The Supreme Court will next week hear the plea seeking direction for Jammu and Kashmir governor N N Vohra to take over the administration of the state in the interest of security, safety and fundamental rights of the Indian citizens residing in the Valley.
The bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur agreed to hear the plea next week on a mentioning by senior counsel Bhim Singh.
Singh, who heads the Panthers Party, told the court that for the last fortnight the state is under siege, no public institutions are working, and there is no drinking water and electricity.
Since the state machinery has failed to curb the violence and there is no solution in sight, it would be better if the rule of the governor is imposed, petition stated.
The petitioner however, continued to insist that the case be taken up by the Supreme Court. While, the SC believed that the Jammu and Kashmir HC should hear the matter, the petitioner continued to persist and said that SC had wider powers and could issue a strong directive in this matter.
The SC then agreed to list the matter for hearing hearing next week. Kashmir has been on the boil and has witnessed violent protests since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, Burhan Wani.
Meanwhile, the state government may be directed to lift ban on the movement of the Yatra to the holy shrine of Shri Amarnath cave in the valley.
The Supreme Court directed the state government and the Centre to ensure safety and security of all citizens of India residing in J&K at all costs.
However, Mehbooba Mufti chaired all party members meeting in Srinagar on Thursday, asked New Delhi to start “a political engagement with all. stakeholders, including separatists, to address the larger political problem”.
“The meeting calls for converting this political consensus into a national initiative. An inclusive engagement of all stakeholders is needed to carry forward the peace and reconciliation process,” reads the resolution. Ms. Mufti called for “taking all stakeholders onboard” and “reviving dialogue process with Pakistan”. She said her government “will act as a facilitator if tangible steps are taken to reach out to all the stakeholders”.She underlined the need to implement recommendations of the five Working Groups constituted by the then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh in 2006.
