J&K on high alert ahead of Article 370 anniversary 'Black Day' protests

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Security has been tightened across Jammu and Kashmir, with a heavy deployment of police, Army and CRPF personnel ahead of separate protests by the National Conference (NC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress to mark August 5 as 'Black Day' -- the seventh anniversary of the Centre's decision to revoke Article 370 and bifurcate the erstwhile state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Officials said vehicle checking, frisking and surveillance have been intensified at sensitive locations across the Jammu region, with special checkpoints on high alert along the Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot national highways. Security has also been strengthened in border areas through increased patrolling, area domination exercises and additional deployments at vulnerable locations. In Srinagar, security forces have been deployed in large numbers, particularly around the Lal Chowk city centre, while roads leading to the NC and PDP headquarters have been sealed as a precaution to prevent protests, officials said. The National Conference will assemble outside its party headquarters in Jammu before staging a protest, while the Congress will demonstrate outside its Shaheedi Chowk headquarters, demanding restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood along with constitutional safeguards for land, jobs and natural resources. The PDP will also hold a protest at its Gandhi Nagar headquarters. On Tuesday night, PDP chief and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti led a candlelight vigil and sit-in outside the party headquarters in Srinagar, renewing her demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status. [Image text:] SEACI HONDA EXIDE CMDARANOSNSS