Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced on Monday that India has liberated large regions from terrorism. He highlighted that barring a few pockets, most northeastern areas are now terrorism-free. Additionally, he stated local recruitment into terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has drastically declined.
Sinha addressed attendees at the three-day Strategic Management Forum (SMF) Conference at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Jammu, focusing on strategies for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 through effective policy-making.
“Large parts of the country have been freed from terrorism. Except for a few pockets, most of the northeast has become terrorism-free,” Sinha asserted, further noting a significant reduction in left-wing extremism and Naxalism. He mentioned, “What once aimed at creating a corridor from Hyderabad to Nepal is now confined to two or three districts.”
When discussing Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha highlighted the decline of local recruitment into terrorist organizations, stating, “No top commander of terrorist organisations operating in the region is alive today.” He reported that currently, hardly one or two youths are now getting recruited.
However, he pointed fingers at Pakistan for continuing attempts to infiltrate terrorists across the border. “Those crossing from Pakistan are hiding in dense forests and mountainous terrain. I assure you they will be eliminated,” Sinha said, emphasizing that they will not survive, regardless of how long it takes.
The Lieutenant Governor noted a shift in the nature of terrorism, mentioning how educated individuals become involved. He emphasized that defeating terrorism must not rest solely with security forces. “Society and certain administration wings also need to contribute in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, and Kerala,” he explained.
Sinha urged for an end to the divisive “insider-outsider” narrative, claiming it hampers development. He stressed the importance of unity for progress.
Discussing India’s development, Sinha called for collaboration between policymakers and business leaders to tackle the challenges of a rapidly evolving world. “Our focus should be on macroeconomic stability, investment in education and health, and transparency in project implementation,” he suggested.
Sinha praised the unprecedented growth under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that industries across sectors are gaining confidence and competing globally. He attributed this momentum to the Prime Minister’s promotion of Swadeshi.
During his address, Sinha highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s economic potential, specifically its underutilised mining resources. He mentioned, “J&K possesses immense reserves of limestone, sapphire, lithium, and other valuable minerals. With appropriate planning, we could generate additional annual revenue of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore in the next five to seven years.”
He further accentuated the importance of utilizing the hydropower sector effectively and proposed amendments to the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) that align with the evolving economic landscape.
Sinha also unveiled the Basohli Painting Exhibition, participating in the valedictory session of the Basohli Painting Workshop, and congratulated the artists involved. “Basohli Painting is our priceless artistic heritage valuable for both present and future generations,” he remarked, acknowledging IIM Jammu and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts for their efforts.
The event drew significant dignitaries including Prof B.S. Sahay, Director IIM Jammu; R.K. Chaudhary, Chairman JERC J&K and Ladakh; Subash Chandra Meena, Economic Advisor, NITI Aayog; and many other academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, artists, and students.
