‘Militancy incidents decline by over 67 pc’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, May 29: Giving full credit to Narendra Modi Government in restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir by turning tough towards militants and their over ground supporters, Union Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt said here today that there has been over 67 percent decline in militancy related violence in J&K during Modi rule.
The Union Minister, who was interacting with journalists on completion of nine years of Modi Government presented a complete report card on the performance of the BJP Government at Centre.
Maintaining that Kashmir is returning to normalcy and attaining the name of being paradise on earth again, Bhatt said J&K’s borders are totally safe at present. He said many bold decisions were taken by this Government for safeguarding the borders as in many border areas difficult tunnels and roads were constructed. He said in last 70 years country lagged the road network in border areas.
He said the situation totally changed after August 5, 2019 when Modi Government took a bold decision of abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A and it proved all those leaders wrong who had warned that blood will spill on roads if the special status granted to J&K was touched. But instead of that the peace has returned to Valley fast and development is getting pace, he added.
“There was no blood bath in the Valley after abrogation of 370 but the tremendous development has been witnessed from all sides,’’ he said.
Bhatt said he met people in Kashmir to ascertain their views after abrogation of Article 370 who told him that their children are on the path of progress and they are cracking MBBS, Engineering and Civil Services examinations. The house boats, lodges and hotels are full of tourists and there is no space left, he added.
The Union Minister said that Modi Government is so concerned for development of J&K that Rs 28,400 crore for works under Central Schemes were sanctioned for UT.
He said after the abrogation of Article 370, new 890 Central laws were implemented in J&K for the welfare of the people while 250 obsolete laws of erstwhile State were scrapped.
The Union Minister, who was flanked by BJP, UT president, Ravinder Raina, MP, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Chairperson, Wakf Board, Dr Darakhshan Andrabi and Mayor Jammu, Rajinder Sharma termed the holding of G 20 meeting in Srinagar a great achievement of the present Government at Centre and said that Modi has emerged as the tallest world leader now. “The entire world looks towards his leadership’’, he said, adding “It has been his charisma that the Australian Prime Minister termed him as boss while the Prime Minister of an African country bowed before his leadership’’.
Ajay Bhatt said that G20 gave a message to entire world that situation is totally normal in Kashmir and foreign tourists also visited in large numbers in the Valley.
Bhat took a strong dig at Opposition parties for boycotting the inaugural ceremony of new Parliament building in New Delhi yesterday. He said they (Opposition) have no courage to listen anything and they believe in opposing the every good work of the Government just for the sake of opposition.
He, while recalling his visit to Jammu & Kashmir during the Ekta Yatra with then BJP president, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi in 1991, said that there is a discernible change in Jammu and Kashmir now which remained totally affected by militancy for last over three decades.
He said two days prior he was in Srinagar and he saw a total change in Kashmir at present which is the result of the pro people development oriented policies of Narendra Modi Government. “In the cultural event organized during G20 Summit in Srinagar the foreign visitors danced with local artists which shows that there is a lot of change in the ground situation now,’’ he added.
Bhatt said during his last visit to border district of Kupwara in North Kashmir he saw huge rush of tourists and all lodges were full in entire Valley. Admitting that the people of J&K suffered a lot due to turmoil, he said “I have earlier seen there was a lot of fear in Kashmir and people or outsiders visiting Valley prefer to remain indoors,’’ he added.
The Minister said in Ladakh sector world’s highest defence road was constructed in Om Linga and tourists spots were also established there. The tourists now visit there. The area has Oxygen deficiency and the Government established Oxygen huts there for visiting tourists, he added.
Bhatt termed the INS Vikrant as the greatest achievement of present Government and said that India has become now exporter of defence equipments instead of being importer of the same. “The Philippines import Brahmos from India. Foreign countries import bullet proof jackets from India now,. All steps are being taken by Modi Government to make India self reliant in every field as this Government is committed that the poorest of poor should stand upon his own legs and lead a self esteemed life’’, he added.
He said India brought back 23000 stranded people during Russia -Ukraine war and even it helped Pakistan and evacuated its people trapped in the war. “Likewise we evacuated 300 Indian people from war ravaged Sudan,’’ he added.
He said Pakistan which has been threatening India is facing worst food crisis at present while Modi Government provide free ration to 80 crore people and also free vaccine to countrymen during COVID pandemic.
Asserting that Modi transformed the country, he said England which had opposed freedom to India has been surpassed by India as we emerged as fifth largest economy of the world now. “This is the greatest contribution of Modi rule’’, he added.
He said the speed of construction of National Highways in 2013-14 was 91287 kms which stands 143240 kms at present. There were 70 airports in 2013-14 whose strength has risen to 148 now which is more than double in nine years. He said there were eight AIIMS in 2013-14 whose number is now 16.
He said in China where from COVID spread, the people over 60 years age were not given vaccination while India vaccinated every one irrespective of age.
He said in 2014 there were 614 medical colleges in the country having a capacity of 82486 medical seats while the number of medical colleges in the country rose to 1341 during last nine years of Modi Government and the seats increased to 1,52,129.
The Minister said a sea change in the development and progress of the country has taken place during Modi rule and recalled the valour of Indian security forces who gave a befitting reply to China in Galwan, Ladakh.
Earlier BJP chief spokesman, Advocate Sunil Sethi introduced the Minister with media persons while Party spokesperson Abhijeet Jasrotia introduced the media persons with the Minister. The vote of thanks was proposed by Ritika.
Later, Ajay Bhatt visited the Headquarters of ‘Project Sampark’ of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) here and reviewed the progress of works being undertaken for enhancing the strategic needs of the security forces, a defence spokesman said.
Bhatt was briefed in detail by Chief Engineer Brigadier Tejpal Singh on the entire panorama of works carried out ranging from enhancing defence potential of our forces as well as constructing and maintaining our strategic lines of communication, he said.
The Union Minister of State for Defence was briefed on the use of new technologies for road construction, the spokesman said.
Bhatt was also briefed about various welfare measures undertaken for the entire rank and file, he said.
Bhatt appreciated the commendable work done by BRO personnel and also paid solemn homage to the bravehearts, the spokesman said.
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