Jammu And Kashmir: With Deployment of Troops, Centre Plans to Unfurl Tricolour in All Panchayats on Independence Day

Srinagar, July 31: With the deployment of 100 additional companies of paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre is planning to unfurl the tricolour in all panchayats on Independence Day (August 15) in the state. According to a report, the Centre's decision to deploy troops is aimed at providing security cover for the move to hoist the national flag in every panchayat this Independence Day.

The deployment of troops in the Kashmir valley has added to the fear and speculation about the abrogation of Articles 35A and 370. "The government is infusing troops as many panchayat heads want to hoist the national flag this Independence Day. This deployment is being done to ensure no disruption to the process and avoid any untoward incident," government sources were quoted by The Indian Express as saying. ‘No Jammu & Kashmir or India Will Be Left’, Warns Mehbooba Mufti on Article 370 Row.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has instructed all its units in every panchayat of Jammu and Kashmir to hoist the tricolour on August 15. There has been apprehension with regard to the state's special status since the deployment of additional troops. Contentious orders to the state administration and armed forces further fueled rumours about the abrogation of Article 35A and 370. Srinagar Police Told to Collect Details of Mosques, Order Fuels Fear Over Possible Scrapping of Article 35A, 370.

The BJP leaders were of the view that rumours in the Valley about moves to eliminate Article 35 A and Article 370 were “spread by separatists and their supporters”, the report said. Article 370 of the Constitution promises autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, while Article 35A gives special privileges to “permanent residents" of the state, while defining who are the “permanent residents".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2019 08:25 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).