Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, claimed on Tuesday that Kashmir is no more a country of hartals, school closures, and separatist activities, and that security services have succeeded to a large part in destroying the “terror ecosystem.”
He said that the J-K administration’s principal emphasis over the last three years has been on the four P’s—Peace, Progress, Prosperity, and People first.
Speaking at a news conference at Raj Bhawan, LG said that the people of J&K are now experiencing the fruits of true democracy for the first time in seven decades.
“For the first time, a three-tier Panchayat Raj System has been established to bring governance to the grassroots level.” “People in J-K are enjoying the peaceful atmosphere,” he remarked.
According to the LG, Kashmir is no more a place of hartals, school closures, and separatist activity.
“Every day, the business becomes stronger. As hartals have become a part of history, shops stay open every day. Every day, children attend schools and colleges. Youth are seeking higher education professions. Separatist operations have come to an end,” he said. “In terms of the terror ecosystem, the security grid has largely succeeded in destroying it.”
The LG expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for selecting Srinagar for the meeting of the Third tourist Working Group of the G-20, saying that the event would assist develop J-K’s tourist potential, which includes eco-tourism, film tourism, and green tourism.
“I am hopeful that the foreign representatives attending the G-20 meeting in Srinagar will help lift the negative travel advisories imposed on J-K by some foreign countries.” “I am pleased to see that representatives from some foreign countries that have imposed travel advisories on J-K are also attending the Srinagar event,” the LG remarked, adding that they are launching 300 new film tourist sites.
In response to a question about whether J-K lacked the necessary infrastructure, including hotels, to handle 20 million tourists expected in the next year, the LG said, “We are upgrading the tourist infrastructure at a rapid pace.” World-class hotels will be built in the following two years. We are auctioning off the land in order to build several five-star hotels in Srinagar and Jammu.”
In terms of improving the transport infrastructure in Srinagar, he said that starting in August, e-buses would operate in Srinagar and Jammu. In response to a question concerning high plane tickets, the LG said that the government is aware of the problem and would shortly reduce flying rates.
“This has occurred because Go-Air has ceased operations in J-K,” he said.
Concerning press freedom in J&K and journalist arrests, the LG said that 400 newspapers are published in the UT.
“In the UT, there is complete press freedom.” Only three journalists are detained, and anti-terrorist organisations are investigating their cases. “The Indian constitution guarantees freedom of expression,” he stated.
When asked about Pakistan’s opposition to G-20 activities in Srinagar, the LG said, “Pakistan should first address the issues of food and edibles back home.” Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the Chief Coordinator of the G-20 event, said that Pakistan has no locus-standi to challenge or discuss the G-20 in Srinagar. Pakistan has nothing to do with the G-20 summit.” (KNO)
