Sameer Muhammad
SRINAGAR: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing Rs 80,000 package for the state of J&K, ahead of his visit, Kashmir valley especially the Srinagar city has been turned into a fortress with heavy security deployment after every 100 meters across the summer capital. This has not only added woes into the normal life of common people, but netizens on social media are fuming with anger as the public life has been thrown out of gear.
Even the much needed train services have been stopped for two days. Over 300 youth and political activists have already been arrested to thwart the proposed ‘Million march’ called by the pro-freedom groups to counter Modi’s rally.
Social media is also not impressed with the maiden visit of Modi to Kashmir. Not only the people from Kashmir, but from across the other parts of country and world have been keenly observing Modi’s visit and the sufferings people have been forced to.
Shawn Fernandes, a Facebook user writes: “Okay so here is how it works in the so called largest “democracy in the world. Step 1) ignore the intolerance towards minorities. Step 2) arrest the people who can publicly and rightfully have a peaceful protest so there are only supporters left. Step 3) hear claps and shouts from the non arrested. Step 4) fool the world you are a great leader by showing real videos of fake support. Democracy just a word in the dictionary now.”
Hina Bashir, another Facebook user writes… “Arrival of just one Human (i doubt if he is) makes it hell and ridiculously miserable for half a million people!!!!!”
Journalist Naseer A Ganai in his post writes: “Given praise of Mufti to Modi, it should be assumed Mufti has said to Modi what Sheikh told Nehru, “Tu mun shudi, Muntu shudam tu mun shudi [I have become you, and you’ve become me]”
Salman Nizami, a Facebook user writes: “Kashmiri leadership has been caged ahead of Modi’s visit. Isn’t it hilarious the man with 56-inch chest is so scared of unarmed groups that, despite being surrounded by Z plus security cover, he has to lock them up when he visits the valley?”
Rouf Bhat, a neitizen writes: “Wahrai Mufti sb this is healing touch policy a day before Endian pm in Kashmir why you are impose curfew in Srinagar”.
Meanwhile, the police cyber cell has been scrutinising social networking sites to “remove pages promoting Hurriyat’s proposed Million March”.
Many Kashmiri youngsters have been promoting Facebook pages and groups to lend support to ‘Million March’, urging people to attend in numbers.