TV
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's planned two-day visit to Odisha, initially scheduled to begin on May 10, has been cancelled, informed Sambalpur BJP MLA Jayanarayan Mishra.
"Although officially the Ministry has not informed of the visit's status, internal sources have conveyed information about the cancellation," said the MLA.
Shah was slated to attend several high-profile events in Puri, Sambalpur, and Bhubaneswar. Further, the visit held political and symbolic significance, as it was to be his first major appearance in Odisha since the BJP came to power in the state.
National Security Takes Precedence
The cancellation is attributed to Shah’s urgency in managing the aftermath of 'Operation Sindoor', a recent, large-scale military offensive launched by India on May 6, targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The operation was launched following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The Union Home Minister’s presence in Delhi is considered critical for overseeing national-level security preparedness and coordination.
ALSO READ: Pak troops continue shelling along LoC in J&K, Indian Army responds proportionately: Officials
Directives to Security Forces
In a recent move, Shah had also directed paramilitary chiefs to cancel all leave and ensure full personnel deployment.
The Home Minister has also held virtual meetings with Chief Ministers, Chief Secretaries, and Directors General of Police from key border states. The discussions focused on enhancing surveillance, preempting anti-national activities, and curbing misinformation campaigns, especially in the digital domain.
ALSO READ: Capital blackout: Delhi goes dark in emergency preparedness drill
Rescheduling Likely
While Shah's Odisha visit has been postponed, political observers expect that it will likely be rescheduled once the national security situation stabilises.
