Srinagar: Union home minister Amit Shah shared his delight and sense of fulfillment on Saturday as he concluded his visit to Jammu and Kashmir. “After going through years of turmoil and witnessing horrific scourge of terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir is moving forward on a path of peace and development,” he said.
Shah, who was on a two-day visit to J&K, stated, "After the removal of Article 370 by Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, peace is established in J&K. New dimensions of development are being created, institutions of higher education are being built, industries are being set up and Panchayati Raj has been established."
Speaking at the Vitasta Mahotsav organised by the Ministry of Culture, the home minister emphasised, "More than 40,000 people were killed by terrorism in Kashmir until a few years ago, but the same Kashmir is moving forward today by assimilating arts through Vitasta (the ancient name of River Jhelum) Mahotsav. Hatred towards anyone has not been the history of Kashmir, it has accepted everyone who comes here. Like a playing, jumping and flowing river, the culture of Kashmir always moved ahead and never looked back."
Shah also praised the security forces, saying, "J&K is moving forward on a new path of peace, stability and development today under the leadership of PM Modiji. I can feel the peace prevailing in the air, and I am going back to Delhi happy and fully satisfied."
He further urged the security forces to deal firmly with the scourge of 'narco-terrorism' and widen the net to prevent smuggling of narcotics into J&K from across the border.
Shah said at the Vitasta festival, "Under 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', Modi has given a vision to all the cultures of the country to move forward with each other through many programmes like 'Kashi Telugu Sangamam', 'Tamil Saurashtra Sangamam,' and Vitasta Mahotsav. Only art, culture, and history can unite the country."
Regarding the Balidan Stambh, Amit Shah tweeted, "J&K is the land of indomitable courage and bravery of the nation's Bravehearts, Balidan Stambh will immortalise the memory of the martyrs and inspire patriotism among youth."
He also stated, "Martyrdom of numerous jawans of the J&K police, who sacrificed their lives while fighting terrorists and securing innocent citizens, is proof that Kashmir and its people are committed towards peace. Today, I met the family members of such martyrs in Srinagar and distributed appointment letters on behalf of the J&K government to the closest kin of the martyrs."
