Chidambaram arrives on 2-day visit to Valley

Srinagar: Home Minister of India, P. Chidambaram Monday arrived here on a two-day visit to review security especially for upcoming annual Amarnath Yatra starting June 29. This is the home minister’s first visit to the Valley this year. Senior congress leader and Minister for Education, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, Minister of State for Home & Housing and Urban Development Nasir Aslam Wani and senior police and state administrative officers including Director General of Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Special Director Genreal, CRPF Upal, Additional Director General, BSF Baljit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Budgam Mohammad Rafi received the home minister on his arrival in this summer capital this afternoon.  The Home Minister straight away drove to Raj Bhavan n high security Chashmashahi area of Srinaga where he held wide ranging consultations with the Governor, N. N. Vohra, on the several important matters at a meeting held at Raj Bhavan here this evening.“During their hour long meeting, the Governor and the Union Home Minister discussed issues relating to the obtaining pace of socio-economic development, overall security situation, arrangements for the forthcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra, post Panchayat election issues, and matters relating to the effective delivery of public services,” an official communiqué here said.  Chief minister Omar Abdullah will host dinner in honor of the visiting home minter and will be also attended by the officials accompanying him including Director General of CRPF K Vijay Kumar, BSF Chief Raman Srivastava and senior officials from Home Ministry.    Sources said the Home Minister will hold a security review meeting along with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tomorrow .The meeting will be attended police, para-military forces and officials of state and central home department. P Chidambaram is scheduled to visit Pahalgham in South Kashmir where he will be meeting the officials to review the arrangements for the pilgrims besides development work in region. Before flying back on Wednesday, he will also visit Neeru post manned by BSF in Gurez sector of North Kashmir where he will interact with security personnel there.