Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday dismissed unnecessary speculation regarding the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory. He said the Union Home Minister has already outlined the roadmap.
Speaking at a public event at SKICC in Srinagar, Sinha reiterated that the Home Minister’s stance remains unchanged: “First, delimitation, then assembly elections, and statehood at the appropriate time.”
Sinha said, “Some people are trying to mislead the public on this issue. I want to make it clear that the Union Territory government already has adequate powers and those powers should be used for public welfare rather than spreading confusion.”
Marking October 31 as the “birth of a new Jammu and Kashmir,” the LG said the day marks the end of fear, separatism, and discrimination and the beginning of peace, development, and democratic participation.
Sinha recalled that six years ago, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, history was made when “for the first time, laws passed by the Indian Parliament were implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.”
Reflecting on the region’s past, he said that many people had sacrificed to bring about the change that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had laid the foundation for. He further said, “People are well aware of those who once conspired to divide the region.”
Sinha said that before the constitutional changes, even the President of India did not have authority over “an inch of land” in Jammu and Kashmir. He said, “A few people ruled while thousands remained deprived. Some people erected artificial walls that deprived our sisters of their rights.”
The Lieutenant Governor said that the abrogation of Article 370 had brought down the walls of separatism. Crediting the Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security forces for breaking the backbone of terrorism, he said the era of fear is over and people are now freely participating in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, strengthening democracy in the Union Territory.
Sinha said, “The new generation has rejected violence. Stone pelting is now history. People are now coming forward spontaneously in support of peace and progress.”
He stressed that terrorism relies on ideology and public support. The Lieutenant Governor further said, “When society withdraws that support, terrorism breathes its last, and this process has already begun.”
