The countdown for the removal of the Article 35A in Jammu Kashmir has started, according to top sources in the government.
Highly places Sources informed The Kashmiriyat that two days after National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval returned from a visit to the Kashmir Valley, the Centre has decided to move in additional paramilitary troops to the valley to prevent the protests that might likely take place in the Kashmir valley on the ground.
The NSA, as per the Sources said that during his three-day visit held detailed discussions with senior officers of the state administration, police, paramilitary forces, Army, state and Central intelligence agencies.
“He directed the officials on how to deal with the protesters, the separatist, religious or social leaders in wake-up of the protests and how to prevent them,” the Sources said.
“It is clear that nothing is being left to chance. The orders seem to be clear, violence and attempts to disrupt peace by anti-national elements, in the garb of a public outcry to oppose the abrogation of Article 35A, has to be contained and controlled so that the common man is put to least inconvenience.
“The entire operation to deal with the law and order fallout in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 35A has even been code-named,” the sources informed.
The movement of the additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has started in the Valley over the past three days.
Over 450 companies of CAPFs (40,000 troops) are already deployed for the security of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and other security related duties in the Valley at present.
“All sensitive installations, including the airport, radio station, Doordarshan Kendra, essential services like hydro-power generation projects, power grid stations, water supplies, hospitals, paramilitary camps and the state police offices down to the level of police stations and police posts are getting additional paramilitary deployments for extraordinary security cover,” an official order read.
All regional parties including the National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Jammu Kashmir People’s Movement (J&KPM) and others are opposed to any tinkering with Articles 35A and 370 that give special status to Jammu Kashmir.