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Terrorism confined to few pockets in India, local recruitment in J&K sharply down: LG Sinha

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that large parts of the country have been freed from terrorism and, barring a few pockets, most of the northeast is now terrorism-free. Sinha maintained that local terror recruitment in J&K has sharply decreased and terrorists hiding in rugged terrain, mountains and dense forests will be eliminated soon. "Large parts of the country have been freed from terrorism. Except for a few pockets, most of the northeast has become free of terrorism. The threat of left-wing extremism and Naxalism -- those who once imagined creating a corridor from Hyderabad to Nepal -- has now been confined to just two or three districts," Sinha said. Sinha, who was addressing the strategic management forum conference on policy making and strategic planning for achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 at IIM Jammu, said the nature of terrorism, however, has changed, with educated and well-informed people getting involved in it. The three-day conference is being organised by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Jammu, in collaboration with Strategic Management Forum (SMF), and the NITI Aayog. "In Karnataka, a small part of Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir, I believe that the task of eliminating terrorism cannot be carried out by the security forces alone. Along with the security forces, society and certain wings of the administration must also contribute," he said. Referring to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said that not a single 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. He, however, accused Pakistan of continuing to push terrorists across the border through infiltration. "People have developed confidence that they will no longer follow the path of terrorism. Those who have come from across the border are hiding in forests, and I assure you they will be eliminated. No matter how long it takes, they will not survive," Sinha said. In his keynote address, the LG, according to an official press release, also highlighted the challenges and opportunities for India in a rapidly evolving world and the critical role of policy makers and business leaders. "Our focus should be on macroeconomic stability and high investment in education and health. Digital tools, participatory governance, transparency, accountability, speedy project implementation and effective public services for growing population will be key for all round development," the LG said. The LG said the core values, principles, ideals of our forefathers and values of good governance will guide us to navigate the present challenges to build a prosperous future. He emphasized that the policies must be formulated in accordance with the needs of the people, industry, trade, and business, and it must be ensured that their voices are heard. There is also a need to maintain the balance between industrial growth and social welfare initiatives, he further said. The LG stated that "the rapid growth, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is unprecedented in Indian history. "Wherever I go, I see that our great nation is on the move towards progress and prosperity. Our manufacturing and services sectors are showing impressive growth and there is a renewed confidence among industry leaders to take on the challenge of the rest of the world. I also see our village industries, Handloom and Handicraft sector competing with the best. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarion call for Swadeshi has given fresh impetus to this sector. "Inclusive and equitable growth lies at the core of the Prime Minister's vision. The government policies have focused on job creation, support for small businesses, increased public investment, and financial empowerment of the middle class and entrepreneurs, ensuring that the economic progress benefits every citizen," the LG said. The LG reaffirmed his resolve to ensure that the benefits of programs like Modern India and Digital India reach the citizens on the last ladder of development. "Decentralized governance has brought about significant positive change, and continuous efforts are being made to ensure that policies are not merely on paper but are responsive, morally sound, and action-oriented, thereby shaping the commitment to a people-first approach," the LG said. The LG underlined the need to boost revenue by tapping into Jammu & Kashmir's vast but underutilized mining sector."J&K holds immense potential in Limestone, Sapphire, Lithium and other minerals. With strategic planning, in the next 5-7 years, we can generate an additional annual revenue of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore," the LG said. He also called for maximizing the hydro-power sector, and suggested necessary amendments to the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP) to ensure it meets evolving economic needs. The LG stated that the divisive "insider-outsider" narrative must be put to an end. "Those spreading such a narrative are creating hurdles in the development process," he said. The LG also said that the terrorists hiding in rugged terrains, mountains and dense forests will be eliminated soon. On the occasion, LG unveiled the Basohli Painting Exhibition. The event also marked the valedictory session of Basohli Painting workshop and felicitation of Basohli Painting artists by the LG. "Basohli Painting is our priceless artistic heritage which holds immense value for present and future generations. I commend IIM Jammu and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) for this unique initiative," the LG said. (With additional inputs from PTI)

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