J&K Guv blames Pak for violence in State

Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra on Wednesday accused Pakistan of perpetrating violence in the State and hoped the new Government in the neighbouring country would realise the futility of violence and accept that peace between India and Pakistan would contribute towards the establishment of fruitful relations, growing trade, prosperity and all around mutual benefits.

Speaking at highly fortified Sher-e-Kashmir International Cricket Stadium on Independence Day after unfurling the Tricolour and taking salute at the march past, Vohra said that even as J&K suffers disadvantages on account of long distances from the major markets, difficult geographical and climatic conditions and inadequate connectivity, the steady growth and advancement of the State has suffered because of Pakistan’s continuing proxy war and its unceasing campaigns, for the past nearly three decades to perpetrate violence. “In the past year, our western neighbour attempted to infiltrate an unusually large number of trained terrorists across the International Border and Line of Control.

Our Army and Police Forces carried out effective operations and neutralized perhaps the largest ever number of terrorists in the past many years. Side by side, we also suffered the loss of security forces personnel and civilian lives,” he said adding that till June this year there were repeated cease fire violations by Pakistan which caused manifold sufferings for our people living in the villages along the LoC.

He regretted that Pakistan has not positively responded to the initiatives of peace building from India. “In the past over four years the various initiatives taken by our Prime Minister to secure amicable relations with our neighbour have not so far engendered any result. Elections have just been concluded in Pakistan and a new Prime Minister shall be soon taking over. I very much hope that the new leadership in Islamabad will recognise the futility of continuing with its terrorist agenda in J&K and accept that peace between our two countries will contribute towards the establishment of fruitful relations, growing trade, prosperity and all around mutual benefits,” he said.

He said the people in the Valley have been facing continuing difficulties and sufferings on account of the recurring disturbances.

“Every call for a hartal affects the functioning of public delivery systems, stoppage of transport, tourism, trade and business and

closure of all educational institutions. In brief, almost every activity comes to a halt, with consequential difficulties for the people and losses on all fronts,” he said.

He called upon youth to shun path of militancy and get into developmental mainstream. Governor said that long overdue Panchayat and Local Bodies Elections shall be held between September and December this year. Vohra said the State Government is taking forward all developmental initiatives and schemes under PM’s Development Package so that equitable development of all the regions is ensured. He said during two month Governor Rule he initiated administrative reforms and accountability and sought public cooperation for making such initiatives successful in the public interest.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made to conduct peaceful celebration functions and to foil any possible strike by the militants in the run-up to August 15 functions in the State. All entry and exit points in Srinagar city including those leading to the venue, were sealed with strict restrictions in place to avoid any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, the normal life was completely affected due to shutdown in response to the strike call by joint separatist leadership comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik in the Valley.

All businesses and shops remained closed and public transport was off the roads. The common people preferred to remain indoors due to shutdown call and public holiday as strict security arrangements had been made to ensure peaceful conduct of Independence Day celebrations across the Valley.

Roads are wearing a deserted look in Srinagar city. Similar reports of shutdown were received from other district headquarters.

However, very scanty private vehicles were seen plying on some Srinagar roads and also in outskirts.

Train services in Kashmir were suspended as a precautionary security measure. Mobile phone and internet services remained snapped past midnight and subsequently restored in the afternoon after all Independence day functions were conducted at Srinagar and district headquarters in Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Police detained JKLF chief Yasin Malik from his residence on Wednesday morning and lodged him at Kothi Bagh Police Station in Srinagar.

The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRF) had appealed people to observe “August 15, as black day”.