Khatana Raises Tribal Alienation Concerns with Home Minister

New Delhi : Senior BJP leader Gulam Ali Khatana met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss pressing issues in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the increasing alienation of tribal communities.
MP Khatana highlighted the recent killings of tribal residents, emphasizing their crucial role in countering insurgency and maintaining the region’s territorial integrity. He called for greater protection, inclusion, and support for these communities, whose sacrifices have been acknowledged by local police officials. Additionally, Khatana raised concerns about the closure of trekking routes and tourist spots following a recent terror attack, which has adversely affected local homestay owners who had invested in expanding their facilities. He urged the central government to implement targeted measures to revitalize the tourism sector. Khatana also criticized the limited implementation of central welfare schemes and legislation in Jammu and Kashmir, such as the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and forest laws. He accused the National Conference of operating with an outdated mindset, similar to the period before the abrogation of Article 370, which he believes is obstructing the effective reach of these initiatives. He requested that the J&K administration be directed to fully implement central schemes to ensure that the benefits of welfare and development programs are accessible to the intended populations.