SRINAGAR: Elections to install popular government in Jammuand Kashmir will be held within the Next Six months, according to Governor, Gen (retd) K.V.Krishna Rao.

Talking to reporters here on July 1, Gen Rao sail people are fed up with militancy and they wanted restoration of democracy in the State, In reply to a question, he said “my administration is working to bring back normalcy within the shortest possible time of three to four months and to restore democracy in the state within this year.”

He, however, cautioned that Pakistan will make a determined effort to “sabotage our efforts and try to create problems for us.”

But, h¢ said ever possible pre Caution will be taken this time to thwart the Pakistani designs.

Gen Rao he said he was happy to announce that many politicians who had fled the Valley because Of the militant threat, had agreed {o return and start a political process,

He said politicians in the Kashmir valley had suffered a lot after Governor’s rule was imposed following the resignation of Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah,

In reply to a question Gen Rao said it is up to politicians to go to the people and make them under Stand the destruction caused by militancy and get their help. He said, we have to take correct live measures “to win the confidence of common people back who are alienated because of some past mistakes,

Gen Rao in reply to a question said political leaders cannot ad dress public meetings under present circumstances. But they can meet and listen to the problems of common people in their constituencies and try to solve them with our help. He said there are two options Open before the local people here, First, continue killings, crack downs and destructions, “When Pakistan cannot come to their help during the past three and a half years how they people and militants expect the same in future.”

We are getting cooperation from the local public in nabbing militants and their arms dumps, he said and added, that is why we succeeded in achieving major success in the recent past which is an encouraging trend.

Gen Rao said strict instructions had been issued to security agencies not to harass the common people during operations against militants and their harbors but at the same time security forces are told to deal firmly with the militants, he said.

He said four army personnel were arrested and court martialed when it was proved that they were involved in a rape case at Zaina kote on the outskirts of the Srinagar city.

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 9, 1993