Jammu ,19-Mar : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday while attending the 83rd Raising Day parade of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, said abrogation of Article 370 from the erstwhile state has brought democracy to grassroots level.Shah started his speech by bowing to Mata Vaishno Devi and by offering tributes to those who laid down their lives in the service of the country. He praised the services of those CRPF personnel who have earned awards by fighting for peace and unity in the country.Smartly turned out contingents of various wings of the force marched before the podium, where Shah wearing a typical Dogra turban, took salute. This is the first time that the Raising Day parade of the CRPF is being held anywhere outside the organisation’s headquarters.”As the country’s Home Minister, I thank the jawans of the CRPF for ensuring that the people live peacefully in the country.”Whenever elections are held in the country, the largest deployment of CRPF is made to ensure peaceful elections. CRPF rapid action force (RAF) has ensured to control riots in the shortest period of time. Before the RAF came into existence, these riots took longer time to control.Amit Shah said that Jammu was the land where Syama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Prem Nath Dogra fought for total integration of J&K with the rest of the country.”Our leader, Syama Prasad Mukherjee gave the supreme sacrifice to ensure that the country has only ‘Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan’ (One Prime Minister, one flag and one Constitution).Under Article 370, J&K’s elected head of government was called ‘Wazir-e-Azam’ (Prime Minister), state had its own flag and a separate constitution.”Since 2014 after Narendra Modi took over as the Prime Minister, a lot has taken place in J&K. Democracy was brought to the grassroots level. Every village here has elected Panch and Sarpanch who have been empowered to work for the development at the village level.The Union Home Minister said that J&K seven new medical colleges and two AIIMS will be functional soon while as all efforts have been made to provide corruption free government to people.”After removal of Article 370, women and weaker sections like the tribals have been ensured their rightful place. Rs 33,000 crore investment target had been made on the ground and for thus I congratulate Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha.After reaching Jammu, Shah on Friday handed over job appointment letters to kin of Jammu and Kashmir police personnel who were killed in militant incidents.”The entire nation is proud of their dedication and valour to keep Jammu and Kashmir safe. The Narendra Modi government is committed to the welfare
