Shah asserted that the central government, with the joint efforts of all security forces, “is committed to establish complete dominance over terrorism from J&K”.Since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of J&K in 2019 into two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh, law and order in the UT has remained under the purview of the central government.Official data, however, indicates a decline in violence, with 142 terrorists killed in 2019 compared to around 45 so far this year. Civilian deaths also dropped significantly, from 50 in 2019 to 14 by early November this year.Meanwhile, earlier in the day J&K CM Abdullah also met the Union Home Minister and apprised him about the prevailing situation in the state and the experience he gathered in the past three months following assuming power in the Union Territory.After the meeting, while speaking to reporters outside the North Block Abdullah said, “The meeting with the Home Minister was regarding the situation in J&K and restoration of statehood, as there were talks over the issue and also there is hope that it will be restored.”He, however, contended that in the present situation, the responsibility of law and order and security in J&K is of the Lieutenant Governor. “I have told the Home Minister that terror and militancy cannot be dealt with only by including the people of J&K by taking into confidence the elected representatives.”
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