Will talk to Kashmiris, not Pakistan; assembly poll after final voter list is issued – Amit Shah

IOK - Indian Occupied Kashmir

Baramulla: Ruling out talks with Pakistan, Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah said an election in Jammu and Kashmir will be made once the final voter list and other preparations are completed.

“I am ready to talk to the youth of J&K on any issue but not Pakistan… An announcement about the election in J&K will be made once the formalities like the completion of the final voter list and other preparations are completed. The process is on and preparations are in a full swing,” Shah said addressing a rally at Baramulla.

Lashing out at National Conference and PDP, he said Abdullah and Sons and Mufti and Co are responsible for the killing of 42000 people. “These families looted J&K resources for their personal benefit and did nothing for the common man,” he said.

Shah said that Baramulla was once a hotbed of militancy and militant-related activities were common here/ “today this place is tourist hot spot. Sprawling Gulmarg is skiers’ paradise. Shrines and the breath-taking snowclad mountains of this place are attracting tourists in large numbers,” he said.

Home Minister said without Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the development of J&K was impossible. “Today, we have the best roads, rail links, bridges, and hospitals. We have nine medical colleges to J&K besides AIIMS and nursing colleges.” Shah said

He reiterated that Gujars, Bakerwals, and Paharis will be given due reservation as they were deprived of the benefits of democracy for the last 75 years. Home Minister praised Maqbool Sherwani for his role against Pakistani invaders. He also laid the foundation stone of various power, road, and Jal Shakti projects.

Shah paused his speech midway for Azaanduring his public rally. Once a call to prayers was given from a nearby Masjid, he stopped his address. He resumed his speech after Azaan was over.

Earlier, thousands of people descended on Baramulla to attend Shah’s rally.

Thousands of people from Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, and other parts of the Valley lined up early morning outside the venue.

Elaborate security arrangements were put in place in and around the venue.

Amit Shah, who is on a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, addressed a massive gathering in Rajouri on Tuesday.

Shah arrived in Srinagar last evening> He met several delegations and held a high-level meeting with police, security forces, and various intelligence agencies.__The Kashmir Monitor