Bengaluru: Newly appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hoisted the Tricolour in Srinagar. 

On the occasion, he said that people responsible for partition had also attempted to create divisions on the basis of religion. However, he stressed on the fact that that people in Jammu and Kashmir "always dismissed their ideology."

 

He further added, "Rejecting the religious frenzy at the time of partition, people of J&K connected themselves to the sense of national spirit.” 

On the issue of development in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "The development of Jammu and Kashmir should be lent pace without any discrimination and this is one of our commitments. This has been reiterated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our aim is not to do politics but it is to integrate the soul of Jammu and Kashmir with the country."

On the issue of Panchayati Raj, he said, "I expect that the Central government would take a decision regarding the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure soon. Transparency in governance is expected. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee talked of 'jamhooriyat, insaniyat and Kashmiriyat. The entire country is looking at Jammu and Kashmir with hope."

Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after unfurling the national flag and addressing the nation, said, "Delimitation process is underway in Jammu and Kashmir. Once it is completed, an election will be held in the Union territory. Jammu and Kashmir will have its own chief minister and ministers. We are committed to this."

Prime Minister also touched upon the development aspect in the newly formed Union territory: "This one year is a year of the new journey of development for Jammu and Kashmir. This one year is the year of the rights received by the women and the Dalits in Jammu and Kashmir. This one year is also the year of a life of dignity for the refugees in Jammu and Kashmir.”