17/07/2025
Naya Kashmir Is Here to Stay: LG Manoj Sinha
‘J&K’s journey from shutdowns to stability, terror at record low, statehood at an appropriate time’
SRINAGAR, July 17 : In a detailed reflection on his five years at the helm of Jammu and Kashmir’s administration, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has reiterated the Union Government’s commitment to restoring the region’s statehood “at the appropriate time.” In a candid interview with The Week, Sinha asserted that over his tenure, the authority of the Indian state has been firmly established in the region. From dismantling decades-old structures of unrest to ushering in an era of peace, development, and opportunity, he believes that the region has made significant and irreversible strides under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sinha recalled that following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had laid out a clear three-phase roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir: delimitation, elections, and finally, restoration of statehood. According to him, the first two phases have already been successfully completed. The delimitation process is over, assembly elections were held peacefully, with a remarkably high voter turnout, and a democratically elected government is now in place. The final step—granting statehood—will certainly follow, but only when the time is right and the conditions are conducive.
He emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir today is more closely integrated with the rest of India than ever before, but added that given the region’s geographical sensitivity and its historical context, central oversight over law and order remains critical. Referring to J&K as a “frontier area,” Sinha underlined that challenges still persist, particularly due to the continued hostility from across the border. “Terrorism continues to be a state policy for Pakistan,” he said, noting that foreign terrorists are still being pushed into Indian territory. However, he expressed full confidence in India’s security apparatus, which he said is alert, capable, and constantly prepared to neutralize any threat.
One of the most remarkable transformations, according to Sinha, has been the sharp decline in local youth joining terror outfits. He recalled that in earlier years, it was common for 100 to 150 young people to be recruited into militant groups each year. That figure fell significantly in 2023 to just six or seven. This year, only one case of local recruitment into a terror group has been reported. He sees this as a reflection of growing public faith in the administration and in the state’s ability to offer stability and opportunity. “This shows the public now trusts the system, believes in peace, and wants a future beyond violence,” he said. He credited this change to a combination of effective policing, strong collaboration between security agencies, and unwavering resolve from the Centre. “Our message, under the leadership of the Home Minister, is very clear—we are not buying peace; we are building and maintaining it.”
Reflecting on the early months of his tenure in 2020, Sinha described the challenges of governing a region still plagued by strikes, shutdowns, and widespread public disaffection. Travel from Jammu to Srinagar, for instance, would take eight to nine hours. Today, he noted, that same journey takes just four and a half hours, thanks to massive investments in infrastructure. He revealed that over ₹1.5 lakh crore has been allocated solely for tunnel construction to improve connectivity across the region. Similarly, he highlighted that private sector investment in Jammu and Kashmir has surged from ₹1,400 crore to nearly ₹30,000 crore over the last five years. Of this, projects worth ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 crore are already up and running.
Power generation, too, has received a major boost, with an increase of 3,100 MW in capacity, complementing the existing 3,450 MW. Tourism has witnessed an unprecedented boom, with over 2.38 crore visitors recorded in the last year alone. On the governance front, Sinha said that over 1,100 public services are now available online, land records have been fully digitized, and the expansion of rural road connectivity under the PMGSY scheme has been enhanced with an additional ₹4,000 crore sanctioned to cover villages based on the 2011 Census.
Sinha pointed to the establishment of flagship institutions like IIT, IIM, AIIMS, NIFT, and seven new medical colleges as evidence of the long-term development vision being implemented in the region. He said that the changes are not just infrastructural or administrative, but cultural and social as well.
Security-wise, he said the situation has dramatically improved. Where once the region was synonymous with hartals, calendars issued by separatist groups, and curfews, today Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a sense of normalcy previously unimaginable. “There are no hartals, no shutdowns. Stone pelting has stopped. People are now out on the streets till late in the evening, and life is returning to what it should have always been,” he said.
Referring to recent security operations, Sinha mentioned Operation Sindoor, stating that the administration now treats every terror attack as an act of war. “Our response has been swift and strong. We have shown our strength to the world and to our hostile neighbor,” he said, asserting that Pakistan must understand that India’s tolerance has limits.
Beyond security and development, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the administration’s focus on victims of terrorism. During a recent visit to Baramulla, he met families who had lost loved ones over the past three decades but had never received justice or compensation. “Many of them had never been given financial assistance or employment due to procedural lapses. Just yesterday, we gave government jobs to 40 such individuals,” he said. He added that the administration is now proactively processing pending compensation claims, helping families file FIRs, and supporting survivors through self-employment and entrepreneurship programs. He described this as a “whole-of-government approach,” combining justice, welfare, and dignity.
On the political side, Sinha addressed the relationship between the Lieutenant Governor’s office and the Chief Minister. He said the J&K Reorganization Act clearly defines the division of power, and he is fully mindful of his constitutional boundaries. “I have a cordial working relationship with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. We meet regularly to resolve issues and ensure smooth coordination,” he said.
When asked about allegations made by former Chief Minister Mehbooba M***i—that government employees from a particular community are being unfairly dismissed—Sinha rejected the claim outright.
He explained that all dismissals carried out under Article 311 of the Constitution follow a strict process of investigation and are based on credible evidence, adding that the government’s approach is rooted in the Constitution and the rule of law. “Article 311 provides constitutional safeguards, but it also allows the state to act decisively against those who undermine national interest. Every case is thoroughly investigated. The idea that an entire community is being targeted is completely baseless and politically motivated.”
As the conversation turned to the broader vision for Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Sinha articulated a picture of what he calls “Naya Kashmir”—a new Jammu and Kashmir that is peaceful, vibrant, inclusive, and brimming with potential. He said that the people of the region are now beginning to see a tangible shift in their everyday lives. “The aspirations that once felt distant or unrealistic are now taking root. Development is visible. Opportunities are real. The change is not just administrative, it is emotional and psychological.”
He highlighted how cultural and religious harmony is returning to the fore. For the first time in 35 years, the Shia Muslim community was allowed to carry out the full Muharram procession in Srinagar. Cinema halls, long closed due to militancy, are reopening. Traditional festivals from different communities are being celebrated publicly and peacefully again. “These are not just symbolic changes,” Sinha said. “They signify that the social fabric, once torn apart by fear and mistrust, is being carefully rewoven with confidence, inclusion, and resilience.”
Sinha’s tone was one of both satisfaction and resolve. While he acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly from across the border and in the occasional attempts at destabilization, he emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are now rejecting extremism and embracing peace and prosperity. “Everywhere I go, I meet people who want growth, jobs, education for their children, and a life free of fear. That’s the real transformation. They are not looking back. They are looking ahead.”
As the interview concluded, the Lieutenant Governor once again underscored that the Union Government’s commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir remains firm and unwavering. But, he insisted, it must happen in alignment with national interest, regional stability, and long-term peace. “The time will come. Statehood will be restored,” he said, “but we must allow the foundations we’ve laid to strengthen. The changes we’ve brought are not cosmetic—they are structural, generational, and irreversible.”
For now, he added, the focus remains on deepening peace, sustaining growth, and ensuring that the sacrifices of the past give way to a future of hope, dignity, and opportunity. In this vision, “Naya Kashmir” is not a slogan—it is a lived reality, and one that, according to Manoj Sinha, is here to stay. KD
