Centre Won’t Scrap Special Status, Rajnath Assures Kashmiris

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh – who was in Srinagar for a four-day-visit – said the government does not have any plans to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 35A.

The government didn’t initiate anything on this nor went to court. I assure you that the government would never take step which hurts sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajnath Singh, Home Minister

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Singh’s assurances will “silence the noises against 35A,” insisting that the Union Government should file a counter-affidavit to defend the special status.

This is a very important statement from the Union Home Minister. His assurance will go a long way towards silencing the noises against 35-A. https://t.co/42lMiqLL4t

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 11, 2017

The Union government must now file a counter affidavit in the Supreme Court to defend 35-A. That is the way to carry this assurance forward. https://t.co/yo3QmOCNI5

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 11, 2017

Centre to Fund Bulletproof Jackets for J&K Cops

During his interaction with the police in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on 11 September, Singh said that the Centre has allocated funds for the purchase of bulletproof vehicles for Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel.

His announcement came in the wake of six police personnel, including Station House Officer Feroz Ahmad, killed in the Achabal area of Anantnag district on 16 June. The slain SHO had requisitioned a bulletproof vehicle in view of the danger posed by militants in south Kashmir, but was not provided one.

The Home Minister said the Centre has approved funds for opening a trauma centre for police personnel, and lauded them for working in "extremely challenging conditions" in the Valley.

He paid tributes to the sacrifice made by ASI Abdul Rasheed and Constable Imtiyaz who were killed in an attack by militant in south Kashmir recently.

Their supreme sacrifices have been made for Kashmir. We are proud of the police personnel. You are working in extremely challenging conditions here. I do not have words to praise the bravery of our brave personnel from Jammu and Kashmir police. Even the prime minister has praised your courage.

Singh said he had come with an “open mind” and was willing to interact with anyone who wanted to help resolve the problems facing Kashmir.

(With inputs from PTI)

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