Srinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar on Saturday, as he began his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir today.
This is the home minister’s first visit to the Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370.
He was received at Srinagar airport by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a high-level security meeting discussed issues like terrorism, the growing threat of radicalisation, the killing of civilians, and an increase in cross-border infiltration.
Local reports stated that the security agencies explained to Shah the reason for threats of radicalisation and home-grown terrorism, despite the towering presence of Indian forces in the area, and extensive outreach programs organised by the government. The reports also claimed that Shah sought explanations on prolonged encounters and anti-terror operations.
Shah reviewed the security scenario at a meeting held at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar and attended by top civil administration officials, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and senior security officials from the Army, CRPF, police and other agencies, officials said.
His visit to Kashmir comes in the backdrop of 11 civilian killings in the valley in October alone. Five of those killed were labourers from Bihar, while three, including two teachers, belonged to minority communities in Kashmir.
The home minister also met the families members of a Jammu and Kashmir police officer, who was killed in a suspected militant attack last month. Shah, who arrived in Srinagar on a three-day visit, visited the slain inspector’s residence along with Jammu and Kashmir G Manoj Sinha, Union Min Jitendra Singh and DGP Dilbag Singh.
Shah met Parvez Ahmed’s wife Fatima Akhter and gave her official papers for a government job. “The entire country is with you. We will always remember the supreme sacrifice being made by Dar and the Jammu Kashmir police,” Amit Shah told the family.
Highlights:
- “5th August, 2019 will be written in Golden letters. It was the end of terrorism, nepotism, corruption… J&K youth has to contribute in the development of the Union Territory, it their responsibility”, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah while addressing J&K youth in Srinagar.
- Amit Shah in his address said, “Today’s youth in the Valley talk about the development.”
- “Why should we stop delimitation? Delimitation will happen, followed by elections and then restoration of statehood…I want to be friends with the Kashmiri youth”, said Shah in Srinagar.