By R C Ganjoo
Girish Chandra ‘Gary' Saxena, 88, was a Governor of Jammu and Kashmir from May 1990 to March 1993. The second time he took over as the head of the State was on 2nd May 1998. Prior to governorship, he headed Research and Analysis Wing for 16 years from 1983 to 1986. In an exclusive interview to R C Ganjoo, he categorically said, “Kashmir has external and internal dimensions. Kashmir is not a dispute and not to be negotiable. Pakistan is in illegal possession of a part of Kashmir.”
He said that there was no question of a triangular (India, Pakistan and Kashmir) dialogue on Kashmir. He said, “Solution for the Kashmir problem has to be within our constitutional framework. No government (past, present or future) in Delhi can play with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. India is not only a strong nation but a continent. It is gaining military as well as be within our constitutional framework. No government (past, present or future) in Delhi can play with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. India is not only a strong nation but a continent. It is gaining military as well as economic strength.” “What happened in Kashmir valley, has impact on rest of India. Young soldiers from the army, para military and state police forces, including civilians, lost their lives in Kashmir. I feel sorry for Kashmir boys who became terrorists and got killed,” he rued.
Pertaining to Pakistan's role in the Kashmir problem, he said, “Pakistan pushing cross border terrorism or creating local insurgency is like breaking its head against the wall. They cannot win anywhere even in North East or any other part of India. In no way will the Indian state yield to armed insurgency. India will not waiver and has never wavered.” Talking about Pakistan, Gary Saxena said that in the current setting “the army calls the shots.”
While sharing his experience in tackling insurgency in Kashmir, he said, “I don't believe fighting cross border terrorism with Pakistan should be on their terms in which they have some advantages.” During his tenure, he executed his plans with a team of capable and competent officers. “I was lucky to have many of them who helped in re-establishing intelligence networking in security forces and in general, he said. He also suggested,” anyone who steps on Kashmir should not think he knows everything”
He said that in insurgency the local people are the most important factor. “If goodwill and confidence of people is lost, it would be difficult to operate.” Kashmiris are essentially survivors. They have seen very difficult times when Afghan, Sikh ruled them. They were at receiving ends. But the general culture is secular and they have their own identity. On the current situation in Kashmir, he said, “Ali Shah Geelani, (APHC) leader is under delusion that India's stand will be unnerved. These separatist leaders underestimate the strength of the Indian nation, society, government and military”.
