Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a Union Territory-level security conference on the lines of the DGPs/IGPs Conference, stressing the need for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to counter terrorism in all its forms.

Addressing the conference, the Lieutenant Governor said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, such security deliberations have become a vital platform for collaboration among security and civil administration agencies.

He recalled that detailed discussions were held during the DGPs/IGPs Conference in Raipur earlier this year on the theme “Viksit Bharat: Security Dimensions”, reflecting the Government of India’s commitment to modernising policing institutions to meet emerging security challenges.

Focus on Terror Ecosystem

The Lieutenant Governor underlined the need for coordinated action against terrorists, their enablers and ideological supporters to completely dismantle the terror ecosystem and eliminate safe havens.

“The real security gains achieved since 2019 must be defended. Every single terrorist and their supporter operating in the Valley, forests, hills or villages must be neutralised,” he said.

Sinha said that over the past six years, strengthening of the security grid and close coordination among the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, Intelligence agencies and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have resulted in a significant decline in terrorist violence, the number of active terrorists and local recruitment.

“Armed terrorists, their supporters, overground workers (OGWs) and elements intimidating common citizens must be treated alike. We must ensure they pay a very heavy price for their actions,” he asserted.

Adapting to New-Age Threats

The Lieutenant Governor also discussed strategies to tackle evolving threats, enhance intelligence capabilities and build a next-level security grid to address new-age challenges.

“The landscape of security threats has changed profoundly. We need to move from reactive to proactive strategies and employ advanced tools such as Artificial Intelligence to counter terrorism, terror financing, radicalisation and narco-terrorism,” he said.

The one-day UT-level security conference was attended by senior officers of the J&K Police, Intelligence agencies, Civil Administration and CAPFs.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday demanded that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar apologize to a woman doctor whose veil was pulled down during a government event, escalating a controversy that has sparked public outrage.

The incident, which occurred on Monday at the Bihar Secretariat during an appointment letter distribution ceremony for AYUSH doctors, drew widespread criticism after Kumar allegedly removed the woman doctor’s naqab and remarked, “What is this?” Abdullah condemned the act as unacceptable.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah emphasized that no justification exists for Kumar’s actions. “How can anyone touch a woman’s clothes like this?” he asked. Abdullah revealed that the affected doctor has since declined her appointment and expressed her intention not to join government service.

“Nitish Kumar should apologize to her and persuade her to take up the job,” Abdullah stated, underscoring the importance of dignity in such public interactions. He further criticized the BJP’s response, referencing Union Minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh, who defended Kumar’s behavior.

Abdullah drew attention to the double standards in how similar incidents might play out in different contexts. “If a Muslim leader had touched the veil of a Hindu woman in Haryana or Rajasthan, there would have been a huge uproar. But since the woman here is Muslim, the BJP finds nothing wrong,” he remarked.

Clarifying his stance, Abdullah declared that the matter transcends religion and focuses on respect and decorum in public life. He urged Kumar to recognize the gravity of his mistake and offer a public apology.

On broader political issues, Abdullah responded to Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan‘s commentary regarding a perceived “total defeat” in the aerial fight with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. He asserted that Chavan’s views reflect only personal opinion and do not encapsulate the Congress party’s official stance.

“The Congress and other opposition parties stood firmly with the government and the defense forces after the Pahalgam terror attack,” he affirmed, emphasizing national unity over partisan politics.

During his visit, Abdullah participated in the 11th edition of the India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Role Model Series, where he highlighted the concept of an inclusive “idea of India.” He reflected on Jammu and Kashmir’s historical decision to accede to India, reinforcing the state’s identity within the national framework.

“I come from a Muslim-majority State which could have gone with Pakistan at the time of Partition, especially because it shared a border. Yet Jammu and Kashmir chose India. That choice defines the idea of India we must protect,” he stated.

Abdullah acknowledged the diverse interpretations of the “idea of India” but asserted that democracy and majority rule must coexist with respectful debate, even as he expressed concern about specific developments.

He also addressed current controversies surrounding admissions and selections in Jammu and Kashmir, criticizing discussions framed by religious identity. Abdullah cited a recent instance where 42 out of 50 students in the Vaishno Devi Medical College’s first MBBS batch were Muslim, alongside debates regarding the J&K football team selections for the Santosh Trophy.

“The only balance that should matter is between the talented and the untalented,” he argued passionately. “The India I want for our children is one where merit alone decides how far they go—nothing else. If someone passes the exam or plays football well, their religion should be irrelevant.”

The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir is likely to end as the region prepares for Chille Kalan. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts snowfall in higher reaches and rain in the plains after nearly two weeks of dry weather. Weather conditions are expected to change from December 18 to 19, bringing partly to generally cloudy skies.

An official from the Meteorological Department stated that residents might experience very light snowfall at isolated higher reaches of North and Central Kashmir. The active western disturbance is predicted to influence the area from late night of December 20 to December 21, resulting in light to moderate snowfall in higher altitudes and light to moderate rain in many areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

The forecast anticipates that the weather on December 22 will remain generally cloudy, with light rain or snowfall scattered across the region. From December 23 to 29, the skies may be partly to generally cloudy, while December 30 and 31 could bring the possibility of light snowfall at isolated higher reaches.

In light of the potential weather changes, the MeT Department has issued a snowfall advisory, predicting that significant snowfall may impact higher reaches of Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts, especially on December 21. The department has urged travelers and transporters to plan their journeys carefully, adhering to traffic and administrative advisories.

As this weather pattern approaches, it’s noteworthy that temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir have remained above normal. In Srinagar, the maximum temperature recorded was 10.6°C, approximately 1.2°C above average, while the minimum temperature settled at 0.2°C. The famous tourist destination, Gulmarg, recorded a maximum of 8.8°C, nearly 4°C above normal, and a minimum of 1.6°C.

In northern Kashmir, Kupwara registered a maximum of 10.8°C and minimum of -1.0°C. Nearby, Pahalgam noted 11.2°C and 0.4°C, while Qazigund recorded 13.0°C and 0.8°C.

In the Jammu region, Jammu city saw higher temperatures with a maximum of 22.3°C and minimum of 11.0°C. However, the MeT Department did confirm that no rainfall has been recorded across any station in the past 24 hours.

On Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described his office as a seat of “disempowerment.” He remarked that he faces the unique misfortune of overseeing a Union Territory with far fewer powers than any other Chief Minister in the country.

At an event organized by a prominent national newspaper, Abdullah delivered a forthright critique of the administrative setup in Jammu and Kashmir. He alleged that the ongoing interference from the Lieutenant Governor’s office hampers effective governance, and he reiterated his demand for a defined timeline for restoring statehood.

“I find it very difficult to reconcile the terms ‘Union Territory’ and ‘Jammu and Kashmir’ in the same breath,” Abdullah stated emphatically. He added that while officials seldom emphasized the term ‘State’ during his first tenure, the current Union Territory status has become inescapably prominent.

Abdullah highlighted the ongoing power struggle with the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha. He claimed that Sinha continues to assume roles traditionally reserved for an elected government, such as chairing the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation.

“What business does someone responsible for security have holding a tourism meeting?” Abdullah questioned, referring to Sinha’s recent convening of a tourism event in Gulmarg.

He also criticized the appointment of an IAS officer to a position meant for Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS), arguing it denies the elected government control over the Information Department.

Abdullah expressed frustration over the numerous pending cabinet decisions, including vital modifications to reservation policies, which remain stagnant under the Lieutenant Governor’s authority. He emphasized the disparity in power distribution between the elected officials and unelected representatives.

Turning to the topic of statehood, Abdullah reminded the Centre of its three-step roadmap: delimitation, elections, and then statehood. “Two of the steps have been completed. Why are we still waiting for the third?” he asked pointedly.

Abdullah insisted that the Centre must clarify what it means by an “appropriate time” for restoring statehood. “If it hinges on political circumstances, like when the BJP comes to power, then be honest and let people decide accordingly,” he stated.

On the topic of restoring Article 370, Abdullah expressed skepticism, suggesting that political changes at the Centre would be necessary for any reinstatement. “It is futile to expect the same people who revoked it to restore it,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to preserving Special Status while avoiding unrealistic promises to the public.

The Chief Minister raised concerns over increasing radicalization, attributing it to hyper-nationalism and punitive measures taken against communities. He mentioned the demolitions following terrorist attacks, questioning the effectiveness of collective punishment. “If the residents are radicalized, what leads us to believe it’s not our own doing?” he posed.

Abdullah also highlighted recent controversies regarding sporting events and medical college admissions where the selection of majority Muslim candidates stirred public uproar. He asked, “When an entire community feels marginalized, how can we expect no backlash?”

On the national political landscape, Abdullah characterized the INDIA bloc as being in precarious condition. He admitted that critical issues, including Article 370, have predominantly fallen off the bloc’s agenda.

Defending Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his muted stance on these issues, he pointed out, “He should focus on winning an election before tackling such sensitive topics.” Abdullah noted that the current political environment does not favor raising these contentious matters.

Abdullah distanced himself from his father’s views regarding EVM tampering, stating, “I believe we must own our defeats and understand our shortcomings instead of attributing them to external factors like machines. The real issue lies in constituency delimitation.”

Earlier in his speech, Abdullah discussed environmental concerns such as pollution and prolonged dry spells affecting Srinagar, noting that its geography exacerbates smog-related issues. He emphasized correcting misconceptions surrounding tourism as the primary economic driver for Jammu and Kashmir, clarifying that agriculture, horticulture, and industry contribute more significantly to the Gross State Domestic Product.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reported on Monday that large segments of India have freed themselves from terrorism, particularly highlighting the noteworthy improvement in the northeastern states. Speaking at the Strategic Management Forum Conference in Jammu, Sinha emphasized that local recruitment into terrorist ranks in Jammu and Kashmir has seen a drastic decline.

Sinha addressed attendees at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Jammu, stating that while a few pockets still face threats, much of the northeast has become terrorism-free. He pointed out that the once-menacing issue of left-wing extremism and Naxalism has shrunk significantly, now confined to just two or three districts.

“Large parts of the country have been freed from terrorism. The threat of left-wing extremism has diminished,” Sinha declared during the conference focused on achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Specifically discussing the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha asserted that no top commanders of terrorist organizations remain active in the region today. “Local recruitment into terrorism has observed a sharp decline, with hardly one or two youths being recruited now,” he confirmed.

However, he raised concerns about Pakistan’s ongoing attempts to infiltrate terrorists into Indian territory. “Those coming from across the border hide in dense forests and rugged terrain. I assure you they will be eliminated,” he added, committing to a strong stance against cross-border terrorism.

Sinha pointed out that the landscape of terrorism has transformed, with educated individuals increasingly becoming involved. He stressed that combating terrorism requires the contribution of society in addition to security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in parts of Karnataka and Kerala.

“The security forces can’t do it alone; society and specific administration sectors must also play their roles,” he encouraged.

In a strong call to action, Sinha urged the audience to move away from the divisive “insider-outsider” narrative that hampers development progress. “Such thinking creates hurdles. We must foster unity to ensure holistic development,” he stated emphatically.

Highlighting India’s progress toward Viksit Bharat 2047, Sinha called for policymakers and business leaders to navigate the evolving challenges and opportunities present in today’s global landscape. He stressed the need for macroeconomic stability, future investments in education and health, and the adoption of digital tools.

He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with driving unprecedented growth in India, fostering renewed confidence among industry leaders. Sinha noted, “Our manufacturing and services sectors are now competing on a global scale, thanks to the Prime Minister’s emphasis on Swadeshi.”

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the untapped economic potential of Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out its rich reserves of minerals such as limestone, sapphire, and lithium. “With strategic planning, we can generate an annual revenue of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore within the next five to seven years,” he predicted.

He advised maximizing the hydropower sector and proposed amendments to the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme to meet changing economic needs.

Moreover, on this occasion, Sinha unveiled the Basohli Painting Exhibition and presided over the valedictory session of the associated workshop, acknowledging the significance of Basohli Painting as a vital component of India’s artistic heritage. “This culture holds immense value for present and future generations,” he stated, commending both IIM Jammu and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts for their efforts.

The event also saw the participation of prominent figures including Prof. B.S. Sahay (Director, IIM Jammu), R.K. Chaudhary (Chairman, JERC J&K and Ladakh), and several other academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, and artists, all collaborating towards a vision of sustainable development and progress.