Srinagar, Oct 19: Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that there are some people in Jammu and Kashmir who for a long time have been following one rule that unless J&K does not merge with them there would not be any peace or security in the UT.
In an interview with a CNN News 18 news channel, LG Sinha said he does not see “terrorism” through the prism of religion, as it has no religion.
“In reality target killing is unfortunate and I don’t see it through the prism of religion. It is a fact that there have been targeted killings of Hindus/ Pandits, but it is also a fact that several Muslims too were killed.
The LG gave reason for such killings to follow the Taliban template by some people in the UT.
“Some people have long followed the Taliban template that no matter how much money, development works the Govt of India or the J&K govt carries out, there won’t be any peace or security until J&K doesn’t become their part.”
He added that this basic theory is important for the people of the country and especially for the people of J&K to understand.
Explaining the Taliban’s template, the LG said, “There was a Taliban Commander who would never regret killing people- be in a temple, a mosque, a school, a hospital or even at a condolence meet. Someone asked him (the Taliban commander) about his way of killing people and how his image would be in the public. The Taliban commander answered that they (Taliban) can’t build roads, schools, hospitals…only they can create a sense of security among people by first creating a sense of insecurity among people. So that people understand that until there is no Taliban rule, they are not secure,” he said.
The LG said there has been a great improvement in the security scenario in J&K and with this the expectations of people have increased.
“The security situation in UT, especially Kashmir has improved. There were times when even 36 people would get killed, yet no questions were asked. Take the data of pre-august 2019 and post Aug 5, 2019, you will find a completely different picture,” the LG said.
However, Sinha added that post-Aug 2019 the terrorism has almost been eliminated. The ecosystem of terror has been dismantled and those who used to strengthen it have faced the law of the land,” Sinha said
“Three generations had been left without proper education. Today the J&K youth has adopted the culture of startups and innovations. There is peace and development. There has been a footfall of 1.5 Crore tourists,” he said.
“But our neighbour does not want to see development, peace in J&K,” Sinha said, adding, all of this has frustrated some people and their handlers who are not able to digest it.
“There was a system where in the Government of India’s money was used to strengthen terrorism. Such people had been deeply rooted in the administrative set up. We are cleaning the process. We have largely dismantled that infrastructure,” he said.
Reiterating that they don’t believe in purchasing peace, but establishing peace, Sinha said they have given clear cut directions to the security forces not to “harass innocents and not to spare culprits.”
On this occasion, the LG also clarified that the “jobs, land and resources of Jammu and Kashmir” belong to its people and not to the outsiders.
“The land, jobs and resources of J&K belong to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, not to the outsiders. But those who came to J&K in 1947 and later again in 1965 have been welcomed in the whole of India and people of J&K too have to welcome them.
“They will get all the rights as per the laws passed by the parliament of the country post August 5, 2019. These laws will be implemented in letter and spirit,” Sinha said, in reply to a question regarding the presence of Rohingyas in Jammu region, during an interview with a national channel.
Sinha said that there has already been a campaign against the presence of Rohingyas.
The LG hinted that the election time in the union territory has come and the statehood would be granted as per the promises made by the Home Minister on the floor of the Parliament.
“As already assured by the Home Minister in the parliament that statehood would be granted once the elections are completed. The enrolment of voter list is under process. Once that is done, the Election Commission will announce the dates for elections in J&K. Administratively, if the ECI seeks suggestions from the J&K government regarding law and order and security situation that will be done accordingly,” said the Lieutenant Governor.
He said that they have changed the education and higher education curriculum to incorporate scientific mindsets among the youth.
About the introduction of the Good Governance dashboard, Sinha said Pulwama, which was once infamous for other reasons, is presently at number one place in the inter-district competition on development index dashboard. “There is a competition on the development front across districts in J&K. And I am pleased to say that J&K is the first to complete the process of Good Governance Dashboard,” he said.
The LG the “Naya Kashmir” model that talks of start ups, innovations, peace, investments, development have frustrated the neighbouring country and her people here. “We have huge investment proposals, cinema halls have opened in Kashmir. This all is beyond their digestion. They are surprised to see this and they want to derail it,” he added.
Large township for KPs in offing:
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha Wednesday said they would soon come up with a large township for Kashmiri Pandits (KPs).
”The process is in its final stages. Around 1500 houses are set to be handed over to Kashmiri Pandits. Distress sales of land by Kashmiri-Pandits are also being reviewed,” he said.
The LG reiterated that the J&K administration is committed for the welfare of KPs.
Will celebrate Diwali on Dal-Lake banks
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that he would celebrate this Diwali on the banks of Dal Lake.
“I won’t go home this Deepawali. I will celebrate it on the banks of Dal lake here with the people of Srinagar… with the people of Kashmir,” Sinha said.
