Stone pelting, hartals, and school and college closures are now a thing of the past as democracy thrives in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir after a turbulent three decades, according to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in his Independence Day speech on Monday.
LG Sinha said that all efforts by the neighbouring country to destabilise peace are being dealt with professionally by the security forces. “Stone pelting on roads, hartals and closure of schools and colleges are history now. Out of 365 days a year, 100 days would witness hartals that would take a toll on business and education of children studying in schools and colleges,” Sinha said.
“Bazaars remain open till late at night and transport plies normally till late evening hours. There is no fear and the common man is feeling a sigh of relief,” the LG said.
He said that all nefarious designs and the propaganda to misguide youth are being given a befitting reply by the security forces and the administration. The LG said that security forces in J&K have launched the final assault to dismantle the terror network run by the neighbouring country.
About Har Ghar Tiranga, Sinha said J&K topped the list in the country as far as enthusiasm to unfurl the Tiranga. “Youth are on the forefront of this campaign and there is a great enthusiasm among them vis-à-vis Independence Day celebrations,” Sinha said.
He said that it is the youth of J&K who have to decide where they want to see J&K after 25 years. “Youth have a great and big responsibility to shape the future of J&K,” he said, adding that youth have big dreams and they are treading the path where they can convert their reality into dreams.
Listing a series of developmental projects started by the administration, LG Sinha said that peace is a must to ensure the round-the-clock development of J&K as “there can be no development without peace.”
LG Sinha added that the administration is committed to taking J&K to new heights on the developmental front and restoring the lost glory of J&K for which it was once known. “J&K was and will remain the crown of India,” he said.