Statehood to be restored only after delimitation, elections: Amit Shah

SRINAGAR — Union Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday arrived in Valley for a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Shortly after his arrival in Valley, he presided a security review meeting at Raj Bhawan that was attended by top civil, Police, Army and CRPF officials besides Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

Home Minister Amit was briefed about the steps taken to eliminate militancy from Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting.

After presiding the security review meeting, Amit Shah visited the residence of Police Inspector Parvaiz Ahmad who was shot dead by militants in June at Baghat Kanipora area this year. Sources told news agency KNT that Amit Shah met the family members and expressed sympathies with the wife of the slain police officer.

Security was beefed up across Kashmir ahead of Amit Shah’s visit. Massive security arrangements were made across the Valley, especially in Srinagar city.

Amit Shah after arriving in Srinagar said that statehood will be restored only after the culmination of the delimitation process. He said delimitation will happen, followed by elections and then restoration of statehood. He said he reiterated his statement which he had made in the Parliament of the country.

He said militancy has reduced, stone pelting has become invisible. “I want to assure you that strict action will be taken against those who want to ruin the peace of J&K, no one can obstruct development here. It’s our commitment,” he added.

In his address to ‘Jammu Kashmir Youth Club’, Amit Shah said that he wants to be friends with the youth of Kashmir. He said that Kashmir in India can’t be compared to other parts of Kashmir held by Pakistan. He also said that J&K’s youth has to contribute to the development of the Union Territory.

Amit Shah while talking about the development said that “every house in Kashmir has gas supply now.”

He said after the abrogation of Article 370, corruption has come down in Jammu and Kashmir. He said he is happy to arrive in Kashmir after two and a half years.