Unease prevails in J&K ahead of Article 370 abrogation anniversary

With security heightened, unease gripped Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday (August 3, 2025), ahead of the sixth anniversary of the abrogation of the special provisions of Article 370 in the erstwhile State. While National Conference (NC) leader and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference (NC) expressed optimism, the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) observed “a 150-minute blackout” on the occasion. 

Speculation took hold that the Union government was likely to announce fresh measures for the Union Territory on August 5. “I have heard every possible permutation and combination about what to expect in J&K tomorrow so let me stick my neck out and say nothing will happen tomorrow — fortunately, nothing bad will happen, but unfortunately, nothing positive will happen either,” Mr. Abdullah said.

Mr. Abdullah, whose party has been pitching for the restoration of Statehood, expressed optimism. “Something positive for J&K in this monsoon session of Parliament but not tomorrow. And no, I haven’t had any meetings or conversations with people in Delhi. This is just a gut feeling. Let’s see this time tomorrow,” he said.

Former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who heads the Opposition PDP, called for blackout. “As a mark of protest and collective mourning, I urge all who carry this wound to join in a 15-minute blackout tonight at 9 p.m. Turn off the lights. Let the silence speak. Let the darkness remind the world of what was lost and what still lives in us,” Ms. Mufti said. 

On August 4, 2019, “We were silenced and on August 5 our voice, our rights, our Constitution taken without our consent,” she said, adding, “What was ours by birth and by belonging was stripped away overnight. Not a whisper of warning. Not a shred of justice.”

Scores of PDP leaders and supporters observed a 15-minute blackout in south, central and south Kashmir.  

Ahead of the anniversary, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat chaired a security review meeting on Monday (August 4, 2025). The meeting was “in view of forthcoming events”, an official said.

Senior officials from the Intelligence Wing presented their assessments and briefed the DGP on relevant developments.

During the meeting, the officers discussed recent security developments, along with the current challenges and measures to counter them. A police spokesperson said the DGP had emphasised the need to review and enhance security plans, and design effective counterinsurgency strategies for smooth and peaceful conduct of events.

The DGP directed officers to increase surveillance of anti-national elements, and to increase area domination in their respective areas. “He also stressed the need to enhance the security of vulnerable targets and to ensure foolproof security arrangements,” the police spokesperson said.

The DGP also directed the district heads “to closely monitor social media platforms to prevent any attempt to spread misinformation impacting public safety and order”.