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Centre's assessment report reveals demonetization dented terrorist activity

The Centre’s assessment of the impact of demonetization on terrorists and areas infested by militancy has thrown up surprising facts. The note accessed by DNA-WION says that terrorist violence in the Kashmir Valley has decline by 60% post demonetization. It also notes that only one blast took place in the month of December 2016.

The note also suggested that stone pelting incidents too have reduced because of unavailability of cash which was in use by local area commanders of the terrorist organisations. The impact also weakened the over ground workers support base which has helped military neutralise terrorists in a number of operations.

The note also categorically states that the All Party Hurriyat Conference too made relaxation in their shutdown calls, enabling the state education board to conduct examinations in November which recorded 98% attendance.

The intelligence assessment also shows that the skewed real estate market in Kashmir which witnessed price correction due to demonetization. The assessment by the intelligence agencies is also that the circulation of counterfeit currency has come to a standstill in the valley.

The assessment states, “Various militant groups, insurgents, separatists, criminals, terrorists, sleeper cells in the North East region suffered losses.” It was also brought to the government’s notice that many insurgent groups also left the northeast region with the new Indian currency for safety reasons.

But the Centre feels that the impact of demonetization has been far more pronounced in the areas suffering from left wing extremism. The Indian intelligence agencies noticed that the senior cadre of the CPI(Maoist) in the Bastar division was reportedly in touch with people to convert old notes into new currency. The Centre noted that demonetization has escalated the pressure on CPI(Maoist) to surrender in large numbers before the authorities since November 8. The note also mentions that demonetization has also impacted hawala transactions bringing them down by 50%.

Demonetization as an exercise is very important to the BJP. The jury is still out on what sort of political fallout it will create but, for now, the government can take succor in the fact that it has had an effect in terror impacted areas by crippling their activities for now.

Source: dnaindia.com