PM Narendra Modi’s J&K Visit: What’s The Agenda? Why Is It Significant?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first trip to Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday (20 June) after coming to power at the Centre for a third straight term. The two-day visit will see the Indian leader participate in several events and launch various development projects in the Union Territory. Modi’s trip comes in the wake of recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. Security has been tightened in the UT before the prime minister reaches Srinagar in the evening today. PM Modi will unveil and lay the foundation stone of 84 mega development projects related to roads, infrastructure, higher education, and more worth Rs 1500 crore in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. And These projects include the upgradation of Chenani-Patnitop-Nashri Section, which is aimed to boost connectivity and facilitate better transportation in the region. The PM will lay the foundation stone for the development of Industrial Estates which is expected to bolster economic growth and create job opportunities. Modi will participate in the event ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K’ at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar at around 6 pm today. According to the PMO statement, the event is a “pivotal moment” for the region aimed at exhibiting progress and inspiring young achievers. The PM will also distribute appointment letters to more than 2000 people selected for government service posts. Modi will also launch the Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors valued at Rs 1,800 crore during his two-day J&K visit. The initiative will be implemented in 90 blocks across 20 districts of J&K, covering 15 lakh beneficiaries in a total of 300,000 households. And On the morning of 21 June, PM Modi will lead the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations at the SKICC on the banks of the Dal Lake in Srinagar. Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha has told PTI that over 7,000 people from different walks of life will join the PM to mark the event. Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion. PM Modi’s trip has come at a time when J&K has hogged the limelight for multiple back-to-back terror attacks. And At least nine people died and 33 were injured after terrorists fired upon a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims, resulting in the vehicle plunging into a deep gorge in J&K’s Reasi district on 9 June. Recently, the police made its first arrest in the terror attack, nabbing a Rajouri resident who is suspected of providing logistics to the terrorists. Two terrorists were killed and a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was martyred in a terror attack in Kathua’s Saida Sukhal village on 11 June. And In another incident, a constable of the Special Operations Group (SOG) sustained injuries in an encounter in Doda district. In view of the recent militant attacks, security forces are on high alert ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Srinagar. IGP Kashmir Zone Vidhi Kumar Birdi said that a “multi-tier security” system is in place in J&K. “As per the security protocols, the high-alert security arrangement has been made here,” he was quoted as saying by ANI. And According to an IANS report, teams of the Special Protection Group (SPG) are in the UT to coordinate security preparations with J&K security staff. The Srinagar police has declared the city a ‘Temporary Red Zone’, banning unauthorized drone operations in the area. Modi’s visit to J&K comes just weeks after he took oath as India’s prime minister for a third term. And He made his first trip to the UT after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 in March this year. The June visit is happening in the run-up to the J&K Assembly elections slated for later this year. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir held its last state-level elections in 2014. And J&K has not had an Assembly since the 87-member House was dissolved in 2018 and Governor’s Rule was imposed in the then state after the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) ended its alliance with the Mehbooba Mufti-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP), bringing down the coalition government. After the delimitation order of May 2022, J&K now has a 90-member Assembly, with 47 seats in Kashmir and 43 in Jammu. Here The EC is actively making arrangements to conduct elections in J&K. The restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir could happen after the Assembly elections, reported NDTV. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, J&K recorded a voter turnout of 58.58 per cent. As per the poll body, the UT saw its highest turnout in 35 years this time. And According to NDTV, PM’s visit is meant to “signal the government’s confidence” and its long-term plans of “peace and prosperity” in J&K.