Elections in Jammu & Kashmir
Completion of Voter Lists: The Election Commission of India (ECI) set a deadline of August 20, 2024, for the final voter list publication after the special summary revision, which involved verifying and updating the electoral rolls.
Election Manifesto Releases: Political parties, including the National Conference (NC) and BJP, have been preparing to announce their manifestos after the final electoral notifications are released.
Boundary Adjustments for Polling Centers: Delimitation efforts have expanded polling center boundaries in Jammu & Kashmir, increasing the number of polling centers in preparation for the assembly elections.
Special Camps for Voter Registration: Door-to-door verification campaigns and special camps for voter registration and objections were held on August 3-4 to finalize voter lists.
Political Party Mobilization: BJP and NC have ramped up their outreach campaigns, meeting with voters to garner support as election dates near.
Security Preparations: Given the region’s sensitive security situation, authorities have focused on ensuring the safety of the voting process, especially with terror incidents in the past. Special security deployment strategies are being discussed.
Meetings Between ECI and Local Officials: A virtual meeting was held between the ECI and district election officers in Jammu & Kashmir to discuss election preparations and ensure compliance with guidelines.
Candidate Selection: NC and other regional parties are finalizing their candidate lists, set to be announced shortly after August 20.
Prime Minister’s Address: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the issue of holding elections during his visit on International Yoga Day, confirming the government’s commitment to holding the polls.
Door-to-Door Campaigns: Parties have started door-to-door campaigns to reach voters across Jammu & Kashmir, especially in rural areas, to mobilize support.
Law & Order
CRPF Inspector Killed in Udhampur: A terrorist attack in Udhampur led to the death of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) inspector during an operation.
Encounter in Rajouri: Ongoing anti-terror operations in Rajouri district continued, with multiple security forces involved. The area has seen increased militant activity recently .
Restrictions on Media Coverage: The Jammu & Kashmir Police issued directives to prohibit live media coverage of any law and order situation, especially during encounters, as it could incite violence.
Police Crackdown on Militants: Various security operations in Srinagar and Shopian led to the neutralization of several militants, with security forces intensifying their actions in response to increased infiltration .
Protests in Baramulla: Protests erupted in Baramulla over alleged security force excesses, leading to minor clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies.
Increased Vigil in Poonch: Heightened security measures were implemented in Poonch, following intelligence reports of potential militant activities in the region.
Curfew in Anantnag: Authorities imposed a curfew in certain areas of Anantnag due to rising tensions after a militant was killed during an encounter.
Intelligence-based Raids in Pulwama: Multiple raids were conducted in Pulwama targeting suspected militant hideouts. Several arrests were made during these operations.
Counter-insurgency Operation in Kupwara: A joint operation by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police was carried out in Kupwara to dismantle a militant network operating in the region.
Traffic Disruptions Due to Security Checks: Extensive security checks caused significant traffic disruptions along the Jammu-Srinagar highway as authorities sought to prevent militant movements.
Compiled by- TA & GA Teams @ Kawach
