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Dear Diary, It Has Been a Month Since Article 370 Was Abrogated

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

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My Report
7 min read
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Hindi Female

Friday, 6 September, marked one month since Article 370 was abrogated and the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was shut to the rest of the world. Tourists, students and others from outside Kashmir were told to leave because of an ‘apparent terror threat’.

Kashmiris, however, knew something more was going on. That something unexpected was going to happen. And so it did.

What has this past month been like in Kashmir? I stay in Rajouri and decided to chronicle everything that happened since the fated day.

Day 1

Everyone is glued to news channels. At 11:00 am, we find out that Article 370 has been scrapped.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

By that time, there were barricades along all roads and the Internet had already been barred. Phones had stopped working and a curfew was implemented.

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Day 2

My family is gathered around the TV. Everyone is making assumptions and wondering 'What’s next?'.

The men in my family are engaged in political discussions, mostly about the consequences of the decision.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 3

I was supposed to go to Delhi for educational counselling, which was scheduled for 9 August.

Unfortunately, I lost my seat in the college because there was no way I could I have reached Delhi. Couldn’t help but just sit back and see all this happening.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 4

No more vegetables available at home.

We are managing somehow, but it's getting difficult as Papa is supposed to eat only fresh vegetables and fruits given his illness.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 5

Little sister's surgery was scheduled for today.

There is no contact with my family members in Jammu. The communication blackout feels like torture.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 6

There is not even a slight change in the situation. It has been a week but it feels like forever now.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.
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Day 7

I can't believe its Eid tomorrow. In my entire lifetime, I haven't seen any festival as numb as this one.

I couldn't get my Eid outfit. Mamma couldn't buy sweets and other eatables.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Thankfully, my sister and other family members arrived today. Her surgery was successful. But, it's disgusting to know that the forces were not allowing them to travel further than the checkpost. That too, when they had reached Rajouri.

How could it not matter to them that a patient was being taken home?

Day 8

It was Eid-ul-Zuha today but it didn't feel like that. It feels so incomplete without getting wished by loved ones or wishing them. Mamma didn't make all the Eid dishes that she always makes.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 9

Bhai was going to Mamu's house, 1.5 km away from ours. He was sent back for not having an identity card on him.

Why is the Indian media lying by suggesting that people are happily celebrating Eid and that there are no restrictions?

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 10

Tomorrow is 15 August, the historic day of Independence. We have already been warned to not go out. I can't believe it's been 10 days since I went out.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

There has been no milk for the last three days. I miss having chai at noon with lots of cream.

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Day 11

A very happy Independence Day to us for being freed on 15 August 1947. But on 15 August 2019, we are still caged and unable to speak out.

Today is Raksha Bandhan as well. I couldn't wish my brothers.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 12

Unfortunately, an aunty in the neighborhood died yesterday, but we came to know of it today.

My sister and I went to my Uncle's house to tell him about the incident. I feel restricted because of the communication blackout.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 13

There is a total information blackout, still. I can't receive any information regarding my admission results.

If I lose my seat for a second time, even after preparing for three continuous years, what am I supposed to do? Sit at home and wait till the government is in the mood to normalise the situation?

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 14

Doesn't matter if it's Sunday or Monday. Every day feels the same. I feel sick for not being able to talk to any of my friends. I don't know if they are fine or not.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 15

As usual, my day revolves around sitting in front of the TV, flipping through news channels, waiting hopelessly for any news about things getting better. When will that day come?

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.
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Day 16

It's been so many days now.

There is an urge to fight this injustice, yet there is a fear of being detained.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 17

Am I getting used to this? Little changes have been seen so far. It's torturous to listen to the same lies over and again from the media.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 18

Today, I have come to Jammu with my Uncle, who had a curfew pass. Feels good to breathe in the air of ‘normalcy’. Shops are open and I can spot people here and there.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 19

I finally have Internet after 20 days.

Mobile Internet hasn't been restored yet, but at least the broadband is working, no matter how slow.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 20

Some people are celebrating Janmashtami. Feels really good to know that at least another festival didn't just pass away in numbness.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 21

It's been 21 days. Can't deny the fact that things are fine in Jammu, but not being able to contact my parents back home is disheartening.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 22

It was a good day today. Felt good to be able to go outside without being asked for identification proof.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 23

Things are getting smoother, but the Internet blockade has caused a great loss to students like me, who are directly or indirectly dependent on the Internet for every possible thing, studying being the most important.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.
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Day 24

I am getting back to my daily routine. Hopes are high but can't mistake this as trust for the government and its decisions.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 25

It's an extremely happy day for me. Phone networks have been restored in Rajouri. I could finally talk to Mamma and Papa after so many days. My heart feels so light; I slept well too.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 26

Communication has been partly restored and being in contact with my parents is such a relaxing feeling.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 27

Knowing that the heavy number of forces that were deployed earlier are reducing is reassuring.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 28

I can't believe it started in August and is still continuing in September.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 29

I'm so happy today. I talked to few of my friends on the phone after a really long time.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 30

Mobile and broadband services have been restored, but mobile Internet is still not working. A sense of fear and anger prevails in people.

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

Day 31

Here’s how this past month has been like in Kashmir.

It’s already been a month of misery and pain. It feels like forever.

(All 'My Report' branded stories are submitted by citizen journalists to The Quint. Though The Quint inquires into the claims/allegations from all parties before publishing, the report and the views expressed above are the citizen journalist's own. The Quint neither endorses, nor is responsible for the same.)

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