Even as section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc) on unlawful assembly remains enforced in the Kashmir Valley, Minister Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy has stated that the provision, which prohibits the gathering of four or more people together in public, will be withdrawn in seven to ten days, reports ANI.
"There was peace in Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A. Section 144 will be lifted within a week to ten days and that there will be normalcy in the Valley soon. For the past 70 years, Indians were like aliens in their own country and now the abrogation of Article 370 has led to an extension of the Indian Constitution in totality to Jammu and Kashmir. At many places, Section 144 has been relaxed in Jammu and Kashmir," Reddy remarked at a seminar in Hyderabad.
The minister accused Pakistan of spreading false information about the situation in the Valley. He also stated that some Indian political parties were looking to further their interests by misguiding the public.
Reddy added that even though their was no upheaval in Jammu & Kashmir currently, the Centre was taking precautionary measures at the moment. He maintained that the people of the state were supportive of the move to revoke Article 370 and end the special status it provided.