Those sustaining terror ecosystem more responsible than terrorists: LG Manoj Sinha

Jammu, Mar 1: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has asserted that those giving oxygen to the terror ecosystem are bigger offenders than those who actually wield guns and kill (people).

“One of the bigger challenges before the country is terrorism. Unfortunately, we have got a neighbour, who is incorrigible; who does not mend its ways and turns pragmatic. I don’t want to go into much details on this account yet I want to say that the circumstances in J&K have undergone a sea-change. A glance at the statistics will make one comprehend things in a better way. On the whole, with regard to terrorism and its ecosystem, those, who give oxygen to terror ecosystem are more guilty than the terrorists who spray bullets,” he said, while addressing the gathering at Atma-Nirbhar Bharat event organised by Federation of Trade & Industry of India (FTII) in Jammu on Sunday.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that the soldiers from armed forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) personnel and the administration – all were working in unison and making endeavour to annihilate terrorism and its ecosystem. “Yet I want to appeal to all of you to remain always vigilant. Sometimes, we too get deluded by the gentle and refined demeanour of a person around us and without knowing his or her real, wicked intentions, we get influenced and trapped. Therefore, we need to remain always watchful of the activities of every person around us,” he stated.

He urged every section of society to remain vigilant against elements trying to radicalise the youth and making efforts to sustain the terror ecosystem.

LG Sinha asserted, “The terrorism can be fully wiped out of J&K if its people stand united against it. I’m confident that it will happen and it is imperative also. Some people would be thinking why they needed to bother and how it mattered to them as it (terrorism and ecosystem) was not affecting them or their work. But they need to remember – it does matter and it does affect.” He called for collective action to achieve a terror-free Jammu Kashmir.

“Probably you cannot imagine the pace with which J&K can achieve development and growth if and when the terrorism gets completely eliminated. I feel we have already achieved a substantial forward movement on this account,” the Lieutenant Governor remarked.

In the same breath, he talked about meritocracy and its significance in the democratic set up. He emphasised the necessity of rapid economic growth and the implementation of technological solutions to ensure a transparent, corruption-free system.

“Another important and crucial point is whenever merit gets compromised or crushed; when the meritorious persons don’t get justice, in any sphere, it definitely creates problems – whether it is political landscape, social work, education, business or the administration,” he pointed out.

“In case of one’s own business or in the administration, the persons at the helm of affairs can use their discretion in selecting eligible, competent persons, though sometimes there can be human errors or errors of judgement. But in democracy, only the people have to decide – who the competent person is. On that account, if the people make a wrong decision, they do a great disservice to the country; cause great damage to it,” the Lieutenant Governor stated.

He asserted that it was a shared responsibility of the people (electorate) to make such decisions very thoughtfully and it was very crucial in a democratic country.

“We have seen the good and bad results of such decisions. On this account, I tell you a small thing, during the last four to five years, only in Kashmir valley, 5000 or more new hotels have come up in Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Doodhpathri, Gurez and their adjoining places. I can name scores of such places and 95 percent investment has been made by Kashmiris only. Among them is the Radisson hotel also. The person, who had one hotel, constructed another one. Some constructed two to three more hotels, in addition to their already existing ones,” LG Sinha stated.

He stated that the number of stakeholders in peace had grown significantly over the last few years, with a vast majority of the population now prioritising stability and prosperity.

“While few hotels comprise 200 rooms like Radisson, some have 8-10 rooms. If on average, one puts Rs 15 Cr on a hotel, in that scenario, Rs 75000 Cr investment has been made on hotels only in Kashmir. If one hotel has four vehicles, in that scenario, 20000 more new vehicles have been purchased. They all are stakeholders in peace. They don’t want the return of that (disruptive) era, which is still being envisioned by few. As they have reaped the benefits of peace and progress. How economic progress helps in the promotion of a family, they have realised. Street vendors, hawkers rehri-owners, restaurant owners, Shikara operators, houseboat owners are all stakeholders of peace and progress. Those dreaming of disrupting this progress must wake up to the new reality,” he said.

Lieutenant Governor asserted that he believed that the situation had changed a lot. “But a little negligence or complacency can lead to a disruptive situation disturbing peace, and few people are simply waiting for it to happen. But Ma Vaishnodevi is not going to give them this opportunity and they will have to remain disappointed,” LG Sinha cautioned.