Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 24: President Pranab Mukherjee has extended his visit to the Kashmir Valley by a day while Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju is arriving on a three days visit to Ladakh from tomorrow.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Mr Mukherjee, whose visit to the Valley had been scheduled earlier for two days (September 26 and 27), has now extended the visit by one day and would be returning to the Union capital on September 28.
This would be first visit of Pranab to the Kashmir Valley after taking over as the President in July this year. He had visited the Valley in July as a part of campaigning for the Presidential candidate in which he was pitted against former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma. During campaigning, he had promised to visit the Valley after being elected to the top post of the country.
Sources said Pranab would reach Srinagar in the afternoon of September 26 and have a night halt at Raj Bhawan. Governor NN Vohra would host the dinner.
On September 27, the President would address convocation of Kashmir University at auditorium of the campus. The convocation would last about two hours.
In the evening, Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) would host boat riding at Dal lake for the President. Mr Mukherjee would also take assessment of cleaning of the lake.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would host dinner for the President on September 27 at SKICC Srinagar in which Ministers, legislators and other dignitaries were likely to be present.
Pranab would return to New Delhi on September 28. Earlier, he was scheduled to return on September 27 itself.
Few days back, Vice President Hamid Ansari had visited the Kashmir Valley for four days. He had addressed National Science Congress at Kashmir University auditorium.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju is visiting Ladakh region on a three days visit, beginning tomorrow.
Mr Raju would visit Leh, Kargil and Zojila during his three days visit. He would start his visit from Zojila tomorrow, sources said.
Significantly, the visit of Minister of State for Defence in Ladakh comes close on the heels of transgressions by Chinese in areas falling close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
Army chief Gen Bikram Singh had paid three days visit to Leh and Siachen Glacier last month. He had also visited forward areas during the visit.
Sources said Pallam Raju would address and inter-act with Army commanders and jawans at Leh, Kargil and other areas. He was likely to visit some forward areas on China border.
Sources said the Government of India was keeping a strict vigil in the areas, bordering China though it had been maintaining that there was nothing to worry on the border and the situation was peaceful on the borders with China.
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