Today, On 19th November, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted a 70% reduction in violence over the past decade in Kashmir, the North-East, and Naxalite-affected regions. These areas, once considered highly disturbed, have seen significant improvements in security and stability. He credited the government’s focused efforts for achieving this progress. The reduction marks a pivotal step toward peace and development in these regions.
Gandhinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Tuesday that the BJP-led government at the Centre successfully reduced violence in Jammu and Kashmir, the North-East, and Naxal-affected areas by 70% over the past decade.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the 50th All India Police Science Conference (AIPSC) at Rashtriya Raksha University, Shah expressed optimism that the next decade will see the Indian criminal justice system become the most scientific and efficient in the world.
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Shah said,
“For many years, three regions Kashmir, the North-East, and Naxalite-affected areas—were considered highly disturbed. We have made significant progress in improving security in all these areas. Comparing data from the last ten years with the previous period shows that we have successfully reduced violence by 70%,”
He emphasized,
“I believe this is a major achievement. A large number of people have wholeheartedly supported the government’s efforts to curb this violence.”
Shah also highlighted that drug seizures have increased sixfold over the past decade as part of efforts to control the narcotics trade.
Regarding the implementation of new criminal laws, he assured that justice would be delivered to individuals from the Supreme Court level within three years of filing a first information report (FIR).
He stated,
“The next ten years will be crucial for transforming India’s criminal justice system into the most modern, scientific, and expedient. I have often heard that justice is delayed in our courts. I want to assure you that after the introduction of the three new criminal laws, one can expect justice from the Supreme Court within three years of registering an FIR at any police station in the country,”
The three new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into effect on July 1 this year, replacing the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act.
India has ascended to become the fifth-largest economy, up from the eleventh position just a decade ago, with expectations of reaching the third-largest economy by April 1, 2028, according to Shah. He highlighted that over the past ten years, India has emerged as a leader globally across various sectors, including the economy, technology, security, education, research and development, infrastructure, and trade. This progress, however, introduced new challenges.
Shah noted,
“When you progress in a system, you replace someone, which creates resistance. You must advance while analyzing this resistance.”
He emphasized that India has successfully conducted smooth elections and managed the COVID-19 pandemic, surprising the global community.
He pointed out that as the world acknowledges India’s strengths, the nation must be ready to face increasing challenges. His government has implemented significant reforms in internal security and the criminal justice system, which require diligent effort, better coordination, and inclusivity.
India has laid a robust foundation through various economic and social reforms. The Home Ministry prepared extensively for the rollout of three new criminal laws, aiming to enhance the criminal justice system. Shah mentioned that 70,000 police stations are now linked to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS), alongside 22,000 courts connected via eCourts.
The data of 20 million prisoners is stored in the e-Prisons system, with over 15 million prosecution records in the e-Prosecution system, and more than 2.3 million forensic records in the e-Forensic system.
Shah explained,
“When we implemented three new criminal laws, we established a connection among courts, prosecution, police, jails, and forensic science labs,”
He stressed that the safety of citizens is at the forefront of these new laws, ensuring their rights under the Constitution are protected.
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He added,
“All technological systems have been integrated into the new laws, ensuring that future technological advancements won’t necessitate legal changes.”
Shah also stated that the reforms aim for speedy justice, obligating courts, prosecution, and police to operate within set time limits across 60 provisions, ensuring that no prisoner is denied justice after serving a third of their sentence.
He called on the AIPSC to analyse available data to implement changes that will reduce crime, improve investigations, and expedite justice.
The recent ethnic violence in Manipur prompted significant judicial intervention. The Manipur High Court, in May 2023, directed the state government to consider granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community, urging swift action.
The Supreme Court has actively overseen the situation, expressing concerns over slow investigations and transferring 21 sexual violence cases to Assam for a fair trial. As of November 2024, the court continues to monitor the unrest, stressing the need for law and order, relief, and vigilance. Additionally, the Union Home Ministry deployed 5,000 personnel to restore peace, highlighting the judiciary’s role in addressing the crisis.