Security beefed-up for PM Modi’s visit to J&K following encounters

JAMMU: Security has been beefed-up ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir’s Palli village scheduled for Sunday.
One security personnel and two terrorists were killed in an encounter near an Army camp in Jammu after gunmen targeted a CISF bus early Friday. Nine security personnel were also injured in the attack.
Police chief Dilbag Singh on Friday had said that the terrorists were part of a suicide squad from Pakistan’s banned terror outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and their infiltration could be a “big conspiracy” to sabotage the Prime Minister’s visit.
ADGP Mukesh Singh said a major “fidayeen [suicide]” attack in Jammu has been averted with the elimination of the two heavily armed terrorists. A CISF assistant sub-inspector was also killed in the pre-dawn gunfight near an Army camp on the outskirts of Jammu, while nine security personnel sustained injuries.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to address panchayats across the country on ‘Panchayati Raj Diwas’ on Sunday. April 24 is celebrated as the National Panchayati Raj Day.
The Prime minister will address a gathering including more than 30,000 Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members of Jammu and Kashmir while PRIs from across the country will be connected virtually for the Prime Minister’s address.

Palli panchayat is in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The date – April 24, 1993 – marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of power to the grassroots, with the institutionalization of Panchayati Raj, through the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 which came into force with effect from that day.
Panchayat Palli in Jammu has been selected for the Panchayati Raj Diwas function this year and an exhibition showcasing the latest innovations will be put up enabling farmers, sarpanchs and village heads to improve their income and their produce.
(With inputs from agencies)