indica News Bureau-
Amid speculation of modification or abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, which could create tension, the Indian government has imposed restrictions under section 144 CrPC in the district of Srinagar, which will go into effect at 12 am(IST) on August 5th, 2019 and remain in force till further orders.
Restrictions have been imposed across the Kashmir Valley according to an official statement. “As per the order, there shall be no movement of public and all educational institutions shall also remain closed. There will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order. Identity cards of essential services officials will be treated as movement passes wherever required,” according to the statement.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti will not be allowed to leave their houses as strict restrictions are imposed in the Kashmir Valley.
“However, there is no curfew in place as reported in a section of media,” an official statement said.
National Conference leader Abdullah expressed apprehension, on Sunday night, that he was going to be placed under house arrest along with other mainstream leaders, while Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti had called the development “ironic.”
“I believe I’m being placed under house arrest from midnight tonight & the process has already started for other mainstream leaders. No way of knowing if this is true but if it is then I’ll see all of you on the other side of whatever is in store. Allah save us.”
“To the people of Kashmir, we don’t know what is in store for us but I am a firm believer that whatever Almighty Allah has planned it is always for the better, we may not see it now but we must never doubt his ways. Good luck to everyone, stay safe & above all PLEASE STAY CALM,” Abdullah said in a series of tweets.
Mehbooba Mufti, who tweeted about hearing “reports about the internet being snapped soon including cellular coverage” and “curfew passes being issued”, posted: “God knows what awaits us tomorrow. It’s going to be a long night.”
“In such difficult times, I’d like to assure our people that come what may, we are in this together & will fight it out. Nothing should break our resolve to strive for what’s rightfully ours.”
Subsequently, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “How ironic that elected representatives like us who fought for peace are under house arrest. The world watches as people & their voices are being muzzled in J&K. The same Kashmir that chose a secular democratic India is facing oppression of unimaginable magnitude. Wake up India.”
According to IANS, political leaders like Congressman Majid and the Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA M.Y. Tarigami said that they have been arrested, while police sources say that former Chief Ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti will be under house arrest.
On Sunday, Farooq Abdullah said that modification or abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A would be an aggression against the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh after an all-party meeting which was called to discuss the prevailing situation in the Valley.
Heavy deployments of local police, along with contingents of paramilitary forces, will fan out so that they are in place when the loudspeaker-mounted police vehicles make the announcement early morning.
All universities in the Valley have ordered the cancellation of classwork and exams scheduled on Monday without announcing any future dates for the same.
Mobile internet facilities have been snapped across the state and sources say that even call facilities and cell phones are likely to be cut soon, adding that this was being done to prevent anti-social elements from spreading rumors.
All police stations and district and sector magistrates deputed on law and order duties have been provided satellite phones to maintain official communications.
All available indications suggest the locals have already stocked enough rations, medicines, and other essentials to survive any eventuality even if this means remaining indoors for a long time.
All top officers of state police, paramilitary forces, and intelligence agencies are supervising the situation to ensure that there is no major law and order problem if any major decision is announced in New Delhi that would alter the constitutional relationship of the state with the rest of the country.
