Days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir valley scheduled for November 7, many here in the state have crossed their fingers for what they term as one of the major course of action by Modi-led NDA government trying to reach out to the people in the valley.
Modi is expected to address a rally in summer capital on Saturday after inaugurating the phase-II of the Baghlihar hydroelectric power project in Jammu. Against the rally, the Separatist camp here has called for a ‘Million March’ on the same day. The call given by separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has also been endorsed by JKLF chief Yasin Malik and other Hurriyat leaders as well following which many separatist leaders were detained by police.
Million march likely to play spoil sport
The ruling coalition partners PDP and BJP have been holding series of meetings to turn the PM’s Rally into a success. However, the million march called by the separatist leaders, many believe, will play a spoil sport for the government, who are expecting a successful rally this weekend. “It will be a curfew in the valley as both sides on the political divide are caught up at loggerheads. The city will be turned into a garrison and the presence of people on road will be negligible,” a local of uptown Hyderpora Asif Wani says.
“What about the relief?” ask flood victims
Chief Minister Mufti Sayed has said that the visit by Prime Minister would be a turning point in the history of the state, which is also expecting a much-awaited financial package.
Several locals,on the other hand, have lost hope. “After the floods hit the valley in September last year, we have not been fully rehabilitated as promised by the government. We have so far received the package quite contrary to the promises made expectations we had,” Owais Bhat a flood victim from Raj Bagh locality shares. Owais’ home was severely damaged in the floods and so far as received, he claims, as ‘peanuts’ as relief.
Nocturnal raids increased in wake of PM visit
The police have beefed up security across the valley especially around the city where the rally is scheduled. “We have increased monitoring through CCTV cameras and other surveillance measures and taken stone pelters in preventive custody which is a routine,” a top police official told.
Hundreds of persons mainly youth have been put under preventive custody to thwart any law and order situation in the valley. Nocturnal raids, crackdowns and search operations have increased from past many days in areas of Srinagar mostly in the Old City area, where most of the youth have been put under detention. In other areas on the city outskirts like Nowgam, youth have been resorting to stone pelting resulting into clashes.
“It appears we are witnessing a massive crackdown that reminds us of summer unrest in the year 2010. The police have detained many youth in our locality,” a resident of Old City told
