On Monday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced that significant segments of India have effectively overcome terrorism. He emphasized this during a three-day Strategic Management Forum (SMF) Conference at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Jammu, noting that local recruitment into terrorist ranks in Jammu and Kashmir has nearly ceased.
Sinha reported that aside from isolated pockets, terrorism no longer poses a threat to most regions in the northeast. He highlighted that the insidious influences of left-wing extremism and Naxalism had been significantly curtailed, limited now to just two or three districts.
“Large parts of the country have been freed from terrorism. Except for a few pockets, most of the northeast has become terrorism-free,” Sinha stated. He provided reassurance regarding the changing dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that no top commander of terrorist organizations currently operates within the region.
According to Sinha, “Local recruitment into terrorism has seen a sharp decline. Hardly one or two youths are being recruited now.” However, he attributed ongoing challenges to infiltrations from across the Pakistan border, admitting that infiltrators continue to utilize the dense forests and rugged terrains of the region.
“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 declared, instilling hope in citizens regarding the fight against terrorism.
Sinha noted the evolving nature of terrorism, which increasingly involves educated and informed individuals. He firmly stated that combating terrorism requires collective responsibility: “The fight against terrorism cannot be left to security forces alone in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir. Society and certain wings of the administration must also contribute.”
He urged stakeholders to put an end to the divisive “insider-outsider” narrative, asserting that this mindset obstructs development efforts. His vision aims to foster unity and progress, a sentiment that resonated throughout the conference.
During the discussion, Sinha elaborated on India’s ambitious goals under the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. He called upon policy-makers and business leaders to steer the country through contemporary challenges and opportunities.
“Our focus should be on macroeconomic stability, high investment in education and health, digital tools, participatory governance, transparency, accountability, and speedy project implementation,” Sinha outlined. He expressed confidence in India’s rapid growth trajectory under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, which has ignited fresh industry enthusiasm.
Sinha focused on Jammu and Kashmir’s untapped economic potential, emphasizing the vast reserves of minerals, including limestone, sapphire, lithium, and others. He speculated that with proper strategic planning, the region could generate an additional annual revenue of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore within the next five to seven years.
Additionally, he advocated for optimizing the hydropower sector and proposed necessary amendments to the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) to address evolving economic demands.
In light of cultural developments, the Lieutenant Governor inaugurated the Basohli Painting Exhibition and presided over the closing session of the Basohli Painting Workshop, recognizing the significance of this artistic heritage for generations to come.
“Basohli Painting is our priceless artistic heritage with immense value for present and future generations,” Sinha remarked in praise of the collaboration between IIM Jammu and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
The conference attracted a number of dignitaries, including Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director of IIM Jammu; R.K. Chaudhary, Chairman of the JERC Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh; Subash Chandra Meena, Economic Advisor to NITI Aayog; and various academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, artists, and students.
