Srinagar: 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 the 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 a 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-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.”
“My heart goes with the family member of a Kashmiri Pandit and two labourers from UP killed in Shopian. Those disrupting peace in J&K will have to repent and repay with the interest. The masterminds of these attacks will be dealt with sternly,” LG Sinha said.
The LG said efforts are continuously being made to misguide people of J&K by those who can’t digest peace. “Some people who don’t want business to flourish in Kashmir and who don’t want students to study. Hartal days are over and today travel advisories are being lifted by foreign countries. Those not happy with this are trying to disrupt peace here,” Sinha said. He said that these anti-peace elements don’t want a common person to live in a peaceful atmosphere and hence continue to play mischief.
“But they will never succeed,” he said.
“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 added.
While commenting on the book, LG 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.
The Lt Governor 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.
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.
Speaking on the occasion, Rouble Nagi- the author of the Book highlighted the objectives of her art foundation and spoke on the ongoing initiatives of the foundation in J&K as well as across the country with an aim to improve the quality of life of the people.
She informed that her Art foundation has repaired and painted around 1.5 lakh houses so far and as of today her team is working in 163 slums and villages in other parts of the country. She also spoke on the Badalta Kashmir chapter from her book.
