Srinagar- Ruling out any possibility of dialogue between the government of India and the separatist leadership, the Union Territory Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said on Saturday that only those who believed in the Indian Constitution were the stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Earlier, those who disrupted peace and fomented separatism in Jammu and Kashmir were provided medical treatment by flying them in special planes. The days of soft separatism are over. Now, talks will happen with only those who believe in the Indian Constitution,” Sinha said.
He was replying to a question on who would centre talk to in J&K, in a popular show Agenda Aaj Tak, at Le Meridien, New Delhi on Saturday.
When asked to spell about the stakeholders in J&K, the LG said that it were the people of the erstwhile state or even political parties because they too are part of ‘Janata’
When asked that many mainstream parties are claiming that Kashmir is being controlled on gunpoint and peace is being enforced, Sinha said that the army deployment has not increased but when a killing takes place the government is blamed for being unable to provide security.
“If we say that we will secure the places which did not have the dominance of forces and which supplied oxygen and fertilisers to terrorism, are we committing a crime by demanding five companies of forces?” he said.
“However, I give assurance that neither the forces nor the CAPF or the Jammu and Kashmir Police would be used against an innocent person. And, if something happens, law will be used against those people [in the forces] as well. I am saying it in public,” he added.
When asked about the alleged Hyderpora encounter, the LG said the probe is underway and the report is expected to be submitted in the next three days.
“If an innocent person has been killed, I assure that the guilty won’t be spared,” he said.
On November 15 two businessmen, a helper and an alleged militant were killed by government forces in an alleged encounter that sparked massive outrage. Though families claimed that the three slain men were militant workers, the families contested the claims and staged protests. Following uproar, the LG administration ordered a time-bound magisterial probe.
When asked about corruption, the LG said that where there are humans, there would be corruption. However, he quickly added that the use of technology will bring transparency and his administration is moving towards that system.
Responding to a question on the prevailing security situation after the killings of migrant workers, Sinha said, “I am assuring the nation that you come here. You are welcome here. Your security is our responsibility.”
To substantiate his argument that the situation is better, the LG said that if one compares the tourist influx of eight years it has increased. In July, he said, 10.50 lakh tourists came to Jammu and Kashmir.
“The number increased to 11.28 lakh in August. It crossed 12 lakh in September and in November 13.46 lakh tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir. Number of flights arriving in Srinagar has increased. Hotel bookings have increased,” he added.
On the return of Kashmiri Pandits, Sinha said that the prime minister’s package aimed at building 6,000 homes and creating jobs is not the destination but just a beginning.
“We are taking measures that will show results soon. Not right now, but in three months after snowfall ends, things will be clearer. The nation would know then the return of Kashmiri Pandits will be a reality,” Manoj Sinha said.
The LG also said that the government has ensured a free, fair and transparent recruitment process in the Union Territory, due to which ordinary street vendors children have becomes officers.
“However, no person will avail the benefit of government schemes or a government job who indulges in anti-India activities or promotes militancy,” he said.
Replying to a question about the conduct of assembly polls in J&K, the LG said that the Union Home Minister had said it in Parliament and the Prime Minister from the Red Fort that the election would take place after delimitation.
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