SRINAGAR, Sept. 22— Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said the elimination of terrorism remains the nation’s foremost priority, stressing that while violence has been reduced to small pockets, complete eradication requires participation from every section of society.
Speaking at the 4th CII Northern Regional Council Meeting in Srinagar, Sinha said left-wing extremism and Naxalism, once envisioned as a Nepal-style guerrilla movement, have been reduced to a handful of districts. “I firmly believe that in the next three to four months, the nation will be completely free of Naxalism,” he said.
At the same time, he cautioned that terrorism had not disappeared entirely. “Some activities still remain in parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and a few regions of Jammu and Kashmir. Where terrorism exists, there is potential for greater danger. Its elimination cannot be the sole responsibility of the police or security forces — society as a whole must take part,” Sinha noted.
He urged business leaders in the Valley to be proactive, warning that indifference could undermine both security and progress. “When narratives are created that weaken the nation, they give rise to division and hostility. That is why I particularly urge the industrialists of the Valley to take responsibility. If you choose to remain silent spectators, your businesses and progress will suffer,” he said.
Turning to economic issues, Sinha said the world has shown “growing confidence in India,” but stressed that the private sector must now accelerate growth. “We need a focused approach to enhance productivity and exports of MSMEs and foster an innovation-driven economy,” he added.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with giving a new pace to industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir. “Big companies, corporate houses, MSMEs of the country must take a pledge that the industrial development of Jammu and Kashmir will be their personal responsibility,” he said. “The industrial ecosystem of the country should come forward and support rapid industrialisation of the Union Territory.”
The lieutenant governor observed that micro and small industries in Jammu and Kashmir have already demonstrated global competitiveness, adding that new enterprises should be encouraged at the panchayat level. “Next Generation Reforms will greatly benefit MSMEs and handicrafts units and contribute to building a self-reliant India,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of private investment in research and development, particularly in defence, space, agriculture and manufacturing. “For a developed India, we must create an innovation economy where growth and wealth are driven by new technologies and innovations,” he said.
Anjali Singh, Chairperson of CII Northern Region; Dr. M.A. Alim, Chairman of CII J&K; Iqram Shafiee, Vice Chairman of CII J&K; and Puneet Kaura, Deputy Chairman of CII Northern Region were among those present. Senior officials including Srinagar SSP Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy and Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo also attended the meeting.
