J&K statehood will be restored after delimitation and polls: Amit Shah

Srinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday sought the support of the youth of Kashmir in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "vision of a peaceful and developed" J&K, while reiterating that Assembly election will be held in the union territory after delimitation and restoration of statehood will follow. He is on his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since Article 370 was revoked in August 2019.

Shah said, "Elections will happen. Politicians from Kashmir want that the Delimitation be stopped. Why? Because it hurts their politics. Now, such things will not stop in Kashmir."

"The youth of Kashmir will get opportunities, so a right delimitation will be done, which will be followed by elections and then the status of the statehood will be restored. I have said this in the country's Parliament and this is the roadmap," he said.

The government will not allow anyone to create hurdles in the path of peace and development in Kashmir, Shah said during an interaction with the members of youth clubs of the union territory.

The Union Home Minister's visit to the Valley comes at a time when the centre faces a major security challenge in the wake of targeted civilian killings that triggered an exodus of migrant labourers and Kashmiri Pandits. The visit also comes amid the ongoing anti-terror operation in Poonch that has claimed the lives of nine soldiers, including two officers.

He met the families of nine victims of recent terror attacks including Makhan Lal Bindroo, a Kashmiri Pandit and the owner of a popular medical stores in Srinagar, and school principal Supinder Kour.

Shah also chaired a security review meeting during which he was informed about the steps taken to eliminate terrorism from the Valley.

I have come here to forge a friendship with the youth of Kashmir. Join hands with Modi ji and the Government of India and become partners in the journey to take Kashmir forward, he said.

Defending the BJP-led NDA government's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status, Shah said August 5, 2019 is written in golden letters in the history of Kashmir.

A new beginning has been made in Kashmir, ending panic, terrorism, fear, corruption, nepotism and new era of peace, development, prosperity and coexistence has begun, he said.

Shah said some people used to claim that terrorism will increase in Kashmir but it has reduced and stone pelting is not seen anymore.

The Union Home Minister said the youths of Kashmir should take advantage of the various opportunities being created by the administration for their progress.

The administration has lent a hand of friendship, youth clubs have been created, you have been given a platform, an opportunity, so come forward and take this opportunity. Make democracy stronger here, let the youths respond to the elements who try to make people go astray, he said.

Shah asserted the government's commitment to bringing peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Rest assured, the developmental journey in Kashmir will not stop, and no one will stop J&K from becoming an ideal state with respect to development, peace, infrastructure and prosperity," he added.

Shah stressed that terrorism and development cannot co-exist.

"The youth of J&K have to support it (peace efforts). This opportunity that you have, the development that you see...

"About 40,000 people, including civilians and security forces, have lost their lives. Do we have to stop this or not? Are terrorism and development possible together? No, it can never happen. The first condition for development is peace," he said.

The home minister also flagged off the inaugural Srinagar-Sharjah flight — the first direct international Airlink between the valley and the outside world.