India’s Modi visits Kashmir for first time since 2019

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, for the first time since the autonomy of the disputed region was abolished in August 2019, Anadolu Agency reported.

In a gathering in a highly fortified sports stadium in the capital Srinagar, Modi blamed the “dynastic politicians,” who have ruled the region for most of its turbulent past, for “keeping people chained” to the abrogated special laws and credited his government for giving voting rights and job reservations to several communities.

His trip to Kashmir came ahead of general elections in India where Modi is looking to win a third term in office.

Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against the Indian rule for independence or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.