Governor hopes to see elected govt soon

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 27

Governor NN Vohra on Monday hoped that the elected representatives of the state would soon constitute the next government to run the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir.

In his address, after hoisting the Tricolour at the state-level function on the occasion of the 66th Republic Day here yesterday, the Governor said: “The recent elections to the state Assembly did not yield a clear-cut verdict. And while talks between the leading political parties were underway, the caretaker Chief Minister decided to step down. This unforeseen development led to the imposition of Governor’s rule.”

“I am hopeful that the present spell of governance under my charge will soon come to an end, when the elected representatives form the government and take over the responsibility of running the affairs of Jammu and Kashmir,” the Governor said.

Jammu and Kashmir is under Governor’s rule since January 8.

The Governor also said because of consistently negative trans-border factors and recurring challenges to the maintenance of peace and normalcy, Jammu and Kashmir continued to face varied hurdles in maintaining the required pace for securing its growth and developmental goals.

Vohra saluted the state and central armed police forces and the Army for their uncompromising commitment and devotion to duty and paid homage to all the brave officers and men who had sacrificed their lives to safeguard national security.

Referring to recent Assembly elections, the Governor said the people of the state were still engaged in dealing with the problems created by the floods when the schedule of the election to the state Assembly was announced.

Notwithstanding their sufferings and varied threats, this election witnessed a voter turnout of an unprecedented high level which confirmed, yet again, the peoples deeply rooted trust in the democratic process, he said.

“After the successful conduct of elections to the state Assembly, which were visibly free and fair, I believe that the people’s mandate shall very soon lead to the installation of the next government,” the Governor observed.

Vohra, meanwhile, said it was a matter of serious concern that the past year witnessed repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement and continuing attempts at infiltration across the international border and the Line of Control.

There were two terrorist attacks from across the border in the Jammu region last year.

He further said: “The repeated instances of unprovoked heavy firing from across the border caused loss of innocent lives and damage to properties of those who are living in the villages along the border.”

“Over the years, repeated attempts have been made to persuade our western neighbour to respond positively to India’s recurring initiatives for securing peaceful bilateral relations. Needless to stress, till peace dawns on our frontiers our security forces shall continue their unceasing vigil to safeguard the territorial integrity of our country,” Vohra said.

Referring to the last year’s floods in the state, the Governor said: “In September last year, consequent to incessant rains in several parts of the state, we faced floods of an unprecedented scale which caused large scale loss of life and colossal devastation of private property and public infrastructure.”

“As per governmental assessments, about 15 lakh families were adversely affected by the floods, which caused enormous damage to roads and bridges, and water, power and health systems,” he said.

In Kashmir Valley, about one and half lakh marooned people were rescued while in the Jammu region thousands had to be evacuated to safer places. All essential services, particularly power, water, transport and health, were severely disrupted.

Vohra observed that the rescue operations launched by the administration were very strongly supported by the National Disaster Response Force and the Army.

The Air Force evacuated over 15,000 flood-affected persons and carried out hundreds of sorties for airdropping packets of water, food, medical and other essential supplies.

Sweets exchanged on LoC, not on border

Jammu: The armies of India and Pakistan exchanged sweets at Chakan-da-Bagh on the Line of Control in Poonch district on Monday to mark India’s 66th Republic Day. No such bonhomie and celebration were witnessed between the BSF and Pak Rangers at the international border, which was calm since January 25.