NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah arrived in Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday — his first visit since the abrogation of Article 370 — to review the security situation in the Valley.
Shah, who is on a three-day visit, interacted with youngsters at the J&K Youth Club later in the evening. During his address to the youth, he said the scrapping of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 had marked the end of terrorism, nepotism and corruption in the Valley.

Here’s how the day unfolded …
Shah visits family of slain cop
Upon arriving in J&K, Shah went straight to meet the family of inspector Parvaiz Ahmad who was shot dead by terrorists on June 22 near his home in Nowgam on the outskirts of Srinagar while he was returning after offering evening prayers at a mosque.
Shah offered his condolences to the family and handed over documents of appointment to a government job to Ahmad’s widow, Fatima Akhtar, on compassionate grounds, a home ministry official said.

“Today visited the family of martyr Parvaiz Ahmad Dar and paid tributes to him. I and the nation are proud of his bravery. Jammu and Kashmir Police is making all efforts to realise the vision of PM Modi for a new J&K,” Shah said in a tweet later.
Security situation
After going to Nowgam, Shah reviewed the security situation and steps taken to combat terrorism in Kashmir, particularly following the targeted killings of civilians, mostly non-local labourers and minorities.
The meeting assumes significance as several civilians, especially migrant labourers from states like Bihar, have been shot dead by terrorists in the last few days.

During the meeting, the home minister was briefed on steps taken to eliminate terrorism from the union territory and counter-infiltration measures by the security forces, officials said.
The meeting was attended by top civil administration officials, including the lieutenant governor and senior security officials from the Army, CRPF, police and other agencies, they said.
‘No one can obstruct development of Kashmir’
In the evening, Shah interacted with members of the J&K youth club and spoke about how life in Kashmir has changed since the Centre withdrew its special status.
“5th August, 2019 will be written in golden letters. It was the end of terrorism, nepotism, corruption,” Amit Shah told the youngsters.
He said in the last two years, terrorism has reduced and stone-pelting has almost disappeared.
Shah also assured of strict action against those trying to ruin the peace of J&K and obstruct development in the UT.
He said it’s the responsibility of the youth to contribute to the development of J&K.
“Earlier a common youngster from J&K could not imagine becoming a chief minister, union minister. It was restricted to a few families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it possible that the common youth can think of becoming an MLA, MP, chief minister … democracy has been brought to the grassroots level. This was earlier restricted to a few families,” he said, in a clear reference to parties like PDP and NC.
Roadmap to ‘statehood’
Shah also asserted the government’s commitment to bringing peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Rest assured, the developmental journey in Kashmir will not stop, and no one will stop J&K from becoming an ideal state with respect to development, peace, infrastructure and prosperity,” he added.
Shah said he has made a promise in Parliament that the statehood of J&K would be restored and it would be done after the assembly elections.
“Elections will happen. (Politicians from Kashmir want that the) Delimitation be stopped. Why? Because it hurts their politics. Now, such things will not stop in Kashmir.
“The youth of Kashmir will get opportunities, so a right delimitation will be done, which will be followed by elections and then the status of the statehood will be restored. I have said this in the country’s Parliament and this is the roadmap,” he said.
(With inputs from agencies)