Centre's decision to deploy additional 10,000 troops in the Valley is stirring anxiety in the region | File photo from REUTERS

Uncertainty has gripped Kashmir after Minister of Home Affairs of India (MHA) ordered to send in 10,000 paramilitary personnel, ostensibly, for 'counter insurgency' and for maintaining 'law and order' in the Valley.

The sense is that a ground is being prepared for arresting a fallout after possible scrapping of Article 35 A which gives the special status to state subject.

A day after National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval returned from a visit to the Valley, speculations were rife that the Centre has decided to move 10,000 additional paramilitary troops. During Ajit Doval's three-day tour, he had held detailed discussions with senior officers of the state administration, police, paramilitary forces, Army, state and central intelligence agencies.

The reactions from political players are further fueling the speculations.

Kashmir-based politicians have led to conjectures, while asking the Centre to desist from making such a move. All regional parties of Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement (J&KPM) and others are opposed to any tinkering with Articles 35A and 370 that give special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti took to Twitter and wrote, "Centre's decision to deploy additional 10,000 troops in the Valley has created fear psychosis amongst people. There is no dearth of security forces in Kashmir. J&K is a political problem which won't be solved by military means. GoI [Government of India] needs to rethink and overhaul its policy."

Centre's decision to deploy additional 10,000 troops to the valley has created fear psychosis amongst people. There is no dearth of security forces in Kashmir. J&K is a political problem which won't be solved by military means. GOI needs to rethink & overhaul its policy. July 27, 2019

NC chief Omar Abdullah has asked the Centre to wait for the verdict of the Supreme Court (SC) where a bunch of petitions challenging Article 35A and Article 370 are pending.

"Why should you hurry? We will respect the decision of the Supreme Court as we have always done," Omar Abdullah said.

Speaking further, Omar Abdullah said that the bureaucrats were spreading rumours asking people to store rations, medicines, fuel for automobiles, etc because a long haul of uncertainty was in the offing.

Former IAS officer-turned-politician also wrote on Twitter, "This MHA communique regarding deployment of additional 100 Coys of CAPF [Central Armed Police Forces] is fueling huge anxiety in Kashmir."

This MHA communique regarding deployment of additional 100 Coys of CAPF is fueling huge anxiety in Kashmir.



No one knows why this sudden mobilization of forces is being done.



Rumor is that something sinister is about to happen.



Article 35a?



It is going to be a long night. pic.twitter.com/kvFH5gMaEb Shah Faesal (@shahfaesal) July 26, 2019

Sajad Lone of People's Conference tweeted, "Scare, panic in Kashmir. Failed adventurists keen on adventurism. Failed experimentalists keen on experimentation. Hubris blinds reasoning."

Scare, panic in Kashmir. Failed adventurists keen on adventurism. Failed experimentalists keen on experimentation. Hubris blinds reasoning. Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) July 27, 2019

Dismissing speculations, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Unit President Ravinder Raina said, "The additional deployment was underway for upcoming J&K assembly."

A statement which was again contradicted by Omar Abdullah.

"May be the BJP and the government need to coordinate better instead of lying. No one knows why this sudden mobilisation of forces is being done," Omar Abdullah said.

Special flights carrying CAPFs have landed at Srinagar airport during the last three days, while convoys carrying additional companies of these forces are reaching the Valley through the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

This is reportedly intended to augment an already overwhelming component of these forces in Kashmir. Over 450 companies of CAPF (40,000 troops) are already deployed for the security of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and other security related duties in the Valley at present.

But the security forces have been quick to dispel any such notion, saying this is just a routine movement of troops.

Appealing people not to believe in rumours, Additional Director General Police (ADGP) Law and Order Muneer Khan on Saturday said that 100 companies of paramilitary forces will replace those personnel of training companies, who are deployed on various duties since last year starting from urban local bodies elections.

"Around 200 training companies are presently performing duties in the Valley which are to be replaced in phased manner. More training companies will be relieved in due course of time with fresh forces. Presently, around 200 companies of paramilitary are deployed in Kashmir," he told a local news agency.

IG Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Ravideep Sahi said, "The induction and de-induction of troops are done to strengthen law and order and counter insurgency grid."

Speaking to a news channel, he said, "It was a routine matter in J&K."



Sources in security grid though admitted that no political signal was conveyed but that security forces have prepared an elaborate contingency plan in anticipation of court order expected sometime soon. Sources further added that security preparations are also under way for August 15 - Independence Day.

Kashmir has seen a long spell of trouble in agitations lasting over several months in 2008, 2010 and 2016. A multi-pronged strategy has already been put in place with senior police officer (IG rank officer) to be put in North and South Kashmir.

Fortification of sensitive locations has been done to ensure that forces have upper hand in any case scenario.

The law and order situation would depend on response of the overground and underground separatist cadres and also the response of the mainstream political leadership. Sources said that there is also a feeling that a common man may join protests.

While the forces have dealt with counter-terrorism, the sensitivity has to be taken into consideration.

IG rank officers would be given special charge in North and South Kashmir for micro management to ensure that law and order situations are handled well. So far there are DIG rank officer for the regions.

Kashmir is being divided into three administrative zones -- North, South and Central -- with three IGs heading it.

Sources said, "Advance planning for long haul is underway."

There is concern that Jammu and Kashmir domicile officers and family may be affected. Hence, the plan to keep them protected is also underway.

With separatists marginalised, the worrisome bits are their under and over ground workers. Reaction of mainstream parties could also spell trouble for the Centre.

But even as speculations are rife, there is no date set in the Supreme Court to hear the contentious matter. Just before Lok Sabha elections, a petition was filed by Jammu and Kashmir Governor to delay the hearing in the wake of Lok Sabha polls.

Incorporated in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential order, Article 35A confers special rights and privileges upon the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and prohibits people from outside the state from buying/purchasing any immovable property in the state.

Article 35A authorises the state's legislature to define "permanent residents" of J&K and provide them with notable benefits exclusive only to them.

Meanwhile, Article 35A proscribes non-permanent residents from permanently settling in the state, buying immovable property, acquiring land, applying for government jobs, any kind of scholarships and aids and other public welfare projects.

The article also referred to as the Permanent Residents Law also bars a woman (belonging to the state) from any property rights if she marries a person from outside the state. The provision also extends to the children of such women as they do not have any succession rights over the property.