Srinagar, Oct 05: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 240 development projects of about Rs. 2,000 crore in Srinagar.
HM Amit Shah also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of several development projects worth crores of Rupees in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir and addressed a public meeting in the region.
Several dignitaries including the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Shri Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh were also present on the occasion.
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In his address, the Union Home Minister said that the hills of Pir Panjal and Chenab and this region of Kashmir Valley are among the most beautiful areas of the world. The development ushered in Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jammu and Kashmir is clearly reflected through the happy faces of the people in the region. He said that earlier, the three families who used to rule in the region hardly worked for the development of the region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has completed a huge task of ensuring that democracy reaches every village of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, the meaning of democracy in Kashmir was restricted within the three families, 87 MLAs and 6 MPs, but after August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has connected 30,000 people with democracy by taking it to the level of Panch, Sarpanch, BDC and Zilla Panchayat of the village. Earlier, due to corruption, the money of the poor was being misused, but now, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ensuring that the money of the poor will reach the poor. He said, under the rule of three families, only Rs. 15,000 crore investment came in Jammu and Kashmir in 70 years, but under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, an investment of Rs. 56,000 crore has come in just three years. Shri Amit Shah added, earlier the region was a militant hotspot but now it has become a Tourist Hotspot. Earlier, maximum of six lakh tourists used to visit the Kashmir Valley every year, whereas this year alone till now, 22 lakh tourists have visited the region, giving employment to thousands of youth, and this process will be further strengthened.
HM Amit Shah said that earlier stones and guns were given in the hands of the youth of the Valley, but now Prime Minister Narendra Modi has replaced them with mobiles and laptops and provided employment to the youth by setting up industries in the region. The Union Home Minister said that terrorism has not led to any good in the world. From 1990 till today, 42,000 people of Jammu and Kashmir have succumbed to militancy. He said that now terrorism is slowly being weeded out. Shah said that now electricity has reached every village in Kashmir and Prime Minister Modi has ensured complete treatment up to Rs. five-lakh free of cost. He said that 77 lakh people have been given health cards so that they do not have to spend a single penny for their treatment. Earlier there were one lakh people without a pucca house to live even in the icy winds in the region, but Prime Minister Modi has provided housing to these people in Jammu and Kashmir from 2014 to 2022. The government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided gas cylinders to about 12 lakh families, tap water in the homes of 58% people under the Jal Jeevan Mission and depositing Rs. 6,000 annually in the accounts of about 11.87 lakh farmers.
The Union Home Minister said that he wants to reach out to the Gujjars, Bakarwals and Paharis of Baramulla, and the youth of Kashmir. He said that the people of Kashmir should think with an open mind that no good was ever done by the people who spread terror in the region, and Kashmir should now move forward with all the States of the country. Shri Shah said that we should not go down the path of terrorism but that of development. It is the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the youth of Kashmir should help develop the country, get jobs by educating themselves, and contribute to the development of the country by connecting with industries. He said that there are two models, one is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s model of development, peace, harmony and employment and the other which leads to Pulwama attack. Prime Minister Modi has constructed a hospital in Pulwama with an expenditure of Rs. 2,000 crore. The second model consists of stones and machine guns and closed colleges for the youth, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s model has IIMs and IITs. Shri Shah said that youth should get education and not have stones in their hands and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken stones from the hands of the youth and inspired them to educate themselves.
HM Amit Shah said that the government has initiated the political process and he wants to assure the people that as soon as the task of preparing the electoral rolls by the Election Commission is over, elections will be held within Kashmir for the people with complete transparency. The elected representatives will rule in the region. He said that earlier the delimitation was done to benefit only the people of three families, but now as a result of the delimitation, the representatives of the people will win and they will rule. The Union Home Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that Kashmir is now almost free from terror. He advised people that if someone in their village supports terrorists, then they must be reasoned with and brought back into the mainstream because terror and terrorism cannot benefit Kashmir, only democracy, industrialization, AIIMS, IIM and IIT, can benefit Kashmir.
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The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that during the rule of three families, the budget of Jammu and Kashmir was merely Rs. 132 crore, while in 2022-23, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi the budget has been increased from Rs. 132 crore to Rs. 1,515 crore. Rs.10 crore have been allotted separately for DDC and PDC. Shri Shah said that five new degree colleges are also being opened in different areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the work of setting up a residential school with 100-bed capacity for Gurjar-Bakarwal girls of Baramulla has also been undertaken by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A Government Medical College is also being set up in Baramulla, which will enable the children in the region to become doctors and help them serve the people of Kashmir. He said that only four medical colleges were built in Jammu and Kashmir from 1947 till 2014, whereas from 2014 till 2022 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India has built nine new medical colleges and 15 nursing colleges. Whereas earlier only 500 doctors used to pass out of Jammu and Kashmir, now 1,300 doctors will complete their studies and serve the country and Jammu and Kashmir. Shri Shah said that AIIMS, NEET, B.Sc Nursing College and two Cancer Institutes have also been set up in Kashmir. New medical colleges have been set up at Anantnag and Baramulla and two cluster universities have been built in Jammu and Kashmir.
HM Amit Shah said that the expressway from Nangal to Baramulla and from Baramulla to Uri has been built at a cost of Rs. 850 crore. A 43-km road has been built connecting Baramulla to Gulmarg at a cost of Rs. 85 crore to help tourists travelling from Gulmarg to Baramulla. He said that over one lakh families are being brought under the ambit of education through a scheme of Rs. 847 crore. Two stadiums have been built in 402 panchayats of Jammu and Kashmir along with one playground in each panchayat. Additionally, two indoor stadiums are also being built at a cost of Rs. 10 crore. Shri Shah said that in the month of September this year, 13 lakh tourists visited Gulmarg. He said that installation of power plants and irrigation projects worth thousands of crores of Rupees will bring prosperity to the valley of Kashmir. In order to improve the rail network, the work on rail link from Udhampur to Baramulla has been initiated. Under the Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana, 119 new roads worth Rs.,3167 crore have been built. The Union Home Minister said that under the Prime Minister’s Industrial Package, an investment of Rs. 56,000 crore has come from across the country in Kashmir, which is likely to provide employment to five lakh people.
The Union Home Minister said that earlier due to Article 370, Gujjar-Bakarwal and Pahari people could not get the benefit of Reservation in education, elections and jobs, but now after its removal, they will all get the benefits. For this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted the Justice Sharma Commission and once again an attempt has been made to connect the different communities by conducting a scientific survey of ST, SC and OBC. While Reservation will now be provided to the Pahari people, the Gujjar people will continue to enjoy the benefits of Reservation that they had till now, and it will not make any difference to their share. The steps taken by the Prime Minister will pave the way for reforms in Jammu and Kashmir.
HM Amit Shah said that 42,000 people have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir, and all of them were children of the poor. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants that separatism and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir should end and Jammu and Kashmir should remain the paradise of India. The Union Home Minister appealed to the people to annihilate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir. Amit Shah said that the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not tolerate terrorism at all. Be it the Valley or Jammu, Srinagar or Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the government is bringing all round development work everywhere. He appealed to the people to join the mainstream of the country and empower the process of development and move forward.
Fissures appear within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the party’s disciplinary committee on Friday served notice to eight Kashmir-based leaders over alleged anti-party activities, asking them to tender apology.
Quoting sources news agency—KNO reported that eight leaders from Kashmir including Sofi Yousuf, Altaf Thakur, Manzoor Bhat, Anwar Khan, Arif Raja, Ali Muhammad Mir, G M Mir and Aasif Masoodi have received a notice by the party’s disciplinary committee.
The leaders have admitted that the notices have been issued to them for alleged anti-party activities.
Chairman of disciplinary committee, Sunil Sethi while confirming the issuing of notice to the party leaders, said that it has come to the fore that the leaders are involved in anti-party activities.
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“We have given time to the leaders to tender an apology,” he said, adding that in case the leaders fail to come up with the apology, then next procedure will be started in this regard against the leaders,” he said.
“Nothing can be stated further in this regard, the disciplinary committee is waiting for the response of the leaders,” Sethi added.
Party’s General Secretary (Organization), Ashok Koul also said that the leaders have been asked to tender their apology before the disciplinary committee for their anti-party activities.
The former chief ministers of erstwhile J&K state and other leaders from different political parties on Friday welcomed the administration’s move to allow Jamia Masjid’s head cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to deliver Friday sermons after the gap of four years.
The political leaders expressed their views on X (formerly Twitter).
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National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah hoped that the administration would allow Mirwaiz to move freely, interact with people and resume his social and religious responsibilities.
“I welcome the step taken by the administration in J&K to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest. I hope that they allow him to move freely, interact with people & resume his social/religious responsibilities. Today eyes in Kashmir will be on Mirwaiz as he delivers his first Friday sermon in Jamia Masjid after 2019,” Omar wrote on X.
I welcome the step taken by the administration in J&K to release Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from house arrest. I hope that they allow him to move freely, interact with people & resume his social/religious responsibilities. Today eyes in Kashmir will be on the Mirwaiz as he delivers his…— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 22, 2023
Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Mehbooba Mufti said that Mirwaiz will walk free after years of LG administration’s denial about his detention.
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“Finally Mirwaiz Umer Farooq will walk free after years of LGs admin’s denial about his detention. As a religious head he is held in high regard by muslims across J&K. Unfortunate that a tussle has already begun between BJPs various political outfits to claim credit for his release,” Mehbooba Mufti wrote on X.
Finally Mirwaiz Umer Farooq will walk a free man after years of LGs admin’s denial about his detention. As a religious head he is held in high regard by muslims across J&K. Unfortunate that a tussle has already begun between BJPs various political outfits to claim credit for his…— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) September 22, 2023
Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and former minister, Sajad Gani Lone welcomed Mirwaiz’s release and stated that he symbolises a tradition, which is primarily religious in nature but also has strong societal connotations.
“Welcome the release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sahib. It is a joyous day for all of us to hopefully see him leading the prayers. He symbolises a tradition which is primarily religious in nature but also strong societal connotations. This tradition has been routinely interrupted in the last three decades, by all governments. Hope this tradition proposers uninterrupted,” Sajad Lone wrote on X.
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Welcome the release of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq sahib. It is a joyous day for all of us to hopefully see him leading the prayers. He symbolises a tradition which is primarily religious in nature but also strong societal connotations. This tradition has been routinely interrupted in…— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) September 22, 2023
Former minister and Apni Party President, Syed Altaf Bukhari thanked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for Mirwaiz’s release.
“Deeply gratified & delighted by the long-awaited release of Mirwaiz Sahib. This momentous event has indeed ushered in a collective sigh of relief among the masses, particularly his devoted followers. Thanks to @AmitShah @manojsinha_” Altaf Bukhari wrote on X.
Deeply gratified & delighted by the long-awaited release of Mirwaiz Sahib. This momentous event has indeed ushered in a collective sigh of relief among the masses, particularly his devoted followers. Thanks to @AmitShah@manojsinha_pic.twitter.com/oxH55ddK8f— Altaf Bukhari (@SMAltafBukhari) September 22, 2023
CPI (M) and former legislator, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said releasing Mirwaiz from illegal confinement is a welcome move, saying that difference of opinion is an important ingredient of democracy, but it should not be used as an excuse to curtail the fundamental rights of people.
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“Releasing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq from illegal confinement is a welcome step. Mirwaiz is a well-respected & influential religious leader. Difference of opinion is an important ingredient of democracy. It should not be used as an excuse to curtail the fundamental rights of people. Hope the government respects different shades of opinions, including the media,” Tarigami wrote on X.
Waqf Board Chairperson and BJP leader, Dr Darakshan Andrabi termed the release of Mirwaiz as an appreciable decision by the administration.
Religious scholars belong to all & no group or political party has a copyright for any religious personality, she said.
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“Congratulations to respected Brother #MirwaizUmarFarooq Sahib. It is soothing to see you after a highly appreciable decision by the Administration. Religious scholars belong to all & no group or political party has a copyright for any religious personality. I hope, this time politico-theatrical statements will not shadow the happiness of the release of Mirwaiz. Wishing him great for future,” Dr Darakshan Andrabi wrote on X. KNO
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, on Friday, welcomed the release of two prominent religious leaders in the valley, Moulana Abdul Rashid Dawoodi, the head of Tehreek-e-Sout-ul Auliya, and Moulana Mushtaq Ahmed Veeri, who is affiliated with Jamiat-Ahle-Hadees (JaH). Pertinently, the J&K High Court today quashed the detention orders of both the Muslim clerics, who were booked under the Public Safety Act in September last year and lodged at Kot Bhalwal jail in Jammu.
In his statement issued to Asian News Hub (ANH), Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed his satisfaction with the release of Moulana Dawoodi and Moulana Veeri, and said, “It brings me immense pleasure that the honorable High Court has ordered the release of these prominent religious leaders, who hold a significant following across the Valley. Their release is highly commendable.”
Reiterating his demand for the release of other religious leaders such as Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Moulana Manzoor, Apni Party president said, “I request the LG Administration to consider the release of Mirwaiz Sahib and Moulana Manzoor as well.”
“These religious leaders wield remarkable influence over the people and can play a pivotal role in helping to eradicate social evils, especially the fast-spreading issue of drug abuse in the Valley” . He added.
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