800 stone-pelters among 1000 detainees in Kashmir; situation totally normal: Shah

JAMMU: Claiming that situation was totally normal in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that only 1000 person are under precautionary detention currently including former Chief Ministers of the state Omar Abduallah, Farooq Abduallah and Mehbooba Mufti, in the 72 days since the abrogation of article 370 and 35A of the Constitution.
“Of these, 800 are stone-pelters,” Shah said.
“Initially 4000 people were detained as a precautionary measure. As the situation normalized, they were released accordingly. Now, only 1000 people are under detention including 800 stonepelters,” Shah said in an interview to a national News Channel--his first after August 5.
Shah added that the situation in Kashmir is under control and there is no curfew in Jammu and Kashmir and only Section 144 was imposed in six police stations.
"Out of 196 police stations in the state only section 144 is imposed in six police stations. The situation is under control. Mobile phones are working now," Shah said.
“No shoot at sight order was given after abrogation of Article 370. If you want to organize political programs then you need prior permission of the administration. This is common thing across the country,” he added.
“Peace prevails in both regions Jammu and Kashmir. We have successfully achieved peace in 72 days. Apple business is going on peacefully and around 15000 trucks delivered the fruit across the country. Huge traffic is being witnessed on road, markets are opening gradually. In total, situation is normal, people are offering Friday prayers in Masjids,” he said.
“No bullet has been fired by security forces post abrogation of article 370. No deaths have been reported due to law and order situation. There might be deaths due to different reason but no deaths due to restrictions,” Amit Shah said when asked about reports of deaths in Valley.
On former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's house arrest, Amit Shah said that he had never been under detention and he was booked under PSA on September 17.
When asked that Farooq Abdullah had claimed that he wasn't being allowed to leave the house, Amit Shah said, "When someone is kept under house arrest, the police station has to be informed within 24 hours."
"There are records available. People have enquired as well and it has been proved that Farooq Abdullah was not under house arrest," Shah said.
Farooq Abdullah had been been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA) on September 17.
"Farooq Abdullah is staying in his home on his own. There was no stopping him by Deputy Commissioner, Government of India, or Director General of Police (DGP)," Amit Shah said.
He also said, "If a house arrest has to be made, police station has to be informed."
However, a day after Article 370 was revoked, Farooq Abdullah said there was a big padlock on his door and he had to "force himself" to come out and speak to the media.
"I heard the statement of the home minister of India that Farooq Abdullah is free and is staying in the house out of his own will. I thought how he can be lying when a DSP has been placed outside my house and no one can come in and no one can go out," Farooq Abdullah had said.
On former CMs Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti's house arrest, Shah said, "Omar and Mehbooba are in detention under the Public Safety Act."
"People were killed in Kashmir were due to Article 370. We put them [Omar and Mehbooba] in precautionary detention," Amit Shah said.
Responding to opposition attack on BJP for detaining leaders, Shah asked, “Why Sheikh Abdullah was kept under detention for 11 years during the tenure of Congress.”
“If the detention of Sheikh Abdullah for 11 long years was justified why the detention of these leaders for two and half months is unjustified,” he added.
They will be released soon depending upon the situation.
“They will be released, they will not keep under detention for 11 years,” he added.
Claiming that the Article 370 was major hindrance for the development of Jammu and Kashmir, Amit Shah said that the development will happen in the state at par with other states and funds will be utilized properly.
"There was no development due to Article 370. There was corruption and no answerability," he said.
“It is proved now that the Article 370 has nothing to do with people of Jammu and Kashmir but expect few political leaders,” he adding “These leaders used the article as shield for corruption.”
He claimed that the impact will be seen on ground in sometime.
On anticipation of terrorist attacks, Amit Shah, "Administration has the support of people and their belief. They said there will be bloodshed, but nothing happened."
On international pressure, Amit Shah said, "The world has supported India over abrogation of Article 370. Kashmir is moving towards normalcy and this is due to PM Modi."

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