No Government Jobs for Relatives of Terrorists and Stone Pelters in Jammu and Kashmir: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announces that family members of terrorists and stone pelters in Jammu and Kashmir will be barred from government jobs, emphasizing the government's crackdown on terrorism.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a strict policy that family members of terrorists and stone pelters in Jammu and Kashmir will not be eligible for government jobs. In an interview with PTI, Shah emphasized the Narendra Modi government's commitment to eliminating terrorism and its ecosystem in the region, leading to a significant reduction in terror incidents.

Shah explained that if an individual joins a terrorist organization, their family members will be barred from government employment. The same applies to families of those involved in stone pelting. This decision was challenged by human rights activists in the Supreme Court, but the government ultimately prevailed.

An exception will be made for families who proactively inform authorities about a relative joining a terror outfit. Such families will receive relief from the job ban.

Shah highlighted changes in handling deceased terrorists, noting that earlier, funeral processions for killed terrorists were common. Now, terrorists are buried with religious formalities but in isolated locations to avoid public gatherings.

When security forces corner a terrorist, they first offer a chance to surrender, often involving family members to appeal for their surrender. If the terrorist refuses, force is used, resulting in death.

Terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir have significantly declined due to the government's focus on dismantling the terror ecosystem. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken strong measures against terror funding, severely disrupting financial support for terrorist activities.

Shah also mentioned the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI), a Muslim radical group founded in Kerala, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in September 2022. The PFI was accused of links to terror activities, and the ban includes restrictions on publishing and spreading its ideology.

Regarding Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistani separatist and leader of the radical Sikh group 'Waris Punjab De', Shah stated that Singh is currently jailed under the National Security Act (NSA). Singh was arrested in April 2023 and is now held in Dibrugarh jail in Assam. He recently filed nomination papers from jail to contest the Lok Sabha election from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib seat.

According to data from the Union Home Ministry, there were 228 terrorist-initiated incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018, which decreased to around 50 in 2023. Encounters between security forces and terrorists dropped from 189 in 2018 to about 40 in 2023. Civilian deaths due to terror incidents fell from 55 in 2018 to around five in 2023. Similarly, the number of security personnel killed in terror violence reduced from 91 in 2018 to approximately 15 in 2023.

These measures reflect the government's tough stance on terrorism and its efforts to ensure peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir. The decline in terror incidents and casualties underscores the effectiveness of these policies in combating terrorism in the region.