Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said that large parts of the country have been freed from terrorism and that, barring a few pockets, most of the northeast is now terrorism-free. He also stated that local recruitment into terrorist ranks in Jammu and Kashmir has sharply declined and that terrorists hiding in forests and rugged terrain will be eliminated.
Addressing a three-day Strategic Management Forum (SMF) Conference on policy-making and strategic planning for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor said that the threat of left-wing extremism and Naxalism has been significantly curtailed.
“Large parts of the country have been freed from terrorism. Except for a few pockets, most of the northeast has become terrorism-free. The threat of left-wing extremism and Naxalism, which once aimed to create a corridor from Hyderabad to Nepal, has now been confined to just two or three districts,” Sinha said.
Situation in Jammu and Kashmir
Referring specifically to Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said that no top commander of terrorist organisations operating in the region is alive today.
“Local recruitment into terrorism has seen a sharp decline. Hardly one or two youths are being recruited now,” he said.
However, he accused Pakistan of continuing attempts to push terrorists across the border through infiltration. “Those coming from across the border are hiding in dense forests and mountainous terrain. I assure you they will be eliminated. No matter how long it takes, they will not survive,” he asserted.
Sinha noted that the nature of terrorism has changed, with educated and informed individuals also getting involved. He said the fight against terrorism cannot be left to security forces alone in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, parts of Karnataka and Kerala.
“Along with the security forces, society and certain wings of the administration must also contribute,” he said.
Call to End ‘Insider–Outsider’ Narrative
The Lieutenant Governor strongly emphasised the need to end the divisive “insider-outsider” narrative, stating that such thinking creates hurdles in the development process.
Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047
Highlighting India’s development trajectory, Sinha said policymakers and business leaders have a critical role in navigating challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing world.
“Our focus should be on macroeconomic stability, high investment in education and health, digital tools, participatory governance, transparency, accountability and speedy project implementation,” he said.
He said that India’s rapid growth under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unprecedented. “There is renewed confidence among industry leaders, while manufacturing, services, village industries, handloom and handicrafts are competing globally. The Prime Minister’s call for Swadeshi has given fresh impetus to these sectors,” he added.
Economic Potential of J&K
The Lieutenant Governor underlined the need to tap Jammu and Kashmir’s underutilised mining potential.
“J&K has immense reserves of limestone, sapphire, lithium and other minerals. With strategic planning, an additional annual revenue of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore can be generated in the next five to seven years,” he said.
He also stressed maximising the hydropower sector and suggested amendments to the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to meet evolving economic needs.
Cultural Heritage Highlighted
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor unveiled the Basohli Painting Exhibition and presided over the valedictory session of the Basohli Painting Workshop, also felicitating artists.
“Basohli Painting is our priceless artistic heritage with immense value for present and future generations,” he said, commending IIM Jammu and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) for the initiative.
Dignitaries Present
The event was attended by Prof B.S. Sahay, Director IIM Jammu; R.K. Chaudhary, Chairman JERC J&K and Ladakh; Subash Chandra Meena, Economic Advisor, NITI Aayog; Prof Arunaditya Sahay, Founding Chairman SMF; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director IGNCA, besides academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, artists and students.
