Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the government is making efforts to eradicate terrorism and working with the firm intention to establish peace in the Union Territory.
Addressing a function here to pay homage to poet and freedom fighter Sarwanand Koul Premi on his death anniversary, he also said that “we have got success to an extent in destroying the terror ecosystem” that has inflicted a deep wound not only on Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country.
“I can say one thing with confidence that we have no intention to buy peace. But we are working with the intention to establish peace (in Jammu and Kashmir). We have got success to an extent in destroying the terror ecosystem,” Sinha said.
Terrorism has inflicted a deep wound not only on Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country, the LG said, adding, “Efforts are being made to eradicate terrorism and the terror ecosystem (from Jammu and Kashmir). To what extent we have been successful, I cannot say.”
He said there are people who have “infiltrated the ecosystem (of governance) from here to Delhi during the past 75 years”, he said.
“They don’t allow people to stay (to work in the system). But the situation has changed. Those people who watch Jammu and Kashmir, also agree on this,” the LG said.
Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir will gain back its glory. “It is not only important for Jammu and Kashmir but for the whole of India,” he said.
Remembering Sarwanand Koul Premi, the LG said he was a towering man of ideas and ideals.
He was undoubtedly one of the greatest writers of his time with deep commitment for upliftment of the downtrodden and weaker sections of society, Sinha said.
“Sarwanand ji made great contributions to the freedom struggle and infused new life in the bonds of our national unity. Throughout his life, he followed the universal and eternal values of peace, co-existence and cooperation,” the LG said.
“Jammu & Kashmir is called heaven on earth, not only because of its scenic beauty, but also for great personalities such as Sarwanand Koul, who dedicated his life to serve the others,” he said.
Sinha also asked the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to promote the literary work of Sarwanand Koul Premi by publication and translation of his books. “This should be taken up on priority. There will be no shortage of funds,” the LG said.
Sarwanand Koul was conferred with the lifetime achievement award posthumously by the Jammu and Kashmir administration in 2022. A higher secondary school in his village Sof-Shali in Anantnag was also named after him in that year.
His name was also included in the list of ‘Unsung Heroes of the Freedom Movement’ under the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav and a special postal cover and stamp on him was released by the Ministry of Communication in 2021.
Pertinently, Sarwanand Koul Premi was killed by terrorists on May 01, 1990.
Rajinder Premi, son of Sarwanand Koul Premi expressed gratitude to the J&K Administration and JKAACL for promoting the literary work of his late father.
Bharat Singh Manhas, Secretary JKAACL, senior officials and eminent literary personalities were present.
