New Delhi: Asserting that abrogation of Article 370 has paved the way for resolving the Kashmir problem, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that it has also led to a sharp decline in violence, “ushering in an era of peace and development in J&K”.
Addressing a function here, Shah, according to the news agency KNO, said, “After the constitutional change in August 2019, the Centre formulated a comprehensive policy focusing on ‘vikas’ (development), education, and poverty-alleviation in Jammu and Kashmir. Alongside, a well-coordinated strategy was drawn up to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.”
“I want to share the results with the country. Between 2004 and 2014, over 7,300 violent incidents were reported in J&K. This figure has now declined to 1,800. Deaths of security personnel have decreased by 65 percent, while civilian deaths have come down by 77 percent,” the Union Home Minister said.
Highlighting the political transformation in the region, Shah pointed out that “for the first time since Independence, panchayat elections were successfully held in Jammu and Kashmir.
“There was a time when Members of Parliament were elected with just 10,000 votes because people boycotted elections. But this has changed. In the district and taluka panchayat president elections, voter turnout touched 99.8 percent. The 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections also witnessed massive public participation, reflecting people’s faith in democracy,” he added.
The Union Home Minister said implementation of all laws in Jammu and Kashmir has brought the region into the mainstream of the nation’s governance. “Today, every law of the country is enforced in the Union Territory. We are firmly on the path of resolving the Kashmir problem and ensuring lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” he added.
