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There was an eerie silence that night (August 4, 2019) most of the journalists had decided to stay back at their offices. We didn’t exactly know what was going to happen the following day. Every Kashmiri was panic-buying essentials and was seemingly nervous. 1/10
Though, there was no official order in public regarding phones and internet shutdowns but people were suspecting that something big was going to happen. The everyday orders to not panic & innumerable assurances by the authorities regarding medical supplies and essential 2/10
commodities didn't help either. Clearly, Delhi had plans for J&K, which later turned true. Political leaders were asking for clarity, Governor Satyapal Malik kept repeating that all is well & termed the concerns of the local mainstream parties as fear-mongering. 3/10
On the evening of August 4, a senior journalist and a friend Aarish Bilal called me up and asked if I’ve stocked enough food because there will be restrictions around and I should have all the necessary items. Following his words seriously, I went to a local grocery store 4/10
where people had lined up and were stocking up on essentials. I reached home and started calling family members, while I was on call, the process of taking down mobile-phone networks had already started. I was fortunate enough to inform my brother that the mobile 5/10
phones may stop working soon, told him to not worry & take care of himself & our mother, I'll be calling from the landline from hereon. I cooked dinner and was comparatively relaxed because i also had a landline, as i mentioned earlier. 6/10
I didn't take into account what was going to happen. Smart phones were reduced to clocks & gaming consoles for some. I picked up the landline to speak to my mother back in Jammu, I said Salaam and asked how she was, told her not to panic and mid-call, ominous silence. 7/10
The most disheartening thing I experienced in a long time. I’m sure she would have repeatedly said, “hello hello hello”. She didn’t know, fundamental rights had collapsed. I didn’t speak to her for more than two weeks and later when phones started working she told 8/10
me she would wait everyday for my call and ensured phone is always charged. My mother's sleepless nights cannot be compensated. We had stories of agony and pain to tell you, but government had put us on mute, with shutting off mobile networks, landlines and internet. 9/10
Later, everyone feared to express discontent at the situation because of the diktats. That night was longer than usual. I remember i had made plans to watch The Legend of Bhagat Singh & was looking forward to that, alas! 10/10
