Srinagar, August 06, 2018 (PPI-OT):In occupied Kashmir, complete shutdown is being observed for the second consecutive day, today, against the BJP-led Indian government’s plans to abrogate Article 35-A by the use of its judiciary.
Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution grants the special rights and privileges to the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and bars non-locals from buying and selling land in the territory. Call for shutdown on Sunday and Monday was given by the Joint Resistance Leadership and supported by trader bodies and civil society organizations.
All shops and business establishments are closed while streets wear a deserted look in all major cities and towns of the territory. The shutdown is aimed at expressing resentment against the hearing in the Indian Supreme Court, today, of the petitions seeking repeal of the Article 35-A.
The abrogation of this constitutional provision will pave the way for the Indian citizens to permanently settle in occupied Kashmir that will subsequently result in change in the demographic composition of the territory.
Meanwhile, shutdown is also being observed in Poonch, Rajouri, Thanamandi and other areas of Jammu region, today. As per the statement of All Party Coordination Committee in Rajouri, “People from all walks of life, irrespective of caste or religion, are with this peaceful protest and have stood up to save the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.” They said that the central government should respect the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and should refrain from tinkering with the Article, as it might lead to new problems in the state.: The locals took out a protest rally in Mahore on Sunday in support of Article 35-A, the statement said.
In Kishtwar, shops and business establishments are closed and transport is off the road as Majlis-e-Shoora Kishtwar, an amalgam of local Imams and traders, supported the JRL call. Indian troops are put on high alert and extra columns of police and Central Reserve Police Force are deployed across Kishtwar and Bhadarwah and to thwart any protests.
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