07 November 2015•Update: 09 November 2015
By Zahid Rafiq
SRINAGAR, Jammu Kashmir
Amid a severe curfew imposed by Indian authorities in Jammu Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the disputed region Sunday to address a rally in the heavily fortified city of Srinagar.
Keeping his speech limited to economics and ignoring the long drawn political conflict, Modi announced a financial package equivalent to $12.1 billion.
"Don’t think that the 80,000 crore package is the full-stop," Modi told crowds at the Sher I Kashmir stadium. "This is just the beginning. There won’t be any dearth of money."
Modi said the much-awaited assistance would cover relief for victims of last year’s floods, including farmers and businessmen, and be used to enhance tourism, youth employment and infrastructure.
Modi’s visit was managed amid a heavy clampdown on opponents of Indian rule in the Muslim-majority region as well as the civilian population.
Hundreds of checkpoints had been put in place across Srinagar in the three days leading up to the visit and the Internet was reportedly disconnected.
According to Indian police sources, more than 300 opposition activists and leaders were arrested prior to Modi’s arrival.
On Saturday evening, a 22-year-old Kashmiri man was shot dead by Indian soldiers in Srinagar following the visit.
Eyewitnesses said Gowhar Dar, an engineering student, was shot in the head in the city’s Zainakote neighborhood during clashes between protesters and security forces.
The demonstrators had been attempting to stage a "Million Man March" against Indian rule when the military fired tear gas and warning shots.
"His face was covered with pellet injuries and he had a bullet injury in his head, which killed him," a local from Dar’s Mustafa Abad neighborhood told Anadolu Agency.
News of the killing brought more protesters on to the streets.
Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, which both claim the entire region. The two countries have fought two wars over Kashmir since they were partitioned in 1947.
In Jammu Kashmir, resistance groups have been fighting for independence from India or for unification with neighboring Pakistan since 1989.
More than 70,000 Kashmiris have been killed in the violence, most of them by Indian forces.
