After Three Weeks Of Lockdown, This Is What Kashmir Looks Like

There are no phones and no internet.
Jammu & Kashmir remains in a state of shock. Ever since India’s home minister Amit Shah announced the scrapping of the restive Indian state’s special status (Article 370 of the constitution), people are struggling to come to terms with the new reality—one where their identity and the demographic composition of the state is no longer shielded by law. There is now a sense of paranoia about what might be in store. The lockdown in the state, which has now entered its third week, has heightened the uncertainty. People have suddenly been transported to a pre-communication era. There are no phones and no internet. Landlines, which have just been partially restored, are of little use as their penetration is negligible.