J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Governor not in favour of self-rule in J&K
Srinagar, August 27
Asserting that democracy was thriving in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor S.K. Sinha said here today that the idea of self rule would not be introduced though there was scope of improvement in different ways. He held that democracy and self-rule were synonymous adding instead there was urgent need to introduce self-rule in PoK and northern region of Pakistan.

Farooq calls for workable solution
Srinagar, August 27
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah here today sought to come out with a workable solution to the Kashmir problem for the restoration of peace in the state where people suffered a lot since the eruption of militancy. He called for rising above all things and unite to "evolve what is possible and acceptable" to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the two neighbouring countries of India and Pakistan.

7 crushed to death
Jammu, August 27
Seven persons, including four women, were crushed to death by a Matador as they were coming out after paying obeisance at a gurdwara in Digiana here early this morning.

Hizb militant killed
Srinagar, August 27
The security forces killed a Hizbul Mujahideen militant and arrested another belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), while ultras shot at and wounded two contractors in Jammu and Kashmir since last evening, an official spokesman said today.

Governor not in favour of self-rule in J&K
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 27
Asserting that democracy was thriving in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor S.K. Sinha said here today that the idea of self rule would not be introduced though there was scope of improvement in different ways. He held that democracy and self-rule were synonymous adding instead there was urgent need to introduce self-rule in PoK and northern region of Pakistan.

Addressing the valedictory function of the three-day conference on “Indian Federalism at Work” at the SKICC here this evening, the Governor impliedly differed with the views of the PDP leadership that had been advocating the idea. Mr Sinha pointed out that the contours of the self-rule were not clear even as Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed democracy at a higher degree than any other state of the country. He referred to the views of Pakistan Human Rights Commission chief, Ms Asma Jehangir, during the conference here yesterday, seeking the support of the people on this side for restoration of the democracy in her country. The Governor pointed out that “PoK also needs a greater degree of self-rule and democracy and lesser control from the Centre”.

Claiming that India as a union of states had given adequate powers to the states, the Governor suggested autonomy of a state in no way was conflicting with the national unity. “We need to evolve cooperative federalism in our Centre-state relations”, he commented. He held that a “changing pattern” of Indian federalism was clearly visible now where a strong Centre and strong states were becoming important adding that the strength of a union was dependent on the strength of the states.

The Governor referred to the significance of the three-day conference on Indian Federalism at Work held here. He, however, lamented that panchayati Raj did not have an effective mechanism in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that elections to only 2000 out of 4000 Panchayats were held in the state, and the remaining were awaited. “Even devolution of power to the local bodies have not been completed”, he commented.

The Governor said that contrary to other States of the country a state Election Commission was not constituted in the state. The state relied on the Election Commission of India for the holding of Panchayat elections that would not necessarily lead to free and fair elections. He added that the credibility could not be the same as that of a State Election Commission.

In his concluding remarks, Director of the Institute of Social Sciences, George Mathew said conference had “intense passionate discussions” and heated debate in which 100 participants from all the states of the country and research institutes participated.

He said 82 papers were presented and there was also a participation of foreign experts. They included those from Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden and the USA. Those present at the valedictory function included Dr Mohini Giri, former chairperson of the national Commission for Women, Ms Judith Large of International IDEA, Stockholm. Mr M A Qadiri of the University of Kashmir presented the vote of thanks. The conference was organized in collaboration with the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, University of Jammu, Hamdard University, New Delhi and sponsored by Global Green Peace Kashmir.

Farooq calls for workable solution
Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

7 crushed to death
Tribune News Service

Hizb militant killed