70% Deaths Due to Terrorism Reduced in J&K: BJP’s Amit Shah
In a significant development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that there has been a staggering 70% reduction in deaths due to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) during the tenure of the present government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering the persistent challenges posed by terrorism in the region.
Shah made these comments during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the working of the Home Ministry. His statement comes as a significant boost to the efforts of the government to combat terrorism and maintain peace in the region. The Home Minister’s assertion has also been met with skepticism by opposition parties, who have questioned the accuracy of the numbers and the methods used to achieve this reduction.
According to Shah, the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to J&K, has had a profound impact on the region. He claimed that after the revocation of this article, Indian youths’ involvement with terrorists has “almost disappeared”. This is a significant claim, as the involvement of local youth in terrorist activities has long been a major concern for the government and security agencies.
Shah’s comments have been met with a mixed reaction. While the government and its supporters have hailed the achievement, opposition parties have raised questions about the methodology used to calculate the reduction in deaths due to terrorism. The Congress, in particular, has been critical of the government’s actions, accusing it of misusing statistics to exaggerate its achievements.
However, the data provided by the government does suggest a significant decline in terrorist-related violence in J&K. According to official figures, in 2018, there were 435 terrorist-related incidents in the region, resulting in 96 deaths. In 2022, the number of incidents dropped to 134, with only 27 deaths. This represents a significant reduction of over 70% in the number of terrorist-related incidents and a decline of over 72% in the number of deaths due to terrorism.
The reasons behind this reduction are complex and multifaceted. However, several factors can be identified as contributing to this decline. Firstly, the abrogation of Article 370 and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) have disrupted the terrorist funding networks, making it more difficult for them to operate.
Secondly, the government’s efforts to engage with local communities and provide economic opportunities have helped to reduce the appeal of terrorism. The government’s initiatives, such as the “Back to Village” program, have aimed to improve the livelihoods of local people and provide them with alternative sources of income.
Thirdly, the security forces have been successful in eliminating key terrorist leaders and disrupting their networks. The government’s efforts to improve intelligence gathering and sharing have also helped to prevent terrorist attacks.
Finally, the lack of support from Pakistan, which has historically provided financial and military support to terrorist groups in J&K, has also contributed to the decline in terrorist-related violence.
In conclusion, Amit Shah’s statement that 70% deaths due to terrorism have been reduced in J&K during the present government’s tenure is a significant achievement. While the opposition has questioned the accuracy of the numbers, the data provided by the government suggests a significant decline in terrorist-related violence in the region.
The government’s efforts to engage with local communities, disrupt terrorist funding networks, and eliminate key terrorist leaders have all contributed to this decline. The lack of support from Pakistan has also played a significant role. As the government continues to work towards maintaining peace and stability in J&K, it is essential to acknowledge the progress made so far and build upon these achievements.
