Security tight in J&K for ‘black day’ anniversary

Hundreds of extra police and troops were deployed in the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir yesterday as separatist groups called for a shutdown to mark a "black day" on the second anniversary of New Delhi imposing direct rule. 

Prime PM Modi's government scrapped the region's partial autonomy on August 5, 2019, and split it into two federal territories, arresting thousands in a massive security operation and communications blackout that lasted months.

Ahead of the second anniversary, security forces erected numerous new checkpoints and barricades across Srinagar. Yesterday, most shops remained closed in Srinagar and vehicular movement on the roads was thin.

Former Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti issued an angry statement on Wednesday slamming New Delhi's actions as "daylight robbery" of people's constitutional rights.