Srinagar: Setting up 90 new bunkers and drone surveillance along the Amarnath Yatra route are some of the security plans discussed during Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s first visit to Kashmir Wednesday. But there was one other issue that Shah focused on — corruption in the state.
In his first meeting in Jammu and Kashmir to review the security scenario in the state, Shah was told that the administration is also issuing radio-frequency identification (RFID) to government employees engaged in Amarnath Yatra duty.
But Shah was also keen on discussing prevalent corruption and issues of land grabbing in Kashmir, according to a source who is aware of the topics discussed. These are issues that rarely get attention from both state and central law enforcement agencies.
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Home minister wants Anti-Corruption Bureau strengthened
Shah directed the state administration to strengthen the recently established Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to tackle the rising corruption cases. The ACB has been in the news for probing allegations of fraudulent appointments and misappropriation of funds against sacked J&K Bank chairman Parvez Ahmed Nengroo.
In a statement issued by the state administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah was quoted as saying, “Newly established Anti-Corruption Bureau should be strengthened. Cases of rampant corruption by the high and mighty should be taken up on priority for fast track investigations.”
Sources said that Shah asked the state administration and the police force to strictly tackle corruption by government employees as well as malpractices by private entities and individuals.
A senior government official also said that Shah was apprised of the menace of land grabbing in the state. Shah, in response, has asked the ACB to take over such cases.
“Shah is keen on dealing with cases of corruption so that there is greater accountability in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This is part of this governments agenda for the rest of the country too,” the official said. “Land grabbing is another issue that has to be dealt with and was discussed in the meeting. People (in J&K) who have used influence to engage in unlawful activities will be made accountable.”
Also read: Modi govt shows shift in Kashmir policy but a lot depends on Hurriyat, and Amit Shah
Shah held two meetings
Shah held two meetings Wednesday — one to review security and the other to take stock of developmental activities in the state. The meetings were attended by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Special Secretary (Home Ministry) A.P. Maheshwari, Gyanesh Kumar, Additional Secretary Kashmir division, senior officials of the state administration, the army, paramilitary forces and intelligence agencies.
Shah is also expected to meet delegations. He is also supposed to meet families of BJP workers killed by militants. On Thursday, Shah met with the family of J&K police officer Arshad Khan who was killed in a suicide attack in Anantnag earlier this month. Five CRPF troopers were also killed in the attack.
Hurriyat has to declare that J & K belongs to Each & Every Indian before they dream of talking to the Centre. Otherwise, Get Lost and talk to the next CM of J & K whenever that happens depending upon the situation in the Valley. Till then No Respite for the Hurriyat. Modi has been too kind with the Hurriyat. LoL They are greedy redundant, lost cause, anti nationals and should be treated like that. People like karan thappar talk of atal bihari incessantly while on kashmir but completely forgetting how atal bihari was abused in the most parliamentary way possible LoL during that period and today karan talks of Insaniyat? Bullshitt Man! There is No Dispute in the Valley just like there is No Dispute in Ram Mandir. It is the Greatness of India that things have been allowed to go on and on and on BUT, Now, No More Appeasement! No more utopian dreams. Ruthless on the Enemy within and outside india. As a kid i have followed kashmir & pakistan. Pakistan has gone to the dogs. Kashmir is safe because its an integral part of india. Otherwise these hurriyat pigs will fight like dogs as to who will be king of kashmir. And Dal Lake will go Red. And paki flag at lal chowk. And the Genocide would begin on kashmiri women just like what happened 50 years ago in east pakistsn. Are you there shekhar gupta. IE finds Truth Bitter and does not print my views generally. Truth is Bitter! In any case the Valley is certainly not hurriyat fiefdom. Its for all indians. Mamta called jai shree ram walas outsiders. They are all the same. Mamta & mehboobs both gone cases. Till the Hurriyat Reforms, it must be treated Firmly. Their kith & kin are doing very well. Review each and evreyone of them. I wont be surprised if hafiz sayeed, salaudfin close blood relations have got State Govt Jobs. Review those blood relations. Lets be a Bit Firm with these anti nationals. And we must go out of Our Way to Reward, acknowledge, re affirm the fiercely loyal indian kashmiri of the Valley. PM Modi reacted quickly to protect kashmiri students outside the Valley in other States of India after pulwama attack. Modi has to Rehablitate a Million Pundits at least in the Valley. Dunkey ki chot pur karna hai. One State muslims are in majority and see what they did to the minority. I cannot forget karan thappar what happened 30 years ago. Hurriyat has to punished for death & mayhem in the Valley. They cant get away with it.