Ahead Of Article 35A Hearing India Intensifies Crackdown In Kashmir, More Than 10,000 Troops Deployed, Separatists Held

Ahead of the crucial hearing in the Supreme Court on Article 35A the government has taken stringent measures in Kashmir including deployment of some 12,000 additional paramilitary forces in the valley.

On Friday the Home Ministry had ordered the deployment of 100 companies of central forces to the valley.?

These included 45 companies of CRPF, 35 companies of BSF, 10 companies each of SSB and ITBP. One company has about 120 personnel.?

AP/ REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

The massive troop movement comes amid the heightened tensions in the region following the terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama on February 14 which killed over 40 paramilitary paramilitary personnel.

There is growing fear in the valley that the escalation could result in an all out confrontation between India and Pakistan. There are also reports that locals have started stocking up essentials like food and medicines in the fear of further escalations.?

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, however, played down the additional troops deployment claiming that it was part of pre-election induction and there was no reason to panic.

Along with the increase in troops presence, there was also a crackdown on separatists and pro-Pakistan organization like the Jamaat-e-Islami.

The security provided to many prominent separatists have been withdrawn following the Pulwama terror attack.

AP/ REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

Separatists including JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik have been detained by police who also cracked down on the leadership of pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami .

According to reports, 150 Jamaat activists and leaders including its chief Abdul Hamid Fayaz and spokesman Zahid Ali have been arrested.

The crackdown comes ahead of the crucial hearing in the SC on Article 35, which has been for long a point of contention.

AP/ REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

The article grants special privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir, which defines who is a ‘permanent resident’ of the State and confer on them special rights and privileges in public sector jobs, acquisition of property in the State, scholarships and other public aid and welfare.

When it comes up for hearing on Monday, the government is exported to take a stand in favour of scrapping it.

Howerer, both mainstream political parties and separatists have warned the government against any such move.