Tension gripped Chenab Valley and Pir Panchal regions after deployment of fresh paramilitary forces at many places on Friday in these frontier areas.
As the officials remained tight lipped over the development,sources told Greater Kashmir that the people are scared as social media isabuzz with rumors about trifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, or abrogation ofArticle 35-A.
“Fresh deployment of paramilitary forces in Bhaderwah andKishtwar has added to the prevailing anxiety. Government maintaining silenceover the issue has created uncertainty,” said a resident.
“It’s for the first time since 1990 that Border SecurityForce (BSF) platoon has entered Bhaderwah (Doda). Around two companies havearrived today and they are to be accommodated in a block of the Government BoysHigher Secondary School in Bhaderwah, building. The building is being is beingmade available for them,” said one of the officials.
Amid speculation and rumors on social media, sources said,security forces have constructed four concrete bunkers in Bhaderwah. “SpecialOperation Group (SOG) is being reconstituted in Chenab Valley on instructionsfrom the higher ups and Village Defense Committees (VDC) have also been gearedup in Kishtwar and Doda,” said the officials in police department.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir, president, Anjuman-Islamia,Bhaderwah, Kharat Hussain Farash said, “Entire Bhaderwah is living under fear.Bunkers are being constructed at many places and more troops deployment are anindication that something bad is going to happen.”
“District administration is not also clearing the doubts. Wetried many a times, but no one speaks,” added Farash.
Details of Masjids and Imams are also being gathered byagencies in Bhaderwah, said the official sources.
“Situation in Banihal tehsil of Ramban district is nodifferent,” Sajjad Ahmed from Banihal told this newspaper.
Similarly inKishtwar, paramilitary personnel have been moved in, and many are on their wayto the district where militancy graph has witnessed a rise after three decades.At present six to seven militants are still active in Kishtwar. One of them wasrecently arrested by the security forces in Thathri area of Doda district.
“No! This is oldforce stationed during elections,” replied Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Dr SagarD. Doifode, though a text message to a question on whether fresh troops havebeen moved into Bhaderwah.
Meanwhile, in Poonch and Rajouri districts freshparamilitary forces companies were seen camping in different localities of twinborder districts.
To confirm the rumors and deployment of fresh paramilitarypersonnel in Chenab Valley, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, MukeshSingh, was contacted, but he said, “he is in a meeting.”
Similarly, SSP Doda was not ready to speak. Several callswere made to DIG Doda-Bhaderwah-Kishtwar, but he too was not available for thecomments.