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.”
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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.