Major Events 1996

1996

January

6 15 villagers abducted and killed by militants in Doda.

February

8 Four Pro-Pak militants- Imran Rahi, Babber Badr, Bilal Lodhi and Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Lone offered uncondit- ional talks with Central Government.

March

	12 Central Government constituted Five- Member Committee to prepare cases against APHC leaders for receiving for-ign money.
	15 Talks began between the Centre and former militants.
	25 Election Commissioner announced three phase Lok Sabha election schedule for in J&K.
	29 National Conference decided to boycott Lok Sabha polls.
	30 22 JKLF militants of Sideeqi Group killed in an encounter with security forces in Hazratbal.

April

	9 Election Commission formally notified the poll schedule for 6 Lok Sabha seats in J&K.
	11 People Representative Act amended to facilitate Kashmiri migrants in exercising franchise outside the jurisdiction of constituency.

May

	5 Prime Minister, P.V. Narsimah Rao addressed election meeting in Jammu, first visit of any Prime Minister to the State after outbreak of militancy.
	7 Polling held in Jammu and Ladakh Parliamentary constituencies.
	23 Anantnag and Baramulla Parliamentary Constituencies went to polls.
	30 Polling took place for Srinagar and Udhampur Lok Sabha seats.

July

	6 Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda visited Kashmir; announced Assembly election soon.
	10 Mohammed Maqbool Dar, Janata Dal MP from J&K inducted into Union Council of Ministry as Minister of State for Home.
	12 Lok Sabha approved extension of President’s Rule in J&K till January 18.
	19 Six domestic tourists abducted and killed by militants in Srinagar.
	19 Election Commission announced 4-phase Assembly elections in J&K to restore democratically elected Government.
	23 Prime Minister announced package for accelerated economic development in Jammu and Kashmir including Rs 2600 crores for Udhampur Baramulla Rail Link.

August

	5 Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda visited the State again, promised more funds for its development.
	7 Election Commission announced four- phased Assembly elections from September 7 to 30; National Conference President, Dr Farooq Abdullah, asked people to cast their vote without fear.
	23 Tragedy struck during Amarnath yatra; 51 pilgrims died of unprecedented snow and rainfall on way to the holy cave; thousands stranded enroute; in all 240 persons died in the tragedy.

September

	1 National Conference released election manifesto, pro- mised restoration of greater autonomy.
	7 Elections held at Kupwara, Baramulla, Leh, Kargil, Rajouri and Poonch districts.
	12 Dr Farooq Abdullah escaped an attempt on his life in Pulwama district at election meeting.
	13 The Centre ordered probe into Amarnath tragedy.
	16 Polling held in 34 constituencies in Pulwama, Anantnag, Kathua and Jammu districts..
	21 Polling held for Assembly segments in Srinagar, Budgam and Udhampur districts.
	30 Polling held in Doda district in the fourth and last phase.

October

	1 National Conference got landslide victory with 57 seats in a House of 87 members.
	9 Dr Farooq led 27 member Ministry sworn at an impre- ssive function held at SKICC, the first outside the Raj Bhawan.
	15 Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, asked the Centre to initiate dialogue on autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir.
	16 First session of the newly constituted Assembly held at Srinagar.
	19 Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, asked all the gun wielding militants to lay down their arms and join the mainstream.
	24 A bomb exploded outside MLA Hostel, Srinagar killing two cops and injuring seven others.

November

	1 District Development Boards reconstituted except for Leh.
	4 144 militants laid down arms before the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah at Srinagar.
	13 A Committee for regional autonomy headed by the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah with Balraj Puri as its working chairman constituted.
	15 Chief Minister laid foundation stone of Rs. 5.70 crore Haj House near Railway Station, Jammu.
	26 J&K State Autonomy Committee, headed by Dr Karan Singh, set up to examine the issue of greater autonomy within the Constitution.
	30 Sharief-ud- Shariq of (NC), Ghulam Nabi Azad(Congress) and Dr Karan Singh, Independent, both supported by National Conference, elected to the Rajya Sabha from Jammu and Kashmir. Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz of National Conference had earlier been declared elected unopposed.

December

	2 Government announced a special recruitment drive for 26000 Government vacancies.
	5 Governor inaugurated the Rs 22.50 crore Jammu Fly Over.
	6 3rd unit of the 3.75 MWS Iqbal Hydel Project thrown open.
	30 State Cabinet accorded sanction for setting up of an Agri- culture University for Jammu; Cabinet approved a Town Planning Scheme for Charar-e-Sharief at an estimated cost of Rs. 8.08 crore.

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