NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party said time was not yet to talk of starting political process in Jammu and Kashmir,
In its latest report on the Kashmir situation the BJP quoted the state governor and top officers as saying that starting of political process should be deferred by at least six months.
If the BJP had its way there would be as much bloodshed as in Punjab a seasoned politician said on condition of anonymity.
The report submitted by party general secretary Kidar Nath Shahni to party president L.K Advani said the officers felt that the talk about initiating political process and the news regarding difference in perception between the governor and the political leaders created difficulties for them.
Excerpts of the report released to the press by the BJP all-India secretary JP Mathur said governor Jagmohan and senior officers felt that if they were allowed to work “unhindered” the situation could be substantially improved within the next two or three months.
The report said the officers thought that it was absolutely essential that “mal-elements” present in the administration were identified and weeded out, “terrorists” and their centers of operation were located and demolished with full force.
It said the campaign against militants now initiated for the first time should not be relaxed, and taken to its ultimate end, “any let up or leaving it mid-way would be only suicidal,” it said.
Regarding rumors about rift among the governor, the home minister and the minister for Kashmir affairs, the report said the general feeling was that despite their desire to restore normalcy, each of them pulled in different direction.
“This too is doing great harm,” it said adding almost all officers had, their sympathy with the governor and were “much impressed” with his “sincerity devotion and hard work.”
The report suggested a five point programme to further improve the situation in the state.
The governor and state administration should be permitted undisturbed to continue with their bold and hard hitting campaign.
As done by the state government, federal government too, should immediately open their closed offices in the valley, provide its employees proper security and residential accommodation.
Differences in perception between the governor and the federal government ministers should be immediately reconciled.
Change in attitude towards the displaced persons was essential. They should be looked after with sympathy with the governor and were much impressed with his sincerity, devotion and hard work.”
The report suggested a five point programme to further improve the situation in the state.
The governor and state administration should be permitted undisturbed to continue with their bold and hard hitting campaign.
As done by the state government, federal government too, should immediately open their closed offices in the valley, provide its employees proper security and residential accommodation.
Difference in perception between the governor and the federal government ministers should be immediately reconciled.
Change in attitude towards the displaced persons was essential. They should be looked after with sympathy and compassion.
Immediate steps be taken to improve the quality of all India Radio and Television Broadcasts to combat Pakistan propaganda.
Noting the failure air and Doordarshan (television) on this score, the report said the state administration was highly critical of this lapse. It also wanted immediate improvement in the quality of the broadcast as it was very essential to change the psyche of the Kashmiris on both sides of the line of actual control.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 11, 1990
