Packages won’t solve Kashmir’s issues: Omar Abdullah

Cellphones will be blocked during Modi’s visit, the Indian army said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Kashmir Saturday morning amidst tight security bandobast and hopes of a mega package for the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced an economic bonanza of Rs.80,000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir, eight months after the BJP came together with the PDP to form the state government. “I am not talking of the rich but the average middle class Indian who had the desire to visit this paradise”, said Modi amid thunderous applause from the huge crowd that had turned up to listen to him here.

The youth received a head injury but it was not clear whether he was hit by a bullet fired by security forces or by a smoke shell. He added that he wanted to bring back those glorious days.

Saying there was “nothing new” in Modi’s speech, Omar said the PM did not have to come to Srinagar to announce Rs 80,000-crore J&K package.

Recalling the words of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee – “Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat aur Insaniyat’ (social consciousness and cultural values of the Kashmiri people, democracy, and humanity), he said, “I will like to follow these three mantras which are the pillars of development of Kashmir”.

He also claimed that similar instructions were issued to SPOs, Anganwari workers and daily wagers as PDP workers are reluctant to attend Modi’s rally.

Instead, he focused on an aid package to the region, promising $12bn (£8bn).

Senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani called for a “Million March’ on same day at Tourist Reception Center in Srinagar and appealed all youths to join the rally”. Source said many people were let off without charges following their “controversial” posts on Facebook and Twitter.

Modi said: “This is not the end, but the beginning of my dream for Kashmir”.

A number of rebel groups have operated in Kashmir since an insurgency erupted in 1989. Their deep opposition to Indian rule is often expressed through street demonstrations since Indian troops largely suppressed the armed uprising. Shops, businesses and schools were closed in most parts of Kashmir.

Hours before Modi’s rally, in footage screened on national television, police detained an independent parliamentarian, Engineer Rashid, for protesting with black flags.

India has long accused Pakistan of pushing separatist Muslim militants into India’s part of Kashmir to foment revolt in the disputed Muslim-majority region.