Srinagar, July 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today that infiltration of Pakistani terrorists is now the only issue which needs to be tackled as local recruitment of terrorists has come down to just one this year as against 150-200 a year sometime back and maintained that the local people have also realized that their future lies with India.
In a significant disclosure, Sinha said Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam where the terrorists struck on April 22 killing 26 civilians including 25 tourists and a local, was opened only three days back then and was being run by a private operator without permission of Tourist Development Corporation (TDC).
“Baisaran Valley had been opened only three days back when the terrorists struck and was being run by a private operator who had applied for permission from the TDC but it hadn’t been issued.
However, the tourists started visiting the area. Pakistani terrorists conducted recee and targeted innocent tourists. It was an attack on India’s soul,’’ Sinha said in an interview with a national Hindi news channel.
However, he said, the silver lining was that common man stood up against Pakistan and terrorists. Such protests were not seen in past many years. While Police, Army and paramilitary forces were doing their job, but it was not possible to end terrorism without local people’s support which has come, he added.
The Lieutenant Governor said the tourist spots which were closed in the wake of April 22 attack, are being opened gradually with increased presence of security forces to ensure that there is no incident in future. However, he said, Baisaran Valley hasn’t been reopened due to ongoing annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji and moreover there is no road leading to the spot.
“Baisaran Valley will be reopened only after review and adequate security,’’ he asserted. Sinha said the terrorists involved in April 22 Baisaran attack have been identified as Pakistanis but the National Investigation Agency (NIA) being a professional investigating force, it is conducting the investigations.
On terrorism, the Lieutenant Governor, who will be completing five years on August 7, said only one area needs focus now and that is the infiltration of Pakistani terrorists. “People have realized that their future is with India and Pakistan has been hitting their interests’’.
He said the local recruitment (in terrorist ranks) which used to be 125, 150 or even 200 in a year came down to just six last year and one this year so far.
“All attacks which took place have been carried out by the foreign terrorists, which Pakistan has been sending as per its state policy. India responded strongly with Operation Sindoor (after Pahalgam terror attack). Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has made it clear that any terror attack in future will be treated as an act of war and that Operation Sindoor is still on. If outsiders (foreign terrorists) don’t come, the situation will be normal,’’ Sinha said.
On bulldozer action against local terrorists in the aftermath of Pahalgam attack, he said the house of not even a single innocent person was touched. “Action was taken only against the terrorists. Now very little local support is left for the terrorists and it too will end in future’’.
On his relations with Chief Minister (Omar Abdullah), the Lieutenant Governor said there has been no lack of dialogue between them.
“We discuss most of issues cordially. We are working together. Whenever there is a need, we will discuss and resolve the issues,’’ he said reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act has clearly defined powers of both and there is no scope for violation of the Act. Moreover, I don’t interfere in the powers which I have not been given under the Act,’’ he added.
To a question on the Chief Minister not being invited to some of the meetings, Sinha said: “I don’t think that the CM wasn’t invited to any meeting in which he has to be present. There is no such example’’.
On major issues accomplished by him during his five-year stint, the Lieutenant Governor said when he came here there were two issues. First, authority of the Indian State should be fully established in Jammu and Kashmir and Second, J&K should be fully integrated with the country. “And I’m satisfied that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both these targets have been achieved’’.
Further, he said, the hartal calls and strikes at the behest of neighbor and stoning in Kashmir have become a history. “Muharram processions were taken out in Srinagar after 30-32 years. All educational institutions now function normally.
Cinema halls are running. Common man’s confidence has been restored. And, economy of J&K has doubled in two years,’’ he added.
However, he said, the history and people will evaluate development which took place during his five years tenure in Jammu and Kashmir and prior to that saying it will not be good for him to speak everything.
On employment, the Lieutenant Governor said it was a big thing that the youths are asking for jobs and not stoning or arms, which is a major change. He added that 40,000 to 42,000 Government jobs were given in transparent manner during last five years. However, he said, it is a fact that in no part of the world every youth can be given a Government job. Many employment opportunities were generated in tourism, industry, self-employment etc.
Responding to another question, Sinha said it is a fact that tourists had completely stopped visiting Kashmir after Pahalgam terror attack but because of the steps taken by him, the J&K Government and the Government of India, the tourists have started returning and Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage is going on.
“Four lakh pilgrims, who are expected to undertake yatra, will be our brand ambassadors and they will inform 40 lakh persons about peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Now, the situation is changing and hotels are full in Pahalgam. Tourists are visiting Sonamarg in large numbers. Srinagar has also reported 30 to 40 percent occupancy,’’ he said.
