Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated that while government and security forces play crucial roles, ending terrorism is also a shared responsibility of the people. Speaking at an event in Jammu, he highlighted the reduction of terrorism across the country, noting that it remains concentrated in select areas.
Sinha remarked, “Terrorism has diminished in various regions. The North-East is now largely free from terror, and left-wing extremism, or Naxalism, has shrunk to a few districts. I am confident that it will be eradicated within months.” He pointed out that states like Karnataka, Kerala, and especially Jammu and Kashmir continue to struggle with terrorist activities, emphasizing the urgent need for resolution.
Calling terrorism a significant obstacle to development and job creation, Sinha stressed that local communities must avoid activities that could unintentionally fuel such violence. The Lieutenant Governor asserted, “Security forces and the administration are committed to their duties, but the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir also bear the responsibility. Engaging in actions that may inadvertently support terrorism leads to serious ramifications.”
Highlighting improvements in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, he celebrated the waning of street violence and stone-pelting incidents. Sinha stated, “Schools, colleges, and businesses are now operating similarly to other regions in the country. No prominent commanders from major terror outfits are alive today, and we’ve seen only one local recruitment into terrorism this year.”
Addressing the regional implications of terrorism, Sinha pointed to Pakistan’s continuous support for terror activities. He noted, “Despite our progress, we face a neighbor that consistently engages in disruptive actions. Instead of focusing on nation-building post-partition, Pakistan initiated aggression against India, including Jammu and Kashmir, and has lost four wars. Now, they resort to proxy wars through the radicalization of individuals.”
The Lieutenant Governor acknowledged the devastating human cost of terrorism, with over 40,000 lives lost. He urged citizens to reflect on the prolonged impacts, saying, “How much longer can this persist? While it is essential for the government and forces to eradicate terrorism, citizens must also play their part. I call upon the people to actively participate in this fight against terrorism.”
Without directly attributing blame, Sinha noted that some individuals echo sentiments similar to those of terror outfits like ‘The Resistance Front (TRF)’. He cautioned, “When narratives mirror those of the TRF’s social media communications, it poses serious dangers for our society.”
