New Delhi: On the first day of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday met the families of victims killed in the recent terror killings, promising strict action against those who disturb the peace. He also reiterated that the elections would be followed by a delimitation exercise after which statehood would be restored.
This is Amit Shah’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
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Interacting with the members of youth clubs of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, Amit Shah said, “Why delimitation should be stopped? This is because it would harm political interests. Now nothing will stop in Kashmir. There will be delimitation, after that elections and then statehood will be restored so that the youth of Kashmir will get opportunities. I said in Parliament also. And, that’s the roadmap.”
“I had come here to make friends with Kashmiri youth,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
He stressed that no one can hinder development in Jammu and Kashmir and assured that strict action will be taken against those who want to disrupt peace and harmony in the Union Territory.
“Kashmir has seen a new beginning – from fear, terrorism, corruption and family-based politics to peace, development and prosperity. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir has further strengthened this change. Terrorism has reduced, stone pelting has become invisible… I want to assure you that strict action will be taken against those who want to disturb the peace and harmony of J&K. Nothing can hinder the development here. This is our commitment,” the Union Home Minister said.
He further said, “Transparency and corruption free governance” which J&K has witnessed since 2019 is the pillar of development of the region. “Will this be possible without abrogating Article 370? Our projects for Jammu and Kashmir are multifaceted. It promotes economic support along with education and skill development. We have also promoted sports and tourism.”
The Home Minister said that a day will surely come when Kashmir will become such a state which will not be a contributory state but a taking state for India’s development.
“What did 70 years of Jamhooriyat, 87 MLAs, six MPs and three families have given, but Modi has given 30 thousand elected representatives in such a short time,” he said.
He also emphasized that the central government will not allow anyone to stand in the way of peace in Kashmir. He also said that corruption has reduced in Jammu and Kashmir and people are now getting direct benefits of government schemes.
“This transparency and eradication of corruption is the foundation of development of Jammu and Kashmir. Corruption had hollowed out the roots of Jammu and Kashmir like a termite and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has put an end to this menace.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Advisor Farooq Khan received the Union Home Minister at the technical airport here on Saturday and began their hectic schedule with a visit to the residence of slain police officer Inspector Parvez Ahmed Dar.
The yatra is taking place in the backdrop of the killing of 11 civilians in the Valley in October alone. Five of the victims were laborers from Bihar, while three, including two teachers, belonged to minority communities in Kashmir.
In the wake of the recent targeted killings of civilians, he chaired a security review meeting during which he was briefed about the steps taken to eliminate militancy from the Valley.
Amit Shah also flagged off the inaugural Srinagar-Sharjah flight – the first direct international airline between the Valley and the outside world.
He met Kashmiri Pandit Makhan Lal Bindru and the families of nine victims of the recent terror attacks, including Supinder Kaur, a popular medical store owner and school principal in Srinagar.
Second day of Amit Shah’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir
On the second day of his three-day visit, the Union Home Minister will be in Jammu and is likely to meet BJP workers at the party office and then hold a public rally in Bhagwati Nagar.
He is expected to interact with various delegations on Sunday as part of the central government’s outreach programme.
It was a day of heavy rain and snowfall in many parts of the valley. If the weather is fine, he will go to Jammu to address a public meeting on Sunday and return to Srinagar.
Security was beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Amit Shah’s visit and additional forces were deployed especially in the city.
(with inputs from agencies)
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