Ahead of the Supreme Court verdict on petitions challenging the Centre’s modifications to Article 370 and the reorganisation of the state, security has been tightened across Kashmir.
It was on August 5, 2019, that the President of India issued the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order of 2019, diluting Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir in terms of local administrative autonomy and its constitution.
Authorities have ramped up security across the region and are closely monitoring social media. While action has been taken against five users for spreading rumours and hateful content, officials have also zeroed in on nine individuals for misusing social media platforms to propagate sensitive or extremist content.
Additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed, ensuring strict measures to prevent any lawlessness.
Guidelines under CrPC Section 144 have been issued to control the dissemination of sensitive content in various districts, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, and Ganderbal. The authorities remain vigilant to contain content that could incite communal tensions or promote terrorism and separatism.
Regional parties, including the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party, await the verdict as it could significantly impact their political strategies. They expressed hope that the Apex Court will restore Article 370 and statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Ravinder Raina has called upon all parties to accept the decision of the Supreme Court.
The decision by the court will have a far-reaching impact on Jammu and Kashmir as the Centre has made sweeping changes in the former state after the reading down of Article 370, including introduction of new domicile laws, land ownership laws, and laws covering investment.
The Centre has introduced several bills in Parliament regarding reservation and political representation through nomination for Kashmir Pandits who migrated from Kashmir in the 90s following the eruption of militancy.
The verdict is also being awaited anxiously in Ladakh, which was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and made a Union territory after the Centre abrogated Article 370.
The residents of Ladakh have been seeking constitutional guarantees similar to the ones the region enjoyed as part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre has had several meetings with the leadership of the region’s two districts, Kargil and Leh, and expressed willingness to protect Ladakh’s unique identity but refused to accept their demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule-like status.
