Tight Security Across Srinagar on 7th Anniversary of Article 370 Abrogation

SRINAGAR, Aug 5: Security has been significantly tightened across Srinagar on Wednesday to prevent protests by political parties marking the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, officials said. A heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel has been made at key locations across the city, particularly around Lal Chowk, to maintain law and order. Officials said roads leading to the headquarters of the ruling National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have been sealed as a precautionary measure to prevent demonstrations. The NC and PDP have announced protest programmes to mark August 5, the day in 2019 when the Centre revoked Article 370, ending the special constitutional status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir and reorganising it into two Union Territories. On Tuesday evening, PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti led a candlelight vigil and staged a sit-in outside the party headquarters, demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Authorities said security arrangements have been strengthened across the city to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incident during the observance of the anniversary.