Srinagar: The continued deployment of 350 companies of Indian paramilitary forces in Jammu and Kashmir, originally stationed for the Amarnath Yatra, will be extended under the guise of election security, signaling a deeper strategy by the Modi government.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the decision to keep these forces comprising units from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) has intensified concerns over potential suppression of dissent within the region. Initially positioned to secure the pilgrimage route, their extended assignment aligns with upcoming electoral duties, thereby justifying their prolonged presence.
This extension is seen by critics as a tactical move by the Modi administration to fortify its control over the contested area, curbing local voices and opposition in the process.