Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 18 

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday that statehood would be restored to the federally administered territory at an “appropriate time” and urged people to trust assurances given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

In an interview with News18 J&K, LG Sinha said the federal government had already outlined a roadmap following the 2019 revocation of Article 370, beginning with delimitation of constituencies, followed by elections and eventual restoration of statehood.

“The Prime Minister had clearly said delimitation first, elections second, and statehood at the appropriate time. Delimitation took time, elections were held, and a government was formed. People should trust that assurance,” he said.

Referring to the recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the LG described them as “historic”, saying they were conducted without violence or re-polling despite security concerns.

“For the first time in the Valley, people came out in large numbers till late hours to vote,” he said.

About Chief Minister Omar Abdullah repeatedly demanding restoration of statehood, LG Sinha declined direct comment but said commitments made in Parliament would be honoured.

He also outlined the administration’s anti-drug campaign, saying authorities were targeting narcotics supply chains while expanding awareness and rehabilitation programmes.

The LG said that during the past 37-38 days, authorities had registered 766 criminal cases, arrested 856 accused and seized 677 kg of narcotics across Jammu and Kashmir.

Properties worth more than Rs 520 million linked to alleged drug traffickers had been attached, while demolition proceedings were underway in several cases, he said.

LG Sinha said 19,400 psychotropic substances had also been seized and 31 detentions made under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

“Bulldozers are not in operation,” he said, adding that illegal structures linked to narcotics trade were being demolished through legal procedures.

The LG said awareness campaigns had reached more than 4,50,000 people through schools, sports events and community outreach initiatives.

Rehabilitation of drug addicts remained the “biggest challenge”, he said, adding that the administration was finalising a policy to monitor recovering addicts for three years while providing treatment and employment support.

“The administration will bear rehabilitation expenses. There will be no shortage of money,” LG Sinha said.

He described narcotics trafficking as part of an “international conspiracy” aimed at harming India’s youth and said militant recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir had fallen to “single digits” from three-digit figures in previous years.

The LG said most top militant commanders had been eliminated.

Commenting on security following the recent Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, he accused Pakistan of sponsoring militancy in the region but said Indian security forces had responded decisively.

“Our Army, J&K Police and CRPF gave a strong message that India’s security cannot be challenged,” LG Sinha said.

He said that the security grid in Jammu region had been strengthened after infiltration attempts and militant incidents in Kathua, Udhampur and Kishtwar districts.

On the suspension of provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty and ongoing hydropower projects, the LG called it a “historic decision” demonstrating “strong political willpower” by the federal government.

He said several infrastructure and hydropower projects were under way and would significantly benefit Jammu and Kashmir’s economy through enhanced power generation.

LG Sinha also cited improvements in tourism, agriculture, private investment and the financial performance of Jammu and Kashmir Bank as evidence of economic progress in the region.

“When I came here, J&K Bank was in losses of Rs 13-14 billion. Now it is earning profits of over Rs 2,000 crore,” he said.

The LG said separatist sentiment and hostility had “substantially declined” in Jammu and Kashmir and that people increasingly viewed their future with India.

“People now openly say their future is with India,” he said.