Alwaght- Pro-independence groups in Indian-administered Kashmir have called for a 'Million March' on November 7, to Indian Prime Minister Narendra rally in the region on the same day, a move that has elicited harsh response from authorities in the disputed Himalayan region.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the region's top pro-independence leader says India is using sheer force to try and suppress the march. He vowed that pro-independence groups will try to reach the venue with one million people.
Geelani, who leads the Hurriyat Conference is under house-detention, has called for the ‘Million March’ backed by all pro-independence parties and other groups fighting for independence, or merger of the territory with Pakistan.
"We don't want to sabotage his [Modi's] rally but we want to remind the world about 18 UN resolutions on Kashmir that promise right of self-determination to Kashmiris," he said.
In recent days, Indian police have carried out operations across the restive region to detain political leaders and activists ahead of the visit.
Authorities have also blocked more than a dozen pages on social networking sites that were promoting the protest rally, while a complete blockade of internet, phones, roads and highways is expected on Saturday.
On Wednesday, Indian police raided a scheduled news conference of Hilal War, another pro-independence leader, before seizing him and his campaigners.
War's People's Political Party (PPP) has voiced support for the 'Million March,' saying: "Situations like these are in themselves a referendum to suggest what Kashmiris want."
Other reports say Indian police have arrested over 150 activists of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), which is led by Yasin Malik. They have been detained for supporting the 'Million March'.
Saturday's trip marks Modi's first visit to the Kashmir Valley since his right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the local pro-India Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), assumed power in the 2014 local assembly polls.
Security has been beefed up in the state ahead of the visit that includes a scheduled public rally in Srinagar's Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium.
The Muslim-majority region of Kashmir has been the scene of violent clashes in recent years. Indian army soldiers are in constant clashes with the fighters seeking independence in the troubled region.
The Himalayan region is divided between India and Pakistan, but claimed in full by both, since the two countries gained independence from Britain in 1947.
The two countries have fought two of their three wars over their competing claims to Kashmir, though a 2003 ceasefire has largely held despite small but regular clashes.