Scores of Leaders arrested in Kashmir valley ahead of Modi’s visit

Ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir on November 7, the J&K cops have raided several places
across the region on Monday and detained political leaders and activists. The authorities fear the proposed march may cause a repetition of the huge anti-India rallies as it rocked the region in 2008 and 2010 for months.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s planned rally coinciding with that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7. They called for a counter ‘Million March’.”India has responded to our peaceful march with sheer force. But we will try to reach the venue with one million people,” said Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the region’s top pro-independence leader.

Yasin Malik, the pro-independence leader said that police have detained “our 150 activists over their support of the ‘Million March’.”

The separatists such as SAS Geelani, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were also allegedly detained in Srinagar.

Social networking sites which were promoting the protest rally, where blocked by the authorities.The complete blockade of internet, phones, roads and highways is expected on Saturday.

A top security official said. “We don’t want to take any chance. Known stone throwers and protesters have been detained while tight security measures are in place for the prime minister’s visit.”

The PM will address rallies in Srinagar and Ramban district, along with laying the foundation stone of four-laning of Udhampur-Banihal national highway.

Chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had said on Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit will be a “turning point” in the history of J&K and the people of the state have great expectations from it.

The PDP’s chief spokesperson, Mehboob Beg, supported the government curb on pro-independence activists, saying: “Anything that disturbs the PM’s visit will not be allowed.”