Focus on security as Shah’s maiden visit to Kashmir as HM begins today

To chair unified HQ meet, pay obesience at Amranath cave

SRINAGAR: After keeping his new office in North Block abuzz with activities related to Jammu and Kashmir this entire month, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will arrive in Valley on a two-day-long visit on Wednesday.

On his maiden visit to J&K after he took over as the Union Home Minister, Shah’s focus will remain on internal security in the state as he will co-chair the unified headquarters meeting with J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik.

Shah, who has confined his visit only to Kashmir this time, will also visit the holy shrine at Shri Amarnathji Cave on Thursday, even as his meeting with BJP workers and Panchayat members is also on the itinerary.

Shah, who advanced his visit earlier scheduled for June 30, will give Jammu and Ladakh divisions a miss this time due to time constraints but is likely to make another visit of those parts after the Budget session in Parliament.

“Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days beginning June 26. Upon his arrival, the minister will co-chair a meeting of the unified headquarters with Governor Satya Pal Malik tomorrow," informed sources said.

Unified headquarters is the state's apex anti-militancy security grid, which comprises top officials of the security forces, including the army and the state police engaged in counter-insurgency operations.
Senior officials of state and central intelligence agencies are also part of these meetings.

At the meeting, Shah will review the prevailing security scenario in the state with state administration and other security stakeholders, the sources added.

“He will also meet Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik separately. Shah will also visit the Shri Amarnathji Cave shrine tomorrow to pay obeisance,” they said.

This year's annual Amarnath Yatra begins on July 1 and will end on August 15.

Shah is also going to review the arrangement put in place for the Yatra, sources said.

BJP sources said Shah will meet state party leaders as well as delegations of the civil society, mainstream parties, people connected with tourism and Panchayat members on Thursday.

Asked if the state leaders have any specific demands to be put forth before the Home Minister, a senior BJP leader told: "We always raise state level issues and other problems during our meetings with the senior leadership of our party."

On whether the state BJP leaders would raise the issue of fresh delimitation of Assembly seats with Shah, the BJP leader said: "This has been our demand and there is nothing new if it is raised again before Amit Shahji."

Shah was earlier scheduled to visit the Valley for a day on June 30 but his programme has been preponed due to his engagement in the Parliament ahead of the Union Budget.

"The visit has been advanced due to the Home Minister's busy schedule connected with the Union Budget. He will chair a high-level security meeting in Srinagar and will also address BJP workers and Panchayat members separately during this visit.