Demilitarization in JK impossible, says Sinha
Lashes out at PDP, praises Azad

JAMMU, June 15: The outgoing Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Lt Gen (Rtd) S K Sinha on Sunday ruled out any possibility of demilitarization in Jammu and Kashmir.

“There is no question of demilitarization in JK. Those who talk about demilitarization and raise such slogans actually don’t know what it means,” Sinha told a private news channel here.

Launching a scathing attack at Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) an ally in the Congress led coalition in the State, Sinha said, “Idea of demilitarization, joint control and the self-rule in Kashmir was floated by the then Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf. PDP imitated his proposals and created hype about it. We rejected Musharraf’s proposals out rightly and also asked PDP to keep mum.”

Sinha said that demilitarization was not possible in the State which has its borders with Pakistan and China.

Reacting over the recent controversy regarding the transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) at Baltal, the Governor said, “Some PDP leaders and separatists say that it is aimed at changing Kashmir’s demography, but in my view setting up an independent Amarnath Development Authority between Baltal and Pahalgam will certainly boost the economy of the State and Kashmir region in particular.”

Accusing PDP leadership of following “anti-national and communal polices,” Sinha said, “They have been doing so to fulfill their vested interests.”

Sinha said that when he took over as the Governor of the State in 2003, the biggest challenge for him was to “tackle militancy”. “I tried hard as the Governor to restore normalcy in the State. We achieved lot of success and today things have changed. As militancy declined we initiated peace process with Pakistan and results of the peace process are evident on the ground.”

Terming recent musical performance of Junoon Group from Pakistan in Kashmir as a “big step” towards restoring long ties with Pakistan, Sinha said, “Their performance in Kashmir should serve as an eye opener for violence mongers.”

Sinha said that during his tenure he tried his best to uphold the Indian Constitution in the State.

The outgoing Governor praised Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for what he termed his (Azad’s) “Commitment towards development of the State.” “I shared a very cordial relationship with Azad. He is a committed man.”