A weekend that changed the face of J&K

Citing intelligence reports of terror threats, the Jammu and Kashmir government late last week curtailed the Amarnath Yatra that was to end on August 15. The state government issued an advisory asking Amarnath pilgrims and tourists in the state to leave immediately.

The turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir deepened further on Sunday night after top political leaders in the state — Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti — were placed under house arrest. With uncertainty looming large and no reason given behind the action against the leaders, Kashmir was placed under near lockdown and the remaining pilgrims of the Amarnath Yatra have been asked to leave the Valley.

Section 144 of the Criminal procedure code (CrPC) was imposed on Sunday, which prohibits gathering of four or more people. Educational institutions have been shut in the Valley and both former chief ministers put under house arrest. Communication lines too have been snapped in the Valley, with all high speed internet and mobile internet being suspended.

Security forces have been put on full alert and the Army is on standby to thwart any possibility of violence in wake of the government’s move proposing revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.

The Army has been put on high alert along the Line of Control too, and added that incidents of stone pelting and violence could take place.

All public gatherings are banned in Srinagar district after Section 144 was imposed from Sunday midnight. Pic: ANI

Security was tightened in Srinagar in view of imposition of Section 144 from Sunday midnight. Pic: ANI

Amarnath yatra pilgrims and tourists were asked to leave kashmir immediately amid security threats. Pic: ANI

Last week, the Jammu and Kashmir government issued security advisory for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and tourists asking them to curtail their stay in the Valley and to take necessary measures to return as soon as possible. Pic: ANI

On Sunday midnight, Section 144 was imposed. Internet services and mobile services have been suspended in several places. Pic: ANI

Rajya Sabha MP Nazir Ahmad Laway and Mir Mohammad Fayaz protest in Parliament premises on Monday over the situation in Kashmir. Pic: ANI

Security has been tightened in the region. Pic: ANI

Security forces have been deployed in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. Pic: ANI

Schools remained open in Ladakh on Monday.

Classes resumed in colleges and other educational institutions in Leh. Pic: ANI

Security was tightened in Srinagar in view of imposition of Section 144 from Sunday midnight. Pic: ANI

Security was tightened in Jammu. Pic: ANI

Political leaders of Jammu and Kashmir gathered at the residence of former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah’s residence for an All Party meet on Sunday. Pic: ANI