New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said on Saturday that he was "completely persuaded" that a majority of Kashmiris supported the repeal of Article 370 and that restrictions in Kashmir were intended to prevent Pakistan from generating more mischief through proxies and terrorists.Article 370 "was not a special status. It was a special discrimination. With its abrogation we have brought Kashmiris on par with Indians," he said.
The restrictions have been eased progressively, and only 10 of the 199 police districts in Kashmir, Jammu and Laddakh now still have prohibitory orders and all land-line telephones have been restored in three areas. "I am fully convinced that most Kashmirs completely support the repeal of Article 370," said Doval. In removing Article 370, which was announced on August 5, "they (Kashmiris) see more possibilities, a better future, more youth employment," he said. Pakistan has sent many terrorists into Kashmir with the intent of causing trouble, and to ensure that normalcy is not restored. We are not going to allow people to be victims of the machinations of Pakistan and its bullets sent across the frontier. We're going to do all we can to protect the people, "he said.
