Thursday 14th May, 2026
Srinagar, Jul 29: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) has asked all Zonal Superintendent of Polices (SPs) of Srinagar District to provide details of mosques and their management falling within their respective jurisdictions.
However, senior police officials said that it was a routine matter to keep data of worship places, including Gurdwaras.
The letter by SSP, Srinagar, signed on July 28, which is being widely circulated on social media, has added to the speculation that Centre have plans to do away with Article 35A, which gives exclusive rights to the state’s residents in government jobs and land.
The signal message sent through PCR to SPs said “ kindly provide details of mosques and their managements falling without your respective jurisdictions as per enclosed proforma to this office immediately for onward submission to higher authorities.
The fresh came few days after the Centre decided to rush an additional 100 companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CPMF) to the valley.
A letter by a Railway Protection Force (RPF) official in Budgam on July 28 had asked employees to stock ration for at least four months and take other steps due to “forecast of deteriorating situation” in the Kashmir Valley “for a long period” which created a flutter.
However, railways clarified that the letter viral on social media had no basis and the official had no authority to issue it.
National Conference (NC) leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had questioned the motive behind such a missive.
“It’s easy to blame valley residents for fear-mongering but what are we to make of such official orders which forecast a deterioration in the law & order environment and even predict disturbances lasting for an extended period of time? Why is the Govt silent?” Abdullah in a tweet asked.
Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti also warned the Centre against revocation of Article 35A of the Constitution, saying any tinkering with the state’s special status or identity would be akin to setting a powder keg on fire.
“If any hand tries to touch Article 35-A, not only that hand, but that whole body will burn to ashes,” Mufti had while said addressing her party’s foundation day here on Sunday.
BJP vice-president and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had accused Abdullah and Mufti on Saturday of spreading rumours about the deployment of additional troops to the valley, saying the deployment was a normal process and a “routine” exercise.
State president of the BJP Ravinder Raina said security forces are being inducted for assembly elections.
A senior CRPF officer said it was a routine to induct or de-induct security forces.