Kashmir remains on tenterhooks, exams postponed, internet services to be suspended from today

Amid the growing uncertainty in Kashmir, authorities have postponed all Kashmir University examinations scheduled to be held from August 5 to August 10. Internet services in the Valley will reportedly be suspended from Monday and remain blocked till Independence Day on August 15.

Reacting to the internet suspension news, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, citing state government officers, claimed that an unofficial curfew is going to start and mainstream leaders will be detained.

"If officers in the state government are to be believed mobile internet is going down now, an unofficial curfew is going to start & mainstream leaders are going to be detained. No idea who to believe & where this is heading," Abdullah tweeted.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and BJP ally Mehbooba Mufti also hinted that a curfew is likely to imposed in the Valley. "Hearing reports about internet being snapped soon including cellular coverage. Curfew passes being issued too. God knows what awaits us tomorrow. It’s going to be a long night," she said.

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The heaven on earth – Kashmir – has turned into a total mess with people living in fears and uncertainty following Centre’s sudden decision to move around 38,000 additional troops to the Valley. Following an unprecedented advisory asking tourists and Hindu pilgrims to “immediately” leave the Valley, rumours have triggering panic buying of essentials among locals.

Thousands of tourists from other parts of the country and world have left the Valley in the last three days. Troops have increased patrolling the streets of the Valley after Army claimed that it has received intelligence of a major terrorist attack.

It all started with the two-day Kashmir visit of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval last month. As soon as Dhoval returned to Delhi, the Centre decided to move 10,000 troops of the paramilitary forces to Jammu and Kashmir. It was said that the decision to send additional troops was taken to strengthen anti-terrorist operations in the Valley.

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However, the real panic started when reports came that the Centre has moved more 28,000 troops to Kashmir and directed the Air Force and Navy to remain on high alert. The decision to suddenly send 38,000 troops sent ripple across the Valley.

People of Kashmir as well as local politicians started questioning the Centre about the never seen before security measures. Many believed that the massive troops build-up was part of Modi government’s promised plan to abrogate Article 35A. Some said the Centre is planning trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, all the rumours were quashed by Governor Satya Pal Malik, who said that his office had not received any communication from the Centre regarding the abrogation of Article 370 or trifurcation of the state.