What On Earth Is Happening In Kashmir?
This is the question that is not only agitating the minds of the ordinary citizens but also the local politicians in the valley after 100 companies of para-military forces were positioned in the State in warlike preparation and the Amarnath Yatra abruptly curtailed midway. Students of NIT Srinagar have been asked to leave the campus and head back home by Sunday evening.
Unconfirmed report suggests two C 17 aircraft with CRPF personnel left Bhubaneswar on Sunday afternoon. Their destination remains unknown, but people in know have already started to link the movement with the developments in Kashmir.
“The situation looked absolutely normal a few days back till India announced massive troop deployment. They are being airlifted from New Delhi and other parts of the country and are being transported by road,” a local leader was quoted by media as saying.
Local politicians are unwilling to buy the Centre’s assertion that the troop build-up is in response to an imminent terror attack. The suspicion is written large on the face of National Conference leader Omar Abdullah. He has warned the Narendra Modi Government that any misadventure will cost the country dear.
But with tensions running high, people have started to stock essentials even as rumours and theories are keeping the local populace on the edge.
What’s Coming:
There are three theories floating around — abrogation of Article 35A that gives special constitutional status to Kashmir, trifurcation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and declaring Kashmir and Ladakh as union territories, and launching a major offensive against Pakistan across LoC.
Governor Satya Pal Malik has reportedly told Omar Abdullah none of them are ever happening. So, there are no end to one’s worries. The Congress and other opposition parties, according to media reports, have now decided to demand a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament on Monday, asking them to come clear on the Kashmir issue.
Busy Day In New Delhi On Sunday:
Since morning, there has been back-to-back meeting in North Block on the Kashmir situation. Media reports said Shah held meetings with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Home Secretary Rajeev Gaube. Meetings were also held between the IB and RAW chiefs.
Some reports have even suggested that the Union Cabinet is meeting on Monday morning instead of Wednesday. There is no word on the agenda before the Cabinet.
After an all-party meeting in Srinagar, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah appealed to both India and Pakistan not to take any steps that may accelerate the tension between the two countries.
Farooq’s son Omar tweeted late at night claiming he has been placed under house arrest.
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Tweets:
At around 4 PM on Sunday, the Pakistan premier in series of tweets warned that Kashmir situation will “blow up into a regional crisis” and said that it was time for US President Donald Trump to mediate over the conflict zone.
I condemn India’s attack across LOC on innocent civilians & it’s use of cluster munitions in violation of int humanitarian law and it’s own commitments under the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. UNSC must take note of this international threat to peace & security.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 4, 2019
President Trump offered to mediate on Kashmir. This is the time to do so as situation deteriorates there and along the LOC with new aggressive actions being taken by Indian occupation forces. This has the potential to blow up into a regional crisis.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 4, 2019
On Saturday, the Army said it foiled a major infiltration bid across the LoC in J&K’s Keran sector and killed five-seven intruders. It has asked Pakistan to collect the bodies, but the neighbour has rejected India’s claim.
“Indian allegations of cross LOC action by Pakistan and possession of bodies are mere propaganda. Such blatant lies / staged dramas are Indian disinformation manoeuvre to divert world attention from increased atrocities by Indian Occupation Forces inside IOJ&K,” said Major General Asif Ghafoor, Spokesperson for the Pakistan Armed Forces.
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