Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Saturday that the Election Commission has fast paced the process of rationalization of polling stations and revising voter lists but a final call on conducting Assembly Elections in J&K has to be taken by the Commission.
“Elections will definitely be held in the coming times but when they are held will depend on the Election Commission, ” Sinha said in a Program at ABP news Channel on Saturday.
He recalled the statement of Union Home Minister Amit Shah that elections will be held after completion of Delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir followed by restoration of Statehood at an appropriate time.
“No one should have any doubts over statement made by the Home Minister in the parliament, “the Lt. Governor said,
Responding to a question that more Assembly seats were increased in Jammu to ensure election of Hindu Chief Minister in J&K, he said the Chief Minister is decided by the people. “I think we should not discuss whether the Chief Minister will be Hindu or Muslim but he will be the citizen of J&K and will work for the people.
On whether the Border States should have elections or Central Rule, he favoured elections saying the Centre and States should work together.
Responding to another question of initiation of political process, Sinha said, “There are 30, 0000 elected representatives (Sarpanchs, Panchs, DDC members and Urban Local Bodies representatives etc.) and five members of Parliament (MPs) in Jammu and Kashmir. This is political process”
Sinha asserted that no political worker is under house arrest presently.
Replying to a question on house arrest of political workers, he said, “No political workers under house arrest. Only criminals are under arrest and they will remain arrested in future also.”
Asserting that there was no assurance on withdrawal of AFSPA or Army, the Lt Governor said, Army is here for protection of borders also.
“Situation has improved considerably during the last three years in J&K. Militancy has gone down. The problem here is 30-40 years old and is being fully treated,” he added.
Sinha said that family members of some top militants had been given Government Jobs (by previous regimes). We have removed some of them after following due process of law.”
On targeted killings, he said two to three incidents have taken place including that of a Government teacher and a Kashmiri Pandit but if you take the figures of last 30 years the violence level has gone very down. One or two killings can’t be an assessment for a law and order situation, he added.
Not a single innocent person has been killed in security forces firing during the last three years, “he said, adding that the Government policy is very clear that it won’t touch innocents and won’t spare the guilty.
However, the Lt. Governor said the neighbor (a reference towards Pakistan) remained a major headache.
“Development in J&K including increase in GST, Excise, Stamp duty, massive influx of tourists etc. is not being linked by the neighbor and few persons who are working at its behest. They want to disturb the situation but our security forces clearly have an upper hand and are working in coordination, “he said and added that with Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister, the people have expectations that not even a single incident should take place.
Sinha said those who recruit the youth are more responsible for terrorism but “we are not targeting very ecosystem of terror.
Parents are also coming forward. Some youth have been brought back from the militancy.”
“This menace is being tackled on twin fronts by the J&K Govt. as well as Central Agencies.
The Lt. Governor asserted that Kashmir is moving forward on Sufism. He said 75 places of Sufism are being developed.
On ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, he said he will urge the people and hope many will join the campaign. Last year also, students and peo9ple participated in similar campaigns.
On PDP Chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s comments and installation of erstwhile flag of J&K on social media, he said those who have held constitutional posts should behave responsibly..
Replying to a question on rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, Sinha said, “6000 jobs and 6000 houses were sanctioned for them in the Kashmir Valley. Now only 300 posts are vacant and the rest have been filled by. By October, 1200 more houses will be construction work on 900 flats will start shortly. Majority of people in Kashmir want them (the Kashmiri Pandits) to return, he added.
