Jammu and Kashmir governor appeals for peace
By IANSSunday, January 23, 2011
JAMMU - In the first such statement, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra Sunday issued an appeal saying that “no political or other issue must be allowed to mar” the Republic Day celebrations.
The governor, who takes salute at the main Republic Day function at Maulana Azad Memorial Stadium here, issued the appeal in the run up to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) plans to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar Jan 26.
The BJP’s youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) initiated the Rashtriya Ekta Yatra from Kolkata Jan 12, and is scheduled to enter the state on the morning of Jan 25.
The yatra has been declared illegal by the Jammu and Kashmir government and it is preparing to stop it at Lakhanpur, the gateway of the state, 90 km south of Jammu.
Police personnel have been deployed along the border with Punjab to prevent the BJP activists from entering the state.
Traditionally, the governor’s Republic Day address is broadcast Jan 25 and is repeated by him at the main function the next day.
“On the occasion of the 62nd Republic Day on 26th January, the Governor N.N. Vohra, sends his greetings and good wishes for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement issued by him said.
“Functions to celebrate the Republic Day shall be held at district and sub-divisional headquarters all over J&K,” it added, underlining the fact that the day is celebrated and the national flag hoisted all across the state.
“The governor has emphasized the maintenance of peace, harmony and amity during the celebrations and urged that no political or other issue must be allowed to mar the celebration of this joyous event,” the statement said.
The BJP’s flag hoisting plans has evoked fear in some section of the people that the move could disrupt peace in this only Muslim-majority state in India, where separatists have been active for the past over two decades.
