70% Deaths Due to Terrorism Reduced in J&K: BJP’s Amit Shah
The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, made a significant statement in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, claiming that there has been a 70% reduction in deaths due to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) during the tenure of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. Shah made these remarks during the ongoing discussion on the working of the Home Ministry in the Upper House of Parliament.
Shah’s comments came as a response to the Opposition’s criticism of the government’s handling of terrorism and national security. The Opposition parties, including the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), have been consistently criticizing the government’s policies on J&K and its handling of terrorist activities in the region.
In his statement, Shah attributed the reduction in terrorist-related deaths to the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to J&K. He claimed that the move has led to a significant decrease in the involvement of Indian youths with terrorist organizations.
“India’s youths, who were earlier involved with terrorists, have almost disappeared from the scene,” Shah said, adding that the abrogation of Article 370 has resulted in a “complete change” in the situation in J&K.
Shah’s statement is significant, as it reflects the government’s claim that its policies have been successful in reducing terrorism-related violence in the region. The government has long maintained that the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of J&K into two union territories have led to a decline in terrorist activities.
However, the Opposition parties have been critical of the government’s handling of the situation in J&K. They have alleged that the government’s actions have led to human rights violations and a breakdown of the democratic fabric in the region.
The Congress, in particular, has been vocal in its criticism of the government’s policies on J&K. Party leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the government of using “brute force” to suppress dissent in the region.
TMC leader Derek O’Brien also criticized the government, saying that the situation in J&K was “worse than ever” and that the government’s policies had “failed” to address the issue of terrorism.
While Shah’s statement is likely to be seen as a major achievement for the government, it is important to note that the actual numbers of terrorist-related deaths in J&K are still relatively high. According to official data, a total of 143 security personnel and 34 civilians were killed in terrorist-related incidents in J&K in 2020.
Moreover, the region continues to face significant challenges, including a lack of economic opportunities and a breakdown of the social fabric. The government’s policies on J&K have been criticized for not addressing these underlying issues, which have contributed to the region’s decades-long insurgency.
In conclusion, Amit Shah’s statement that 70% of deaths due to terrorism have been reduced in J&K during the tenure of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is significant, but it is also important to consider the broader context of the situation in the region. While the government’s policies may have led to a decline in terrorist-related violence, they have also been criticized for not addressing the underlying issues that have contributed to the region’s insurgency.
