Srinagar, Feb 04: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will begin a crucial three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from February 5 to conduct a comprehensive security review, assess developmental projects and engage with political stakeholders. Leaders across party lines reacted to the visit with a mix of optimism, expectations and political concerns.

The visit is expected to include high-level meetings with security agencies and administrative officials to evaluate the overall law and order situation and the progress of ongoing governance and infrastructure initiatives.

Reacting to the news, BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa welcomed the Home Minister’s visit, calling it an important signal of the Centre’s commitment to Jammu and Kashmir. He told IANS that such visits provide a morale boost to security agencies and reaffirm the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and instability.

“It is always a welcome step when the Home Minister visits Jammu. It shows his concern about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. During this three-day visit, security agencies will get a morale boost. This visit reflects that both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister remain committed to the zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism,” Randhawa said.

Meanwhile, PDP MLA Syed Muntazir Mehdi described the visit as routine but emphasised the need for political outreach. He said that while security and administrative reviews are necessary, long-term stability in Jammu and Kashmir requires restoration of political rights and dialogue with stakeholders.

“As far as the Home Minister’s visit is concerned, it is a routine matter. He will review progress on security and administrative fronts, but initiatives on the political front are equally important. Restoring political rights and initiating dialogue with stakeholders is necessary to bring lasting stability to the region,” Mehdi said.

PDP MLA Waheed Para also welcomed the visit but raised concerns over rising incidents of alleged hate crimes against people from Jammu and Kashmir, particularly students studying in other states. He urged the Centre to establish mechanisms to ensure their safety.

“It is a good thing that he is visiting, but the most pressing issue today is hate crimes against people from Jammu and Kashmir, especially students in places like Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. We seek assurance from the Government of India and request the Home Minister to create a mechanism to prevent such incidents,” Para said.

JKNC MLA Hasnain Masoodi expressed hope that the visit would also address political concerns, particularly the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, which was promised following the reorganisation of the region in 2019.

“We have been hoping since 2019 that discussions will take place regarding restoration of statehood, as promised earlier,” Masoodi said.

Officials said the visit comes at a crucial time as the government continues to focus on security, development, and political engagement in the Union Territory.

Srinagar, Feb 04: Two terrorists were killed in a coordinated operation launched by joint teams of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF, successfully concluding Operation KIYA in the Jophar forest area of Basantgarh in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, Army officials said.

The officials said that the contact with terrorists was established yesterday and since then, terrorists were prevented from breaking contact. “Following a calibrated and coordinated response, two terrorists have been successfully neutralised. The operation highlighted seamless inter-agency coordination, tactical precision and high standards of professionalism,” they added.

The officials said the operation concluded successfully. However, the area remains under surveillance.

In a post on X, White Knight Corps wrote, “Operation KIYA. mBased on specific intelligence input provided by @jmukmrpolice, troops of CIF Delta, #WhiteKnightCorps planned and executed a focused joint counter-terror operation in the general area of Jophar Forest, Basantgarh (J&K) in coordination with #JKP and #CRPF reinforcing the cordon, ensuring effective area domination to prevent escape of terrorists.”

“Contact with terrorists was established yesterday and since then, terrorists were prevented from breaking contact. Following a calibrated and coordinated response, two terrorists have been successfully neutralised. The operation highlighted seamless inter-agency coordination, tactical precision and high standards of professionalism.” it added.

“Operation concluded successfully. Area remains under surveillance.” it concluded the post.

Jammu, Feb 04: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that fresh cases for registration under Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present in view of the improved law and order situation in the valley.

He said that the Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants is aimed at facilitating their voluntary, safe and dignified return to the valley while ensuring socio-economic security through housing, employment and other support measures.

Replying to a written question by National Conference member Mubarak Gul in the Assembly, Abdullah said, “Fresh cases for registration under Kashmir migrant relief assistance are not being entertained at present. The issue was examined in a meeting chaired by the chief secretary on July 12, 2023, where it was observed that the improved law and order situation in the valley does not justify fresh registration at this stage.”

Abdullah said the proposal for enhancement of the existing migrant relief assistance, considering inflation and the rising cost of living, has been examined at the Union Territory level and taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is the competent authority to take a final decision on the matter.

The chief minister said the comprehensive Prime Minister’s Return and Rehabilitation Package for Kashmiri Migrants was announced in 2009 with a financial outlay of Rs 1,618.40 crore. He said the scheme provides a holistic framework to restore livelihood, housing, education and financial security of the migrant community.

Detailing the components of the scheme, Abdullah said it includes provision of residential support for migrant families, construction of transit accommodation for employees appointed under the package, continuation of monthly cash relief to registered migrant families, student scholarships, employment opportunities, assistance to agriculturalists and horticulturalists, and waiver of interest on loans.

The chief minister said that to facilitate the return and rehabilitation, the Centre sanctioned 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) in 2009, followed by another 3,000 posts under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) in 2015, taking the total number of posts earmarked for migrant youth to 6,000.

“Against the sanctioned 6,000 posts, appointment orders have been issued to 5,896 candidates so far, achieving about 98.26 per cent coverage. The remaining 104 posts are at various stages of recruitment and selection,” he said, adding that the employment component has significantly contributed towards livelihood security and confidence-building among the migrant youth.

On transit accommodation, Abdullah said that the Centre sanctioned the construction of 6,000 transit accommodation units across various districts of the valley in December 2015 for migrant government employees appointed under the PM package.

He said that out of the total 6,000 flats, 4,096 were completed till December 2025, while 1,904 units are under construction and are expected to be completed during the 2026-27 financial year.

“Out of the completed stock, 3,250 flats have already been allotted to eligible PM package employees,” he said, adding that these accommodations are being developed as planned residential complexes with essential civic amenities and security arrangements to ensure a stable and secure living environment.

The chief minister said that there is no proposal under consideration to establish any additional migrant transit camps in the Kashmir valley, as the existing 6,000 units being constructed at 20 locations are intended to meet the residential requirements of migrant employees.

Jammu, Feb 04: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said sodium silicate adhesive used in apple packaging boxes does not ordinarily pose “direct acute toxicity risks” to consumers as it does not come into direct contact with the produce.

In a written reply to a question by legislator Irshad Rasool Kar in the assembly, the Minister Incharge for Agriculture Production and allied departments detailed the regulatory stance and steps taken to monitor packaging materials.

The government said sodium silicate, used as an adhesive in corrugated cardboard boxes, binds within paper fibres after drying.

“It does not come into direct contact with the produce; therefore, it does not ordinarily pose direct acute toxicity risks to consumers,” the reply stated.

It cited Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations that permit the use of silicates as anti-caking agents in various food items within specified limits, describing them as “Generally Recognized as Safe” at recommended levels.

On environmental concerns, the government said the substance is biodegradable with “a very short half-life” and poses lesser threats.

However, it pointed out that the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specification IS: 2771 for Corrugated Fibreboard boxes does not permit the use of “sodium silicate or other highly alkaline adhesives.”

The reply outlined steps taken to control and regulate such packaging, including instructions to Area Marketing Officers and Mandi Officers to monitor fruit markets and packing areas for “silicate-treated and sub-standard” boxes.

Growers, traders and packaging units are being sensitised about the risks of non-standard packaging, it said.

The government is promoting alternate packaging materials like 5-ply Corrugated Fibreboard boxes with food-grade linings, wooden crates with safe linings, and biodegradable cushioning materials.

Under the UT CAPEX ‘Support for Grading and Packaging Scheme’, growers can avail a subsidy of up to 50 per cent on the purchase of approved 5-ply corrugated boxes, the reply added. (KNS)