Separatists call for 2-day shutdown over Article 35A

SRINAGAR: An alliance of Kashmiri separatist leaders on Friday called for a two-day shutdown in the State from August 26 against what it alleged are deliberate attempts to tinker with Article 35A of the Constitution.  The Supreme Court had on August 5 adjourned a scheduled hearing on a cluster of petitions challenging the validity of Article 35A as one of the members of three-judge bench was not present. 

Article 35A guarantees special rights and privileges to permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and thereby prohibiting non-permanent residents from permanent settlement and from acquiring immovable properties, government jobs and scholarships in the State. The provision also empowers the State Legislature to define such “permanent residents”.