Jammu: Security has been stepped up in Jammu region ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s April 24 visit to Samba district.
Two militants and a CISF personnel were killed and half a dozen security men suffered injuries during a six-hour-long gunfight on Friday morning in Sunjuwan area.
PM Modi will address Panchayat members on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Diwas in Palli village. This will be Modi’s first visit to Kashmir since the revocation of Article 370.
A five-layer security deployment has been put in place for Modi’s visit.
The Special Protection Group (SPG) assisted by the Central Armed Police Force, the Jammu Kashmir Police’s Crisis Response Team and the Special Operation Group have been guarding the venue.
Key hotels have been booked for Sunday accommodation.
“The Jammu and Kashmir administration has put elaborate security arrangements for crowd management in the bordering village Palli where the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a public gathering, mainly drawing from Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts,” an official said.
The intelligence agencies have sounded a high alert across Kashmir, particularly close to the international border and the Line of Control.
“The J&K Police are patrolling along the border along with the BSF,” informed sources said.
PM Modi is scheduled to participate in the ground-breaking ceremony of multi-crore industrial projects.
Besides, interacting with members of the Panchayati Raj Institutions, the Prime Minister will also launch industrial investments and inaugurate some projects and lay foundation stones of various development projects.
Additional check points have been set up at all entry and exit points of Jammu region. Every vehicle is being checked.
Prime Minister’s visit is likely to push Rs 39,000 crore investments in Jammu and Kashmir in addition to the government’s policy to reach out to panchayats across the country. As per officials, a UAE business delegation will also be present.
PM Modi will inaugurate the Banihal-Qazigund tunnel road constructed by the Border Roads Organisation, lay foundation for two power projects — 850 MW in Ratle and 540 MW in Kwar — in Jammu and five expressways to be developed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and 100 Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
