National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah on Sunday questioned the state government’s silence as rumours and orders are keeping the Kashmir valley on the edge.
He said the official orders were “forecasting of deterioration in the law and order environment.”
“It’s easy to blame Valley residents for fear-mongering but what are we to make of such official orders which forecast a deterioration in the law and order environment and even predict disturbances lasting for an extended period of time?” he wrote on Twitter.
Omar was responding to the latest order issued by the railways which asked its staff in the Valley to stock dry ration for at least four months to meet “any crisis situation”.
Omar also mentioned another official order which had revealed posting of 100 additional companies of the state police for “special law and order duties”.
A series of official orders in the past two days have come amid rumours that Article 35A, which guarantees the state’s special status, will be revoked next month.
The rumours and orders asking the government staff and police to prepare for unrest are keeping the Valley on the edge. The panic has gripped the region over the past two days since the Union Home Ministry’s order surfaced on social media which talked of sending an additional 100 companies of the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces to the state.
The discontent over possible revocation of Article 35A is widespread in the Kashmir region and even the mainstream and former ruling parties have warned of dire consequences if the law is tinkered with or revoked.
Meanwhile, with rumours rife and fear griping the Valley over the possible removal of Article 35A, former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday warned New Delhi of a bloodbath if it fiddled with the special status of the state.
Mehbooba delivered the message while speaking during the foundation day of the PDP, giving an indication that the party was bracing up for a major showdown against the Centre over Article 35A.
With rumours rife and fear griping the Valley over the possible removal of Article 35A, former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday warned New Delhi of a bloodbath if it fiddled with the special status of the state.
Mehbooba delivered the message while speaking during the foundation day of the PDP, giving an indication that the party was bracing up for a major showdown against the Centre over Article 35A.She said touching Article 35A would be akin to setting a powder keg on fire.
“Jo haath 35A ke saath cheed chaad karne ke liye uthenge, wo haath hi nahi wo saara jism jal ke raakh ho jaega (not only will the hand, which will raise to tamper with 35A, burn, but the whole body will burn to ashes),” Mehbooba said while addressing a function to celebrate the party’s 20th raising day.
There are speculations that the Centre is planning to revoke Article 35A after August 15. What has added weight to the rumours is that in a surprise move, the Centre has rushed 100 companies of paramilitary forces to the state.
Mehbooba said attempts were being made to weaken the Kashmiris politically as well as economically.
“We have to fight this. No other political party can stand up against this. I read Omar’s (Abdullah) statement on Article 35A in which he told New Delhi not to touch it and leave it for the Supreme Court. I am asking you is there anyone from J&K who is ready for any tinkering with Article 35A either by the Central government or by the Supreme Court?” she asked.
She asked people to be ready for the “big fight” to safeguard the special status of the state. “Elections come and go, the government comes and goes…. The real test now is to save the special position of J&K,” she said.
She said many attempts would be made to harass the PDP and its leaders as New Delhi knew that it was the only party that spoke the truth and stood like a wall to safeguard the special status and identity everywhere.
“In this fight for which we are preparing, they can even send Mehbooba behind bars. But, do not get worried. Anything can happen, but I assure the people that the PDP will fight till the last for safeguarding the special status of J&K,” she said. over the possible removal of Article 35A, former Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday warned New Delhi of a bloodbath if it fiddled with the special status of the state.
Mehbooba delivered the message while speaking during the foundation day of the PDP, giving an indication that the party was bracing up for a major showdown against the Centre over Article 35A.
She said touching Article 35A would be akin to setting a powder keg on fire.
“Jo haath 35A ke saath cheed chaad karne ke liye uthenge, wo haath hi nahi wo saara jism jal ke raakh ho jaega (not only will the hand, which will raise to tamper with 35A, burn, but the whole body will burn to ashes),” Mehbooba said while addressing a function to celebrate the party’s 20th raising day.
There are speculations that the Centre is planning to revoke Article 35A after August 15. What has added weight to the rumours is that in a surprise move, the Centre has rushed 100 companies of paramilitary forces to the state.
Mehbooba said attempts were being made to weaken the Kashmiris politically as well as economically.
“We have to fight this. No other political party can stand up against this. I read Omar’s (Abdullah) statement on Article 35A in which he told New Delhi not to touch it and leave it for the Supreme Court. I am asking you is there anyone from J&K who is ready for any tinkering with Article 35A either by the Central government or by the Supreme Court?” she asked.
She asked people to be ready for the “big fight” to safeguard the special status of the state. “Elections come and go, the government comes and goes…. The real test now is to save the special position of J&K,” she said.
She said many attempts would be made to harass the PDP and its leaders as New Delhi knew that it was the only party that spoke the truth and stood like a wall to safeguard the special status and identity everywhere.
“In this fight for which we are preparing, they can even send Mehbooba behind bars. But, do not get worried. Anything can happen, but I assure the people that the PDP will fight till the last for safeguarding the special status of J&K,” she said.
