Modi visits Indian-held Kashmir for first time since stripping region of special status in 2019
- Modi said the territory was put on a path of unprecedented development since 2019 but made no political commitments to the region’s people, who have been without an elected local government for four years
- Tens of thousands of people and elected officials from local councils across the region assembled in Palli village near Jammu city for the speech, which was held amid tight security
Modi remotely inaugurated a tunnel and work on two hydropower projects before delivering a speech that was punctuated by his government’s developmental achievements.
He said the territory was put on a path of unprecedented development since 2019 but made no political commitments to the region’s people, who have been without an elected local government for four years.
“Let me assure the youth of the valley that they will not face difficulties and tribulations that their parents and grandparents faced,” Modi said, referring to the Kashmir Valley, the heartland of anti-India sentiment. His speech was a part of a function to commemorate the annual Panchayati Raj (grassroots democracy) Day.
One of the power projects Modi on Sunday laid foundation to was first commissioned by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2013.
Tens of thousands of people and elected officials from local councils across the region assembled in Palli village near Jammu city for the speech, which was held amid tight security. The area visited by Modi generally welcomed the Indian government’s changes of Kashmir’s status nearly three years ago.
Officials say the councils represent grassroots governance but its members have no legislative powers.