Kashmir Separatists’ march casts shadow over Modi’s rally
Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani’s proposed ‘Srinagar Million March’ on November 7 has become a headache for security agencies who have been detailed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally here on the same day.
Geelani has asked people to join the ‘Srinagar Million March’ in large numbers. Other separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi and others, have supported Geelani’s call for the march to coincide with Modi’s rally.
Director General of Police K. Rajendra Kumar reviewed the overall security situation in and around Modi’s rally venue on Sunday.
“A team of the SPG (Special Protection Group) is flying in today (Monday) to take over the security at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium in Srinagar,” an intelligence officer told IANS.
“Dozens of CCTV cameras, sniffer dogs, mobile surveillance bunkers and drop gates are being put in place to ensure safety for the people coming to attend the November 7 public rally,” a senior police officer told IANS.
In order to prevent the separatist leaders from disrupting Modi’s rally, the authorities have placed over 30 separatist leaders and activists under house arrest in Srinagar.
Police have also been taking some known stone-throwers into preventive custody to ensure peace in Srinagar city during the prime minister’s rally.
While Geelani continues to remain under house arrest in his uptown Hyderpora residence, Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Nayeem Khan, Showkat Ahmad Bakshi and others have also been placed under house arrest.
Sayeed said the prime minister’s November 7 visit would be a turning point in the history of the state.
BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav, who is in charge of the party’s affairs in Kashmir, held meetings with the chief minister and party leaders two days back to ensure people’s participation in Modi’s rally.