247: How is Kashmir Doing Amidst Clampdown and Abrogation of Article 370?
Roughly ten days back, Home Minister Amit Shah made the surprise announcement of scrapping Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. We have extensively covered the news for you, including as a couple of special podcasts –– explaining what Article 370 means, what are the implications of the bifurcation of the state –– and so on. Additionally, we have brought to you ground reports as to what the people are going through. Tune in to this episode of The Big Story for The Quint’s ground reports on what's happening in Kashmir in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370. J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik did tell reporters that the valley has been largely peaceful and several facilities were provided for the locals to aide them in this lockdown. Nonetheless, there have been a lot of consequences of this move. For instance a lot of migrant laborers from Bihar were left clueless about how to get home without proper transportation and a sudden cash crunch since the lockdown began. Click here (https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/workers-labourers-leave-kashmir-after-article-370-35a-abrogated-amid-lockdown) to read the story. And because of the curfew in some areas and section 144 that prohibits gatherings of people, a lot of weddings planned on these dates also had to be unfortunately cancelled. Click here (https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/kashmiri-couples-cancel-marriages-amid-revocation-of-article-370) to read the story. One of the most important consequences of this clampdown perhaps has been the complete shutdown of communication. And this is we have reported on from both sides, the mainland where a lot of students have been desperately trying to get in touch with their families and also from Kashmir, where all mobile connectivity and internet connections have been shut down save for some landline numbers that scores of people are queueing upto for one phone call. Click here (https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/kashmiri-couples-cancel-marriages-amid-revocation-of-article-370) to read the story. Although Eid was portrayed to be quite the successful event in the valley, peaceful, photos of people sharing sweets some interviews that The Quint’s correspondents did ahead of Eid and on the day of Eid suggested that there was a big difference in the celebrations irrespective of namaz being offered in all mosques. Cattle sellers ahead of Eid told The Quint about how the sale of animals had dipped drastically. Click here (https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/days-before-bakrid-business-in-srinagar-is-grim) to read the story The Quint also reported that hospitals were admitting patients with pellet gun injuries, some were getting treated without registering their names formally fearing trouble from the security forces. Click here (https://www.thequint.com/news/india/jammu-kashmir-ground-report-doctor-speaks-about-fear-restrictions-after-crackdown) to listen to an interview with a doctor.