Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday asked the people of the union territory to wage a war against terrorism unitedly, while underlining the resolve to eliminate the ecosystem fuelling terror.
“We must unite and wage a war against terrorism, its ecosystem and drug addiction. It is my firm resolve to eliminate the ecosystem fuelling terrorism, and destroy the entire network responsible for radicalising youth, supplying weapons, funding, targeting, and assisting terrorists,” Sinha said.
He was addressing the flag-in ceremony of cycle race ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ organised by J&K Police.
He said ‘Pedal Through Paradise’ is not just a sporting event, but a symbol of new Jammu and Kashmir.
“It sends a powerful message to youth to choose the path of progress over violence and drug addiction. I urge them to contribute towards building a terrorism-free, drug-free and fit J&K,” the LG said.
According to an official press release, Sinha said J&K Police stands as a testament to selfless service, duty and sacrifice.
“Its legacy is written by the blood of its brave personnel, whose ultimate sacrifices have strengthened national unity, established peace, inspired new hope and propelled J&K towards an era of peace and prosperity,” he added.
He commended the police for the initiative, saying it aims to nurture new dreams, instill new strength and create new aspirations in the lives of our youth.
Sinha said in the last five-six years, J&K Police has contributed a lot in establishing peace, strengthening national unity, and in creating new dreams for the people.
“We do not believe in buying peace, but in establishing peace,” he said, adding a vow has been taken in the last few years that innocents will not be touched, but guilty will not be spared.
The LG said the police have a crucial role in destroying the support system of terrorists, be it financial or logistical.
“It is not just the terrorist who needs to be dealt with, but also the entire machinery that facilitates terror,” he said.
Referring to transformation in Jammu and Kashmir over the last few years, the LG said the vision of ‘Naya’ (new) Jammu and Kashmir is not just a slogan as some people criticise.
“I want to remind them of the picture five-six years ago, so they will understand the difference between the old and new J&K. In the new J&K, pens have replaced stones in the hands of youth. Schools and colleges remain open year-round in the new J&K.
“In the new J&K, hartal and bandh calendars have been replaced by the calendars of national and international events,” he said.
“In the new J&K, our youth are achieving new milestones in innovation and research. Our youth are focussing on startups in new J&K and starting their business ventures. In the new J&K, slogans of separatism are not raised, they have been replaced by the fusion of factories and new vibes of life,” Sinha added.
He said the people are now living life on their own terms without any fear or pressure.
“There is nightlife like Delhi and Mumbai, and families spend time till late night in places like Lal Chowk, and Jhelum River Front. In the new J&K, the citizens now do not have to go to Jammu, Chandigarh or Delhi to watch cinema. These are not small changes, it is the dawn of a new era for J&K,” he said.
Pointing to the violence in Kashmir in the last few decades, the LG said Pakistani terrorists have spilled blood of innocent citizens of J&K, and many families lost their loved ones to terrorism.
“In some homes, only elderly parents remain after their sons were brutally killed. Thousands were killed at the behest of Pakistan. But in most cases, not even FIRs were registered,” he said.
Sinha said thousands remained silent because of the fear of the terror ecosystem.
“We have started a process to change that situation. The civil and police administration have started an initiative to provide justice to those families. On July 13, 40 terror victim families in Baramulla were provided with government job appointment letters.
“It is an irony for J&K that jobs were provided to terrorists or those linked to terror, but those youth or families who were victims of Pakistani terrorism were left to fend for themselves. But, now their empowerment is being ensured. This process of delivering justice will continue in the coming days,” he added.
Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home Department; S.J.M Gillani, Special Director General (Coordination); Anand Jain, ADGP Armed Police; M.K Sinha, ADGP Headquarters; VK Birdi, IGP Kashmir, senior officers of police and civil administration; members of J&K Cycling Association, prominent sports personalities and youth in large number were present at the felicitation ceremony. (With additional inputs from PTI)
