Mann-Ki-Baat: People of J&K want development, no ‘sinister plans’ can succeed, asserts PM Modi

New Delhi: Amid reports that the centre could deploy 100 additional companies of para military forces in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said people of the militancy-hit state are more than keen to join development mainstream and that those creating hurdles to peace and progress will never succeed in their ‘sinister plans’.

“A new resolve, a new fervor and grand results..... Our brothers and sisters in Kashmir want Good Governance and proves the dictum that the power of development is stronger than the might of bullets and bombs. It is clear that those who wish to spread hatred en route to development, pose hurdles will never succeed in their sinister plans,” Prime Minister said in his monthly radio broadcast Mann-Ki-Baat through All India Radio.

Mr Modi made the remarks in reference to a missive from Shopian-based Bhai Muhammad Aslam, who had said that he likes to listen to Mann-Ki-Baat programme and he also mentioned at length about the ‘community mobilisation’ programme ‘Back to Village’ launched in the state.

“Under this programme in the state, top officials for the first time reached the villages,” Prime Minister said.

“The people of Kashmir are eager to join the national main stream, their enthusiasm is reflected in the mechanism of this programme. For the first time, senior officials reached the villages, directly, even those officials who had never visited a village were available to the villagers at their doorsteps, to judge for themselves to gauge the obstacles in the path of progress,” Mr Modi said.

This week long programme encompassing about 4500 panchayats witnessed the government  officials briefing the villagers about the schemes and programmes implemented by the government and also inquired whether these facilities were available to them or not.

Prime Minister said that during the special outreach prgrammes, issues related to - imparting ‘more powers’ to the Panchayats, how to increase their income and how the panchayats can bring changes in people’s lives vis-a-vis literacy, sex ratio, health, hygiene, water conservation and senior citizen’s concerns were some of the topics those were discussed at length.

The reports that the centre could deploy additional forces have sparked off strong reactions from state leaders.

“Centre’s decision to deploy additional 10,000 troops to the valley has created fear psychosis amongst people. There is no dearth of security forces in Kashmir. J&K is a political problem which would not be solved by military means. Govt of India needs to rethink and overhaul its policy,” tweeted PDP leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

In his radio broadcast, Prime Minister said officials in Jammu and Kashmir also reached the panchayats on the border “which live under the shadow of cross-border firing” like the sensitive hamlets in the districts of Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag, without any fear.

“Some officers were so overwhelmed by the reception they received, that they decided to extend their stay up to two days in these villages. The organizing of Gram Sabhas in these villages, wherein the people participated in large numbers and chalked out schemes for themselves is something that is an extremely pleasant experience,” he said adding this only shows there is a “new resolve” among the people and the government officials and thus “grand results” are on cards.

Mr Modi in his address at a grand function organised to mark 20th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas in Delhi on Saturday had said in presence of top military and civil officials that as far as national security is concerned vis-a-vis dealing with terror menace and related challenges including from overseas forces, his government will not allow any ‘pressure or influence’ to decide its strategy.

“Rashtriya suraksha ke liye na kisi ke dabao mein, na pravao mein kaam hooga (On national security, no external pressure or influence can work),” Prime Minister has said. (UNI)