‘J&K is breathing freely today..’ PM thunders in Shrinagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first visit to Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, on Thursday unveiled multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore, during the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' programme at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium. Then at a rally there the Prime Minister said, "Today there is no 370 (and) hence talent of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir is respected and they are getting new opportunities."

"Today, J&K is touching new heights of development... J&K is breathing freely today. This freedom from restrictions has come after the removal of Article 370," he thundered.

The PM also took a swipe at his rivals, accusing the Congress and its allies - including J&K's National Conference and the Peoples' Democratic Party - of misleading people for political gain. "There is a sparkle of future in the eyes of this new Jammu and Kashmir... there is courage in the intentions of this new Jammu and Kashmir to overcome the challenges," he continued.

Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed appointment letters to nearly 1,000 newly recruited government employees and interacted with the beneficiaries of various central schemes, including women achievers, farmers and entrepreneurs. Upon his arrival, PM Narendra Modi visited an exhibition which showcased local products of Jammu and Kashmir.

Modi's visit also comes with a general election on the horizon and the Supreme Court's deadline to his government - to hold an Assembly election by September 30. A five-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud was ruling on pleas challenging the government's scrapping of Article 370.

On his last visit to J&K the Prime Minister launched multiple development projects - including those for education, railway, aviation and transport worth over ₹ 32,000 crore.