Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasized the collective responsibility of the people to combat terrorism, alongside the efforts of government and security forces, during an event held in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.
Sinha praised the government and security forces for their ongoing efforts, stating that terrorism has significantly diminished throughout India, particularly in regions previously impacted. He noted, “Terrorism has been reduced in other parts of the country. The North-East is largely terror-free now.”
Highlighting recent successes, Sinha mentioned that left-wing extremism, commonly referred to as Naxalism, is now restricted to a few districts. He expressed optimism that these issues will entirely resolve in the coming months.
The Lt Governor identified Jammu and Kashmir, parts of Karnataka, and Kerala as regions where terrorism has persisted. He asserted that eradicating terrorism is crucial for development and generating employment opportunities in these areas.
“Security forces and the administration are doing their job, but the people of Jammu and Kashmir also have a responsibility,” Sinha remarked. He urged citizens to avoid any actions, whether intentional or unintentional, that could fuel terrorist activities, as such actions lead to significant challenges.
Discussing the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha reported an improvement in security conditions, declaring, “Street violence and stone-pelting have become a thing of the past now.”
He lauded the region’s progress, stating that schools, colleges, and businesses are now functioning similarly to the rest of the country. According to him, no major terror commanders remain operational, and there has been only one local recruitment into terrorist ranks this year.
The Lieutenant Governor also addressed the issue of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism, stating, “We have a neighbor who is always up to some mischief.” He criticized Pakistan for persisting with proxy warfare and radicalization efforts instead of focusing on development.
“Rather than focusing on building the country after the partition, Pakistan attacked India, specifically Jammu and Kashmir, right after the partition,” Sinha remarked, referencing the historical context of conflicts between the two nations.
He highlighted the profound human cost of terrorism, revealing that over 40,000 lives have been lost due to violence over the decades. “How long will this continue? While it is the duty of the government and the forces to stop this, it is the responsibility of the people as well,” Sinha emphasized.
In a pointed statement, Sinha criticized individuals making statements akin to those of the terrorist outfit ‘The Resistance Front (TRF)’, adding that such narratives can cause immense harm to the fabric of society.
“When narratives are created like this, it causes huge damages. If the same thing is being said in the TRF’s social media posts that we say in our statements, then it surely is dangerous,” he warned, stressing the need for unity against terrorism.