Kashmir region returning to normalcy, Centre tells SC

New Delhi: A day after Home Minister Amit Shah's statement in the Parliament on Kashmir, the Centre, through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, gave the Supreme Court a detailed account of "normalcy" returning to Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Valley.

The Solicitor General, in a counter to petitions challenging the restrictions imposed on Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370, said these petitions have outlived their relevance as the erstwhile state is returning to normalcy.

"The region is under diktats is a serious allegation levelled by petitioners... post-August 5, rights have been conferred on citizens and not taken away," he said. He insisted the narrative suggesting the entire seven million population is under the shadow of a doubt, in the backdrop of these restrictions, is a false notion pedalled by a minority.

Elaborating on the nature of terrorism, Mehta, supporting the restrictions imposed on the access to the internet in the region, said: "We are the victim of cross border terrorism, who infiltrate digitally and not only physically."

Mehta presented the latest data, on the situation of Kashmir as on November 18, before a bench headed by Justice N.V. Ramana. "Orders under section 144 CrPC have been removed from all 195 police stations. There has been a decrease in incidents of stone-pelting, 190 incidents reported after August 5 as compared to 802 in 2018. And, all 20,411 schools are open. Nearly 99 per cent of students appeared in the senior secondary examination," he told the court.

The Solicitor General added all hospitals and medical centres are open in the Valley. Large volumes of fuel have been consumed which indicate vehicular movement in the region. "The government purchased apples through NAFED at a cost of Rs 38 crore. Out of 59,76,359 mobile phones, 20,05,293 post-paid mobile phones (voice) are functioning. But, restrictions continue on pre-paid, as identities can be forged to get a connection," he added.

The government has facilitated 280 e-terminals for access to the internet in 11 districts, and arrangements have been made in tourist spots. The Centre insisted that newspapers are being published, banking services are functional, nearly all shops and markets are open in the Valley, government offices are functional, and public transport is also functioning.

The SG told the petitioner, who is the editor of a newspaper, deliberately chose not to publish newspaper from Kashmir. "The narrative everything is blocked and journalists do not do anything is not true," he contended.