Update on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir

Commenting on the latest developments in Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador of India B. Vanlalvawna said that authorities have taken various steps to normalise the situation and enhance socio-economic development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Commenting on the latest developments in Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador of India B. Vanlalvawna said that authorities have taken various steps to normalise the situation and enhance socio-economic development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the Ambassador, restrictions on movement in Jammu and Kashmir have been removed completely. Air service to Srinagar and Jammu is operational. Private taxis and public transport are plying normally on all routes. A second batch of foreign envoys representing 25 countries from European Union and other countries including Afghanistan, Mexico and New Zealand visited Jammu and Kashmir on 12 February 2020. Earlier envoys from 15 countries including US, South Korea, Bangladesh, Maldives, Norway, Niger, Nigeria, Guyana and Philippines visited Jammu and Kashmir from 9-10 January 2020 and met senior Jammu and Kashmir politicians, leading newspaper editors and grassroots representatives.

Ambassador further added that essential supplies and services like electricity, water supply, healthcare and sanitation have been fully restored. Hospitals and medical facilities are functioning normally and there are no shortage of medicines. All schools and colleges in Jammu and Kashmir are opened and functioning normally. Telephone and mobile phone services have been restored and there are no restrictions on media/journalists. Satellite channels and Cable TV networks are fully operational. Broadband internet services are fully restored in Jammu. Mobile Internet facility has also been restored in all districts of Jammu and two districts of Kashmir. 844 internet kiosks have been established across all districts in Kashmir, besides 69 special counters for tourists.

All economic activities of the State are undertaken normally. More than 1.9 million metric tons of apples, which contribute to Jammu & Kashmir's economy, have been shipped out of the Kashmir. Under the National Saffron Mission initiative, US$ 12 million has been approved to promote saffron cultivation in the state.

There has been no incident of major violence in Jammu and Kashmir since August 2019. Not even a single live bullet has been fired and there has been no loss of life in police action. The Central Government ordered immediate withdrawal of 72 companies of paramilitary troops from J&K to improve law and order situation in J&K. Sports and cultural activities are undertaken normally.

Restrictions were imposed in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of article 370 of the Indian Constitution regarding special status of Jammu and Kashmir including its reorganization in August 2019. These restrictions were imposed to ensure that there were no law and order issues following the changes. The nullification of Article 370 was purely an internal matter of India and was intended to ensure that the benefits of the progressive laws enacted by the Parliament of India also reach the people of Jammu and Kashmir.