Vohra targets separatists for hartal culture, says it badly hitting State

Guv hopes Pak will realize futility of terror

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 25: Governor N N Vohra today targeted the separatists for “recurring agitations, hartals and closures”, which have adversely affected functioning of public offices and educational institutions and disrupted trade, business, tourism and all economic activities.
He also had a strong message for the elected representatives, political executive and entire spectrum of public services in the State saying they should collectively ensure that the administration provides “prompt, accountable, transparent and efficient services” to the people.
In his Republic Day message, which could be his last in the State unless his term, which is coming to an end in June is further extended, Vohra said: “for the past many years, ever since I came to serve the State, I have been repeatedly stressing that pursuit of “divisive and confrontationist approaches will not resolve our problems but only damage our interests and thwart our goals.
Coming down heavily on the culture of recurring agitations, hartals and closures, albeit without naming the separatists and other such organizations who have developed habit of given frequent strike calls in the Valley, the Governor once again appealed to heads of political parties and leaders of all social, cultural, religious and other organizations in the State to reflect seriously over the happenings in the past years and accept that the “hartal culture” has engendered no other outcome except causing law and order problems which have adversely affected the functioning of public offices and educational institutions, besides disrupting trade, business, tourism and all economic activities.
“We need to put an end to the continuing hartals and protestation calendars which result in disturbances and closure of all activities. The recurring disorders have caused human and economic losses and the repeated disruption of the educational schedules has adversely affected the career advancement of our youth. It is indeed unfortunate that our polity and the society at large have failed to muster courage to immunise our youth, particularly girls, from being involved in agitational activities,” he said.
“To uplift the State, and all our people, out of the environment of growing negativity, it is of vital importance that all stakeholders – whatever be their political or religious ideologies – recognize that every problem can be resolved through dialogue and discussion and by making vigorous efforts to promote reconciliation and communal harmony,” he asserted.
In this regard, he referred to the appointment of Dineshwar Sharma as Special Representative by the Union Government to carry out dialogue with one and all in Jammu and Kashmir. “I trust that his ongoing endeavours will contribute to enlarging the constituency of peace,” he said.
Calling for “sound administrative system, founded in uncompromising integrity and impeccable work culture”, Vohra said: “for engendering a hopeful and productive environment, it is of crucial importance that our elected representative, the political executive and entire spectrum of public services in the State collectively ensure that the administration provides prompt, accountable, transparent and efficient services to the people.
“A sound administrative system, founded in uncompromising integrity and impeccable work culture, will also contribute towards reinvigorating the State’s economy to progress rapidly and generate the much needed opportunities for our unemployed youth,” he added.
Mentioning that some youth, who had joined the terrorist ranks, have since returned to their homes, the Governor hoped that all others will also come back very soon.
“It is of crucial importance to safeguard interests of upcoming generation and take all required steps to ensure against their getting frustrates and being attracted to radical ideologies and violent activities,” he said.
Asserting that various initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure friendly relations with Pakistan were yet to yield a positive outcome, the Governor hoped that Pakistan will soon realise the futility of continuing its terror and violence agenda in Jammu and Kashmir and recognise that only sustained peace and normalcy along the borders will help in restoring fruitful relations between the two countries.
“To counter Pakistan’s continuing terror campaign, our security forces have been performing their duties with utmost devotion, in extremely trying circumstances. I salute our fearless officers and men and pay homage to the brave hearts of the State Police, Central Armed Police Forces and the Army, who laid down their lives to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country,” Vohra said.
He referred to Pakistan’s continuing proxy war and its unceasing campaigns for the past nearly three decades to perpetrate violence and chaos to destabilize Jammu and Kashmir saying this has adversely affected the growth and development of the State.
“Last year (2017) was marked by Pakistan’s sustained attempts to infiltrate the largest possible number of terrorists into the Valley. This resulted in the security forces remaining engaged in counter terrorist operations throughout the past year, in which a very large number of terrorists were killed, besides the loss of lives of civilians and security personnel.
“The past year also witnessed repeated ceasefire violations by our western neighbour, both across the International Border and the Line of Control, which resulted in the closure of schools, damage to properties, loss of cattle, many innocent lives being lost and the residents of the affected border villages having to evacuate to safer areas. The terrorists also attacked and killed some pilgrims who were undertaking the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra but could not succeed in disrupting the pilgrimage,” the Governor said.
On development front, Vohra said the State administration needs to devote methodical attention to ensure that the Prime Minister’s Development Package of Rs 80,000 crore is effectively utilised to timely implement the various infrastructure and development projects for which the financial support has been received.
“It is equally important that the administration pursues inclusive policies and ensures equitable allocation of resources to promote the welfare of people living in all parts of the State, especially the neglected segments and those who reside in the remote and unconnected areas. Special attention was also required to be given to see that the varied difficulties faced by all those suffering from one or the other kind of disability, particularly the aged, women and children, are promptly provided the required support,” he said.
“Long years of unrest have caused enormous damage to our grass-root level democratic framework. In early 2016 action had been initiated for the conduct of elections to Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies. However, for varied reasons, these elections have continued to pend. Recently, the State Government announced its decision to commence the electoral process during this winter. Once the grass root level rural and urban self-governing bodies are in position I trust that Government shall promptly empower them with the required delegations and optimum financial and logistical support,” Vohra added.

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