Tasaduq Hussain
Srinagar, Oct 23: Stating that Jammu and Kashmir UT is heading toward a new era, the Home Minister of India Amit Shah Saturday said the August 05, 2019 will be written with the golden letters saying that it marked the end of militancy, corruption, nepotism, and dynasty rule. He said the day started a new era of peace and prosperity. The Government of India is committed to hold elections in J&K soon after the delimitation exercise ends and the statehood will be restored post polls.
Shah is on a three-day visit to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing the Youth Club Members of Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar the Home Minister said that “We have given an a fresh start to a new Kashmir. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir is now talking about the development, skill up-gradation, and employment besides scholarships for education compared to what it used to be more than two years ago which include the violence, stone-pelting, and military-related activities.”
He said that August 05, 2019 will be written with the “golden letters.” “It was the end of militancy, corruption, nepotism, and dynasty rule and the new beginning of peace, development, and prosperity for which the youth of Jammu and Kashmir have to contribute”, he said. “Before August 05, 2019, Kashmiri’s wouldn’t have thought of becoming Prime Minister and Home Minister. 70 years gave nothing other than three families to rule the region.”30,000 elected representatives have been given to the region by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Shah said that there were apprehensions that militancy will increase but between 2004 to 2014, a total of 2081 civilians were killed which is 208 every year while between 2014 to 2021 only 30 civilians have died every year which depicts that the militancy has reduced.
“Stone pelting incidents have declined. I assure you that all the elements trying to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir will be given a proper response and no one will be given a chance to act as a hurdle in the prosperity of the region and we are committed to it”, the Home Minister said. On statehood, he said: “”Elections are to be conducted and why do we need to stop the delimitation. Delimitation will happen and after that elections will be held and then statehood status will be restored as I have assured this in the parliament.”
He said that 40,000 individuals have lost their lives so far in Jammu and Kashmir which includes all the security forces, civilians, and militants, and don’t we have to stop this since both militancy and development cannot go together.
He said that the first requirement of development is peace and it’s the job of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir to eliminate militancy from the region and the government can only assist for the same.
“I don’t want to give answers to those who talk about Pakistan but I have come to talk to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. About work on tourism industry, he said that 36,400 tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in the year 2020 while it took a huge jump and a total of 1,13,000 tourists visited J&K in the ensuing year.
He also said that three dynasties have ruled this region and why have 40, 000 people lost their lives. Is there any answer to it. “Some elements were busy creating violence post-August 05 but the curfew was a necessary measure since it could have taken the lives of many youths”, he said. “Internet shut down, Curfew has saved the lives of the youth of Kashmir. Everything is normal, all activities are taking place. Youth are studying. Tourists are coming. Industries will be set up so there is no curfew.”
He said that it was a planned strategy to incite violence by some elements demanding relaxation in the curfew so that clashes erupt and youth get killed so that their political goals were achieved.”
The minister said that Kashmir is the heart of India and every Indian wants peace, development, and prosperity in the valley. “We have to continue with the same. “Youth are responsible for the better tomorrow of J&K”, he said. “We will make J&K an ideal state and no one can stop that besides the youth of Kashmir are now on the right path of development and prosperity”, he said.
