Indian Kashmiris woke to the blaring sounds of loudspeakers Tuesday morning, with patrol parties announcing that everyone should remain indoors. Videos emerging from the region show stray dogs and birds have taken over the streets that are otherwise packed with humans on a normal day.
Barricades have been laid out at different points to ensure strict compliance with the two-day curfew order for 4-5 August, imposed in anticipation of protests on the first anniversary of the revocation of Kashmir's decades-old semi-autonomy.
The authorities said they have received intelligence about "separatists and Pakistan-sponsored groups" planning to observe a Black Day on 5 August.
Birds and stray dogs were seen taking over the main streets of Srinagar's densely packed market area and downtown.
Paramilitary troops even questioned the people moving around the city to maintain the restrictions imposed.
The office of Srinagar's District Magistrate released the order stating the possibility of protests cannot be ruled out and violent protests will endanger public life and property. It stated that the restrictions are also keeping in mind the outbreak of COVID-19 to avoid large gatherings.
However, movement for essential services relating to COVID-19 is allowed.
A similar strict curfew was imposed in the erstwhile state on 5 August last year when country's Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Jammu and Kashmir's sepcial status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution had been removed by a presidential order.
Flashpoints for violent protests and a blanket ban on communication were imposed, with phone and internet lines cut for months following the order. Also, hundreds of political leaders and people, advocating a separate homeland for Kashmiris, were detained.