Srinagar, June 20 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reached out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and announced that the Assembly polls and restoration of the state would be done in near future.

The Prime Minister also said the government has taken serious note of the recent terror attacks and said they would not hesitate to teach a lesson to the enemies of Jammu & Kashmir.
Modi was speaking at 'Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K' event in Srinagar during his first visit after being sworn in for the third consecutive term.

The PM said the day is not far when people of J&K through votes would elect their new representatives.

Modi said people of Jammu and Kashmir would elect their representatives at the local level and through them they would find ways to solve problems.



“What can be better than the people of Jammu & Kashmir selecting their representative and tackling their problems through them. That is why preparations for the assembly elections have started. The day is not far when you will select the new government of Jammu & Kashmir with your own vote. The day will come soon when Jammu & Kashmir will shape its future as a state once again”, the Prime Minister said.

He said he has devoted himself with full dedication and honesty to ensure that a way out of the past generation’s miseries may be found.
“We are making all possible effort to remove all distances whether of the heart or of Delhi (Dil ya Dilli)”, PM Modi stressed. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to ensure that the fruits of democracy reach every family and person.
He said that every paisa of central assistance is spent on the welfare of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
The Prime Minister said the changes that J&K is witnessing, after the highest ever voter turnout in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, was a result of the BJP’s work throughout the last 10 years.

“We are witnessing Atal ( Bihari Vajpayee) ji’s vision of Insaniyat, Jamhooriyat aur Kashmiriyat, turning into a reality today”, PM Modi said.
Mentioning record voter turnout in the recent elections, the Prime Minister praised the trust of the people of Jammu & Kashmir in democracy.
“I have come to express my thanks for your efforts for keeping the flag of democracy high”, he added.
PM Modi also lamented the non-acceptance of the Constitution of India and the neglect shown towards Jammu & Kashmir since independence.
“I am delighted that today, we are living the Constitution of India. Through the Constitution, we are finding new ways to change the face of Kashmir for good. The Constitution of India has finally been adopted by Jammu & Kashmir in the true sense. The walls of Article 370 have been brought down,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government has taken serious note of the recent terror attacks in Jammu region and said they would not hesitate to teach a lesson to the enemies of Jammu & Kashmir.


“I assure you that no stone will be left unturned to teach a lesson to the enemies of Jammu & Kashmir. The new generation of Jammu & Kashmir will live in permanent peace. We will strengthen the path of progress chosen by Jammu & Kashmir,” Modi said

Earlier Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated 84 major developmental projects worth more than Rs 1,500 crores. He also launched Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors (JKCIP) Project worth Rs 1,800 crores

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Srinagar on Thursday afternoon on a two day visit amid a tight security .

UNI MJR/QAB GNK