of appeared a glimmer of hope 25,000 about 18,000 Hindus and Mirpuri. The city of Mirpur grad- small State force. They organ- dously. The next day another ceaseless fighting, this portion when at 1100 hours a fighter air- CM holds the charge of General Administration Sikhs were killed and about 3500 ually rose to become a great com- ized the defence of the town. massive attack was made on the of the defence was over run by craft of the Indian Air Force Department where from termination of services in were wounded by the raiders. To mercial centre next only to Jam- Together they repulsed the ene- town and the enemy managed to the Pakistan Army units who appeared in the sky and again at pay tributes to Martyrs on this respect of each of 21 identified functionaries was mu and Srinagar. But the parti- my attack with heavy losses on break through the defense on the entered the city at midnight. 1300 hours. But each time hope day Mirpur Mahajan Sabha tion of India in 1947 resulted in November 6, 10 and 11,1947. south western portion of the Alarmed by the most critical sit- turned into despair as the Air- issued by invoking Article 226 of Civil Service Organizes programmes in which the city being all but destroyed. In the meantime, the enemy city. The enemy was then uation, the internal flying craft turned away without help- Rules (CSR) against them. people from all walks of life At the time, with a population came closer to occupying rebuffed in hand to hand fight- squards engaged themselves in ing the helpless. That was the including school children partic- 25000 souls including migrants almost all the posts around the ing by the young men of Mirpur hand to hand fights with the greatest misfortune of Mirpuris The termination of services of these 21 func- ipate in processions and meet- tionaries has been issued after ensuring that this from Punjab, it became the city. Not only was the ammuni- and the soldiers of the State infiltators and kept them on their who were still alive or wound- ings etc. A grand function is boundary line between India and tion almost out, essential com- Army. The enemy was pushed toes at the cost of their own lives ed. The enemy then greeted the individual termination order will pass the judicial organized at Mirpur Chowk, Pakistan on the western side of modities such as food, water and back and their attempt to enter till the morning of November 25. people of Mirpur with showers test as well and the reasons why in previous Maheshpura, Jammu by the Mir- Jammu and Kashmir State. Pak- medical supplies in the besieged into the city was foiled. Unfor- Unfortunately at this critical of bullets from all sides and the pur Mahajan Sabha. istan connived with Pakhtuns city became critical. The people tunately on November 21, the juncture, the administrative whole town was covered with cases the courts had struck down the termination According to a legend about and attacked Mirpur in full force of Mirpur then organized com- wireless set with the Garrison machinery at Mirpur clandes- the blood and dead bodies of 650 years ago the city of Mirpur order in at least six cases. It means that the dis- with the intention of grabbing the mittees to distribute the limited went out of order and all contact tinely took the decision of over 18000 people about 3500 was laid by two saints, Mir Shah crepancy that had remained in the termination of whole of Jammu and Kashmir supplies among the people. with the country were lost. The retreating to Jammu leaving the Gazi and Gosain Bodhpuri. The wounded and half-dead were service order in previous cases has not been word 'Mir' was taken from the state. But the Mirpuris unitedly After November 16, the intensi- air strikes of the Indian Air civil population to its fate. In an made prisoners while another allowed to creep in while issuing the dismissal of name of the former while 'Pur' stood against the invaders. ty and regularity of the enemy Force against the enemy also utter display of cowardness, the group of about 3500, after walk- from the later to give the name On the 4th of Nov. 1947, attack on the city greatly declined thereafter. On Novem- state officers showed their backs ing miles and miles barefooted, 21 functionaries. Well, that is what the 'Mirpur' which became symbol heavy enforcement of the Pak- increased. But the young and ber 22 and 23, the enemy used to the enemy. Some other sol- managed to make their way to Government thinks makes its position strong and of the Hindu - Muslim unity, istan Army look position on the brave souls of Mirpur also dis- its full force and putting bullets diers also left their pickquets and Jammu. Their very miserable not vulnerable to judicial intervention. brotherhood, simplicity, faird- ridge known as Palan-Da-Galla played tremendous grit and into the city from all directions. followed suit. This created pan- condition of starvation and men- eal, integrity and hospitality of and also started heavy firing and tenacity in their defence. On This continued day and night ic, chaos and confusion among tal condition is too difficult to However, we would like to raise two issues in its inhabitants. Not only were tried to besiege the small garri- Nov. 19, the then thin and poor- without any break. the civil population. Thousands describe in words. That tragic of, this context. The first is that there is no senior offi- they imbued with the feeling of son of State Force on the river ly equipped strength of the State On November 24, came the of women committed suicide to 'the naked' dance of death at Mir- cer among the 21 of the functionaries whose serv- self - respect and qualities of hard Jehlum about 10 miles from Mir- Army had little hope of holding final blow when a full battalion save themselves from the clutch- pur on 25th, 1947 which brought work, intelligence and God-fear- pur city. Under heavy odds, the out of more then 3 days. In that of the enemy strongly supported es of the cruel enemy and rape the tragic fall of Mirpur can nev- ices have been terminated. In the earlier order of ing but were also brave and state force decided to retreat critical situation, the state Gar- by artillery and 3 inch Mortar let loose by the invaders. Others er be forgotten. dismissal of 63 functionaries there were senior courageous, and ever-ready to falling back to the city. This rison received another consign- Fire launched an attack on the assembled in the deserted Army (The author is the president of officers as well. But this time only junior func- sacrifice anything in the cause of brought the enemy right to the ment of 25,000 rounds of south western part of the city. camp where the wounded and Mirpur Mahajan Sabha, Jammu). their mother-land. tionaries like patwaris, clerks are targeted. How gates of Mirpur City which now ammunition dropped by air in This was the heaviest attack wit- sick soldiers of the state force, [email protected] come that no senior officer is touched while we Amit Kushari IAS (Retd.) caste Hindus of the Hindi cow know that there have been allegations against belt may start leaving the BJP andits had always been fold one by one. some seniors also. It should not be that the sen- traditionally Congress Pandits, Jammuites and the BJP The scheduled castes have iors have managed to save themselves using their Psupporters in the past. In were from the Kashmir valley. A demolition. The Pandits found an MLAs can give them better roads porters of BJP and especially already left BJP after the cow influence of political clout. The second point the seventies and eighties politi- number of Gujjar leaders were alternative to the Congress and irrigation facilities and employ- Modi. Congress had never slaughter harassments. The cal fight in J&K was between the from the Congress. there was a mass migration from ment in Government. Initially talked about their rehabilitation Muslims and Christians are like- which has relevance to the year 2015 dismissals ly to vote for those candidates Congress and National Confer- The scenario started chang- they were reluctant to vote for in the valley. Modi has done that. Congress to BJP. Now there is who have the highest chance of also in addition to recently terminated 21 func- ence mainly. PDP was not born ing after the death of Shrimati hardly any Pandit who supports BJP for exactly this reason. It is Although the Pandits know very then and BJPwas politically con- defeating BJP. In 2014 BJP was tionaries is what action does the Government Indira Gandhi. The Pandits had a the Congress. for this reason that BJP was des- well in their hearts that it is prac- fined to two or three constituen- swept to power with only 31% very soft corner in their hearts for For the Hindus of Jammu the perate to come to power even if tically not possible for them to propose to take to recover huge money which has cies of Jammu city. Since J&K is of total votes. If due to disputed Nehru because he was a Pandit situation is quite different. In the it meant holding the hands of an go back to Kashmir, when Modi and misguided moves like cow a state which is overwhelmingly been allegedly amassed or embezzled by the dis- by birth and Indiraji was in their elections of 2014 a number of enemy with an ideology opposed talks about their "ghar vapasi" it slaughter ban and demonetisa- Muslim majority (68% Mus- missed Government functionary for which he has eyes a Kashmiri "batain" (pandit Jammuite Hindus were carried to their own. They had simply no gladdens their hearts and they tion, they slip downwards by lims) and BJP was then consid- lady )and they were extremely away by the Modi wave, like oth- other choice. If at least some of feel obliged to support him even 3 or 4 % they will not be been punished? We are told that some of them ered to be a small Hindu minded proud of her. Their confidence in er north Indian Hindus but the the BJPMLAs could not become blindly. Even if Modi puts them able to get even 150 seats in the communal party, not acceptable have raised huge properties which speak of their switchover from Congress to Ministers, BJP would not get to extreme inconvenience and next Lok Sabha elections. PM to the people at large, the choice the Nehru family was shattered affluence. If charges of corruption are proved BJP was not 100%. Roughly votes in future in Jammu. Jam- makes them stand in huge Modi may not be much bothered before the people was only NC when in 1990-92 India was 60% of them shifted to BJPbut muites would think that BJP can queues at banks and ATMs, even about this prospect because he is against such functionaries --- and of course these and Congress. Since NC was unable to protect their interests an unmarried sanyasi (technical- 40% still remained with Con- never get them any benefits even if PM Modi puts restrictions on have been proved --- then that property has been essentially a Muslim oriented and they had to flee Kashmir in ly, at least) and is free of all mun- gress. In fact the Hindus of if they sent 25 MLAs to the sale of properties after March party( a new incarnation of Mus- the wake of unprecedented per- dane greeds, but the millions of raised through illegal means and monies that extreme northern India, like Assembly. So to remain in pow- 2017, as is rumoured in the pop- lim Conference), which talked of secution by the Kashmiri Mus- BJP supporters and workers will actually belongs to the people. The Government Himachalis, Garwalis and er the BJPMLAs of Jammu have ular social media, they will con- autonomy and pre 1953 position lims as a part of a bigger game be terribly disappointed. Before Dogras/Ladakhis have a natural to always remain close to their tinue chanting "Ghar ghar Modi, should clarify its position in this connection. for J&K, this party was very pop- plan of Pakistan to fully Islamise it is too late they should proper- tendency to be with Congress. I voters, trying to give them what- Har har Modi"--- in the same ly advise the PM. After emer- ular among Kashmiri Muslims. Kashmir by purging it of all Hin- Lastly, we appreciate the bold decision of the don't know the reason why. Their ever they can give. People of pattern as Kashmiri Muslims in gency, if the Congress support- The Hindus of Jammu mainly du minorities. Overnight the Chief Minister who wants to translate her words in inclination towards the BJP is Jammu have shown in the past the past adored Sheikh Abdul- ers had properly advised Indira- voted for the Congress and the Pundits became as helpless as more peripheral, skin deep. It is that could even vote for Kash- lah. ji instead of clapping and singing to practice. We have to appreciate her corrective Muslims of Jammu province vot- orphans. They had always con- not so deep as the bond of other miri parties like NC or PDP, not The fascination of upper meaningless praises of sycho- ed for both NC and Congress. sidered the government of India measures to give the State clean and uncorrupted North Indians or Central Indians to speak of Congress. They have, caste Hindus, living in Northern phancy, Mrs Gandhi would not Congress had a fair amount of as their protector' "Mai Baap" administration. or Western Indians. In other in the past, sent NC MLAs from and Western India ,with BJP, have to face the terrible defeat support among the Kashmiri and when the Govt of India of 1977. words, BJP may lose support in Hindu majority areas like Sam- may not , however be too deep. Muslims also, especially in the couldn't protect them they start- (The author is former Financial Jammu quite easily. Jammuites ba, Marh, Bishna, Nagrota. So They may tolerate some pain for Bank loots hilly outskirts of the valley. A ed looking for other political so called imaginary future gain Commissioner, J&K. Feedback to the have traditionally voted for par- they can never be taken for number of top Congress leaders alternatives. In the early 1990s for maximum 2 or 3 weeks. If author at 09748635185 or amitkus@hot- wo instances of bank loots by ties which are likely to come to granted by the BJP. The Pandits like Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, BJP took an upward swing with there is no relief in one months mail.com) power in the state so that their on the other hand are blind sup- militants/masked armed gangsters in last Saifuddin Soz, Taj Moiuddin the Rath yatra and Babri masjid time, even the 'sukh bhogi' upper [email protected] Ttwo days have happened. Four masked gunmen looted over Rs 12 lakh from Jammu and Toothless tiger Burning of schools Kashmir Bank in Central Kashmir's Budgam dis- trict. In another report police said that unidentified Sir, Sir, Traffic violations persons looted over Rs 34 lakh from a Jammu This refers to the article "RTI : Again a toothless tiger" by Dr Raja Muzaf- Victor Hugo says "He who opens a school, closes a prison'' In this context I want to pose a question to the common masses and particularly educated people of valley: and Kashmir Bank branch in Kishtwar district. On far Bhat. The author has rightly called RTI a toothless tiger because in absence Sir, of State Information Commission , RTI Act cannot be implemented in letter why they support to create the atmosphere by which the above said definition has receipt of these reports, the Union Home Ministry and spirit in Jammu & Kashmir. Before few months of Dr SK Sharma's retire- become reciprocal and now the situation seems that, "He who closes a school opens Speeding, dangerous driving, jumping has issued instructions to the State Government ment in October 2015 from the post of Information Commissioner , Govern- a prism''. traffic signal, drunk driving, using mobile Yours etc.. to beef up security of the banks, ATMs and the ment was supposed to complete the formalities of appointing a new Infor- phone while driving and not wearing hel- mation Commissioner. This did not happen until Dr Sharma retired. Govt Rattan Lal mets should result in on the spot suspen- vans carrying cash to the banks and ATMs. again failed to appoint new Chief Information Commissioner after G R Sufi Sangrampur sion of driving licences. Obviously, security will be tightened and recur- retired early this year. Now the 3rd Information Commissioner Nazir Ahmad Budgam The Govt must insert a new section in rence of loot of banks will be stopped. also retired on November 17th and nobody is bothered to make State Infor- the Motor Vehicles Act to enforce this. The mation Commission operational. This ugly development will discourage peo- Unemployment in the State Evidently, the militants have begun to loot the offenders should be heavily penalised for ple from using Right to Information Act. Chief Minister , Leader of Opposi- Sir, dangerous driving and racing on public tion and Deputy Chief Minister should soon meet to fill the three vacancies banks at gun point because their funding sources roads. Moreover, there should be higher of Information Commissioners. I support Dr Muzaffar's demand that Infor- At present the menace of unemployment is swallowing our society like a demon. have dried up as a result of demonetizing of big- mation Commission should be non bureaucratic and new Commissioners The unemployed youth are wandering like hunters in the dark with no hope from any- penalty for drivers who fail to take crash ger currency notes. It will be noted that the first should not be retired IAS or IPS officers only. Some senior journalists ,retired where the biggest reason being population explosion. The jobs like police constable, victims to hosppitals for immediate care, impact of demonetization was that stone throwers Judges , academicians or social activists can also be appointed as Informa- teacher, clerical were ones which were easily available to simply matric pass candi- in cases where they face no mob fury. tion Commissioners. J&K RTI Act 2009 and even Central RTI Act of 2005 dates but nowadays very hard to find for a graduate and masters holders. So it the Fines for traffic violations should be disappeared in thin air overnight. Kashmir militan- nowhere says that Information Commissioners should be former bureaucrats time especially in our State to implement the 33-60 law. It is a humble request to the enhanced and repeat offenders should not cy is run through fake currency notes printed by or police officers only. CM Mehbooba Mufti to take this decision. If PM can demonitize 500, 1000 curren- get their driving licences at least for a year. Government press in Lahore and Karachi. Those Yours etc.... cy notes our CM also hold such courage for well being of our young generation. Yours etc... B A Bhat Yours etc... Prof K K Gupta sources have dried up for Kashmir seditionists Advocate Sandeep Singh Katal Moti Bazar, and traitors. J&K High Court , Srinagar Bishnah Jammu