Centre to withdraw troops from Jammu and Kashmir gradually: Amit Shah
New Delhi/IBNS: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the central government is planning to withdraw troops from Jammu and Kashmir gradually and lead the police to take charge.
Speaking to Jammu and Kashmir-based news channel, Gulistan News, Shah said, "Soon the police of Jammu and Kashmir will take care of law and order, and the troops will be withdrawn gradually. We have made a blueprint for seven years, and we are working on strengthening the police of Jammu and Kashmir."
"Most of the violent incidents are handled by the police since they are at the forefront, and the central forces support them. Therefore, a change in the culture can be witnessed," the Home Minister, who claimed the situation in Kashmir is getting back to normal, added.
Speaking of terrorism, Shah said the government will engage in dialogues with the youth of the erstwhile state but not with the organisations "originated from Pakistan".
Shah said, "We will engage in dialogue with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. We won't talk to any organization that originated from Pakistan. They are responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people. We have barred multiple organizations.
"36 individuals have been declared terrorists, and we have registered around 22 cases to break the backbone of terrorism. Rs 150 crore worth of assets have been seized, 90 properties have been attached and 134 bank accounts have been frozen."
Shah, who is apparently the second most important minister in the current regime, said assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be completed by September 30 following the Supreme Court order.
In a historic decision, the Modi government in 2019 withdrew the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, abrogating Article 370 and 35A.
The government bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.