SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Monday, pressing for the restoration of statehood and a greater role for his government in law and order matters. The meeting, which lasted 30 minutes, also covered security concerns, governance, and economic policies for the Union Territory.
Officials said Abdullah raised the long-pending issue of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which was bifurcated into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh—following the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. This meeting comes in the wake of two significant incidents that sparked concerns over governance and public confidence—a suicide in Kathua and the fatal shooting of a truck driver in Sopore after he failed to stop at a checkpoint.
Following these incidents on February 4 and 5, Abdullah had expressed concern, stating that such episodes risk alienating the very people who need to be engaged in the effort to achieve complete normalcy. “I have taken up these incidents with the Union Government and insisted that both incidents are inquired into in a time-bound, transparent manner. The Government in J&K will also order its own inquiries,” he wrote on X.
During his discussion with Shah, Abdullah is believed to have stressed the need for taking the people of Jammu and Kashmir into confidence and ensuring that the elected government has a voice in maintaining law and order. Currently, law and order in J&K remains under the direct control of the central government, a key issue that has posed challenges for governance in the Union Territory.
Officials indicated that another significant aspect of the meeting was the discussion on the Business Rules for Jammu and Kashmir. These rules, which define the powers of the Chief Minister, his council of ministers, and administrative secretaries, are expected to be released soon. A Cabinet Sub-Committee had drafted these rules, but they required approval from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and clearance from the Home Ministry. With all issues regarding powers now settled, the rules are in the final stage of approval, and their release is anticipated in the coming days.
The delay in finalising the Business Rules has affected governance in the region, as Abdullah’s government is nearing its four-month milestone on February 16 without clearly defined powers. The new rules will clarify the roles of the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and Administrative Secretaries. However, law and order, public order, and All India Services will continue to remain under the jurisdiction of the Lt Governor.
In a post on X following the meeting, Abdullah described the discussion as detailed and productive, touching upon statehood, security, the upcoming budget session of the Legislative Assembly, and governance. Abdullah also raised concerns over changes in industrial and tourism policies, advocating for incentives to boost manufacturing and attract more tourists to Jammu and Kashmir.
This was Abdullah’s third meeting with Shah since taking office. His first meeting took place on October 23, 2024, soon after assuming the chief ministership, which served as an introductory discussion. In his second meeting on December 19, he reiterated the demand for statehood and highlighted hurdles faced by the UT’s elected government.
With the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir being closely monitored, Abdullah’s discussions with Shah come shortly after the Home Minister chaired two high-level meetings last week to review J&K’s security landscape. The coming days are expected to see crucial developments, including the release of the Business Rules, which could reshape the power dynamics between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration in Jammu and Kashmir.
