Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said the Centre will consider revoking Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir and it has a roadmap to withdraw security forces in the Union Territory.
In an interview to Gulistan News, Shah said that the government will surely consider revoking AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir in the future.
“The situation is getting normal and we are speedily considering on revoking the AFSPA from Jammu and Kashmir and a state of change is being considered,” he said.
On being asked whether the government is considering decreasing footprints of security forces in J&K in view of improved law and order situation, Shah said the government has already drawn a roadmap for the withdrawal of troops and that the process will be initiated after elections.
"We have plans to withdraw troops and leave law and order to the Jammu and Kashmir Police alone. Earlier, the J&K police was not trusted by New Delhi but today they are at the forefront to tackle any situation," he said.
He said earlier CRPF and security forces would handle the law and order situation, but now the government has empowered the J&K Police and it is now at the forefront to handle any situation.
“We are strengthening J&K police and it has now stood on its feet. Most of the encounters are being conducted by the police now. We only give central forces as a support to them and a culture has changed,” Shah said. “The process for withdrawal for troops has already been initiated, which is why J&K police is at the forefront.”
The Home Minister also said that the Assembly elections in the Union Territory would be held before September.
The Supreme Court had in December 2023 directed the Election Commission to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir by September 30, 2024, after it had upheld the Centre’s 2019 decision to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special status to the region.
“Enshrining democracy in Jammu and Kashmir is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise and it will be fulfilled,” Shah said on Tuesday.
“However, this democracy will not be confined to three families alone and will be a people’s democracy.”
The Home Minister also urged the youth to stay away from “conspiracies” backed by Pakistan.
“Today, Pakistan is shrouded by the scourge of hunger and poverty and even people there see Kashmir as heaven. “I want to tell everyone that if anyone can save Kashmir, it is Prime Minister Modi,” he said.
When asked whether talks will be held with Hurriyat, Shah said discussions would be held with Kashmiri youth but not with organizations affiliated with Pakistan.
“There will be no talks with Hurriyat and Pakistan agents,” he said.
Shah expressed confidence in the Modi government’s vision, stating, “I want to tell the people of Kashmir that they should visit Tattoo ground, Dal Lake, and Gulmarg after three years. They will get to know the future of Kashmir.”
He emphasized the government’s commitment to revitalizing Dal Lake, envisioning it as “one of the world’s most attractive lakes.”
Shah further elaborated on the plans, stating, “A Disneyland-like amusement park will be established at Tattoo ground so that tourists can stay there [in Kashmir] for at least 4-5 days.” Additionally, he highlighted the proposal to adorn the mountains of Gulmarg for a summit reminiscent of Davos.
Assuring a transformative impact on Kashmir’s narrative, Shah asserted, “Once these things are done, there will be a complete change in the discourse of thinking in Kashmir. People who used to talk about stone-pelting will talk about development, employment.”
He emphasized the positive repercussions of these initiatives in bolstering confidence among the people of Jammu and Kashmir.