Jammu and Kashmir: GOC Northern Command feels scrapping of Article 370 improved governance, restored faith in government institutions
New Delhi: General Officer Commanding Northern Command Lieutenant-General Yogesh Kumar Joshi has appreciated the Indian government's move of scrapping Article 370 and said the measure and improvement in governance helped in restoring the faith of Jammu and Kashmir residents in government institutions.
"The DDC (District Development Council) elections held recently conveyed the resolve and the will of the awaam (citizens) to shun separatism and embrace democracy. The abrogation of Article 370 and the improvement in governance, thereof, has been a major game-changer and has helped to restore the faith of common people in the institutions of the government," Joshi was quoted as saying by ANI on Jan 15 on 'Army Day 2021'.
On Aug 5, 2019, the PM Narendra Modi-led NDA government in India scrapped Article 370 and 35A that accorded a special status to the state.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir was acceded to India through the instrument of accession in 1947, under which special status was granted by New Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir, under Article 370.
Article 370 had allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution, flag and right to handle its own laws except on matters that impact national security, but it also beacme an obstacle to development in the region wracked by terrorism sponsored by Pakistan and the rule of political oligarchy.
Islamic terrorism also saw the exodus of the Hindu Kashmiri Pandit community from the Valley in 1989-90.
The Modi government also bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir state into two union territories- Jammu and Kashmir with an assembly and Ladakh without an assembly.
The Modi government also scrapped Article 35A, which had allowed the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and also provided special rights and privileges to those permanent residents.
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