Politics

India PM Modi praises Kashmir transformation on first visit in 5 years

New Delhi, Mar 7 (EFE).- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that Kashmir has undergone a significant transformation and experienced freedom since the Indian government revoked its special semi-autonomous status five years ago.

Modi made the remarks during his first visit to the Indian-administered region since the contentious withdrawal of its semi-autonomous status nearly five years ago.

“This is the new Jammu Kashmir that we had been waiting for decades,” Modi said, addressing a packed stadium in Srinagar.

The Hindu nationalist leader said that the revocation has granted freedom and opened up “new opportunities” for the residents of Kashmir to pursue their “dreams.”

On Aug. 5, 2019, the Indian parliament abolished Article 370 of the constitution, which had granted semi-autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and allowed it to enact laws and have its own constitution, among other provisions.

The decision, bringing Kashmir under the direct administration of New Delhi, also resulted in unprecedented restrictions in the region, including an extended 18-month internet shutdown, to forestall protests and revolts.

Modi attended Thursday’s gathering under tight security measures, with security forces maintaining a vigilant presence around the stadium and nearby areas.

Over the past few days, thousands of armed police and paramilitary forces were deployed on the main roads of Srinagar, conducting door-to-door searches and random checks of pedestrians and vehicles across the region.

The city also underwent an intense facelift, adorned with thousands of posters and flags of Modi’s party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), displayed throughout the city.

Modi’s visit to the Muslim-majority region comes ahead of the Indian general elections, expected between April and May, where he is seeking a third consecutive term.

During the visit, schools were closed, and employees from at least 10 government departments were instructed to attend the prime minister’s rally, official sources told EFE.

Modi also inaugurated several projects worth $169 million to boost the Himalayan region’s tourism sector.

The picturesque territory has been a longstanding point of contention between India and Pakistan since their partition in 1947.

India has consistently accused Pakistan of supporting “terrorism” and insurgency in Kashmir, a charge Islamabad vehemently denies. EFE

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