URP-Minister of State for Home M.M Jacob on Sept.24 said the Center was keen to resume the political process in the insurgency hit Jammu and Kashmir but declined to give any special time from for the purpose.

No deadline or time frame can be given because that will be an indication to the other side to scuttle the political process. Sometimes it is wise not to give any deadline,” he said while taking to a group of reporters in this border town.

Jacob arrived in Srinagar recently on a three-day visit to the Kashmir valley and Ladakh to assess whether the time was ripe for holding elections to the state assembly.

He reviewed the law and order situation with governor C.C.Saxena and top army, paramilitary and police officials after his arrival,

Talking to reporters after addressing a public meeting here Jacob said Pakistan did not want an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.

We are actively considering all the methods to bring normalcy in the state,” he said, but hastily added “we will not resort to use of force unless compelled, We are trying to support popular leaders to the valley in starting the electoral process.”

Jacob said the proxy way unleashed by Pakistan continued at its earlier intensity but the redeeming feature was that people were now increasingly turning against militancy, He noted that militancy in the state had registered a decrease.

State Governor G.C_Saxena who was also present said the number of units emerge militants had come down drastically while the number of people getting disenchanted with militancy had increased sharply.

Meanwhile a bandh was observed in the Kashmir valley on Thursday, A call given by the outlawed “Hizbul Mujahideen” to protest against the killing of some militants by security forces.

Saxena, said the intelligence network in the state had improved but added he was still not satisfied in this respect.

The Governor said about 12000 militants had received arms training in Pakistan so far. Of these nearly 50% were inactive, he said. More than 1000 militants had surrendered so far and the number of active militants was 2, 5000 according to Saxena.

Jacob assured the people of Uri which has suffered a loss of Rs 12 crore and 12 deaths in the recent floods that the Center would do its utmost in making available food supplies and relief and rehabilitation measures.

Jammu and Kashmir PCC (I) President Ghulam Rasool Kar who accompanied Jacob from Delhi also addressed the meeting organized by the Congress (I).

Earlier, Jacob, while addressing a public meeting at Uri, said, “I have come with an olive branch Let us built a vibrant nation together.

The Minister said the Center was committed to solving all the problems of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but he added that a joint battle had to be waged by the government and the people against militancy.

Jacob said India was one country where the minorities could live without fear. Giving his own example, he said he belonged to a minority community (Christian) Kerala, where most of the population was Muslim and one-third Christian.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 9, 1992