Jammu and Kashmir Police chief S P Vaid has said that there has been a 90 per cent dip in incidents of stone-pelting in Kashmir Valley this year as compared to the last year and credited the people of Kashmir for the improvement in the situation.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) raids, he said, were not alone responsible for the change in situation in the Kashmir Valley and maintained there were multiple factors at play, including demonetisation and action against top militant commanders.

The Director-General of Police said it was normal to witness 40-50 incidents of stone-pelting in a day last year.

“(There is) a more than 90 per cent fall in stone pelting in Kashmir Valley (this year) as compared to the last year.It is a huge decrease”, Vaid told PTI here.

“It is a huge change. The law and order situation in Kashmir is for everybody to see, particularly those living in Kashmir or those dealing with it. Even on Friday, where it used to be normal to have 40-50 incidents of stone pelting in a day (last year), not even a single incident is taking place (this year)”, the DGP said.

Vaid said NIA raids were not alone responsible for a drop in stone-pelting incidents.

“There are many factors responsible for improvement in the law and order situation and decrease in stone pelting. The impression that NIA raids have only improved the situation...I would not agree to it”, DGP said.

The police chief said there has been an improvement of the situation in Kashmir due to demonetisation, arrest of terror supporters and increase in political activity.

Apart from these, detention under the Public Safety Act also helped, he said. Asked whether the change in situation has been brought about due to the “iron fist in velvet glove” policy, he said “Yes”. The police chief said there has been a tremendous success as far as “operation allout” is concern.

“Most of the top leadership of HM and LeT has been neutralised except a few odd. It is a huge success. I think roughly 170 militants have been eliminated this year. (PTI)