People Of J&K Have Risen Against Terrorism: L-G Manoj Sinha
The entire J&K stood united in grief and anger against the Pahalgam terror attack- J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha
SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have risen against terrorism and chosen peace and progress which became apparent following the recent terror attack at Pahalgam.
“After the terror attack in Pahalgam, the kind of protests that were seen on the J&K's streets against the terrorist country Pakistan were historic. The (Kashmir) Valley echoed with slogans against terrorism,” he said after laying the foundation stone of a guesthouse in the precincts of Srinagar’s famed lakeside Hazratbal shrine.
He asserted, ““The entire J&K stood united in grief and anger against the Pahalgam terror attack. The people of Kashmir rose in protest, expressing their outrage on the streets. This is the new face of Jammu and Kashmir—resolute, courageous, and intolerant to terror and its sponsors. Not only the country but the entire world saw how people of Kashmir expressed solidarity with the family members of the victims.”
He called upon the people to ensure the society is cleaned of elements which aid and abet terrorists. Invoking Surah-Nisa (Chapter The Woman) of Qur’an, Mr. Sinha and while referring to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, Lt. Governor said that Islam preaches peace, brotherhood and unity.
He lamented that some people made the Muslim majority Kashmir, often referred to as ‘Paradise on Earth’ a netherworld. “Some people have left no stone unturned to destroy this Darul Salam (abode of peace) and all of us know who they are. They need to be punished for their misdeeds,” he said.
“I appeal to the people to bring the terror elements hiding among the public to justice,” he said, adding, “We need to strike hard at the terror ecosystem. The aids of terrorists should be identified and they should be given the same punishment as a terrorist for inflicting wounds on the soul of J&K.”
Paying homage to the innocent civilians killed in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22, the Lt. Governor said, “Operation Sindoor avenged the carnage by punishing terror state Pakistan and firmly enforced India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism”. He added, “The brave soldiers of our armed forces have not only destroyed the terror factories deep inside Pakistan but have also drawn a new red line. Now any terror attack will be considered an 'act of war' and Pakistan will be given the harshest punishment for it.”
Mr. Sinha also called for collective efforts to foster the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and promote unity across the diverse communities. He said statements like the guests are spoiling the culture of J&K or demographic invasion are truly problematic and the public should oppose such statements.
“I appeal to those in positions of responsibility in J&K to stop using the phrases like local and non-local. We all are Indians. Stop dividing Indians into local and outsiders. You should work to unite people so that a united society can take J&K to the greater heights of growth,” he said.
The Lt. Governor prayed, “Prophet Muhammad and Baba Amarnath may shower their blessings and strengthen the love, peace and brotherhood in the society”.
He extended his felicitations to members of J&K Waqf Board and all the stakeholders. He said, in the past few years, the basic facilities for the pilgrims have seen tremendous improvement and the infrastructure development has eased the pilgrimage to Hazratbal, a revered spiritual center.
BJP leader and chairperson J&K Waqf Board Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri and other senior officials, religious leaders, prominent citizens and people in large number were present, an official statement issued here said.