As the Darbar Move offices will resume functioning after a gap of six months in the summer capital on May 8, three major challenges are staring government in the face: Ensuring good governance, smooth Amarnath pilgrimage and the by-poll for South Kashmir seat slated for May 25.
Interestingly, two out of the three issues will be discussed in the Unified High Command meet scheduled to be held anytime after May 10.
The meeting, to be chaired by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in Srinagar, will work out a strategy for the smooth conduct of the Amarnath Yatra from June 29 till August 7. “Besides, Yatra, the meeting will also deliberate on the arrangements for the by-polls for South Kashmir Parliamentary constituency,” sources in the State Home Department revealed.
“The Chief Minister is likely to seek details from the heads of various security agencies about the preparations made to ensure incident free annual pilgrimage of Amarnath,” sources said.
They said, “The Unified High Command meet will frame a strategy to deal with the challenges staring the government in its face.”
A senior police officer while admitting that in view of the ground situation, there are a lot of “sensitivities” involved and “measures would be accordingly taken.”
“The situation on the ground is fragile and police will deal with any challenge with utmost care. If election in South Kashmir is held on time, ensuring smooth polls will be a major challenge,” he said.
“I don’t need to explain the reasons but two factors are there: militancy and the alienation among the people (of South Kashmir).”
He said the police will also wait for the directions to be passed by the Chief Minister after the Unified High Command meet to be held in Srinagar.
Curiously, at least 1500 polling stations were declared “hyper-sensitive” in South Kashmir Lok Sabha segment, which remained the epicenter of the last year’s uprising triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahedeen commander Burhan Wani.
Additional Forces Coming For Yatra
Sources in the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) disclosed to Kashmir Post that at least 15 companies, who were part of additional forces for polls, have been retained in South Kashmir.
“For the annual Yatra, more forces will come in the mid-June. The request has already been made by the State to the Government of India in this regard,” a top CRPF officer said, wishing not to be named.
He said for the Yatra, “not the people but the militants are the major threat.”
CRPF spokesman in Srinagar Rajesh Yadav said that the forces will maintain a high vigil on the highways and at the base-camps of Yatra as well. “Militant threat is always there, but this time situation is a bit different,” he said.
“It depends on the Centre, how much additional companies they would sanction for the smooth conduct of Yatra,” he added.
The State had sought 250 additional companies of forces, CRPF, ITPB, Sahastra Seva Bal for the elections to the Srinagar-Budgam and South Kashmir constituencies. While majority of companies have left Kashmir, 12 to 15 of them have been retained to “meet any possible challenge.”
‘It’s Time For Development In Kashmir’
According to the government, soon after the reopening of Darbar Move offices in Srinagar, primary task for it will be to ensure peace and development.
“Due to last year’s situation, Kashmir suffered on all fronts and it’s time for development,” said senior PDP leader and Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj Abdul Haq Khan.
Admitting that the situation on the ground is “difficult” to handle”, the minister asserted: “But we will go to the people and tell them it’s time for development in Kashmir.”
He said militancy and protests are “gifts” of National Conference. “PDP was not born when these two problems engulfed Kashmir. We will do our best and reach out to people and sure governance in real sense,” he said.
Sources in the PDP said that major focus will be laid on the road connectivity and tourism during the six-month period from May onwards.
“For PDP, it’s a challenge to ensure that promises made in the Agenda of Alliance (AoA), which has always been criticised by the opposition National Conference and other independent legislators, are implemented on the ground,” sources said.
