Jammu- Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said that the state’s administration is committed to the welfare of artists who, through various forms of art, folk music, theatre, cinema and literature, have strengthened the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’
Inaugurating ‘Jashn-e-Jammu Kashmir,’ Sinha appreciated the collaborative efforts of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and the Jammu Kashmir Artists Association.
“Jashn-e-Jammu Kashmir is an occasion to recall our rich folk culture, which is a source of pride for the nation and strengthens the ideals of unity in diversity. Around 350 artists participating in this event represent different arts, a variety of folk dances, and expressions that reflect the soft power of India and its ancient civilization,” he said.
Speaking about the extraordinary journey of Jammu and Kashmir over the past few years, the Lt Governor said that the government, under the guidance of the Prime Minister, is working with the resolve of ‘Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi’ (development and heritage together).
“It is a matter of pride that, on one hand, industries and infrastructural development have reached new heights, while on the other, J-K has witnessed the revival of art and culture,” he said, reiterating the administration’s commitment to the welfare of artists and their families.
“I want our gifted artists to play a leading role in nurturing society. Artists provide new perspectives to citizens and energise social progress. In order to maintain the pace of development, it is necessary that teachers, scientists and artists work together and serve the nation,” he said.
Referring to the peaceful conduct of parliamentary and legislative assembly elections in J-K last year, the Lt Governor said there was no rigging or repolling during the democratic exercises.
“Many anticipated violence and loss of life, but not even a single stone-pelting incident was reported,” he said.
The Lt Governor felicitated various artists for their valuable contributions in the field of art and culture.
‘Every Terrorism Supporter Must Pay The Price’
Directing for stronger measures to protect the borders amid a ceasefire violation and a major IED attack in the recent past, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said all security agencies must work together to counter the cross-border threats.
He also called for intensified efforts to wipe out terrorism from Jammu province and said every perpetrator and supporter of terrorism must pay the price.
“We must strengthen border security against asymmetric threats due to porous border with riverines and difficult mountain range and all the security agencies must work together to provide necessary back-up support,” the lieutenant governor said, chairing a high-level meeting to review the security scenario in Jammu division.
This was the second security review meeting chaired by the lieutenant governor in as many days. On Wednesday, Sinha presided over a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar for Kashmir valley.
The back-to-back security review meetings took place amid a series of incidents along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu division over the past couple of days.
While two army personnel, including a captain, were killed in a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion triggered by the terrorists in Akhnoor sector of Jammu on February 11, a soldier was injured in cross-border firing in Rajouri sector a day earlier.
The Pakistani troops also violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing on the army posts in Poonch sector on Wednesday, prompting a befitting reply by the Indian Army.
The security review meeting in Jammu was attended by senior police officers led by DGP Nalin Prabhat, who along with Inspector General of Police, Jammu zone, Bhim Sen Tuti, briefed the chair on the future action plan and the proposed measures to tackle the security challenges to ensure a safe and secure environment for the common citizen, an official spokesman said.
He said the IGP railways also gave a detailed presentation on the security architecture of railways and the roadmap put in place to strengthen the security of stations and the tracks.
“Our focus should be on complete wipe-out of terrorism from Jammu division. We should not even have remnants of terrorism in Jammu region,” the lieutenant governor said, addressing the meeting.
He called for effective steps to wipe-out terrorism and ensure complete dismantling of the infrastructure and local support of terrorism.
The lieutenant governor directed the police officials to take strongest possible action against those providing logistical and financial support to terrorism.
“Every perpetrator and supporter of terrorism must pay the price. We need to equip ourselves with credible intelligence and act more effectively to neutralise the terrorists and ensure the security of citizens,” he said.
Sinha directed the police officials to make sure that acts of individuals or groups trying to create fear in the society are termed as “terrorist action” and they should be punished as per the law.
He discussed a roadmap for technology driven policing, area domination plan, inter-agency coordination, action against narco-terrorism, capacity building of police force and innovative strategies to improve cyber patrolling and monitoring capabilities.
The lieutenant governor stressed on credible intelligence gathering, sharing of real time operational intelligence and anti-terror operations based on precise inputs.
He also called for strengthening the legal framework to deal with terror propagandists and strengthening of police establishment at local level for modern and efficient policing.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
