Srinagar, July 16:Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday reiterated the Government of India’s unwavering resolve to completely dismantle the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir and establish lasting peace.
Speaking at a seminar on “J&K’s March Towards Peace,”part of a lecture series organised by Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi, Sinha said the Indian State authority has been completely established in the Union Territory and that the youth of Kashmir are actively shaping a new, prosperous future.
On the occasion, the LG also inaugurated the newly developed Gandhi Smriti Art Gallery. The event was attended by former Union Minister and Vice-Chairman of Gandhi Smriti, Vijay Goel.
In his keynote address, Sinha invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of peace in Kashmir.
“Gandhiji saw a ray of hope in Jammu and Kashmir. He wanted to see peace and progress in the region. Today, Prime Minister NarendraModi is fulfilling that dream by building a fear-free, terror-free J&K—one that aspires to join the ranks of developed states and UTs,” he said.
Sinha emphasised that India’s approach to peace is rooted in the principle of VasudhaivaKutumbakam—the world is one family.
“Our policy is peace, driven by the spirit of VasudhaivaKutumbakam. We believe in establishing peace—not buying it. Indian State authority has been completely established in J&K. The youth now understand that their future lies with India,” he said.
He added that local terrorist recruitment is at an all-time low, attributing this to effective counter-terror operations and crackdowns on radicalisation efforts.
“Decisive action against terrorism and thorough investigations against those trying to radicalise youth have ensured peace prevails. The youth are being guided towards building a more prosperous future, and their involvement is instrumental in this transformation.”
Highlighting the shift on the ground, Sinha said that public participation in national observances such as Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Teachers’ Day, and the HarGharTiranga campaign reflect J&K’s growing national integration.
“Every year, a month-long peace march is organised in Kashmir to commemorate Bapu’s birth anniversary. The youth are now conscious that the J&K of Bapu’s dreams is one of unity and peace,” he noted.
Referring to the recent Pahalgam terror attack,Sinha said its objective was to derail the region’s economic momentum, but “J&K continues to march ahead with renewed strength.”
“Terrorism is in the DNA of Pakistan, and it continues to spread it. The entire global community must unite against this terrorist country. We are determined to wipe out terrorism and all remnants of its ecosystem. We will not spare anyone who speaks the language of terror outfits.”
He confirmed that the NationalInvestigation Agency (NIA) is investigating the Pahalgam attack and said those responsible have been identified.
“The perpetrators will meet the same fate as top terror commanders eliminated before them,” he added.
The LG also outlined the developmental progress in J&K since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, calling it a “defining moment” in the region’s history.
“Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Union Territory has marked significant milestones in governance, infrastructure, and economic growth. Our economy has doubled in the last five years,” he said.
