As election fever grips the nation, Prime Minister Modi is set to visit Srinagar. This marks his first trip to Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370. A significant rally has been organized in Modi's honor, with claims of it being the largest in Kashmir's history, expecting over two lakh attendees. Stringent security arrangements are in place for the event, with the streets of Srinagar blanketed in tricolors and BJP flags. Modi is expected to travel a distance of 7 kilometers by road to reach the Bakshi Stadium.
At the stadium, PM Modi will inaugurate developmental projects worth 6400 crores. Srinagar has been sealed off with thousands of flags and roads closed down around the stadium since 24 hours before. The magnitude of this gathering is said to be unparalleled in recent times.
With the Lok Sabha elections approaching, PM Modi and BJP are keen on sending a message that Kashmir has undergone a transformation. Amidst the guaranteed promises season, it is speculated that the Prime Minister may announce significant measures for Kashmir.
Threats Issued to Locals Against Attending the Rally
Prior to the PM's grand assembly, residents of Kashmir have been receiving threatening calls, warning them to abstain from attending Modi's event. Sources indicate that Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, has been making these alarming calls, with varied international numbers being used to discourage the locals from participating in the rally. Security forces and intelligence agencies have been put on high alert.
Elaborate Security Measures in Place in Srinagar
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir disclose that stringent security protocols are in effect for the Prime Minister's visit. Security personnel have been deployed in abundance along all routes during Modi's stay, while barricades have been installed to control the movement of people. To monitor activities, drones and CCTV cameras are being utilized. A two-kilometer perimeter around the venue is heavily guarded, and marine commandos are stationed to prevent any destructive activities on Jhelum River and Dal Lake.
Temporary Drone Ban Imposed in Srinagar
In light of PM Modi's visit, a temporary ban has been enforced on the flight of drones and quadcopters in the city of Srinagar. Starting Wednesday, according to Srinagar police directives, unauthorized drone operations could face serious action. Srinagar police declared the city a 'temporary red zone' for drones and quadcopters with immediate effect.
Several Srinagar Schools Close, Board Exams Postponed
The central government, led by BJP, annulled the provisions of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, splitting the former state into the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. As a precaution for PM Modi's route, several schools in Srinagar have been shut for Wednesday and Thursday, while board exams scheduled for Thursday have been postponed to the following month.
Government Employees to Receive Appointment Letters
PM Modi will also be launching 'Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Tourist Destination Poll' and 'Chalo India Global Diaspora' campaign besides announcing the selected tourist destinations under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme. He will distribute appointment letters to approximately 1,000 newly recruited government employees in Jammu & Kashmir and engage in dialogue with beneficiaries of various central schemes, including women, farmers, and entrepreneurs.
PM Modi's Recent Gifts to Jammu
Previously, on February 20, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated projects worth 13,200 crores for Jammu, stating that Article 370 was a hindrance to Jammu & Kashmir's development and is now removed by the BJP government. Modi emphasized that a government prioritizing only one family's welfare could not consider the wellbeing of the common people, expressing pleasure at the region's liberation from dynastic rule.
