Governor's rule imposed in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir came under Governor's rule on Thursday following the fall of Ghulam Nabi Azad-led coalition government in the state.

Governor N N Vohra issued a proclamation on Thursday evening, in exercise of powers conferred by Section 92 of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, and assumed, 'with immediate effect all the functions of the government of the state and all powers vested in or exercisable by anybody or authority in the state, other than the powers vested in or exercisable by the high court'.

According to a Raj Bhavan spokesman, the Governor also dissolved the legislative assembly in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 53 of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.

The spokesman said that after the acceptance of resignations of the chief minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and his council of ministers, the Governor 'initiated a consultative process and met leaders of various political parties and groups in the assembly with a view to arriving at a firm assessment whether any of the parties/groups were inclined and could join hands to form a stable government of the state'.

The spokesman added, "Based on the conclusion that no group or party was in a position or willing to form the government of the state, Vohra sought the concurrence of the President of India for issuance of a proclamation to enforce Governor's rule under Section 92 of the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir."

The stage for Governor's rule in the state was set following the resignation of chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on July 7.

Azad's government was reduced to a minority following the withdrawal of support by the key ally, People's Democratic Party, in the wake of ten-day-long massive protests against the allotment of forest land to Sri Amarnath Shrine Board.