SRINAGAR: Security across Jammu and Kashmir has been stepped up for the Friday visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as separatists have called a shutdown in protest against the visit.
“After his landing in Jammu airport, Modi will fly to Katra, the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. He will then throw open the Udhampur-Katra railway line,” said an official.
Sources said Modi would also inaugurate the 240-MW Uri-II hydroelectric power project in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
In Srinagar, the Prime Minister will visit the Army’s 15 Corps headquarters at Badami Bagh Srinagar, where he will chair a high-level security meeting. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Governor N N Vohra, Northern Command chief Lt Gen D S Hooda, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 16 Corps Lt Gen K H Singh, GOC of 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha and GOC of 14 Corps Lt Gen B S Negi besides top police, paramilitary and civil officials will also attend the meeting.
Meanwhile, separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mohammad Yasin Malik have called a shutdown to protest against Modi’s visit.
“Prime Minister Modi represents the state of India and he is responsible for all tyrannical acts, oppressive behaviour and curbs on the freedom in Jammu Kashmir,” Malik said.