‘Stand on Statehood is clear, it will be given at an appropriate time’
*Play strong role of Oppn both inside & outside Assembly: HM to BJP MLAs
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 6: Union Home Minister Amit Shah today assured the BJP MLAs and senior party leaders that terror-related situation in the Jammu region will be brought under control shortly and reiterated Central Government’s stand on Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir that it will be restored at an “appropriate time”.
Shah held two hours long meeting with all 28 MLAs of the BJP at party headquarters in Trikuta Nagar tonight in presence of Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, Tarun Chug, national general secretary Incharge J&K, BJP UT chief Sat Sharma, Leader of Opposition (LOP) Sunil Sharma and MPs-Jugal Kishore Sharma and Ghulam Ali Khatana.
The Home Minister, who reached here around 6.30 PM on three days visit to the UT, drove to Raj Bhawan and then reached the BJP headquarters at 8.15 PM. He was at the party office for about two hours.
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While the BJP didn’t issue any statement on the meeting, insiders told the Excelsior that Shah took feedback of all 28 MLAs individually especially on security and political situation besides proceedings in budget session of the Legislature which will resume sittings after 12 days break tomorrow.
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On concerns of the legislators about security situation in the region especially infiltration of the terrorists and their presence in upper reaches of some districts of Jammu, Shah assured them that security agencies are formulating strategy and the situation will be under control shortly.
“Security forces are on the job. Situation will be under control shortly,” the insiders quoted the Home Minister as having assured the MLAs.
Two terrorists were killed and four police personnel were martyred on March 27 at Safiyan Jakhole in Kathua district in the latest gun battle. People have observed movement of terrorists in upper reaches of Billawar during past few days.
As far as restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, Shah reportedly told the BJP MLAs that the party stand on it has been very clear that it would be done at an “appropriate time”.
Three-four resolutions are tomorrow listed in the Legislative Assembly seeking restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister have earlier also stated that Statehood would be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at an “appropriate time”. National Conference, Congress and other political parties have repeatedly been demanding restoration of Statehood. Omar Abdullah Government in its very first Cabinet meeting after taking charge in middle of October had passed resolution seeking Statehood for J&K and submitted the same to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.
On reports that the National Conference and Congress could rake up issues of Wakf bill and transfers of 48 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (JKAS) officers in the Assembly tomorrow, Shah said Waqf bill has been passed by the Parliament and the BJP is in full support of it.
As far as the issues of the administration are concerned, everything is being done as per the rules.
Shah also listened to number of issues put forth by the MLAs and called upon them to play the role of strong Opposition both inside and outside the Assembly.
Shah guided the legislators on the strategy to counter the National Conference, which wants to confuse the society on the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, the abrogated Article 370 and Statehood issues. He also guided the legislators on the strategy to counter the Union Territory Government’s “anti-people policies” within and outside the assembly.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, BJP national general secretary and Incharge J&K Tarun Chug said the country is moving forward under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and J&K is progressing in new ways.
“Road, rail, infrastructure and medical facilities have improved. Drinking water is being supplied to homes. We have reduced terrorism and J&K is a peaceful region. This is why the Prime Minister is reaching J&K this month and the Home Minister has come today,” Chug said.
Chug said some leaders are trying to instill fear in people’s minds.
“Waqf will now be for the benefit of poor and women. Now the Abdullah and Mufti families have to decide whether they are with the looters or with the orphans, poor and women. The Home Minister reiterated that this Bill is not against any religion, worship places and Dargas will be handled by the same people and Government will not interfere with them,” Chug said.
He said Shah held meeting with the party MLAs.
“BJP won 29 seats from here, so all the party MLAs wanted to meet him, that is why the meeting took place today. All the MLAs expressed their gratitude that the Narendra Modi Government, is working very well for the development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Senior BJP leader and former UT chief Ravinder Raina said: “Amit Shah arrived in Jammu-Kashmir for a three-day visit….Here, security-related matters are reviewed from time to time. At the same time, the Home Minister also reviews development works, meets with party organization workers, and guides them regarding the expansion of the organization. We express our gratitude to the Home Minister; he always works for peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir”.
This is Shah’s first visit to the Union Territory after the formation of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led National Conference Government in October last year. The visit also holds significance in the wake of a massive ongoing anti-terrorist operation in Kathua district.
Shah was received at the technical airport by Union Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and other BJP leaders including J&K unit president Sat Sharma and party’s national general secretary in-charge of J&K Tarun Chug. Former J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina and former Deputy Chief Ministers Kavinder Gupta and Dr Nirmal Singh were also present.
The Union Home Minister will visit a forward post along the India-Pakistan border and review the security situation and development initiatives during his tour.
Police and security forces have been put on high alert in view of Shah’s visit, the officials said.
On Monday, Shah will visit the BSF Border Outpost Vinay in Kathua and assess the ground situation there tomorrow.
Shah is also scheduled to meet the family members of the martyrs of the Jammu and Kashmir Police at the Raj Bhavan in Jammu tomorrow and present appointment letters to some of them selected on compassionate grounds.
On April 8, Shah will first take stock of various development programmes in the UT at a meeting to be held at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.
Subsequently, he will attend another meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar where the security situation in J&K will be reviewed.
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