‘Violence in Kashmir on decline’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Oct 25: Governor Satya Pal Malik today said that no talks will be held with Hurriyat Conference until they keep “Pakistan out” of the discussion.
The Governor while talking to reporters at SKICC on the sidelines of a function here, ruled out any talks with separatist Hurriyat Conference until they keep away from Pakistan. “I recently met representatives from various political parties. I met Omar Sahab, Mehboobaji and Tarigami sahab. As far as Hurriyat is concerned, they don’t even go to the toilet without asking Pakistan, so till the time they don’t keep Pakistan away, no talks will be held with them”, he said.
Malik said that his job is to create conducive atmosphere in Kashmir and holding of talks is domain of the Government. “To hold talks is work of the Government and my job is to provide conducive atmosphere and I am working towards that direction. You must have seen there has been decrease in many things. Violence has decreased, stone pelting incidents have come down and recruitments are also on decline. It is not because of me but people’s attitude has changed”, he said.
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The Governor admitted lapses on part of Government in Kulgam where seven civilians were killed in a blast at encounter site on Sunday. “Whatever happened in Kulgam is very unfortunate. There have been lapses on our part and their part as well and they were not knowing where they are standing”, he said.
Malik said that the Government has directed security forces to sanitize the encounter sites. “We have directed the security forces to sanitise the area and mark it. My request to people is to stay away from the gunfight sites for a couple of days and political parties should also tell the people to stay away from these sites, where explosive are being used, until they are not cleared”, he said.
The Governor, when asked about the less poll percentage in the recently held Panchayat elections, said that there has been lesser poll percentage in the past. “You know Kashmir better than me. There has been less poll percentage before and major political parities were opposing these elections, Hurriyat had called for boycott and terrorists were threatening and despite that on the last day of polling people in Srinagar 10, 000 votes were polled,” he said.
Malik hoped that participation in Panchayat elections will be more than the Municipal polls. “In this (Panchayat) election more people would take part in it as it is on non-party basis and Rs one crore will be spent in each village. Every party will take part in it”, he said.
“I want to tell people of Kashmir that if they allow peace to return to this place, more tourists will come here, even more than Switzerland”, he said adding “those associated with the tourist Industry whatever assistance they need from forces it will be provided”.
The Governor said that Corruption Bureau has been created in the State and KAS officers have been asked to submit their property statement in one month and it would be put on internet.
Malik said that those involved in the wrong doing in insurance scheme will be punished. “Employees wanted the scrapping of the insurance schemes as there were wrong doings in it. I saw the file and I came to the conclusion that there are bungling in it. I didn’t take a minute and cancelled it yesterday. And I can’t say it yet but those involved in it will be punished”, he said.
Earlier, in his speech, Malik said the problem of Kashmir was not a creation of the people of Kashmir but that of the former rulers in Delhi.
“The problem of Kashmir has not been created by Kashmiris. What the erstwhile rulers in Delhi did, it fanned uncertainty, separatism and all problems here. But today, I can safely say as a representative of the Government that Delhi is a friend of Kashmiris.
“Delhi does not want to govern you but wants you to govern the whole country. You govern your State and your children become DM, SSP, DIG, IG in every part of the country and become the best State of the country,” he said.
Referring to the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manaan Wani in an encounter with security forces, the Governor said the scholar-turned militant’s death pained him as Wani could have done much more for the country had he not chosen the path of militancy.
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