Kashmir Tense As Nobody Says What Is Going To Happen

Srinagar: Uneasy suspense in Kashmir Valley continues as people are storing essential items fearing backlash from the authorities in wake of the Pulwama attack earlier this month in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

Former chief minister of J&K and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, informed that his father and party president Dr Farooq Abdullah spoke to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and briefed about the sense of panic prevailing in the Valley. He has requested the NDA government to step in with a statement and steps that reassure people.

“Dr Farooq Abdullah briefed Home Minister about the panic buying in the markets and the way petrol pumps have run dry and how speculation about possible developments has worsened an already tense situation,” he tweeted.

The government orders from different departments carrying special directions regarding storage of medicine, food stocks cancellations of leaves of doctors has added to the rumors of possibility of massive law and order situation in the Valley. The shortage of fuel administration has clarified is due to closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway. However, people say that the authorities are misleading them and trying to divert the attention.

“They can scrap article 35 (A), declare emergency in the state or launch bigger crackdowns and encounters not only against militants but the whole population,” a 65-year-old, retired government servant, who bought 100kgs of rice and other essential items from a grocery store in Khayam area of Srinagar.

Senior police official and bureaucrats also run wild guesses on what could be the plan, but are sure that something specific and big is in offing.

“We don’t know exactly what but something big is going to happen. We detained some people who have no idea why they have been detained, as the orders came directly from Delhi,” a senior police official told ET. He said that it is war like situation, where lower rung officials are just executing the orders and know nothing what is the grand plan. The armed forces have already tightened noose in the Valley after Pulwama attacks and scores of youngsters have been detained after February 14.

Even pro-elections politicians are tweeting since morning urging New Delhi and administration to clarify what is going on.

“We are putting on the table every possibility. Even J&K might be declared a Union Territory or there might be trifurcation of state or simply New Delhi create an example out of the Hurriyat and Jamaat carder,” a former legislator, wishing not to be named told ET. He went on to saying that special status of the state might be abrogated so that BJP will satisfy its electorate ahead of the elections. (ET)