Says 55,000 foreign tourists visited J&K last year
New Delhi: Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is taking its last breath and the government is working on a well-planned strategy to not only eliminate terrorists but also destroy the “separatist ecosystem” in the Union territory, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday.
Sinha further said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was generally normal and on the path of progress, with the government taking various measures since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The recent terror incidents in the Union territory were just efforts by the anti-India forces backed by Pakistan to start a discussion all over the world to claim that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is still not normal, he added.
Sinha was addressing an event — Baat Bharat Ki — conclave organised by the Bharat Prakashan, which publishes the ‘Organiser’ and ‘Panchjanya’ magazines inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s line of thinking.
“Today, there is no sound of bullets in Jammu and Kashmir. There is only clamour of progress there. Terrorism is taking its last breath,” Sinha said at the event.
Replying to questions later, the Jammu and Kashmir LG said the separatist ecosystem has been hit hard and rooting them “completely” out was the only measure left.
“We will have to completely root them out in the coming days,” he added.
“It’s true that a few incidents have happened with the neighbouring country making all-out efforts. But today, I can tell you that work is being done under a well-planned strategy to completely finish the entire ecosystem (of separatists and terrorists),” Sinha asserted.
Sinha said that efforts were being made to restore “permanent peace”.
“Success has been achieved to a great extent in this direction,” he asserted and hoped that the government would continue achieving success as per the “expectations and aspirations” of the people of the country.
Sinha also said that there has been a 350 percent surge in the foreign tourist arrivals post-G-20 meeting in Srinagar while 55,000 foreign tourists visited the Union Territory last year.
He said that last year a total of 2.12 crore tourists visited J&K, which is a record.
As per news agency KNO, Sinha said the New Year celebrations at Lal Chowk on December 31 went viral on social media. “At present, nightlife is considered part of the developed cities. Night life has returned to Kashmir after a long wait. This signifies that the atmosphere is peaceful in the region,” he said.
The LG said that despite cold conditions in Kashmir, not just the locals but tourists also enjoy night life in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley. “Sounds of development have replaced the frightening thuds of bullets in the Valley,” he said.
The LG said that soon after taking over the control of J&K, he abolished the annual ‘Darbar Move’ exercise “which was sucking the State exchequer”.
“I was surprised to see that files are being transferred from Srinagar to Jammu in 217 trucks and thousands of hotels are booked in Srinagar and Jammu after every six months,” he said.
The LG said that Madhya Pradesh was number one in the country in digital services, but J&K has surpassed it and is number one in the country as far as online services are considered.
“J&K is also number one in implementing the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA) and 866 officers have been fined so far for delaying the public services,” he said.
He also said that last year 30,500 jobs were provided to the youth in J&K while seven lakh entrepreneurs started their ventures.
“J&K comprises only one percent of the country’s population but continues to be the priority for Prime Minister Narendera Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. J&K is the crown of India and is being treated the way it deserves,” he said. (With inputs from PTI & KNO)
