The Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday asked state’s political parties to desist from “creating artificial fear” among people about threat to J&K’s special position.
“I’m not in support of it, to create artificial fear andprovoke people to vote,” the Governor responded to a question about politicalparties cautioning people that any move by New Delhi to abolish J&K’sspecial status will lead to change of demography in the state.
He was speaking to media during his visit to Tulip Garden hereon the banks of Dal Lake, which was thrown open to public last week.
During the ongoing election campaign, all political partiesincluding National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and Congress have beenhitting out at New Delhi and warning it against any move to do away withArticle 370 and Article 35A, the two constitutional provisions which definesJ&K’s special position in Union of India.
“Whatever will happen…we will see to it,” the Governor saidwhen again asked about political parties raking up the issue of J&K’sspecial status in their rallies.
The Governor said the mainstream politicians should behavelike leaders and not cross the line that differentiates them from separatists.
“They (mainstream parties) have a place and respect in thesystem and the system can’t run without them. I will make an appeal to allpolitical parties with folded hands to talk about politics and election butdon’t talk anything which is threat to peace and which will encourageseparatism,” said the Governor.
The Governor said his visit to the Tulip Garden was meant tospread the message that situation in Kashmir was “good”. “That is why we havecome,” the Governor said.
Responding to another question about statements made byleaders of various political parties about removal of security to their partyleaders and members, the Governor said the state administration has asked “boththe leaders” to send list of party members who need the security.
“We will provide required security to all candidates,” saidthe Governor, adding they were hopeful of large participation of people in theupcoming Parliament polls.
To another question about ban on movement of civiliantraffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway two days a week (Sunday and Wednesday) andthe problems people would face, the Governor said there has already been”reconsideration” made on the highway ban, referring to press conference ofdivisional commissioner Baseer Khan here on Friday.
In his presser Khan had said there will be no “blanket ban”on movement of civilian traffic on the highway and students, governmentemployees, tourists and the cases of medical exigencies will be allowed to moveafter following requisite procedure.
The government’s decision to ban any kind of civiliantraffic on the highway from Baramulla up to Udhampur has led to anger amongpeople and all political parties have asked the government to revoke the order.
“We are again meeting today and all issues which have comeup during past four days related to highway and security will be sorted out. Wewill not do anything that will create problems for people in Kashmir,” heasserted.
The state government is holding a conference in New Delhi tosend a positive message about Kashmir to rest of the world, the Governor said.He said ambassadors of all countries will be invited to the program and thestate administration will try to convince those countries, which have issuedadvisory to its citizens from travelling to Kashmir, to remove it.
“Kashmir is world’s most beautiful place and the peopleliving here are very warm-hearted and hospitable. We will tell them(ambassadors) that Kashmiris are hospitable and loving people and there is nothreat to any tourist in Kashmir…they (tourist) should come to Kashmir. Earlieralso the tourists have visited Kashmir and they have never faced any problem,”said the Governor.
He asked the political parties to talk about the workscarried during the Governor’s rule in J&K, about “opening of new schoolsand upgrading of the existing ones, construction of roads and bridges”.
He said the Governor’s grievance cell has handled more than60,000 grievances since imposition of the governor’s rule in J&K in Junelast year.