Poonch residents hope PM Modi will make youth-centric announcements

Residents of Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir said on Friday that they expect Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce something substantial for the youth of the state.

This expectation was aired even as security was tightened for Prime Minister Modi's rally, a day after militants were engaged in an encounter with the army in the Arnia Sector.

Reports are now saying that all four militants have been killed, but search operations still continue. On Thursday, three security personnel and three civilians were killed.

The rally venue has been completely sanitized with hundreds of uniformed and armed security personnel maintaining a strict vigil.

Mohammad Naik, a resident, said he is optimistic about the NDA Government in New Delhi.

"Since he (Modi) became the prime minister, we have had a lot of expectations that he would do a lot, including reducing prices. Till now, I do not see a lot happening, but I expect that something will be done for the youth who are unemployed," said Naik.

The first phase of polling in the state took place on November 25 and other phases will take place till December 20. The results will be announced on December 23.

Another resident, Junaid Iqbal, said he is happy that despite ceasefire violations by Pakistani Rangers and militant attacks in the state, the Prime Minister has not hesitated in coming to address the public in the region.

"I want Prime Minister Narendra Modi should make some announcement for the youth, for the people of the state, and I am sure he will announce something," said Iqbal.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two rallies in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the second phase of Assembly elections.

They will be in Udhampur and Poonch Districts.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is contesting all the 87 assembly seats in the state without forging alliances with any political party.

Udhampur and Poonch assembly divisions will go to polls along with Gulabgarh, Reasi, Gool Arnas, Chenani, Ramnagar, Surankote, Mendhar in Jammu region and Karnah, Kupwara, Lolab, Handwara, Langate, Noorabad, Kulgam, Home-Shalibugh and Devsar in Kashmir Valley on December 2.

Earlier on November 22, Prime Minister Modi had campaigned for BJP candidates in the first phase of polls by addressing a rally in Chenab valley's Kishtwar belt. Over 40,000 people came to hear him.

An unprecedented 70 per cent voter turnout was witnessed in the first phase of elections.