Kashmir remains calm on sixth anniversary of Article 370 abrogation despite wave of speculations
Amid intense political speculation over statehood, daily life in the Valley continues undisturbed
Srinagar: The Kashmir Valley remained calm on Tuesday, the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, IANS reported. Despite a surge of rumours circulating on social media and messaging platforms, the day passed without incident.
According to IANS, WhatsApp groups were abuzz with speculation, ranging from the possible restoration of statehood to fears of a further bifurcation of the Union Territory. Yet, daily life in Kashmir remained largely unaffected: school buses operated, shops opened on time, public transport ran as usual, and office-goers reported to work after a typical breakfast.
Rumour mills, often more active than verified news sources in the region, spun rapidly following high-level meetings in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call on the President and Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s meetings with top officials on the eve of August 5 added to the speculation.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on X, saying he would “stick his neck out” to say nothing untoward would happen, though he acknowledged that “nothing good” was expected either.
While some voices, including National Conference supporters, suggested that a bill to restore J&K’s statehood would be tabled in Parliament, others warned of a possible redivision of the UT, with Jammu potentially regaining statehood and the Valley remaining a Union Territory without a legislature.
Amid the confusion, self-styled Kashmir analysts and on-ground commentators called for restraint, warning that any rushed political move could unsettle the fragile calm and deepen public alienation.
IANS reported that the uncertainty led to practical concerns among citizens. Many began stocking food and medicines, while wealthier residents rushed to fill up their vehicle fuel tanks. In Kashmir, even an official denial is sometimes seen as lending credibility to the rumour it seeks to refute.
Authorities imposed limited preventive house arrests in certain areas to maintain law and order, but there were no major disruptions. By all accounts, IANS noted, the Valley functioned like any regular weekday.
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23-year-old woman found dead at Delhi home; suicide suspected
New Delhi (PTI): A 23-year-old woman was found dead in her house in Delhi's Prem Nagar area, with police suspecting it to be a case of suicide, an official said on Tuesday.
The deceased, identified as Anjali Singh, was found motionless in her room on Monday by her sister and her neighbour.
Police said her father, Vinod Kumar Singh (51), told them that he and his wife were away at work at the time of the incident, while their son and the other daughter were also not at home at the time of the incident.
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According to the family, the room in which Anjali was found was locked from the inside. The door was later forcibly opened by a neighbour and her sister with the help of a crowbar.
Her body was found lying on the bed inside the room, police said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that Anjali had allegedly hanged herself using a piece of cloth tied to the ceiling fan.
It is suspected that the noose eventually might have loosened or torn off, resulting in her being found lying on the bed.
Family members informed the police that Anjali was a final-year student of a librarian science course from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). About a week ago, her final-year examination results were declared, and she had failed, following which she had been under depression, they said.
The family has not raised any allegation of foul play, police said, adding that no suicide note or external injury marks were found on the body during the initial inspection.
Inquest proceedings have been initiated in the matter as per the law. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death, and further investigation is underway, police added.
