Tight security, restrictions in Srinagar on Modi's visit

Restrictions were imposed on Saturday in parts of Srinagar ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kashmir.

A senior police officer said restrictions have been imposed in old city and uptown areas of Srinagar falling under the jurisdictions of Khanyar, Rainawari, Nowhatta, M.R. Gunj, Safakadal, Kralkhud and Maisuma police stations.

Razor fitted concertina wire coils were placed across traffic crossings on the main roads in the areas where restrictions were imposed.

Senior separatist leaders including hardliner Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, Nayeem Khan, and Asiya Andrabi were placed under preventive detention.

Separatists had called for a parallel rally on Saturday in Srinagar barely half a km away from the venue of Modi's public rally.

Authorities had conveyed to Geelani that permission for the rally was declined because of the prime minister's visit the same day.

Unprecedented security arrangements were seen in Srinagar city on Saturday as police personnel and paramilitary central reserve police force (CRPF) troopers wearing bullet proof vests and holding automatic weapons took up positions along roads and at important installations.

All roads leading to Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium were sealed for vehicular movement.

Passage on these roads is regulated through special passes issued to security forces and other participants.

Modi is scheduled to arrive here at 11.30 a.m., and will address the public rally at noon.

He will fly to Chanderkote in Ramban district at 1 p.m. where he will inaugurate the 450 megawatt phase second of Baglihar power project.

The prime minister will also inaugurate the four laning of the Udhampur-Bannihal stretch of Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

All shops, public transport, other businesses and educational institutions remained closed in Srinagar city.

Train services from Bannihal town in Ramban district to Baramulla town in Kashmir Valley have also been suspended for the day.

Only one-way traffic will be allowed from Srinagar to Jammu on the national highway on Saturday.