Restore Normalcy In J-K Keeping National Interest In Mind: Supreme Court To Modi Govt

Hearing a clutch of petitions over the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to ‘ensure normalcy is restored’ in the troubled region. A bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices SA Bobde and SA Nazeer was hearing the plea of Anuradha Bhasin. ‘What is the exact position, the Supreme Court bench asked Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre. the top court also directed him to put details of these steps taken on an affidavit. The Modi government told the Bench that all Kashmir-based newspapers were running and the government had been offering all kinds of assistance. It also said that TV channels like Doordarshan and others private ones along with FM networks are working in the state. 

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that not a single bullet was fired in Jammu and Kashmir since landmark decision of August 5.  At this point Attorney General Venugopal told the top court about situation before August 5. He said that from 1990 to August 5, 2019, 41,866 people have lost their lives in Jammu and Kashmir. The AG also gave out the other crucial numbers. 71,038 violent clashes were reported in region, 15,292 security personnel lost their lives, whereas 22,536 terrorists were killed by India security forces. At this point, the top court said that ‘national interest’ should be kept in mind.