Curfew in Kashmir enters day 3; 2 ex-CMs still under house arrest

Majid Jahangir 
Tribune News Service 
Srinagar, August 7

Strict curfew and complete communication blockade continued for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as Kashmir tried to come to terms with the decision by the Union Government to abrogate Article 370 and divide the state into two union territories. 

The day passed off peacefully with no report of any violence from any part of the Valley. 

Two former chief ministers--Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti- continue to remain under detention at Cheshmasahi. Many other political leaders, including former legislators, have also been kept under house arrest. 

Thousands of policemen and personnel of the Central Armed Police Force continue to remain deployed across the Valley to ensure peace. The city centre, Lal Chowk, has been barricaded by security forces. No vehicles and people were being allowed to move. The roads were empty.  

The unprecedented complete communication blockade where even landline phones have been snapped has caused more anxiety among people.  

“People here are still in shock and the communication blockade has added to our miseries,” said Tariq Ahmed, a resident of Maharaj Bazaar. 

With the Valley continuing to remain on edge, the government has appealed to the people to stay calm.  

A senior officer said there was a possibility that the curfew would continue for some more days depending on the situation. 

“All arrangements are in place to ensure peace,” the officer said. 

The security grid, along with top civil officials, held a series of meetings at the Police Control Room in Srinagar to review the security scene. 

Meanwhile, hundreds of non-local labourers have started moving out of the Valley, fearing a backlash in the wake of the abrogation of Article 370. The labourers from various states were seen heading towards the SRTC yard for their onward journey to Jammu. 

“We have never faced any hostility during our stay here. But with the latest order and communication blockade, our fears have increased. So, we have decided to move out,” said Guddu, a carpenter from Uttar Pradesh.