JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Governor K.V, Krishna Rao has said Lok Sabha polls in the State would soon be followed by elections to the Legislative Assembly, and the Government was taking every step to restore democracy. It said the situation was now conducive enough for the polls and whatever militancy was left in the State was “residual.” He said personally he ‘was not in favor of having international observers during the elections as that “impinges over sovereignty.” The decision, however, depended upon the Central Government.
Expressing regret over the National Conference move of not taking part in the polls, he said he would become participation by every political party and individual, even the Hurriyat.
He hoped that the political parties would take advantage of the elections as “there is no better forum than Parliament.”
Mr. Krishna Rao said the Government had announced a “surrender policy” for militants and had set up a camp at Manasbal in Kashmir Valley where they would be given training in various rehabilitation skills.
A few days ago the Government had asked the militants to lay down arms by March 27 or face the consequences,
Renewing the offer, he said that even though the deadline had passed, the militants could still surrender.
He said although the ant militancy Operation was on in the State, the Government was not using “brute force.” However, the security forces had been given the “latest orders that militancy must be eliminated.”
Article extracted from this publication >> April 3, 1996
