New dawn of peace, prosperity in J&K after Art-370 abrogation: Defence Min Rajnath Singh

Srinagar, Oct 27: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said after the abrogation of Article 370, the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has entered into a new dawn of peace and prosperity.
Addressing the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ celebrations in Srinagar to commemorate the 75th year of air landing operations of Indian Army at Budgam Airport in 1947, which is considered first civil-military victory of Independent India, Singh said the people of J&K were deprived of development and tranquility for the past seven decades until Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government came to the helm and abrogated Article 370.
Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande; GOC-in-C, Northern Command Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi; Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command Air Marshal S Prabhakaran; General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps Lieutenant General ADS Aujla, along with several other civil and military dignitaries attended the event.
“After the abrogation of Article 370, a new era of peace and progress has begun in the Union Territory (UT),” he said.
Singh said, “Earlier some anti-India elements used to disturb peace and harmony in the name of religion, but now there is peace and tranquility due to consistent efforts of administration and Armed forces.”
He went on to say that “terrorists have no religion.
“They (terrorists) are the enemies of humanity. Any violation of the fundamental rights of a human being is not acceptable in an ideal society. This has been our commitment,” Rajnath Singh said.
The Defense Minister further added that the doors of development and peace have now been opened in J&K and Ladakh, and now the people of the two UTs are reaping the benefits of the welfare schemes of the Government of India.
“There is unity among the people who are moving forward hand-in-hand,” he said.
Singh recalled the valour of the first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath Sharma, who despite being injured led a company and saved the Srinagar airfield from the enemy clutches.
He also paid tributes to the bravery of other Gallantry award winners including Brigadier Rajinder Singh and Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai, who gave away their lives to protect the motherland.
The Defense Minister also remembered former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik, who as a pilot during the war, made a valuable contribution to the movement of the troops.
He commended the crucial role played by the people of J&K who helped Armed forces in forcing the enemies to retreat and protect the sovereignty of the country.
Singh termed the campaign of October 27, 1947 as the one for safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity as well as the safety of the people.
During the event, the replication of the historic event was organised to pay obeisance to the brave soldiers and people of J&K.
The event also depicted the arrival of the Indian Army on October 27, 1947 to evict the Pakistani Forces. A stunning airshow was organised by the Indian Air Force, which mesmerized the audience.
The next of kin of war veterans, who had travelled from across the country, were felicitated at the event.