J&K Governor not for self rule in state

Governor Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha said the state had already a special status under article 370.

Rejecting self rule as a solution to the imbroglio, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (retd) SK Sinha said the state had a special status under article 370 and hence enjoyed more democracy and self rule than other states in the country.

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"To me, self-rule and democracy are synonymous and therefore demand for introducing self-rule has a little meaning," Sinha said, inaugurating the fifth All India state Election Commissioners conference, which was attended among others by Chief Election Commissioner BB Tandon.

However, self-rule could be further improved by divulging more powers to the grass roots, he said.

Commenting on the proposal, Sinha said, without naming Pakistan, that self rule should be introduced in the "areas of our state that are in illegal occupation".

While secular democracy flourished in India, it was choked in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and was totally non-existent in northern areas of Gilgit and Baltistan. "We will certainly welcome self-rule there," he added.

State Chief Secretary Vijay Bakaya, who also participated in the conference, said that normality had returned to the militancy-torn region and development plan was being envisaged for Srinagar in particular and the state in general.