Taking a cue from the agenda of the alliance Government, Governor NN Vohra on Wednesday made an emphatic announcement claiming any final decision on the continuation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the State would be taken by the Central Government.
“Keeping in mind the fact that the situation is steadily improving, the Government will examine the need for de-notifying ‘disturbed areas’ and this in turn, would enable the Central Government to take a final view on the continuation of the AFSPA in such areas,” he said while addressing the joint session of the State legislature.
“In this context, the coalition Government will thoroughly review the security in J&K and examine the need and desirability of all the special laws which are being applied in the State,” he said.
Reaching out to the stakeholders, the Governor in his address said the alliance Government would initiate a “meaningful dialogue” with all internal stakeholders, including all the political groups, irrespective of their ideological views and predilections.
“This dialogue will seek to build a broad-based consensus on the resolution of all outstanding issues of J&K,” the Governor said. Vohra maintained that there has been “progressive improvement” in the security environment in the State. He pointed out that the Government would also address the concerns of the people living on the border and those in the remote areas.
Vohra added that the State would work on returning the land taken by the security forces to its owners. “A very important step which the Government will implement shall be to ensure that all lands, other than those which have been given to the security forces on lease, license or through acquisition under the provision of the land Acquisition Act; must be returned to the rightful legal owners within a given time frame,” he said.
On return of Kashmiri Pandit, he said, “To strengthen and enhance societal harmony, my Government will ensure the return of Kashmiri Pandits with dignity, based on their rights as State subjects. No efforts will be spared to reintegrating and absorbing them in the Kashmiri milieu,” he said.
The Government will also work out a one-time settlement for refugees from PoK of 1947, 1965, and 1971, take measures for the sustenance and livelihood of the West Pakistan refugees and constitute a delimitation commission for re-demarcating the legislative Assembly constituencies as required by law, he said.