Member Rajya Sabha Er. Gulam Ali Khatana in a meeting with Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah discussed various issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir including the security situation, developmental scenario, eviction drive, and providing jobs to the unemployed youth here late last evening.
MP Khatana apprised the Home Minister about the present situation due to rumors spread by vested interests about the ongoing action against the influential encroachers in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the LG administration has in no uncertain terms clarified that no action will be taken against the poor who have occupied small chunks of state land for housing or earning a livelihood. But the influential and politically backed land sharks won’t be spared. He stressed the need for countering the propaganda unleashed by the vested interests who have looted the state resources for the last seven decades.
MP Khatana told the Home Minister that Land to Tillers was also a scam that deprived the rightful landholders of the land without any compensation and was used only to garner votes. He said that the neighboring country is using all its might to disturb the peace in the region by inciting passion and overground workers of the separatists are aiding their attempts.
Khatana while praising the security forces said that the army and J&K Police are putting in their best efforts to thwart the evil designs of the enemy country and the backbone of terrorism has been broken. He stressed the need for providing employment opportunities to the unemployed youth and decisive action against the drug mafia in the union territory. He reiterated the need for putting gamma scanners at strategic locations to check arms and drug smuggling besides the free movement of anti-social elements. MP Khatana said that tourism especially pilgrims tourism is the mainstay of the economy in J&K and hilly areas like Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Budgam, and Kupwara need special focus.