SRINAGAR (PTI): All out of forts are being made to reinstall elected government in Jammu and Kashmir as early as possible” but a timeframe cannot be fixed, says the governor of the state G.C .Saxena.

“A meaningful election can be held only when the situation is conducive in the valley,” he said in a meeting with newsmen.

Restoration of a popular government alone would help resolve the Kashmir problem and violence can never be an answer to it, he said.

The holding of elections in the State would be of no avail if the people failed to come out freely to participate in the polls, he said.

The governor dismissed reports that the elections would be held within two or three months as “speculative and kite flying,” adding that no timeframe could be fixed.

What was really important was initiation of the much needed political process and resumption of activities of the leaders of various political parties in the valley, he said.

On whether the government was willing to hold talks with the leaders of the militant outfits, he said “our lines of communications are always open” but it has to be within the constitutional framework.

The governor said the government had already appealed to the political leaders to come to the valley and resume their activities, promising them security and accommodation.

Nearly hundred people including some political leaders have been given security as they face threat to their lives, he said.

Describing the situation in the valley as ‘quite complex,” which needed the collective wisdom of the whole nation to resolve it, the governor said the doors for a political dialogue were open.

On the responsibility of Jammu and Kashmir facing a constitutional crisis after the expiry of the six month extension of the central rule and the expiry of the term of members of the upper house, the government said these are issues which would be taken care of by the constitution.

The governor, in a reply to a question, admitted atmosphere of insecurity had affected the pace of development and the state was going through a financial crunch.

He said the Kashmir problem was high on the agenda of the government of India and premier Rao, was himself making efforts at various levels to resolve it.

Article extracted from this publication >>  February 5, 1993