‘Terror back broken, people have faith in Govt’
Admn will give opinion on polls when asked for by EC
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 19: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today announced that the Government will now also act against the persons under the available laws whose “unnecessary statements” encourage militancy and could lead to problems even as he declared that backbone of the terrorism has been broken.
In an interview to CNN TV18 Network, Sinha said he fully agrees with the questioner and they will have to take action under the law against those whose “unnecessary statements” have the potential to encourage militancy and vitiate the peace.
“We will have to take action against such persons also,” he said, adding no one will be permitted to disturb peace.
However, the Lieutenant Governor said, the common man in Kashmir has come out of this.
“Today’s youth has come out of all this. They want Start-ups, innovations. On Gandhi Jayanti, thousands of youth participated in tricolor hoisting,” he added.
Asserting that some targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus have taken place, Sinha said many Muslims have also been killed by the militants as terrorism has no religion. Some forces want to convey message that till Kashmir is with them, there will be no peace. However, he added that there can be no compensation for the killings.
“If you compare three years post August 5, 2019 with three years prior to that, there has been 50 percent decline in civilian killings. Killings of security personnel have come down by 55 percent.. The hartals and bandh at the behest of neighbour (a reference towards Pakistan) have ended. Seventy two persons were killed in stone pelting which too is over. Three young generations were deprived of studies.
“However, there has been complete control over the situation now. Cinema halls have been opened in Shopian and Pulwama, Multiplex is running in Srinagar. Shortly, cinema halls will be opened in rest of the districts. However, some persons are trying to derail the process but the common man has faith in the Government. But, targeted killings remained a challenge which will have to be overcome,” he asserted.
The Lieutenant Governor said 162 militants, nearly 40 of them foreigners, have been killed in Kashmir this year. Tourists have been coming in large numbers. Officers are visiting remote rural areas where there used to be no work. However, he added, all this is not liked by the neighbour but the Government is focusing on the situation and is in touch with the Security Grid.
“There was a time when Indian Government’s money was used to fan militancy. Now this system has been brought to an end with better management. However, the very ecosystem of terror has to be destroyed. As I have already said, we don’t believe in buying peace but establishing peace,” Sinha said, adding though the Government is very strict on militancy and its support base, at the same time it has ensured that no action is taken against the innocents.
To a question that anti-national elements had entered into the administration as well, Sinha said many of them have been identified and removed from the services. The process will continue and more officers will be removed from the system.
To another question, Sinha, without naming Pakistan, said the people have realised that there is no power, ambulances, drugs etc there. Their economy is shattered. “World is watching which country is encouraging terrorism”.
On the question of conduct of Assembly elections, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated that the Delimitation Commission process is over and revision of voters is on. However, he said, it is the Election Commission which has to take a call on when the elections will be held.
“When Jammu and Kashmir administration is asked about opinion. we will give. We are fully prepared to hold the elections,” he added.
Sinha to celebrate Diwali on banks of Dal lake
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that he will celebrate Diwali on the banks of Dal lake in Srinagar.
To a question that whether he will visit his native State Uttar Pradesh to celebrate Diwali, Sinha quipped that he will celebrate Diwali on the banks of Dal lake.
On the eve of Diwali festival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Badrinath Ji and Kedarnath Ji shrines and Ram temple at Ayodhya where 17 lakhs Diyas are expected to be lit.
The Prime Minister, as usual, will be celebrating Diwali festival with jawans on the border.
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