Deceptive calm in north Kashmir

Ishfaq Tantry

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Tribune News Service

Baramulla, August 10

Baramulla has always been considered the bastion of separatists and remained at the forefront during the mass unrests of 2008 and 2010. So far, no major demonstration has been reported from the region. But the calm appears deceptive.

For the first time since Monday, when J&K lost its special status and was reduced to two union territories, the authorities eased the curfew-like restrictions in the town and people were allowed to shop essentials for the Eid festival.

However, as one takes a walk through the markets, it gets clear that the festivity associated with Eid is missing. A majority of the shops in the northernmost town of the Valley are closed though there is no call for a shutdown and the authorities are not stopping anyone from heading to the market.

“They cheated with us. Till the last moment, they did not tell us what they are going to do. Now I can imagine the moment when Sheikh Abdullah, who was the then Prime Minister of J&K, was arrested and dethroned,” said Abdul Ahad, who was looking for an ATM to get some cash.