Srinagar, October 31: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said India has not bought peace in Jammu and Kashmir but established a sustainable peace by undergoing a significant security transformation since 2019.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion of the eighth Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Foundation Day, Sinha said the administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism had helped restore normal life and weaken terror networks.
“We did not buy peace, we established peace. Zero-tolerance policy crippled terror networks and restored normal life across Jammu Kashmir,” he said.
He said more than 780 terrorists had been eliminated since 2020, local recruitment had ended and incidents of stone-pelting had been brought to an end.
The Lieutenant Governor also said action against narco-terrorism was continuing, adding that thousands of drug smugglers and peddlers had been arrested this year and their alleged illicit assets attached. He said properties linked to drug-related activities had also been demolished.
Sinha said the developments since 2019 had strengthened national integration, expanded opportunities and laid the foundation for what he described as inclusive development.
“Article 370 abrogation gave ordinary citizens freedom from fear and access to rights denied for decades. Jammu Kashmir has emerged as a model of peace, development and good governance,” he said.
He said the establishment of grassroots democratic institutions and the conduct of Assembly elections had strengthened public participation and accountability.
The Lieutenant Governor said the future of Jammu and Kashmir should be shaped by peace, equal opportunities and development rather than terrorism and discrimination.
“Public trust must be won not merely by promises, but by deeds. Justice and accountability are the strongest foundations of unity,” he said, calling upon institutions and citizens to work together for good governance and inclusive development.
Sinha said the benefits of development must reach every household, village and community, particularly those that had remained deprived of opportunities. He also highlighted the growing aspirations of young people, saying education, skills and employment opportunities were central to the region’s future.
Outlining priorities for the coming years, he identified employment generation, youth empowerment, agriculture and allied sectors, healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, tourism, women’s empowerment and transparent governance as key areas requiring sustained attention.
He called for greater investment in skill development, entrepreneurship, innovation and sports, while stressing the need to modernise agriculture through technology, climate-resilient practices and value addition.
The Lieutenant Governor also underlined the importance of quality healthcare and called for efforts to ensure that development reached all sections of society.
On social harmony, Sinha appealed to people to respect diversity and participate in the region’s development. He said the safe and dignified return of displaced communities and restoration of social trust required collective commitment.
“My dream is that by 2047, Jammu Kashmir should emerge as a model of prosperity with a modern economy, world-class healthcare, excellent education and a vibrant cultural heritage,” he said.
Earlier, Sinha administered the Unity Pledge and flagged off the Run for Unity to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, observed on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A documentary produced by the Information Department on Jammu and Kashmir’s development journey was also screened.
Chairperson of the J&K Waqf Board Dr Syed Darakhshan Andrabi, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Additional Chief Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Govind Jaiswal, IGP Kashmir Sujit Singh, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, senior civil and police officers, security personnel, prominent citizens, educationists and members of civil society attended the event.
Comments are closed.