Limitless possibilities of development in new J&K, says LG; reiterates statehood promise

Srinagar: J&K’s statehood will be returned and elections are likely to take place soon after the delimitation process is completed, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said

In an interview to a Hindi news channel, the LG said that both PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have promised that J&K will get back its statehood and as such “no one should have any doubt in it”.

He said the political leaders in Kashmir who recently attended the all-party meeting with PM Modi “clearly understood it”.

Asked about Article 370 and demands of its restoration in some quarters, the LG said that the matter was in Supreme Court and have any opinion over a sub-judice matter was “an offence” he did not want to commit.

The LG said he hoped that elections will take place once the delimitation process is over.

“The process of delimitation has begun. The commission’s chairman is going to visit Srinagar from July 6. The panel will meet political parties and tour several districts. Once the process is over, I hope the Election Commission will take a call on the conduct of elections,” he said.

On Ladakh’s re-merger with J&K, the LG said: “You should not delve in to the past. Let’s move forward.”

Sinha said that a “new Jammu and Kashmir” was in the making where there are “limitless possibilities of development.”

“(Jammu and Kashmir) is gifted with beauty and abundant resources. It has been the crown of India. We will work to make it the same crown of India again,” he said.

Asked how the administration is going to tackle with Mehbooba Mufti if she “rakes up” dialogue with Pakistan, militancy and other relevant issues during elections, the LG said that “no one will be allowed to question or mock the sovereignty and integrity of India.”

“I think in a democracy dialogue is the best medium. We will have dialogue with anyone but I want to make it clear that no one will be allowed to ridicule the sovereignty and integrity of India. We won’t tolerate it. And during elections, the Election Commission will keep watch of any such activity,” he said.

The LG said that the offensive against militancy will continue until the same is “wiped off in Kashmir”.