Centre may change governor: Syed Ata Hasnain is a contender

With the Kashmir Valley continuing to witness largescale unrest for over a month, speculation is rife that the Centre is considering the possibility of replacing governor N.N. Vohra. A former senior bureaucrat, Mr Vohra has served as both home and defence secretary and was appointed governor in 2008, and given a second term in 2013.

Sources said one of the names being considered is that of Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), a highly-decorated Army officer who has served as GOC of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, that plays a crucial role in tackling the militancy in the Valley.

Having served in Kashmir, the sources said, Lt. Gen. Hasnain knows the Valley’s security issues and how to handle them. During his tenure as GOC 15 Corps, the Army had neutralised several top militants and had contained infiltration.

The sources added a decision on replacing Mr Vohra would have to be taken at the highest level, and in consultation with the PDP leadership in Kashmir.