With the headquarters of the State Government moving from Jammu to Srinagar, the new government headed by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed is getting closer to the situation on the ground.
After the traditional 'Durbar Move', Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed met the media in Srinagar and indicated that his priorities are governance and rehabilitation of the flood-hit people in the state.
The controversies that were generated by the release of Masrat Alam, and the waving of Pakistani flags at a demonstration led by him, have died down. Masrat Alam and his mentor Syed Ali Shah Geelani made an effort to capitalize on remarks made by Mufti thanking the separatists for enabling peaceful polls to take place in the state, which enabled the Peoples' Democratic Party to capture the largest number of seats.
Mufti thanking the separatists did not mean that he approved all that the separatists stood for. He was only hoping that he would be able to secure their cooperation in establishing a peaceful atmosphere in the State, which would help in the reconstruction of the damaged houses, roads and other institutions and promote tourism.
The separatists had a different agenda and thought that Mufti would allow them to carry on with their activities. But that has not happened. Mufti took action against Alam as laid down by law and made it clear that if his followers continue such activities, they would meet the same fate. Alam is back in jail and his mentor Geelani is confined to his house.
If the terrorists hoped that they would have a better atmosphere to move across the Line of Control they are mistaken. Efforts by some terrorists to infiltrate have been frustrated. On May 8, a major terrorist plot by the Lashkar-e-Taiba to infiltrate was foiled. The Lashkar-e-Taiba was forced to retreat in the Mendhar Sector of Poonch, and their commander was killed. Arms and ammunition, including the commander's global positioning system were captured.
Also Read
Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who is a veteran politician, having been chief minister a decade ago and occupied the post of home minister at the Centre, has tried to secure the cooperation of all agencies to ensure the success of his government.
In spite of the controversies following the statements made by him after assuming office, he met the Prime Minister and the Home Minister in New Delhi, and went to Mumbai to invite Bollywood film makers to the Kashmir Valley, who would open the gates for tourists visiting the state.
While one could discount his criticism of the National Conference and the Congress, he told the media after moving to Srinagar, "Give us time, we will bring a new era of peace and reconciliation, provide better governance, help the flood affected people, provide better roads and improve facilities for health and education."
On Wednesday, a flood-hit government Girls High School was reopened at Chhatabal after getting rebuilt through assistance from the Freemasons with donors from different parts of the country chipping in. One hopes there would be more such offers.
There has been a controversy over the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley. Everyone, including the separatists, wants them to return to their abandoned homes. There is, however, objection to the establishment of separate townships for them.
One hopes that Kashmir Pandit families would move back and rebuild their homes. Everyone accepts that at present there is little hostility against the Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir Valley, but vested interests are campaigning that the establishing of separate townships would alter the demographic complexion of the state.
There has been a demand for the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. The expectation is that it would be revoked from areas where peace prevails, the militants and their sponsors across the Line of Control would not allow it, as it would upset their agenda.
Give Mufti some time. He has the advantage of getting the help of his Bharatiya Janata Party colleagues in implementing his policies, which is not a small one.
.