Shah plans to revoke AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir, addressing concerns from J&K and northeastern states, with PDP president Mehbooba Mufti supporting the move.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Central Government plans to revoke the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir. The move aims to withdraw troops from the Union Territory and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Shah also mentioned the controversial AFSPA, which grants armed forces sweeping powers to search, arrest, and open fire in disturbed areas for public order maintenance. The move aims to ensure the safety of the armed forces in Jammu.
Shah’s AFSPA Assertion
Shah stated that AFSPA has been removed in 70% of northeastern states, despite its presence in J&K. Demands from organizations and individuals in J&K and northeastern states have been made to revoke the AFSPA. Shah emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of enshrining democracy in Jammu and Kashmir will be fulfilled.
Reservations for OBCs in J&K
Shah announced that the Modi government has granted OBCs in J&K for the first time, with women receiving a one-third reservation. OBC reservations have been made in panchayats and urban local bodies, while Pahadis have received a 10% reservation.
Comments to NC and PDP Leaders
Shah criticized National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti for acrimony over reservations, claiming they had no right to speak on the issue as people already understood their intentions and questioned their motives.
Security and Interacting in Kashmir
Shah emphasized the Constitution’s protection against fake encounters in Kashmir, stating that no such incidents have occurred in the last five years. He urged dialogue with Kashmir youths, not Pakistan-rooted organizations, as peace cannot be bought and must be achieved within the Constitution’s ambit. Shah emphasized India’s unity with the POK, stating that the Hurriyat Conference is irrelevant and that the POK’s land belongs to all Indians.
Home Minister Amit Shah’s figure
- The Home Minister said in 2010, there were 2564 incidents of stone-pelting, which is now zero.
- From 2004 to 2014, there were 7217 terror incidents. That has been reduced to 2227 from 2014 to 2023, and this is almost a 70% reduction, he said.
- Mr. Shah said the total number of deaths from 2004 to 2014 was 2829, and it has come down to 915 during 2014–23, which is a 68% decrease.
- The number of deaths of civilians was 1770 and has decreased to 341, which is an 81% drop. The deaths of security forces decreased from 1060 to 574, which is a 46% decrease, he said.
- The senior BJP leader said that without the support of the people, such a comprehensive change can never take place.
- “The people who talk about Islam should know that 85% of the deceased were our Muslim brothers and sisters,” he said.
- He said the Modi government has banned 12 organizations for their involvement in terror activities, designated 36 individuals as terrorists, registered more than 22 cases to stop terror finance, and seized properties worth Rs 150 crore.
- As many as 90 properties were also attached, and 134 bank accounts have been frozen, he said.
- At last, Shah praised the Modi Government for saving Kashmir, urging youths to avoid Pakistan’s conspiracies and boosting security forces morale by providing jobs to martyrs’ families.
Better Late Than Never: Mehbooba on Home Minister’s Statement on AFSPA
Mehbooba Mufti, the PDP president, welcomed Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposal to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir. She hoped it wouldn’t be a “Jumelbaazi” like the BJP’s promise of providing two crore jobs annually. Mufti hoped the government would fulfill its commitment to AFSPA revocation, providing relief to the people of the UT.
“One can only hope that they fulfill their commitment, at least in this case, since it would bring a huge relief to the people of J&K. To walk the talk, perhaps MHA can start by releasing journalists & thousands of young Kashmiri boys currently languishing in jails without any charges or prosecution,” she added.