Will end militancy in one year, says LG Manoj Sinha

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that time has come to push the last nail in the coffin of militancy in J&K within a year from now to make peace a permanent feature in the region.

“Time has come when all of us will have to work together to cement peace. Within a year from now, we will push the last nail in the coffin of militancy and make peace a permanent feature of J&K,” the LG said addressing a gathering at SKICC on the banks of the world-famous Dal Lake here, as per the news agency KNO. He said security forces are working day in and day out to cement peace in J&K.

He said that without peace, there can be no development in any part of the world. “Some people are wearing dark glasses and can’t see development taking place in J&K. Union Minister is on record in the Parliament that one crore tourists visited J&K this year. Srinagar airport saw 110 flights operating in a day while 44 flights operated from Jammu airport against the previous record of six flights a day,” he said.

The LG said that work on two AIIMS, medical colleges and a cancer hospital is in full swing. “Next year, Kashmir will be connected with Kanyakumari through train,” he said.

The LG said that J&K has been the crown of India but some elements hatched conspiracies to destabilize the region and foment trouble. He added, “We are committed to restoring the last glory of the region. Today, in Pulwama, 10,000 youth are holding tri-colour in their hands. The same is the case with Shopian district and other districts of Kashmir. There is no coercion.”

“J&K has been the crown of India and we are working in that direction to restore its old glory. Some people are not able to see the change. In Pulwama, 10,000 youth marched with Tiranga, shouting Bharat Mata Ki Jai. This is happening in Shopian and other districts too without any coercion and by the will of youth,” he said.

Sinha said that not a single civilian was killed in the security force’s firing in the last three years. “We are following the policy of don’t touch innocent people and don’t leave the culprit,” he said.

The LG said the youth in Kashmir has changed. “Those who would hold stones in their hands are today participating in peace-building,” he said.

The LG e-inaugurated various projects on the occasion of Azadi Ka Amrit Maha Utsav—the commemoration of 75 years of India’s Independence.