Srinagar, Sep 18 (KNO): Commending the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) for establishing a new legacy of employment through merit since 2019, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday asked newly appointed police officers to serve the people with courage, integrity and compassion.
Speaking at a function here after handing over appointment letters to 29 newly selected officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police (Gazetted) Service at Lok Bhavan here, LG Sinha, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) congratulated the newly appointed officers and lauded their perseverance in overcoming an intense and transparent selection process conducted by the Jammu Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC).
“You have faced tough competition. You have gone through such a difficult process, which has not only tested your intelligence, but also your patience, character, discipline and strength to withstand adverse situations,” he said.
LG Sinha lauded the JKPSC for upholding fairness, impartiality, and credibility and establishing a new legacy of employment through merit since 2019.
LG Sinha recalled how, for the first time, even children of ordinary families such as vegetable vendors, labourers, were able to secure government jobs purely on the basis of talent and hard work. “The recruitment system has helped create an environment where government employment could be secured through qualifications, hard work and talent rather than recommendations. I do not need to tell you what used to happen here. How did you get a job? A complete book can be written on it. The people sitting here know more about that book than I do,” LG Sinha said.
Recalling the 2022 Jammu and Kashmir Employment Festival, LG Sinha said people had begun to believe that children from ordinary families could also rise to government positions on the strength of their merit. “At that time, for the first time, people said that the son of a vegetable vendor can also be a KAS officer. This time has come to Jammu and Kashmir. Even a father can see his son becoming a government officer,” he said.
“In Jammu and Kashmir, now a government job is not obtained with a recommendation, but with the qualifications and qualities of a young man,” LG Sinha said.
Addressing the newly appointed officers, LG Sinha said the appointment letter carried “the burden of the faith of the whole of Jammu and Kashmir” and represented a commitment towards safeguarding the security, dignity and future of the people.
He said the appointment letters were not merely government documents but embodied the trust of the people and marked the beginning of a new journey of service.
“I do not consider it just an appointment letter, but I see it as an invitation to service. This invitation is a call to accept the responsibility of the security of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also a promise that their security, their honour and their future will be in a position of honesty and duty,” he said.
LG Sinha reminded them that receiving the appointment letter was “not the end of your journey” but the beginning of a new one, where their responsibility would be to protect citizens, serve the people and uphold the rule of law.
“You are about to embark on a new journey. Now you have to enter that struggle, whose purpose is not to achieve success for yourself, but to fulfil the responsibility of protecting others, to serve the people and to protect the rule of law in Jammu and Kashmir,” LG Sinha said.
‘UNIFORM SYMBOL OF SERVICE, NOT POWER’
LG Sinha told the officers that their responsibility after training would be more than a conventional career and would constitute a mission of public service.
He said their training at the Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA), Udhampur, would expose them to the discipline, hard work and leadership required to discharge their responsibilities. “The badge on your uniform is not a symbol of power on the people of Jammu and Kashmir, but a symbol of the service and responsibility of the people,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor said the officers, after completing their training, would have to act as a protective shield between terrorist forces and ordinary citizens.
“When you wear the khaki uniform, you will become a strong wall between the terrorist forces, terrorist organisations and ordinary citizens. You will protect the dreams of every citizen, and this is not a small responsibility,” he said.
“I believe that protecting every citizen is one of the biggest responsibilities that any democracy can entrust to its officers. My expectation of you is that you will ensure a fear-free environment for every citizen,” LG Sinha added.
FLAGS CHANGING SECURITY CHALLENGES
The Lieutenant Governor said the security challenges confronting Jammu and Kashmir were evolving, with terrorism no longer confined to traditional methods. “Today’s Jammu and Kashmir is facing such challenges that the police officers of a decade ago may not have been able to imagine,” he said.
“The form of terrorism is changing and the war is not only being fought with traditional weapons. The virtual world has faced many challenges. Radicalisation is also leaving a strong and deep impact,” LG Sinha said.
He said terror financing methods had also changed, with cryptocurrencies, money laundering and other emerging mechanisms creating new challenges for security agencies.
“The means of financing for terrorism have also changed. Instead of the traditional methods, cryptocurrencies, money laundering and these new methods have emerged,” he said.
LG Sinha said the newly inducted officers would consequently have an important role in the security of Jammu and Kashmir as well as national security.
‘RESPONSIBILITIES NOT LIMITED TO FIGHTING TERRORISM ONLY’
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that the officers’ responsibilities would extend beyond counter-terrorism and include upholding the law, maintaining social harmony and protecting citizens’ rights.
“Always keep in mind that your responsibility is not limited to fighting terrorism. You have to keep the law in place. You have to establish the rule of law. You have to establish social harmony. And you have to play a very important role in protecting the rights of every citizen,” he said.
LG Sinha said the real test of democracy was its ability to protect its weakest citizens and urged the officers to combine authority with compassion. “The real condition of democracy is that it ensures the protection of its weakest citizen and its prosperity. After training, you will have power and you will have to add the values of compassion to that power so that there is human compassion in all your actions,” he said.
Highlighting the ethos of the J&K Police, he said its personnel had demonstrated duty, dedication and sacrifice over decades and urged the new officers to learn from their seniors.
He also reminded them of the force’s guiding principle: “Do not touch the innocent and do not leave the culprit.”
‘CHOOSE INTEGRITY AND DUTY, WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES’
LG Sinha called upon the newly appointed officers to make a commitment to uphold truth, integrity and duty irrespective of the circumstances.
“No matter how difficult the situation is, you will always choose truthfulness and duty on the basis of priority. Always remember that the uniform is respected only because of the honesty, courage and determination of the officers who wear the uniform,” he said.
“Only the uniform is not respected. So move forward with honesty, courage and humility,” he added.
LG Sinha said the appointment letters also carried the hopes, dreams and faith of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and urged the officers to use their authority in the cause of justice.
The Lieutenant Governor also thanked the parents and relatives of the newly appointed officers for supporting them throughout their journey. “All of you have prepared your children for the service of Jammu and Kashmir. You have supported them in their struggle. You have lived their dreams as your own dreams,” he said.
“India and Jammu and Kashmir will always be grateful to you for this contribution,” LG Sinha added.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Principal Secretary Home Department Chandraker Bharti, Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department M Raju, and senior officers of the civil and police administration attended the ceremony—(KNO)