Situation normal in Kashmir, Shah tells Rajya Sabha
NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said in Rajya Sabha that total normalcy prevails in Kashmir with government offices and educational institutions functioning fully, but Internet connection will be restored after the local administration feels it is fit to do so.
He also asserted that not a single person has died in police firing since August 5 when the Centre abrogated special status of the state although many feared there would be bloodshed and more killings.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 are prevalent only in certain areas from 8 pm to 6 am in the Valley, he said. Responding to a series of questions on the situation in J&K during Question Hour, Shah said government offices, educational institutes, courts, health centres, banks and media outlets are functioning fully. “As far as Internet service is concerned, an appropriate action will be taken on the recommendation of the local administration. Neighbouring country is still doing some mischief and we will restore the connection as soon as the local administration says it is fit to do so,” he said.
Internet is important in the present day world and it should be restored as early as possible. It is an effective means of communication, he said. “However when it comes to the security of Jammu and Kashmir and for waging war against terrorism, we have to fix our priorities,” he said.
The minister recalled that it was the BJP government which began Internet service in Kashmir way back in 2002 and the mobile service in 2003. To a supplementary on how much more time would be needed to bring
normalcy in Kashmir, Shah said, “The situation there was always normal. There were many notions spread all over the world. There is total normalcy prevailing. Highlighting the normal functioning of life in Kashmir, Shah said Urdu and English dailies and all TV channels are functioning and circulation of newspapers has increased.
As the minister gave out figures supporting normalcy in the Valley, Leader of Opposition in the Upper House, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “It looks like the home minister is referring to the report of some other state.”