Valley Shuts Down Again, SC To Hear Petition on Article 35A Today
On August 5, 2018, a complete shutdown was observed across Kashmir and few parts of Jammu, including the Chenab Valley, Kishtwar and Bhadarwah on the issue of Article 35A
Following the shutdown call by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), all the government and private offices, and businesses remained closed across the state. Transportation was also stalled, with the roads seeing almost no movement of vehicles. The shutdown will continue on 6th August as per the call of JRL. The call is supported by Anjuman-e-Islamia Bhadarwah and Majlis-e-Shoura Kishtwar against the violation of special status.
According to reports, paramilitary forces have been deployed in the sensitive points in several areas of the old city of Srinagar. For the first time, the police of Jammu and Kashmir have allowed peaceful protest against the petition calling for scrapping Article 35A.
"Article 35-A Will Stand Till The People Of Kashmir Stand"
Due to the shutdown, local train services have also been suspended for two days as reported by a railway official. The decision for suspending train services was taken for the safety of the passengers, as many incidents have happened in the past when trains were attacked.
Amarnath Yatra has also been temporarily suspended for two days. As per the reports, pilgrims won’t be allowed to travel ahead of Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas at Jammu. However, pilgrims who are already camped at the Baltal and Pahalgam Yatri camps can continue to perform the Yatra.
Reports say that many associations and federations including the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) and Federation of the Chambers of Industries, Kashmir (FCIK), Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Youth Federation (JKDYF) marched from different locations and gathered at the Ganta Ghar in Lal Chowk at the heart of the city. Protestors were holding placards to protest against the abrogation of special status (Article 35A).
In 2014, a Delhi-based Non-governmental Organization (NGO) had filed a petition against the Article 35A.
2016 Was a Trailer, This Time It Will Be Huge: Kashmir on Article 35A
What is Article 35A?
Article 35A gives special rights to the Jammu and Kashmir’s permanent residents. It disallows people from outside the state from buying or owning immovable property there, settle permanently, or avail themselves of state-sponsored scholarship schemes. It also forbids the J&K government from hiring people who are non-permanent residents.
It was added to Article 370 in 1954 in order to safeguard the rights and guarantee the unique identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and gives a special status to the people of J&K.
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