Says uniform is a symbol of service, not power; urges officers to uphold rule of law, protect weakest citizens; flags evolving terrorism, radicalisation and terror financing as new challenges
Srinagar, Sept 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday handed over appointment letters to newly selected candidates of the Jammu and Kashmir Police (Gazetted) Services at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar, saying the appointment is not merely a government job but a call to serve and protect the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the newly selected officers, the Lieutenant Governor said the appointment letters carried the “burden of the faith of the whole of Jammu and Kashmir” and represented a commitment towards the security, dignity and future of the people.
“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, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Sinha congratulated the selected candidates and their families, saying they had successfully cleared a rigorous selection process that tested their intelligence, patience, character, discipline and ability to withstand adverse situations.
“You have faced tough competition among the talented youth of your generation. 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.
He told the officers that receiving the appointment letter was “not the end of your journey” but the beginning of a new one, in which their responsibility would shift from personal achievement to protecting others, serving the people and upholding 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,” Sinha said.
‘PSC selection process strengthened faith in merit’
The Lieutenant Governor also congratulated the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), saying the commission had, in recent years, strengthened the principles of impartiality, transparency and merit in its selection process.
“At a time when doubts are being expressed on institutions many times, I understand that the protection of Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission’s impartiality and trust is like a holy lamp,” he said.
Recalling the earlier system of government recruitment, Sinha said merit-based employment had now become an established practice in Jammu and Kashmir.
“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,” he said.
“But employment with qualifications has been prepared in such a heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, where a government job can only be obtained with your qualifications, hard work and talent,” he added.
Recalling the 2022 Jammu and Kashmir Employment Festival, Sinha said people had begun to believe that children from ordinary and economically weaker families could also aspire to become government officers.
“I remember that in 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir Employment Festival was celebrated with the qualification of a government job. At that time, for the first time, people said that the son of a vegetable vendor can also be a KAS officer,” he said.
“This time has come to Jammu and Kashmir. Even a father can see his son becoming a government officer. Perhaps after a long time, this arrangement was established,” he added.
Sinha said recruitment should be based on merit rather than recommendations and again congratulated the JKPSC for what he described as an impartial and trustworthy selection process.
“In Jammu and Kashmir, a job will not be obtained with a recommendation, but with the qualifications and qualities of a young man,” he said.
‘Uniform is a symbol of service, not power’
The Lieutenant Governor told the selected officers that their responsibilities after completing training would extend beyond a conventional career.
“The responsibility you will take after this training is not just a career, but a mission,” he said, adding that their training at the Sher-i-Kashmir Police Academy (SKPA), Udhampur, would give them an understanding of that mission.
He said discipline, hard work, rigorous training and leadership would become integral parts of their professional lives.
Sinha said the badge on a police uniform should not be seen as a symbol of power over the people, but as a symbol of service and responsibility.
“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.
*Changing terrorism, radicalisation pose new challenges*
The Lieutenant Governor said the security environment in Jammu and Kashmir was changing rapidly, with terrorism increasingly extending beyond 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,” Sinha said.
He said methods of terror financing had also evolved, with cryptocurrencies, money laundering and other emerging mechanisms posing new challenges.
“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.
Sinha said the newly inducted officers would therefore have an important role not only in maintaining security in Jammu and Kashmir but also in the broader national security framework.
‘Police will stand as wall between terrorists and citizens’
After completing their training, the officers would have to act as a protective shield between terrorist forces and ordinary citizens, he said.
“When you wear a 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. This is not a small responsibility,” Sinha said.
He said ensuring the security of every citizen was among the biggest responsibilities entrusted to officials in a democracy and expressed hope that the officers would help instil confidence among people to live without fear.
Sinha also asked the officers to learn from the experience and sacrifices of their seniors in the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Police Force is considered to be a symbol of duty, dedication, love and sacrifice. This is the only force in the country that has faced every challenge related to security with full determination and courage,” he said.
He said the sacrifices and determination of police personnel over the past decades had contributed to establishing peace and urged the new officers to draw lessons from their leadership and experience.
‘Duty not limited to fighting terrorism’
Sinha stressed that the officers’ responsibilities would not be limited to countering terrorism but would also include enforcing the law, protecting citizens’ rights and maintaining social harmony.
“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.
He said the true test of democracy lay in protecting its weakest citizens and called upon 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.
Sinha reminded the officers of the long-standing principle of the J&K Police: “Do not touch the innocent and do not leave the culprit.”
He urged them to take pride in the uniform while ensuring that their conduct remained rooted in honesty, courage and humility.
‘Choose truth and duty, whatever the situation’
The Lieutenant Governor asked the newly selected officers to commit themselves to upholding truth and duty, regardless 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.
Sinha said the appointment also represented the hopes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and called upon the officers to use their authority for justice.
He also expressed gratitude to the parents and relatives of the newly selected officers, saying they had supported their children through the difficult journey and shared their dreams.
“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,” Sinha added.—(KNO)
