Stating that the revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories had a positive impact on the region, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale on Thursday said that move ended terrorism in the region.
Athawale while talking to reporters, here said, “Scrapping of the Article 370 led to significant improvements. It ended terrorism and led to an increase in development, peace, and economic growth.”
“Before August 5, 2019 (when J&K’s special status was revoked) there was widespread fear among tourists about visiting the region but the situation has improved since then. It can be gauged from the fact that over 2.5 million tourists visited J&K last year, a significant increase compared to the past,” he said.
Revocation of Article 370, he said, created a more peaceful environment, fostered development, and opened up new employment opportunities in the region. “The tourism getting a boost has contributed to economic growth,” said Athawale.
He asserted that J&K would get its statehood back at an appropriate time.
Athawale also pointed out the record voter turnout in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections held last year, which he viewed as a positive sign of increasing democratic participation in the region—(KNO)
