JAMMU, May 01: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday reiterated his administration’s commitment to establishing peace in the Union Territory rather than buying it.
He was addressing during a programme held here at Abhinav Theatre to commemorate the death anniversary of legendary poet and freedom fighter Sarwanand Koul Premi, who was killed by terrorists on May 1,1990.
“I can say one thing with confidence that we have no intention to buy peace. But we are working with the intention to establish peace in Jammu and Kashmir”, he said.
The LG stated that terrorism and its ecosystem have caused significant damage and loss not only in J&K but throughout the country, and that the government is working hard to eradicate it permanently.
The LG further stated that the government has been successful in removing terrorism and its ecosystem to a considerable extent, and that efforts are ongoing and will continue with vigour to entirely eradicate terrorism and its ecosystem from J&K.
Without naming anybody, Sinha said “the people who have been part of this ecosystem from here (J&K) to Delhi for the past 70-75 years do not normally allow any person to stabilize,” he said. “But things have changed and those watching the situation too have similar intentions.”
Sinha reiterated that efforts are on to destroy terrorism and the terror ecosystem in J&K. “How much we succeed, I can’t say,” he said.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir will regain back to its glory. “It is not only important for Jammu and Kashmir but for the whole of India,” he said.
Remembering Sarwanand Koul Premi, the LG said he was a towering man of ideas and ideals.
He was undoubtedly one of the greatest writers of his time with deep commitment for upliftment of the downtrodden and weaker sections of society, Sinha said.
“Sarwanand made great contribution to the freedom struggle and infused new life in the bonds of our national unity. Throughout his life, he followed the universal and eternal values of peace, co-existence and cooperation,” the LG said.
“Jammu Kashmir is called heaven on earth, not only because of its scenic beauty, but also for great personalities such as Sarwanand Koul, who dedicated his life to serve the others, he said.
Sinha also asked that the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to promote the literary work of Sarwanand Koul Premi by publication and translation of his books. “This should be taken up on priority. There will be no shortage of funds,” the LG said.
Sarwanand Koul was conferred with the lifetime achievement award posthumously by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in 2022. A higher secondary school in his village Sof-Shali (Saft-Shaleshwar) in Anantnag was also named after him in that year.
His name was also included in the list of ‘Unsung Heroes of the Freedom Movement’ under the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav and a special postal cover and stamp on him was released by the Ministry of Communication in 2021.
