Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed an audience on Saturday, asserting that while government and security forces strive tirelessly to combat terrorism, ending this menace hinges on the collective responsibility of the people in the Union territory. He spoke during a significant event aimed at raising awareness about terrorism and its implications.
During his address, Sinha highlighted that terrorism has seen a notable decrease across India, confined to specific regions, particularly Jammu and Kashmir. The LG noted, “Terrorism has been significantly reduced in other parts of the country. The North-East is largely terror-free now, and left-wing extremism, or Naxalism, is now restricted to a few districts. I am confident it will be eradicated from our country in the coming months.”
He further identified areas of ongoing concern regarding terrorism, particularly in Karnataka, Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir. Sinha stated, “Terrorism has plagued these regions for an extended period. It is imperative to eradicate this threat, as it hampers development and employment opportunities.”
The Lieutenant Governor reiterated that while the security forces and local administration are performing their duties, the populace of Jammu and Kashmir bears a crucial role in this fight against terrorism. He commented, “Instead of encouraging activities that could inadvertently support terrorism, the local people must refrain from such actions, as they lead to numerous challenges.”
While he acknowledged the improvements made in the region, Sinha emphasized, “The situation has considerably enhanced in Jammu and Kashmir. Incidents of street violence and stone pelting have decreased significantly.”
He illustrated the current status of public life by stating, “Our schools, colleges, and businesses are functioning normally, akin to other parts of the country. We have eradicated major terror commanders, and there has only been one instance of local recruitment into terrorist ranks this year.”
Addressing the external factors exacerbating terrorism, Sinha spoke about Pakistan’s role in supporting terror activities. He said, “We see multiple indicators of success, but unfortunately, we face a neighboring country that creates mischief. Instead of focusing on nation-building after partition, Pakistan opted to attack our sovereignty, invading Jammu and Kashmir immediately post-partition.”
He detailed Pakistan’s history of conflicts with India, remarking, “They have lost four wars against India and realized that direct conflict is futile. Thus, they now resort to proxy wars, radicalizing segments of our society.”
Reflecting on the tragic toll of terrorism, Sinha stated, “Over 40,000 lives have been lost to violence. We must ask ourselves, how long will this continue?” While he acknowledged the government’s responsibility in combating terrorism, he urged the populace to take an active part in this fight.
In a pointed remark, he also cautioned against individuals making statements akin to the rhetoric of the terror group, ‘The Resistance Front (TRF)’. He warned, “When similar narratives surface, it poses a tremendous risk. If our statements align with the content from TRF’s social media, that is indeed perilous.”
