ribune News Service,Jammu, January 1

A ceremonial border personnel meeting between India and China was held on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Chushul sector of eastern Ladakh on the New Year today. The meeting was held at the Moldo Garrison of the Chushul sector, said defence spokesperson SD Goswami.“Both the sides sought to build on the mutual feeling to uphold the treaties and agreements signed between the governments of the two sides to maintain peace and tranquility along the LAC,” said Goswami.The Indian delegation was led by Brigadier Vijyant Yadav whereas the Chinese side was represented by Senior Colonel Fan Jun.The meeting was marked by saluting the national flag of China by the members of both the delegations followed by ceremonial address by leaders of the two groups. The delegation heads exchanged New Year greetings and expressed mutual desire of maintaining and improving relations at functional level at the border, said the spokesperson. Both delegations interacted in a free, congenial and cordial environment, the spokesperson added.During the recent visit of Northern Command chief Lt Gen Hooda to Lanzhou Military Region, measures to maintain cordial relations, peace and tranquility were discussed between the two sides. Meanwhile, a culture programme showcasing vibrant Chinese culture and traditional grandeur was also organized on the occasion.

Two Army men arrested for extortion in Kulgam

Suhail A Shah,Anantnag, January 1

Four persons, including two Army men, have been arrested in Kulgam district of south Kashmir for allegedly extorting money on gun point while posing as Hizbul Mujahideen militants.The Army men have been found involved in more than one case of extortion, the police said.The police were investigating an extortion complaint by a doctor from Khrewan village of the district when the role of the two Army men came under scrutiny.The accused soldiers have been identified as Muhammad Yousuf Teli and Muhammad Rafiq Khanday of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. They are presently posted with the 19 Rashtriya Rifles camp in the Larkipora area of Kulgam district.The police said the accused Army men were the residents of the district.According to police report, an FIR (303-2015) under sections 34, 386 and 452 of the Ranbir Penal Code was registered against the accused after an extortion complaint by Dr Bila Beigh from the Khrewan Malpora area.Dr Beigh told the Tribune that two armed men, posing as Hizb militants, had held his family hostage on Sunday evening and ransacked their house, before decamping with Rs 32,000 and some electronic gadgets.“I was in Delhi when the incident took place. My sister and her husband were at my place and they were in deep shock,” Dr Beigh said.Station House Officer (SHO), Qazigund, Parvez Ahmad said it was Dr Beigh’s sister who had spotted one of the accused at the Emergency Hospital in Qazigund, where she works as a senior dental technician.“The police swung into action and arrested the identified man, who led us to his accomplice,” the SHO said.The two were identified Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat and Nisar Ahmad, he said.While the police were interrogating the arrested duo, one of Dr Beigh’s neighbours Muhammad Yousuf Teeli approached him and confessed to have provided weapons to the accused duo.“He pleaded for forgiveness and was worried that he will be thrown out of the Army,” Dr Beigh said. “I, however, informed the police regarding the incident and they picked up the threads from there,” he said. The police questioned Teeli and subsequently secured a confession from him of being involved in multiple extortion cases. “He also led us to one of his accomplices. Both have been produced in court and sent to remand,” the SHO said.The police officer said the Army men have also confessed to having carried out similar extortions across Kulgam and in neighbouring Anantnag district.

In the dock

• Two Army men and two civilians have been arrested in Kulgam district for allegedly extorting money on gun point while posing as Hizbul Mujahideen militants
• The accused soldiers have been identified as Muhammad Yousuf Teli and Muhammad Rafiq Khanday of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. They are at present posted with the 19 Rashtriya Rifles camp in the Larkipora area of Kulgam district