Amit Shah to begin two-day visit to Kashmir today, Amarnath security top agenda

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the Kashmir Valley today amid speculation that the Centre is considering delimitation of constituencies in the state. This will be Shah's first visit to Kashmir as the Union Home Minister. He will be accompanied by home secretary Rajiv Gauba.

Amit Shah will review security arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra during his visit. “During his two-day visit the minister will not visit the Jammu and Ladakh divisions of the state,” a home ministry official said. Shah will visit the Amarnath cave on Wednesday afternoon to pay obeisance, the official added. The Amarnath Yatra begins on July 1 and ends on August 15. Around 42,000 security personnel have been deployed at various points on the Amarnath Yatra routes.

ALSO READ | Jammu and Kashmir: Gunfight underway in Pulwama’s Tral, terrorists trapped

Shah is expected to chair the meeting with Governor Satya Pal Malik, who said on Saturday that the separatist group Hurriyat Conference was ready for talks.  The Governor had said, "The Hurriyat Conference was not willing to talk. Ram Vilas Paswan was standing at their door (in 2016), but they were not ready to talk, Malik said. "Today, they are ready for talks and want to hold dialogue. There is a change in everyone."

Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has also expressed willingness to hold talks with the government. “We have not said anything (new), we have always been favouring talks. Kashmiris’ being the most affected party for the past 72 years, naturally want its resolution. Since its inception when all parties came together under one umbrella, the Hurriyat has maintained and reiterated that engagement and dialogue among stakeholders is the best and most peaceful means of resolution of Kashmir issue and not force,” Hurriyat said in a statement.

ALSO READ | US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaches India; to meet PM Modi today

Shah will meet state BJP leaders and also members of Panchayats at the Nehru Guest House in Cheshma Shahi area of Srinagar city tomorrow. He will also meet delegations of civil society members and some youth delegations.