Amid simmering situation in Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting with top security officials.
According to reports, the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir was extensively discussed in the hour-long meeting which was attended by the powerful National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and other senior officials.
Sources said the situation in Kashmir was discussed in the meeting, “There hasn’t been a word on what transpired in the meeting,” an official said.
“What exactly transpired in the meeting is not known immediately,” the official added.
Kashmir Valley has been on the edge following deployment of additional security forces in the state last week and a security advisory that ordered all tourists and Amarnath pilgrims to leave the Valley.
In a surprising move, Governor Satya Pal Malik’s administration in Jammu and Kashmir, which is under President’s rule, last week ordered curtailment of the annual Amarnath Yatra and asked pilgrims and tourists to leave Kashmir Valley, citing terror threat.
Outstation students, studying in the NIT in Srinagar, have also been asked to leave the campus and go home and not to return till further order.
Following the deployment of additional troops and other steps, there have been rumours that the Centre may have plans to do away with Article 35A, which gives exclusive rights to the state’s residents in government jobs and land.
Mainstream political parties have, however, vowed to resist any such move to tinker with the special status.
On Thursday, a delegation comprising National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and a party MP met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him not to take any step which may lead to deterioration in the law and order situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
They also urged Modi to facilitate holding of Assembly election in the state by the year-end.
An all-party meeting was held at the residence of the NC chief Dr Farooq Abdullah which was attended by all top leaders of the regional parties.