Don’t spare culprits, don’t touch innocents
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 11: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said that the road to the growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir is through peace and it can’t take place in a violent atmosphere.
While addressing a gathering after inaugurating the model residential school and Tribal Youth Hostel in Kulgam district today, the LG said that growth and development is not possible in a violent atmosphere.
“Every effort is being made to make people free from militancy and the path to growth and development is only through peace. In such a situation progress and development is not possible,” Sinha said.
The LG said that his administration has a policy of not touching the innocent and not sparing the culprits. “Police and security forces won’t even touch any innocent as we are following the policy of ‘Gunahgaar Ko Chodo Mat, Begunah Ko Chedo Mat (don’t spare the culprit and don’t touch the innocent),” he said.
Sinha said that targeted killings of members from the minority community were aimed to provoke security forces to commit a mistake so that people can hit streets in protest.
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“The target killing of innocent people including female teachers was a well-planned move to provoke police and security forces. We won’t fall prey to such nefarious designs,” the LG said.
He, however, was quick to add that police and security forces won’t touch any innocent and instead continue to root-out militancy from Kashmir soil.
He said that society as a whole must condemn innocent target killings in Kashmir and if it doesn’t then it is backing off from its duty.
“A female teacher who played a key role in shaping a life and imparting education was killed, if society is not condemning it then I understand we are backing off from our duties,” Sinha said.
“I can tell you that militancy in Kashmir is on its last leg. Target killings are acts of desperation,” he said.
The LG said in at the end of financial year 2021-2022, J&K’s tax collection increased. “We recorded 24 per cent increase in GST collection, 30 per cent growth in excise duty, 56 per cent growth in duty and 25.33 per cent growth. J&K is selling cheapest petrol and diesel,” the LG said.
He said: “We are trying and working hard to ensure round the clock development of every district of J&K. I am happy to state that lot of works were carried out by the Government that provided huge relief to the people of Kashmir.” The LG said after the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, people living in forests have got right to live a free life.
He said money would always come from Government of India but the fact remained that the funds never reached the common people. “Tribal community people were abandoned but since 2020, they got their rights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a slew of schemes for Tribal men, women and children,” the LG said. He said giving representation to Schedule Tribes in the Assembly will go a long way in addressing the long pending issues of people associated with the Tribal community.
The Lt Governor inaugurated the District Civil Services Library cum Reading Room on the occasion.
He said that projects worth Rs. 39.79 crore under various tribal schemes are being implemented in Kulgam for upliftment of Tribal community.
He highlighted the Government’s efforts in empowering all the sections of the society, especially those who were neglected for decades and making them key partners in J&K’s development journey.
Citing the achievement of Kulgam’s Tanveer Khan, second rank holder in Indian Economic Service (IES), Sinha said the administration would provide the facilities and resources needed to nurture such talents in every household of the Tribal community.
In the last financial year a record Rs 31.12 crore was earmarked for scholarships of tribal children and in this financial year it has been increased to Rs 45 crore, he added.
The Lt Governor also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving top priority to the rights of tribal people and implementing the Forest Rights Act in J&K, besides starting various schemes like PM Van Dhan Yojna, SHGs, Model Cluster villages, Smarts Schools for tribal areas, and other such initiatives to ensure social-economic upliftment of the Tribal community.
Mohd Afzal Parrey, DDC Chairperson Kulgam, expressed gratitude towards the UT Government for the dedicated efforts for the welfare of the people. He also apprised the Lt Governor on various issues of public importance.
The Eklavya Model School inaugurated today has been constructed at a cost of Rs 12 crore, besides Rs 5 crore has been allotted for additional infrastructure and Rs 5.23 crore will be given per year for its maintenance and operation i.e. Rs 1.09 lakh per student will be borne by the Government. The administration is also considering a proposal to set up a similar Eklavya Model Residential School at Devsar in Kulgam, it was informed.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary to the Government, Tribal Affairs Department, highlighted various initiatives taken for the welfare of the members of the tribal community of Jammu & Kashmir.
Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, briefed about the projects and informed that 480 boys and girls will be provided quality education in the Eklavya Model Residential School. He further informed that 5 smart schools for the tribal children have also become operational in Kulgam.
Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; DDC Vice-Chairperson, PRI members, tribal leaders, and a large number of people from all walks of life, besides senior officers of police and civil administration were present on the occasion.
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