Connect with us

News

Modi touts development plans in first public Kashmir event since crackdown

Avatar

Published

2 years ago

on

Indian PM Narendra Modi announces new development projects for India-administered Kashmir in bid to strengthen New Delhi’s rule in the annexed Muslim-majority region.

India’s prime minister has promised peace and development for India-administered Kashmir, during his first public event in the disputed Himalayan territory since it imposed a sweeping security clampdown and annexed it nearly three years ago.

Tight security was in place for Narendra Modi’s appearance at Palli village in Jammu province on Sunday, the southern part of India-administered Kashmir.

As he inaugurated new road and hydropower projects, Modi told the gathered crowd of thousands that his government had put the restive region on the path to prosperity.

“I want to tell the youth of the valley [Kashmir province] that they will not have to face the difficulties and travails that their parents and grandparents had to deal with,” Modi said.

Sunday’s event marked Panchayati Raj, a day that commemorates grassroots democracy – although India-administered Kashmir has been without an elected regional government since 2018.

Its last chief minister was detained during the clampdown and only released more than a year later.

Modi’s Hindu nationalist government has sought to quell a long-running armed revolt throughout the disputed Himalayan region.

India nullified the area’s limited autonomy and annexed it in August 2019, when authorities arrested thousands and imposed the world’s longest internet shut down, seeking to forestall local opposition to the move.

READ MORE: Separatists, soldier killed in disputed Kashmir ahead of Modi’s visit

Most militarised region

Modi’s government has long said its decision to end Kashmir’s limited autonomy was aimed at fostering a lasting peace and bringing investment into the troubled region, where tens of thousands of people have been killed over the years.

Today, it is one of the most militarised regions of the world, with more than half a million soldiers and paramilitaries deployed across the fractious territory.

Police say violence has declined since India-administered Kashmir’s status was changed, but almost 1,000 people have been killed since 2019 – among them soldiers, rebels and civilians.

Young men continue to join rebel groups that have fought Indian rule of Kashmir for more than three decades.

Suspected militants threw grenades at a bus carrying security forces on Friday, killing an officer, in an incident around 20 kilometres from the venue of Modi’s public appearance.

Two suspected rebels were killed in the ensuing firefight with the Indian forces.

Both India and Pakistan claim the divided territory of Kashmir in its entirety.

Rebels in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir have been fighting New Delhi’s rule since 1989. Most Muslim Kashmiris support the rebels’ goal of uniting the territory, either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country.

India alleges the Kashmir militancy is Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Pakistan denies the charge, and most Kashmiris consider it a legitimate freedom struggle.

Tens of thousands of civilians, rebels and Indian forces have been killed in the conflict.

READ MORE: Nationals who study in Pakistan won’t be eligible for jobs: India

Source: TRT World 

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

News

Freedom of journalism must be practiced within the responsibilities

FI

Published

7 hours ago

on

04/05/2024

By

Minister at the President’s Office for Strategic Communications Ibrahim Khaleel has underscored the importance of exercising the freedom of press within the responsibilities. He made the remarks while speaking at a programme aired on PSM News.

Commemorating the 7th anniversary of PSM News, Minister Khaleel was invited to the programme, as he played a pivotal role in founding the PSM News Channel during his tenure as the Former Managing Director of the Public Service Media (PSM). The minister worked in the field of journalism and broadcasting for several years, actively engaging in various media positions, including reading and writing news articles.

Highlighted the convenience within the field following the advancements of technology, Minister Khaleel revealed articulated his vision for PSM News to serve as the primary national channel, delivering reliable and timely news coverage across the entirety of the country. In observance of World Press Freedom Day, the minister noted the continuous expansion of press freedom over the years. On this stance, he stressed the significance of media outlets to execute obligations in disseminating news, urging the spread of credible information.

Furthermore, Minister Khaleel revealed the government’s plan to expand and promote journalism. As such, efforts are underway to provide educational opportunities and to strengthen the financial stability of media organisations.

Source(s): PsmNews

Continue Reading

News

Fourth meeting of High-Level Core Group on withdrawal of Indian troops held in Delhi

FI

Published

17 hours ago

on

04/05/2024

By

The fourth meeting of the High-level Core Group between the Maldives and India took place in Indian capital New Delhi on Friday.

Maldivian Foreign Ministry said both sides reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation between nations during Friday’s meeting while discussions were also held on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including development and defense cooperation.

Additionally, the Foreign Ministry said it was reiterated that the Indian government will replace military personnel at the last of the three aviation platforms by May 10th, adding both sides expressed satisfaction with the fact that all the logistical arrangements are going ahead as per schedule.

Both sides also agreed that the fifth meeting of the High-Level core Group will be held in Male’ on a mutually agreeable date in June or July.

The High-Level Core Group was formed following a meeting between Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28.

Source(s): sun.mv

Continue Reading

News

Minister of Islamic Affairs to attend the OIC Summit as the President’s Special Envoy

FI

Published

1 day ago

on

03/05/2024

By

The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, will attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which begins tomorrow, as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Special Envoy.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs is scheduled to address the 15th session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as the President’s Special Envoy, which begins tomorrow, at Banjul, The Gambia. His address will be broadcast on television.

The Islamic Summit of the OIC, held once every three years, brings the leaders of the Islamic nations together to deliberate, take policy decisions, and provide guidance on issues pertaining to the Ummah as outlined in the OIC Charter.

The 15th Session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will take place in Banjul, The Gambia, from May 4–5, 2024, under the theme “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development.”

Source(s): Presidents Office

Continue Reading

Trending