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Kashmir on high alert for prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit

But shortly after he left, protests erupted at several locations, and government troops fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse the crowds, a police officer said on customary condition of anonymity. “In the coming days we want to expand the rail and road networks in the country as these facilities and basic amenities of water and electricity are required to strengthen the society”, he said. “The economy is doing better in all the parameters like GDP, fiscal deficit, revenue etc”, Modi said, after inaugurating the Delhi Economics Conclave. Modi announced that four new India Reserve Battalions (IRB) for the state will be raised in the state which will give job to 4,000 youths.

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The PDP leaders have billed his visit as a “turning point” in the history of Kashmir.

“We’ll continue to fight against India’s brutal military occupation”, he said.

“Minister in Modi cabinet Jitendra Singh, who belongs from the state, has said”, The importance shown by the Modi government in the development of Jammu and Kashmir is really helping the state to move forward and it will play a crucial role in making India a global power in the World”.

Many Kashmiri youngsters have been promoting Facebook pages and groups to lend support to “Million March”, urging people to attend in numbers.

India accuses Pakistan of backing the separatist militants fighting security forces in Indian Kashmir.

Residents of the Indian-held portion strongly favour independence or a merger with Pakistan.

Authorities denied permission for a counter-rally, dubbed Million March, called by the opposition groups on Saturday to press their demands for self-determination and freedom from Indian rule.

According to reports, the occupied valley appeared to have been turned into a military garrison for Modi’s visit, with military and security personnel posted at every few steps. Sources told CNS that nearly all the schools in Srinagar city have chose to close their institutions on Saturday keeping in view the activities of the men in uniform.

He said “Million March” was a part of the ongoing struggle of people and appealed masses to make the programme successful without resorting to any “violence” in any part of the valley.

Ahead of the visit, police detained separatist leaders and hundreds of their supporters to prevent the protest against Indian control over the disputed region.

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Authorities imposed a near-lockdown and suspended mobile Internet services – common during high-profile visits to the volatile region, which is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed by both in its entirety.

Crowd at the Sher-e Kashmir stadium in Srinagar