New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will spend Diwali with the flood-affected people of Srinagar, an official release said yesterday.
“Will be in Srinagar on Diwali, October 23 and will spend the day with our sisters and brothers affected by the unfortunate floods,” the prime minister said in a statement.
More than 1.5 million people were affected by the floods in Jammu and Kashmir, the worst the state has seen in 50 years. Over 280 people were killed, while widespread damage was caused to public and private properties, commercial establishments and infrastructure.
Modi has already announced Rs100bn for rehabilitation of the state and promised to do whatever else the government can.
New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday said terror attacks “can’t be ruled out” during the festive season.
“The possibility of terror attacks can’t be ruled out during the festive season. Terror threats are there and alerts are being issued,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.
Asked what advisory has been issued by the ministry Monday to all the states on possible communal tension, the home minister said: “We issue such advisory on the basis of information we get.”
“The festival of Diwali and Kali Puja will be celebrated in various parts of the country on October 23. Issues like bursting of fire crackers, use of loud speakers, raising of provocative slogans by members of one community near religious places of the other community could lead communal tension during the festivals,” said the advisory issued on Monday.
The advisory further said that it is necessary that continued vigil and proper security arrangements are made at places of worship during the observance of the festival especially in the communally sensitive areas to prevent disturbance.
It also said that communal atmosphere was strained in some of the states during Bakrid over issues related to animal sacrifice.
IANS
