Srinagar: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said the central government believes that the situation in the state will deteriorate adding, “We have seen no evidence of that. In fact, militancy continues to decline in Jammu and Kashmirâ€.
The statement was made in his Independence Day speech on Friday where he said that Defence Minister Arun Jaitley had been requested to revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from certain areas of the state.
The request has been denied several times by the government. He cited the use of Afghanistan’s current situation as an excuse for the act. Afghanistan has been bombarded by militancy and tensions run high as the US-led Nato troops withdraw by the end of 2014.
Abdullah further went on the call the fears over rising militancy “the bogey of 2014” adding, “Once the bogey is removed, I will be able to talk more forcefully on the AFSPA revocation.”
He made a special reference to the improvement security situation in the state during the last more than five and a half years, saying that there has been 80% reduction in militancy-related incidents.
He said all schools and hospitals have been vacated from occupation of security forces.
1000 private buildings, 300 government buildings, 40 hotels and 30 industrial units have also been cleared from the occupation of security forces.
On the rehabilitation policy for those youth who had gone to Pakistan or PoK for arms training but renounced violence, Abdullah said 350 youth have returned under this policy so far.
In the speech the CM also announced the launch of two policies. First, the reduction of electricity tax from 22 to 10%. He also announced 5% job reservations in all state-run agencies for the hill tribes of J&K, with a further addition of 2% reservations for OBC.
As of now, a full 50% of all jobs are reserved in Jammu and Kashmir.
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(With PTI inputs)