PM Modi weighing J&K in rupees: Omar Abdullah

Portrait below shows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, with Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir state Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

The jam packed Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here erupted in joyous rapture when Modi announced the much awaited economic package for the state.

“My heart wants this Rs 80,000 crore should be spent to change your fortunes, to give strength to your youth, to build a modern Kashmir”.

Many Kashmiri youngsters have been promoting Facebook pages and groups to lend support to “Million March”, urging people to attend in numbers. “The Prime Minister will inaugurate the 450 MW Baglihar Hydro Electric Project Stage-II, and lay the foundation stone for the 4-laning of the Udhampur-Ramban and Ramban-Banihal section of National Highway 44, at a function in Chanderkote, Ramban. I’m ready to do everything for Kashmir’s talented youth like Parvez Rasool”, he said. “That is why I have come to attend the rally”, Abdul Hameed, who claimed to be working as SPO in north Kashmir, said.

To mark the protest, a complete shutdown was observed across Held Kashmir. “Even if the world changes through technological advances, nothing can be achieved without the human values of “Insaaniyat“. He said that besides tourism, attention was being given to sectors such as Pashmina, and Saffron. “We are disappointed. We were prepared for a historic visit which did not happen”.

Asked whether there was any possibility of a breakthrough with reference to talks with separatists, Singh said, “I think the day the people of the Valley started chanting “Modi, Modi”, it was a breakthrough”.

A vehicle coming from Verinag area of south Kashmir towards the rally venue, turned turtle at Bijbehara causing injuries to five persons, police said. “We did not need to be locked inside and hundreds need not be detained”, he added. Source said many people were let off without charges following their “controversial” posts on Facebook and Twitter. “Rs 80,000 crore is just the beginning of the assistance. we will give more assistance once the work is delivered”.

“Everybody in Jammu and Kashmir is ready for Modi”.

Mir pointed out that the Rs 34,000-crore packages for J&K national highway were already approved by the UPA government, and funds for such mega projects can not be linked with the package.

The Hurriyat leaders had called for a march to counter Modi’s rally but authorities imposed a near-lockdown to thwart it.

“The package includes rehabilitation of those refugees and also the Kashmiri Pandit migrants who left their homes behind in the Valley”.

Though the state government is expecting a mega package that will include rehabilitation for the flood affected, the social media is also not impressed with the PMs visit to Kashmir. Referring to Prime Minister’s observation on panchayat elections, Omar said democracy should not be reduced to panchayat elections.