Centre justifies restrictions in Jammu&Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370, in SC.
A road with little traffic during a shutdown in Srinagar. Pic /PTI
New Delhi: Justifying restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of provisions of Article 370, the Centre said on Thursday that due to the preventive steps taken neither a single life was lost nor a single bullet fired. Attorney General K K Venugopal told the top court that instead of questions, the government should be "congratulated" for effectively handling of the situation in the erstwhile state after the "historic" and "unparalleled" decision of August 5.
He told a bench headed by Justice N V Ramana that had internet services been allowed after August 5, then with one click of a button, 10,000 messages could have been sent to thousands of separatists or other militant leaders to congregate which could have resulted in chaos and massive incidents of violence. "It is the past record which is being taken into account before taking any precautionary steps. The record shows series of terrorist incidents in the state.
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In July, 2016, three dreaded terrorists including Burhan Wani were killed in an encounter following which restrictions were imposed for three months in the state. At that time not a single case was filed but now 20 petitions have been filed," Venugopal said. He told the bench, also comprising Justices R Subhash Reddy and B R Gavai, that "Government of India should be congratulated for dealing with the situation in this manner. Not a single life was lost and not a single bullet was fired".
Shutdown continues
Shops, businesses and public transport were shut in most parts of Kashmir on the second day on Thursday, as posters warning shopkeepers against opening them appeared.
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