Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kashmir on Thursday, extraordinary security arrangements have been put in place in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to launch various developmental projects worth Rs 5000 crore and address a rally in Srinagar. This is his first visit to Kashmir after his government abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special rights to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ahead of the PM's visit, unprecedented security measures have been put in place across the city and its outskirts. Mobile checkpoints have been set up on the major highways of Srinagar where pedestrians and passengers are being thoroughly checked, while vehicles are also being searched by the security agencies.
The Srinagar Police also declaring the city a "Temporary Red Zone" for drone and quadcopter operations. The announcement was made via the official Srinagar Police Twitter handle, invoking Rule 24(2) of the Drone Rules, 2021, effective immediately.
The temporary red zone designation restricts the operation of drones and quadcopters within the specified area, emphasizing the critical need for enhanced security during the Prime Minister's visit. "The Drone Rules, 2021, empower law enforcement agencies to enforce such restrictions to safeguard public events and dignitary movements," a senior police officer said.
Srinagar Police has also emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating that all unauthorized drone operations within the Temporary Red Zone are subject to penalties outlined in the Drone Rules, 2021. "These penalties serve as a deterrent against any potential security threats arising from the misuse of aerial devices during the high-profile visit," the official said.
"As responsible citizens, your cooperation is solicited in this regard," urged the Srinagar Police in their official statement. Meanwhile, a heavy posse of security forces has been placed at the entrances and exits of the city. The area around Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar--where Modi is scheduled to address a rally on Thursday--has been completely sealed and is being monitored by drones and CCTV cameras to keep a close eye on the movement of the people. Police, CRPF and other security agencies are manning the spots in and around the venue of the rally.
According to an official statement, the PM will attend the "Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir" programme at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium and inaugurate initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore for boosting the agri-economy in the Union Territory.
The PM will also launch nationwide projects related to the tourism sector worth more than Rs 1,400 crore under the "Swadesh Darshan" and "PRASHAD" (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) schemes, including a project for the integrated development of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, the statement added.
He will launch the "Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice Tourist Destination Poll" and the "Chalo India Global Diaspora" campaign as well, besides announcing tourist destinations selected under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme, it said.
The PM is also scheduled to distribute appointment letters to nearly 1,000 newly-recruited government employees in Jammu and Kashmir and also interact with the beneficiaries of various central schemes, including women achievers, farmers and entrepreneurs.
In a bid to provide a major boost to the agri-economy of the region under the "Holistic Agriculture Development Programme" (HADP) to be launched by the prime minister, the statement said the program will cover the full spectrum of activities in three major domains of horticulture, agriculture and livestock husbandry.
The programme is expected to equip about 2.5 lakh farmers with skill-development training and about 2,000 farmers' service centres will be established and robust value chains put in place for the welfare of the farming community.
The prime minister will also launch 43 projects that will develop a wide range of pilgrimage and tourist sites across the country. He will also launch the first-ever countrywide initiative to identify the pulse of the nation on tourism in the form of "Dekho Apna Desh People's Choice 2024", the statement said. The "Chalo India Global Diaspora Campaign" aims at inspiring the Indian diaspora to become Incredible India ambassadors and promote tourism in India.
"The campaign is being launched based on the clarion call of the Prime Minister, wherein he requested Indian diaspora members to encourage at least five non-Indian friends to travel to India. With more than three crore overseas Indians, the Indian diaspora can serve as a powerful catalyst for Indian tourism, acting as cultural ambassadors," the statement said.
Ahead of the PM's Kashmir visit, the J&K unit of the BJP has put up mega hoardings across the city to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Kashmir, which is his maiden visit to the valley after the abrogation of Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state.
The PM's visit also gains significance in view of the impending assembly elections in the union territory. Authorities have deployed around 7000 government employees from Srinagar alone for the PM's rally while the 10th class examination to be held on Thursday has also been postponed in view of event.
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