Communist Party of India (CPI) senior leader D Raja on Monday politicised the Army by questioning Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's statement that there is no clampdown situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing a press briefing at the Officer's Training Academy in Chennai, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Rawat had set the record straight by dismissing claims that the Kashmir Valley is under clampdown. COAS Bipin Rawat gave in-depth details and provided logic to dispel any clampdown claims, which he attributed to terrorists and their purposes. 

'Hard to believe'

Speaking on the situation of J&K, D Raja said, "I do not know what Army Chief is saying. Telephones are not working. When we were there we could not contact our people sitting at Srinagar. Common people do not have telecommunication. What Army chief is saying is hard to believe." This comes despite telephone services being restored in phases since they were first shut down the day prior to Article 370's abrogation.

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Raja also took on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of distracting people from main issues. He said, "Instead of addressing the real issues he racks up issues to distract people. He should have clarity on what he is speaking. He comes up with new topics every day to remain in the media." This statement comes after Shah on Sunday addressed a rally in Mumbai where he highlighted the BJP government's decision to abrogate Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. 

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'No clampdown in Kashmir' - COAS General Bipin Rawat

The COAS said that ever since Article 370 was scrapped, there have been no instances of killings. He also said that violence in Kashmir is down and terrorism is being suppressed. The Army Chief also said that the ground situation in the Valley is normal.

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"Ground situation in Kashmir is normal and violence is down. Terrorists have been kept at bay. I do not agree that there is clampdown."

He further stated that the pressure exerted upon locals in the valley will soon be eased down. Bipin Rawat further said that daily life in Srinagar has not been affected. He also spoke about local businesses functioning normally. The Army Chief attributed the clampdown to terrorists in the valley. He said that the clampdown is a facade of terrorists. 

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