‘Govt determined to end terror ecosystem’
NEW DELHI: The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has described the targeted killings of civilians, mainly from the minority communities in the Valley (Kashmiri pandits, Sikhs, Dogras) by terrorists in the Valley as an attempt by subversive forces in the neighbourhood to create fear and destabilise peace.
In an interview, he said the government is determined to demolish the terror ecosystem, and that security forces have been given full freedom to carry out anti-terror operations and have intensified their crackdown against terror groups. ₹25,000-26,000 crore is coming into the Valley, these forces outside of India and their stooges here, were trying to send out a message that ‘we will not allow an outsider to even set up a stall and earn ₹100 a day’.
As for ML Bindroo (the pharmacist who was killed), people say that even if someone called at midnight for medicines, he would help them. What is the purpose behind killing such a popular person?
It is an attempt to create fear, but the government is determined to demolish the terror ecosystem and fully committed to take all the steps that are required to do so.
What steps have been taken in the wake of these killings?
In the last 5-7 days a number of anti-terror operations have taken place on the ground. Efforts are underway to uproot and eradicate the ecosystem of terrorism in the valley-- those who hold guns and even those who offer them safe haven.
Some security analysts and experts link these targeted killings to developments in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. Do you agree with this assessment?
Our information suggests this is the handiwork of forces in the neighbourhood who have been running terror networks and for long trying to create unrest in J&K. However, there are certain elements in the Valley who work on their instructions and such people will not be spared . We are making sure that law enforcement agencies take appropriate actions. Those aiding and abetting terrorists will have to pay a very heavy price for the killing of innocent people.
It is difficult to offer security to individuals in such a set-up. I don’t agree that this was a security failure. There are certain elements who want to change the discourse by making it a lawand-order issue, which it isn’t.
The discourse in this country should be about the poor man (Paswan) who had travelled over a 1,000km to earn his livelihood and was killed. We should be condemning the killings of the entrepreneur (Bindroo) who used to supply medicines even at midnight, and the woman (Satinder Kour) who taught children and looked after an orphan by spending ₹14,000 from her own salary. I feel there should be widespread condemnation of these killings in Kashmir and in the rest of the county too.
As LG, I take responsibility for these killings; the onus of protecting life and property rests on us. It is our responsibility to create a strong and agile security grid in such a way that everyone feels safe and there is no atmosphere of fear; and we promise to do so.
Strong measures are being taken to ensure the security and safety of minority communities in the Valley. I have had detailed discussions with the DGP and the IGP, Kashmir Division; they have been asked to remain alert so that all minorities, whether they are Pandits or Sikhs, feel safe and such events don’t recur. I also want to tell the community that we are responsible for their security, and they should not fall for the conspiracy [to create fear].
What were the takeaways from your meetings with the Union home minister and the National Security Adviser?
We want to assure the people that we have taken all the steps to strengthen the security grid. All (government) agencies are also supporting us in this. I also want to assure the people that we have given full freedom to the security forces, and they have intensified operations to crush terror.