BAHRAIN (PTI): Union Home Minister of India S.B.Chavan said the situation in northern Indian state Jammu and Kashmir was changing at a rapid pace and the government would hold elections in the state in the near future.
“The atmosphere in the Kashmir valley had totally changed. People there are neither in favor of the (Pro-Independence) Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) nor in favor of the (Pro-Pakistan) Hizbul Mujahideen” he said in an interview with Dubai based English daily Khaleej Times” published June 4.
He said Premier P.V.Narasimha Raos government was determined to hold elections in the state just as it did in Punjab.
A decision on holding elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be taken after he visits the valley later he said.
Asked if the Congress (I) will go it alone or have an alliance with Dr. Faroog Abdullahs national conference Chavan said it would be a good idea if all secular forces in the state joins hands to take on communal forces.
“The electoral battle in the state will be between secular forces and communal forces” he added
Chavan said the government would allow militant groups to contest the polls if they are prepared to go by the Indian constitution and abjure violence.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 19, 1992
