Examiner Bureau | New Delhi:
Omar Abdullah on Monday called on Amit Shah in New Delhi, where the two leaders discussed a range of issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including statehood and governance matters.
Before leaving for the national capital, the Chief Minister told reporters in Srinagar that he would raise all key issues related to the Union Territory during the meeting.
“I wish statehood could be restored after just one meeting with the Home Minister. If that were possible, it would have happened long ago. But yes, I will discuss statehood, business rules, and other important issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister also defended the Centre’s recent decision to vest telecom-related emergency powers with the Lieutenant Governor, saying the move was in line with the LG’s responsibility over security and law and order in the Union Territory.
“There is nothing wrong in giving these powers to the Lieutenant Governor. This is the right thing because matters related to security and law and order fall under his domain. It is not against the business rules or the Reorganisation Act,” he said.
Abdullah noted that decisions regarding suspension of phone or internet services are issued by the Home Department, which functions under the Lieutenant Governor’s authority.
Last week, the Centre authorised the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise powers related to interception of signals, suspension of telecom services, and decryption of messages during public safety emergencies or national security situations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
