Srinagar: The security grid in Jammu and Kashmir was put on an alert in view of the fifth anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, with all security forces instructed to avoid movement of convoys on Monday.
In a message to all security agencies, police had advised them to observe a “dry day” with no movement of security convoys on August 05.
The advisory also said there should be no movement of convoys of Amarnath pilgrims between various base camps.
However, the agencies assigned the task of road opening duties for Amarnath Yatra routes and national highway were directed to keep active deployment.
The Centre on August 05, 2019 revoked Article 370 of the Constitution which provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir within the Indian Union.
The Centre also brought the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act that bifurcated the erstwhile state into two union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
While most political parties in Jammu and Kashmir denounced the reading down of Article 370, the BJP held functions across the union territory to mark the day as abrogation of the special constitutional provision had been a long time election promise of the party.
Article 370 abrogation Anniversary: Amarnath Yatra suspended for a day from Jammu
No fresh batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims was allowed to leave the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for Kashmir as a precautionary measure in view of the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on Monday, officials said.
More than 4.90 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine so far this year.
“The Yatra has been halted for the day as a precautionary measure. No fresh batch was allowed from Jammu to Kashmir today,” an officer was quoted as saying by PTI.
This step has been taken by the administration in view of the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370. Security has been beefed up in the city, the officials said.
On August 5, 2019, the Centre abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, which accorded a special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and divided it into two union territories — Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Amarnath Yatra commenced on June 29 and will conclude on August 19.