Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha in his Republic Day address on January 26, 2023 said the upcoming G-20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir will be a message to the enemies and asserted that the security agencies have launched the final assault on militancy and its ecosystem in the Union Territory.
“The G-20 meeting being held in J&K in May is a message to the enemies of humanity who were attacking the interests of our citizens through cowardly acts of terrorism for decades. I urge every section of the society to come forward and make the G-20 an inclusive event,” Mr. Sinha said, addressing a gathering at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu.
He said a befitting reply was given to all efforts to destabilise peace in J&K. “Security agencies are busy in the final assault on terror, its ecosystem and its supporters to ensure everlasting peace in J&K,” Mr. Sinha said.
He said J&K witnessed a 55% decrease in civilian killings in 2022. “There is a significant dip in the killing of security forces personnel as well,” he added.
On the issue of fresh migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, Mr. Sinha said the administration was trying to solve their problems with utmost sensitivity. “Their safety is our topmost priority. All the minority employees and those under the Prime Minister package working in the Kashmir Valley have been deployed at safe places. The long-standing issue of availability of land for their accommodations has been resolved, and construction of 3,000 accommodations shall be completed this year,” Mr. Sinha said.
He said the special Kashmiri migrant portal, which was launched in September 2022 for registering grievances against illegally encroached properties during the 1990s, had seen 8,408 applications and action had been taken on 6,336 applications, resulting in the removal of encroachment from 2,608 kanals of land.
Defending the newly introduced land laws in J&K, Mr. Sinha said development and aspirations of the common masses were held hostage by exploitative and anti-developmental land laws for decades. “Over the past two years, land owners have been empowered through a series of land reforms. Legal action is being taken against influential people who had illegally encroached upon government lands,” he said.
Describing J&K as “the lifeblood of lndia, the guiding lamp of the civilisation and the eternal sound of our social consciousness”, Mr. Sinha said it was under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that J&K was marching forward on the path to progress.
“In the Amrit Kaal, we have resolved to accelerate and broaden the developmental process in agriculture and allied sectors. Private investment proposals worth ₹66,000 crore have been received within a period of around one year, during which 1,455 industrial units started their operations. This is, by far, the biggest industrial campaign in the history of J&K in a year,” Mr. Sinha said.
He said the foundation stone of Emaar Group shopping mall and IT Tower would be laid in March and 52 other industrial units would also start their operations in the same month. “Land has been allotted to 1,711 industrial units which is also a new record in the industrial history of J&K. Another 77 industrial units are being developed on private land,” he added.
He said J&K was the aura of a self- onfident India. “Harmukh, Amarnath. Pir Panjal and Trikuta Hills are the highest peaks of our spiritual heritage. Since time immemorial, the spiritual energy and blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Sudh Mahadev, Budha Amarnath has guided our society,” he added.
Republic Day functions were held in all 20 districts of J&K amid tight security arrangements. In Srinagar, shops at the commercial hub, Lal Chowk, remained open on the occasion.
However, former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti accused the administration of forcing people to keep their shops open. “While the rest of India will celebrate Republic Day as a holiday tomorrow, shopkeepers in Kashmir have allegedly been ordered to keep their shops open or face consequences. One of many abnormal & coercive steps to project normalcy,” Ms. Mufti said in a tweet.
Published - January 26, 2023 03:12 pm IST
