NEW DELHI: Sending a tough message, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that no family member of any terrorist nor close relatives of stone pelters will get government jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah made it clear that the Narendra Modi government has not only targeted terrorists but also dismantled the terror ecosystem. This decisive action has led to a significant decrease in terror incidents across the country.

"In Kashmir, we have taken a decision that if someone joins a terrorist organisation, their family members will not get any government job," Shah stated firmly in an interview with PTI over the weekend. He emphasized that the government's stance is strict and unwavering in this regard.

The Home Minister also highlighted the government's approach to stone pelters, who have often disrupted peace and security in the region. "If someone indulges in stone pelting, his family members will also not get a government job," Shah said. This measure aims to curb the encouragement and support for such activities by creating a deterrent effect.

By implementing these policies, the government seeks to ensure that those involved in violent and disruptive activities do not benefit from state resources. This approach not only punishes those directly involved in terrorism and stone pelting but also extends the consequences to their immediate families, thereby discouraging participation in such acts from the grassroots level.

The government's firm stance reflects its commitment to maintaining law and order in Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to bring long-term peace and stability to the region.

He said some human rights activists went to the Supreme Court against the decision but, at the end, the government prevailed.

The home minister, however, said the government will make an exception in case someone from a family comes forward and informs the authorities that his or her close relative has joined a terror outfit. Such families will be given relief, he said.

Shah explained that in the past, funeral processions were common in Kashmir after a terrorist was killed. This often led to large gatherings and potential unrest. "Earlier, funeral processions used to be taken out in Kashmir after a terrorist was killed," Shah said. "We have stopped this trend. We have ensured that the terrorist is buried with all religious formalities but in an isolated place."

The home minister stressed that the government has taken steps to prevent these processions from becoming a rallying point for further violence. By ensuring that the burials are done respectfully but away from public view, the government aims to reduce the glorification of terrorists and avoid inciting more violence.

Shah also detailed the procedures followed when a terrorist is cornered by security forces. "When a terrorist is surrounded by the security forces, he is first given a chance to surrender," he said. "We call family members like his mother or wife and ask them to make an appeal to the terrorist to surrender. If he (the terrorist) does not listen, he dies." This approach underscores the government's attempt to save lives while still taking a firm stance against terrorism.

The home minister highlighted the significant reduction in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. He attributed this decrease to the government's dual strategy of targeting terrorists and dismantling the infrastructure that supports them. "Terror incidents have gone down significantly in Jammu and Kashmir as the government has not only targeted the terrorists but also eliminated the terror ecosystem," Shah reiterated.

"Through the NIA (National Investigation Agency), we have taken strong action against terror funding and ended it. We have taken a very tough stand on terror funding," he said.

In the case of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), Shah said the government has imposed a ban on the publication and spread of the terrorist ideology by it. "In case of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), the government has imposed a ban on publication and spread of the terrorist ideology by it," he stated.

Muslim radical group PFI, founded in Kerala, was banned under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Centre in September 2022 over its alleged links with terror activities. "Muslim radical group PFI, founded in Kerala, was banned under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Centre in September 2022 over its alleged links with terror activities," Shah detailed.

In the case of Amritpal Singh, an alleged pro-Khalistani separatist, "we have put him in jail under the NSA (National Security Act)," he said. Singh, the chief of the radical Sikh separatist group 'Waris Punjab De', was arrested in April 2023 in Punjab under the stringent NSA and subsequently shifted to Assam where he is lodged in Dibrugarh jail. "Singh, the chief of radical Sikh separatist group 'Waris Punjab De', was arrested in April 2023 in Punjab under the stringent NSA and subsequently shifted to Assam where he is lodged in Dibrugarh jail," Shah added.

He recently filed nomination papers from the jail to contest the Lok Sabha election from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib seat.

According to Union home ministry data, there were 228 terrorist initiated incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 and the number came down to around 50 in 2023. "According to Union home ministry data, there were 228 terrorist initiated incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018 and the number came down to around 50 in 2023."

There were 189 encounters between security forces and terrorists in 2018 and it came down to around 40 in 2023. "There were 189 encounters between security forces and terrorists in 2018 and it came down to around 40 in 2023."

As many as 55 civilians were killed due to various terror incidents in 2018. The number came down to around five in 2023. "As many as 55 civilians were killed due to various terror incidents in 2018. The number came down to around five in 2023."

In 2018, a total of 91 security personnel were martyred in terror violence in Jammu and Kashmir, with the figure declining to around 15 in 2023. "In 2018, a total of 91 security personnel were martyred in terror violence in Jammu and Kashmir, with the figure declining to around 15 in 2023."