Khursheed Wani

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described the Ramzan ceasefire in Jammu & Kashmir as a chance for the youth to build a stable and progressive State. He said the halt to anti-terror operations will expose “those who have been spreading terrorism in the name of Islam”.

The PM made an appeal to the misguided youth to return to mainstream that guarantees their safety, security and better opportunities of socio-economic development in all sectors in the State. “Every stone or weapon picked up by the youth of this State is only meant to destabilise their own State. We have to take the State out of instability for our future generations,” he said.

Modi started his day-long visit to J&K by kickstarting Asia’s longest Zojila Tunnel, part of Rs 25,000 crore projects, saying it showed New Delhi's commitment to all-round development of the State.

Addressing a gathering at highly fortified Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex here after online inauguration of two prestigious hydropower and road projects, Modi said a Special Central Representative has been appointed to talk to all groups to strengthen the peace process in J&K. Underscoring the essence of peace and tranquility, Modi said it is imperative have a peaceful atmosphere for progress and development.

Modi arrived here in the afternoon after inaugurating two similar projects in Leh and later flew to Jammu to preside over the seventh convention of Agriculture University. However, he arrived in Kashmir amid a complete shutdown that threw the normal life out of gear. The separatists had called for shutdown against his arrival and had planned to hold a sit-in at Lal Chowk, which was foiled by the authorities.

Modi said the Central Government is committed to support the initiatives of the PDP-BJP coalition to help overall socio-economic development of J&K.

He said the Centre will provide all support to make J&K a crown of the country.

Reiterating his last year’s Red Fort speech, Prime Minister said the abuses and bullets would not resolve the issue in Kashmir but embracing every Kashmiri was the need of the hour.

He said the bond between Kashmiryat and Jamhooriyat must be supplemented by development on all fronts.

Prime Minister said there is no reason that J&K should lag behind in all developmental initiatives, activities and achievements while being part of new India with best education, hospitals, infrastructure and employment opportunities. He said the forces inimical to peace and development needs to be fought to bring J&K out of this turmoil. He said youths influenced by foreign forces should take an active participation in the progress and contribute to its pride. He enjoined upon the civil society, intellectuals and religious leaders to utilise all their energies for the progress of J&K. He commended the role of security forces, including J&K Police, while working in most difficult conditions.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti thanked the PM for announcing Ramzan ceasefire saying this has enabled the mothers of the Kashmiri youngsters to sleep in peace for the past three days. She said the announcement has come like a balm on wounds of Kashmiris and assured the PM that Kashmiris would respond positively.

Modi said J&K always looks towards the Center for any help or intervention because they know that anything and everything is granted by the central leadership.

Mehbooba castigated Pakistan for not responding to peace gestures in the State. “You invited Pakistani leadership to oath ceremony and walked extra mile to meet them but they have not responded with that positivity. If that was the case, they would not have flare up borders and killed five civilians and a BSF man yesterday,” she said.

Meanwhile, the authorities foiled the ‘Lal Chowk Chalo’ march called by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) to protest Modi’s visit to the region with curbs and detentions.

JRL comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar, and Yasin Malik had asked people to march towards historic clock tower at Lal Chowk while carrying placards “what Kashmiris want” to protests Modi’s visit.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was detained after he defied house arrest and attempted to march towards Lal Chowk. He was later lodged at police station Nigeen.

Earlier in Leh, Modi attended the closing ceremony of the Birth Centenary Celebration of the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. He unveiled a plaque to mark the commencement of work on the Zojila Tunnel.

The 14 kilometer long Zojila tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, had approved the construction, operation and maintenance of this tunnel between Baltal and Minamarg, on the Srinagar-Leh section of NH-1A, at a total cost of Rs 6,800 crore earlier this year.

The construction of this tunnel will provide all-weather connectivity between Srinagar, Kargil and Leh. It will cut down the time taken to cross the Zojila pass from the present three and a half hours, to just fifteen minutes. It will lead to all-round economic and socio-cultural integration of these regions. It also has immense strategic importance.

Modi also inaugurated Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project and laid the Foundation Stone of the Pakul Dul Power Project with 1000 MW capacity. It will be the largest Hydro Power Project in Jammu & Kashmir on completion. It is also the first storage Project in Jammu & Kashmir.

330 MW Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project, located in Bandipora District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is a run of river scheme.

Courtesy: Pioneer: Sunday, 20 May 2018