Committed to addressing J&K's statehood desire: LG Manoj Sinha

J&K’s lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said his government remains steadfast in its commitment to address the legitimate desire of restoration of full statehood.

The 40-day budget session started in the winter capital of Jammu with Sinha’s address who reiterated his commitment to holding panchayat and urban local bodies elections in the Union Territory.

“One of the foremost aspirations of the people of J&K is the restoration of full statehood. My government remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing this legitimate desire of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Sinha. The LG said his government recognises the ‘emotional and political significance of statehood’ for the people of J&K. “We are actively engaging with all stakeholders to facilitate this process in a manner that ensures peace, stability and progress,” said Sinha.


The LG stated that his government is committed to strengthening panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies by ensuring timely elections at all levels. “This will enhance grassroots democracy, promote citizen participation in decision-making and empower local governance for more effective development,” he said.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah, during the mandatory obituary references, paid tributes to former PM Manmohan Singh, who passed away in December, saying that he made sincere efforts for India-Pakistan peace. “He inherited the (Indo-Pak dialogue) initiative (on J&K) from Atal Bihari Vajpayee and tried to address the problem with the outside country (Pakistan). He made sincere efforts despite the deteriorating situation,” he said.

Abdullah further said, "I say that both the countries have come closer to resolving this (Kashmir) problem during that period and I do not see a return to the situation in my lifetime.”

J&K CM, while interacting with reporters after the inaugural session of the assembly said that the resolution passed by the assembly on November 6, demanding restoration of special status of the region still stands and it has not been outrightly rejected by the central government. "NC would not repeat what it has already done," Abdullah told reporters, in response to queries citing that some members of the opposition plan to bring another resolution demanding restoration of Article 370 and 35 (A).

Meanwhile, the Awami Ittehad Party legislator Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, staged a protest during the LG’s address criticising the policies of the administration and sought justice for Makhan Din of Kathua--who committed suicide after recording a video alleging that he was tortured by the police--and Wasim Mir of Baramulla who killed when armymen fired at his truck, as they alleged that he didn't stop at a particular check point.

Sheikh was marshalled out of the House and he continued the protest on the lawns of the assembly complex. He carried a placard reading, “We demand restoration of Article 370, 35 (A) and statehood. Release all political prisoners and stop slapping PSA. Stop terminating employees.”