India: Shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir against PM Modi's visit

Normal life was disrupted in Indian Kashmir on Sunday due to a shutdown called by separatists against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.

Modi is scheduled to inaugurate Asia's longest bi-directional tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Sunday. He will also address a public rally in Udhampur district.

Shops remained shut and normally busy streets bore a deserted look in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, ahead of Modi's visit in one of the world's most militarised regions.

Armed security personnel lined the streets and maintained strict vigil to prevent any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, security has also been beefed up around the tunnel with armed security personnel keeping an eye out for any suspicious movements. Intelligence agencies have been roped in to provide round the clock updates about the movement of inimical elements in the area.

Reportedly, troops along the international border and the line of control have also been put on high alert to check any infiltration.

The 9.2-kilometer-long Chenani-Nashri tunnel will be the only all-weather surface route connecting Kashmir to the rest of India.

It is likely to reduce travel time between the two state capitals of Jammu and Srinagar by two-and-a-half hours.

Built at a cost of over rupees 20 billion (over USD 308 million) and over a period of five years, the tunnel is equipped with security features, including advance scanners to ward off any security threats.

(Reuters)