The Lieutenant Governor holds significant control over the matters of the Union Territory which even surpasses the powers bestowed upon the elected government by the Center. The issue of the restoration of statehood has been a long held demand by the elected government and the center has usually brushed it under the carpet.
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha Monday said that statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be restored at an “appropriate time,” saying that people should trust the assurance given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the issue.
In an interview to News18 J&K, LG Sinha said the Centre had already laid out a roadmap after the abrogation of Article 370, including delimitation, elections, and restoration of statehood.
“The Prime Minister had clearly said delimitation first, elections second, and statehood at the appropriate time. Delimitation took time, elections were held, and a government was formed. People should trust that assurance,” he said.
Referring to the Assembly elections held in Jammu and Kashmir, the LG termed them “historic,” saying there was not a single incident of violence or re-polling despite apprehensions over security.
“The elections were held in peaceful manner. For the first time in the Valley, people came out in large numbers till late hours to vote,” he said.
On Chief Minister Omar Abdullah raising the demand for restoration of statehood, LG Sinha refrained from direct comment saying that “commitments made in Parliament would be honoured.” He also spoke about administration’s anti-drug campaign, saying authorities were simultaneously targeting supply chains, public awareness and rehabilitation of addicts. “We are working on a systematic basis and not taking random action,” the LG said. He said that over the last 37-38 days, 766 FIRs had been registered, 856 accused arrested, and 677 kg narcotics seized across Jammu and Kashmir. LG Sinha said properties worth over Rs 52 crore linked to drug smugglers were attached while demolition proceedings were underway in several cases.
He said that 19,400 psychotropic substances had been seized while detention under PIT and NDPS was 31 and property worth Rs 52.41 crores was attached.
“Number of property attached is 117, property demolished is approximately worth Rs 17-18 crores,” the LG said.
He said that “bulldozers are not in operation” but illegal structures linked to narcotics trade were being demolished through legal procedures. LG Sinha said awareness drives had reached over 4.5 lakh people through schools, sports activities, and community outreach programmes. However, he said that rehabilitation, remained the “biggest challenge,” with the administration finalising a policy to track recovering addicts for three years and support them with treatment and employment opportunities.
“The administration will bear rehabilitation expenses. There will be no shortage of money,” the LG said.
He said that more de-addiction and rehabilitation centres were being planned. LG Sinha described narcotics as part of an “international conspiracy” aimed at destroying India’s youth.
“Recruitment into terror outfits has now come down to single digits from three-digit figures earlier,” he said.
However, the LG said that most top terrorist commanders were eliminated. On security challenges following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, he accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir but said security forces responded decisively. “Our Army, J&K Police and CRPF gave a strong message that India’s security cannot be challenged,” LG Sinha said.
