GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Constitutional provisions
Context: The article is in continuation of yesterday’s article (Constitutional Challenge to the 2019 Abrogation of Article 370)
Positive changes in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir after the removal of Article 370:
| Aspect | Changes and Examples |
| Decrease in Stone Pelting | Incidents reduced significantly; 618 in 2019 to 76 in 2021 |
| Injuries to security forces dropped from 64 to 10 | |
| The decline in Terrorism Incidents | 32% reduction in acts of terrorism since August 2019 |
| Deaths of security forces decreased by 52% | |
| Reduction of 14% in “admission of terrorists“ | |
| Enhanced OGW Arrests | Arrests of over-ground workers (OGWs) increased from 82 to 178 |
| Disruption of militant support networks | |
| Improved Law and Order | Only 20 law and order incidents were recorded in J&K in 2022 |
| General improvement in the overall security environment | |
| Deterrence of Infiltration | Fewer infiltrations and armed forces personnel were killed. |
Negative changes in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir:
| Aspect | Changes and Examples |
| Targeted Killings | Increase in killings of civilians, particularly Kashmiri Hindus and outsiders |
| Over 50% of civilian deaths post-August 5, 2019, in the past eight months. | |
| Low-Cost Drone Threat | Small weapons dropped by drones from across the border aid killings |
| Alleged ‘Part-Time’ Militants | Engagement of ‘part-time’ militants by handlers in Pakistan for attacks |
| Attacks on Hindu-Dominated Areas | Militants targeting Hindu-majority areas with IEDs |
| Erosion of Trust | Concerns about security and safety among locals and minorities |
| Fragile Security Successes | Security achievements overshadowed by persistent threats |
Positive and Negative changes in J&K’s political landscape after the abrogation of Article 370:
| Aspect | Positive Changes | Negative Changes |
| Local Governance | Establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions, District Development Council (DDC) elections held in all 20 districts in 2020. | Complaints of limited power and influence for elected DDC members, delays in disbursing honorariums; Delays in holding Assembly elections |
| Political Alliances | Formation of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) with National Conference and PDP uniting. | Fragmentation of political parties, leadership changes, desertion of senior leaders from established parties. |
| Administrative Redistricting | Delimitation Commission redraws Assembly constituencies increases representation, and introduces reserved seats. | Concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the delimitation process, and potential gerrymandering. |
| New Political Outfits | The emergence of J&K Apni Party and Jammu and Kashmir Progressive Azad Democratic Party (JKPADP). | The splintering of traditional political parties created a more diverse political landscape. |
| ST List Expansion Legislation | Proposal to include new groups in the state’s ST list, aiming for broader representation. | Protests and demonstrations by existing ST groups fearing dilution of political empowerment |
| Transparency and Participation | Increased engagement of local communities in governance through Panchayati Raj. | Concerns about the effectiveness and autonomy of local bodies under the new governance structure. |
