SRINAGAR – Occupied Kashmir has been virtually turned into a garrisonstate ahead of PM Narendra Modi visit to the state.

A three-tier security arrangement has been thrown around the city ahead ofPrime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to all three regions of Jammu andKashmir tomorrow, during which he will lay the foundation stone for theambitious Zojila tunnel that will provide all-weather connectivity toLadakh with the rest of the country.

Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, the NDA government announced aunilateral ceasefire on security forces’ operations as a goodwill gestureduring the holy month of Ramzan which started yesterday.

The visit of the Prime Minister has generated hope among the people in themilitancy-ravaged Kashmir Valley, which has been witnessing increasedviolence since 2016. During his Independence Day address last year, Modihad said bullets or abuses would not resolve the Kashmir issue and that itcould be addressed by embracing every Kashmiri.

Modi had them said his government was committed to restoring the lost gloryof Kashmir and its status as “heaven on earth”.

“Na gaali se samasya sulajhne wali hai, na goli se, samasya suljhegi harKashmiri ko gale lagane se (Kashmir problem cannot be resolved by eitherbullets or abuses. It can be resolved by embracing all Kashmiris),” Modisaid.

Modi will inaugurate the 330-MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project, whoseprogress was monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office. He will inaugurateit from Sher-e-Kashmir Convention Centre, located on the picturesque DalLake in the city.

Security around the venue has been tightened and barricades had beenerected as separatists had given a call for ‘Lal Chowk chalo’ tomorrow.