Identity consciousness added to J&K problem: Ex-Guv Vohra

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 16

Pointing out that “identity consciousness” contributed to the conflict that disturbed the uneasy calm in Valley, former Jammu & Kashmir Governor NN Vohra today suggested that attempts should be made to analyse and study the influence of “external factors” in aggravating the problem.

Releasing a book, ‘The Story of Kashmir’, written by journalist David Devadas here, Vohra said Pakistani actors were playing with the sentiments of ordinary Kashmiris, which compelled both the Centre and the state to mobilise resources to contain the situation.

He, however, contended that collective efforts by the Union and the state governments had so far not yielded the desired results. The people, he said, were at the receiving end as Pakistan continued to wage a proxy war through terror outfits, which remained a cause for concern. 

Empathising with the ordinary Kashmiris, particularly the youth, Vohra said the tragic side of radicalisation was that careers of youth were getting ruined, which is worrisome. 

Devadas said in his book, he had tried to capture the modern and contemporary history of Kashmir. 

Asked how he, as an expert on Kashmir, saw the government’s recent steps (abrogation of Article 370 and reorganisation of the state into two UTs), he said it was “a blow to federalism”. On its ramifications, he said “only time will tell as the government’s plan is still to play out”.

Claiming that division of the state into two UTs “was not a good idea”, Devadas said, “The people are in a state of shock.”

Pakistani actors were playing with the sentiments of ordinary Kashmiris, which compelled both Centre and state to mobilise resources to contain the situation —  NN Vohra, former J&K Governor