NEW DELHI, July 28: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has said full statehood will be reinstated in Jammu and Kashmir at an “appropriate time” after normalcy is restored.
In a written response to Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi in Rajya Sabha, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said statehood to Jammu and Kashmir would be granted at an appropriate time after normalcy is restored.
The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was stripped of its statehood on August 5, 2019 after the removal of Articles 370 and 35A. The state was bifurcated into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
In a separate response to BJP MP Sasmit Patra over the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Nityanand Rai stated that terrorist incidents were reduced in Jammu and Kashmir during 2020 by 59 per cent as compared to 2019 and 32 per cent up to June 2021.
Nityanand Rai said in the written response that the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and has taken various measures such as strengthening the security, intensified cordon and search operations to effectively deal with the challenges posed by the terrorist organisation. The security forces also keep a close watch on persons who attempt to provide support to terrorist groups, the minister said in his response.
On the issue of rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, the MHA said currently, there are 900 families of Kashmiri Pandits and Dogra Hindus living in Kashmir. The government is taking all steps to ensure their safety, the MHA said. (India Today)