Four years after the Modi government abrogated the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 on August 5, 2019, the restoration of peace and developmental activities taking peace, compared to the past, stands out as its most significant achievement.
Here are the firsts that happened after August 5, 2019-
1 .Tribals of J&K get equal rights - After the removal of Article 370 for the first time, the tribal community of J&K got equal rights. It ended the seven-decade-long discrimination faced by the tribal communities including Gujjar-Bakerwal and Gaddi-Sippi paving way for them to get equal rights in the country.
2. No killings - While 124 civilians were killed at the hands of police and security forces during protests and stone-pelting incidents from 5-08-2016 to 5-08-2019, not a single such incident was reported in the last four years, official figures reveal.
3. A big boost to tourism - For the first time in history of Jammu and Kashmir, record 1.88 Crore tourists visited UT in the year 2022 to enjoy the beauty of various famed tourist spots.
4. Mobile connectivity - Reliance Jio has launched 4G voice and data services in Spangmik village near Pangong lake in Ladakh and becomes the first operator to provide 4G mobile connectivity in and around the area.
5. World's highest rail bridge in J&K - World's highest rail bridge and Asia’s longest state-of-the-art road tunnel located in Udhampur constituency are among the national level landmark projects.
6. Women empowerment - For the first time in 70 years, women were given 15% reservation in non-gazetted cadre in J&K police
7. Investment - For the first time in the last 70 years, the United Arab Emirates invested in Jammu and Kashmir. It has has signed a slew of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Abu Dhabi to build strong business relations in sectors like real estate, industrial parks, super-specialty hospitals, education, food processing & logistics hub.
8. Domicile Certificate - J&K administration has announced first time to issue a domicile certificate to the non-state subject husband of a native woman as previously they were ineligible for domicile ship.
9. Religious processions - Since the 1990s, Kashmiri Pandits could not celebrate the Hindu festivals including carryout Shoba Yatra processions fearing killings. However after the abrogations of Article 370 with security deployed, it was possible. Similarly, Shias took out Muharram's procession after more than three decades. The decision to lift the ban was hailed by Lieutenant-Governor's administration as a "peace dividend" and a testament to normalcy returning in the region.
10. Celebrating August 15 & 26 January - For the first time at Srinagar's Lal Chowk, Clock Tower ('Ghanta Ghar') was illuminated in Tricolour on India's 75th Independence Day. Similarly, the tricolour was ceremonially unfurled atop the clock tower of Srinagar's Lal Chowk for the first time in front of a Republic Day crowd, creating a sense of history that had been missing when the last formal flag-hoisting event was held there 30 years ago amid a curfew.
