‘Full deployment of security forces in Jammu to take 2-3 months’
Powers to LG part of Reorganization Act, only notified now
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 20: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today assured free, fair and impartial Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir anticipating that voting percentage will further go up as compared to Parliamentary elections held in April-May this year when the turnout in the Valley broke 35 years record.
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He also said that security forces deployment in vulnerable areas of the Jammu region is on following surge in the terror attacks and the process is expected to take two to three months. Like Kashmir, terror will also be crushed in the Jammu region, he added.
Speaking to a national Hindi news channel in New Delhi today, Sinha assured people of the country and the UT that the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be free, fair and impartial.
Asserting that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assured adequate security for the elections, he said he was anticipating further increase in voting percentage in the Assembly polls as compared to Lok Sabha elections held few months back.
“Two big leaders lost the polls. This is the proof of level playing field in the Lok Sabha elections,” the LG said without naming former Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti who lost the Parliamentary polls from Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seats respectively.
He pointed out that the Election Commission of India has praised the Jammu and Kashmir administration for facilitating peaceful Lok Sabha elections in which voting percentage broke the record of 35 years.
On the visit of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow, Sinha said he (Rahul Gandhi) had earlier also come for (Bharat Jodo) Yatra and was provided full security. This time also, the Administration will provide security and facilitate his visit.
To a question on transfer of 200 officers a day before announcement of Assembly elections in the UT, the LG described the transfers as non-issue saying some of the transfer orders were issued after completion of August 15 celebrations while few orders were issued on the directions of the Election Commission of India that the officers having served three years at a place be shifted ahead of the polls.
He described as not correct the reports that Assembly elections are being held in Jammu and Kashmir after 10 years. “The elections were held in 2014. They were due in 2019. The Government lasted till 2018 followed by the Central rule”.
Without naming Pakistan, he blamed the neighbour for sending foreign terrorists in the UT especially Jammu region.
“For the last 15 to 16 years, there was peace in the Jammu region and number of the security forces was cut. However, the Home Ministry has now revised strategy for tackling terror in the Jammu region. Deployment of security forces in all vulnerable areas will take two to three months and we are confident that terrorism will be tackled in the Jammu region like the Valley,” the Lieutenant Governor said and added that people of the Jammu region have never supported the terrorism.
He said the Village Defence Guards (VDGs) are being given sophisticated weapons.
On increasing powers of the Lieutenant Governor ahead of the Assembly elections, Sinha said the Government has only issued the notification now while all these powers were part of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act.
“There should be no confusion on this. Only powers have been notified now,” he added.
On Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK), Sinha said only the Foreign Ministry can tell about this. However, he reiterated that terror and talks can’t go together as far as Pakistan is concerned.
“This is the stand taken by the Government of India and we also agree on this that talks and terror can’t go together. Talks will be held with the youth of Kashmir,” he asserted.
The Lieutenant Governor said during last five years, development, prosperity and peace have return to Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and common man can now live the life as per his own wishes.
Tourism has also got a boost. Kashmir will also be linked to Kanyakumari by rail this year, he added.
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