Sinha suggests NC to take part in Delimitation Comm proceedings
*Decision on Amarnath Yatra after fresh assessment of situation
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today set at rest speculations and rumours floated on Social Media and other modes of communications on further bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir describing them as “completely baseless’’ and being spread by certain people as a part of conspiracy as they have nothing to speak on other issues. He said a decision of annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji will be taken after proper analysis of the situation and also advised the National Conference to become part of the Delimitation Commission saying the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have already said from Red Fort and Parliament respectively that Assembly elections will be held in J&K once the process of delimitation is over.
In an interview to Times Now news channel tonight, Sinha described all rumours floated after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi few days back as “completely baseless’’ saying his meeting with Shah was pre-scheduled while the Prime Minister granted him time on being asked for.
“I refute these rumours with all responsibility. Many people who don’t have anything meaningful to do are taking support of rumours and emotions to mislead public for their own vested interests. These are baseless and mischievous conspiracy theories circulated by a small section of people. Such rumours are also being fanned by certain elements based outside India,’’ Sinha said though he didn’t name Pakistan.
He said normally when people have nothing to say, they rely on emotions and rumours. “Everything is going alright—be it the COVID situation, financial condition, tourism etc. People of Jammu and Kashmir are really not concerned about it and they don’t have anything to do with all these speculations. If you see the Social Media, you will know some people with vested interests are encouraging rumours,’’ he added when asked by the news channel about rumours on further bifurcations of Jammu and Kashmir and making one part as State and other as Union Territory etc.
Asked whether Pakistan or PDP president Mehbooba Mufti are behind it, Sinha said he hasn’t named anyone but added that the people can understand.
To another question about movement of more para-military force to Jammu and Kashmir in anticipation of another decision, the Lieutenant Governor said: “movement of paramilitary forces doesn’t indicate anything. These personnel were deputed outside Jammu and Kashmir for elections including West Bengal and other States. Nearly 60 companies had returned but some of the personnel were held up for quarantine. They are now returning to J&K, Moreover, everybody knows that paramilitary personnel are required for “yatra bandobust’’. There is no other purpose of return of the companies’’.
On annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir Himalayas, Sinha said a decision on the yatra will be taken later aafter complete analysis of the COVID situation.
“We had started registration for the pilgrimage. However, when COVID cases surged, we stopped registration. People’s lives are more important. We have taken steps to contain COVID and we have succeeded. Hopefully, situation will be much better in the next few days. We will analyze the situation and then take a call,’’ he disclosed.
On second thoughts in the National Conference about participation in the Delimitation Commission, Sinha said the Delimitation Commission working is being monitored by the Election Commission. The Commission has asked 18 questions to all 20 Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir which means the work is on.
“As far as the National Conference is concerned, I would suggest them to join proceedings of the Commission as it has been set up by an Act of Parliament and is a Constitutional body. If NC is taking part in Delimitation Commission proceedings, it means they are performing their Constitutional duty. Those who are in Parliament must take part in the process initiated through an Act of Parliament,’’ he added.
Initially, the National Conference had abstained from first meeting of the Delimitation Commission held in New Delhi in February this year but the party leadership has dropped hints in the past few days that it might consider participation in future meetings of the Commission as, otherwise, the BJP will have major say. NC has three Associate Members in the Commission including Dr Farooq Abdullah and BJP two including Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.
About Assembly elections, the Lieutenant Governor reiterated last year’s August 15 statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from historic ramparts of Red Force that whenever Delimitation Commission completes its work, elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, he said, Home Minister Amit Shah had also assured the Parliament on conduct of elections in J&K.
About recent meeting of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), Sinha said some of the constituents have left the Gupkar Alliance. He added that the Constitution permits everybody to keep their view point.
On the allegations of Ikkjut Jammu, Dogra Sadar Sabha etc about discrimination with Jammu region and grant of Statehood to Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor said in a democracy everyone has right to speak but there is no such decision like grant of Statehood to any region.
“Also, there has been no discrimination with any region. Jammu and Kashmir are our two eyes. Both are being developed equally. Not a single decision has been taken in last 11 months where these is discrimination between the two regions,’’ he added.
Replying to a question on militancy-related situation in Kashmir, Sinha said all records of tourist arrivals were broken by March end be they tourists from the country or abroad. Valley hotels saw advance bookings till April this year before COVID second wave hit J&K.
“This showed faith of people that there is no law and order problem in Kashmir and people are not afraid of terrorism. The incidents of terrorism are down…the fresh recruitment of militants is down…security forces are in full control of the situation…ours is the clear upper hand…there is great coordination between security agencies,’’ the Lieutenant Governor said.
However, he admitted that some stray incidents have happened, which are being investigated thoroughly and those responsible for the killings won’t be spared.
“There are some standalone terror incidents, deliberately done to vitiate the atmosphere of peace and development. We have taken serious note and perpetrators will be brought to book. There are handful of elements who want to disturb peace and economy but we won’t allow them to succeed and ensure they are taken to task,’’ he said.
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