NEW DELHI: The government will be observing jointly to estimate the mood in Kashmir Valley later this week during Friday prayers and on Id-Ul-Zuha, which is on August 12. This will be the initial instance of a security repose and provide an opportunity to sense the resistance to Article 370 being defanged.

The Centre as well as the administration in Srinagar, has been observing the situation firmly, with national security adviser Ajit Doval on the ground evaluating developments in the Valley over the past few days. He has held conferences with governor Satya Pal Malik and other senior representatives. 

There does not seem to be any predictable time-line to restrictions being lifted and security deployment — ramped up ahead of the Parliament vote on Article 370 and splitting of Jammu & Kashmir in two Union territories — staying edited out. Sources symbolized that while some relaxation in curfew-like restrictions under prohibitory orders (Section 144) may be announced on Thursday ahead of Friday prayers, internet services via mobile and broadband are unlikely to be restored.

These services are prone to being used for rumor-mongering and mobilizing locals for stone-pelting protests by separatists and other overground supporters of anti-India jihadi groups. Even with the current restrictions, there have been sporadic incidents of stone-pelting, particularly in Srinagar, with groups of 4-5 miscreants coming out to throw stones and then ret

On Wednesday, Doval met security forces in Shopian, areas that have often seen the most violence. Shopian and neighboring areas of south Kashmir have been a hotbed of terrorism and witness regular clashes with security forces. This was ground zero during the violent agitation after the death of Hizb “commander” Burhan Wani on July 2016. “This area is currently largely peaceful,” a source said.

On Tuesday, Doval examined the security position at a meeting attended by senior officials in Srinagar. The Modi government is carefully monitoring the popular mood in the Valley and south Kashmir. So far the ground situation has been quiescent, leading security officials to describe it as “satisfactory.