HM says he has continuously been talking to CM
There will be good resolution of Ladakh’s just demands
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 18: In a significant statement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today said the “appropriate time’” on restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir will be decided in discussions with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
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Replying to a question at a Hindi news channel’s conclave in Patna on Omar Abdullah’s statement on restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said he (Omar) has to make statements. “I have continuously been talking to him,” he added.
On who will decide “appropriate time” for restoration of Statehood, the Home Minister said it will be decided in discussions with him (Omar Abdullah).
“The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the Home Minister have made a statement on floor of the House that the Statehood will be restored to Jammu and Kashmir at an appropriate time and they should have faith on the words,” Shah said.
Charging Pakistan with keeping funding the terrorist outfits, he said all efforts are being made to prevent Pahalgam-like terror attacks.
Twenty six civilians, 25 of them tourists and a local, were killed in April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which was followed by ‘Operation Sindoor’ by the Indian Armed Forces in which terror infrastructure deep inside Pakistan and PoJK was destroyed and many terrorists including their top commanders were killed.
“Three major terror attacks took place during our 11 years of Government in Kashmir including Uri, Pulwama and Pahalgam. All the times, Pakistan was given such an answer which was earlier never given. Pakistan thought only petitions will come like the past,” he said, adding it has been made clear to the world that there is no place for terrorism on the Indian soil.
Shah said Pakistan had earlier been giving weapons to local youths and making them terrorists but during last nine months, only one local youth has joined the terror ranks in Kashmir.
“Now, Pakistan has to send terrorists from across the border as local youths have shunned terrorism and separatism,” he asserted and declared that what was going on in Jammu and Kashmir since nineties will take time to end but we are on right track and there will be peace soon.
The Home Minister said the Hurriyat Conference and Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) had sown the seeds of separatism in the Valley which got support from Article 370.
“We ended Article 370 and now entire Jammu and Kashmir has right on India and India on J&K. Earlier, the Panchayat elections were held and 19,000 representatives were elected. Free and fair Assembly polls have also been conducted and Government headed by Omar Abdullah has been formed,” Shah said.
About the recent agitations in Ladakh, the Home Minister said the Centre is in talks with the committees of Leh and Kargil.
“We urge the people to have patience. There will be a good resolution of all their just demands,” he said.
On the arrest of climate activist, Sonam Wangchuk under NSA, Shah said: “I can speak of the demands of the people. Not about any individual. As far as his (Wangchuk’s) case is concerned, the matter is before the court, which will take a decision on the basis of evidence at hand”.
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