As the lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir enters its sixth consecutive day following the effective abrogation of Article 370 in the state, pictures and videos of National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval meeting locals in a market in Anantnag emerged yet again on Saturday, 10 August.
This is the second time Doval is seen meeting locals since the crackdown. On 7 August, Doval was seen chatting and sharing food with locals on the streets of Shopian.
According to officials, the NSA stopped at a cattle market set up in Anantnag – a hotbed of terrorist activities. In a video circulated on social media, Doval can be heard enquiring about the price, weight and diet of the cattle – mostly sheep on sale at the market.
A young trader, after informing Doval that he brought his cattle from Drass area of Kargil, asks him: “Do you know where Drass is?”
Before Doval can reply, Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag Khalid Janagir tells the trader that the man he is talking to is the NSA. A smiling Doval pats the man, shakes his hand and leaves.
On Friday, the NSA, accompanied by his aides and senior police officers, visited the Eidgah locality and stopped at various places to interact with locals.
He later talked to police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and thanked them for their wonderful work in maintaining law and order.
Doval arrived in Kashmir on Tuesday, a day after the Centre effectively revoked provisions under Article 370, which earlier granted special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. He is reaching out to the local population in the Valley as a confidence building measure (CMB).
Doval, who visited the militancy-infested south Kashmir assured the locals that their security is the government's responsibility.
“Everything will be alright. Your safety and security is our responsibility,” Doval had told people in Shopian district.
An unprecedented security cover and several restrictions are in place in Kashmir. All modes of communication have been snapped in the Valley.
Doval was seen eating food on a footpath outside closed shops and talking to locals. He exchanged views with them on the security situation and the government's decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories.
“Your children and their children will continue to live here. They will make their name in the world,” the NSA had told people.
He also met policemen in the area and praised their role in the containing the situation in the state for the past several years.
“Jammu and Kashmir Police is one of the best police forces. It has a special place for us,” Doval told the policemen.
Later, videos of Doval, flanked by director general of police, Jammu and Kashmir, Dilbagh Singh, interacting with locals and policemen went viral on social media.
Soon after, many had questioned the circumstances in which the photos were taken, including senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad. Slamming Doval, Azad told reporters on Thursday, 8 August, “You can buy anyone with money.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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