Security has been tightened in Kashmir Valley ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled public rally in capital Srinagar on November 7. While most of the separatist leaders have been taken into custody or detained in their homes, an Independent legislator Sheikh Rashid was held on Wednesday to prevent his programme to greet Modi with black flags.
The authorities have decided to block Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on the day when Prime Minister would arrive. The Special Protection Group (SPG) has already taken over the Amar Singh Club Grounds, where Modi is scheduled to address the public. Around 20 nakas have been established at vintage points in the city even as Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras were activated to monitor the movement of pedestrians and vehicles.
The anti-sabotage checks are being carried out within the stadium as well as in the surrounding areas to ensure fool proof security. Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were conducting surprise checks of pedestrians and vehicles on entry and exit points of Srinagar.
Police are monitoring social networking websites to keep a watch on those spreading slogans in favour of ‘Srinagar Million March’. The separatists have announced to hold a “Million March” at Tourist Reception Center Grounds, in the vicinity of the venue of Prime Minister’s rally.
District Magistrate Srinagar has issued a notice to Syed Ali Geelani to refrain from holding any rally on the day Prime Minister arrives in Kashmir.
The Saturday’s rally will the PM’s first rally in Kashmir Valley after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and BJP alliance assumed power in the state on 1st March this year.
Meanwhile, continuing with the clampdown to foil Syed Ali Geelani’s ‘Srinagar Million March’ the authorities today put Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house detention at his Nigeen mansion in Srinagar outskirts. Prominent separatist leaders including Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and Asiya Andrabi have been put under preventive custody.
The controversial Independent legislator from langate Engineer Sheikh Rashid was on Wednesday held at Rafiabad while on his way to Srinagar. Rashid has announced to hold protests in Srinagar by waving black flags on PM’s arrival.
Before his detention, Rashid held a number of public meetings in Kupwara asking the people to stay away from Modi’s rally. Interestingly, two assembly segments in Kupwara are represented by People’s Conference, an ally of the BJP. The People Conference founder Abdul Gani lone was a separatist who was gunned by militants in 2002.