Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, stated on Sunday that the nonviolent District Development Council (DDC) elections in 2020 signalled the end of “Jungle Raj” in the Union Territory, while democracy was enhanced at the grassroots.
LG Sinha claimed that the year 2020 saw successful and violence-free DDC polls in which a record number of people participated, while speaking at the 75th Independence Day ceremony at Srinagar’s heavily fortified S K Stadium. He thundered from the stage, “With the successful polls in 2020, the Jungle Raj in J&K will be over forever.”
While commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government’s decision on August 5, 2019, the LG stated that the move represented a new beginning in J&K.
“Since then, grass-root democracy has been reinforced, people have begun to reap the fruits of democracy, and the ordinary man has begun to live in peace,” the LG stated. “The age-old Kashmiri tradition was strengthened, and all elements of society were brought along to new heights.”
The LG claimed that the slogans of previous Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, and Jhamoriyat, were not permitted to grow and that J&K had a “dictatorial style of democracy.”
“Our neighbour has been making continuous efforts to provoke youth, but a strong reply is being given to those who are leading youth towards the wrong path,” Sinha said, adding that militancy was a major impediment to development and peace in J&K.
“Whoever tries to entice young lads into violence will be dealt with harshly,” he added, adding that militancy was not only a barrier to peace and development in J&K, but also a curse. “I promise you that J&K is on the road to peace, and that this beautiful land has a bright future ahead of it,” he stated.
On the eve of the 75th I-Day, the LG praised police for receiving 257 gallantry awards, noting that it was due of security forces’ commitment that J&K was able to live in peace today.
According to Sinha, J&K would experience a fresh wave of development and peace over the next 25 years. The LG stated, “A unified approach will be put in place to attain new targets and goals until 2045.”
The Chenab Times News Desk