66 Percent Decline in Terrorist Incidents in J-K After Removal of Article 370

Defense News ,India :- Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared a paradigm shift towards peace in Jammu and Kashmir, citing a significant 66% reduction in terrorist incidents and an 81% drop in civilian casualties since the revocation of Article 370. In a virtual address, Shah attributed this transformation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, emphasizing the region's evolution from a terrorism hotspot to a burgeoning tourism destination.

As part of the celebration, Shah virtually inaugurated 100 e-buses in Jammu and handed out appointment letters to Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers and compassionate appointees. He shared, "There has been a fall of 66% in terrorism-related incidents, an 81% decline in civilian killings, and a 48% decrease in security force fatalities since the scrapping of Article 370."

Highlighting the positive changes, Shah revealed that no organized stone-pelting incidents occurred in 2023, compared to 2,654 in 2000. He also noted the absence of organized shutdowns in 2023, contrasting with 132 occurrences in 2010. Furthermore, he pointed out that no civilian lives were lost due to stone-pelting in 2023, unlike the 112 casualties recorded in 2010. The minister emphasized the significant decrease in incidents of stone-pelting-related injuries, citing 6,235 civilian injuries in 2010.

Shah underscored the successful efforts in curbing terror financing, including the sealing and attachment of properties and the banning of several terror organizations. He commended the prime minister for the remarkable transformation of Jammu and Kashmir, once synonymous with terrorism, into a thriving tourism hub.

Contrary to skeptics who predicted minimal impact following the scrapping of Article 370, Shah pointed out the substantial positive changes. The region, once marred by bomb blasts and unrest, has transitioned into a space focused on education, with the establishment of schools, colleges, medical institutions, management centers, industries, and infrastructure.

The minister highlighted the economic progress, revealing that investments in Jammu and Kashmir surged from Rs 297 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 2,153 crore in 2022-23, with nearly Rs 6,000 crore more in the pipeline. Jammu and Kashmir's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has also seen a noteworthy increase from Rs 1 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 2,27,927 crore in 2022-23.

In a final appeal, Shah urged the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to actively participate in the democratic process by enrolling as voters. He acknowledged the positive contributions of the tech-savvy youth, with over 7 lakh individuals engaging in sports, signaling a promising trajectory for the region's progress.