Adequate arrangements made to ensure peace in Kashmir, says IGP Birdi

Adequate security in Srinagar to ensure peace on December 11 as SC to pronounce verdict on Article 370 petitions. IGP Kashmir Zone V K Birdi said they are duty-bound to maintain peace. SC reserved verdict on Sept 5 after daily hearings from August 2. Authorities issued guidelines for social media users to curb spread of communally sensitive content. Political parties cautious in voicing expectations from SC.

Adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful atmosphere in Kashmir as the Supreme Court is scheduled to pronounce its verdict on December 11 on a bunch of petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution by the Centre in August 2019, a senior police officer said on December 10.

"We are duty-bound to ensure that peace prevails in the valley under all circumstances," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Zone V K Birdi told PTI.

The Supreme Court has listed for pronouncement of judgment the petitions challenging the abrogation of the provisions of Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

A five-judge bench of the apex court reserved its verdict on the petitions on September 5 after conducting daily hearings in the matter from August 2.

While the IGP refused to divulge specifics of the security set-up for December 11, he said "adequate arrangements" have been put in place.

"We are taking all precautions and will ensure that peace is not disturbed in Kashmir," Mr. Birdi, who held security review meetings in most of the 10 valley districts over the last two weeks, said.

Asked if orders invoking section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on the misuse of social media were related to the Supreme Court's expected judgment, he said there have been several incidents of some elements trying to provoke people.