As per the data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), as many as 253 terrorists were killed in encounters in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 till 28th December. The corresponding figure was 213 in 2017, 150 in 2016 and 108 in 2015. The government also said that 17 terrorists were arrested as against 18 in 2017.
Zero tolerance policy against terrorism and the effective response given by the security forces to counter terrorist activities is one of the main reasons for countering terror activities. As per reports, as many as 300 terrorists are active in the state who are being helped by some locals.
As per the written reply given by Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir in the Lok Sabha yesterday, the government has implemented various measures to mainstream the youth, including providing employment opportunities and youth exchange programs amongst others. Rs 80,068 crore has also been provided under the PM Development Package, 2015 for various developmental activities.
The government has also taken various other initiatives like Special Industry Initiative (SII) to enhance skills and employability of graduates and diploma holders and skill development and employment scheme to provide options and opportunities to schools and college dropouts. The government has also started providing financial assistance to students who have passed the 12th standard or equivalent exams to study in states outside of J&K.
We had earlier reported how the government’s initiatives of trying to improve internal security to tackle left-wing terrorism have yielded results.
The present NDA government has been fighting the menace of the ‘Left-wing-terror’ successfully by using the “carrot and stick” policy to eradicate the terror in the region.
The security forces have carried out extensive and targeted operations in the strongholds of the Naxals and have succeeded in eliminating the terrorists. The security forces, along with state government have also devised rehabilitation initiatives so that the Naxals can give up guns and join the mainstream without any violence. This approach is considered to be one of the successful initiatives of the government, as many Naxals have come out of the camps and is part of social life now.
The government has also backed up this with the massive financial outlay for developing the basic infrastructure like roads, railways, schools, electricity in the region. Access to technology and mobile network has brought major changes in the region, as it has brought success in providing health care and educational benefits and has helped the locals to take advantage of government schemes to enhance their livelihood opportunities.
Recently, few Naxals had surrendered before the security forces, after security forces gunned down eight down eight Naxals in forests of Timinar and Pusnar during Anti-Naxal operation, along Dantewada-Bijapur border. The surrendered Naxalites talking to the media said that they face a lot of problems in the Naxal camps. The administration, through various policies and initiatives of the government, has managed to rehabilitate many former Naxals who surrender.
