Close ranks, muster courage, accept dialogue for resolution

Vohra asks leaders to audit the politics of turmoil

JAMMU: Governor N N Vohra on Tuesday urged the all the stakeholders, irrespective of their political convictions or religious ideologies, to come together in accepting that only dialogue can resolve the problems the state was facing, asking them to make sustained sincere efforts towards promoting reconciliation and communal harmony so as to pull J&K and its people, out of the prevailing environment of suspicion, fear, distrust and growing cynicism.

In his 11th and most likely last Independence Day message, Vohra underlined that a number of initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure amicable relations with Pakistan have so far not engendered any results, even as he hoped that Prime Minister-in-waiting Imran Khan-led new government in Pakistan would recognise "the futility of continuing with its terrorist agenda" in Jammu and Kashmir.

In his address, Governor touched upon a number of issues ranging from rise in number of locals joining militancy ranks in Kashmir to effect of disturbed environment on routine life, particularly economy and education; from efficient utilization of resources to redress lack of development to upcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies’ elections.

Vohra warned the citizens of vested interests which have been fracturing the society, severely damaging the centuries-old syncretic values and traditions.

“Ever since I came to serve this State, which is now over ten years ago, I have been repeatedly urging that the pursuit of divisive and confrontationist approaches can never lead to the resolution of any of our problems.

“Today, yet once again, I appeal to the leaders of all the political parties in our State, and to all those at the helm of various social, cultural, religious and other influential organizations, to ponder most seriously over what exactly has been gained from the endless turmoil, the continuing human and economic losses and the sufferings which our people have been undergoing in the past several decades,” Vohra said.

He said that those stoking unrest have only branded our State with a negative profile which has discouraged tourism, external investments and adversely affected the economic advancement of the State.

“To pull the State, and all our people, out of the prevailing environment of suspicion, fear, distrust and growing cynicism it is of crucial importance that all the stakeholders ― whatever be their political convictions or religious ideologies ― close ranks and muster the courage to accept that our problems can be resolved only through dialogue and discussion and by making sustained sincere efforts towards promoting reconciliation and communal harmony,” Vohra said.

He said like other states, J&K has also been striving to achieve its developmental goals, but steady growth and advancement in the state has suffered because of Pakistan's continuing proxy war and its unceasing campaigns, for the past nearly three decades.

Noting the large increase in infiltration attempts, besides ceasefire violations along LoC and IB, Vohra said while Army and Police Forces carried out effective operations and neutralized perhaps the largest ever number of terrorists in the past many years, there is no forgetting the loss of Security Forces personnel and civilian lives suffered by us.

Lamenting that neighbouring country didn’t reciprocate to a number of initiatives taken by PM Modi in last 4 years to secure amicable relations, Vohra expressed hope that new government in Pakistan would recognise "the futility of continuing with its terrorist agenda" in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Elections have just been concluded in Pakistan and a new Prime Minister shall be soon taking over. I very much hope that the new leadership in Islamabad will recognize the futility of continuing with its terrorist agenda in J&K and accept that peace between our two countries will contribute towards the establishment of fruitful relations, growing trade, prosperity and all around mutual benefits,” he hoped.

The governor, however, said notwithstanding the terrain, climate and other challenges, the army is continuing to enforce strict vigil on the frontiers.

"I take this opportunity to raise my hand in salute to our fearless officers and men and pay respectful homage to the brave hearts of the state police, central armed police forces and the army who made the supreme sacrifice to preserve the territorial integrity of our country," he said.

The governor said the people in the valley have been facing continuing difficulties and sufferings on account of the recurring disturbances.

"Every call for a hartal affects the functioning of public delivery systems, stoppage of transport, tourism, trade and business and closure of all educational institutions. In brief, almost every activity comes to a halt, with consequential difficulties for the people and losses on all fronts.

"The recurring unrest has most seriously affected the academic schedules and the future careers of our youth. Whenever I have had the opportunity of visiting any educational institution I have been appealing to the teachers, parents and the community leaders to take every possible step for protecting the interests of the younger generation," he said.

Vohra added that it was extremely important that the anger of the youth, from whatever reasons it may arise, must not lead to their getting involved in violent activities.

Referring to the rise in the number of youth picking up arms, he said in the past year, a number of youth, some of whom were pursuing professional studies, were influenced to pick up the gun and join groups which perpetrate violence.

"It is gratifying that some of these young men have since returned to their families. I appeal to all our community leaders to exercise their utmost influence to get all the young men who have deviated from the path to return home and pursue their careers," he said.

The governor said a few weeks back, consequent to certain developments, governor's rule had to be imposed in the state and the first priority of his administration was to ensure the maintenance of public order and to see that the entire administrative apparatus functions with speed and efficiency.

“For resolving outstanding issues which are delaying the implementation of development works and delivery of welfare programmes we have been continuously engaged in reviewing the functioning of every department. Also, I have been visiting the districts to meet and hear the views and suggestions of the local Legislators and, thereafter, holding meetings with officers of the Divisional and District Administration to review the execution of all development schemes and welfare programmes.

“The first priority of the Governor’s Administration is to ensure the maintenance of public order and to see that the entire administrative apparatus functions with speed and efficiency. Among the many problems facing us there is a huge requirement of funds for securing the completion of scores of projects all over the State, some of which have been lingering for 10-15 years. Side by side, the services of a very large number of workers, not all of whom may have been inducted against available vacancies or after following the due processes, need to be urgently examined for appropriate decisions. It is also necessary to ensure that all those who get paid from the State exchequer report timely for work and perform their tasks with due diligence,” he said.

Noting that his Administration was working assiduously to ensure that the resources available under the Prime Minister’s Development Package of Rs 80,000 crore among other pan India Flagship Schemes are efficiently utilized to timely implement the various infrastructure and development projects and welfare promotion programmes, Governor said the neglected segments, and widows, the aged and impoverished and all those who suffer from one or the other kind of disability require very special attention.

Vohra lamented that elections to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats have been pending for long periods, resulting in the loss of considerable funds which would have become available if elections had been held.

“Elections to Urban Local Bodies are scheduled to take place during September – October and the phased Panchayat polls during October - December this year,” he announced, adding that as soon as the grassroots democracy is established, adequate funds, delegation of administrative and financial authority, deployment of the required staff and necessary logistical support will be provided.

“I would conclude by appealing to the leaders of all political parties in the State to provide full support to the Administration to improve efficiency and accountability in every arena of functioning and to lend their valuable support towards engendering an environment in which the forthcoming elections to Municipalities and Panchayats produce a positive outcome which would, in turn, pave the way for the restoration of peace and normalcy and enable the State to take on bigger challenges.

“I also appeal to all the employees in our State to forthwith commit themselves to work with honesty and devotion to efficiently discharge the tasks entrusted to them. In this process, they shall not only win the respect of the people they are required to serve but also enable our State to move speedily ahead on all fronts,” he concluded.