Delimitation, Elections, Statehood: Amit Shah Lays Down J&K Roadmap

Defending communication blockade and curfew following the centre's move to revoke Article 370, Amit Shah said they were "bitter pill" to save lives

Delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir will be followed by elections and restoration of statehood, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said today as he visited the Valley for the first time since Article 370 was revoked two years ago. Instead prior to his visit 700 civilians were detained, booked under PSA & many shifted to jails outside Kashmir. Such oppressive steps further vitiate an already tense atmosphere. ‘Normalcy acrobatics' are in full swing while reality is denied & obfuscated.

"Why should we stop delimitation? Nothing is going to stop. After delimitation, there will be elections and then restoration of statehood," Mr Shah said in an address to members of youth clubs in Srinagar.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah met representatives of Kashmir's political parties in Delhi. Following the meeting, both Mr Modi and Mr Shah had stressed that delimitation should be completed at the earliest so that steps to restore statehood can be taken.

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.