Relations with CM good, works defined; communications being exchanged: LG

‘Law & order should stay with MHA’

Authority of Indian State fully established in J&K

Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, July 16: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said the law and order in Jammu and Kashmir should stay with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) even as he maintained that he has good relations with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and work between the LG and the CM has been defined under J&K Reorganization Act and if there is any confusion it is being seen through exchange of communications.

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In an interview to a national weekly magazine, Sinha, who will be completing five years in office on August 7, said: “Jammu and Kashmir is a border State. Our neighbor (Pakistan) is such for whom I needn’t to say anything. I feel the law and order should stay with the MHA. The Home Ministry will take a call when the things are normal”.
He was responding to a question on whether police and security in J&K should stay with the MHA through the Lieutenant Governor.
To another question on his relations with the CM, Sinha said work areas of the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Government have been defined under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act passed by the Parliament. In the areas where there is some confusion, the communications are being exchanged, he added.
“I know my limits and won’t go beyond them,” he said, adding that he met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on many occasions.
On his five years in the office, the Lieutenant Governor said that authority of the Indian State has now been fully established in Jammu and Kashmir. The J&K has integrated with India completely. And these are the major achievements, he said, and added that he worked sincerely and honestly for development, peace, economy and employment in J&K.
He reiterated that restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is the commitment of Home Minister (Amit Shah) in the Parliament and will be fulfilled at an appropriate time.
“When the bill for abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A was introduced in the Parliament, the Home Minister, in his reply, had stated that delimitation will be done first, followed by Assembly elections and Statehood at an appropriate time. Some parties cast doubts over delimitation and Assembly polls which were conducted peacefully and now an elected Government is in place. Restoration of Statehood is also an assurance given in the Parliament and it will be fulfilled at an appropriate time,” he said.
Sinha said the Government of India will respect the commitment but when it is done we will have to wait.
On Naya Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said peace, no hartal, no Pakistani calendars for strike, cinema halls running, Muharram processions being taken out after 35 years, all festivals being celebrated together, Shri Amarnath Ji yatra going on, jobs being generated and economy being doubled is the New Jammu and Kashmir.
He said security situation has undergone major change in Jammu and Kashmir with Home Minister (Amit Shah) regularly holding meetings and issuing directions.
“No bandh or hartal call is issued at the behest of Pakistan in Kashmir. Stoning and local recruitment of terrorists have ended. Only one local youth has joined terrorism this year while the number was 6-7 last year as against 125-150 at one time. All top commanders of the terrorist outfits have been eliminated,” Sinha said, adding last five to six years have witnessed historic changes in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, he asserted that peace, prosperity and progress in Jammu and Kashmir is not liked by the neighbor (Pakistan) which sent outside terrorists to create trouble but many of them have been killed.
To a question on employment and justice with terror victim families who suffered for years, Sinha said some families were denied financial help, FIRs were not registered, their property was encroached and no compassionate appointments were given to them.
“We decided that those eligible will be given jobs. We have handed over 40 appointment letters as per the rules. Investigations will be conducted and where there is need, the FIRs will be registered. Financial help and self employment opportunities will also be given,” he added.
On Operation Sindoor, the Lieutenant Governor said Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has stated that it hasn’t ended and that terror and talks can’t go together.
“Entire country and world saw how the Indian Armed Forces destroyed terror bases and message was given that entire Pakistan is within our reach. Pakistan was brought to its knees. Our indigenous equipments also worked well,” he said.
Responding to another question on dismissal of Government employees involved in terror activities, Sinha said everything has been done within the Constitutional provisions. Action has been taken only against those accused of active involvement in terror-related activities and not innocents, he added.

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