Except Covid-19, don’t see any problem in holding polls in Jammu & Kashmir: GC Murmu

The first lieutenant governor of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu opens up about the political space for parties, setting up the delimitation commission, and holding elections, among other issues.

The first lieutenant governor of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu, spoke to Hindustan Times about opening up the political space for parties, setting up the delimitation commission, and holding elections, among other issues. Edited excerpts:

First lieutenant governor of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Girish Chandra Murmu. (File photo)

It will soon be a year since the nullification of Article 370. When will political activity be revived in J&K? When will remaining political prisoners, particularly PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, be released?

President’s Rule is a temporary provision. The Election Commission (EC) has announced members to the delimitation commission, and political parties are conducting outreach programmes -- so, the political process is there. We wanted to have local body elections in February and March but Covid-19 played spoilsport. The EC is the competent authority to take a call on delimitation. Except Covid, I don’t see any problem in holding elections.

There is a mechanism to review detentions. Most detainees have been released. Beyond a certain period, you can’t detain politicians.

Where do politicians such as former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti figure in the new political landscape?

India is a secular, socialist, democratic republic where people choose their leaders. So everyone has a role to play. Any old or new party has an equal right to elect and be elected. There is nothing like a new political landscape. Revoking the temporary provision (Article 370) was a historic decision. It has opened up more opportunities for people to participate and be masters of their destiny.

How do you see the place of the Apni Party, led by Syed Altaf Bukhari, going forward? There was talk of an advisory council.

There can be a new or old party, or a combination. They have their own opportunities and challenges, but they have been leaders. People will decide. I’m not aware of an advisory council. Under President’s Rule, the power rests with the governor or LG who takes advice from professionals. In J&K, we have four advisers. I don’t think that kind of arrangement (advisory council) exists anywhere. Maybe it was rumour.

The killing of Congress sarpanch Ajay Pandita and abduction of a woman sarpanch have reignited fears among Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. How do you see the security scenario in the Valley?

There are forces from outside and within aiding and abetting such activities but our security forces are taking on the challenges and have succeeded to a great extent. We are trying developmental programmes for participatory management and growth. I see it as a phenomenon that was there earlier too, and occasionally returns in the form of desperate attempts [to disrupt peace].

Are you planning some security cover for over 25,000 sarpanches and panches? They are the only elected representatives in J&K, and the most vulnerable.

We want to secure the entire UT and its people. Of course, there is a provision to provide security to vulnerable representatives, depending upon the threat perception, but my intention is to give a general sense of well-being. We have an area domination mechanism in place but yes in rare cases, security cover can be thought of.

There are reports of psychological warfare and use of IT platforms to radicalise Kashmiri youth. What is being done to wean them away?

It’s been going on for the past many years in a bid to destabilise us, but our security forces have been able to contain terrorism. The key is in all-round development. Let there be growth and employment so that everyone, particularly youngsters, gets an opportunity to progress.

What are the specific plans to tide over rising unemployment?

Unemployment is a global phenomenon, and post-Covid, most nations have suffered. J&K could not build infrastructure earlier and create job opportunities... If things get normal, the global investors’ summit will be held in October.

Will Amarnath Yatra be held this year? What about the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage?

Let’s see how things evolve due to the pandemic but pooja will take place at Amarnath. We will take a decision ...on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage.