A day before vital Cabinet meeting, Shah meets Doval

After fuelling hopes and frenzy about taking some spectacular decision on the status of Jammu & Kashmir, curtailing Amarnath Yatra, and deploying thousands of troops in the Valley, the Modi Government is expected to discuss its option to deal with the troubled State in a crucial Cabinet meeting on Monday morning.

Ahead of that meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security and intelligence meet on Sunday. The hour-long meeting was attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and other senior officials. The additional secretary of Jammu & Kashmir also met Shah.

While senior officials were tightlipped about the outcome of the high-level meeting that took place in Parliament complex, it is understood that the situation in Kashmir and strategies to tackle it was discussed in threadbare.

The possibility of the Union Cabinet taking some important decisions on Kashmir seemed very much on the cards with Prime Minister Narendra Modi telling his party MPs to be present in Parliament from Monday to Wednesday. Modi was addressing them at the end of the two-day conclave of the BJP MPs.

Through a series of decisions, including landing thousands of troops in the Valley and curtailing the Amaranth Yatra, the Government has indicated it was preparing to unfold some tough decisions, which could have far-reaching implications for the future of the troubled State.

Social media is abuzz with several possible outcomes, but the Government has preferred to keep a tight lid on its options.

The fact that Pakistan has upped the ante after President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate in the Kashmir dispute is something that may have led to additional deployment. But given the overall atmospheric and tough-talking by the Centre, talks of something “big” on the way is gaining ground, creating both confusion and panic in the Valley.

The high-level meeting came amid fresh skirmishes between security forces of India and Pakistan along the border with the Army foiling an attack by BAT on a forward post along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector, killing five to seven intruders. The Indian Army has asked its Pakistani counterparts to approach them by raising white flags and take possession of bodies which are lying on the Indian side of the LoC.

The BAT generally comprises special forces personnel of the Pakistani Army and terrorists.

Outstation students, studying in the NIT in Srinagar, have also been asked to leave the campus and go home and not to return till further order. Following the deployment of additional troops and other steps, there have been rumours that the Centre may have plans to do away with Article 35A, which gives exclusive rights to the State’s residents in Government jobs and land. The political parties in the Valley have raised protests on the possible move from the Centre and vowed to resist any such move to tinker with the special status.

On Thursday, a delegation comprising National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and a party MP met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him not to take any step which may lead to deterioration in the law and order situation in Jammu & Kashmir. They also urged Modi to facilitate holding of Assembly election in the State by the year-end.

As Amarnath pilgrims and tourists continue to leave Kashmir Valley, Air India said on Sunday that it has reduced its maximum fare on flights connecting Srinagar to Delhi to under Rs 7,000. “Air India has further reduced the fare from Rs 9,500. It is holding maximum fare at Rs 6,715 for Srinagar-Delhi route and at Rs 6,899 Delhi-Srinagar route till 15th August,” said the national carrier’s spokesperson.

The Civil Aviation Ministry on Saturday had advised airlines to keep fares from Srinagar in check as Amarnath pilgrims and tourists rushed to the airport after the Jammu & Kashmir administration asked them to curtail their stay in the State.

On Friday, the Indian Army, citing intelligence inputs, had said Pakistan-based terrorists were planning to target the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. The Army’s disclosure prompted the Jammu & Kashmir administration to ask pilgrims and tourists on Friday to curtail their stay in the Valley and leave immediately.