Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a large rally in Kishtwar’s Paddar-Nagseni Assembly constituency on Monday, assured the crowd that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, terrorism in the Jammu region would never return to the levels seen in the 1990s.
Shah, as per news agency KNO, stated, “As long as the Modi government is at the Centre, no power can revive terrorism. We will bury it so deep that it never erupts again.”
In a sharp criticism of National Conference (NC) leader Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Shah questioned Abdullah’s absence during the height of violence in Kishtwar. “He should be asked where he was when bloodshed was rampant. But I know—he was enjoying himself on London’s beaches,” Shah remarked.
Shah accused the NC-Congress alliance of fostering an environment that allowed terrorism and separatism to thrive in Jammu and Kashmir. He added, “These parties pushed Maharaja Hari Singh out of J&K, only to see his mortal remains return. They are responsible for the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990.”
Referring to the government’s support for local defense forces, Shah emphasized that Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and Special Police Officers (SPOs) are now equipped with modern weapons to combat infiltrators. “Infiltrators will be buried in the mountains before they reach the hinterland,” he said.
On the topic of Article 370, Shah reiterated that it was now part of India’s past. “There is no room for Article 370 in the Indian Constitution. This chapter is closed forever,” he declared, calling out NC-Congress for suggesting its revival.
Taking a jab at National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, Shah pointed out that Omar initially declared he wouldn’t contest elections in the Union Territory, only to contest from two seats. “This shows he has already accepted defeat. Let me tell you, you can’t win from either seat,” Shah added.
He also assured that the reservation granted to Gujjars and Paharis would remain protected, promising massive development for Paddar and Kishtwar. Shah urged voters to support BJP’s Sunil Sharma in the constituency, noting that his victory would enhance development efforts alongside Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is already part of the Prime Minister’s Office.
With promises of growth and security, Shah stressed, “Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherji’s vision has been fulfilled. No power can reverse what we have achieved.”