L-G Murmu hints at early assembly elections in J&K
Praises police for snow clearance and relief work, says forces will play important role during polls
JAMMU: Lieutenant governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday hinted at early assembly elections in the newly created union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
While addressing the audience at the passing out parade of the recruits of Jammu and Kashmir Police in Talwara area of Reasi district, Murmu said, “Soon elections will be held in this UT. It (J&K) is a Union territory with a legislature. So, don’t think that things will go on like this. Therefore, elections will be held soon and police will have to play an important role during the polls.”
However, he did not specify any deadline for the elections.
Before holding the elections, J&K will undergo delimitation of assembly constituencies. Chief election commissioner Sunil Arora had recently said that the proposed delimitation commission to redraw assembly constituencies in J&K will be set up by the central government, and not the poll panel.
Arora had also made it clear that under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the delimitation commission was to be set up by the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA).
Murmu also appreciated the police for their commendable work in relief and rescue operations across the state during the heavy snowfall recently.
“Winters have come and in some areas people faced problems due to heavy snowfall. However, police are playing an important role in relief and rescue operations.”
“We hope their training and efficiency will help the administration in taking government schemes to people and help us in providing better governance,” he said.
The Centre had abrogated Article 370 on August 5 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into two UTs—J&K with legislature and Ladakh without legislature. Both the UTs came into being via an official notification in the government gazette on October 31.