Normalcy is returning to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) ‘very fast’ and terror incidents in the now centrally administered Union Territory (UT) had substantially come down since August 5, when the Centre abrogated J&K’s special status under Article 370, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted in the Lok Sabha on November 27.
“Terror incidents have been taking place in Jammu and Kashmir for the last 30-35 years. But I must compliment the forces. Terror incidents have now come down to almost nil,” he said.
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The Minister was responding to Congress member K. Suresh’s remark that terror attacks and killing of innocent civilians continued even after the dilution of Article 370.
On Tuesday, two people were killed and seven injured in blasts in Anantnag district. Before this, last month, five migrant labourers from Murshidabad (West Bengal) and two truck drivers were killed by terrorists in separate incidents.
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also wanted to speak on the issue since his constituency is part of Murshidabad but Speaker Om Birla allowed only Mr. Suresh, who charged the government with misleading the House.
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The Minister responded, saying the Army, paramilitary forces and the Jammu and Kashmir police have been coordinating to fight terrorism. In the last five years and six months, except Kashmir, there had been no major incident in the country, he stated.
Last week, Home Minister Amit Shah told the Rajya Sabha that total normalcy prevailed in Kashmir, with government offices and educational institutions functioning fully but Internet connection would be restored after the local administration felt it was fit to do so.
During the Question Hour, National Conference member Hasnain Masoodi had separately raised the issue of Internet and telecommunication blockade for over four months and how it inconvenienced people.
In a related development, the Centre withdrew the J&K Reservation Bill from the Lok Sabha as the Central laws providing quota to the economically backward class are now applicable to the UT as well.
The Bill was moved by Mr. Shah on June 24 to extend reservation benefit to people residing along the International Border.