Narendra Modi: J&K leaders indulging in graft, emotional blackmail

TNN

Jammu/Udhampur, Nov 28, 2014: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that the development of Jammu and Kashmir has been stagnant since the last 30 years and leaders here "indulge in corruption and emotional blackmail". 

 

Addressing a BJP rally in Udhampur ahead of the second phase of polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said there have been a dozen prime ministers in India but none has had the opportunity to visit Jammu and Kashmir as much as he has had. 

 

"I decided to spend Diwali with the flood-affected people here. My decision was not for politics, nor was it for gathering votes," he said. 

 

He added: "What has not happened in 30 years, if I do not do it in five years, then you can hold me accountable for it and even question me." 

 

"Development has been stuck in Jammu and Kashmir for 30 years. Leaders from ruling and opposition parties indulge in corruption and emotional blackmail." 

 

"We have to work towards the valley’s development... and I need your help in doing it," he said.

 

The PM also promised that he would visit the state again in December.

 

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally, a multi-tier security had been put in place in Udhampur in view of the terrorist attack that left eleven people dead.

 

A multi-tier security set up had been put in place at the venue of the rally at Battal Balian in the outskirts of Udhampur town in view of the Thursday’s terror attack, a senior police officer said.

 

Troops in and around Udhampur have been deployed in strength and all routes to the venue have been sealed and multiple check points set up with deployment of heavily armed para military and police forces.

 

 

Jammu gunfight over: Police

 

The gunfight between the security forces and infiltrators near the international border in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, which started Friday has ended, police said. 

 

The firing has stopped and searches are underway, a senior police officer said. 

 

The gunbattle started on Thursday at Arnia in Jammu district and resumed again on Friday morning. 

 

A group heavily armed militants sneaked into the Indian side of the border from Pakistan. 

 

Officials said 11 people — four civilians, three soldiers and four militants — were killed. 

 

Police said they destroyed the abandoned Army bunker in Pind Khote village of the RS Pura area on Friday where the lone surviving militant was hiding.