NEW DELHI: A former intelligence chief, Girish “Gary” Saxena was Friday appointed as the new governor of Kashmir. He succeeds the controversial Jagmohan.

The 63 year old Saxena, former chief of the research and analysis wing (Raw) Intelligence Agency has been the security advisor to the prime minister on Kashmir Affairs for about two months.

Describing the replacement of Jagmohan as a “monumental blunder” the rightist Bharitya Janata Party which is supporting the ruling National Front government from outside, withdrew from the advisory committee on the Kashmir affairs but said it would continue to support the government.

The resignation was precipitated by the firing on the funeral procession of a moderate religious leader Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq.

Jagmohan and the minister for Kashmir George Fernandes had differing perceptions on handling of the situation in the valley. While Jagmohan was for continuing the hard line for some time, Fernandes felt that political process should start simultaneously.

Jag Mohan’s tenure was dogged by controversy right from his appointment in January with the then chief minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah resigning in protest. Later in another controversial act he dissolved the state assembly without consulting the federal government.

While it was generally acknowledged that Jag Mohan’s firm action had helped restore the authority of the government in the valley, his critics said he had totally re~ pressed and alienated the local population.

JAMMU: The resignation of Jagmohan evoked strong protests hate Friday with the shops and business establishments downing their shutters and the BJP other organizations calling for a two day strike from Saturday.

The Hindu fundamentalist patty Shiy Sena also issued strike calls, the protest move has been supported by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce,

Meetings were organised and slogans raised against central leaders. Groups of people also came out on streets shouting slogans against VP Singh.

Earlier, the left parties led the political parties in parliament in urging the federal government to recall Jagmohan, Governor of Kashmir state, particularly after Sunday’s firing on the funeral procession of Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq.

Sixty seven people reportedly died in firing by security forces at the Mirwaiz funeral procession.

Leaders of the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Forward Block Wednesday found support from senior Janata Dal leader Mr Chandra Shekhar, who also said the government should consider withdrawing Mr. Jag mohan.

He felt that the continuance of the governor now may alienate the people of Kashmir from the mainstream as the present situation had become serious. Demanding a discussion on the Kashmir situation, he said that nothing had been done on the prime ministers commitment of an inquiry into the firing on mousers at the funeral procession of the Mirwaiz.

Gupta said that the action by the security forces would convey the impression to the people of the valley that “some sort of occupation army” was there.

Leaders from the right wing Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian Union of Muslim League and Forward Bloc, decried the shooting and wanted! A thorough enquiry into the firing on the funeral procession.

JAMMU: Militants hurled two hand grenades on a police picket in Srinagar and fired on security forces in Safakadal area of the city on Thursday while searches and raids continued in several parts of the valley to “apprehend” the killers of Mirwaiz Maulvi Mohammed Farooq.

No one was injured in the attack on the police picket as the grenades missed the target, reports from Srinagar said.

Militant group fired at security forces at two places around Safakadal area of the city forcing the security personnel to return the fire. But no details of causalities were immediately available.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 1, 1990