New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reaffirmed the Modi government's commitment to a zero tolerance stance against terrorism, criticizing past administrations for their soft approach. In his response during the House debate on the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah highlighted significant reforms made by the Modi government, including the abrogation of Article 370, which has led to enduring peace in the valley.

In his address to the Rajya Sabha, the Home Minister stated that the removal of Article 370 has completely eliminated local involvement with terrorists, resulting in a restoration of peace across the region.

He pointed out that the glorification of terrorists, which was prevalent during the UPA era, has ceased under the NDA's governance. He also reported a remarkable 70 percent drop in fatalities from terror-related incidents.

Shah compared statistics, noting that from 2004 to 2014, there were 7,217 terror incidents, whereas from 2014 to 2024, this number has fallen to 2,242.

The Home Minister expressed profound gratitude towards the sacrifices made by police personnel and emphasized their vital role in bolstering the nation's security and governance.

"I wish to honor all police officers who have laid down their lives for the safety and security of our citizens. Their tremendous sacrifice has positioned India to play a pivotal role in global affairs, a goal we have been striving towards for over 76 years. I sincerely thank the families of these courageous officers for their unwavering support," he remarked.

Shah underlined the legacy challenges that persisted prior to PM Modi's administration, noting that issues like terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Left Wing Extremism, and Northeast insurgencies had obstructed India's advancement.

"These challenges were stifling India’s potential for peace and development. However, under PM Modi's leadership, we have overcome these hurdles," Shah affirmed.

Discussing Jammu and Kashmir, Shah highlighted the significant change in strategy since Modi came into power.

He recalled a time when terrorist attacks on civilians were routine, especially during religious festivals.

"In the past, the central government often remained silent, fearing political repercussions. However, under PM Modi, we embraced a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy towards terrorism," Shah stated.

He referenced the surgical strikes and airstrikes executed shortly after the Pulwama attack in 2019 as examples of India's newfound assertiveness in combating terrorism.

Shah elaborated on the significance of the removal of Article 370.

"I am grateful to our predecessors for designating Article 370 as temporary, yet the opposition resisted acknowledging the need for change. On August 5, 2019, PM Modi's government made the courageous decision to abolish it. The fear of losing electoral support was no longer a concern. We fully integrated Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India, ensuring that all laws were applicable to the region," Shah clarified.

He also highlighted the reopening of cinema halls in Jammu and Kashmir, the peaceful celebration of major festivals like Diwali and Krishna Janmashtami, and the successful hosting of G20 leaders in the region as indicators of the positive evolution in the Union Territory.

"These developments would have been inconceivable in the past, but now, Jammu and Kashmir is flourishing in peace," he added.

"The frequency of terrorist attacks has dropped significantly. We also took stringent action against local networks linked to terrorists, ensuring that the threat was eliminated from within the community as well," Shah noted.

He announced that over 40,000 government jobs and 1.51 lakh self-employment opportunities have been generated in Jammu and Kashmir from 2019 to 2024. He emphasized the crucial role of skilling clubs in enhancing employment prospects in the region.

"Jammu and Kashmir has attracted investments totaling Rs 12,000 crore on the ground, facilitated by an attractive industrial policy. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) valued at Rs 1.1 lakh crore have been signed," he concluded.