Security Measures Heightened as Amarnath Yatra Suspended on Article 370 Anniversary
Suspension of Amarnath Yatra
Photo: @mahijamwal0404/X
Srinagar, August 5: In light of the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, authorities have decided to halt the Shri Amarnath Yatra as a precautionary security measure.
According to official sources, the movement of pilgrims towards the Valley has been suspended, and no Yatri convoy will be permitted to travel towards Jammu as those returning home after completing the Yatra are affected.
Nonetheless, pilgrims are still allowed to proceed towards the holy cave shrine from the Baltal base camp located in North Kashmir.
This suspension is part of increased security measures on the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, which led to Jammu and Kashmir being downgraded to a union territory and divided into two separate union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared plans for peaceful protests across Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate the anniversary, advocating for the restoration of special status and the release of political detainees.
In response, authorities have implemented stricter security protocols, imposed movement restrictions, and denied formal protest permissions to ensure public order is maintained.
Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have been deployed around the PDP headquarters and other sensitive locations. Permission for the planned protests has been denied due to potential law and order issues.
Reports indicate that senior PDP leaders, including former Chief Minister and party president Mehbooba Mufti, have been placed under confinement to prevent their involvement in the protests.
In addition to the district-wide protests, the PDP has suggested a symbolic blackout lasting 15 minutes.
Notably, the PDP's protest aims to advocate for the reinstatement of Article 370 and Article 35A, while opposing the ruling National Conference's demand, which is focused solely on restoring statehood.
On August 5, 2019, the Indian Government revoked the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and divided the state into two centrally governed Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.