Jammu and Kashmir on heightened security ahead of 'Black Day' protests marking Article 370 revocation
Security forces have been reinforced across Jammu and Kashmir as the National Conference, PDP and Congress plan demonstrations on August 5 to mark the seventh anniversary of the Article 370 repeal.
Ahead of the August 5 anniversary of the central government's decision to revoke Article 370, authorities have bolstered security across Jammu and Kashmir with extensive police, army and CRPF presence. Vehicle inspections, frisking and surveillance have been stepped up at vulnerable sites in the Jammu region, and special checkpoints now monitor the Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot highways. Border zones are seeing increased patrols and area-domination exercises, while in Srinagar large numbers of forces guard the Lal Chowk city centre.
Roads leading to the offices of the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party and Congress have been closed as a precaution. The three parties intend to hold separate protests: the National Conference outside its Jammu headquarters, the Congress at its Shaheedi Chowk office, and the PDP at its Gandhi Nagar base. On Tuesday night, PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti conducted a candlelight vigil and sit-in at the party’s Srinagar headquarters, reiterating calls for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status.
Why it matters
The heightened security underscores the potential for unrest as major parties mobilize around a contentious anniversary of the region's loss of special status.
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