Representational Image - Mehran Bhat for The Kashmiriyat

REGIONAL

Security heightened in Srinagar ahead of PM Modi’s visit

By News Desk

March 03, 2024

Elaborate security arrangements are in place across Kashmir especially in the capital city of Srinagar to ensure smooth rally of Prime Minister Narendera Modi at Bakshi Stadium on March 7.

A high alert has been sounded across Srinagar while police, CRPF and other security agencies are ensuring close synergy to make the rally a smooth event. Even though the Bakshi Stadium will be open for the general public, security has been intensified across the city while frisking may pick up from Monday onwards.

A police official wishing not to be named said that the Prime Minister will address a rally at Bakshi Stadium and all the security measures will be taken to ensure a smooth rally. “There will be the deployment of police and CRPF as per the plan,” he said.

He said that there will be aerial surveillance of the venue and some parts around the venue will also remain under drone surveillance.

This will be the first visit of PM Modi to Kashmir after abrogation of article 370 in August 2019. He visited Kashmir in February 2019. PM Modi recently visited Jammu on February 20 and inaugurated developmental projects worth Rs 32000 Crore.

Official sources said that PM Modi will inaugurate various developmental projects in Kashmir and also interact with the young entrepreneurs and skill workers, who have benefited from various Central Schemes.

The PM’s visit to Kashmir will be a morale booster for the Kashmir BJP unit that is preparing for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls slated for April-May this year.

“It is indeed great news that the party’s top figure, who is the PM of the country, will come to Kashmir. As a PM he will indeed do his duty but as a BJP’s top leader, his visit is a big morale booster for the BJP Kashmir,” a senior BJP leader said.

BJP’s Kashmir unit held a crucial meeting in Srinagar in connection with the PM visit. The focus was to ensure that the rally to be held at Bakshi Stadium turns into a grand one with huge participation of people.

Talking to reporters here, BJP JK’s General Secretary and Kashmir affairs incharge, Sunil Sharma said that today’s meeting was crucial.

“There were leaders, district presidents and district incharges of the party. Focus was to ensure huge participation of people in the March 7 rally. There is great enthusiasm among the leaders and workers,” he said. “There was a time when BJP was untouchable in Kashmir and today, everyone wants to be part of it.” He said a plan has been prepared to ensure huge participation of people from all districts of Kashmir. (KNO)