Jammu and Kashmir sees 32% decline in terrorist incidents till July 30

NEW DELHI: Terrorist incidents in J&K witnessed a 32% decline till July 30 this year as compared to the corresponding period of 2020, the home ministry told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Replying to an unstarred question, minister of state for home Nityanand Rai said that the fall in terrorist incidents was higher at 59% in 2020 as compared to 2019.
Rai informed the members that shops and business establishments, public transport, government offices, educational and health institutions, etc. were functioning normally in the Union Territory of J&K. Yet, in reply to a different question on when statehood of J&K would be restored, Rai stated that it would be granted at an appropriate time after normalcy returns.
Stating that the government had adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and taken various measures such as strengthening of security apparatus, strict enforcement of law against anti-national elements, intensified cordon and search operations to effectively deal with the challenges posed by the terrorist organisations, the minister said the security forces were keeping a close watch on persons who attempt to provide support to terrorists and also initiating action against them.
“The government has also continuously encouraged policies to mainstream the youth, including providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy,” the home ministry said adding that adequate strength of forces were deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for augmenting the counter-insurgency grid, strengthening internal security and maintaining law and order.
Replying to yet another question seeking to know the status of rehabilitation of Kashmir Pandits uprooted from the Valley due to militancy, the home ministry claimed that Kashmiri Pandits have felt more secure in the recent past. This, it said, was evident from the fact that 3841 Kashmiri migrant youths had moved back to Kashmir and taken up jobs in various districts under the Prime Minister’s rehabilitation package.
Another 1997 candidates were selected for jobs under the same package in April 2021 and will be moving to Kashmir soon.
“It is also pertinent to mention that as many as 26,684 Kashmiri Migrant youth showed interest for going back to the Valley by applying for the above referred 1997 posts, which were advertised by the Jammu and Kashmir’s recruitment Board in December, 2020,” said MoS (home) Rai.
He added that the government had prepared a comprehensive policy to provide residential accommodation to Kashmiri migrants moving back to Kashmir. Around 6000 residential units are being constructed for them at an accelerated pace. Already, 1000 residential units are being used by these employees, he stated.