Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days beginning June 26.

Shah was scheduled to visit the Valley for a day on June 30. However, the visit has been advanced due to the minister’s “busy schedule” in connection with the Union Budget.

According to a report in IANS, the Home Minister will chair a high-level security meeting in Srinagar during his visit. He will also address BJP workers and Panchayat members separately during the visit.

Shah is also expected to meet J-K Governor Satya Pal Malik and discuss the prevailing security scenario in the state.

This is Amit Shah’s first visit to the Valley after he took over as the home minister.

It is an acid test ahead for Amit Shah in Jammu and Kashmir.

Shah has been a staunch advocate of zero-tolerance towards terrorism in Kashmir.

Tackling activities of anti-national elements and terrorism are the main challenges that Shah faces in Kashmir in his capacity as the Home Minister.

Protests erupted in Jammu and Kashmir days after Amit Shah took charge of the Home Ministry in the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

Protesters put up posters supporting terrorist Zakir Musa and UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar while resorting to stone pelting at security forces near Jamia Masjid in Srinagar.

The banners showed writings supporting anti-national sentiments.

Posters with messages such as “Musa Army”, “Kashmir Banega Pakistan” with the picture of JeM chief Masood Azhar alongside were on display.

Banners also carried the photograph of Jaish-e-Mohammad suicide bomber Adil Dar, who had rammed his RDX-laden vehicle into a CRPF convoy in Pulwama killing 40 personnel.

Meanwhile, a bill was introduced by Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy on behalf of Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha that seeks to provide relief to people living in areas adjoining the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.

People living along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir will get benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in professional courses on par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC), according to the bill.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, will replace an ordinance issued by the previous government.

The Bill once passed by Parliament will amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 to bring persons residing in areas adjoining the IB within the ambit of reservation, on par with those living in areas adjoining the ALoC.

People living in areas adjoining the IB in J&K were not included in the ambit of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 and Rules, 2005.

The rules provided for reservation in direct recruitment, promotions and admission in different professional courses to various categories, including residents of areas adjoining ALoC.

Thus, those living in areas adjoining the IB in Jammu and Kashmir were not getting these benefits for a long time.

Due to continuous cross-border tensions, persons living along the IB suffer from socio-economic and educational backwardness.

(With PTI inputs)