PATNA, Oct. 18 — Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Saturday that statehood for Jammu and Kashmir would be restored “at an appropriate time” and that the central government was working toward a “good resolution” of demands raised by people in Ladakh, while insisting the region has seen a marked improvement in security since the abrogation of Article 370.
Speaking at a media conclave in Patna, Shah said the polity and public order of the erstwhile state have undergone a “qualitative change” and claimed there had been a sharp drop in local recruitment for militant groups. “No local terrorist had been recruited in the last nine months,” he said. “Earlier, Pakistan felt no need to send terrorists from across the border. They used to place arms in the hands of our children. Now the situation has changed.”
Shah told reporters that the change had helped restore democratic processes. “Today, democracy has been restored in Jammu and Kashmir. Panchayat and municipal polls have taken place, and so have elections for the legislative assembly. Rajya Sabha elections will also take place at some time,” he said.
Asked about comments from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has said a gulf remains between Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi because statehood has not yet been reinstated even after Abdullah took office, Shah suggested political calculations were at play. “He may be saying this out of political compulsions,” Shah said, before repeating that statehood would be returned “at an appropriate time” and that it would follow discussions with Abdullah.
On unrest in Ladakh, the home minister said the government was engaged with local leaders. “We are in talks with the committees of Leh and Kargil,” Shah said, urging patience and promising a fair outcome. “There will be a good resolution of all their just demands.” His remarks appeared to refer to the combined leadership of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, which speak for political and civil-society groups in the region.
When questioned about the detention of educator-turned-activist Sonam Wangchuk — who faces accusations tied to protests that resulted in the burning of a BJP office in Leh and other acts of vandalism — Shah declined to comment on the individual case. “I can speak of the demands of the people. Not about any individual,” he said. “As far as his case is concerned, the matter is before the court, which will take a decision on the basis of evidence at hand.”
Shah also used the conclave to outline the government’s campaign against Maoist insurgency, calling it “ruthless” and accusing the ultra-left movement of keeping tribal areas underdeveloped. “In the 11 years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been in power, we have demolished at least 600 Maoist camps, dried up their finances and blocked their access to weapons,” he said, adding, “I would like to declare that Maoism will be completely wiped out by December 31, 2026.”
The home minister’s remarks touched on political, security and regional grievances across several sensitive fronts, reiterating the central government’s position that administrative and constitutional changes made after Article 370’s abrogation have improved governance and security — and promising further action and dialogue where restiveness remains.
