Tight security outside homes of political leaders in J&K
Separatists and Pakistan-sponsored groups are planning to observe Aug. 5 as a ‘black day’
High tension was palpable in Jammu and Kashmir as several political activists were taken into preventive custody and large contingents of policemen were deployed at the residences of various political leaders belonging to both mainstream and separatist camps to thwart possible attempts to organise protests on Wednesday, the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state.
Strict security restrictions are in force in the remaining parts of J&K. Following criticism within J&K and outside, authorities late Tuesday evening said that curfew imposed in Srinagar has been lifted, but restrictions as part of the lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of Covid19 would continue.
PDP’s Rouf Bhat had announced at a press conference on Monday that the party will observe August 5 as “black day” and that a protest demonstration will be held in Srinagar to mark the anniversary of the “unconstitutional measures” taken on this day last year.
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The local police and Central armed police forces on Tuesday imposed a curfew in Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar whereas strict security restrictions are in force elsewhere in the Kashmir Valley, a day before the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state.
However, following criticism within J&K and outside the UT, the authorities late on Tuesday evening said that curfew imposed in Srinagar the previous night has been lifted but restrictions as part of the lockdown aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 would continue. They, however, claimed that the curfew which was to remain in force till Wednesday evening was lifted “after assessing the situation which remained incident free” on Tuesday.
The security in the remaining parts of J&K including winter capital Jammu has been beefed up further, reports received here said.
As tensions run high, large contingents of policemen have been deployed at the residences of various political leaders belonging to both mainstream and separatist camps to thwart possible attempts by them to organize protests. The police also took several political activists into preventive custody.
Among them is PDP’s Rouf Bhat who had announced at a press conference here on Monday that the party will observe August 5 as “black day” and that a protest demonstration will be held in Srinagar to mark the
anniversary of the “unconstitutional measures” taken on this day last year.
Srinagar’s DC Shahid Iqbal Choudhary had claimed on Monday that concerned SSP has reported that a series of inputs received by the police suggest that separatists and Pakistan sponsored groups are planning to observe August 5 as a ‘black day’ and, therefore, there is apprehension of “violent actions and protests” which could “endanger public life and property.” He said that such an activity could also defeat the purpose of imposing lockdown to stem the spread of Coronavirus and, therefore, it was decided to clamp curfew and strict security restrictions in the entire district with immediate effect. Mike-fitted police vans went round the city on Monday announcing imposition of curfew and warning of “strict action” against those found violating orders.