On the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha asserted that the terror ecosystem has been dismantled to a large extent since August 5, 2019.
Addressing a function to hand over appointment letters to 37 next of kin (NoKs) of civilians killed by terrorists, the Lieutenant Governor said, “Our commitment is reflected in decisive action. After August 5, 2019, we have dismantled the terror ecosystem to a large extent, strengthened law and order, restored equal rights, and created opportunities that allow families to rebuild their lives with confidence.”
“The transformation we witness today in Jammu and Kashmir is the result of the historic changes of August 5, 2019. That day marked a constitutional correction and a new beginning for the Union Territory,” Manoj Sinha said, adding, “Discriminatory barriers were removed, and equal rights were extended to those who had suffered because of discriminatory laws. The principle of ‘One Nation, One Flag, One Constitution’ was fully implemented, upholding a single standard of dignity, justice, and opportunity for all Indian citizens.”
The Lieutenant Governor further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marginalised communities, tribal groups, and displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) and Chhamb, as well as refugees, have received legal rights, including full citizenship, voting rights, and property ownership rights under the Constitution of India.
He noted that the terror victim families receiving appointment letters were among the many beneficiaries of the post-Article 370 dispensation.
“Their cases, delayed for decades, have finally been addressed. This is not compensation for their loss, because no amount of money, no job, and no document can replace a loved one. It is, however, an assurance that the nation stands beside them and is determined to help rebuild their lives and restore their dignity,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that Articles 370 and 35-A had allowed the terror ecosystem to operate with impunity, with the objective of dividing society, spreading fear, and silencing hope and aspirations.
“After the abrogation of Article 370, the designs of the neighbouring country and the terror ecosystem operating in the Valley were foiled. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen peace over violence, education over indoctrination, jobs over dependency, and dignity over despair. The younger generation deserves a future free from fear, and that is the future we are building together under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that the government’s efforts are centred on justice, development, and inclusion, adding that lasting peace must be anchored in opportunity.
He called upon the people to remember August 5 as a turning point when the wounds of the common people were acknowledged, suffering was met with decisive action, equal rights were extended to all, discriminatory laws were repealed, and the nation renewed its resolve to secure a brighter future for Jammu and Kashmir.
“We are firmly resolved to dismantle the terror network, bring its perpetrators and enablers to justice, and ensure every citizen of the Union Territory enjoys a life of peace, equality, and hope,” he asserted.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the shadows of discrimination were lifted in 2019, ushering in a new era of social justice and inclusive development. Today, Jammu and Kashmir is progressing with renewed confidence, and all-round development is driving peace and prosperity,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the industrial growth witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 has been unprecedented. He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled the decades-old dream of direct rail connectivity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor handed over appointment letters to 37 next of kin (NoKs) of civilians who were brutally killed by terrorists. He said it was a profound honour to stand with the families of terror victims on this historic day, adding that the occasion was not merely about handing over appointment letters but about remembering the martyrs, delivering justice to terror victim families, and reaffirming the nation’s resolve against terrorism.