Conspiracy at national, international level to disrupt peace in J&K: LG

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha awarding a new recruit at SKPA Udhampur on Thursday. -Excelsior/K Kumar
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha awarding a new recruit at SKPA Udhampur on Thursday. -Excelsior/K Kumar

‘Social Media being used as potent weapon’

Terror will be curbed with full force

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 16: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today that a conspiracy to disrupt peace in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is being made not only at the national but international level with Social Media being used as potent weapon but declared that anti-national elements won’t be spared and terrorism will be curbed with full force.
He made these remarks while addressing Passing-Out-Parade of Fire and Emergency Services at Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA) Udhampur.
“New Generation Warfare i.e. Social Media is being used as potent weapon by some elements not only at national but international level to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha said, adding that there is need to keep strict vigil on this.
Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and security forces are working on this, he said.
It may be mentioned here that police and Intelligence agencies had quite often observed that provocative messages were sent on Social Media in Kashmir from across the border (Pakistan and PoJK). The messages had potential of disturbing peace in the Valley though they were far from reality. This has happened on many occasions. Sometimes the messages had originated from other countries also.
Even the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in its last high-level security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir had referred to misuse of Social Media from within as well as outside the country for fanning trouble in the Union Territory.
Sinha, however, declared that the anti-national elements won’t be spared and terrorism will be crushed with full force.
“We will fight terrorism with full force and even those who encourage it will also face stern action,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Lauding Jammu and Kashmir Police, he said apart from eliminating terrorism, it was also winning trust of the people.
Asserting that the people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace, Sinha said the terror will be tackled as Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces have been overcoming one after the other crisis.
Referring to sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces, he said many JKP personnel have lost their lives and many families had to sacrifice their beloved children.
“There can be no bigger human rights violation than this,” he asserted.
He said it was also responsibility of the Police to generate awareness among the people on various issues and expressed confidence that they will fulfill their responsibility.
Sinha also listed priorities for the pass-outs including saving lives of people, controlling fire, providing emergency services, securing property of the people and nature’s gifts.
Fire Fighters place their own lives at risk in order to protect the citizens. Fire & Emergency services personnel are real-life superheroes”, the Lt Governor remarked.
Observing that there is no greater public service than saving lives, he exhorted the cadets to discharge the noble responsibility with utmost zeal and dedication. Carry forward the rich legacy of courage and bravery, and come out as a formidable force to deal with emergency situations, he asserted.
He highlighted the Government’s efforts to develop the skills and expand the scale of the emergency services to meet its increasing need in continuously developing villages, towns, and cities.
“We have ensured up-gradation of all facilities of Fire and Emergency Services and provision of modern fire tenders and rescue equipment,” he added.
Lal Chand, DDC chairman Udhampur; DDC members; BDC members; Pawan Kumar Gupta, former Minister; R S Pathania, Ex MLA besides other prominent persons also attended the Passing out Parade ceremony.
Dilbag Singh, DGP; Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary to the Government, Home Department; Dr B Srinivas, Director General, Fire & Emergency Services; Dr S D Singh, Director, SKPA; Mukesh Singh, ADGP; Indu Kanwal Chib, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur; senior officers of UT administration, BSF and Indian Airforce besides family members of the cadets were present on the occasion.