Omar Abdullah met Amit Shah on Monday in New Delhi, where the two leaders discussed several important issues related to Jammu and Kashmir.
Before leaving for the national capital from Srinagar, Abdullah told reporters that he would raise all major concerns connected to Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting.
Speaking about the demand for restoration of statehood, the Chief Minister said he did not expect the issue to be resolved in a single meeting.
“I wish we could have got our statehood after one meeting with the home minister. If that were possible, we would have got it long ago,” Abdullah said.
He added that he would discuss statehood, business rules, and several governance-related matters with the Union Home Minister.
Abdullah also supported the Centre’s recent decision to give telecom-related emergency powers to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) during situations involving public safety and national security.
He said there was “nothing wrong” with the move because the Lieutenant Governor is responsible for security and law-and-order matters in the Union Territory.
“These powers should remain with the Lieutenant Governor. This is not against the business rules or the Reorganisation Act,” the Chief Minister said.
He explained that decisions regarding suspension of internet or phone services are usually taken by the Home Department, which functions under the LG’s control.
Last week, the Central Government 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 national emergencies or public safety situations.
According to the official order issued by the President under the Telecommunications Act 2023, the LG will exercise powers of the state government under Section 20(2) of the Act within Jammu and Kashmir.
The development comes amid continuing discussions over governance, administrative powers, and the long-pending restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.