Rajnath, J&K CM discuss L&O situation, other issues in J&K

Srinagar, Sep 9: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who arrived here on a four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti discussed overall law and order situation in the state, besides measures required to bring normalcy in Kashmir valley. Official sources told UNI that soon after arriving in Srinagar, the Union Home Minister went straight to Nehra Guest House near Cheshmashahi, where Ms Mufti met him. “HM @rajnathsingh meeting the J&K Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti at Nehru Guest House in Srinagar,” Office of the Home Minister tweeted. Sources said Ms Mufti apprised the Union Home Minister about the law and order situation in the state, particularly the Valley, which last month witnessed violence that left at least 27 militants, number of security force personnel and civilians dead. They said the two leaders also discussed various measures required to bring normalcy in the Valley. However, it was not immediately clear whether the Chief Minister also raised the issue of Article 35 A. Ms Mufti during her visit to New Delhi last month had discussed this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Singh. The Supreme Court, however, decided to hear the case demanding scrapping of the Article 35 A of the Constitution, after Diwali festival. Mr Singh before leaving for Srinagar wrote on twitter that he is going to Kashmir with an open mind and is willing to meet anyone who will help in finding solutions to the problems facing J&K. They said after interacting with Ms Mufti, the Union Home Minister also reviewed the progress of developmental work under Prime Minister’s Development Package at a high-level meeting with top brass of the state government, including the Chief Minister, some Cabinet Ministers and senior officers of the civil administration. UNI