Recruitment in terror ranks negligible: Lt Governor

Srinagar, May 18: Asserting that recruitment in terror ranks has become “almost negligible,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said terrorism in the Jammu and Kashmir has been pushed to the margins.
He also praised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for doing “great work.”
In an interview with national television channel, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “Our security agencies are working with complete seriousness. Whether it is Telegram, WhatsApp or any other platform, agencies are monitoring every aspect and the situation will remain under control.”
The Lieutenant Governor said terror networks and narcotics smuggling operated through the same channels and alleged that drugs were being pushed into Jammu and Kashmir from across the Line of Control through sectors including Gurez, Tangdhar and Uri, as well as through drones.
“Drugs are directly linked to terror funding and terrorism,” he said, adding that the administration had intensified its anti-drug campaign after receiving repeated complaints about rising addiction among youth.
Sinha said people from all sections of society, including religious leaders, students, women and youth groups, had joined the campaign against narcotics.
“In the last 38 days, 766 FIRs have been registered, 856 people arrested and 677 kilograms of drugs seized,” he said, adding that measures such as passport verification, Aadhaar tracking, lookout notices and property demolitions were being used to dismantle the drug network.
“Our focus is on two things — breaking the supply chain and creating awareness against drugs,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said nearly 90 percent of the police force was engaged in anti-drug operations and claimed that public cooperation had increased significantly, with residents voluntarily sharing information about alleged drug peddlers.
“Some people have problems with our fight against drugs, but I want to assure that no innocent person has been touched. Those found guilty will be punished,” he said.
He also said rehabilitation and treatment facilities were being strengthened through government hospitals and rehabilitation centres run by the health department.
Referring to the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, LG Sinha said people across Jammu and Kashmir had come out on the streets to condemn terrorism and support peace.
“People of Kashmir now believe that their future lies with India and people are against terrorism,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor claimed that infiltration attempts and terrorist activities were being dealt with firmly by security forces. “None of their top commanders have survived. Infiltration attempts will also face the same fate,” he said, while praising the Army and the CRPF for carrying out “precise operations” after the Pahalgam terror attack.
“Our neighbouring country carried out the Pahalgam attack, but we punished them,” he added.
On the political process in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said the Centre had fulfilled its commitments made after the abrogation of Article 370 by conducting delimitation and peaceful elections.
“After Article 370’s abrogation, delimitation and peaceful elections were completed without violence or repolls. Statehood will also be restored as assured by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” he said.
Asked about Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, LG Sinha said he was “doing great work.” (KNO)