Those justifying innocent civilian killings will face action: Lt Guv
Says terror ecosystem is breathing its last breath in JK
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said some people were trying to disturb the communal harmony by justifying the killings of innocent civilians in the Valley and warned them of strict action as per law.
“We will have to be alert as some elements are trying to disturb communal harmony. We will have to keep an eye on them and deal with them strictly,” Sinha said while addressing the Police Commemoration Day function at Zewan on the outskirts of the city.
The Lieutenant Governor said while the Constitution guaranteed freedom of expression for all citizens, some elements were trying to justify the killings of civilians under the garb of this fundamental right.
“Some people, for their vested interests, are trying to justify the innocent killings. Everyone has the fundamental right to freedom of expression, as envisaged by the founders of the Constitution, but if anyone, through words or deeds, will play with the unity and integrity of the country, they will have to face action as per the law of the land in the coming days,” he added.
Without naming Pakistan, Sinha said the neighbouring country and its stooges here could not digest the positive developments in Jammu and Kashmir over the past three years.
“Our neighbour cannot digest the developments taking place in Jammu and Kashmir and, through its stooges, is now targeting innocent civilians. There are some elements who are trying to incite people. Anyone who tries to disturb the peace and development of Jammu and Kashmir will have to pay a heavy price for their cowardly acts,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Sinha added that it was due to the efforts of the police and security forces over the past three decades that the country had been successful in combating terrorism and separatism.
“It is because of your courage and bravery that we have been successful in defeating the efforts of the neighbouring country and some elements within the country to spread terrorism and serparatism.
“The sacrifices of the jawans have played a big role in the activities of development that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed in the past three years. If tourism has increased in any region of the union territory, it is not only because of the efforts of the tourism department. The atmosphere of sense of security has been created by our jawans that people from all over the country and abroad feel safe to visit,” he added.
Sinha said India was the “the strongest democratic society” in the world and providing opportunities of development to all citizens was an ongoing endeavour.
“If anyone is trying to sow the seeds of discord among us, it is the responsibility of the society to go for a social boycott of these elements. The way people have protested, and shown their anger, against the recent incidents of civilian killings has given me hope that terrorism has a life of few days left now.
“We should take a pledge to hammer the last nail in the coffin of terrorism and that would be a true tribute to the fallen jawans,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor later laid a floral wreath at the police martyrs’ memorial.
Jammu Kashmir Police and Security Forces are a symbol of courage, dedication and selfless service. They have always exhibited high level of professional excellence under extremely challenging circumstances to provide safe and secure environment to citizens, the Lt Governor observed.
“Police Commemoration Day is also an occasion to remember the brave hearts of police forces who sacrificed their lives while protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation on snow clad mountains of Ladakh. I salute the 1604 brave soldiers of Jammu and Kashmir Police, who made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland,” said the Lt Governor.
“There is a need to immortalize stories of service and dedication to the nation. ‘Gaurav Stambh’ in Srinagar will serve as a symbol of our martyrs’ valour and sacrifice and I am confident the stories of their courage will inspire every citizen,” he added.
Paying his respect to the families of all the martyrs for their supreme sacrifice, the Lt Governor observed that there can be no greater service than the service of the family of the brave hearts.
‘I respectfully bow down to the families of martyrs for their sacrifice and dedication to the nation’, the Lt Governor said.
Welfare of martyr’s families is the top priority of the government. Necessary steps have been taken to secure their livelihood, education and other benefits to enable them to lead a dignified life, the Lt Governor added.
The Lt Governor said, it is only due to the sheer grit and dedication of our police and security forces that the terror ecosystem is breathing its last breath and we are determined to stamp out terrorism menace.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor also urged the society to discharge their collective responsibility and take a firm stand against those who are trying to sow the poison of terrorism and separatism in the society.
“The way the enlightened people have come out against terrorists and expressed their anger against the recent killings of civilians, gives us a hope that this evil will die soon and disappear from the society,” he added.
“Violence has no place in civilized society. However, there are a few elements trying to justify despicable acts because of their self interest. Action will be taken against such people as per the law of the land,” the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor asked the JKP and other security forces to closely monitor subversive elements and take swift and appropriate action. He also emphasized on evolving strategies for effective monitoring and quick response in fighting conventional as well as modern threats, intensifying crackdown on narco-terror networks and incorporating innovative technology into the police system.
The Lt Governor lauded the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Security Force, Army and Disaster Response Force for doing commendable job in maintaining law and order, traffic management, anti-terror operations, providing relief to the people and saving lives during unfortunate natural calamities.
KV News
