JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday slammed the Centre over continued terror attacks, asking what had changed on the ground since the 2019 revocation of the erstwhile state’s special status and its “downgrade” to a Union Territory.
Choudhary’s attack at the Centre came against the backdrop of two terror incidents in Kulgam and Kishtwar within a span of 24 hours, which claimed the lives of two special police officers and left three CRPF personnel injured.
“Militancy was there before 2019, and it is still happening today. There was an attack yesterday (in Kulgam), and there was another militant attack today (in Kishtwar). If people were getting martyred then and are still losing their lives today, what has actually changed?” The National Conference leader said.
The deputy chief minister said Rajouri, Poonch and the entire Jammu and Kashmir region suffered immense losses due to violence.
He said that the biggest setback for the people of Jammu and Kashmir came on August 5, 2019, when its special status was revoked, and its statehood was taken away.
“Since 2019, what militancy have they managed to stop? What corruption have they eliminated? What has Jammu and Kashmir gained from these decisions? The BJP leaders must answer,” Choudhary said, and reiterated his party’s demand for the restoration of statehood.
“Our statehood must be restored. No matter how much you try to suppress the people of Jammu and Kashmir, you cannot take away their right to their identity. We must get back what was taken away from us,” he said.
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