The government on Wednesday rejected claims made by a National Conference member in Lok Sabha about the situation in Kashmir, saying the region witnessed one of the most peaceful festive seasons in decades.

After a brief exchange of words between the opposition and the treasury benches on the situation in the Valley, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said the region has remained by and large peaceful following scrapping of special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh said the area has seen one of the most peaceful festive seasons in the last 20-30 years. “You have seen the videos of how the Sunday market is crowded,” he said. Referring to internet shutdown, he said it has helped security forces liquidate terrorists.