Narendra Modi during his JK visit on Saturday appealed militants to return to their homes and live a life of “dignity and peace.”
Addressing an official function at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar where he inaugurated the 330mw Kishenganga Hydel Project and also laid foundation of Srinagar Ring Road, Modi said, “The PDP-BJP government is trying its best to bring back the misguided youth who have left their homes and families.”
“It is time that these youth return to their families. Each stone thrown by a misguided youth hurts the hearts and minds of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Those who have been helping violence in the state from across our borders are themselves disintegrating this time,” he said.
“Atalji (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) always advocated and supported ‘Kashmiriyat’ and Modi is also the disciple of the same ‘Kashmiriyat’,” Modi stressed.
Earlier, Modi kick started work for Zojila tunnel, Asia’s longest and strategic bi-directional tunnel, to provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh.
However, on his visit, Srinagar was turned into a garrison and the commercial hub Lal Chowk was sealed to prevent a peaceful protest called by the Joint Resistance Leadership.
However, Both Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were put under house arrest in order to prevent them from leading protests. JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik continues to remain under custody.
Mirwaiz, in a bid to move towards Lal Chowk, tried to defy his house arrest and was detained by a contingent of police deployed outside his Nigeen residence.
Moreover the government forces sealed Lal Chowk in order to prevent people from protesting peacefully on call of the JRL. Barricades manned by contingents of police and paramilitary personnel were placed along all the roads, including lanes and by lanes, to thwart the proposed march.
On Friday, dueing his sermon, Mirwaiz had said that the proposed rally of the Joint Resistance Leadership must be allowed so that Modi can hear the ‘Man ki baat’ of the people of Kashmir.
