Centre achieved 'decisive control over terrorism' in J&K after abrogation of Article 370, says Amit Shah

He said J&K has managed to attract over Rs 33,000 crore investment while democracy has been taken to the grassroots level

Terming “decisive control over terrorism” after the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as “biggest achievement”, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday said that democracy has been taken to grass-roots level in the Union Territory (UT).

“The biggest achievement of the Centre post abrogation of Article in J&K is that for the first time we have a decisive control over terrorism,” Shah, who is on a two day visit to J&K, said while addressing the CRPF’s 83rd Raising Day in Jammu.

He said that the J&K government has successfully managed to attract over Rs 33000 crore investment while democracy has been taken to the grass-roots level in the UT. “Today, democracy is flourishing across J&K as we have a sarpanch and panchs in every village. Highways are being upgraded and all modern means are being employed to uplift the J&K,” the Home Minister said.

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While praising CRPF, he added that be it maintaining law and order, fighting militancy in J&K or eliminating Naxalites, the force has maintained its tag of being the country's best police force. “The great sacrifices made by CRPF men in the line of duty will be written with golden hearts and the families of martyrs will never be left alone,” Shah said.

The Home Minister also conducted a security review of Jammu and Kashmir with J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, heads of paramilitary forces, Police, and security agencies in Jammu, with the focus on taking the fight to the militants on both sides of Pir Panjal, an official spokesperson said.

He stated that the minister appreciated the improvement in the security situation, reduction in militancy incidents from 417 in 2018 to 229 in 2021 and decrease in the number of security forces personnel martyred from 91 in 2018 to 42 in 2021.

Shah emphasised proactive operations against militants and denying them “safe haven or financial support.”

He also directed the security forces and police to ensure real-time coordination for effective counter-terrorism operations and monitoring activities of terrorists from jails.

The Home Minister also ordered further strengthening of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Jammu & Kashmir to choke narco-terrorism.

Shah said the security grid should be further strengthened to ensure zero cross-border infiltration and to eliminate terrorism completely in order to achieve Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous J&K.

The visit of the Home Minister comes close on the heels of the recent killings of panchayat members and security personnel in Kashmir. At the same time, there has been no let-up in the killings of militants.

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