Meanwhile, Opposition National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir government has issued instructions to government employees including police personnel and daily-rated workers to attend Modi’s rally. “The Prime Minister’s visit is being given hype for nothing, as funding and allocations for any state in a federal structure is mandatory”, he said and castigated the Centre for delaying relief to the flood affected people of the state.
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Modi said in Srinagar that “we have to follow the path shown by Atal ji”.
Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard at a closed market area during restrictions in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Saturday, November 7, 2015. “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.
Earlier in the day, Modi promised a $12 billion federal aid package to boost economic growth in the violence-wracked Himalayan region.
“Modi’s visit and the economic package will not change anything, like in the past”, top separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani told reporters outside his residence, surrounded by police to prevent him from leaving.
A few Kashmiri leaders remained defiant, however.
“These actions are an attempt by the Indian authorities to stifle the voice of the Kashmiris, who are struggling against the continued Indian occupation and gross human rights violations in Kashmir”, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said. The PM said he would follow those three mantras and saluted the people of Kashmir for strengthening Mr Vajpayee’s dream for the state.
A number of rebel groups have operated in the region since an insurgency erupted in 1989.
Sharp shooters, barricades, luggage checks and more -the Indian Forces are taking no chances in Srinagar and other parts of the valley on the eve of Modi’s visit.
Residents of the Indian-held portion strongly favour independence or a merger with Pakistan. The Mirwaiz, also head priest of the valley, was not allowed to lead the Friday prayers.
Separatists have called for a march by a million people near the site of Modi’s public meeting in Srinagar on Saturday, challenging India’s sovereignty over the disputed region. Police detained at least four protesters.
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The government has already taken various preventive measures for the smooth conduct of the rally by detaining pro-freedom leaders and activists as they have called for a “Million March” to counter Modi’s rally.
