LG Sinha calls for national unity

Srinagar, May 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday called for strengthening national unity.

Interacting with community and religious leaders, civil society members, and heads of industry and trade organisations at Raj Bhawan, the LG called for unified efforts to strengthen national unity and thwart adversary's conspiracy to divide the people on religious and sectarian lines.

ìJammu and Kashmir is more than just a geographical area. It is a vibrant centre of social unity, harmony, peace, and brotherhood. The enemy is making desperate attempts to create a divide among our people and it has attacked our sacred places. We must rise above religious and sectarian divides and come out as a formidable united force to thwart this conspiracy,î he said.

LG Sinha said it was a collective responsibility to safeguard social harmony and to work together to ensure the resilience and high morale of the society.

ìSince ages, our nation has followed the principles of co-existence and it has enriched the great diversity of India, which has been a home to all major religions known to humankind. We must protect these values and give a befitting reply to the enemy by strengthening our brotherhood,î he said.

The LG reiterated that the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was resolved to take strong action against terrorists and those aiding and abetting terrorism.

ìOperation Sindoor has avenged the brutal killing of innocent people in Pahalgam. India's action was a focused and measured response, showcasing remarkable sensitivity and restraint by targeting 9 terrorist hideouts in different parts of Pakistan,î he said. ìSince the night of May 7 and 8, Pakistan has been relentlessly attacking innocent citizens of India. For three consecutive nights, civilian areas, key installations, and military establishments in India have been continuously targeted. Many innocent civilians have lost their lives and many injured, especially in border districts like Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu, Kupwara, and Baramulla.î

LG Sinha said: ìWe donít want War. But, we will not remain silent on the killings of our civilians. Our forces are giving a befitting reply to the enemy. Your unity and steadfast devotion towards the motherland will be their shield and strength and will boost their morale. Let us wholeheartedly salute our valiant soldiers who stand guard at our borders. Let our brave sons of Maa Bharti know that the entire nation stands strong with them.î

He also called upon prominent citizens and civil society members to counter fake narratives and propaganda being created by the adversaries.

Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo; Minister for Agriculture Production Javed Ahmed Dar; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; DGP Nalin Prabhat; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, and senior officials of Police and civil administration were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Imaam-o-Khateeb, Asari Sharief Hazratbal, Moulvi Riyaz-ul-Haq said this challenging time underscores the vital message: unity, peace, and brotherhood.

ìI pray for peace and prosperity of our nation and safety of its people,î he said.

President, Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, Baramulla, S Paramjit Singh strongly condemned the unprovoked shelling by Pakistan on Gurudwara Sahib in Poonch.

He appealed to the Centre to take up this calculated and deliberate action by the neighbouring country to an international forum and diplomatic level.

Secretary, GPC Srinagar, S Gurmeet Singh Bali said, ìThis country is ours and we are of this country.î

President KCCI, Javid Ahmed Tenga and President FCIK, Shahid Kamili extended support from the business and trade community to the Jammu Kashmir administration.

Associate Priest, All Saints Church, Srinagar Revd Vino Koul, Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi representing all J&K Anjum Sharie Shian, and Parshotam Lal of Shiv Shakti Sewa Dal also urged people to remain united.

The meeting paid homage and observed a two-minute silence in the memory of civilians killed in the Pahalgam terrorist attack and those killed due to unprovoked shelling by Pakistan.