PM Modi to arrive in Srinagar for 2-day visit, lead yoga day celebrations

PM Narendra Modi/ AFP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Srinagar on Thursday for a two-day visit, his first since beginning his third term. On June 21, he will lead the celebrations for International Yoga Day.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister will attend the 'Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K' event at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. During this ceremony, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for numerous development projects in J&K worth over Rs 1,500 crore, including the Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) worth Rs 1,800 crore, reported PTI.

PM Modi will attend the 10th International Day of Yoga event at SKICC on June 21, at approximately 6:30 am, to address the crowd and participate in the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session.

"On 21st June, at around 6.30 AM, the prime minister will participate in the 10th International Day of Yoga event at SKICC in Srinagar. The Prime Minister will address the gathering on the occasion and take part in the CYP Yoga session thereafter," a communique from the Press Information Bureau said.

Per the PTI report, the visit will be accompanied by stringent multi-layer security measures. Over 7,000 people will join the Prime Minister for a yoga event on the banks of Dal Lake. These participants have been instructed on the Yoga 'Asanas' that will be performed.

Security troops are highly positioned throughout Srinagar to guarantee a calm visit. The roads leading to SKICC have been sealed, and all officials, security officers, and participants have undergone a comprehensive security check, the report added.

"Security forces personnel have been deployed in strength across Srinagar City to ensure the prime minister's visit passes off peacefully. The roads leading to SKICC have been sealed. The sanitisation operation at the SKICC was concluded on Tuesday and the background security check of all officials of the SKICC, security personnel and others on duty, and the sportspersons who will attend has been conducted," the communique added.

According to the report, in addition, the Srinagar Police proclaimed the city a 'Temporary Red Zone' for drone operations to improve security, making unauthorised drone operations punishable under the Drone Rules of 2021.

Several yoga sessions have been held in Srinagar and the surrounding valley in the three days leading up to the major event, including one near the landmark clock tower at Lal Chowk and a giant camp at Polo Ground, the report added.