Security situation improved in Kashmir; erstwhile rulers had terrible record: LG

The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday hit out at the critics of the government on killings of non-muslims in the union territory saying the record of previous rulers was bad enough to “blacken their faces.”

“There have been some incidents (of killings) in the past three days. If I repeat the statistics of the past, there won’t be enough ink to blacken their faces,” Sinha said at a function at Raj Bhawan here.

He was speaking at the launch of book ‘The Slum Queen’ authored by Rouble Nagi.

The LG said those who have ruled Jammu and Kashmir for a long time should remember that in 1998, 26 Kashmiri Hindus were killed in Wandhama (Ganderbal) while 26 others were killed in Prankot (Udhampur).

“In 2000, 35 Sikhs were killed in Chattisingpora while 32 persons including seven Muslims were shot dead in an attack on Amarnath yatra the same year. Who was at the helm at that time?” he asked.

Sinha hit out at detractors saying there has been a considerable reduction in the number of killings since the Abrogation of Article 370.

“Questions are being raised that what happened to claims of ending terrorism with abrogation of Article 370. I want to say that there has been reduction.

“It is true that some innocent persons have been killed but this is also the truth that all out efforts are being made to ensure that the terror ecosystem, which was deliberately created and sustained, is rooted out,” he added.

The LG claimed that in the past two and a half years not a single innocent person has been killed in security forces action.
“Wherever doubts have risen, stringent action has been taken,” he said.

Sinha said the statistics for civilian killings in 2019-2022 have reduced by half compared to 2016-2019 period but people “have more hopes from us because there is a PM who is trusted by the country and the world.”

“Curbs have been put on terror funding and support and those who are still indulging in it will have the last nail hammered into their coffins,” he said adding,” Security forces have intensified Counter-terror operations to crush terror ecosystem. Now there are no calls for bandhs in Kashmir at the behest of neighboring country. Now a common man can earn his livelihood peacefully. We have succeeded in Choking Terror funding and recruitment to a large extent.”

He further said that the perpetrators and those aiding and abetting terrorists have made a huge mistake and they will have to pay a very heavy price for their heinous act.

He paid tributes to martyred civilians and urged people to come together to root out terrorism & its ecosystem.
He also urged every section of the society to identify those who are misguiding the people and trying to disrupt the peace and development process in the UT.

“I want to tell those who are trying to disrupt peace in J&K that you have made a big mistake. I assure the people they will be severely punished. We will not rest until we strike the last nail in the coffin of terrorism,” said the Lt Governor.

Speaking about the book, LG Sinha said the Governor commended the efforts of the author and her art foundation for empowering women, creating Job opportunities for youth and ensuring children’s education.
He also appreciated the work being done by them in Baramulla, Kupwara districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
He urged the individuals and volunteer organizations to come forward and complement the government’s efforts to selflessly serve the underprivileged sections of the society and for socio-economic empowerment of women and the youth.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor threw light on the golden history of women empowerment in Jammu and Kashmir. The world’s first woman guerrilla force and countless examples of great women leadership, sacrifice and bravery have made valuable contributions in the development of UT, he added.

Today, Jammu Kashmir is moving towards regaining its lost glory of women empowerment and creating an ecosystem of women entrepreneurs, the Lt Governor further added.

In the last two years, more than 10,000 girls have become entrepreneurs and they have been provided with training, financial assistance, and market linkage. The handicrafts products of Women self-help groups are reaching different cities of the country and abroad through Amazon & Flipkart, the Lt Governor noted.

He also spoke on the interventions like Aao School Chalen Campaign, Talaash Survey of the government to ensure that every child goes to school and other initiatives like mentorship program, necessary infrastructure for girls’ education, tablets and laptops with content for children, Atal Tinkering labs, smart schools for children belonging to underprivileged section of society, increased average scholarship for children from poor families, vocational courses, Seasonal Centers for Migratory Tribal Population, enchantment of salaries of seasonal teachers etc.

These efforts are yielding favorable results and last year enrollment drive has registered a 14.5% increase. 93,000 out of school children have been identified and being brought to school within just one year, he added.
During an interaction session with the author, the Lt Governor highlighted the youth-oriented initiatives being taken by the government under the aegis of Mission Youth.