- Says Terrorism Down By 70% In J&K
- 40,000 Govt Jobs Created Since 2019
New Delhi- 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 the region has undergone a significant transformation since the abrogation of Article 370.
He said terrorism-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have dropped by 70% under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
During the discussion on the working of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Shah emphasized that the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 brought stability, economic progress, and security to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. He stated that by scrapping Article 370, the Modi-led government fulfilled the vision of the Constitution’s framers, removing what he called a “temporary provision.”
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Shah highlighted key changes in J&K, and said, “For 34 years, cinema halls remained closed, and Muharram processions were not allowed. Today, cinema halls are operational, Muharram processions take place, and people live in peace.”
He also pointed to the successful G-20 summit held in Kashmir, stating that it put the region on the global tourism map.
Zero-Tolerance Against Terrorism
The Home Minister asserted that before 2014, terrorists frequently infiltrated Kashmir from across the border, targeting civilians and disrupting festivals. He accused previous governments of maintaining a “flexible” stance on terrorism due to vote-bank politics.
“After PM Modi came to power, we adopted a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. Even after facing attacks in Uri and Pulwama, we responded within 10 days with surgical and airstrikes inside Pakistan. This policy has continued ever since,” he said.
Shah labeled Article 370 as the foundation of separatism in Kashmir, arguing that its abrogation on August 5, 2019, transformed J&K. “Since then, law and order have significantly improved, and the region has witnessed large-scale development,” he claimed.
Security Forces’ Role & India’s Global Standing
Acknowledging the sacrifices of security personnel, Shah expressed gratitude to the state police and central forces for strengthening national security. He claimed that India has now joined nations like Israel and the United States in maintaining a strong defense policy.
“PM Modi has ensured that India’s security forces act decisively and with strength,” he added.
He also spoke about the broader security challenges that India faces, stating that crime is no longer limited to state boundaries and that the MHA is actively tackling inter-state and multi-state crimes like narcotics, cybercrime, organized crime gangs, and hawala operations.
Employment & Economic Development
On the economic front, Shah said that 40,000 government jobs had been provided in J&K between 2019 and 2024, along with 1.51 lakh self-employment opportunities.
He highlighted that skill development centers are now operational, preparing youth for better careers. “Through our industrial policy, ₹12,000 crore worth of investments have materialized, and MoUs worth ₹1.1 lakh crore have been signed, showing strong investor confidence in the region,” he added.
Challenges & Reforms in Home Ministry
Discussing the Home Ministry’s role, Shah noted that while law and order are state responsibilities, modern crimes such as cybercrime, narcotics, organized gangs, and hawala operations often transcend state borders. He said that over the past decade, PM Modi’s government has introduced long-overdue reforms to the MHA to strengthen national security.
Legacy Issues & Security Threats
Shah stated that when the Modi government came to power in 2014, it inherited major security challenges, including terrorism in J&K, left-wing extremism, and insurgencies in the Northeast.
“These issues claimed around 92,000 lives over four decades, yet no structured efforts were made to eliminate them. PM Modi changed that with a clear and decisive approach,” he said.
Emphasizing that national security and development were long compromised due to these conflicts, Shah asserted that the government’s proactive policies have now transformed the situation.
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