Srinagar, Feb 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss key issues which includes restoration of Statehood, law and order situation in the Union Territory, along with proposed changes in industrial and tourism policies aimed at boosting these sectors.
During the meeting, which lasted for 30 minutes, sources said the chief minister pressed for restoration of statehood to J&K and also raised concerns regarding law and order, particularly following recent incidents in Kathua and Sopore. He emphasized the need for transparent, time-bound inquiries into these events to maintain public trust.
Earlier, Omar had posted on “X” stating that he had raised the Kathua and Sopore incidents with the Union Government, insisting that both cases be investigated in a transparent and timely manner. He also mentioned that the Jammu and Kashmir government would conduct its own inquiries into the incidents.
The upcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, scheduled for March 3, was also discussed during the meeting. Omar and Shah deliberated on various aspects to ensure effective governance and development in the region. Omar informed the Home Minister about the business rules that are expected to be reviewed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The meeting came a week after Shah chaired two back-to-back meetings in two days where the security situation of J&K was discussed threadbare.
Meanwhile, Omar emphasised the importance of taking the people of Jammu and Kashmir into confidence and conveyed that, as an elected representative, his government should play a key role in maintaining law and order.
The discussions also touched upon potential changes to industrial and tourism policies aimed at boosting the manufacturing sector and attracting more tourists to the region.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Omar said that important issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir were always addressed during such discussions. He reiterated that he raised the issue of statehood, security concerns, and the overall situation in the region.
On questions regarding the INDIA Bloc, Omar declined to comment but indicated that he would express his views at the appropriate time, adding that revealing his stance prematurely could lead to unnecessary controversy. He further stated that the unity within the INDIA bloc would become clearer after an official meeting.
