New Delhi:
Restrictions imposed on people's movement and communication links in Jammu following revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution have completely lifted, said Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Munir Khan. However, the clampdown will continue in Kashmir ‘for some time’.
Jammu and Kashmir has been under an unprecedented security cover and prohibitory orders were imposed a day before the Modi government announced that it has withdrawn special status for the state.
“Law order situation is totally under control. There have been localised incidents in various parts of Srinagar district and other districts, which had been contained and dealt with locally. There have been no major injuries,” the top cop said.
#WATCH: Munir Khan, ADGP, #JammuAndKasmir Police on preparation for Independence Day: Everything is in place. Celebrate 15th August, 'dabake.' pic.twitter.com/kRNPLNCPsi
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2019
Emphasising that government's biggest endeavour is that no civil casualty should take place, Munir said that there were few pellet injuries and injured were being treated in hospitals.
"When a new situation of law and order arises, opposite parties including the neighbouring states take the initiative of unleashing the propaganda. Videos of 2016 and 2010 are in circulation now, that is part of propaganda. We're taking all measures to thwart these attempts," he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Centre said that the curfew-like restrictions in Kashmir following the removal of Article 370 provisions would be removed from the Valley only after getting a nod from local authorities. According to a report by The Indian Express, a senior Home Ministry official said that they had to choose between the loss of lives and the inconvenience caused by the restrictions.
The MHA official said that the government learnt a lesson from what happened after the killing of Burhan Wani, who enjoyed support from a section of local Kashmiris and had taken up arms against the Indian Armed Forces.
The Narendra Modi government scrapped special status of Jammu and Kashmir by removing several clauses of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The government also said that it will support a Bill to divide the state into two Union Territories (UTs).
In anticipation of the announcement, that could triggered violence, the government had flooded the Valley with thousands of additional troops and severed all communication channels, including mobile and broadband internet. Curfew-like restrictions were imposed in the Valley and tourists were evacuated. Mainstream politicians, including former chief ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah along with many others have been arrested and taken to unknown locations.
