For the first time in 30 years, there is no call for bandh in Jammu and Kashmir during the visit of the Union Home Minister in the state. The Home Minister Amit Shah reached Srinagar yesterday for a two-day visit to review the situation in the state and the security arrangements made for the Amarnath Yatra.
Reportedly, Amit Shah is set to meet state party leaders, delegations of civil society and Panchayat members besides paying obeisance at the Amarnathji Shrine. During a security meeting, he had urged all agencies to continue with their tough approach against militants and rioters. He is also scheduled to meet the J&K Governer Satya Pal Malik.
Separatist groups are notorious for calling for a bandh whenever a Union Minister visits the state. Surprisingly after 30 years, neither factions of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have called for a bandh. As per reports, all leaders of the separatist groups have been silent with Amit Shah’s arrival on Wednesday.
The silence may have been due to the recent crackdown on separatist leaders. The NIA had recently nailed top separatist leaders, some of who have admitted their involvement in a terror funding case.
Terror activities continue to prevail in the state. 3 CRPF jawans were martyred and several others were injured when a patrol team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) came under terrorist attack in Anantnag two weeks ago.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously tabled the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill. The bill seeks to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, which provides for reservation in appointment and admission in professional institutions for persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes.