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Vohra invites agitators for talks

Shujaat Bukhari

“We have to rise beyond communal, regional and ideological divides”

— Photo: Nissar Ahmad

Governor of Jammu and Kashmir N.N. Vohra during the Independence Day parade at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar on Friday. Police chief Kuldeep Khudda looks on.

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra on Friday asked those spearheading the agitation over the Amarnath land issue to come for talks. He said he was committed to evolving an amicable and acceptable solution through dialogue.

Unfurling the tricolour at the Bakshi Stadium here in the morning amid heavy security, Mr. Vohra renewed his appeal to the people of the State to maintain peace and calm, in keeping with the glorious traditions of secularism, brotherhood and communal harmony. “It should be our collective responsibility to resolve the most contentious issues through the democratic process, based on dialogue and conciliation.”

Mr. Vohra urged civil society to act in its best tradition of assimilation and accommodation. He said the people of the three regions had to do unto others what they expected others to do unto them and assuage the feelings of all those who were feeling hurt and aggrieved. “We have to rise beyond communal, regional and ideological divides and look to recreate a peaceful environment across the State,” he said and added that the onus of this lay on the people and on all of us.

Referring to the recent developments, the Governor said that more than any government or any Governor, it was the people of the State who have been, and would have to be, the agents of change and missionaries of peace. “Every single person must prevent the destruction of the environment of peace which he assiduously helped to create in the past several years,” he said.

Mr. Vohra expressed distress over the disturbances that took place at the height of the business and tourist season and said that whatever might have been the reasons and provocations, the unfortunate outcome had been that trade and tourism had suffered enormous losses. The free and open environment which prevailed earlier in the year had been adversely affected.

He expressed grief at the loss of lives and damage to property and said that while monetary assistance could not compensate for these, efforts would be made to help those affected by violence in rebuilding their livelihood. He appealed to the people to be aware of false propaganda and rumours and help the administration in enforcing the rule of law to provide security to every citizen.

Referring to the promulgation of Governor’s Rule on July 10, Mr. Vohra said that after all options and possibilities of forming a political government were explored, he was compelled to recommend Governor’s Rule. Viewed in the larger context of the political evolution of the State, he said he was acutely aware of the inherent limitations of unitary rule. This was an interim arrangement, which would shortly be replaced by a popularly elected government, he affirmed.

Mr. Vohra said that till an elected government assumed responsibility, it would be his primary concern to restore civil society to its important role, to assuage the raw nerves and frayed tempers; to ensure that the environment was healthy and conducive for a free and fair poll which would lead to governance being delivered by a democratically elected body.

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