From: guru@engin.umich.edu ( V. Guru Shankar)
Subject: Response to NEWS posting
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 15:31:21 EDT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor



I posted a few UPI newsfeeds.  To one of this I recd. the following message.
One begins to wonder if it is really worth the time to do such postings.
If the same sentiment is carried through by other netters as well, then
I would refrain from sending any news clippings that I happen to read.

When one refuses to believe anything that goes against ones wishes/expectations
then one is in no mood for any news at all.

Comments welcome.
--Guru

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In article <V1Q-6+=@engin.umich.edu>, you write...
> 
>UPI reports:
>-------------
>	SRINAGAR, India (UPI) -- Indian security forces Sunday killed at least
>15 alleged Muslim militants in a gun battle on the border of the
>northern Himalayan state of Kashmir, a government spokesman said.
>	The spokesman said soldiers opened fire on the group, which was
>attempting to cross the border from Pakistan into Kashmir, after the
>alleged militants ignored calls to surrender and began shooting at
>Indian security forces.
>	He did not say if there were any security forces casualties in the
>gunbattle which took place in the district of Kupwara, 60 miles
>northwest of the Jammu and Kashmir state capital city of Srinagar.
>	The 15 bodies were later brought to Kupwara town for identification,
>he said.
>	``We do not rule out that some of the group may have escaped back
>into Pakistan,'' the official added.
>	He said the group, which he alleged was trained by Pakistan, was
>heavily armed and carried automatic arms, assault rifles, pistols,
>machine guns and ammunition.
>	Over the past two months, soldiers have killed 38 alleged militants
>attempting to enter the valley.
>	New Delhi accuses Islamabad of providing arms, training and sanctuary
>to Kashmiri militants, who are waging a bloody secessionist campaign
>from India.
>	Pakistan denies the charge.
>	Both India and Pakistan lay territorial claim to Kashmir and have
>fought three wars over the Himalayan state.
>	India currently controls 75 percent of Kashmir while Pakistan
>controls the remaining areas.
>	Virtually the entire population of 4 million Muslims in Kashmir
>called for a secession from India following the January 1990 killing of
>at least 35 unarmed demonstrators by Indian soldiers.
>	The Indian government responded by sending thousands of soldiers into
>the valley to quell the separatist campaign.
>	Since then, normal life in the picturesque valley has been disrupted
>by frequent strikes, curfews and gun battles between militants and
>security forces.
>	Militants are united in their demand for secession from India, but
>are divided over the future status of the valley, with some demanding
>complete independence and others favoring a merger with Pakistan.

Dear Mr. Shankar,

I think that everybody on this net has the ability to read the newsgroups and
UPI reports without you sending their relays here. I am not quite sure what
you hoped to accomplish by advertising the deaths of 15 mujaheddin, but rest
assured, anybody with any brains knows that the UPI report you relayed is not
100% accurate. Since that bastion of democracy known as India has outlawed all
foreign press from Kashmir, the only news which comes out is that of the AP and
UPI. The only way that these groups get their info is through the relay of the
Indian govt. Let us not be naive in thinking that the new is accurate.  In the
future, I would request that you offer posts along the lines of the rest of the
people of this group. Whether you are trying to be inflammatory, patriotic, or
both, I hope that you take this request to heart. 

Thank You.
Sareer A. Fazili
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