Govt to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders in J&K: Governor

Jammu, March 18

The Jammu and Kashmir government would initiate a “meaningful dialogue” with all internal stakeholders, including all the political groups, irrespective of their ideological views and predilections, Governor N N Vohra said.

“The (PDP-BJP) coalition will facilitate and help initiate a sustained and meaningful dialogue with all internal stakeholders, which will include all political groups irrespective of their ideological views and predilections.

“This dialogue will seek to build a broad-based consensus on the resolution of all outstanding issues of J&K,” the governor said while addressing the joint session of the state legislature here today.

Invoking former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Vohra said the coalition government would follow a similar approach, "To enlarge the constituency of peace and deepen its societal mooring, the coalition government will take considered political initiatives.

“It would be recalled that the erstwhile NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, had initiated a dialogue process with all political groups, including the Hurriyat Conference, in the spirit of ‘Insaaniyat, Kashmiriyat aur Jamhooriyat’,” he said.

The central government has recently initiated steps for promoting deeper understanding with our neighbours, Vohra said.

“The coalition government will strive to support and strengthen the approaches and initiatives taken by the Centre and building stakes for all in furthering peace and development,” he said.

This objective, the governor said, would be pursued by initiating suitable confidence building measures that would bring about a positive change in the lives of all our people.”

On the issue of return of Kashmiri Pandit migrants to Kashmir, he said, "To strengthen and enhance societal harmony, my government will ensure the return of Kahsmiri Pandits with dignity, based on their rights as state subjects. No efforts will be spared to reintegrating and absorbing them in the Kashmiri milieu," he said.

The government will also work out a one-time settlement for refugees from Pakistan occupied Kashmir of 1947, 1965, and 1971, take measures for the sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan refugees and constitute a delimitation commission for re-demarcating the legislative assembly constituencies as required by law, he said.

Centre to take final call on AFSPA: Guv

The Governor noted that the final decision on the continuation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the state would be taken by the central government.

"Keeping in mind the fact that the situation is steadily improving, the government will examine the need for de-notifying 'disturbed areas' and this in turn, would enable the central government to take a final view on the continuation of the AFSPA in such areas," he said while addressing the joint session of the state legislature.

"In this context, the coalition government will thoroughly review the security in J&K and examine the need and desirability of all the special laws which are being applied in the state," he said.

Vohra maintained that there has been "progressive improvement" in the security environment in the state.

"In the recent years there has been progressive improvement in the security environment. To build greater and sustained public confidence, the coalition government is committed to ensure that the people of the state are enabled to fully enjoy the peace and normalcy dividend," he said.

The Governor pointed out that the government would also address the concerns of the people living on the border and those in the remote and far-flung areas of the state.

Vohra added that the state would work on returning the land taken by the security forces to its owners.

"A very important step which the government will implement shall be to ensure that all lands, other than those which have been given to the security forces on lease, licence or through acquisition under the provision of the land acquisition act; must be returned to the rightful legal owners within a given time frame," he said. — PTI