BOMBAY: Union Home Minister S.B.Chavan on July 14 said it was not in the interest Of the country to think or talk of holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir at this juncture.
In an informal chat with UNI here, Chavan said, “the situation in Kashmir is not still that good. I don’t think we can go in for elections unless at least near normalcy is restored.”
He said it was the game plan of the militants not to allow polls in the border state which was obvious from the fact that militant activities escalated every time there was talk of elections in Kashmir. Therefore, it would not be prudent to hold elections there as this would only create a problem for the country, he said. Chavan said though the situation in Punjab had improved and near normalcy returned Punjab since the installation of popular government, there was no room for complacency as Pakistan still had some designs on Punjab and other areas as well.
He accused Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) of trying to destabilize the country by encouraging militant organizations. ISI continued to assist militant’s organizations, including the Punjab militants, the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam and the Naxalites. IS! And the militant organizations were coordinating among themselves.
Thus it was necessary to continue to remain Vigilant against militant activities in the Punjab. The security infrastructure in Punjab set up to deal with militants would continue, he added.
Chavan said the government was trying its best to improve the situation in Kashmir but political parties, including the Congress {I), were not taking interest in the Valley which was Creating some kind of frustration among the people. Things could change for the better if the political parties went there and channelized the mood and hopes of the people.
He said the government was making the best possible efforts to start a political process in Kashmir, Talks were being held with former MLAs, former MPS, office bearers of different political parties.
He appealed to the political parties in the Valley to activate them to remove the fear of guns among people unleashed by the Pak-trained militants.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 23, 1993
