Nigraan Dask/ABP
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in a detailed interview with ABP news channel, addressed several key issues regarding Jammu and Kashmir. He made a significant revelation, stating that people had started visiting the site of the attack just three days before the incident, despite it not being officially opened to the public.
He acknowledged that tourist footfall has declined following the attack, and reiterated the administration’s stance: “We will not harass any innocent, and we will not spare any criminal.”
The LG said tourist destinations are being reopened in phases and added that Baisaran Valley had been opened just three days before the attack. He confirmed that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam incident have been identified and will be caught.
On Giving Appointment Letters to Terror Victims’ Families
When asked why appointment letters were distributed so late to victims’ families during his visit to Baramulla, the LG clarified, “There is a government policy. Jobs are provided to the families of those killed in terror attacks, along with financial assistance from the Home Ministry. Recently, during Operation Sindoor, after the shelling in Poonch and other areas, Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally handed over appointment letters to the families of the deceased.”
On Bulldozer Action
Asked about the use of bulldozers to demolish homes of individuals allegedly linked to terrorism, Sinha responded, “Some people do support terrorists, though their numbers have dropped significantly—and that too will end soon. Under the leadership of the Government of India, our policy is clear: we don’t want to buy peace, we want to establish it.”
No Innocent Targeted: LG
He firmly stated, “We always say—don’t harass the innocent, and don’t spare the guilty. If any innocent person’s house has been demolished, tell me—I’ll take full responsibility. All actions have been against individuals actively involved in terrorism. You can call them pure terrorists. Not a single action has been taken against an innocent person.”
On Security Measures
Addressing security concerns after the Pahalgam attack, Sinha said, “I don’t believe the number of forces has increased. There is a defined security strategy. We hold Unified Command meetings and security reviews, and work accordingly. With the Amarnath Yatra ongoing, a three-tier security arrangement is in place.”
