The Centre’s move towards imposing Governor’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir signifies that more than development, the security situation in the border state at present needs prime focus, with unrelenting terror attacks in the Valley and ceasefire violations from across the border continuing at high pitch.

The terror attacks and the unprovoked firing from Pakistan resulted in civilian as well as military casualties non-stop, despite the Centre’s continuous offer of initiatives to achieve stable peace and accelerated development.

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A high point of the Centre’s policy to fight the security threats, while allowing people to lead a normal life was the recent month-long suspension of security operations during Ramzan.

READ | J-K under Governor’s Rule, eighth time in four decades

The brutal murders of senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari and Army Rifleman Aurangzeb by terrorists made the Centre realise that security concerns needed its primary attention.

Tasked with keeping the borders safe and deploying security forces to help local police in fighting the unending threat of terrorism, the Centre knew it was time to provide a single vertical of operational command, and convey that it was capable of meeting the threats decisively.

READ | 3 militants killed, 5 securitymen injured in J-K gunfight

The Centre’s main expectation from the coalition government in the State was that it would build bridges with people, who were craving peace and economic progress.

The situation on the ground did not give the Centre much evidence that the local administration was anywhere near convincing the youth of the futility of stone-pelting, much less of enrolling for Pakistan-sponsored terror activity.