This is reportedly intended to augment an already overwhelming component of these forces in Kashmir. Over 450 companies of CAPFs (40,000 troops) are already deployed for the security of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and other security related duties in the Valley at present.
Article 35A was incorporated into the Constitution in 1954 by an order of the then President Rajendra Prasad on the advice of the Jawaharlal Nehru Cabinet. The controversial Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order of 1954 followed the 1952 Delhi Agreement entered into between Nehru and the then Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Sheikh Abdullah, which extended Indian citizenship to the ‘State subjects' of Jammu and Kashmir.
The right-wing outfit also raised sought early delimitation of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly constituencies, besides an expeditious step for rehabilitation of the migrant Kashmiri pandits in the valley.
In its election manifesto for the hustings that concluded recently, the BJP laid bare its thought process on the sensitive issue.
Even as the new BJP government explores all options to bring an end to the brutal cage match taking place in Kashmir, with the setting up of a Delimitation Commission as one of the prongs available on the table to correct the regional disparity, it is actively taking a view on the contentious Article 35A which prevents mobility and greater integration with the Union of India.
"Protecting the special status of Jammu and Kashmir as guaranteed in the Constitution of the country, is one of the main cornerstones of our campaign for these elections," National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah told PTI.
The National Conference (NC) chief also backed his son and party vice-president Omar Abdullah's comments on Monday that the NC would seek restoration of terms of accession of the state, including the provision for 'Sadr-e-Riyasat' and prime minister posts.
At an election rally in Bandipora district of north Kashmir on Monday, Abdullah said the NC would not allow any attacks on Jammu and Kashmir's special status and would strive to get back what was "infringed upon", including the coveted posts of "Sadar-e-Riyasat" and prime minister of the state.
Article 35A, which was added in the Constitution by a 1954 Presidential Order, gives special rights and privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from owning any immovable property in the state. Here's an explainer
The apex court is scheduled to hear during the week the petitions challenging the Article 35A.
Article 35A of the Constitution empowers the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to define 'permanent residents' of the state who are eligible for special rights and privileges, which the legislature can provide.
"Kashmir is not an occupied territory," Malik told Indian Express in an interview.
The Supreme Court had on August 31 deferred the hearing on a bunch of petitions challenging Article 35A of the Constitution, as the Centre had urged the court to take up the matter after panchayat elections in the state.
Addressing reporters after the party meeting, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said they will not contest the polls as the prevailing situation was not favourable.
Jammu and Kashmir recently witnessed protests by separatists against any change in Article 35A and Article 370.
The People's Democratic Party (PDP), which was till recently an ally of the Centre's ruling BJP, said those who believe in accession of the state to the Union of India should also have faith in the instrument of accession.
His remarks on Kashmir come at a time the Supreme Court is hearing pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35-A of the Constitution, which provides special rights and privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
While the urban local body polls are slated for the first week of October, the Panchayat elections are scheduled to be held in November-December this year.
Without taking specific names, Abdullah said there were certain powers who do not want peace in the valley as their "livelihood flourishes on violence".
Supreme Court adjourns hearing over article 35-A untill January next year. The Article empowers the Jammu and Kashmir assembly to define 'permanent residents' who are entitled to special rights and privileges.
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