Kashmir Impulse Desk 

Srinagar, May 14

Manoj Sinha said on Thursday that Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing progress across sectors as he inaugurated the “Shaurya Gatha” complex in the border area of Tangdhar in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at SM Hill in Karnah near the Line of Control (LoC), LG Sinha said J&K was moving ahead with development “on all fronts” and described the region as more peaceful and prosperous than before.

The project, aimed at promoting battlefield tourism, heritage preservation and border area development, was completed with support from the Army and local residents.

Sinha said the administration remained committed to the development of border regions and highlighted what he described as a contrast between infrastructure and governance on the Indian side of the LoC and areas across the border.

“Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India,” he said.

The LG praised the Indian Army, including Northern Command and Chinar Corps, for completing the project within a short period, and said the complex honoured the sacrifices of soldiers who died defending the country.

He said the initiative would help generate economic opportunities in Tangdhar and Karnah through tourism, homestays, local crafts and youth entrepreneurship under the Bharat Rannbhoomi Darshan initiative.

LG Sinha said seven villages in the Tangdhar-Karnah region had been included under the Vibrant Village Programme to improve infrastructure, livelihoods and quality of life.

Highlighting the proposed Sadhna Tunnel project, he said the tunnel would strengthen all-weather connectivity and improve trade, healthcare, education and disaster response in the region.

He also urged tourists from across the country to visit Kupwara district and explore offbeat destinations in the region.

The LG lauded the Army’s role in the “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir” campaign against drug abuse, saying Tangdhar remained vulnerable to narco-smuggling attempts from across the border.

“The development of an airport-like facility by the Army in the region will serve as a critical asset in our mission against drug smuggling,” he said, while calling on police and security agencies to maintain heightened vigilance against narcotics trafficking.

Senior Army officers, civil administration officials, Police personnel, local representatives attended the event.

Separately, during a visit to Shopian district in south Kashmir, LG Sinha said some people were uneasy with the administration’s anti-drug drive but asserted that the campaign would continue.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the South Kashmir Volleyball League-2026 and a multipurpose indoor sports hall, he defended action against alleged drug traffickers while assuring accountability in cases involving innocent people.

“I want to assure you that if any action is taken against an innocent person, that official will be held fully accountable,” he said.

LG Sinha acknowledged that drug abuse could not be eradicated within 100 days but said the anti-drug initiative had received strong public support, adding that Jammu and Kashmir Police were taking strict measures against drug peddlers.

He also announced plans to undertake a padyatra under the “Nasha Mukt Abhiyan” and appealed to people to participate in the campaign.

Describing sports initiatives as a means of youth engagement and social transformation, LG Sinha said the South Kashmir Volleyball League, launched in 2021, had become an important platform for promoting competitive sports culture in the region.

He said sports activities were contributing to the government’s anti-drug campaign by encouraging positive youth participation.

According to LG Sinha, around Rs 22 crore had been spent on sports infrastructure in Shopian district over the past six years, while projects worth Rs 8.8 crore were currently underway.

He said that 20 Khelo India centres were operational across south Kashmir, including five in Shopian, benefiting around 600 trainees with sports training and equipment.