Difficult days will end soon, peace will return in J

Srinagar, Oct 9 (UNI) Expressing the hope that difficult times faced by the people of the Jammu and Kashmir during the past several months would soon end, Governor N N Vohra today exuded confidence that peace would return and the people would soon be able to lead a normal life without disturbances and interruptions.

Inaugurating the new complex of the Police Headquarters here today, the Governor hoped that the difficult time the state had passed during the past several months would soon come to an end, paving the way for an era of peace and harmony.

Mr Vohra expressed concern over the loss of academics, for the better part of a full session, due to the protest and said that those who caused the disruptions could not remain indifferent to the serious losses resulting in virtually writing off a full academic year of our students.

''Our boys and girls have to excel in their careers and emerge as eminent persons in this age of fierce competition', he maintained.

The Governor complimented the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Police Force, for braving an extremely difficult situation during the past two decades, in seeking to protect the life and property of the people.

The situation was most challenging during the past three months and the police remained in the forefront to maintain peace and order while safeguarding the Human and Fundamental Rights of the people, he added.

Mr Vohra dwelt at some length on the evolution of police in the country since Independence and referred to the prolonged neglect and progressive politicisation of the Force, inadequate budgetary support for periodic recruitments, training and continuing modernisation led to police becoming ineffective even though its responsibilities for maintaining order in the face of growing challenges has been increasing day by day.

In this context, he also referred to the role of the media which had made police functioning even more challenging.

On various occasions the police has to face severe criticism, rightly or wrongly. What was more useful was, perhaps, to objectively identify the cause of every failure, wherever it took place, rather than indulge in outright criticism, he said.

Recalling his working closely with the Police in the past decades, in Punjab and later as Union Home Secretary, he Governor observed that after passing through a difficult phase, the Police force in the States has entered a phase of regaining confidence, discipline and morale, which had been severely dented in the past years.

Mr Vohra congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir State Police for moving into a brand new Headquarters and said that this luxury was perhaps not available to Police in other States.

He went a round the six-storey building and evinced keen interest in the quality of woodwork in the premises, particularly Khatam Bandhi.

UNI BAS RJ AS1818