Governor calls for steps to restore peace

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 26. The Governor, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Kang, on Friday called for serious heart-searching, systematic creative work and police action to stem violence at Nadapuram and other places.

Addressing the Republic Day Parade at the Central Stadium here, the Governor said that efforts should begin from the grassroots level to disabuse the people's minds. Simultaneously, the long arm of the law should, without fear or favour, effectively deter anyone who is insensitive to the society's urge for peace and tranquility.

``In my Republic Day speech last year, I pointedly referred to the absurd killing of our innocent fellow citizens in certain parts of the State; we all heaved a sigh of relief when peace returned. Although calm prevailed there for a long time, violence erupted again, resulting in loss of precious lives. Why do these meaningless killings recur in this enlightened land?'' Mr. Kang asked.

The commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicting interests, he said, is a sine qua non for any successful democracy. There should be no place for violence in this tolerant country of Gautama Buddha, Sree Sankara, Sree Narayana Guru and Mahatma Gandhi. ``Let us on this auspicious day resolve to rededicate ourselves to the overall development of our State, which has all the pre-conditions for a take off into a front- ranking State.''

The Governor said that despite the problems, the State had done well in a few sectors such as Information Technology.

On the political front, the recent local self- government elections once again proved that in spite of the strong political rivalries, Keralites could take the election in a spirit of healthy competition, another indicator of a vibrant democracy.

He said that though the Malayalis were by far hard working and enterprising outside the State and abroad, the state of affairs in Kerala required a revamping, a reorientation or even a rejuvenation. ``What pains me is the wide gap between the splendid potential and the real performance of our State.''

Mr. Kang commended the work of Ms. K.V. Rabia of Tirurangadi in Malappuram district. Though inflicted with polio, and now cancer, she moves in a wheel chair, teaching the hapless women in her neighbourhood.

The Governor said the unilateral declaration of ceasefire by the Union Government in Jammu and Kashmir, the country's readiness to open talks with Pakistan and the secessionists within the country and meaningful initiatives taken to restart dialogue with China, all augured well for the nation. ``Let us hope to move from confrontation and conflicts to peace and progress.''

He noted that India could again make its presence felt at world forums. ``Time and again, we have proved ourselves a nation wedded to democracy espousing peace and resolution of all conflicts through mutual trust and dialogue. Hopefully, the world community would soon realise that our legitimate claim for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council is not without sound justification.''

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