SRINAGAR: Reiterating that stone-pelting and shutdown calls by separatists in Kashmir are now a thing of the past, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, militancy-related incidents in Jammu & Kashmir have reduced by 70 per cent, bringing a new wave of development and investment.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the working of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Shah highlighted how the abrogation of Article 370 has brought stability, economic progress, and security to the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
He said that after the scrapping of Article 370 in 2019, the government led by PM Modi fulfilled the vision of the Constitution’s framers by removing a temporary provision.
Taking a dig at critics questioning the changes since the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K, the Union Home Minister remarked, “For 34 years, cinema halls remained closed in Kashmir, and no Muharram processions were allowed. Now, cinema halls are open, Muharram processions are taken out, and people are living peacefully.”
Referring to the successful conduct of the G-20 summit in Kashmir, Shah said, “Kashmir hosting the G-20 summit has placed it on the global tourism map.”
The Union Home Minister said that the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards militancy has yielded significant results. “Before 2014, militants entered Kashmir from the neighbouring country to carry out bomb blasts and murders. Festivals were celebrated with constant worry. Past governments had a flexible attitude, avoiding strong action for fear of losing votes,” he said.
“After PM Narendra Modi came to power, we implemented a zero-tolerance policy against militancy. There were attacks on Uri and Pulwama, but within 10 days, we responded with airstrikes and surgical strikes,” he added.
Describing Article 370 as the root cause of separatism, Shah said, “It was removed on 5th August 2019, bringing massive changes to J&K. The law-and-order situation has significantly improved, and the region has seen considerable development.”
Crediting security forces for their efforts, Shah said, “I express my gratitude to the thousands of State Police and central paramilitary force personnel who made the supreme sacrifice to strengthen the country’s internal security and borders.” He emphasised that militancy incidents have decreased, and people feel safer.
Shah also spoke about broader security challenges, noting that crime is no longer confined to state boundaries. The MHA is actively tackling inter-state and multi-state crimes like narcotics, cybercrime, organised crime gangs, and hawala operations.
He stated that India has now joined the ranks of Israel and the United States as a nation prepared to defend its borders and forces. “PM Modi has ensured that India’s security forces act decisively and with strength,” he said.
40,000 Government Jobs Created in J&K in Five Years
On employment and economic development in J&K, Shah revealed that 40,000 government jobs were provided in the Union Territory between 2019 and 2024, alongside 1.51 lakh self-employment opportunities.
He said operational skilling clubs are helping young people build careers. “With our attractive industrial policy, Rs 12,000 crore in investment has already materialised, and MoUs worth Rs 1.1 lakh crore have been signed, demonstrating investor confidence in the region,” he added.
‘MHA Works in Challenging Circumstances’
Addressing the functioning of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah said, “The Home Ministry works under very difficult conditions. While law and order are the states’ responsibility, border and internal security fall under the MHA. Although this arrangement is appropriate, crimes like narcotics smuggling, cybercrime, organised crime, and hawala operations transcend state borders, necessitating further involvement from the MHA.”
“In 10 years, PM Modi has implemented long-overdue reforms in the MHA to ensure national security,” he added.
‘Security and Development Were Constantly Challenged’
Shah said that the government inherited several legacy issues in 2014, notably militancy in J&K, Leftist insurgency, and Northeast insurgency. “These three issues obstructed the country’s peace and security and hindered development for nearly four decades, resulting in the deaths of around 92,000 citizens,” he said.
He concluded by emphasising that decisive efforts under PM Modi’s leadership have led to significant progress in overcoming these challenges. (KNO)
