Kashmir tensions: Government issues order for Kargil officials, asks not to keep phones ‘switched off’

Amid rising tensions in Jammu and Kashmir, the state administration has issued advisory for officers in Kargil district. According to the order, no officer shall keep his/her mobile on switched off mode. “All district officers, sub-divisional magistrates, tehsildars and other sectoral officers are hereby directed not to leave their respective stations under any circumstances without prior approval of the district magistrate/deputy commissioner, Kargil. No officer shall keep his/her mobile on switched off mode,” the notice read.



Earlier, the state administration had asked Amarnath pilgrims and tourists to immediately cut short their stay in the Valley and return as soon as possible in the wake of intelligence inputs of "specific terror threats" to the pilgrimage.

The National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party reacted strongly to the security advisory. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the directive would do nothing to dampen the sense of fear that is prevailing in the Valley.

"Although this unprecedented order would seem to suggest a genuine fear of a massive terror strike directed at Amarnath ji yatris or/and tourists this will do nothing to dampen the sense of fear & foreboding that prevails in the valley at the moment," Abdullah said in a series of tweets.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the Centre had resorted to "military might" and techniques like "psychological warfare" in the state. "First the avalanche of private orders about stocking up supplies that somehow made their way into public domain. And now news like this will create panic & distress," Mufti tweeted.

"So far, GOI's resorted to military might & psychological warfare like techniques vis a vis J&K. Neither will work," she added.

Former IAS officer-turned-politician Shah Faesal asked if the administration was going to issue a separate advisory for the locals of Kashmir.

In a tweet, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also alleged that rumours were being allowed to fester in Jammu and Kashmir. The Jammu and Kashmir government asked the Amarnath pilgrims and tourists on Friday to immediately make necessary arrangements to cut short their stay in the Valley and return as soon as possible in the wake of intelligence inputs of "specific terror threats" to the pilgrimage.