Srinagar: Target killings in the Valley were an act of desperation on part of the militants to provoke security forces to commit a mistake so that people can hit the streets in protest, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday.
“Target killings of innocent people have taken place. I believe society should condemn it. A woman teacher, who imparts education to children, is killed, if the society does not condemn it, then I think, we are shirking away from our duties,” Sinha said during a function in Kulgam district in south Kashmir.
He said the killings were an act of desperation.
“These are acts of desperation. J&K administration follows the policy of ‘gunahgaar ko chhodo mat, aur begunah ko chhedo mat’ (Do not spare the culprit, but do not touch the innocent).
“Target killings are taking place deliberately in the hope that police and security forces commit a mistake, kill an innocent person, and the people come out on streets to protest,” he said.
Sinha said the administration will not let that happen.
“There will be no action against an innocent person by the police, security forces or the J&K administration,” he added.
The militancy “is in its last stage and when a candle is about to burn out, its flame flares bright,” Sinha said.
The ‘flare’ of militancy was intense as the police and security forces have tightened the noose around them, the LG said, adding, “it is our endeavour is to rid the people here of terrorism.”
He said the road to progress and development goes through peace.
Calling upon people to condemn such attacks, the LG said that time has come for people to come forward and support police and security forces in their campaign to root out terrorism.
During his visit to the southern district, Sinha inaugurated Eklavya Model Residential School and laid foundation stone for a new Tribal Youth Hostel at Kulgam.
The LG also inaugurated the District Civil Services Library cum Reading Room on the occasion.
According to an official press release, the LG also informed that projects worth Rs 39.79 crore under various tribal schemes are being implemented in Kulgam for upliftment of tribal community, even as he highlighted the government’s efforts in empowering all sections of the society, “especially those who were neglected for decades”, and making them key partners in J&K’s development journey.
“In the last 21 months, we have set in motion a growth process that will be able to eliminate issues like poverty, illiteracy and unemployment in the years to come and turn the weaker section into the wheels of national progress,” the LG added.
The LG also noted that Cluster Tribal Model Village, livelihood units, infrastructure projects, access to healthcare through new mobile medical units, tribal sub-centres and various other path-breaking initiatives are giving a ray of hope to this disadvantaged section of society.
“Our efforts at making the tribal youth more skilled and capable are going to be the biggest driver of inclusive growth in the future. We are in the process of designing several new schemes. In the long run as tribal communities catch up their social indicators, we will ensure that no one is left behind,” the LG said.
Citing the achievement of Kulgam’s Tanveer Khan, second rank holder in Indian Economic Service (IES), the LG said the administration would provide the facilities and resources needed to nurture such talents in every household of the tribal community.
The LG said that the UT administration decided a year ago to instill confidence in the tribal youth by creating avenues for their training and skilling in all modern professions so that they can become an integral part of the changing economic-social system of the world.
“Today 800 youths of the tribal community are being trained in various vocational programs. The Tribal department has started the ‘Wings to Fly’ program for the tribal youth to train them to be pilots, cabin crew and ground staff at the airports,” he added.
In the last financial year a record Rs 31.12 crore was earmarked for scholarships of tribal children and in this financial year it has been increased to Rs 45 crore, the LG informed.
He said that new hostels, smart schools and other livelihood generation programmes and initiatives such as the establishment of Van Dhan Kendras, Tourist Village Network and Mini Sheep Farms will open new vistas of opportunities for the tribal youth.
The LG also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving top priority to the rights of tribal people and implementing the Forest Rights Act in J&K, besides starting various schemes like PM Van Dhan Yojna, SHGs, Model Cluster villages, Smarts Schools for tribal areas, and other such initiatives to ensure social-economic upliftment of the Tribal community.
The political reservation for the tribal community being implemented after decades will prove to be an important step towards social equality and making the tribal community politically empowered, the LG added.
He directed the Tribal Affairs department to ensure that maximum benefit of these schemes reaches the youth of the tribal community.
Mohammad Afzal Parrey, DDC Chairperson Kulgam, expressed gratitude towards the UT government for the dedicated efforts for the welfare of the people. He also apprised the Lt Governor on various issues of public importance, the press release said.
The LG also interacted with the people present on the occasion and took stock of their issues and concerns. Members of the tribal community also submitted a memorandum of demands to the LG, the press release informed.
It said the LG assured that all the demands projected before him would be taken up with concerned quarters of UT administration for appropriate action based on merit.
The Eklavya Model School inaugurated today has been constructed at a cost of Rs 12 crore, besides Rs 5 crore has been allotted for additional infrastructure and Rs 5.23 crore will be given per year for its maintenance and operation i.e. Rs 1.09 lakh per student will be borne by the government, the press release said.
The administration is also considering a proposal to set up a similar Eklavya Model Residential School at Devsar in Kulgam, it was informed.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary, Tribal Affairs department, highlighted various initiatives taken for the welfare of the members of the tribal community of Jammu & Kashmir.
Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, briefed about the projects and informed that 480 boys and girls will be provided quality education in the Eklavya Model Residential School. He further informed that five smart schools for the tribal children have also become operational in Kulgam.
The LG also inspected departmental stalls and handed over PMAY-G Greh Pravesh benefits to beneficiaries and sports kits to local youth to mark the occasion.
Earlier, after inaugurating the Eklavya Model Residential School, the LG took round of the school and inspected the facilities being made available to the students.
Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; DDC Vice-Chairperson, PRI members, tribal leaders, and a large number of people from all walks of life, besides senior officers of police and civil administration were present on the occasion
