Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated on Saturday that while the government and security forces perform their duties effectively, ending terrorism also lies in the hands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at an event in Jammu, he underscored the necessity for citizen involvement in curbing the menace of terrorism.
Sinha remarked that terrorism across the nation has significantly diminished, confining itself to limited areas. “Terrorism has witnessed a decrease countrywide. The North-East region is now largely terror-free. Furthermore, left-wing extremism or Naxalism is mainly contained within a few districts. I am confident that this will soon be eradicated completely,” he asserted.
The Lieutenant Governor addressed the ongoing struggles with terrorism in select states, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, and urged for a collaborative effort to eliminate this threat. “Only a few areas, including Karnataka, Kerala, and, notably, Jammu and Kashmir, have suffered from terrorism for an extended period. It is vital that we eradicate terror, as it obstructs development and employment opportunities,” Sinha added.
During his speech, Sinha highlighted the improvement in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, mentioning that incidents of street violence and stone pelting had become relics of the past. “Schools, colleges, and businesses are now operating normally, akin to other regions of India. This year, there has only been a single local recruitment into terror ranks, indicative of the diminishing influence of terrorist organizations,” he said.
In a reference to the historical support from Pakistan for terrorist activities in the region, Sinha stated that despite various successes in combating terrorism, the nation continues to face challenges from neighboring countries. “We have a neighbor who continuously engages in subversive activities. Instead of focusing on nation-building after partition, Pakistan has waged war on India and Jammu and Kashmir right from the start. They have fought four direct wars and emerged unsuccessful. Acknowledging their inability to win a conventional war, they now resort to proxy warfare, attempting to radicalize not just individuals, but entire communities,” Sinha noted.
Addressing the immense human toll of violence, the LG lamented that over 40,000 people have lost their lives due to terrorism. He questioned, “How long will this continue? The government and security forces hold a crucial role in halting this violence. However, it also remains the duty of citizens to unite against it. It is time for the community to step up and help eradicate terrorism from our lives.”
Sinha also drew attention to the narratives that some individuals perpetuate, equating them to messages from terrorist outfits like The Resistance Front (TRF). He warned, “When people construct narratives echoing those of TRF, it causes significant damage. If our statements mirror content found in TRF social media posts, it is undoubtedly perilous.”
In closing, the Lieutenant Governor called for a renewed commitment from all citizens to ensure peace in Jammu and Kashmir and expressed optimism for further improvements in security and community stability.
