New Delhi, Dec 19: On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah held a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address several important issues, including the swift restoration of statehood and the participation of the elected government in combating terrorism.
This was Abdullah’s second meeting with Shah since he assumed office as the chief minister of the Union territory on October 16. He expressed that the discussions were conducted in a “cordial manner.” Abdullah stated, “We aspire to work in a more favorable environment so the people of Jammu and Kashmir can reap the benefits.”
After a 30-minute discussion, the chief minister informed reporters that he updated the Union home minister on the current situation in the Union territory and shared insights from his administration’s last two months.
“Yes, I brought up the early restoration of statehood during the discussion,” Abdullah confirmed, adding, “We are hopeful that Jammu and Kashmir will soon regain its statehood.”
When asked if the conversation covered the issue of militancy in the Union territory, he replied that security and law enforcement fall under the lieutenant governor’s jurisdiction.
“I have consistently emphasized, and I conveyed to the home minister, that ‘you cannot confront militancy and terrorism in isolation; you must engage the people of Jammu and Kashmir… their elected representatives and government must be included in this effort,’” Abdullah remarked.
The chief minister clarified that the conversation did not address the establishment of operational rules governing the division of responsibilities between the elected government and the lieutenant governor’s office, emphasizing that the Centre had no involvement in this matter.
“The operational rules are not the concern of the Indian government. It is upon us to determine them, and the Cabinet must approve them. The Cabinet sub-committee will finalize them and subsequently send them to the LG for approval,” he stated.
Abdullah is scheduled to attend the Goods and Services Tax meeting in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on December 20. Responding to a question regarding a proposed 28 percent increase on handloom products, he commented, “I am not aware of such a proposal. If it materializes, we will challenge it. Other states will be impacted as well.” Following Abdullah’s departure from the meeting, Shah commenced his second meeting with Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and senior officials to assess the law-and-order situation in the Union territory.
Previously, Abdullah met with Shah on October 23 during his first visit to the national capital after taking office on October 16.
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