Press Release
CONSUL GENERAL OF INDIA, San Francisco
May 24, 1996
Dear Friend,
You would have seen articles in the press about the elections in Jammu & Kashmir. You would perhaps be as disturbed as I am about the deliberate and partisan approach, alleging that people in the valley were forced by the security forces to vote. It is pertinent in this connection to note that the version did not take into account their own reporting earlier of a change in the mood in Kashmir against militancy. In fact, a number of new groups have lately emerged in Kashmir, many consisting of former militants who are disillusioned with militancy and wished to join the political mainstream.
The international and domestic media have reported about the threats by pro-Pakistani militants telling the people not to vote in the elections. Further, Pakistan leaders have also been reported as saying that they would try to have the elections stopped at all costs. Senior persons including the Pakistan Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and leaders like Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan and others have been reported in the Pak media as stating that they would not accept elections in J&K. Pak PM has even called for the election not to be held at a time when they are themselves planning election in the illegally occupied POK. The Pak media has given prominent coverage to threats issued by pro-Pak militant groups like the Al-Jihad that they would disrupt the elections in Jammu and Kashmir at any cost. Pakistan has been at all levels giving signals to the pro-Pak groups that it stands behind their actions against the elections. Recent bomb blasts in Delhi and Rajasthan resulting in heavy casualties have been claimed by militant groups protesting against the elections.
Such pronouncements by Pakistan and actions by pro-Pakistan militant groups which constitute a direct threat to a democratic process which is the internal concern of India, created an environment that threatened the holding of free and fair elections. Against such odds, the security personnel are essential to prevent militants using violence to intimidate voters and disrupt the poll process. Given the fact that the militants tried to use grenade attacks at some places, only the presence of the security forces prevented voters being directly attacked by the militants. Under such conditions, some people could have taken the position that they were forced by the security forces to vote in order to protect themselves from the militants targeting them. The security persons have instructions not to force voters to participate in the election process. The Government of India desired to ensure full transparency of the elections by permitting free movement of all, including media personnel, whether domestic or foreign. Considering that there has been reasonably a heavy turn out in the elections held so far, using stray interviews with a few people to claim that the entire electoral process lacks credibility is to say the least, malicious and completely unjustified.
India is determined to restore the democratic, political process in Jammu & Kashmir - threats from Pakistan and pro-Pak militant groups notwithstanding. The Government of India is determined to hold assembly elections also in Jammu & Kashmir as soon as possible so that the people have a popular elected Government. India has shown its commitment to democracy and it would like to ensure democratic process takes hold in Jammu & Kashmir.
I thought of sharing the above with you in the hope that it will help in understanding the situation in Jammu & Kashmir in its true perspective.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
C.R. Balachandra
 INDOlink
|  Consulate Home-Page
| Announcements & Press Releases
|