Union Home Minister Amit Shah has extended an offer of peace to militants in Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to give up arms and engage in talks with the government. In his address during a rally in Kathua on September 26, 2024, Shah emphasized that those who surrender will be welcomed for negotiations, while those who refuse will be dealt with by security forces. He declared the government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism from the region, saying the time has come to “bury terrorism in the ground.”
Shah drew comparisons to the situation in the northeastern states, where over 10,000 militants have surrendered, reinforcing the BJP’s stance on peace through dialogue. He made it clear that anyone still involved in terrorist activities must either renounce violence or face stern action from Indian forces.
This message comes amid ongoing assembly election campaigns in Jammu and Kashmir, with Shah praising the high voter turnout of 55% in the first two phases of the election. He noted this as a sign of growing democratic participation and development in the region, contrasting it with the era when political parties like the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were in power. He accused these parties of offering protection to terrorism for decades.
The home minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen grassroots democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, signaling that the region is now on the path to development and moving forward from the hardships caused by terrorism. He assured that the central government would not rest until the valley is free from terrorist activities, bringing peace and progress to the region.
This strong message to militants comes as the BJP continues to advocate for the integration of Jammu and Kashmir with mainstream India, following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019(Kashmir Life)
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