Modi's first official visit to Kashmir since 2019 lockdown

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a public gathering on National Panchayati Raj Day in the village of Palli, on the outskirts of Jammu, on April 24, 2022. AFP - RAKESH BAKSHI

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Sunday April 24 in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, his first trip to this region since the forced abrogation of the autonomy of this region in August 2019. The nationalist leader praised the new economic development of this region, inaugurating several infrastructure works.

However, the situation is not as beautiful as it is. 

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With our correspondent in New Delhi

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Narendra Modi inaugurated a 9 km road tunnel, the work of which began 11 years ago, and a small solar energy production park.

Then he launched other infrastructure works.

This is the Indian Prime Minister's first trip to Jammu and Kashmir since his government abrogated the region's autonomy two and a half years ago.

The authorities then put the main local politicians in prison and cut internet connections for many months.

The Prime Minister says the region is now vibrant, safe and democratic.

In economic terms, however, per capita income has stagnated in the region, mainly due to the health crisis, independence militants also continue to launch attacks, even if their number may have reduced due to the deployment of more soldiers.

At the democratic level, the 13 million inhabitants still do not have a regional parliament and are led by a governor appointed by New Delhi.

Above all, a growing number of journalists and researchers in Kashmir are imprisoned and prosecuted for terrorism, because of their writings critical of the government.      

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