Restoration of Statehood after elections: Shah
Extends hand of friendship to Kashmiri youth
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 23: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today grilled security agencies and administration for failing to contain the militancy, bring peace in Kashmir and carry out rapid development of Jammu and Kashmir post Aug 2019.
Shah lambasted security agencies and administration during a crucial security review meeting at Raj Bhawan in Srinagar during which recent civilian killings, radicalisation and the prolonged encounter in Poonch were discussed besides infiltration.
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An official said that Home Minister was furious and heavily criticized all the security agencies including Police, Army, Intelligence Bureau and other para-military forces for lack of coordination amongst them which he said has led to rise in incidents of militancy in Kashmir.
“The Home Minister told the meeting that main objective of the historic decision of abrogation of Article 370 was to bring peace to Kashmir. He lashed out them for failing to achieve the objective”, the official said.
“Shah stated why militants managed to carry out these killings despite deployment of security forces personnel in large numbers in Srinagar and other districts. He also enquired as to why militants managed to kill non-local labourers despite killing of record number of militants in counter militancy operations since 2019,” the official said.
He stressed on framing a joint strategy for providing security to areas where minorities live, and for starting a well-thought-out counter radicalisation steps across the Valley.
The Home Minister sought immediate counter strategy and stepped up vigil by the security forces and intelligence agencies to prevent target killings and hybrid militancy. He also laid special emphasis on preventing the social media challenges including radicalisation propaganda etc through innovating technical moves.
The official said that Shah sought details of active militants, local- militant recruitment graphs and the radicalisation propaganda being used to lure youth into militancy.
Shah also lashed out at the administration for failing to utilise the funds meant for the development in J&K. He raised questions about the lack of pace of developmental process in J&K.
The senior officers of Police, Army and Intelligence Bureau gave a detailed presentation about security situation in J&K during the meeting which was attended by the top officials of police, army, CRPF, BSF and the intelligence Bureau.
They gave detailed presentation about the security forces modus operandi in tackling the militancy, countering radicalization, grey areas and steps they are taking to fight militancy, challenges they are facing and future strategy.
Shah was told that this year 32 civilians were killed in militancy related incidents against 41 last year. He was also told that this month almost 15 militants including those involved in the killing of non-local labourers and minority community members were killed.
“This year 124 militants were killed, including 54 newly recruited militants and that 98 local youth joined militancy, a figure far less than the last year,” he was told by the security agencies.
On the infiltration bids, the Union Home Minister stressed on taking all possible measures to plug the infiltration completely.
He was also given a detailed presentation about the efforts by the army to stop infiltration bids along the LoC. He was told that several infiltration attempts were foiled in Kashmir this year due to alert army troops on the LoC.
However, on Poonch operation, the Union Home Minister was told it seems that a fresh group had infiltrated that has been engaged by troops for the last 13 days at DKG and at Bhata-Dhurian during which army suffered fatal casualties.
He sought details of the ongoing encounter and directed the security agencies to find out how the militants are managing to prolong it and whether they were getting support from across.
Later addressing the Youth Club Members of Jammu and Kashmir a function in Rajbhwan, Shah said that Jammu and Kashmir is heading towards a new era of peace and prosperity and Statehood would be restored after the holding of elections.
“The Government of India is committed to hold elections in J&K soon after the delimitation exercise ends and the statehood will be restored post polls”, he said.
“Elections are to be conducted and why do we need to stop the delimitation. Delimitation will happen and after that elections will be held and then statehood status will be restored as I have assured this in the Parliament”, Shah said in his address.
He said the August 5, 2019 will be written with the golden letters saying that it marked the end of militancy, corruption, nepotism, and dynasty rule.
“It was the end of militancy, corruption, nepotism, and dynasty rule and the new beginning of peace, development, and prosperity for which the youth of Jammu and Kashmir have to contribute”, he said.
Without naming National Conference, PDP and Congress, the Home Minister said that their contribution was nothing to Jammu and Kashmir. “Before August 5, 2019, Kashmiri’s wouldn’t have thought of becoming Prime Minister and Home Minister. 70 years gave nothing other than three families to rule the region. 30,000 elected representatives have been given to the region by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government”, he said.
On the other hand, he said that BJP gave a fresh start to New Kashmir. “We have given a fresh start to a new Kashmir. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are now talking about the development, skill up-gradation, and employment besides scholarships for education compared to what it used to be more than two years ago which include the violence, stone-pelting, and military-related activities”, he said.
The Home Minister said that there were apprehensions that militancy will increase but between 2004 to 2014, a total of 2081 civilians were killed which is 208 every year while between 2014 to 2021 only 30 civilians have died every year which depicts that the militancy has reduced.
“Stone pelting incidents have declined. I assure you that all the elements trying to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir will be given a proper response and no one will be given a chance to act as a hurdle in the prosperity of the region and we are committed to it”, the Home Minister said.
Shah extended a hand of friendship to the youth in Jammu and Kashmir and sought their support to strengthen democracy.
“I have come here to make friends with the youth in Kashmir. I have come here to seek your support. I extend a hand of friendship. Come forward and strength the democracy,” Shah said.
The Union Minister said no one would be allowed to disrupt peace in Kashmir and those who will create hurdles in the path of development won’t be spared.
The Home Minister said that 40,000 individuals have lost their lives so far in Jammu and Kashmir which includes all the security forces, civilians, and militants, and don’t we have to stop this since both militancy and development cannot go together.
He said that the first requirement of development is peace and it’s the job of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to eliminate militancy from the region and the government can only assist for the same.
“I don’t want to give answers to those who talk about Pakistan but I have come to talk to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
About work on Tourism sector, Shah said that 36,400 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2020 while it took a huge jump and a total of 1,13,000 tourists visited J&K in the ensuing year.
He also said that three dynasties have ruled this region and why have 40, 000 people lost their lives. “Is there any answer to it? Some elements were busy creating violence post-August 5 but the curfew was a necessary measure since it could have taken the lives of many youths”, he said.
“Internet shut down and curfew saved the lives of the youth of Kashmir. Everything is normal, all activities are taking place. Youth are studying. Tourists are coming. Industries will be set up so there is no curfew”, he said.
The Home Minister said that it was a planned strategy to incite violence by some elements demanding relaxation in the curfew so that clashes erupt and youth get killed so that their political goals were achieved.
He added that Kashmir is the heart of India and every Indian wants peace, development, and prosperity here. “We have to continue with the same. Youth are responsible for the better tomorrow of J&K”, he said.
“We will make J&K an ideal state and no one can stop that besides the youth here are now on the right path of development and prosperity”, he said.
The CEO Mission Youth conducted the proceedings of programme and also presented vote of thanks.
HM meets family of martyr Insp
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 23: In his first visit to the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today met the family of martyr Jammu and Kashmir Police officer Parvaiz Ahmad.
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Shah visited the house of slain Police Inspector Parvaiz Ahmad, who was killed by militants recently.
“Today visited the family of martyr Parvaiz Ahmad Dar and paid tributes to him. I and the nation are proud of his bravery. Jammu and Kashmir Police is making all efforts to realise the vision of PM”, the Home Minister tweeted.
He met Fatima Akhtar wife of Parvaiz Ahmad and handed her official papers for a Government job.
Shah was accompanied by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and DGP Dilbag Singh. He told the family that he is proud of Parvaiz’s bravery who sacrificed his life for the nation.
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