Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has said that there is not even a single political prisoner in the jails of Jammu and Kashmir except some under-trials who are involved in “militancy-funding and anti-national activities”.
Talking about the recent raids being conducted by investigation agencies in JK, Sinha said that Enforcement Directorate (ED) and National Investigating Agency (NIA) are investigating 20-25 persons against whom they have proof.
In an interview with a Delhi-based news channel Zee News, Sinha said: “There is not even a single political prisoner in the jails of Jammu and Kashmir. Yes, there are some under-trials who have been booked for militancy-funding and anti-national activities.”
He was responding to the recent statement by the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) expressing disappointment over the outcome of the June 24 All-Party Meeting (APM) called by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in the absence of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).
He said work on the CBMs was going on for a long time and people have faith that Jammu and Kashmir is moving in a better direction now.
On the charges of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti that the Enforcement Directorate has summoned her old mother, Sinha said he won’t name but there are 20-25 persons who are being investigated by the ED and NIA against whom they have proof. “Both these agencies are working independently,” a Jammu-based newspaper Daily Excelsior quoted Sinha as saying.
Commenting on the recent drone attacks in Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor said military agencies are working on installation of advanced technology to counter drone attacks and assured that all important installations in Jammu and Kashmir are safe.
“Security Grid met recently and reviewed drone attack. No loss was caused by the strikes. Drones are being spotted for the last year and the BSF has shot down many of them on the borders. Security agencies are fully prepared to meet with drone threats. They are also working on the installation of advanced technology to counter such attacks,” the report quoted him as saying.
Asserting that militancy won’t be tolerated, Sinha said no place will be left for militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. In this connection, he noted that 28 militants have been killed by armed forces in past one month.
Sinha said during the last 11 months, not even a single civilian has been killed in action by the armed forces as there are directions from him that there should be no harassment of the civilians, the report said.
Asked whether Jammu and Kashmir is ready for free and fair elections, Sinha said whenever the Election Commission announces dates for the Assembly polls, “I assure the people and the country that elections will be free, fair and peaceful just like last year’s District Development Council (DDC) polls when no incident of violence was reported”.