Terms Omar Abdullah’s Performance “Very Good”
The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, May 18: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will take place as promised by the Centre, asserting that people should trust the assurances made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the floor of Parliament following the abrogation of Article 370.
In a detailed interview touching upon security, governance, development, terrorism, anti-drug operations and political developments in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said the roadmap announced by the Centre in August 2019 was being implemented in a phased and constitutional manner.
Responding to a question regarding demands for restoration of statehood and whether elections in Jammu and Kashmir had been conducted “too early,” Sinha rejected such assertions and defended the democratic process carried out in the Union Territory.
“India is a democratic country. It was not right that elections should not be held here,” Sinha said, adding that the sequence outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the time of the abrogation of Article 370 had been followed systematically.
Recalling the Centre’s position in Parliament, the Lieutenant Governor said the Prime Minister had clearly stated that delimitation would be completed first, elections would follow, and statehood would be restored at an appropriate time.
“The Prime Minister had spoken about three things — delimitation first, elections second and statehood at the appropriate time. Delimitation took time. Elections were held after delimitation and not just ordinary elections, but historic elections,” Sinha said.
He said the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were conducted peacefully despite widespread apprehensions and scepticism expressed earlier over the security situation and voter participation.
“There was not a single incident of violence, not a single repoll, and people participated enthusiastically. For the first time, people in the Valley came out till midnight to participate in the democratic process,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor maintained that the Centre remained committed to its promise regarding restoration of statehood and said assurances made in Parliament should be trusted.
“What the Home Minister said in Parliament and what the Prime Minister said before the country — that statehood will be restored — people should trust that assurance. It will be restored at the appropriate time,” Sinha said.
In a politically significant remark during the interview, Sinha also praised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s functioning when asked directly about his performance after assuming office.
“Very good,” the Lieutenant Governor responded briefly when asked how Omar Abdullah was doing in office.
Though Sinha did not elaborate further on the working relationship between the Raj Bhavan and the elected government, the remark is likely to attract attention amid ongoing political discussions over administrative coordination and the balance of powers between the Union Territory administration and the elected government.
The Lieutenant Governor also underlined that assurances made in Parliament carry constitutional significance and cannot be dismissed lightly.
“Those who have been in Parliament understand the value of an assurance given in the House,” he remarked while responding to concerns over the delay in restoration of full statehood.
During the wide-ranging interview, Sinha also spoke extensively on security and counter-terrorism measures in Jammu and Kashmir, claiming that terrorism-related recruitment had declined drastically over the years.
“The number that once used to be in three digits has now come down to a single digit,” he said while discussing the security situation in the Union Territory.
He said the administration, police and security agencies had established an effective security grid across both Kashmir and the Jammu region and asserted that infiltration attempts and militant activities were being responded to firmly.
Sinha also highlighted the administration’s anti-drug campaign, stating that authorities had intensified efforts to dismantle narcotics networks across Jammu and Kashmir. He said more than 766 FIRs had been registered and 856 offenders arrested within a little over a month as part of the crackdown.
According to him, hundreds of kilograms of narcotics and psychotropic substances had also been seized while properties linked to alleged drug networks were being attached and demolished under legal provisions.
The Lieutenant Governor further claimed that Jammu and Kashmir had undergone significant economic and developmental transformation in recent years, particularly in sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, agriculture and private investment.
He cited the revival of the tourism sector, improved road and rail connectivity and growth in economic activities as indicators of changing conditions in the region.
“The stakeholders of peace have increased. Hotel owners, taxi operators, houseboat owners, handicraft workers — all are now connected with economic development,” he said.
Sinha also said that public sentiment in Jammu and Kashmir had changed substantially and claimed that people increasingly viewed their future as being linked with India.
“The hostility has ended to a large extent and people believe their future is with India,” he said during the interaction.
