Fact Check: Is Army taking control of police stations in Kashmir Valley?

Amid the prevailing uncertainty in Jammu and Kashmir, rumour mongering is adding to the woes of already panicked local Kashmiries. A small incident at Lal Chowk in Srinagar was reported as big bomb blast and now it is being claimed on social media that Jammu and Kashmir police personnel have been asked to deposit their weapons.

In a viral tweet, it was also claimed that Army and CRPF personnel are taking control of police stations in the Valley. However, the claim is not true and there has been no such order released from the government that asked Kashmiri policemen to surrender their weapons.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Muneer Khan busted the rumour and said that strict action will be taken against those spreading false information.

“The tweet...in which it has been mentioned that J&K policemen are being asked to deposit their weapons and CRPF and Army were taking control of police stations, is a criminal rumour,” Khan said. 

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“Strict action will be taken against these criminal elements who have spread these malicious rumours with intent to vitiate the atmosphere. We are trying to find out who has initiated this malicious rumour,” he added.

Several rumours regarding repeal of constitutional provisions giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir, delimitation of constituencies and trifurcation of the state have been doing rounds in Kashmir in the wake of a slew of official orders that have caused panic among locals.

One such order issued on Friday asked Amaranth Yatra pilgrims and tourists to curtail their stay and leave Kashmir immediately. Special arrangements were made by the authorities to facilitate the evacuation of pilgrims and tourists out of the valley.