Srinagar: Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday said that the “temperatures are far below” in Kashmir from the time he took over the reins of the state, saying that the Hurriyat Conference leaders who once shut doors to present day cabinet minister Ram Villas Paswan are now “ready for talks.”
“I feel happy that temperature are far below when I came here. Today the Hurriyat, which once did not open door to Ram Vilas Paswan (presently a Cabinet Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) who was standing at their door, are now talking about talks. There is lot of change everywhere. New recruitment in militant ranks is almost zero and there is no stone pelting after Friday prayers,” he said peaking at a function organized by Doordarshan Kendra Kashmir in connection with distribution of free-to-air set-top boxes to border residents,.
“We feel pained when a youth is killed but if bullet is fired, nobody will be provided flower bouquet. If we function sincerely, youth will not be swayed and misled that if you die you will get Jannat (paradise). As Jahngir said, if there is paradise on earth it is here in Kashmir and as Muslim one will get Jannat if he becomes a good Muslim, a good person. You have your own constitution and flag. My vehicle has two flags and one is state flag and tricolor,” he said.
The Governor said that problem of Kashmir is disgruntled younger generation and “there is need to solve their anger.”
“There are 22000 students from Kashmir who study outside and when there is some issue, we have appointed liaison officers so that the student is not made to go to the police station.” Governor also expressed his happiness that Mirwaiz Umar Farooq spoke against drug menace and urged all to come up forward and play their role to completely limit the menace. “There is need for Doordarshan and other media to work to completely curb the menace,” he added.
