Srinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the removal of Article 370 has significantly reduced militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, with young people no longer getting drawn into armed groups.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, he claimed that the glorification of militants, once common, has ended under the BJP-led government.Shah pointed out a sharp decline in militancy-related incidents, stating that between 2004 and 2014, J&K witnessed 7,217 such cases, whereas in the past decade, the number has dropped to 2,242. He also said there has been a 70% decrease in deaths due to militancy.
Public funerals for militants, which once saw large gatherings, are no longer allowed, he added. “Now, militants are buried quietly at designated locations, and those who supported them have been removed from government jobs,” Shah said.The Home Minister contrasted the current government’s approach with that of previous administrations.
“Earlier, attacks would happen, and nothing was done. But after Uri and Pulwama, India responded with surgical and air strikes within ten days,” he stated, underscoring the government’s “zero tolerance” policy toward militancy.Shah said improved security has led to the revival of normal life in Kashmir. “Cinema halls are open in the evenings, a G20 meeting was successfully held, and the Muharram procession—banned for decades—was allowed,” he said.
The minister also spoke about employment and economic growth in J&K, mentioning that 40,000 government jobs and 1.51 lakh self-employment opportunities have been created since 2019. Additionally, he said Rs 12,000 crore in investments have materialized, with MoUs worth Rs 1.1 lakh crore signed under the new industrial policy.Defending the abrogation of Article 370, Shah said it fulfilled the dream of India’s Constitution makers.
“This country can have only one Prime Minister, one Constitution, and one flag,” he asserted. [KNT]
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