From ‘icy heights of Siachen’, Rs 745cr Diwali gift for J&K

From ‘icy heights of Siachen’, Rs 745cr Diwali gift for J&K
Indians stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you, PM tells troops on rare Siachen visit as Pak Rangers violate ceasefire yet again. Separatist leaders decry visit as Srinagar shuts down in response to strike call.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew to the Siachen Glacier on Thursday to mark the start of his visit to Jammu and Kashmir and expressed solidarity with troops deployed at the world’s highest battlefield.

“From the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier and with the brave jawans and officers of the armed forces, I wish all of you a Happy Diwali,” Modi said in a tweet, adding, “Perhaps this is the first time a Prime Minister has got the wonderful opportunity of spending time with our jawans on this auspicious day.”

Addressing troops, Modi said every Indian stands “shoulder-to-shoulder” with soldiers posted in Siachen Glacier, Modi said earlier. “Everyone is aware of the extreme conditions at Siachen. Be it the altitude or bitter cold, nothing deters our soldiers. They stand there, serving our nation. They make us truly proud,” Modi said.

Upon his return to Srinagar, Modi announced a Rs 745-crore package for renovation of houses and six major hospitals damaged by the unprecedented floods. He said while Rs 570 crore would be for rebuilding houses, Rs 175 crore will be for renovation of six major hospitals across the state.

Modi said the money for renovation of the hospitals would also cover immediate procurement of new equipments and machines. He said after meeting CM Omar Abdullah that he was “seriously considering” a demand made by the flood-affected to deposit the money directly in their bank accounts.

Pak rangers violate ceasefire

As Modi flew to Siachen, Pakistan Rangers fired at Indian positions on the International Border in Jammu region some 365 km away, while a strike called by separatists hit life in Srinagar and the Kashmir Valley.

Apolice officer said Pakistan Rangers fired at the BSF’s Narain border post at Ramgar in Samba district. The BSF retaliated to the firing that started at 10.30 am, but no casualty or damage was reported. Meanwhile, public buses went off the roads in Srinagar but private vehicles and auto-rickshaws plied, though in fewer numbers. Most shops and businesses were shut, and police and paramilitary personnel were deployed.

Separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani accused Modi of rubbing “salt in our wounds” by visiting Kashmir on Diwali but not extending Eid greetings to Kashmiri Muslims. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yasin Malik said Modi was “politicising a human tragedy” -- a reference to Modi’s meetings with flood victims. With Agencies