Abid Bashir
Srinagar, Oct 31: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that J&K is a Union Territory and everybody must accept this reality. He also said when J&K would be State again, the day would be celebrated as Statehood Day.
Talking to reporters after addressing the UT Foundation Day at SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake here, the Lt Governor, said that J&K is a UT and everybody must accept this reality.
“Things took the shape as promised by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah that first delimitation, then Assembly polls and now Statehood at an appropriate time. At present, J&K is a UT and everyone must accept this reality. When J & K becomes a State again, we will celebrate that day as well,” the LG said. He said today, the fifth anniversary of J&K as a UT was celebrated.
The Lt Governor said in an obvious reference to NC leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Cabinet ministers, said: “Those who took oath under Indian constitution are opposing UT status of J&K. This reflects their dual character.”
He was replying to a query that the National Conference had decided to stay away from UT Day foundation function. Pertinently, NC leader and MLA from Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq had yesterday told reporters in Srinagar that nobody from NC would attend the UT Day function at SKICC as NC doesn’t accept J&K as a UT.
Earlier, addressing the UT Foundation Day gathering, the Lt Governor said that under the leadership of PM Modi, J&K touched new heights of developments and peace. “The development is visible from roads to train to hospitals to medical colleges. He said that J&K bank was pulled out from the debt and today this bank is a profit earning institution that gives loans to everyone in need. “Today it is a people’s bank. The progress bank is the example of a change J&K has gone through in the past few years,” the Lt Governor said.
He said in the past five years, J&K marched ahead with peace and prosperity. “Lal Chowk’s identity was changed and today it is known for something else. Pulwama Chowk witnesses anti-terrorist protests and candle light marches,” the Lt Governor said.
He said post 2019, the air has changed. “In the past few days, some terrorist incidents took place where brave men lost their lives. But I believe that J&K police and other forces will give the perpetrators a befitting reply,” he said. “Efforts are on to root out the terrorism from J&K. Time is not far when J&K would be free from terror.”
He said peace is a must for J&K’s progress. Without naming anyone, he said some people are trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere. “I request them, refrain from provocative statements as it was after huge efforts that J&K is a peaceful place today,” the Lt Governor said.
