Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke of his vision forJammu and Kashmir - one that embraces Kashmir and recreate it as the"paradise" it once was. Launching the campaign for the state election in Maharashtra, in Maharashtra, PM Modi spoke of the sweeping move to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation into two union territories as one of the key measures taken in the first 100 days of his second term.

"We promised the nation that we will make fresh effortsto solve the problems of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. I'm satisfied today thatthe nation is moving towards it," he said. "We always knew and said "Kashmir humaara hai" (Kashmiris ours), but now, there will be a new slogan for every Indian... that "abmilkar ek naya Kashmir banana hai" (we must come together and build a newKashmir... phir ek baar, Kashmir ko swarg banana hai... (Once again, we mustensure Kashmir becomes heaven on Earth)," he said.He reiterated thegovernment's view that the state had lost out on much of the benefits that therest of India gets. The end to special status will remove the obstacle toimplementing laws that are in place in the rest of India and open the path tobring in various Central projects that help various sections of people in otherparts of the country.Kashmir lost out on a lot of good that could come its wayfrom Delhi... but that hurdle has gone... they will benefit directly from Delhinow... it will benefit millions of people and give them a promising and betterfuture," he said.Jammu and Kashmir was placed under lockdown since August4, the eve of Union home minister Amit Shah's announcement in parliament. TheCentre says much of the restrictions has now been lifted and phone servicesrestored in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir.Last week, India also assured theUN Human Rights Council that despite "challenging circumst ances" theadministration is ensuring basic services, essential supplies, normalfunctioning of institutions, mobility and nearly full connectivity."Democratic processes have been initiated. Restrictions are being easedcontinuously," India said, pointing out that the preventive and precautionarymeasures were temporary and meant to ensure the safety and security of peoplein face of threats of cross-border terrorism.

Earlier this week, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami -- a Left leaderunder house arrest in Srinagar who was brought to Delhi for medical treatmentunder the orders of the Supreme Court -- said the Centre's security measureswere slowly "suffocating" the people.

"They claim nobody has died, people are slowly dying,they feel suffocated. We want to live too, we should be given the chance too,"he told reporters at a press conference with party leader Sitaram Yechury.