Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and discussed with him a series of issues including restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
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This was Omar’s second meeting with Shah after taking over as the Chief Minister on October 16 this year, the first being on October 23. The meeting lasted half an hour.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Omar said the militancy and terrorism can’t be fought in vacuum and people of Jammu and Kashmir will have to be taken into confidence (in the fight against terror).
“They (the people) will have to be involved in the fight against militancy and terrorism. Elected representatives of the people and the Government will have to be involved,” the Chief Minister said.
Omar said he briefed the Home Minister about working of the Government during last over two months including problems or no problems. The talks, he added, were held in good atmosphere.
On release of ‘Business Rules’, he said the Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC) will draft the Rules and then the Cabinet will clear them. The Rules will be sent to the Lieutenant Governor for approval.
To a question on restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, he expressed confidence that they will get back the State soon. He said security and law and order are not under his domain.
In reply to another question on protests and bandh in holy town of Katra, the base camp of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine in protest against proposed Ropeway project, Omar said the issues pertaining to the Shrine Board are not under his jurisdiction and can be put to the Lieutenant Governor.
Omar will be attending the Goods and Services Tax meeting in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer on December 20. To a question about the proposed hike of 28 per cent on handloom products, he said, “I have not seen such a proposal. If it comes, we will contest it. Not only us, other States will be affected too.”
Responding to a question on fracas in Parliament complex today with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress trading charges of attack on their MPs, Omar said he knows Rahul Gandhi (the Leader of Opposition) and he can’t hit anyone.
“Leave aside the Parliament, he can’t hit anyone even on road,” he said, adding whatever has happened the Speaker will look into that.
Earlier, Omar Abdullah had met with Shah on October 23 during his first visit to the national capital after assuming office on October 16.
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