The happenings in the Kashmir valley since the past two months have shocked the entire nation, besides having taken even die hard separatists in the valley by surprize. The ‘stone’ has become a visible symbol of the deep hatred of the ordinary Kashmiri against the Indian state, besides symbolizing the extent of their alienation from the Indian state.
The situation is indeed alarming and we do not have any more time to lose. The Centre should immediately :
• Sack the Omar Abdullah government right away and dissolve the assembly thereby paving way for Governor’s rule,
• Appoint someone with impeccable credentials as the new Governor of the state. Someone who can command respect and trust among common citizens, someone who is an able administrator and can easily reach out to the people. A personality like Mrs. Kiran Bedi can easily fit the bill,
• Appoint someone like Mr. K.P.S. Gill as an advisor to the Governor, to keep a strict vigil on the trouble creators and agents from across the LoC who are out to create mayhem in the state,
• Take bold steps to address the genuine grievances of the citizens, especially where their security and livelihood related opportunities are concerned,
• Overhaul the entire bureaucracy and administration to become responsive to the needs of the common citizens, and
• Gradually and steadily, let the Army and the CRPF be relegated to the background, and instead let J&K Police handle the law and order situation.
All this could be a Herculean task, but then so is the nature of the challenge.
As democratically elected governments of the state, voted in power in the past few years, through free and fair elections have failed to live upto the expectations of the citizens, let us not be in a hurry to conduct another elections for the state assembly. It would be much better if the new Governor is allowed to deliver right governance to the state, besides restoring the much needed respect and confidence in the minds of Kashmiri citizens towards the nation.
The process of getting elected representatives to power should ideally begin with the local bodies which need to be strengthened, before the elections to the state assembly are held.
Yes, the Centre can be open to resume dialogue with all shades of opinion in the valley, but unless and until the overall administration in the state is not overhauled to become responsive to the needs of common citizens of the state thereby gaining their trust and confidence, such dialogues would serve little purpose.
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