Hope new Pak govt bats for peace, better ties: Governor

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 14

Governor NN Vohra said since the imposition of the Governor rule in the state, consequent to certain developments, there had been an unflinching endeavour to see that the entire administrative apparatus functions with promptitude, efficiency and complete accountability.

Greeting the people on the eve of Independence Day, the Governor said the endeavour of his administration had been to infuse the government machinery with the required zeal for performing effectively and delivering efficient services to the people in the state.

He said during the past over four years, various initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure amicable relations with our neighbours had not so far engendered any result.

Talking about the formation of the new Pakistan government, the Governor hoped that the leadership in Islamabad would recognise the futility of continuing with its terrorist agenda in J&K and accept that peace between the two countries would contribute towards the establishment of fruitful relations, growing trade, prosperity and mutual benefits.

“In the past year, our neighbours have attempted to infiltrate an unusually large number of trained terrorists across the International Border and the Line of Control,” Vohra added.

He lauded the Army and security forces for carrying out effective operations and neutralising perhaps the largest-ever number of terrorists in the past many years.

“This year too, there has been a progressive increase in the infiltration attempts across the LoC. Till June this year, there were repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which caused manifold suffering to the people living in the villages along the LoC,” the Governor said in his message.

Vohra said the people in Kashmir suffered and faced difficulties due to the recurring disturbances. “Every call for a ‘hartal’ affects the functioning of public delivery systems, halts transport, tourism, trade and business. It also leads to closure of all educational institutions …almost every activity comes to a halt, with consequential difficulties for the people and losses on all fronts,” the Governor added.

In the past year, he said a number of youth, some of them 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 returned to their families. I appeal to all our community leaders to exercise their utmost influence to get all young men who have deviated from the path to return home and pursue their careers,” he added.

Vohra also appealed to the political leaders and all those at the helm of various social, cultural, religious and other influential organisations to ponder seriously over what exactly had been gained from the endless turmoil.

The Governor urged the stakeholders, irrespective of their political convictions or religious ideologies, to close ranks and unite to resolve problems, which could be resolved only through dialogue and discussion and by making sustained sincere efforts towards promoting reconciliation and communal harmony.