G&B, YRS among other delegations to meet HM
*Tight security arrangements in place
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 1: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate and lay foundation of several development works and meet delegations in both Jammu and Srinagar during his three-day visit to the Union Territory beginning October 3 for which security arrangements at Jammu, Rajouri, Srinagar, Baramulla and holy cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji besides other places, are in place.
Shah will reach here around 5 pm on October 3. His first day’s assignments include meeting with selected delegations including those from Gujjars and Bakerwals and Yuva Rajput Sabha.
The Gujjars and Bakerwals will extend thanks to the Home Minister for nominating Ghulam Ali Khatana, a prominent Gujjar leader, to the Rajya Sabha while the Yuva Rajput Sabha will express gratitude to Shah for holiday declared on Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday in Jammu and Kashmir on September 23 by the UT Government.
The two organizations will also raise other issues with the Home Minister.
Some more delegations could also meet Shah the same evening. Senior BJP leaders are also expected to call on Shah to discuss political situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Security arrangements are in place for Shah’s visit at all places including Jammu, Srinagar, Rajouri, Baramulla and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine.
On October 4 morning, Shah will fly to holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and pay obeisance to the Goddess on the occasion of Durga Navmi.
He will then fly to Rajouri town and address massive public rally wherein important announcements are expected including the one pertaining to grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Paharis.
The BJP is expecting massive response to its Rajouri rally because of enthusiasm among Paharis who have considerable population in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Moreover, BJP UT chief Ravinder Raina’s hometown, Nowshera, also falls in Rajouri.
This will be Shah’s first visit to Rajouri as Home Minister of the country.
On his return to Jammu, the Union Home Minister will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of development works of Jammu region from the Jammu Convention Centre (JCC).
He will fly to Srinagar on October 4 around 5 pm.
In Kashmir, Shah will address a massive public rally at Baramulla on October 5 morning. Several BJP leaders from Jammu and Kashmir are camping in the Valley to make the rally historic.
In Srinagar also, Shah will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of development works.
He will also chair a high-level security review meeting along with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in the afternoon of October 5 which will be attended by top brass of civil administration and Jammu and Kashmir Police and senior officers of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Intelligence agencies and all other security agencies engaged in anti-militancy operations.
Senior officers of Army and CAPFs posted in Jammu and Kashmir, police, Intelligence agencies and others will also join the security review meeting and give detailed view of security situation prevailing in the Union Territory and infiltration attempts by the militants on LoC and IB, most of which have been thwarted by the security personnel.
“The Home Minister will get detailed feedback on the situation,” the officials said.
There were reports that Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and paramilitary personnel will step-up anti-militancy operations in the coming winters in the Kashmir valley when the militants come down to plains from upper reaches due to heavy snowfall.
A number of militants have been killed in the Kashmir valley this year. They include top commanders and Pakistani nationals. On the LoC and IB, several infiltration attempts have been foiled by the Army and BSF though some bids have been successful too.
Twin rallies by Shah assumed significance though there have been no signs of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir this year. Elections, however, are possible in April-May next year depending on the situation. Final Electoral Rolls of the UT are scheduled to be published by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on November 25.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
