Geelani, Hurriyat (M), Malik issue strike call on July 4
Srinagar: With the BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting valley on July 4, the pro-freedom camp here has raised antennae against Modi- asking people to observe strike during his visit.
The Chairman Huriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani while appealing people to protest against Modi’s visit by observing complete strike has stated that Modi is arriving here as the Prime Minister of that country that has denied the right to self determination to the people of Kashmir and has ‘suppressed, subjugated’ them. Pertinently, the amalgam earlier had asked people to stage protest sit in on July 4 after Friday prayers.
Huriyat Conference (M) in a statement issued to KNS issued the strike call on July 4 against the visit of prime minister- maintaining that the strike shall highlight the vitality of the Kashmir cause.
In a separate statement, the detained JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik also issued a strike call on July 4 maintaining that people will observe a complete shut down and protest against the ‘Indian oppressive behavior’ in Kashmir. Another amalgam Huriyat Conference (JK) in a separate statement while echoing Geelani- Tuesday issued the hartal call on the very same day. “Those who will welcome Narendra Modi on his arrival are the paid agents of India and the worst enemies of the ongoing freedom movement,” said HCJK in a press handout.
Pertinently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to pay his first official visit as the prime minister of India to Kashmir on July 4. The prime minister will arrive in Jammu and then proceed to nearby Katra town to inaugurate the Katra-Udhampur rail line that would cover a 25-km distance between the two places, the sources said. Katra is the base town of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine that is visited by millions of devotees every year.
After the commissioning of the Katra railway station, pilgrims would be able to reach the town directly without having to engage other modes of transport as they now do. Railways minister Sadananda Gowda and minister of state in the PMO Jitender Singh will accompany Modi during his visit.
The prime minister will then leave for Srinagar where he will chair a security review meeting at the Badami Bagh headquarters of the army’s 15 Corps. The meeting will be attended by governor N N Vohra, chief minister Omar Abdullah, general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C) Northern Command, Lt. Ge. D S Hooda and the three corps commanders of the 14th, 15th and the 16th Corps. Senior ‘security’ officials will brief Modi about the latest situation on the Line of Control and in the hinterland. The return and rehabilitation of the Kashmiri migrants would also figure in the discussion in Srinagar sources said.
The governor will later host lunch for the prime minister at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar. Modi is also scheduled to visit Uri town in Baramulla district to inaugurate the 240 MW Uri-II hydroelectric power project. Last year, former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was expected to inaugurate the project, but the programme was cancelled following technical snag in the project during its trial run. Sources said foolproof security arrangements are being made to facilitate a smooth visit of Prime Minister Modi.