From the deployment of additional troops to instructing the Amarnath pilgrims and the tourists to vacate the Valley, the situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been volatile in the past few days.
An atmosphere of fear and confusion loomed over the state as Section 144 was imposed, the Indian Army claimed that Pakistani terrorists were plotting to carry out an attack and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was put under house arrest.
Speculations were rife about Article 370 and Article 35(A) being abrogated and those were proved right on Monday, 5 August, when Union Home Minister Amit Shah effectively revoked Article 370, which confers special status to Jammu & Kashmir, through a Presidential Order. He also moved a Bill to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories – Jammu & Kashmir as one and Ladakh as the other.
Some Express Outrage While Others Celebrate
While roads of many parts of the country resounded with drums and hoots, roads of Jammu and Kashmir were eerily silent.
Restrictions and night curfews were imposed in several districts of Jammu and Kashmir as the Valley remains on edge with authorities stepping up security deployment.
(With inputs from PTI and AP)
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