Lethpora, (Pulwama) Oct 25: Union Home Minister Amit Shah Monday said that due to “professional handling of situation” by the security forces in the hinterland and on the borders, stone pelting incidents were reduced to almost zero while civilian and security forces’ personnel killings showed a significant dip.

Addressing a gathering of CRPF personnel at Lethpora CRPF camp in southern district of Pulwama, where top army, police, CRPF and BSF officials were present the Home Minister said that he feels glad to be with the security forces personnel.

“I had promised you that I will visit this camp and today I am feeling happy to be with you all,” Shah said. He said that it was because of the professional handling Kashmir situation by the security forces post abrogation of article 370 on August 5, 2019 that not even a single bullet was fired by them.

“Lot was stated by politicians and anti-peace elements when we scrapped Article 370. Some stated storm will take place, some claimed lot of people will come on roads, youth will do this is and that. There was a possibility for all what was being claimed, but the way security forces handled the situation deserves real applause,” the Home Minister said and praised the role played by J&K Police, CRPF, army and the BSF.

He said that today situation has reached a point where there is hardly any stone pelting incident. “Kashmir was known for every day stone pelting incidents. With the professional dealing of situation, the stone pelting incidents have been brought to almost zero at present,” Shah said.

Presenting the figures, he said that there is also a significant dip in the killing of security forces personnel and the civilians. “From 2004 to 2014, 208 civilians and 105 civilians were killed on an average every year. The figure was reduced to 60 and 30 respectively every year from 2014 to 2021. But we aren’t yet satisfied as 30 civilian killings is still high. Why would civilians die,” he said and urged the security agencies to ensure that lives of civilians are protected by all means.

“While army and BSF are protecting our borders and LoC from our enemies that don’t want peace to prevail, J&K Police, CRPF, SSB have to walk a mile to protect the lives of civilians. CISF and SSB are protecting our airports nicely,” he said.

The Home Minister said that Pulwama was known for the deadly attack on CRPF (on February 14, 2019) but the same district will have Rs 2000 Cr worth AIIMS. kno