Says security situation in J&K has improved significantly

A declining trend in counter-terrorist operations has been observed in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir since 2018, even as 338 security personnel were killed in 676 encounters up to March 2024.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, in its recently released annual report, revealed that 225 civilians lost their lives during this period, while 1,076 militants were neutralised.

“The security situation in J&K has improved significantly. Organised stone pelting and protests have become things of the past. Subsequently, the UT of J&K has witnessed overall development in all sectors,” the report read.

The government said, “Kashmir lit up on Diwali at Mata Sharda Devi Temple in Kupwara district this year for the first time in 75 years.” The temple’s reconstruction aimed to rejuvenate the sacred centuries-old pilgrimage to the Sharda Peeth temple in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

To curb cross-border infiltration, the Centre, in collaboration with Jammu & Kashmir authorities, has implemented a multi-pronged strategy. This includes strengthening border infrastructure, deploying multi-tiered security along the LoC and changing infiltration routes, and installing floodlights along the International Border, among other measures.

The ministry in the report stated that the Centre has encouraged policies to mainstream the youth, including providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy.

The government said 5,720 Kashmiri migrants have been provided government jobs, and 6,000 secure transit accommodations have been approved for those engaged or set to be engaged in government employment.

The report highlighted that the UT government launched an online portal in August 2021, allowing Kashmiri migrants to file grievances related to encroachment, title changes, mutations and distress sales.

“Online services for registration and certificate issuance have been introduced. A total of 1,60,856 domicile certificates, 2,035 Resident of Backward Area (RBA) certificates, 902 EWS certificates and 31,672 migrant certificates have been issued,” the report stated.

A financial assistance of Rs 5.5 lakh is being disbursed to 36,384 displaced families from PoK and Chhamb settled in Jammu & Kashmir under the PMDP-2015. Since the scheme’s inception in 2016, a total of Rs 1,452.34 crore has been provided to 33,636 eligible beneficiaries.

Similarly, the Centre is disbursing Rs 5.5 lakh per family to 5,764 families of West Pakistan refugees who migrated after Partition and settled in various parts of the Jammu region. Since 2018, Rs 82.62 crore has been distributed to 3,237 beneficiaries.

Courtesy: The Tribune India : 4th Jan, 2025