Modi visits J-K tomorrow, three-tier security put in place

A three-tier security arrangement has been thrown around the city ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to all three regions of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow, during which he will lay the foundation stone for the ambitious Zojila tunnel that will provide all-weather connectivity to Ladakh with the rest of the country.

Ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, the NDA government announced a unilateral ceasefire on security forces' operations as a goodwill gesture during the holy month of Ramzan which started yesterday.

The visit of the Prime Minister has generated hope among the people in the militancy-ravaged Kashmir Valley, which has been witnessing increased violence since 2016. During his Independence Day address last year, Modi had said bullets or abuses would not resolve the Kashmir issue and that it could be addressed by embracing every Kashmiri.

Modi had them said his government was committed to restoring the lost glory of Kashmir and its status as "heaven on earth".

"Na gaali se samasya sulajhne wali hai, na goli se, samasya suljhegi har Kashmiri ko gale lagane se (Kashmir problem cannot be resolved by either bullets or abuses. It can be resolved by embracing all Kashmiris)," Modi said.

Modi will inaugurate the 330-MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project, whose progress was monitored by the Prime Minister's Office. He will inaugurate it from Sher-e-Kashmir Convention Centre, located on the picturesque Dal Lake in the city.

Security around the venue has been tightened and barricades had been erected as separatists had given a call for 'Lal Chowk chalo' tomorrow.

Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq tweeted, "Mr Modi all have been listening to your maan ki baat' for years now. As you come here tomorrow allow us Kashmiris to peacefully gather at Lal Chowk so that you hear our maan ki baat'! It's just three words Resolve Kashmir Dispute."
In his address at a Friday congregation, the Mirwaiz referred to the Ramzan ceasefire and said that "confidence building measures (CBMs) cannot be for a month alone but have to be long term and meaningful. If government really means business it must look at real CBMs like demilitarisation and repealing draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Public Safety Act. This must be followed by a political process of engagement among all parties to the dispute."