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Tribune News Service
Srinagar, August 3
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Saturday conveyed to a National Conference (NC) delegation that the state had no knowledge of any changes in the Constitutional provisions and assured that the deployment of additional paramilitary forces was purely for security reasons.
A statement released by the Raj Bhavan here said the Governor informed the delegation, led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, that the security situation had developed in a manner that required immediate action.
NC leader Omar said the Governor had assured his party that no decision had been taken on repealing Article 370 and 35A of the Constitution, or the state’s trifurcation. However, the former J&K CM said he wanted an assurance on these issues from the Centre in Parliament on Monday as “the Governor is not the final word on Jammu and Kashmir”.
“There were credible inputs regarding possible terrorist attacks on the Amarnath Yatra. There has been intensified shelling on the LoC by Pakistan, which was responded to effectively by the Army,” the Governor told the delegation. He said that a press conference was addressed by the Army and the state police in which they briefed the media about how they foiled terror groups’ sinister plans and also displayed weapons and ammunition they seized. “The seriousness of the threat required immediate action,” the Governor said.
Malik also said the state “has no knowledge of any changes to Constitutional provisions” and hence no panic should be created by unnecessarily linking this security matters with all kinds of other issues.
It is in this security context that the government had issued an advisory on Friday asking Yatris and tourists to return as soon as possible, he said.
“These are a vulnerable group of people who do not know the area and are extremely vulnerable to a terrorist or a fidayeen attack. It is the responsibility of the state to provide security to all its citizens. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, yatris and tourists have been asked to return. This is to ensure that no terrorist attack takes place on them,” the Governor said.
The delegation led by Abdullah apprised the Governor about the situation
in the Kashmir valley after the government advisory asking Amarnath Yatris and tourists to return as soon as possible. They
also mentioned about the panic created by people buying essential commodities hurriedly.
The Governor again said the security to its citizens has to be provided by the state even at some inconvenience, which is being done. Malik requested the political leaders to ask their supporters to maintain calm and not believe exaggerated and unfounded rumours being circulated all around.
Meanwhile, a host of Congress leaders today met and described the situation as “unprecedented”. Former Home Minister P Chidambaram anticipated a misadventure on the part of the government not hazarding a guess on what that misadventure could be — abrogation of Article 370 or Article 35-A or the trifurcation of the state.
The Congress Jammu and Kashmir Policy Planning group, chaired by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had met on Friday and warned the Centre against dilution of Constitutional guarantees to the state. “If the government dilutes Constitutional guarantees like Articles 35-A and 370, we will fight back,” Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha and Congress general secretary for Jammu and Kashmir Ambika Soni said.
The Congress deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, demanded the government must engage the Opposition on the recent developments in the restive state.
‘No need to panic’
A security measure is being mixed up with issues with which it has no link. That is the cause of the panic. SP Malik, J&K Guv
‘Govt must explain’
We want the Centre to make a statement in Parliament and explain why the pilgrims and tourists were evacuated. — Omar Abdullah, NC leader
‘Why pm silent’
PM must make a statement. He’s duty-bound to take Oppn into confidence. — Ghulam Nabi Azad, Cong leader in RS
2 more yatras off
Two major yatras in the Jammu region — annual Machail Yatra in Kishtwar district and Budha Amarnath Yatra in Poonch district — were also suspended on Saturday. The pilgrims were advised not to proceed.
UK, Germany issue alert
The UK and Germany have issued a travel advisory “strongly discouraging” its citizens from travelling to J&K due to the recent security alert and asked those staying in Kashmir valley or along Amarnath Yatra route to leave.
400 evacuated from NIT
Over 400 non-local students were evacuated from National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Nigeen in Srinagar and the classes were suspended till further notice.
Tourist entry barred
No tourist was allowed to enter the Valley on Saturday. A state tourism official said 22,000 tourists were in Valley on Friday and most of them had left.
(With inputs from PTI)
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