Srinagar, Jan 14: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, on Sunday commended the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the region while cautioning against lingering efforts to reignite terrorism.
Addressing on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans’ Day in Jammu, LG said that there is need for retired soldiers, officers, and policemen to actively participate in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
“Despite the decline of terrorism, there are persistent attempts to reignite it,” he said.
Sinha expressed dissatisfaction with the current ex-gratia amount for the families of fallen soldiers, pledging to raise it to a more substantial Rs 25 lakh this year. The Lieutenant Governor revealed that four crore tourists had visited the Union Territory in the last two years, showcasing its growing appeal with 1.88 crore visitors in 2022 and 2.12 crore in 2023.
During a recent security review meeting, Sinha advocated for the involvement of ex-servicemen in the decisive battle against terrorism. He acknowledged the collective effort needed to counter challenges and committed to supporting the welfare of ex-servicemen. Sinha announced the allocation of land this year for the construction of Sainik Colonies in both Kashmir and Jammu to house the families and Next of Kin of fallen heroes.
“The nation will forever remain indebted to our soldiers, who are safeguarding the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the country. Welfare of the ex-servicemen is top priority of the administration,” the Lt Governor said.
“J&K has witnessed drastic improvements in the last four years, for which you all have worked throughout the life. Today, Jammu Kashmir is marching ahead on the path of growth and prosperity. After Independence, J&K has seen the highest footfall of tourists,” he said.
On Armed Forces Veterans’ Day, Sinha paid heartfelt tributes to the brave martyrs and interacted with Veterans, Veer Naris, and Next of Kins at Raj Bhawan. He emphasized the nation’s perpetual gratitude to the soldiers safeguarding the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the country.
Commending the coordinated efforts of the Police, Army, and CAPFs in thwarting attempts by neighbouring countries to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha expressed confidence in the continued significant contribution of ex-servicemen in the fight against terrorism.
The Lieutenant Governor appealed to all citizens to generously contribute to the welfare of ex-servicemen and Veer Naris, underlining the collective responsibility to ensure that veterans and the families of martyrs lead lives of dignity.
Later, Sinha assured support from the administration, including the availability of land for Sainik Colonies in both regions of Kashmir and Jammu. The commitment to increasing ex-gratia payments as a mark of respect to the Army bravehearts was also reiterated.
The event witnessed the presence of officials, including Lt Gen RK Sharma (Retd.), Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Brig. Gurmeet Singh Shan (Retd.), Director Sainik Welfare Department, J&K, and Brig. Anil Gupta (Retd.). The Veer Naris were also honored during the ceremony.
