2 Lakh Strong Crowd to Gather for PM Modi’s Kashmir Rally: BJP Leader
Suhail Khan
SRINAGAR, March 4: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address his maiden rally after the Abrogation of Article 370 in the Kashmir Valley, the summer capital city of Srinagar is primed to take centre stage, with preparations in full swing.
The last time the PM Modi visited Kashmir, was on February 3, 2019, to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for various development projects related to healthcare, higher education, skill development and employment. Earlier in November 2015, the Prime Minister addressed a public meeting at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium.
Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch indicate that the city is covered with saffron flags, and the joy and excitement on the faces of people waiting eagerly to catch a glimpse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are evident. It has been reported that preparations have been underway for the past three days to welcome the Prime Minister to the summer capital city.
According to reports, Srinagar is beautifying its lanes and bridges by adorning them with flags and improving the overall aesthetics of the city in preparation for the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister.
BJP Leaders Reaction
Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, the BJP’s J&K spokesperson, Altaf Thakur, stated that the party workers are eager to listen to Modi and they will mobilize their cadre across the Valley for the upcoming rally.
“We expect lakhs of people to attend the rally. Modi has brought a lot of development to J&K during his tenure as the PM,” added Thakur.
Meanwhile, The J&K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Ravinder Raina on Monday said that around 2 lakh people are set to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Kashmir this week.
Speaking to the media in the summer capital Srinagar, Raina as per Kashmir Despatch expressed that the people of Kashmir are filled with excitement, joy, and happiness ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to Kashmir after the Abrogation of Article 370.
Raina stated that the mega rally is scheduled to take place at Bakshi stadium in Srinagar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the crowd. Approximately 2 lakh people are expected to participate in the event.
“There is a lot of excitement about the Prime Minister’s rally. There is a lot of enthusiasm about this rally in Kashmir as well as across the country,” said party’s senior leader and former cabinet minister Sunil Sharma. He said there is enthusiasm among the people in Kashmir “where the BJP was regarded as untouchable before.”
Security Tightened
Meanwhile, an extensive overhaul of security measures has been meticulously orchestrated to guarantee a secure environment.
A top police official, speaking on condition of anonymity to the Kashmir Despatch, revealed that a series of anti-terrorism operations and comprehensive drills are being implemented across various districts in Jammu and Kashmir. These proactive measures aim to neutralize potential threats and prevent any undesirable incidents during the Prime Minister’s visit.
Over the past two days, joint security forces, including the army, paramilitary personnel, and local police, have been strategically deployed in and around the rally venue at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar. Senior officials from multiple security agencies are carefully supervising the security arrangements throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
The official stated that sensitive zones across Kashmir are under constant surveillance through a combination of manned patrols and electronic monitoring systems, in addition to the ground-level security efforts.
To enhance swift response capabilities, the Jammu and Kashmir police have deployed their specialized black panther vehicles at key public gathering spots. Furthermore, air surveillance, facilitated by drones, provides real-time intelligence on any suspicious activities in the vicinity of the rally venue. An extensive network of CCTV cameras also covers Bakshi Stadium, allowing security personnel to vigilantly monitor and promptly address any potential threats.
To strengthen perimeter security, numerous checkpoints have been established on national highways leading to Srinagar. Equipped with advanced scanning technology, security personnel meticulously screen vehicles and individuals entering the city, reinforcing security protocols and mitigating potential risks during the Prime Minister’s visit, the official further added.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
