The bigger challenge for the Modi government has not been the scrapping of special status for Jammu and Kashmir as much as the security fallout of such a move. Hours after President Ram Nath Kovind signed the order for scrapping of Article 370, withdrawing special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the state, the Union home ministry issued a nationwide advisory asking all states and UTs to be on maximum alert and strengthen security to foil any attempts by anti-national elements to disrupt peace and create national security concerns.
NSA Ajit Doval has left for the valley and would be stationed there for the rest of the week, monitoring the situation firsthand from the ground. The security plan to secure the Indian territory from enemy forces, at a crucial stage of the government's announcement, has been drawn by Doval and his security team .
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All states and UTs have been asked to sensitise the public against attempts by anti-national and anti-social elements that can lead to breach of peace.
“It is essential that this occasion is not misused by inimical and anti-social elements to cause breach of security, peace and public harmony in any part of the country,” the MHA said. The MHA has also asked all states and UTs to ensure security and safety of residents of Jammu and Kashmir, especially students hailing from the state, living in a different part of the country.
Adequate publicity may be given to the measures taken by the state governments and UTs to inspire confidence in the sections concerned and to sensitise the public against any mischief or breach of trust. States have been asked to issue instructions to law enforcement agencies to maintain vigil against circulation of false, unverified news, rumours and unscrupulous messages on social media aimed at inciting violence and communal discord.
The special advisory issued on the instructions of home secretary Rajiv Gauba has come after the deployment of an additional 25,000 boots on the ground in the last few days.
The deployment of additional forces was only among the last minute steps taken by the government to secure the security grid in the state. “The huge deployment was not a step taken in isolation,” said a security official. The build up was happening at various levels, with the various armed forces and paramilitary forces being sent to Jammu and Kashmir for training purposes, induction for elections, rotation, and even law and order duties. The idea was to keep them ready for contingency after the decision was announced, sources said.
