Srinagar: Assuring that no "electoral loot" would be allowed in the ensuing Assembly
elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister George Fernandes sidestepped
persistent demands being raised on imposition of Governor's rule in the state saying
it was up to the Election Commission to decide on the conduct of polls.
Fernandes, addressing a number of gatherings of troops engaged in counter insurgency
in Jammu and Kashmir, told them "in our democratic set-up the need of the hour is to
conduct honest elections in the state, ensuring that electoral mandate is not
looted".
The minister, addressing a gathering in Weibug in the militancy hit South Kashmir,
said he had been surprised at facing a barrage of questions during his two-day tour,
on not about militancy or jobs, but only on why elections could not be held under
Central rule.
He said, "It is up to the Election Commission on how to conduct the polls and it
knows its role. We will go by what the body decides on the conduct of elections".
Fernandes also denied any difference of opinion in the government over the Jammu and
Kashmir election schedule saying that any conjectures being made on the issue
were "wrong".
On the continued standoff with Pakistan on the borders, the Defence Minister
said the troops would remain on the frontiers till it was necessary.
He said the timing of any de-escalation would be decided by the Armed Forces
commanders, as the government had taken the decision on forward deployment
after taking their advise.
"So it will on the advise of the Armed forces high command that any move to
de-escalate would be decided", he said.
In the course of his two-day visit, Fernandes visited the forward-most posts
on the world's highest battlefield, the Siachen glacier, and then
criss-crossed the Valley to address troops of the Kilo and Victor forces,
who are engaged in counter-insurgency operations.
He also adressed school children in Northern Kashmir district town of
Baramulla and National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets attending a 15-day National
Integration camp in Kashmir.
The NCC camp in Kashmir Valley is being held almost after a decade.
PTI
