Highlighting the elimination of over 780 terrorists since 2020, the Lieutenant Governor maintains J&K achieved durable peace through institutional grit, not compromise.
By Ajaz Rashid
Asserting that “conflict entrepreneurs” who profited from separatism and terror now stand thoroughly exposed, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha declared that the government did not buy peace in Jammu and Kashmir, but established it through a resolute policy of zero tolerance against violence.
Addressing a gathering at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) to commemorate the 8th Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Foundation Day, coinciding with Rashtriya Ekta Diwas marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sinha mounted a trenchant defense of the post-2019 administrative and constitutional transformation. He simultaneously delivered a sharp counter to recent remarks made by National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah regarding Pakistan.
“Zero-tolerance policy has crippled terror networks and has restored normal life across Jammu Kashmir,” Sinha said, noting that terror, separatism, and stone-pelting have decisively ceded ground to democracy, development, and civic participation following the revocation of Article 370.
“We did not buy peace, we established peace. Zero-tolerance policy crippled terror networks and restored normal life across Jammu Kashmir. Since 2020, more than 780 terrorists eliminated, local recruitment ended, stone-pelting erased. Now Jammu Kashmir is witnessing a historic security transformation. Strong action against Narco-Terrorism continues. We have arrested thousands of drug smugglers and drug peddlers this year. Their illicit assets have been attached and drug-funded mansions were demolished. Conflict Entrepreneurs who profited from separatism and terrorism stand exposed. People of Jammu Kashmir have embraced peace, progress and national integration,” he said.
Countering Political Rhetoric
Sinha directed sharp criticism at political voices invoking Islamabad’s diplomatic posture on Kashmir. His remarks came in the wake of a political controversy sparked a week earlier by National Conference patron Dr. Farooq Abdullah. Addressing party workers in Baramulla on October 24, Abdullah had credited Pakistan’s sustained international lobbying with keeping the Kashmir issue alive, stating: “Our neighbour is constantly after them. He goes everywhere saying that the Kashmir issue has not been resolved. He is protecting us; otherwise, their intentions are not good.” While Abdullah had also affirmed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have never denied their Indian identity and have repeatedly upheld the accession to India, his comments drew sharp pushback.
Responding without naming the veteran politician, the Lieutenant Governor questioned the rationale of looking across the border rather than celebrating domestic strides.
“Instead of India, we are talking about a country where there is a line for flour. Instead of India, where the glory of India has been established on every international stage of the world, we are talking about a failed country,” Sinha said.
He maintained that residents across the region, particularly in the Kashmir Valley, have grown discerning enough to see through political machinations aimed at destabilizing the fragile peace.
“There is no place in J&K for those whose survival depended on separatism and the conflict industry,” he said, adding, “I am pleased that the ordinary people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially of the Kashmir Valley, have now recognised the faces of such people.”
The Post-2019 Milestone
Reflecting on the constitutional reorganization that took effect in 2019, Sinha described the shift as a defining inflection point for the region, strengthening the bedrock of national integration, civil rights, and social justice.
“Today is not merely a date; it is a milestone that changed the direction of history and strengthened the spirit of national integration, equality and inclusive development,” he said.
He noted that the abrogation of special constitutional provisions dismantle barriers that had long disenfranchised marginalized segments of society: “Article 370 abrogation gave ordinary citizens freedom from fear and access to rights denied for decades. Jammu Kashmir has emerged as a model of peace, development and good governance.”
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that administrative reforms have broadened avenues of opportunity and fortified democratic institutions from the grassroots upwards. He cited the operationalization of local governance bodies alongside the recent conduct of Assembly elections as tangible proof of deepened public participation, institutional accountability, and popular faith in electoral processes.
Underlining the philosophical premise of his administration, Sinha stated that lasting stability cannot rest solely on administrative fiats or unfulfilled rhetoric.
“Public trust must be won not merely by promises, but by deeds. Justice and accountability are the strongest foundations of unity,” he said.
He added that true developmental success must be judged by the tangible improvement in the living conditions of those historically denied basic opportunities, insisting that welfare policies must penetrate every remote household, village, and hamlet without discrimination.
Economic Priorities and Long-Term Vision
Sinha laid out an extensive administrative roadmap aimed at structural economic rejuvenation, identifying employment generation, youth empowerment, healthcare, educational modernization, tourism, environmental sustainability, and women’s empowerment as central pillars.
He highlighted the evolving mindset of the younger generation, pointing out that children and young adults are now growing up in an ecosystem anchored in education, merit, and progress. To maintain this momentum, he urged stakeholders to equip the youth with industry-relevant skills matching modern economic demands, while fostering indigenous entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and competitive sports.
On rural livelihoods, Sinha advocated the integration of modern agricultural technologies, climate-resilient practices, and post-harvest value addition to lift farm incomes. Turning to public health, he reiterated that equitable access to high-standard medical infrastructure remains non-negotiable for a healthy society.
He framed social harmony and the rehabilitation of displaced populations as essential components of societal cohesion, remarking that the safe and dignified return of displaced communities and the cultivation of cross-community trust necessitate an unyielding collective commitment.
Looking ahead toward the centenary of Indian independence, Sinha articulated an ambitious long-term objective for the Union Territory.
“My dream is that by 2047, Jammu Kashmir should emerge as a model of prosperity with a modern economy, world-class healthcare, excellent education and a vibrant cultural heritage,” he said.
Making a direct appeal to the populace, he urged: “Let us build a Jammu Kashmir where there is trust instead of fear, opportunity instead of scarcity, justice instead of injustice, and where every young person and every woman finds wings for their dreams.”
Commemorative Events Mark UT Foundation Day
The Foundation Day proceedings commenced earlier in the day with commemorative events marking Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. Paying homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his birth anniversary, the Lieutenant Governor administered the ‘Unity Pledge’ to a diverse gathering of participants and flagged off the annual ‘Run for Unity’ at SKICC.
The run, which saw enthusiastic participation from hundreds of students, youth, civil servants, and representatives from diverse civil society groups, traversed the picturesque boulevard along Dal Lake before culminating at the Botanical Garden.
“National Unity Day is being celebrated with enthusiasm across the country and the occasion is also being observed across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir,” Sinha told reporters on the sidelines of the flag-off ceremony. “Today is the eighth Foundation Day of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The journey over the past eight years has been marked by development, peace and progress.”
The event at SKICC also featured the screening of a documentary produced by the Information Department, chronicling Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing administrative, infrastructural, and socio-economic transformation over recent years.
Sinha formally acknowledged the sustained contributions of farmers, teachers, scholars, artisans, traders, manual laborers, security personnel, women, and youth in rebuilding the Union Territory’s socio-economic fabric.
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