gaddam@remus.rutgers.edu (Surekha Reddy Gaddam) (06/13/91)
************************************************* Source: [NEWSCLIPS/INFO.SERVICES.MAIL] MAIL/USA From kammula@plato.engr.umbc.edu Wed Jun 12 14:37:05 1991 ************************************************* Subj: KASHMIR SHOOTOUT LEAVES AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE DEAD, PTI REPORTS NEW DELHI (JUNE 11) - At least 15 people were killed and three injured in a shootout between Moslem militants and Indian security forces in Kashmir's summer capital Tuesday, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported. The shootout followed an ambush in downtown Srinagar on a contingent of security forces deployed to replace a platoon doing duty in the area, the news agency said quoting an official spokesman here. At least 15 people died in the gunbattle, it said, adding that it was not immediately clear if any security personnel were among the casualties. PTI said "several militants" were among those killed, but gave no further details. Civilians hit by stray bullets have been frequent victims of gunbattles between Indian troopers and Moslem militants in Kashmir. The militants are fighting violently for Kashmir's secession from India in a campaign which has left more than 2,400 people dead since January 1990. In Kashmir, state government officials said that six Moslem militants were shot dead by Indian border troopers early Tuesday when they illegally entered Kashmir's Kupwara area through the border from Pakistan. India accuses Pakistan of aiding the militants fighting for the secession of Moslem-majority region Kashmir from Indian rule. Pakistan, which claims Kashmir with India, denies the allegation. One more militant and one civilian were killed separately in related violence elsewhere in Kashmir late Monday, the officials in Jammu, the state's winter capital, said. Meanwhile, some 45 shops were gutted in a fire in the Exhibition Grounds area of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital, late Monday, the officials said. Subj: CHOLERA ON RISE IN INDIAN CAPITAL OF NEW DELHI NEW DELHI (JUNE 11) - An increasing number of cholera cases have been detected in the Indian capital, a senior local administration official said Tuesday. New Delhi's Municipal Commissioner P.P. Chauhan said isolated cases of residents afflicted with the infectious disease were reported from 91 parts of the city, which has a population of eight million. Mr. Chauhan told reporters that more than 140 people were affected by cholera so far this year, a sharp rise from a mere 35 cases registered in the corresponding period last year. He did not report any deaths. Mr. Chauhan assured that there was no epidemic situation and "no need for panic." Scores of people were reported dead in a cholera epidemic in Delhi's neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh in the last few weeks. End of article ===============