Normalcy, peace returned after Art 370 move: Centre

The abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which had conferred special status on Jammu & Kashmir, has led to “unprecedented development, progress, security and stability to the region”, the Union government told the Supreme Court on Monday, adding that “life has returned to normalcy in the region after three decades of turmoil.”

- Utkarsh Anand

 

Defending its 2019 presidential order that rescinded the special status of J&K and bifurcated the state into two Union territories, the Centre in its affidavit filed on Monday said that the abrogation of Article 370 led to dismantling of the terror network, and incidents of stone pelting and street violence have “now become a thing of the past”.

“The organised stone pelting incidences connected with terrorism-separatist agenda, which were as high as 1,767 in the year 2018 has come down to zero in the year 2023 till date. In 2018, there were 52 incidences of organised bandh/hartal, which has come down to zero in 2023 till date. In addition, resolute anti-terror actions have resulted in dismantling of the terror eco-system which is reflected in a significant drop in terrorist recruitment from 199 in the year 2018 to 12 in the year 2023 till date,” said the affidavit filed by the home ministry.

The affidavit was filed a day before a new constitution bench, comprising its first five judges, is scheduled to take up a clutch of petitions pertaining to Article 370.