Tight security in J&K on Eid, prohibitory orders lifted

With Eid to be celebrated on Monday, the administration and security agencies have made fool-proof arrangements to ensure it goes off smoothly in Jammu and Kashmir, but are yet to take a call on whether to allow prayers in the large open grounds where thousands congregate.

Security agencies have identified at least four “hotspots” in south Kashmir, with a history of anti-India elements, ahead of Aug.12 when restrictions upon civilians are also likely to be lifted.

Prohibitory orders in Jammu were on Friday withdrawn, and all schools and colleges asked to open from Saturday, even as the orders remained in force in Kashmir Valley, though they were eased ahead of Eid celebrations on Monday.

According to the order issued by Jammu District Magistrate Sushma Chauhan, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, under which gathering of more than four people is banned, is withdrawn from Jammu Municipal Limits.

All school, and colleges to open from Saturday.

“There is a high possibility of trouble following the Eid prayers in certain areas as has been witnessed historically. Certain areas in Shopian, Pulawama and parts of Anantnag and Sopore, which have been witness to unrest in the past, have been identified,” said a senior army official.

“Security agencies will conduct aggressive area domination in the locations having a history of unrest. The army will synergise with local police and troops of Central Armed Police Forces. The local police and paramilitary forces will co-ordinate for crowd control and maintaining law and order,” added the official.

The Kashmir Valley is in the midst of unprecedented troop deployment since Aug.5 ahead of the Central government’s decision to withdraw special category status to J&K and to bifurcate the state into two Union territories.

The number of cease-fire violations by Pakistan at the LoC has been drastically less in the month of August as compared to the previous month.

Ceasefire violations had touched 272 till the end of July, which was the highest for any particular month this calendar year. July was incidentally the month in which Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and US President Donald Trump had met in Washington DC.

“The number of ceasefire violations has been surprisingly low over the past one week. We are however expecting an increase in infiltration attempts from across the PoK into India in the light of veiled threats from Pakistan. But we are prepared for any contingency,” said the official.

Following the decision of the Indian Parliament to read down Article 370 and withdraw special status to J&K, Imran Khan had warned of another “Pulawama-type incident.”

Addressing a joint session of the Pakistani Parliament, Khan had said: “Through this move, they are trying to crush the people of Kashmir, as a result of which a Pulawama type incident will happen. I can predict that. They will put the blame on us if such an incident happens again. They may strike us again and we will strike back and it would have grave consequences for the entire world.”

Meanwhile, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who has been camping in Srinagar since the past few day, on Friday held a meeting with Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan.

During the meeting, Malik and Doval stressed on the importance of reaching out to people and helping them meet their daily needs, besides ensuring their safety and security.

The two also discussed the arrangements in place for the observance of Eid Al Adha.

The National Security Advisor, who has been spending time meeting locals and having lunch with them, on Friday too visited downtown Srinagar and spent some time interacting with troops and locals.

Ahead of revoking Article 370 that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and dividing the state into two Union Territories, the Central government had clamped prohibitory orders across the state on Sunday night, and put it under complete lockdown, to prevent separatists from raising trouble over the move.

Despite the easing of restrictions in Kashimir, the sale of sheep and goats for the Eid has not taken off, as people are still apprehensive.

Indo-Asian News Service