765 Arrested in J&K for Stone-Pelting Since Art 370’s Abrogation

The figures were stated by MoS G Kishan Reddy in a written reply to questions in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The government told the SC that a dialogue to restore normalcy was possible only with legally recognised stakeholders. 

(Photo: PTI)

The Home Ministry on Tuesday, 19 November, said security forces have arrested 765 people in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 provisions for their alleged involvement in stone pelting incidents and that multi-pronged policies were adopted to check the menace.

Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said there has been a decline in the incidents of stone pelting since 5 August, when the central government announced the scrapping of the special status granted to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

“Since 5 August 2019 to 15 November 2019, 765 people have been arrested in 190 cases registered relating to stone pelting/law and order. From 1 January 2019 to 4 August 2019, 361 number of such cases were registered,” he said, replying to a written question in the Lok Sabha.

The figures were stated by Reddy in a written reply to questions in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

‘Groups Part of Hurriyat Behind Stone Pelting Incidents’

Reddy said that the government has initiated multi-pronged policies to check the stone pelting incidents and has succeeded in curbing it to the extent that a large number of troublemakers, instigators and mob mobilisers have been identified and various preventive measures have been taken against them, which include detention under the PSA and preventive arrests.

“Investigation has revealed that various separatist organisations and activists which are part of Hurriyat have been behind the incidents of stone pelting in the Kashmir Valley. The NIA has charge-sheeted 18 persons in the terror funding cases so far,” he said.

On the question of average attendance in Kashmir schools since 5 August, the government said that at present, the attendance of students stands at 99.7 percent during the ongoing examinations. Initially, the attendance of the students was thin, but it gradually picked up.

Replying to another question, Reddy said the Jammu and Kashmir administration has informed that a total of 34,10,219 tourists, including 12,934 foreigners tourists, have visited Jammu and Kashmir in the last six months and an income of Rs 25.12 crore has been earned through tourism during this period.

(With inputs from PTI)