NEW DELHI: Union home minister S$.B. Chavan, once again maintained that elections in the trouble tom state of Jammu and Kashmir would be held “within a year.”
Chavan, who returned after a is? Day visit to Canada and United Kingdom however did not specify any timeframe for the polls, when asked if another extension of President’s rule would be sought after March next year. Chavan said he could not give the exact dates for the elections as the consequences of doing so could prove to be grave. However, he reiterated that elections would be held within one year. ‘The home minister milled out the possibility of having international Observers for the proposed elections. “There is no question of having international observers,” the Elections Commission is competent to hold free and fair elections. However, individuals ‘would be free to go to the Valley during the elections in their individual capacities.
Asked about the possible outbreak of violence and the public declarations by the All Party Hurriyat Conference and several other groups that they will not take part in the polls, Mr. Chavan said this would not deter the government from conducting elections. He cited the instance of Punjab where, too, several political parties had refused to participate in the electoral process but the elections were still held, “We cannot not hold elections just because some political party says it will boycott them, he emphasized. The home minister said the government would ensure that those who want to take part in the elections were provided adequate protection, similarly, he said, the authorities will also see that those who want to cast their votes are allowed to do so without fear of reprisal, adding that nobody would, however, be forced to vote. Referring to his trip to Canada and the United Kingdom, Mr. Chavan said his discussions with Leaders in these two countries focused essentially on enhancing their mutual understanding and ‘cooperation in combating international terrorism/narco terrorism. “I also took this opportunity to apprise leaders in these two countries of the problems created in India by Pakistan.
Chayan repeatedly emphasized that he had drawn their attention to Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism in India, including the Bombay blasts and sending foreign mercenaries to Jammu and Kashmir during the course of his discussions, In addition, he said, he also explained how normalcy had been achieved in Punjab and about the government’s determination to hold elections in Kashmir for which, he said, a number of steps been taken.
“I sensitized the leaders of both these countries about the desirability of bilateral talks and negotiations between India and Pakistan to settle all outstanding issues, including Kashmir,” ‘Chavan added.
He described the recently signed agreement on mutual legal assistance treaty between India and Canada as a ‘“‘landmark agreement” in their quest to seek international cooperation in combating global terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 11, 1994
