Musharraf `sneaks' in letter to Gilani

Musharraf `sneaks' in letter to Gilani
RAJESH SINHA

JAIPUR, DECEMBER 15: Rajasthan government has ordered a probe to find out how a letter, apparently from Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf to Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani reached the Hurriyat leader in a Jodhpur jail.

The letters between Gilani and Musharraf relate to Pakistan's new ``five-point'' policy on Kashmir. Pakistani newspapers reported on Monday that the policy which calls for stepped-up support to militants was drafted under Musharraf's guidance after talks with PoK leaders. Another input apparently was Gilani's letter.

Musharraf then wrote back to Gilani and his letter, said to have been written on November 19, was brought to Delhi through diplomatic channels. And delivered to Gilani in the jail allegedly in an ``unauthorised and illegal manner.''

Musharraf's letter was said to have been delivered to Gilani by Abdul Ghani Lone. According to jail authorities, Hurriyat leaders Lone and Maulvi Omar Abdullah met Gilani in Jodhpur Jail after obtaining the court's permission, on December2.

That meeting took place in the presence of five officials, including one from the Intelligence Bureau, one from the CID, and jail Superintendent M I Chauhan. Jail authorities ruled out the possibility of any letter being sneaked across to Gilani.

Following the publication of the letter in a Hindi newspaper today, Rajasthan's Minister of State for Prisons Bhanwar Lal has ordered a high-level inquiry. An officer of the rank of DIG was sent to Jodhpur to inquire into the matter.

In the letter to Gilani, Musharraf reportedly talks of support to a Hurriyat-led struggle for the people of Kashmir and assures continued moral, political and diplomatic support for the right to self-determination. He is also said to have promised to raise the issue of Hurriyat leaders' imprisonment at international fora and to speed up efforts to get their release.

Gilani was lodged in the Jammu jail four months ago for ``anti-national activities'' and was later transferred to Jodhpur jail.

Manmohan Singh voicesconcern

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 15: Leader of the Opposition Manmohan Singh on Wednesday expressed serious concern in the Rajya Sabha over reports that a letter from Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf had reached Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani in Jodhpur jail and demanded probe into the matter.

Raising the matter in the Upper House during the zero hour, Singh wondered how a letter from Gen Musharraf could reach the Hurriyat leader lodged in jail and said it was a serious lapse on part of the authorities in Jodhpur.

According to the newspaper report, the letter relates to Pakistan's new five-point policy on Kashmir which reportedly calls for stepped-up support to militants.

The policy was said to have been drafted under Gen Musharraf's guidance after talks with leaders of Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

Responding to the demand of the Leader of the Opposition, Home Minister Lal Krishan Advani said he would look into the matter.