Vohra first J&K governor to get second straight term

Jammu, April 28 ( ANS) Narendra Nath Vohra's appointment as governor of Jammu and Kashmir for a second successive term is a distinction none of his predecessors was conferred with ever since the title of "Sadr-e-Riysat", styled for the head of the state, was abolished in 1965.

A communique issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan Saturday said: "Narendra Nath Vohra has been appointed governor of Jammu and Kashmir on the expiry of his present term." His first term started June 25, 2008, and will end June 25, 2013.

Vohra, a Punjab cadre IAS officer, served in various capacities in the government of India, including as the defence secretary, home secretary and principal secretary to then prime minister I.K. Gujral.

He was appointed governor in 2008 when the state was wobbling under the violent and communally-tempered situation owing to the Amarnath land row.

Not only did he work out a mutually acceptable formula but also streamlined the system of Amarnath pilgrimage and involved environmentalists and others in addressing the concerns of various stakeholders.

Earlier governors of Jammu and Kashmir -- Jagmohan, Gen K.V. Krishna Rao and G.C. Saxena -- did not get a second consecutive term.

Vohra was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2007. Since February 2003, until he became governor, Vohra had been the central government's interlocutor on Kashmir.