Authorities fear a return of street protests in Kashmir valley, especially in Srinagar, in favour of Gaza residents.
Residential houses were targeted along with paramilitary bunkers in Arina Sector of Jammu on Thursday evening. Earlier, an infiltration attempt was stopped in Kupwara district of Kashmir, resulting in the killing of five infiltrators.
There have been a series of security meetings in Kashmir after the Middle East crisis as the authorities fear a return of street protests in Kashmir valley, especially in Srinagar. For yet another Friday, no prayers were held in Jamia Masjid Srinagar due to the fears of protests in favour of Gaza residents. All these factors have forced the security agencies to review all the strategies and security measures put in place so that they can maintain peace on the ground.
Recently, a top level security meeting was held at headquarters of the 15 Corps in Srinagar to discuss how to meet the challenges, both on the streets and on the borders. The Union Home Ministry has already asked the army and other agencies, including J&K Police, to increase the coordination so that the hard earned peace prevailing in Kashmir is not disturbed.
“All the security and intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch on the ground situation in Kashmir valley, especially in the light of the Gaza crisis,” J&K Police chief Dilbagh Singh told the media.
Breach of peace both on ground and on the borders is very alarming for the security agencies and the concerns have increased as hundreds of families in the border areas are busy harvesting in their fields. The shelling in the Jammu sector has even injured some civilians, triggering fears that the border population may have to move to the bunkers for safety.
It is in place to mention that both India and Pakistan announced complete ceasefire on the borders in February 2021, bringing a lot of relief to the population living on both sides of the divide. “The ceasefire violations in the Jammu sector are bad news for us. We have been living peacefully and working in our fields in the past few years,” said Ajay Kumar of Arina border area of Jammu.
In Kashmir valley, there have been some incidents, though of minor nature, resulting in exchange of fire on the borders. Street protests are completely down in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir as the central government put in place a new security apparatus with coordinated efforts since the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019.
With an eye on the Middle East crisis, security measures have been reviewed with directions from the Union Home Ministry that the situation must be watched closely. Though there have been no protests on streets in Kashmir in support of Gaza residents, the security agencies are keeping a close watch so that the situation does not deteriorate on the ground.