Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed key issues concerning law and order and restoration of statehood to J&K.
During the 30-minute meeting, Omar apprised Amit Shah on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in light of two recent incidents—the suicide of an individual in Kathua following police torture in custody and the shooting of a truck driver by army men for allegedly jumping check point in Sopore, North Kashmir.
Omar emphasised to the Home Minister the importance of gaining the trust of the people in the Union Territory.
He also asserted that, as a public representative, his government should have a role in maintaining law and order, officials said.
Omar said that the last stages of militancy won’t be succeeded in vacuum, sources said.
The Home Minister last week had chaired a security review meeting at his residence in New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, top security and other officials. The CM was not invited for the meeting.
After meeting Home Minister, Omar told reporters that he discussed several issues, including J&K statehood restoration, security situation, governance and upcoming budget session of the assembly.
“I held a detailed discussion with the Home Minister on the important matters,” he said.
“Discussion on potential changes in industrial and tourism policies were also discussed during the meeting. The CM also briefed the Home Minister about the business rules, which are expected to be reviewed by the MHA,” sources said.
Since the erstwhile state was downgraded and bifurcated into two Union Territories in 2019, law and order has remained under the direct control of the central government.
Today’s meeting was Omar’s third engagement with Union Home Minister Amit Shah since taking over as the J&K Chief Minister.
Soon after assuming office, Omar Minister had met the Home Minister on October 23, 2024 during his first visit to New Delhi.
That meeting was primarily a formal introduction.
On December 19, 2024, Omar again met the Union Home Minister for the second time and “discussed the restoration of statehood for J&K, and the hurdles faced by the UIT’s elected government.”
In the December meeting Omar had sought clarification on the Transaction of Business Rules (TBR) to understand the authority of the elected government across various departments.