In this image posted by @OfficeOfLGJandK via X on April 6, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah being welcomed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor Manoj Sinha upon his arrival in Jammu.
| Photo Credit: @OfficeOfLGJandK on X via PTI Photo
Two religious leaders, including Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, were put under house arrest and scores of people summoned to police stations in the Valley, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah embarked on a three-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday (April 6, 2025) evening.
Mr. Shah was received by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister Jitendra Sing in Jammu.
The Home Minister’s visit comes against the backdrop of an uptick in militant activities in the Jammu region, where four policemen were killed in an encounter with militants in March, and growing infiltration attempts at the Line of Control (LoC). In Kashmir, the annual Amarnath Yatra will commence on July 3 and will require multi-tier security to keep militants at bay.
“Recent incidents [of militancy] in J&K will be seriously discussed. The party’s activities and performance will be discussed,” senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma said.
Security review
Official sources said that Mr. Shah and the J&K Lieutenant Governor will chair two separate security review meetings: the first at Unified Headquarters, to be attended by all security agencies; and the second with officials in Srinagar about the upcoming yatra. The Home Minister is likely to visit soldiers stationed at forward posts in the Jammu region “to boost their morale”, officials said.
Mr. Shah will also be apprised about the functioning of the Union Territory’s elected government by the BJP’s 28 MLAs.
‘Still consider J&K a State’
In Srinagar, he will be joined by J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to oversee the inaugurations and foundation stones of multi-crore projects.
Ahead of the Union Minister’s visit, Mr. Abdullah said, during a function in Srinagar: “J&K has suffered a lot. But now, as the rest of the country progresses, we are also ready to become part of this journey. Although J&K has lost its official Statehood, mentally we still consider ourselves a State.”
He was speaking at the 3rd Lok Samvardhan Parv held in Kashmir University, which was also attended by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. “Waqf properties belong to the poor, not for personal gain. The misuse will be stopped,” Mr. Rijiju said. “Kashmir, which is full of talent in art, culture, and craftsmanship, needs to empower local artisans and connect them to national markets,” he added.
Security beefed up
As Mr. Shah started his J&K tour on Sunday evening, security was beefed up in the entire region. Extra checkpoints were set up and additional deployments made in many places across J&K.
Apart from the Mirwaiz, Shia cleric Aga Syed Mohammad Hadi was also placed under house arrest ahead of Mr. Shah’s visit. The two religious leaders had been scheduled to attend a function related to Islamic calligraphy in Srinagar on Sunday. Sources said that scores of local residents, especially separatist supporters, were summoned to police stations in central, south and north Kashmir.
Published – April 06, 2025 08:53 pm IST