| Article 370 abrogation changed J&K, separatism declined sharply: Amit Shah | |    |  Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 7: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the sense of separatism in Jammu and Kashmir has declined significantly following the abrogation of Article 370, while terrorism-related incidents have steadily decreased and the Union Territory has moved forward on the path of development.
Addressing a press conference on narcotics control in Panaji, Goa, Shah said the government had also made successful efforts to bridge the “mental distance” that existed between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country.
“After the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the feeling of separatism has reduced considerably. The figures of terrorism are gradually shrinking and moving towards zero, and Jammu and Kashmir has progressed on the path of development,” Shah said.
The Home Minister said strengthening the country’s internal security had remained a key priority of the Narendra Modi government since it assumed office.
He said that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge, the country was confronted with three major internal security challenges—rising terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxalism and unrest involving several armed organisations in the Northeast.
The country was also grappling with a series of bomb blasts and serious concerns relating to the safety of women, Shah said.
He said that significant progress had since been made in tackling these challenges, with Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism witnessing a major shift in the security situation.
Referring to Naxalism, Shah said the five-decade-old problem had “almost become a thing of the past”, with several armed cadres surrendering their weapons and joining the mainstream.
“Most of the people who imagined the Red Corridor have today surrendered by laying down arms and are joining the mainstream,” he said.
Shah also highlighted the government’s efforts to restore peace in the Northeast, saying around 11,000 youths had laid down arms and more than 14 agreements had been signed with various groups.
He said the Northeast was now also progressing on the path of development following the improvement in its security situation.
The Home Minister's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir came while he was outlining the government’s broader internal security achievements and its ongoing efforts to tackle challenges, including terrorism, narcotics and organised crime. | | |
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