Patna, Oct 18 (KNS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that Jammu and Kashmir will regain statehood “at an appropriate time” after due consultations, and assured that the Centre will ensure a fair and peaceful resolution of the demands raised by the people of Ladakh.
Speaking at a media conclave organized by ABP News and Hindustan in Patna, Shah said that since the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a “complete transformation,” with no local terrorist recruitment reported in the last nine months.
“This is a qualitative change in Jammu and Kashmir, where separatism had been festering since the 1990s. Earlier, Pakistan did not need to send terrorists across the border — they used to put arms in the hands of our children. Now, the situation has changed. The people of Jammu and Kashmir feel they belong to the entire country, and the entire country belongs to them,” Shah said.
The Home Minister added that democracy has been fully restored in the Union Territory. “Panchayat and municipal polls have taken place, and so have elections for the legislative assembly. Rajya Sabha elections will also be held at the right time,” he said.
When asked about Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks regarding a “gulf” between New Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir due to the delay in restoring statehood, Shah said, “He may be saying this out of political compulsions.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelBut statehood will be restored at an appropriate time after discussions with him.”
On the recent agitations in Ladakh, Shah said that the Union government is in constant touch with representatives from Leh and Kargil. “We urge people to have patience. There will be a good resolution of all their genuine demands,” he assured.
He, however, refrained from commenting on the detention of Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk, stating, “I can speak about the people’s demands, not about any individual. His case is before the court, which will decide based on the evidence.”
Shah also underlined the government’s ongoing campaign against Maoist insurgency, calling it “ruthless” and “decisive.”
“In the 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, we have destroyed more than 600 Maoist camps, cut off their funding, and stopped their access to weapons. I declare that Maoism will be completely eradicated by December 31, 2026,” he asserted.