Chief Minister Omar Abdullah meets Home Minister Amit Shah - Greater Kashmir

New Delhi, Oct 23: Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday and discussed issues related to the Union Territory including early restoration of statehood, officials said.

They said that on his first visit to the national capital after assuming office last week, Abdullah spent nearly 30 minutes with the Home Minister.

The officials said that it was a courtesy call during which the CM apprised the Union Home Minister about the situation and also discussed the issue of restoration of statehood.

Abdullah’s visit follows the attack in the Gangangeer area of Ganderbal district, where terrorists killed seven individuals, including a doctor, just three days ago.

Since the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory in 2019, the Police force has been under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry.

During his stay in Delhi, the CM is scheduled to meet the central leadership, including an anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Abdullah’s National Conference (NC) achieved a remarkable victory in the recent assembly polls in J&K, securing 42 out of the 90 seats.

In a significant move during his first cabinet meeting, a resolution was passed urging the Centre to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir in its original form.

This restoration is seen as a crucial step towards initiating a healing process, reinstating constitutional rights and safeguarding the unique identity of the region’s residents.

With the J&K cabinet’s endorsement, the CM has been empowered to engage with the PM and the Centre to advocate for the reinstatement of J&K’s statehood, the officials said.

This resolution was also approved by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.