News Analysis India

Tag: Article 370

  • Farooq Abdullah hits out at BJP over ‘normalcy claims’, says killings won’t stop until ‘justice’ is served 

    By PTI

    JAMMU: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday lashed out at BJP over its claims of normalcy post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and said the killings will never stop until “justice” is served.

    Abdullah, who is a Member of Parliament from Srinagar, said had the situation been improved on the ground, another innocent Kashmiri pandit would not have been killed.

    “It (killings) will never stop as long as there is be no justice,” he told reporters in a brief interaction when asked about his reaction to the latest target killing of a Kashmiri pandit by terrorists in Shopian.

    Puran Krishan Bhat was gunned down by terrorists on Saturday outside his ancestral house in the Chowdhary Gund area of the south Kashmir’s district, where he had gone to look after his orchards.

    Abdullah did not elaborate what “justice” he was talking about, but he was apparently referring to the restoration of Article 370 abrogated by the Centre.

    The National Conference chief had gone to Reasi to express condolences with his party colleague and former minister Jagjeevan Lal on the demise of his sister, and the family of former bureaucrat Babu Lal who had recently passed away.

    “They were making noises that this (terrorism) was the result of Article 370. Today, there is no Article 370 but why such killings are then taking place and who is responsible?” Abdullah, a former J-K chief minister, said.

    The BJP-led government at the centre abrogated Article 370, providing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

    The National Conference, along with four other parties including the PDP, are fighting for the restoration of the special status under the banner of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

    “If the situation had improved (as claimed by the BJP), this innocent pandit would not have been killed. Where is the improved situation as I don’t see it,” he said.

    JAMMU: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday lashed out at BJP over its claims of normalcy post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and said the killings will never stop until “justice” is served.

    Abdullah, who is a Member of Parliament from Srinagar, said had the situation been improved on the ground, another innocent Kashmiri pandit would not have been killed.

    “It (killings) will never stop as long as there is be no justice,” he told reporters in a brief interaction when asked about his reaction to the latest target killing of a Kashmiri pandit by terrorists in Shopian.

    Puran Krishan Bhat was gunned down by terrorists on Saturday outside his ancestral house in the Chowdhary Gund area of the south Kashmir’s district, where he had gone to look after his orchards.

    Abdullah did not elaborate what “justice” he was talking about, but he was apparently referring to the restoration of Article 370 abrogated by the Centre.

    The National Conference chief had gone to Reasi to express condolences with his party colleague and former minister Jagjeevan Lal on the demise of his sister, and the family of former bureaucrat Babu Lal who had recently passed away.

    “They were making noises that this (terrorism) was the result of Article 370. Today, there is no Article 370 but why such killings are then taking place and who is responsible?” Abdullah, a former J-K chief minister, said.

    The BJP-led government at the centre abrogated Article 370, providing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union Territories on August 5, 2019.

    The National Conference, along with four other parties including the PDP, are fighting for the restoration of the special status under the banner of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD).

    “If the situation had improved (as claimed by the BJP), this innocent pandit would not have been killed. Where is the improved situation as I don’t see it,” he said.

  • Centre’s ‘colonial settler project’ initiated: Mehbooba on ECI order for new voters’ registration

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday flayed the Election Commission’s order for registration of new voters in Jammu, charging that the Centre’s “colonial settler project” has been initiated in the region.

    The former J-K chief minister said the BJP’s alleged attempts to create religious and regional divisions between Jammu and Kashmir must be “thwarted” because “whether its a Kashmiri or a Dogra, safeguarding our identity and rights will be possible only if we put up a collective fight”.

    “ECI’s latest order for registration of new voters makes it clear that GOIs colonial settler project has been initiated in Jammu. They will bear the first blow to Dogra culture, identity, employment & business,” she charged on Twitter.

    Her remarks come after authorities in Jammu on Tuesday authorised tehsildars (revenue officials) to issue certificate of residence to those residing in the winter capital for more than one year to facilitate their entry in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls.

    Talking to reporters in Kulgam district in south Kashmir, Mufti said her party has been saying for the last many years now that the “BJP has an ‘illegitimate intent’ behind the abrogation of Article 370”.

    ““Their aim is to change the population ratio in J-K. It will start in Jammu when a sea of people will come to Jammu from outside, which will not only harm the Dogra culture there, but the business, employment and resources there will be attacked. The crime rate there has increased manifold since they opened the doors for the outsiders,”” she alleged.

    “”But, the people of J-K should understand that our future, destiny and our goal is the same. The way the people of Kargil and Leh, Ladakh, foiled the BJP’s divide and rule policy, and stood united to secure their land and jobs, similarly, the people of J-K have to stand united to foil the BJP’s illegitimate intentions, because outsiders, who do not even have a house, will get to vote which means reducing the importance of the vote of the people of J-K,”” she said.

    Mufti claimed that the delimitation of constituencies in J-K was done in such a way that the BJP benefits from it.

    ““But, despite that, they (BJP) feel the people of Jammu are against them as the people of Jammu have understood that the BJP uses them for their electoral benefits. So, they have come up with this voter law which is nowhere else in the country,”” she said.

    District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Avny Lavasa had passed the directive on electoral rolls after taking serious note of some eligible voters facing hardships in registration as voters for non-availability of required documents.

    The Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls has been started in the Union Territory with effect from September 15 for registration of new voters, deletion, correction, transposition of voters who have migrated, died since last summary revision, amid serious concern expressed by various political parties over the inclusion of non-locals as voters.

    The National Conference (NC) said the BJP is “scared” of the elections and knows it will lose badly.

    “The Government is going ahead with its plan to add 25 lakh non-local voters in J&K and we continue to oppose this move. BJP is scared of the elections & knows it will lose badly. People of J&K must defeat these conspiracies at the ballot box,” the NC said in a tweet.

    Peoples Conference said the DC Jammu’s order on facilitating registration of non-locals as electors was “highly suspicious”.

    ““The latest order by DC Jammu authorising revenue officials to issue certificate of residence to outsiders residing in Jammu for more than one year is highly suspicious aimed at enabling them to vote. This goes against the SC judgement on the issue. The onus of proving our suspicions wrong yet again lies on the ECI and the J&K administration. They must clarify if such a directive is permissible,”” the party said on Twitter.

    SRINAGAR: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday flayed the Election Commission’s order for registration of new voters in Jammu, charging that the Centre’s “colonial settler project” has been initiated in the region.

    The former J-K chief minister said the BJP’s alleged attempts to create religious and regional divisions between Jammu and Kashmir must be “thwarted” because “whether its a Kashmiri or a Dogra, safeguarding our identity and rights will be possible only if we put up a collective fight”.

    “ECI’s latest order for registration of new voters makes it clear that GOIs colonial settler project has been initiated in Jammu. They will bear the first blow to Dogra culture, identity, employment & business,” she charged on Twitter.

    Her remarks come after authorities in Jammu on Tuesday authorised tehsildars (revenue officials) to issue certificate of residence to those residing in the winter capital for more than one year to facilitate their entry in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls.

    Talking to reporters in Kulgam district in south Kashmir, Mufti said her party has been saying for the last many years now that the “BJP has an ‘illegitimate intent’ behind the abrogation of Article 370”.

    ““Their aim is to change the population ratio in J-K. It will start in Jammu when a sea of people will come to Jammu from outside, which will not only harm the Dogra culture there, but the business, employment and resources there will be attacked. The crime rate there has increased manifold since they opened the doors for the outsiders,”” she alleged.

    “”But, the people of J-K should understand that our future, destiny and our goal is the same. The way the people of Kargil and Leh, Ladakh, foiled the BJP’s divide and rule policy, and stood united to secure their land and jobs, similarly, the people of J-K have to stand united to foil the BJP’s illegitimate intentions, because outsiders, who do not even have a house, will get to vote which means reducing the importance of the vote of the people of J-K,”” she said.

    Mufti claimed that the delimitation of constituencies in J-K was done in such a way that the BJP benefits from it.

    ““But, despite that, they (BJP) feel the people of Jammu are against them as the people of Jammu have understood that the BJP uses them for their electoral benefits. So, they have come up with this voter law which is nowhere else in the country,”” she said.

    District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Avny Lavasa had passed the directive on electoral rolls after taking serious note of some eligible voters facing hardships in registration as voters for non-availability of required documents.

    The Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls has been started in the Union Territory with effect from September 15 for registration of new voters, deletion, correction, transposition of voters who have migrated, died since last summary revision, amid serious concern expressed by various political parties over the inclusion of non-locals as voters.

    The National Conference (NC) said the BJP is “scared” of the elections and knows it will lose badly.

    “The Government is going ahead with its plan to add 25 lakh non-local voters in J&K and we continue to oppose this move. BJP is scared of the elections & knows it will lose badly. People of J&K must defeat these conspiracies at the ballot box,” the NC said in a tweet.

    Peoples Conference said the DC Jammu’s order on facilitating registration of non-locals as electors was “highly suspicious”.

    ““The latest order by DC Jammu authorising revenue officials to issue certificate of residence to outsiders residing in Jammu for more than one year is highly suspicious aimed at enabling them to vote. This goes against the SC judgement on the issue. The onus of proving our suspicions wrong yet again lies on the ECI and the J&K administration. They must clarify if such a directive is permissible,”” the party said on Twitter.

  • Mehbooba Mufti alleges being placed under house arrest; police say no restrictions

    By Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Former Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday alleged that she has been placed under house arrest but police denied her allegations saying no restrictions were placed on her movement.

    “While HM is going around Kashmir beating drums of normalcy, I am under house arrest for simply wanting to visit Pattan for a worker’s wedding. If an ex-CM’s fundamental rights can be suspended so easily, one can’t even imagine the plight of a commoner (sic),” tweeted Mehbooba Mufti.

    While HM is going around Kashmir beating drums of normalcy,I am under house arrest for simply wanting to visit Pattan for a worker’s wedding.If an ex CM’s fundamental rights can be suspended so easily, one cant even imagine the plight of a commoner.@AmitShah @manojsinha_ pic.twitter.com/5dYSfk8j1f
    — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 5, 2022
    Mehbooba was among the three former Chief Ministers and mainstream leaders arrested and booked under stringent PSA after Article 370 revocation on August 5, 2019. She was later released in October 2020 and since her release, she has been placed under house detention on a few occasions.

    Police, however, denied Mehbooba’s allegation that she was denied permission to travel to Pattan in north Kashmir and placed under house detention.

    “It is clarified that no restriction of any kind travel to Pattan, travel to Pattan was at 1 pm as intimated to us. The picture tweeted by her is of inside of the gate with own lock of residents who stay in the bunglow. There is no lock or any restrictions. She is free to travel (sic),” tweeted Srinagar police.

    I was informed last night by SP Baramulla @bhatray that I wouldn’t be allowed to travel to Pattan. Today @JmuKmrPolice have themselves locked my gates from inside & are now lying through their teeth. Sad that law enforcement agencies are brazenly trying to cover up their tracks. https://t.co/1giIjfy0eE
    — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 5, 2022
    Police also released pictures of the main gate of Mehbooba’s residence. No armoured vehicles were placed at the main gate of Mehbooba’s residence.

    SRINAGAR: Former Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday alleged that she has been placed under house arrest but police denied her allegations saying no restrictions were placed on her movement.

    “While HM is going around Kashmir beating drums of normalcy, I am under house arrest for simply wanting to visit Pattan for a worker’s wedding. If an ex-CM’s fundamental rights can be suspended so easily, one can’t even imagine the plight of a commoner (sic),” tweeted Mehbooba Mufti.

    While HM is going around Kashmir beating drums of normalcy,I am under house arrest for simply wanting to visit Pattan for a worker’s wedding.If an ex CM’s fundamental rights can be suspended so easily, one cant even imagine the plight of a commoner.@AmitShah @manojsinha_ pic.twitter.com/5dYSfk8j1f
    — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 5, 2022
    Mehbooba was among the three former Chief Ministers and mainstream leaders arrested and booked under stringent PSA after Article 370 revocation on August 5, 2019. She was later released in October 2020 and since her release, she has been placed under house detention on a few occasions.

    Police, however, denied Mehbooba’s allegation that she was denied permission to travel to Pattan in north Kashmir and placed under house detention.

    “It is clarified that no restriction of any kind travel to Pattan, travel to Pattan was at 1 pm as intimated to us. The picture tweeted by her is of inside of the gate with own lock of residents who stay in the bunglow. There is no lock or any restrictions. She is free to travel (sic),” tweeted Srinagar police.

    I was informed last night by SP Baramulla @bhatray that I wouldn’t be allowed to travel to Pattan. Today @JmuKmrPolice have themselves locked my gates from inside & are now lying through their teeth. Sad that law enforcement agencies are brazenly trying to cover up their tracks. https://t.co/1giIjfy0eE
    — Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) October 5, 2022
    Police also released pictures of the main gate of Mehbooba’s residence. No armoured vehicles were placed at the main gate of Mehbooba’s residence.

  • Abrogation of Article 370 paved way for providing reservation benefits in J-K, says Amit Shah

    By PTI

    RAJOURI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced that the Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities in Jammu and Kashmir will get reservation benefits in accordance with the recommendations of the Justice Sharma Commission which examined the issue of quota.

    Addressing a rally here, Shah also said there will be no decline in the ST quota of Gujjars and Bakerwals and Paharis and everyone will get their share.

    He said the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has paved the way for providing reservation benefits to the deprived sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The Justice Sharma Commission has recommended and it includes Paharis, Bakerwal and Gujjars for ST quota benefits. These recommendations have been received and soon after completion of legal procedure, Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis will get the reservation benefits,” he said.

    The home minister said some people have tried to instigate the Gujjars and Bakerwals in the name of ST status being given to Paharis but the people have foiled their design.

    Coming down heavily on the Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said earlier that just three political families used to rule the erstwhile state, but now the power is with 30,000 people who were elected to panchayats and district councils through fair elections.

    He said the development of Jammu and Kashmir is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s priority.

    “Earlier, all money sent by the Centre for development was usurped by a few, but now everything is spent on people’s welfare,” he said.

    “I want to appeal to you to free Jammu and Kashmir from the clutches of these three families and to make hands of Modi strong for the betterment and welfare of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. Shah did not take names of the three families. 

    He also said the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is far better now than earlier due to the strong action taken against terrorists by the Modi government.

    “As a result, the death toll of security forces has come down from 1,200 every year to 136 this year,” he said.

    RAJOURI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday announced that the Gujjar, Bakerwal and Pahari communities in Jammu and Kashmir will get reservation benefits in accordance with the recommendations of the Justice Sharma Commission which examined the issue of quota.

    Addressing a rally here, Shah also said there will be no decline in the ST quota of Gujjars and Bakerwals and Paharis and everyone will get their share.

    He said the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 has paved the way for providing reservation benefits to the deprived sections of the society in Jammu and Kashmir.

    “The Justice Sharma Commission has recommended and it includes Paharis, Bakerwal and Gujjars for ST quota benefits. These recommendations have been received and soon after completion of legal procedure, Gujjars, Bakerwals and Paharis will get the reservation benefits,” he said.

    The home minister said some people have tried to instigate the Gujjars and Bakerwals in the name of ST status being given to Paharis but the people have foiled their design.

    Coming down heavily on the Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said earlier that just three political families used to rule the erstwhile state, but now the power is with 30,000 people who were elected to panchayats and district councils through fair elections.

    He said the development of Jammu and Kashmir is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s priority.

    “Earlier, all money sent by the Centre for development was usurped by a few, but now everything is spent on people’s welfare,” he said.

    “I want to appeal to you to free Jammu and Kashmir from the clutches of these three families and to make hands of Modi strong for the betterment and welfare of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. Shah did not take names of the three families. 

    He also said the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is far better now than earlier due to the strong action taken against terrorists by the Modi government.

    “As a result, the death toll of security forces has come down from 1,200 every year to 136 this year,” he said.

  •  PM Modi can restore Art 370 but I can’t convince him to restore it: Azad

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: Former Congress leader and ex-J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can restore Article 370 but he cannot convince him of its restoration.

    “I never said Article 370 cannot be restored. PM Modi can restore Article 370 as he withdrew farm laws.  The farm laws were not withdrawn by the opposition but by PM Modi, whose party has got a majority in the parliament,” Azad told reporters in Srinagar.

    He, however, said he cannot convince Modi to restore Article 370.

    “If any leader from J&K claims that he can convince PM Modi or his cabinet but I cannot convince him on Article 370 restoration. Either PM Modi can restore it on his own or 2/3rd majority is needed for its restoration,” the former J&K Chief Minister said.

    In his first rally in north Kashmir’s Baramulla on Sunday after quitting Congress, Azad said it was unlikely that Article 370 would be restored as 2/3rd majority was needed in the parliament and the opposition was unable to get it.

    After his remarks on Article 370, J&K Congress leaders accused Azad of being a BJP’s man and PM Modi’s advocate in J&K with an agenda to divide secular votes to benefit the saffron party.

    On August 5, 2019 centre scrapped J&K’s special status and bifurcated J&K state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

    Azad said after Article 370 was repealed, petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging its abrogation. “Three years have passed by and not a single hearing has taken place yet”.

    “No date has been given when it will be put for hearing. When the date is given, we don’t know how long the hearings will continue. We don’t know on whose favour the court will give its verdict,” he said adding “Can any leader claim that he will get a favourable judgement from the Supreme Court. No”.

    “I don’t want to deceive people and don’t want to keep them under false hope. Whether people vote for me or not, I will never give a slogan which is not in my hand,” the former Congress leader.    

    On the accusation that he was playing second fiddle to BJP in J&K, Azad said it was not him but some Congress leaders, who were helping the BJP in achieving Congress-mukt Bharat.

    SRINAGAR: Former Congress leader and ex-J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can restore Article 370 but he cannot convince him of its restoration.

    “I never said Article 370 cannot be restored. PM Modi can restore Article 370 as he withdrew farm laws.  The farm laws were not withdrawn by the opposition but by PM Modi, whose party has got a majority in the parliament,” Azad told reporters in Srinagar.

    He, however, said he cannot convince Modi to restore Article 370.

    “If any leader from J&K claims that he can convince PM Modi or his cabinet but I cannot convince him on Article 370 restoration. Either PM Modi can restore it on his own or 2/3rd majority is needed for its restoration,” the former J&K Chief Minister said.

    In his first rally in north Kashmir’s Baramulla on Sunday after quitting Congress, Azad said it was unlikely that Article 370 would be restored as 2/3rd majority was needed in the parliament and the opposition was unable to get it.

    After his remarks on Article 370, J&K Congress leaders accused Azad of being a BJP’s man and PM Modi’s advocate in J&K with an agenda to divide secular votes to benefit the saffron party.

    On August 5, 2019 centre scrapped J&K’s special status and bifurcated J&K state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

    Azad said after Article 370 was repealed, petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging its abrogation. “Three years have passed by and not a single hearing has taken place yet”.

    “No date has been given when it will be put for hearing. When the date is given, we don’t know how long the hearings will continue. We don’t know on whose favour the court will give its verdict,” he said adding “Can any leader claim that he will get a favourable judgement from the Supreme Court. No”.

    “I don’t want to deceive people and don’t want to keep them under false hope. Whether people vote for me or not, I will never give a slogan which is not in my hand,” the former Congress leader.    

    On the accusation that he was playing second fiddle to BJP in J&K, Azad said it was not him but some Congress leaders, who were helping the BJP in achieving Congress-mukt Bharat.

  • Over 88 per cent drop in law and order incidents in Kashmir since Article 370 abrogation: Police

    The police said while 124 civilians were killed in law and order situations in Kashmir in the three years prior to August 5, 2019, no civilian was killed in such situations since then.

  • Article 370 revocation: Militancy violence and L&O incidents declined in 3 years

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR: The militancy violence and law and order incidents in Valley declined significantly and 174 police and security men and 110 civilians were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state into two Union Territories (UTs) by the centre on August 5, 2019, according to police data.

    While sharing figures about pre and post Article 370 security scenarios in the militancy-hit Valley, police said 174 police and security men were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir in a three years period from August 5, 2019 till August 4, 2022.

    During the three years period, pre Article 370 revocation (5-8-2016 to 4-8-2019) 290 police and security men were killed in the militancy violence.

    On August 5, 2019, centre scrapped J&K’s special status and bifurcated J&K into two UTs – Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

    The police data further state that as against 930 militancy incidents in three years before Article 370 revocation, 617 militancy-related incidents were reported in the Valley in three years post Article 370 abrogation.

    It states that civilian killings also witnessed a decline in the three-year period post Article 370 revocation.

    “110 civilians were killed in three years post Article 370 revocation while 191 civilians died in militancy violence in three years before Article 370 abrogation,” reveals the police data.

    The data further reveals that there was no civilian casualty in the law and order situation in the Valley after Article 370 revocation.

    “In three years before Article 370 revocation, 124 civilians were killed in law and order situations in the Valley,” it states.

    There has also been a big drop in law and order incidents in the last three years.

    As against 3686 law and order incidents in Valley in three years before Article 370 revocation, only 438 law and order incidents were reported in Kashmir in three years post Article 370 abrogation, reveals the data.

    The authorities had imposed a security clampdown in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Article 370 revocation on August 5, 2019 to prevent backlash against abrogation of J&K’ s special status. All top mainstream leaders including three former J&K Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah were arrested. The three former CMs were among a dozen mainstream leaders booked under stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).

    Besides, separatist leaders and activists, civil society members, traders, lawyers, youth were also arrested and lodged in jails within and outside J&K.

    SRINAGAR: The militancy violence and law and order incidents in Valley declined significantly and 174 police and security men and 110 civilians were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state into two Union Territories (UTs) by the centre on August 5, 2019, according to police data.

    While sharing figures about pre and post Article 370 security scenarios in the militancy-hit Valley, police said 174 police and security men were killed in militancy violence in Kashmir in a three years period from August 5, 2019 till August 4, 2022.

    During the three years period, pre Article 370 revocation (5-8-2016 to 4-8-2019) 290 police and security men were killed in the militancy violence.

    On August 5, 2019, centre scrapped J&K’s special status and bifurcated J&K into two UTs – Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).

    The police data further state that as against 930 militancy incidents in three years before Article 370 revocation, 617 militancy-related incidents were reported in the Valley in three years post Article 370 abrogation.

    It states that civilian killings also witnessed a decline in the three-year period post Article 370 revocation.

    “110 civilians were killed in three years post Article 370 revocation while 191 civilians died in militancy violence in three years before Article 370 abrogation,” reveals the police data.

    The data further reveals that there was no civilian casualty in the law and order situation in the Valley after Article 370 revocation.

    “In three years before Article 370 revocation, 124 civilians were killed in law and order situations in the Valley,” it states.

    There has also been a big drop in law and order incidents in the last three years.

    As against 3686 law and order incidents in Valley in three years before Article 370 revocation, only 438 law and order incidents were reported in Kashmir in three years post Article 370 abrogation, reveals the data.

    The authorities had imposed a security clampdown in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Article 370 revocation on August 5, 2019 to prevent backlash against abrogation of J&K’ s special status. All top mainstream leaders including three former J&K Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah were arrested. The three former CMs were among a dozen mainstream leaders booked under stringent Public Safety Act (PSA).

    Besides, separatist leaders and activists, civil society members, traders, lawyers, youth were also arrested and lodged in jails within and outside J&K.

  • First assembly polls in sight, Congress set to replace its J-K chief

    Express News Service

    SRINAGAR:  In a bid to end factionalism and revive the party ahead of first Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, the Congress is looking to replace its J&K Congress chief, Ghulam Ahmed Mir.

    Sources said meetings of party leaders were held in New Delhi to discuss the change. In the meetings, AICC general secretary (org) KC Venugopal, in-charge J&K Rajni Patil and Mir, discussed the probable names to take up the post.

    Six names three each from Kashmir and Jammu — are said to be under consideration for the post in J&K Congress, which is ridden with factionalism. While Vikar Rasool, G M Saroori and Manohar Lal are the candidates from Jammu, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Tariq Hamid Karra and Ghulam Nabi Monga are in the race from Kashmir.

    The party may prefer a leader from Jammu region in view of the changed political scenario and increase of seven Assembly seats in the region after the revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state in 2019. According to sources, Rasool, a former minister, is the top favourite as he is accepted by all and is also close to former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

    He was one among the dissident J&K Congress leaders who had written a letter to party chief Sonia Gandhi seeking Mir’s removal. Mir was appointed to the post in 2014. During his tenure, the party did not fare well in 2014 Assembly polls and he himself lost the parliamentary election from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in 2019. 

  • Post removal of Article 370, terror activities declined & investment environment created in J-K: FM

    She added, 250 “unjust and discriminatory” state laws too have been removed, and 137 were modified.

  • J&K delimitation: Panel’s proposal upsets political parties at Valley

    Express News Service

    SRI NAGAR/NEW DELHI: Of the seven additional seats that will be created in Jammu and Kashmir following a redrawing of the union territory’s assembly seats, the delimitation commission has proposed that six seats will go to the Jammu region and only one to Kashmir.

    The proposal, spelt out at a meeting of the commission with its five associate members in New Delhi on Monday, has expectedly upset Kashmir-based political parties, which had hoped that the panel would increase four seats in Kashmir and three in Jammu.

    The parties’ expectation is based on the 2011 census. As per the census, J&K has a population of 122.39 lakh of which 68.88 lakh, or 56.28 %, are in Kashmir and 53.50 lakh, or 43.71%, are in Jammu. The delimitation exercise is being carried out as per the 2011 census.

    If the proposal goes through, the 90-member assembly will have 43 members from Jammu and 47 from Kashmir. Before the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of J&K and Ladakh, the assembly had a total strength of 87 with 46 in Kashmir, 37 in Jammu and four in Ladakh.

    After Ladakh’s separation the J&K assembly was reduced to 83 but after the enactment of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the strength was increased to 90. For the first time in its history, the J&K assembly will have nine seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes. Seven seats will continue to be reserved for Scheduled Castes.

    In the erstwhile J&K, assembly seats were drawn under the J&K constitution and the J&K Representation of the People Act, 1957, which did not have any provision for reservation of seats for STs. It is not clear which communities will be categorized as STs but the expectation is that Gujjars, Bakerwals, Gaddis and Sippis will get the benefit.

    While a majority of Gujjars and Bakerwals are in Jammu, many are also in south Kashmir. The Gaddis and Sippis, who are Hindus, are overwhelmingly Jammu-based. (Optional para)

    Former chief minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said the draft recommendation was unacceptable. “It is deeply disappointing that the commission appears to have allowed the political agenda of the BJP. Contrary to the promised “scientific approach” it’s a political approach,” he tweeted.

    But union minister Jitendra Singh said the draft was objectively prepared. “All associate members regardless of the parties appreciated work done by delimitation commission,” he said.

    The delimitation commission headed by Justice (Retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai has five associate members: the NC’s Farooq Abdullah, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi and Mohammad Akbar Lone and the BJP’s Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore. The associate members have been asked to file their objections by December 31.

    (With Inputs from Kumar Vikram In New Delhi)