Extra forces are in the streets and the phone signals

are cut after India revoked the state's special status.

New Delhi modified a constitutional provision

giving the country's only Muslim-majority state autonomy

to make its own laws and protections,

such as barring non-residents from buying land.

The changes not only take away special privileges

but demote the state to a union territory,

giving New Delhi far more control over the contested

region.

Kashmiris fear that Mr Modi's BJP ultimately

wants to change the demographic character of the region

by allowing non-Kashmiris to buy land,

paving the way towards Hindu dominance.

Jammu and Kashmir received special rights

after India's independence in 1947,

when the state was incorporated into Hindu-majority

India rather than Muslim-majority Pakistan.

But it remained a site of animosity.

India and Pakistan have fought three bloody wars

over the state since independence.

Many Muslims in Indian Kashmir have long

resented what they see as heavy-handed New Delhi rule.

But Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP

believes that the state's autonomy has

fueled terrorism in the region.

Islamabad's response is the biggest and potentially

the most dangerous unknown.

New Delhi alleges Pakistan uses terrorist proxies to wage war

against India in the region.

It is unclear how long the lockdown will last

or when communication links will be restored.

But many are braced for violence if and when

Kashmiris will finally have their say.