JAMMU: Reiterating the need to regain the lost trust and negate the misgivings in certain sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir, the Governor N N Vohra today said the appointment of the Special Representative by the Union Government to hold talks with the people belonging to all shades of opinion is recognition of the concern for widening the constituency of peace and include even those who may have contrary ideological convictions.

He said this initiative is in tune with the Prime Minister’s Independence Day Address reflecting his concern and empathy for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

Seeking involvement of all sections of the society in the dialogue process, the Governor said that the Government appeals all those who had earlier refused to be part of the peace process to come forward and accept the Special Representative’s offer for engaging in dialogue. He said the Government is hopeful that, soon enough, all segments shall come forward for a dialogue and all issues would find resolution. “The challenges will be met only through dialogue, which is the best means of resolving all disagreements,” he said.

Mr Vohra said the Government firmly believes that the elected and the electorate have equal stakes in the peace process.

Terming the peace as a great force multiplier, the Governor hoped that as the engagement with all the stakeholders gains ground, there will be a yearning for peace and when it will come it will create its own externalities.

“As we are gathered here today, in this citadel of democracy, let us resolve that from now onwards the problems faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the recent years will not be allowed to become the baggage of the future and that the anxieties of our people will be replaced by aspirations of a safe and prosperous future,” the Governor said in his address to the Joint Session of the State Legislature here this morning.

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