SRINAGAR: A protester was killed during clashes with security forces on Satur­day in India-held Kashmir hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the disputed region, police said.

“The boy was injured in clashes with security forces and died on way to hospital,” Javaid Gillani, inspector general of the police, said.

The day mostly saw minor clashes; however, the unrest intensified soon after Modi’s rally was over and restrictions were eased.

Modi announced $12 billion in assistance to the disputed region, more than a year after deadly floods devastated large parts of it.

Speaking amid intense security, he stressed the need to create jobs for young people, boost tourism and infrastructure, and close a gaping digital divide in the region, where many do not have access to the internet.

“To fulfil these dreams, the Indian government is annou­ncing an 80,000 crore rupee ($12.1bn) package to Jammu and Kashmir,” Modi told a crowd at a rally in Srinagar, as authorities imposed a curfew for the second day running.

Srinagar was hit hard after Jhelum river burst its banks in September 2014 leaving thousands stranded. The floods killed 300 people and caused an estimated $16bn worth of damage, according to official data.

Modi steered clear of politics in his speech, prompting opposition leader Omar Abdullah to react sharply. “PM Modi has made the same mistake of weighing the Kashmir issue in Rupees & Paisa!!!!,” the former chief minister tweeted.

Authorities imposed stringent restrictions and suspen­ded mobile phone services. Hundreds of activists were arrested ahead of the visit, with leaders confined to their homes to prevent them from holding a protest march against Modi’s rally.

“Modi’s visit and the economic package will not change anything, like in the past,” veteran leader Syed Ali Geelani told reporters outside his residence, surrounded by police to prevent him from leaving.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2015

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